The man was tall, draped in the warm, russet tones of a forest in autumn, with eyes as green as any emerald Raelan had ever seen. He smelled of the earth, but in a way that captured the fresher notes of the trees in winter—comforting, as it was. A scent that brought memories of open fires deep within the woods as laughter rang out beside him and throughout the moon-touched forest he had once been in. The recollection left a quiet twang in his chest that Raelan would easily ignore as he offered a gentle dip of his head in thanks.

Have you been around these parts long? He asked as his pale stare roved to his own. Admittedly, since waking, Raelan had spent many of his days scouring the north. He knew those frosted fields and white capped mountains like he knew his own name. They were a part of him now, their knowledge and their secrets his own.

But the eastern side of the world? This glade, as well as the castle he and Vidalia had chosen to make as a home? Raelan still felt as blind as a bat in some parts. It was going to take a lot longer on his part to survey the areas around their home and ensure her safety was at a level he felt comfortable with.

He would need to learn of the nearby groups, barring Camhanaich, as they had seemed nothing but nice. And of the rogues who passed on through…

A shadow of a grin tugged at the edge of his lips as he swung his attention back toward the stranger, the talk of elk now reminiscent on the wind. That would be much appreciated, He uttered with a nod as his nose twitched atop the nearby scent captured by the wind. He angled his head toward the left, as if communicating to the man: This way.

The name is Raelan, by the way, he offered casually with a swing of his gaze toward the other.