-----"N' ye be showin' quite th' ass ye are," Dilton says admonishingly to Strolum. The gravelly throated warrior looks at Sol and says, "We sure be sorry n' how things's turned out fer ye."
-----Pil nods toward Sol in an assuring way but silently as if not knowing quite what to say.
-----The prisoners glance around as if uncertain of the latest turn of events.
-----Raven looks lost for words at first and then says to Sol, "Okay...I am up to look at the situation and then at that point see if the slaves can be let free by means of our small band. With most of the best warriors off to the north, I think our chances are good."
-----Raven looks at Garrison and the three mercenaries and then says to Sol, "We'll need a few days to heal up before we head out. I think this town will be a perfect place to rest. Like those houses over there built into the forest. They'll offer us cover and we'll get the jump on anyone who wanders in here."
-----"Th' village it is then. If it's a couple of days that we take, then we can hold th' prisoners an' see if situations change." Sol mounts up, then continues to speak, "During th' day, we can have one o' us keep watch on th' open areas, an' see if there is any large scale movement from either force."
-----The Gorian then nods at Strolum, "I'm glad th' three o' ye will remain wi' us. Let's head t'th' village, wi' th' three o' ye bringing th' prisoners along." Sol indicates Raven should take the lead.
-----Raven nods. Raven then says to the prisoners, "Pick up your cloaked turn coat and follow us. Make sure not to hurt him, he has to vouch for your guilt."
-----With that Raven takes point as they enter the deserted village.
-----Under the cover of the leaves, the party moves toward the deserted structures among the trees. Raven leads them upon the raised paths that make the trails through the village. On each side of the trail, dark water stands in depressions littered with fallen leaves and branches. Of the abandoned homes, they are small cottage structures made of weather worn wood.
-----Rinda follows behind Raven with Sol and Lovan leading their horses behind the Huntress. The three warriors cover the guards as they carry the unconscious man while Garrison follows the young officer.
-----As they reach what would be the center of the village, Raven points out four small cottages that would make a good base of operations while they stay here.
-----"Should we separate the prisoners or keep them all together?" Garrison asks.
-----Sol then offers a potion Sarah gave him to Strolum. The red-haired warrior politely fends off the offer, saying, "Now, Sol, ye be keepin' it. T'you it was given."
-----After more urging from Gorian, Strolum relents and soon his color improves and he is able to move around better. "Me thanks t'ye," the warrior says, "I be guessin' I be owin' ye a lot!"
-----"Ye owe me nothing Strolum. We take care o' our own." Sol replies to the burly man, as he lets his eyes linger on the area designated by Raven. He thinks briefly before answering Garrison, "I believe we should keep them together, though if so, maybe we should gag them all."
-----Not wanting to linger on that subject for too long, Sol asks Raven, "Where d'ye think we should keep th' horses? Does th' village have any stables around?" Sol tries to answer his own question as he looks at the surrounding buildings.
-----Raven says, "I agree that we should gag them." Raven looks around too, "I don't remember seeing a stable, but any nearby house will do the trick really."
-----Garrison, Strolum, Dilton and Pil set about gagging and tying the prisoners to three trees close to the centermost dwellings. The officer is tied to the same tree with the wounded guard while the other two guards share the same tree. The cloaked man makes the distinction of having his own.
-----Sol, Raven and Rinda find a house appropriate for the horses. The windows are left open allowing a horse to occasionally place his nose outside for a breath of air.
-----Gathering together, Garrison reports, "The soldiers looked none too happy that we gagged them, but we've got 'em secure for now. I think our friend in the cloak was just waking up."
-----Lovan paces slowly around the makeshift camp. For now, the storm priest seems interested in little other than frequent glances at the sky.
-----Pil sternly glares at the prisoners as he stands over them. The large bronze man flexes as he treads around them.
-----"With as warm as it is, I doubt that we need a fire," Rinda says. "That would only give us away at night."
-----Raven's wolf begins sniffing the ground as if picking up a scent.
-----Strolum stands guard over the prisoners also, but the warrior's eyes scan the perimeter among the trees. Through the trunks, glimpses are seen of the surrounding countryside, which for the moment seem vacant and bare.