Back to Page Two
-----Jon then raises his eyebrows and a slight smile returns to his face. He looks at Sol, Zentil, Thalog, and Rand. "If all of you are joining us for the night, can we count on you to help us with the watch?"
-----Sol's back immediately straightens as he stands almost as if to attention. "Of course!" he replies enthusiastically.
-----Thalog has stopped using his bags and is now paying attention to the group. He repeatedly stares off to nothing because something else is on his mind. "I will take first watch if no one objects. Randal, may I see you in private for a moment?"
-----Rand looks over at Thalog and then nods and approaches him.
-----As Thalog speaks with Rand, Jon and Goff lead the others inside the keep. The lower floor of the keep is mostly open. Goff leads the horses to a row of stalls at one side. A large table seemingly made of stone is in the middle of the room. A fire burns in a fireplace in the north wall and stone stairs climb along the wall to the right. Jon has the tied men sit together over by the horse stalls.
-----Suddenly a loud and almost feral voice fills the hall. "RAVEN HAS RETURNED FROM THE HUNT OF THALES! WHO ARE THESE THAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT BEFORE ME INTO OUR HALL?"
-----Turning Sol and Zentil see a medium-sized man wearing leather, buckskin, and fur descending the stairs. Atop his head is a wolf head cowl. His stance and manner hint at a strong strength, though not exceptionally so. In his right hand is a great oaken club carved through with runes.
-----Raven steps forward, "Broacter, this is Sol and Zentil. They are helping stop the curse. They are both great warriors." Raven then turns to the six tied up men, "These men are bandits that were helping fund the curse. We have learned the mad god is behind the curse. There are a group of witches that are at the heart of the curse." Raven moves closer to Broacter, "We have met a man by the name of Trist. Trist helped us find these bandits, so we now must help him rid the forest of some undead monsters." Raven takes a breath, "Much has happened Broacter..." Raven's voice trails off.
-----Sol smiles politely at the man Broacter, though his feet shift uncomfortably. Sol's eyes begin to wander around the inside of the keep, taking in the atmosphere of the place.
-----The Priest of the Hunt leaps from the last few steps and stands beside Raven. He straightens himself and looks into Raven’s eyes. Even through the savage countenance, Broactor’s eyes hold admiration for the young ranger. He places a firm hand on Raven’s shoulder. He then turns and surveys the rest of the newcomers to the keep.
-----He walks around Sol and Zentil silently appearing to sniff the air as he looks at them, measuring them. He finally stands back from them nodding silently. Then his eyes alight upon the captives.
-----Suddenly, Broactor throws his head back, letting go with a frightening animalistic howl. The sound of it bounces off the walls and ceiling, disturbing the calmness of the horses in their stalls. Some of the men can feel their hair standing on end.
-----Broactor lifts his great club over his head with both arms and before anyone can make a move, he charges at the tied men. The prisoners quickly try to protect themselves and flinch uselessly against the oncoming enraged priest. Some of them even emit screams. At the end of his charge, the men in the hall see the great club comes hurling down toward one of the men. For an uncomfortably long moment, all seems quiet.
-----Then the great club booms as it slams into the flooring. Some of the bandits look up, their eyes wide with terror. The Priest of the Hunt, his chest heaving, reaches down and grabs one of the men by the collar. Yelling into the man’s face, he says, "YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE, BUT YOUR ACTIONS PLEAD FOR MERCY! WHERE WAS THE MERCY WHEN THE CHILDREN OF THALES SUFFERED? WERE YOU AWARE OF WHAT THEY SUFFERED? TONIGHT I SHALL DRAG YOU!" Here he drops the man’s collar and looks at all of the prisoners. " I SHALL DRAG ALL OF YOU TO WILDERHAVEN! YOU SHALL SEE THE RESULT OF YOUR TOILS! THE SUFFERING CHILDREN OF THALES WILL JUDGE YOU! LET US SEE IF THEY ARE OF A MIND TO SHOW YOU MERCY!" He paces back and forth in front of the terrified men snorting and fuming.
-----Shortly, Rand and Thalog join the others inside. Just before sunset, the men all sit around the great stone table eating the meal Jon had cooked within the fireplace. All are around the table, except for Goff who is up top on watch and the woman known as Rinda. All of the men eat, except for the Priest of the Hunt who sits in a large chair staring at the prisoners like a hungry predator. Another man named Kylne had joined them about a half-hour ago. He and Jon take some of the food over to the prisoners.
-----Suddenly, the young man named Goff comes to the top of the stairs. With his eyes wide and a nervous tone in his voice, he announces, "There be riders comin’ in from the direction o’ Hearthorn!"
Go to Page 4