-----The Dread Pirate shrugs, then says, "I hope it's chokin too. I guess we'd best be waitin at the campsite fer Kazel to show up. Unless Seth wants to go spy in town."
-----Seth shakes his head. "No, I want to go hide somewhere, have a bath and hide, that thing was terrible!"
-----Moments later, the small trio arrives back at their makeshift campsite. Runik sighs and huffs as he dismounts from Joren. Placing his hands on his hips, the dwarf surveys the surrounding countryside and says, "I be hatin' to be waitin' 'round here again. Ya s'pose we could be headin' fer where the lass, Brandel, n' Krord went to be seekin' out that dead dragon? They be carryin' all that treasure n' I hates to be seein' 'em have to fight fer it on their own if'n they be meetin' trouble."
-----Seth surveys the campsite and considers curling up like a ball, but then brightens up at Runik's suggestion of joining Kazel and the hoard of treasure and artwork. He secretly admires his new ring and then straightens up on El Binko, the horse and suggests, "Yes, my good friend, let us go directly to the art works! Oh and Brandel and Kazel as well."
-----The Dread Pirate nods his head in assent, "Aye, we can't do much here anyway. Let's go see if Kazel needs any help."
-----Off the three ride, Dread now riding Joren while Runik holds onto Seth on El Binko. They ride lightly across the plain toward the direction of the road heading northeast from the Town of Redmarsh.
-----Within an hour's time, they have bypassed the town and now ride two miles beyond it. Up ahead, they see the woods that they rode through when they had encountered the dragon's passing.
-----A bit later, they pass through the woods and come upon a field dominated by scrub vegetation. Just as they exit the treeline, they suddenly see Brandel standing by the road panting as if catching his breath. Seeing the three riders, the young mercenary waves to them. Even though he fights to say something in his winded condition, his expression reflects urgency.
-----Seth rides El Binko at a trot towards Brandel, hoping that Runik is able to stay mounted. When he reaches Brandel, he dismounts and asks, "What has happened?" hoping none of the fine art works, or Kazel have been damaged.
-----The Dread Pirate follows after Seth, a concerned expression on his face. He says, "Arrr, ye didn't run into a corn-demon did ya? Nasty thing went and ate Runik's pony."
-----The young mercenary grabs his knees and bends over as he continues to catch his breath. He gives the Dread Pirate a concerned and confused look before shaking his head.
-----"K-Kazel a-a-and K-Krord," he finally pants out, "f-f-facing two m-men. One a - a - a s-spellcaster. H-H-Hit me w-w-with a spell."
-----"Blast!" Runik swears, "The lass be in trouble! Krord don' do so well wit' spells!"
-----Seth asks Brandel, "Point the way!" After being shown the direction, Seth starts moving the horse forward in the right direction. He reminds Dread and Runik, "Aim for the spellcaster. Stop him casting and we will be right. I'll use some grease as well!"
-----The Dread Pirate growls and yanks his cutlass out of its scabbard. "This is turnin out to be a real messed up day. I'll flank around to the right of 'em and see if I can get behind this spellcaster." Dread then hops off of Joren and races off to the right.
-----About a quarter of a mile ahead of them, Seth can see a strange dark form on the ground that rises above the small bushes. At first, it looks like a very small hill or mound among the vegetation. As they draw closer, glints of sunlight can be seen shining off of black scales.
-----Standing close to the black-scaled mound are people, some of which lie on the ground.
-----Seth realizes that there can be no doubt. The mound is the body of the slain dragon; its entire body measuring about thirty feet from snout to tail tip.
-----Seth also quickly recognizes Krord and Kazel. Nearby them stands a middle-aged man wearing blue robes. Silver cloth lines the sleeves of his garment. His light blond hair is interspersed with grayish strands. Curiously, he seems to be telling Krord something and the huge mercenary suddenly walks toward Kazel. The man in the robes reminds Seth of one of the priests of Ora back at the temple in Oakwood.
-----Three other people, dressed in the ordinary plain gray of peasant work clothes, lie on the ground. They look stunned and move slowly near the bloodied body of a young man wearing leather.
-----Kazel, herself, looks to have fought a battle and evidence of wounds is about her. The wagon and horses stand off to one side and Seth can see the little girl peeking around the wagon to watch.
-----Seth slows El Binko down to a walk, not keen on hurting people he does not know. He tells Runik, "It looks like the troubles are over, but just in case have your crossbow ready. Dismount. If that priest looking guy tries something, pour bolts into him. Also, I will hold this lace handkerchief in my hand if I let drop, shoot him."