-----"Indeed, t'Shema an' Mirian." Sol raises his mug to his lips and gulps down some of the bitter liquid. He looks at each Oakwood guard in turn and nods, "One day only, eh?" The Gorian grins eagerly as he turns and calls with friendly gusto, "Good barkeep! Do ye have anything special in th' house fer my friend's last day here, a'fore duty takes them back home?"
-----At first the stocky barkeep frowns at Sol's request. However the expression seems to be more of deep thought. He looks around his bar as if seeking something in particular. Looking down, his expression quickly changes to one of excitement. Reaching down, he comes up with a dark bottle, holding it aloft triumphantly and saying, "This will certainly do you! Zanyrian Rum!"
-----Just then, a young guardsman is at Sol's shoulder, who clears his throat. As Sol turns, he sees the guardsman wearing a light greenish tabard with what must be the insignia of Rushfen. "Excuse me," the guardsman politely asks, "would you be part of the small company who entered the town and reported to Lord Howrun's troop within the past hour?" The man has short-cropped hair of a brownish color and his features seem very plain.
-----"Done! Bring it over, friend." Sol smiles at the barkeep's find. He winks at the Oakwood guards before looking at the local guardsmen, nodding politely and answering, "Yes, we are. How can we help ye?"
-----"Our Lord Marshall, Cedric Lone, had a few questions and words of greeting from the Lady Evalyn," the guardsman replies, "He was wondering if he might have a few minutes of your time."
-----He then gestures toward a table closer to the fireplace where sits a noble looking gentleman wearing the rustic attire of Rushfen but carrying a certain bearing about him. The Lord Marshall looks to be a man in his late thirties and has shoulder length black and a trimmed beard about his chin. He smiles warmly in the young warrior's direction and nods.
-----Three other guards sit with him at his table.
-----Curious, yet not overly surprised, Sol returns the man's nod. Quickly he replies to the guard, "O' course, lead on." The warrior then pushes back his seat and stands in one fluid motion before bowing theatrically to his friends, "Excuse me, gentleman. I'll return as soon as I can."
-----As soon as Sol begins to follow the Rushfen guardsmen to the table where Cedric is seated, he snaps from playfulness to professionalism, or at least as close as the Gorian warrior gets. Reaching the table, Sol's head bob respectfully as he greets the older man and his men, "Good day t'ye, Lord Marshall. Sirs. Ye wanted t'speak t'me?"
-----The Lord Marshall stands and extends his hand toward the Gorian. The other three guards stand also momentarily giving Sol the impression that he is being surrounded, though the feeling proves foolish facing an official of Rushfen and being in a public place. "I am Lord Marshall Cedric Lone," he says in a baritone voice, "thank you for taking the time to speak with me."
-----Biding Sol to be seated across from him, everyone sits except for the guard who initially summoned the young warrior. This man stands off to Sol's right shoulder and watches the other patrons in the establishment.
-----"On Behalf of the Lady Evalyn," Lord Lone begins, "I wish to welcome you and your companions here to Rushfen and its town. Lady Evalyn regrets that she cannot meet with you herself, but affairs of state keep her occupied for the moment."
-----"We have heard from Lord Howrun and his officers the noble exploits of you and your companions. We feel we are truly blessed to receive such visitors in these trying times of ours. Lady Evalyn wishes to properly show her appreciation as soon as she is no longer detained. Would you be so kind as to tell me about yourself and those you travel with?"
-----It is clear that Sol is unsure of the question itself, but he does his best to answer, "Well, th' large dark haired man wi' th' short swords is Raven, a strong an' skilled hunter o' Thales. By his side is his lady, and a priestess o' Thales herself. Her name is Rinda. Just across from her, wi' th' large axe is Garrison, another hunter, an' another good man. Then we have Lovan, wearing th' scaled armour an' helm, a priest o' Strator. Sarah is seeing her mother at th' moment, but she is a mage, an' learning th' trade quickly from what I've seen. Th' three guards o' Oakwood, Romney, Abram an' Bradley are set t'return home tomorrow morn'."
-----Sol takes a breath as he considers his own situation, and something Lord Wizard Zepharon called him repeated through the Gorian's mind. Something that Sol liked. Hoping that the answer's he'd so far provided were what Cedric wanted, the warrior proudly ended his description of the party with, "Ye've already my name, an' I'm a Stormbringer o' Strator."
-----The Lord Marshall's face remains pleasant as Sol points out the hunters. His face then frowns with concern as the Rager is mentioned. "Hmm," he mutters, then he asks, "do you have much contact with those who worship the Rager here in Rushfen?"