"So you want us to find out what happened to the Glade and deal with it if we're able. We don't know more than the people who live there haven't sent word in a tenday and the person you sent to check on them has also not sent word in the couple days since they left," Kiley sums up, making sure she covered everything.
"Shaggar and I traveled from Anauroch because the priest of the tribe we were with said there were dark omens concerning Elah's, er, I guess Seleune's faithful. I don't think there's going to be anything easy about resolving this, Brother Brightmoon."
The normally cheerful and smiling woman is grim as she looks the priest in the eye. She wonders how dark things will get, and prays that she won't find herself in another nightmare.
Shaggar likes the sound of fraught with peril both as a phrase and conceptually. He wraps three strawberries and a grape in two thin slices of smoked boar and munches on it with eye-rolling satisfaction. Then he finishes off his small glass of moonwine and looks to the others, "Thank you for the delightful meal, Brother. Ladies, shall we go?"
It seems 'delay' is not a gnollish practice.
Kiley finishes off her glass and thanks Brother Brightmoon for the delicious meal.
”Sounds like you’ve understood the important points, yeah.” he replies, smiling at Kiley.
His smile turns into a worried frown as she continues speaking, unfortunately cutting off any reply to Shaggar’s question.
”You’ve had dark omens about the Moonmaiden? Who is this Elah you speak of? You must tell me more!”
"Selune... I... think," Kiley says, shrinking into her chair. "I'm sorry, Brother Brightmoon. I wasn't around the Bedine for very long, less than half a year, and I wasn't really in a state to be studying them for most of it. The priest of the tribe said he saw a dark shadow being cast over the moon where green meets rolling blue in the sky over a gate halfway to everywhere. That's all he could tell me."
Kiley looks and feels very, very small as she finishes. She doesn't feel hungry anymore after something cold and leaden settles in her belly.
Shaggar tries to clarify, "Among the Bedine, Selune is called Elah." He holds out both of his holy symbols so Brightmoon can note the differences. "In all important ways, they are the same."
Ari listens along with interest to the tales of the divine. She is aware of the basics of the eternal war between Selûne and Shar, light and dark, but that is about all. One of her reasons for taking the mission was to try and understand a little more about the Moonmaiden, though she is careful not to take everything she is told at face value - not that she would say as much to the faithful gathered around her. She is all too aware from her time in both the Twin Towers of the Eternal Eclipse and the Cavern of Mists that the stories and teachings of the deities of Faerûn can vary quite significantly depending on who is doing the telling. Or it might just be that the Prince of Lies and the Lady of Deception are particularly guarded with the truth, or at least their version of it," she acknowledges wryly.
"And does Shar also have a different name among the Bedine?" she asks the gnoll, curious about whether this aspect of the divine is also the same within Anauroch.
Brightmoon realizes he has made Kiley uncomfortable, and takes his insistence on getting info down a notch.
"My apologies, of course. I just had not realized there were portents about our situation here. I will take this knowledge to our priesthood inside the city and see what they make of it. Perhaps when you return we can bring what you have figured out and combine it with some clarity on the visions."
"With that being settled, did any of you have any other questions? It seems that you and I both have many things to deal with, better to get started as soon as possible."
"And does Shar also have a different name among the Bedine?" she asks the gnoll, curious about whether this aspect of the divine is also the same within Anauroch.
The gnoll thinks for a long moment, ”This is not my area of knowledge… but Shar does not appear in our pantheon and is not worshipped among the Bedine today. However, a long time ago, during the 100-year Netherese 'subjugation', when most Bedine were forced into cities… many turned to worshipping Shar as – I believe – Shar. If she has another name among the Bedine, I don’t know it. But I am not expert in these matters.”
"With that being settled, did any of you have any other questions? It seems that you and I both have many things to deal with, better to get started as soon as possible."
Running a hand through her thick hair, Ari coughs in a slight affectation. "I appreciate both the urgency and the needs of the church but, ah, what are the terms please, Brother Brightmoon?" she asks delicately.
To Shaggar she replies, "Interesting. Thank you."
”Oh right, of course, how could I forget. You mean the terms of employment, as it were. You are to head to the Friendly Arm Inn where you will meet up with Lysandra. She will help you find the Glade, and then you are to determine what caused them to have gone silent and solve said problem if you can. The church will provide 300 gold pieces to each of you who returns after whatever happens there, should we find your explanation and actions satisfactory. Lysandra will act as our agent in this matter, and will report back on what you find there.”
