Yuto nods to Sandru "We will rest"
Taking a break finally on his surveillance of the sleeping ninja finally, Yuto looks for a good place to have a nap.
"How is it?" Yuto is taking sit on the resting place and suddenly stares at Hana, spiting out the question as if he had been holding it for a time "I mean... how is Minkai?"
"Minkai?" Hana asks, surprised by the question for a moment before realizing the mistake she made earlier. "I've never have actually been there, Yuto. My clan was exiled from Minaki over a century ago before we made it to Varisia. I've only heard about our homeland from stories told from by elders," she admits, strangely nostalgic about a simpler time for a moment before coming back to earth.
"I could tell you a few of them if you want? Heck, I could even sing them."
"I see" Yuto looks down his hopes broken, but then he looks up again with a smile now "Oh, th-that would be awesome Hana San!"
The young man takes sit by the bedroll and listens carefully Hana's songs "Do you have anyone about samurais?"
Sandru turns to the group. "Alright, Lone-Pillar and I are going to take your assailant to the local sheriff. Catar, Adrin, Alder, Aspexia, Koya - you make sure the caravan's taken care of." He hands out the assignments with ease before turning to the heroes. "You five should go get some rest - tomorrow we'll have the chance to pick up supplies for our journey north."
Teruko's shoulders relax. While it's disappointing to not be able to ask any questions, she's relieved to not have to worry about the prisoner escaping any more. Lone-Pillar could indeed be very intimidating. "Thank you Sandru. I'll see if there's an inn nearby with available rooms. Ameiko...Amaya," (the slight hesitation in her voice at the latter name is obvious), "would you be interested in sharing a small suite if one is available?"
Ameiko smiles at Teruko. "Sure. Might as well have a little family conference, if we need it." Amaya remains predictably quiet, but nods nevertheless.
Seishin breaks his self-imposed silence. "I think I'll walk about town for a bit, see what else is around."
"I'll come with you!" offers Torra. "This is the first place I've been to that isn't Sandpoint."
The dwarf is practically bouncing with excitement at the idea of exploring, leaving the arrangement of accommodations to the others, and sparing only a parting glance to the narcoleptic assassin.
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At Yuto's question of Hana, Amaya looks up, seeming interested as well. For her part, Ameiko laughs. "You always were more connected to Minkai's heritage than me, Hana. I know a few songs, but, well... they've never been my forte." She wriggles her fingers. "Too much plucking of strings rather than strumming."
Yuto enjoys the music, then writes a small entry in the journal Hard day of surveying an unconscious ninja. Some people are more than you might think. Very tired
Then goes to sleep.
Only after a full rest Yuto considers a visit to the town, if someone else is also interested.
When Torra and Seishin return he asks them about their experience "So, did you find there something of interest? Perhaps some presents to impress a certain one?"
Disappointed in the lack of bookshop (which would probably be closed anyway), Torra doesn't spend long in town, returning to where the caravan is camped within a couple of hours.
In the morning, she is up early for her daily exercises, but then joins the others for breakfast. In response to Yuto's inquiry, she shrugs. "If that person was a mage, perhaps. Lots of magic shops around town, but they were closed so we didn't get a good look."
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Hana gives Yuto a warm smile that feels almost strange on her face after all the chaos, bloodshed and paranoia of the last few days. "Sure, Yuto. I can certainly tell you a samurai epic. I always did like them despite how repetitive they could get sometimes. Samurais, especially the noble ones, tend to be big on constantly having all their titles reiterated every couple of verses."
When the kunoichi finishes her epic song she feels as if a part of a great weight had left her shoulders and that a sense of normalcy was slowly but surely returning. So much so, that she forgets her awkwardness around Ameiko and gives the Kaijitsu a coy look. "You always did like Varisian songs more. Here I was thinking it was because most of the visitors at the Rusty Dragon preferred but now I know its because of your weak fingers," she says in jest while showing off her own fingers.
"But seriously. Forte or no, if you ever wish to learn a few more I'm here, Ames."
Ameiko nods absently at Hana, a distant smile on her lips. "Mm. I might take you up on that soon, then. Depends on what we find in Brinewall." At the thought her eyes light up. "It's been a long time since I explored a ruin like that."
The youngest Kaijitsu looks more interested than Ameiko, however, at least at the moment. "I, too, would like to know more about the heritage of the Kaijitsus."
