----- Rand stares at the gem for what seems like an interminable amount of time before responding. "I know not who put the gem there nor what it is, though I suspect it to have a large bearing on the curse. When I
said this might be more serious than I first thought, I meant only that I did not suspect this to be as serious as I now do, I was not directly referring to the mysterious gem you now hold".
-----Raven says to Rand, "Oh...I see. At least you recognize the evil that is in the woods."
-----Mutual respect washes over Thalog's face, then it returns to expressionless. "I suggest we go back to Hearthorn to see the Sun Lord. That way he can help from there. After all, it was he who sent us and it
would give me time to study that gem," he turns to Broactor, "if I may?"
-----"THAT TROPHY BELONGS TO RAVEN!" answers the Priest, "IT IS HIS TO DECIDE!"
-----Raven hands the gem over to Thalog, "Aye, take a look at the black gem. I have no need to hold on to it. To be honest, it gives me the creeps. I just hope it will help us find this evil."
-----Broactor looks at Arliss, "THERE IS NO MISTAKE, FOR THALES LEADS US TO TRAILS THAT ARE TRUE! THERE IS NO MYSTERY, FOR THE EVIL IS HE WHO LEADS HIS FLOCK FROM YON STRONGHOLD!" Broactor's club once again points to the southwest.
-----Arliss appears to be deep in thought for a moment, as if trying to piece together the information that has been presented them. Then, he snaps his head up once again, eyes flashing with new inspiration. "It's Sir
Krondor, isn't it? That's whose keep is closest, that's the 'lackey' you speak of, isn't it, Broactor? Well, then, it's clear what we must do, no disrespect intended, good Thalog. We must make directly for the keep of Sir Krondor! By Joren, there, we will be able to get to the bottom of this mystery and find out for sure what's going on. I still can't believe that Lord Lambert's man would in any way betray this realm, and I won't do so without more solid proof than this! Let us take the gem and be away, then, to the keep of Sir
Krondor!"
-----Outside, a fierce chorus of canines begins barking and it sounds as if they are fighting amongst themselves. Rending sounds follow. Broactor turns back to Raven and Rinda. "THE MOON RISES HIGHER! WE WILL CONTINUE OUR HOMAGE TO THE GREAT HUNTER!"
-----The Priest of the Hunt faces Arliss, Rand, and Thalog, "TONIGHT, YOU ARE UNDER MY PROTECTION!" He points to the fireplace. "BY THE FIRE, YOU WILL FIND FOOD! YOU WILL SPEND THE NIGHT HERE, BUT YOU MUST STAY IN THE KEEP! IF YOU VENTURE OUTSIDE THE WALLS, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN PERIL! FOR US, THE HUNT BEGINS TOMORROW WITH THE RISING OF THE SUN! YOU MAY LEAVE THEN!"
-----Broactor leads Raven and Rinda outside. The three men find cooked deer meat set out by the fireplace. As they eat, they are aware of an orange light coming through the arrow slits on the east wall from the bonfire outside.
-----Shortly, they hear Broactor's thundering voice intoning, "IN THE NAME OF THE HUNTER!" followed by Rinda's voice, "Success to the Hunt!" The other hunters then pick up the chant, "Success to the Hunt! . . Success to the Hunt! . . Success to the Hunt! . . Success to the Hunt! . . Success to the Hunt!"
-----Starting in low beneath the chanting comes what sounds like a rumbling. It begins to rise until it becomes a throaty, long snort. The hunters stop their chanting and a terrifying sound is heard right outside. It sounds like the incredibly loud roar of a feline creature.
-----From the center of the room, Rand jerks his head in the direction of the arrow slits. Arliss bolts up standing from his seat and Thalog accidentally drops a piece of food.
-----Arliss strides towards the wall and peers through the arrow slits. "By Joren, what is going on out there? I'm half inclined to believe that Thales himself is responsible for this animal madness...that Broactor is halfway there himself." Arliss' hand moves to his sword hilt as he tries to discern what transpires outside.
-----Rand quickly proceeds to stride after Arliss towards the arrow slits. "Arliss, what do you see out there? What's going on? As Rand reaches the arrow slits he glances out uncertainly trying to discern what's happening.
-----Arliss looks out the arrow slit and sees the woman, Rinda speaking with Raven. There are two other men within sight.
Arliss responds to Rand's anxious question, "Hmmm...there's Raven, talking to Rinda...and two other men, can't quite make out who they are...that's really about it. I have no idea where that awful sound came from. Here, you take a look, maybe you can see better than I. You too, Thalog." Arliss steps back from the arrow slits so that one of his companions can take a look outside.
-----Looking past Arliss's shoulder, Rand peers past the bonfire light and sees a large animal form racing toward the eastern woods. Arliss appears not to notice. Suddenly Rand grabs Arliss's shoulder and quickly pulls him back to the arrow slit. "Look down near the eastern woods. Do you see it, a large animal of some sort?". Rand raises his arm to point to the creature as he beckons Thalog over with his other arm.