The four limb took a few steps away from their big door towards us. "Child, that thing'll be tearin ya limb from limb if you ain't gettin over 'ere now!" Right after saying this he pulled what looked like a sheep horn from his belt and blew into the narrow end. A bleating note sounded loud enough to be heard by most of the four limb hive. I picked up startled warbling and the sounds of footsteps from behind the wall. This was escalating too quickly, feeling threatened I reared upon my hing legs standing at full height to show strength and defense. Surely the four limbs couldn't misunderstand that much.

     The four limb stiffened and raised his tipped stick towards me, halting his advance. Even at my full height I was slightly shorter than this bigger four limbs, but at least he seemed to understand the posture. "Don't ya dare be pokin that spear at Opal you big oaf! He saved my life from bandits not a tenday ago and ya got the nerve to be wavin yer stick at him?" With this the man faltered slightly but quickly regained composure. "What reason would a wood haunt save yer sorry arse fer? They stay to their wood and their great hill, we ain't ever seen one beyond their territory, now one come trouncing up ere with a child at it's arm? Summin's very wrong." Right as the bigger four limb finished the great doors swung partially open to admit four more of the larger four limbs. 

     They all carried the sharpened sticks except for one. The Musk of their fear and aggression was thick in the air, easy to pick up. It reeked from all of them except the one that carried no weapon. The unarmed one had long grey hairs and bristles dangling from his face and head, marking him as a male, but also an older one judging by coloration and how he carried himself. "Oli put yer damn spear down!" The grey four limb barked at the bigger four limb who first contacted us. Glancing back the first stammered "But sir it's a wood hau-" The grey one cut him off "I know damn well what a blasted wood haunt looks like you uppity arse! Put. The. Spear. Down." His tone was low and held promise of retribution. Reluctantly, and with taking a few steps back towards the other four limbs, the man pointed he spear away and adopted a nonthreatening stance.

     The grey one took a few steps forward and said "Child, do you know why this wood haunt has followed you here?" Kip replied "He said he had to take me to my kind. Wasn't safe w'him in the woods fer too long." The grey one's bushy patches of bristles above his eyes rose. "It spoke to you?" "Of course he did. An' his name's Opal, he saved my life. I'm thinkin he deserves a lil more respect than being treated like'a goblin come to knock down yer door!" Kip exclaimed face reddening in frustration. Seeing my introduction I decided now was the time to speak. I hummed "I meant no harm, nor will I harm any of you. Kip needs the protection of her own kin. I am only one and can only keep her safe for so long." At my voice most of the four limbs started and took a few steps back. All except the grey one.

     The old four limb drew himself up a bit and said "That was a most noble thing of ye to undertake, er, Opal was it? Yes. But why would you ever be alone? Wood haunts move in scores, if not hunneds upon hunneds when they try ta do summin." The grey one waved his forelimbs in an apparent gesture of dismissal. "Nay, ye can answer questions if ye will after we return the hospitality ye showed this lil'un. My name's Ob'haad Brooks, old ranger and town elder who keeps the town guard from fallin on their spears." As he finished a slight chuckle ran through the group of four limbs. He continued. "Well Opal, you are now guest and visitor to Gevin's Hedge. Welcome and good tidings to our first wood haunt visitor." With this he turned and walked back to the group, which set about opening the large door to admit our entry.

     Kip seemed to sag in relief as we began our approach. "I thought fer sure they were gon' try to stick ya. But we made it!" I looked upon the hive as we crossed the threshold into the grounds of the four limbs. I had no memories of any of my kind ever setting foot in a four limbs hive, much less trying to broker a peace with them. This was all completely new experience, and I felt fear at walking into a huge pact of these creatures. But I needed to get Kip back among her kind, and get them to take care of her. So I steeled myself, and followed Kip into the lair of the four limbs.