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The forests of West Kerremand were little different from those of his home region, Manfred decided. Walking along, he listened to the familiar calls of the echobirds, and the rustle of the great salamanders as they woke from their Hundrian torpor. He took Dory's hand out of habit a couple of times and made conversation. In fact, he almost let himself relax as people examined the pitcher plants, disturbed the animals, gabbed relentlessly and, most amusing of all, touched the mushrooms. Manfred shot a little side-eyed smirk Dory's way. You [i]never[/i] touched the mushrooms around here, unless they were Perrench Food. Of course, it wasn't as if anything [i]too[/i] severe would result, and most of those foolhardy enough to do it were [i]yasoi[/i]... not of much use anyhow.

Things continued in this manner as the sun started to inch towards the tops of the trees, growing fat, lazy, and golden as it sunk. A different group of animals began to make itself heard now, and he recognized the chittering cries of Bat Dragons and the deep croaking calls of Coal Toads among them. Then came the distorted screech of... [i]something[/i], and an involuntary shiver ran down the back of Manfred's neck. Glances were exchanged within the group of nine and he counseled himself that it was just the echobirds. What had they picked up on, though!? That's what was worrisome. Nervous chuckles issued from a couple of the others. [color=007236]"Well,"[/color] Manfred remarked, [color=007236]"I guess that's a good reminder of why we're here, no?"[/color] Casually, he swung his rifle from his shoulder and continued on with it in his hands, just in case...