Something out of the ordinary was happening at Pikewall, and Rufus knew this. Adjusting his durable tunic, making sure to completely cover his chest, he recalled the conversation he overheard this morning, in the main floor of the tavern. Something about a “strange and suspicious” group of people who travelled from a long ways. The tavern owner was a very kind man who took Rufus for an abandoned child, and allowed him to stay in the basement, free of charge. Although he didn’t show it, Rufus was secretly pleased that he lived beneath the tavern. The amount of information that could be absorbed through the thin floorboards was extensive, at the very least. Wanting to see this group for himself, Rufus put on his scarf that covered the majority of his face, and with a quick tug of confidence, started climbing his ladder to the outside world. Warily opening the hatch, which led out to the back area of the tavern, he quickly stepped out, and silently exited through the back door.<br/><br/>Even though his nose was covered under a heavy scarf, Rufus could not help but notice the many different scents of his hometown, as he made his way to the supposed location of this new group. He noticed scents such as the sawdust at the woodworkers’, the baked bread at the bakers’, and the fresh fish being carried by a local fisherman. As Rufus grew closer to the town gates, his experienced eyes had already picked up commotion apart from the usual. Soon enough, he caught a sight of the travelers: A gryphon, standing proud, a gathering of monks, one of them was quite obviously blind, a very tall and fully armored knight, and … a young child, whose age was not too far off from Rufus’ own.