”Was that what you were asking about?”
Ari is no Waukeener, given to lengthy haggling or the drawing up of multi-claused contracts. She trusts the church's word is sufficient in this matter - the Selûnites wouldn't want to risk damage to their reputation by failing to pay. She's worked with far less upstanding citizens before and dealt with them accordingly; there's certainly no need for blades or other quiet threats here. And, risky as the job is for the group, the church has no real incentive to give part payment in advance beyond good will. As Ari is currently feeling flush enough having just collected her wages from the Friendly Arm she sees no reason to argue, nodding along to the explanation. "It was. That seems fair enough to me, thank you."
"Thank you for your generosity, Brother Brightmoon," Kiley says after giving him the traditional gesture of gratitude her father had taught her. "I think Shaggar and I are ready if there is nothing else."
Shaggar nods, not really caring about the amount. "Agreed."
Marith bobbed her head along with the others. Religious conversation was all well in good, she was a cleric after all, but the call to adventure was decidedly stirring within her. "Indeed. I think its time we made our march. May the Gods bless our venture and those who hope to protect."
"Yes, may the Moonmaiden guide your journey." he says, nodding solemnly. He points you to an acolyte before taking his leave, who connects you with the rations Brightmoon promised you which turns out to be a set of neatly packed jerky alongside some crackers and preserved cheeses.
With the farewells said and the mission delivered, it's time for the party to depart the grand city of Baldur's Gate and the relative safety it provides. The hamlet of Friendly Arm is settled on the Coast Way road that connects the Gate to Amn in the south.
The sun is hanging nearly directly above you, signaling the time as being just before noon. The sky is clear, but the day is surprisingly cold for such a bright day: a sign of the coming winter that will be here soon.
Ari inclines her head at the parting prayer, silently bidding the elderly priest farewell. She gathers the neatly parcelled foodstuffs up and puts them unhurriedly into her pack. Her hands work independently so Ari uses the opportunity to watch her new companions, trying to figure them out - who they are, what they are here for, what skills they will each bring to the group. She waits to see if anyone will assert themself and take the lead.
Shaggar stores the additional rations and slides his pack on with the ease of long practice. After adjusting his bisht and keffiyeh, he retrieves his axe. Given their course is bound to roads even a toddler could navigate, the gnoll simply moves with the group while gawking at Baldur's Gate - the tall buildings, many peoples, and freneticism of the city. The claws at the end of his reverse-jointed legs click on the cobblestones.
Kiley bows and thanks Brother Brightmoon before following the others to where they were to gather up their supplies. She neatly packs away the rations in her pack and shoulders it. She walks beside Shaggar and smiles at his expression. It had been a long time since she'd been in Baldur's Gate, and the sights, sounds, and smells brought back memories of happier times. She points out the things she remembers, the shops, the monuments, and the odd building or two.
She wishes she could stay maybe even look for her aunt and uncle that lived here, but with the matter they'd been given, she knows there isn't any time. As they leave the city behind and head south, she looks over her companions.
Shaggar she knows fairly well after months on the road with him. He's a wise and thoughtful sort with a good sense of humor. She doesn't know everything. His past before joining the Bedine is something she doesn't feel comfortable broaching, but he seems like a good natured person, if prone to reaching for more ruthless options when the stakes are high.
Marith and Ari she feels are the most interesting after Shaggar. She doesn't know much about the drow, but her parents had run into some of them in their younger years when they'd raided the surface. The fact they never mentioned much about what happened told Kiley a lot. She'd also heard about some of the drow that broke away from their kin and worshipped a different goddess, Eilistraee, but that was about all she knew. Well, there were the novels about Drizzt Dourden she read a lot growing up, but how much of that was true even if they were based on a real-life hero?
Ari seems more practical minded to her. A lot like Shaggar in some ways now that she thinks about it. Her blue skin is certain to draw eyes wherever she goes. Kiley wonders how she handles the prejudice she's bound to face given her obviously non-human heritage. Still, she is glad that she didn't seem bitter about things.
Lysil strikes Kiley as odd. She and Ari look like they know each other, and Kiley is curious about how that came to be. Kiley's Aunt Dora was a half-elf herself, and she hadn't been shy about relaying what life was like with a foot in both the human and elven worlds. She was older than Kiley's parents, but still looked almost as young as Kiley herself. She wonders where Lysil falls in age, and how she sees those around her.
