Back to page 2
-----Four guards then approach and usher everyone through the large gate. Across a courtyard, they are led to the steps of a well-maintained castle keep decked out in the banners of Oakwood, Hearthorn and Altoria.
-----Inside they see the high ceiling of a massive entryway, which leads forward to the Great Hall beyond. The great chamber is dark now, all activity in the castle quieted with the lateness of the hour. The guards lead them to and up a large side staircase where they climb two flights of stairs before coming out into a lavish hallway.
-----As they are shown to one of the room down the hallway, Dalyor’s eyes gleam with an unmistakable delight as he looks at his surroundings.
-----The guards stop at one of the doors whereupon one of them knocks and announces, "Master Sol, your guests have arrived, sir."
-----In the next moment, Sol opens the door and as everyone enters, they see Raven, Rinda and Sarah with Sol. Also in attendance are the two guards, Romney and Abram. Two more people are also there and they likewise appear to be guards.
-----One is a man tall and slim of build. His handsome face is framed with long blond hair and a short mustache.
-----The other is a strong-looking woman with her hair shaved close to her head. She greets everyone with a scowl on her face.
-----Sol’s room is very large and somewhat accommodating even for this many people. The room features elegant looking furniture and a large cushioned bed. The walls have a pale red color that matches in with the woodwork. There is even a perfumed fragrance in the air.
-----As everyone looks at each other, the silence is suddenly broken by a forceful and loud sneezing fit. Everyone looks at the greasy-haired half elf who is wiping at his nose with a rag. "Sorry, . . ." he says in almost a whisper when he sees some glaring at him.
-----Runik rolls his eyes and grunts in a low voice, "Mayhaps we crack open a window in ‘ere."
-----"O' course." Sol moves to a window and opens it generously, letting the spring's night air in. He then looks critically at the sneezing half elf, and says, "Dalyor, why don't ye take a seat, wherever ye can?"
-----"I guess I'm not getting any sleep tonight." Sarah groans and slumps down on Sol’s bed, leaning against the headrest. "Couldn't we wait until morning to do all this? I need rest to learn my spells, without them I'm not much use."
-----Raven looks over the new group as they enter the room. Raven’s eyes narrow a bit when Krord enters the room, but Raven doesn't show any other reaction. Raven steps forward and says, "It is good to see you all are safe and sound. I was concerned when you left us, but I see my concern was not needed. I hear you kicked some dark cult ass. I can't wait to hear the details."
-----Raven looks over at the new group, "My name is Raven. I'm a woodsman and tracker." Raven motions over to the woman standing next to him, "This is Rinda, a friend of the forest and my wife to be. Good to meet you all." Raven tone is polite and formal.
-----"That's the friendly spirit." Sol flashes a grin...not mocking, just faintly desperate. The warrior looks at the new arrivals and says, "Well, ye may have worked it out by now anyway, but th' last part o' th' mission I was referring to earlier was Krondor. He's alive an' still trying t'stir trouble. He also happens to be down in Redmarsh, which means Lord Chamberlain Sarius' information turned out t'be correct. We've leart that he has control of a keep just east o' th' village o' Nox, with about twenty or so men-at-arms under him. I don't know if ye've heard th' same rumours or not, but we've gathered from a number o' sources that Redmarsh is in more chaos that Oakwood ever was."
-----At Sol’s words, the dwarf falls silent and looks down at the floor. He grunts as if in agreement with the young warrior is saying.
-----"Forgive me for speaking up, sir," the smaller human says to Seth and then he turns to Sol, "but I am Brandel Warnox, a former soldier in the detail patrolling the area of Grute in the fief of Redmarsh. Runik, Marast, Krord and I served together until our captain found our troop outnumbered by humanoid invaders. Ours was not the only troop forced out of Redmarsh. Our captain brought us to Oakwood; himself being too old to hold a command anymore and has hired us out as mercenaries."
-----Brandel looks around at the ones he named and turns back to Sol. "I know where Nox lies," he says, "the village is located on the river."
-----Seth nods as Brandel speaks. "Yes, these four excellent fellows are now my bodyguards and in my employee. If you think it may be necessary I shall show you where you can hire the rest of the troop, although these four stay with me now." Seth shrugs and adds, "I need protection."
Go to Page 4