We're in agreement on that, [Altius replies; trying to pretend any of them could get by and make any progress on their own would be unreasonable at best, and getting to know their fellow Chosen was his personal choice of how to proceed in Aldrip.] To answer your question: a little bit of everything. Information; getting to know other Chosen, and see how these particular locals are acting about it. Seeing if any few faces appeared. If I'd found it, I would have liked to find some company, as well.

[What he's not saying: he dearly needs the distraction from his own thoughts. Thankfully he doesn't have to get too deeply into those, as a new distraction arrives in the form of Richard's horse. He watches with faint interest; he has no real opinions on the animal. It seems well trained, in any case.]

I did. [He tilts his head just barely. He knows very little about horses or how complicated the process might be, so he simply offers:] I'm not opposed to riding if you prefer, though I've never been on a horse.