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-----Here the forest seems a bit changed also. Before where the trail had been on flat land, their path now begins to twist, turn, rise and descend in different areas. First, the party moves down into a forested valley. Next they begin to ride across a long area ahead that has small brush dominating it. For the better part of an hour, they move forward and the forest around them grows quieter.
-----At the end of the second hour after they left the Town of Oakwood, everything around them falls silent. Off to the east about a mile from their position they can see a barren hill rising. Everyone brings their horses to a stop and matching the silence, they listen intently.
-----Soon something flies high overhead that gives a reason for the quietness. Looking up, everyone sees what appears to be a flying horse. However, although the hindquarters resemble equine features the forelegs and head look like an eagle. The beast magnificently soars through the air toward the distance hill and then circles. It flies high over the party once again and seems to rear itself in the sky. With a loud, bold screech, it then turns and heads toward the hill, with the sun shining off its golden tan hide.
-----"Wow." Sol says in reverence. The warrior watches the beast until it disappears from view, stretching himself on Thunder to ensure that happens for as long as possible. When it does fade from eyesight, he settles down and nudges Thunder back into a walk down the road, every now and then glancing towards the hill.
-----Raven uses his right hand to shield his eyes as he watches the creature. Raven says to Sol, "I hope it's not hungry." Raven readies his bow and then continues forward.
-----Sol looks over at the hunter and smiles, "I get th' feeling that was just a warning t'ride clear. Maybe it has a nest nearby or th' like. Amazing creature..." His voice trails off as he glances towards the hill again.
-----Sarah’s jaw drops at the beauty of the creature that just flew so close to them. "Amazing." She mumbles, staring at it for awhile after the others can't see it. "I wish I had one..." She pets Marlexana as she says that, as if she doesn't want her horse to get jealous.
-----The trail now takes everyone back among the trees. When they have journeyed directly south of the barren hill, they come once more to a fork in the trail road. Bradley tells the adventurers that the northbound path leads around and eventually leads east to the village of Orans. With the southern fork, the path leads directly into Visp after a mile and a half.
-----Taking the south fork, they soon emerge from the trees and across a scrub-covered field, the party sees the small buildings of a village. As the sun falls lower, the light dances off the top of the trees and here and there it streams in between leaves and branches. A few people are seen moving between the buildings in a hurried manner as if to finish the day’s work as early as possible.
-----As they ride into the small forest village of Visp, the majority of the buildings are small wooden cottages and cabins. Small gardens are seen behind many of the homes and the air begins to carry the odor of wood fires from the chimneys or beside the dwellings. Most of the people appear to be woodsmen and hunters from the hides and fur that make up their clothing.
-----Rinda looks around with a satisfied smile on her face. "Were it not for WilderHaven, this would be a good place to settle. Much better than the town!"
-----As they pass several small homes dotted here and there among the trees, they see a small dwelling that looks odd among the others. Instead of the bare wood that all of the other houses feature this small structure has been painted a yellow color and its roof is thatched with golden-colored reeds. Beside the door is a curious plaque mounted on the outside wall. The plaque has a purple background with yellow symbols printed on it. Sarah seems to stare at the small house with interest.
-----On their left is a dwelling with a sign out front identifying the occupant as a cobbler and on down a few yards the residence of a butcher is seen. As they stop in the middle of the village, the building next to them is a tavern. An interesting sign over the door features a beast much like the one they saw earlier in the sky.
-----Romney motions on down the trail at a larger building off the trail. The building resembles a temple although not nearly as large as the one seen in the Town of Oakwood. "That’s the temple to Maxim, the god of law. That’s where you were going?" He looks at Sol as if to verify the destination.
-----As everyone looks around, it is apparent that within an hour, the sun will set.
-----Sol nods at Romney, "Yes. Time t'speak t'Rau'Triel." Sol nudges Thunder in the direction of the law god's temple.
-----"Hmmm...my color, my goddess..." Sarah stares at the little yellow house. "I have to meet this person. I'll meet you guys in the law temple later." Sarah waves goodbye to Sol and Raven and rides up to the door of the little yellow house. She dismounts Marlexana and knocks on the door.
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