It is somewhat interesting that the very first day I have arrived to Bree for a while I was met with several problematic cases at once. First I met up with Cangiante|Cangi in the inn and he told me Eph died. I took it as a really bad joke at first, but Amnildir came by and confirmed it. I was so angry at the moment that I forced Cangi to tell me who did such a foul and mad act. Seemingly it was Veldorn Horselord, whom I accidentally found the next day and challenged him to a fair fight – not that he deserved one, so at least I insisted on having the duel right outside the inn so everybody could watch the lesson of justice. Such lesson did not take place, as Veldorn retreated only after I have unsheathed my sword. He came back later during the day, but I refused to fight him. Unnecessary blood on my blade, that one. If he really is such a coward to kill a woman and retreat from a duel, somebody will get tired of him in the end in any case.
But back the other day when I spoke with Cangi, the elven lord Dracius came by. I have seen him once or twice before, although always in Bree. He is a wise elf with helpful advices. Anyway, apart from some uninteresting gossips, we talked about the old matter of Heirs of Ruin. Dracius said he stormed into a meeting of theirs some other day. Luckily both him and Cangi knew some of the names. Morgang, who is supposed to be some sort of dark caster, and Falldraf, a ‘random man’ who later turned out to be Nalokha’s personal bodyguard of some sort. Eru bless the spies.
After Dracius left the inn, me and Cangi went outside where we heard a hobbit screaming around. He was being pushed around by Falldraf, who seemingly had his armor spilled by the hobbit’s beer delivery. He refused a gold coin as compensation, so I gave it later to the hobbit – Sabrald – for giving us some more interesting information about the Heirs. He spoke of Leryna – a woman who later turned out to be Falldraf’s lover and they are actually supposed to marry today. Thanks to me, the marriage really will take place. Here comes the fun part…
I have spoken with Leryna a few times about Falldraf, warning her about what a terrible mess he might be in. After one of my contacts told me Falldraf was guarding Nalokha at a meeting with a group called Blackfire Legion, I knew this man is far from good. After I have made sure Leryna spoke to him, I followed him until he stopped at the bridge outside the west gate, where we had a short fight before he retreated up to the Barrow Downs. I followed him all the way down to a crypt filled with loads of wights. They did not attack him, for he was a servant of the Witch-King, but I had to fight my way through. When I finally defeated him - from a rather disadvantageous position – he called another mass of wights at me and stumbled outside. It took me good five minutes to slash these foul bodies and make my way after him. ‘Fortunately’ he was too badly wounded and lost all his strength on a hill above the crypt, where he laid down and coughed out litres of blood. Nobody will be reading this in any case, but I need to remind myself that killing him was not my intention at all. Before I have provided him with first aid, I took as much information from him as I could at the moment. That was when I learned the exact location of the Heirs’ mansion, and I am never going to write it in here, as for now it must remain a top secret. I do not want random people trying their luck, just ending up reinforcing their numbers. After stopping the bleeding and providing him with the rather disgusting liquid I have received from Elrond a few months back, I have loaded Falldraf’s exhausted body on Malheru and galloped back to Bree, where I had to storm in the first apartment I found. The owner was not happy, but a gold coin made her realize I am doing this for the good.
I have cured him and after nearly killing him I actually saved his life. Apart from another load of crucial information he also told me he held a boy hostage at his own house and provided me with the address. I have carried Falldraf there after he fell asleep and took the boy with me to safety.
I do not know how long it will take for the Heirs to find out about his ‘treachery’, but I have promised protection both to him and Leryna. I somehow knew he still could be turned to good. At first he did not look as honourable as he actually turned out to be.
So despite he did not really have any other option than to tell me what I wanted to know, I still value his help as if he was at full strength. For this man’s knowledge will be the key to drowning that red witch in a pool of her own foul blood.
