Abel was quite ready to bid the old man goodbye and continue on into town, armed with the knowledge of where the Inn was located and puzzled by the talk of drums and smoke, when the old man's head turned towards the road behind him.

"That one of your friends, lad?"

Abel turned to look with a small spark of hope that it might be one of the women folk of his party-- perhaps feeling bad that poor old Abel was left to trek to town alone. But, of course it was Steven, jogging towards them with none but Saatur bouncing rather uncomfortably on his back. Quickly, Abel noticed Steven's halberd was missing. He rose a curious eyebrow, wondering if something serious had happened. 

"[color=coral]Lion attack. One injured. Call a doctor.[/color]"

His expression quickly went from one of irritated curiosity to one more serious; a lion attack? His eyes fell on Saatur. Clearly the boy was okay, if not a bit shaken. He furrowed his brow with frustration, "[color=bisque]How serious? Who got hurt?[/color]" Abel clenched his fists. He was not one for violence, but hearing this news set his mind aflame with rage. This was all Steven's fault. If he had not been so anxious to leave the boy alone with his useless flower hunting and head into town, Abel would have been there. He could have easily summoned Tiburtius to drive off the beast and nobody would have been hurt at all. 

"[color=bisque]Bloody idiot,[/color]" through grit teeth he turned to the old man without waiting for Steven to answer, "[color=bisque]Where's the doctor?[/color]"