When Mira had set out that morning to help at the new orc's fort and to keep an eye on the orcs for Alic, and Everspring itself, the last thing she expected to find was a pack of gnolls having taken up in the woods that ringed the village.

Gnolls could be vicious. They were hyena-like humanoids that were said to raid settlements, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. They were also independent tribes who had somehow never fallen under the sway of Morthisal.

Mira had never run into gnolls before, but had caught sight of them from a distance while on campaign. As far as engaging them in battle, she had little to go on except for the word of other fighters who had claimed to have fought them.

Doan had told her that gnolls rarely left their homes, and people generally knew to leave them alone. It was said that a gnoll or two could be easily handled. Going up against a dozen could lead to a painful end.

The beasts were not known to frequent these lands. What in the world had driven them here?

As they neared the forest's edge, Mira spotted the beasts darting between the trees, their mottled fur blending with the shadows. At least a dozen of them were armed with crude spears and jagged swords, and stood in their unique hunched manner. She'd heard that gnolls could resort to racing after prey on all fours, but she hoped to never witness that behavior.

Voices yipped, barked, and snarled.

Mira, Bowen, and Tobias fell into battle stances next to each other. They moved efficiently, and Mira felt relieved to have competent fighters at her side. She cursed under her breath, wishing for her trusty bow and arrows.

The orcs paused and spread out as they approached the tree line with their weapons drawn. Mira noted their tactical awareness; spreading out made them less vulnerable to potential arrow fire from the gnolls.

Before the small group of humans and orcs could attack, a tremendous rustling erupted from the tree line. A large brown bear burst out, skidding to a halt as it faced the orcs. It growled menacingly at the orcs. Urzan spread his arms and chest and opened his mouth to unleash an even louder roar.

Apparently, the bear decided discretion was the better part of valor and took off running.

"What in the world?" Mira said, baffled by the strange turn of events. She nearly laughed. Had she come barreling out of the woods and found a howling Urzan in front of her, she would have probably turned tail and run as well.

The gnolls fell back into the forest. Mira glanced around, wondering what they were planning. She kept her shield up and her borrowed short sword at the ready.

She looked over at Bowen and said, "Quick! Get Alic and tell him to muster the guard, and to hurry up."

Bowen gulped, his gaze fixed on the treeline as he stood rooted in place. "I can fight."

"I know you can. I'm not asking you to run away," Mira assured him. "I'm asking you to bring back reinforcements. I need someone fast, and that's you. Go!"

Bowen glanced toward Everspring, looked back at Mira, nodded, and bolted toward the town.

The tree line rustled again, and the largest gnoll Mira had ever heard of stepped out. Gnolls were normally shorter than humans, and had small frames. This creature was dressed in a dark robe made from patches of animal skins that looked as if they had come from big felines. Fetishes and charms hung from braids all over his exposed fur, clinking softly as he moved. His staff was straight, and his hand grips had been gnawed into the handle. The top was unadorned but for a small glowing stone.

The shaman placed the end of the staff on the ground, gripping it with both hands as he studied the orcs and humans before him. When he spoke, his voice was a disquieting mix of human speech and canine growls and whines.

"Greetings, warriors of flesh and bone," the gnoll shaman growled. "My name would be unspeakable to you. Grix'gnash is close enough to human speech. I am the speaker for the spirits and guide to my pack. We come on a pilgrimage, seeking wisdom from the ancient ones."

Mira blinked, taken aback by the gnoll's eloquence. She'd never heard of gnolls embarking on pilgrimages, or seeking wisdom. In her recollection, they were more likely to pillage and destroy than to engage in spiritual quests.

"A pilgrimage? What?" Mira asked, her sword still raised. "To where? And why here, so close to our village?"

"Orc no fight gnoll!?" Urzan yelled. The other orcs arrayed around him, raised their weapons, and yelled for blood.

Grix'gnash tilted his head, his ears pointed and twitching. "We do not seek conflict. The spirits guided us to this land. They speak of great change, of a lost city." His gaze swept over the mixed group of orcs and humans. "They also speak of a new age. One in which many races cooperate. I see this is coming to pass."

"Orc protect Everspring! Are gnoll threat to Everspring?!

"No." Grix'gnash shook his head.

Urzan grunted, lowering his weapon slightly. "Orc no fight gnoll if gnoll no fight orc!"

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"Thank you, friend orc." The shaman's short tail swished behind him. "We have found a passage to the old city. In this passage was a bear. The bear has departed."

Mira pointed. "It went that way if you're interested in pursuit."

"May the bear find peace. But not in our path."

Mira frowned, still suspicious. "And the weapons? Those don't look like pilgrim's tools to me."

Grix'gnash barked a laugh. "Even pilgrims must defend themselves, human-warrior. The wilds are full of dangers, as you well know."

Tobias leaned close to Mira. "I've never heard of gnolls acting like this. What should we do?"

Mira kept her eyes on the gnoll shaman, but covered her mouth and leaned close to Tobias so she could whisper, "I honestly don't know. I guess we keep talking. Maybe we can learn something useful. If they plan to attack, Alic and the guards should soon arrive."

