-----The woodsman shoots Romney a look as if to question what to do with the girl accompanying them. The guard in turn raises his eyebrows as if consigned with the situation. He quietly mouths the words, "Stay close," to Garrison.
-----"Bah!" Lovan says as if throwing caution to the wind, "Why hide when we bring the storm to the swamps?"
-----Sol glances at Lovan and then looks back towards the gates. He starts Thunder into a trot that already threatens to break into a gallop. As the stallion moves, Sol answers the priest firmly, "Not hiding. Misdirection. Let th' foes have trouble knowing when an' where th' storm strikes. Enough...Let's get out of here."
-----The rest of the adventurers' party follows Sol and Thunder through the gates without a word. Straight down the hill on its southern side they ride, sheltering themselves beneath the trees at the base of the hill. There, they pause while studying their surroundings and looking for signs that their passage has been noticed.
-----About them, the forest seems normal and calm as birds are heard overhead and also the rustle of squirrels in one tree. Peering through the trees toward the east reveals an area where the forest thins somewhat, giving way to shorter vegetation and moist land beyond. To the south and the west, the trees appear to continue in those directions.
-----In a few moments, the rumble of horse hooves are heard as Lord Howrun's troop leaves the keep. The entourage of men and elves descend the hill leading off toward the southwest where soon they are lost among the trees. They pass the adventurers' position a mile off and the sound quickly fades.
-----By this time the afternoon sun begins to cast shadows from the trees toward the east and the light breeze causes the movement of leaves. It also carries a scent of heavy moisture that can only come from the swamps to the south.
-----"South an' east Gafa lies, was that what Kylan said? Care t'take th' lead, Raven? Sharp eye th' rest o' us. If ye think something is unusual, or ye hear something odd, don't think about it, just let th' others know." Sol waits for Raven to lead the party to the village.
-----Raven nods and takes the lead. Raven sends the wolf ahead to scout a bit. Raven follows a path that he hopes would be difficult for someone to follow. With bow ready Raven's eyes scan the path ahead of them.
-----From their position, the hunter turns south where the woods seems to thicken. This slows the pace and within an hour's time, the party has covered only the length of a mile.
-----They enter into a place where the forest floor descends into a small valley. At its bottom, small vines and moss cover the area whereupon the walls of the valley slowly rise to the normal treeline. Still, all about them the trees press together and it is difficult to see more than a few yards ahead.
-----Finally, two hours before the sun sets, the trees thin and give away to a large area of short brush vegetation to their south. To the southwest, the trees continue making a forest wall that borders the large fields. To the southeast, the land looks wetter and still pools of water under bare leafless trees are seen.
-----"Unless ye manage t'find us a trail or path through th' swamp, Raven, we may need t'slow our pace. Th' swamp may prove treacherous ground fer our steed's footing." Sol comments as he waits for the hunter's lead once more.
-----The hunter nods silently and leads the party to the trees just to the west. There, they continue their journey toward the south using the treeline as a cover. With the sun in the western sky, the shadows begin to lengthen causing any unwanted eyes from the east to spot the riders not without difficulty.
-----Romney continues to watch from side to side as Mirian clings to him with large eyes barely hiding the apprehension. Garrison rides near them though his demeanor seems a bit more relaxed, perhaps of the forest environment. Lovan merely grumbles as his horse walks along beneath the branches.
-----After an hour, the party descends into another forested valley and as they climb the other side, a barren hill rises before them. The landform seems to be a smooth grass-covered dome stretching to a half-mile on each side of the riders, while the rest of the forest surrounds it on all sides. By this time, the sun has sunk beneath the tree line though the twilight is not yet filling the sky.
-----Garrison rides up alongside Sol and Raven. "From the way they talked back at the Inn," the woodsman says scanning their surroundings, "there should be a road around here." Now staring at the hill in front of them, he adds, "The top of that hill might be a help in spotting it. Do you want me to do a little scouting?"
-----"A road would make things easier." Sol nods to Garrison. He takes a look at the fading light and looks at Raven, "Ye should join him, the quicker we move on, the better."
-----Raven nods, "Aye, I'll go with him to scout ahead." Raven follows Garrison to scout out the hill.