-----Finally, nearly a mile has been covered by Thunder, when Sol moves within forty yards of his target. As the rider turns slightly to catch sight of his pursuer, Sol sees distinctively shaped ears and a raggedy mane of hair. It can be no doubt now! Sol is chasing the elven mercenary of the rogues.
-----He had been expecting it, but the confirmation of the elf's identity still comes as a shock to Sol. After days of following the thieves, finally here is the payoff!
-----Once Sol thinks he's in calling range, he yells to the elf, "Marist! Pull over a'fore this turns ugly. Ye can't outpace Thunder."
-----Suddenly the elf brings the three horses to a halt. A bit surprised by the response, Sol likewise stops Thunder where they stand just a few yards from the elf. It is at this point that the young warrior is aware of Raven approaching on horseback.
-----Spinning in his saddle, the elf quickly produces a bow drawing an arrow aimed at Sol. The elf freezes, his eyes poised on Sol with an intense grimace on his face. He remains silent with his arrow focused on the mounted human in front of him.
-----Raven ducks low behind his horse's head and then rides straight at the elf with the intention of tackling the elf off his horse.
-----Without looking around, Sol holds a hand backwards to ensure that Raven does not respond to the situation with hostility. The Gorian then calmly looks back at Marast and states, "Look ye, I'm not after yer hide. But I am going t'ask ye t'lower yer weapon. That's just going t'start something, which will end up wi' you not so healthy. Believe me, after looking into a face full o' dragon teeth today, yer arrowhead's not going t'change my views on how t'handle this situation."
-----Sol's grimace matches the tracker's somewhat as he adds, "Marast, I'll tell ye th' situation straight. We're after th' pirate and his friends. I don't know how our encounter is going t'turn out, but after ye assaulted Sir Greene's men, stole our horses and took my identity, it may not be overly friendly. At the moment I'm looking t'place them under arrest. We already have Sir Zantor's leave t'do so, an' he agreed t'hold them."
-----The young warrior's grimace darkens further as he lays down the situation, "Right, as for what we have here, I admit I'm not going t'let ye just ride off to th' others. Even if ye plug me with arrows, Raven will do th' same. Raven won't miss. As said, that's not what I want. This would be easier for us all if ye dismounted, and placed yer weapons on th' ground." Oddly Sol's grimace fades and his expression turns slightly morose and a quiet whisper can be heard, "...Please?"
-----Sol then patiently awaits Marast's life altering decision.
-----Raven stops moving towards the elf when Sol asks him to. Raven says to Sol, "I'm sure Marast here would gladly throw away his life for the few gold pieces Dread and his crew paid him."
-----Raven turns to Marast, "Isn't that right Marast? Come on Marast, fire that bow so I can rip you open like a deer. Do it...do it..please do it." Raven's breathing is slow and steady, but his eyes show an intense savage rage right below the surface.
-----Just as Raven speaks, Sarah, Rinda, Garrison and the guards approach on their horses. Sol again holds up his hand to them to show that the situation is being handled.
-----The elf then looks at Raven and says defiantly, "Marast not fear stupid human." He does not lower his bow, however, he no longer aims it at Sol or any of the others. Still with the arrow pulled back in the bow, he eases it more to the side where at any moment, he could still utilize the weapon.
-----Looking back at Sol, the elf's expression never changes, but he says, "You stop Marast, town will die." Marast nods back at the walled town over the heroes' shoulders. "Marast go to Oakwood, get priests, and . . . return horses." The elf momentarily looks down at the steeds.
-----He then angrily looks up at Raven and says, "Halfling dead. Killed by dead that walk. Two half-elves run off."
-----Looking back at Sol, the elf adds, "Brandel sick. Krord and Runik stay. They hide, Marast not tell where. Must go to Oakwood before more dead walk." The defiant expression remains on the elf although an urgency is lit in his eyes.
-----Raven snarls at the elf, "Funny how we heard a different story in town. We heard you all were looking for the dragon lair's rumored to be located somewhere east of here." Raven spits on the ground, "You're so full of crap it's coming out of your ears. Quit stalling and drop your bow...NOW!"
-----Raven says to Sol, "He's stalling, hoping his friends will see he's in trouble and get the jump on us."
-----Sarah nods at Raven's comments. "Indeed. You have two options here, put down your weapons and get tied up and thrown in jail, or die messily. We've really run out of patience with you incompetent villains, anything that you guys have messed up we can fix." She says impatiently.
-----"You see town?" Marast answers angrily. "You see dead in streets?"