Nova Peak Long way home

He beamed when he proved once again to be correct. Bazi's praise made his insides feel warm, although he felt something gnaw at his belly when she suggested he might become chief tracker. It was anxiety. A chief was synonymous to a leader. His mouth felt dry at the thought of leading anyone or anything, even if the compliments quietly pleased him.

"No chief," he replied lightly. Relonikiv was very much a follower, with no interest or desire to lead. "I have good nothe," he added to answer her prior question. He couldn't recall anyone specifically teaching him to track, it was just a skill he had acquired naturally through growth and play.

"Bathi," the youngster spoke up after a beat, turning away from the skeleton and squinting into the nearby trees before shyly dragging his silver eyes back to the woman he still considered a mother of sorts, despite Paarthurnax's return. "Why," he began slowly, "do I thound different?" He couldn't quite put his finger on it, just that he was becoming increasingly aware of his own speech impediment.