"Well, we have three days on the road. Do we start with stories or do you want to hear some singing," she asks her companions.
A smile quickly comes to Marith's face at Kiley's suggestion. "A good story is a wonderful thing, especially when its used to bridge understanding, but singing," the drow closed her eyes for a moment lost in thought before returning her gaze to her new companions "Singing can do that and so much more. Perhaps I should provide an example, no?"
Marith sang an old hymn of the Church of Eilistraee, one detailing how a pair of drow lovers from two rival Houses in Menzoberranzan sheer love for one another made Lolth spitefully drag them down into the Demonweb Pits so they could suffer eternal torment only for Eilistraee, also moved by their love, to cut their bindings with her bastard sword and free them from damnation and into her godly abode where they could finally be at peace.
"That one is one of the favorites. It never fails to lift my spirits. Probably because it hits so close to home."
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Ari has neither musical talent herself nor a much of a critical ear for it, though she enjoys it and appreciates the skill of those who do. "You have a fine voice," she says. She follows the story of Marith's song, though if she's honest it doesn't have the same spirit-lifting effect that the drow claims for herself, not that she vocalises that thought. Ari wants to ask why it particularly affects her but can't quite formulate a question that doesn't sound particularly invasive to someone she's only just met. Instead she asks, "Is this a true story or more of a metaphor for what Eilistraee stands for?"
Marith casts her smile Ari's way. "Thank you. To say such is most appreciated," she says kindly before answering the tiefling's question. "To tell you the truth the Church of Eilistraee doesn't rightly know for certain. Some of us think it to be a true fact and an example of the Dark Maiden's ability to overcome her mother. Others see it as indeed a metaphor for my people's plight. Ensnared by Lolth but capable of defiance and freedom if we embrace the good within as embodied by Eilistraee."
The cleric shrugged at her own explanation. "Perhaps its both true and a metaphor? In the end I think the meaning behind it is what matters most. It provides hope and inspiration to those who need it most and can turn cowards into heroes. No one god, not even Lolth, can beat that."
While on the surface confident in her words, its clear to you that Marith is somewhat apprehensive about bringing up Lolth. There's a small but notable quiver in her voice when she says her name.
The gnoll listens and watches the singing and conversations. If there is any judgment, it passes unnoticed beneath his nearly expressionless face. Then, seemingly without reason for the comment, he says, ”For endless generations, my people have served Yeenoghu, a demon lord. With pride, gnolls call him the Ruler of Ruin and the Beast of Butchery… There is a weight the dark gods impose on we who choose different ways that I can’t easily explain to those who have always had light gods to see and emulate.” His red eyes never fall on any of his traveling companions.
"Wise words," Ari agrees. "I think being able to see it as true in both a small and a large way is a smart way of looking at it. We can learn about the gods and from the gods but how far can we ever truly know them? Taking what you need from their teaching feels right to me."
Ari senses Marith is flinching away from the words slightly when she brings up the Queen of Spiders, though she is presenting a brave face. Again, it suggests there is more to the priestess' tale than she is currently telling. The tiefling doesn't know much of the drow gods but from what little she understands, Lolth seems to be a jealous vengeful deity who has little tolerance for others.
Much like Cyric, she muses. Would I be calm speaking of the Prince of Lies? If one of his priests was here now She's not sure, but she can feel a heat start to rise in her thinking about it and her hand involuntarily twitches, thinking about the dagger at her hip. Nah, probably just stab them as they deserve and be done with it.
She hears Shaggar talk about his experiences - while also clearly not saying everything - and can somewhat relate to what he says too, though other gods were largely unknown to her when she followed the path of Cyric. Lots of secrets here. Naturally, though, Ari keeps her own counsel.
The first few hours of the trip pass in relative peace, the only sounds and activity outside of the naturl wildlife along the road being the company you have acquired. Whatever you think of your companions, it seems as if you'll be with them for the somewhat forseeable future.
It's only around the end of the fourth hour on the road when you begin to hear it: sound behind you. It sounds like at least a couple of horses, moving faster than you. Not galloping, but certainly trying to get somewhere.
You have a few minutes to prepare before the source of the sound comes into view over the flat plains: a motley collection of covered wagons, adorned with colorful banners and guarded by well-armed escorts. Most of the people with the caravan appear to be riding on the wagons but a handful are riding unattached horses alongside. The lead wagon carries a large flag with a silver shield emblazoned on it, and at their speed they appear to be maybe 10-15 minutes away.
