Fang would rather have gotten a start on the search in the morning, but the urgency in the girl's voice dictated the night's pace. His thoughts returned again, to his sister Elissia. Little Corea reminded him so much of her.

He snapped his attention back to the situation at hand. One thing that was particularly troubling to him was the mayor's reaction to the undead. He hadn't met the man, but he couldn't imagine anyone risking the safety of his town by suggesting very real threats were merely attempts to start problems. Then there was Corea's hesitance to say anything in the first place, as though she'd seen someone punished for talking about the situation. There was also the silence of Wortham to consider after Fang had mentioned finding the bodies of who it turned out to be two men of the town.

Fang never considered himself much of a thinker, though he greatly admired the Inspector General of Triseria and had even considered a position like that for himself one day. All he knew is the Inspector General Marshe would find the whole situation very strange. Very strange indeed.

Fang finished up the mutton and dumped the ale. He'd need to be steady for the task ahead. He rose to his feet and inspected each stall, finally finding a bucket of water that seemed relatively clean. He smelt it to be sure, and then took a handful and pawed at his face, wiping exhaustion from his eyes.

After a few moments, among the sounds of insects, he heard the delicate footsteps of the girl.

"Mr. Fang, I have the key," she whispered.

Fang smiled. "How did you get the key, I wonder."

Corea was silent for a moment. "Well, when he wasn't looking-"

Fang laughed.

"You did well, little one, though I'd have preferred you simply asked. Oh well"

Fang heard the rattle of chains and the click of a lock. The door opened and he stepped out into the moonlight.

"Alright, Corea. Now, you need to tell me everything. Which direction did your brother head?" he asked.

"Garen went off toward the old graveyard a few miles away, past the mines."

Fang took note, a graveyard could be a real problem if that was the source of the skeletons. It was not a guarantee, after all. Bands of Undead had been known to wander Beregym. Regardless, the graveyard was not a welcome sign for him, much less for young Garen.

"Alright, point me in the direction of the mines, and you wait here."

"I'm going with you."

"Like Hells you are, Corea," came a raised voice.

The wolf and the girl turned toward the source. It was Wortham.

"What are you even thinking letting him out, Corea? He's a stranger," Wortham said.

"He's helping me find Garen."

Fang took a step back from the pair, eager to absolve himself of the situation.

"I suspect that much, girl," he spat.

Corea crossed her arms. "Then why even ask?"

Wortham stared at her and then turned his attention to Fang. "And I suppose you were going to take her with you on some damned rescue mission?"

Fang raised his hands in front of himself defensively. "Not at all, now that you're here you can keep her safe in Gordhurst while I go look."

"That's bullshit!" she shouted.

"Language," the man and the beast both snapped at her. They blinked at one another in surprise.

"Well, it is your own hide you're risking. I won't stop you." Wortham folded his arms across his chest. "The graveyard is to the south, about two miles away. You can't miss the mine, so once you arrive there, you're about a quarter-mile away from the graveyard."

Fang nodded and slung his broadsword over his shoulder. He crouched on one knee and looked at Corea.

"I will find out about your brother, I promise."

She nodded.

"Listen, Fang," Wortham continued, "do be careful. Something foul is going on in the woods and I don't want you dragging it back here if you turn tail and run."

Fang smiled toothily at the man and his eyes widened a bit.

"Just point the way," he growled.