Talia and Elendil lead Brother Landrau to the little hilltop where Old Sam's arm was last seen.
The snake is lethargic from its earlier meal, but Talia does finally coax it out of her sleeve. She indicates a smear of dried blood on a rock that you all assume came from the missing arm. She tries to interest the reptile in exploring it further, but it simply coils up in the sunshine and flicks the air with its tongue.
The cleric can't quite manage to conceal either his distaste or his mirth.
After a few more failed attempts to put the snake on the right trail, Talia finally decides it's time to cast her spell. The others look on while she she chants her mystic words and gestures at the animal. Sprawling on her stomach she meets the creature nose to nose. It hisses at her. She pauses for a moment and then replies with a bizarre, inhuman hiss of her own. This exchange continues for some time.
Meanwhile, Landrau turns to address Elendil. "Tell me more about your experience with the elves. I've never seen them myself, but every report I've heard contradicts yours. You found them to be noble and awe-inspiring? Not vicious savages?"
Elendil's eyes open slightly in surprise.
"Vicious savages?!? Completely to the contrary! I felt I was the lesser being: tall, regal individuals. I shall never forget the day that my wife and I met the elves. When they spoke, their language was so beautiful, magical. I have journeyed this long way here to find them again to see them again and repay them for the gifts that they shared with us. Perhaps there are differences between tribes or even races of elves."
Elendil drew an arrowhead from his pouch. "Here is one of their arrowheads. It is rough and stone, not steel like ours, but still, and I believe Talia would agree with me on this point, our idea of what is most advanced and civilized may not match another race's understanding. I found them to be heart warming and generous in bestowing their gifts on others."
Talia has no real liking for the snake. It is one of nature's children, and so to be respected and honoured, but Talia exults in warmth and life, whereas the snake deals coldly in death. Still, it is necessary for her purposes that she converse with it. And so, meeting its gaze, she instructs it to follow the trail left by the creatures who passed this way with the arm, at a speed that she, Elendil and Landrau can follow. Then, when this task is done, she will return it to rock and river.
Hopefully the snake will find and follow the trail. If not, then she will cast her gaze about for some other, less recalcitrant creature, a crow or bird, perhaps, who can be used to spy out the trail.
John: It is not specified in the Animal Friendship spell, which simply says it is permanent, but I'm assuming Talia can negate the effects of her own spell at some point if she wishes?!
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