Arrow Lake fall down a rabbit hole

mahler had returned from his excursion into the lowlands with little more to tell about swiftcurrent than before. no matter, he decided. such things could be puzzled out at a later time.
there were hunts to be made, patrols to be done, joiners to be found, but for all of that, mahler was content to find a bit of shade and unroll a stoat skin wherein he kept his choicest medicines.
a trip to the little herb cave would be necessary soon, but upon discovering the woman liri and her lingering cough, mahler had taken it upon himself to stock diaspora’s plant cache with plants for fever, mild illnesses, vomiting, and the unfortunate malady that often took children in their youth. he had liked liri, enjoyed her company, but could not be sure that the woman was indeed not contagious, and he would never forgive himself if he had inadvertently transported home from her a virus that might slay diasporan pups.
therefore he was close when ketzia summoned him; unsure why he had been called, and aware of the terse tone in her voice, the kapitän approached in a crisp gait, bearing with him his store. ”ketzia,” mahler greeted. ”vhat can i do for you?”