The girl sat on a rock, her keen eye looking over the village below. She noted the small, conservative houses and simple but colorful clothing of the citizens. Taking a sip from her waterskin, Tyni spoke softly to the cat beside her, almost hidden in the early mountain snow.
"Think I'll find any information here, Qar?"
The snow leopard snorted softly and spoke in Tyni's mind. "Don't get your hopes up, friend. A similar shape does not make one kin."
Throwing the leopard a slightly irritated look, Tyni stood and stretched her lithe form. "I know that, silly. Its just that this is our only clue to..." Whatever she may have said was broken off when Qar jumped to his paws and lifted his head in the direction they came.
"Someone approaches." Qar leaped beside a nearby snowbank, invisible and ready to pounce at the first sign of a threat.
Drawing her daggers, Tyni called out, "Who goes there?"