The light coming through the small skylight over Chiaroscuro's cot is faint, but enough to be woken by for light sleepers. A few drops of rain patter against the glass, being the only things to break a field of solid cloud gray. The attic is relatively cool this morning, but some warmth still emanates from the stone chimney coming through the wall.

Chiaroscuro yawns, wincing slightly as he rises. "I suppose I will get used to this cot." he mutters while standing up. After a few minutes of stretches and chanting prayer, and a feeble attmept to un-muss his headfur, he looks around the attic for his Zelak 'roommate'. "Hmmm… no sign of the bug." He opens the attic door carefully, heading downstairs.

It's fairly quiet in the mornings around here, it seems. The only noises are the settling of the inn, muffled wood squeaking beneath the rug where the mongoose steps, and the occasional low rumble of thunder overhead. Even the thunder is soft, as if the storm itself is just waking. The common room is empty, for the most part. A few embers still glow in the fireplace.

Chiaroscuro shuffles over to the fireplace, warming his paws for a little while. "Ah, much better. I shall have to ask Piksil if she has a blanket I might borrow, or perhaps I need purchase some bedclothes. Perhaps both." He stands up again, padding carefully over to a bench and table, and propping his chin up on his hands.

There, the mongoose sits and thinks for a time… tail twitching slightly, sometimes very quickly.

The mongoose is alone with his thoughts and the peace of dawn for about ten minutes. Eventually, there's some noise from the kitchen, a little bit of clattering disturbing the morning quiet. Pond emerges from the cooking area with a cord of wood over one chitinous shoulder. He acknowledges Chiaroscuro's precense with some antennae-twitching, and makes his way over to the fireplace, stacking the wood in the bin for the day's use. While the insect works, the door by the stairs opens, admitting a sleepy-looking Cervani 'child' wearing a fairly thick cloth nightgown and furry slippers into the common room.

Chiaroscuro nods to the Zelak abstractedly, and notices the four-eared Cervani. He greets her with a quiet "Good morning, Lady Piksil."

Piksil looks briefly startled, then rubs one eye. "Oh, Chiaroscuro! Good morning! My, but you're an early riser aren't you? I'm usually awake well before any of my guests."

"I wake early, usually… " Chiaroscuro says, with a a wide yawn. "Though it can take me some time between being awake and being truly awake. Is there anything I can help you with this morning?"

The innkeeper thinks for a moment, then nods. "Well… breakfast will take a little while to prepare. Would you be a dear and start a fire in the hearth while I get fixed up? Pond has a dreadful time with it, I usually have to start it myself."

Chiaroscuro nods, and smiles. "Certainly." He pads quietly over to the wood… piling it in the fireplace somewhat haphazardly, but adequately, with smaller kindling sticks below, and larger logs on top. "Hmm, now how to light it… " He peers around for matches, or…

Pond sidles up next to the mongoose, watching him. His antennae wave this way and that, the insect's head tilted at what might be read a 'curious' angle.

Chiaroscuro hmmms, spotting a strange device… like a bow, with a stick strangely attached, and a flat, smooth-worn rock nearby. He turns to the Zelak, and whispers (hopefully below Piksil's hearing) "Ah… I use this to start the fire, eh?"

Pond might have a quizzical expression on his face, if his face was capable of expression. There's a brief, awkward silence, and the huge bug nods his head slowly.

Chiaroscuro rubs his chinfur with a paw, and hmmms… examining the bow and stick, futzing with it for a while… fialaly raising both eyebrows as he gets the stick to spin by using a saw-like motion on the bowhandle. "Ah." He takes a small stick of wood, and sets the stick's end atop it… then starts to saw back and forthing, making the stick spin…

The zelak's antennae lay back, and his head levels out again. Wisps of smoke begin rising from the base of the drill, tickling Chiaroscuro's nose a little. Black and gray bits of dust pile out of the hole in the board, as well.

Chiaroscuro lets out a breath in relief, sawing back and forth quickly. Soon, sparks fly from the wood, and with a careful breath…

… and some coaxing, and an offering of dry grass and twigs from the tinder box nearby, a small flame is encouraged to grow with the board as its base. More tinder, and some thicker sticks later, the flame reaches a healthy rate, and begins readily spreading within the hearth, casting a ruddy glow over the stones, and the mongoose's face.

Chiaroscuro smiles, paws doing a dusting-off motion, though they're rather clean. After a few moments just enjoying the warm flame, he backs away and turns around, moving back to sit at the table. His eyes close slightly, as he goes back to quiet thought and prayer for a time.

Pond also appears satisfied. He goes back to his own morning rituals, collecting water from the well, going out to fetch fresh Rughrat milk from the farms, and sweeping the floors with a broom that looks more Piksil's size than his own. The proprietess herself has apparently taken care of her usual morning business, and changed into her tied-in robe and apron. While she's busying herself in the kitchen fixing breakfast, she's still close enough to the counter to speak with the mongoose. "Did you sleep well, Chiaroscuro?"

Chiaroscuro nods to Piksil, eyes opening up again. "Fairly well, thought the first night in a different bed is, as it is said, the most uncomfortable." He smiles. "But I was fine, and am appreciative of a place to stay."

