-----Rinda and the wolf also follow the two men and quickly they ride their horses to the base of the hill. Dismounting, they begin climbing the steady incline of the landform while keeping low.
-----"Bah!" Lovan spates angrily as he watches the hunters' progression, "Why should we wait and hide like cowards? Let us ride on and bring the storm to whatever we meet!"
-----"Silence, you!" Romney roars back at the storm priest, "We have innocents to protect, maybe even those who dwell here and those we may have yet to save!"
-----Mirian's eyes grow large as Romney turns his horse to fully face Lovan. By this time, the hunters have reached the top of the hill.
-----"Oh we know that for certain, do we?" Lovan challenges, "We sit too long and what does it get us?"
-----"Not so easily killed and time to clear our heads and plan," Romney coolly says.
-----"Have as you will, forest guard," Lovan says neutrally, "That is the Rager's way."
-----"Rager's way," Romney repeats in an annoyed fashion while turning back to watch the hunters, "So far I have not been impressed with the way you choose to do things. Throwing caution to the wind is not of the Holy Redeemer."
-----Lovan huffs and grumbles, although a strange smile crosses his face.
-----Soon after observing from their vantage point, the hunters begin descending the hill heading back to their companions. The light under the trees begins to diminish as the twilight shadows begin to grow among the trunks.
-----"Lovan, enough baiting. Romney, stop letting him bait you. We've got more important things at stake." Still watching the surrounding forest, the Gorian's head shakes slightly though his face is still one of composed patience.
-----Sol nods to the hunters as they come back in and he prepares to once more follow Raven's directions.
-----As the hunters approach, Garrison says, "We sighted the road." Pointing to the trees that lie to the east of the hill, he directs, "I think we'll run across it if we head southeast through the trees."
-----At Raven's lead, the party sets out again skirting the large hill on its northeastern side before plunging back under the branches of the forest. Here, the ground underfoot appears damp and a humid smell arises that reminds the adventurers of the ruined keep they explored earlier that day. Most of the forest floor proves firm though occasionally the horses' hooves tromp through muddy patches. Overhead, the loud commotion of birds in the boughs overhead rises and subsides as the riders pass underneath.
-----Soon, as it seems that the constant winding between the tree trunks is old, they come upon the trail road. The pathway, obviously once cleared by caring elven hands, is overgrown in spots by ragged short plants and brownish vines.
-----Following it to the east, they process just a short way before the trees begin to thin revealing a large field. Here the twilight is not quite as deep though the shadows hang deep and dark beneath the trees to the north of the field. A mile to the east, the beginning of a large lake is seen which the road winds to the north of.
-----To the south, the swampland apparently begins as there are less trees and more open standing pools dot the area.
-----"This reminds me of Redmarsh," Lovan quips to no one especially.
-----Looking at the road that leads across the field toward the lake, Romney says, "I hope this lead to that small village before it is too late after the night falls."
-----Garrison grimaces and shakes his head. "I don't see any sign of smoke from fires or buildings. I bet we have a bit of a ride ahead of us."
-----The woodman looks at Sol and Raven as if awaiting their thoughts.
-----"Indeed, well now that we have a road, let's pick up the pace while we have enough light to see the road." Thunder starts ahead at a fast trot, having been quietly urged by his rider, heading towards the road and hopefully Gafa as well.
-----"This is more like it," Lovan growls as he rides off after Sol.
-----Romney frowns with a disgusted look at the storm priest as he urges his own steed forth. Mirian keeps her silence while looking at the vast open country to the south.
-----Garrison mumbles under his breath as if in agreement with the Oakwood guard. The woodsman then concentrates on maintaining the pace as the entire party rides off.
-----Quickly the field is crossed and the lake, its surface still but murky gray, looms closer. The riders continue on the road, which leads them past the tall marsh weeds that ring the lake and close to the trees on their left. The lake proves to be fairly large stretching some two miles before the land gives way to short stubby plants and bushes.