Chapter 11: The Adventurers at the Stronghold!
The Sixth of Greentide, D.Y. 500
-----Sol waves to the group and beckons them to the Sun God's temple. Once they arrive, the young warrior gently awakens the other sleeping companions. After that, he asks Raven, "Anything? It was as quiet as a mouse here."
-----Raven leans against a nearby wall and says, "We saw a lot of activity in the keep. It looks like they're getting ready for something. The keep is locked up tighter than a drum. It has a small moat with a drawbridge."
-----Raven looks over at the charmed fighter and then walks over to Sol. Making sure the fighter can't hear him, Raven continues, "How about if we use Sarah's new best friend to get into the keep? We could all dress in the dead fighter's cloaks and helms. When they lower the drawbridge, we enter and attack them. What you do think?"
-----Sol considers this idea before replying quietly, "Perhaps, but they may have seen th' results o' th' battle from their walls. But maybe they didn't. Let's get some more information out of him a'fore we discuss how we're going t'finish this."
-----The Gorian heads over to Harland and gets the man's attention by signaling to him. Once that attention has been given, Sol says to him sternly, frowning distastefully as he does so, "Listen you, I'm going t'ask ye a few questions. Keep in mind that Sarah's..." Here Sol indicates the mage, in case names weren't swapped, "...well-being may depend on ye giving us as much reliable information as possible. So just remember yer helping her here. First, how did yer company get in contact with this 'Lord' Krondor?"
-----Harland immediately tenses to Sol's approach. With a stern defiant look he replies to the Gorian, "You will not harm MiLady!" obviously misinterpreting Sol's meaning.
-----Romney quickly draws his sword pushing the blade toward the man's back. "You will answer him," the guard from Oakwood sternly says with a look that belies the challenges of the past few days.
-----Harland simply looks toward Sarah.
-----Stubbornly, Sol continues to try, "Yer right. I won't harm yer lady. None o' us here will. But yer lord would, if he gets th' chance. So give us th' blasted information we need t'protect her. Again, how did yer company get in contact with 'Lord' Krondor?"
-----Sarah steps between Harlan and Romney. "Put your sword away guardsman." She says in a threatening voice. Her eyes stare hard at Romney from under her hood. "Or you will answer to me."
-----Raven pipes in, "No need to threaten anyone Sarah. Remember, we're all friends here."
-----Raven says to the charmed fighter, "Your lord does want Sarah dead. By helping us know about Krondor, you'll be helping Sarah."
-----Raven grabs a near by chair and then sits down to see what happens next.
-----Sol had been about to say something very similar to Raven, except a lot less diplomatically. Instead he turns his angry look from Sarah to Romney and gives the guard a sympathetic glance. Finally he gazes once more at the mercenary and seeing that the fellow has had enough prompting, Sol awaits for the man to speak.
-----As if she hadn't even heard Sol or Raven, Sarah continues to stare at Romney. "Put it away," is all she says.
-----Romney sheathes his sword and backs down a bit. A determined look remains his eyes, however, as he says, "I will prepare the horses. By Shema's honor, this Krondor will not go unpunished." The guardsman then leaves and goes outside.
-----Harland looks at Sarah who nods encouragingly. The warrior then begins to answer Sol's question. "I do not belong to any one company. I am a mercenary who has wandered these many months. As I journeyed through Silvergard, I was hired into the company and brought to the castle."
-----Sol then, with the help of Sarah, begins a series of questions, which Harland carefully answers.
-----"What do you know of your lord?"
-----"Lord Krondor tells us of changes that will soon happen to this countryside. He pays well and he has treated us fairly."
-----"In detail, what has your lord told you about his past and his future plans?"
-----"I know and care nothing of his past. I understand the area will be taken over and he will rule it."
-----"How much do you know of the plague? How it started and your Lord's view on it?"
-----"I know nothing of any plague."
-----"What exactly were your orders yesterday?"
-----"To kill any who stood to oppose the Lord Krondor."