Arcturus let out a hearty laugh. "Well, I've got a sword, not that it's much, talents and skills that I'll lend out. Besides my curiousity has been tickled and I'm curious about these Shades and this artifact they want. Smells like an adventure brewing. That means trouble and some interesting times ahead. Mom'd never forgive me if I missed out on it."  He clucked his tongue and got Shade moving again along with the party. Now that she wasn't going at close to full speed she was remarkably quiet on her paws. "To answer you Koben, I'm not entirly sure. Last little village I came across was a week ago. There weren't any survivors sadly. Of course the Thornhead that did it was easy to track down. It to didn't survive."