Vennar couldn't help feeling cautious about his two travelling companions, he could only hope Carolina's instincts were sensing something he could not see.<br/><br/>"You mentioned gifts?" he asked Carolina.<br/><br/>"Ah, yes," she said, reaching back into the cart and pulling out a red gem on a small, golden chain. "This is a Dragonsblood Gem, if you believe the old tales they contain the literal blood of a dragon. Whether or not that is true, this serves two purposes: firstly, it glows whenever a dragon is near, secondly it enables both you to understand them and them to understand you. Believe me if you lived as long as Myraz has you would still understand only a fraction of their language." She threw the gem to the mage. "Whatever you do, do not displace this. There are only six in existence and there is no record as to where the other five are. Now for my second gift," she said, reaching back and pulling out a scabbard.<br/><br/>"A sword?" Vennar asked. "I have a sword already, and with all due respect to my companions neither of them look able to handle a bla-" The words died on his lips as she withdrew the blade, a gasp escaping his lips as he saw that the blade glowed even in the near-twilight around it. "What kind of blade is that?"<br/><br/>"This is the Dawnhammer Blade," Carolina replied. "What you see here is a rarity north of the great sea, it was forged by the great elven smiths of the southern lands. But its use isn't just in a fight, this is a symbol of an ancient alliance, there are those north of here who may give you aid simply for see this sword." She re-sheathed the blade and handed it to Vennar. "You see now why I told you to have space for two blades on your back?"<br/><br/>"You mentioned advice," he said, placing the sword across his back.<br/><br/>"I have two pieces of advice, both of which I advise you all listen to carefully," she said, eyeing the thief closely. "There is a reason why even Myraz's toughest soldiers do not enter this forest. The Forest of Shadows is sufficiently dangerous that if there was another way for you to reach your destination I would use it. Do not leave the path except as a last resort, there are wolves and far worse out there, and they all know this forest better than any of you do. And if you meet one of the rangers of the forest, tell them Carolina sent you, they are more likely to offer you aid if you do so. But now I must leave, good luck." With that she turned the car back towards the city."<br/><br/>"Let's enter the forest," Vennar said, trying to calm his nerves. "I'm not sure why, but I'd feel less uneasy about this place inside than I feel stood outside." With that he stepped into the forest, not going too far so that the other two didn't lose track of him.