----- "By all the predators!" comes a strong feminine voice from the stairs, "What has happened?" As everyone turns, they see the woman named Rinda descend the stairs. The strong, lean form is softened by the warm color of her brown hair and the beauty of her face. The man called Raven is also with her.
-----The Priest of the Hunt roughly shoves the men away. "AWAY FROM ME, HUNTERS! I WILL TEND TO MY OWN WOUNDS!" He begins wrapping his leg with a cloth Rinda brings him.
-----Upon further prodding from Rinda, Broactor explains, "IN THE NIGHT, I PROWLED AND STALKED THE PLAINS AND THE WOODS! I WATCHED OVER THE CHILDREN OF WILDERHAVEN AND TRIED TO SOOTHE THEIR FEARS IN THE LIGHT OF THE MOON! BUT THE CURSE . . . THE CURSE HAD THEM IN ITS CLAWS! YES, A CURSE, MEN OF HEARTHORN! I TRACKED DOWN A YOUNG DOE AND WITH THE POWER OF THE GREAT HUNTER, I RELIEVED IT OF ITS AGONY! THE EVIL HAS NO MORE HOLD OF IT! AS I LEFT TO HELP OTHERS, I BECAME ENSNARED IN A TRAP LEFT BY THE EVIL ONES! IN TIME I WILL HEAL, BUT THE HUNT MUST BEGIN WITHOUT ME!"
"MY PEOPLE AND I MUST REMAIN HERE TO WATCH OVER WILDERHAVEN AND DESTROY THE CURSE ON THE CHILDREN OF THALES! THE EVIL ONES WILL SEEK TO SPREAD THEIR CURSE! NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO WAIT!"
-----"A NEW HUNT MUST BEGIN! YOU, MEN OF HEARTHORN, MUST BECOME PART OF THE HUNT! THE HUNTER, RAVEN, KNOWS THE TRAILS! HE CAN LEAD YOU TO STOP THE EVIL ONES!"
-----Turning to Raven, he says, "WHAT SAY YOU, RAVEN, WILL YOU LEAD THE NEW HUNT?!"
-----Turning and pointing at Arliss, Rand and Thalog, he says, "WHAT SAY YOU, MEN OF HEARTHORN, WILL YOU JOIN THE HUNT AND KILL THE EVIL BEFORE IT GROWS!"
-----Raven says, "I will lead them to the evil that must be stopped." Raven turns to the three men, "Together we can stop this evil curse."
-----Arliss seems to have relaxed a bit now, especially after having been so offended the night before. He listens intently to the words of Broactor and then nods when Raven accepts the charge of his high priest. The paladin speaks, "Aye, Broactor, although my methods may differ from yours, I do realize that our goals are one and the same...to rid the land of Hearthorn of this evil curse, wherever its origins! This fell curse is a threat to all the good people of the land, and thus, it is Joren's will that it be stopped! I will follow you, Raven." Arliss clenches his right fist and holds it to his mailclad breast, thus symbolizing his pledge of good faith.
-----Rand nods to Broactor and turns to face Raven. "I also shall follow you on the hunt, this foul curse must be stopped before it causes more damage than it has already".
-----Rand turns towards Broactor and kneels by his leg, a look of concern crossing his face. "Perhaps I can be of assistance, if you might allow me to heal you?"
-----The Priest of the Hunt looks at Rand and replies, "NO, THE POWER OF THE GREAT HUNTER WILL HEAL ME! SAVE YOUR TALENTS FOR THE HUNT!"
-----As Rand finishes asking Broactor this, he looks up at Rinda and says "Before we leave for the hunt would you perchance allow me to have a few words with you alone?"
-----At first a startled look crosses Rinda's face, then she lifts her chin and looks almost defiantly at Rand. With a clear, strong voice she says, "I will hear your words."
-----Thalog waits patiently while Broactor and the others speak. After everyone has taken their turn, he stares at the floor a moment in thought then he looks at each of the people that have taken on this adventure.
-----Marble has more feeling than his face as he simply says, "I will join you. Please excuse me, I have work to do." Then Thalog goes to the straw cots and picks up his belongings. He goes straight to the main compartment and takes out a book bound in black soft leather, which he opens and begins to study.
-----Arliss raises an eyebrow at Rand's request. Obviously, he is curious as to what Rand wishes to ask of Rinda...