The response to his words was silence. He hadn’t known what to expect, or if it could even work, if Craghand could hear him or not. He had hoped it was possible, as at times before Craghand had worked through him, even influenced his words. He pressed on, hopefully.

Listen, I’m not very good at this. The apologising thing. It wasn’t my idea, to take over your body. I didn’t even get a say in it. I know that it must be hard on you, and I’m sorry that it happened. Sorry for my part in it, if that makes any difference. I’m trying to fix it, as best as I can, so that I can get out and back to my life and you can get back to yours. I kind of need your help, though. Your further help. I know that you have done so in the past, been able to influence things.

He stopped, unsure of what to say next, what he could say next. Apologising was hard, especially when it wasn’t something that he had done. He just hoped that the dwarf understood and that there was a way that he could make it known he did. Then, from deep within, he heard a voice speaking, deep and rich, but soft, right at the edge of hearing, little more than a whisper.

Ach, laddie, ye nae be doin’ too bad a job, ye ken?

The answer saw Chance exhale with relief, glad for it yet nervous too.

How is it that you haven’t spoken to me before? he asked.

Oh, I ha’e tried, laddie, ‘cept you weren’t listenin’. Nae fully.

Story of my life that, Chance responded.

Yer life has been a strange one, from what I’ve been seein’, Craghand told him. And fantastical. Nae sure I understand it.

Chance blinked, surprised. You know of my life?

Bits, just as ye know somethin’ o’ mine, Craghand told him. Dreamlike memories and the like, ye ken?

Sort of, and yes, it has been a strange one. So is this the only way that we can talk, properly?

Crathag’s Oily Beard, laddie, but yer guess be as good as mine. I know nowt more than ye do. Ain’t never been in this situation afore either.

Yes, I guess not, Chance mused. He found himself stroking his beard as he spoke and pulled his hand away. He still hadn’t gotten used to the itchy, hairy thing but hadn’t had a chance to do anything about it. Always something else came up. Is there anything that can tell me about Azval Stalvaq and the surrounds?

Nowt more than ye already know, Craghand replied. I’d been sent here to investigate rumours yon dragon beastie had been slain, but ha’e nowt arrived when ye took over.

Chance had hoped that the dwarf would be able to fill him in on a few things, but that had been dashed now. At least for the local area. For the world beyond, there might be more that could be gleaned. Any other advice that you could give then.

Ye seem to be doin’ a decent enough job, if’n a little different ta the way I’d’ve done. Just don’t be dyin’, ye ken?

Chance had to wonder if there was something about him that made people think he was at risk of dying and they had to keep reminding him. It wasn’t as if he had made a habit of it, or anything. I’m not planning on it.

Craghand seemed to fall silent, whether from having no more to say or because the communication was limited in some manner. Chance yawned as she sat there for a few moments longer, before laying down, letting his eyes fall closed. He was glad that there was a way that he could get in touch with Craghand, to try and explain matters to him, and there was no doubt that the dwarf could be of use.

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So that is the way it is. Chance’s eyes snapped open as Shag’s words came into his mind, words tinged with curiosity and understanding. The big wolf still lay nearby to him, resting his head on his paws, but his golden eyes were open, looking at Chance. It explains a lot.

You heard? Chance asked. He still remained unsure just how the link, the mindspeech worked between them, of its abilities and limitations. In part it had been why he had waited until the wolf had gone to sleep before trying to contact Craghand.

Yes, Shags confirmed. It would seem that my bond is not just with you, but with the both of you. It is a strange thing. So the dwarf, the real druid, is inside of you, and you are…something else.

Elder Maedryn mentioned it was similar to the avatars of old, though not entirely, as that was the providence of the gods, and I am no god.

The wolf grinned. No, I would guess you are not. He sounded amused by the concept.

I know that this changes a lot, Chance explained.

No, not as such, Shags responded. You are still you, the person I know, and we are doing what needs to be done. The rest is interesting but does not impact that.

Chance couldn’t argue with that. The wolf had an odd way of looking at things, of accepting things. Shags’ eyes closed again, having said all that he needed to, and Chance followed suit. This time there were no more interruptions and he drifted off to sleep, into the arms of slumber and dreams.

When he woke the following morning, it was still dim, and the others had yet to rise. He picked himself up quietly, gathered up his staff, and made his way through the cave to the entrance. The first light of the coming morning was just starting to stain the horizon bronze, the rest of the sky above it still dark, with a last few stars to be seen, fading from sight. Birds were beginning to make themselves heard among the trees. The air hung still, without a hint of a breeze, with a touch of cool to it, though it had the feel of a day that would be warm later on.

It was, he found, surprisingly peaceful really. It was not something that he was used to, being up at dawn for one thing, but taking a moment to stop and appreciate the scenery around him. He was a city boy, after all, and while he had on occasion seen the bush, he’d never really stopped to look at it. Always he had been on the go, looking for new things to excite and stimulate him.

The sounds of activity back in the cave came to him, of voices chattering away. With a last look at the growing dawn light, he turned and made his way back to the camp, to find the others rising, stretching, yawning and talking.

“Morning,” he said in greeting. “It's a nice day out. Perfect day for a walk.”

There were various responses to that as the others finished waking properly.

You have plans for the day, I take? Shags asked.

“I think that we would pay Yrip’s people a visit, to talk with them,” Chance replied, “But there is another matter first.” He retrieved the parchment and navigated through it to display the map of the area. He pointed down to the southeastern corner of it, where the strange stone monolith could be seen. “I would like to know what this is, and it is on the way, more or less, to the Iyari camp,” he added, using the kobold’s name for themselves, which earned a grin from Yrip. “After we find out about it, we can continue on and try and resolve things with the Iyari.”

“Yes, yes,” agreed Yrip. “Iyari will be free.”

“Shags?” Chance asked.

I shall come along too, the wolf responded. They are going to find out about the ‘shaggy death’ sooner or later, so it might as well be now.

“Just try not to scare them too much, yes?” Yrip said. The big wolf responded with a grin.

“Snarl?”

“Sure, why not?” the gnoll replied. “I shall need to be laying down a few ground rules regarding cleaning, just to make sure that they know what is happening.”

Chance just shook his head, though he did smile. “Looks like the whole band will be together. Let's eat up and then we can head out.”