book 1: arrivals

Gilgamesh is surprised and quite honestly impressed that the girl tries to stand. As she hauls herself up, he leans back but doesn't move far. One brow is raised as he hears her hold back the strangled cry of pain. He fights to roll his eyes. Women. So stubborn and persistent. Why couldn't she admit that she needed help? Was that so hard? Letting out another sigh, Gil grabs her by the scruff as gently as he can manage and deposits her onto his back. Thankfully she is small enough that she can position herself between his shoulders without fear of falling off.

Rising to his paws slowly so not to pitch her off, he turns to Urtur. "Let us go quickly," he says in still gruff tones before taking off at a lope across the beach toward the water. His wolverine is quick to follow and steadies the raft for Gil as he clambers on. After the recent rains, the wood is slick and sometimes hard to find balance. Once they are situated, he stays standing so that the girl doesn't fall. "Urtur, you'll warm once we're home," he nods his chin toward the isle and his wolverine pushes the raft off into the water with his paws on the edge and begins to paddle them toward home.

"Do you have a name?" Gil asks after a few moments of silence.

"speech"