Chapter 3: Red Days Rising

Blubbo_Baggins · Post by **Blubbo_Baggins** » Tue Jan 28, 2020 12:51 am

"Thank you Ewyn," Torwin adds, both to what he has shared and to Hereweald's request. "We are upon and urgent errand, and appreciate you informing the Marshal should he return to this camp without us. If that happens, it means our paths did not cross."

When the conversation is over, he nods, that after a short break, they can continue on the road.

Wbweather · Post by **Wbweather** » Wed Jan 29, 2020 11:09 pm

Ewyn shrugs, seemingly indifferent what you wish to do. You take a few moments to rest and feed yourselves and your horses before setting out to find the Marshall. There is no difficulty finding the trail they left. Horses have beaten a clear path in the direction of the wood, still quite some distance off.

Soon you can make out two distinct paths, that of the riders and also that of a company of men on foot. These are a few days older. As you travel, you each search for signs of what happened and for clues to where the Dunlendings have gone.

At first things seem to go very well for you. Herewald discovers a brooch that is clearly of Rohirrim make. You are fairly certain that this must have been dropped by the Lady Esfled. Your hopes rise, but alas nothing else is discovered that day and you are forced to make camp for the night, rising at first light to resume your journey.

With the new day, your luck begins to improve. Soon you begin to see signs of movement on foot that lead south of where the Marshall's path heads. You follow this a ways and soon realize that this is definitely the direction in which Esfled's captors headed. After a brief discussion you decide that you will follow this new trail. It too heads toward the Derne Wood, but takes a more southerly approach. If it ends up being a dead end, you surmise that it won't take you long to relocate the easier to follow horse tracks. Daylight falters leaving you a few miles from the wood which now stands as a dark swath against the western horizon. Another nights rest passes uneventfully and then you are up again, pursuing the captors.

With the morning come ominous clouds. Soon a cold drizzle begins to dampen your clothing and spirits. The trail becomes harder to follow. In fact, you often have to press forward, uncertain if you are really on the path. Late in the afternoon, you have reached the wood's edge and have begun discussing if you should head north to look for Éogar, when suddenly Torwin stops and hold up a hand to quiet your group. He points to the underbrush just under the forest edge and there is a tuft of green fabric caught on a thorn.

Suddenly Hereweald stands still. "Did you hear that?" Neither of the other two companions had heard anything, but Hereweald had heard laughing and a few words spoken not far into the trees. The language is that of the Dunlendings.

Blubbo_Baggins · Post by **Blubbo_Baggins** » Thu Jan 30, 2020 10:25 pm

Torwin whispers to the other companions, "Is there any sign of Esfled, or others? Those are Dunlendings, but if they are not kidnappers, they could be anyone. And where are the Marshal's men? Perhaps we should simply remain hidden, and see if we can observe and learn more."

Post by **Vardaen** » Fri Jan 31, 2020 7:09 pm

"Listen?" Hereweald is silent for a time listening. He looks at the others, whispering so not to be heard. "We should go and see who they are and safe the Lady if she's among them." Hereweald is a find hunter, but reckless and bold, and ready to march right into the camp if Istril or Torwin don't stop him.

Blubbo_Baggins · Post by **Blubbo_Baggins** » Fri Jan 31, 2020 9:31 pm

"Wait," says Torwin, "It will do the lady no good if these are evil men, and outnumber us; if they don't just kill you for marching in, you too, will get yourself captured."

Othniel · Post by **Othniel** » Fri Jan 31, 2020 11:22 pm

"I could go forward alone," Istril suggested, sounding very unsure of herself. "I am not especially stealthy, but even if I were discovered I would hope they would be slow to do violence upon one not of your people," she added dubiously.

Blubbo_Baggins · Post by **Blubbo_Baggins** » Fri Jan 31, 2020 11:49 pm

Torwin nods at this suggestion, thinking it a good one.

Post by **Vardaen** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 6:05 pm

"No, that's a terrible idea! I could not allow a Lady of Gondor to put herself in harms way like that. What sort of friend would I be? I refuse this suggestion." He then drops his backpack at Torwin's feet "I will go," and stalks off toward the camp as if hunting a deer or wild boar. He moves with what stealth he can up to the clearings edge to get a look and listen on the men there.

Blubbo_Baggins · Post by **Blubbo_Baggins** » Wed Feb 05, 2020 6:22 pm

"Wyrd bith ful araed," says Torwin grimly.

Wbweather · Post by **Wbweather** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 7:29 pm

With that, Hereweald moves off into the Derne Wood toward the sound of the laughing that he heard. He is not naturally stealthy, but he has skill in hunting and is able to find his way through the forest several hundred yards without raising an alarm. The sound of the laughter becomes more distinct. He now can hear talking and soon he can see an encampment in a clearing.

Hereweald is able to find a vantage point to have a good look at the Dunlendings. They are encamped by a brook
running among large mossy boulders, well hidden in the dense woodland. They are wild-looking men and women
in leather and furs, dusky-hued with bushy dark hair, led by a tall man and woman so alike that they must be twins.
It is a small warband, 4 raiders plus their two leaders, but they seem determined and well armed.

Laid across a bed of leaves and twigs is a large bundle: a woman bound up tight and hooded with a sack.

Hereweald now attempts to make his way back to his companions to relay this information. A twig snaps and several anxious minutes pass as he hardly dares to breath, but whether the raiders heard it or not, no one investigates.

Some 3 minutes after leaving, a successful Herewaeld reappears from the wood with a broad smile on his face.

Fellowship of the Dice

Chapter 3: Red Days Rising

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