Chapter 1: The Village of Xyl!
The Seventh of Greentide, D.Y. 500
-----Within the next hour, the large host of people emerges from the trees and catches their first view of the woodland village of Xyl. As the gentle rain continues to fall, it seems to embrace the rustic settlement making the greenery lusher and the brown hue of the trunks darkly rich.
-----The wooden buildings of the village blend in with the large trees of the forest that surround it, not only in form but in function also. Some buildings feature the tops of small trees extending through their roofs, perhaps helping to support the structure. Where a few of the taller trees stands on an ascending hill to the north, at least two smaller places are seen nestled in the boughs of the strongest oaks.
-----Sitting on his horse beside Sol who is mounted on his magnificent steed, Thunder, Lovan breathes deeply, seemingly unaware of the habitat before them. "Ah," the Storm Priest exhales, "There be nothing like the smell of rain, praise the Rager! T'is enough for calming your wits until the next bolt thunders." He smiles up at the light gray color of the sky peeking through the trees.
-----Garrison frowns but nods as he eyes the village ahead. "Pretty smart the way this place is put together," he says to Raven and Rinda beside him, "I'd think any monster like that dragon back there'd have a hard time seein' this village from the air." The woodsman shifts his axe from one hand to the other as he rides.
-----"It is too bad we do not have more places like this near WilderHaven," Rinda says. The Huntress smiles at her Hunter and fatigue seems to register there.
-----Sarah rides on the other side of Sol and the young mage's hair looks delicate and soft as the light color of her curls appear to be the brightest in their surroundings. Marlexana softly treads her hooves across the forest floor matching the gentleness of the descending drops.
-----In front of them, the large elven troop that escorts Lord Howrun comes to a halt. The Lord of Silvergard turns his horse to face them. Lifting his left arm toward the trees, he says to them in a commanding, but respectful tone, "Off to ye now to the south. The foul dragon may be dead, but I bet my soul there be other wickedness that the bastard Sintor has beset upon my woods! If the rain stops, we ride to Rushfen on the morrow. If the rain still falls, we wait another day. Either way, send me word how all fares!"
-----Raising his great battleaxe, Howrun concludes with, "Now, may the Hunt be yours and be worthy of the Silver Woods!"
-----With that, the massive elven troop bows and raises their arms in respect. In the next few moments, they move out and soon are lost among the trunks and foliage of the forest. Their passing hardly disturbs a single branch, frond or twig if at all.
-----Still accompanied by at least a score of archers and woodsmen, the Lord of Silvergard turns his steed and heads once more toward the village.
-----"A good day to slay a dragon on!" Lovan suddenly says aloud with seemingly no reason at all. He looks over at Sol with a large grin on his face while pointing skyward.
-----Lord Howrun seems to hear the Storm Priest as he turns slightly in his saddle. The massive Lord appears to chuckle and shake his head as he quips, "Rager Priests, . . . I know not why this part of my Estate seems especially blessed with them."
-----Raising his weapon toward the rustic buildings, he commands those nearest to him, "On to the Inn of the Sylvan Wood!"
-----Sol glances at Sarah and murmurs to her pleasantly, "Rest, even if only fer a day is a welcome change." He then takes his time to properly appreciate Xyl's habitat and its rain washed environs. Impressed and somewhat affected, Sol is only broken from his reverie by Lovan's latest proclamation. He smiles and nods at the priest, only answering, "A good day indeed."
-----The Gorian would have gone back to his study of the area but Lord Howrun's comment on the Rager priests causes Sol to once more look at Lovan. Curiously he asks the priest, "Lovan, what do ye know of these brethren down here?"
-----Even though the strange rain has healed his body, Raven finds himself tired and needing rest. Raven says to Rinda and Garrison, "Aye, a dragon would have a hard time seeing this town from air. It's a well-designed town and quite beautiful." As they head towards the Inn, Raven spends the time to look over the town.
-----Lovan grunts in answer to Sol and seems unaffected by the remark. "These people are probably feeling the need to appease the Rager with the dragon stomping through their area." Beaming with an almost insane smile, Lovan adds, "Wait until they hear how the dragon died!"
-----Undeterred, Sol then rides up closer to Lord Howrun asking him the general whereabouts of these priests, their known recent activities and if he knows anything about them personally.