After tying one end of the rope off around the tree and the other around Tobias's waist, he was lifted as he held himself steady against the cave side.

The children were happy to have Leland back with them. He was peppered with questions from the littler ones and admonished for not being careful enough by Torr.

The bear slept through most of the activity and only started moving groggily as Tobias was pulled out and onto the forest floor.

The rope was untyed and coiled up ready to be carried.

"We need to get on along home. We don't want our parents to start looking for us because we have been gone for too long."

"Russell, Wesley, you help Leland."

"Isabel you trail behind, make sure everyone sticks together. We don't want any more accidents."

"I'll carry the rope."

Tobias rested on the soft grass near the mouth of the cave, it was all he could do to prop himself up on his elbows, his palms supporting the small of his back, his head feeling overly large and heavy and his legs like over-cooked noodles.

"Get home children, quickly lest your parents and the village worry. This was an accident, take care of where you decide to play from now on. You're very lucky that Leland wasn't eaten."

Looking up to the rest of his companions in this little adventure, Tobias reached out his shaking hand for help up. "We'd best get along as well, the spell will not last long, and may infuriate the beast upon his awakening. I'm nearly spent as it is, but we ought best continue our search for the Tanner. Assist me to my feet please, I'll do my best to keep up."

He used his staff to assist and then leaned heavily upon it, the burgundy light having faded completely now.

"I won't be able to manage much more I'm afraid, the magic is... very costly," Tobias admitted quietly, and his gaunt features showed well his nickname, the Haggard.

"Tobias, I agree we need to get out of here before the bear wakes. But I think for the time being we head back to town. We can rest back at the inn, get some food and drink.
Then we can figure out what the next step is in finding the "Tanner". This will also allow us to get any other news from the towns people, if any." Taking Tobias reached out hand, I wrap his arm around my neck, and start walking to town.

In reply to Dumoss Nindir (msg # 4):

Jeffrey took a final look around to see if there was anything being left behind and then set off after the rest of the party.

Everyone quickly returned to the village following behind the kids.
Once the kids were through the gate they scattered to their own homes.

Watchman Edmond asked, "Were you able to find that deer you were looking for?"

Tobias shook his head wearily. "No Edmond, we did not. Rather we disturbed a bear. Thankfully no one was hurt. Incidentally, you haven't seen Alvar return have you? I guess I was hoping he'd come back this way while we were helping the children."

Looking around the town, he felt faint. No doubt about it that it was due in large part to the energy sapping nature of the magic he'd embraced, but his stomach growled as well. Oft times he would forget to eat due to being engrossed in his studies. His body seemed to always remind him of its needs however.

"We're going to rest a bit and get something to eat. Let us know, will you?"

"Getting something to eat, huh? That sounds like a good idea."

"Watchman Cooper should be here to relieve me soon."

"Told Hunter Elton about that deer you said you saw. He's out looking for it now."

"He did say that it sounded like a Fae creature as there are no golden deer in these parts."

"As good a hunter as he is, I expect there will be venison on his table tonight."

The weary gaze snapped suddenly toward the watchman. "Why did you-?" he began and then ran an unsteady hand through his hair.

"Great care should be taken with regards to the Fae... the Huntsman may well regret his undertaking."

Tobias was so tired, and wanted nothing more than to get a bit of stew and find his cot.

"I must rest a bit before we continue our search... Thank you Watchman."

To his companions he added, "We can do little to stop him at this point. Let's retire a bit until we're up for the task..."

In reply to Tobias Draigh (msg # 9):

"Dinner and then rest, sounds good to me. However, we need to get up early and continue trying to find Alvar."

While Jeffery and Alvar returned to town to get lunch, Tobias and Dumoss turned back towards the woods.

Dumoss was able to pick up the trail with both deer tracks and human footprints to follow.

Moving slower than he would have by himself Dumoss followed the trail as it went through the woods to a glade.
Through the trees Dumoss saw Elton the Hunter at the edge of the glade just as he loosened an arrow.

They heard the fleshy smack of the arrow as it hit it's target and the rustle of a body crashing into brush on the other side of the clearing.

Elton leaped forward into the clearing without noticing Dumoss and Tobias's approach.

When they got to where Elton had been they could see him kneeling beside a body on the ground.
It was a human body!

Tobias touched the arm of Dumoss and held a finger to his lips, warning the ranger to silence!

From the edge of the clearing, the Haggard strained to see any details about who the wounded person might be while keeping hidden to watch what the Hunter would do next. He motioned for Dumoss to draw down on Elton in case this was indeed what it appeared to be... a murder scene.

While crouched over the body in the brush, Elton choked out, "Oh Gods! What have I done!"

Tobias strained to get a clear view of the body in the brush behind Elton.

While not certain with the brush blocking some of the view, it looked like Alvar lying dead on the ground with an arrow through his heart.