"Now you are speaking my language," agrees Urist. "Slaying tentacled horrors is something a Dwarf can really sink his teeth into. After we solve the mystery of the Beach Elf!"
"Young Wen is more or less correct," volunteers Highbough (even though nobody asked him). "Additionally, we promised to return with our full array of scrying devices and spells. My thinking was that, if we repeat the scrying attempt on the other side of the Ring, we might get a more ...
"I am but a Dwarf," says Urist. "My pleasures are simple things: enemies to best, caverns to explore, beasts to slay, riches to claim. I do not understand these riddles of ancient curses, 'shadow serpents' and Beach-Elves. Speak plainly to me, good Pixie people!"
Highbough concludes his spell studies with a meditatation upon the third eye. He removes obstacles in anticipation he may soon need to activate his Sixth Sense. (He also has a few other tricks up his sleeve.) Rested, canny, and confident, he's not quite so prickly as an hour ago. "Ah, good, mi...
"Aye," says Urist, "My loyal dog sensed a great danger from the dragon's bones, and saved us from committing a great folly by disturbing the remains. What can you tell us of this curse?"
Highbough glares at Josiane, decides the argument is pointless and beneath his dignity, and turns his back with a theatrical swish of his cloak. The nameless Pilgrims scatter in the path of the imperious old Elf as Highbough finds a quiet nook to study his spellbooks. He is supremely confident in h...
Highbough grabs an exhausted-looking Wen by the nape of the neck and pulls him into the room. "We came back to tell you your friends need help. The three Men are stranded on the other side. It's my fault: I activated the Ring by accident! I thought activation would require an active command wo...
"Josiane! Put that pen down and grab a mirror. Olaf and his friends need your help." Highbough is back, looking dusty, disheveled, and wild-eyed from what he has witnessed beyond the Ring.