As night falls, the heroes move into one of the inns that they've been able to arrange accommodations in - some of the other caravaners have different housing areas, while most remain in the caravan proper.
"Aesial - or, as he usually calls himself, Tiruvinn, is a bronze dragon who lairs on the Lost Coast. He keeps to himself because there're at least two chromatic dragons who'd happily hunt him down and kill him if they knew he existed." She puts a hand on Teruko's shoulder. "Sorry for keeping it from you for this long, but I wanted this to be something of a... family secret, I guess."
"See, she doesn't trust you, girl. Already this bastard is taking your place." Lonjiku shares his usual vitriol.
The next morning is warmer, but a persistent drizzle brings down the mood significantly. Nonetheless, the heroes of Brinestump find themselves up and about at about their usual time - some willingly, some less so - and convene with Koya, Sandru, Shalelu, Ameiko, and Amaya in the tavern part of the inn at which they were staying.
Sandru looks tired. "I've got some... mixed news, everyone. The local sheriff's a bit miffed that one of her guards is badly injured and the ninja we delivered is dead. Something about not hearing it was a werefox she was dealing with. Thankfully, the guard in question will survive, but..." He shrugs. "I'd prefer we didn't overstay our welcome here, even though Koya healed the wounds in question."
"You should probably get whatever provisions you want supplied - bolts, arrows, a new knife, whatever - today, because I'd like to leave tomorrow, if possible." Sandru says. "Wolf's Ear is only two days away, but it's not nearly as cosmopolitan as Galduria, and won't have quite as much variety as one can find here."
Yuto chuckles at Hana's quip "They certainly like to be remembered how strong and powerful they are, hehe" and enjoys a lot her singing performance despite not being her best. At the end he hugs her "It has been a difficult day full of emotions. Let's just rest a bit"
During the breakfast the next day, he smiles back a Torra "Strange ones those mages that prefer books to a well tempered steel" The dwarf makes him remember something, and he places a folded cloth over the table, slowly unfolding it to reveal his father's magical wakizashi "Perhaps I can find a magical artisan able to fix it"
The young man frowns when Sandru reveals the events of the recent night. He looks back at Hana, then the others "Well, at least he will not cause any more trouble..."
Later that day, he will look for supplies and for someone able to fix Whispering Shrike's hilt. He will also put an ear to hear about any mage wishing to go on an adventure trip.
'Something big' indeed.
That Amaya knew who Aesial really was didn't necessarily mean Ameiko had told her. Maybe Amaya had met him some other time, or she was just really familiar with dragons. But that Ameiko knew Amaya knew, and vice versa, implied a conversation had happened at some point along the road. A conversation Teruko hadn't been invited to.
"I see." A part of her wants to lose her temper, wants to yell, wants to demand Ameiko tell her if there are any other 'family secrets' Amaya knows that Teruko doesn't. It's a part of her she'd buried along with her mother, when she came to understand that emotional outbursts would not be tolerated in the Kaijitsu household. "I appreciate you telling me now. That does explain a few things." She's not sure what else to say, and so says nothing.
It's only to be expected. You've hurt her, and that you didn't want to doesn't change that. Of course she'd turn to someone else, someone whose only ties to Father are those of blood.
She pulls out her calligraphy book, both as a self-soothing gesture and a subtle way of indicating she doesn't want to talk further, and practices into the night.
Teruko's brows knit together in confusion. "Didn't you tell them he was a kitsune?" If Sandru didn't then she understands why the sheriff is upset, but she can't think of any reason why he wouldn't have. Recovering quickly from her surprise, she nods towards Hana. "My condolences. I know this isn't how you wanted things to go."
She'd bought everything she needed, (and could afford), from Sandpoint before they left, but she takes the opportunity to stock up on crossbow bolts and do a little window-shopping.
Sandru nods at Teruko. "Yes. I did, but I don't know much about kitsune, and she knows even less. You're not exactly common here." He adds to Hana, his expression sympathetic. "To say nothing of the guards who got rather paranoid that the injured one might turn into one."
When Yuto comes around to give her a big hug, Hana happily accepts it and feels more like yourself than she has for awhile.
The next day Hana’s mood takes a definite nosedrive when she hears of the fate of her former kinsmen. Though she tries to sound neutral on the matter its clear from her tone that the death has left her disquieted. "No. It isn't how I wanted things to go but..."[b] she sighed not knowing quite what to say. [b]"I figured this would happen one way or another."
