Cynraede walked carefully to the lodging in Bree, toting a pack stuffed full of hides and furs to be traded for coin in the markets of Bree. His clothing seemed clean and of better quality than what he had previously, his beard shorn closely and his hair pulled back in a tight but small pony tail. A broad bladed dagger rested carefully across his hips as he made his way through the market square. He lowered his head as he walked, wondering what his brethren were doing at this moment.
In that same moment, far to the east and west, in the lands of Eregion passed the small group of men that were now being led by Adunabel. They rode through the brush and forests quickly, trying to make haste with their brothers in Enedwaith as soon as can be. The journey had been long and rough, running into half orcs and half crazed dunlendings along the way, but fair little match for that of the trained hand of a soldier who not only has something to live for, but also to fight for.
"Adunabel, something stirs in the road, ahead. A figure, donned in a dark colored robe."
Ardashare called out quietly as they slowed their pace, coming before the creature who stood hobbled over, holding itself up on what seemed to be a strangly shaped cane. Adunabel tilted his head and looked to see what seemed to be an elderly woman, walking slowly along the path, keeping herself steadied with her staff.
"Pray tell, dear woman, why do you walk this road alone? It is not safe for you here, shall we escort you to your home?"
The old woman chuckled softly and hobbled over to the ranger, standing up slightly as she walked up to him. Blue and white tattoos marking the visible parts of her skin, mostly her arms and face as she carefully placed a hand upon his face.
"Strong man, to offer an old woman a walk to her home. Indeed, these roads are dangerous. What calls rangers south?"
Adunabel tilted his head, and turned his gaze over his shoulder, then back to the young woman, whom now stood tall, gripping the staff firmly as she grabbed Adunabel by the chin, turning his head and looking about his face before she spoke.
"This one lives, kill the rest, bring the bodies."
She turned and laughed, snapping at the man who walked out from the brush along the road. A wide smile upon his face as he pulled his hood back, revealing his tanned skin, and missing ear. Within an instant large, crudely shaped arrows pierced the rangers who were still on their horses, causing them to rear up, being left to run off and away from the scuffle. Yilgtig turned, and looked at Adunabel with a sickly smile, showing his pointed teeth.
"Where is the hunter."
Adunabel shook his head as he gave the man a furious look, turning around and seeing the woman standing without her cloak. She stood and leaned upon her staff, walking over to him slowly and carefully, a hand moving over his face and chest, grabbing his throat and jerking his head to the side, looking to his face and neck. She smiled and tilted her head, looking to Yilgtig with a laugh.
"It is foolish to simply ask, where the man is. Fear not, Adunabel, son of the west. Your mind betrays you, end your suffering and loose your tongue and you have my word your ending will be swift."
She laughed and walked around him, looking him up and down as if taking mental notes of him before taking her staff and swinging it hard to make contact to his leg, just behind his knee, dropping him quickly. The east-man laughing loudly as the ranger cried out as he dropped to his knees, not giving them the satisfaction of cursing, he remained quiet and sat upon his knees. Night was just starting to fall as the priestess came around and snapped to Yilgtig, pointing to the ranger. The man looked to him with a wide grin, grabbing him by the hair of his head and dragging him along.
The hunter sat in the prancing pony, sighing loudly though not even a whisper could be heard in the loud tavern. His boots crossed and propped upon a table as he continued to practice his reading. So far, he had created the word 'bread' from 'bear', smiling widely as he does so, raising his brows and looking towards a small bar fight between two men, ending in one man taking a solid fist to his face, sending him to the floor where he did not dare to rise. The hunter exhaled sharply as he shook his head, wishing he could read already. He stopped for a moment, taking the necklace in his hand and smiles faintly, leaning his head back and remembering the days from long ago.
He tracked her for days, desperately searching for her as she made her way through her own venture. She spoke of going to retrieve her horse, as well as items that might have been taken during her kidnapping. She was kind to him, she was different, he could not let any harm come to her. The moment he saw her in the elven camp, her long brown mane hanging across her shoulder as the light hit it, making it shimmer in the sun light. Her pale skin covered by robes and clothing, seeming to try to blend in with people, or seem as something else. Even though her words, wrought with frusteration, confussion and curiosity.
It had been weeks since he had seen her, since he had been rescued from that foul cave, feeling like a life time ago. He felt weak, no, he was weak. The enemy saw him, saw the weakness in his hide, and brought the beast down. In his heart, he missed her, he wondered where she was, what she was doing. He opened his eyes and looked to the ceiling of the tavern, and for those moments, it was quiet to him, all was drowned out as he thought of her. Smiling widely as he tucked the necklace back into his robe, pressing his hand to it firmly.
"Peace be with you, where ever you are, Fairlain, you are missed."
