~ PASSAGE 37 ~
BONE BROOK

At this water source, the fellowship decided to replenish themselves. The dwarves filled their waterskins while Torynth discussed a troubling notion. It seemed that the group now followed NO trail. The tracks had vanished, been disguised, or had at least indicated no enmasse passage.
" Salimen..." the monk prompted " ...you said you didn't detect any magical presence when we first started at the location of the three trails. Have you detected anything along our journey so far?"

The bard blushed " I have to admit that I didn't look anymore...since I didn't find anything in the first place." The elf moved away chanting a lilting tune as Gailwind fingered swiftly through a blue folio.

Torynth redirected his queries to the spellcasters " Do you believe the starpoint would leave such a magical footprint? If so, then perhaps all three choices were just a diversion in the first place."
Splendor shook his head " I know nothing of this artifact, Torynth. I have no idea on how we were supposed to track it. Even the council's best offer was a trifling guess. We just have to make do under these dreadful circumstances."
The paladin agreed and gave an encouraging speech to stay on course for their quarry may come soon on the path ahead.

Aramil said nothing as he washed his face in the stream. Watching the ranger scout the perimeter of the pond, the archer kept silent and seemed visibly agitated at the voice of opinions.

"Yaah!!!" cried Leah in alarm. As everyone turned their attention, the druid raced away from the brook. " Dead bodies!" She pointed up to a treed hillside {about 50 yards away} where two men in chainmail hung upside down in a cave entrance; their bodies unmoving. Before anyone could respond, Teflar returned to the group in a jog. Grabbing at his ponytail, he relayed " It seems these grounds are a feeding place." He kicked at a bone lying previously unnoticed next to the stream bed.
" Human bones are everywhere. At least a hundred lie back among the reeds." Gailwind sprayed water on the back of Gulius's neck and erupted in a choking fit.