-----Sol takes a moment as certain images flash through his mind, before continuing, "Th' sod revealed his designs. Th' gem he sought from me seemed t'be th' last o' a set o' eight, that were set int' th' basement wall, where an image o' a huge spider was. Each o' the other seven gems were set int' th' tips of th' legs, th' last empty. Probably fer th' one I held. Th' assassin mentioned freeing th' army o' Spider Queen, Lolth."
-----A nonchalant gesture follows as he finishes, "Anyway, I still hold th' last gem, an' we pried th' rest out an' handed them t'th' elves o' th' troop. They now hold Gafa an' have requested reinforcements." Sol bobs his head slightly to indicate he has finished.
-----Sarah opens her mouth as if there's something she wants to ad, realizes Sol covered just about everything but then quietly mentions. "There are still a good number of elves and men trapped in stone bodies in the keep. I couldn't do anything for them." Sarah nervously fingers the magnificent silver medallion she now wears around her neck. She also keeps a close eye on how her father is looking at Sol. She wonders if she can get a bead on how the two feel about each other. But mostly she's just happy to be reunited with everybody.
-----As Sol relates his report, the Lord Wizard narrows his eyes and then a look of anguish comes over his face when the beholder is mentioned. Zepharon holds his daughter closer to him as he stares into the nearest trees. "By the gods," he says in a shocked tone just above a whisper, "what did I send you into?"
-----When Sol mentions the spider queen, the wizard looks at the elven warrior who jerks his attention up from the parchments on the table. "The Drow," Zepharon says lowly and the elf acknowledges it with a single nod. "Here nearly at the beginning of the summer months," the wizard continues, "but what could it mean?"
-----Just then another person appearing from one of the tents interrupts the proceedings. This person wears elegant robes of a light violet color bordered by shades of white and yellow. The newcomer carries her posture as a woman though her hood hides her features and her hands are folded within the robe's long sleeves.
-----However, a glimpse of full lips beneath the hood is seen which speaks in a feminine voice. A smile widens beneath the hood and the person speaks with a loving tone to the young mage. "My daughter! You have returned!" The arms unfold themselves from the sleeves and extend themselves to Sarah.
-----"Nothing we couldn't handle." Sarah happily informs her father. Now that the threat is gone and the party reunited Sarah has momentarily forgotten how terrifying the chamber of mirrors and the threat of being turned to stone was. Not to mention the dopplegangers and assassins.
-----"Indeed. Ye've got a lot t'be proud of here, sir. Th' Beholder was really giving trouble, until Sarah made it eat a ball o' fire. That . . . was satisfying." Sol adds contentedly.
-----"Veil!" Sarah exclaims happily, taking her mother's arms and embracing her. "How is everything with you?" Standing between her two adopted parents after being away so long, Sarah feels overwhelmed with joy.
-----Sol looks on with open curiosity at the new arrival, having heard only a little of the Diviner. A soft smile plays on his face, delighted that Sarah is so obviously happy.
-----The woman known as Veil hugs Sarah very tightly and laughs in delight. Then upon reflecting on what the young warrior mentioned, her hood shakes in alarm. She holds Sarah to one side as if protecting her while gazing at her daughter in amazement. "Y-you faced a b-b-beholder?" Veil's voice is heard to gasp. Her hood then turns in the Lord Wizard's direction and her voice rises in anger. "Zepharon?! How could you let this happen?"
-----"Yes, dear, I was unaware," the Lord Wizard responds with urgency while he and the elven warrior scan the map in front of them. "Obviously, Sarah and her heroic companions discovered more than I and the officials here in Silvergard could have anticipated. As young Sol said I am impressed and most proud that she and her friends were able to dispatch with such an enemy."
-----The elven warrior then points at a certain spot on the map. Zepharon nods as he agrees with what the elf has found.
-----"Oh, my beautiful daughter," Veil says as she embraces Sarah again, "you have been through so much. Are you sure you are all right?" Drawing her toward one of the tents, the diviner adds, "Come with me, you can rest here."
-----Just then the town physician arrives, a man dressed in the rustic clothing of the area. He carries a large leather pouch over his shoulder. Seeing the man, the Lord Wizard directs him toward Sol, Raven and the others saying, "Please tend to these young people. They have endured much for the sake of our kingdom."
-----Smiling warmly at Sol and Raven, Zepharon tells them, "You have done very well once again, my friends. Please rest here as much as you can. We will speak later."