[WSUCougar]

The travelers fell into silence as they progressed through the midday heat. Secure in his surroundings, the wemic led them confidently through the broken terrain, though the course varied this way and that as he traced familiar landmarks.

They were moving along a wide, dry riverbed – more like a broad, miniature valley speckled with thorny bushes and rock formations – when Puli noted the presence of a solitary figure tracking them from a substantial distance on the far right flank. The monk had trained himself well in the art of observation, and his spotting skills were outstanding; he doubted that the unknown observer, or for that matter the other members of the party, had noted anything untoward. Rather than instigate a flurry of movement or the flight of the observer, Puli spoke in a soft tone – first to Baldar and then the others.

“Gentlemen, do not change your pace or look around, but I have spotted an individual – at least one humanoid – who appears to be following us. It might be wise to prepare ourselves accordingly, although I am uncertain what our proper stance should be in this regard.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To the varying degrees of your skills and knowledge, you all have knowledge that nomadic tribes frequent the desert, wilderness, and wastelands to the east of Prytia. Your path is skirting that region now, so it is a likely explanation. Soriun and Puli would be less aware of this.