[i][h3][color=fff79a][Calieo][/color][/h3][/i]

	The sunken valley seemed devoid of any life beyond the blanket of green which smothered the terrain ahead. It grew positively everywhere, even clinging to the valley cliffs in patches and tufts anywhere it could find a place to take root. From the entrance all of the grass had appeared to be the same height, having initially only come up to knee level. As the group progressed however, the ground began to gently slope down as the grass remained uniform, and soon the stalks seemed at least four feet high in some places. At the head of the group Calieo stomped her way through the grass, occasional wisps of smoke trailing from her weapon which hung on her waist, somewhere below the greenery. Occasionally she'd snort or grunt, but otherwise remained silent as she cut her way into the valley. 

	About a third of the way across, the ground had sunken down enough to allow the grass to be at least five feet high now. With only her head and tops of her shoulders visible now, Calieo had begun ripping and slicing her way forward in an attempt to lessen the tide of green. Even with her shield's sabre, she pushed away more than she destroyed, hardly leaving a dent in the even field of identical stalks. Behind her she noted the sounds of idle chatter, and the mention of fire, which kick started a series of violent and reckless thoughts that further motivated her assault on the vegetation ahead. The scent of smoke had grown more constant, the healthy green grass being cut down by her weapon though failing to catch most every time. What few stalks did burn would quickly smolder and fade, the hearty plants refusing to be eliminated in such a way. As she slashed ahead of herself once again, she heard the rustle of some creature fleeing and immediately took up a defensive stance.

	"Silence," she hissed over her shoulder, eyes scanning the grass for any irregularities that may give away whatever she'd heard. After a moment had passed and nothing happened, the knight stood up straight again and resumed her march. "Nevermind," she called behind herself, extending her shielded arm to try using it simply to push the grass down and out of the way rather than cut it apart. "Actually, not nevermind. Silence would still be good," she then corrected, grinning smugly at what she'd meant as a sort of humour. 

<Chambala>[@rivaan]

	Though Calieo's notice of something fleeing through the grass was short lived, years of hunting and trapping had honed your senses to notice what others might have not. Whatever had rushed away through the grass hadn't fled, the slight rustle of it's movements still noticeable from behind the cloak of grass. The vegetation is too thick to give away it's location, but even as the party continued onward, should you listen for it, whatever had been disturbed was now following you. It moves slowly, like it's trying to be cautious, and as far as you could tell it sounds to be about the size of a cat or some similar creature. Try to look for or move towards it and it rushes away, being loud enough to give away it's position for only a moment before returning to continue it's stalking.

<Denise>[@Zhaliora]

	From your higher vantage point well above the grass, it's possible for you to notice the distant movement of some large thing hidden near the lake. About halfway through the valley now, the distant lake is more distinguishable, as well as the vegetation lining it's shores. Something had been resting near the edge of the water, and though you hadn't gotten a good look at it, it was fairly easy to make out the wave of parting grass that was left in it's wake. Unusually though where you might expect to actually catch a glimpse of the creature, there was only more grass, a green shape moving through a sea of emerald. It was difficult to see from this distance, but it seemed to be patrolling the area around the lake, diving down to disappear from view completely every now and again.


[i][color=a0410d][h3][Tirñea][/h3][/color][/i]

	Tirñea was regretting not having tried to drag Veronica away from this man. How he was inferring all this information was still unclear, but she had to assume he was either an amazing guesser or could somehow see underground. As the stranger made his plea against Veronica's accusation, Tirñea grew uncomfortable with how the man's focus had shifted onto herself. Her mind raced; she didn't want to admit the truth with Veronica around, as even though she seemed nice Tirñea still didn't fully trust her. Lips trembling slightly out of frustration, she glared at the stranger when he'd turned to make eye contact. Whether his threats to Sierpe were real or hollow, Tirñea didn't want the effort of dealing with them any longer.

	"You make too much guesses," Tirñea spat defensively, her knuckles going pale from how tightly she was gripping her staff. This man talked too much, and in turn was trying to force her to talk too much which she didn't appreciate. Her mind raced as she tried to piece together what she planned to say next, her lies trying to build off what she'd said to Veronica before. "There are no things in the ground. My hits," she struck the ground with her staff for emphasis, "are for spirits, and they not like you, so stop." Satisfied with her improvised explanation, Tirñea glared at the man to challenge him to push the subject further. She hoped that he wouldn't and thought that changing the subject may finally divert attention away from herself.

	"Veronica?" Tirñea addressed the knight, turning away from the stranger and looking up at what she might call her friend. "When strangers ask directions is normal for there to be this rude?" she inquired sarcastically, offering Sage a sideways glance that further emphasized her stance on the subject of asking what was below the ground.