-----Finally, with Sol still in the lead, they reach the corridor where the rooms are next to each other. The door to Sol's room swings open and Romney appears in the threshold with his sword drawn. The guardsman relaxes somewhat at the recognition of his friends.
-----"Everything is all right here," he says, "did you capture . . ?" Romney stops when he sees the young warrior with blood streaming down his shoulder, where the Gorian removed the arrow that struck him.
-----"Enough," Rinda simply says running up behind the others, "I say we lock ourselves in for the night and tend to our wounded." The huntress then points Raven and Garrison toward Sol who looks a bit pale standing outside the door.
-----Mirian peers outside over Romney's shoulder with a worried expression.
-----Raven grumbles, "She's right. I hate to admit it, but we need to re-group and plan our next move." Raven points to Sol, "You get in here and sit your ass down and let Rinda treat your wounds. I'm going to run down and check on the wolf." Raven turns to Garrison and Romney, "Keep your eyes peeled, I'll be back in a few minutes." Raven starts to leave the room.
-----Sol walks unsteadily until he's next to Rinda and nods, "I'd appreciate you checking my wound, Rinda." Then he looks at Raven as he is leaving and comments, "There isn't much t'plan. He will come back fer me. Maybe fer Mirian as well, but I hold what he wants. I plan t'give him th' opportunity t'take it as soon as Rinda is satisfied tha' I won't fall flat on my face."
-----Sol continues on through gritted teeth, "I believe he ran because he wasn't prepared t'fight us all at th' same time. So once again he feels comfortable because he can strike when he chooses. It'll probably be sooner rather than later, but I'd rather not have us jumping at shadows until he does attack."
-----"So, I'll head down and make my way t'th' stables. He's likely t'be keeping an eye out fer us, so he'll follow me there. There'd be enough cover in there t'make it difficult fer him t'use his bow, so I'll try and force him to match blades with me again. I know I can take him."
-----"I will take him tonight." Sol growls and thumps his fist into the palm of his hand. Something seems to have really angered the Gorian beyond the norm and it all seems to be directed at this assassin.
-----Raven sticks around to hear the rest of Sol's comments. Raven says, "So he is after that stone you were given." Raven thinks for a moment, "Give me a half hour or so and I'll scout out around the stables. I'll look for a spot I would choose as an ambush point, then I'll wait for our new friend."
-----Raven pauses, "Sol, do you still want this elf taken alive?"
-----Sol looks Raven in the eye and replies, "I think we need to take him alive, but no, I don't want to. Alright friend, stay hidden and I will see you soon."
-----Raven takes to the stairs and within moments, he stands on the rain-soaked ground again. The wolf trots up to him out of the shadows of the tree and waits at his master's heel.
-----The hunter then makes for the stables, a long building which with its white walls stands out in the dark. Across the lawn, man and wolf race, occasionally splashing in their steps. The rest of the village looks quiet and peaceful for the night although Raven catches a glimpse of what could be Lord Howrun's company returning to the inn.
-----Raven leaves the wolf outside the building so the animal won't frighten the beasts within. Immediately the smell of leather and horse assaults the hunter's nose and Raven takes in the size of the place. Probably the largest stables the ranger has ever seen, the number of horse stalls seems to reach a good sixty feet across the floor.
-----Over to his left, Raven also sees a small number of carriages and wagons probably belonging to patrons of the inn. Raven quickly ducks behind one as movement is detected at the other end of the stables. As he peers out from his hiding place, Raven sees a man carrying a sword and holding aloft a lantern as he stops to inspect each horse in the stalls.
-----Raven stays where he is and watches the man. Not wanting to make any noise, Raven does not draw any weapons. He waits to see what the man is looking for.
-----The man continues on, pausing at each stall and raising his lantern so the light can shine within. Occasionally nodding, the man continues with his silent work, seemingly satisfied with what he sees. As he draws closer to Raven's position, the man begins examining the wooden vehicles that are placed here also. Raven realizes that in a few more moments, the man will be very close to where he is.
-----Raven glances around for a safe place to hide. Seeing none, he grabs a small stone and throws it further down the stables.
-----"Here now," the man is suddenly heard to say as Raven's stone clatters off a distant wall. A horse in one of the far stalls gives out a nervous murmur.