Shaggar watches the approaching caravan for a long moment. "Do you know this banner?"
As the caravan approaches, Marith trains her sharp drow eyes on the banners but struggles to spy anything that would expose the interlopers identity. "I can't say I do, Shaggar. Perhaps its some trade caravan native to Baldur's Gate? Or maybe some noble has decided to have a day trip and brought half their household guard for protection. Either way, I hope its not trouble."
Having been used to working across the region for several years now, Ari feels that she should recognise the symbol displayed by the wagons. However, if she does know it she can't currently recall who it belongs to and says as much. "Me neither I'm afraid. Let's hope so Marith, but should we prepare in case it is?" She looks around the group. "We're not exactly your typical group, are we? And in my experience that tends to bring questions."
Kiley claps appreciatively as the song ends, happy to have someone take her up on the offer even if the results were middling. She listens as Ari, Marith, and Shaggar talk. The point about the weight that the darker forces enact on Toril and its people has her wondering about the Zhentarim and her own experiences with them when the beat of hooves draws her back to reality. She looks back at their source, a large caravan, and realizes she doesn't recognize the banner.
"How much did I really know about the place I called home," she wonders aloud, speaking softly enough she doesn't think anyone would hear her.
"I could speak for us," she says in a more normal tone of voice. "It's how Shaggar and I managed to make it here from Anauroch without getting chased out of town."
At least not by the townsfolk, she thinks, remembering their run-ins with a band of goblins lead by a woman named Sally and the bugbears that ended her brief career as a pain in both her and her furry friend's sides.
Unable to fault the reasoning, Ari nods along. "Be my guest," she replies. Appearances, as she well knows, can be deceiving, but Kiley's diminutive size and cheery demeanour make her seem pretty unthreatening at first glance, which makes her a good spokeswoman for the group. Ari does, however, assume that the young woman is quite capable of looking after herself - she wouldn't be here otherwise, nor in all likelihood have made it all the way from the Great Sand Sea if she didn't possess a certain skillset.
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Lisyil isn't too concerned about what she hears in during the meal with Brother Brightmoon. The good food and drink is distracting, she doesn't fear forests, and the job seems straitforward. She asks no questions because of these things, and because fundamentally Lisyil is an optimist who expects things to work out fine.
During the walk out of town she stays close by Ari and still doesn't say much. Lisyil quiet doesn't come across as rude or unsocial, but rather as shyness. It is true that the number of new people is a little overwhelming to her, she tends to do better at comnversation in one-on-one situations than multi-person free for alls.
There are questions she's eager to ask, but they are of a type that she thinks might be impolite if not asked in just the right way, and she isn't sure she knows that way. For example, she is quite curious about Shaggar, the big dog(?) man. He seems nice too. But she can't quite figure out how to ask 'what are you exactly?'.
The same is true of Marith. Without asking directly, Lisyil can only try speculation. In many ways She looks like an elf, but her coloration is all wrong. Besides, there are quite a few fey races who look superficially elven as well. It could also be that Marith is also a half-elf. Lisyil had been told by her father that humans have skin and hair colors that vary more than those of elves. If she recalls what he said correctly, there are humans in southern lands who have very dark skin. During her travels Lisyil had seen a handful of humans who matched that kind of description. Ultimately Lisyil decides Marith is probably a half-elf from somewhere in the far south. She would find a way to bring the subject up with Marith sometime in the near future.
The walk to where they will be meeting the caravan is sufficiently short to prevent her from being called upon to sing or tell a story, so with the sight of it's banners her terror subsides.
At first looks towards Kiley and Shagger without saying anything at all. She knew the pain of having to explain her own existence to fearful people who saw a dangerous drow in their admist and nothing more. It spoke well of Kiley's character that as a human that she would defend Shaggar despite that bigotry and even higher of him to be able to bare that hate without giving into people's base expectations.
When finally spoke again she did so with a confident smile. "I'm in agreement with Ari. If you wish to speak with them then go ahead, rest assured I'll do what can to help if things turn sour."
Shaggar nods. "If we see them, they likely see us. If we disappear off the road now... It may alarm them, and I will likely alarm them enough without added evidence." He does make sure his keffiyeh is covering the majority of this hyena-like features... and he silently hopes they are in such a hurry, they speed past.
The caravan approaches steadily over the minutes, finally getting within close distance at a point where the path rises up a slight incline to form an embankment overlooking a small pond just off the road.
