" That is what I heard, Teflar." whispered the psionic as the lethargic members gathered around. " Clumsiness of animals is not what should be on the borders of the forest." Erelis pointed through the obscure darkness. Dead silence pervaded the night and the silver half-moon held high in the sky.
The ranger gripped his weapons and nodded slowly. Confidence he once had on the outset of the mission at Bethlun, had slowly ebbed away with his dreaded experiences at Tolx and the black tower.

" Night noises are commonplace in the woodland realm, but my doubt grows large as we move further along our course." Regret consumed the woodsman's words awhile he stared around them.

Roslyn stood up on her feet and lightly dusted herself off. " I will be the one to go search for I am a woman of the woods. Let me lend myself unto you."

Vrai picked up his bow and gave a hard smile. " I'm all in favor of looking, but it might be best if I stayed a pace or three behind those actually doing the searching; I'm more effective from there."

A couple of the crew found the archer's postern guard bending towards cowardice and they told him so. The bowman defended himself by offering any possible aid he could, but stated the rear was the best place for him to be as he held an ample position to get shots off cleanly.

Teflar crept forward letting the others debate, but when the conversation blocked his concentration, he bantamned them down. " Quiet friends. If there is no evil here already, your voices will certainly wake the dead and bring it to us." He anxiously placed his left hand on the hilt of his shortsword and studied the forestline.

Nanith loaded his crossbow and said to the druidess. " You might know the forest and their creatures, but are you able to tread on crunchy leaves without making a sound or hide amongst shadows that are not even big enough to cover your...?" He looked down at his unusually big feet and conceded. " Ok, can you hide in shadows big enough to cover your toes?" He looked at the other members " If we decide to investigate, we should probably do it as a group."

All was in favor except Aramil and Gailwind who decided to stay behind and study their books. Nanith took a course to lead the group and got out ten paces ahead. The search team moved forward slowly since some were blind in the dense night.

The six crept towards the silent forestline {30 yards away} and paused momentarily. The rogue didn't notice anything special and waved them up behind him. Something seemed amiss, but nothing was evident since the humans could not see in the darkness.

Erelis asked quite concerned " Shouldn't we light something? A torch perhaps? I am of no use without it." As soon as these words were spoken, shifty movement was heard out ahead from within!

Nanith spoke in a hushed tone and pointed in the noise's general direction. " Ideas anyone?"

Teflar whispered " Whatever is out there, we are playing by its rules right now. I can see nothing in this darkness. Let us go back to the camp where we may make a defensible position if need arises." The ranger had second thoughts about a divided group. " In this, we may ensure the safety of Aramil and Gailwind." He began to step softly backward carefully holding both sword hilts; sweat clammed his palms. " Come Nanith." he pleaded " Come friend; I feel uneasy here."

Oktavianus and Vrai then made their case for holding their course. There was no reason for abandoning the camp's perimeter and allowing any menace to come closer. Before a debate could ensue, there was another shifty movement! It was as if something in the darkness was struggling or taken with mindless, convulsive scurry.

Erelis then lit a torch and shown it prominently into the woodline. The forest seemed to waver as the sudden illuminescence reflected off the sleek bark. Up ahead about 15 yards, lay a humanoid! Its small body seemed strangely animate against the backdrop of stoic trees.

Nanith squinted " What the hell is that? Is it alive?" As if in answer, the tiny legs kicked slowly ruffling the crispy leaves around it. Roslyn reaffirmed her wish to head back to camp and start a protective fire, but Oktavianus explained that this situation must be dealt with now if they were going to sleep peacefully tonight.

Vrai, frustrated by the blinding light, stepped off to the side with his bow taut to strike. " Who goes there? Be you friend or foe? Announce your intentions or die!"