-----Seth nods as Dread speaks and at the end of his speech adds, "Yes, with that scroll of protection and another spell that I have I can transport the girl to safety very, very fast!"
-----Kazel says simply, "We can work out the plan, but there's no discussion on the child."
-----Xavia's frown deepens but she holds her anger in check. "You are foolish to think yourself more powerful. Yes, you killed one werewolf, but now three of your number is at risk for being afflicted with Lycanthrope. Do you think this patrol could not have made a final stand with these creatures and been as effective? I did not want the risk of losing anyone whether we could slay the werewolves or not. It was better for us to wait until morning to ride across the plains of Redmarsh."
-----Turning toward Seth, she demands, "Show me this scroll. I want proof the child can be properly protected!"
-----Seth takes his map tube over to the Paladin and unrolls some maps, scrolls and papers. He selects one and holds it out in front of him so the Paladin can see it. He simply states, "I assume you can read."
-----The Dread Pirate fights hard to keep from snickering at Seth's question, but fails miserably. He then says, "Yes, I do think you wouldn't have done as well as us. You lost one of your number as it is. How many more, if we hadn't been here with out weapons that can hurt the beasts."
-----The paladin calls her priests over and the three of them pour over the scroll. After a few moments, one of the priests nods his head. "Yes, it is authentic," he simply says.
-----After the other priest gives his approval, Xavia hands the scroll back to Seth. She then looks at the child and says, "Well, little one, is it your wish to stay with Kazel? You are welcome to ride with me. I am going back to the Town of Redmarsh."
-----The little girl immediately gets up out of Krord's lap and runs to the butcher of Hearthorn. She then hides behind Kazel's leg and buries her face in her hands.
-----"So be it," Xavia says, looking at all the rogues, "For the rest of the night my company and I bore you no ill. In the morning, I would advise you to carry on to Oakwood. I encourage you to turn yourselves in to the authorities. If you do not, you may be considered fugitives as I have said."
-----"The welfare of the girl is also in your hands. If her well-being is jeopardized by your hand, I will personally seek to bring you to justice."
-----Seth takes back his scroll and rolls it back up with his other maps and scrolls, but carefully placing it on the outside, as he may need it soon. "You know Paladin, Nylan trusts us implicitly, The Lords In Hearthorne trusted us to uncover a counterfeiting ring to undermine the economy, they also trusted us with this mission. Zharta trusted us to clear out his temple." He pauses for effect and looks around making sure he makes eye contact with all of the Paladin's band. "Why is it so hard for people like yourself to trust us?"
-----He slings his map case over his shoulder and raises his hands in a questioning gesture. "Why do the Lords In Hearthorne and others like Nylan trust us with these important missions? You may ask yourself, and you would probably be wrong, but I can tell you the real reason is that along the way in carrying out these jobs, petty officials, Lords who mistrust their own lieges, Warriors who do not trust their own leaders hamper the missions. Maybe through jealousy, maybe because they have their own agendas and maybe because they're stupid. A patent of nobility has never assured one a patent of intelligence!" He now lowers his hands and shrugs. "Paladin, I think you know we always get these jobs and why the Main people trust us, they know that despite all of the petty interferences and obstacles that would otherwise hamper a more 'official group' we will find away around these things. Sometimes, this makes us outlaws. But those same people that trust and rely on us know that, and they know that eventually we will sort out our own problems on our own. I think secretly, down deep inside you want us to go and do what we have to do. You know we will protect this girl and you know at the end of the day we will be bigger outlaws then we are today. Hey I have been running for a long time now. I probably won't stop running till I die. So let's just stop arguing! We know you will sort out the leftovers in RedMarsh and squash the plague. You know we will sort out business at our end!"
-----The Dread Pirate sits back, somewhat in awe as someone else does the speechifying for the group. He then reaches up and claps Seth on the back, saying, "I think I'll get a bit o' sleep afore we go hunting in the morning." He then curls up in his saddle blanket and commences snoring away.
-----"There's nothing personal between you and us," Kazel shrugs. "That's why she won't go with you. What have you done for her besides making threats? Oh, that's right, you just gave a generous offer of no ill will for the next few hours towards those who fought beside you."
-----Smiling, she then adds, "You should be careful making all these vows, by the way. One of these days you'll either forget or won't have enough time to honour them."
-----Seth follows Dread's example but first pulls out a spell book and studies before sleeping, ignoring everyone else in the room.
-----Xavia sadly shakes her head. "We trust all to make the noble and the just decision, Seth. Not through intelligence but through one's own wisdom. You have seen enough corruption in your time as I have, but I still believe in the Righteous Way."
-----The Lady Paladin then leaves the rogues alone to rest. For the remainder of the night, she and the soldiers takes shifts at the watch. Soon in the darkness, crickets begin to lowly chirp and the woods around the village seem to be less menacing.