Verdigris Ravine muscle

The way Zoug gnashed his teeth made Talisman stare for a beat before he comprehended what he was trying to demonstrate. His words further clarified, prompting the younger coyote to chew thoughtfully on the inside of his cheek.

I’ve eaten some berries before, he shared, thinking briefly of Winston, but I can’t say I’ve tried eating many other plants. Maybe, Talis continued, hesitating briefly before continuing, you could teach me about them? Which plants are good to eat? And which ones aren’t?

He remembered the time he and his dad had come across a fat, dead marmot. Young Talis had thought they’d found an easy meal. But the lack of wounds had given his father pause and he’d explained that it might’ve ingested something toxic. Indeed, there had been bits of plant matter stuck in its teeth.

He would not soon forget that lesson. Perhaps Zoug could pick up where his dad had left off. Talis’s pale eyes lingered inquisitively on the older man’s face, careful not to stare directly into his single eye.