Chapter 1: Into Haranshire

The warrior tried to remember what had happened at the inn, "At the inn, her father did not seem concerned, thinking that she was about somewhere, but the boy at the inn said she did not take her normal bag with her. Said it was left under the guest bed or something as much. I think that is what was raising the most concern is that she was at the inn that night, but then come morning she was not at the inn or at her family home."

He paused trying to remember more, "It is not clear really if she left on her own or disappeared soon after."

"Well there's only one way to find out. If she somehow left to gather those herbs, Hog Brook would be my guess" Kuiper says with a shrug.

"Doesn't make much sense to go do that without her bag, but you know what wizards are like. Aloof and lost in their studies, or gathering a herb only under a full moon while wearing all red clothes and whatnot. Maybe she was in a rush. And if there's no clues along the Brook, at least you can exclude that scenario and go back to Milborne to investigate further. I can come with you, I know the place quite well."

"We'd be glad to have you!" Aldeera blurts out. She looks somewhat sheepish, but shrugs. "You know, in case of more trouble."

"Alright then, give me a moment to give Alvin a heads up, he'll keep an eye on the place while I'm away."

With that, Kuiper puts his lips together for a whistle and a boy in his late teens pops up his head from the back of the building. Kuiper heads over and apparently makes arrangements for things to be taken care of in his absence. After that, he enters the hut itself and within five or so minutes, he pops out again to join you.

His appearance is quite different from the shirtless man you saw chopping wood earlier. A rather elaborate bow is strapped to his back, the quiver hanging from his belt to rest on one hip while on the other side hangs a longsword in a dark tinted scabbard. Under his sturdy dark green travel cloak, you can tell he's wearing what appears to be a well crafted leather armour. All of a sudden, he's turned from a woodsman to a proper man of woodland action.

"Well, shall we be on our way then?"

"Ready."

"I think we start where you mentioned... Hog Brook was it? If that is a frequent place for her, maybe she went there. It is also possible that is where whatever trouble followed her from back to town."

The warrior adjusted his pack as they prepared to head out again.

"Aye, let's get going then."

"Let's go."