Hoshor Plains alleviate

Dutch hadn't known what to expect of the man, but he did not find himself discomforted, thus far. Alaric seemed friendly, and the glitter in his eyes awoke an immediate sense of kinship in the panther.

"It is not Ariadne, exactly," he explained. "I don't know if you've heard of the evil one that stalks the wilds? He attacked the wife of Chakliux. He and I have been hunting this man."

Dutch explained that they had caught up to the evil one and set their teeth upon him, but that the evil one had summoned a bear to recuse him from their jaws. He showed Alaric his hip, where the bear's claws had scored him, and then looked at the medicine man with grave eyes.

"We had hope you might know a way to protect us from this power," he said, searching Alaric's face for answers.