Part 3: The Spider's Web

Kama slowly turns his head and looks back at the others with a wordless expression, then returns his attention to Reidoth. "Who makes alliances with dragons?"

I hold the bow in front of Gimblyn and show it to him as if to say "It's a bow." I actually say "Not much to look at, but this bow has saved my life many times. Perhaps it can also be used to kill a dragon."

"A young green dragon, hrm..."

Gimblyn tapped his foot as he pondered what he could remember of green dragons, then reacted overly excited over the simple bow.

"Oh, ranger, this bow wont slay a dragon. You seem quite capable though. I must tell you, my next bow will be crafted for you."

He smiled again and propped his knuckles on his waist.

"Im the best bowyer around, I swear!"

The little gnome was as awkward as he was tall, though he always tended to be up front about his personality. Spending much time talking to animals didn't aid his conversations with people.

"What do you want done with the dragon?" Kama asks of Reidoth. "Greens can be nasty, for sure, but I'm not sure what a naturist like yourself thinks of 'em."

Kama huffs a breath. "Well. What can you tell us about these robed men that want to ally with it? Maybe we can play one against the other."

Kama places both hands upon the knob of his axe, eyes downward in thought. He then looks up to the party, including Aoth and Twig, and speaks his thought process. "Maybe we pay these guys a visit, find out what their game is. If they're looking to chat up the dragon, maybe we can use them as bait or meat shields so we can get in close."

Then Kama turns to Reidoth. "Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to battle-plan in your house. Should we step outside?"

"The ones who seek favor of a dragon are the ones with their own agenda."

Tumtwig started shaking his head in agreement, then look at Kama.

"Trick them first, hopefully they are blinded by their goal... if not, you could always club them out away from our forest. There is no place for their kind here, I swear."

"I always prefer a known quantity to a risky gamble uninformed. PErhaps we can have a brief conversation with our cloaked friends, and convince them to educate us on the goings-on concerning this green dragon. I would prefer, myself, to avoid any sort of conflict with large creatures of the scaled variety, but I suppose it may be worth the endeavor if the tales of dragon hordes are accurate. What say you, lads, should we confront these dastardly dragon dupes and dispel any dreams they have of dominating this druid's domicary?" Aoth wheezes on, clearly amused by his concluding alliteration.

Kama nods to the druid, and pockets the berries absently into the same pouch containing his rations as he returns his attention to the plan.

"Whichever route we take, so long as we take it fast," says Kama, making a move-along gesture with his hand. "If it brings us closer to chasing down Cragmaw Castle, I'm for it. Let's find these fellows and try and get buddy-buddy."

Tumtwig jobs his head repeatedly throughout the conversation, though his large eyes seemed to wander around the druid's house. He was looking to see what kind of tea the man had laying around.

"So, where do we go?" asks Kama, wordlessly attempting to point out that he's the stranger to these parts.

Kama shrugs. "I meant to find these guys with the cloaks. It sets us back a bit, but I'd rather have a committed guide later than a one distracted by a pending dragon job."

"All right," says Kama. He turns to the rest of the group. "Short rest? Or you good to go now?"

"Leave now. Done listening." I walk out and start heading east.

"Let's start in the southeast," says Kama as he shoulders his greataxe and follows Xora out. "I want to see if we can find that alchemist's shop run by the Dendrars."

Before he exits, Kama looks over his shoulder and nods to Reidoth. "Thanks for your hospitality."