Cat looked around at her friends, noting that Isabela was still absent. Making a comment to Hawke about it had him eyeing her oddly and saying that if anyone should know, then it would be her, not him- which confused her.
She sat back against a tree, watching as Hawke worked with Aveline. No one really wanted to spar just yet, and fighting together as a group against the trees didn't seem helpful. Hawke started by simply asking everyone to show what they could do, and the others would suggest something in their own repertoire that would pair well.
Cat stayed quiet for now, feeling that once they got into a rhythm this practicing would be beneficial. Now she simply observed, and would speak if she thought of something helpful.
"I don't know Hawke," Varric said, gaining Cat's attention. "Perhaps I could spread some caltrops around Aveline? Any enemies trying to get close would find it difficult?"
"But then Aveline would be unable to advance also," Fenris pointed out.
"Hmm…" Varric replied.
"What if," Sebastian said, "you used your kickback, directly after Aveline staggers someone with a bash of her shield?"
"Kickback?" Hawke asked.
"I can't use it often," Varric said as he thought of the possibilities, "but Bianca has a lever that will pull her string back another inch and a quarter, causing greater force on the shot. If the man is already wavering…" he nodded along, "yeah, it could work. Maybe even take him off his feet."
"Okay then, now we're getting somewhere!" Hawke said with a grin. "Aveline, let us see what your shield bash looks like again."
Aveline nodded curtly, and performed a shield bash against an imaginary opponent.
"There!" Varric pointed, having Aveline whip around to look at him. "I can look for that, where she steels herself for the attack."
"That could be for any attack," Fenris pointed out again.
"No," Sebastian argued, "she plants the opposite foot when swinging with her sword."
"And what?" Fenris asked, nonplussed. "You're going to take the time to watch Aveline for a slight movement so you know when she will shield bash?"
"In time," Hawke interrupted, "I hope to have all of us so used to fighting beside each other that we can tell by our fighting styles what we will do next. For now however, we should use signals or attack calls."
"Perhaps we can focus on one type of attack like this with each person?" Merrill asked.
"For what purpose?" Hawke responded.
"Well, if I only have one attack with each of you, then when I yell out your name, you'd know what attack I am about to do, maybe?"
Everyone looked over at Merrill, the shock apparent on some faces, but Hawke just grinned. "Merrill, that's genius!" he exclaimed, which had her blushing, and mumbling something.
"Which reminds me," Varric said. "Aveline, I need a couple of examples of attack calls the guard uses. My story needs a little realism."
"I'm the wrong one to ask, Varric. If it were up to me, you would lose your printing blocks," Aveline replied scathingly.
Varric sighed dramatically. "Once again, I am falsely accused of whatever it is I am accused of. Falsely."
"Uh-huh." Aveline looked at him skeptically. "Someone replaced the information on my recruiting posters with filth from the Blooming Rose."
"Ha!" Varric let loose, before putting a smirk on his face. "Oh, that does sound pretty good."
"Sure," Aveline sarcastically replied. "Fill the barracks with whores! But you'll also fill the Rose with guards."
"Hey!" Cat called out, feeling slighted for her friends in the Rose, and Aveline gave her a look of apology.
Varric sighed again, with much more dramatic flair. "It's true then, some of the best comedy comes from tragedy."
"Ugh!" Aveline grunted with a roll of her eyes.
"Let's get back on track here," Hawke said diplomatically. "Let's work out the timing on this. Varric? How much notice do you need to prepare your shot?"
"Five or six seconds I would think," he replied.
"Right. So Aveline, this tree is the target." Hawke walked forward, signaling for Varric to ready himself. "So, you'll call out to Varric, and then do your shield bash, and move out of the way."
"Which way?" Aveline asked seriously, the former banter forgotten. "If I am just calling out, I won't know where he is. I may move directly into his shot."
"I can yell back my location, left or right?" Varric offered. "Then if I don't respond, you know I won't be shooting?"
"All right," Aveline agreed. But you should tell me which way to move, not where you are. I have no doubt I would confuse the two in an actual fight."
"Sounds plausible," Hawke said. "Let's try it." He stepped back, and everyone looked on eagerly as Aveline called out, and Varric yelled back, followed by a shield hitting the target tree, followed by a bolt that buried itself deep in the bark.
"Well?" Varric asked, as he and Aveline turned to the others, though the smirk on Hawke's face was the only answer he needed, and he had them run it again.
