Seeing the man run up to Norgic and Sarne. Norgic turned and got into a defensive stance then a Dwarfen growl came from him. Norgic raised his axe to be ready to swing it if he had to.

Sarne walked past Norgic with his sword and parrying dagger still out but by his sides. Sarne has soft features like an elf with a husky build. He is strong and has swift movements. You can tell he is a nobleman in the way he presents himself, his armor, and his clothing. His perspiring green eyes shine in the light. He stands almost 6 feet. His dirty blond hair is neat and well-kept. His skin is slightly tan shows the time he spent in the wilderness. His armor has a crest that could be seen on his front and his cloak, A large tree with two wolf heads on each side pointing at the tree with three stars above it. With a black sword in the background pointing down with a holy rune over it.

"The book belongs to the Duke of the Gray Citadel Duke Sequoia. He would like it back. My cousin Sarris, ah...um... borrowed it from his library." Sarne started to explain in a polite tone. "No, The book is not her's to lose. I am Young Lord Sarne Sequoia Vanguard of Solaria Lord of Grey Stone Keep," Sarne said introducing himself. "And you are?" asked Sarne

Sarne looked over at the man in front of him. He was over 5 and a half feet tall, his brown hair was neet and his eyes seemed to say he was not too hostile, He is lean and lanky. Has small Sarne could see something on his back. had no armor Just wearing a white tunic shirt with a fur coat to keep him warm and leather pants.

As Javal had caught up to Edward he saw him talking to two mysterious stangers, a half-elf and a dwarf. Javal then stood next to Edward and interrupted their conversation. He stood up straight, arrows still in his shoulder and foot and says, "Hello there good sirs thank you for finishing off those wicked fiends I stopped, my name is Javal Zarrias, I am here adventuring with my two new friends Sarris and Edward and it appears that you have my friend Sarris's Book". As he finishes introductions, the dwarf fellow gets into stance with his axe which catches Javal into a defensive stance the other fellow walks towards them introduces himself as Sarris's cousin Sarne, a young lord and rightful owner of the book. "What Sarris stole the book?". We must go to her and confirm this. He then walks back to the inn that the part was staying at he and Edward sat down as Sarris teased them for getting hurt. He finally got those arrows pulled from his body and bandaged up. Then the elf fellow known as Sarne who was waiting outside finally entered the room and look at sarris they both looked at each other face to face. 

Edward looks at him in suspicion, “My name is Edward. A friend of your cousin. I didn’t know that she stole a book from your family’s library. I thought that she’s a family member, she just borrowed the book for the time being. Could I see your noble seal? Just so I know if you are actually the Young Lord of Grey Stone Keep.”
He turns to Javal, giving him a look of “What the hell, man?” He turns back to the young lord. “If you truly are the young lord of Gray Stone Keep, surely you have the heart to forgive your cousin? We also need this book for a very important journey. So please allow us to keep this book for now. At least until we find the artifact we’re looking for?

Now back at the Inn in a room Sarne now looking a little disgruntled. The Dwarf Norgic standing a little behind Sarne Not looking like he was in a better mood either. "You, dare challenge my lord's identity!" Grunted the dwarf with an angry expression. Sarne raised one of his hands dismissing Norgic. "That's enough Norgic" ordered Sarne.

Sarne showed his Signet ring. "If you could not tell by my family crest and Vanguard Markings on my armor and this ring. Who I am, you are not well educated. Sarris will tell you who I am. It is within his right to question me," answered Sarne. He paused looking at everyone. "Now, I never said she swiped the book, I think I said borrowed the book," said Sarne in a firm tone.

Sarne sighed. "Do you think if she swiped the book a Duke would send one man to retrieve it?" suggested Sarne. "Family does not steal things they borrow things. How dare you assume my cousin is a thief." said Sarne in a angry tone. "Were is my cousin? That girl," said Sarne loudly.

