Meli asked if this was normal. I leaned in close to her as we walked.

[b]"It is not normal. But urgent news opens doors."[/b]

I followed the guard into the office. Chief Garou was a mountain of a man. I sat down when he offered the seat.

Under the long sleeve of my coat, my right hand curled into a tight fist. I felt my claws press hard against the leather of my glove. The scales on my arm felt warm, but I kept it hidden and remained still.

[b]"Thank you for seeing us, Chief Garou,"[/b] I began. [b]"We lived in an orchard near here. There was a community of satyrs living close to us called the Moonpetal Gathering."[/b]

I paused for a moment to let the information settle.

[b]"Yesterday, a group of mercenaries attacked. They burned our home and captured the satyr families. I saw their emblem. They are known as the Windpikes."[/b]

I watched his expression closely.

[b]"They are enforcers who do the dirty work for the Ophidian forces. They are active in this region right now."[/b]

I stopped there. I did not ask for anything or make any promises. I simply sat back and waited to see how he would react to the news of the Windpikes and the attack.