Book One: All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter

[Melvyst]

Melvan gets his bow and arrows ready and impatiently waits. Just as he was about to loose his tension a bit, he suddenly hears the hoofsteps.
"Pssschht, I'll think they are coming" he whispers to he others.

He loads an arrow on the bow and peeks shortly towards the sound to identify it.

[Vardaen]

Vardanil turns as Melvan alerts the group to the arrival, he gazes south and nods back to Melvan. "Here we go Gorin, remember we want the messanger alive so we can figure out just who he is and what his mission is." He holds his blade in his hand. "Perhaps you and I should step out and parley with him once he's on the bridge." He nods to himself thinking it the best tactic, and the groups used it before to some effect able to move the dwarf and himself into fighting position without much fuss.

[ManWithDoor]

Wilfred stays near the back, as is probably proper. While he's the smallest of the group and could probably conveniently hide in just about anything, he's never assaulted another sentient being before. Sure, he's killed or chased predators before, but in the heat of the moment he might slip up and brain the messenger with his sling, rather than just wound him and bring him down. That might be bad. So if necessary he's there to help, but more or less expecting to watch the action from his vantage point in the rear.

[Grimbold]

The sounds come closer and along the road, the companions see (or hear) a hooded figure atop a large horse trotting slowly along the path. Two athletic looking men, also in dark grey cloaks and hooded, with shields and mail armor, accompany the rider. They look very much like the half-orcs previously encountered. One walks before the horse, looking left and right, and sniffing the air from time to time. The other follows, bearing a longbow in his hand and a shield on his back.

Display

Will get the map up tomorrow. They are coming towards the bridge at the moment.

[Nate]

Gorin tightens his grip on the large two handed hammer and nods to the ranger beside him. "Ready when you are." He says quietly waiting to head out at the same time as Vardanil.

[Vardaen]

Vardanil shakes his head at Gorin, "Hold on, let me try something, but come to my resque if anything goes wrong." He gives a half grin.

Then he pops out of the bushes strolls up to the bridge and points with his sword, his other arm loaded with his shield. "Well it's about damn time you showed up. We've been waiting all day for your arrival, Calmetil isn't going to be pleased being forced to wait like this." He glances around at the three, waving his sword from side to side. ""This all of yah? Brave folk you are, with such a small party out these parts. They are dangerous doncha' know, all kinds a bandits in the area." He grins from ear to ear almost laughing at the comment.

Hanging on the collar of his cloak is one of the pins he's taken off the dead bandits.

[Grimbold]

"Ah, I have never seen you around, Numenorian. Where is Baracharn? Is he off fighting again? Have you found out something about the ... jewellry?"
The figure continues speaking, but in a strange language that sends shivers down the spine of all good people. In the end, he seems to ask something...

[Vardaen]

Vardanil tries to keep the bluff up, "Baracharn is off fighting in the south, there were some indications of a few upstart Rangers causing us trouble. He's taken some 'men' to deal with the threat. He should be returning soon." The young ranger considers the comment on jewellery, "We captured a hobbit just the other day who bore a gold ring. Its been taken to the fort, both of them, but I don't know the results of it yet."

He then shivers as the words are spoken and just shakes his head no in response to the 'question' possibly that was just asked.

[Nate]

Gorin nods to the ranger as he moves off to meet the group on the bridge. Turning slightly the dwarf wedges his feet into the ground ready to spring himself up when, or if needed to.

[Grimbold]

The man says something in the strange language to the half-orc before him and chuckles. "Where does Baracharn get you guys from? - Not properly trained, no insight into our 'project', no knowledge of the 'language'" He spits to the ground. "Just brawn and no brains. Anyway...run along and tell your master that I am coming and I am expecting a decent welcome! Now run along and tell your master!"

The second half orc is loading his crossbow, the first is sniffing the air full of suspicion.