-----Brandel motions for Krord to turn his back to them as they talk and the massive mercenary's body helps to shield most of the group as they talk. At one point, Xavia glares in their direction, but Krord looks up at the loft overhead as if oblivious to the conversion behind him.
-----"I shall make this quick," Brandel says peering around, "Marast has told us that when he left Redmarsh he was chased down by the one called Sol and his friends. The blond mage cast some spell on him and he was forced to tell what our group was doing. Those two guards that have spoken rudely to us took Marast back to Oakwood. There they alerted Sir Greene and the Priests in the Temple of Joren. They sent out this troop with Marast to return to Redmarsh."
-----Marast remains silent though his face reflects embarrassed anger.
-----At this point, the Lady Paladin looks more intently in the direction of the conversation though she keeps her place in the doorway.
-----Seeing the unwanted attention, Brandel quickly adds, "Marast thinks that once the werewolves have been dispatched, they may try to arrest us." Looking at the wagon, the young human says, "Transporting your treasure may be a problem. We can't cut through the woods for fear of getting hung up and if we stay on the road, we will eventually be lead to the town where we may be detained."
-----"Excuse me," Xavia suddenly calls to the group, "We need some of you to keep watch and some of you to help with the weapons."
-----The Dread Pirate scowls when he hears the treatment Marast received at the hands of Sol and his crew, he then says, "Arrr, well we're not leavin the treasure. And I think we won't be able to sneak away like we thought. We'll be too closely watched fer that. Personally, I think we could keelhaul the whole lot of 'em, but that's not a very good option as we'd then be wanted fer a bit more than horse thievery. I expect once we get out of this area, nobody will really care very much about a couple o' misplaced horses though. If we killed a paladin and her crew, I don't think the heat'd ever be off of us. No matter where we went. I also don't think the paladin will be willing to cut any deals. While I'd like to help the little town out and kill the werewolves, I don't want to be arrested afterwards. I say we bluff our way out."
-----The Dread Pirate continues, "I'll go up to the lady paladin and tell her that we think she's going to have us arrested after we help kill the werewolves. As we don't particularly want to be arrested, we'll leave right now. She'll then be faced with a choice of trying to arrest a group of horse thieves or fighting a band of ravening werewolves. I think she'll choose the greater evil to face. Especially once I tell her that we'll put up a fight if they try to arrest us. She'll have to realize that she would lose at least a couple of her guards in the fight, which would leave her less than able to fight the greater evil of the werewolves. And since we've given her a way to fight the werewolves, I don't feel too badly about leaving them here. Besides, we might be able to kill a couple of the werewolves on the way outta town."
-----Kazel looks gloomily at the floor. "Alright then, but just in case she proves to be difficult, I'll be sending a horse or two rampaging about and set this place up on fire if we have to. That should get us clear of the building. Wait a bit before talking to the paladin while I set things up."
-----After that is said, Kazel removes the girl from the rafters and puts her back into the wagon.
-----As the group separates from behind Krord, the lady paladin frowns and looks as if she is about to address them.
-----Just then, Runik begins to pass by her exiting the tavern to move back into the stables. The dwarf surveys the situation for a moment and seeing the tense look on her face looks to interrupt.
-----"Ur, . . uh," he begins causing her to look down at him, "MeLady, if'n ye'd be so inclin'd, I be havin' t'is peculiar twitchin' in me back ever since we took the battle t' th' evil dead in Redmarsh. If'n ye might lay some healin' hands on me, I'da be most obligin'."
-----With this tactic, Brandel quickly moves around the pair near the doorway to enter the kitchen.
-----"Here, you!" an angry voice shouts at the young mercenary drawing him to a stop. Xavia looks up as the one named Abram addresses Brandel. "What are you intending to do back there?" the Oakwood guard harshly asks him.
-----"I was looking for more pots and pans," Brandel replies, "We might be able to fill them with hot water and mud to use against the werecreatures."
-----"That will not be necessary," Abram answers firmly.
-----As Brandel shrugs and backs from the kitchen area, Xavia turns and looks as Kazel places the little girl in the wagon. The expression on the paladin's face softens momentarily.
-----The little girl looks up at Kazel with a confused look.