They travelled along the road, meeting other travellers as they did. Most were Elven and were polite enough. Cleatus led the party off to the side to make camp for the night. The fire built and the party settled down for the night. Shaynen sat against a tree. Cleatus scaled up his tree and Haagut roasted his rats. Odelia volunteered for the last watch and found a little hollow to sleep on. Shaynen volunteered for the second half of the night and drifted away into a trance.

Haagut looked up the tree and called he was going to bed, catching the briefest peek of Cleatus between the branches. Wide awake and staring into the wilds.

It took less than an hour for the forest’s night to come alive. More glowing orbs came from between the trees and leaves to circle around Cleatus. There were more now, and Cleatus got the feeling there would be only more as they ventured further into the forest. But there was another thing that troubled him. In the dancing shadow of the firelight there was something moving. Multiple moving things. Cleatus watched them circle around the very edges of his vision until his watch was over. He jumped down from the tree and shook Haagut awake.

“I didn’t do it!” Haagut clung to the hat of disguise as he sat up. Cleatus shushed him.

“Keep a close eye. Saw something wander close.” He said before disappearing up the tree. Haagut looked out around the camp. He settled the hat on his head and hunkered down for his watch. His eyes searched along past the edge of dim light and caught sight of what Cleatus had seen. But there wasn’t one. Haagut counted the varying sizes he could see. Coming up with the definitive conclusion that there was more than five. All stalking around the firelight. Hunting.

Haagut moved slowly, finding a good sized log and casting a little hint of magic over it. Making it appear to get up and walk along the edges of camp. Wherever the tree golem walked the creatures would recoil back into the darkness. Haagut watched until the golem’s magic was nearly up. He dictated the golem to lay down as the spell lifted. Haagut slowly moved to Shaynen.

“What’s wrong?” Shaynen asked as Haagut neared. Making the goblin jump.

“There’s something circling the camp… at least five of them.” Haagut whispered. “Don’t make any sudden moves.” Shaynen shifted and looked out to the edges of the camp. Seeing the shadows as well.

“So you wanna climb a tree or risk being stabbed?” Shaynen said very levelly. Trying to keep his voice low and steady.

“I don’t know if we need to wake everyone else,” Haagut said. Shaynen frowned and looked at him through the corner of his eye.

“Is there something else you have in mind?” Shaynen asked. Haagut shook his head.

“I don’t. They didn’t like the golem I created but that’s not a permanent solution.” Haagut said. Shaynen nodded. Watching the circle close.

“They’re getting closer. I don’t want everyone else to wake up to being attacked. So do you want to climb a tree or risk a stabbing?” Shaynen said. Haagut looked at the tree Cleatus had climbed.

“I’d rather be stabbed.” Haagut said. “I have a better chance of surviving that.” Shaynen nodded.

“Create that golem again, it’ll give us a window to move quickly in.” Shaynen said. Haagut reached out and cast his golem up again. Keeping guard as Haagut and Shaynen jumped and ran toward their respective party members. Shaynen ran and leapt up into the lowest branch of the tree. Swinging up to the next and jumping from branch to branch dexterously until he was right below Cleatus. Realizing that trying to rouse him from either side could make him fall from nearly twenty feet up he reached up and shook him from below.

“Cleatus! We’ve got company,” Shaynen stage whispered. Cleatus’ eyes opened and his pupils turned to slits.

“What is it?” He asked. Shaynen climbed up beside him.

“I’m not entirely sure. Shadows hunting our camp in the dark. They’re getting closer.” Shaynen pointed below.

“They’re still there?” He asked. He looked up and saw more climbing around above and below in the branches. He saw an owl land nearby, he whistled and caught it’s large eyes. It flew over to land on his arm.

“Hey, I need you to go see how many and what’s circling our camp.” He said. “There’s some rats in it for you.” The owl hooted excitedly and flew out to the forest. Cleatus watched it fly, eyes trailing around to the ground. Then to Shaynen still sitting next to him.

“We’re. We’re up pretty high,” He said.

“Yeah, doesn’t look like Haagut’s gotten Odelia awake yet.” Shaynen pointed.

“It’s kinda impressive you got up here,” Cleatus remarked. Shaynen looked down and back up confused.

“What? Really?” Shaynen asked. “I climb trees all the time back home.”

“Right, but it’s just.” Cleatus stumbled. “It’s not. It’s kinda impressive,” The owl circled back and landed again on Cleatus’ arm.

The owl hooted to the Tabaxi. Cleatus nodded slowly.

“Six altogether. Strange fire.” Cleatus said to Shaynen. Shaynen stared at the owl and then back to Cleatus. The owl hooted impatient and tapped his talon against Cleatus’ arm. “Oh, uh. See. My friend down there has the rats.” The owl spread it’s wings and flew down toward Haagut.

“Hey, Shaynen.” Cleatus said. The boy was still staring at him very concerned. “Race ya down.” Without waiting for a response he started down the tree. Shaynen jumped down behind him. Cleatus hopped from branch to branch while Shaynen caught up and slid past the branches.

Shaynen dropped out of the tree lightly. Cleatus hit the ground heavily behind him. Haagut turned around at the sound of the two of them falling out of the tree. An owl burst from the trees and started harassing Haagut.

“He wants a rat, I promised him one.” Cleatus said. He walked up to the other side of Shaynen. “Shoulda known I couldn’t beat an Elf in his element.” He passed Shaynen who stared after him, then up to the tree. Odelia started groggily getting to her feet as Haagut threw a rat into the air for the owl who snapped it up and flew away.

“Wh’ss goin on?” She rubbed at her eyes sleepily.

“Strange animals. Hostile.” Cleatus said. “Look there.” Odelia narrowed her eyes and looked out into the darkness.

“I don’t see nothing.” She said. Sneering and tossing her hair back; “I don’t have your special elven vision.” Shaynen looked at her from the back of the group.

“I didn’t even say anything!” He snapped. Odelia narrowed her eyes at him and shook her head. The camp fell silent as the party looked out to the dark.