"This could work…" Anders said quietly next to her, and Cat found herself nodding along. He turned to her and asked, "do you want to go next, with me?"
"Sure," she replied. "Did you have something in mind?"
"I do," he cunningly grinned at her, and she leaned closer.
"And?" she asked.
"Think you could shoot a target through the foot, and pin them in place for a moment or two?" he asked.
"That… could be arranged," she said, looking up in thought and nodding in affirmation.
"I think my Stone Fist would do much more damage if the target never saw it coming…"
"Agreed," Cat said. "Let's volunteer once Hawke is done with these two."
"Okay, who's next?" Hawke called out, and Anders and Cat both jumped up.
Heading out to the Bone Pit, the group was the most talkative they had ever been, and Hawke reveled in the feeling of accomplishment. Not only were they the best group of fighters individually that he could have found, but now they were well on their way to being the best, and most dangerous crew in all the Free Marches.
Right now, they were paired off, and only working on one attack for each pair, but soon, he thought, they would be able to utilize powerful attacks no matter which combination of fighters I've got at any given time!
As he came to the mine, he noticed the workers standing around outside. He strode forward, intent on finding out what was going on, and left his crew behind him. He wasn't worried, they could handle themselves.
He walked up to a man named Jensen, who was now considered the spokesman for the workers, at least where he was concerned. He had no idea who was actually in charge, or if his "business partner" Hubert even had a foreman.
"Jensen," Hawke greeted the man with a nod. "What is happening?"
"Hawke," Jensen said with relief. "Glad to see you! There's an awful new stench in the second mine shaft, but for the life of us, we cannot figure out what's causing it! And we're still waiting for the new axes Hubert promised us. Maybe Hubert should have let you handle the investigation. He's been at it for over a year now."
Hawke's eyes narrowed. "What investigation?" he asked.
Cat looked over from the cliff edge where she stood, seeing the agitation on Hawke's face, and not wanting to get in the middle of whatever was going on. She walked back to where the others were standing, and stood between Anders and Fenris,since they so kindly left a space for me, she thought with a smirk. I'm surprised they are even standing this near each other, though they have been getting along pretty well lately. As long as they don't have much one on one interaction, they are practically civil to each other.
"I'm going to check out that cave over there," she announced. "Anyone that wants to come is welcome."
"Is that really a good idea?" Anders asked as he glanced over at her.
"I don't see why not," she replied. "It's away from the mine tunnels, and is most likely just for storage, but it beats just standing here."
"I'll join you," Fenris said, turning and waiting for her to move so he could follow.
Anders sighed, and turned to Varric. "Let Hawke know where we went, if he asks, all right?"
"No problem Blondie," Varric replied, getting comfortable near the fire. "Yell loud or something if you need help."
"Can I come?" Merrill asked with hopeful eyes.
"Sure," Cat said, even as both men looked perturbed. "What?" Cat whispered to Fenris as she led them out. "I thought you didn't mind Merrill?"
"I do not," he said quietly. "I was thinking of asking a question or two, but will not in front of her."
"Oh, I see. In that case, I am sorry. We can talk later tonight if you remember your questions."
He gave her a small smile, with only the corner of his mouth being upturned, letting her know that he was not upset.
"I have to say, you two really impressed me today," Cat said louder as they walked. "Merrill, your nature magic combined with Fenris' damage from his tattoos was very cool."
"Cool? Should we add a cold spell?" Merrill asked, and Cat chuckled as she shook her head.
"No, saying something is cool, is like saying it is great, or neat to see."
"Oh… I don't get it, but all right," Merrill said with a smile.
"Thank you," Fenris added.
"No problem," Cat said. "It was almost frightening, with the thorny vines everywhere, and the pulsing light from the lyrium… Let's just say, I'm glad I'm on your side."
Cat tilted her head, and looked at Fenris as he cleared his throat. If I didn't know better, I'd think he was embarrassed, she thought.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"N- nothing." He gave a weak chuckle and cleared his throat again, causing her to grin. He WAS embarrassed!
She gave him a wink, and changed the topic, but she'd be sure to tease him about this later.
Coming to the cave, Cat realized the other three had stopped, and she turned back, with a questioning look on her face. "What is it?" she asked.
"Something feels… off," Fenris said.
"I can't tell what it is, but it is a strange feeling," Anders replied. "Stimulating and powerful, which is very odd for a random cave."
