Mullen soon had a warm blaze going, whilst the others sat close to the fire waiting to get warm.
"Where's old Burli?" asked Anest.
"Out at the garrison," replied Pip.
"At the garrison?" echoed Belloc, sensing the import behind Pip's words. "Whatever could he be doing there in this weather?"
"There's talk of trouble from the soldiers," said Mullen. "They say the elves have been tracking something in the Wood, and it ain't gnomes or goblins."
"Did ye see the birds," asked Caspar. "They were too high up to make `em out, but I think they were ravens. They got a spade-shaped tail, don't you know."
"We saw them," Belloc replied, distantly.
"They ga' me the shivers," said Pip. "Not a sound did they make. Did you notice?"
"What do you make of all this, master Belloc," said Caspar. "Does it have anything to do with the soldiers' talk of demons?" Old Caspar could be as shrewd as they came. Anest was sure the soldiers had never put a name to their fears, but Caspar could read the fear in their eyes and knew what it meant.
"So," said Belloc,"The soldiers told you the elves were tracking demons, is that it?"