The Third of Solentide, D.Y. 500
-----The next morning was gray and overcast with a moderate breeze blowing through the fields. The air felt warmer between the brush where the wind was blocked. The hope this day was perhaps word or the arrival of their missing companions.
-----It was in the middle of the afternoon as Whisper was refitting arrows and Jyan was intently studying a book, that Strolum strode into the camp.
-----“Ey!” the red-haired warrior announced happily, “Ye all kin look at what I was a’able t’flag down off th’plains!”
-----Walking behind him came Garrison leading his horse. The woodsman smiled broadly, nodding first to Raven and Rinda. Next was Sol, who seemed to walk just a little bit stiffly in his armor. Jeilin followed next, the Astral Priestess leading a black horse. Lovan, the storm priest, came next with a frown etched across his face. Finally Dilton came last, his raspy voice heard saying to Strolum, “Where be Pil? Did ye lose him on th’ way ere?”
-----Strolum clasped his hand on his fellow warrior’s shoulder and replied, “Nay, Pil be keepin’ watch o’er th’ village.” The smile suddenly left his face. “Them poor people . . . ,” he then muttered. “They don’ be a’standin’ a chance.”
-----Sol's grin is wide as he enters the camp, his pleasure at finding everyone whole and well apparent. Dropping Thunder's reins, he picks his way over to Raven to clasp the hunter's forearm, and a light, warm hug is offered to Rinda. "I'm glad t'see ye, all o' ye. Sorry it took so long... we had t'deal wi' something on th' way back, but we're here now." The smile begins to fade slightly as he heeds Strolum's words, "Come now, that's why we came, eh?"
-----Whisper remained intent on his task, frowning only slightly as the Gorian warrior and Strolum exchanged words. Sol Herron was right, though. At least about why the rest of them were here.
-----And he would leave it to the others to explain the situation. The Elf had ideas on what needed to be done, but that could wait until their planning began.
-----Jeilin nods to those she recognizes from before, but as soon as she finds a place to put down her pack, the priestess starts to survey the area, comparing it carefully with the maps found earlier. Though seemingly absorbed with her instruments, she does stay close by to listen to the conversation.
-----“Sol, It’s great to see you!” Raven says with a warm smile as he returns the Gorian’s greeting. “Some of us were almost thinking of coming to look for you.”
-----Rinda laughs happily as she hugs Sol saying, “Welcome back, you look . . . ” She suddenly pauses with her expression darkening. Seeing the dent on his chest plate, the huntress pounds on Sol’s chest scolding him. “Sol!” she exclaims before noticing stains on the edge of his armor. “Is that blood?” she asks angrily before pushing him away.
-----With her hands on her hips, she glares at him and says, “Get your armor off! You bring me more wounds to heal and wrap.”
-----Meanwhile Dilton continues to question his fellow warrior. “What we be up against in yonder village?” he asks with a concern look on his face.
-----Strolum replies in the most serious tone the others have ever heard him use. “O’er the past days, Whisper, he be doin’ a bit o’ scoutin’. Sez there be whole families bein’ kept prisoner there. Them hobgobs been keepin’ the families parted from each other’n. In one building, they be keepin’ children n’ maybe in another, they be a’keepin’ th’ old folks. Th’ young n’ fit, th’ orcs been usin’ down by th’river t’mine th’ gold out o’ th’ river. All these prisoner don’ dare raise a fuss or th’ hobgobs might torch one o’ th’ buildings wit’ family inside.”
-----Dilton closes his eyes and murmurs, “By Holy Joren!”
-----“Aye t’that!” Strolum says as he looks toward the others.
-----“We need a plan of attack!” Jyan says as the young mage rises from the ground until overlooked by the adventurers. His dark robes swirl around his legs as he stalks forward. “My family has suffered long enough.”
-----“Now that we are all here together,” Raven says addressing everyone, “we can work toward that end.” Looking at the young mage, he adds, “We need to figure out the best way to do this. I know you don’t want to endanger innocent lives.”
-----“Bah!” Lovan suddenly interrupts. “Let us bring the Fury of the Rager upon them!” Pointing at Sol, the storm priest says, “He has been shown the favor of the Great Rager!” Pointing at Jyan, he finishes with, “Many of us here feel the rage!”
-----Garrison remains silent as he seems momentarily focused inward.
-----Sol holds his hands up in mock surrender, though he takes a step away before the huntress can get her hands on him again, "As soon as I take care o' th' horses, I'll be at yer mercy. Fear not, Garrison has kept me from leaking well enough, an' Thunder gave me a comfortable ride."
-----At word of hobgoblins, the warrior's head snaps up and his face twitches violently, however momentarily. By the time the others have said their points of view, Sol is removing saddlebags and picketing the horses with the others. Only Thunder is left free from being secured.
-----Following Lovan's usual suggestion, the Gorian clears his throat and decides in a thoughtful voice, "Have no doubt Lovan, everyone will be doing their part, including you, an' th' Fury will be with us th' whole way. But I'm going t'need more details before any decisions are made. Th' local folk are th' key here, an' we are going t'do everything we can t'keep them safe. If the foe are all twitchy an' prepared t'fire these people, we're probably going t'need t'divide our forces, using a mixture o' surprise an' stealth. Um... obviously I'll lean towards th' surprise group, but we'll work that out later. So what exactly do we know o' the situation?"