Hadrian stumbled again, tumbling onto the soggy ground before staggering up back to his feet. The young man's clothes were dirtied by mud, plant life and rain, having been running nearly nonstop after last night's attack. His body shivered from last night's rain and exhaustion, yet he pressed on as he'd walk down a small sloop. Tripping on a root, he'd curse out before falling down the rest of the way before landing in the middle of a trial. He'd groan from his fall, laying still as he caught his breath, not caring if he was laying in the mud. However, he'd hear something nearing him, the clop of hooves against soft earth and the creak of wood.

"Woah there!" The driver spoke out, tugging the reins to slow the horse when he realized Hadrian in the middle of the road. "By the Seven…" The man dropped off the cart, hurrying over to tug the young man up as he struggled to stand. "Don't push yourself lad, you look beaten as hell."

"I need to go…" Hadrian muttered, one hand grasping at the man's shoulder tightly. "Have to warn father…"

Looking at the man, he'd realize he wasn't a Riverlander but a Northern considering his full short-cut beard and gruff wrinkled face, fitting of someone who worked outdoors constantly. The man was dressed travel in a mix of cloth and leather clothes, though Hadrian noted the leather and cloth were finer quality then a farmer could normally afford.

"Slow down lad. Warn who about what?" The traveller supported Hadrian over to his cart, guiding him around to the back of it.

There were keg barrels tied up in the very back along with bundles fresh clothes and leather, no doubt for crafting or trader. However, Hadrian did get startled as he'd see a large dog resting on one of the piles of leather, a half-wolf hound with a deep black coat. It had been resting when the two arrived, opening its eyes to glance at its master and the dirtied young man.

"Don't worry yourself, lad, Garm may be a big one yet he's a gentle giant." The man assured us he'd ease Hadrian to sit down in the wagon. The boy shifted slightly from the wolf, who gave a low huff, eyes closing to return to its nap. "A lazy dog as well. Anyway, tell me who you are and what happened?"

Hadrian leaned back to relax, taking calmer breaths as he had a moment to rest. "My name is Hadrian Rivers, son of Lord Tytos Blackwood of Raventree Hall."

"A noble bastard?" Eyeing over Hadrian, yet he could see the hint of noble upbringing from his formal manners and literate speech. "What are you doing out here on foot? Take you about four days to march this far from the Hall."

"I was part of a group…a search party looking into disappearances. Whole villages have been found empty and travellers disappearing all within the inner woodlands." A sudden twig snapping had him tense, looking about nervously.

"Calm yourself Rivers." The man places his worn hands firmly on the boy's shoulders, calming him down. "I can tell you've been in a battle. You got that look…battle shock. Seen plenty of that in the latter end of the Rebellion."

"Rebellion? You fought in it?"

"Aye, but that isn't important. Right now, I need to know who attacked you."

Hadrian paused, gulping nervously as he'd glance down at his lap. "I don't know…they were these grotesques things…looked and sounded like women yet…they weren't." He'd take a shaky breath, hands trembling. "They killed everyone…the plants came alive…a swarm of birds…and the big one crushed Ser Cordin-" He'd hear those horrible screams, seeing how armour plate and bone was crushed with such ease. "It crushed him like a…"

"Boy, you're hardly making sense to me." The man quickly spoke up, voice firm yet having a calming command to it.

"I'm sorry just…the only way I can describe them…they were monsters."

There be a tense pause as Hadrian stared at the man's deep brown eyes, worry showing in them. "You're just confused. From what I can tell you've been running all night…in the rain none of the less." Sighing, he'd shake his head. "Not doubting you Hadrian, just hard to believe that is all."

"I know what I saw!" He sharply answered back before calming himself. "Please…I need to get home and warn my father. If a reward is needed I'm sure-"

"No need." The man quickly answered back. "I was heading for Raventree anyway, picking up supplies for my inn." He'd march around to the front of the wagon, pulling himself onto the front seat and grabbing the reins. "Consider this a civic duty, helping the lordship and all."

Hadrian was silent, surprised by the man's honest and selfless nature. "Thank you…umm…"

"Marcus Grames, innkeeper." He'd answer back before flicking the reins to get the horse moving.

"You'd a good man Marcus…father will honour you for this."

"Bah, never been much for such treatment." The Northerner chuckled. "Now you best quiet down and rest. Sound like your going to keel over if you keep talking. I'll wake you up when we night nears, and we need to make camp."

Hadrian nodded, giving a tired sigh as he'd lean back against the side of the wagon. His eyes closed at first, yet he'd feel something shift about next to him. Opening one eye, he'd see Garm had moved to rest his head on his lap, trying to offer some warmth and comfort to the boy. He couldn't help but give a small smile as he'd scratch over the half-wolf's scruffy fur before closing his eyes once more and drifting into a dreamless sleep.

Marcus glanced back, glad to see the boy relaxed for once. However, he was on edge for now as he'd glance about the woods. If the boy had been attacked, then it was most likely the culprits were close by. However, after hearing Hadrian's chilling story, he couldn't deny something was off about the woods…like some sickness was just hinting the environment.

"Just feels wrong…instinct never been wrong…" He muttered to himself as his gaze drifted to the treetops. He'd pause as he saw something very odd sight, a flock of crows perched in the branches of nearby trees. All of they're heads were moving as one, tracking his movement as he'd head further down the trail. "Damn it Grames…what did you get yourself into." He muttered, returning his eyes to the road, urging his horse faster ahead. Right now, he wanted to cover as much distance before nightfall which was only a few hours away.

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