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A Meeting Along the Way
They continue their journey with no difficulties and approach the base of the mountain, not yet having encountered where the water of the riverbed they are following has been obstructed. The edge of the lower forest comes into sight and Crow thinks it is a shame that no one had made a joke about 'not being out of the woods yet' prior to then because now they have arrived at being out of the woods.
There is an open area of land before the next forest begins, which as fortune and the flow of the river would have it they do not have to enter, though they do have to travel next to it for a short distance. The forest, creeping up the side of the mountain, is called the Gossamer Forest, so named for the thin layers of silken cobweb that lay strewn across the top of it; so many layers that it is thick enough to keep most of the light out. The entrance to an old, abandoned castle is through here, but no one dares to follow the path.
After pausing to take a break for lunch, they cross the open area and follow the riverbed where it treads close to Gossamer Forest, bordering along its edge for a while. Crow teases Cat and Knitten with ghost stories as they walk, some of the tales he has been told of those who ventured into the woods and met with horrible fates. He does not know if any of them are true, but they make for an enjoyable way to pass the time.
Up ahead a short distance, they see a commotion. Two creatures are in a scuffle, so the guards approach with caution. As they get close enough, it is revealed to be bat and weasel individuals having an argument. There are purple fruits scattered about the area where they are.
Marla calls out, "Hey now, what is going on here?! Why are you two fighting? Let's have a discussion and get to the bottom of this like civilized people."
Crow recognizes the bat. "Hey, Sonarina! It's good to see you're still haunting these parts."
"Long time, no see, Crow," she replies. "Gossamer Forest is my home after all. I need to protect it from hoodlums like this kid."
Crow adjusts his cap slightly before addressing the weasel, whom he recognizes as well. "Piklok. I didn't expect I would see you again so soon. What are you doing giving my friend here trouble?"
"Yes," Marrow says, "Please do both be explaining as to what the situation here is so we can decide the proper course of action."
Sonarina tells them that Piklok was stealing her juka fruit from the tree that she lives in, not very far in from the edge of the forest, and Piklok argues that fruit growing from the trees does not belong to her alone. Marrow agrees that they both have valid points and struggles to arrive at a conclusion favoring just one. So, she decides that they can each take ownership of half the fruit on the ground and Piklok is not allowed to gather any more fruit from the forest trees without first making for absolute certain that no one who would be offended lives in the tree in question. At least, not without permission. Even then, he is only permitted each time to take what he can eat without it spoiling and no more than that.
Before Marrow, Marla, and the other guards can insist on getting back to following the dried-up riverbed, Crow formulates a question to ask. He remembers that Piklok has connections to people with dubious morals, being those in the thieves guild, who may be privy to information which no one else in the kingdom knows. It may be a longshot, but he asks, "Piklok, what have you heard about plans anyone may have had to dry up this river here?"
Piklok sticks out his tongue at Crow, then says, "Why should I tell you anything that I might know about anything, you crazy crow?"
"You mean 'calamitous' crow, don't you? That's what you called me before."
Cat says, "You better tell us what you know about the river or else you might have a certain dryad very upset with you."
Piklok stares down at her for a moment. "Hey, bird. Did your pet just speak? Wait, why does your voice sound familiar, little fox?"
Cat grins mischievously. "Woods you know who I am if I tree-pared another cozy little cell for you to sit in to reflect on all your crimes?"
"What?! That was you? The two of you together, here... Hey, that was some faerie magick you two cast on me! I wasn't even going to tell you all those things that I did. They just bubbled out and I couldn't stop them. That's not fair! But it explains how bird-brain knows my name, doesn't it?"
Now, Marrow interjects, "What is this talk about faeries and magick? Why do you yell at Crow, young weasel?"
"No, ma'am, I was addressing the odd white-and-pink fox he has with him. She talks for some reason, even though she's not walking about on two legs like the rest of us."
Marla asks, "You can see it? Is there really someone there with Crow?"
From Crow's pocket, Knitten shouts, "Really, really! That's Cat, the magnificent!"
They all look at the motionless puppet in Crow's vest pocket and then up at him.
Sonarina is the first to ask, "What's going on here, Crow? Did that hand puppet just talk or was that you?"
Knitten answers for him in a playful tone, "It really was me! I'm a real cat, cat, cat, just like Cat. But I'm just a puppet, daddy says. So, why? Because I feel like a cat!"
Cat giggles at this, but Crow's face becomes bright red, as much as crows' faces do, from feeling both embarrassed and nervous. He tells them, "It's... been a very interesting couple of days."
Crow explains as best he can to everyone about how he made friends with Knitten and Cat and their adventures they have had so far. Cat and Knitten add in their own commentary as well, which Crow interprets for the others to understand. While the explanation unfolds, Sonarina begins to see Cat, and Marla at least thinks she can. Out of those gathered who had not yet noticed her, Cat can tell that those two have the most belief in otherworldly things. The others do not, so they still do not see her.
After debating his conscience on matters of secrecy, Piklok decides to share that he had stumbled upon the spot where the river is being diverted and was actually on his way back from there before stopping to pick the juka fruit. He had not wanted to be seen by any of the three suspicious people he says were there. The watery reroute is taking place up by the old abandoned mine, he informs everyone, and he cautions them that a trap has been set for anyone who wanders up the direct path, so he advises them to sneak around from behind.
Marrow and Marla thank him for the information and both Cat and Crow pat him on the back to let him know that he is alright in their book. He swats their hands away and tells them to cut it out, but they can both see a smile make its way across his face.
With that, the group says their goodbyes to Sonarina and Piklok and continues to follow the riverbed past the Gossamer Forest and toward the abandoned mine.
