-----Sol nods mechanically at Romney's directions then once again waits for Raven's word.
-----Raven studies the area for a few minutes and then says, "They're going towards Navlot." Raven saddles up and then starts to follow the new trail.
-----Sarah stares ahead at the trail determined to catch the thieves as soon as she and her friends possibly can.
-----In the dimming light, the riders turn their horses to the southwest on the trail road. Soon the light fades altogether leaving a black sky overhead with thick clouds blocking even the gentle stars.
-----"Damn," Romney yells out in frustration as he and the other guards slow somewhat. He then yells to Sol, "Can we light a few torches? It's hard to even see the trail."
-----Sol looks at Raven and says, "Raven, if ye can still track by torchlight it might be worth continuing on fer a couple o' hours...t'make up some lost time. But as soon as ye can't go any further, we'll set up camp, an' see if ye can pick it up in th' morning."
-----The warrior then turns to Sarah, and for the first time today, Sol's face softens, "Sarah, either way, we could use Chessie t'scout down towards Navlot, both in a sweep around th' village as well as inside th' village itself."
-----Raven thinks for a minute, "The light might attract creatures of the night, but I think it is worth the risk. We need to gain ground on the thieves, which means to take risks and to push ourselves." Raven looks over at the guards. "I'll need one of you to hold the torch while I track 'em."
-----Sarah turns to Sol, absolutely shocked. "What?!? Send Chessie out to scout! No! Absolutely not! He could get hurt down there! How could you think of sending him alone against those people? They'll shoot at him the second they see him!" Sarah cuddles her owl closer, assuring Chessie she won't let him go loose. It's very reminiscent of a mother protecting her baby. Indeed, Sarah whispers to Chessie as she hugs him "Oh baby, mommy wants to fly tonight, but we can't, too dangerous, bad people around. Not friends anymore. Here, eat." Sarah feeds her owl, who gobbles it up hungrily, and tries to keep him from flying off.
-----Sol seems to be equally shocked, though obviously not for the same reasons. His face hardens once more as he returns to keeping an eye on the trail ahead of him.
-----Abram and Romney quickly set about and within a few moments, a torch is lit. Its light shines out on the black line of dark tree trunks. The flame flickers but holds steady as the gentle breeze catches it. The effect seems slightly unnerving as it casts moving shadows. Still the way ahead is clearly illuminated.
-----Onward they ride though slower now as Romney rides up ahead carrying the torch with Raven. Abram and Shema take positions on each side of Sarah. Rinda rides silently behind Raven; a look of tense alertness on her as she seems to listen to the forest. Bradley rides behind everyone with his sword drawn and placed across his lap in the saddle.
-----For two hours, they ride on and all the while the forest looms around them seeming to grow quieter and darker. At one point, Raven slows his progress and frowns darkly at the ground. He leaps off his horse and with some urgency checks all around the trail road in front of them.
-----At that moment, a long eerie howling is heard way off in the distance to the party's right. The shuddering sound carries among the trees and fades into the night. Raven's wolf stops and stares in the direction of the noise. Its eyes seem to widen and a small whimpering escapes it.
-----Suddenly two more howls answer the first one. This time the noise seems to come far off to the party's left. Raven's wolf spins to face that direction and Rinda dismounts holding on to the reins of her horse. A nervousness seems to go through the steeds and two of them begin to whinny.
-----Rinda quickly grabs the reins of Raven's horse to steady it. She then looks at Raven with wide eyes. "My Hunter," she tells him, "those are not the Children of the Great Hunter!"
-----Raven looks at Rinda, "Not of the Hunter? Damn!" Raven draws his swords. "We better get to a good defensive spot if possible. The guards, Sol and I should surround Sarah and Rinda. Keep your eyes open."
-----Sol dismounts, not wanting to chance being under a panicked horse. "We're not going t'find a better spot in this light. Not without risking being caught on th' move, which'd be worse. Th' defensive circle will have t'do. Rinda, what do we face here?" The warrior moves his horse into the centre of the 'circle', draws his sword and faces outwards. Despite his anger at yet another delay, he's interested to find out what threatens the group now.
-----The huntress swallows hard. "I hope it is not . . . but I fear werebeasts!" She then asks, "What of the horses?"
-----Romney spins and looks at Sol, "If we must make a stand, we need to light more torches!"