-----Raven looks at the priest for a moment not sure how to react to this odd man. Doing a slow scan of the area for anything sign of trouble first, Raven then dismounts and waits for Sol or the priest to speak.
-----Sol dismounts as well and bows formally to Lovan, "Thank ye fer allowing us entry, yer reverence." Unsure of what to do next, Sol waits to see if the priest intends something else first. As he does wait, he asks, "Sir, are ye th' lone priest here?"
-----"Yes, I am," replies Lovan almost hitting himself in the mouth with his warhammer. He grows quiet seeing the clumsy way he is behaving. Shaking his head, he sets the weapon and shield down. He then lifts the helm from his head. The visitors see that Lovan seems to be a youthful man although the creases, wrinkles, and the beginnings of heavy jowls give the appearance of age and strain. He squints at everyone although the clouds overhead remain thick. His sandy brown hair is cut short and sticks straight out from his head.
-----With a voice that hints at weariness, Lovan says, "Those who served here left long ago to look after their families. It has been a while since anyone has passed this way. By the power of the Rager, I have been able to hold off the dragon, but I have not wanted to venture far from the temple."
-----With a spark of excitement lighting his eyes, his voice takes a pleading tone as he says, "Now that you are here, can you accompany me to slay the dragon?"
-----"You have no need to request such a thing good priest." Sarah says grandly and melodramatically. "For the power of your most faithful," she gestures towards Sol. "has already dealt with said fell beast." She makes a slight curtsy in Sol's direction, playing it up for all its worth.
-----Sol grins at seeing the priest's eyes shine and replies, "I'd love to but as said, unless it's any different from th' thirty foot black one that's been around, it's already dead. We all slew it this very morning." Sol goes red at Sarah's view of the events and quickly continues on, "Sir Kelor Zantar has been told, an' hopefully has sent out some guard t'confirm it fer himself."
-----The Gorian then briefly looks around as his friends before asking the priest, "Lovan, I would appreciate th' chance t'speak t'ye alone momentarily. I have some...questions."
-----At the mention of the dragon's death, Lovan's jaw drops but his expression is uncertain. "I . . . I must see some proof," he utters and he nods at the mention of Sir Zantar.
-----"I am Rinda, a Tracker of the Great Hunter, Thales," the Huntress says, offering up her small collection of black dragon scales for inspection, "Sol Herron is a man who does not boast of his deeds, but this I can tell you. It was he that stared down the dragon as it dove from the sky down on us. His sword it was that drew the first blood from the beast all in the name of the Great Rager."
-----The expression on Lovan's face is indescribable as he takes in what he hears and sees in the scales. His face seems to be a mixture of disbelief, confusion, realization, and finally awe. Rinda snaps the scales away from the priest adding, "I am keeping these scales in honor of my friend."
-----Lovan steps back as if snapping out of a trance. He catches himself and looks around at everyone. A stern look, but one that also tells of being impressed, crosses his face. Looking at Sol, Lovan says, "Yes, I must speak with you."
-----The priest leads everyone into the keep, where they arrive at a large chamber furnished with modest furniture and lightning bolt banners on the walls. The floor looks as if it could use some sweeping as dust has settled here and there. Still, it appears fairly comfortable to rest in and Lovan tells the rest of the party to wait here. He then turns to Sol and indicates a stairway leading to the next level.
-----"Come, let us ascend to the temple," Lovan says taking the stairs and waiting for Sol to follow.
-----A few moments later, Lovan and Sol descend the stairs and rejoin the others. Sol seems to be especially enthused and tells everyone, "Lovan an' I are going t'tackle a cult that involves a werewolf. Apparently, they've been causing trouble before th' dragon moved in. It's on th' way t'Nox an' not far from here, so it shouldn't take long. I'd be grateful if ye joined us, but I realise ye may want t'be on th' way o' th' mission now, in which case I'll catch up t'ye in no time."
-----He then awaits everyone to answer.
-----Raven looks shocked at first and then frowns. Raven says to Sol, "Aye, I'm always up to hunting down evil, but I wish you would have included us in deciding if our team should take on this mission. Here we just talk Sarah out of going out on her own and then you do the same thing."
-----Raven lets out a sigh, "Aye I'll help you and Lovan. As for you leaving the group and then coming back, I think that would be foolish since you are a critical member of this team. You have to ask yourself, are we a team or not? Do you want to bring Krondor to justice or do you bore of this hunt?"
-----Raven rubs the back of his neck, "I'm not mad Sol, just disappointed how easily you throw us aside."