-----Garrison hands his torch to Romney as he stands his post. The woodsman grips his battleaxe while staring out at the dark and forsaken village.
-----Romney then turns and does his own quick inspection of the place with Mirian following closely behind him. She frequently reaches out touching his arm or his surcoat as if fearful the guard from Oakwood might suddenly disappear.
-----After searching much of the space beneath the tables along the wall, Romney finds no other source they could use for light. He then turns toward a fireplace positioned in the wall between the workshop and the house. Finding a few logs beside the mantelpiece, he places them within and starts a fire with his torch.
-----By this time, Sarah has followed Sol and Lovan into the stable's area while Raven and Rinda turn toward the door to take a first look inside the vacant home.
-----"Damn, it is really dark out there," Garrison swears. Lowly he calls, "Sol, we ought to get the horses in as soon as we can!" The woodsman then turns back to his watch of the buildings across the way and the steeds in front of the door.
-----In a few moments, Romney has a low blaze going in the fireplace. The flames cast wavering shadows from the individuals in the workroom.
-----Soon Sol's voice is heard calling from the stable, "Garrison, help Lovan bring th' horses in." The woodsman gives a short reply and steps out the door where the horses wait along the building.
-----Within a few moments, the horses are moved safely within the stables and the front to it is closed. Sol and Sarah walk back into the workroom while Raven and Rinda enter through the front door. Romney tends to the fire in the mantle while Mirian sits on one of the worktables. The mood of the guard from Oakwood seems dark as he mutters something about the smoke from the chimney could reveal the party's whereabouts to unwanted visitors. Mirian remains quiet but very observant.
-----Momentarily, Garrison and Lovan join everyone from the stable area.
-----Raven tells Sol, "Rinda and I found the door to the inside of the house locked. Outside, we looked through a window and we could see furniture in there although it was really too dark for us to see much. I really doubt that the original owners are still here."
-----"Why not break in through the door?" Lovan asks roughly. This remark causes Romney to turn with a concerned look, although he does little but sigh.
-----"I really hate to take a chance that we barge in on someone's home," Sarah says softly, "Even though the original owners may not be here, they could return or, . . ."
-----"Or something else may be hiding inside," Rinda adds evenly.
-----Raven nods and says, "Well, if nothing else, we could stay in the barn if it's safe and keep our watch through the night."
-----"I don't think we need to search th' room any more than ye have, Rinda. It would be a strange foe that locks themselves inside a house. Th' barn should be more'n sufficient t'rest in fer th' night, though I'd like t'keep a watch in here as well. I thought I might do a quick patrol around th' area as well; see if I can find some hint o' what's going on here." Sol moves over to the fire to make brief use of the heat.
-----"Not by yourself, you're not!" Sarah warns.
-----"I agree," Garrison quickly adds, grabbing his weapon.
-----Raven holds out his hands motioning for calm. "I'll go with Sol. The rest of you stay here and keep an eye on each other."
-----Turning to Sol, the hunter asks, "Do we want to take the horses or go on foot?"
-----Sol smiles slightly at the commotion. Quickly he answers Raven's question, "Foot. Let's go. Th' rest o' ye, keep a sharp watch an' gi' a yell if something happens." The Gorian flashes Sarah one last look before heading out of the workshop and into the night.
-----The young mage steps forward before the two dash off into the night. Quickly she plants a kiss on Sol's lips before scolding him to be careful.
-----In the next moment, the two heroes exit the building stepping into the deserted street of the village. A light mist hovers like a shroud over the area giving an eerie look to the air. Without a word, Raven points on down the road and the two are quickly moving sticking to the shadows as much as possible.
-----The two move past another barn-like structure with a large door dangling on its hinges. Out front the remains of smashed barrels lie in the adventures' way while a sign overhead identifies it as a cooper's home. Within the barn, it appears empty and dark as does the small home next to it.