The Great Quest

Harnauro looked at Ayna for a few moments, without speaking, and she turned away from his gaze, shivering, and said, "What do you want?"

He finally spoke. "I spoke with Arnon. He said this place was part of a larger kingdom. The other parts were a vale called Ethrilien, and a hill area near it. That sounded very similar to the lands I escorted you through. He also said that a family important to them was recently killed. I recall the slaughter you found at the end of your travel. I don't believe in coincidence. What do you know of this?" His speech, filled with short, clipped phrases, was still more words than he usually spoke in a day, and as he finished, his eyes burned into Ayna once again.