The diminutive innkeeper can be seen a little ways inside the kitchen doorway, flipping flatcakes on a heating brick. "Oh, I /am/ sorry about that. Rephidim shouldn't be overhead for too much longer though, really. It seems to keep moving right over us whenever it passes, just staying the week or so it takes to get supplies. Anyway… will you be starting your search today?"

Chiaroscuro nods. "Indeed so! I hope to shed light on this mystery as soon as I may." He hmmms. "Though I ought be waiting for Kal to show, before I venture forward."

"That'd probably be for the best," says Piksil, as she emerges from the kitchen finally, bearing a platter stacked with flatcakes. A small jar of fruit preserves, and another of honey sit next to them, along with three empty plates. "We've got about an hour before most of the patrons get up, so you should have time to eat breakfast with Pond and I. If I know Kal… he didn't get much sleep last night." The small doe lifts the tray onto the counter, and sits on a high stool behind it, gesturing for the mongoose to help himself. "If I may… what do you think of this awful business of the hunter?"

Chiaroscuro takes a sniff of the hotcakes, and smiles… and then frowns. "I do not know very much as of yet about it… I am not particularly fond of snakes, but a missing person is a disheartening thing… family and friends know not what has happened, good nor bad. I hope he will be found soon." He takes a flatcake onto his plate, and spoons some honey onto it… "I know I wish my family back home knew what had happened to me."

Chiaroscuro chews on a mouthful of pancake, quietly.

Pond lumbers up behind the counter to take his own plate and flatware, which seem more token than anything. After drenching his flatcake stack in fruit and honey, he just manipulates the stuff with complex mouthparts. Piksil ignores him, eating rather more daintily. "Quite so, Chiaroscuro. We're all rather concerned, especially the Marshal." Tlack-tiklak. The nutshell door 'chime' clatters, and Lemnur, the Jupani militiaman ambles in. (But not before wiping his feet at the doormat.) "'Morning," he grunts.

Chiaroscuro nods to Piksil. "I could imagine so… " He turns, noting the Jupani entering… head tilting slightly to the side.

Lemnur shifts the bow slung over his shoulder slightly, giving a brief nod to the mongoose and the innkeeper. Piksil smiles, but she looks a little curious herself. "Good morning, Lemnur! What're you doing here so early?"

"Kal's gettin' his affairs in order… so ta speak," replies the Jupani, smirking wryly. "I'm gonna be keepin' an eye on our kavi here, 'least till Kal's got his head on straight."

"Oh," the mongoose says. "I had not realized I would be accompanied in turns. Very well… I and Lady Piksil are just having our breakfast now." he gestures needlessly to the hotcakes with a fork.

The militia-wolf rubs one of his eyes. "This's only for a lil' while. Kal's been assigned, he just needed to take care of some things." A roll of the eyes probably signifies that Lemnur doesn't think they're of great consequence.

Chiaroscuro nods, taking another bite of his hotcakes. "I understand, and am appreciative of your help in this. Please, do join us." he replies, scooting out the bench slightly.

"I'm paid to keep an eye on you, stranger, not stuff my face," growls Lemnur. He doesn't sound angry, just irate, and doesn't look happy to be here. "The sooner you finish up here, the sooner we can get to the task at hand, and get it over it. How'll you be startin' your search?"

Chiaroscuro rubs his chin. "First, today, I need to purchase some suitable clothing. Then I had planned to ask those here who had contact with the missing hunter… and possibly journey to Levitha's Pearl, to see if any clues might be there."

"Mm. Right," replies the Jupani, shifting his weight from side to side. "The hunter kept ta himself, mostly, but I think he talked to a few townies, at least. I'll take ya to the tailor's, when yer ready."

Chiaroscuro nods, eating the rest of his breakfast swiftly, then scooting back from the table. "Thank you for the breakfast, Lady Piksil." His paws flicker quickly to his neck, and he mutters something soft and indistinguishable, before turning to the Jupani guard. "Ready."

Lemnur nods, and shifts his bow over his shoulder before heading for the door. Piksil waves at the departing pair. "Good luck in your search, Chiaroscuro!" says the innkeeper, as Pond gathers up the empty plates to return to the kitchen. "Be careful, all right?"

Chiaroscuro nods to Piksil, and grinningly replies "As much as I need to be, though not one bit more." The mongoose follows along behind the guard, out from the cozy inn.

Just before the door closes behind the mongoose, a crash of plates is heard from inside. "Pond! Why can't you be careful too?"

A brief visit is made to the tailor's, whose apprentice looks somewhat like a younger version of the Lapi Magistrate. Chiaroscuro's urban garb is exchanged for sturdier clothes, a little better suited to the wilderness. Lemnur is able to suggest what's practical and what isn't, and the mongoose is eventually dressed in a durable farmhand-style work shirt, a Rughrat leather vest not unlike the militiamen's, loose-fitting pants to match, and a pair of leather moccasins.

"If I didn't know you were a soft-pawed Rephidimite outsider, I could almost mistake you fer an honest farmhand," remarks Lemnur.

