-----Sol strides carefully across the catwalk, at one point, adding a bit of haste to his momentum. In the next few moments, he makes it across the catwalk while more bits and pieces of stone clatter down on the stones of the courtyard.
-----Now standing atop the collapsed portions of roofing, Sol makes his way across the ruin looking for spaces in the collapsed structure.
-----Suddenly, Sol freezes. Looking across over to his left, Sol sees where the structure turns to form its wing that points to the south. There, where the collapsed upper story is exposed, a stairway that leads from the first floor is seen. Walking up the steps is another small troop of hobgoblins! Though Sol is in direct sight of them, they appear not to notice the young warrior, . . . yet!
-----Sol immediately ducks down behind some vine-covered rubble. The absence of excitement in the low hobgoblin speech tells him he was not spotted. Peering out from behind his hiding spot, the young warrior can see there are six of the humanoids.
-----Just then a familiar voice enters his consciousness. Almost just below the hobgoblins' position, a sweet feminine voice is heard. Sol instantly recognizes Sarah's voice as it sounds as if his friends are planning on entering the vine-concealed courtyard below.
-----While eyeing the humanoids as they begin looking at each other with confused looks, the magnificent Lathanian sword leaves its sheath with a soft hiss. Sol gathers himself on his haunches and begins moving, keeping low around the pieces of wooden roof rafters that extend from the ruins that conceal him.
-----Some of the hobgoblins now appear to be aware of the sound of voices below and some of them raise spears while watching for movement down before them.
-----By the time the young warrior reaches them, most of the hobgoblins are fully absorbed in ambushing those below. Possibly catching movement from the corner of its eye, the hobgoblin nearest Sol looks directly at him as he closes within striking range. It gives an angry yell as Sol's blade pierces its chest, killing it.
-----A second hobgoblin falls dead as the remaining four rushes at Sol, all thoughts of those below forgotten!
-----"Fer what almost became o' Tap an' Ash, this is fer them." Sol says with some heat, as he steps to the middle of the onrushing four and swings his blade in a low and wide sweep. As the blade connects he calls, "Strator!" Easily he looses himself in the moment, letting his hate for these creatures affect his movements.
-----Just then, three golden missiles streak up from the courtyard and strike the humanoid duo facing Sol. Two of the magic missiles strike one of the hobgoblins, staggering the humanoid. Although it looks very badly hurt, it remains on its feet.
-----The third missile hits the last hobgoblin, but it appears to be lightly wounded by it as it continues to focus on Sol.
-----This monster brings its sword to bear in a jabbing position, but its thrust is parried by the Lathanian sword.
-----The more wounded hobgoblin spots the other adventurers in the courtyard below. Eyeing the beautiful young mage, its picks up its spear.
-----Raven's wolf begins barking as it faces some vine-covered stones behind the adventurers. Turning, Garrison quickly shouts, "Heads up! Another lizard!"
-----There, from behind the stones another huge lizard crawls forward; its narrow eyes scanning those in front of it.
-----"No chance, vermin!" Sol spits out as he steps towards the hobgoblin cruelly eyeing Sarah. His sword flicks up and then back down in a heavy overhead strike.
-----In the flash of an eye, the hobgoblin facing Sol is down drawing its last breath. Stepping over the dead humanoid, the warrior strikes heavily taking the spear-bearing hobgoblin off its feet. The monster falls dead its dark blood staining the stones.
-----Meanwhile down below, Garrison eyes the newly approaching lizard with gritted teeth. Still favoring his injured leg, the woodsman glances at Raven.
-----Rinda quickly begins reaching for her bow.
-----With swords at the ready, Raven moves in toward the lizard. Raven snarls, "Damn, how many of these things are there?" Raven slashes at the lizard's head.
-----Sol looks as Raven rushes the creature, a flash of pride running through him as he watches the Hunter of Thales. A moment later, he's heading down some stairs near where the hobgoblin's bodies litter.
-----Raven's blades flash through the air cutting the scaled lizard flesh deeply twice. The monster hisses out in pain and tries to turn but it already appears weak from the hunter's attack. The lizard, however, does turn just in time to avoid another cut from Raven's short sword.
-----Garrison hobbles up, gathering his strength for a huge strike from his battleaxe. The woodsman hefts his weapon over his head and swings down. Unfortunately, he misses a blow to a reptilian leg and his weapon rings on the stones. "Damn!" Garrison shouts in frustration and in pain from exerting his wounded leg.
-----An arrow leaves Rinda's bow sailing over the lizard's head. Cursing, the huntress grabs another arrow as the beast suddenly moves to attack Raven. Its jaws snap on empty air just a few inches from the ranger.
-----"By the Hunter, Garrison, move your carcass!" Rinda yells as she takes deadly aim with her bow again.
-----The woodsman wisely chooses to fall flat to the ground as the huntress's arrow leaves her bow with a twang and impales itself between the lizard's dull eyes.
-----Just as Sol races out from the vine-covered doors of the small keep, the lizard falls dead.
-----"Amazing!" a voice is heard behind the adventurers. "Truly astonishing!" another one calls. Just as everyone turns, they can see that across the courtyard a group of people has entered through the ruined main gate.