-----Meanwhile, the priests and the other guards check the entrances in the stable, making sure all the doors are secured. As everyone relaxes somewhat, Xavia holds court in the door between the tavern and the stables keeping an eye on all the activity.
-----"If the time comes," she tells Kazel, "we will have spells of protection. If you wish, you and the girl can stay close to me."
-----The four mercenaries stay in the stables with their weapons at the ready. Amdracks looks quietly about the walls of the stables, occasionally stopping at various points to place his ear to the walls.
-----Minutes pass by without any sound from outside interrupting the busy work. Finally a fire burns in the mantle and the soldiers look for what sources of silver are available to start melting.
-----The Dread Pirate proffers the two silver candlesticks and says, "Ye'll probably have to get that fire burnin pretty hot. Maybe ye can cover the one pan with a second pan. That might help contain the heat and melt the silver quicker. In the meantime, everybody who is going to use missile weapons had best get their arrow and bolt heads over here."
-----After officiously overseeing the fire building for a few minutes, the Dread Pirate apparently decides that the soldiers are capable of melting silver without his supervision, so he wanders back outside. When he sees the paladin standing between the two buildings, he wanders over and raises an eyebrow in her direction and says, "So, 'if'n yer not doin anything when this business is all over, maybe ye'd like to get together over a bottle of wine or two and tell me all about servin Joren."
-----Kazel answers the paladin, "Na, since I assume you'll be fighting like everyone, I think she'll be better off somewhere else." She moves to give the guards her arrows and caltrops to dip in silver and says to Brandel or whoever is free. "See if you can find all the pots and pans and fill them with boiling water or oil with mud or pepper and whatnot. Those werebeasts may need an eyewash after running in the wild all night." She then takes the girl on her back and climbs up to the rafters in the stables and hides her there, then piles some straw and hay on the floor nearby.
-----Seth pops up from the wagon and waves Runik over so he can hand him his quiver of crossbow bolts to get silvered. "I hope that Nylan and Sir Slappy are trying to see if werecreatures will pass through wooden walls!"
-----Runik balks at Seth's suggestion, saying, "Don' be seein' whar t'at idiot n' his orc could be findin' thar own arses." The dwarf then takes the bolts on into the tavern.
-----"Yes, we will indeed need to talk," the paladin answers the Dread Pirate. The expression on her face remains firm although an uncertain look lies behind her eyes. She then raises her chin slightly as she continues to survey the activity.
-----Without a word, Amdracks climbs back into the wagon and lies down in the bed of the vehicle. He keeps his book pressed to his chest as he closes his eyes.
-----Brandel nods to Kazel, but as he begins her requested search, he leans close to her and whispers, "We need to talk, . . . all of us." The young man indicates all of the rogues' party. Krord stands nearby, and in the absence of the meek and innocent little girl, the half-orcish mercenary suddenly looks fierce as he stares around at the soldiers and priests of Joren. Marast likewise stands nearby although the elf seems aloof while alert.
-----Kazel stops Brandel before he goes off. "Then let's talk now," she whispers as she waves to the Dread Pirate.
-----As soon as they are all gathered at the back and out of earshot of other people (including Amdracks), she whispers, "So what is it? Did you come up with a good plan to slip away? I'm thinking Seth's sleep spells'd be best saved for later instead of the werebeasts. And a grease or two. Meantime, I can stop their horses from chasing us. All we need is to clear the building. We can leave as soon as one werebeast is left standing or we can make a diversion like setting this place on fire. As for that Amdracks, I've no idea. What do you think?" She looks around at the others.
-----The Dread Pirate, grimaces at the thought of abandoning Amdracks, says, "Well, we could leave him, but he hasn't actually cured me of the plague yet. I do however like the idea of slipping off when the fight is over, or almost over. I don't think that paladin intends us any good. As fer the other's horses, I think we can make doubly sure o' them not followin us. Just use yer ring and slip in there and cut the straps on their bridles. They'll have a tough time followin us, if they can't steer their horses. That oughta slow 'em up enough to give us a good headstart. Between yer animal controlling and the cut straps, we should be plenty safe fer awhile. And they'll have better things to do than chase after us anyways."
-----Seth is out of earshot as he is in the wagon fussing about with spell components and the like.