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-----As they dismount in the courtyard, they are greeted by Rolanger, Gregor and the other woodsmen from Visp who had escorted the bandits to Oakwood that morning. Praise is given by the woodsmen, who begin to cheer along with the guards on the walls.
-----As the party enters into the main keep, Bradley waits for them by the doors. Partly healed but still heavily bandaged, the blond-haired guard expresses relief at seeing the adventurers and his fellow guards. "I have almost asked for my own court martial as I was about to steal away some of the guards here and return to Visp looking for all of you," he says in his familiar good-natured tone. Romney and Abram laugh shaking his hand and Shema even gives him a friendly slap on the back. The female guard then helps him back to rest and recoup more.
-----In the main hall of the keep, the party finds Sir Greene equally relieved at their return. "My Most Honorable Friends," he begins, "I prayed to the Seven Heavens when young Bradley did return this afternoon and tell us you had found the dark lair of the evil ones. With the greatest haste, I have been trying to assemble the most able-bodied ones to follow your route, but as I was about to send forth the brave woodsmen of Visp with an apprentice of our court wizard, you have once again returned with words of victory preceding you. Please tell me what has transpired."
-----While he listens, Sir Greene signals for the healers to tend to those who show signs of wounds.
-----Respectfully, bowing his head slightly to Sir Greene, Sol begins to detail the past days events. He does so with the clinical detachment of someone who has had to give similar reports, and even his speech mannerisms alter, "We arrived at Visp early last night. After meeting with Rau'Triel and determining where we would go the next day, we decided to camp out so that we could keep an eye out on the town. We were fortunate enough to catch a small band of brigands about to raid what they apparently thought was an empty village. They were then questioned and held till the next morning when we met with Rau'Triel. He was kind enough to organize to have the prisoners escorted back to here. The woodsmen Rolanger and his fellow men provided that escort."
-----"We then left for the cave we had thought a likely spot for the Dark followers to be inhabit. It wasn't far from Visp and we found another large globe of darkness waiting for us. Sarah Night used her last scroll of magical protection to allow us to enter the darkness unaffected by its harmful effects. After getting through the undead, we found the gem that caused the darkness and used the scroll's magic to cancel the darkness and the magic of the gem."
-----"The cave was now open for us to see, so we entered and dealt with some orc guards. Bradley was then asked to return so that you would know where we went in case things didn't go as planned. We then entered the cave and found a cavern where a ceremony was taking place. After a brief struggle the ceremony was stopped and we dealt with the high priestess, and those that didn't surrender or take their own lives were taken prisoner. We also found two of the men who work for another criminal inside the cave, seeking an alliance with the Dark followers. They also were taken prisoner. We now intend to act on the information offered by those two, and track the criminal down, as part of our mission."
-----Having finished the report, Sol adds, "Sir Greene, yer recommendation of Rau'Triel and his knowledge allowed us to find the cave. So thanks fer that. Especially, I'd like t'thank ye for providing us with yer guards. They were welcome company and proved their skill and use." Sol nods to himself and looks at his companions in case they have anything to add.
-----Romney steps forward, bows and speaks, "Forgive my boldness, Sir, but I am proud to verify everything that Sol Herron has said as the truth, not that ones as brave and noble as those we had the honor to serve with would need such checks." Romney nods respectfully to Sol and the others. "I have spoken with Abram and Shema. We request that we be allowed to join Oakwood’s noble allies and friends from Hearthorn on their mission to the southland. We would also request that Bradley be allowed to accompany us if he chooses."
-----The main hall quiets as Sir Greene and his advisors listen, focusing on all that is said. "There will shortly be a second small caravan of prisoners the Vispians are escorting to our fair town," Romney adds. "I would recommend a troop sent to the village to meet them. The people of Visp have done much to assist us."
-----"Yes, it shall be done," Sir Greene answers with a very pleased look on his face. "I shall also consider your bold request, Romney."
-----Turning toward Sol, Raven, Sarah and Rinda, the Knight of Oakwood looks at them first with a look of amazement and wonderment. He begins saying with a smile on his face, "My friends, first you come into our fair fief and take back a little known keep that was held by criminal elements associated with the dark powers. Now you come before me with tidings that the main source of evil has been vanquished from our fief by your own hands."
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