Suddenly wanting to be alone for a moment, Hana breaks away from the group and wanders aimlessly for a bit before finally remembering that she still some of the dead's ninjas tools to sell. She starts looking for a smith or weapon merchant to do just that.
Torra goes into town again the next day, looking for a place that sold books. Remembering that up north would get colder, she also looks for some warmer clothes, maybe even a fur cloak. And lastly, knowing that they'd be living off caravan provisions for a while, she stuffs her pockets with as many local treats as she can fit.
"He took his own path in life and I suspect there was nothing you could do to save him" Yuto pads Hana's back affectionately.
Understanding she needs some space, the Tian departs instead with Torra to buy provisions for the caravan "Ah, I like that coat! Th-that is pretty sage Torra San. I think I will look for one myself"
Yuto will also look for some antitoxins and a hook in the local smith "Knowing we have ninjas at our back, we better are prepared to counter poisons"
Not skilled in those arts, the young man only gives a curious and superstitious stare at all the wizardry stuff at town.
Torra does, in fact, discover a book store - though its proprietor admits that her selection is rather limited, especially compared to those that cater exclusively to the students of the Twilight Academy. She easily obtains the other gear she is looking for, as well.
Yuto finds that the equipment he's looking for is easily obtainable, though what few mages he finds that would be willing to join the caravan are bare students who are younger even than him, demand exorbitant sums on a daily basis to travel and help, or both.
The following morning is pleasantly cool and blessedly free of unpleasant weather, allowing the caravan an early start as they begin to move north along the road towards Wolf's Ear. As they travel, Ragnhildr begins talking about the village ahead.
"Wolf's Ear was once a home to a few clans of werewolves, they say. Then Magnimar's forces came and 'cleaned the place up,' just because they were lycanthropes." She says, disgusted. "I've never really understood why you southerners get so fussed about werewolves. They're just as much people as your next door neighbor. Sure, they've got different quirks and needs, but if they're responsible and not bothering anyone else, why go hunt them?"
"Don't mock, Ragnhildr!" Adrin says, though his voice is somber. "We had a panic a few months ago when we thought someone might've been bitten by a werewolf over here."
"People tend to rather paranoid around shapeshifters, and paranoia often leads to death," Hana answered idly, her eyes skyward as tries to suppress and ignore several bubbling emotions at once.
Ragnhildr sighs. "Tragic, really."
"In the case of werewolves, I think it might be the fact that they tend to hunt people. And then there's the whole infection business." Adrin points out. "Nothing worse than fear of a disease." He makes a face. "Just look at Korvosa - three years ago they had a huge outbreak, and the whole city went to crap."
"There's a big difference between 'shapeshifters' and 'shapeshifters who eat people.'" Teruko glances sideways towards Hana. "If the werewolves of Wolf's Ear really were being responsible, then no, Magnimar shouldn't have hunted them. But it seems like, at least in the south, most lycanthropes end up hunting humans. Is it really so different in the north?"
"Wolf's are neither liked anywhere" Yuto shrugs "They are not only disliked by chicken owners. I guess it is only more disturbing a wolf that might take the shape of a humanoid"
The young man looks around with increased paranoia, expecting to find one of the caravan passengers sniffing or licking fresh meat.
Ragnhildr shrugs slightly at Torra. "In my homeland, lycanthropes are revered, but like all things worthy of reverence, one must be cautious with them. On nights of the full moon, we put them in special buildings barred with silver and filled with food. They can glut themselves without harming their friends and kin."
"Pfah. Wolves are most noble creatures - they have their families and clans just as humans do." The Ulfen woman snickers at Yuto. "Ask Shalelu, if you want. They hunt because it is their nature, not for sport."
Hana sighed, her eyes still upward. "I guess you’re right Teruko. I’m just… venting I guess. Seeing connections that aren't there. Forgive me.”
Wanting to make sure that that Wolf's Ear was truly free of werewolves, and wanting to be alone for a while, Hana volunteers to scout ahead.
Torra spends her time sticking close to either Shalelu or Lone-Pillar, whichever of them seems inclined to go scouting. After the brief pause in Galduria, the dwarf is eager to be on the road again and see new sights.
