The road to Castle Wolfenstein

A well defined path etched it's way through the thick forest.  Fox attempted to spot the dragons as they moved deeper in, but he canopy was too thick.  Half of the group was still reeling from the Harpy's mesmerizing song.   They trudged forward in a slight haze.  The smell of decaying fruit permeated the air.  Large apple trees lined the path on both sides. 
     "Stay on the path, that layer of dead leaves looks pretty thick."  Fox stated as he examined their whereabouts.
     "More like a THIck DIck." replied Auren.
     Groth and Raddick turned and raised their eyebrows.  "I'm never sure what going to come out of his mouth next," thought Raddick. 
     The mood of the forest had turned darker and the smell stronger.  The path curved through the dying orchard.  Orange rays of light peeked through the canopy.  Night would be on them soon.
     Rounding a curve in the trail the group halted.  A large rotting tree blocked the path.  Auren studied the wood.  The tree appeared to have fallen due to old age, or at least someone went to great lengths to make it look that way.  He noticed minute saw marks near the base.
     "The tree is too large," a head popped up from behind the log, "it will be too much work to move this tree.  It is best to go around."  The man pointed to either side of the tree.  There was a faint path through the dead leaves on both sides of the tree.
     "What say you?" cried Auren.
     "I suggest that you travel around this massive eyesore." replied the hunter-looking character from behind the log.
     "I am aware that you cut down this tree, now who are you?" Auren demanded.
     The man smiled revealing a sparkling white set of teeth.  "I am Merril, a huntsman."
     "If you are a huntsman, then you will be able to tell me what kind of prey traverse these lands."
     The two bantered for a short while on the types and sizes of wildlife that called the forest home.  Quietly studying the forest floor Fox notices something amiss.  To the right of the fallen log  a well placed snare lay snugly below a thin layer of leaves.  It was large, too large for a bear.  What would they need this size of a snare for, other than a pack of wild eyed adventurers, he had no idea.
     "Oh, there are wonderful berries and fruits growing up near the mansion at this time of year." the huntsman carried on.
     "Which route should we take?" asked Auren.
     "Either way will work." the Merril smiled.  He eyed the travelers with suspicion.
     "I suppose we shouldn't go that direction," Fox stated as he pointed to the right of the trunk, "that snare would leave a nasty scar."
     Merril's eyes glared at Fox.  He stood up tall with a rigid stance, cocked his head back, and howled.

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