-----Raven growls, "True enough. I still don't like it, but I'll trust you on this one Sol." Raven remounts and says, "Let's head out then and show 'em what for."
-----Lovan leads everyone out into the courtyard again and, after leaving them briefly, rides up on his own light-coated mare. Dismounting quickly he raises the portcullis. Before everyone leaves, he climbs back into his saddle looking as steady as a rock.
-----The Priest of the Rager, fully armored again with his shield hung from his left arm, yells toward the cloudy sky, "May we bring the Fury of the Rager!" Without warning, he then charges his horse through the gate leaving everyone to catch up.
-----As everyone leaves, they bring their horses to a full gallop just to catch up to the odd-mannered Lovan. The riders charge three miles down the road to the southeast. They pass two hills on the north side of the road before they come in sight of a deserted looking large shell keep.
-----However, as they begin to slow their progress, it is not to this place that Lovan turns. Rather to the south side of road lies a large patch of tangles and briars that extends and grows in that same direction. Far off in the middle of the rough field the weathered stones of an ancient village ruin are seen.
-----Lovan points toward the ruins. "That is where we are headed. I have seen their fires come from there at night."
-----"Right then." Sol agrees amiably as he rides towards the center of the long deserted village.
-----Sarah's serene smile has changed to one that is quietly amused, as if the whole thing is somehow funny to her. "Let's go." She says, following Sol.
-----A silent Raven swings his horse around and then follows Sol.
-----The riders then make their way through the field. The going is slowed somewhat as sticker bushes and briars catch and tug at the horses as well as clothing. Still, in the mid-afternoon, everything seems quiet up ahead in the ruins.
-----Finally the larger bushes thin out revealing the vine-covered ancient stones of the ruins. They pass a few low buildings traveling on a moss covered wide stone path. As they round a collapsed larger structure, they come in sight of the middle of the ruins. There, Lovan stops and points.
-----Everyone follows his line of sight and sees a few yards ahead, a large fire pit that has been constructed. The pit area is surrounded by other large sized ancient buildings, most of them still intact. A huge fire is burning in the pit, being tended to by two people dressed in red and black robes. Lovan continues to point at them and seems to fume. The people are not aware of the party watching them.
-----As soon as Lovan points out the black and red robed ones as the evil cult members, Sol draws his longsword and pushes Thunder into a charge, his own clouding face mirroring Lovan's.
-----Sarah coaxes Marlexana over to stand near Lovan and his horse. "How many of these foes can we expect?" She asks him, not taking any action but waiting to see what happens.
-----Raven readies his bow, but waits for Lovan to start the combat. Raven draws back an arrow and takes aim at the black robed stranger in front of him.
-----"Close to a score," Lovan quickly replies to Sarah. He then yells at his horse and gallops after Sol. "Bring the Lightning home!" he shouts, making the two people by the flames jump. As they turn, everyone can identify the robed ones as men. Their faces exhibit emotions of hate and anger as they draw daggers.
-----Suddenly from the clouds overhead a great boom is heard. Its sound carries in the distance and its echoes drown out the robed men as they call out.
-----Sol's sword thrusts into one of the men's chest as he rides by. The momentum forces the dying body into the flaming pit.
-----Lovan follows and swings at the other man with his warhammer. It smacks the man in the head with a sickening sound likewise sending his body in the fire. Surprisingly the action takes place before Raven can shoot an arrow.
-----The Rager's priest quickly dismounts and stands by the flame pit with his hammer held high. He then points to his left with his shield hand. Looking across, everyone can see a dark door-less entrance leading into the nearest building.
-----Shema and Romney look as if they are shock at the sudden quick actions. Romney's mouth works as if he is trying to protest, but he casts an uncertain eye at the sky and remains quiet.
-----Raven mutters, "I'll be damned, he can move, can't he?" Raven dismounts and runs forward with bow ready to shoot.
-----Sol looks back at everyone and then at Lovan. He also dismounts and starts running to the building indicated by the priest. He calls out loud enough for his companions to hear, "Prepare yerselves, I'll draw them out."