When Maldore regained his composure, he almost immediately forgot the stranger beside him, taking a quick step forward. "Palluck, you should have come to get me! You don't know how these are supposed to go, something could have gone terribly wrong!"

At the volume of his tone, the newborn female recoiled, her eyes wide and tearing. The strange visitor behind Maldore shook his head.

"Aye, something did go wrong. But not with the lass."

The Namican brothers hesitated and stared at him. Palluck perked an ear.

"What is 'aye' and 'lass'?"

The stranger shakily stood up. "Never been one of these before, but I highly doubt addressing the younger lad right here like that in front of an apparent newborn... though she looks awfully big and mature for any newborn... nonetheless, you've already revealed a harsh tone to one so young. Never set so bad an example, or you'll live to regret it."

Palluck kept a protective paw over his sister's shoulder, standing. "Who are you? How are you even standing with an injury like that?"

The stranger's brow furrowed. "You get used to pain after a while. I'm a bit older than I look. And I'm not about to let anything stop me from getting to the Goles, not at this crucial time."

Palluck shook his head. "What's Gol-ez, and what crucial time?"

The stranger started to shake his head, then held his blood-covered temples. "Sorry, not supposed to do that. Now, I'm not familiar with the ways of the Namican, but I don't believe any mother would just leave her unborn offspring like that for so long. Your parents... away visiting the Patriarch of your race. He's the last one among those our size."

Ignoring the confused looks from the young Namicans, and the curious expression of the newborn following them everywhere, the stranger continued with a wince.

"Before you ask how I even know, it's complicated, more than we have time to explain. Goodness, always be careful where you stand at any moment, fainting onto a rock isn't sunshine and daisies by any means. Now, we need to be going."

Maldore stood between him and his siblings. "Going where? She was just born, and might not be able to walk far for long. And why do we follow a complete stranger?"

The Namican stood straighter, and gave them a serious stare. "Because, you parents are missing. That's why they haven't returned."

Maldore shook his head. "No. They're alright. They'll be back!"

The stranger winced again, running a paw over the side of his face. "You know exactly where they met? That should be proof enough that I'm telling the truth. The sooner we get started, the better."

Palluck turned to his sister, and started coaxing her to stand upright. She shakily complied, hunched slightly, shivering. The young male faced his brother. "She's not going to make it far, and she hasn't been cleaned up."

The stranger and Maldore exchanged glances. Palluck's older brother shook his head, looking at his shaky sister.

"I think we can't wait for Mother to come back. We have to find her as soon as possible. Once we clean her... I'll carry her to the meeting place."