The Druid Birelon and her companion padded softly over the fallen foliage just off the road's dirt trail.  They had been walking parallel to the road since they came from Ludd, Birelon never finding it comfortable to walk the actual road itself.  Her business in Ludd had taken longer than she expected and now she would not make it to the Eltrias Forest, her temporary home, before the sun set over the gray-blue mountains. Birelon fingered the small vial in a drawstring bag at her waist.  The vial contained an oil extracted from the purleris plant, which Birelon needed to make a general first aid salve.  While she could have extracted the oil from the common plant herself, but it would have taken her days, so it was more efficient to go to Ludd to buy the vial instead.<br/><br/>Val'nt the seasoned wolf walked even more quietly next to her, sniffing occasionally as he went.  They would be coming up on a popular 'last-stop' where many travelers rested before heading into their choice of dense woodland, steaming bog, or unstable crags.  It was not uncommon for her to stop at the Black Stallion Tavern after a trip to Ludd, but it was not usually that she would spend the night.  Her companion, Val'nt seemed energetic enough to continue but Birelon felt her energy sapped as she watched the lazy curls of smoke rise from the tavern.  She moved out onto the road in front of the Tavern, taking note of those who mingled outside among the sparse buildings reserved as living quarters for the Tavern Owner.<br/><br/>Val'nt stood at the edge of the dense forest, not joining her on the road.  Birelon turned around with an exasperated sigh at her companion, "I'm<em>tired</em>, Val'nt, you selfish cur.  All you're going to do is chase the sparrows among the grove when we get back."<br/><br/>The large wolf snorted but instead of moving onto the road, sat down at the edge of the copse of trees.  It was not uncommon for her companion to pull an attitude on her and it was even more common for Val'nt to do so around human establishments.  She could not blame the old alpha though, since he did not enjoy visiting Ludd and would often wait outside the walls until he heard her call.<br/><br/>"Fine," Birelon said, tossing her hair before drawing her rough cloak around her body.  "I'm less conspicuous without a<em>fat </em>wolf next to me anyway," she half hollered at the wolf who sharply barked at her before getting up and padding back into the forest.<br/><br/>Calfiria Birelon made her way to the Black Stallion, giving the halfling beggar outside it only a sparing glance.  She came behind a man who made his way to the Tavern's door, pulling her hood over her head to conceal her hair and pale features.