Speaking apologetically, as he knew that Pran was listening nearby, the soldier said, ‘All of the buildings on that property owned by Pran are burned out, but there are no bodies, nor any sign of livestock. We found nothing of any note, save this- its contents scattered about-’
‘Doc’s medical bag!’ Ralph blurted. The doctor overheard and came forward to collect his bag, his mien a mixture of apprehension and hope. After a moment’s inspection, he said incredulously, ‘It’s all here! Nothing is damaged or stolen!’
‘No doubt they feared to defile or handle its contents,’ Pran told him. ‘It does, after all, have a rather arcane look . . . and they would not have understood its contents. Though there is no magic in them, as you have told me, still they would believe these things imbued with properties beyond their primitive Lore, and would therefore leave them be.’
‘We came across various trails made by both Elves and Goblins,’ the soldier continued. ‘I do not know whether the Elves’ were those led by Loriman, but the Goblins seem to comprise a number of roving bands, some of which were given battle, others of which seemed to be intermixed with those of Elves. Excluding those, some of my scouts are attempting to retrace Loriman’s direction of travel; a difficult task in the dead of night.’