-----"Subterfuge may be a chance yet, but I'm unsure of a possible way. Not now. Not after th' havoc we've wreaked."
-----"Lovan, is there anything that ye could offer us if we did try a frontal assault? Two days ago ye were able t'call th' storm down. Is that a possibility again? Or convincing th' winds enough t'shield us from missile fire?" Sol also looks around the room at the others, encouraging them to put forward ideas.
-----Raven says, "If we could silence those two guards at the docks, we'd have a shot at taking the keep." Raven looks at Sarah, Rinda and Lovan, "Do you have anyway to knock 'em out or stop them from using the bell?"
-----Raven sits back in the chair and then says, "If not then we might have to try Sol's idea." Raven stops for moment and then asks the fighter, "They ring the bell for visitors you say? Would they see you as a visitor?"
-----Harland nods to Sarah's offer of employment.
-----The huntress lays her hand on Raven's shoulder. In a quiet voice, she says, "I have the Hunter's gift, my love. I can take the form of one of the Hunter's children to get inside. I may be able to take two of the prey. The Great Hunter will also bless me this morning with spells for this Hunt now that our Prey is near!"
-----Lovan gets a crazed look in his eyes that seems that much more maniacal in the early twilight of the morning. "If the Rager fills the sky with clouds, his fury will come forth," he says to Sol, almost growling. "If the sky is clear and the Rager wishes to test us, I will make them cower in fear before us!"
-----Harland looks at Raven and considers his question. "I do not know if they would consider me a visitor," he says suspiciously to the hunter.
-----Garrison frowns and rubbing his chin, he adds, "I am not one for water travel, but do you think we could get a boat from the docks?"
-----Sol smiles suddenly, the obvious result of an idea forming. Still in the middle of the thought processing, the Gorian looks at Garrison, "Yer right, we could most likely get a boat, even if we had t'rent or buy it. Harland, if we get to the castle docks, will that give actual access to the keep itself, or is there still a wall in th' way? If ye can, describe th' area more thoroughly."
-----"There is a portcullis gate that the guards raise to allow the boats in," the mercenary says. "There the boats can be unloaded and steps lead up into the castle proper."
-----Raven says to the fighter, "So we can guess that that portcullis will be down then, which will make entry not easy." Raven looks over at Rinda, "Maybe in the form of one of the Hunter's creatures Rinda could get through the portcullis, but I think it is too risky not knowing how many guards are really down there."
-----Raven gives Rinda a quick smile and then asks the fighter, "Does the keep get any supply or any other boats on regular basis?"
-----"No, the castle is now well stocked and the lord is awaiting the arrival of the reinforcements," Harland answers.
-----Lovan crosses his arms and nods ominously into the darkened shadows of the room.
-----"I don't suppose there's anyway to swim under that portcullis," Garrison says, "I guess I wouldn't want to try doing that anyway since the castle is on the river."
-----"Should we send someone to the Town for help from Sir Zantar?" Beleya asks nervously.
-----"I imagine Sir Zantar has his hands full." Sol replies. He then taps his chin thoughtfully as he says, "Sarah, I know I've asked this before, but do ye have any magic that would get one or some of us up the walls? If ye do, an' Rinda could change her form into a bird or th' like, we could be atop th' walls in th' evening, when we're less likely t'be skewered by missile fire."
-----"Nope." Sarah replies. "I have spells that can get me to the top of the wall, but not all of us. I've gotten knocked flat too many times to be the first over the walls this time, Sol." Sarah gently remonstrates the warrior.
-----"Of course not, I wouldn't have you do so either. But what o' th' cloak that ye got off Repe? It casts those webs, right? Is that what allowed him to climb walls as a spider does? If so, perhaps one o' us could use it." Sol suggests.
-----Sarah looks slightly hurt. Give up one of her treasured magic items? She doesn't see Sol volunteering to give up his precious Lathanian blade or anything like that. She pouts for a few seconds. "Well, maybe I can do it after all." She says, as a way of compromise. "I have a few spells and tricks that could keep me safe, and if Rinda came with me I'm sure we would have no problem. But I'd actually prefer to do this at sunset, so the sun's right in their eyes when we hit them."
-----"A thought that occurs to me is that we certainly do not want to be facing the castle guard and the reinforcements at the same time. Therefore we should devote no more than today to attacking the keep. If daylight comes around and we have not yet taken it, we should retreat to somewhere safe and prepare to ambush the humanoids. Just a thought."