The road narrowed as the ground softened beneath our boots.
Reeds clustered along shallow pools beside the trail. The breeze carried the scent of stagnant water.
Branwen slowed.
"This land grows less welcoming."
"Swamp-adjacent," Xan said.
"Everything is swamp-adjacent if you lower your standards enough."
Something small darted across the road.
Brown.
Round.
Fast.
It stopped in the center of the path.
Imoen blinked.
"…Is that a hamster?"
The creature stood upright, tiny paws lifted as if assessing us.
Then it squeaked.
Loudly.
Rasaad tilted his head slightly.
"That is indeed a hamster."
"Out here?" I said.
"Perhaps it is lost."
The hamster turned slowly.
Its tiny eyes fixed directly on Xan.
It squeaked again.
Sharply.
Xan stared back.
"…I dislike its tone."
Imoen burst out laughing.
The hamster squeaked once more—almost defiantly—then sprinted toward the reeds.
"It's running!" Imoen said.
"Yes," Xan replied dryly. "Most animals do that."
The hamster paused halfway through the grass.
Turned back toward us.
Squeaked again.
Then vanished.
We stood there for a moment.
"Well," I said.
"That was strange."
A tremendous crash erupted from the brush.
Branches snapped.
Something large barreled through the undergrowth.
"THERE YOU ARE, BOO!"
A massive bald man burst from the reeds moments later, sword raised high.
His armor clanked loudly as he skidded onto the road.
He stopped when he saw us.
For several seconds we simply stared at one another.
The man lowered his sword slightly.
"Ah."
He cleared his throat.
"You are not Boo."
Imoen blinked.
"…Should we be?"
The man straightened proudly.
"I am Minsc!"
He declared it loudly.
"Ranger of Rashemen! Protector of the innocent! Hero of many deeds both large and moderately confusing!"
He suddenly turned back toward the grass.
"BOO!"
The hamster emerged from the reeds.
It ran directly toward him.
Minsc crouched immediately and scooped the creature into his hands.
"Ah-ha!"
He lifted the hamster proudly.
"You have found them!"
Xan frowned.
"…Found who?"
"These warriors, of course!" Minsc said.
"Boo has led Minsc to allies!"
The hamster squeaked.
Imoen leaned toward me.
"Did he just say the hamster led him to us?"
"Yes."
"Yes he did."
Minsc placed the hamster carefully on his shoulder.
"This is Boo," he announced proudly. "Miniature giant space hamster and most loyal companion."
"Of course he is," Xan muttered.
Minsc continued enthusiastically.
"Boo has been tracking a villain!"
His expression hardened.
"A terrible ogre that terrorizes travelers along this road!"
Branwen exchanged a glance with me.
"That," she said calmly, "is precisely why we travel north."
Minsc's grin widened.
"HA!"
He pointed dramatically at Boo.
"You see?! Boo's nose does not fail!"
The hamster squeaked triumphantly.
"Yes, Boo," Minsc said solemnly. "You are wise."
He turned back to us.
"Minsc intended to smite this ogre alone."
He paused.
"But Boo says teamwork leads to greater smiting."
Imoen folded her arms.
"Your hamster said that."
"Yes."
Minsc nodded seriously.
"Boo is wise."
Xan rubbed his temples.
"We are trusting tactical advice from a rodent."
"A space hamster," Minsc corrected.
"Important distinction."
Imoen leaned toward me.
"Did he just invite himself into our party?"
"I think Boo did," I said.
The hamster squeaked.
Minsc nodded immediately.
"Yes, Boo. They seem trustworthy."
Xan stared at the animal.
"…The hamster just approved us."
"Of course," Minsc said proudly. "Boo is an excellent judge of character."
I sighed.
"Well," I said.
"We were heading that way anyway."
Minsc's grin widened even further.
"Excellent!"
He raised his sword toward the marshlands ahead.
"Then together we shall go forth!"
Boo squeaked triumphantly.
Minsc leaned slightly toward us.
"And when the battle comes…"
His grin turned fierce.
"…there will be much smiting."
Ahead of us, the reeds swayed in the wind.
Somewhere beyond them—
an ogre waited.