[@Forsythe] [@Kumbaris] [@Ozzy Cross] [@Searat]

Shina saw the Innkeeper's eyes shift from one member of the group to the other, his expression changing from curiosity, to fear, to intrigue. 'God, please don't let them frighten him off helping me' Shina thought. He looked worried but turned back to Shina and smiled. 

[color=yellow] 'WELL LOOKS LIKE AN...INTERESTING GROUP YOU HAVE THERE. KNOW I DON'T WANT ANY TROUBLE OUT OF YOU LOT, I KNOW HOW YOU CAN BE SHINA!' [/color] The Innkeeper chuckled, then his face turned sour... [color=yellow] 'Aye, I did see im...[/color] he drew closer to Shina, his voice almost a whisper...[color=yellow] 'I did see ol' Guan, about eight days past. I thought it were odd that he wasn't with you, but I didn't think much of it. He came in and seemed his same ol' self. But....[/color] He seemed to pause, like he was remembering something that made him think twice about saying more.

[color=green] 'Go on Bethamir, what happened?![/color] Shina felt a shiver down her spine, Bethamir seemed oddly afraid of something. [color=green] 'Please, tell me what happened' [/color] 

[color=yellow] 'Well...he seemed imself, like I say, and he sat in the back corner on 'is own...until...until a very odd looking man came in, asking for him. Now I keeps to myself and I wasn't going to have any trouble in my inn, but he seemed polite enough, so I pointed in Guan's direction. Ol' Guan and this chap seemed to have a intense talk and then, they both left. [/color] Shina could sense there was more to this but the Innkeeper looked rattled, which was disconcerting. 

[color=green] 'Bethamir, do you know where they were heading? Or anything else you could tell me? Please, it's important that I find him and know he is safe.' [/color] Shina was trying to keep calm, but her tail was starting to twitch and she could feel her patience wearing thin. 

[color=green] 'I'm sorry Shina, neither of them spoke to me when they left. But I do remember one thing. The man who came in...he had a staff, like a walking stick it was...but it had a huge green skull on top. I wouldn't forget something like that![/color] 

Shina suddenly felt her soul on fire! A staff with a green gem! She remembered years back that Guan had mentioned a man who had once been a very strong sorcerer. This man was not someone to take lightly....and his name.....his name was...

[color=green] 'Oh no...not Kaladous. No. Why would Guan...? [/color] Shina realised the Innkeeper was looking at her concerned. They had to make haste to the only place she knew Kaladous had been seen....further South and through the Thousand Year Old Woods. 

[color=green] 'Thank you Bethamir, for everything. I will not forget you. And here, for your trouble. [/color] Shina pulled out a bag of coins from her satchel and placed them in front of him. [color=green] 'Until we meet again [/color] 

[color=yellow] 'Until then my friend. And...be careful [/color] Bethamir gave Shina a squeeze and she turned to leave. 

She came out of the Inn and addressed the group, who had been very patient [color=green] 'OK everyone, we have a new setting...further South and towards the Thousand Year Old woods. It is not going to be an easy trip, so I suggest if you want to get a drink or some food, do so now. 

This was not going to be a smooth ride.