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-----Cocking his head, he looks the young mage over suspiciously. Then looking her full in the face with his handsome green eyes, he bows slightly. With a strong tone, he begins to speak in the exotic language of the sylvan elves.
-----After a few moments, he stops speaking and casts an angry scowl at the adventurers and the woodsmen. The elves, most of who are battered and bloodied as the humans are, begin to back off toward the trees. They watch warily and defiantly for any that try to stop them.
-----Sol looks back at the man who spoke against the elves and replies in a neutral tone, "Have you not been listening? They are not responsible for the Dark magic. It's a plague on their very own dwellings. I asked you to lower your weapons. Now I'm telling you the next man to raise his weapon, raises it against Hearthorn."
-----Sol lets that sink in before continuing, "I realize things have been difficult of late, but we are here to deal with it. Please, if you have no more information of use to us, return to your homes. Spread the word that the elves are not the enemy. I hope they'll realize that you good people are not to blame either. Terrena be with you."
-----Kazel lowers her bow and steps into the open, standing next to the tree she was behind. "Tell us what you know of this darkness, and why you think the elves did it," she adds after Sol. She then yells out to the tall blonde elf, and speaks to him in the same calm voice.
-----"You’re lettin’ ‘em get away?" the man asks with a protest in his voice to Sol, "I saw them elves on my land. I saw ‘em raidin’ other people ‘fore too."
-----The man then lowers his weapon and raises his hand to show no further resistance. "Fine, if’n ya knows somethin’ I don’t and yer from the big town, ya won’ be getting’ no arguin’ from me. But this ah swears, if’n I see ‘em on me land agin, I won’ be a stayin’ me hand!"
-----Most of the elves stand quietly on the border of the trees around the valley while three of their number approaches the tangle of webs. None of the elves offer an answer to Kazel.
-----Seth recovers enough from his laughing fit to again make use of his parchment cone. He places it near his mouth and again mumbles something from his prone position.....
-----From among the Elves, it appears that one of them says something very loudly. The elves look around and then stare furiously at the party.
-----Next a voice chimes in from the Human side, "Arghh Mates, it is true the evil shadows are to blame, not the Elves. Let us do as this Champion of Hearthorn asks us!"
-----Meanwhile in the webbing, Gimplefwick has finally succeeded in poking his head through the mess. Spitting small gummy amounts of stickiness from his mouth, his initial reaction is one of anger. Suddenly it appears that he says, "Argh me hearties it is wise that you have decided to listen to my Captain from Hearthorn, for he has been blessed by the Holy Joren himself and speaks with the Authority of the Paladin Nylan Lotley. Is that not so my precious?!"
-----And from the halfling’s parrot comes, "pieces of eight, pieces of eight, Polly wants a cracker and a rum punch."
-----A look of confusion crosses Gimplefwick’s face as he stares at the bird on his shoulder.
-----Sarah turns to the humans and says, "Please, put your weapons away. You have injuries that need to be seen to and a great threat that grows stronger while you fight those who merely seek to escape."
-----"What ‘bout that thing there?" one of the woodsmen ask pointing toward the ominous Darkness enveloping the forest behind the adventurers.
-----Sarah looks towards the elves and speaks to them in their own tongue. However, the sylvan elves continue to free their companion that was caught in Sarah’s web spell. They carefully lift him out taking extra care not to become caught in the webs themselves.
-----The freed elf appears not to move as they lay him out on the ground. The elves glare angrily at the party and the woodsmen. Then hoisting the injured elf between two of their warriors, the elven host departs the valley, drawing weapons to watch their backs. Soon they are gone among the trees.
-----Sol slowly lowers his head and looks straight down to the pommel of his saddle. His eyes are unfocused, and filled with anger. He clenches his hands tightly and struggles to release them. Soon he raises his head, and the anger has apparently vanished. He speaks to the woodsmen again, calmly and confidently, "As I have said, my friends and I will deal with that." The look on Sol's face says it's clear there is nothing more to consider.
-----Seth moves the cone to his mouth and again mumbles something into the rolled up parchment. His giggling has almost stopped now and an almost serious look comes upon his face.
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