-----Zepharon looks around hesitantly and seems to recognize those in his company. Looking at Sol and the two hunters, the wizard utters, "Come," and ushers the three inside the tent with him.
-----Within, they all see Sarah and Veil sitting together in a large cushioned chair. The diviner quickly draws her hood upon her head and pulls herself from the chair to confront the Lord Wizard.
-----Before Veil can say a word, however, the Lord Wizard sternly announces to Sol, Raven and Rinda, "I appreciate the loyalty all of you have shown to my family and especially my daughter. However, I fear that the time has come that we must leave you for a short time. I shall remain in touch with you, but it is imperative that I return my family to Hearthorn."
-----Zepharon gives a weary sigh and motions to his daughter. "My dear," he tells Sarah, "we have but a few moments. You may tell your friends farewell for now."
-----Sarah stared at her father in shock. They were just going to spirit her away, never bothering to explain what was going on? The young sorceress felt like stomping her feet and yelling at them the way she used to throw tantrums when she was a little girl and they refused to tell her some kind of magic.
-----But for Sarah being mature and demure would win in an internal struggle against fierce independence when her parents were involved, so after a brief moment of deliberation she cast down her eyes and muttered in a pouty voice, "Okay daddy."
-----Sarah walked quickly over to Sol and threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. "I have to go. I'm not sure why. I don't want to." Is all she says before she kisses him passionately. After a few moments she breaks it off and says, "No matter what's going on, I'll see you again soon." She glances around at the rest of the group, "All of you."
-----And with that Sarah disappears back into the tent to await whatever her parents have in mind for her. "Okay daddy." She says timidly. "I'm ready."
-----Sol returned the kiss fervently, also apparently in some shock, enough so that the presence of the parents had little impact on his action. When Sarah breaks off, he whispered to her urgently, "I love you." This was all going too fast. Brief looks of concern were exchanged with Raven and Rinda before the Gorian turned on Zepharon.
-----"Sir, whatever you have to do, do, but could ye please let us know what is going on? Veil wouldn't tell us till your return . . . Do we need t'be careful o' th' lady Evalyn? What o' Lord Howrun an' his forces?"
-----The Lord Wizard quickly ushers the hunters and the young warrior outside the tent. Holding Sol gently by the elbow, Zepharon peers across the way where a small retinue of guards accompanying Lord Lone head toward their area. The Lord Marshall strides purposefully across the lawns and his surrounding guards look well equipped with weapons. Seeing them still quite a few yards away, the Lord Wizard gives a slight sly smile.
-----"Young Stormbringer," the wizard whispers, "you have nothing to fear of those here in Rushfen and the Silver Woods. Lord Howrun and especially the residents of Gafa are indebted to your company of adventurers. You have once again triumphed where others have failed."
-----Zepharon peers back at the approaching guard under the brim of his hat and turns Sol so the Gorian faces him. Occasionally, the Lord Wizard sneaks a peek over Sol's shoulders.
-----He continues to speak in a low tone, but his words are quicker and more urgent. "I am sorry I do not have the time to explain. Forgive me. Veil and I must speak with Sarah first."
-----The wizard now lets go of Sol's arm and reaches with his other hand for the tent flap. "As for the Lady Evalyn," he says with an exasperated sigh, "you have nothing to fear from her. Just be yourself and please remember there are always two sides to any story."
-----"Lord Wizard Zepharon!" Lord Lone calls with authority. Everyone turns toward the officials of Rushfen. The guards, now mere feet away, quicken their pace at recognizing whom they seek.
-----Looking at the tent again, Sol and Raven see that Zepharon has already disappeared into the shelter leaving the flap quivering at his passage.
-----"Stop! Stop that man!" Lord Lone shouts as he and his guards hurry to the tent. Pushing past the people collected around the entrance, the Lord Marshall forcefully throws back the tent flap and rushes inside with his six guards.
-----Sol and Raven still baffled by the turn of events follow the guards in and at first are disoriented by what they see. There, the Lord Marshall and his guards stand in the midst of a simple circular tent, the sun brightly shining on the light canvas material from the outside. The natural grass makes a soft carpeting under their feet and the only object within is the center pole that holds the tent up.