Good job on this installment! Too short for my tastes, but good stuff here. There's some phrasing issues, but you can sort that out later.
It's nice to see Garrik finally taking the initiative instead of meekly following along! Oh, I admit he hasn't really had much opportunity to do so on the trip to Three Castle, but still.
When they get to the passageway it's not clear if it runs parallel to the dining hall or radiates out from it- which makes the placement of doors a bit problematic... you talk about a guarded door "at the far end of the passage," but then you also refer to a door "directly across the passage." Not a huge deal, just a bit confusing, and since I don't have issues with your plot in this submission, I've got to find SOMETHING to criticize! Jk.
Also... a sleeping Talonguard? Really? I thought they were supposed to be the elite. Falling asleep at your post isn't something I'd expect from them. Still, everyone's human, I guess...
I really like the way you're developing the use of the oclet- very useful thing indeed.
You've been working on your dialogue! Yay! The conversation between Laecin and Vardis is very believable, and very informative! Although, I must say, it would be very natural for Garrik to feel some fear of his own after what he's overheard, so it might be better for him to take a moment before he realizes that some of the fear is not his own, and is coming from the dog instead.