She addressed Grix'gnash again. "This city you spoke of? I've patrolled this area for weeks, and there is no sign of a city. Nor have I heard of any ruins in this area. Surely someone in Everspring would have spotted and explored them long before now."

Behind her, the sound of running feet and clanking armor made her relax a bit. Alic and the town guard were approaching.

Mira held up her hand, signaling to Alic and the approaching guards that the situation was under control. The soldiers slowed their pace, coming to a halt a dozen yards away. Alic jogged forward to join Mira, his armor clanking softly.

Along the tree line, figures moved in the shadows. The whisper of steel leaving scabbards rang out.

The shaman turned and barked something harsh. The figures faded from sight.

"What's going on?" Alic asked, his eyes darting between Mira and the gnoll shaman.

Mira gave him a quick rundown of the events, keeping her voice low. "They claim to be on a pilgrimage, looking for some ancient city. The shaman says they're not here to fight."

Alic's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Look around. The shaman came out on his own accord," Mira whispered back.

"Could be a ruse." Alic's eyes darted between the gnolls.

Mira let out a sigh. "I don't think it is, Alic. I believe they are being honest. The gnolls are looking for something."

"Yeah. Looking to overrun Everspring," Tobias said under his breath.

Mira shook her head.

Alic lifted his hand to hip level and waved, signaling the town guard to stand down. The soldiers relaxed their stances but remained alert.

Together, Mira and Alic approached Grix'gnash. As they neared, a few more gnoll warriors emerged from the woods, their fur bristling and ears twitching nervously.

Mira addressed the shaman, her voice firm but not hostile. "You were telling us about this city you're seeking. Can you explain more?"

Grix'gnash nodded, his staff tapping gently against the ground. "The city we seek lies deep beneath the earth. It is a place of great power and wisdom, hidden from the world above. We seek to enter it."

Mira exchanged a glance with Alic. "Hidden underground? How do you know about it?"

The shaman's ears flattened slightly. "Our ancestors speak of it in stories passed down through generations. They say it is from the before times, when the world was different."

Alic's expression changed, a mixture of curiosity and concern crossing his face. "The before times? Do you mean pre-cataclysm?"

Grix'gnash tilted his head, confusion evident in his yellow eyes. "Pre-cataclysm? This term is unfamiliar to me. We speak only of the time before the great change, when the world was reshaped."

Mira looked at Alic, then back to the shaman. "Are you telling me there's a pre-catalysm city here? Right beneath our feet?"

The gnoll nodded solemnly. "I have been telling you this. That is what we believe. The spirits have guided us to this place, speaking of hidden passages and forgotten knowledge."

An underground city, possibly from before the cataclysm, could hold untold dangers and treasures, probably both. She glanced at Alic, whose eyes had gone wide.

"How do you plan to find this city?" Mira asked, her hand unconsciously tightening on her sword hilt.

Grix'gnash gestured towards the forest. "We have discovered an entrance, a cave that leads deep into the earth. It is there that we believe the path to the ancient city begins. However, it is blocked. We now seek another way."

"Another way?"

The gnoll looked over his shoulder and barked a series of guttural commands. A gnoll crept out of the tree line and handed the shaman a piece of parchment. He asked Alic and Mira, "May I approach?

Mira watched as Grix'gnash approached, his staff tapping softly against the ground with each step. As he drew closer, she caught his scent - a peculiar blend of wet dog and forest undergrowth. Surprisingly, it wasn't as unpleasant as she'd expected.

The gnoll shaman towered over her, standing about a head taller. His yellow eyes met hers, filled with a wisdom that caught her off guard. Without a word, he extended the parchment toward her.

Mira took it, her fingers brushing against his coarse fur. She unrolled the parchment and then quickly flipped it over. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"How in the..." she muttered, studying the partial map of Everspring. The streets and buildings were depicted with uncanny accuracy and drawn with what appeared to be a fine-line charcoal pencil. Her gaze fixed on a prominent 'X' marking one of the structures.

Alic leaned in, his armor creaking slightly. He pointed at the mark. "Is that what I think it is?"

Mira squinted, then nodded slowly. She turned to Grix'gnash. "The location you've marked... it's a tavern called The Shadow's Respite. My friend, Varix Vel'Naris, owns it."

The gnoll's ears perked up at this information. He tilted his head, considering her words.

"Might you introduce us to the owner?"

Alic cut in. "We'll need to talk to the council and then to the owner of The Shadow's Respite before you're allowed in town."

"This is acceptable. You have my thanks, humans who are Mira and Alic."

"Why no thank orc!" Urzan demanded.

Grix'gnash yipped lightly a few times, which Mira interpreted as laughter.

"My apologies, friend orc. Thank you, as well, for your assistance."

Urzan scratched his head and nodded at the gnolls.

Grix'gnax returned his attention to Mira and Alic. "What sort of a man is this Varix? Will he consider meeting with us?"

Mira glanced at Alic, who shrugged, then looked back at the gnoll shaman. A smile tugged at her lips. "Varix is a good man, but odd. I'm sure he will be happy to meet with you. He'll probably offer you a job."