Wendel takes a deep breath and wrings his hands as the group pulls out some snacks and prepares to enter the tower. Janus arrives late, jogging up the path, looking distracted.
“I’ve been studying thirteen creatures in my personal quarters,” Wendel says, “all of them released by Barry not quite two hours ago.” He begins ticking them off on his fingers. “A cat, a weasel, and a rat that get on each other’s nerves and must stay separated at all times. In one corner of the room I have a bat, a hawk, an owl, and a raven in their own cages. The octopus and crab each have their own aquarium, with locked lids. Finally, I keep a toad, a lizard, a snake, and spider in separate terrariums.”
While eating, a thump and a crash comes from within the tower. Wendel noticeably cringes and looks at everyone expectantly. When everyone is ready, he approaches the door and gestures over the doorknob, releasing an arcane lock.
“I’m afraid it might be quite the mess inside. I don’t know what the creatures have been up to. They’ve taken over the whole tower, by now, I’m sure. Please capture them, but don’t harm any. Prim will likely return by sundown.”
Before entering, Gob and Trevor both notice a spotted brown owl and a jet black raven perched side by side on a branch in a nearby copse, staring at the group intently.