The lead cart, an opulent affair with a green and gold embroidered wagon cover over its frame, pulls away from the rest of the group. It moves towards the bottom of the hill before the driver, a dwarven woman with starling white hair and an excessively long beard, pulls the horses to a halt and drops out of the wagon. A handful of guards of different races (is that a full-blooded orc?) joins him before they make their way up the hill and approach the odd group already on top of it. They stop a little bit away, being sure not to be too close, and the dwarf appears to be the leader of at least this group. She is dressed in silvered chain mail with a fine black leather overcoat and boats to match and is using a large-shafted axe to assist her in climbing the mountain, but doesn’t appear to be holding it in the ready position yet. The rest of the band is similarly armed and armored.
”Greetings, strangers on the road. I half expected to find a gnoll slaving party when I saw you from a distance, but now I see that there is only one. Are there more of you nearby, gnoll? What are your intentions?” her voice is tight and strained, but not obviously hostile. She is wary and slightly confused about the eclectic band of merry adventurers in front of her.
Well this is off to a fantastic start, Kiley thinks sourly as the dwarven woman speaks.
"No, it is just the five of us," she says. "If there are more of Shaggar's kin about nearby, we certainly have no knowledge of them. We're traveling to Friendly Arm to meet up with a member of the church of Selune." She holds up her holy symbol to help lend credence to her explanation. "I'm Kiley Sherrow, by the way. If you're heading the same way, we could travel together. There's safety in numbers, after all."
Lisyil tries to sweeten the deal for the dwarf a little.
"We're experienced travelers and know how things work. We could earn our keep."
Shaggar listens to the dwarf impassively, at least she didn’t lead with her axe. Gambling that she would want a reply from him directly, he lowers his keffiyeh slowly and returns his hands to his side, nowhere near his weapons. His tone is calm and faultlessly polite as he offers her a half-bow. ”Good day to you, Sayyidah. I am Shaggar, called the الذئب المشي – the ‘walking wolf’ of the Bedine. If there were other gnolls about… they would be under my axe or I would be under theirs.”
He lets the phrase hang for a moment before answering the other part of her question, ”My intention is to see these ladies safely to the Friendly Arm, if Elah wills it so.”
The drow happily waved at the armored dwarf and the rest of her party, openly showing her drow features for all to see. "Eilistraee's greeting to you. My compatriots are quite right. We mean to help the servants of the Moonmaiden. Perhaps you know of what has befallen Silvermoon Glade? If so your knowledge or blade would be most welcome."
As Kiley and the others seem to have the conversation in hand, and not wanting to add another voice into the mix or over-egg things, Ari simply waves in acknowledgement to the dwarven woman. Instead she peers at the caravan and its guards, scrutinising them to try and see if there is anything beyond the natural wariness of travellers to them, or spot anything unusual about the group.
The dwarf listens to the group defending Shaggar, and her features slowly soften as you continue. She nods as she sees Kiley bring out the holy symbol and seems to accept that you are who you say you are.
"I suppose if anyone should believe it, it's me. I'm Helga Silvershield, Master Trader of the Silvershield Consortium." she says, before waving an arm towards the orc behind her, who oddly enough waves politely as she speaks. "And this is my husband, Garok. We are heading to Friendly Arm as well, it would be good to have a handful of extra hands."
"Silvermoon Glade? That Selûnite village at the edge of the woods? I've never been myself, they are quite private about things like that. Not outright secretive but visitors are certainly not welcomed. Why, do you have business there?"
In for a copper, in for a crown, Kiley thinks.
"We've been asked to check up on them. The church hasn't heard from them in a while. It's a pleasure to meet you, Misses Silvershield, and you as well, Mister Garok," she says before turning to her companions. "Do y'all mind if we travel with them," she asks the others.
Shaggar nods his agreement. "It's a good idea... especially if we may be in the hunting territory of gnolls."
It is clear from Shaggar's words both here and previously that he is not a typical gnoll so if he is warning of danger from others of his kind then Ari is happy to bow to his wisdom. She has limited experience with his kin, but she supposes she has always had something of a soft spot for them. After all, to a large degree she owes her freedom to the gnoll raiders that slaughtered the band of Cyricists from the Tower of the Eternal Eclipse. Admittedly this was indeed down to their fearsome fighting skills and she was fortunate to be left, mistaken for dead, but still.
