Chapter 2: The Creepy Forest

Xaka follows the others, her spear at the ready. She's not keen on this new plan, but it's more important to act together. She prepares to leap to the front in case of mischief.

"I assure you Grimbly, it is no snake. I see the figure of one kneeling in worship or prayer among the serpents," insists Kendral maintaining a subdued volume. "We can turn back, approach this mysterious figure, or call out to it. I'm afraid, though, that Moonshadow's dinner choices could negatively influence the demeanor of such a serpent keeper."

"Oh, dear. One of those. They do get so severe, don’t they?" Belvedere starts. He gets ready to regale the others with what he knows of the snake worshippers!

This cave has turned out to be a bad idea unless we can convince the fellow to keep his snakes friendly.

Grimbly wonders what good a crowbar will do in this situation.

"Well, I may not be a snake charmer, but I do know my way to the heart. Keep your distance, and leave it to me!" Belvedere whispers, ushering the others back.

He steps forward towards the figure.

"Oh, heavens. It’s wonderful to see another face out here!" he calls out! "I won’t stay long, you’ll have to forgive me! I’m just passing through. Quite literally, as it goes!"

"Umm, maybe we should just leave him to whatever he's doing...," Katie says quietly, scanning the nearby area for slithering.

"What I've been saying!" Grimbly hisses as he plans his way out.

"Agreed," Katie adds in a hushed voice as she begins backtracking. "We certainly don't need to clash with a generation of vipers, especially with a few of us not at full strength."

"Let's get out of here Belvedere. I don't think you need to win the heart of this one, even if you can. I'm sorry this was a bad idea." say Kendral, trying to keep his companion from escalating the situation.

"We'll need to set up camp before it gets too dark, but I don't really fancy being too close to this snake pit." Katie considers their options for a moment, then adds brightly, "At least we have fire already."

"I think we will be fine as long as we keep the fire burning brightly. I can take the first watch. I'm too awake for sleep right now."

Grimbly wanders around looking for some more wood, enough to keep a blazing fire alight for the entire night.

"You won’t find them over there!" Belvedere calls after Grimbly. "I’m afraid you may never find them again! Best make peace with it!" he continues, referring to the dryads that had enamored them earlier in the day.

To Katie, he sighs dramatically:

"Love’s first brush. A punch to the gut for the poor lad!" he says, with a playful wink!

Kendral holds back a chuckle and involuntarily smirks at Belvedere's tease toward Grimbly. Instead of entertaining the joke further he instead says, "You are likely right Grimbly. A good fire should keep us safe. Thank you for taking first watch. Moonshadow can assist."

Kendral moves next to Gimbly and calls to his companion, "Moonshadow, Perch." When the bird lands on a branch close to him and Grimbly, Kendral stroke the bird's feathers. Turning to Grimbly he says, "Pet him too so he knows who to alert."

Then Kendral commands, "Warn Gimbly Moonshadow, Warn."

Grimbly has the urge to stick his tongue out at Belvedere but instead rolls his eyes and waves away the man's comment.

When Kendral offers his owl for first watch, he is delighted but hesitant.

"Oh! Okay, sure." Grimbly tentatively reaches out a hand and gently pets the top of the owl's head, surprised at how soft its feathers are. He relaxes after a few minutes after he realizes the bird won't hurt him.

"Looks like it's just you and me on first watch tonight, eh Monshadow?"

"Hoo, hoo"

Xaka says with her back resting on her pack, chewing on a long taper that's smoking on the other end. The conversation goes around and someone asks her about men in her past.

"I like big men, fat even but as long as they're strong too. Once was this teamster named Sorrgo. He and I shacked up for a few months, until he shipped off and died when his merchantman was boarded by a navy ship and the whole crew hung. Never did find out why. Probably they Black Leaf. They blamed me, the idjits and I spent three weeks breaking rocks before they let me go realizing I just had bad taste in men."