The Heartwood oxbalm

at first, all the boy could do was offer a solemn nod. he echoed every word sun eater taught him in lanzadoii, adding them into his vocabulary.
he would mumble these words sometimes, before making himself clearer to avoid trouble. he wasn't just learning lanzadoii, but learning how to walk around shells with his hotblooded father. he hopes — prays — that the women of his family would be kinder. but if they shared blood, then they would probably share that same heat.

something tears sun eater's attention from the lessons. before ghelan could say "river," he was on his feet and flanking behind the hurried chieftain. excited, and worried, as to what it was that riled sun eater.