"I... I guess you are right Ragnhildr. It-it is in their nature" Yuto then nods to the Ulfen and then moves away "If you excuse me, I am going to check if things are in order"
The Tian makes a careful watch all around the caravan without finding signs of licantropy. Realizing she has not spent much time recently with his adoptive mother, he approaches Koya with a smile "Is everything going good mother?"
Yuto talks and helps the elder woman and explains her about Ragnhildr and the werewolves "Is there any way to identify werewolves?"
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Torra and Shalelu join Hana in her scouting ahead, and find the same small family moving north towards Wolf's Ear. Other than that, there's nothing untoward in the next few miles that the three scout.
Meanwhile, back at the caravan, Koya smiles at her foster son. "Ah, it goes, my dear boy, it goes." At his question, she frowns. "Well, there's lots of traditional ways to identify a werewolf. I don't know how reliable those are, though - pointer fingers longer than their middle fingers, strange birthmarks... Desna teaches us not to fear the night, but some - like the Midnight Lord and the Mistress of the Hungry Moon seek to make the dark a time of terror." Yuto knows the Midnight Lord - Zon-Kuthon, one of the most dreaded gods of the Inner Sea. The other name is unfamiliar to him.
Finally, Koya sighs. "If you want more than road-wisdom, you'll want to talk with someone who's studied magic more formally than I ever have." She smiles. "But I would not worry overmuch, Yuto. There hasn't been a reported werewolf attack in Wolf's Ear in decades." She scowls. "Magnimar and the Church of Erastil put an end to the werewolves, back in '71."
"But even before Magnimar decided it wanted the land, it wasn't an unpleasant place, in all honesty. If I met werewolves during my visits, they weren't any different than their neighbors."
"That sounds like a good solution," Teruko comments to Ragnhildr. "Keeps everyone safe, including the werewolves themselves. I wonder why something similar isn't more commonly implemented down here. Fewer werewolves? Less access to silver?"
Teruko stays with the caravan while the others scout ahead. Werewolves aren't actually the shapeshifters concerning her at the moment, so she looks for unusually-inquisitive foxes that might be following them.
"The Hungry Moon, mother?" Yuto asks genuinely surprised. The young man relaxes when Koya explains about the cleansing "If then, the Church sure did a good job. I hope"
Nevertheless, the Tian is a bit obsessed looking for longer index fingers and birthmarks on the people he crosses by until the caravan leaves the region.
And after hearing Ragnhildr about silver, he snaps whatever piece of that metal he finds in the caravan, even if it is just and old fork.
Having returned from her scouting, Hana for a time listens in on Yuto's conversation with with his mother before eventually moving on. Regardless of her feelings on the matter, if the werewolves of Wolf's Ear were dangerous enough to attract the Erastilians than perhaps it was necessary to deal with them.
Still wanting to clear her mind, the kitsune starts strumming her shamisen, playing a cheerful Varisian travel song.
The Ulfen woman snorts disdainfully. "Fear and superstition. Or perhaps just ignorance and incapability." She shrugs. "Foolishness."
Koya looks sharply at her foster son, eyes narrowing. "Were you not listening, child? The destruction of an entire people solely because they are different... do you think this is acceptable?" Her voice cuts like a blade. "If so, I have failed you tremendously."
"In any case... it's done now. The scars may remain, but it's been nigh on forty years since Magnimar took over." Koya sighs. "Now off you go. We both have work to do, I'm sure."
Meanwhile, Hana begins strumming the strings of her shamisen, only to find that it is horribly out of tune, and even with her skill, she can only barely make the music adequate. Ameiko looks at her with an arched brow, a grin slipping across her face. "You, uh, need some help there, Hana?"
Teruko smiles. "I can't argue with that. Foolishness is often the answer to why simple solutions aren't implemented." She has no particular investment in how werewolves are treated, but a few special buildings with silver bars do seem more economical, not to mention humane, than slaughtering an entire village.
With no sign of any foxes, (or wolves for that matter), she continues riding along without further comment.
"Sorry mother! I did not understand your words!" Yuto lowers his head in a clear apologizing gesture.
Gazing up with understanding, he slowly adds "Leaving in fear just because others some equals you to some group is terrible and never brings anything good"
"Are you feeling ok Hana?" Yuto worries when the ninja's song is not as good as usual.
