-----As if in reply, one of the woodsmen picks up the assassin's sword, a dullish long sword lying among the stones of the floor. He studies it in the light of one of the torches and soon reports, "I see no poison, just blood." He then glances up toward Sol.
-----Raven moves just behind Sol as he works. The hunter then pulls his own dagger to help the young warrior. "What in the name of the Great Hunter would we expect to find behind this . . . . stone wall?" Raven asks.
-----Some of the elves are grouped together speaking in their flowing language. Though hearing the beauty of the elven tongue could brighten an ominous place such as this, the elves speak with a tone of concern and edginess. They pause as Raven and Sol release the first few bluish stones.
-----Within a few moments, one of the elves, a fellow who stands as high as Sol's shoulder, walks beside the Gorian and the hunter. With admiration on his features, the elf says to Sol, "My friend, you have done an honorable service to the Silver Woods. May I ask that you let my elven brethren and me to take these stones you take from this most accused of places, so that this portal will never be opened?"
-----After doing all she can on Sol, Sarah thinks for a moment and then speaks to the elves in the Elven language, "How many more of these castles are there?"
-----One of the elves, this one with a shock of reddish hair, smiles humbly before the Lord Wizard's daughter. With a slight bow, he answers the young mage in his rustic but graceful speech.
-----After she gets the answer to that question, Sarah turns to her companions and says, "Well, I think we've slayed enough evil for one day. And we've certainly paid the price. I think we should consider settling down for the night. I'm exhausted." Sarah has two things on her mind, Mirian, and the bag of treasure Sol and she found upstairs.
-----Turning to the elf, Sol gives a friendly smile and replies, "If that's what ye think best fer these stones. As soon as we've got them all out, yer welcome to them. Just . . . Remember, they've bought my friends nothing but trouble, and if one man was willing t'find them, more will follow. Take care o'them, an' more importantly, yerselves."
-----As Sol continues to work on the gems, he nods at Sarah's words and adds, "As soon as we're done here, we can get Mirian out of here. Head back t'Gafa at least."
-----Last of all, Sol says kindly to Rinda, "Relax sister mine, he wasn't enough of a swordsmen t'seriously wound me . . . " A frown mars the warrior's face as he reflects on what he called the huntress, but the smile quickly returns as he finds comfort in it. In a weird tone, Sol continues, " . . . Not in a stand up fight anyway. The torch got struck out, but was kind enough to relight itself."
-----The elf speaking with Sol replies to the young warrior saying, "Your words are well said, my friend. The stones shall be separated and guarded so that none will ever find them in this life."
-----Soon the seven stones are released from the stone portal and given to the elves. The elven warrior then asks Sol, "Do you wish to unburden yourself from the stone you still carry?"
-----By this time, the woodsmen looks as though they are ready to leave with the assassin's body carried amongst them. One of them holds their torch aloft while some of them catch one last glimpse of the frightening relief of the spider etching.
-----"In a sense . . . No." Sol replies thoughtfully, "It would probably be better if th' stones were t'be split up, making it harder fer them t'be joined. An' any allies o'th' assassin are my enemies too . . . I'd have no qualms dealing wi' them."
-----The warrior hesitates slightly and looks to Sarah, Raven and Rinda in turn, "Though, doing so would place ye all in danger again, at least in theory. So it's up t'us as a group. Ye know my choice."
-----Sarah smirks. "C'mon Sol. Nothings beat us so far. And I think if we learn anything from what happened today it's that we have to take the risk ourselves. We can't be responsible for everyone." Sarah says thoughtfully. "So yes, keep the stone."
-----Sol's grin is instantaneous, "It's settled then."
-----Sarah bows politely to the elf and replies in Elven, "Thank you. Please send word to the Lord Wizard Zepharon at Hearthorn if you find any more of these locations. He'll know how to get a hold of me."
-----Nodding soberly, Sol adds, "He also said he'd catch up wi' us in Rushfen. We can let him know about this place then."
-----Sarah takes a deep breath and moves closer to Sol. After removing the last of the stones, the Gorian hands the bundle of gems, save his own, over to the elf who spoke. Wiping off any grit from his dagger, Sol carefully slides the knife back inside his right boot and stands, wrapping one arm around Sarah's shoulder. Which conveniently allowed him to pull her in so that he could plant a tender kiss on her cheek.
-----"Let's leave this sorry place."
-----Sarah smiles to herself as Sol pulls her close. She was always happy when he read her mind like that. And his kiss just made everything seem a whole lot better. "Yes, let's get far away from here." She says looking up at Sol.