[b]"Ah what a sharp tongue. Now if only your wit were to match, we'd certainly have something to work with. Alas, the best we can hope for is sunnier weather and some fortune."[/b] Reyvadin quipped as he was in the process of pruning a second, longer staff. For himself naturally, as this one was of better quality than his first. He had just finished shaving off the bark when the sound of a man's scream echoed through the woods. [b]"Sounds like an opportunity to me."[/b] Reyvadin says as he continued to carve away at the staff. Oh sure, he was afraid. Everyone here was practical a walking meal for whatever beast was out there. But having a sound mind and focusing on the task at hand helped him steel his nerves. It wasn't completely unlike some of the battles he had faced in his early years as a knight. Back then he was so cocky as to travel with a small band of warriors instead of a proper army, and paid the price when his men got ambushed by wild beasts and wily bandits. Reyvadin was blessed to have survived, and matured from those experiences.

As Faeril and Reddek went off to follow the trail, Reyvadin followed slowly after, behind the tall Skayleigh who had also fashioned himself a staff. Which was fine for Reyvadin, man was so huge Reyvadin would need to forge a pike to make him a suitable walking staff. Speaking of which, it wasn't too difficult for Reyvadin to add one more addition to his better walking staff: a sharpen point. Using a stronger staff that was about shoulder height for Reyvadin, he effectively carved out a crude spear to defend himself with. It lack heft of course, and being made of untreated timber the spear wasn't the most sturdy. But better than just swinging a branch around, hoping to bludgeon enemies away. At least with a spear Reyvadin can more reliable deal with a potential threat considering his skill with such weapons. And who knows what enemies they'll face before them. 

As the trackers found a clue of the recent victim, Reyvadin listened to their words and tried to get an idea of what might've happened. He was no genius, but using his mind and imagination worked wonders when trying to both survive and outmaneuver one's enemies. Reddek mentioned smelling smoke, and when Reyvadin took a whiff he picked it up as well. Twas no mere campfire but something bigger. Either a bonfire meant for a much larger group or possibly a burnt down hut. Reyvadin was familiar with both scents. The others had a bit of a debate as to whether to follow the beaten path and possibly find monsters and men, or try foraging through the forests to avoid trouble. Reyvadin voiced his thoughts. 

[b]"If there's a beast on the prowl, it'll be in it's element if we walked through the forest. At least on the backroads we'll have room to maneuver if it should come out of the bush and try to attack us. Not to mention if this smoke is from a camp, there may be supplies there we can secure. And if there are others we could try to talk to them... Though chances are anyone out here is just as criminal as we are so they could try to rob us. In which case I would recommend we attack them first. If I had to guess, assuming the fire comes from a bonfire, could be a group of brigands or hunters and one of their own made the mistake of breaking off from the group. Made himself wonderful prey for a beast."[/b]