-----The new morning dawned warm, cloudy . . . and very muggy. No wind stirred this day and with the summer temperatures this promised to be the most uncomfortable day yet.
-----Looking out across the land, nothing seemed to move in all of Ravenhold and it seemed like one big dreary realm.
-----Sol took this time to bid farewell to those he took this watch with. Not only was he leaving, but five others were coming with him to find replacements for the southern watch. Those who remained on watch barely grunted their acknowledgement. Perhaps the weather was already affecting their demeanor.
-----Sol rode Thunder back into the village. There, he saw a few people, mostly warrior-types strolling about or stretching or maneuvering about with their weapons. Among a group of them, Sol could see Dilton. The raspy-voiced warrior looked a bit bleary eyed although he must have had a full night’s rest.
-----Sol guided Thunder towards his weary replacement, asking the man when he got closer, "Dilton, are ye able t'take th' watch? I can do a spell longer if ye need more rest." Regardless of the answer, the Gorian dismounts though he continues to hold onto his stallion's reins.
-----“Nay, Master Sol,” Dilton says with a tired if not exuberant smile. “If’n I knows ye, like me thinks, ye been a’keepin’ th’ watch all th’ night long. I be a’ready t’take me turn at it agin!”
-----Before asking how the night passed, Dilton tells Sol, “Don’ be findin’ yer rest in th’ inn. Th’ tables they be a’usin’ fer the men folk ain’t fit fer catchin’ yer sleep.”
-----"Fair enough, I'll make do wi' where I slept th' night before... in th' barn. Was there any trouble reported last night?" Sol inquires thoughtfully.
-----“Nay,” Dilton responded, “None I be a’hearin’ leastways. How did yer watch fare fer ye? Any trouble wit’ th’ men?”
-----"No, they did their job just fine. They just need t'learn to cut th' chatter at nighttime." Sol answers with a grin, which fades to a smirk as he remembers to relate, "Enemy ne'er showed up, though a troll did stop by t'say hello. Unfortunately we weren't all that hospitable, an' put him t'th' torch."
-----The Gorian gives a small wave and turns towards the barn, "I'm going t'get some more rest. I'll be up around midday to do some rounds."
-----“Aye,” Dilton nods and replies, “Ye be restin’ well . . . auk!” The warrior suddenly stands straight; his eyes wide open.
-----“Troll, ye say?!” Dilton says, keeping his voice down while running up beside the striding Gorian. “Me thinks I’d best be a’getting’ down there!” Hurriedly he leaves Sol’s side and dashes off toward the southern side of the village.
-----Just as Sol turns back and heads once again toward the barn, he sees an old man standing just a few feet to one side. The old man has long grayish white hair through which the crown of his head is exposed. Whiskers stick out from his chin and his hands are folded in front of him. He wears the rags of one of the imprisoned peasants, otherwise he looks as if he has been clean up since he was set free.
-----Shockingly, he glares hatefully at the young warrior before shuffling off toward the village square.
-----Pausing, Sol frowns thoughtfully as curiosity briefly overtakes tiredness. Casually he drops Thunder's reins, and follows the elderly man for a few moments. "Sir, a moment o' yer time. Have I caused ye some offense?" Sol's tone is one of interest and little emotion, not wanting to let his temper spoil the man's willingness to answer. As he waits for the answer, he pulls his helmet off his hand and cradles it with his left arm.
-----“Offense?” the old man answers as he turns. His voice seems tinged with anger. “To me? Not so much to me, young warlord, but to Mother Terrene herself.”
-----Suddenly Sol sees a gnarled oak staff in the old one’s hand and he holds it out to one side before raising it and motioning over the grass they stand on.
-----“Too many wars, too much destruction on the land,” he murmurs before he begins chanting words that are strange to Sol. Just then, the Gorian feels motion around his feet and legs and as he looks down he sees weeds and trampled grass trying to entwine his legs.
-----Sol looks on, almost bemused. A rational part of him said that he should leap out of the way of the encroaching flora, but he can't seem to bring himself to do it. Instead, the Gorian regards the conjurer narrowly, and replies in a wry tone, "I seriously doubt Terrene takes much notice of me, except fer th' prayers I have offered her in th' past. Now that my calling t'Strator rules my heart that happens much less these days, but I respect Mother Nature no less fer it."
-----With a flick of his free hand, the warrior gestured as he took up another subject, "As fer wars an' destruction being too much, I agree wi' yer. Completely. It is because o' all this that we're here in th' first place, t'help try an' put a stop t'it. Even if I wasn't here, th' one who started it, Sintor, would still be sowing his fell work. Him an' his alliances wi' dark ones who want t'bring that destruction ye mentioned t'all of Altoria!"
-----Sol's finger now jabs at the elderly one, as he drives home his point, "So ye can try an' put a stop t'me, but all you'll be doing is aiding who an' what is causing this devastation."
-----“Young usurper!” the old man shouts, shaking his fists. The weeds and grass continue to work, but with the trampled condition plus the bare spots left behind by the village occupation, the vegetation does little to hinder Sol Herron.
-----Finally the old one turns his back and walks off murmuring, “They all have their reasons.”
-----"Yes, that's life." Sol replies, feeling his will in talking further about it vanish as the old one departs. Shaking his head in wonder at the encounter, the Gorian turns to find Thunder again and heads back to the barn.
-----Sol enters the barn and even though he had just rested here a day ago, the inside looks different than when he rested here before. A work table over to one side had been used to display weaponry; both human and humanoid. Only a few swords and spears remained here now and their condition leaves quite a bit to be desired.
-----About a dozen men are resting here. Sol can hear restful snoring, but a few of the men stir as he enters. At least two of them bolt upright with hands on the hilts of their weapons; observing him with steely eyes. They relax when they see the Gorian and almost express embarrassment at their reaction. The men here appear to be those who have kept the watch at various locations around the village.
-----Sol moves over to a corner and begins to divest himself of his armour, nodding greetings to any who meet his eye. Once stripped of metal, the Gorian finds some room for himself and settles down, attempting to surrender to sleep.
-----Sol drifts off to sleep as some more of the men within the barn stir. Some actually get up and leave after donning their own makeshift armor and equipment.