Journal, 356th entry: Sebbi, Haudh Iarchith

Dear Mother and Father, Tonight has been very strange. Rua and I were sitting in the common room of the Prancing Pony nursing a Blind Troll Stout each, on our way to the Trollshaws to collect Dwarf Iron and hopefully find some Platinum, when a man sat down at the same table, opposite us. He looked around the Pony surreptitiously then told us in a low voice that his name was Anglinn and that he was looking for someone to enter Haudh Iarchith and retrieve Cardolan trinkets from the tombs. I looked at him, wondering if he was mad. Haudh Iarchith is a place where the Cardolan used to bury their dead. It has an evil reputation and it is said the undead walk the tunnels under the barrows. It is also said that riches beyond imagination lie hidden in the tombs. Anglinn said he had heard that hobbits were often natural burglars and that I would probably be able to enter, find the items and exit again without any problems! As for a dwarf, everyone knew of their hardiness. I raised an eyebrow. He said he would reward us well for our efforts, even promising that the important folk of Bree would get to hear about it if we succeeded. Rua said we would think about it and went back to drinking ale. The man nodded and stood up, making his way to the counter for a drink of his own. It seemed to be a night for adventurers for next thing I knew a man of average height and build came striding into the Pony, asking for volunteers to join him in the very barrows our recent companion had been so eager for us to visit. This man felt it was time for Haudh Iarchith to be purged of its undead spirits and was rallying a band of fighters for that very purpose. I looked at Rua and with his nod of approval, I approached the newcomer and said I might be interested. He looked me up and down, smiled grimly at me and asked what good I thought such a short creature would be. I drew myself up to my full height and said it wasn't height that mattered, but skill. And I was skilled with my daggers. He laughed at that and invited me to sit with him, so I did. Rua wandered over at that point, saying if I had my heart set on going, he would come along too. The man introduced himself as Sebbi. We talked about his plan for a while and I examined him while he talked. He seemed to be of late middle age, perhaps approaching his fifties. His hair was white, he had a full beard and bright blue eyes that sparkled slightly in the dim light of a rush candle sitting on the table. Then he asked me why I wanted to join. 'I may have some business there of my own,' I said mysteriously and nodded sagely. The man looked quite amused. 'It wouldn't happen to be anything to do with certain Cardolan treasures that can be found inside the barrows?' I must have looked guilty for he smiled grimly again. 'Anglinn has been at it again hasn't he?' Sebbi said. 'He is a Ranger, who thinks to save the Cardolan treasures inside the tombs from robbers, but he is a fool. He comes in here and spins his tale, but most often people ignore him. On the few occasions they do listen and enter the tombs, if they survive, they usually take the treasures for themselves and Anglinn never sees a glint of them!' In the end, he decided to let Rua and I join him, since he was having trouble convincing any of the locals and we have agreed to meet up tomorrow morning to get supplies for our expedition. Wish us well! Your loving Zara