"Or we'll be dead," Ann agreed.
He smiled as he listened to her talk, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. The way she spoke, it was clear that her upbringing had been severely different than his own. Her tribe had prided itself on strength and strength alone, while his embraced all the differences in strength, nurturing the abilities that might not be valued by others. His tribe thought all life was valuable, and so respected every member of the tribe - once they had proven themselves in the trials to move from childhood to adulthood. Perhaps, in that way, his tribe did value strength. For only those who survived the trials were considered adults and given the full rights and privileges enjoyed by the senior members of the tribe.
Either way, that way of life wasn't here. Wasn't now. This was the present, and he needed to look forward. That was the only way now.
Ann looked down past Ma'akéné's shoulder and studied the passing ground below. Was his outlook on life interesting? Beautiful? He didn't know. It was the way he'd always looked at the world, always seeing the positive, even when things were bleak.
"I..." he started, then paused, gathering his thoughts. "I look at the world with a sense of wonder, with a sense of grandeur, because if I don't, I think I'll go mad. I see enough of the worst side of people and the world in my daily life, when my tribe raids the traveling merchants or others. I know it's for survival, but sometimes, I wonder if it's necessary."
His gaze went to the sky then, and he smiled again, easily, as the sun shone down on his face, warming his skin. "As far as the gods... who knows? Perhaps they are listening, but their silence is a message to us. "Rise up by your own two hands. Only then can we help you." I don't know."
Ann looked toward Riala then, reaching to squeeze her shoulder in a comforting manner. He said nothing more, only returned his gaze to the road before them and urged Ma'akéné into a faster walk.