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-----It doesn't take Sol long to notice the problem. He moves over to where Sarah is seated and lightly places his hand on her shoulder, and says patiently, "Sarah, we're leaving for Oakwood now. Th' book isn't going anywhere...well, it was a mage’s book, so who knows what it can do, but..." Sol trails off when he realizes he's beginning to ramble.
-----"Okay, get me some too." Sarah says to Sol. She doesn't look like she is going to stop reading anytime soon.
-----Sol seems slightly taken aback and removes his hand with somewhat of a jerk. Slowly, a small crooked smile forms, "Okay then. I'm suppose we could pick ye up on our way through again." Then in order to get the mage's attention, the Gorian reaches down and carefully closes the spellbook that Sarah is reading. In a voice low enough only to be heard by the studying mage, he adds, "As long as ye feel ye can put up wi' th' company o' th' priest o' law fer that long. I'm sure he'll feel th' need t'question ye in great detail about th' days events, so I hope yer able t'get all th' reading that ye need done." Sol's simple smile shows that he isn't actually being sarcastic and that he actually means what he says.
-----As Raven, Rinda, and the three guards begin gathering their gear, Rau’Triel speaks up saying, "It has been an honor to have you here. May I inquire as to your anticipated timetable of when you expect to leave for the Fief of Redmarsh? Of course, all information shall be held in confidence until such time as when the importance of such knowledge has expired. It shall be secured in the case that unforeseen circumstances interfere with your intentions. That way, on the chance that your brave deeds result in your disappearance, your whereabouts can be investigated."
-----Rinda looks over at Sol and Sarah with a look begging for them to hurry up. Evidently the Huntress has had enough enduring the relaying of tales to the Priest of the god of Law.
-----Raven just looks over to Sol and lets him answer. Like Rinda, Raven has had enough of talking. He also wants to hit the trail.
-----Sol glances over his shoulder as he answers the priest of Maxim, "Timetable? We intend to go to Oakwood, see Sir Greene briefly, then leave again. It'll take at least two days to reach Nox from Oakwood town. From there, the keep is a short ride away. Though sticking to a timetable wi' this sort o' thing isn't entirely practical. Something always comes up." He emphasizes the word 'always' with a grin. The warrior then moves over near where he was seated for lunch and gets what little gear he owns ready.
-----Sarah physically resists the closing of her book, but in the end Sol wins. "Hey, what?" Sarah looks around, listens to Sol and shudders. 'On the other hand,' she thinks 'It is kind of gratifying to see Rinda take some of her own medicine.' Her attention is immediately grabbed as she looks up to Sol and notices his bandage. "What's that? Let me see that!" She says, moving too quickly for Sol to do anything about it.
-----"This will take but a moment, please, go over the battle and make sure you mentioned everything to Rau'Triel," Sarah says to Raven and Rinda as she rebandages Sol’s arm.
-----"We've more less covered all that." Sol mentions, unwilling to impede Sarah's work. He throws an apologetic glance at Raven and Rinda, before clearing his voice and saying to them all, "Hey, why don't you lot...get...the horses ready. Yes. That's it. We'll be out in a moment. This scratch is getting more attention than it deserves." He finishes with a mumble, which in turn is quickly covered with a grateful look to Sarah.
-----Raven, Rinda and the three guards go on outside and a few moments later Sol and Sarah join them. Everyone mounts up and begins to follow the trail that leads in a northwesterly direction toward the Town of Oakwood. As they ride out of the village, a few of the people who are working outdoors take a moment to warmly wave to the party.
-----The ride back under the warm sun is very enjoyable with the gentle breeze keeping everyone from getting too uncomfortable. A sense of victory prevails that is only spoiled once when the party passes by the barren hill over to their right. Here, Sol searches the sky hoping to catch sight of the magnificent creature they had seen the day before. His disappointment is reflected in his eyes when the only airborne creatures are the usual birds and insects.
-----Three hours after they left Visp, the adventurers ride out from the forest and come in sight of the great town walls. By this time, the sun is low in the late afternoon sky. Romney directs everyone this time around the eastern wall to enter the town through the north gate. This way, Romney explains, they would be able to reach the keep sooner without having to travel across the town.
-----At the north gate, they pass through and travel down the dusty street for two blocks to the keep. The guards who are about the portcullis seem very surprised and excited on the party’s approach. The guards usher the adventurers in while Romney yells perhaps a premature declaration of the riddance of all evil in the woods. Even Raven’s wolf is let in without any kind of protest.
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