Hook Before Swan

Watching and Waiting

I'd been walking all day and still hadn't found my targets. The noon sun blazed wildly in the sky, the air was thick and hot. I look around for some fruit or berries for lunch but more importantly, water. I push through some dense brush after inspecting the tangle carefully for Dreamshade, just on the other side I find a small stream. The water may not be cool but water is water on this hellish island. I fill my small water skin and just as I am corking it I hear rustling upstream about fifteen yards. I quickly crouch behind a large tree with thick vines snaking around it.  A man then emerges from the brush.
"Here brother! A stream!" the man kneels on the ground sipping from the bearly flowing water. Just then a second man appears.
"Well done Killian! Let's stop here for a bit and regroup." So that's Killian Jones, interesting. As Killian and his brother make a small camp I realize how dark its getting. There's no way I'll be able to find my way back to camp at night and getting back through the thick wall of brush without making myself known would be impossible so I sit with my back to the tree and pull out my journal to begin making notes about the men who sit a mere twenty yards away.

Jones Brothers. Killian: Tall, dark hair, stubbly beard, early twenties Brother(name not yet acquired): Older than Killian, dark brown hair, has a position of power

I listen to the two brothers talk, trying to find out more about the islands new residents.
"We're close brother, I feel it. After a good rest tonight we'll make good time tomorrow and be back to the king with the Dreamshade by this time next week!" What the devil would they want with Dreamshade?!
"Aye, and you shall be seen as a hero by all the kingdom."
I turn to look at Killian, I see in his eyes how fond he is of his brother. I also notice how handsome he is with the firelight dancing across his face. I snap back to reality telling myself to focus. I know their here for Dreamshade but why? Killian said something about his brother being seen as a hero, why would a deadly poison make them heroes? Then I remember what Felix said, about getting off the island, these men could be my ticket off. But do I even want to leave? So far I've come up with more questions than answers. Tomorrow I'll have to go back to camp with something for Pan, my head aches at the thought of composing a story for him. I quietly lay down behind the tree to get some sleep before dawn.