Silvertip Mountain chickity check yo self

still skippable, but just wanted to put astara a bit closer for trade purposes <3

she was a far ways off, though from the twilit forest she stood in she hear the dulled roar of a male's voice; not merrick's, but someone's. astara's gait sped, her movement nimble -- up until she came upon the familiar cave.

a lull in her steps transpired, for astara suspected the familiar instantly. there were a number of reasons for her to have her guard up, least of all the child's avenger -- she could hear merrick's voice trickle out in thin notes from the cave, followed by an aggressive burst of angry words that might have chilled her to the bone if astara hadn't been born so cold.

she tread lightly over the known pathways, taking care to move only where the air was stale and no rustle of sound could betray her presence. further down along the corridor merrick baited and tormented, and astara was ready, poised like a 42-fanged shelob for whenever the convoy happened to come her way.