Caravan Campsite
Just across the Milk Run bridge from Stonebarrow, this flat, clear area has been set aside for travelers and merchants. Two freshwater wells are on site, along with a large map of the area and some bathroom facilities next to the swamp (where nobody will notice the smell). A sturdy corral is set up for Dromodons or other drays.

Olivia leaves behind a Khatta lost in thoughts and memories. The feline behind her sighs quietly as Olivia closes the door and heads back down the steps. The campsite hasn't changed much since when she went in, various tribe members still mill about and a couple of the kids are playing whack-a-barrel.

Halfway down the stairs, Olivia has a sudden thought and scans the figures of the various members of the gypsy camp who are out and about. She hopes to spot Bravil, so she can have a quiet word with him before fetching Djivan and heading back into town.

Bravil isn't in sight, but his wagon is and he's probably home. It's always easy to tell that, as it tends to lean to one side or the other, depending on which side the wolf is on at the time.

Taking a deep breath, Olivia heads for Bravil's wagon. Although they've become much better acquainted during her month on the road with the tribe, the Skeek still feels nervous every time she talks to him. It's rather like wondering if the strange yet exotic plant in one of Dr. Pike's greenhouses is going to eat you this time, instead of just sitting in its pot like any other bit of greenery.

Bravil's wagon slowly rocks to the other side now. A window opens, and a huge plume of dust comes flying out the window. Spring cleaning, perhaps? Or maybe he finally brushed himself.

Olivia stops in her tracks to hack and cough as she gets hit in the face by flying bits of dust and dirt. "What's COUGH going on? Bravil, are you WHEEZE all right in there?" the Skeek manages to gasp out.

The head of the huge wolf sticks out the window. "Big battle wit' de bunnies of de dir', Vhich lurk under de beds. I be victorious," he says. "Vhy vou here, tiny mouse?"

Tiny mouse… heh, Olivia thinks, staring at the much larger wolf. Next to you, I FEEL like one of those specks of dirt. "I just wanted to pass along some information to you. It seems there's a Khatta family staying in Stonebarrow for the time being. We just met the lady's daughter – and a rather curious and headstrong girl she is. Might be the sort to go poking about in places where she has no business, if you get my meaning."

"Ah. Kids be like dat, ves," the wolf says with a nod of his head. "But, dat is no problem, as ve haf not'ing to hide. An … vou say she is Khatta? Madame Natasha migh' like a visit from her own kind. Vhere dey be stayin' so I can talk to dem?"

Olivia blinks at this rather unexpected answer and says hastily, "Actually, I just came from Natasha's wagon. I thought she might like to know about these new arrivals, too, just for the same reason you gave – but she didn't seem interested at all. In fact, from the way she acted, I think she'd much rather avoid them. So then I came to you – if Natasha really wants them to leave her alone, it might be good to have an extra pair of eyes watching out for her privacy, yes?"

Bravil tilts his head and looks at Olivia curiously as large dogs are known to do. "Ah, dat be strang'. It be so lon' since she see another Khatta. But, if dat her vish, I vill honor it. T'ank vou for telling me of dis," he says.

Olivia thinks she knows what Bravil must be wondering and spreads her hands with a little shrug. "Yeah, I also thought she'd be glad of more of her own people to talk to, but Natasha seemed pretty firm about not wanting to see them. I'm sure she has her reasons – and I'm not about to urge her into an unwanted visit. It's not my decision to make. At any rate," she says with a little smile, "you're welcome. Just thought you'd like to know!"

The wolf nods again. "Alrigh'," he says, "Back to de battle. I no be beaten by bunbun!" he says, then his head disappears back inside. A few moments later, the wagon starts to sway back and forth.

Olivia waves to the wolf's departing head and turns her steps back towards Djivan's wagon now. Good, she thinks to herself as she walks. If Kalila is going to be running all over Stonebarrow for a few days, it can't hurt to have another pair of watchful eyes on the case. Dunno if her mother would actually take a trip into the gypsy's camp, but it's better to be covered, either way!

On her way out of the camp, Olivia rounds up the wayward Skreek. Apparently, he was hiding in the barrel that was part of the whack-a-barrel game. So … he's a little wobbly on his feet. The two make their way back towards town and are able to get directions to where the visitors are staying. It's time to meet the relatives…