"Well," Alan considers, wiping a streak of dirt from under an eye. He inspects it disinterestedly, before glancing back up. "It helps to put in the work."

And there's always work to be done in Ortan Thaig. Small, and inglorious, and tedious — and necessary.

"What are your skills? I'll set you up with a task."

Steady hands make quick friends, keep the mind from circling itself like a buzzard.