Cricket Creek Bog ¤aapiaq

The stranger seemed a little tight, but Stratos supposed he might have been, too, if he'd been the one interrupted by a boy man he knew nothing about. So Stratos gave him space, until the other would invite him closer. He wasn't looking to get his face bit off, after all.

And indeed, friendliness claimed his greeting! When the other man looked him over, Stratos was glad he'd managed to put on some weight since his spell after losing Ani. He wasn't nearly as strong-looking as this northerner, but he attributed that to his own southern blood, riddled through his frame and on his face as Aiolos' near spitting image.

The stranger confirmed what Stratos had strung together by word and circumstance - and he threw back his head in a grateful laugh when he promised more. I did not expect any payment. You are a generous man! and his offer was tempting, too, but... But if we are trading, I have a better deal, and now it became his turn to wonder what the stranger would say to this, we carry the meat back together, and I eat my share with you and your wife, and spend an evening with friendly company. It's been long since I've traded songs and stories with someone other than the ravens who entertain the meals.