-----Just across the way, another home with a stone foundation is seen. Looking very much like the place where Sarah and the others are, the place looks well maintained.
-----Suddenly a short sharp whistling is heard as if from a bird or, . . . a person imitating one. Raven quickly squats down into the shadows pulling Sol with him. The ranger's eyes seem to stand out in the dim light as he glares about.
-----Putting his hand close to Sol's face to point at the home across the way, Raven whispers into the young warrior's ear. "I think that came from there," he says lowly.
-----"Right." Sol nods as he stands up and replies at a whisper, "Tell ye what, I'll move out ont' th' middle o' th' street an' distract their attention, whilst ye take th' sly route by heading back around th' other side o' this barn. Get in t'th' place across th' road there an' flush 'em out. Be careful though, they might be local's still remaining."
-----Having already decided that this is the course of action to take, the Gorian boldly steps out into the cleared out street and takes a good look at his surroundings, playing the part of someone wondering where to go next.
-----Without a word, Raven nods and moves out as he vanishes behind the large structure. For a moment, Sol is left exposed in the middle of the road while the night seems to hold its breath. An eerie stillness comes over the area and for a time, it seems Sol is the only living thing in the village. The surrounding buildings loom in their own shadows reflecting their own kind of sadness at the hint of what once was.
-----A movement to Sol's left quickly brings him back to reality as he spies Raven racing across the road into the shadows on the other side.
-----In the next moment, the silence of the village is broken by a voice calling from the darkened home the hunter had pointed out. "Who goes there?" a man's voice is heard.
-----"My name is Sol Herron. I've heard there was some trouble here in Graf, and I was hoping t'help deal wi' it. What has happened here?" Sol replies firmly.
-----"Unless you brought an army with you, there's not much you can do," the voice replies. After a slight pause, the man is heard to say with some urgency, "It's nearly midnight. Best you find some place to hide for the night."
-----By now Sol's eyesight has slowly adjusted to the dark. Somehow a bit of illumination is carried on the mists that hang in the air. From where he stands, Sol can now make out the door to the home where the voice issues from. The portal stands just slightly ajar.
-----"My companions and I have a place fer now. Th' workshop just down th' street. Come wi' me...Yer welcome t'join us. We've dealt wi' difficult situations before, an' it'd give ye a chance t'tell us what's going on. An' I don't like th' idea o' leaving ye here alone wi' whatever concerns ye. My only other option is t'keep patrolling till I find out fer myself." Sol doesn't move an inch, letting the hidden man know that the Gorian would wait for an answer before continuing on. Or back to the workshop should the fellow accept Sol's offer.
-----"I won't leave my home," the unseen man replies, "and the hour is much too late. As for what is happening here in this village, it is best to speak of things during the daylight. When the dawn breaks, if you and your friends are still here and unharmed, return here. As it is, get off the road and hide yourself away for the night." His tone sounds very adamant.
-----"If that is th' only way you will tell me of what goes on here, then fine. I will come back at daybreak. Take care o' yerself, friend." Sol replies before turning to head back towards the workshop.
-----No reply comes except for the soft sound of a door being carefully closed. Beside the house, Raven steps out of the shadows. Quickly, he whispers, "Sounds like we won't learn much until tomorrow," indicating he heard all that was said.
-----With that the two heroes carefully make their way back among the buildings toward the stables where the others wait. Just outside the building, they find Romney, the guard taking up a watch. Ushering them inside, the two men see the woman preparing the worktables for Mirian and Sarah to sleep on. Smoothing out blankets from the saddlebags, the woman reflect how exhausting the day has been.
-----When Sol relates all that had occurred, Sarah sleepily replies, "Aw Sol, couldn't we sleep in tomorrow?"
-----Raven chuckles, but his remark seems a bit ominous, "Even though this place we're staying in seems safe, we better keep alert watches. If a troop of elves and men has disappeared and we're meeting undead on the road, I have the feeling we're lucky we haven't found more trouble."
-----Turning to the huntress, Rinda tells Raven that it is just after midnight.