Looking at Edward Srane thought about the his name something he had heard before about it. Sarne knew it was something on hunting evil but being on the extreme side.

Sarris sat in the room holding the made captive. She was amazed that the men in her life seemed to be taking their time coming back. She shifted her weight a bit.

“So do we take the hand or both thumbs?” She asked as she waited.
There were different things that could be done to thieves when they were caught.

“A missing hand would be something everyone noticed,” she said then added, “But missing thumbs would really make your life miserable. Not being able to pick things up. Just think of all the things that require a thumb to do.”

The woman squirmed a bit But Sarne had taught er how to do this as a child, she was not going to be moved easily.

“Either way, with your looks, you will make a great entertainer. Just think of the drunk farmers coming to be with you ever evening and night so you have food for the morning. What do they make out here a couple copper a poke, I would guess,” Sarris said.
It was what she was saying and more how she was saying it that was working on the young lady.

Girls learn to be cruel with their words at a young age. With words a girl could take a knight and wound him in ways no enemy ever could. With words she could make a pauper think he could be a king. But the words women use among the selves, are like poison darts.

The girl started hard to try to escape.

“Or,” Sarris said with a fairly long pause.
“We can come to a better arrangement. One where you keep your thumbs and your hands. One where if anyone try’s to do anything to you they will answer for it,” she said.
“No more drunk farmers, travelers thinking you are the main course on the menu, and no more cult,” she said in an offering tone.
She undid the serpent necklace from the girls neck.
“You just need to tell me everything you know about them.,” Sarris said.

“I can not. They will kill me,” the girl said.
Sarris smiled and said,“Well, you were dead when you stole the book, my dear.”
Sarris got up and pulled a knife.
“My training is to never let someone steal from me live. I can get the information from you but I would rather not have to hurt you to do that,” she said.
“One of my charges is going to become a midwife. Another is training to be a Ranger. I am very helpful to my charges but my enemies…” Sarris said in a tone that indicated she was open but would kill the girl if needed.
Sarris put the necklace on and tucked it under her cloak.

She would get the pass phrase they needed and more from the girl.

Javal had finally made it back to the inn with an irritated Edward, Noble Sarne, and a grumpy looking Norgic in tow. As they made it up the steps he looks back to the group and says "Me and Edward should go inside first to give Sarris a heads up that you are here, wait outside here". As Edward and Javal open the door to the room the see before them Sarris threating a maid girl they saw earlier. Javal says "Hey what is going here", he slowly puts together that the girl must have been in cahoots with the merchant thieves that got killed earlier.  He looks down at the girl and says "You better start speaking up otherwise you might end up like your other friends". He then turns to face Sarris and says, "Hey Sarris, your lord noble cousin guy Sarne is here he said he was tracking you looking for the book and says that you stole it from him and that it is rightfully his". Javal then points at the door and says, "He is standing outside the door as we speak" as Javal finishes saying this Sarne and Norgic enter the room facing Sarris. 

Edward walks back with Javal and the Young Lord in tow, with a look of frustration on his face. He doesn’t like this young lord, his cousin is much nicer and less loud than this guy. He didn’t have to go overboard. Edward doesn’t like tiptoeing around matters, he knew from the Young Lord’s tone that Sarris took the book without permission. Edward wasn’t born yesterday and he knows a thing or two about subtlety from his siblings when they lie about where they have been to their parents. Also, the Duke didn’t send one man, he sent two. Unless the Duke doesn’t consider dwarves men, which if that is the case, Edward’s perception of the Sequoia family members will sink even lower, besides Sarris. 
When they reach the inn, Edward will walk up to Sarris and whispers into her ear, “A guy claiming to be your cousin is here. What should we do?”

Sarris watched the enter the room. The maid looked a bit unsure as the men entered the room.

When Sarris finished she noticed her cousin there with the book. He and Norgic were there and the look on their face was harsh.