Chiaroscuro's tail flickers back and forth a few times, getting used to the fit of the pants. "Thank you, Lemnur." the mongoose replies sincerely.

"Well, enough of playin' dress-up," responds the Jupani gruffly. "We've work to do. Where to?"

Chiaroscuro says, "I need to get what information I can about this hunter… so we go to the people who spoke with him, find out how he came here to Half Valley… "

Lemnur thinks a moment. "He didn't spend a lot of time in town itself. Was a snooty, high-falutin' sort, like most Imperials. 'Far as I know, he just spoke with the provisioner before he went into the forest fer some reason."

Chiaroscuro nods. "Then to the provisioner we must go… "

The mongoose is led to a wide building composed of rough logs stacked on one another to form walls. A wooden sign made of the cross section of a thick tree is painted with the words, "Old Kaudge's General Store". The description seems to fit. Inside, all sorts of common merchandice is piled haphazardly on tables and shelves, leaving narrow aisles of sawdust-scattered dirt floor to navigate by. Several large Rhians, Jupani, and even a Vartan wander the store, poring over coils of rope, barrels of ironwood nails, and stone-headed hatchets. A large Skreek, gnarled of frame, and with a squint in one eye, stands over a closed barrel, watching the patrons.

Chiaroscuro weaves his way through the aisles, making his way towards the large Skreek. "Pardon me, sir?" he calls to the apparent proprietor, just before a Rhian steps in the way.

*Sgggnnneeerlk!* "Ptooh!" is the Skreek's greeting. He expectorates a large, slimy glob of… something into a pile of absorbant sawdust nearby before offering a somewhat grimy paw. "Hey there, sonnie!" he rasps in a somewhat jarring, grating voice. "What can ol' Kaudge do fer ya? Yah look like a kavi what could use a shovel! Best shovels in Half Valley, with switchable ironwood heads. How many ya want?"

The Rhian looks at Kaudge confusedly, before looking down and behind himself at Chiaroscuro. He quickly scoots his considerable bulk out of the way, to another section of the shop.

Chiaroscuro takes Kaudge's paw and shakes it firmly, as soon as the Rhian is out of the way. "None, thank you, Kaudge. I do not need to buy anything… yet." His voice drops just a bit in tone and volume. "I could use some information, though."

Some caked dirt is left on the mongoose's paw as he draws it back from the somewhat rank Skreek. Lemnur, his nose twitching, excuses himself to look at some oil torches on the other side of the shop. The Rhian that was in the way is forced to step over some nailkegs to squeeze out of the tight aisle, escaping to a table covered in burlap sacks. Kaudge doesn't notice much of this. "Infermation, eh? Hmm, not too good at that, sonnie. I knows leatherworkin' (Cough, cough) an' store runnin', you'd be wantin' ta see the scholars in the town (snoort… ptooh!) hall."

The mongoose replies calmly, "It has to do with the Naga Hunter that was here a while ago. I understand you spoke with him?" He wipes his paw on his hip in what he hopes is a discreet movement.

"Oh, yeh! I *coughhack* remember 'im!" wheezes Kaudge, leaning on a table. He squints the other eye as he strokes bent and broken whiskers. "Came by ta get some gear, had a backpack strap fixed, an' bought some sacks. I gots the strongest woven hair sacks in the business, ya know. A Rhian can't tear one! How many should I putcha down fer?"

Chiaroscuro sighs. "Ah… " He pauses a moment, then leans an elbow on the barrel. "How much do they go for?"

The rat's face splits into a cheerful, if yellowish and snaggly, grin. "Just five shekels fer a sack that kin hold three fluff'nars with no troubles."

Chiaroscuro responds calmly, "Quite a lot for a sack. I figure a shekel per fuff'nar might be more reasonable… "

*Hackwheeze* SsnnnooOOOoorrt! Hrokptooh!

After a short coughing fit, Kaudge wipes his nose on his sleeve, and grasps his chest. "Aww, yer breakin' my heart, sonnie. Takes a long time to weave *coughkaffkoff* weave those things, an' it ain't easy to shear a Rughrat neither. Four shekels?"

Chiaroscuro hmmms, as if considering. "Three and a half. Four for any others I buy later, gennoh?

Kaudge rubs his whiskers, squinting. "Okay… butcha gotta buy 'least two, sonnie. I know how *koffgurglespit!* wily ya kavis are, y'know."

The 'kavi' says, "Then I am sure you know I am too wily to buy more than one sack before I test them out. One sack… " He pauses a moment, considering. "Three and a half and a quarter."

The Skreek starts to debate some more, but a Rhian looks to be in a rush to buy a logging axe and get out of Kaudge's precense as quickly as possible. "Alright, alright, hold yer Rhians, Lodbert! I ain't through with the kavi here." The rat squints a little harder for a moment, then shrugs, his craggy face still genial. "Okay, sonnie, if Lodbert here weren't so antsy, I'd at least get enough t'pay fer the hair to make these here sacks! Four less a quarter it is."

Chiaroscuro digs into a belt-pouch, pulling out three ceramic shekels of medium size, and three bits. "Gennoh. And perhaps after this fellow… " the mongoose gestures Rhianwards "… is through with his purchase, you can tell me more of what the Naga bought, in detail if you can recall."

