Verdigris Ravine 'tis time that i fare from you

The strange dialects of this place were one of the things that simultaneously fascinated Talisman and made him feel uncertain of whether he belonged. S’ari spoke a great deal more than some of the others. Her speech differed from his own but she was quite articulate and Talis easily followed everything she said.

Do you know what you had? What illness, I mean? the yearling wondered, more out of morbid curiosity than anything else. Do you need anything? Like food? Zoug taught me a bit about caching. I could bring you some meat… or fruits and nuts, if that’s your thing.

Just like storing snacks for later, tending to others’ needs was kind of foreign to him. But Talis had always been happy to look out for his dad, so this was one thing he could definitely contribute. Actually, the thought of providing for and supporting his brethren here in The Tribe sent a little thrill through him. I live to serve, he thought a little randomly.

I’ve actually been a nomad my whole life, Talis answered her question, up ‘til now, I guess. I’ve never stayed in one place or lived with a group like this. It was always just my dad and me. My mom died when I was very little, he explained.