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-----It finally stops raining in the early evening although the skies remain heavily clouded and the wind chilly. As they have a bite to eat together and Gabe makes another search outside for more firewood, Thalog speaks up. "Sarah," he begins, "I don’t mean to offend you, but I think it in Gabe’s best interest that he, as I’ve mentioned before, be turned over to those in Hearthorn. One reason for this is he may have more information that the authorities would understand that we, perhaps, do not at this time. Another point to take, is I feel that you could be putting him in danger by handing him over to Broactor." Thalog shoots a glance toward Raven as he says, "No offense, Raven, but Broactor may choose to let the animals judge Gabe. I feel that he may have a better chance at mercy in Hearthorn. Thirdly, as Raven pointed out, you don’t know how Gabe will react when the spell expires." The mage then becomes quiet, letting the others dwell on what he has said.
-----For the rest of the evening, the party sits in the tunnel, when not on their respective watches, and quietly discusses the possibilities of the next day. They find it more comforting to speak low for fear of sending echoes down the tunnel.
-----As the party finally settles down for the night, Sol gets up and goes outside. After a few moments, he returns to the safety of the tunnel with a nod and a smile for the one on watch and settles down to sleep.
-----Through the night, those on the outside watch report seeing lights coming from the tower. Other than that, nothing else is noticed.
-----Early in the morning, way before the sun rises, the weather turns nasty again. Precipitation, in the form of sleet, begins to fall. Someone mutters sleepily something about a warm bed and then all is quiet again.
-----The next morning, Raven jumps up just before dawn and exiting the tunnel, watches the tower with renewed vigor. The sky remains the dull gray of the day before.
-----Upon waking, Sol stretches and quietly moves to the tunnel's entrance. He smiles fondly at the dour weather before returning back into the tunnel. After buckling his scabbard, Sol slips his chain mail back on awkwardly, seemingly favoring his right side.
-----Sarah is undecided about what to do with her bandit. She chews on her lip for awhile but can't make up her mind. She shrugs, "I'll figure something out later. Poor Gabe," she sighs. She sees Sol limping and walks over to him. "I think I can do something for that wound. Can I see it?"
-----"Uh...sure." Sol replies with a peculiar look. Once again he removes his mail shirt, and pulls up the side of his tunic revealing a very large, ugly and darkened bruise on the side of his ribs.
-----Sarah reveals some bandages that she had gotten from Amythiel and helps wrap Sol’s hurt torso. Even though it is still sore, Sarah’s attention and wrap does help lend support to the injury. It feels somewhat more "manageable" as Sol puts his mail shirt back on.
-----Thalog finds a place near the fire to sit. He pulls out his book and begins to carefully study it.
-----"Thanks for that, Sarah. Nothing that a good few weeks rest won't fix." Sol finishes with a grin. "Now, is everybody more or less ready?"
-----Zentil looks out at the sky. "Hmm, I wonder if we should risk trying to scale the side of the tower in daylight. I'm used to doing my uhm, work, in the dark. It's overcast, but still kinda light out there."
-----Sarah steps back from Sol. "Sorry, I guess that’s the best I can do. But I guess you'll get to rest it all today too. Might as well wait until dark I guess, better take that mail off." She turns to face everyone "So..what’s the plan?"
-----Rand kneels by the fire and begins to pray.
-----By this time, Raven returns to the tunnel. Thalog rises from his studies and puts his book away. He turns toward Raven and says, "Your face shows concern. How do we want to carry out this taking of the tower?"
-----Raven says to the group, "I just saw five bandits go into the tower. So we know this tower has to be crushed. I say we see where this tunnel leads. The tunnel will give us the best chance to surprise 'em." Raven walks towards the darkness of the tunnel, "What say you all. Shall we follow the tunnel?"
-----Sol frowns slightly as he relents, "You're right. We've waited too long for our other plan. The tunnel it is...Lead the way, friend." Sol moves to follow Raven.
-----Thalog adds, "This is the most intelligent choice." He turns toward Sol and says, "The original plan of attacking from different places still has merit. Perhaps, when we see where this tunnel leads, we can discuss if we attack during the day or wait until night fall."
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