-----"Instead of jutting your chin this way and that and having your guards waving sword tips at us, why don't you try convincing us to help and tell your two guards to offer apologies? I challenge you to refute any and all that I've said. Otherwise, I would prefer to take chances on our own than to work with a bunch of clearly hostile 'partners' who value horses over human lives and who can't wait to turn on those who helped them as soon as their own skin is safe."
-----Seth pipes up from the wagon, "It is no wonder that we are well thought of by those in Oakwood, for it was our accusers who unleashed the evil that we had to suppress. Of course the sturdy people of Oakwood would counter the claim of our accusers. Indeed our accusers are only upset with us because we denied them the chance to assert their authority over us. Especially when we could see that they were making no progress in our mission." He now stands up and bows to the assembled people. "That brings me to the next point, why were we called upon by the lords of Hearthorne for this mission? The answer is simple because we have been of great service before. Indeed when the mighty Nylan Lotley arrives, and he will, despite all of you spineless creatures allowing him and the most pertinent Sir Slappy to fight their own way to this very inn through countless foes and were beasts." Seth pauses for breath, sighs and continues, "When the Most esteemed Nylan Lotley arrives, he will attest to our fighting side by side with in the battle of the rats in Hearthorne but he will champion our cause against any accuser unto death. In much the same way that the people of Oakwood would, I imagine." He now takes out his harp and begins to play a tune.
-----The tune that accompanies the epic of "Sir Reginald the maligned". He plays the part where the God Joren comes down and reprimands the people of Goatwood for listening to false accusations of snakes dressed up as men. The people burn Sir Reginald at the stake, then the snakes shrug off their skins of humanity and bite all of the villagers. Their reprimand is doubly severe as the God Joren reminds them the Sir Reginald was the only one amongst them that knew the secret of curing snakebites. And so the epic ends with the god Joren turning his back on the hapless GoatWooders as they writhe in pain and agony until their last breaths of agony coincide with the sun setting.
-----The Dread Pirate makes a rude gesture at Abrams, then says, "Aye, curb yer tongue, ye insolent dog, while yer betters are talkin."
-----As Xavia speaks, Dread waits patiently as everyone else talks, then says, "As far as I'm concerned, I'm not too terribly happy about puttin ye in this position. But I'm even less happy with the thought o' bein arrested. Nor do I intend to waste any more of me time havin anythin to do with Sol Herron or his crew. That includes takin the time to go to Oakwood fer a trial. The fact o' the matter is that we took those horses. We were all operatin under the authority o' the Lord o' the area. Sol had a writ to that effect, which was supposed to be fer the aid o' the entire group. They split off from our group and went to Oakwood, where they saw the evil that had takin root in the temple o' Joren. They up and left without doin a thing about it. When we got there, we hired these mercenaries, who assisted us in clearing the temple. They also helped in rooting out and defeating a coven o' evil warlocks who were in town. When Sol and his group came back to Oakwood, they refused to usethe writ to get horses fer our helpful mercenaries. Seein as how Sol and his lot were a bunch o' incompetent braggarts, it behooved us to help ourselves to their horses. I'm sure they had no problem gettin horses fer themselves. Since a couple o' Sol's toadies are right here, it's apparent that they don't scruple to use the writ fer their own benefit when it comes to transportation. Nonetheless, I don't intend to restate this case to anyone. If I have to be a fugitive, then so be it. I pity the group that tries to take me into captivity."
-----The Lady Paladin simply shakes her head at the responses. "Do you even understand the words that each of you have told me?" she says with a sad tone in her voice. "Why, your very words even seek to further verify what your accusers declare. I do not think it wise to debate this now, though emotions are now heated. Your reasonings are not aligned with those who hold the values and edicts of the Holy Redeemer as true and worthy."
-----In a softer tone, she quickly speaks to the Dread Pirate advising, "What you have stated to me, in my thinking, is all the more reason you should go to the Town of Oakwood and seek your justice. I am not here as a judge though you present your defense."
-----Looking across at Kazel, Xavia regains the firm look in her eyes. "My duty as a paladin of the Holy Redeemer is to protect the innocent. Fortunately for you, that includes you and your friends whether you wish to recognize it or not. Yes, you could try to fight your way out of here. It is possible you might succeed. It might be possible you and your friends could make your way clear of the woods, no matter how foolhardy and self-centered your thinking is."