Cecil had an easy humour, and a plain way of talking that set Nate more at ease with each sentence.

Animals. Horseback. Two legs.

Yeah, they were on the same page, then.

Relief and confusion battled in his chest; to not be the only one! Nate cleared his throat, smile twisting into an apologetic shape. Wasn't on horseback at the time... but the surplus of legs came as a surprise to me, too.

He came forward again, sitting down in the open snow. Glanced briefly around, twisting an ear, but Ko-Ga showed no sign of alarm, and Nate tentatively trusted that they were safe. I met a she-wolf, a few days in. She couldn't rightly explain how she got here, but she seemed to think she'd always been a wolf. Others remember being something else. Some are more cryptic about it than I'd like. Still don't know how it happened... or why. But if it eases your mind to know it, at least you're not alone, here, friend.

Blinking, Nate rolled his shoulder a little and Ko-Ga flapped to re-balance with a grumpy squawk. Ko-Ga's just a crow, s'far as a I know. Had him with me... before. The unbidden memory of mashed feathers and blood beneath the boots of cruel men rushed forward, and Nate grit his teeth. Willed it away with clenched breath. Remembered to stay smiling: But I think he's smarter now. I swear he knows more than he's letting on.