You follow your guide as he continues through the
woods of the realm. As you walk you notice that things are getting gradually darker.
For awhile you're not sure if it's merely your imagination, or if it's really happening,
but a short wait proves your theory. The amount of light filtering through the trees
is slowly lessening. As you continue to walk, with no sign of the light improving
you begin to worry that you might be heading into an area in which there is no light
at all..
"Um, Guide?" You inquire nervously. "Where are we going? I mean, it's
getting a bit dark."
The blue fox doesn't even pause as he answers your question. "Ah, I'd forgotten
about you web types and your pathetic night vision. Don't worry, it's not to much
further, BaamFh is making a special trip, so we won't have to go all the way into
the darker parts of this forest."
Well, that's a relief. You settle for eyeing the growing shadows nervously as you
walk along. As the silence of the forest increases, you start to become hyperaware
of every rustle and small noise. Eventually you notice that some of the rustling
is consistently coming from one side, and is keeping pace with you. "Uh, Guide?"
"What, Wanderer?" Your guide is a tad exasperated with your questions,
it would seem, he sounds a bit annoyed.
"Uh, nothing.." You say, feeling silly. If Guide hadn't noticed it was
probably just your imagination. Still, you can't help looking back every once and
awhile to make sure nothing is creeping up on you.
What was that?! You look back just in time to see something blue flash from
one shadow to another. Slightly scared now you nearly step on Guide's tail as you
walk backwards, eyes riveted to the path behind you.
"It does take a lot to get a Wanderer to notice, doesn't it?" Comments
an unfamiliar voice, very quietly.
You nearly yelp, but manage to bite it back as you turn to see what's snuck up on
you.
Guide, the only creature in sight, chuckles. "Indeed it does, BaamFh. Of course,
you're a bit of a special case.."
"Indeed." The quiet voice replies, imitating Guide's tone and voice fairly
well. The creature speaking is completely hidden in shadow.
Guide sort of rolls his eyes a bit, realizing he's
being mocked. "However, would you mind coming out of the shadows, BaamFh? I
really don't want the wanderer coming to the conclusion that I'm talking to a tree."
"If I must..." The voice replies, and a blue form melts from the shadows
to stand before you, smirking.
With a blink you eye the creature, noting the spaded tail, the yellow eyes, the strange
feet and dark bangs. BaamFh reminds you of someone, but you can't seem to put your
finger on it.
"And now that the Wanderer has had time to gawk, I believe I'll be going."
You expect the Tufta tom to leap into the trees, or vanish into the shadows again.
What he does do comes as a major surprise. With a 'BAMF!' the Tufta
disappears in a cloud of smoke. A moment later you're left with Guide, attempting
to wave the brimstone smell away from your nose so you don't have to breathe it.
Guide doesn't comment as he leads you away...