Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
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- Blubbo_Baggins
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Re: Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
"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.
When the conversation is over, he nods, that after a short break, they can continue on the road.
- Wbweather
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Re: Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
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.
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.
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
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Re: Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
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."
- Vardaen
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Re: Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
"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.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
- Blubbo_Baggins
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Re: Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
"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
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Re: Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
"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
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Re: Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
Torwin nods at this suggestion, thinking it a good one.
- Vardaen
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Re: Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
"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.
"He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom." - Gandalf
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien, Council of Elrond, The Fellowship of the Ring
- Blubbo_Baggins
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Re: Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
"Wyrd bith ful araed," says Torwin grimly.
- Wbweather
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Re: Chapter 3: Red Days Rising
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.
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.