It’s been nearly a year since you’ve been to Zion, making friends with Joshua Graham, Daniel and the two tribes. Joshua swore you as a lifelong ally after you assisted in driving off the Legion-backed White Legs. While Daniel disapproved of the tactics, he also was just as appreciative for the support you gave to his flock.

Heading that Daniel and a group from Zion has arrived in the Mojave is a surprise, but a welcome one nonetheless. You eagerly clear out a few days and travel North to meet them at their camp just outside of the canyon passage to Zion.

You arrive at the camp near dusk, smelling cooking meat and seeing a great gathering near a bonfire at the center of camp.

Daniel is standing up with a book as the tribals sit or kneel in a circle around him.

Daniel: …one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ’If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’

He sees you approach and smiles, though you can see sadness in his eyes.

Daniel: Hello, Courier. We’ve been hoping to see you. We’re just finishing up, care to join us?

It doesn’t seem like Daniel is going to stop the evening’s activity and you don’t see a reason to interrupt their tradition.

Follows-Chalk spots you and gives you a toothy smile but doesn’t dare interrupt Daniel. You find a log to sit on at the edge of the crowd.

Daniel: But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’ Now, let us eat. Courier, please join us for dinner.

Once again, it doesn’t seem like an ask but more of a firm suggestion. Surprising coming from such a pacifist like Daniel.

You move in closer to the tribals, recognizing many during your time in Zion. None stands out more than Follows-Chalk, who comes over with roasted Gecko in a thick vegetable soup.

Follows-Chalk: Courier, I’m sure you’ve been missing this ever since you left Zion, eh? Nothing like some roasted gecko to stick to your ribs.

You take the bowl and inhale. You’d never admit it but the Sorrows are better cooks than you could ever hope to be.

[Thanks, Chalk. Can’t say the Mojave lives up to the cooking up north, but we get by. How was the trip down here?]

Follows-Chalk: Exciting, I had never been out of Zion before that. It was mostly canyon and desert so nothing too scary for the rest of the group. I would have loved to poke around some ruins.

You use the lull of the conversation to take a deep drink of the soup, savoring the unique blend of seasonings.

[How is Zion? Must be a lot quieter since we drove out the White-Legs.]