-----Lovan then grumbles incoherently under his breath.
-----"Likely." Sol replies in a low tone to Romney. One last question is asked of Ulow before the Gorian is done, "Sage, do ye know of a way t'show these beings for what they are? Last night, there were three who claimed t'be Lord Howrun's men. I believe they tried t'lead me astray, an' disappeared when I would not go when they asked."
-----Sarah grins at the fat storm priest, loving the fact that Lovan finds it so disagreeable. "Dopplegangers, I've heard of them before. There are spells that can reveal them, but I don't know any such spells. Rinda?" she asks.
-----The sage gives Sol a shocked look at his revelation. The horrified expression then gives way to one of pondering the question. Slowly he speaks, "I am uncertain, but perhaps by exposing the creature to the person it is impersonating."
-----The huntress turns toward Sarah in surprise as if in recognition of the value of the mage's question. "Hmm," she utters as she thinks before saying, "if the hunter could look inside the mind of the prey." She then adds, "I do not have the means to do that but I can tell how good or evil a creature's nature is. Perhaps Raven's wolf could track one by its scent."
-----From some of the surrounding homes, five men emerge. They walk up to the assemblage formed by the adventurers, Ulow and Quintus. Wearing work clothes, these villagers appear to be laborers and craftsmen highly interested in the conversation.
-----The rotund young man looks nervously at the approaching villagers. Suddenly steeling himself, he thrusts his nose up and proclaims, "We should be cautious. One never knows who another may really be."
-----"Posh!" Ulow says in protest to Quintus, "Enough of your ramblings. Be away about your business, Quintus." The sage waves his hand as if to dismiss the storm priest.
-----"Very well," the chubby one responds, "however beware of newcomers! No one has truly helped us yet!"
-----Lovan suddenly launches himself at the retreating fat priest. "Insolent fool!" Lovan spits in his face, "The Rager himself should bring your destruction down upon you!"
-----With that, the storm priest strikes the fat young man across the face rocking him on his feet. Quintus keeps his balance and grabs his injured jaw with one hand. As he holds his mouth, his face turns red and he glares at Lovan with building rage.
-----"Save it fer th' Castle, Lovan!" Sol yells sternly as he moves to stand in between the two faithful followers of the Rager. "Either o' ye make any aggressive moves, ye'll find yerselves arse end up. Clear?!" The warrior glares briefly at the pair, then turns back to look at Ulow once more.
-----"Good sage, we will head onto th' docks now. Hopefully it won't be overly long a'fore we either meet again or we have th' opportunity t'send word. We've had some luck with odd an' dangerous situations a'fore this. . . I'm sure we'll have the same here." Sol says hastily, his tone just barely modified enough to carry his words with respect, before once more turning to make sure neither Lovan or Quintus will 'misbehave'.
-----Sarah is just a step behind Sol in getting between the two priests she glares at Lovan, and starts yelling, "What in Destine's name are you doing, you lunatic? What kind of a hero hits people in the face for no reason?" She's glaring at him. "Apologize now." It's not a request.
-----"Yes, apologize!" Quintus says fuming at the offending priest through his hand cupped over bleeding nose.
-----"Apologize for what?" Lovan says turning to Sarah. "This one," the storm priest waves his hand at the young fat bleeding man, "insults the Rager by his very appearance and his inability to bring the Fury down upon those who trouble his village! I should not have to apologize for slapping those who fall short of the Rager!"
-----With that, Quintus points at Lovan. For a few moments, he shakes his finger at the storm priest. Abruptly he turns and stomps heavily back toward the building he emerged from.
-----Ulow raises his head and glances at Sol with a questioning look.
-----Sol eyes Sarah askance and shrugs. There seems to be a whole lot of meaning behind it, but it's not translatable. To Sage Ulow, all that the Gorian says is, "Let's go . . . " Sol begins to continue on his way the group was following.
-----It is nearly mid-morning when everyone reaches the south end of the village. The sun now peers out more frequently behind the passing clouds and the air feels warm and sticky. A murky smell prevails as the light wind carries the aroma of the marshes through the air.