Norgic spoke in a tone that was disappointed, “Miss, the Vanguard do not use torture on a prisoner. It is against our code.”
“I am not a member of the Vanguard,” she spoke ins almost a defiant tone.

She was trying to prove herself and getting information from someone was one of the things she needed to learn to be of any help to Sarne.

As Sarne pointed t the door, the young maid bolted.

Norgic made it clear she was free to go.

Sarris did the second look she did so well, disappointed teenager.

When she gathered her wits, Sarris introduced everyone.

“This is the Lord Sarne Sequoia of Gray Stone Keep,High Knight of the Vanguard” She said and she did not bow but remained a bit ridged and cold with her body language.
“He is my lord Cousin, and yes I borrowed my Grandfather’s book,” she said her tone was almost on the edge of snotty.

“This is Master Norgic, his man at arms, a Knight of the Vanguard” she said.

“May I introduce two of my friends, the knight Sir Edward and Javal,” she said still not bowing or curtsying.

“They are helping me with finding the Sol Stone. I am hoping Our Lord Grandfather, might teach us some of the secrets it contained. We think it is in the remains of the keep in a magical vault,” Sarris said.
“I was trying to turn that girl so we could get more information from her,” Sarris said.
She understood her loyalty would always be in question and she would basically be a prisoner. But Sarris was an optimist.

Well Javal is sat here a bit confused so Sarris and Sarne are cousins and Sarris stole Sarne's book. But Javal sits down and thinks well he knows Sarris is good because she is his friend and she said she was borrowing it so he guesses that everything is alright. The more he observes both joke around and talk he can tell that neither party is actually upset they kind of behave like him and his siblings do. Sarne seemed nice enough to handle the situation with the maid well that and the party could probably track her down later for answers. Worst comes to worse the book is in Sarne's hands and even though is kind of odd Javal thinks he seems like a good guy maybe he could help them look for the Sol Stone. He then says, "Sir Sarne would you help us look for the Sol Stone". 

Edward turns to Javal again, with a look of “Why?”. He then turns to the young lord, “Yes, do you want to help us? You think you can do it? We’re going to travel deep within the Kingswood, which is covered in dangerous flora, with dangerous beasts roaming around, and cultist group who call the Kingswood their home. It’s understandable if you need to leave, no one would blame you. After all, its a very dangerous journey to the ruins of that legendary king.”
Edward is trying to subtly drive away the Young Lord from joining their journey, but it easy to spot for those who’s experienced in reading social cues. 

Sarne looked back at Sir Edward and Javal. "That's it? So covered in dangerous flora, has dangerous beasts roaming around, and cultist groups," said Sarne looking concerned. Then the look melted away into a grin. "That does not sound unusual to me sounds like my everyday life," said Sarne. He paused thinking. "Sir Edward, you are not the only one to face this type of challenge every day My family does too and the Vanguard of Solaria does that too. Vanguard is sworn to serve Solaria and the people. Valor, honesty and They defend the Helpless, They Help the Weak, and They hunt the Wicked" explained Sarne in a polite tone.

Sarne looked back at Sirris and then back at Sir Edward and Javal. "Besides It looks like I have to protect my cousin and the book too. Not that I don't think you guys can not do that. Sarris also can not read well So I can help with that. I also have been asked and accepted to protect that book. It is about Honor and from what I have seen so far from both of you. You can understand that." Says Sarne now turning to Norgic. "Go back and look for the other Vanguard Norgic. Let them know that I will be back. To wait there or in the nearest town until I return. Give that book back to Sarris." ordered Sarne.

Norgic bowed his head in acknowledgement. "Yes my lord." Norgic walked over to Sarris and gave the book back to her. "It was good to meet you both," said Norgic looking at Sir Edward and Javal with a slight bow. Then walked out of the room.

Sarris huffed at the not reading well comment. She did not want that public knowledge and she had been trying to hide it.
“I read the old Elvish just fine!,” she replied as a defense hoping that this would be the end of that.

