-----Looking at the small selection of Ravenhold officers her force has captured, Sula tells Sol, “It will perhaps take an hour to march these prisoners to Kulendra. We will send some scouts ahead to look over this orcish camp.”
-----Waving their good-byes for now, the three adventurers leave the battle site and take the trail road that leads back to the southwest . . . toward Ku.
-----About a mile the road takes them through a marshy area before the land opens up with Kulendra across a flat plain. Here they head northward skirting a large field of scrub vegetation that a few nights ago, they had used as their staging area for the assault on the humanoid dominated village.
-----As they reach the northern edge of the rough vegetation, they encounter a barren plain ahead of them. Just off to the left Raven leads them where an open field is located about a half mile north from the scrub field.
-----As they approach the middle of the field, they can see the large hole seemingly blasted into the ground. The hole looks to be about five feet deep and about ten feet across. The dirt inside the hole is blackened.
-----Sol gestures with a generous sweep of his arm, his tone jovial as he says, "There's yer hole in th' ground. Th' stone was in th' middle." The warrior puffs slightly as he takes his helmet off and winces slightly at the heat, lightly wiping his brow as well.
-----"Ah! Thank you." Jeilin brightens at the sight, nodding to Sol and then herself. Dismounting, the Zanyrian girl walks briskly towards the hole, then approaches more carefully as she gets closer to examine it.
-----“Careful!” Raven cautions. “The soil may be loose around the edges.” The hunter then points out where the blackened rock on one side of the incline of the hole looks smeared. “That’s where Sol slid into the hole to get a closer look at the smoking rock.”
-----"Let us know if ye want a hand down an' up." Sol offers, shielding the sun from his eyes with the helmet.
-----After aiding Jeilin with the hole a bit, Sol asks his hunter friend, "Would ye be able t'keep an eye on things here, Raven? I'm keen t'get back int' Ku an' let them know o' Howrun's soon t'be arriving forces."
-----As Jeilin approaches the hole in the ground, she settles from her excitement into a meticulous study of the crater and the surroundings. For some time she disappears over the edge looking closely at the soil, and other times around the edge or taking measurements towards the sky. Finally, she emerges, writes down something in her notes, and slowly returns to the others.
-----Wiping sweat and matted hair from her forehead, Jeilin holds forth the ore to Sol. "This is a great find, Sol. It came from the skies and as such, is sacred to those of us who follow the stars. What will you do with it?"
-----"I've no idea what t'do wi' it." Sol shrugs casually, taking the proffered ore with only slight hesitation. "If I hear if it's o' any use fer anything then maybe... otherwise let me know if ye want it back." The Gorian nods in satisfaction as he decides, "If we're done here, we should be a'back t'Ku."
-----Jeilin nods and smiles. "Well, of course I want it. It'd be of great interest to my brethren for study and records. Let me know before you sell it for a mug of ale, so I can make a better offer." She says as she gathers her belongings and readies for the return to Ku.
-----“At least it’s not smoking like it was when we first found it,” Raven quips as he remounts and prepares to ride off.
-----Without preamble, Sol holds the ore back out to Jeilin, "I have no idea what I'd do wi' this, an' not interested in haggling o'er anything wi' friends. Keep it fer yer folk, if it has meaning fer ye."
-----Jeilin's smile fades as she takes the rock solemnly with both hands. "Thank you," she whispers. "It does mean a lot. It does."
-----The adventurers ride south skirting along the great scrub field. As they move closer to the trail road and pass the field, they can see in the distance, Garrison’s patrol watching the points north of the village. From this distance, the patrol looks impassive as they stoically stand guard in the hot glare of the sun.
-----Likewise, as they reach the eastern gate of the village, Pil’s guards appear grim and ill at ease. Several grab their weapons as the riders approach before Pil orders them to stand down.
-----Sol slows Thunder as they ride by Pil and his crew. As the mounted warrior passes them he voices loudly, "Take heart, Howrun's men have defeated a force o' Sintor's on the field o' battle just east o' here. They'll be here in Ku by this afternoon or evening at th' latest, gods willing." The Gorian continues on towards the centre of town.
-----As they ride back into town, the priestess keeps to her usual self and follows quietly behind, her mind once again on other matters of study.
-----In the village square many of the refugees are assembled there. Many of the warrior types, those carrying crude humanoid weapons and piecemeal armor, stand closest to the center. Some stand on boxes to raise themselves above the crowd. Some of the warriors shout in angry tones while the other freed people stare at them with angry or frightened expressions.