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-----Sure enough, everyone that looks sees what Rau’Triel explains. Scattered throughout the woods between the locations, there are three caves on each side of the trail road that they followed to get here. There is even one located on the other side of the hill that the flying beast had circled.
-----"Now, something to note," the priest continues while the scribe madly tries to follow his words in scratchy writing, "between Visp and Orans are about that many caves. There is also a temple located there." The priest points on the map at a place almost exactly between the two villages. Rau’Triel continues, "This is where Separ, a follower of the Sun god Solarius keeps his temple. It has been many days since we have had news from Separ. It is his habit to keep me informed of happenings near Orans."
-----"The woods, especially in that direction as of late, has been unwholesome with word of horrors most frightening. And, you mentioned caves, look what we have here." The priest drops his hand dramatically at a point just two miles from the temple of Solarius. It is a cave. The position is just about four miles to the southeast from Visp, straight through the woods and not following a trail.
-----Raven peers over Rau'Triel's shoulder to look at the map. Raven nods, "Aye that would make sense they would first destroy a temple of light and then setup a base close by." Raven looks over at Sol, "I think their tracks lead to the cave pointed out on the map. What say you friend?"
-----Still bending over looking at the map. Sol replies to the hunter, "Yes. It sounds possible. Definitely worth checking out. Ye'd better have a good long look at th' map first Raven. Though I'll do th' same, th' forest is yer home. We'll be needing you t'get us there."
-----Turning from Raven, Sol speaks to Rau'Triel, "Sir Greene was right in recommending yer expertise. Thanks fer yer help...I guess if we find nothing at this cave near Separ's temple, we'll be back soon enough."
-----Sol straightens up where he stands and looks ready to leave.
-----"Hold," Rau’Triel implores, "what plans have you? The night is coming on soon and Visp has been occasionally plagued with ‘visitors in the dark’. If you mean to leave now, I think it unwise."
-----Rinda looks at Raven and Sol to see what they want to do.
-----Sol shrugs at the mention of the visitors in the dark and replies, "Well, I'll stay if that's what Raven and Rinda think best, but I believe we've given the enemy enough time. Besides, if we come across any o' their minions, we'll take them down. One way or another."
-----He gives a tug at his ear in thought, before continuing, "Besides, it's not far from here. If th' cave to th' southeast turns out not t'be Devlin’s lair, then we'll be returning straight here anyway. Then we can rest fer th' night 'fore looking over th' maps again in th' morning, an' deciding on th' next possible cave t'check." Sol looks to Raven and Rinda, interested in their views.
-----Raven rubs his chin, "Well, let’s check with Sarah and see what she thinks." Raven turns to Rau'Triel, "What sort of creatures have been attacking your town?"
-----Rau’Triel casts his eyes downward at the maps in front of him. "We are not sure," he says with an almost sound of shame, "Sometimes it sounds as if grotesque humanoids are shambling about and sometimes . . ." Here he pauses as if trying to fight off a shiver. "Sometimes it sounds as if the Nine Hells have unleashed their unholy demons upon the land. The people in the village have learned to stay in doors and keep their children quiet lest something find them out."
-----"Two of our bravest woodsmen have hidden among the trees waiting for whatever comes out of the night, only to never been seen again. Two nights ago, one of our family’s homes was destroyed and pulled to the ground. The only sign of the poor family were streams of blood where their bodies must have been dragged off through the woods."
-----Far off in the woods beyond the village, a lone wolf call is heard.
-----"Alright then. If Sarah feels she needs t'stay an' rest tonight, which she may well do, then I'm sure Raven an' I will be happy t'have a wander around this evening an' see if we can get a look at these things." Sol offers before saying the alternative, "On th' other hand, if she's eager enough t'leave now, then if it's ok with Raven, we will."
-----Sol bobs his head slightly before heading towards the door, "I may as well ask her now. If we do get going tonight, we had best do it straightaway." With that he leaves, heading towards the golden thatched house.
-----Raven, Rinda and the other two guards follow Sol outside. They then mount up and head back up the trail toward the house at the other end of the village. As they ride through the small settlement, they see candle light coming from the windows of many of the small homes. As they approach the yellow house, they see also Romney and Abram standing guard outside the door.
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