15th Springmonth I
Country East of Pontes
A consensus forms, and the adventurers proceed according to the given directions. Along the way, they pass a handful of farmhouses. They can see men and women busying themselves with agricultural and domestic tasks; a few polite greetings are exchanged, as well as customary remarks concerning weather and crops, but nothing of great import is said.
Finally, the adventurers come to the eastward-leading winding lane that begins near a dried-out pond. After half a mile, the party passes by a large farmhouse next to a great barn. An enormous extended family of farm-folk busy themselves about tasks, and a number of mules and draft-horses are to be seen. The dwelling seems like an ordinary farmhouse that has expanded over many years to contain successive generations, rather than a house purpose-built for grandeur.
The party continues on for another half-mile, at which point they can see the pine woods ahead. The trees are truly thick, and no paths or trails or immediately evident. From a cursory visual examination, it seems as if it would be difficult and slow for a man to trek through these woods, let alone a horse. Low-growing branches are in abundance, and being familiar with woods, the four from Durans Well surmise that the forest floor is likely slick indeed from previous years' accumulations of dead, brown pine needles.
The sun is low in the sky; perhaps forty-five minutes of daylight or so are left. Off in the distance, a baying noise can be heard, coming from somewhere far in front of the adventurers. A touch of coolth creeps into the air.
Cadmus the Confused
"I say we advance into yon woods, just past the tree line, and establish a cold camp for the night. We can maintain a watch at the perimeter of the trees and try and ascertain if anyone passes by and, if they do, what route they take."
Alfius the Aeviternal, Fighter
Alfius agrees.
15th Springmonth ITacitus the Multiloquent
"I like not the role of creeping spies, but...well, the game may be worth the candle."
Country East of Pontes
Following the lead of Cadmus, the adventurers venture a few feet into the thick woods. Passage is quite difficult; the horses have to be carefully guided to avoid from slipping on the carpet of slick, dead pine needles, and furthermore, the youths have to bend back or break off many a branch to allow the horses entry and continued progress. It is easy to determine that faring further into the forest with the horses will be practically impossible if any sort of reasonable pace is to be maintained.
For now, however, the horses are safely within the tree line, shielded from the eyes of any passersby walking outside of the planted pine forest and attempting to gaze within for any purpose. Keeping watch without the aid of light or hot food, the adventurers keep their eyes and ears peeled, looking for any sign of evil-doers, lurkers, or the like. Soon, their vigilance is rewarded.
Roughly a long spear's-throw deeper into the woods, they espy a crouching form which does not seem to notice that it has been noticed. The thing has a foul, horrid, and unusual form---it appears to a bipedal thing dog-like or wolf-like, yet neither, and not a man wearing the pelt of such! It crouches on hands and feet, and its tongue lolls out of its mouth disgustingly as it keeps big ears pricked. An unnatural and off-putting yellow light gleams in its eyes.
