Bali and Astarielle had found little in the forest. They prudently decided to stop and think rather than blindly comb the forest, wasting valuable time which could be rapidly disappearing. They discussed the last sighting of Yanithe before she had gotten lost; which they presumed (and hoped) was what had happened to her.
"I last saw her when we were coming along the path, not far from the camp," stated Astarielle. "She was on horseback."
"Well, she could not be far, than. But what truly troubles me is the fact that nothing happened. As far as I can tell, she did not get lost, she left. For what purpose I cannot tell, but It seems clear that she left on her own will."
"Then let us check the road. Perhaps a clue will be found there that can shed light on this mystery; to often is our judgement clouded in shadow.
The two warriors went back over to to the road. They slowly searched across the length of it, finding nothing except the tracks of the dwarves. And then Bali spotted the broken reeds in the stream by the path. "A horse passed through here, heading into the forest."
Hoping it was indeed Yanithe who they were following, the two warriors walked into the forest. Their figures were soon swallowed up by the dark canopy.
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