Chapter 14 - Defeating the Dark Ones!
The First of Greentide, D.Y. 500
-----During the last watch, the guard Abram kept vigilance on the surrounding forest while Sol kept a watchful eye on the fourteen prisoners. Raven and Rinda also stayed awake taking in the night as only two hunters of Thales can. The few remaining hours before the moon set and the twilight began to come into the sky passed peacefully.
-----As the morning light grew, the beautiful greenery of the area became more apparent. The birds began to sing early way before Rinda began her morning meditation with the Great Hunter. A gentle breeze played about the branches perhaps chasing the clouds out of the now clear sky of blue. The air felt warmer than any day before, hinting at the very warm temperatures everyone would experience this day.
-----The early day seemed wonderful and refreshing diminishing the tenseness of the night. In fact, were it not for the absurd sight of the fourteen bandits tied and sitting together in a row, the whole encounter might have seemed like a bothersome dream.
-----Now as everyone eats a bit of breakfast, the bandits look at the adventurers with large pensive expressions. "Please, sir," one of them asks Sol, "what will come o’ us?"
-----At that, Romney approaches the young warrior and says, "These prisoners really should be escorted back to Oakwood. I fear they would only be troublesome if we were to leave them here or take them with us further." He then looks at both Sol and Raven for a reply.
-----Sol gazes with contempt at the bandit who spoke to him, "Whate'er th' law o' Oakwood will have of ye." He replies honestly. Finally the Gorian turns and nods at Romney before suggesting, "Yer right, an' I had no intention o' taking them wi' us. Perhaps you an' Bradley could guard them here at Visp until th' rest o' us have a chance t'go an' check out this cave. Whatever we find and deal with there, we'll return here afterwards. I guess if we're not back by sunrise tomorrow, ye can either take them back yerselves, or wait till one o' th' patrols comes by." Sol looks at Raven, Sarah and Rinda for any other suggestions.
-----Sarah bites on her lower lip to restrain herself from saying something sarcastic about slaughtering them all right there because she feels like doing it. She succeeds admirably and merely nods to Sol, still flipping through her spellbook until everyone is ready to go.
-----Raven frowns, "I hate to weaken us just for these bunch of thugs. I'd rather not reduce our numbers. I think we should throw these small fish back and go after the big fish." Raven looks over at the bound bandits, "We could strip them of their armor and weapons and then have someone from the village guard them while we're gone." Raven shrugs, "I know there is no perfect answer, but that is my thought."
-----Sol considers Raven's view for a second before replying, "Ye could be right. I just assumed that Romney..." Sol turns to the guard questioningly, "...didn't want t'leave this many thieves up t'th' villagers. That may not have been what ye meant though. Anyway, Rau'Triel seemed imposing enough. Maybe he'd be willing t'oversee their captivity till we come back?"
-----"Aye," Romney responds, "that was what I meant, although I do not want to release them. This is a holy day for the god of justice, Joren, and I think the others would agree with me. These prisoners should be taken back to Oakwood and face their crimes there."
-----Pondering on what Sol mentioned, the guard continues, "Visp has always been known for its able-bodied woodsmen, so I wonder if Rau’Triel could be convinced to take the prisoners along with some of the men here to the town."
-----Moments later, the priest of the god of law himself appears riding down the road on a horse. Dressed in brigandine padded armor and carrying a warhammer, he looks from side to side at the homes and buildings. At this time, more people are slowly beginning to emerge from their homes, accompanied by the occasional crowing of a rooster.
-----As Rau’Triel passes the small grove, he slows his horse staring intently at the movement of the party within. He pulls the reins of his horse aside and rides toward the camp. As he pulls up, a pleased astonished look is on his face. Quickly it turns to a concerned frown as he speaks. "My friends, this is where you chose to spend the night? I could have made quarters for you within the temple. There are other citizens about who would have taken you into their very homes. . ."
-----His eyebrows rise as he looks at the long line of tied up prisoners. "By all that is the Law, who are these you hold as prisoners?"
-----Sol bows his head slightly in greeting and smiles up at the priest, "Good morning to ye, yer reverence. We ourselves chose to camp out, so that we could keep a better watch on Visp. Unfortunately we weren't lucky enough t'come across any o' what's been reported, but we did deal wi' these bandits from down south who had decided to pay yer village a visit."
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