“Are those chickens, or something else?” Malcolm asked, in hushed tones, from behind a prone Steeyann.

  After a few seconds, Steeyann looked back and whispered. “Almost? They are chicken shaped, but not quite right. From here, in the dark, I can’t see well enough to know exactly what is wrong with them.”

  Valgrin crawled back and sat next to Skwilly, allowing Tahlur to make his way forward for a look.

  “It seems like the almost chickens are herding and leading the others.” Valgrin tugged at his ear. “Could that be why none of the Kithreenians saw any poachers? They just saw the almost chickens as part of the poached?” Malcolm offered, keeping his voice soft.

  Steeyann backed out from under the bush and sat up, looking up and Valgrin. “That makes more sense than anything I can come up with. So are these almost chickens leading other livestock to, for lack of a better word, freedom? Or are they poaching them for themselves?”

  “Is that six-legged walrus thing a yanka?” Malcolm asked.

  “Yantka, and yes it is.” Steeyann replied, “And it looked normal for all I could tell.”

  The soft rustle of of weeds and brush brought everyone’s eyes down to Tahlur’s crawling back to join the group. He sat next to Steeyann and looked up at the others. “I used Far Seeing, and it looks like the chickens have wings and hairy, muscular arms. The hands are human-like but taloned and furry. The head is off too, but there isn’t enough light for me to gather what that difference is.”

  “Okay, almost chickens have arms. Wonder if they can hide them under their wings and pass as chickens.” Malcolm mused, beginning a short pace of the campsite.

  “Don’t forget to stay within ten feet of the centering rock, don’t want to go out of range of my Cover Sound spell.” Tahlur pointed at the rock a few feet from him.

  Malcolm moved back, towards the rock, “I’ll keep my pacing closer. Was still in range of the spell, but could see my self pacing to far away.”

  “As far as your hiding the arms,” Steeyann joined in, thinking out loud. “Probably, but does that matter to us now? They still aren’t hiding their trail—so we shouldn’t have any problem following them in sunlight.”

  “I have a working theory.” Tahlur’s voice trembled slightly.

  The other three looked over at Tahlur, waiting.

  “Sharing or not?” Malcolm joked.

  “Sorry, not used to having anyone actually listen to me. I am wondering if someone created this clearing to hide the trail. With the shortening grass and length of clearing, any obvious trail or tracks would be slight. Especially compared to what we’ve been following. If it is magical, maybe the trail disappears. Just in case I’m right, I watched to see where they exited, so we can head there when we’re ready.”

  Steeyann smacked Tahlur on the back. “Good thinking, and your theory has weight. We can check tomorrow. You and I need to finish the watch and let the others get a little sleep.” Steeyann waved to Malcolm and Valgrin, then turned and crawled back to the watch point.

  “See you in the morning.” Tahlur turned and went back as well.

  ###

  Malcolm woke to Steeyann’s voice, telling Valgrin to get up and break camp. He couldn’t make out the final few words.

  When Steeyann’s shadow fell over him, Malcolm grumbled. “I heard. I’m getting the energy together to open at least one eye before I sit up. What was that last bit you told Valgrin that I didn’t catch?”

  “Letting him know we didn’t see any other movement last night.”

  Malcolm groaned and stretched, popping one eye open. “Almost there.” He announced to the camp.

  Several minutes later, they had broken camp and were headed back to the trail. Each chewing on some jerky as they walked.

  They followed the trail to a point where the ground became softer, the grass still lush and green.

  “Kubber!” Steeyann stared at the ground.

  “What’s wrong? Trail go away?” Tahlur asked.

  “No, you weren’t quite correct. It is a magic clearing, but instead of the trail going away, the field is now filled with multiple tracks. This is going to slow us down, if I can even figure out which one is correct.”

  “The scent is confusing too, the one we’ve been tracking gets lost in with everything else.” Skwilly added.

  “Good thing I know where they headed, then.” Tahlur made his way to the front of the line. His voice couldn’t hide his excitement. “Follow me!”

  “Doesn’t look like we have a choice.” Malcolm stepped in line behind Tahlur.

  Nearly thirty minutes later, Tahlur halted beside a narrow crevice nestled between two massive boulders. The lush green grass gradually transitioned to stone and dirt underfoot. "After you," Tahlur said, stepping aside with a sweeping gesture toward Steeyann, inviting him to proceed through the rocky passage.

  “Says the guy with the lightning bolts.” Steeyann joked as he walked by.

  “Makes me a good second through, but not the lead.” Tahlur followed Steeyann through.

  Malcolm shrugged his shoulders with a nonchalant air and moved forward to take his turn. Before him, two cave openings gaped like dark mouths on either side of a shadowy alcove nestled at the base of a rugged, stony hill.

