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He was dancing, absolutely dancing, with every step that he and his Papa took to lead him toward the Veins. It was time! Well almost, some story about how there’d be some tasks ahead probably was told to him every time he got too excited. But those thoughts were dismissed easily, something to be worried about at a later date. The prospect that he was so close to finding his bear cub at last was too much for the colt to be able to focus on anything else. More than once he had to be called back to Ktulu during their journey, as he wandered too far ahead (and occasionally in the wrong direction - she was, after all, leading the way) out of excitement.

Also more than once, he dropped the little bundle of wildflowers he had wanted to bring as an offering and had to scrounge them up again. Now they were a little droopy, from the heat, and bent all over the place. For now, he was too distracted to notice.

On their way back, maybe, he would have time to look at the changing scenery and be fascinated with it but it wasn’t until they were actually in the veins that he grew shy. His excitement stemmed by awe at this world that was vastly different than the one he had been born into. His papa was careful to warn him away from the glowing blue river that he didn’t understand - it looked thicker than water, almost like hot slush running through the cracks in the dark rocks. He hadn’t been exposed to much magic yet or he would use that term to describe the whole place.

As they drew closer to the altars, Murtagh grew increasingly shy - lingering back having to actually be encouraged forward instead of being called back. He shrank into the legs of his papa, wishing for some of her courage to seep into him. He wanted this, yes, but this place was so strange.

On shaky legs, his excitement at war with curiosity and a dash of fear, Murtagh approached the Earth God’s altar and placed the ruined mouthful of wildflowers with tenderness. He made a face at the bundle, wishing they had just held it together until now, but there were no flowers around for him to replace them with. Hurriedly, he rejoined Ktulu where she stood nearby and stood as close as he could. “How will he know we’re here?” He asked quietly, not entirely sure how the whole ‘god’ thing worked.