The shopkeeping Skreek accepts his payment, wheezing, "Sure thing! I remember ev'rybody who comes here. The fellow was an imperial fella with a pretty deep moneypouch. He bought a few sacks, like that'un you got there, an' had me fix a broken strap on … *sneeerk! Ptooh* … on his backpack. He got some crossbow bolts too, just wood ones. Don't deal much in weapons, so stone-tip an' metal-tip are hard to find. Other'n that, he had most of his own gear. Seemed like a veteran outdoorsie type, an' I should know."

Chiaroscuro nods. "An Imperial you say… did he mention anything to you about the Empire, or how he arrived here?" He takes a few steps back to let the Rhian past to make his purchase.

More coins exchange hands, and the Rhian looks glad to get out of the shop. He takes such a big gulp of air outside that it's audible all the way inside the store. "Didn't say much, really. Just that he was goin' ta the Pearl ta hunt, an' might look fer some porters later. First though, he was gonna camp in the forests outside town, practicin' his aim an' trappin' on critters out there while waitin' fer the ferry to come in."

Chiaroscuro strokes his chinfur, nodding… "I see… did he happen to mention where in the forest? Or what sort of game he was planning to practice on?"

"Nope, he *coughhack* just said that were what th' bolts were fer," rasps Kaudge, stirring some sawdust over a spot on the floor with a hoe from one of his shelves. Lemnur has steeled himself to coming back to Chiaroscuro's and Kaudge's side of the shop, though his nose is still pretty wrinkly. He nods at Skreek before saying, "He must've gone out pretty far. Our search turned up nothing, and the trail was too cold for our trackers. Wonder if he just had an accident out there?"

Chiaroscuro nods to Lemnur. "Quite possible, indeed… though this fellow does sound experienced enough to avoid accidents. Did he mention his name to you, Kaudge?"

The rat laughs, then breaks into another coughing fit. "(Wheezekaffkoffsnerlk!) Heh, heh! Yeah, Nagai love names! Didn't catch all of it, but I seems ta remember the name 'Vilzoph'. Th' rest was him goin' on about his college an' trainin'."

Chiaroscuro says, "College?"

"Eh, some big *snork* school he went ta in his *snoooork* Empire. Some huntin' thing, I guess, didn't *SNNNNOOOOOOORK* make no sense ta me." Kaudge (thankfully) diverts his head to expel whatever he'd dislodged behind a barrel.

Chiaroscuro manages somehow not to flinch at Kaudge's… discharging, too focused on gaining the information. "I see… interesting. Did he give the name of this school? I apologize for all the questions, but Lemnur-" He indicates the guard "-and I can use all the information we can gather."

The Skreek scratches the back of his head, making little specks on his shoulders sprout legs and scurry off. "Well, I don't rightly know. Hard ta tell where his name left off an' his school started up, it was all so long'n'hissy soundin'. *Hack*"

Chiaroscuro smirks. "Yes, snakes are like that, are they not?" he says in a surprisingly negative tone… then stands up stiffly, nodding to the Skreek. "Thank you for the information, Kaudge. If you can think of anything else that might be helpful, please do get in contact with us." He picks up his sack from the counter, and turns to Lemnur…

The Jupani looks quite glad that the discussion is at an end, and is more than ready to leave. The bent Skreek smiles again, and waves a dirty paw. "Right, then! Come back anytime, sonnie!"

Chiaroscuro scoots out of the shop quickly with Lemnur, shaking his muzzle back and forth to clear the scent from his nose. "A bit more information than we had to go on before… though not much."

"That's true," agrees the militia-wolf, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Kaudge was a hunter hisself, back in the day, he'd know if that Naga was sharp or not. I think you're right, stranger, seems mighty peculiar he'd get lost or killed in our forests. If he went to hunt small game, I'd guess he'd have gone ta the northern side of the river. Less loggin' there, probably more animals to take."

Chiaroscuro nods to Lemnur. "But first, we go to the ferry. I want to be sure he did not cross over to Levitha's Pearl before we investigate further on the land." The mongoose closes his eyes a moment… visualiziing the countryside as he saw it from the air. "And that would be… that way, yes?" he says, pointing with his hand.

"Yep, downriver," replies Lemnur with a nod. "We can go to the dockside if ya like."

Chiaroscuro nods to Lemnur, bending down to pull a pebble out from his moccasin… and slip it into a pocket. "That seems like the next step… "

The briny sea air is a very refreshing change after Old Kaudge's general store. A multitude of sailing craft, various sizes, are docked by creaking wooden jetties. Many curious winged creatures can be spotted around the area, winged like Kujakus, but different in many ways. They perform all sorts of dock duties with workers of more familiar species to the mongoose. On the southern side of the estuary, where Chiaroscuro and Lemnur stand, is a building with a small stone anchor hanging from a well-secured post over the door. A sign with a picture of a strange, sinuous, two-headed creature on it states "DOCK OFFICER".

Chiaroscuro hmmms, spending a moment to look at the birds… much different from the weaverbirds of his homeworld, and yet in some ways the same. He gives two quick knocks to the door of the building.

