----- Rand pauses now glancing quickly at first Arliss than Thalog to see if either wishes to add anything.
-----The Priest of the Hunt continues pacing and as Rand relates what he knows, Broactor begins pumping his arms. His agitation grows and he emits snorts and low growls. After Rand finishes, Broactor raises his great oaken club over his head with both arms pointing at the ceiling and roars, "CURSE? A CURSE! WHEN YOU RETURN TO HEARTHORN, YOU WILL TELL LAMBERT I DEMAND TO KNOW WHAT HE MEANS BY UNLEASING SUCH AN EVIL ON THE LAND!" The Priest of the Hunt lowers his arms and eyes all three men. His eyes seem to glow in the light of the fireplace. Outside a maniacal cat scream fills the air.
-----After Broactor has spoken, Arliss steps forward, a spark of anger flashing forth from his blue eyes. "Here, now Broactor, what do you mean by this? Lord Stephen Lambert is a good man, and a just ruler! His acts of governing are always with the best interests of the citizens of Hearthorn at their root!
How is it that you would claim now that he is somehow responsible for these animals' afflictions? Speak up man, and quickly, for I have pledged my life to Joren, in the service of both Hearthorn and its Lord! I'll brook no empty insults to either!"
-----Thalog interjects, "Broactor, you misunderstand us, we are investigating the strangeness, surely you know more of the powers that be to realize that Joren and Solarius are not ones to curse. Now Thales would want this curse to stop, so in his name, help us." Thalog is staring at Broactor in his cold, calm manner. Thalog gives a nod of reassurance to Broactor.
-----Rand lays his hand gently on Arliss's shoulder; a look of dismay evident on his face. Speaking in an undertone, he says, "Arliss, please try to remain calm, we are to relay news to the priest; not to fight him". Rand looks at Broactor and says calmly, "Broactor, we do not mean to question you, but Lord Lambert has always proven himself to be an honorable man in acting for the best interests of Hearthorn. Why do you now believe Lord Lambert to be behind the curse?"
-----Broactor pounds his chest with his fists and then points at Arliss. "ARE WE NOT THE HUNTERS?! DO WE NOT KNOW THE WAY OF THE HUNT?! DID WE NOT PICK UP THE SCENT?! HAVE WE NOT SEEN THEIR TRACKS?!" Picking up his club, he continues, pointing to the southeast. "TO THE SOUTHEAST, THERE LIES THE STRONGHOLD OF LAMBERT'S OWN LACKEY! DURING THE PAST MOON, WE HAVE FOUND THE SCENT OF THEIR PASSING INTO WILDERHAVEN! WE HAVE LAID TRAPS AND FOILED SOME OF THEIR EVIL!" ------Broactor points at Rinda. The woman confirms the head priest's statement by looking at the three from Hearthorn and nodding sternly. "THIS VERY MORN, THIS MAN, RAVEN, WHO BELIEVES IN THE SANCTITY OF THE HUNT, HAS FOUND MORE PROOF! TELL THEM, MY HUNTER!" Pointing at the man called Raven, Broactor waits.
-----Raven turns to the three men, "This morning, I and Jon came upon the tracks of ten or twelve men on horseback. The riders came from the southeast from the direction of the keep. On a hill close to our keep, I found the riders had buried this gem." Raven pulls out the gem and shows it to the three men. "For what purpose this gem has, I have no idea, but I have an uneasy feeling about it. Have you men seen anything unusual at your keep?"
-----Arliss is still bristling somewhat as he listens to Broactor, but he remains relatively calm. "Hear me now, Priest of the Hunt, I would ask you who you refer to when you speak of Lambert's lackey? I just can't believe that any of Lord Lambert's men would have anything to do with this 'curse' that apparently afflicts the creatures of Hearthorn. I do not question your honesty, but I wonder if there may have been some kind of mistake, perhaps you have fallen victim to a ruse of some kind...I just don't know. At any rate, let me
have a look at that gem...I don't think I have ever seen its like before..."
-----The gemstone appears to be a small rectangular stone about the size of the first section of a man's forefinger. It has a shiny black finish to it and almost resembles a piece of glass.
-----Arliss, somewhat flabbergasted at this time, looks closely at the gem in Raven's hand, but he does not touch it. He glances briefly at his companions as well, the expression on his handsome face seeming to say 'Help me out here, fellas!'
-----Rand spares a glance at the gem before turning to his companions and saying, "I fear this may be more serious than first I thought. It seems to me we have 2 choices, we can go to the Sun Lord and relay to him
what we have learned or we can go and check out this keep for ourselves. We cannot make assumptions on Lord Lambert's innocence or guilt". Turning to face Thalog, Rand says, "What is your opinion on this matter?"
-----Raven speaks to the three men, "Why do you look at the gem and then say 'this may be more serious than first I thought'? What is this gem? Do you have any guesses on who put it up there?"