"We should see what it is," Merrill said excitedly.
"Yes, but we'll take it slow," Cat agreed, turning back around and starting towards the cave. If I have the right one, there should be another evil tome here, she thought. Let's hope I've got the right one…
She stepped silently into the cave, taking measured steps, and hearing the others behind her. One thing she had been correct about… this was a space used for storage. There were all sorts of rope, crates, pickaxes and other equipment that the miners used. Stepping further in, she noticed that it was a single room, with nothing else to see.
She turned around, and asked. "Can you still feel it?" and was answered with nods. "Which way?" she asked, and Anders pointed even as the other two turned in the same direction.
"Huh, I wonder why I can't feel anything?" she muttered, as she walked over to the wall where he had pointed. What had looked like a small crack in the rock was actually big enough for a person to fit through, and she stuck her head in to see ahead.
"Looks empty, but let's check it out," she said, and stepped through before they could answer. She wasn't in the mood for a lecture, so she waited for all three of them to follow before going further. Looking around, it appeared it was another dead end, though the room was bigger than the first.
"Let's circle around by the wall, and see if there is another passage." Merrill nodded, and took off to the left. Cat shrugged, even though she was pointing toward the right. Either way would work.
Before even making it halfway, they stopped in front of a cluster of glowing rocks.
"Raw lyrium," Anders said in a hushed tone. "That explains the odd sensations."
"It does?" Cat asked them.
"Lyrium in its raw form is strong, and wild," Fenris said. "Being this close, is like adding extra power to these," he said as he pointed to the marks on himself.
"Here," Merrill said, casting a stone fist over at the opposite wall. "My mana is already replenished," she said, causing Cat to gape at her.
"That was almost instantaneous!"
"Yes, it's very potent," Anders agreed with a wry look. "Just don't touch it, we don't have any way to carry it safely. We'll let Varric know, I'm sure he knows someone that will be able to come and collect it, or we'll simply sell the information to an interested party."
"If I doesn't affect me, why can't I touch it?" Cat asked, though she thought she remembered something about it even affecting dwarves, who were basically immune to it.
"It can still damage you, especially if you are in constant contact with it," Anders explained. "It can addle your mind after prolonged exposure, even if you don't touch it."
"Definitely not touching it then."
They continued on, to look through the rest of the room, and as they were almost done, they came across the book. Merrill reached down for it, and Cat said, "Wait!" causing her to freeze before she touched it.
"This is no normal book," Anders said apprehensively.
"Hawke got a letter, from Idunna, the one who told us about those blood mages trying to place demons inside the templar recruits? She got away safely, but she wrote to tell us that the lead mage had placed demons inside several tomes around Kirkwall."
"She put demons inside of books?!" Fenris demanded.
"Tomes of magic specifically," Cat replied. "There are five that Idunna was aware of, and it seems we have found one."
"This is amazing!" Merrill said as she looked at the tome with wide eyes. "Do you hear it?"
"Hear it?" Anders asked in horror. "Don't listen to it!"
"It is willing to give information in exchange for leaving it alone," Merrill said with a smile. "That's a very good bargain."
"Are you insane?!" Fenris and Anders asked together.
"What? No." Merrill pouted, as if someone had kicked a puppy, not just questioned her sanity.
"Merrill, Hawke wants to destroy them," Cat explained. "He, Varric and Sebastian already got one this morning that they found in the Chantry."
"But why?" Merrill asked, confused. "This isn't something that will harm anyone!"
"How can you be sure of that?" Cat asked skeptically.
"I… don't know… I just know!" Merrill exclaimed.
"We should definitely destroy it," Fenris said with finality.
"I have to agree," Anders added.
"Sorry, Merrill, but me too," Cat said.
"You don't understand!" Merrill cried out.
"Like I said, there are five that we know of. That means there are three more. You can talk about this with Hawke, and maybe convince him." Cat didn't think so, but chose not to say that part. "For right now, the consensus of our group is to destroy this tome."
Saying Cat was shocked by the intense anger on Merrill's face would have been a major understatement.
"FINE." Merrill grit out, readying her staff. The other three eyed each other warily, but were determined to destroy the tome. They glanced between each other and the book before Fenris brought his sword overhead and swung it down at the book, slicing it straight through its covers, and making a slice in the dirt underneath it.
