-----Sol stares at the last two fallen, looking slightly crestfallen. He then shrugs and heads back towards his friends. As he does so, a beatific smile begins to form as the Gorian follows Lovan's suit and regards the sky.
-----This brief moment is broken by Sol answering Garrison, "Good question. I...I know this will come as no surprise, but after that skirmish I'm all ready t'take th' fight t'th' keep now. But...Sarah would probably appreciate th' time t'rest up, regain her magicks."
-----Sol then dismounts and cleans his blade on the body of a fallen warrior, frowning as he adds, "Th' downside o' going in tomorrow is that Krondor is bound t'either send more trouble or have more time t'prepare. Or even get away if he's inclined. If we do rest th' night Raven, maybe you and Garrison could keep a close eye on th' keep. Once night falls, th' two o' ye could head t' th' keep an' watch fer comings and goings. Rinda too, if ye needed th' extra set o' eyes. Th' rest o' us could keep a watch in Nox."
-----"If we went in tonight, we'd need some way o' getting inside...How much rope do we have?"
-----The young warrior then resheathes his blade and strokes Thunder's nose. Keeping that up, Sol turns to regard the keep, "What say th' rest o' ye? This keep holds what we originally set out for...what, almost a fortnight ago? Krondor better bloody be in residence!" He smiles grimly at the last sentence.
-----Raven looks towards the Krondor's keep and says, "Aye, I'd like to scout around the keep before we storm it. Like you said Sol, we'll need rope and other supplies to do this the right way. I would think that Sarah, Lovan and Rinda would do well by having a day to restore themselves and get ready for the attack. I vote to attack tomorrow."
-----Raven retrieves his arrows and searches the bodies of the fighters.
-----"Sounds fine to me." Sarah agrees with Raven. "We've done more than enough for one day, and I would like to get a chance to learn these spells." She gestures to the red book.
-----"In the meantime, maybe our friend has some things he'd like to tell us? Starting with your name, perhaps? And what brings a young man with all of his life before him to this bloody place?" Sarah smiles disarmingly at the charmed rider.
-----Sol looks at the exchange briefly before returning his gaze to the keep. He frowns and says, "I'm going t'return t'tower. I'll take watch up on th' roof. I'll keep watch on th' keep during th' day from there...as well as th' surrounding countryside. Raven, you and Garrison can head t'th' keep tonight, keeping watch under th' cover o' darkness. Romney can do a patrol around Nox fer th' first watch, an' I'll do another later in th' night." Sol then walks back through Nox towards the tower, leading Thunder by the reins.
-----"We still have the rope the Dread Pirate left to us," Rinda replies as the young warrior begins walking off.
-----"I go by Harland," answers the man Sarah has enspelled. He sits calmly on his large warhorse as he gazes at her with large greenish eyes. His splint mail seems to be well made as does the shield he carries on his left hand. In his right hand he still holds his long sword though his manner is relaxed and he exhibits no aggressive tendencies.
-----"I am a mercenary who makes his way by the sword," Harland continues. "The lord in the castle tells us of changes that will soon happen to this countryside. He pays well and he has treated us fairly."
-----Garrison looks up curiously as the conversation unfolds. Lovan simply smiles and adds, "I think your lord is in for his fair treatment." The Storm Priest then begins to stride after Sol.
-----"Please, old friend," Sarah says casually. "Tell me all you know about this castle and those who live and rule there."
-----Intending to ask Sarah about the spelled warrior's answers later, Sol continues on to the tower.
-----"Our lord, MiLady," answers the mercenary, "holds the distant castle with two more troops of men-at-arms. He waits for the right time to lay claim to this land. This shall come about when the reinforcing troops arrive."
-----Harland's face seems to hold no emotion though his green eyes remain large.
-----As Sol and, finally, the others enter the village, they find that many of the villagers have once again taken to their homes. A feeling of fear seems to have settled over the river village once more perhaps brought on by the short battle fought on the outskirts.
-----For now, the small temple dedicated to the sun god becomes a common base for the adventurers. Beleya feeds and tends to everyone as well as remains a source of communication as the party splits and meets again at different times.
-----Sol returns to the tower for the rest of the day while Lovan ventures off to the fields surrounding Nox. The Storm Priest keeps a brooding expression about him as if feeling the energy build within him. As evening time settles into the sky, he returns to the temple sometime after Sol returns.
-----Shortly after dark, Raven, Rinda, Garrison and the wolf set out to scout the distant castle.
-----As the rest of the party takes this time to rest, Romney begins his own patrol of the small village. He comes back in around the midnight hour with little to report. The surrounding countryside had remained very still under his vigil.
-----Sol takes the last patrol of the village. He and Thunder circle the area many times before the night sky begins to lighten. Just before dawn, the young warrior sights the return of Raven and his small band of hunters.