The door creaks open, revealing a squat-looking shiga. Unlike many of the reptiles around, this one has what seems to be hard plates covering everything on his front, and a domed shell on his back, with some pits and scars. Stumpy arms and legs protrude from this covering, and a beaked head on a skinny neck pokes out of the top. "Ahoy there, lad. 'Fraid the dock-roster is already written fer t'day, ye'll 'ave ta come back tomorra mornin' iffen ye want a job."

Chiaroscuro shakes his head. "Not why we are here, sir. We are investigating the disappearance of Vilzoph, a Naga hunter… we thought It possible he may have passed this way."

The reptile taps one of the plates on his chest while he thinks back. "Hmmm… 'fraid I don't recall any Nagai on the docks within th' past week or so." He turns his head to look over his shoulder at tall, thin-beaked and thin-legged bird farther in the room, standing at a counter. "Kildon, 'ave ye seen any Nagai on yer ferry lately?" The bird shakes his head.

Chiaroscuro nods slowly… "Have there been Kavi, a group of them, perhaps?"

Kildon nods, his bright white plumage shaking where his vest, marked with captain's insignia, don't cover them. "Aye, they come an' go quite a bit. Had a gaggle o' them come through not more'n two day's ago."

Chiaroscuro nods to the bird, inquiring, "Anything distinctive about those kavi, that you can remember?"

"Oh, aye… they're a witchy bunch, always mumblin' and jabberin', half in Standard, an' half in… somethin'," replies the tall avian with a click of his long, sharp beak. "Their money's good, though, they do some tradin'. I figure it's all just their own lil' religion, or whate'er."

Chiaroscuro perks up slightly… "I see, I see. Did any of them happen to carry something like… " He reaches into his pants pocket, withdrawing his Rikkorel. "this, perhaps?"

Kildon's eyes narrow, and he takes three very long strides, to stand by the shell-bearing shiga. After knocking three times on the reptile's shell, he says, "It's bad luck t'have witchy things like that where Levitha can see 'em, y'know." The crane dangles a small wooden pendant, fashioned like the two-headed monster on the sign. "But aye, I saw a few things like that."

Chiaroscuro repockets the Rikkorel, and nods… "I will keep that in mind." he says in a rather unimpressed tone. Much more inquisitively, he asks, "Where do these Kavi journey to?"

"Ta th' Pearl, o' course," says Kildon, letting his pendant fall back against his chest. "Me ferry only e'er has cause ta go there. I used t'be based on charter, but everyone seemed ta want to go there, so's I made it a regular thing." The shiga, meanwhile, casually begins stuffing a pipe as he listens.

Chiaroscuro nods… "Are they still out there, or have they returned by this time?" He taptaptaps his claw on the nearby sign. "And are you the only captain who sends boats to the Pearl?"

"I be th' only one," affirms Kildon. "We don't be needin' any more fer just one route. As fer the kavi, they all look th' same ta me. Could be some are still here, could be they're all at the Pearl now."

Chiaroscuro nods, hmmming. "In that case… I would like to leave a message here, and ask that you show it to any Kavi that pass, for the next week or so."

Chiaroscuro says, "Do you have a quill and paper?"

The shiga snorts bemusedly, almost extinguishing his pipe while he tries to light it with a firestick. The crane looks incredulous. "'Ere now, what do ye think we are? Messenger boys? Knuckleback an' I 'ave more important things ta do than shuffle memos, kavi." Lemnur gives the mongoose a slightly odd look as well, but says nothing.

Chiaroscuro frowns slightly. "Sir, this is important. Perhaps someplace that I might post it?" He turns and looks to Lemnur for support…

"Listen here, you, this ain't… " The avian's fiery retort is cut short by Knuckleback, who takes a puff on his pipe, and sighs fairly sweet smoke back out. "Steady on, Kildon, steeaaady… " Lemnur sighs as well, but grudgingly says, "The kavi's on a job for the Marshal… if he's got something useful to write, we'd be obliged if'n you could post it." The turtle takes a few more thoughtful puffs. "Well, we might be able t'post it in my office, what manner o' message do ye want t'write?"

Chiaroscuro looks up at the Avian… "My apologies, sir… I do not mean to offend." He turns to the shelled shiga and calmly replies, "A simple message, no more than a few lines. Some in common, and some in… the tounge these other Kavi might speak; just to inform them I wish to speak with them."

Kildon's gaze still smoulders, but he falls silent. Knuckleback looks at Lemnur, and when the Jupani nods, he shrugs his shoulders as best he can with a shell on his back. "Well, I don't see what harm it kin do, iffen it's fer th' Marshal. Alrighty, there's some parchment anna quill on th' counter. Write it up, an' we'll post it with the other notices on our board."

Chiaroscuro nods, padding inside to the counter as the turtle steps out of the way. In Kitellian script, elegant and well-practiced, he writes "Rik'Tik'Tav's servant, Chiaroscuro, is here. Find him so that we may learn more from one another. Rik' be with you."

