Chapter 10: Dark Arrival!
D.Y. 500, The thirtieth day of Springtide.
-----Sol enters the great hall of the keep followed by a procession of the surviving guards of the keep. As he enters, he sees Kazel looking over a few supplies and sacks near the kitchen. Seth continues to sit nearby Woder who silently watches the musician. Albert, Seth’s crow, flies through an open high window and floats down toward his master.
-----From one of the long tables comes a low rumbling sound. Looking toward the sound, Sol sees the Dread Pirate sleeping on top of the table.
-----Sol walks over to Kazel and asks, "Did ye manage t'find somewhere to stash the prisoners?"
-----Kazel replies, "Not in this keep, anyway. Just some supplies and more coins here." She says indicating the couple of sacks she has just dumped on the floor. "What's the other two doing out there now?"
-----Sol indicates that Raven and Rinda are preparing to leave for Oakwood. He then asks Kazel’s help in tying the prisoners’ legs to minimize their urge to move around. After they are finished, they leave the guards sitting up against the walls of the hall.
-----Sarah follows Sol back inside. "So, what's the plan? You guys find anything interesting in here? Or can we take these defeated villains back to Oakwood with us now?"
-----Sol turns after securing the prisoners and says, "We're going to wait here until this next evening. Then if the followers o' th' Dark turn up, we'll deal with them appropriately. Whether they do or not, Raven is going to Oakwood now to ask for Lord Greene's aid. I'm hoping he'll send some troops t'take over both this keep and th' prisoners we took."
-----"Once that's done, we'll head to Oakwood and from there, to the cave. Then we can break the Dark's grip on the area, and get Aaron back safe an' sound...and put an end to Devlin." He purses his lips following the speaking of the Dark leader's name.
-----Sol then cocks his head to one side and adds, "Ye can take this opportunity t'rest now. Maybe get some spells back if ye'd like. They were used really well here, and may well be needed tonight t'counter the spells they may use on us...So, rest up, yeah? I'll be back after first watch." He smiles warmly and leaves the keep again.
-----Sarah smiles at Sol. "Thanks. Be careful." She then sets about finding somewhere safe to sleep.
-----Outside Sol strides over toward the building used as a stable. He smiles happily as at last he has found something peaceful and truly enjoyable to do. In the stable, Sol sees just over a dozen very capable horses that have been used by the corrupt denizens of this castle.
-----He gives each horse the once over, checking their condition and general health. The young warrior thinks that the steeds would make an excellent addition to any farm as the animals seem strong and well taken care of.
-----Finding that the stable is fairly stocked with hay and some oats for the beasts to eat, Sol makes sure they have enough food to eat. Afterward, he hauls out some food to the party’s horses. Walking out into the courtyard, he sees no sign of Raven, Rinda or the wolf.
-----After the animals are fed, Sol heads up to one of the towers. The first few rays of the sun are just alighting on the top of the trees although most of the sky is very cloudy. A gentle breeze blows through the branches and Sol inhales the morning air deeply helping to revive him somewhat.
-----Suddenly down in the forest outside the wall, he sees some movement. There, Raven stands by the two horses as Rinda walks toward him through the trees. The huntress bends down by the wolf and it is evident that she intones something to the Great Hunter. After laying her hands on the hurt animal, she stands and the wolf seems to try out where it had been injured. Seeing that the animal no longer limps, the two hunters mount up. As they turn, they catch sight of Sol standing among the parapets.
-----The huntress smiles and waves. Pointing at Sol, she turns to Raven and says loudly, "Look! I always knew one day he would be Lord over his own castle."
-----In a more serious tone, she then calls to the young warrior, "We’ll be back as soon as we can. May the Great Hunter walk with you . . . and the Great Rager be your fury!"
-----Sol then watches the two ride off toward the north with the wolf running along through the trees.
-----Sarah mumbles something into her makeshift pillow and wakes up briefly. Seeing it’s just Sol and Raven yelling at each other from the walls and the forest she just puts her head down and goes back to sleep.
-----As the morning continues, the sunshine begins to fade as more clouds build overhead. By mid-morning everything seems to hold a bit of gloom as the sky turns completely gray.