[Kratos's head is definitely pounding, and he knows it can't be a concussion; he wouldn't have been capable of getting even halfway up that slope, if it were. But it feels like it, feels like the air and -- and mana warp in and out in his sight until a form is made, and the very presence of it feels heavy also.

[... This is Gnome? Kratos swallows, his mouth dry.]

I -- I don't know what that means.

[One of his? No, Kratos has no idea. This is Gnome? He sounds like a court jester. ... Kratos is not going to say that out loud.]

I -- asked for help. Someone pushed me ...

[Yuan. Yuan and gift and apology -- Kratos forces his fist to unclench and it hurts, his fingers stiff and cramped; but he manages. He casts about for words and finds none; but Gnome doesn't seem to be much for formality.]

I came to the edge of camp to offer an apology for our incursion. On behalf of Commander Ka-Fai.

[His knees are jelly; walking is not an option. Nor is tossing the sky-blue stone. But he offers it so Gnome can see even from a distance, not knowing whether one of the gnomelettes might take it to deliver, or -- Gnome come over to do so himself -- oh, spirits.]

This came from the granite of Nidavellir.