-----Sarah knows she still has to bring up the subject of Ravenhold, but it appears there are issues to be dealt with before she can get to what she really wants to talk about.
-----Raven says with a slight smile, "A little bit of leaping for joy would be good. I'd like that. It would do my ego some good." Raven continues, "Looks like we both assume the other knows what is going on. I haven't a clue. I thought you did. Sorry I thought you had the answers. My fault."
-----Raven turns to Lady Evalyn, "Sorry to interrupt, please continue." Raven's tone is matter of fact and holds no more anger. Raven seems to find some humor in this whole mess.
-----Glad that Raven moved to calm the situation, Sol finally said his own piece, "Raven has th' right o' it there. We're all a little confused, but ye've all got t'remember, we're all feeling more'n a little wound up right now, an' everyone has their own reason fer it. I'm a bit snippy myself, but until we've got th' entire bunch here, let's wait."
-----"My Lady," The Lord Marshall says, his voice heavy with frustration and agitation. "There is no disrespect intended," he continues as he gestures toward the adventurers and even toward Sarah, "However, your daughter is not . . . ."
-----"My daughter is MY daughter!" Lady Evalyn says suddenly throwing herself out of her chair. She clenches her hands into fists as if she is about to fly toward Lone and tear him apart. "She has as much right as anyone of this family to speak!"
-----"This I understand, MiLady," the Lord Marshall says, tempering his tone, "However, these so called friends of hers, claiming such an injustice done on their part." He pauses before continuing as if gathering his thoughts.
-----"Was not your daughter decreed kidnapped? Was not the Lord Wizard to be arrested for this crime to the noble family of Rushfen? Were these so-called friends of your daughter's to be questioned?" With an exasperated shrug, he casts a glance amongst the crowd in the chamber and adds, "Yet, they storm in here, with ragers among them no less, and complain that my men and I were doing our jobs in protecting our town."
-----Lady Evalyn remains quiet as she takes in the Lord Marshall's words. For a moment, she appears stunned. Oddly, she looks across the room toward Zepharon and Veil.
-----The Lord Wizard smiles while Veil stands next to him with her head down, her features hidden in her hood. He then nods and says, "The irony of all this is that all of you are correct. All intentions here are based in goodness; love, honor, responsibility. There are matters here to discuss, but they can be solved by calm words and some can wait until a later time. No matter what discomforts and affronts we all feel we have endured, this time is what we don't have much of. There is an enemy that we must turn our attention to and it concerns all of us whether we be wizard or warrior, hunter or lawman, rager or nobility, royalty or commoner."
-----Lovan screws up his face with disgust and mouths the words, "love, honor, responsibility," as if leaving a bitter taste.
-----Raising his hand, Zepharon adds, "If you feel you must focus your anger, then let it be toward me. For, in many ways, the root of anger and strife here is due to something I did long ago. But be forewarned, the intention was out of love."
-----Just outside the chamber door comes the sound of many booted feet approaching; perhaps announcing the arrival of Lord Howrun and his advisors.
-----"Well, before things really get started perhaps I should try an' clear some air . . . " Sol turns to the Lord Marshall, " . . . Cedric, I'm not sure ye understand where my problem wi' ye lies, but then we've given little cause t'understand each other. I've ne'er had any doubt ye were doing yer job, I just wish ye'd approached honestly. I also wish ye'd understood that ye weren't protecting th' town by keeping me an' my friends under guard an' watch. We aren't common criminals. An' fer goodness sake, stop assuming anyone who worships Strator is the same as th' next."
-----Thoroughly chastised Sarah shuts her mouth and resolves to keep it so until there is cause for her to speak again. She chides herself mentally for falling for Raven's feint and retreat tactics and realizes sadly that the 'uncivilized' one just beat her at her own game. While the speeches of Zepharon and Sol and Cedric surprise her, there is nothing she can add, just questions that she hopes will be answered once Lord Howrun shows up.
-----Like Sarah, Raven is content to see what is said next by the 'Lords and Ladies'.