The militia-wolf looks vaguely suspicious at the flowing script Chiaroscuro writes in. "Just bear in mind, stranger… if we find out there's some trick here, it won't go well for you." The shiga just maintains a neutral face, pointing at a cork board studded with wooden splinter 'tacks'. "Ye can post it there when yer through, kavi."

The mongoose nods. "Sir, I intend no trickery. I seek only truth." Below his first words, he continues writing in Rephidim Common… his letters still neatly formed, but somewhat… well… "AnY of Rik'tik'tav, Seek out ChiaroScuro in town. He needS to Speak with You."

Chiaroscuro takes one of the wood splinters, gingerly holding it, and manages to stick the message to the board without damage to his fingers.

Lemnur looks satisfied. "Any more questions you have? You'll probably meet Knuckleback and Kildon again, if you're plannin' on goin' to the Pearl."

Chiaroscuro shakes his head as he moves out of the building, back onto the dock. "Nothing more to ask right now, no. Thank you for your time, Kildon, Knuckleback." He bows slighty to the turtle, then to the bird.

"Sure thing, lubber," replies Knuckleback, puffing a smoke ring and nodding politely in return. "Whatever," huffs Kildon, folding his wings and looking away. Lemnur grunts something, and follows Chiaroscuro outside.

Chiaroscuro starts back along the road to town, keeping silent until he's out of earshot of the dock, then speaking to Lemnur. "I hope I did not aggrivate the bird-fellow, though I imagine it may have been a strange request."

Once a little farther away from the building, the two seafarers return to their business in the building, closing the door behind them. Lemnur trods alongside the mongoose. "Kildon's a touchy fella ta begin with, a little high-strung. Some wimmers are just that way, those that work the sea 'specially. They're a busy lot, don't take kindly to things that waste their time." He adds an unintelligeable grumble to this.

Chiaroscuro nods. "That I can understand, yes… I do hope this investigation causes as little trouble as possible." He kicks a small stone, listening to the sound as it clatters off the gravel of the path. "Let us get some lunch, then return to the Militia building. I have a few things I need to talk to the Magistrate or the Marshal about… "

Lemnur nods. "All right, then. We'll prob'ly find the Marshal at the the station. Magistrate Whitewhiskers will more'n likely be at Town Hall."

Chiaroscuro says, "First, the Magistrate, I believe. Then the Marshal as well, for I shall need information from both of them. Also… what lies to each side of this town, Lemnur? Being from Rephidim I know little of the geography. I know which way the sea and river lie, but what of the rest?"

Lemnur explains a little of the geography as they return to town. It's nearing noon, and while the streets are still busy, they can be navigated comfortably. "Well… Levitha herself runs on a roughly east-west tack. Her headwaters start in the eastern mountains, and passes through Half Valley's sister township, Serpent's Collar. The cliffs to the north and south have some a' their own rivers, that make confluences with Levitha. We call them her arms. Then we got a lot of little tributaries, marshes, that sorta thing. Around the town itself, we got logging, an' most of the rest of the valley is virgin forest, split through the middle by the river."

Chiaroscuro nods, matching this with his voyage down from Rephidim. "Serpent's Collar? That would be… " He takes a slow breath in through his teeth. "A Naga town, would it?"

The Jupani gives Chiaroscuro an odd look. "Nah. We got some Nagai around here during the warmer seasons, but they mostly stay in the Empire, an' just trade. Serpent's Collar got the name from lying on Levitha's eastern 'neck', right beneath the headwaters. Half Valley woulda been 'Serpent's Collar West', since we're on Levitha's other neck, but it gets more trade, an' outsiders mostly know it for bein' in the Valley proper." Lemnur eyes the mongoose curiously. "Somethin' about Nagai bother you?"

"To be honest… a great deal does." Chiaroscuro sticks his hands in his pockets, kicking at small stones in the road. "I do not like them. I do not suppose I ever will." He sighs a bit. "And yet, my path is to discover what happened to this one. What a twisted path it is." *kick*

*kick* *kick* *kick* Stones scuttle.

Lemnur shrugs, and idly thumbs the string on his bow. "Well… whatever. Doesn't make no nevermind to me." A few more minutes of walking, and the pair make the town square, where the Hall lies.

Chiaroscuro looks up at the sign… "Ah… this is the town hall, yes?"

There isn't a great deal to the Half Valley's town hall. It's modestly sized, as such buildings go. There's a council meeting chamber. This room is ringed with a hall, from which various public service rooms lie, including minor grievance courts, public records for assayers and census, and other mundane things that keep the town working. Portraits of past magistrates and town officials line the walls, and near the entrance is a wide map of the Valley, depicted on a tapestry, with a bronze 'founder' plaque.

Lemnur leads his charge to the Magistrate's office. The door is wide open, and the inside looks somewhat cluttery, for a town official's place of business. On one wall hangs a dartboard, with many little holes in it and the wood wall around it. A k'tinza board with a half-finished game sits on a varnished wood desk, along with some knick-knacks, and various file cabinets stand against the walls. The Magistrate himself is poring over a short stack of papers, and looks up when the pair arrive.

Chiaroscuro bows slightly. "Hello, Magistrate."

