Moonsong Glacier you have walked this path since your birth

Dutch had been enjoying the consistency of Fallen Sun's companionship. Tulugak had her travels and Kilgitsuk and Ariadne had each other. He felt great warmth for silenthunter — Towhee — but there was only so much time he could spend with a young girl before he grew wistful for the company of an adult. Fallen Sun filled this role nicely. Although his silence sometimes chafed, his willingness to go along with whatever Dutch asked for was a priceless boon.

Today, he woke with urgency stirring in his legs. There was information he needed to impart on the other man, and he was not yet sure they were capable of reaching that understanding together.

"You have been good," Dutch said slowly, choosing his words with care. What he meant was that he appreciated the other man's loyalty and work ethic, and that he was a man that Dutch was quickly coming to trust and rely on. For now, though, he started small. "Do you like it here?" he asked.