Shel was enjoying simply being out in the open world again, if you let your mind drift you could pretty easily forget that you weren't just going for a day hike out to the mountains.  There was a certain pleasure to be found just putting one foot in front of the other, feeling your pack shift with every step.  Particularly since they were not just trailblazers here but THE trailblazers.  This was virgin territory, all of it.  The only thing that could make this better would be a nice breeze.  Maybe a good stew.

The Mithra asked if anyone had seen animals and Zeke replied quickly with a rather astute observation.

"[color=8dc73f]That's a good point,[/color]" Shel said, tilting his head back to help his voice carry while still keeping an eye on the ground below to avoid tripping, [color=8dc73f]"Can't see any sign of other folk out here.  Nothing deliberate, nothing purpose built out here.  But...[/color]"

He paused, falling out of sync with the group while he peered about for a second then caught up.

[color=8dc73f]"We've covered a decent distance now and I for one haven't seen a sign of any life at all.  That is peculiar.[/color]"

He caught up with the group and spoke to them in general but to Zeke in particular,

"[color=8dc73f]No deer, no wee little rabbits, or something of the sort, that might make sense.  Like ya said, scared off by new sounds and smells and all that.[/color]"  He sniffed at his armpits and scrunched his nose up in mock disgust, "[color=8dc73f]Makes sense it does.  What doesn't make sense though?[/color]" He gestures all around them, "[color=8dc73f]No birds in the distance, no hawks or crows.  No bugs in the grass, or on our clothes or flitting about.  No lizards soaking up the heat on these rocks.[/color]"

He pauses for a moment as an idea pops into his head.

"[color=8dc73f]Just a minute yeah?[/color]"

Not waiting for a response he looks about for any large flat rocks in grassy areas.  Finding one he kneels in close, looks back towards the group smiling, and slowly lifts the rock up looking under for any signs of life.