Subject: Together again at last

Garyth prods the Falcons through their morning meal, and everyone is back in the saddle before the sun has fully risen. Rennik says something to Tichenor, and the big wolf runs off into the woods. Then the Halfling rides his pony up to the front of the column, his eyes fixed intently on the ground.

The elf remains near the rear, fingering something around his neck with a distant expression on his face. Osred rides companionably beside him.

The group rides into the canopy of the deep forest. Within seconds, it is almost as dark as night. Several Falcons light lanterns, though Rennik seems to prefer riding ahead of the circle of light. Occasionally, Tichenor pops out of the brush, looks around as though checking up on everyone, then disappears again. The men speak little. There is something unsettling and oppressive in the darkness under the trees. Garyth gets the feeling that the whole world would be this dark if the demon had its way. Every plant and animal and man would be dead, and the world would be a frigid desert. He wonders what sort of creatures would make his world their home then, and he shudders.

He must have fallen asleep in the saddle, because he suddenly comes awake when Rennik whistles to him. He stops the column and rides ahead. Rennik points through the trees at a dark shape in a clearing. "That's the trader's barn. We're here."

Garyth looks over the buildings. "Some light coming out of the cracks in the trading post. Think Gully is home? Think our friends made it?"

Rennik only shrugs.