-----Sarah blushes as Sol kisses her. "I absolutely do Sol." She says with a sense of longing in her voice. "But sometimes that feeling scares me. I've never felt this way before." She cuddles up closer to her warrior, feeling comfortable around him.
-----"Then that's a fear we share an' likely fer much th' same reasons." Sol answers cheerfully as he wraps both arms around Sarah...As if drawing her closer was possible. He continues on, "Still, that's something we can deal with together. We love each other; I'm sure th' rest will follow along at its own pace. No matter what we face in th' future, as far as I'm concerned we've got all th' time in th' world t'let this happen."
-----An exhilarated sigh escapes from the warrior, showing just how much he looks forward to this.
-----A muscle twitches briefly in Sol's right cheek before he looks Sarah in the eyes once more, "I'm sorry t'hear of yer parents' death. Though I'm glad t'see th' Lord Wi...Zepharon seems t'be more than one could hope fer in a father. Do ye still keep in contact wi' th' old couple? An' who is...Veil?" Sol's last question is asked with a slight smile.
-----Sarah shrugs and laughs. "To be honest I'm not sure." She says smiling radiantly. "She's a diviner, and her and my dad are really close. That's really all I know about her. I've never seen the old couple again...they weren't exactly normal." Sarah finishes ominously.
-----"Alright, ye've peaked my interest. What do ye mean not normal? An' what's a diviner?" Sol asks both questions eagerly.
-----Sarah flinches. "It wasn't in a good way." She says in a low voice. "I've sort of shut it out." She clears her throat. "A Diviner is a wizard, sort of like me but more specialized, she can see the future and stuff like that, she's really good at it." A trace of envy has obviously creeped into Sarah's voice. She pauses and glances up at Sol, smiling radiantly. "Have I told you I love you recently?" She asks.
-----Sol grins in reply, "I don't know, what do ye consider recently? Either way, ye'd better make certain th' jobs done an' tell me again." The Gorian awaits the mage's answer with a twinkle in his eye.
-----"I could write a thousand poems for you, but I have the feeling you think actions speak louder than words." Sarah leans up and kisses Sol. She keeps kissing him till the time to leave Xyl was called.
-----In a short while, riders and hunters on foot are seen moving through the village making for its western end. Though the rain has now stopped, the gray clouds seem to hang overhead adding a continuing gloom to the day.
-----Then, one by one, as if on cue, various citizens of the small village begin appearing between the buildings and walking in different directions carrying on their daily routines.
-----As the adventurers begin heading to one side of the village to meet up with Lord Howrun's company, they see clusters of people hanging around various locations. Close to the village stables, a group of eleven shabbily dressed men seem to wait and keep a vigil on their surroundings. The general disposition of this group seems unfriendly and alert.
-----On past the residence of a teamster, the riders pass three women on foot. The trio is dressed in peasant clothing which seems well worn and dirty. Just as the strangers pass the fenced in section close to the stables, the adventurers hear the nervous whinnying of horses in the yard.
-----A few yards from the home of a carter is another assembled group of men, which looks close in appearance to the group the adventurers saw outside the tavern that morning. The men ignore the passing riders, murmuring among themselves.
-----As Sol, Sarah, Raven and Rinda reach the western edge of the village, they see Lord Howrun's company gathering beneath some large oak trees. Lovan sits atop his horse strangely beaming with a huge smile on his face. Garrison and Romney wait patiently while the woodsman reaches down to boost Mirian into the saddle behind him.
-----Just as the adventurers reach their companions, a command is given and the entire company begins setting off through the trees toward the southwest.
-----A few of the guards on horse and on foot fan out and soon some of them are lost among the trees while those closest to the Lord of Silvergard keep their weapons in hand and scan the forest with their eyes.
-----Roderon and his two rangers ride close to the party just a few strides behind Sol and Sarah's steeds. The ride continues on through the woods as silently as the trees that dominate here.
-----After the better part of an hour, the trees thin out and in front of the company a wide expanse of scrub vegetation opens up to them. Off in the distance nearly a half-mile stands a large ruined fortress.
-----As the last of the riders emerge from the trees, a loud voice impossibly seems to issue forth from the distant structure. A strong feminine voice booms, saying, "Who dares approach the Fortress of the Storm?"