And then he was gone...

The bottom of that boat smells like old rotten wood and boots. Of course, from my perspective most of the world smells like that. You can't imagine how lucky you are to have so much body between your feet and your nose.

Okay, so I pop out of that old rower and what do I see but that danged Fluffy trying to eat Darg. Either that or Darg was trying some new game of fetch where he uses his own body parts for the treat.

Max was threatening to burn her up and Darg was petting it with his axe. I decided the best place to watch was from around the corner, because with that big pool behind me I kept getting an itch down my spine that said "Hey, you sure would be an easy shot with your back to me like that." My spine is usually right, so I chose a nice corner with two good stone walls to say "I'll cover you from here."

Max was winding up for some sort of mojo flinging just as Rak put his arm about elbow deep into Fluffy's chest. I sure do prefer cleaner ways of putting animals to sleep, but dwarves do as dwarves do.

Darg looked a little on the concerned side when Fluffy dropped, but Max looked downright ticked when he noticed that fella in the side room taking pot shots at him. I thought Max was a pretty easy target just standing there, but that guy completely missed. (Darg says that the guy whooped up on him and Fergus says he's an assassin or something, but I wasn't that impressed.)

Everyone charged towards the room to give that guy what for, when he poofed. Darg got all freaked out and ran away. He's still suspicious about magic I think. He claimed the guy could teleport, but I don't think I believe that.

Max filled the room with webs, which I thought was rather clever, to see if the fella was still in there. When he didn't move (or shriek like a dwarven lass when I threatened to burn him) I figured that he must have moved out of there pretty quickly. If I were him I would have made for the entrance, so I headed up that way.

Darg was hiding in the medusa's room, so I let him know I could see him (to get his goat...hiding? good golly he's the size of an outhouse) and beat feet for the top. When I got up there I found two things. First, the weather to be less than kindly. I can't imagine him wanting to go out there. Second, were boot prints that only led inward. Those two things together make me figure that he's still in here somewhere. Besides, there weren't any friends or pets outside so he appears to be here alone and that makes it a fun little challenge to find him. I really hope he is around, somewhere.

After getting back down I started to check our water and food...suggesting that everyone check their gear. If this guy is an assassin I don't want anyone keeling over from poison just when they are useful. I have a few tricks to protect ourselves while we sleep and maybe put enough of a crimp in his style that the bearded fella just might give me a chance to get at him.

In the meantime, I'm going to wait and see just what happens next.

Swamplands

Here is what things look like from where you stand now.

Beginning of the trail

This is a spot not far from Ensley Keep, near the start of the trail that leads to the top of Venswort Hill. Late springtime.