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-----Pointing now to the bear, he also points down at one of the graves, "I CHARGE YOU! BEFORE YOU LIES THE ONE ONCE CALLED KYLNE! HE WAS A GREAT HUNTER! YOU WILL CARRY THE STRENGTH OF HIS SKILLS WITH YOU!"
-----Turning he now points to the cat as well as the other grave, "I CHARGE YOU! BEFORE YOU LIES THE ONE ONCE CALLED JON! HE WAS A GREAT HUNTER! YOU WILL CARRY THE STRENGTH OF HIS SKILLS WITH YOU!"
-----Before he dismisses the animals, he adds, "I CHARGE YOU WITH THE MEMORIES OF THESE HUNTERS SO THAT THEIR SKILLS, THEIR STRENGTH, THEIR LIFE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN! BY THE GREAT HUNTER, IT IS SO!" With that the two animals dart off back into the woods.
-----That afternoon, Raven and Rinda journey northward to hunt. Sol finds a cleared place in the woods and he tries his hand at planting a bit of the grain for the worshippers of Thales. The rest of the day seems very peaceful and the adventurers see no signs of other people. Around the old ruins in the woods, small animals come out to play or gather food and the birds cheerfully sing and fly about.
-----About four hours later just before dusk sets in, Raven and Rinda return with a deer they had shot. Some of the hunters then begin preparing the deer while Zentil lights the fires for the night. As the color of the sky darkens, the stars come out and the bright Evening Star is seen in the west. A chill begins to return to the air as everyone prepares for the night.
-----Despite the tranquility of the newly consecrated area, Sol begins to get restless in the evening air. Slowly he begins to stroll around the ruins, as spaced out as the stars above.
-----The night passes peacefully. The company of adventurers awakens the next morning to cloudy skies once again. A very chilly breeze blows among the trees and ancient stones of the clearing. Squirrels and birds busily work in the trees overhead.
-----The party eats a breakfast of venison and some of the food saved from the keep. Zentil and Sol discard the last of their bandages and everyone in the party is completely healed of injuries. Goff does what he can to help Sarah and follow her directions.
-----As the adventurers prepare to leave, Broactor speaks privately with Raven and Rinda. Even though, the rest stand outside the small stone building, they can hear the Priest of the Hunt’s booming voice within. "RAVEN, THE HUNT BEGINS ONCE AGAIN FOR YOU! WITCHES OR BEARERS OF DESTRUCTION YOU SEEK! THE GREAT HUNTER IS IN THY HEART! THY ARMS BEAR HIS SKILL, THY LEGS BEAR HIS SPEED, AND THY SENSES HIS FURY! NO MATTER WHERE THE HUNT LEADS YOU, MAY THE TRAILS LEAD YOU SAFELY BACK HERE!"
-----Amythiel helps the others prepare their horses although she chooses to stay behind.
-----About an hour after sunrise, the adventurers start off toward the Wesgol Forest. Raven takes the lead with Sol and Sarah riding behind him. Following them, Rand rides along beside Thalog and Zentil. They leave the small woods behind and move out across the plains to the east.
-----Soon the great forest seems to march up along side of them on their left. Under the gray skies, the forest appears dark and gloomy under the trees. They cover the expanse south of the forest within three hours. By this time it is past mid morning.
-----Raven keeps his eyes on certain features of the passing tree line and begins to slow. He then pulls his horse to the left and leads the others between the trees. They silently pass through the forest valley that leads to the ancient Lathanian tomb.
-----About an hour before high noon, they emerge into the clearing and see the great mound where the hideous construct had been mounted. Everything seems much more tranquil and at peace, although most of the adventurers are eager to pass it by. Just beyond the mound, Raven dismounts and quickly checks the ground. Indicating tracks leading off to the northeast, the group quietly moves on.
-----Most of the ground they ride on is level and they pass by the base of a wooded hill on their right. As they move forward, several of the riders keep their eyes on the hill and the trees, while Raven watches ahead to concentrate on the tracks. Soon several in the group notice a nervousness begin to develop in their steeds. The horses begin to pause in their tracks and whinny.
-----They then come to a place where just before them lies another hill. The riders then dismount and Raven checks the ground once more. Through the forest up to this point, the group was able to hear the sound of animals and birds. Here, in this place, the forest returns to an uneasy silence.
-----Several of the horses begin to stamp the ground and it takes a few moments to steady and calm them. The breeze seems to whisper through the trees and the chill it brings makes everyone’s breath visible as they exhale.
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