  “Any tracks?” Asked Valgrin.

  The ground's mostly stone here, so no clear tracks to spot. But there are a few scratches on the rocks, both sides,” he grumbled, gesturing toward the faint marks etched into the surface. “Ask Skwilly to take a sniff around.”

  Valgrin turned to Skwilly, who already had his nose to the ground. “This one to our right is where the freshest trail leads.” Skwilly answered before Valgrin voiced the question.

  “We need to go in the one on the right. Make sure we check for traps before we go in.” Valgrin called out.

  Steeyann nodded and approached the right entrance, then the other, his eyes scanning intently for any signs of danger. “No traps on either side,” he declared, his voice carrying a note of relief. With deliberate care, he stepped through the shadowy opening Skwilly had identified. The air hung heavy in silence, nothing stirring.

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  The group followed closely behind, their footsteps echoing softly as they ventured deeper. Suddenly, about eight feet in, a sudden, gut-wrenching scream tore through the air as Steeyann crumpled to the ground in agony, her voice reverberating off the cave walls.

  Malcolm's gaze dropped to the scout's legs, ensnared by a vicious copper-colored metal chain, bristling with treble hooks and barbs. The merciless binding began just above the ankle and halted below the knee. Every desperate tug and struggle shredded both fabric and flesh, as the hooks latched on—the barbs tearing relentlessly. Blood seeped through the heavy cloth, painting Steeyann’s pants a dark, ominous red. His growls were filled with frustration, mixed with a touch of panic.

  Tahlur shouted. A lightning bolt shot out and sent a cloud of feathers flying into the air. Malcolm's eyes darted around frantically, counting at least three more frenzied almost chickens charging at them with wild abandon. Tahlur unleashed another bolt, blasting one more into oblivion. Out of the shadows of the small cavern, two more almost chickens surged forward, their eyes wild with menace, as chaos threatened to consume the crew.

  “Stop shooting lightening!” Malcolm shouted as he deflected one of the almost chicken’s claws wide of hitting him. “We may need them later! I can hit them with a spell a couple of times, may not obliterate them but would give them pause at least.”

  Tahlur shot off one more bolt, taking out another almost chicken. “Sorry, had that one underway when you shouted, couldn’t stop it. I’ll see if I can help Steeyann.” He made his way back to Skwilly and Steeyann.

  Valgrin lunged into the gap left by Tahlur with ferocious speed. Malcolm's eyes locked onto the elf's katar as it tore mercilessly into the creature's thigh, the beast howling in agony.

  A rapid slash and a forceful thrust sent yet another almost chicken crashing to the ground in a heap. Malcolm barely had time to flick the blood from his sai before another monster lunged at him. He recoiled instinctively, a blur of lethal talons slicing through the air where his head had been just moments before. With a swift, brutal elbow drop, he shattered the creature's leg, its agonized screams reverberating off the stone walls like a banshee’s wail. His lungs burned as he gulped in air, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he hunted for his next adversary.

  “I don’t see anything, do you?” Valgrin panted.

  Malcolm walked over to the monster with the shattered leg, dodging an off target swing from the creature. He sunk his sai through an eye-socket, blood gushing over his hands. He watched it crumple, spasm, then go still.

  “Only ones I see are dead.” His voice monotone. “Tahlur, any progress with Steeyann?”

  “Um, yes? We’ve almost got his legs free and…”

  “I’ll be fine.” Steeyann growled. “Still be stupid, though. Missing that trap.” His fist slammed against the stone floor. “I’ve drunk a small healing potion and will drink another when we’re done. Going to take at least fifteen or twenty more minutes to be free and healed.”

  Malcolm spun his sai at the ready to deal with what had just slid across the rocks toward him. He stopped short. “You almost got stabbed. What are you doing?”

  Valgrin held up his blue hands. “I noticed. Wasn’t thinking, coming up behind you.”

  “Why are you exploring the cavern on your own? That ain’t smart.” Malcolm brought his hands to his side.

  “You were busy and the tone you answered my last question, well, let’s say I figured you needed to have a more normal moment.” Valgrin shrugged.

  “Normal?”

  “I qualified, more normal.”

  “Okay, give you that one. And yeah, I’ll admit this fight felt different from the onboarding.” Malcolm pointed to the almost chicken on the ground.

  “Yeah, I’m not exactly sure how they got our bodies to fight instinctively, but I still struggle with overthinking and getting in my own way. Anyway, doesn’t look like anymore of these killer emus are around here, but there is grunting and other noises coming from deeper down the cave over there.” It was Valgrin’s turn to point.

  Malcolm looked across the cavern space. “Didn’t even notice that opening, just the one our greeting party came from. Do you think we have the time to wait on those two?” Malcolm motioned behind him with his thumb. Please, please say yes.

