-----In response, the dwarf looked at her with surprise, forgetting Whisper just for a moment. A pang of sadness came over him before his face turned stern once more. He then lifted his chin as he acknowledged the wood elf with his attention.
-----Whisper's face remained impassive, and his pose more or less casual as his mind raced. He could send these two on into Sol Herron's care. He was slightly weary, however. Their furtive behavior could well mean that as survivors of the losing side in a guild war, they might well add additional troubles to his erstwhile companions.
-----Whisper gave a philosophical shrug of metaphorical shoulders. Their knowledge of the capitol could well prove useful to the liberating army.
-----"You can... travel North to... Kulendra. Shelter, and... protection." The Wood Elf cocked his head to the side. "And you... will be useful." He cleared his throat of a catch. "If you wish."
-----Now the dwarf’s expression clouded even more, although his grip on his weapon eased somewhat. “Kulendra?” he said as if the word tasted filthy in his mouth. “That’s one of Ravenhold’s gold mining villages. They have orcs n’ hobgoblins driving slaves there!” He then casts a suspicious eye back on the elf.
-----“Why do you tell us this?” the girl cries out with desperation in her voice. “Is this some kind of trick?”
-----The Wood Elf couldn't help but roll his eyes. Pushing off of the wall on which he leant with a shrug of his shoulders, Whisper straightened.
-----"Pay... attention." He found it irksome, but he repeated himself nonetheless. "Remnants of... what ...kind of... garrison, dwarf?"
-----The dwarf and the girl look at each other with narrowed eyes.
-----“So you’re telling us,” the dwarf begins cautiously, “the orckind have been driven from Kulendra? Who did that? Some of your elf buddies?”
-----The girl shakes her head with a soured look. “Lord Sintor wouldn’t ever give that up without a fight. There’s too much gold at stake in the river. This sounds like a trap . . . or one we may walk into.” She then gives Whisper a doubtful glance.
-----"As you... will." Whisper shrugged, and calmly began walking to the front door.
-----“Now hold on a blasted moment!” the dwarf retaliates, taking a few steps toward the wood elf before he can exit. “You still haven’t told us who you are . . . or where you came from!”
-----A more desperate look comes over the girl. “If we go to Kulendra, what will we find there?” she pleads.
-----Whisper stopped, and turned on his heels.
-----He inclined his head formally at the dwarf, and then repeated the gesture towards the girl.
-----"Whisper. Once..." For once Whisper actually paused; "Once of the... Forest of the Elves." He inclined his head again, this time to the space between the two.
-----When he straightened, he directed his gaze at the girl. "A freed people."
-----With that, the Wood Elf turned back to the door.
-----The dwarf and the girl stood motionless and Whisper eased himself out the door. More light seemed to illuminate the cloud covering as he stole toward the building with the arrow sign. The door hung open and as he peered inside he saw arrow shafts splintered and broken on the floor. The arrow heads attached to them looked to be in good condition and Whisper was able to find ten good arrow shafts beneath a work table.
-----“So if there are freed people in Kulendra,” comes a voice behind Whisper, “what are you doing here?” Whisper turns to see the dwarf and the girl watching him from the doorway.
-----He stood watching them for a few moments, and then placed the shafts and arrow heads into his regular quiver.
-----"Hunting," came his reply as he began looking through the workshop for extra twine and spare bowstrings. He considered his answer. "And... scouting."
-----“Well, . . .” the dwarf began hesitantly as Whisper found some small bundles of twine. The dwarf then looked at the girl who poked her finger at him and nodded her head as if to encourage him to go on.
-----Clearing his throat, the dwarf asked more sternly, “Would you mind if we help you . . . scout?”
-----Whisper almost believed that he hadn't heard right.
-----A small sigh escaped his lips as he leant against the workbench. He ran his eyes over them in closer detail, assessing them fully, this time. He crossed his arms, and remained silent for a long time as he visually dissected the two.
-----"Why?" came his quiet question.