-----Raven motions to Sarah, "Now that our wizard has returned, Ravenhold's secrets will be discovered." Raven clearly is pleased that Sarah is able to rejoin the group.
-----Lady Evalyn closes her eyes and, for a moment, appears to be between tempering her anger and swooning. She steadies herself and, opening her eyes, says above a whisper, "So it must be."
-----The Lord Wizard raises his eyebrows and reacts as if seeing some kind of opening. Nodding to Lord Howrun, he says, "Very well. If all is ready, I can send them to the western border . . . now."
-----"NO!" Lady Evalyn screams at Zepharon. "You cannot take my daughter from me . . ."
-----"LADY SEER!" Lord Howrun roars, "This is not just a matter that affects your family, but all of the families that dwell in the Silvery Woods! If we do not defend what we have, we may lose what families we have!"
-----Lady Evalyn silences and casts a tearful glance toward Sarah.
-----"Erm . . . we'll need our mounts." Sol mumbles during everyone else's silence, wincing as he does, realizing that it's likely that Zepharon would have taken care of that anyway.
-----Raven clears his throat and then says to Lady Evalyn, "Lady Seer, Sarah has become a seasoned adventurer and has faced many dangers before this. She can take care of herself and she'll be with her friends. There is some risk, but what is life without risk? Sarah has a gift, to waste that gift would be an injustice."
-----Raven pauses and seems to be deciding wither to ask a question. Raven then continues, "Is there anything you can tell of Ravenhold or what type of evil we'll be killing?"
-----Lady Evalyn continues to stare at Sarah and seems as though she does not hear the hunter. Lord Howrun speaks up, answering Raven as if the hunter's question was directed toward him.
-----"Dartanian Sintor is the lowest form of slime upon this world," he says. "He has betrayed his King and the Kingdom. Worse still, he has no respect for the natural balance of life. He has taken evil humanoids into his employ and used them to direct even more deadly monstrosities into the Silvery Woods. I would not be surprised to find the cur cavorting with fiends."
-----"We've met some pretty low forms o' slime, so I guess if we happen across him, we'll take th' appropriate action. Fiends an' all." Sol volunteers cheerfully. The Gorian looks immensely pleased at the moment.
-----Sarah's confirmation of her rejoining the group had set things back on the path he wanted, despite the hitch in plans that had arisen. Sol's face plainly displayed the compassion the Stormbringer felt for the situation as he waited for the daughter to reply to her mother.
-----Sarah moves her hand out once again and this time places it over her birth mother's outstretched fingers. "Mother," she says softly. "Please have faith in me."
-----To the assembly Sarah says, "I cannot leave just now. I must spend time with my new apprentice and make sure she is prepared for the journey ahead." While Sarah's comment is legitimate, her real motivation is to spend just a few more hours with her mother before the group has to leave. "Perhaps you could help me?" Sarah asks Lady Evalyn.
-----Lord Howrun frowns though his expression is sympathetic. "I am sorry, Madam," he says slowly addressing Sarah, "I cannot afford more than a day's time. The army of Silvergard moves in four days."
-----He then looks at Lady Evalyn, "I apologize Lady Seer," he says, "I will need this scouting troop a few days' ride ahead of us."
-----He then swings his head toward Zepharon, further explaining, "The wizard has offered to . . ." Here the Lord of Silvergard motions clumsily with his fingers and hands while searching for the right words in his explanation, "advance them to the border."
-----A look of reserved acceptance to the situation comes over Evalyn. Sighing, she says to her daughter, "I will place my faith in you, beloved child." Offering a small smile, she adds, "Defending the kingdom, this is no less than what your father would have done."
-----Sol's eyes widen in interest at mention of Sarah's father, but as that is a very personal issue, he instead follows up on another issue. A quick glance at Sarah is followed by a puzzled sounding questions, "Yer new what now? Ye never cease t'amaze me."
-----Sarah smiles with quite a lot of emotion as Lady Evalyn gives her permission to leave. She stands up and walks over to her mother and wraps her arms around the older woman tightly for what may be the last time in quite awhile. "Thank you. I won't disappoint you." She says solemnly.
-----"Come back to me," Lady Evalyn tells her daughter as they embrace.
-----Sarah then walks to Zepharon and Veil and hugs each of them, giving her daddy a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you so much." She whispers to them. "Caranip did come with you, right?" She asks Zepharon. Sarah knew that Caranip was a very smart young girl and had probably been ready to leave for quite some time.
-----The Lord Wizard quickly tells Sarah, "Caranip will meet you at the arrival point." Veil hugs Sarah silently with tears in her eyes.
-----And last she walks to Sol and puts her arm inside his. "I'm ready whenever you are." She tells him. Sarah knows that the magnificent dress she is wearing will look a little out of place in some dangerous land, but truth be told it hardly mattered to a wizard what she was wearing. 'I may as well look my best,' Sarah reasoned.
-----Lord Howrun looks around at everyone. "If all is ready, I wish the Hunter's blessings upon you," he says raising his arm to his chest in a salute.
-----Pleased at having Sarah by his side, Sol smiles easily as he looks from Lord Howrun to Zepharon. To both men he answers, "Yes, we're ready fer what Ravenhold has t' offer."