gallimaufry

On the fifth day, a druid and a cobbler (who were "just friends") fell in with the ragged band of survivors. So did a mahout with a haunted look and a nervous elephant. The day after, they found a baby by the remains of an abandoned camp site, alive, and guarded by a dog. Nobody had the heart to leave them behind. Three travelling minstrels asked to join them for protection at the last carrefour before the Old Wood. The party spend the night there and, after breaking camp at dawn, the whole gallimaufry plunged into the forest. A few hundred paces into the cool gloom, the jester, who was leading the way, stopped short at the sight of a little girl sitting at the base of the Big Tree. She had an unusual smile.