Torra is mostly quiet for the rest of the day, seemingly absorbed in thought. Her practice is half-hearted, and at night she takes up watch during the darkest stretch.
The rest of the day, and that which follows, is relatively without issue, with the caravan simply trundling along the road between Galduria and Wolf's Ear. Though there are a few dashes of poor weather on the first day of Rova, it's nothing significant.
The caravan pulls into Wolf's Ear on the morning, where they are greeted with a relatively lukewarm welcome by the local guards. An Erastilian priest frowns at them as they pass towards the Mighty Jaws, the only inn in the small town.
As they go, raindrops begin to fall in increasing frequency and intensity, and by the time they arrive, it is raining enough that it is unpleasant to go out, albeit not especially dangerous.
As they arrive at the inn, Sandru quickly assigns some caravaners to unpack those who want to stay at the inn, whilst he goes to meet with the mayor about where the rest of the caravan can settle in to wait out the weather, and perhaps spend the rest of the day in town.
Ameiko, however, frowns. "I'd like to keep going if we can. It's still pretty early - I don't mind waiting out the storm, but..." She shuffles slightly, before sighing. "I guess it's just restlessness. I want to get to Brinewall as soon as possible."
Shalelu looks impassive, while Koya seems to be considering the issue. "How about you all?" Sandru asks of the heroes.
Torra shrugs at Ameiko's question. "I don't mind the rain, and this place doesn't seem very interesting."
Yuto enters the town in his usual silent and observant stance, riding slowly near Shandru and Lone-Pillar.
When it comes to discussion it takes some time for Yuto to talk, but at some point he also gives his opinion "Sa-sandru is right, we are going to just run over problems if we keep going under the rain. I-I do understand your desire to reach Brinewall, A-Amaiko, bu-but it is not going to bring us faster i-if we run aground in the mud" the Tian looks around and closes to whisper the rest to the caravan members "And there is something more... thi-this people... the-there are some of them that are ve-very worried for so-some reason. We-we can just not leave them like this, we-we need help them"
"Maybe they're worried about us?" Teruko has also picked up on the tension in the air, although she has no idea what could be causing it. "We're outsiders, part of a caravan...they could be concerned we're here to cause trouble. If so, the best thing we could do for them is leave. Unless the weather is bad enough for that to be dangerous?"
"Hmm?" Hana asks, looking towards Ameiko and then Yuto as they ask their questions. ”I’m fine why do… Oh..” Looking at her shamisen, Hana spots a cord that’s far to high-strung. Wondering how in Shelyn’s name she could have missed the discord, let alone not hear it in her music, Hana quickly fixes it as she explains herself to her worried friends. "Sorry about that. Mind is a million miles away. Thought that some music would help… but I guess that wasn’t the case.” The kunoichi shrugs and puts the instrument away. Without much of an idea to do next, she opts to help around the caravan doing whatever she can.
The next day, when they arrive at Wolf’s Ear, Hana listens to her friends’ arguments as they figure out whether they should stay in the town or keep going on ahead. Despite her crush’s desire to move out something compels Hana to agree with Yuto. "I know you what to reach Brindlewood as quickly as possible, Ames. But there's something... off about this place. I dunno, I think Yuto is right. Heading out in the mud seems like a bad idea and if these people are in some kind of bind I don't see why we can't at least ask what it is?"
"Ye-yeah, so-someone would need to try ask" Yuto's tone and coiling makes it clear he is to shy to go and ask himself.
He brings his hand over the hilt of his katana "Bu-but my first loyalty is to the caravan, I will do whatever is needed to protect Koya and everyone else. I suggest we do as Shandru, Lone-Pillar and the other more experienced in traveling think is the best"
The man turns to Koya "De-desna is the goddess of travel and luck, what can she tell us about it?" and also looks at Seishin "Wh-what are the omens Seishin?"
Sandru looks at Ameiko. "You're the one who wanted this caravan, Ameiko."
Ameiko considers for a moment, before speaking. "I think we should stay here until the rain ends, at any rate. If you can find out more about why they're so nervous, then I think we should offer help, but if not, I'd like to move on later today, assuming the rain clears up." She looks around at the heroes. "Does that sound fair?"
"I don't think it's a bad idea. No objections here." Shalelu says.
"Nor do I have any objections." Amaya agrees. "It will be interesting. This is one of the smallest villages I have ever been to."
