There's been an attack

"Sir mage," Pel began as she ignored Aaralon and addressed Gerald. "There's been an attack. I'm sure the whole village is in danger and needs your expert advice."

Gerald waved a hand dismissively, "My dear boy.. Oh, girl, my apologies. I'm sure there are people better placed than a mage like myself to investigate rural climb."

Aaralon wasn't surprised Gerald had briefly thought the tomboy was a young man. Pel was dressed in the same rough trousers from the other night and same baggy shirt. With her short hair and total lack of makeup she was quite the character.

Pel frowned, stepping closer, "This is special, needs someone special like you, sir Mage."

He had to admit, she seemed two know how to work the hedge mage's ego.

"Hiya so?" asked Gerald without sounding interested at all.

Pel swallowed and then, in a much quieter voice, "Werewolf attack. Farmer dead; we found parts of him, all chewed up, out back. His wife is missing, probably totally eaten. Daughter, pretty girl, covered in blood, barely making any sense, keeps on taking about a wolf man."

Aaralon decided it was time to speak up, "You told me there wasn't a werewolf."

"Oh? So you two have met?" Gerald spotted the connection straight away.

"I was tidying the stables, met your servant, sir Mage," Pel was quick to respond first. "Never had a werewolf problem yesterday. Thought they were just a myth like pirates, demons or gnomes."

Gerald sighs, "Young lady; none of those things are myths. Pirates? Really, you thought pirates were a myth? Does no one in these outback villages know anything?"

"Should we investigate the farm house, master?" Aaralon prompted, unhappy to refer to the pompous man as master in front of Pel but curious about the werewolf coincidence, "An initial inspection will take minutes but we might learn something interesting."