As the pair moved cautiously up the trail, they soon came upon a curious sight.  There before them was a half-naked man perched upon a tree stump in front of earthen buried hovel.

"What in the world is he doing?", Marren whispered to Lyranda as they watched the man from behind some nearby bushes.  "I'm not sure, but he appears to be dancing," Lyranda replied.  As both continued to watch the man, Marren once again whispered, "growing up in Myra's Cove, I heard tales of a crazy old hermit that lived in these woods, but I never really believed them... until now."

Suddenly, the man ceased his dance and took a seat upon the stump.  "You there, come out, I know you're there!", the man shouted, "if you're here to rob me, I have nothing of  value."  Stepping from behind the bushes, Marren and Lyranda slowly approached the man.  Speaking first, Marren addressed the stranger,  "we mean you no harm, sir.  We are just travelers headed to Crider's Blight and have no desire to steal anything."  "It is true, sir, we have no intentions of harm or evil," Lyranda added, "we will gladly leave in peace and not be of any more bother, if that is your wish."

"It has been many years since I've had company, other than the occasional bandit or Orc," the man replied, "especially one as beautiful as you, M'buri.  You may stay if you wish... but I warn you both, at the first sign of treachery, there will be hells to pay."  "I assure you, sir, we will cause you no trouble," Marren responded.  Curious, Lyranda asked the man, "you called me M'Buri, how do you know of my people?"  "I've not always lived here in these woods, I've been around," the man replied with a slight grin, "you might say I was well traveled in my younger days."

"Sir, may I ask a favor of you?", Marren asked the man.  "Hmmm, we have barely met and you request a favor of me...  very well, ask your favor, young man," the man replied.  "Sir, it is getting late and we have friends following us, might we set up camp here?", Marren queried, "I promise we will be no problem to you and leave at first light."  "Even more company," the man pondered, "that is acceptable, you and your friends my stay the night."  Rising from his seat, the man began walking to his hovel,  "well, since it seems I'll be having guests for the evening, perhaps I should change into some more appropriate attire.  You are welcome in my home, come with me."

Following the man to the steps of the hovel, Marren turned to Lyranda and said, "Lyranda, why don't you head back to the others and let them know what happened.  Bring them here, it'll be getting dark in a couple of hours and this seems as safe a place as any to spend the night.  I'll be alright here, don't worry."  "I will do as you ask, Marren," the druid replied, "perhaps you can find out more about our benefactor before we return."  "I'll try, but something tells me it won't be much.  Be careful going back, friend," Marren responded.  "I will, see you again shortly," Lyranda said as she turned to leave.  Watching the woman depart, Marren saw Lyranda transform into the great cat at the tree line, then with a small chuckle, "and I'm the one worried about your safety."  Marren then turned toward the hovel and began to follow his new host inside.

About a half hour later, Lyranda arrived at the wagons and began to tell them of the stranger and his allowing them to camp for the night.  "Did you get his name?", Petra asked.  Responding to the dwarf, Lyranda said, "no I did not, nor did he ask for ours."  "So, in the middle of nowhere, you two find a strange half-naked Jongtai man dancing on a stump," Cailin stated, "and he's letting us stay the night... I guess weirder things have happened.  Tell me Lyranda, do the spirits tell you anything about him?"  "The spirits seem confused," the druid replied, 'it's as if he exists, but doesn't... though they sense no evil or malice about him.  As Marren said, he is probably just a crazy hermit that is looking for some company."  "An old Jongtai man dancing on a stump, you say?", Lilith queried, "I wonder..."  "Wonder what, love?", Petra asked.  "Nothing really, Petra," Lilith replied, "just a long ago memory of my youth at the Mage's Enclave."

Addressing her companions, Cailin spoke up, "well ladies, sounds as if we have another mystery before us.  I have to say that since leaving the farm, this trip has been anything but boring."  Continuing her speech, Cailin added, "let's not keep Marren or our new host waiting too long, mount up and let's get moving before night sets in."

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