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."

"Good point" Kuiper tells Devon, as your group sets off southwards. "Hog Brook isn't usually a dangerous place, but if something, or someone, was stalking her in Milborne, they might have followed her there."

After a short walk, you get to the bank of the Churnett river. A small rowboat is tied to a post on the ground and Kuiper heads towards it. "I used this to cross the Churnett when I need to. Jelenneth is one of the people who know of it, but she's not the only one. If the boat's this side of the river, she may have never come this way, but there's equal chance she crossed and someone else ferries themselves back here. Either way, Hog Brook's across, so hop on."

After Kuiper ferries you across, he takes point and continues heading south, stopping frequently to check for tracks or signs of passage. After several hours of this, as the sun begins getting low, you all hear a rustling from a nearby bush. A grey wolf steps into view, followed a moment later by a wild-haired woman in tattered robes.

Kuiper raises a hand towards you, motioning to wait, before turning to the woman and saying something in a language you don't understand.

Hanzel is a bit surprised that the ranger speaks Druidic, but chooses to watch and wait for the moment.

Devon waits patiently for their guide to meet with the woman...

Kuiper's Druidic apparently doesn't extend beyond a basic greeting, because he and the woman quickly switch to Common.

"My name is Oleanne" she says in passable Common, heavy with an implacable accent that makes it hard to understand her, as a second grey wolf steps out behind the foliage to join the first one, both keeping a distance as they regard you with inquisitive eyes. "This is Belshar and Arlin. What brings you to these woods, accompanied by the Ranger no less?"

Hanzel bows his head slightly as a sign of respect to Oleanne. "We're looking for a missing girl - a wizard's apprentice - and she might have come here at some point."

The warrior watched the wolves move forward, gauging if there was any risk here. The ranger knew this person, so Devon remained relaxed, but alert. Hanzel had put forth their purpose, so he waited to see if there was any response.

"I know who you speak of. I have not seen her. But I have seen you. A few days ago, you fought off some men outside Milborne." She says this in a matter-of-fact way, pausing not because of her statement but because of her choppy Common. "I've been tracking someone. Turns out it's a young boy from Krynen's farmstead. Last night I saw him flee his home and transform into a werebear in the woods. He is clearly frightened, confused, and alone. He is new to this and cannot change back into his human form. I tried to approach him, calm him down and help him, but he was terrified and fled."

"I'm not surpised" Kuiper chips in. "Local legends don't paint the Woman of the Woods in a very flattering light, plus I'm sure having two wolves around wasn't exactly the most calming of sights. I'm surprised I haven't heard of this boy myself. If he ran off Krynen's farmstead, it must have been his son, Maxim. Bet his father is worried sick." The ranger then turns to Hanzel. "Suppose we can rule Hog Brook and herb gathering out as far as Jelenneth is concerned. But while we're here, I do have a few nets and snares in my backpack. I'd appreciate any help in holding this boy down long enough for Oleanne to talk some sense into him, what do you say?"

The warrior raises an eyebrow... "Werebear? Are they not incredibly..." he paused for a second, "difficult?"

Although he had considered saying powerful, dangerous, terrifying, and any number of other options.

Aldeera looks shocked. "A werebeast, and you want us to help 'hold it down until some sense can be talked into it'? I'm not adverse to helping the boy or to danger, but this sounds suicidal!"

"Not if you know what you're doing. And this one doesn't know what he's doing, he's not in control of his power yet. Besides, you'll have my aid, and Oleanne's, and her wolves'. Remember, the point is to capture him, not kill him. Just tangle him up in the nets and eventually he'll wear himself out and give up."

"You couldn't kill him anyway, even if you wanted to" Oleanne interjects. "Not without silver weapons. But magic can hurt him, so do avoid that. I will see no harm done to him."

"Yes, well, there you have it" Kuiper adds, trying to sound cheerful. "I'll attract his attention and you just cast the nets at him. Keep a safe distance, don't wanna risk getting bit and becoming a werebear yourself." Kuiper pauses awkwardly at that last statement. "I'm not making this sound any better, am I? Listen, this is gonna take more than a couple of people, we really need your help here to avoid a loose confused werebear in the woods. I'm trying to make it as easy and safe as you as I can, but at the end of the day, I can't force you. Suppose I'm just wanting to believe you're willing to do it out of the goodness of your heart."

Aldeera sighs. There was that 'goodness of the heart' thing again. I really must see about having that part of my emotions removed. "Okay, I'm in. What do we need to do?"

Devon nodded, "Well, you willingly jumped in to assist us, so I'm in."