Reht nodded in polite greeting. "I have not seen your kind before friend, yet I have not seen a lot of this part of the world either." Sighing he rubbed the muscles in the back of his neck, "I am called Reht. I am just an Artisan - historical study is my forte. But the Skirls have been our enemies since time immemorable. " Crouching down, he used a stick to sketch a rough picture (rough for him, but quite detailed for the others)

"Skirls fight with anger and bloodlust. A calculating plan usually wins over them, but do not underestimate their intelligence. They will use brute force usually. They aren't ones for clever traps or ambushes and usually they attack in numbers."

"As for weaknesses," he shrugged. "They are quick on their feet, possess claws which they will use and a very strong jaw. Their weapons of choice, when they bother with weapons is just as unpredictable as they are. But I have never seen one use a sword. They are a religious lot though, and strangely a matriarchical society."

Reht paused and stook a little swig of water from his water skin, "They have great vision at night, but seem to have trouble with bright lights. I don't think they can swim, and they have a blindspot right in front of them, but they have a way of swinging their heads from side to side in order to avoid having that blindspt." He shrugged, what else could he tell them? Being an historian was an advantage - as he could access the archives where all of this sort of thing was kept, but there was only so much they knew about them.

Standing, he wondered breifly if he should tell them about the War - but silently shook his head, making it into a movement that appeared he had something near his ear. Damn he could be an open book at times!

"So, we will most likely find them in a large group - they are all fit. I have never seen a Skirl that wasn't able to pick up a weapon and use it. Younglings, women or men."

He looked at them expectantly, "Any other questions?"

As Reht spoke, Taljor listened closely and did not miss the man's body language... "What is he hiding?"

The infomation was very detailed. "How is it you know so much about these people?"

"And I would like filled in on how this particular situation came to be."

Reht sighed, "My friend, our world was destroyed long, long ago by a war with the Skirls. The gods played with us and our lives and we've since then learned our lessons from that. We have common knowledge about Skirls and sometimes conduct information raids in their lands. As for why I know so much, I told you, I am a Historian. I have access to our archives."

He wasn't sure if the man trusted him, but all he could do was hope that he did.

"We.... my mate and I... were here on a mission to uncover the truth about those portals you came through to be here. I need information - it's my life's work to study the Ancients. The Elders sent me and the Dreamers assured me there would be no problems. And... we were ambushed and my... my..." Reht stiffened and stared at the newcomer. "Forgive me, i am rambling."

Standing up a little straighter he gripped the small dagger at his side, it was the one Sera had given him at their Binding Ceremony, "I will find her and I will save her. There is more at stake...."

He swallowed, remembering the babe that his beloved carried.

"We came through the portal as did some of the Skirls. A woman, something I've never seen before came to our aid. She disappeared with Sera.... and it seems they are now Skirl prisoners."

It did not take long for the dragonman to come across Wulff where he had come to rest, doubled over and retching. He stopped nearby, keeping one eye on the boy and the other on where the thing was apparently coming from. Despite Drakon's speed and agility, trying to outrun the crashing beast was futile when one step from the monster accounted for twenty of his own. No, he needed to fly or fight.

"Boy! We have no time for this now. You must get up, we must go!"

Reht spoke with passion and pain that only magnafied as he stood and his hand had quickly and firmly found his blade.

"Love is a very powerful thing to fight for. I will give you a piece of advice though and please pay attention. Don't let your in love blind you in battle or in any plan of action, let it be the fuel for the fight. Understand?"

Taljor stood to his full, towering 8', 400 pound frame and looked at Reht. "I think we have waisted enough time. If you have rested...." Was all he said as he reached for the massive double bladed battle axe.

The creature is slowly drawing nearer. Though it's steps bound across the land, the trees swaying and crashing together in its wake, it will take a few moments longer before it reaches Golden Drakon and Blackwulff.

It is suggested that these precious moments are used to either flee or prepare to fight.

Strange animal calls and distressed bird cries finally herald the beast's arrival. It crashes through the screen of trees that once protected it from view by the adventurers. Blue scales glitter in the sun that shines through the small gap in the canopy that denotes a clearing stretching between the monster and the adventurers.

It pauses, bellowed from a maw that appears to be located on the underside of it's head. A flat mouth that none-the-less harbours rows of deadly three inch long teeth emits a sound that rips through the surrounding area and causes tree branches to sway.

Blue flashes once again as it sways it's massively round head to seek those that have disturbed its young. It's eyes swivel on three feet long stalks that distend from roughly the center of it's head. The sunlight strengthens and the adventurers can now see that the scales are a metallic blue that shimmers and is slightly pearlescent. They are actually hexagonal plates that only lap eachother slightly, but provide better all round protection for it's rounded body.

While it's head is a round flattened disc shape, it's body is round and bulky. Sixteen long claw like legs distend from enormous sockets on either side of it's bulk - eight to a side - and it stands almost fifteen feet high with twice that for it's diameter. Four of the front legs have large, swollen pincers on each, with three-inch long thorns running up towards the body.

Opening it's maw, its eyestalks swivel towards Golden Drakon and Blackwulff. One more roar and then it suddenly lurched forwards, scuttling towards them across the clearing, its pincers aimed straight at them.

Golden Drakon and Blackwulff. It is up to you to decide upon a plan of action to deal with this creature.

Golden Drakon; you are severely weakened in your Human form. However, your speed and agility has increased.

Black wulff; you are also severely weakened due to your current affliction. You will find it hard to concentrate on one ability or even thought. You will also find it hard to battle the creature due to a subconscious bond with it.

GD looked up at the blue crab thing and sighed.

"Damn, I knew I should have stamped those things when I had the chance..." he muttered darkly to no one in particular.

Without warning, GD grabbed one of Wulff's arms as he reached out and yanked the young man up and threw him over one shoulder. He turned and bolted away from the creature, Wulff bouncing feebly against his back as he went.

The roars did not startle the minotaur, but the hairs did stiffen on end. His axe that was on his back, found it's way to his hands and battle read so quickly that the others did not even notice that he wasn't holding it in the firdt place.

He looked at the blade and it had an errie redish blue hue to it. "Not good. We need to move.... now."

Reht looked up warily and gripped the pommel of his short sword. Bracing his feet apart he frowned and looked towards where they were headed and then towards where the sound was coming from.

"The others of your camp. They are in that direction..." he was torn. His compassion was warring with his love for his wife. He paused.... sighing, "Where to?"

Sencing an inner termoil, Taljor looked over his shoulder at Reht. "Follow your heart Reht. You will not be the same if you do not go to her and end up being to late."

"I will go and see if I can provide any sort of help with our friends. Just leave me a way to follow you should we make it."

Reht paused, unwilling to leave the safety of numbes and forging on by himself. But the call of his love, the call of his child was too strong. Shaking his head, he dipped a finger into a pouch at his belt. Holding them up, he revealed purple dye on his fingertips. "I will mark the trees with this. Or stones should I need to."

Then he turned, squaring his shoulders and knowing he may be going on by himself. "Take care... and follow safely."

Then he was gone through the screen of trees, lost from sight.