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-----Sol raises his eyes at Raven's words and answers carefully, "I just think that after we've finished here, the keep should be claimed by Oakwood troops rather than the Dark. Also the amount of prisoners we have could cause trouble. I said nothing about the cave, though now that ye mention it, why shouldn't the man be able to help stop the forces that are wreaking his lands."
-----Raven stops at the doorway of the kitchen and turns to face Sol as he speaks. Raven gives Sol a little smile and says, "I was just pulling your leg about you giving me grief about sitting. After all I gotta keep ya on your toes there, warrior." Raven looks at the kitchen and then says to the cook, "Come here and show me where you keep the food. Don't be tryin' to be clever, because you aren't and I am. Got it?" Raven pauses to see if what he said made sense. Raven then nods and motions for the cook to move.
-----The cook whimpers as Kazel releases him and Rinda drags him by the back of his shirt toward the waiting ranger. Rinda throws the man in front of her and she and Raven follow the cook into the kitchen area.
-----Woder, securely bound, lies on his side carefully watching everyone with an intense glare.
-----"Hah!" Sol happily exclaims. He walks to the end of one of the long tables and bends down to pick up a black silky bag. "Don't know how ye got it away from ye, Woder, but at least it's found now." He glances at the others and explains, "I think this is where he put th' crystal."
-----The Dread Pirate waves Woder's longsword back and forth in the air a few times, using both hands, roaring at anyone that comes close, "ARRRGGGHHH! I'm a crazed barbarian warrior!" He then hacks at a few shadow enemies with the black blade that is large enough to be a two handed sword for a halfling, "Back ye bastard yetis! By Crom's frozen niblets, I'll smite you all!" Then, apparently tiring of his sport, the Dread Pirate drags the sword behind him and takes it over to Kazel, "Arrr, how ye doin there, lass? Would ye be interested in tradin yer black shortsword fer his monstrosity? I wouldn't have much use fer this thing otherwise. It seems lighter than a regular sword of its type and it is this intimidatin color and all."
-----Sol eyes the blade doubtfully, commenting, "I wouldn't be surprised by anything about that blade. It's probably corrupted by the bastards we're hunting." Sol opens up the little silk bag and peers inside, in order to verify that the crystal is indeed contained within.
-----Sol nods to himself as he ties the sack back up. Walking over toward Sarah, he asks, "Do ye still want this?"
-----But Sol receives no response, turning to look, he sees the young sorceress is nowhere to be seen. Those who were paying close attention realize that Sarah has been missing ever since Woder first mentioned something about the love of someone’s life being captured.
-----Sol then ties the sack to his belt. The warrior frowns shortly and turns once more to the captive, "Hey Woder. Humour me here. If the Dark has a grand plan of placin' these gems on th' inside o' ruined keeps and th' like, then why did we find this one in the open forest not far from the road? You wouldn't be telling us a load of crap just t' save yer skin, would ye?" An eyebrow raises as Sol awaits an answer.
-----Outside the keep Seth, coming out for some fresh air, finds Sarah, sitting on the ground and sobbing quietly. Hearing Seth approach, she quickly gets up and faces him, her eyes red and wet. Seeing it is Seth she takes a few steps back and asks with a weary throat, "What did that bastard say about Aaron? Where is he?"
-----Seth unused to seeing Sarah in this light looks around and then indicates for her to sit again. Seth unstraps his harp and sits next to Sarah and begins to strum a light tune reminiscent of sitting on a riverbank on an autumn day listening to leaves fall into the water.
-----"Well Sarah, I guess he is more than just another Gorian." he starts off wearily. "From what Woder said Repe is still in the cave and being held by the dark ones. He has intimated that Repe will be sacrificed in retaliation, if we harm Woder. But I think Woder is just bluffing. How could Devlin know of the way you feel for Repe? We did not know!"
-----Seth plays a few more bars and then continues, "I guess this means we had better get to the cave and rescue him then."
-----Sarah sits down weakly next to Seth and listens intently to his words. Upon hearing that Aaron is still a captive, she starts crying again. "If I'm ever near Woder please keep me away from him." She says, between breaths. "I'm scared what I might do if I had the chance."
-----"I'll come for you, Aaron." Sarah promises to the night sky. "You know I'll come, just like you would come for me." Sarah turns toward Seth and whispers, "Sorry." She then attempts to dry her hands with the sleeves of her dress.
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