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-----Before sending the people off before her, Beleya quickly says, "This I warn you, do not go into the tower. We do not know what horrors, if any, are there."
-----Quickly the people disperse leaving Thunder to move on to the temple.
-----The temple that Beleya keeps is a small one, obviously smaller than the one the Sun Lord, Jacian Dawnrider, presides over in Hearthorn. Nonetheless, the warm sunlight filters through the windows in the altar area. Here, Sol relaxes while the sun priestess gathers more bandages and salves to tend to him. While they wait, Sol finds a chance to talk to Nox's priestess.
-----Sol earnestly thanks the priestess for the extra attendance. As the priestess finishes applying the salves, the young warrior asks with interest, "What do ye know of th' tower? Ye mentioned a monster earlier and ye warned th' townsfolk t'keep clear. Also, do ye know anything of th' keep that stands a few miles t'th' east?"
-----The sun shines on the brown hair of the priestess and a thoughtful look graces her green eyes as she answers, "It is an old tower, built long ago to guard this part of the river. Merkulus was very powerful, . . . as you full well know. He and Gu perhaps have traps or spells cast on the interior of the tower."
-----As for the question of the keep away to the east of the village, Beleya says, "It would appear as if it is occupied. I have not seen anyone there although our people in the village and some rivermen say they have seen guards manning the walls. I had thought of going there to ask for assistance."
-----Rinda, Sarah, Lovan, Garrison and Romney follow Raven in a small clump of trees close to the tower. Just as the party enters the area covered by undergrowth, Raven stops. Quickly the ranger begins searching the ground around him. This goes on for a few moments drawing a look of frustration from the hunter.
-----More minutes pass and Raven still has trouble finding the tracks. Garrison immediately begins looking toward the treetop suspecting some kind of ambush from the trees.
-----The wolf then starts sniffing the ground occasionally stopping to look at his master. Finally the wolf begins to growl with its nose close to the dirt. It then runs a few feet to the north before turning to look back at Raven. The hunter runs over to the animal.
-----Raven motions for the group to follow him. Raven heads toward the north.
-----"You know, Raven," Sarah says, "I think you should name your wolf. Not that it'd make any difference to you guys, I just think he's earned it by now." Sarah follows the wolf and Raven.
-----Raven looks over at wolf and then back to Sarah, "I will watch for a sign from the wolf or the Hunter on what to call him." Raven smiles, "You are right he has earned the right." Raven's smile fades, "Back to hunt..."
-----With that Raven resumes tracking the beast.
-----In a few yards, the trees thin out exposing open plains to the north. As the hunting party begins moving out, the land descends into a wide valley. Across the way at the far end, there appears to be another ruined castle structure where the land rises.
-----As they move downward, large exposed rocks protrude from the ground helping to slow their movement.
-----Suddenly, Raven's wolf stops and the animal's legs are tense. Its nose rises into the air as if catching a certain scent. As it lowers its head to the ground, it begins to growl lowly.
-----Raven motions for everyone to stop and the hunter quickly creeps forward. He makes his way to the edge of an outcropping of rocks and pauses there.
-----After a few moments of apparently watching something, an intense angry look comes over Raven. He draws both of his swords and leaps at something behind the outcropping. The air is then filled with an inhuman raging yell tinged with pain. Suddenly Raven is heard yelling, "Over here!"
-----By this time, the wolf disappears around the rocks with Lovan, Romney, Garrison and Rinda charging in. The huntress shouts into the air, "To the Great Hunter, we bring home the prey!"
-----Just as the first few of the attackers round the rocks they see Raven growling at the large troll, "You liked that? Here's some more." Raven rolls to one side of the monster and tries to cuts at its legs.
-----The hunter savagely tears open its legs muscles spilling a dark ichor on the ground.
-----Lovan quickly steps up and swings his warhammer catching the jaw of the monster with a loud crack.
-----Just then Garrison shouts out, "Someone get ready to burn this bastard!" In his excitement, he misses the flailing monster.
-----Suddenly the troll leans down forcing its mouth onto Raven's shoulder delivering a vicious bite. At the same time, Raven's wolf clamps its own teeth onto the troll's leg.
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