-----The Dread Pirate screeches to a halt and nonchalantly waves to the folk gathered on the wagon. He then casually walks over and hops up on the wagon as though nothing has happened. Looking at the others, he says, "So, what's been goin on here, since I've been gone."
-----A few moments later, Runik bursts from the trees. Momentarily disoriented from not seeing the wagon where it originally was, the dwarf pants while looking around wide eyes. Spotting the wagon, he carefully sprints toward the vehicle trying not to let the ones by the pond see him. As he likewise bounds into the back of the wagon, he blurts out, "What 'bout the lass? Anybody seen 'er?"
-----Seth eyes Dread's nonchalance with skepticism and when Runik comes out of the trees he asks the Dread Pirate, "So do we still follow the plan or, are we unwelcome here?" He then shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders and tells Runik, "No, no sign yet."
-----The Dread Pirate dons a look of pained innocence, as though he is wounded by Seth's skeptical look. This effect is somewhat mitigated by the obviously huge effort Dread is making to repress his laughter. He then states, "Errmm, no. We might not be welcome here anymore. As a matter of fact, I'd be willing to bet on it. The farmer who owns the pond didn't seem very friendly last I saw. If I were you, I wouldn't go askin him to bathe in his pond right now."
-----The Dread Pirate pauses for a moment, then says, "Maybe we should move the wagon down the road a bit too. And maybe off to the side. Under some trees. Out of sight."
-----Not seeing any trees along the road in front of them, Brandel carefully turns the horses around so the wagon doesn't draw any unnecessary attention. He then heads them back down the road concealing the wagon from those around the back of the farm.
-----At one point, Amdracks looks up as if alerted to what is going on. Runik stares him down and raises his warhammer, warning the mage priest, "Keep yer yap shut!"
-----As they draw close to the point where they originally stopped by the side of the road near the farmhouse woods, the dwarf keeps his eyes peeled on the trees. "Damn if'n I see any sign o' 'er," he says referring to Kazel. "Ye reckon we oughta go lookin' fer the lass?" he then asks Seth and the Dread Pirate.
-----The Dread Pirate tilts his head to one side as though he is hearing someone whispering, he then says, "Aye, maybe if Seth be willin to go check things out. I don't think they'd be too happy to see me right now. Although I'm pretty sure Kazel could slaughter the whole lot of 'em if'n it came to that. Maybe ye could take Krord with ye. Just the sight o' him oughta keep things from gettin overly hostile-like. Ahem, I'll stay here and guard the wagon."
-----Seth nods and hops down from the wagon. He does not put away his harp, but keeps strumming it lightly. "Well Krord, you are now bodyguard to the most famous musician in Hearthorne, recently returned form his world tour of Goria and nether regions. Shall we proceed?"
-----He begins strolling along towards the commotion, knowing Kazel probably has her ring on. He figures the music would at least let her know where he was.
-----Krord scratches his head and follows Seth. Soon the pair is lost among the trees of the small woods that leads back to the farmhouse.
-----Kazel watches first the Dread Pirate move past her. Runik pauses momentarily and then tears off following the Dread Pirate though the dwarf is soon left behind by the speeding halfling. The dwarf's panting is soon heard among the trees leading toward the road.
-----In invisible form among the trees, Kazel sees two of the men help the farmer from his pond as the others angrily look around for signs of the aggressors. Four of the men begin walking behind the farmhouse, but go no farther toward Kazel. They then return to the farmer as he steps out on dry land.
-----"Blast 'em! There be two o' em', there was!" the farmer says. "Some skinny girl coulda been a elf n' sum vicious halflin' o' some such!"
-----The men continue to look around the area but venture no farther than the back of the farmhouse area.
-----Kazel decides to take one last look at the barn. She circles a safe distance all the way around until she can approach the barn and look inside.
-----Kazel makes it around to the back of the barn and slips into the corral by climbing over a fence. With the door that the horses came out of open, Kazel enters into the barn. Around her she sees the manger where the horses feed and across the way, she spots a good-sized well-made wagon. Against the opposite wall, large boxes and crates are stacked. A ladder to one side leads up into the loft.