Chapter 9: The Adventurers Reach the Village of Nox!
The Fifth of Greentide, D.Y. 500
-----By morning, the clouds seem to have miraculously disappeared leaving a clear blue sky to greet the brilliant rising sun. A gentle breeze plays about the walls of the temple, which though chilly seems to help awaken everyone as they take their breakfast.
-----As they gather in the lower chamber of the temple, Lovan grumbles as he watches the sunshine light his temple.
-----Romney and Shema appear more relaxed as they take their breakfast; the tension from the last day seemingly gone. A focused look remains on their faces, however, perhaps anticipating what this day might bring.
-----The wind's chill doesn't seem to bother Sol and he seems to take the sunshine with a resignated welcome. The young warrior finishes his breakfast rather quickly, not unusual, and heads outside saying, "Last night...those wolves were pretty amazing. I don't think I quite heard it like that. Anyway, I'll prepare th' horses an' then we can head off."
-----Raven takes a bite of his breakfast and then says to Sol, "Aye, it was odd. I wonder if it had to do with the comet Garrison and I saw last night. Or it could have been the Hunter giving us a sign." Raven returns to his breakfast deep in thought.
-----Sarah wakes up with a playfully evil look on her face. She grins happily at Sol and kisses him on the cheek when he comes and wakes her up. Giggling slightly, she laughs off his questions.
-----She is silent through breakfast, but looks as though she might break out laughing any moment.
-----Sol stops at the doorway and turns around, eyeing Raven with interest, "Comet? Amazing! The most interesting thing I saw last night was Romney snoring." Sol grins at the guard in jest and spins on heel and heads into the courtyard, sparing one curious look at Sarah as he does so. He doesn't stop however, obviously believing that whatever joke the mage has will be shared in her own time.
-----"Yes, as if Sol's snoring did not weaken the temple walls. Perhaps the wolves were merely begging him to stop," replies Romney laughing and shooting the young warrior a good-natured smile.
-----An intense frown remains on the face of the Rager's priest but for now Lovan remains quiet as he stands in the sunlight.
-----Rinda pats Raven's arm and smiles. The huntress finishes her breakfast and between bites she stares into a corner and mutters, "The prey is near."
-----"A comet you say?" Sarah says, her grin about to break into a fit of laughter. "Yessssss...." She whispers to herself. She smiles at Rinda and nods happily.
-----Raven gives Sarah a puzzled look, but says nothing. Raven turns to the group, "Let's head out. Krondor awaits."
-----Sol and Romney help everyone mount up. Lovan grumbles as he mounts his own steed and hefts his warhammer. With everyone focusing on the possibility of ending their quest, they ride forth from the temple walls and head down the road with the sun shining directly at them.
-----Within a few moments, they pass the deserted large keep structure while to the south of them lies the tangled rough area. Yesterday this area had kept hidden the evil cult. With its influence stopped, the adventurers pay little heed to it as they go.
-----The trail road heads more to the south and by the hour's end, they pass a long lake to the north of them before plunging into a small woods. The light breeze whispers among the trees as the horse's hooves clump softly on the path. Soon they emerge from the trees and see the Altor River to the south. Ahead of them, two miles, look to be the small houses and other buildings that must make up the village of Nox.
-----As they ride closer and the others can see the docks bordering the riverbank, the riders observe a figure down by the side of the road. As they pull nearer, they can see a short thin woman dressed in ring mail and wearing the red tunic of a sun worshipper lying on her side. The young woman appears very weak and very battered.
-----Though he knows it's given, Sol quickly advises, "Keep an eye out fer trouble." The Gorian then rides forward at a fast trot, up to the mailed follower of Solarius and dismounts quickly. Holding his palms up to show he is no enemy, a concerned Sol asks the woman, "Lady, what has happened here? Are ye injured?"
-----Sol then calls over his shoulder whether the woman answers or not, "Sarah! Rinda! Can ye aid her?"
-----While the others come forward, Sol calls to the the Rager's priest, "Lovan, th' temple in Nox; who is it devoted to?" The young warrior frowns in consideration as he turns his attention back to the battered woman.