“Where were you—in the forest—exactly?” Pai demanded.
Asahi looked at the strange creature. Pai’s eagle-eyes were focused on his face. The sharp beak showed signs of age with hairline cracks and small chips along the edges. The vibrant colors of his feathers on his cheeks were streaked with gray along the vanes.
“To the east of where you were standing, about twenty feet away, behind a tree surrounded by tall ferns. There was a dead tree lodged against it, allowing for plenty of cover from the air and the ground,” he replied.
Pai grunted. “Excellent choice. What did you see before we arrived?” the hippogriff continued.
“I came across the troll approximately five minutes before you arrived. She was agitated and muttering under her breath. I assumed that wasn’t typical behavior. She ran h
