-----Moments seem to pass as the light from the lantern appears to be stationary somewhere on the other side of the wagon close to Raven. Then the angle of the light begins to shift as it is obvious the man must be somewhat spooked and is peering toward the opposite end of the stables.
-----Finally, the light begins to dwindle and Raven hears the man's hurried footfalls as he seems to run back the way he came. Darkness returns as the man is heard to leave through the stable door he entered.
-----Raven listens for a minute to make sure the man has moved on, then Raven looks for a good spot to conceal himself that would give him the best view of this area. He keeps to the shadows and begins to move to his hiding spot.
-----Raven heads back down the stables toward the end he came in. Though he moves silently as a mouse, Raven looks from side to side to make sure nothing else menacing here spots him. Something a bit unsettling seems to hang on the air.
-----At the end, Raven finds an empty stall where the shadows are heavy and he has a clear view of the opposite end of the building. Just a few feet from his position is the door where he came through and if his prey enters, striking would be easy.
-----Raven slows his breathing and crouches watching his surroundings like a waiting predator. Moments pass seemingly like eternity while the only sounds he detects are those of the quieting horses and the rain descending on the roof.
-----Finally the better part of an hour seems to pass and everything here in the stables remains quiet.
-----After waiting a bit longer, Raven hears the sloshing sound of someone approaching the building. The door nearest to him suddenly opens and a tall form enters carrying a lantern. This time, Raven recognizes Sol as the young warrior continues down the long line of stalls, probably looking for Thunder.
-----Raven readies his bow and scans the area for movement.
-----The hunter watches Sol place the lit lantern in the center of the building and proceed to light the other lanterns that he can find, apologizing to nearby horses as he does so. After a few moments, the place is dimly illuminated by four lanterns. As Sol approaches Thunder's stall, he strokes the stallion's nose a couple of times and whispers a few calming words.
-----Sol then looks around and walks down toward the stalls at the opposite end of the stables. Sol then seems to disappear into one, perhaps taking up a post much like Raven is doing.
-----Everything seems to settle into quietness again.
-----Raven waits and, as time drags on, he continues to watch the interior of the stables. After a while, it is evident to the ranger that enough time has passed and nothing has moved in this building since Sol arrived here. There is no sign or sound of the man who was here earlier checking in the stables before Sol came.
-----After the better part of a half-hour, Sol sees a form creeping toward his position sticking close to the shadows near the stalls. Hardly a sound the form makes as it draws ever closer. Within a few feet, Sol is able to make out the familiar features of Raven and the hunter apparently sees Sol as the young warrior hides in the empty stall.
-----Sol shrugs slightly to his friend to indicate that he doesn't believe that the assassin will show up.
-----Raven moves closer to Sol and then whispers, "Why don't you act like you are returning to the inn. Maybe our friend needs to see you to show himself." Raven motions to his bow, "I'll cover you."
-----Sol rises and moves to comply with Raven's plan, though he does say, "I think he may have been chased away fer th' night, but we can always hope." The warrior moves over to Thunder and pats the horse's neck a couple of times in parting, and then walks toward the far door.
-----Raven keeps to the shadows as he moves a bit to scan the area as Sol walks away.
-----A sudden pang of unease seems to hang in the air as Raven watches his friend open the door to the stables revealing the unrelenting weather. The lanterns had been extinguished leaving the stables in darkness now with the only light being that of the single lantern that Sol carries. Only a few horses murmur giving any indication of being disturbed by the open door.
-----Sol's form, silhouetted by the lantern held in front of the young warrior, stands briefly on the threshold before the Gorian raises his foot to take a step.
-----Suddenly, Raven sees Sol fall and the light of his lantern is swallowed up by the darkness. Rushing forward, the hunter sees Sol on the wet ground quickly gaining his feet. Between Sol's position and the door, a large form lies on the ground.
-----Looking down, the two heroes see that Sol has tripped over a man's body. The prone form has two arrows protruding from its chest.
-----Sol immediately bends down and carries the man's body into the stables, just stopping inside and gently placing the body down again. Briefly Sol checks the body to see if any life remains. Then he proceeds to light the lantern again, saying to Raven in a harsh voice as he does so, "Raven, I'm going to get some of Roderon's men from the inn. They'll need to know of this."
-----A grim Raven nods, "I'll come with you." Raven calls for the wolf and then with bow in hand follows Sol.