They heard an awful noise, and turned to see the abomination, desire demon, and shades that were released with the action.
"Get back!" Fenris called. "Merrill, our attack!"
Nothing happened, and Cat and Anders turned to Merrill who was fighting a shade, and purposefully ignoring them. Cat was shocked, never believing that Merrill would behave in such a way, but focused back on the fight as the creatures were practically on top of them.
She backtracked, and seeing Anders freeze the abomination, she shot her bolt at its head, shattering it on impact. It was a difficult fight at first, but they regrouped quickly and destroyed the demon, which made the shades much easier to kill.
Once they were clear of enemies, Fenris stalked over to Merrill, and Cat went to stop him, worried what he was going to do, and knowing she was already too late.
He was stopped by Anders, right in front of her, glaring down at her with a snarl. "You are extremely lucky."
She looked up in fear, though through sheer stubbornness, kept his gaze.
"If anyone…anyone besides yourself had been hurt, I would have not hesitated to kill you. In fact, you should thank Anders and Cat," he continued, "as they are the reasons you are not already dead." Merrill flinched slightly at his words, and visibly jumped as his tattoos flared to life in front of her. "You don't have to agree," he continued, "but do not ever put our crew in danger during a fight again because your pride was wounded."
Merrill eyes widened, realizing what could have happened, and looked as if she would cry. "I didn't mean-"
"It is over now," Fenris said as he turned from her. "We will not speak of it further. But you know the consequences if you should let it happen again."
He walked to Cat and picked up the book's pieces and handed them to her. "Let's get back to Hawke," he said, and she nodded. He gestured for her to go, doing the same for Anders and Merrill so that he could bring up the rear. The group was quiet as they walked back to the crew, Merrill only turning once to glance back at Fenris.
"I'm going to have to find some better equipment for those men," Hawke grumbled to Varric as they headed out of the Bone Pit. "Some of those pickaxes couldn't even chip bread."
"Yes, well, I'll ask around. Maybe we can find a good deal for buying in bulk."
"I doubt my luck is that good, but it can't hurt to check."
"So Blondie," Varric changed the subject by turning to Anders. "Find anything interesting?"
"Yes actually," Anders replied. "A few things in fact."
"Oh?" Hawke asked, curiously.
"A demon book, and a vein of raw lyrium," Fenris broke in.
"A demon book?" Hawke asked.
"Raw lyrium?" Varric asked.
"Is your name Anders?" Anders asked Fenris sarcastically.
"No, thank the Maker," Fenris retorted snidely, and Cat sighed.
"Yes," she said loudly, taking over the talking to avoid a fight. Fenris was seriously pissed at Merrill, and trying to hold back, which only made him grumpy. She did not want him to give Anders a reason to fight with him.
"We found one of the tomes like you did earlier, Hawke." Cat walked around to hand the pieces to Hawke, then walked backward so she could face him as she spoke.
"We destroyed the tome, though Merrill wanted to speak with you about that. She was able to hear the book say something before we did." Hawke glanced at Merrill before turning back to Cat with a questioning look. "I didn't hear anything, no, and we decided to destroy the tome since that was the last direction we got from you. But she wants to discuss alternatives for the next one we find."
"All right, we'll speak about it later, Merrill," Hawke said, not looking pleased, but willing to hear her out nonetheless.
"Thank you," Merrill replied. "And thank you Cat."
"Anytime Merrill," Cat said with a smile before turning to the dwarf. "And yes, Varric, raw lyrium. Again, I couldn't feel anything, but the other three could all sense it before we actually saw it. It seemed a decent size. Anders was saying we could either pay someone to come collect it, or just sell the location, though we might have to lead them there, it was well hidden."
"I'll see what kind of money we're talking, and go from there," Varric replied. "I'd prefer to just sell the location, but I'll get the best coin."
"Excellent," Hawke replied.
"So… where are we going now?" Cat asked. "To see Feynriel?"
"That was my original plan, but we got a lead on where Javaris went, and that is more pressing," Hawke answered. "Can you not do that?" he asked her, as he looked at her feet. "You're going to trip and fall."
"Sure, Mother," Cat replied with a smirk, and Hawke rolled his eyes.
Cat looked behind him, seeing Merrill trying to speak with Fenris to his aggravation, and she called out for Merrill to come talk with her at the front of the group. Hopefully we'll find a fight soon, so Fenris can get out his pent up anger, she thought as she turned to walk facing forward.
