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-----Andra stands as if considering the request and then lightly sighs. She removes a dark pouch from her belt and holds it out. Thalog hands Andra’s weapon over to Raven. He then takes the pouch from Andra.
-----The mage carefully opens the pouch and empties slowly the contents into his palm. In the torchlight he looks down at several gold coins and then reaches down and picks something up from among the coins. He holds it up and the light dully shines off the single small black gemstone between his fingers.
-----Raven looks over the long sword and then says, "Andra, do these black gems have any special powers or meaning?"
-----Andra laughs deep and chillingly; a sound that sends a chill to match the darkness in the cave. "In a way, fool," she says in answer to Raven, "they will have the worth when the money in Hearthorn fails!"
-----Sol speaks up, bristling with anger at the way Andra is speaking to Raven, "The only fool around here is you. For serving such a vile master!"
-----The strong dark feminine form rips the veil from her head revealing a beautiful face framed with long dark hair. She stares coldly at Sol and hisses, "Be careful, little man. I could rip you apart with my bare hands."
-----Thalog holds his hands up in front of him and appears a bit shaken. Standing in front of Andra again, he says, "Please, let’s all calm down! There’s no need to fight." He then turns in Sol’s direction and nods reassurance and patience.
-----Turning back to the enspelled woman, Thalog looks up at her with benevolence. "Andra, what did you mean when you said, ‘when the money in Hearthorn fails’?"
-----Looking down at the mage with dark eyes, she says, "There are those working for the Lady of Darkness in the Town to see to it that the gold loses it value."
-----Thalog flashes a look of concern at Rand and Raven. He then looks away as if considering the implications.
-----"Ask her who they are," Sarah says.
-----Thalog repeats the question for Andra. A frown crosses her brow as she slowly says, "I don’t know."
-----Thalog puts his hand on his chin and looks up at her. "Who would know?"
-----The frown on Andra’s face is replaced with a look of unease. After a few moments of silence, Thalog makes her meet his gaze and he tells her, "Andra, it’s really important that I know. Please tell me."
-----Andra responds, "In a tower south of Tru are followers who are watching over different operations in the area."
-----Still eyeing Andra, Sol remarks, "I've had enough of this place. Let's go...Maybe Broacter would like to have a word with 'Andra' here." Sol smiles benignly at Raven.
-----After about an hour’s time, Zentil, Rand, Raven and Sol have gathered together the items from the cave that they believe must be returned to the people in the surrounding area. Thalog and Sarah spend the time keeping an eye on Andra.
-----Once Sol brings the horses to the top of the hill, they find they are ready to leave.
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