-----Raven looks up from examining the floor and takes a sword. As Raven tests the blade he says to Sol, "Looks like this was the armored man's room. Looks like the wizard didn't have maid service huh?"
-----Sol laughs briefly and replies, "Not really. Remind me never t'hire a troll fer cleaning purposes."
-----Both Sol and Raven are vaguely disappointed with the weapons. Not only are they unremarkable, but they are also filthy and grimly.
-----Unconcerned, Sol heads out of the room as he indicates his movements, "I'm going t'head up...who's coming?" However, the Gorian does not wait for an answer and leaves the filthy room regardless.
-----Raven lets the sword fall from his grasp. Raven says, "Right behind you." Raven follows Sol up the stairs.
-----On the next level, one large room dominates here looking much like a place where a troop could be housed. However, there are no bunks or bedding located here as the place is devoid of furniture. The cold gray stones of the walls look dreary. A single opening in the wall looks to open out onto a walkway outside this room while another incline leads up to the next level.
-----"Raven, Rinda...Ye want t'take a look at th' walkway? Lovan an' I will continue up." Sol keeps heading up the incline.
-----Raven nods and then heads towards the walkway. Rinda follows her man and the two find themselves on a walkway that stands protected as it circles the exterior of the tower. Looking away to the west and the north, they can see the woods where they spent part of the day and the valleys and hills beyond. Everything here seems peaceful as Rinda slips her hand into Raven's.
-----Suddenly Sol is heard descending the steps as fast as he can. The Gorian roars out at the top of his lungs, "Raven! We've got a score o' mounted troops headed here from Krondor's keep! They've only just left, so we've got a some time t'prepare!" Though addressed to Raven, Sol ensures everyone in the tower hears that.
-----The Gorian continues his rapid descent, heading towards the tower's entrance.
-----Raven smiles and then says to Rinda, "Sure is nice of 'em to come to us huh?" Raven then starts after Sol.
-----Sarah's head snaps up and she listens as Sol and Raven and Rinda run by her down the stairs. "Oh...dammit why couldn't they have come tomorrow." Sarah laments, wishing she could try out one of these new spells.
-----Instead she picks up the book, places it in her pack, and runs after Sol, wondering what the plan is.
-----The entire party quickly makes it out of the tower where they hurriedly mount up. By the time Sarah urges Marlexana into a gallop, Sol has already charged into the northern edge of the village.
-----As each of the adventurers ride through, they draw anxious and curious glances from the residents of Nox. The citizens pause and stare as the riders intensely go past.
-----As everyone finally catches up to the young warrior, Sol is stopped close to the river where the road that leads along the docks faces the east. In that direction perhaps now at a distance of a half-mile, comes an armored troop of riders. The troop looks to number about twenty fighters. As Sarah pulls up in the line that includes Sol, Raven, Rinda, Garrison and Lovan, it is apparent the armored troop sees them.
-----Never slowing, the fighters draw their swords.
-----Sol watches the charge with contempt and he observes wryly, "I guess that's th' only attempt at diplomacy they're going t'offer." The young warrior draws his own blade in answer and says to the group, "Raven, Rinda, Garrison; can ye attempt t'plug a few wi' yer arrows? Sarah, if ye have any tricks left...Lovan, you too." The Gorian then tenses up, waiting for the right time to spur Thunder forward.
-----"...up my sleeve perhaps?" Sarah comments wryly. "Funny you should say that." She extends her arms and her cloak, the one she took from the dead body of Aaron Repe, seems to writhe around her like a giant spider. Hissing under her breath in a somewhat scary tongue, the young sorceress eyes grow dark under her hood and her hands wiggle like arachnids.
-----A huge web, easily twice the size of the ones she has previously cast, blankets the middle of the riders.
-----"How's that for starters?" She says happily and then begins to prepare her next spell.
-----Raven flashes a snarl-ilke smile, "I like it Sarah, my turn now." Raven draws his bow and starts to fire at the fighters.
-----Sarah's huge webbing immediately engulfs a little over a dozen riders and horses who fall amid the screaming whinnies and shouted curses.
-----About ten warriors are left to charge, coming on riding heavy warhorses. Raven sends two arrows forth quickly and skillfully taking down two more of the warriors.
-----Rinda misses with both shots from her longbow, however, one of Garrison's shots cleaves through an advancing fighter's face.