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-----Seth eyes the door, from behind Sol, "Well I think ambush sounds good, Sarah. A combination of Grease, and Dread’s fiery oil about where you are standing, Sol, should take out a few of them." Seth then looks around. "Maybe our archers and spell casters over on the sides and Sol and Raven opposite the door, giving those denizens of evil a target. They should all slip over as they hit the grease patch and then Dread can fire the oil. And then Sarah can web them and Kazel can butcher them."
-----"Yeah, an ambush would be great." Sol says wryly, "But if they know we're here, an ambush is useless. If they’re havin' some sort of ritual or even some important meeting, then we can't afford t'wait out here fer them. You all know what we're dealin' with here."
-----He looks a little apologetically at Sarah and Seth, but the following questioning glance is directed at the hunter, "Raven?"
-----"That is true, Sol. Maybe we could create a really big commotion or sound or something to entice to heathens to come running out that door. If they know we are here or not, all we gotta do is make them run out that door." Seth seems a little bit nervous as he fidgets with the strap on his backpack, especially at the notion of going through the door himself.
-----Finally, compelled to speak, the Dread Pirate butts in with, "Shiver me timbers. By now they have to know we're out here. The sounds o' combat aren't quiet enough to be masked by a wall or two. If this be the only entrance, then I suggest we use it and use it now. I know if I were in there, I wouldn't come out fer hell and high water. They could stay in there fer days, whose to say how much food they have and if they have a back way out or not. And the longer we wait, the more likely they be layin in traps and ambushes fer us in there. If nobody else has the backbone to go first, then I will."
-----The Dread Pirate then charges the door, intent on opening it and rushing in, cutlass bared.
-----Sarah stands with her arms crossed and watches impassively as Gimplefwick charges into the building alone. "Looks like I won't have to kill him after all," She says somewhat amused. "C'mon Seth, let's check out that window."
-----Raven moves forward to block Dread and then says in a low tone, "Maybe we can try to quietly enter. It seems you or Kaz are best suited for this. Let's take it slow...okay? I think surprise is still on our side."
-----Raven looks over to Sarah and gives her the 'shhh' sign. Raven draws both short swords and clears a path to the door.
-----Having opened the door, Sol also had blocked the pirate’s path. However, his expression suggested that he wholeheartedly agreed with Dread's move. Again in mimic of the hunter, Sol draws his longsword. The warrior snaps a look at Rinda, his face showing resigned impatience.
-----Seth seems not surprised by Dread's sudden ‘charge once more into the breach'. He carefully makes sure he has a piece of pig fat in his hand, as he sidles over near Sarah and waits for the 'silent' attack on the door.
-----"We’ll both go," Kazel says quietly, nodding toward the Dread Pirate. She draws her longsword and adds, "We’ll take a look and come back. If you hear us yell, come in ready to fight."
-----Kazel and Gimplefwick then slip in through the door. As they pass through, a smell of some food cooking waifs through to the others.
-----Inside the door, Kazel and Gimplefwick immediately see a wide set of stairs that leads up to the Great Hall of the keep. The interior is dark but a fire appears to blaze in a fireplace somewhere shedding some light that shines over the top of the stairs.
-----The two rogues quickly go to the opposite side of the stairs and quietly ascend. Toward the top, they peer over the stair and see before them a large hall lit at one end by a fireplace. Long tables stretch across the center of the room and about a dozen armed men in leather armor are seating themselves. One man stands by the fireplace stirring something inside a large pot in the blazing fire.
-----Another man stands up at one of the tables and the two rogues hear a distinctive voice come from him. "The recent items we have taken from the commoners are to go to the keep to the Northwest. However, in light of one of the Crystals being recovered and agents of Hearthorn snooping around, it is in our best interest to perhaps move our goods on past Oakwood to the cave. At dawn, we will all gather up what we can and leave."
-----Some of the men at the tables grumble, being not fully awake in the wee hours of the morning. The man continues, "After you have eaten, some of you relieve those outside on the walls."
-----As the man finishes speaking, he turns so that the firelight catches more of his features. Kazel and Gimplefwick see a man with perhaps light brownish hair and a short beard. His eyes have a distinctive ancient look to them. Instantly, the rogues recognize him as the one named Woder and he holds in his hand a large crystal, which can only be the one that Sarah had taken from her!
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