“And you’re sure about this, doctor?” Cid asked Leonidas.

“Absolutely,” Leonidas replied. “I’d bet good coin he’s gotten himself involved with a group of goblins in some capacity.”

“What gave you that indication?” Benkin asked.

“Some of the words the Lorthan family said were terms used in goblin communities. And many tend to keep to caves to stay out of the sight of those they’d prefer not to interact with.”

“You think they might be a threat to the boy?” Cid asked.

“I couldn’t tell you,” Leonidas replied. “Some goblin communities are more welcoming than others. It’s mostly a luck of the draw when it comes to those things.”

“Well, that’s great,” Gabriel. “This region is littered with caves, and they can go on for miles and miles without a sliver of light to guide your way.”

“Wait,” Silvius said, turning to the vampyre. “I thought you said you could see in the dark?”

“I can, but most halflings can’t. And even when it’s lit, you can get lost in a cave before you’d even know it.”

“That’s fair enough,” Silvius replied.

“Let’s see what information we can scrounge up about any nearby caves.”

“I can see to that,” said Hypatia.

“Bring Jeanne with you,” Cid said. “I don’t want anyone going out alone.”

“What’s got you concerned?” Kveldulf asked.

“Between everything that’s happened back in Inderwuda and those noises back at the Lorthan farm, I’m not wanting to take any chances.

“You think there’s something out there?” Silvius asked.

“I don’t know, but I’ve learned to assume the worst and plan accordingly.”

“Perhaps I should go to,” Gabriel said. “Just in case.”

Cid nodded. “Not a bad idea. But I want you to see about tracking our little halfling friend. Silvius, you can help with research.”

“I though we should go back to the Lorthan farm, as well, and see if there are any signs of where Gavin may have gone to,” said Maeryn.

“You think any signs of him would still be around to read?” Kveldulf asked.

“If it’s goblins, like Doc said, there’s a chance they might be around the area, searching for new people or animals to grab. And if we can find their trail, then Gavin may not too far behind.”

“Bring the Doctor with you, when you’re out there.”

“That’ll leave you and Kel here at the inn,” said Jeanne.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

“I’m fairly confident the two of us will be all right here at the Inn,” Cid replied. “Wouldn’t be a terrible idea for us to keep our ears to the ground and see what news might come here while you’re seeing where young master Gavin has sequestered himself.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said Benkin. “What should we do in the meantime then?”

“I’m getting something to eat and drink,” said Cid, “I’m parched and famished.”

“I think I’ll go get some air,” Jeanne said.

“Everything all right?” Leonidas asked.

Jeanne nodded. “I’m fine,” she said reassuringly, “I just need to be outside for a moment.”

“You want us to order anything particular?” Hypatia asked.

“Just some meat, bread and ale,” Jeanne said before she stepped out of the inn and out into the street. The sun was now making its final descent into the earth with a deep crimson sky. The trees in the distant rustled as the winds picked up their strength. The soft rumble of thunder sounded in the distance, with the faintest of light flashing within the bowels of the clouds ahead. She could feel the coldness bite her lungs as she breathed in deeply.

The back of her neck began to tingle as she heard a familiar voice speak to her. “Calm winds summon storms loud and cruel. The iron scent comes to signal great doom. For lust of blood is held so dear, with want of food and need of drink. Yet those who yearn know not to yield. And scourge all life, reaping just death.”

“Would it kill you to speak plainly for once in our conversations?” Jeanne asked, unamused.

The Figure turned to Jeanne slightly. “Tis how we speak in times since past. Habit on habit, bending like steel. Until time’s –” the Figure spoke until Jeanne interrupted.

“We get it! You speak eloquently. Either have something to tell me our not!”

“I see we are in a mild state,” the Figure replied.

“I do not know what this is, why you’re here, and anything else. And at this very specific moment in time, my patience is more or less gone. So please … please, can we just get to the point?”

“Tis a fair point. Hearts little stand weight unneeded. And few can find strength well hidden, when facing such woes.”

“You’re doing it again.”

“Still tenacious, to the very end.”

Jeanne turned back towards the door. “I need a fucking drink.”

“Marais!” the Figure called out. Jeanne stopped and turned back to the Figure. “There are foul fiends, wandering free. Shrouded by night, seeking prey always. They are nearing, waiting, to strike. Be on your guard, and your steel true.”

“Are they the men we seek?” Jeanne asked.

“Perhaps they are, perhaps not so. Even the wise, cannot see all. Though I feel safe, in the wyrd’s way.”

Jeanne nodded. “About damn time,” she said to herself as she returned inside. Feeling as small rush of energy in her arms and legs as the thought of facing a Kolville face-to-face. Opening the door into the inn, she found Kveldulf stepping out, with a flagon in each hand.

“Oh hell!” he cried out as he found Jeanne in front of him.

They both stared at each other for a moment before Jeanne shook her head. “Yeah, I’ve got nothing,” she said as she moved out of his way.

He handed her a flagon. “I thought you could use a drink. Since it’s starting to get a little chilly out here.”

She took the drink in both hands and sipped the ale. The crisp flavor of the brew preceded the warmth beginning to rise within her. Looking out at the sun as the last of it sunk into the earth and the stars now emerged from the darkness and provided a nocturnal illumination of the world below.

“What are you thinking?” Kveldulf asked before he sipped from his own ale.

“Just admiring the stars, wishing I could sail the heavens and see what’s out there.”

“Yeah, be nice to just leave this whole mess behind. And just enjoy the wonders of all creation.”

“You ever think of what’s out there?”

Kveldulf shook his head. “Not really. Supposed there’s some weird stuff out there.”

Jeanne turned to Kveldulf lifting an eyebrow up. “What do you mean?”

“When you and Cid went off to do that Koulberg job, I was in this outfit with one man who said he came across creatures and beings from other worlds and fought them with his bear fists.”

“You believe him?”

“Hell no!” Kveldulf declared. “I thought the man was blowing smoke every which way. Always trying to seem bigger than he was. Could barely tolerate the damned fool when I had to work with him.”

“Maybe we should tell Cid not to take him on with our outfit.”

“Pretty much made a blood oath that one,” Kveldulf said, chuckling.