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| | “ here is ‘ee!” Gladstone demanded, as the discovery of Mobius’ disappearance became more concrete. “I thought we were safe here, Butbut!”
Lord Butbut and his lady were dismayed to find Mobius gone, but not because they feared for his safety. “Gladstone,” Joyimui explained patiently, “if there had been a struggle, would you not have known it?”
This gave him pause in his anger as she continued. “Look, here. There are no signs of struggle or haste. His pack is missing, as is his pony from the stable. Mobius was not taken, my friend. He has gone to warn his master that you seek his prize.”
“No!” M’Ladyhawke interrupted. “It can’t be! I have traveled with him for all this time –“
Lord Butbut shook his head. “It is as my lady has told, ‘Ladyhawke,” he said gently. “All of the facts point to it.”
Just then a gray wolf jumped into the window, which gave them all a start. But the wolf took no notice of any of them and casually walked up to Butbut and looked him in the eyes. After a few growling grunts, Butbut spoke. “Thank you friend,” he said, and watched the wolf leave the same way it had come.
“The wolf says he has tracked Mobius through the wood, to a cemetery forgotten by most,” he announced. “There, his pony lies broken on the flagstones, dead. But of Mobius, there is no sign, except that traces of a dark gate rest inside a mausoleum there. It appears he has gone through a dark moongate… but where it leads, I know not.”
“Well then, there is only one thing to do,” said Arana grimly. “We must go to the Fire Mountains.”
“Aye,” Butbut agreed. “As much as I would wish you all to stay far from that foul place, I cannot see another option.”
The Elven lord looked up as a woman walked into the room on silent feet. “Ah. Let me introduce to you my apprentice, Feather.” Butbut gestured at the woman, who inclined her head politely. “She has volunteered to guide you to the mountain, and you will find her very woods-wise indeed, and a trustworthy ally.”
They regarded Feather curiously. She was a tall, slender young woman with pure white hair that floated around her youthful face, and her hair was made more strikingly white against the black beret that topped her head. She was dressed simply in a light green traveling dress, but wore no boots or shoes.
“Greetings, all of you,” she smiled; everyone replied in welcome. And with that, she joined the group.
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