-----Finally, some of the woodsmen and warriors finish, getting up from their tables and heading toward the door.
-----"Gather what things ye need," Howrun yells to them, "We leave for Rushfen as soon as the rain stops."
-----Lovan sits back and pats his small belly. He smiles at Sol saying, "A fine day for the Rager to find different ways to storm!"
-----Garrison chuckles not quite getting the meaning of what the storm priest said. Romney simply scowls and begins to rise from the table.
-----"I am sorry to impose," Mirian says heretofore only picking at bits of meat and bread, "but would it be all right if I journey with you to Rushfen? I feel the need to leave this dreary place."
-----"It's fine by me," Garrison offers, "You can even ride with me if you don't have your own horse."
-----Mirian calmly nods with appreciation although she casts a quick glance at the guard from Oakwood.
-----Rinda stands up, saying to Raven, "I need to walk into the woods a bit to praise the Great Hunter."
-----"Do what you need to do now, my friends," Roderon says, "This village has enough supplies for the journey. Within the next hour, the rain should stop and you can meet us on the west side of the village."
-----"If any o' ye want some food fer th' journey, now would be a good time t'grab some." Sol says as he observes the group with a slightly more agreeable look on his face. He returns Lovan's comment with a small smile but it's clear that his attention is elsewhere.
-----Turning to the mage at his side he speaks to her softly, "Sarah, now that I'm confident that there are enough guards around, can I speak t'ye before we head off? Alone?"
-----Sarah smiles softly at Sol. "Of course, you don't need to ask me if you want to talk to me." She says, wondering what is on Sol's mind.
-----Sol leads her outside, somewhere where there is some cover from the rain, but is in sight of the Silvergard Lord's troops. Next to one of the buildings, a small wood fire is set in front of a fallen log in the wet grass. Protected by the thick branches of a tall tree, it is here the two speak.
-----It wasn't the best morning for this conversation, but circumstances had forced this out. Turning to face the enchanting mage, Sol's contented smile fades as he starts off with something less than romantic, "Back at th' keep I was forced t'kill Harland. He was with some o' th' other guards, who I assume he freed. Huh...He was a better swordsmen than I thought he'd be too, much better trained than the others. Anyway, I just thought you should know, in case you were wondering."
-----Sitting next to Sol in the wet grass, Sarah folds her hands in her lap and smiles at the flickering fire. "I figured as much." She says somewhat wistfully. "Thanks."
-----Sol's smile returns though it's somewhat cautious and his words are tender. As he speaks, the young warrior reaches out and enfolds the mage's hands with his own. "Sarah, back when we were about t'assault Krondor's castle, ye mentioned...that ye were adopted. If it's something ye don't want t'discuss then that's not a problem, but I'd like t'know about it if ye'll tell."
-----"I'm not really sure of the story myself." Sarah says quietly. "My parents died, somehow...an old couple took me in and...kept me alive for awhile. Veil found me there and took me to Zepharon." Sarah shrugs. "That's really all I know. What about you, you know, your family?"
-----"Very well indeed. My family owns a farm in a valley nestled in th' foothills of th' Dragos mountains, back in Goria. I spent some nineteen years of my life there." Sol pauses a moment in reflection, which is only broken by a glance at Sarah. He then continues with a rather nostalgic note in his voice, "I have three brothers, two elder, one younger, as well as two younger sisters. All o' whom were still living at th' farm with my parents when I left. I miss them...most o' them at least. Ash, Tapper and Mum especially I guess."
-----A sort of sad and confused look passes over Sarah briefly as she glances down at the ground. "So, why did you leave?" She asks. "If I had a family I'd..." she shrugs again and doesn't meet Sol's eye as she waits for his response. This is obviously an uncomfortable issue for Sarah. She sort of wishes she hadn't bought it up.
-----A frown slowly grows as he adds, "It...doesn't matter anymore, I can't change any o' that. I had an argument with my father. He made it more or less clear that there was no more room for me at the farm. Doesn't matter now, I got th' chance t'travel. Got th' chance t'make my own way on my own terms, wi' th' people o' my choice."
-----Sarah squeezes Sol's hand reassuringly and leans her head against his muscular shoulder. "Are you happy now?" She asks.
-----Sol plants a kiss on Sarah's head and answers softly and surely, "I am. These last two months or so I've made firm friends and I've had th' opportunity t'help some people who needed it. We've gotten rid of some truly nasty bastards...an' also certain things taught t'me by Winter are beginning t'make sense an' work fer me. Above all, I've found someone who I wish t'spend th' rest o' my life with an' I hope they feel somewhat o' th' same."