"Not really. Weald knows everything." Felix acknowledged Triston's comment as he sat down next to Nicholas on the wagon. Nicholas sat up straight, eyeing the boy for a minute before taking the reins again and kicking the wagon off. Ryder kicked his horse up and the little party was on the move again, apparently with an added member. Ryder kept his horse slightly behind the wagon. He was cautious now. It easily could all be a trick and the boy just knew of their destination.

"So why did Weald send you exactly?"

"The forest is dangerous these days. There are [i]things[/i] lurking in the shadows now. We've been fighting, but more and more come every day." It sounded similar to the situation they just left from. The exaggeration on the word things hinted to Ryder that the forest may going feral as well. Nicholas scoffed at the explanation.

"No offense, lad, but what are you going to do? Scratch their eyes out for us?"

"They don't like the Kato. We don't know why yet, but they stay away from me."