Hunter's Reckoning ~Short Works~ Part 2

335 II Age Day 2 of Contract: North Wockeal Woods

I have finished a morning survey of the area. Directly north of the inn I discovered a rocky grotto, old ruins of the ancient ones I presume. I know that both dwarves and elves inhabited these lands before so that is no surprise. Directly west of that a small pond with tiny sunfish is at the center of a half circle of giant Elm trees.  I also noticed, as I circled further around the western part of the inn, a small garden where it seems the farmer has been having a bit of trouble with some gophers. (Or he just loves digging up his own Silverleaf Plants. Quite a shame, Silverleaf is a good way to stay warm during these increasingly cold nights.)

South of the inn, a road leading into the valley can be found. And to the east, sheer cliffs drop downwards towards the mountain pines and a river that flows off the face of the mountain. But to the Northeast, up a stone path and into a grouping of hills, there are burnt areas that I was not able to see in the pale moonlight of last night. It was a few paces past there I found bones of a rat that had been separated and placed in a line. The significance of this is yet to be seen. Tonight, that area will be the focus of my watch.

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In a happening chance I met an elf earlier that passed about a bit of knowledge. He told me of his travels to the ruins nearby and his noting of scratches and disfigurement of statues that he admired when he was last in this region around two years ago. When I suggested the possibility of criminal activity or otherwise weathering of the stone. He was not convinced. He came this way with great haste due to a dream of a growing doom in these regions. He is the first of his kind that I was told are to be coming if the need arises. A likely ally perhaps. But my contract is mine alone. Any additional help will be judged appropriately and dealt with as needed.

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The second night I noted an increased presence of fairies buzzing about the trees and a warming sensation in the air around the grouping of hills. My elf acquaintance from earlier today moved with a certain quickness about the ruins to the west. I expect his kind have their own ways of subterfuge and guile but his activity had me concerned. We certainly will not find the source of this haunting with him jumping about wildly.

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