Entering New Thalos proper from the east, the sights and were welcome in comparison to the open seas. It was also nice to be on his own two feet again against firm ground. His stomach grumbled, for hunger or being unsettled at the thought of his rocking cabin, he could not tell.
Markets surrounded him with the clanging of blacksmith hammers, the weaving of looms, the shouting of bazaar hawkers, and the haggling of the potential buyers. It was all very eminiscent of Baldur's Gate if to a smaller scale, a place he had only briefly visited in his travels, but it was much cleaner here, and guards appeared to be more useful, as he peered at a man who stood against a wall, his eyes scanning the small crowds.
In the distance to the south west, wisps of smoke and shouting could be seen from somewhere far off as something large appeared to be burning, and the light waft of wood smoke filled his nose..
...
Cool air ran over Wrack's skin as he loped down a small bend in the well-worn path. Slung over his shoulder, the two rabbits would make a fine meal for him and his father tonight, perhaps a stew.. His mouth watered lightly at the thought of the meal.
Overhead, a canopy of large trees blocked out the sky, which was growing darker as dusk slid over the quiet forest of Beregost, and the smell of pine and cedar filled the air, with a hint of campfire off in the distance.
Light birdsong from the branches grew less frequent as the sun dipped lower.
A few deer in the distance could be seen grazing-- he would have to bring his bow next time-- until suddenly their heads looked up as a twig snapped under his foot. The small family of four, three doe and a buck, stared at him in unison, as he stopped dead in his tracks to watch them, surprised by his own misstep.
For only a few moments, they all stood motionless and watching each other, the deer clearly ready to bolt at the slightest movement. Suddenly, the deer all turned their heads northwest.. and a shout could be heard off in the distance.
The campfire smell was stronger now, Wrack smelled at the air and paused, holding his ear in the direction the deer were looking.. towards the village.. and another shout, louder this time, and a howl he did not recognize.
The deer bolted into the trees, disappearing quickly around thick trunks and into dense underbrush..
Something was wrong.
