[quote=Kettle]"I've followed this trail for ten years," she told them with gravity. "Books, scraps of paper, stories, hearsay, strange formations in the ground and areas where the wildlife is far stranger than most. It started as a hobby -- a passing interest -- but in the past year I've noticed that I'm being followed. Everywhere I go, now, there are people watching me with odd-colored eyes, with a distinct tattoo of a bird on the side of their throats." Kettle scanned their faces, wondering if any of them had met such a person on their way to the wetlands. "I've discovered that they call themselves Magpies, but little else. I've never been able to get close enough to one to ask them myself -- they have a skill for disappearing in a crowd. But two months ago, the people and professors who had been my best sources for stories about the City of Ro and the Seed of Creation have begun turning up dead. Tortured to death, specifically. I've concluded that the Magpies are responsible, that they're after the Seed, and that I'm only alive today because they hope I'll lead them to what they want. "I could turn around -- drop the trail and never look back -- but I fear that they know too much already; if I were to stop now, it would only be a matter of time before they find the Seed themselves. The only answer is to find it before they do, and take it somewhere where it will be safe." She gave them all a warm smile, and she hopped to her feet and sheathed the dagger again.[/quote] Croft listened intently. As Kettle described the Magpies his eyes and ears perked up. There were "Magpies" in his manifesto he had always thought of that as a codeword for something, but the fact that it was actually a group of creatures and they didn't hide it was amazing. He would definitely assist her in this mission. [quote=Kettle]"I'll leave you all to discuss your own opinions on the matter; this is all I can tell you for your own safety, and there is no map for where we're going -- but whether you come with me, or whether I go on alone, at first light tomorrow Grom and I will ride for Ro. Whether or not you plan to come with me, you're welcome to spend the night here -- guys will have to share the back room, and I'll meet the ladies upstairs. Good night."[/quote] Upon hearing that something in Croft's heart sank. He wanted to see more of the spectacle that was the lady Lila. He rose and patted Harry Nets' back with a smile. "Shall Harry Nets be staying the night here? I could use a comrade at my back tonight." Even though he understood that Kettle wouldn't hire anyone from [b]them[/b] he still didn't trust almost anyone here. He had no idea which ones might stab him in the back, but he knew he could trust Harry Nets. [@Gareth] -------------------------- Morning came around, Croft hadn't slept all that well, but he never did with all the people he couldn't trust sleeping all around him. He made his way outside and saw Kettle preparing her provisions for the journey. "Ah!" He exclaimed with a grin on his face. "Good morning, Kettle! I was wondering what can be expected on this journey. One can never be too careful of course!"