sky instead of a dimensional barrier. Their world is far away, hidden somewhere among the stars of the night.” Kida seemed fascinated at this point. Rusga too hung onto every word the human said, but Algan and Riun were disinterested and opted to go downstairs to fetch more drinks.
“That's way cool!” the fox chimed in, on the edge of her seat. “What do they do here, though?”
“They seek knowledge of all kinds, obtaining it however they can.”
“That's not so bad,” Rusga said, giving a puzzled look. “Why would that be a problem to us?”
“They can learn things in two different ways. One is through traditional research methods, similar to what I use. The other is through a sort of direct transfer. The tentacles on their faces are not for show alone. The creature is able to go partially ethereal by way of its tentacles and able to extend that intangibility to a small object in its grasp; it seeks the brain and removes it from the skull in this way. The umbra stalker then psychically peruses the information within at its leisure, usually soon after removal unless it can preserve the organ.”
Kida's face shifted slowly from interest to fear as she listened. Rusga, though not as naïve, was still shocked by this information.
“Th-they do what?!” the kitsu almost shouted as her jaw dropped to the floor.
“To be short, they take brains. Umbra stalkers have psychic abilities that can render a person helpless to resist this form of hunting, either through domination of the mind or by causing the victim to be stunned in awe until it is far too late.”
Kida shuddered and slumped in her chair, the color draining from her face and eyes rolling back as she passed out. Rusga hurried over to check on the fox but sighed in relief after a minute. “She's just passed out. Poor girl... she's so innocent and clueless about the horrors of the world. That's some really creepy information though. Why would something like that exist?”
Kunya shrugged. “It is simply how they are. That said, their relentless quest for knowledge and power over other species often makes umbra stalkers evil by nature. Should we come across any, it would be best to slay them if we can.”
The two warriors returned from downstairs around that time, seeing the kitsu out cold in the chair and pale as a ghost. Rusga too was rather drained of color and sweating as they came into the room.
“What happened in here..?” Riun asked, puzzled. “Did you do something to them?”
“Hardly. I just told them a bit about umbra stalkers. I suppose such information can be a bit shocking; it was to me at first. They are not known for their generosity, kindness, or good-will. Their lack thereof is what makes their reputation what it is, at least among the denizens of the deep.” The wizard looked toward Xron, inquiring the dark elf's familiarity with such tales through her eyes. The stern look returned to her made it clear that Xron knew all the tales and more. “It is best not to dwell on that encounter, though. We must make preparations for this caravan and the trip on which we will accompany them. Good night, everyone.” She turned and left for her home, plowing her slow way through the fluffy blanket that covered the ground after she exited the tavern.
“I'm out as well,” Riun grunted, tossing a blanket over himself and making a wall in front of the fireplace. Algan followed suit in a chair next to the warmth after removing his scale mail armor. The animalfolk were left alone as Xron made himself at home in the other fireplace chair.
“What now, do you think?” Kida asked, looking bored now that their companions had gone to bed. The snow outside called to her and she stared out the window waiting for an answer. While she detested the chill air, the possibilities of fun were alluring.
“You're looking out that window like you've lost a brother. It's freaking me out.” Rusga was having none of the feign-disinterest act. “Why don't we go down and have a little fun? You're not going to get any sleep if you don't.”
“Yay!” the kitsu said in a hushed shout, hurrying downstairs and out the door. Rusga rolled his eyes in protest but made no further argument as they headed outside into the cold night. By the time the catfolk made it outside, Kida was busy constructing a small fortress of icy fluff. A snowball flew from a window within and struck Rusga square in the face.
“Alright, it's on!” he groaned, piling up a wall as he was pelted with the icy projectiles. Eventually, a crude hill took shape and Rusga returned fire. While his aim was good the kitsu was simply too quick for the catfolk. Her ammunition was equally ineffective as Rusga's agility was a hair under Kida's. Eventually the snow where they were turned to slush from the heat of combat and the pair called it a draw.
“That first shot was your only lucky one,” Rusga remarked, brushing snow off of his cloak.
“Yeah, well, your own luck wasn't that great either.” Kida grinned widely, satisfied with her idea and shivering slightly from the snow in her fur. She dusted off what she could as they re-entered the tavern, the heat of the fire melting what they didn't catch and leaving noticeable puddles. “Think we should dry out first?”
Rusga nodded. “Be best to. I doubt anyone wants wet people in their rooms, even if the snow is clean.” He rubbed his hands together and over his body, swiping off what water he found and onto the floor before the flames. It quickly evaporated, leaving the room humid and uncomfortable. The three sleeping near the fire didn't pay notice, but the steamy air made the animalfolk agitated and they hurried upstairs where it was drier and more bearable.
“What do you suppose we'll find on this trip?” Kida asked, curious of his friend's ideas and thoughts. “I hope it's exciting, whatever it is. It's boring staying here.”
“I dunno but I agree with you. I dislike staying in town like this, but at least it's cozier than sleeping in the winter cold of the wild.” Rusga curled up and brought his blanket tighter around him, almost cocooning himself in the woolen cloth. “Maybe we'll come across something other than goblins, too. The cowards don't make for a fun battle.”
Kida shrugged. “I don't know. I'm not familiar with the local ecology outside of the woods we came from. That place is mostly full of animals, too, nothing strange like that. Your mentor keeps the area pretty wild and uncivilized, and clear of things that walk on two legs all the time.” She referred to the fact that, should they desire, both she and Rusga could travel on all fours to cover more ground. A relic from their species' past, that ability was still useful to flee or to chase down a target. Sleep came soon enough as they drifted off into the night. Sunrise would bat at their eyes too quickly for their liking.
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
The next day the two awoke to the sounds of armor, gear, and rattling dinnerware. Each groggily tried to close their ears to the din around them but for each, that effort was countered by being shaken awake by someone.
“Get up, you two!” Kunya demanded, shaking the kitsu's shoulder. “It is time to get moving; the caravan we were hired to protect is leaving in a half-hour.” A few more violent shakes and Kida was sitting up, though groggy.
“It's too early, ngh...” she protested, rubbing her eyes and trying to adjust to the noise. “What time is it?”
“Nearly midday. The sun has been up a long time already so half of our daylight is gone.”
“Oh, my... sorry!” She stumbled out of the chair she had been snoozing in and bolted across the room to get what breakfast remained. Xron looked over her with distaste at such sluggishness.
“You've got to be kidding me. This child knows magic?” the dark elf said in disbelief.
“Remember, not everyone is the same, nor does everyone practice the same way.” Kunya tried to justify Kida sleeping in but that was difficult even for her. “Even if she is a bit... scatterbrained, it doesn't make her incapable of the art. Your way is different from mine, as hers is from both of us.”
“Hmph. I hope you're right for our sake. We don't need another piece