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-----Rand looks up, "He speaks of Arliss. The stronghold . . . ," Rand says with thought, "would that be the one we visited the first day we ventured out together?"
-----Rand then looks down at the Priest of the Hunt, "Brace yourself, Broactor. This first arrow is almost out."
-----Broactor snarls and growls as the first missile is pulled from the wound. Amythiel immediately applies bandages to prevent further blood loss.
-----About an hour later, all of the arrows have been removed from Broactor. Amythiel has finished binding Broactor’s wounds as Rand casts his last curative spell. The Priest’s condition looks much improved although he still looks weak and very tired.
-----Raven tells Broactor of the fate of Jon and Kylne. The Priest shakes his head and seems to shudder. He then says, "They were good men and keepers of the Hunt. Their memories must be long remembered. I must commend their souls to the Great Hunter."
-----Sol then approaches and tells Raven, "I’ve found an old small building over there that should be decent enough for a shelter. At least it will get everyone out of this breeze. Do we want to move everyone there?" Sol points to a location a few yards among the trees lining the clearing.
-----Rinda then approaches Raven and speaks with him.
-----Raven looks over to Sol, "If Rand and Amythiel says Broacter can be moved, let’s get a roof over our heads. We'll have to setup a watch." Raven's eyes narrow, "Those thugs from the town might return to finish the job."
-----Rand determines that Broactor can be moved, so he gets Sol and Raven to help carry the Priest of the Hunt as everyone moves toward the structure Sol found. Toward the edge of the clearing, they find it. The stone rectangular building measures roughly ten feet wide and twenty-five feet long. Its ancient roof is peaked and stone columns support the front of the building.
-----The interior of the building is empty for the most part except for a couple of iron fixtures used as braziers. Along the walls, the stones are terraced almost like steps, though they more likely resemble benches.
-----Once fires are set in the braziers and blankets are taken from some of the horses, the place begins to feel comfortable. Raven, Sol, Zentil, Thalog, Rand, and Goff set about figuring out the night watch. Sarah and Amythiel make sure Rinda and Broactor are resting for the night.
-----The rest of the night continues on quietly even though the land beyond the great fire remains dark. The men during their watch notice the small nocturnal animals moving about the site curiously nosing here and there. At one point, a small herd of deer moves among the trees just outside the light. At another time, a great cat pads silently in and out of the shadows.
-----With the dawning of the next day, there is a promise in the air that could give rise to everyone’s spirits. The sun shines brightly from a cloudless sky and even though the long grass is covered with frost, there is hardly a breeze in the air. The temperatures may prove to be warmer by mid-day. Wild flowers still grow in various spots and add a fresh fragrance to the air.
-----By the time everyone stirs, Rand and Amythiel enter the small structure back from their morning reverence of the sun god. The inside of the building retains some warmth from the braziers lit inside. The two set about checking the condition of the ones with injuries.
-----Amythiel again bandages the upper leg wound of Zentil and the elf seems good as new. He finds he has no trouble getting around. After checking Sol’s injury, it now appears only lightly scratched. Raven’s leg wound also appears better.
-----After an improvised breakfast from the adventurers’ rations, Broactor suddenly says, with renewed vigor, "RAVEN, MY HUNTER, I WILL HAVE YOU HELP ME OUT TO SEE THE WILD!" After everyone gathers their wits after the startling noise, Raven gets up and helps Broactor hobble out in the clearing.
-----Outside, the morning sun filters in through the leaves and Broactor breathes in the smell of the spring woods. The bonfire has died down over the night and smoke arises from a few of the glowing embers. A few birds and squirrels busily work overhead in the trees.
-----The Priest of the Hunt stretches out his arm and proclaims, "THIS WILL BE THE NEW SANCTUARY! I WILL DEDICATE THIS WOODS TO THE GREAT HUNTER, THALES, AND ALL OF THE WOODLAND CREATURES WILL FIND SAFETY HERE!"
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