Misshapen, distorted creatures of all sorts began to gather in the area. The loud voice appeared to have come from a rather annoyed orc, but the creatures around him seemed to be made up of an inhuman variety of beings. Goblins, a troll, but also creatures that one might expect to be less intimidating: elves, dwarves, even a satyr. There also were some anthropomorphic half-beasts, one appearing canine, others feline. One thing they all had in common was the greedy, wretched look in their eyes.
Tori hid in a crook of the tree and dared not move. She barely even dared to breathe. What had happened? What sort of Grimm's fairy tale or Lewis Carroll nightmare had she stumbled into?
"This place reeks of his scent!" the wolfish creature snarled. "Furken definitely came back, but where he went, gods only know. Maybe he wanted a taste for himself!"
"That little toad! If he damages the merchandise I'll hang him by his pointy green ears!" The orc growled, then glared a the other two goblins in the party. "Don't you be getting any ideas; once that little rat is found, I'll make sure he sets a good example for you!" The goblins hissed at the orc but seemed adequately intimidated.
Toni had to fight to keep herself from trembling. She had tussled with the goblin, which she assumed was Furken, and was probably covered in his scent, let alone the fact that she had stripped him of his belongings. She prayed to whatever gods existed in this messed-up world that the half-beasts wouldn't somehow sniff her out.
"Let's move on to the next portal!" The orc finally barked, obviously frustrated. "We got enough to do tonight without searching for that harpy's turd! But once the quota is filled, see if I don't tear Furken limb from limb!"
To Tori's relief, the odd company began to move away, although she dared not move even after the torch was far out of sight. She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but when there was no sound but that of the breeze through the leaves, Tori finally shimmied down the tree, deciding to...