The Village of Pranow / Continuation of Pt. 3

Circa 300n.t.
Dannaar, Ero'ia

"Have you business, or is your purpose simply to gawk?"

Lleu indicated the creature beside Garst. "Is is safe for me to dismount?"

Garst scratched behind one of the cat's ears. "Elna, make yourself scarce." The large feline looked up at her master questioningly, but Garst did not take back his command.

The cat turned and looked at Lleu once more before crouching and then leaping with lengthy bounds into the dark woods.

Garst looked Lleu up and down, evaluating the stranger, and then indicated for him to follow. "Come on in if you like. I have a fire going. You're welcome to warm yourself." He turned and strode back into the shack.

Lleu dismounted and followed, while nervously glancing about so as not to be caught unawares by Garst's pet.

The interior of the shack was in much the same condition as the exterior. It was obvious that this man Lleu came here to seek was little concerned with cleanliness or organization. Nor did he bother with accessories or luxuries. By way of furniture, the single room shack was equipped with only a table, chair, bed, and a few shelves fixed to the walls. Atop the shelves were basic food items. A half-loaf of bread, a wooden cup, and a wooden bowl were all that adorned the feeble table. Clothing items, various tools, and wood scrapings littered the floor, but Garst paid it all no mind as he walked to the far side of the shack and heavily sat down on the edge of his bed.
Lleu remained in the doorway until Garst pointed toward the chair next to the table.

"Sit there if you want." Garst then picked up a knife, and with the other hand reached down and brought up a wooden shaft that he had apparently been carving at.

Lleu stepped over dirty clothes and made his way to the chair. "Thank you for inviting me in."

Garst ran the blade along the shaft, stripping thin slices of wood away with repetitive strokes. He watched the stranger closely without saying anything.

Lleu cleared his throat uneasily. "Well, uh..." he wrung his hands together, finding it suddenly hard to speak. "Where do I start?" The setting, combined with the sound of steady knife strokes, and the intimidating stare from a man that was considered cursed, unnerved Lleu.

He cleared his throat again. "I am in need of a guide, and I understand you are the best choice."

"That's what you understand, huh?"

Lleu nodded. "Actually...you are the only choice that I am aware of."

Garst paused in his work. "You're going into the Hon-abrels?"

"Allow me to explain." Lleu sighed, trying to relax a little. "Some time ago I found a necklace in Daelom's River. It is a unique piece that I believe came from somewhere in those mountains-"

"So," Garst laughed shortly, "you're a treasure hunter."

"No," Lleu defended. "Not at all. I mean, I see where it could be interpreted that way, but I assure you-"

"It means little to me either way," Garst interrupted, "so don't waste your breath."

He rose from where he was sitting and walked over to a shelf to retrieve a small box. "I am not going to take you anyway." He then extended his hand that held the box toward Lleu. "Gunnhil Bark?" he offered.

Lleu declined silently, his gaze toward the floor. Garst took out a chunk of the bark, rolled it up tightly, and then walked over to the fireplace.

As he held one end of the rolled bark into the fire Lleu shifted in his seat in order to address Garst again. "Are you truly going to dismiss me so fast? Without even hearing me out?"

"Yes." Garst held the smoldering roll up to his lips and took in a puff.

"But why?"

"It is not a good idea... you in those mountains."

"How can you make such a judgment? You don't know me."

"But I do know the Hon-abrels." Garst leaned against the mantle of his fireplace and stared into the flickering flames. "Besides, there is nothing in there worth risking your life..."

Lleu began rummaging through the pockets of his tunic. "You must see the necklace." He found what he was lookng for and drew out a closed fist from one of his pockets. "It is truly unique...entirely foreign. So much so that it will make your imagination dance." He stood up and opened his hand so that Garst could see the necklace.

Garst irritably looked away from the flames so that he could humor his guest. But when he saw the necklace his expression changed. They stood in silence for a brief moment while Garst stared down at the item in Lleu's open hand.

"Where did you say you found that?" Garst asked, his voice low and slightly hoarse.

"I fished it out of the river just south of Daelom's Gorge."

"Daelom's Gorge, you say?" Garst suddenly rushed over to his bed and dropped to one knee so that he could reach underneath. He drew out crinkled up maps and then laid them on the table.
Lleu watched curiously as Garst attempted to smooth one of the maps out.

Garst studied it for some time.

Lleu stepped closer to look at the map as well. It was not professionally done; he guessed that it was probably Garst that had drawn it. The area was unfamiliar to him though, so he straightened back up and patiently waited. He took the change in Garst's behavior as a positive sign.

Garst muttered to himself for a moment as he traced his finger along a line that Lleu assumed was indicating a river. Suddenly he slammed his fist down on the table. "Why didn't I think of that before?"

He pushed the first map off the table and began studying another. He subconsciously rubbed his chin with one hand, occasionally glancing toward the open doorway, deep in thought.
Lleu offered, "Is there anything I can do?"

Garst, apparently having forgotten that he had a guest, looked at Lleu blankly for a few seconds. He shook his head. "No, no." He then ran his fingers through his unkempt hair. "I apologize. I got distracted for a moment."

"I can't help but ask, is the necklace familiar to you?"

Garst walked to the doorway and stared out into the night air. He did not answer. Instead, after another long pause of silence, he asked, "When could you be ready to leave?"