I see the gate. A grisly man whose bearing suggested authority talks to two guards then leaves them. I saw him shudder and look about expectantly. Even though my belly roared, demanding food, I grinned. He had not seen the phantom horse and riders yet he had felt them.

I approach the gate cautiously, prepared to fight or flee if warranted. I call out before I reach the guards. "Failte good men! I carry important information for your leader. Please let me pass."

Obviously they were convinced that one single traveler, a slender woman, was no threat and after answering their questions I asked my own. "Where may I find your Rian or War Chief?" I was in great need of food having eaten only a handful of berries here and there in my race to the Keep. Bathing would have been a fine refreshment but I knew I must first tell what I had witnessed. The guards directed me to the man who I had seen speaking to them. They said his name was Enna Niafer. An important thing to know when I approached him.

The man I sought stood before a closed hut from which came pounding and angry screeching. I recognized the magical creature beside him from the short time before when he had ridden with a woman encircled in his arms into the Keep. I caught his eye first and nodded my head as if to send a silent message. Did he know I had seen him when others had not? His glance toward me cut short Enna's laughter and the self appointed leader turned to see what had taken the fae man's attention. My chin high and rigid I greeted the man now in charge of the Niafer tribe. "I am Zaira of the Manach, friend and student of Flidhais Brigantes. As such, it is my duty to report what I have witnessed in an attempt to protect your late Rian's son and heir."

Not sure he would believe my fantastic story, I first related how I had traveled with the smithy Vaugn Brigantes, how we had become seperated then how I stumbled upon the savage scene by the river. Though he seemed impatient listening to me in the beginning, he looked at the second man and seemed to accept that what I said held weight.

I finished my story saying, "I hope I have not wasted your time with my tale sir, yet I fear these wild and cruel outlaws though fighting amongst themselves, have plans past rescuing the one called Baine. I expect they have already dispatched a messenger and are gathering their forces as I speak. The Rian's son could be in the greatest of danger."

I stopped speaking while the new leader mused over what I had related and consulted with the fae man. My stomach resounded defiantly with a most embarrassing rumble as I waited for rejection or acceptance of my words.