Herbalists' Cache Weep for yourself

Veteran listened, trying his best to be polite and not stare at the muddy-coated man like he'd grown another head. He was unphased by the storyteller's tail whacking against him. 

The uncle sounded like a kindred spirit, truth be told. Veteran often found himself watching groups of animals for days or even weeks on end-- and not to hunt them either. Just to watch them. Because he was a weirdo.  Just maybe not as weird as this "Speckletooth" guy. 

"The swamp needed it more... so he gave the goat to the swamp."

..Was "the swamp" like.. a metaphor? Was it someone's name or rank? What did it mean?! Veteran made a mental note to ask more about this "swamp" thing later, assuming that Speckletooth didn't reveal himself as a completely deranged lunatic. The jury was still out for the moment. 

"Umm.." Veteran piped up when he was addressed, "No. He's worked up about something, but.. but not, uh, that." He cleared his throat and turned to the Pale Puker. "I'm Veteran. This is uh, Speckletooth, I guess. We just wanted to make sure you were okay."