* Volondil, having taken the first watch, gazed out past the small red fire relaxing under a softening dew, into a misty glade of fireflies twinkling shared golden embers of silent night-song. A sudden chorus of crunching twigs, ragged breathing, guttural muttering, and stumbling steps broke the harmony. Volondil stood bolt upright against a clutching twinge of pain in his side, drew his weapon and bent into an agile, ready stance. *
* A lone Man-form staggered heedless at a half run into camp, steeped in shadow but for where the fire's flames cast their alert glare into his contorted face. Bird, who'd been keeping a watch of her own on her favorite Ranger, jabbered an alarm and swooped down at the intruder's head. The loping man twisted away to avoid the jackdaw, and in the darkness tripped over Hinura, waking up the bard but leaving her unhurt. Meanwhile, the stranger pitched face-forward over her into the dirt beyond, grunted, writhed for a moment, and with a final twitch lay still. *
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