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-----He eases himself down on some vines and scans his surroundings as he touches the ground. Nothing appears to threaten him and in the next moment, he takes flight through the woods.
-----In a short while he comes upon his own camp, hanging back briefly to make sure there were no surprises here. All seemed well although he kept one ear tuned for the sound of the beast lumbering toward him. Everything was quiet, almost too quiet, but then again that was the way he originally found this woods.
-----Whisper shook his head, again wondering what it would take to bring a new sense of life to the woods in this dark land. Rolling his shoulders, he quickly grabbed the quiver of the volatile fire arrows, carefully securing it on his hip.
-----Then the Wood Elf started back into the sparse forest, moving quickly but with care back towards where he had first come upon Minner and his wagon.
-----By the time that Whisper approached the trail road through the woods, the wagon was gone. In the soft dirt, tracks could be seen left behind by the vehicle and its occupants. The trail road would lead the wagon out of the small woods into the countryside beyond to the west.
-----Whisper was momentarily nonplussed.
-----Shaking the bewilderment away, Whisper warily set about trying to read the tracks made by Minner and whatever that wolf creature had been.
-----It appeared that sport took second place to whatever destination the cart was heading towards; and Whisper felt a moment of pity for the residents of that place.
-----Whisper can see that the tracks around the trail road seem all jumbled although the tracks of men and beasts are lost within each other. The prints are mangled together so much that after a while it is difficult to make anything of them.
-----As Sol and Raven approach the east side of the village perimeter, they see Pil standing with the ten warriors he supervises on watch. They somberly man the gate the hobgoblins had patrolled two days ago and stare toward the trail road leading in from the east.
-----As the two heroes ride in, many of those with Pil stare at them with questioning expressions.
-----"We're just riding a quick sweep. Nothing o' interest here?" Sol asks merrily.
-----Pil approaches and the expression on his face is much more stern than either of the heroes is used to seeing. “Master Sol, what be a’smokin’? Didya leave a torch burnin’ ‘bout ye?” he asks in a low tone.
-----"No, just something we found north o' Garrison's position." Sol reaches into his backpack, and once more drops the rock-like object straight in front of Pil.
-----Pil raises his brow at it but continues to frown. He kicks at it with his foot and it rolls just a few feet; its smoke swirling as it comes to a rest. The big warrior shrugs and grunts as he turns back to the two heroes.
-----“Some o’ the ones in th’ village been talkin’ o’ leavin’ this day,” Pil says grudgingly.
-----"Leaving? Leaving for where?" Sol asks as he dismounts and puts the rock back in his backpack.
-----“They be a’leavin’ fer th’ villages they come from,” Pil replies. “They be off t’look fer what happened to their families.”
-----"I can understand that urge." Sol nods his agreement, "Howrun's forces should be close enough t'give them some sort o' chance. Though they'd be best off waiting fer his men t'show up. We're going t'continue our patrol, unless ye've anything else...? The Gorian left the question hanging as he prepared to continue riding Thunder south and west.
-----“P’haps ye can say something t’those who’re set on a’leavin’,” Pil says, wiping his brow. “If not fer th’ orken-kind, then fer th’ wolves that be a’roamin’ ‘bout. I’m not too good fer talkin’ n’ leadin’ like ye, Master Sol.”
-----Sol frowns as he considers Pil's words for some moments. A soft sigh escapes his lips as makes his decision and nods to Raven, starting back for Kulendra's heart with no words spoken.
-----Seeing his friend in a quiet mood, Raven says, “Take heart, my friend. These people still suffer even though they have their freedom.”
-----As Sol and Raven enter the village square, they still see the long line of villagers and refugees although the line has dwindled somewhat. The old man still sits at his small table writing down information as he speaks with each person. Those of the people who are not in line wander about the village doing various tasks.
-----As the two heroes ride in, many of the people look at them with questioning stares and a few wave to them.
-----Impassively, Sol slowly rides to a point where he can be seen by most in the square. In a strong voice, he calls to the people, "Hark ye all, those from Kulendra an' beyond. I've something t'say concerning yer immediate future." Gorian watches closely, to see how much attention he has.
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