Stavanger Bay and every minute gets longer

The creature that Charon described did not take much of a shape in Mordecai's mind. A mutated wolf? He thought back briefly upon the trolls that Osprey had mentioned, but came to no conclusion. It was a tempting occurence to him then to investigate the source of where this had all gone down, but he was doubtful he could ever find the exact locale. In spite of being a proficient tracker and a hunter of sorts, Mordecai had to wager that the attack had happened some time ago. Long before he was into the picture and certainly long enough that Charon had made the trek back.

On the second go around though, Charon's commentary of being brave stuck out to him. The boy wanted the acknowledgment that he was not perceptive enough to give and for a moment, Mordecai knew he was torn between acknowledging it and letting it go. He didn't want to encourage him to simply go looking for trouble. Yet, by not acknowledging it, wouldn't that have possibly done the same? He opted for the better of two evils. "I would say that's pretty brave of you. I hope you didn't chase it off all alone though." If anything, Mordecai hoped he had someone with him. A friend, even his brother. Something to make it seem as though the odds were unfavorable for whatever had come upon Charon.

It was the question after that served as a relief from his awkward comment on his brave relation. This question, Mordecai could answer easily. "And no, I don't have a mate. Or kids. I've never settled down, like others." He almost spoke the line like your father but caught himself before the faux pas hit the open air. This time, that thought pierced him keenly.