-----Whisper leads Raven to the improvised camp and they put the injured horse in the makeshift corral the wood elf has made. Looking around, Raven observes, “You’ve had company or you’re not alone now.” The Hunter points out the hammock for Jules.
-----Whisper then takes Raven to the western edge of the woods where the two startle Crane and Jules.
-----“Jinx me!” Crane exclaims as the dwarf jumps when he senses Whisper and Raven behind him. He then slaps his hand over his mouth as he looks back at the distant gates of Black Bog.
-----Jules had jumped up and spun as if the girl were ready to let go with some kind of spell. Instead she cast the two an angry and accusing glance before relaxing her stance.
-----Raven narrows his eyes as he looks in the hazy distance at the town about three miles away. After a moment, the Hunter huffs with frustration as he observes the settlement. “Looks like they have that town locked up tight,” he says. He then looks back at Whisper.
-----“Is this . . . one of your friends . . . from Kulendra?” Jules asks with hesitation looking at the wood elf.
-----“It’s not so hard to get in there if you know how,” Crane gruffly answers Raven.
-----The Hunter turns and addresses the girl and the dwarf. “I go by Raven,” he says with a smile to them.
-----“You must be all right,” the dwarf concedes casting a quick glance at Whisper. “I’m Crane and my friend here is Jules.”
-----The Wood Elf sank down into his hunches, and rested his arms on his thighs, a slight half smile playing around his lips. He felt no need to add further to the introductions made, and instead settled on watching the town for a while.
-----Eventually, and without turning away from view of Black Bog, Whisper softly asked, "How long... for... others?"
-----Raven followed Whisper’s gaze back to settle on Black Bog. “It wouldn’t take long at all if this is where we could meet . . . or in your camp rather,” Raven responds. “I think Sol is ready to leave once Lord Howrun’s army is in Kulendra and he should be there now. We heard the horns of Silvergard blow this day. I could ride back and see if they are ready to ride this way.”
-----As he continues to watch the town, Raven muses, “After seeing what the humanoids did to Ku, I wonder what that town is like.”
-----The dwarf perks up and a sly grin comes across his face. “Blasted orckind n’ hobgoblins n’ ruffians everywhere,” he says. “Although I will admit they serve good ale.”
-----Jules’s face darkens and says, “It’s not good there.” Looking at Whisper and Raven, she asks, “Just how many . . . others do you have coming here?”
-----Raven looks at the girl and replies after quickly counting up his companions, “About eight.”
-----He then turns to Whisper and tells him, “How about I ride back and let Sol and the others know I’ve found you. That way if they’re ready to move out we can meet you in your forest camp. If it’s going to be a while, I can still find where you are and let you know what’s going on.”
-----Whisper turned his head away from the walls, and looked up at the Hunter. As always, there was little warmth in his eyes, but this time something moved deep within the icy blue depths.
-----He nodded, once. With economical grace, he rose up, and proceeded to take a mouthful from his wineskin. "Come. Show you... something."
-----As he stepped away, he nodded at Crane gravely, but also threw a wink at Jules just as he turned away.