-----The Dread Pirate places the ring on his finger and then dons the magical cap, assuming the likeness of Sol Herron. After finding out how to operate the ring, he hops off of Joren and ticks off on his fingers, "Alright, find out where Krondor's keep is located, loot the place, and set Sol up to take blame for it all. No problem."
-----Dread then proceeds to remove all nonessential items (dumping the contents of his pack into his saddlebags), but keeping his caltrops. Then, if Kazel allows him to, he also borrows her rope and grapnel. He then says, "I don't foresee any serious problems. I'll just meet you about five or so miles down the direction we were headed."
-----Dread then sets off for the keep.
-----Kazel gives the Dread Pirate what he needs. "Okay, but start running if they're working for the other side. There's always more loot in Redmarsh."
-----As the Dread Pirate moves out through the bushes, Kazel, Seth and the mercenaries ride off down the trail road. After a half-mile the vegetation diminishes and they ride across a flat plain with the castle easily in sight a mile away to the east. There, movement is seen around the high towers.
-----Soon the trail road skirts a small forest on their right while to their left they pass a marsh. Insects buzz about the tall weeds in the bog.
-----Finally after an hour's ride since leaving the Dread Pirate, they pause on the open road with a good distance between them and the small forest a half-mile to the north.
-----Brandel immediately sets Marast to watching the trail road behind them. Krord watches the forest to the north while Runik keeps an eye on the marshes far away to the east.
-----The young human mercenary then looks toward the late afternoon sun. He finally reports to Seth and Kazel, "I would say at the rate of speed that we are going we should reach the town of Redmarsh in three hours. That would make it close to nightfall."
-----Kazel says, "Well, he expects to find us somewhere on the road, but he'll probably go to Redmarsh if he doesn't. How about waiting at least until we need to get moving to reach Redmarsh before dark?" She turns to the others to see what they think. "Can Albert see for you at the castle from this far?"
-----Brandel replies saying, "The problem would be the ponies. They cannot travel as fast as the horses. At this rate, to reach the town before dark, we would really need to leave now."
-----Looking around at the other three mercenaries, he adds, "We should fare well even if darkness falls if you wish to wait. I do admit, though, after encountering the ogres and the strange things last night I do not know what creatures dwell this close to the town of Redmarsh."
-----Kazel crosses her arms as she tries to think. "Well I s'pose we should wait, since we're not leaving him behind with our ring and hat." She smiles and continues, "Besides who knows if Redmarsh might be more dangerous than out here. And if something is keeping the pirate there we'll have to go back anyway, right?"
-----"That sounds like a good idea Kazel. I think I will keep Albert close by, have him circle our position for a while. Anyway if I sent him back towards the keep, he would not be able to spot Dread anyway."
-----For the next few moments, Albert can be seen flying high in the sky circling the rogues' position.
-----The mercenaries relax somewhat as everything around them seems silent except for the usual sounds of nature. After a bit, nearly everyone dismounts giving their mounts a chance to rest just in case they ended up making a mad dash for who knows what reason.
-----Runik calls over to Kazel, "Ey Lass, ye mind tellin' me where's ye learnt to speak the tongue o' the dwarves?"
-----Seth sits down and takes out his harp, something he has not had the leisure to do for some days. He quietly begins strumming away and becomes even quieter so as not to discourage Kazel from telling her tale.
-----After a while of pacing around in vain for Gimplefwick to show up, Kazel walks over and sits down with the others. She thinks for a moment but then shrugs, apparently thinking why not as she replies to Runik. "It was soon after I moved to Hearthorn when I was still little. I learned it from two dwarves in my neighbourhood, Grindor and Dofgar. My father... couldn't always look after me, and they are my best friends and teachers along with Brad at the Two-Door tavern. You'd want to check that place out if you're ever in Hearthorn, though."
-----Kazel smiles and continues, "It's not the best part of town, but we look out for each other. But anyway, that's the simple story of it."
-----Kazel then takes out her dagger, polishes it and shows it to Runik. The signature and clan seal are on either sides of the blade. "That's one of Grindor's work," she says rather proudly.