His naked feet flapped awkwardly, like a turtle's.

He was not a pretty or prepossessing sight.
Across the clearing he pattered, head down, still cringing away from the visitor.

As the two entered the shadows of the nearest grove Gavin Brice glanced quickly around him on all sides.

The conch did the same.

Then the two moved on with the same distance between them as before.
And as they went Gavin spoke.