-----Lovan dismounts and stands beside Sol with a curious look on his face as he looks at the injured woman. "That temple is to the sun god," he answers.
-----Rinda is suddenly there looking over the armored woman. The young woman has short brown hair and a pleasant face to look upon, though she struggles as if to fight her consciousness from leaving her.
-----"No," the woman groans to Rinda, "do not waste your attentions on me. I have my own way of healing." Looking at Sol, she grips his arm weakly and says with an urgent look in her green eyes, "T-They are g-going to release the m-monster from the tower!" Catching her breath, she continues, "I cannot hold the three of them off by myself!"
-----Raven leans forward, "What monster? Who are 'they'?"
-----Seeing that Rinda has the situation under control, Sol remounts. By the look in his eye it is obvious the Gorian is ready to take off at a moment's notice.
-----"Merkulus, a mage of terrible power," the woman pants out, "and some abominable warrior. They have a troll under their influence that's been ravaging the countryside. I tried to make a stand, but they . . ."
-----At that moment, her words are cut short as Sol gallops towards Nox. Thunder races into the glare of the morning sun carrying the Gorian toward the middle of the village where a gray stone tower is seen.
-----"You seem rather capable for a traveler." Sarah says to the woman, in the tone of a question. "Perhaps you could follow with us and tell us more about these abominations when you are healed. In fact we might even get a chance to work together." Sarah says as an invitation.
-----"I am Beleya, a worshipper of Solarius," says the woman wincing as Rinda helps her up.
-----Rinda then looks toward the village with a concerned glance. "We should go after Sol," she says looking at the dust on the road from the Gorian's departure. She then looks at Raven.
-----Raven nods and then runs over to his horse. Riding with all haste, Raven takes off after Sol.
-----Everyone follows along with Sarah coming last after helping the sun worshipper onto Marlexana. Charging into the village, everyone sees the docks that line the river. The company makes it to the road that turns north from the river docks and heads past a small tavern. To the left, they pass a temple that must be dedicated to the sun god. Up ahead a few yards, there is a gray stone tower partially hidden by a clump of trees in front of it.
-----A few local peasants stand along the road watching the progression of riders and staring toward the tower.
-----As they pass the trees north of the village, they see the grassy area around the tower. Standing in front of the structure is Sol. Oddly, he is without his dark blue surcoat and his hair looks matted with dirt.
-----Suddenly a large muscular form charges out of the tower toward Sol. The form is armored in very strange looking plate armor. It features a grotesque looking helmet and hefts a huge flail.
-----Before Sol can react, the figure swings the weapon at the young warrior. The spiked ball at the end of the chain catches Sol in the gut with a bone-jarring crunch. Sol steps back looking badly injured!
-----"Right." Sol sputters in between gaping breaths, "Stick t'what ye know, Sol." He wrenches his longsword free of its housing and comments to his foe with a grin, "Still standing." The Lathanian blade then arcs towards the distorted helm of the enemy as Sol whispers.
-----Raven leaps off his horse and races over to help Sol. As Raven runs he draws his swords. Raven doesn't say anything. He plans on his swords doing the talking.
-----"Well, that's no good." Sarah muses, casually lifting her hands and spraying a trio of golden missiles at the grotesque foe.
-----Raven slashes in at the strange foe facing Sol. The hunter's sword rips through an arm muscle sending splats of blood through the air.
-----Sarah's golden missiles then strike the horridly armored man. The body inside the armor jerks as the magic does its work.
-----Sol then slams his blade into the man's side causing the evil one to almost lose his footing.
-----Just then a horrible roar erupts from the tower entrance. Just beyond the fighting, there emerges a creature that stands nearly ten feet tall. Its foul greenish hide is covered with bumps and its frame, though thin, appears strong and powerful. It lifts its clawed hands into the air and growls as it begins to rush the people in the courtyard.
-----As if this was not enough, a much louder sound descends upon the adventurers. Up at the top of the tower, a large creature suddenly takes wing. Its reddish scales glisten in the morning light as its black wings beat the air. Circling over them, the dragon roars as it angles in the air for a downward swoop. Cries of distress are heard from the villagers yards away from the action.