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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 7335240" data-attributes="member: 143">Chapter 120“Xeeta,” Kosk said.  “Didn’t expect to see you here.  So you followed us after all, eh?”“Yeah, I guess I did,” Xeeta replied.  “Is everyone all right?  I assume that Bredan and Glori and Quellan are with you.”“They’re all well enough.  We’ve had a few scrapes since we got here.”“Same as always, eh?  Saw some dead ogres on the way here.  Your work?”“Indeed,” he said.  “Lost a few good people, and one got away—a hill giant.”Xeeta couldn’t help but shudder at that; if she’d run into an angry giant while alone on the road it would have been trouble, big trouble.  “And I’d guess that you were involved with that business with the chimera I’ve been hearing about.”  She knew she was talking too much and too fast, but she was desperate to keep him from asking probing questions.“Hard not to get involved, not with Bredan and Quellan around.”“Looks like your life’s been eventful since I left.”“That’s one word for it.”“From the look on your face a minute ago, it looks like maybe you’ve found some more trouble.”The dwarf’s expression sharpened, and for a moment Xeeta feared she’d said something wrong.  But then Kosk nodded and said, “Could be you’re the only person here—save for the other members of our group—that I can trust.”  He rubbed his chin, which looked like it hadn’t been shaved in a few days; a generous ration of stubble had already emerged.  “Someone’s trying to kill us.”“Making friends again, eh?” she said.  At his look she quickly added, “Whatever I can do to help, of course.  Where are the others?”“At the inn, I figure.  Quellan might be at the local temple.  I haven’t had a chance to talk to them yet.  I got some new information just an hour ago.  I was going to head over to the inn to find them, but first I wanted to drop in at the business of this local notable who’s apparently up to his eyeballs in the whole business.  From what I’ve seen of this place he’s like to bolt if he gets word that I know he’s involved.  I don’t know who all else is part of it, but there’s this shifty magic-user who keeps popping up.  He’s good at blowing stuff up.”“Uh oh,” Xeeta said.  “You’re in a hurry, then.”“Yeah.”  He looked her over.  “I take it you’re on the clock too.”  He knew about the magic that she used to disguise her true nature, and how temporary it was.“I can help you confront this guy, if you want,” she said.  She didn’t want to deal with the others, especially Bredan, not yet.  There was no way to avoid them now, but she would definitely prefer to have some time to think about what she was going to tell them.  They would probably understand the truth, but she had gone through too much in her life to be loose with the secrets she still had.“All right,” Kosk said.  He led her off the main avenue into the tight warren of side-streets that connected the rest of the town.  He didn’t seem to have a very clear idea of where he was going, but in a town the size of Wildrush it wasn’t that easy to get lost.  It took only a few minutes before they found themselves in a cul-de-sac dominated by a warehouse-sized workshop.  A rolling wooden door stood wide open, revealing a cavernous interior where about a dozen men worked at several workstations building barrels, simple furniture, and other things crafted from cut wood.Kosk left Xeeta to keep an eye out from the entry while he went in to talk with the workers.  It only took him a minute to confirm that the man he was looking for was not present.  When he came out again he looked about ready to chew nails.  “Think your man’s skipped town?” she asked.“He’s an important local figure,” Kosk said.  “He wouldn’t have gone far unless he’d thought there was no other choice.”  He peered down the length of the street, as if sheer intensity would cause his quarry to appear.  “I should go talk to the Governor, put the word out, but I’m not sure I can trust him either.”“You think he’s corrupt?  The King’s man?”“I’ve seen men of his rank fall before,” Kosk said.  “I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone in this town was on the take.”“Maybe it’s time to bring in the others,” Xeeta said.  “I can’t stay, but I can arrange to meet you tomorrow, if you wish.”He peered at her as if he could read her thoughts.  “Fine, fine,” he said.  “You’ve got a quiet spot outside of town?”“Yes.”“All right.  Be careful.  There’s something odd afoot in this valley.  Something beyond wandering creatures and corrupt local officials.”“I can take care of myself.”“Aye, but don’t be surprised if Bredan comes looking for you.  I imagine Rodan could figure out where you’ve been… what?”He cut off as Xeeta reached out and grabbed hold of his arm.  “Who’s that you’re talking about?” she asked.“Just some local ranger.  He helped us out with the chimera.  Kind of a prick, but he seems to know his business.  Why?”“Describe him.  Please.”Kosk gave her a dubious look, but started to provide an overview of the man.  He only managed a few sentences before Xeeta cut him off.  “We need to find the others.”“What are you…”“We need to go to them,” she said, cutting him off.  “Now, Kosk.  Right now.”</blockquote>

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