"That's among the least surprising things I have to tell you," he remarked, dropping the mace against the base of a tree. "If only it was more easily concealed."

"My help? What could I possibly offer you?" He lifted an eyebrow.

"And?" He pressed.

“They’re…” she grew quiet, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Well, they’re the big reason I need your help getting over the gate. They actually haven’t shown up in Altair for a good century, or at least, half a century and some decades. They’re… like… harbingers.”

"You don't sound very confident in that assessment." He pointed out, loosely crossing his arms over his chest.

"Could you put it around my neck? I've been trying, but..." she flexed her one good hand. "I keep dropping it."

"They do have you on tight leashes," she agreed with a small grimace, turning around to examine the room. "Can you help me with one more thing, please? Do you see that chain over there?"
There was a small chain made of what looked to be silver sitting on a vanity right across from them. Hanging off of the chain was a sachet, small enough that it couldn't be carrying anything significant.

"Oof, I'm sorry that we didn't manage to get on the power issue. I hope it's not too cold. I wanted to send someone out, but we got stuck in the village and the storm took out the local lines," she sighed. "Wait, you said there are kids? What are their names? What do they look like?"

Roo squinted up at him, then looked to her good arm. He was very tall. It would be like riding a giraffe, but with one hand. "You run the risk of being strangled..."

"Really? Am I more or less horrible than the stories?"