[i]Navis[/i]

The chief of the village, an elderly man, rushed to meet the paperwing that came fluttering down with the grace of a live bird, its eyes shutting as the Charter Magic that powered it was cut off and the rider climbed steadily out of the transport.  He was dressed for battle with the traditional symbols of his esteemed lineage but the slowness in his movements could not be mistaken for anything except for what it was: old age.  His beard was a storm grey as was his close-cut hair but there was a strength in his body and although he moved cautiously there was strength and purpose in his actions; this old Abhorsen still had plenty of life in him yet.

"Where?"  He asked, shortly.  The village chief nodded, not questioning his esteemed visitor's shortness.  When the Abhorsen came in a Paperwing dressed for battle, looking tired from a long journey, then pleasantries were merely a waste of time.  The chief guided the Abhorsen to where two horses were held by his fellow villagers, also mounted on their own animals.  They were work beasts, stocky and slow as opposed to the lean gallopers messengers and warriors used but they would serve their purpose well enough.

The Charter stone being watched by two more of the villagers, a little out of the town and closer to the chief's village but due to the thick forests all around it had been easier for the Abhorsen to land at Navis and then continue on foot or horseback.

"Nothing yet."  The elder of the pair greeted them, noticing their grim but determined faces.  "The body looks to have been there a good few days now."

The Abhorsen went alone and on foot to examine the stone and the corpse still crucified upon it.  He circled the stone before gesturing for the village chief to join him.  All of the villagers looked ill from their proximity to the broke Charter stone but the chief had weathered much in his time and made no sign of his unease.

"Have you seen any of the Dead?"  The Abhorsen asked and the man nodded.

"Yes, sir.  Not many and out of the village proper, sir.  When we go back there's nothing left, no trace.  Their tracks just stop, like they disappeared.  One of the young lads says he saw a lass camping around here.  Says she had bells on her, sir."  He spoke the last words in a whisper as if mentioning the devices might bring the Dead down upon them.  The Abhorsen stared at the stone, shifting his shoulders as he prepared for the exhertion ahead of him.

"See if your young lad can find her again.  I'll need to have a word with her."