Chapter 3.1: The Second Expedition

The others hunker down and wait for a signal while Chase and Aanbo move furtively from tree to tree through the Dim Forest toward Ramne's grove. It's not quite 10 in the morning when they arrive at the edge, pausing cautiously in the bushes before entering the open. The others are close enough that they could come running at a shout.

As usual, the old hermit Ramne is tending his garden a little ways from his ramshackle cottage. Despite facing away from the bushes where his visitors are crouched, he stiffens and then starts muttering to himself. "Oh, it gets so lonely here by myself. If I ever had any visitors, I would take them inside for tea and cakes. Everyone is so nervous, what with those murderous ruffians on the loose, that no one dares come by to visit. I tell my friends that no one would bother us here, but no one comes by my cottage to catch up on current events..." Then he chuckles to himself and starts to sing a little song, garbling lyrics and nonsense words.

The old man sighs, and then chuckles at himself for thinking that 'visitors,' 'inside,' and 'cottage' would be clues enough for the adventurers to sneak inside so they could meet in secrecy. Then Ramne stands up, brushes the dirt off of his hands on his robe, and turns to Aanbo and Chase with a smile. "Good to see you again," he says in a low voice, and gestures to the shack. "Whiskers tells me we're not being observed now, but do step inside the cottage where we can be more certain of privacy."

Once the three of them are inside, Ramne resumes: "Eight of you, then? It'll be a tight fit, but we can make it work." He tidies up a bit as the others arrive, stopping periodically to gaze at nothing - apparently receiving some sort of communication from Whiskers. Chase steps back out and gestures to the others, who flit through the trees and slip into the cottage. Soon enough, all of the adventurers are squeezed into the small space with the old hermit, Ramne.

"Welcome to all of you." He says, his weathered, wrinkled face cracking into a warm smile. To Aanbo, Chase, and Myrtha he adds: "I'm glad that you were able to find five other heroes to help us in these dark times."