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Lady Star Whisper
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"Do you know where this cave is?"
"Nope. I got the caravan man to spill that one of the gnolls purchased mining equipment after the mine-inspector went missing, and that he was looking for a chessboard before that as well. Using that information, I asked around town to find out the gnoll also kidnapped a chef-assistent. Each time he came to town, it was frown this direction. I just don't know how to continue into the woods with the lack of a trail to follow."
"Don't worry. My most competent tracker is accompaning me. She is at the stable now. Luck has it that we also have a spare mount."
"Great! It will be good if we can reach the cave before sundown. It can get mighty cold in the mountains at night."
At the stables Iesgip has made sure the mounts were well-fed and ready for departure. We redistributed the baggage on my and Iesgip's mount, as Tchergat turned out to be of heavy build.
Soon we are outside the town, facing the woods.
"Right that way, most townsfolk claim. Lugging all those tools around made him easy to spot."
Tchergat points into the woods.
"Very well. Iesgip, do you see any tracks?"
She leans over from her mount, scanning the ground underneath. After a moment of searching she responds.
"Sir, yes, sir! These footsteps are old but they are very heavy, sir, like someone carrying a lot of weight, sir!"
"Very good, Iesgip."
As the pieces come together, I can feel my heart beginning to pound in my throat. Sometimes I prefer being ambushed instead of openly heading into battle: It lacks the adrenaline headache.
Tchergat does seem like a proper induvidual. To have him on our side permanently must prove endlessly valuable. But how will I create a bond with such a stranger?
What must I say?
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