She looked at the group.
“We have to go after her now,” she said to them.
Looking at Saren she said, “I was trying to get her on our side. I was hoping we could get more clues without having to fight them.”

Sarris turned swishing her dress a bit a lid and relieved to have three men protecting her.

She grabbed her pack and bow. She needed to get a staff so she could make the tip glow.

“If we give them a lot of time, they will ambush us,” she said trying to get them motivated.

SPOILER: Click to show

Okay,mwe track them her to a farmstead to have a fight. That should set us up for part two.

Javal heard Sarne and Sarris argue a bit and chuckled quietly, it reminds him of his family and crew he misses them both. 
Javal then listens to Sarris telling them to go after the girl, “I was trying to get her on our side. I was hoping we could get more clues without having to fight them.” Sarne was the one leading the party with the other three right behind him. They made it to a forest then Javal stops them at the forest edge. "They must be there at the farmstead that's where the girl's trail leads to from what I've seen this is going to be an all out fight". Javal says, "Wait here guys I'll send Ariadne to do some reconnaissance so we now what we're up against. His cat sized spider appears quickly and quickly disappears. The party waits about 30 minutes at the edge of the forest just waiting. Then Ariadne returns saying the farmstead is quite big there is a total of 22 people on the the farmstead there's there's 1 someone in the silo, 7 somebodies in the farmhouse, 4 somebodies in the barn, 3 somebodies in the green house, 2 somebodies in the orchard, 1 someone in the bunker silo, 3 somebodies in the fields. The party begins to leave the forest edge and approaches the farmstead. 

Edward crouches down to keep himself hidden. “I don’t think most of these guys are head on fighters. I’ll take out the people in the fields first and then work my way towards the farmhouse. I think the rest of you guys should take on the people in the farmhouse.”
Edward separates himself from the party and quietly walks towards the field, laying low. He spots one of the people working in the fields. Although he doesn’t know if these people working the fields are innocent or cultists, he still wants to knock these guys out so they don’t interfere with their business here. He swings at the worker’s head, knocking them out. Edward hears more footsteps from behind and quickly hides himself. He sees the last two workers running up to the knocked out worker, it seems that they heard the commotion from Edward knocking the worker out. He moves behind them and swings out with his staff at their heads, knocking the last two workers out.
He then walks towards the farmhouse.

Sarne watched Sir Edward walk off into the fields Sarne wondered if anyone would see him as he moved through the fields. "I am not sure what he is thinking but I trust he knows what he is doing. "Javal, now for the house. I can almost disappear from view in this type of terrain. Do you feel like playing decoy while I and Sirris flank them then on to the barn? Just give me a few minutes I will be in place," said Sarne pulling out his Parrying dagger and Kukri dagger.

looking at Sarris"Sarris, support with your bow as usual? watch our backs." requested Sarne with a grin.

Sarne took a breath and let it out slowly then moved to the side and disappeared into the tall grass. There was no sign of Sarne not even the grass was moving oddly everything looked natural. Sarne moved carefully as he approached the house getting closer. One of the men was walking towards the well when Sarne stopped close by. There was a loud thud sound from the field area then silence. If you did not know what was going on someone would not even know what was about to happen.

People started to look in that direction with two more sounds like wood cracking. Everyone turned to look but saw no one there. That was good for Sarne. he came out of the tall grass and plunged his Parrying dagger into the man's back and his heart. The man's eyes widened as he tried to say something but nothing came out of his mouth. He dropped to the ground holding his chest.

Moving forward towards the house another man was chopping wood. The man turned as Sarne was coming up quickly. He lifted his Ax and tried to hit Sarne. Lifting his Parrying dagger Sarne deflected the Ax to one side leaving his throat open with one quick slice blood started to run from his throat and down his shirt. The man grasped for air. He fell to his knees holding his throat.

Sarne moved to the side of the building and disappeared into the shadows.