Robert finished checking the Mythril chains and shackles on his captive one last time before returning to his side of the shelter with a satisfied grunt.

“Do you really think I could get out of this?” asked the captive, a thin, scrawny man whose disposition and physical traits matched those of a ferret.

“Yes.” replied Robert gruffly, “You’re a sneaky fella.”

The captive pursed his lips and blew out his cheeks as he flexed his rather unimpressive muscles and mimed trying to burst out of his chains with all his might.

It earned him a short guffaw from Robert, and a smile lingered on his face.

“You’re in rather a good mood for someone who’s about to be turned over to the goblins,” said Robert.

His manner of speaking was blunt, flat, and firm but also portrayed intelligence not usually associated with someone of his brawny stature.

“Well, seeing as our progress is stalled… no, dare I say, halted for the near foreseeable future. Yes, why not be jovial?” replied the captive.

Wind howled outside the entrance to the cave Robert had hastily and luckily discovered as the signs of a sandstorm began to materialize earlier that day. He had to periodically crawl down the narrow passage leading to the entrance and clear away the sand to avoid suffocation and death in the night.

Robert rummaged through his pack and pulled out a burlap sack of roasted chestnuts, which he began to munch on.

The sound of some of his favorite treats being consumed roused Camanco from his sleep. The grey-maned baboon clambered onto Robert’s armored torso with excitement.

“Get me my wine, and you can share in the chestnuts, my friend,” said Robert with a smile.

Camanco bounded across the sandstone cave to where Robert’s wineskin lay and returned just as quickly. He put a hand on the bag of chestnuts and did not relinquish the skin until Robert had surrendered the snacks.

Robert brought the skin to his mouth with a meaty fist and drank deeply.

He regarded his captive, “I’d offer you some, but you’re not going to catch me feeding you wine like a babe.”

The captive smiled, “Well, I appreciate your notion of hospitality nonetheless.”

“Do you ever remove your armor, sir?”

Robert grunted.

“Not around wizards, I don’t.”

“Yes, it’s a unique set. Some kind of ward in your chest plate?” asked the captive.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” replied Robert with a smirk.

“Well, yes, I would. I’m rather bored, you see.”

Robert shrugged. He was bored too.

“Well, if you won’t tell me that, perhaps you can regale me with the story of how you became a wizard hunter.”

“That’s a long story,” said Robert.

“We’ve got time,” replied the captive cheerfully.

Robert sighed and threw his hands up lazily, “Fine. What would you like to know?”

“Well, sir, let’s start with where you’re from. Did they have magic there?”

Robert removed his gauntlets and rubbed his chin. Then he began to talk.

Entered by: 0x9A86…1586 and preserved on chain (see transaction)