"So, we're looking for this guy for the Qunari, right?" she asked.
"Yeah," Varric said, as he walked with the two of them, even as Hawke dropped back. "The Arishok seems to think he stole from them trying to get his hands on their explosive powder. But… he's not exactly a master thief… or any sort of master anything. I think there is something else going on here."
"I don't doubt it," Cat said. "There is so much anger and hatred in the city right now, both towards the Qunari and from them as well."
"The Qunari must like it here, to stay so long where people are so mean to them," Merrill said.
"Daisy, as far as I can tell, the Qunari don't like anything."
"Oh, they must like something… " she said. "Sunshine?…. Butterflies?…. Rainbows?"
Cat smiled sardonically. "If I ever see a Qunari admiring butterflies Merrill, you will be the first one I tell."
Merrill smiled back at her, without a care, as she enjoyed being out in nature while she could before they entered the city again.
"I think that's it, right there," Varric said quietly to Hawke, and he nodded, and strode over to the woman at the makeshift stall.
"I hear you're selling the assets of Javaris Tintop?" Hawke asked.
"We are," she replied. "Separate districts, separate workers, keeps things simple. This one had a meager lot, but skipped with dues outstanding, so up it goes."
"Sounds like he's made a few friends," Hawke said casually. "Can one of them point me his way?"
The woman was shrewd, and knew what he was really asking. She assessed the group behind him before turning back to Hawke himself. "Say that about anyone else, and I'd throw you out. But this one… he owes me too. Can't be certain, but if he's trying to avoid patrols, he'd head out smuggler's cut. It empties at a cave outside town."
Hawke looked at Varric and received a nod, and turned back to thank her. She nodded, and said "And a word to pass on? Don't come back." Hawke gave her a nod, and turned away, heading back to the others.
"Seems we have a smuggler's cave to check out," he said quietly to the others. "Everyone in?" Receiving nods of assent, he gestured for Varric to lead the way, and the group headed out.
Upon entering the passage, they promptly fell over several crates, and spent the first few minutes trying to avoid damaging the goods.
"Why would anyone just leave this here?" Sebastian asked. "It's like asking for it to get taken."
"Honor among thieves," Varric replied. "Ooh, what's this?" he asked as he opened a crate.
"What was that about honor?" Aveline asked dryly.
"Madam, you wound me. I am no thief," he replied.
"Of course, my mistake."
Cat smirked as she listened to them bicker, enjoying the playful undertones. She caught sight of Hawke peeking through several crates himself, but didn't mention it out loud.
They came across a few smugglers, some who let them pass without a word, and others who wanted a fight, so it took awhile for them to catch up to Javaris. Hawke tried to speak, but they simply attacked on sight, so he ordered his crew to fight.
He hung back slightly, knowing the smaller group of mercenaries didn't stand a chance, and observed. They would definitely need to practice with each other more, he thought. It still looked like an every man for himself out there.
He turned as he heard Merrill yelling Cat's name, seeing that she had used her daggers to kill a couple of men unaware, but now was being pursued by three others as she tried to get away. She needs to work on her stealthing ability, he thought.
"Fenris!" Merrill called out, as vines travelled through the ground from Merrill and wrapped themselves around the three men, giving Cat the opening to run back. Fenris strode forward, sheathing his sword, and stood in the midst of them, as his tattoos began pulsing with light from the lyrium.
With each pulse, Hawke could see the pain on his face, as he grit his teeth to bear it, but he could also hear the screams from the men, as with each pulse something invisible clawed at them. "Maker…" Hawke murmured, as he witnessed the spiritual damage slash the men from the inside until they fell limp.
The vines fell back to the earth, the bodies with them, and the glow from Fenris abated as well. Looking around, Hawke realized that those were the last of the mercenaries, and that everyone had watched this combined attack in its entirety.
"Well, that was…" Hawke heard Varric say before he trailed off, obviously not knowing how to finish his compliment, and Hawke stepped forward.
"Thank you," he heard Fenris say quietly, knowing it was only for Merrill's ears. He slowed, but continued forward. "for watching out for Cat."
"It was the least I could do… after…" she replied, and Fenris nodded before turning away. Hawke figured he should change the subject, but made a mental note to find out what that was about.
"Good work everyone," he said, and he headed over to where he spotted the cowering dwarf, hearing the others walking behind him.
