-----A while later everyone enters Sol's room on the first level of the massive tree that makes up the Inn of the Sylvan Wood. Garrison immediately escorts Mirian in and seats her in a chair toward the middle of the room. As Rinda lights a candle, the woodsman rushes toward the windows looking out on the edge of the village below and the surrounding trees.
-----Romney quickly takes a position up at the door after everyone enters. He occasionally cracks the door a bit to peer outside on the platform.
-----The dancer sits quietly as the chaos of everyone hurriedly moving to and fro is around her. A few moments ago, she was outside with the others in the seemingly onslaught of rain. The adventurers had left the home of the unfortunate deceased citizen of this village seeking to assemble in safety.
-----The baldpated man had agreed to convey the group's apology to Lord Howrun for not returning to the feast. The small group of citizens had last been seen lighting the lamps and clearing away the mess in Frederik's home.
-----Chessie flies and finds a resting place on a bed post; a place where the small owl can watch his mistress and her comrades make some kind of sense and plan to deal with this most wearing of nights.
-----Mirian shakes her head as if to gather her wits and quietly watches the guard from Oakwood as Romney continues to watch with a stern and menacing expression. Rinda hands her a towel to dry the rain from her clothes and hair.
-----Garrison slowly and carefully shuts the wooden blinds over the windows. "I don't think we were followed," he says occasionally stopping to glimpse at some shadow below.
-----Lovan patiently taps his warhammer with his palm and looks around at Raven, Sol and Sarah. Curiously, he offers everyone a friendly smile as if awaiting the call to action.
-----Sarah sits down and sighs, slightly tired and slightly frustrated. She glances across at Mirian. "Mirian why don't you tell us all about yourself? I mean everything that you can think might be useful and even the stuff that you think isn't. Maybe we do know why someone's after you we just haven't put it together yet." Sarah gets comfy and waits to hear Mirian's story.
-----"A few months ago, I became of age," Mirian begins, "and so I left my mother and papa back in Whitewing." The dancer's eyes catch the glow of the candlelight and her voice flows as if singing a song. "With a small amount of money, I wandered to the south visiting villages and hamlets along the way. I was free to sing and dance for all who would listen and found many kind people who would put me up or pay me for my performances."
-----Mirian smiles as she adds, "I was lucky because I made new friends and I learned new songs! I remember the day I walked into the Royal City itself! I made so much over the course of a few days that I actually got to spend one night in the finest inn there. After a week I got the urge to wander again, so I followed the river south. When I reached the main river, I rode a ferry across and found myself in Silvergard. I always wanted to see where the elves lived and I journeyed through the small village until I found my way here."
-----Mirian's smile fades as her voice trails off, "I never had any trouble. I don't understand why . . ."
-----"Neither do we, but if this sod is after ye tonight, we'll have a chance t'ask him." Sol promises to the minstrel as he seats himself next to Sarah on the bed. As he speaks, Sol looks around at his companions, gauging their opinions, "If we're going t'do a decoy, then it wouldn't be so hard t'set something up fer Nighttime. We grab some extra pillows, stuff them in a vaguely human shape underneath the blankets on the bed in Mirian's room. Chances are this fellow is more likely t'climb up through th' balcony than risk making his way through th' inn's entrance, so I could hide under th' bed wi' th' decoy, wi' Raven and Lovan ready t'burst in th' door when I give th' shout."
-----Although Sol had come up with this plan on the spot, he now continues eagerly, obviously happy with the plan, "T'be on th' safe side of things, Sarah an' Rinda could stay wi' Mirian in one o' our rooms wi' Romney an' Garrison guarding as well. This assassin may be canny enough t'realise his target isn't where he intended."
-----"Remember, if we do confront this one, I want him alive so we can question him...thoroughly." Sol advises before waiting for comments.
-----Romney raises his eyebrows and nods slightly. "A good plan," he says simply.