Ari looks Shaggar up and down. He may be an outsider among his people but he has demonstrated his eloquence, intelligence and consideration for others. She also suspect that as and when it comes to it she will be glad to be fighting alongside rather than against him.
She considers Kiley too and the friendship between them, wondering exactly how they met and developed their relationship. While the gnoll is, so far as she can tell, a native of Anauroch, for all her clothing, something about Kiley's appearance doesn't strike her as what she would expect of the Bedine. She studies the young woman carefully as well while she negotiates with Mistress Silvershield, trying to work out what it is.
As she scrutinises the woman's heavily freckled face Ari notices that something about the way Kiley is standing is slightly odd. It's unlikely that most people would spot it - but as someone well used to disguising her own appendage - she realises that somewhere hidden beneath the layers of clothing is the subtle movement of a tail.
So that's it. And she's not human, or at least not entirely so. She's another one placed somewhere slightly outside of society - that would make a good foundation for a bond. Ari isn't sure quite what Kiley is but she's certainly not about to blurt the information out. For one thing, in the immediate term it may jeopardise the conversation with the Silveshield party. For another, the tiefling firmly believes, as per Leira's teaching, that people are entitled to their own secrets so she's hardly going to share Kiley's with all and sundry. She also completely empathises with her desire to blend. While she can disguise herself as human, it takes Ari a lot more effort and in general she knows that her appearance is always likely to draw the eye. Life would certainly be easier if passing for human required less effort.
Ari ponders this, not sure what to do with her newfound information but storing it away for now. Perhaps she'll engage Kiley at some point, when the woman is alone, though she worries how she will react. Or perhaps, coward that she is, she will simply remain quiet and miss the opportunity to develop a closer bond because of the risk of being pushed away. She shakes her head, pushing the negative thought away. Come on, Ari, focus! This can wait and you've got plenty of time to work out any plan of action.
She tunes back in to the conversation.
Marith clasped her hands together excitedly. "Well if you need an extra pair of hands and us some friends on the road, then a joint trek to the Friendly Arm sounds like a wonderful idea."
"Like I said before, I haven't ever been to Silvermoon Glade, they don't normally let people outside of their circle into places like that. I've been north of the Gate for some months now, just heading down into Amn after a particularly productive and profitable season of arms and armor being made back home."
"Nah, we're not really in gnoll hunting territory, thankfully. Most of that is up north, which is one of the reasons I was so willing to listen to the explanation first, actually." she replies to Shaggar, laughing boisterously as she looks around at the group gathered in front of her.
"With all the misunderstanding gone, we have a bit of travel left for the day, why don't you climb in the lead wagon and start telling me some of your stories? We've got a long two days ahead of us, and at least a few hours left in this one."
"Only if you agree to tell a few of yours," Kiley says, beaming as she climbs into the wagon and helping the others up.
”Why, of course! I wouldn’t ask you if I wasn’t willing to do the same! Now, should I start with the time I bargained our way past a clan of trolls in Trollclaw Ford? Or maybe the time I ‘liberated’ a dragon’s horde of mithral in the Cloud Peaks of Amn? Both are mighty fine stories, to be sure!” she says, climbing back up on her seat at the front of the wagon before waving to the inside behind her. A moderately comfortable bench is installed on each side of the wagon, although there are also plenty of crates stacked around. A slightly cramped trip it is, then.
”Have you eaten? Do you have enough rations to last the trip? I would hope the Selûnites gave you some food at least, I’ve heard good things about them.”
"Brother Brightmoon gave us enough to get to Friendly Arm. The sister we were supposed to meet there would help us with supplies for the rest of the trip," Kiley explains. "We had some lunch before heading out. If they treat everyone they ask for help to that kind of deliciousness, they probably don't have much trouble finding it."
Kiley settles in. Being petite has it advantages, and while poor Shaggar is cramped, Kiley finds things on the right side of cozy.
"As for stories, I'd say the one about the trolls. Shaggar and I could tell you about the time we got chased by some Hobgoblins near Nimeton."
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Shaggar finds the only way for everyone to be even remotely comfortable is for him to sit with his clawed legs dangling out one side of the wagon.
He gently corrects his companion. "They were bugbears, I believe... and far less interesting than that murderous witch doll you butchered outside Triel." He sighs at the memory, "That was fine badger stew."
Lisyil happily climbs aboard the wagon. She finds a spot on the bench where she can sit while saving a place for Ari beside her.