Warren removes a small, round pair of glasses, and gestures at a heavy oaken chair. "Oh, hullo there, Mr. Themyst! How goes your investigation? Did you have something to report? Go ahead and lay the files on the chair somewhere, they're nothing important… "

"So far, Magistrate, little information." Chiaroscuro moves the papers carefully, putting them on a filing cabinet. "Some on the hunter himself, but nothing about the Kavi that I did not already know." He relays to Whitewhiskers what he's learned so far, at the general store and the dock.

Chiaroscuro says, "Since this seems to be a place of records… I was hoping more information of this hunter might be found here. If he was a repeat visitor, or this was his first time in the Half Valley."

The Lapi nods, his whiskers twitching. "Ahh, I see then. I'm afraid our militia isn't large enough to expand our search radius much farther into the northern forest, if that's where the hunter disappeared, though it's good that the area is narrowed down a little. Certainly, we should have any records here you require. What would we be searching for?"

Chiaroscuro thinks. "Transportation records… deeds to any Naga-owned homes, farms, or shops… and warrants or militia records on this 'Vilzoph'."

It would seem the town librarians also double as records keepers here, and Warren enlists the aid of one. Before long several files are turned up, a few relating specifically to one 'Vilzoph Ss'alkran'. It would seem that few Nagai own property in the Valley, other than some investments and summer homesteads.

Vilzoph's file seems to contain mostly hunting permits, and records of things he's felled from Levitha's Pearl, but there's some personal information that is required of those licensed to hunt in county lands. It reads as, 'Vilzoph Ss'alkran, Crossbowman Elite of the Savan League of Hunters, third rank Champion of Gameskinners, and savannah lands gold-level Ranger, Knight of the Crimson Fang, Slayer of the Himar Dragon, Conqueror of the Nohbakim Twisted Tail,' and associated minor titles.' His list of bagged game is impressive, with point values on some of the things, and a few notes on things he'd killed that were graciously turned over to Nagai researchers for dissection. He seems to have no criminal record or outstanding debts, warrants, and the like.

Chiaroscuro hmms to himself. "Just as I had assumed… this snake was no amateur at this." He reads closely at the list of game…

"22-point Basin Scuttler – Mantid. 16-point Basin Scuttler – Dragonfly. Shaja-Naja Warrior, self-defense. 30-point Basin Scuttler – Unidentified, class pending research." The list goes on and on, for several pages. There are several references made to the 'Eight-Eyed Observer', but none indicating success.

Chiaroscuro hmmms, making notes on a borrowed scrap of paper. Find out about 'Shaja-Naja Warrior' and 'Eight-Eyed Observer'. He then goes back to the records of Nagai property in the valley, looking for some sort of connection to Vilzoph.

There doesn't seem to be much. The summer homes are owned by a few Nagai statesmen, located on the cliffs, with notations stating their usual time periods in the Half Valley. It's apparently too early in the spring for them to be here now.

Chiaroscuro moves along to the investment records. "Mayhap something in here… "

Seasonal traders, mostly. The records list the names of some merchants from the Empire who deal in bulk crop import and export, wholesale lumber purchases, and a trading outpost that a few merchants apparently invested in collectively. The exports still seem to be going out, but again, the season is too early for the traders to have arrived, being scheduled several months from now.

Chiaroscuro says, "That seems to be all the information I can find on Vilzoph, Magistrate… and it just increases the mystery." The mongoose shrugs slightly. "He did seem to know hunting well… I can see only three possibilities, none of which seem likely yet.""

"Well, let's hear all the options," replies the Lapi, resting his chin on clasped paws to prop his head up. "Irrational as some things might seem, we must consider any angle we might have missed. Nothing is 'too ridiculous' to happen in an investigation. Well, except for that one time Kal suggested giant Akwavi were drinking the river to… heh, heh, but never mind that."

Chiaroscuro ticks them off on his fingers. "Firstmost is the possibility the hunter is missing- whether presently alive of dead- by accident in the forest, and simply has not been discovered. While he was an expert, accidents can always happen. Secondly is the possibility he is missing through foul play, taken from the forest. But with these records stating the killing of 'shaja-naja' in self-defense, it would have to be a very deliberate effort."

The Magistrate cocks his head to one side, one of his ears dangling. "And the third?"

Chiaroscuro says, "He is not in the forest, sir. Somehow, he moved out of it… and the only place I think he might have gone from there is the Pearl. And though the captain and dockmaster have said they have not seen him… "

The mongoose taps his claw on a sheaf of paper. "I suspect there are other ways to the island possible, or they might have overlooked him. I want to go to the Pearl and search there, sir."

"Very well, Mr. Themyst," says the Magistrate, nodding. "As far as I know, the only way to Levitha's Pearl is by Kildon's ferrying service, but almost any boat or ship can make it out there, and flying is a possibility too. The possiblities you mentioned seem fairly sound… but you might still want to check with the Marshal. I don't know as much about the search pattern the militia used as he does."

Chiaroscuro nods. "Of course, Magistrate. I was planning to speak with him next." He thinks a moment. "I shall also want to search the records here to for information on the Kavi that pass through… but that can wait until Vilzoph is found. As it is said, the world is best learned one curiousity at a time."

