Horned Crocodiles

*Malephon hears roaring and snapping noises from inside. Finally, a deep, growly, raspy voice comes out.*

"Travelers? Is this a new trick the Rats have learned?" *There is a fluttering noise, and something pokes its head up above the wall. Malephon sees the head of a large crocodile, with immense goat horns, and a shaggy mane of tawny fur.*

"What kind of creature are you, exactly?" *It asks in the same rasping voice.*

"I am an Elf. My companions are Humans... mostly." Malephon glances at Leuvitte. "No rats would dare any tricks near my friend here. He has grown quite fond of eating them."

"Not even the crawling rats that leak from the Abyss, I hope." *The crocodile thing says. It squints at Malephon.*

"No wings, eh? We'd offer you hospitality, but...If you're just looking for the Abyss, you can try the well, it's a little bit back in the direction you came from."

"If you fancy yourself brave, you can also try going through the basement of the Rat's Castle. There's probably a way down from there."

"If your friend there eats *those* rats, it's braver than it looks." The crocodile thing adds, with a disgusted tone.

"Some of them are all skin, others are all bone. Some are just bags of jellied organs and flesh."

"All black, rotten, and they burn as they touch, hoping to make you into one like them." *The crocodile thing continues.*

"Go around that way and you'll find their old castle." *The crocodile thing indicates the left side of the encampment.*

"Good luck, travelers. They come in waves, so maybe you'll be lucky and find them in their quiet times."

Malephon sees a familiar sight - a tall, seven-foot tall Crocodile with a massive mane, and long curved horns like a goat. Small hummingbird wings perch on its shoulders. Its feet are massive cloven hooves, but its forearms terminate in large webbed claws.

"Such radiant weaponry you display." It calls out in recognition.

"Oh, it's another hybrid." The second creature walks into view, not hearing its companion being exploded into dust. It is another horned crocodile.

"It makes five of us." *Yara steps in the conversation*

"Yet another hybrid. But of a different kind! And a kind we have not seen before!" The maned crocodiles speak in surprise.

"Oh! We met your people before! We must be below your high-walled fort in the forest, then? You warned us of the Rats, and their Castle. We met one of their fully formed kind below. It was hardy, and its crabs ferocious." *Says Malephon.*

"You know of the fort too! But we are not below there, sadly." *One of the Crocodiles replies.*

"We were scouting a new opening in one of the earth-wells of the ruins that surround the fort."

*Malephon looks relieved, as the party are packing bottles and barrels into their bags.* "These aren't yours, then?" *His tail wags back and forth.*

"We would like some please?" *One of the crocodiles says hopefull.*

"There are two more whole barrels for you!" *Says Malephon*

"We gladly accept!" The maned crocodile replies. "Our kin will celebrate well! Come back with us and enjoy the party if you wish. These are barrels of good wine. Hidden in the earth by the ever-shifting of the woods where it meets the abyss."

"The Lords Below had games, this we know." One of the onlooking crocodiles says. "We never played this game of chess sadly. The pieces are proud, and do not suffer the amusement of other denizens." "There is a Marble Court nearby." It continues. "The marble creatures of the woods dwell in ruins of stone, like this one. Full of statues!" "We have never seen this... patzu before." Another says.

"Do you mean the whole marble court is nearby? I was.. wasn't expecting that." *Says Yara*

"Nearby, yes. In a relative sense." *The crocodiles reply*. "On the other side of here. But in ruins like this one." "There was a great city of the Lords Below here once, you know. But now, only ruins remain." "The statues of living marble control a part of the ancient city."

"This ruin of stone where we have built our fort, is a separate part."

"If you walk through the ruins, away from the wells and cracks into the abyss. Cross around the great white tree that rises from it." *The maned crocodiles say.* "You'll find a place where the woods close in. Under those narrow thorny branches, where the ruins continue, you'll find the beginnings of a court of marble."