  Valgrin shrugged. “Dunno, but I don’t think we should do anything else. We’ll just have to fight off the next round if one shows up. Don’t think we have to worry about the poaching party coming our way for at least half a day.”

  Valgrin turned to face Tahlur and Steeyann. “Those weren’t your normal chickens, were they?”

  Both of the others shook their head. Steeyann said, “From what I could see a little bigger, their legs were thicker, the heads were a little less chicken and more like a thwyrn or bear…”

  “Hands and arms aren’t chicken parts either.” Tahlur added.

  Steeyann glared up at the mage. “I was getting to that.”

  “I figured as much, but wanted to confirm. Malcolm and I will stand watch while you get out of that chain thing.” Valgrin motioned towards Steeyann’s legs. “Then we’ll head on down the cave.”

  With a few nods, everyone went about their assigned tasks. Malcolm and Valgrin were several feet in front of the others, watching for any activity.

  Malcolm leaned over and asked in a hushed voice. “How big were the noises you heard?”

  Stifling a laugh, Valgrin tried to look angry and failed. “Never going to let me forget that one are you—one time I say you hear a medium-sized noise.” He failed at pouting, too. “But to answer your question, it sounded like a sizable number of creatures. Various grunts, chuffs, and growls—and enough differences to make me think there are several types of creatures involved.”

  Looking up at the far cave opening, Malcolm grimaced. “Not the answer I hoped for, but the one I expected. That comment you made about your thinking getting in the way. I have a problem remembering I have spells that could help. That lightning spell I have would’ve come in handy with the onslaught.” Malcolm stood and looked down at the sai in his hand. “I think I may need to change up my weaponry—sai are mostly defensive. May need to use one and hammer in the other hand, if I’m going to be a strike first kind of guy.”

  “Hmm, I always thought they were stabby things, a fancy dagger.” Valgrin looked at his katar. “Different from a typical dagger, like mine, but still stabby.”

  “The middle blade, or prong, is pointed, but not edged, so slashing is more clubbing than cutting. Then the hammer is clubbing too. Maybe it’s not so much different. Kinda wish it had an edge.”

  As if responding to his thoughts, the sai's metal surface shimmered with a crackling, ethereal blue energy. The energy pulsed rhythmically before concentrating at the top half of the middle prong, which transformed into a sleek, edged dagger-like shape. The lower half retained its solid, hexagonal form.

  Malcolm slashed the air. He flipped the sai to a defensive position. The flat of the dagger lay against his forearm. “Whoa, didn’t know I had a wish available. Could be a little dodgy in defensive, will need to practice. Can I alter my wish to not have an edge when I flip it to the defensive?”

  The sai glowed, then returned to its original hexagon shape, pointed at the end. Malcolm spun the sai back to attack, a flash of blue light during the flip, the edge reappearing—Malcolm holding it ready, then took a couple of slashes at the air.

  “That looks a lot more vicious.” Valgrin stared at the weapon.

  Malcolm practice spinning from attack to defense, each time a flash of blue marked the change. “The balance doesn’t change when it changes.” I wonder if I’d be pushing the wish if I could have it change from edged to blunt or the other way around, no matter the position. The weapon glowed blue and went from edged to blunt, without Malcolm flipping it.

  “It worked!”

  “Did you tell it to go blunt?” Valgrin asked.

  “I wondered if I could—and it did. Going to play with it to learn what I can and can’t do.”

  “I’ll watch for party crashers. You get to know your weapon. I’m positive that will come in handy later, maybe sooner than we think.” Valgrin pointed to the tunnel with his chin.

  Malcolm nodded, his eyes never leaving his sai as he toyed with it. A few minutes later, he stepped over to Valgrin.

  “I can set a default and then change it as I need. Also, when I have the monouchi, I mean middle blade along my forearm in the defensive pose. I can have the pommel do this.”

  Valgrin’s eyes widened when a three-inch spike jutted out of the sai’s butt end. “Almost like a mini-spike.”

  “Yeah,” a grin spread across Malcolm’s face. “It was always an awesome way to throw a punch, now I get to add a little extra. This is the longest I can make the spike and I can’t get a dagger blade. But I did tell it not to glow blue with every change, didn’t want to have to worry about it showing my location when I’m trying to hide.”

  “Good idea. It seems to me you should leave the hammer for backup.”

  Malcolm nodded. “Agreed, backup and for throwing.”

  Both turned when they heard the others coming to join them.

  “Now that the weapons demonstration is over,” Steeyann grinned. “Maybe we can get moving.”

  “If you're ready.” Valgrin answered.

  Steeyann pulled his sword from its scabbard. “I am now.”

  They made their way to the tunnel entrance, took a deep breath, and Malcolm led the way in.