#bergen_county

If they don't make a sound, the little grig plays that and many other tunes.

Dagmar is happy to listen for a good while.

Indeed, from 'The Minstrel Boy' to the Rambles of Spring.. and so on. Mostly Irish folk flare.. and sometimes it even sings along in a high pitched but not unpleasing voice. He seems a jolly fellow in his music.

Finally, after a forty minute free concert, the Grig realizes he's being watched.. and goes deathly quiet and huddles.

"it's the cricket in their nature" Klump tells her "I leave him be and he starts playing lovely music. A most agreeable neighbor"

"I'm sorry, little cricket. I didn't mean to scare you. Thank you for the music."

It stays huddled

Klump motions her to turn her head so she's not looking at him

Indeed, she turns Star around with a gentle hand.

"you're welcome" says that lovely Grigish Tenor

Klump walks with her "Don't make eye contact or look at him and he can talk your ears off if he feels bold. But eye contact? Alas, it unnerves"

"Good to know. I can do that."

A nod "I make sure no redcaps learn of him. The hungry ones would just not be able to help but torment him at least a little"

"It's not entirely their fault."

"There is one more chimera I would bring to your attention. It is dangerous... much like a redcap. It moves now and then... but you would not notice. It will be a threat to some"

"To whom?"

He leads her a good ten minutes and then... they find underbrush and rocks and amid it, A cave "To everyone. See that Cave? Ken it... and you will realize it is more" the cave looks inviting, the sort of place you want to take a flash light to and investigate

When she kens it, she realizes that's no Cave.. it's a CHIMERA

"It... eats people?"

"Like, lures them in?"

"Yes" A nod "When it can. Let me talk to him. Chawtawk! You are not fooling anyone."

And the cave..shifts

Glowing eyes come into view, the lichen and underbrush shift to cover cheek bones.. of a sort, and the cave closes to reveal it was always a mouth "I wanted to FEEED on the giant and you told. You TOLD, Klump, and we are stone both. You would betray stone?"

"You are no glome, Chawtawk" Klump reminds "I warned you if you did not stop feeding on people they would come for you. "

"But I HUNGER... and besides... they bore and dig and pry... greesy little people with no respect for rock and darkness. They take pieces of the Earth all the time. why can I not eat just a FEWWW of them?"

"If you are a danger to changelings, you cannot stay."

"I have a duty to protect my people."

"I do not often each changelings, though they are the most tasty. One. One a year." Chawtawk tries to bargain then says "A season. Just let me feed on one a season"

"I speak of changelings... humans are fair game. I enchant them... then I kill them. it is FUNNY Hahaha" Chawtawk declares

Dagmar frowns.

"No, it is not."

"Trolls have..." Chawtawk observes "No sense of humor. One kithain a season. One human a week" An offer

"No."

"Mm.. One Kithain a season, One Human every month" Chawtawk says

"Their Escheat says that they do not want ANY Kithain killed, you gaping maw. They call it the right of life. It is one of their most important laws" Klump shakes his head

"Well," Chawtawk considers "I didn't vote on this. No dieting without representation!"

"I do not enjoy destroying sentient chimera."

"Good , trust that feeling" Chawtawk says "And leave me alone. I move now an then around the barony, so I don't get tracked. Pretend you never saw me... and no one need know"

Brow.

"I said I do not enjoy it. Leave the barony, if you are capable of moving. Do not return."

"oh, sure sure.. I'll leave the barony as soon as I can. You have cowed Chawtawk. I will go far far away and never return" It says

It is also LYING. A lot.

"I see."

She dismounts. "Star, find Olgar. Bring him."

Star moves with speed no other horse can equal . Trusting her person will not die on her.

The fact she may not really give olgar much of choice will be amusing (And off panel)

Dagmar pulls Flyswatter from its holster.

"Careful, Little Thunder. " Klump warns "he's dangerous in a fight"

Chawtawk sees her draw the weapon "You do not trust Chawtawk? I am hurt."