Anavren holds his hands up to try to halt the now heating debate. He motions for all to keep their voices down. "Human-child, we never know who might be listening," Anavren suggests in a quiet voice to McCormick, the Perrenlander, then looks at the rest of the gathered party members to show that his suggestion was meant to be universal.

"Now, as for the other party not being able to be two places at once, who knows what magics they may have. They could be Hasted, or they could have used a portal, or there may be more than one group in competition with us, or the guards may be mistken as to exactly when the other party arrived. While our scouts reported that the fire's remains were warm, they did not report how old the horse tracks were. Perhaps someone else used the same fire possible competitiors used the night beore. Perhaps any competitors who are good have other plans for the Healer, for the benefit of a country other than Veluna. The fact is that we face competition. I don't plan on losing to any of them, no matter who they are, even if they see to return the Healer to the Canon."

"I'm not suggesting attacking or killing good individuals, but I'm also not suggesting leting them beat us to the Healer. As I've said, I'm not making this trip for exercize. I plan on being a part of the team," Anavren accents the use of the word, glancing at those who still bear him ill will as he does so, "that sees the Healer safely in the hands of the Canon."

"To do that, I think we need to overtake our competitors. Acea has probably properly stated that we can ill afford to buy horses, but maybe we can afford horses if we pool our resources, or perhaps if the Canon is so willing to spend money to ensure we have fine lodgings, pehaps he would help us afford horses. We'll never know unless we ask. Who knows? Perhaps if we plead our case to the church of Rao here, they will lend us horses. I balk at this suggestion, but perhaps we can commandeer or steal horses if need be, provided we more than compensate the victims later."

"Normally, I wouldn't make such a questionable suggestion, but I think we could be facing a dire situation. Because the mere possibility exists that evil individuals may be competing with us, I think it would be wisest of us to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. Right now, we are the only group that we can trust to safely return the Healer to Canon Hazen. I'd like to ensure that we do so."
Anavren is a tall high elf with typical black hair & green eyes. He stands 5' 5" tall & weighs about 133 lbs. Anavren is dressed in forest colors, studded leather armor, helmet and buckler. He is seldom without his mighty composite shortbow in hand!