"Javaris…" he began with a smirk. "Is this any way to greet an old friend?"
The dwarf stood, the shock apparent. "You?! Granny's garters, of course she would send you."
Finally, Hawke thought. After the trip back to Kirkwall, and asking around for hours, we finally, finally find the elf. And where is she? Surrounded by poisonous gas. Bloody elf, and bloody Qunari…
Aveline watched in amusement, only guessing as to the reasons behind the muttering and mutinous faces that Hawke was making. "Let's get this over with Hawke," she said.
"Uh…" Hawke looked up feeling hopeful. "How about we skip this one? I mean, the guards can totally handle this."
Aveline's eyes narrowed. "And how about I shove a canary up your coal mine?" she threatened. "Let's. Go." She gave Hawke a small push.
"Oooh, scary…" Varric teased, and Hawke gave him a withering look. He stepped up to the gate, and opening it, took a deep breath, and stepped through.
"Anything you can cover your mouth and nose with, should help," Cat spoke up as she tied a bandanna around her face. "Even just breathing through your shirt." She followed the group, noting that though a few looked for something to use, none of them had anything besides Hawke. Probably should have been better prepared, she berated herself.
"Find the source!" she heard Aveline call, and she stepped forward, squinting through the mist, trying to see… anything.
She heard Hawke swear, and went towards the sound. He was standing straight, holding what looked like a pipe in his hand. "Who leaves things like this around for me to kick?" he groused.
"That looks promising," Anders said, and Cat turned to see he had constructed a barrier around himself. "That barrel over there!" he pointed, and they all turned to look.
The barrel itself was ordinary enough, but there was thick green smoke coming in streams out of it. The smoke thinned out as it moved away from the barrel, as if carried on a wind that Cat couldn't feel.
Aveline and Fenris went forward, holding down the lid, as Hawke brought the piece of metal over, and between the three of them, were able to put it in place.
"Let's split into three groups," Hawke suggested. "Find the bars, and the barrels, and let's get rid of this gas."
Everyone nodded, and he pointed as he spoke. "Merrill, Sebastian, you're with me. Fenris, Varric, go with Aveline. Cat, Anders…" he stopped as he realized they didn't have a third.
"We'll be fine, we'll call if we can't get the bar on," Anders said. He grabbed Cat's hand, and headed off to the east.
"Do you know where you're going?" Cat asked.
"No," he said as he changed direction. "I'm just thinking if we can follow the thicker smoke, we should find the barrel."
"Which won't do us any good without the bar," she added.
"Good point."
They moved slowly, dragging their feet as much as they could, in the hopes of finding another bar amid the haze. Cat looked around as she heard coughing and gagging, feeling sick to her stomach. She stopped as she heard a maniacal laugh.
"Did you hear that?" she asked.
"The laugh? Yeah," he responded. "Maker, this whole place makes me ill."
"Agreed," she replied. Hearing the laugh again, she turned, trying to zero in on where it was coming from.
"make the powder… blame the ox-men… make the powder… blame the ox-men…"
It was barely a whisper, but after several attempts, she could finally understand the chant. "Creepy…" she uttered.
"Found it!" Anders called, and she turned, only to find herself alone.
"Anders?" she called. "I can't see you!"
"Over here!" she heard, and started moving in that direction.
"Call again?" she asked, and heard nothing in reply. "Anders?"
Her heart started pounding loudly, and she slowly made her way forward. "Anders?" she said.
"the powder… the powder… the POWDER!"
Cat turned and stepped back, grateful that she did, as a small woman tried to stick her with a small dagger. She watched as the woman practically danced up the street, then turned back and ran at her in an attack.
Cat didn't want to hurt her, yet dodge after dodge, the woman's attacks were only getting better. She pulled out her own dagger, thinking that she could just injure her in order to incapacitate her, when something came from the mist and struck the woman on the head, causing her to fall down unconscious, and Anders stepped out of the haze, brandishing his staff like a bat.
"Anders!" Cat called in relief. "Where have you been?"
"Looking for you," he said as he stowed his staff, and went to help her up. "I was calling and calling, and you never replied. I was so worried!"
"What?" she said, shocked. "I was calling for you, and you didn't reply."
"Hmm, that's odd. There is more to this mist than we once thought." He looked around, noting that he could no longer hear the sounds of the streets around them. "Let's find that barrel and get out of here."