Ankyra Sound he beat her with a belt once, ‘cause she cried

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Eurycrates, too, prefers the beach. Lacedaemon was an open, sprawling place; this, not so much. The trees and rocks held too many shadows for him to feel at ease. He had grown up accustomed to feeling watched, hunted. All can be seen when all is clear--all is well when all is clear.
He approaches the girl with careful steps, afraid to startle her and ruin his favor with the dark-headed woman, who he assumes to be her mother. After giving a low whoof, he settles nearby on his haunches, fixing his gilded stare upon her. He has always been awful with beginning conversations.
She is very beautiful but so young. They wed young in Laedaemon, though. He licks his chops, feeling unsettled. And then looks away, unsure of how he will be received. It might do better to fix his attentions on other, older candidates. More suitable here, in this foreign, strange land. The dark lass had time enough to grow.
What is your name? he asks woodenly, his voice rough-hewn.

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