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-----They ride nearly for four hours across the plains. Injuries provide challenges to some of the riders and fatigue begins to set in. Finally, an hour and a half after the sun sets, the party reaches the area of Broactor’s abode.
-----At this point, it is apparent something is amiss. On their left a mile away lies the small woods where the night before the horrific animal sounds originated. Everything there is now silent. Among the trees comes a light as if from a bonfire.
-----Up ahead, the keep looks unusually dark in the dwindling twilight. Not a light is seen from one of the windows. As they get closer, they can make out the form of a horse and its rider in front of the door.
-----Raven moves closer to see who it is. Sol glances once or twice at the unidentified light, but otherwise follows Raven.
-----Suddenly the form slips quickly into the keep. As they stop, they notice the front door to the keep ajar and it is very dark within. They are alerted to the sound of a man’s groan coming from inside the dark keep.
-----Zentil dismounts, draws his sword and begins to move slowly toward the keep.
-----Still moving forward, Sol watches Zentil dismount and begin to move slowly towards the keep. Sol similarly gets off his horse, and whispers to Zentil, "You and Raven still look a little too hurt, maybe I should lead."
-----Sol then proceeds to start forward, but slows as his ever dangerous thought processes begin to form. A smile works its way onto his face as he remarks, "Well he knows we're coming anyway, so stuff stealth." With that, his blade ripped from its sheath, the seemingly impetuous warrior starts towards the ajar door at a dead run.
-----Raven curses under his breath, "Damn it! I am not in the mood for this." Raven draws his swords and moves towards the keep. He seems to be angry and not in a good mood at all. He says to the man inside, "If you come on out, we won't hurt you. What's going on here?"
-----Rand suddenly rushes out of the keep waving his arms at the riders to halt. He calls out in a loud voice to the party, "Hail Raven, It is I, Rand. What hath happened? Are you injured badly?" Rand grasps his holy item in one hand.
-----Sarah answers ... "We fought undead monsters and creatures of madness." Then she asks him, "Why are there no lights on in the keep?"
-----Rand looks around the party scanning them for injuries, "Are any of you hurt, do you need healing?"
-----Turning to Sarah he replies, "I just arrived here moments before you, this is how I found it... I fear something terrible has happened. I heard someone inside groaning."
-----"Raven and Zentil are hurt, Rand. Help them, I'll check on our groaning friend." With that Sol dashes inside, only favoring one leg slightly. His voice drifts back outside, "It's good to have you back!"
-----Raven smiles and puts away his weapons. Raven walks up to Rand and shakes hands, "It is good to see you again friend. Yes, I did take a hit on my leg. Damn skeletons!" Raven rubs his injured leg, "Where is Broacter and the rest of the group?" Raven starts to enter the keep to look inside.
-----Thalog dismounts and nods his head to Rand, "Hello Rand. It is nice to have you with us again." He then follows Sol into the keep to help him investigate.
-----Sol's shouting voice is suddenly heard from inside the keep, "Rand! There's a man in here with an arrow wound!"
-----The rest of the party rushes into the dark keep. Across from the door, they see a small circle of light near the stairway. Sol kneels beside a body on the floor. In one hand, the young man holds a candle.
-----As the adventurers near them, Sol slightly moves and the others can see the downed man is the one named Jon. His chain mail stained with blood and three arrow shafts stick up from his gut. Sweat clings to his beard, blond hair and his brow and his complexion looks very pale.
-----Raven quickly kneels down beside him and Rand kneels on the other side. Jon’s eyes flicker and slowly open, focusing on Raven’s face. A weak smile crosses his face as he addresses the ranger, "Raven, my . . . brother." A wince of pain twinges his face and he continues, breathing shallowly, "Broactor . . . was right!" Raven feels Jon’s left hand grab his arm, "Rinda . . . I hid . . ." With that, Jon’s body relaxes and his eyes continue to stare, but see nothing.
-----"Please give me room!" Rand says and commences to pray and set his hands upon the fallen man. Raven feels Amythiel’s hand on his shoulder and hears her voice, "My pardon, Raven, let me help!" She kneels by Jon and prepares her bandages and tries to clean his wounds.
-----The two work for what seems like endless moments. All is quiet in the dark keep except for Rand’s whispered prayings. Finally Rand stops and looks at Jon’s face. He reaches across and sets his hand on Amythiel’s. Getting her attention, he slowly shakes his head. He reaches over and sets his hand on Jon’s brow closing his eyes.
-----"I’m . . . sorry, . . . Raven," Rand’s voice slightly echoes beyond the flickering candlelight. The silence continues a little while longer.
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