The cliffhanger from last time will have to wait, as we’re back with Tavi from the prologue. He lives with his sheep farmer uncle Bernard, and that little favor stopped him from bringing the sheep in on time. He quickly gets sketched out as a Badass Normal, who hasn’t been able to do any crafting but is still smart; basically the Sokka of the cast.
After an interlude to let us know Bernard’s a woodcrafter, plus another that’s still up for grabs, they run into another farmer named Kord…after Bernard shoots his son in the ass. He’s a Jerkass who we belatedly find out has a son accused of rape, which he’d get punished for too. Tavi’s ignorance of the complicated legal proceedings of this world gives another natural exposition spiel, plus we find out crafting isn’t quite like bending; everyone can do it, and Tavi’s lack of any skill makes him quite the pariah. That’ll probably end once the Badass Normal kicks in more.
Bernard talks to his sister Isana through a river, though there’s a weird bit with a stone from a bottle so I’d guess that’s not one of his natural skills. Plus, that girl from the prologue was named Beritte, and the favor was making her a necklace that’s kind of like the little knickknacks on Risa that indicate you’re looking for sex. Then back to the stuff we care about, as Isana is also a “truthsayer” for Kord’s son. No idea yet what this has to do with the stuff before, but it’s pretty good in its own right.
