As the elf and mage drew daggers, the albino elf producing an odd shaped blade that seemed designed for this type of work, the others watched in silence as they worked. Shadowleaf's training allowed him to skin the beast quickly, but Riley's methods were crude to say the least. Although he was able to salvage a full hide on the first wolf he worked on, Riley's slash and pull method did not work well on his second attempt and as he grew frustrated with the patches of fur ripping in his hands, he settled for claiming the ears and being done with it.
Glancing up he saw Shadowleaf rolling both pelts he harvested from the wolves and securing them to his horse. Wiping his blood covered hands on one of the loose patches of fur, Riley secured his pelt and ears and nodded to Sven when he was ready to go.
Aulbesmil
The town of Aulbesmil lies in a forest clearing a few miles across. Fields of grain and groves of fruit trees dot the countryside. A river makes a broad loop that surrounds the settlement on three sides, while a millrace that runs straight as an arrow cuts across the western edge of the town, transforming it into an island. Two low stone bridges span the river just east of the millrace on the norht and south sides of the town.
Within the town, all seems neat and tidy, if worn. Most of the buildings are stone, with fine glass windows. The paint on the doors, window frames, and shutters has faded, although none of it is actually peeling. The stone walls and pavements sem to have more than their fair share of cracks, but there are no weeds. The buildings have slate roofs, bleached to pale gray by long exposure to the sun. Here and there, the slates have been replaced by wooden shingles.
The most impressive structures in town are the mill and a modest inn, whose shingle sign identifies it as the Sylvan Glade Inn, both two stories tall. A small shrine to Chauntea can be seen just on the outskirts of town on the way to one of the fields of wheat.
It is obvious that the recent wolf attacks have put the townspeople on edge, as they eye you all warily as you come into the town. However the few merchants you see try to put a smile on their faces at your approach.
Dismounting in front of the Sylvan Glade, Sven motions for you all to do the same.
"I will try to find Captain Ghini, so feel free to get something to eat or drink while you wait."
