Bastian:
Something seems to be following the horses...perhaps a predator of some kind...let me see if I can recognize the prints.
"What's wrong?" Aiyana asks, "The sun will be up soon. Is it okay to make camp and rest? Are we in any danger here?"
"Oh, no, not now. Not him," Daehalya moans.
"No," she answers Aiyana. "If it's the Umbral Court, they won't stop hunting for us. I've spent -- I don't even remember how long now trying to help people avoid them and they won't stop."
Bastians expression grows grim as he realizes the nature of the tracks.
A pack of canines - and no ordinary dogs either. I strongly suspect they're shadow mastiffs, commonly used by Umbral Court agents during dream hunts for Desnan heretics. We must be alert and prepare for trouble.
Noticing Daehalya’s anxiety, Bastian moves to the slender elf and says in a low, comforting voice. Don’t be alarmed. If it is indeed him, we will face him together. I swear to you, we will break his hold over you once and for all.
Daehalya nods in appreciation for Master Garmont's words.
”Of course. More shadow beasts. Let us stay alert.” Lesska trades her trusty longspear for her longbow, evidently keen to whittle away at any enemies before they might close...
I have faced these shadow-dogs before. They are powerful beasts, well suited for pursuing their prey and bringing it low. They can blend with shadows and strike fear in the bravest with their terrible bay. As for their masters, they employ a host of dastardly tactics all of their own...
"I have a few spells left," Daehalya says, screwing her courage to its sticking place. "They're likely to hunt us if they don't find us with the horses, so I suppose we should try to get them first."
"Well...there doesn't seem to be any present danger," Aiyana replies, "Most of the time, such dogs prefer the dark for hunting...at least from my own experiences with them. We have such creatures in Lyrudrada, as well. And, I've encountered a few here in Nidal when leading Desnan followers to Gioret's ranch..."
The caligni pauses in mid-sentence...
"Wait! The ranch!" she exclaims, "If the horses are returning home like they're trained to do, they'll lead those shadow beasts to Gioret's. That'll bring their masters there, too. The dream hunters. And we could be walking straight into that."
Aiyana seems fretful for several moments.
"I suppose there's nothing all that suspicious about the horses. If the dream hunters follow them to the ranch, they shouldn't have any particular reason to suspect Gioret of aiding heretics, right? Do they...have any kind of magic that could compel the truth if they interrogate him? Or anything they might be able to divine about us and our use of the horses to get to Haramil's tomb?"
Daehalya & Bastian:
Bastian looks worried at Aiyana's mention of the ranch.
In my experience, these posses are ruthless and need little excuse to employ both torture and magic to confirm their suspicions. It would be best if we can intercept them before they reach the ranch. We should pick up the pace.
Daehalya nods.
"Yes, ruthless," she agrees.
”So now we shift from quarry to pursuers? Of course we do.” Lesska finishes drily.
Like the transformation from an idyll to a summer storm, the Kellid’s mood changes from annoyance to grim determination, her dissatisfaction spurred into action.
”Let us give chase.”