[H2][color=#9cb6c3][right]Solomon Sparrow[/right][/color][/H2]
[right][b][color=#9cb6c3]Location: [/color][/b]Fanghorn, Kindeance [/right]
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	Something was wrong. A change in the air. Faint, almost not existent. Something enough for a single shadow to have returned. The flat image of a man rose out of the ground, a silhouette standing before Solomon. It had lost contact with the others, something Solomon noticed as well. Whatever lay in the keep remained hidden. Whatever it was worth protecting beyond the scope of even the undead. Why would such countermeasures even exist for such remote, night impossible probability? Solomon turned to reveal this development to Jazdia, but something had changed in her demeanor as well. Guard captain Matilda was in trouble. Pesti was indeed a trap. The vision Veronica received from her scry was false. Jazdia called it best to regroup. And Solomon agreed. Even with their conservative assessment of the enemy prowess, again they were underestimated. They took advantage with increasingly effective tactics against the pursuit.

	A lot of thought had been put into the capture of the prince, more so than what was initially realized. It was frightening how much forethought went into not only the initial capture and assassination attempt, but also in the prince’s captivity. It was starting to get frustrating. But it also revealed that the king might not have been the primary target to begin with. It looks like whatever the enemy had planned involved the prince, and more than just hostage.

	As Jazdia returned to the river bank to take out the bridge, Solomon began to mutter to himself. Cedar was still not back from setting traps. He didn’t seem like one to run away, but the shadow confirmed that after rigging the surroundings of the keep, he began to make his way back towards where they had arrived from. The shadow lost sight of him as it remained circling the perimeter of the fort and the gates. Solomon opened his mouth, speaking silently words unknown. The shadow collapsed in the ground once again, gliding off away from Fanghorn. It would attempt to find Cedar, figure out what happened to him, and if possible, direct him to go to Pesti. As for the fort, and the means to hinder their escape, if not outright prevent it, something should be done with the traps Cedar had sowed.

	A large boom echoed through the trees followed by the distant sounds of stone crumbling. It sounded as though Jazida succeeding in collapsing the bridge. Solomon took that as a cue. If Cedar were not here to grow his plants, then Solomon had another. Once again holding his hand above the ground in front of him, dark energy and silver wisps emanated from the large tome, and circled his form, collecting into his palm.

	“I call upon thee. August of the Faalt Forests. I request your presence. Heed my command and come forth.” sharp words, yet uttered barely above a whisper. The energy spiked and then from his palm straight into the earth. A mound started to grow from where the energy penetrated the earth an arm erupting from it. A long, cragged arm like tree bark, another soon sprouted. With long claws that dug into the soil, the form continued to emerge. It was though the very dirt was taking form as the being rose. Sashes began to weave over the torso. As the dirt around the being’s head fell off over its shoulders, the form of a pristine skull of some horned animal became visible. Elk horn, largely and proudly displayed, the being towered over Solomon. Eye sockets empty, it was clear this being was looking right at Solomon, wordlessly questioning it being summoned.

	What felt like minutes was only a few seconds since the siabrae had come to being from the earth. It sighed. Or at least it made a sound akin to such. It was clear that he had no desire to do what Solomon was requesting. “You put too much ambition in the dealings with them. I’ll grow his thorns. They’ll live for now.”

	“Once the gates have been thoroughly sealed, and the obstacles set, please join us at Pesti. There is magic among the inhabitants of the keep that you alone are not equipped to handle.” The siabrae didn’t respond, walking out of the forest before suddenly sinking into the ground burrowing below the surface, leaving nary a mound in his place. Hopefully, there was time for the undead druid to sufficiently cultivate the cage of thorns Cedar had prepared before the inhabitants could respond if at all to the explosion.

	Jazdia and Kaito returned shortly after August had departed. They did not stay, quickly moved towards the horses. Solomon followed and mounted with them. As close as they were to the prince, the evidence thus far showed how under prepared they really were. It seemed to be of similar truth for Guard captain Matilda and her team.

[center]~~~[/center]
	And of Pesti, the shadows sent to watch the village responded to the explosion in the barn. They convened around the encampment and barn. Men awoke from their slumber at the perceived attack, ready to defend their position. The shadows would work as a distraction, feigning the presence of an enemy where there was none, and furthering their confusion. In this manner, hopefully it would give Yvonne and the others time regroup, search, and rescue.