-----Raven also listens to Rand's words. Raven shifts in his saddle and looks out into the heart of the swamp when he sees Rand is tearing up. Raven's hand goes to the back of his head and Raven seems to be bird watching. When Rand trails off, Raven opens his mouth to speak, but when Raven sees Arliss is going to talk, Raven shuts his mouth.
-----After Arliss speak Raven says, "Ya Rand, don't hold back. Lay it all on the table." Raven pauses, "Unless the rest of the prophecy includes our limbs getting torn off..." Raven realizes he has said too much. Raven clears his throat, "Sorry...go ahead Rand." Raven blushes and turns his glance back to the swamp.
-----Thalog is calm, silent and emotionless as the prophecy unfolds. When Rand falters, Thalog gives a nod of reassurance and returns to his original pose as if he had not moved.
-----Rand stares at Arliss intently. The expression on his face suddenly cold and hard, he seems to have calmed down. "The prophecy does not concern our mission, it involves no threat to us". Rand swiftly rides
past Arliss making it clear he considers the discussion at an end.
-----At Rand's response, Arliss' glittering blue eyes suddenly look about as warm as a glacier. In a flat, forced tone, he simply says, "All right, then. Let's go. Lead us on, Raven."
-----Overhead the sky could not be a clearer blue. Somehow though, this marshland the four men enter add a gloomy and dreary feel to the surroundings. Whether by reality or by imagination, the chill suddenly returns to the air.
-----As Raven had mentioned before, there is an unnatural stillness and silence here. The only sounds that are heard are the horses' hooves as they slosh along in the saturated ground. Each man can see his breath rise in front of his face. As the group makes their way through the swamp, Arliss remains stoic and aloof, as if his mood reflects the bleak environment around them.
-----So far, the ground they tread seems moist, but solid. On each side, they are flanked by high grasses that sometimes thin to uncover pools of water. Beyond these, the water is more dominate with weathered stumps and thin skeletal trees emerging above the surface. The swamp water seems black and reflective like a dark mirror.
-----About a quarter of a mile into the swamp, the land becomes more bog-like. The pools of water become smaller and the ground is covered with mosses and thick grass. Here and there, evergreen trees begin to clump together. As they pass one of the larger fir trees, the men can see a small gray form suspended on one of the branches. The closer they get, they make it out to be a body of a raccoon slumped among the green boughs; its dead eyes staring ominously at them.
-----Ahead, the trees gather together into a small wood. Their path leads them around these trees. As they round a bend and enter a clearing, they pull up short at the sight they see.
-----A little over fifty yards before them, they see the smoldering remains of a small dwelling. Burnt down to its foundation, little remains except for stone, charred wood, and ashes. From the few supports that are left, a dusky smoke arises.
-----To one side of the ruined dwelling, a large fern tree grows. Its uplifted limbs covered with greenery gives the tree a teardrop shape. Beneath the tree propped up against the trunk is a human-sized form.
-----In front of the burned shelter, three other forms lay sprawled out on the ground. Three carrion birds move along the ground by the forms. Their attempts to move closer are hampered by a medium-sized dog with white fur. The canine begins growling and barking as the birds try to approach. The birds recoil, spreading their great wings and wait for the dog's attention to be distracted elsewhere . . .
-----As the grim scene of the burned out dwelling unfolds before them, a fire builds in Arliss's eyes,...a fire of outrage and shock. "By Joren!" the paladin whispers under his breath.
-----Thalog follows beside Arliss on horseback. He leans in his saddle and whispers to Arliss, "Something is wrong here. And I don't mean the dead people!" Thalog almost looks concerned, however the unfeeling logic in his eyes studies the horrible scene methodically.
-----Raven dismounts his horse and motions for the rest of the group to stay back. To the group Raven says in a low and calm voice, "Can someone check the person by the tree? I'll try to tend to the three by the dog.
With one hand on the hilt of his sword, Raven slowly moves towards the dog.
-----Arliss leans towards Thalog, and responds to his comment, "Yes, good Thalog, I couldn't agree more..." Following Raven's lead, Arliss carefully dismounts, then circles around to make his way towards the figure slumped under the fern plant. He keeps a wary eye on the dog, and his hand near his sword hilt...