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-----Raven seems to become one with the forest around him. The brush and branches hardly stir as he makes his way through. Carefully he edges closer to the stronghold moving to his left. The wolf silently mimics his master, padding softly as it can behind Raven.
-----Raven creeps up to where he can see the stronghold now. The wall surrounding the keep seems aged but it shows signs of recent repair. Its defenses appear to be solid and there appears to be no sign of crumbling or weakness in the wall. Every now and then, he catches a glimpse of a head peeking over the top of the battlements glaring into the surrounding forest. Raven ducks down each time avoiding the scanning eyes.
-----Raven makes it around to two other positions and makes the same observations. It appears the wall is strong and by this time, Raven estimates the place is populated by about a dozen alert humans.
-----Just as he is ready to head back to Sol, the hunter sees another head bob up from behind a battlement with a drawn bow in the hunter’s direction. A thought of rage crosses Raven’s mind. How could he have been spotted when it was apparent the Great Hunter was truly with him?
-----Then a shock of realization comes too late to Raven as the archer lets the arrow fly. The missile sails in his general direction but not at Raven. Even before the heartbreaking yelps begin does the hunter realize what has happened! The wolf has taken the arrow in the back leg and in its pain, the animal runs off limply back into the trees. Its cries come back to Raven mournfully as it moves through the forest.
-----A few moments later, two humans stand fully up behind the high wall with stunned looks. Grins then cross their faces as they look in the direction of the distressed yelps. "Ay," one laughs at the other, "me thinks ya bagged a wolf or coyote thar!"
-----Raven stares at the man who shot the wolf and burns that man's face into his brain. Justice would have to come later.
-----Raven quickly moves back into the trees to find the wolf. The animal has stopped its crying but continues to whine as it limps around. Finally Raven catches sight of it as the wolf tries to get comfortable by a tree. It attempts to sit but the pain jerks it back to its feet. The wolf then turns trying to reach its wound to lick.
-----Raven approaches and the wolf looks up at him pitifully. It whines lowly as Raven comforts the wolf and takes a look at the wound. The hunter picks up the wolf and moves deeper into the woods, just to make sure no one can see them.
-----Finding a safe location behind some bushes, Raven takes a look at the arrow and determines that the arrow might be too deep. It will have to wait for Rinda to look at.
-----Just then, Raven is aware of some movement between his position and the keep. There, carefully moving behind some bushes is Sol checking out the castle. He doesn’t seem to be aware of where Raven is.
-----Sol begins to carefully shift in his position looking for a place where he can keep an eye on the gate without being seen by the guards. Looking around, he suddenly senses someone a few yards back behind his position.
-----It is Raven! When the hunter is within six feet of Sol, he says, "Careful friend, they have highly skilled archers. The wolf took an arrow, I need to bring him to Rinda." Raven's face shows a simmering rage building. "Let’s get the others and then take these bastards down."
-----Turning to glance at the keep, the guards behind the wall maintain their vigilance, not giving any sign of coming out.
-----"Blast it." Sol curses yet again, "I'd hoped that it wasn't yer wolf. Right then, let's get 'im back t'yer huntress." He walks with Raven till he gets to Thunder, where he turns to Raven and adds, "This area has sure gone t'hell if a bunch o' miscreants can hold up in a place like this an' not be taken down by the local lord."
-----Moments later, Sol and Raven ride back toward where they left the rest of the party. The ride is slower so that the ones in the keep do not detect them. Also, Raven has the wolf lying across his horse in front of him. The animal tries to lie as quietly as it can and every now and then it whines and licks at Raven’s hand.
-----After riding for a few minutes, they hear ahead of them the hooves of horses moving toward them. Suddenly, Rinda appears from between the trees followed by Sarah, Kazel, Seth and the Dread Pirate.
-----As she rides toward Raven and Sol, Rinda greets them with a look of concern seeing the condition of the wolf. Leaping down off her horse, Rinda helps Raven lower the wolf to the ground. As the wolf struggles somewhat in pain, Rinda manages to ask Raven quickly if he or Sol had been hurt. When Raven tells her that they are not injured, the huntress falls to inspecting the wolf’s wound.
-----"Hmm," Rinda says, with thoughtful concentration, "I think healing the wolf will be the easy part. The hard part will be removing the arrow. Hold onto him tightly, Raven."
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