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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Whizbang Dustyboots" data-source="post: 3475338" data-attributes="member: 11760">As the wagon rocks its way through the darkening Tulgey Wood, Emus begins to cool down. His eyes sharper in the darkness than the others, he watches Khenemet-Apep intently for a long time before speaking."Hey, constable," he says finally. "Mind if I ask this 'un a question?"Constable Bridger shrugs and says nothing."So, wizard, when's this supposed kobold attack coming, eh?"Swaying back and forth with the motion of the cart, Khenemet-Apep looks down at Emus, his dark face split by a wide grin."Hmmm? Well, I have an idea, but I think that's a matter for the baron, not a dwarf covered in sap and fleas.""Yeah, that's sorta what I figgered you'd say," Emus says, leanining back against the edge of the cart. After a moment, he self-consciously picks a flea out of his beard.Katadid looks at Emus. He looks at Apep. He then looks at Emus again. Alarm and confusion darts across his face."Kobold attack? There's a kobold attack? When did this happen? Or start to happen? Or will happen?"Emus shrugs."Eh. It's just a rumor I heard goin' around the tavern. Figgered he'd know somethin' about it. Ain't gonna happen today, though. Too many dwarves around."And if it were gonna happen tonight, I figgered this 'un, would've mentioned it now, seein' as he's about to talk to the baron and all. It's not nothin' to worry about, son.""Emus, truly," Renraw interjects, his voice spilling over with sincerity, "It means quite a lot to me that you joined us for the journey. This will not be forgotten."The Wizard of Green Mountain ignores Renraw's comment, looking back and forth in the darkening twilight between Emus and Kat."Why, Young Master Leach, what did you think the kobolds wanted the military information you gave them for? To send flowers?"In the darkness near his feet, it sounds like the cat is snickering again.Kat looks stunned for a moment."I-I didn't ... I thought they just wanted to be prepared ... in case.""But the dwarf is correct. The kobolds' attack requires the successful completion of a complex ritual. They still have numerous parts to collect before they can begin, as well as piecing together the rest of the ritual itself.""Don't you dare," Renraw snarls. "Leach didn't give them any information they didn't already know. Neither of us have any reason to feel guilt, Kat.""Yes, but-" Katadid starts to reply."Which the boy could not have known and," Khenemet-Apep peers at Kat through the remaining light, "I suspect he would have given them the information no matter what. A fair trade and all of that.""Well, yes, but I had to, I didn't want-""'The boy' is touched. He was compelled by his own personal demons. He's no more guilty of treason than I am. You, on the other hand, did your damnedest to have Deputy Gallaway killed. I'm quite eager to see how you manage to avoid that while you're within the zone of truth.""'Touched?' But ... treason? Wait, the deputy will be kill-""Oh, I don't know that the baron would rule him guilty, or that he would impose a harsh sentence if he did, but you and I both know what you agreed to do.""That's what we're going to the Baron for? A-""Of course, of course. And everyone took me at my word, didn't they?" Renraw grins with tight lips."Wormy is K-""Light a lamp, Tucker," the constable says, ignoring the debate between the wizards three and slowing the cart. He nods in the gloom to the trunk beneath the bench seat and the poles for lanterns at the front of the cart."MORE LIGHT! I NEED TO THINK!" Kat shouts, causing everyone to jump in their seats. The cat hisses and its fur bristles. Skeeter, meanwhile nuzzles further into Kat's armpit. Kat holds his head in his hands, breathing heavily and trying to calm himself from the flurry of words around him."I-I just need to think for a moment," he says into his shackles. Katadid mutters to himself for another minute while hiding his head, his feet tapping sporadically. When he finally raises his head, he looks directly into Apep's eyes. "Ritual. Parts. They need time. And pieces."So tell me what it is. And tell me where I can find them before they do."</blockquote>

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