----- Arliss looks over at Rand's ceremony and nods once, satisfied. He then continues with his fire-building efforts.
-----Raven rides slowly through the swamp to the south. He keeps an ever-watchful eye on the white dog. Ever since they left the others, the dog had kept its nose to the ground, sniffing and growling. A few times, it seemed as though the dog had become confused and lost the tracks. Raven had dismounted and examined the ground. Looking closely, he would see signs of the creatures' passing. After Raven pointed to certain spots, the dog would quickly pick up the trail again.
-----It was evident that whatever the creatures made the tracks, they were avoiding the water. This was lucky, because if the tracks had gone into the water, the trail could have been lost.
-----Here in the southern part of the swamp, the water dominated more with an uneven strip of land intersecting it. Trees lurched up on each side and the going through here was slow. Still the trail lead on.
-----After a half-hour's ride, Raven could see the swamplands diminish about a half-mile away. Beyond that, a hill rose to the south. The tracks seemed to lead on southward in that direction.
-----At this point, Raven turns back to meet the party within the allotted time. The dog, somehow with a disappointed look, follows quietly.
-----Arliss finds a pile of wood stacked between two trees. Surprisingly, the wood appears to be fairly dry. Parts of two support beams are still intact enough to pattern a kind of frame. With these materials, he carefully begins to build a funeral pyre just large enough for the family.
-----Among the ashes, Arliss finds a few partly burned pieces of cloth; just enough to feed the fire. It takes some time, but after a fashion, Arliss seems somewhat satisfied with what he's built.
-----Thalog carefully studies the worn scroll case.
-----After a few moments of meditation, Rand and Arliss begin to move the bodies toward the pyre. The bodies of the family are laid gently side by side. The quietness of the swamp almost feels like time is standing still.
-----Finally, as a makeshift torch is lit and lowered into the pyre, words of prayer are given. As the flames begin to grow, the vultures take flight to the air; their squawks nothing more than cries of defeat. From the south comes the sound of hooves heralding the return of Raven.
-----Arliss bows his head in solemn meditation as the flames begin to lick at the old timbers. Over the snap and crackle of the blaze, his low voice can be heard. "Lord Joren, please protect the souls of these poor innocents in the next life, and may your mercies find them safely to their just reward. Now, I ask that you would guide our hands and eyes, that your justice would fall in all its splendor upon those evil-doers who have done this fell thing. Life for life. Blood for blood. May the justice of Great Joren be served." Arliss lifts his eyes again, and stares into the flames as Raven returns. It's hard to tell whether the glow within them is due entirely to the reflection of the pyre...
-----Thalog walks over to the pyre as it catches flame. His face floods with sorrow, confusion and anger after Arliss finishes his prayer to the departed. When he hears Raven riding toward them, his face drains.
-----With the white dog following him, Raven moves closer to the group and says, "We've found the trail. We best be on our way." Raven then looks at the flames of the pyre and shakes his head. "Those poor people, they never had a chance."
-----Arliss turns from the glow of the funeral pyre, and swiftly mounts his horse. His jaw line is as granite as he silently prepares to ride, following Raven's lead...
-----As he and the others ready to leave, Thalog says, "The scroll case contained a note that said 'score to wesgol'."
-----Arliss stares wordlessly at Thalog for a moment, his face mystified. It's hard to tell whether his amazement comes from the indecipherable note, or from Thalog's rare display of emotion. Still, he addresses only the note as he speaks. "'Score to Wesgol'? Do any of you have any idea what that means?"
-----"Wesgol Forest does lie to the north of our current position," Thalog adds.
-----Arliss simply shakes his head, a thoughtful frown on his face. "Well, perhaps we'll learn more about the mysterious message when we catch up to its author. If you would care to lead on, Raven...."