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-----At first Raven looks angered by Sarah actions, but then Raven lets out a sigh, "You are free to do what you want Sarah. I wish you would try to turn the other cheek and work with the group." Raven pauses to collect his thoughts, "Okay Sarah, we'll keep a look-out for you at Oakwood. Safe journey." With that Raven stands there and watches Sarah leave.
-----Repe’ then moves Sarah towards the door before any more words are exchanged. Quickly they are gone in the darkening evening light.
-----As Aaron and Sarah disappear through the door, Rinda puts her arms around Raven’s neck and lowers her head on his chest. "My hunter," she says softly as if the heated exchange took the energy from her, "what do we do now?"
-----Raven holds Rinda in his arms, "We'll have to put our faith in the Hunter's will to change our path. I thought this might happen, Sarah been acting odd for quite some time. Maybe it’s for the best that we go on without her. The Hunter will make our paths cross again when the time is right." Raven cups his hand under Rinda’s chin and gently tips her head back so he can see her eyes, "With you by my side Rinda, I have no doubt this hunt will be a success." Raven leans forward to kiss Rinda.
-----Two hours later, Raven and Rinda still sit inside the tavern. Outside the sun has set and the village gets dark. A few other customers have come in and quietly enjoyed drinks. The large woman behind the bar keeps quiet although she has kept a suspicious eye on the two hunters.
-----Finally Rinda looks up at Raven and says, "I wish Sol and the others would return. The Hunt has been slowed enough."
-----She begins to get up when a strange look crosses her face. She stares at Raven’s face as if trying to catch her breath. She then straightens and with a look of shock tells him, "Something is wrong, terribly wrong . . . out there!" She points toward the door. "By Thales, Raven, I don’t know how I know, but I do!"
-----Raven says, "Damn, I should have went with 'em." Raven says to Rinda, "Let's go!" Raven bolts for the door.
-----The pair burst out of the tavern quickly mounting their horses. The wolf stands alert beside them as Rinda looks around searching for any scent of danger in the air. In the village, the tiny twinkles of candlelight are spotted here and there from the windows of the various homes.
-----Looking across the center of the village, there appears to be some kind of excitement close to the temple. A wagon pulls up in front of the building. In the dark of the night, Zan can be seen hurriedly coming out of the temple and climbing into the wagon with the help of two others.
-----The two men seat themselves in the front of the vehicle as one of them takes the reins and urges the horses to move. As they start, the fumbling priest in the back of the wagon falls down failing to find a seat quick enough. The wagon moves to the east toward the trail road that runs out of the village.
-----Raven and Rinda follow the wagon, which travels a short distance down the trail before turning off to the side beside another small tavern. The transport makes for a larger building a few yards behind the tavern that appears to be some type of storage warehouse.
-----At the entrance to the small storage building, a man stands waving those in the wagon inside. As the wagon stops, the priest tumbles clumsily out of the vehicle, and with the two drivers, enters. Raven and Rinda pull their horses up beside the wagon and dismounting follow the others in the dark building.
-----Inside the building, the two hunters see many rows of boxes, crates and barrels. Following the commotion, they move to a place behind some crates off to one side of the building. There it is illuminated by a couple of torches mounted on posts. As Raven and Rinda approach, they can see the priest kneeling beside a person’s body on the floor. The two drivers and another laborer stand around.
-----Rinda pushes through the drivers and Raven can see that the person down on the floor is Sarah. The young sorceress looks as though she has been at death’s door. Even in the torchlight, it is apparent that the girl’s color is very pale and what consciousness she has is very fleeting.
-----Zan prays over the girl and calls upon the God of Justice to heal her and keep her from harm. Rinda immediately kneels on the other side of her waiting for the priest to finish his blessing. "Sarah, can you hear me?" the huntress finally asks, but Sarah seems barely able to give a response of any kind. Raven happens to notice that sitting on one of the boxes nearby is Sarah’s owl. The owl sits quietly watching over all that is happening.
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