"Um, ah, those theories are also secret! Theses and careers ride on them, I can't just divulge them nilly-willy!" Their guide stammered and changed the subject. "So, what about those golems eh? There once was a necro- I mean, a mad wizard who created carrion golems. They went out of control but luckily the defenses kept them contained. They definitely didn't rampage all over the countryside, no siree! For safety purposes we keep all the golems stored away when they're not in use. If you come back another time-"<br/><br/>"Which we won't!" Baihu yawned.<br/><br/>"Thanks for the tour - and your patience," Ameiko smiled and gave Yazhu and Baihu a peck on the cheek each, which mollified the foxgirl just a bit.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">Wolf's Ear</span></div><br/>Entering Wolf's Ear while it was still daylight, the town looked like a perfectly normal, lycanthrope-free town. Granted, the catfolk, kitsune, and other animalistic races were better represented here than elsewhere, but they were hardly were-beasts. Still, Shalelu wasn't convinced. "It's normal, too normal," she muttered.<br/><br/>Baihu rolled her eyes and led them to Chez Amie, one of the taverns in town. A middle-aged version of Baihu, with the same white hair but two tails instead of one, was at the bar cleaning tankards. "The sun's still up, it's too early-" she began to say automatically before she caught sight of Baihu. "Baihu! What brings you here? Come give me a hug!"<br/><br/>"Gasp! This is Auntie Amy," Baihu introduced her once she was free from a smothering hug. "And these are Ameiko, Yazhu, Sandra, and Shalelu."<br/><br/>"Are you Baihu's friends? Come, sit down, sit down!" Auntie Amy pampered them with hot tea and snacks. "Tell me all about your journey!" Eventually it got darker... "You should stay for the night," she declared, "I have spare rooms upstairs and you girls look like you need a proper bed for once!"<br/><br/>"Thank you Auntie!" Baihu gave her another hug.<br/><br/>"...we don't want to impose," Shalelu said, glaring at Baihu. "We should return to our wagons..."<br/><br/>"Don't be rude," Baihu glared right back, the friction between them making sparks fly.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">Churlwood</span></div><br/>Sandra sighed. "All right, if you say so... I hope this doesn't end up like last night!"<br/><br/><em>(Roll Survival using either Yazhu or Shalelu. Shalelu has +6 to Survival.)</em><br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">Riddleport</span></div><br/>It was decided - they would stop at Riddleport, and while Ameiko, Baihu, and Shalelu went shopping, Sandra and Yazhu remained hidden inside the wagons. Parked near the market, it seemed like the stopover would be a peaceful one for once... at least until a commotion outside announced the arrival of the local gang of thugs. Sandra peeked out of the covered wagon. "Oh no! It's them! They can't know that I'm here!"<br/><br/>Unfortunately the presence of the wagons caught their attention, and they surrounded the caravan. "Well well well, what 'ave 'e 'ere?" One of the ne'er-do-wells, their apparent leader, singsonged gruffly. "Merchants from out'ta town? We've'ta make sure your tolls are all paid up... entry fee, parking fee, import fee, trading license fee... oh, and we need'ta do a customs search of your wagons for contraband too!" It was just Yazhu and Sandra by themselves, the others had gone out ...