The bird threw it’s matted, little, black head back and let rip a long string of ca-caws. A noise that would have once started life as a laugh twisted, and warped by a reedy avian voice box, cut clean through the dulled afternoon air. Somewhere branches rustled with animals darting free of the scene; the shadows shuddered and shifted around them for it.<br/><br/>She didn’t know! She really had no idea what it was she was doing… how very stubborn!<br/>In his mind’s eye he could already see her struggling to navigate these wild lands, getting tangled with vines, losing an ankle once or twice to sinking sand, being eaten alive by squirrels… nevermind the arakyn that strung their webs between the trees! Horrible critters, more spider than humanoid, get bitten by one of those suckers and their venom would melt you from inside out, burning clean through your veins and melting your soft tissues as it went… perhaps he should leave her to find out for herself…<br/><br/>“As you wish, petite one!”  he replied cheerily, “I’ll let you be, leave this vessel and you can see for yourself how you go… if you reach the back of these woods--” which he was willing to bet good money she wouldn’t, “—I’ll even allow you your freedom, although your identity, your name, will unfortunately be forfeit…”  the crow cocked its head curiously, “on these conditions; firstly, you need only call my name and I will make myself known to you. Secondly, you will take this bird with you. I can’t call myself a man should I let you leave unarmed… my bird will bring you a weapon and you can name your choice! Shall we call it a deal?”