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-----At this point it becomes a matter of finding dry spots here and there beneath thick limbs. Soon the wind sends the drops around where, after a fashion, there is no place to escape the rain.
-----After dealing with the inclement weather for four hours, darkness begins to take hold of the forest and still the rain continues! At this point, Marast pauses at the side of the trail road and tells the rogues, "On up trail road is village not far." Pointing to a secondary path that leads north off the trail road, he informs them, "That way go to big town." Marast points to the way of the village and says, "That way wagon go."
-----Somewhat more pleasant to be around now that the scything rain has washed some of the stench off of his crusty hide, Gimplefwick looks bedraggled and thoroughly miserable. He states, "Well then, I say we follow the wagon. It doesn't look like we'll be getting any sleep tonight anyway."
-----Hunching his shoulders against the rain and the wind, Dread slouches his way down the road, after the wagon.
-----"The arrest and court trial will have to wait," Kazel mumbles from somewhere under her thoroughly drenched hood. She waves at Marast to keep moving down the village path.
-----Seth nods and follows the rest, and mumbles, "We must find that wagon!"
-----Marast picks up the pace a bit, perhaps encouraged by the end of the night's travel. The forest darkens and still there seems no let up from the rain. Within the hour, lights are seen in the distance through the trees and there appears to be a clearing up ahead.
-----The source of the light is not like the ominous torches that greeted the rogues as they entered Navlot the past night. The illumination appears homey and the sort of cozy light from candles and fireplaces seeping through the windows of secure dwellings. Through the trunks, the small points of light resemble stars or lasting traces of so many lightning bugs. A scent is carried on the wet air; that of food roasting or baking in the mantle of various places.
-----As they approach, the trio can see the dark silhouettes of buildings both large and small. In the middle of the road are two men shrouded in cloaks standing by dark horses. Seeing the drenched quartet emerge from the shadows of the trail road, one of them lifts a lantern and calls. "Halt!" the rogues hear a husky man's voice say, "Identity yourselves!"
-----The Dread Pirate, weary, wet, and somewhat bitter, yells back, "Why don't you identify yerselves. I'm cold, wet, tired, my feet hurt, and I'm in no mood fer yer little games. Get outta my way afore I pull yer ears down and knot 'em together under yer chin. I'm going to the nearest tavern and wrapping me belly around a jug o' rum."
-----Seth looks up at the men. And for once he is not interested in trying out any of his voices on guards and waits patiently for them to answer Dread.
-----The two men quickly reach at their sides and draw long swords. Though the men's features are undetectable under the hoods they wear, the aggressive demeanor in their stance is not.
-----"You will identify yourself and state your business!" the man that first addressed the rogues shouts, "We are under orders to guard this side of the village of Noth and all who are not citizens here shall identify themselves or be turned away!" Both men appear very capable with their weapons as they take up defensive stances.
-----Marast holds his bow out ready to draw it as he flexes his other hand. The wood elf gives a glance to the side to see what his employers do.
-----The Dread Pirate looks sourly at the two guards and replies, "Yes, that's right, a halfling and his three friends are here to lay waste to an entire village. And we're stealthily sneaking up on the village by walking down the middle of the road directly towards you. Obviously we are a fearsome menace to be dealt with in the harshest manner possible. I'd recommend just dispensing with questions and skewering us all immediately."
-----The Dread Pirate waves a hand angrily at the two men, "Now, ye say that yer set here to guard the road. That's marvellous. I'm very happy for you. Who set you to guard the road? Under whose authority are you acting? For all we know, ye could be bandits and yer leader set ye to luring in unsuspecting travelers. By drawing yer swords when I ask who ye are, ye surely aren't making me trust ye. I don't see any uniforms or emblems signifying that ye are soldiers, so who are ye challenge wayfarers? All that I know is that two men have pulled swords on us on a dark, stormy night and demanded information from us. Why should I give it?"
-----Seth maneuvers himself so Dread is between himself and the two armoured guards. He slips his hand into his pouch and selects some sand and waits to see what happens next.
-----Kazel does not move under her cloak. She stands silently listening and waiting for the response.
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