Nate moved to meet them halfway, walk skipping to a lope and just as quick into a canter as a wuff rang out and his tail wagged in blatant excitement.

Smile creased with worrying care as they drew close. Ȟákac'enyu was thinner, now. Too thin. As much a victim of the tightening noose as any of their number.

He felt a pang of guilt — he should be keeping them all fed better. Sheltered better. Hadn’t she felt starvation enough for one lifetime? The mere breath of it was demon enough for him to contend with, but now the teeth of that reality had bared, too.

Her companion — a little better off, maybe. But marked by hard living all the same. A notably a handsome figure, honed like a blade.

Nate met Samo’s gaze when he approached, steady in the staring until it began to feel strange to do so and both their eyes dropped in tandem. Then back to Elk Charm to see the affirmation in her stance as he spoke.

A friend. A friend.

Curious gaze flicked over the bowed figure again. I’m glad to know you, Samo of the Aedui. Any friend of Miss Elk Charm's is welcome here. Their brow scars did not match exactly, but were similar enough to pull a chuckle loose, even if Nate couldn't quite explain why or whether it amused him. Nate Ronan. But — just Nate's fine.

Pleasantries accounted, he asked, How is it... North? Looks like the journey wasn't easy. I have a couple of groundhogs — stashed inland a bit. Wish I had something fatter to offer you, but at least it'll be something.