-----Lord Howrun points toward a good-sized building up a few yards to the right. "The Red Leaf Tavern! That shall be where we feast this night and shake the wetness from ourselves!" he gruffly says. With that he dispatches a tall thin fellow bearing the features of a half-elf toward the tavern with instructions to inform the owner of the Lord's plans.
-----The Lord of Silvergard then turns his mount toward what appears to be a large house secured beneath the huge boughs of a giant tree. The dark and rich tones of the natural wood that makes up this building are beautiful and even though the place seems old, the structure shows no sign of aging.
-----Here the rest of Lord Howrun's entourage leaves, silently walking toward the surrounding forest. Howrun then leads the party through the door into a large parlor featuring a large stone fireplace and many wooden chairs and tables.
-----"Welcome back to the Inn of the Sylvan Wood, Lord Howrun," says a thin young man with slightly pointed ears who stands behind a tall desk. "Will you be staying with us this night, sir?" He smiles as a cheerful light shines in his green eyes.
-----"Aye, that I will," Lord Howrun says answering the man without looking at him. As Howrun takes in the view of the comfortable inn, he adds, "Those that accompany me shall also require rooms."
-----"Of course, MiLord!" the young innkeeper says. Looking over the adventurers, he says with an unfaltering smile, "Let us see, how many of you will require your own rooms?"
-----As Garrison and Romney begin to acknowledge, the rain outside suddenly falls heavier. Lovan simply crosses his arms, staring at the downpour as if in deep thought.
-----Lord Howrun looks over at the Storm Priest and raises his eyebrows. Emitting a laugh, he shakes his head.
-----Sol looks around after the inkeeper's question and then looks back at the young man, "Well, I guess we all do. I'm pretty sure we're all staying here."
-----To make sure he's correct, Sol walks over to the doorway where Lovan stands and places his left hand on the priest's right shoulder, speaking to him softly as he does so.
-----The Storm Priest replies softly in return, his eyes never leaving the rain. A smile then comes over his face as he says in a louder tone, "Many will hear of the dragon's death for the Rager's fury cannot be contained!"
-----Raven says to the innkeeper, "We'll take a room. Ground floor if you have one." Raven looks around the room and then says, "Nice place you have here. Very relaxing."
-----Raven turns to listen to Lovan speak. Raven decides to not comment on Lovan's statement. Instead he turns to the innkeep again, "Can we get some hot food?" Raven motions over to an open table, "We'll be over there." Raven reaches into his belt pouch and slides a gold piece to the innkeep. "As soon as you can please. Thanks."
-----With that Raven and Rinda head for the table to relax. Raven says to the party, "Join us for a hot meal."
-----"I am sorry to say that none of our guest's rooms are on the ground level," the innkeeper tells Raven, "However, I can get you a room at the lowest level."
-----"Ah, food would be excellent now!" Lord Howrun rumbles with a wide smile. He sits down close to the hunters and Garrison who joins them at the table. "Do not forget tonight we shall have an evening feast at the Red Leaf Tavern!"
-----Turning toward Raven, he adds, "No need to pay them. They shall be paid from the Estate's coffers."
-----Since he got here, Romney finally looks at ease, settling into a padded chair. He remains silent for now, studying the Lord of Silvergard.
-----"Food!" Lovan says enthusiastically, the weather momentarily forgotten, "I have forgotten how hungry I was. Ah, but bringing the Rager's Fury does that!" The Storm Priest then grabs a chair and pulls himself up to a table. He then sits there with both fists on the table in front of him as if ready to assault the first morsel placed in front of him.
-----After seeing how many need rooms, the innkeeper moves through a side door and returns a few moments later to announce that the food will be served soon.
-----As more talk is passed around, the smell of food wafts through the room with the continued sound of rainfall. Soon stomachs are heard growling and a few in the party begin nodding their heads in relaxation.
-----Finally, the innkeeper helps a serving woman bring in plates holding an assortment of vegetables, game meat and fresh baked bread. Everyone then commences to devour the food placed in front of them.
-----Rinda smiles at Raven and whispers, "This is a bit different than a few nights ago when we were at the castle in Oakwood."