#anywhere

Brekke has hunted, both in her mortal years before she knew herself and later as her truer nature. She hunts now, seeking signs of passage, not hurrying exactly but aware that her quarry may be moving faster than she is.

She knows the way the earth leaves its spies when folks walk. Yet whoever did this is a hunter too. It's not easy, but this is HER turf

She does pause and hold a quick, whispered chat with her surroundings now and then to make sure of her bearings and get what other details she can. She does not have her axe in hand. Not yet.

Whispers and ways, every leaf her agent, every flower bloom of spring a loyal citizen of he season, redcap, they whisper... this way, they hint. Careful.. they warn.

She heeds them and nods her thanks. She is a troll; silent passage is not her strength, but she can be quiet enough, especially as she has such good guidance.

And sure enough, she hears a voice "Magic spade! Magic space. I do command his of you. Another hole 10 foot deep, big enough for a centaur or two"

A scowl, and she moves closer, slowly, carefully.

And the shoveling sounds begin, earth being up turned

She pauses and quietly pulls off a branch of young willow (a silent apology for her need), and as she approaches, she twists the flexible plant into a series of knots, a tangle. And when close enough, she silently tosses it towards the redcap, aiming to Ensnare him in the surrounding undergrowth.

As she moves to throw, she steps into the tripwire she failed to notice. It wraps around her starting to twine, tiny chimerical hooks latch into her body

She has only a moment to keep it from wrapping about her entirely

A quick STOMP to Hopscotch up and away from it. No time to plan, so it's likely to be a loud landing.

The hooks will tear at her, but she can bear it.

And she does, it rips at her but she can take scratches or even tears

Healing will be later. Right now is the plummeting...and hopefully she can land on the 'cap and surprise him.

Now clearly she sees a magic shovel digging on i's own and with uncanny speed. And there's a redcap, male, large, and with a hoodie of sanguine. She is in luck.. for the shovel crunches and masks her own sounds

A moment of inspiration, and she puts one of Clem's lessons into action quickly...a twist and turn in the air to Elderform into a hawk.

A large one.

And she unfurls her sudden wings to carry her in a dive and a low run to catch the shovel and carry it off!

"NO!" The Redcap yells in despair!

Away and gone, fast. She can come back for the redcap, but the instrument of his destruction needs to be removed first.

A quick flight to Lake Tappan, and....sploosh!

Somewhere, Gerd sits upright "it wasn't me" And then blinks and wonders why she felt the need to say that

It seems Brekke has learned a thing or two from certain Old Men about where bad things ought to be dropped.

She wings back towards the 'cap while the cantrip holds out.

And it is glorious, to be a great hawk! She can see for miles!

Absolutely stunning! And...distracting. Flying this way, instead of on the ship, is very...different.

And yes, she can see the redcap. He's breaking into a run.

Oh, is he? Not for long, he isn't. She stoops, diving at him, sharp talons reaching forward at the last moment to catch.

She spears him in the shoulder blades! And has him. He twists trying to bite her

And she transforms back into her true form. He may not do so well with an 8' troll suddenly standing upon his shoulders.

"Let me go or I'll rip your nose off and spit in the hole"

"Will you?" She grabs his hair and slams his face in the ground once. "Do not threaten me again. You are in my barony, violating my land and harming my people."

She drives him down, and his nose splatters blood and his face in the dirt.. he groans

"Look, I'm a hunter, a trapper, it's what I do" He mumbles, face still down

"You do not hunt and trap fae," she corrects. "Chimera, yes. Fae, no."

"Who are you? Your name."

"Clashlyk" He says with a grunt "And she'd be treated well. I was TOLD that"

She pauses. "Who are you hunting for?" she asks, her tone getting lower.

"Centaur girl... or do you mean who hired me?"

"Yes, yes, who hired you?" Impatient and angry Gwydion.

"If I tell you, you let me go? Maybe give me my shovel back?"

"If you tell me, I will show you where your shovel is. You will then be banished from ever returning to Rivervale. Do you understand?"

"Yes. Fair." he grunts

"More than you deserve. Tell me."

"His name is Glorian Leech. Anyone who brings him centaurs is to be granted a fortune. I could gget a million dollars, or a potion that cures all ills they say, or a damn sword that sings and fights for me"

She makes a disgusted noise. "You are truly a fool if you believe anybody who would make such an offer would deal fairly with you. Stand," she says, releasing him enough so he can get up.

He stands and groans "Say what you want. Others will come"

"Perhaps. If they think there is profit in it. But I guarantee you that if you try again, you will pay a greater price than you had ever hoped to earn. Walk that way," she points in the direction of the lake...they probably have a half-mile or so to go.

She stays behind him.