-----"It does not appear as if the dragon has attacked here," Brandel continues and sure enough other than the sickly look about the town's entrance nothing looks to be out of sorts.
-----Pointing toward the keep, the young mercenary says, "Hopefully that is where we will find Sir Zantar."
-----The Dread Pirate recoils slightly from the unwashed masses, apparently oblivious to the fact that the air about him is still somewhat redolent of fermented cheese. "Arrr, this town is disgustin. Where are the scurvy soldiers and whatnot? I'm gettin a bad feelin about this. The soldiers back at that keep were all slaughtered. We'd best keep on our toes. Anyway, our answers are probably with Sir Zantar. Let's go see him."
-----Krord noisily draws forth his black sword and the beggars quickly retreat. The way is momentarily unobstructed and the party takes advantage by pressing toward the market area. Everyone by now has some sort of weapon drawn as they pass the mostly empty rows of merchant stands and tents.
-----The air seems to hang heavy in the air holding an assortment of foul and sometimes noxious odors. From some of the closed tents, moans are heard hinting of illness or near death.
-----Brandel seems to be oblivious to the tragic scene before him. His face registers a look of shock although he keeps his eyes focused on the keep they ride to. The buildings beyond the market look dark and many of the boards are drawn over the windows giving an uncertainty as to how many people are actually in the town.
-----As they approach the gate to the keep, two armored men stand atop the wall. With wide alert eyes, they look over the rogues' party and grip their spears. One of the guards wearing chain armor covered with a surcoat calls down, "Halt! State your business here!"
-----Once more Brandel speaks up answering the man much as he did at the town's gate.
-----The two guards look at each other and then the one who first called asks loudly, "Do any of your number carry the plague?"
-----Runik and Marast both raise their eyebrows at the same time, looking quickly around the mostly emptied streets.
-----Seth mutters under his breath, "Does anyone want to change their mind about waiting in the forest?"
-----The Dread Pirate makes a face at the mention of the plague and says, "No. No plague bearers here. We just arrived from Oakwood. There isn't any plague there. At least not that we know of. Don't ye have any priests that can deal with this sickness?"
-----"Many of our priests themselves have fallen prey to the plague," the guard answers down bitterly.
-----The other guard's face seems to focus on the Dread Pirate. "Oakwood?" he asks curiously, "You came all the way from Oakwood? Did you not encounter the dragon?"
-----"Well, yes we saw the dragon," Kazel answers rather impatiently. "Why, does it breathe plague? And can we talk about this inside?"
-----Seth looks at the guard and nods as Kazel talks. He reaches in his pack and pulls out some parchment rolled up like a scroll. He brandishes it at the guard and states in his most Sol like tone, "We have been sent under decree from Hearthorn to help your Lord. If you do not let us in, we shall ride back to Hearthorn and leave you at the mercy of the plague and the dragon."
-----The Dread Pirate looks somewhat astonished at Seth's brandishing of the 'decree', but keeps his silence and waits for the guards to allow them entrance.
-----"Very well!" one of the guards says as if snapping out of a trance, "you shall be announced!" Within moments, the gate is opened allowing the rogues and the mercenaries entrance inside the town keep. The fortification looks somewhat smaller than those seen in Hearthorn and Oakwood but still imposing none the least.
-----After the gate is once again secured, two more guards usher everyone into the main part of the small castle. They approach the Great Hall to the sound of a man talking loud in a commanding voice.
-----Though the inside of the place retains a sense of grandness, there appears to be something amiss. Looking around the stately place it suddenly occurs that the usual butlers and chambermaids seen moving about are not present here. In fact, no other human being is seen until the rogues and their bodyguards enter the Great Hall.
-----There, in the huge chamber, stands an assembly of about twenty soldiers dressed in armor and bearing surcoats with what must be the emblem of Redmarsh. Though it is obvious that guests have arrived, the soldiers keep their full attention on a strong looking man with long brown hair and short beard. The man walks with a great degree of grace as he paces the floor. This man, who must be Sir Zantar, wears plate mail and has a magnificent long sword sheathed at his side. Sir Zantar strides boldly in his pacing and while his speech is eloquent, there lingers a great degree of anger.