Koya chuckles. "Ameiko, child, if I objected to every stop in a backwater village, I'd not be traveling still." She looks to Yuto. "'Learn from that which is different' applies here, I think. This will be a good chance for all of us to see how the people in these rural areas live. Especially those of us who've never been this far north. Besides, your instinct to help others is a good one, Yuto. We should try, if they want our help."
Sandru nods. "I think it's a fair compromise. Can I trust you folks to investigate whilst the rest of us prepare for the journey?" He looks to the Kaijitsu sisters, Hana, Yuto, and Torra, before grinning at the dwarf woman. "Sorry, but I'll have to borrow Cyrus. For a Taldan noble, he's really quite good with us mere peasants."
"Of course." Teruko is still confused about why exactly Yuto and Hana think the people of Wolf's Ear need help, but it's easy to believe they've seen something she hasn't. "I can ask at the inn, see if anything unusual is going on." Other than a caravan of heavily-armed strangers rolling into town.
She does just that, walking into the Mighty Jaws and smiling at the proprietor. "Hello there, unpleasant weather we're having isn't it? Our caravan is heading up north, but with the rain we'd like to stay here for a few hours at least. Possibly overnight if Gozreh feels fickle." She pauses, blinks, then laughs. "Excuse my manners, the rain has clearly gotten to my head. I'm Teruko Kaijitsu. What might your name be?"
"It is just I felt some of them looked at us warily, but more worriedly than threatening... I... I am sorry I cannot express better myself, it was just... a feeling" Yuto lowers his head in front of the Kaijitsu sister "Le-let me accompany you Teruko Sama... I would not like you to end in danger without help close by"
---
As the group walks in the Mighty Jaws, the prematurely grizzled man just observes around letting Teruko conduct the questions while he holds his hand on the hilt of his sword.
If it seems Teruko needs help, Yuto just offers a kind and shy smile.
But his shy approach is likely not understood by the locals.
The proprietor of the Mighty Jaws is a woman with greying hair and a staid expression on her face. She wears the horned bow of Erastil around her neck, and greets the heroes with cursory hospitality. "Welcome. Will you be stayin' long?"
Once Teruko answers her, she waves away the thought. "Kera. But it's nothin' important." She settles back behind the bar. "You're welcome to stay here for a few hours, but don't cause no trouble."
The Mighty Jaws itself seems somewhat empty this early, save for an elderly androgynous human, who waves Teruko and Yuto over. About Koya's age, they have shaggy gray hair, laugh-lines around their eyes, and look to be of Varisian descent. "You'll have to forgive her. There's some as have ill-feelings towards outsiders in this town of late, and many're a bit afraid to welcome them."
"Name's Arend, Arend Korcha, but most 'round here just calls me Old Arend. What brings you fine foreign folk to our humble little village?" They offer the pair a weary smile, albeit one more welcoming than the others.
Torra is not sure how or what to investigate, exactly, and talking to strangers isn't her favourite thing, so while Teruko and Yuto walk into the tavern the dwarf heads towards the edges of the village, the stories of werewolves still fresh in her mind.
"Eh, she's with the caravan." Says her partner. "She'll be fine. Just don't blame us if you get hurt or something. 'sides," he looks at the other guard, "it's still early. Not a lot of predators out now."
"If you go too far, though, you may meet some decidedly unpleasant folk. Bandits and the like." A third says, scratching his chin. "Barbarians, too."
With that out of the way, the young kineticist finds herself on the forested edges of the Churlwood, where there are numerous tracks to find. The rain causes some difficulty in reading the tracks, especially their ages, but she does note the tracks of about six wolves half an hour into the woods. Though it's not unexpected for a place named "Wolf's Ear," it is perhaps a cause for alertness.
"It's just like my friend here said. We're just coming through really," Hana answers causally, reflecting Arend's warily smile with a far more sociable one. "Rain got in the way of that but at least it gave us a chance to meet you fine people." Her smile deepened. [b]"Anyways, since we might be staying for a spell mind telling us what's the going-ons in town?"
Torra blinks at the guards. "Predators? Like wild animals? Do they come close to the village?"
Heeding the warnings, she doesn't stray too far from the edge of the settlement, and soon returns to the caravan to share her findings. "Found some wolf tracks in the woods, and the guards were talking about bandits and barbarians."