Warren leans back in his chair, smoothing his ears back. "True enough. I'm not sure that you'll find much on kavi in our records, as you don't really need a permit to operate a small stand. To the best of my recollection, we haven't had any actual kavi citizens here." The Lapi rubs the ends of his chisel-like incisors thoughtfully. "Strange, too… I don't really see why that would be."

Chiaroscuro's mouth quirks slightly. "That does seem odd… though Kavi do tend to live together in groups, not being solitary. Perhaps that might explain it." His eyebrows lift slightly. "Do you know if any happen to live in the other town… Serpent's Necklace, was it?"

"Serpent's Collar," corrects Warren, still looking thoughtful. "And to the best of my recollection, no."

Chiaroscuro strokes the fur on his chin, muzzle bobbing slightly up and down in a nod. "It seems unusual… but I know little of this world beyond Rephidim, so have trouble knowing between unsual for me and unusual for others. Ah well, a worry for another time. Thank you for your assistance today, Magistrate."

The Magistrate smiles, and dons his glasses again. "Certainly, my boy. I wish you luck in your search, and I hope your militia escort is being helpful."

Chiaroscuro nods. "That they have, indeed. And quite patient with my questions." He smiles, saying "Goodbye now, sir." and heading back out to the street.

---

Accompanied by his dour Jupani escort, Chiaroscuro makes his way to the militia guardstation, where Marshal Roan Thistlewithers awaits him. The overcast sky and rumbling thunder have started to make good on their threats, a few droplets of water heralding a seige of rain on the town in Rephidim's shadow.

Chiaroscuro sits down in front of the Marshall's desk. "Hello, sir. I've uncovered a bit of information… although not much yet."

The massive gray-dappled Rhian behind the desk is leaned back in his chair, his thick arms crossed over his chest, and his usually hard face neutral. "Report."

Chiaroscuro tells the Marshal quickly of the information he's gained thus far, from the general store, dock, and office. "I think the next step for me will be to journey to the Pearl, sir."

"What of the hunter?" rumbles the Marshal, raising one heavy eyebrow. A clap of thunder rolls outside. "If he wasn't seen on Kildon's ferry, we should make absolutely certain he's not still in the Valley."

Chiaroscuro says, "Well, sir, if he was in the town, he would have been spotted. If he is in the forest and your men have not found him… then I would make little difference in a search of the forest. But on the island, I might be able to search there for the hunter, and these Kavi. It would be two sn- two creatures with the same strike."

The Marshal sits for a while, fingering a flint arrowhead while he thinks. Finally, the Rhian nods. "Very well. I will arrange for passage on Kildon's ferry, and you can continue your search there. My men will look in the areas you narrowed his potential location down to, while you follow up on those kavi. If your hunch is right, we'll have all the targets covered."

Chiaroscuro nods. "I hope so sir. I will need more information about the Pearl itself, and equipment I may need while there. All I have heard yet is it is a site for hunting."

The Marshal lays his arrowhead back on the battered desk, and eases his creaking chair back down to all fours, so he can begin going through a drawer. "Levitha's Pearl is not well-charted or documented, and still not largely understood… but I'll answer what I can."

Chiaroscuro nods. "I see… like North Cambria, then. It is only one island, not a group?"

"It's one large island. Deceptively large," replies the Rhian, producing a scrap of parchment from his desk. He begins writing something on it with a ragged quill. "It's a large, steep-sided basin. The floor of the basin is below sea level, with the ocean kept at bay by the rim."

Chiaroscuro nods, listening attentively.

Roan pauses in his writing for a moment, then adds a few more lines to a lengthening list of some sort. "There's a village on the eastern rim. They trade some exports with us, and also cater to hunters and researchers that pass through. What else do you want to know?"

Chiaroscuro hmms. "The village is the only known settlement, sir? And where does the hunting take place… the rims, or the basin?"

"The rim village is all I know for sure," rumbles the Marshal, placing his quill back in its inkwell. "The hunters say there's 'civilized' creatures there, but I never saw them, so they're probably few, if there at all."

"The hunting all takes place in the basin. There's places to hide in the jungle," finishes Roan, and he scoots the scrap of parchment across the desk, toward the mongoose.

"Hmm. I see." Chiaroscuro replies, picking up the parchment and studying it.

It bears a list of provisions, suggesting a backpack, small tent, any weapons the reader knows how to use, dried fruit and meat for at least a week, some waterskins, a few changes of clothing, some sort of hat to keep rain off, and other useful items.

Chiaroscuro nods, noting the list carefully. "Ah yes… yes decidely… hmm. I would wonder if you have any maps of the island, or if it might be best to find those when I arrive there?"

The Rhian snorts. "No, the island is not mapped."

Chiaroscuro nods… "Right, sir. I think that ought be all I need from you today… is there anything you wish me to do at the Pearl besides investigate this present mystery?"

"Your paws will be full enough," grunts the Rhian, leaning back again.

"I suppose they will, sir. Thank you." The mongoose stands up, bowing slightly to the Rhian.

The Rhian acknowledges Chiaroscuro with a brief nod, and returns to his duties. "Dismissed."