From the underbrush emerges a scout and a boar woman dressed in cloth and a long bristly braid extending almost to the ground.

"Grul presents Singer Giba."

Giba bows, "You wish to see Ward? Come come."

She leads them to the edge of the ruins into a "room" filled with the remainders of cots.

"Many came to Quiet Man to find Rest. They are the Bounty of the Quiet Man and here was the great Evil from Charn hidden. I will see if Earth will show us. Back back, shoo shoo." She brushes them back with her hands.

Giba sits on the earth, bending forward and burrowing her fingers into the packed soil. Her Song is a harmonious grumbling, as if a hundred perfect stones were tumbling down a cliff face.

The Earth trembles in response, and begins to rise. A sphere appears to be rising from the earth, but it stops before it leaves the soil. A wicked red light emanates softly and the sphere quickly falls back into the soil.

Giba frowns and rises. "The Earth wishes us to know our Ward has weared. The evil of the device has chipped away the Quiet Man's guardings. We are but Wards...We do not disturb the Earth unless she wishes."

She scratches at her chin and looks at Yyrees meaningfully. Yyrees nods. "Yes...this would explain a great deal. The increased bandits and tree-killers...and even the behavior of the other Animas."

"Giba, can the wards be fixed?"

Giba shrugs, "Yes? Your Kraklaw would need to fix them; Earth alone cannot bind all..."

"But?"

She winces, "We'd have to pull it out...Earth warns could be very bad."

(OOC--I'm going to leave after this plot bit is completed.)