In the midst of his exploration of the manor's second floor, Villhalas feels a surge of contentment...and the strong feeling that Mal'ach has caught and is busily devouring a rat on the manor's roof.

ROFL.  ok ok - haven't forgotten about you Mal'ach.

Kevin, Vil will send his owl aloft to keep an eye out for any humanoids leaving the burgomaster's keep.  Mal'ach is to notify him of any such activity...

Jas

Villhalas gets the sense that there is some large two-leg-no-wing-like-you coming into the manor.

Vil takes a brief moment to acknowledge his Familiar's warning.  He commands the Owl to maintain his current position until she hears otherwise..

Jas

The short-eared owl does so, leaping from its perch on Villhalas' shoulder and taking to the air, gaining altitude in a series of spirals.  Once again, the sorcerer grimace with pain as the owl's talons dig into his shoulder during the animal's take-off.  Villhalas reflects that perhaps he should provide some padding for that shoulder in the future.

Malach has gained an altitude of approximately four hundred feet--enough to provide a view of the surrounding countryside, but close enough so that Villhalas can see and maintain visual contact with his familiar.