Veigar had heard the raven crowing long before he really found himself aware of the bird's presence. At first he'd thought it was a coincidence, but it became clear that the raven was following him. No, trying to communicate with him somehow.

It was in a dream though that it became clear. It was a sign from his mother, sent from beyond the grave, of strength and protection. He'd be his eyes, since he could not see.

Accepting the raven's nearly constant presence came naturally to him. He knew that wherever he went, the bird would follow as best as he could. It was comforting, which was the only reason he even allowed himself to wander so far from Insomnia lands. He was still slowly as he moved through the swaying willow trees, only occasionally pausing at a low-reaching branch that he collided with.

Auster was becoming raw and chilly, par for the course this time of year Tate supposed. The blustery days were enough to blow the young man north, gaze ever-keen and stride ever-bold. Not that Boreas was all that great this time of year either, with the rain that had soaked through pretty much everything. Every step soggy and sodden, more than one night waking up in a puddle lately, and just... well, it should have put a damper on the boy's mood. Should have, but didn't.

Okay listen, there's nothing wrong with better living through chemical intervention.

Tate had begun smoking for the pain in his side after the first raid. That stupid girl-- he'd gotten her back for it, too. It didn't bother him anymore, hadn't so much has scarred. Sure, he'd begun smoking for those reasons, but he continued simply because he liked it. The shades of darkness he'd seen during the raid, those were things he didn't speak of. A sea monster lurked in his bones, one that he couldn't yet name. At least with a little intervention, Tate didn't have to think of it.

Among the trees, beside the pond, the young man rests with his dog. It's too wet to light a fire, but they've set a net for fish. This is where they'll camp this evening, after their first trip to the markets this year. Cannabis and apple scents color the air around him... a good evening, by his standards.

"Potato"

The addition of a working set of eyes wasn't something Veigar could complain about. Somehow he knew the male raven had been sent specifically for him, by someone in a different realm entirely - his mother, perhaps? He wouldn't think of her for long though, knowing if he did that he would sink back into the darkest depths of his mind. A place he'd spent far too long in, and one he wasn't keen to return to.

His new raven friend let out a sound of alert, one which made Veigar's pace slow as he neared the pond. He moved with intention, as careful as he could, slinking over the tall grasses that grew near the edge of the water. The smell of the pond was distinct, while the smell of another wolf here was much fainter, only increasing with each step he took. Not just a wolf, but a dog too. His head was held low to the ground, trailing after the scents carefully. It was only when he was within earshot - or at least what he calculated must be earshot - did he let out a bark, signalling his presence.

"Afternoon," he added to his greeting, making an effort to lift his head and point his unseeing eyes in the stranger's likely direction. "You know this place well?" He tried to still any nervousness he might be emanating about being so far from Insomnia's lands. It's been awhile - a long, long while - since he'd wandered this far at all, and he hoped he might be able to learn something about this place before being caught in a situation that might prove dangerous. Maybe this stranger knew a thing or two.