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-----Sol bends down and retrieves a dagger next to the leg of the man he shoved forward. Slipping it into his boot, he turns to the one indicated by the elf. With a steady voice he says, "I advise you three idiots to carefully remove any concealed weapons, or I will not be held...entirely responsible with what will follow." He ends his warning with a friendly smile. Sol begins to search the three men.
-----Raven turns quickly and takes aim at the elven stranger. Raven looks over the elf for a moment then says, "Good day stranger. Call me funny, but I don't like folk sneaking up on me." Raven gives the elf a small smile, "Well my friend, is that sword for us? I'm hoping you just like to show all new friends your pretty sword. It is a nice sword, but I'd like it if you put it away."
-----"Ease your aim, Sir. I'm not hostile," calls out the elf. He re-sheaths his long sword and turns to the Sol. "I came upon you unexpectedly and wasn't quite sure who was friendly and who was deadly," he continues, "I'd rather be prepared for the worst."
-----Rand nods his head in greeting to the elf and says, "Whom might you be and pray tell why you are here?" Do you know these men?" Rand asks pointing at the men lying on the ground.
-----After he finishes searching the men, and with yet another retrieved dagger, this time stuck in his belt, Sol steps away from the men. Staring at his sword for a second, he seems to notice the somewhat sticky blood for the first time. He squats down and does his best to wipe it away on the grass. Partially satisfied, Sol slides the long blade back into its scabbard. Afterwards, he begins to rummage through three small belt pouches.
-----"Nay, I do not know these men", says the elf, glancing down at the 3 men. "I am Zentil," he begins, leaning up against the tall limestone block. "A knight of Joren came through Hearthorn last night toting an orc. Word got around about mad animals and infestations of orcs. I decided to take a look for myself."
-----After inspecting the pouches, Sol gives a generous smile and nods his head slightly to the elven stranger. Without further ado he turns and walks back towards his companions. First he hands Rand his share of the money from the pouches. Sol then leaves Raven's share in one of the pouches on the ground next to Raven, so as not to disturb the man's watch. Lastly he hands Thalog his share in a pouch saying, "There's another one of yer black gems in there Thalog."
-----Raven nods at Sol as he drops off the pouch. He also drops his aim on the elf.
-----"Zentil is it; good to meet you. My name is Raven." Raven pauses, "So what's your trade? I'm a scout and adventurer by trade. Why do you want to help fight this evil curse? The road ahead will be hard and might be deadly."
-----"My reason for fighting this curse is no more than for the adventure in it", says Zentil. "I need a break from the everyday city life. Who knows, it may even be profitable. What's the story with these three?" he asks, nodding at the 3 men on the ground.
-----Raven says to Zentil, "All in good time. Right now these "gentlemen" are going to answer some questions." Raven walks up to the man who hid a dagger in his boot. Raven slings his bow over his shoulder and draws one of his swords. Raven then crouches down next to the man.
-----"Well, we meet again. Here you made us have to hunt you down, like I said we would. I've got some questions. You'll answer them or I'll tie you to a tree and give the animals a free meal." Raven grabs the man's hair, "Why are you all down in these ruins. Who do you work for?" Raven places his sword in plain sight of the man.
-----The man grunts as Raven pulls his hair. This man has a pudgy face surrounded by greasy, curly hair. A stubble of a beard shadows his chin. His gray eyes focus on the sword. "Aw right, I tells ya what I knows! Can ya let us up?" Here he looks nervously around, "Anyways, we sends what we's grabs from the area north ta the big woods there. I don' know who's all there, just knowed some man's named Jom. Da ya think ya can let us go? I mean, me and the boys here we jest needin' some money. We been getting' nothin' but grief 'round here and what," and here he whispers with wide frightened eyes, " with all dem crazed animals."
-----The cloaked man beside the curly-haired man nods and all three men begin looking around among the grass of the ruins. Again the man asks, "Ya think ya might be lettin' us up?"
-----Raven to the man, "What's the rush? Why don't you just stay where you are for a bit longer? I've got some more questions. You guys would rob people and then give the goods to someone in the woods? When do you make your next drop? Do you think Jom has something to do with the animals becoming crazed?"
-----"They . . . they come git it," the man begins to stutter, "They be pickin' up the stuff at the next dark moon." He begins to look from side to side as do the other men. "I don't know what's makin' them animals . . . hey, ken we git up yet?" The man turns and panic builds in his eyes.
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