Caleb's suspicions have led him to the beach, not for the first time. The Nameless Island is strange at the best of times, but the last few days have proven to be something especially out of the ordinary. It's been stormy, and the beach had been off limits, and earlier Caleb had seen Astrid, so--

So seeing Eadwulf's familiar broad form trudging along the sand toward him is somehow both startling and expected. Resolved, Caleb goes to meet him. Wulf is dressed unseasonably for the weather in comparison to Caleb's lightweight clothing, and all that fabric must be heavy while it's still logged with seawater.

When they're close enough to speak, he draws up short. Even the bittersweet twist in his chest he always feels when they encounter one another can't convince him to reach out first this time, after everything in the last year.

"Wulf," he says, sounding equal parts relieved and wary as he speaks in their native tongue, "You are still soaked."