It's been several weeks since I've put thought to paper, my hand unsteady as I write, for am I only just coming to grips with what happened.
It was a dark night... I had just become accustomed to living in The Prancing Pony, My *Old* Master shall I call him from now had given me just enough coin to make by... Truth be told I was running low on coin and feared to be homeless by the end of the week.
I had agreed to meet with Lithindir one final time, he was as distant as ever, he did tell me that him and his "kin" whoever they were shall be heading far North and likely not returning for several years... To Evendim they may go, or some other far off land I had only read about. I foolishly asked if I could tag along, but Lithindir denied me, despite my triumph in fighting off the Orc curs from the North several months ago, he still denied me... Yet he never told me why.
We met just outside the West Gate, it was there my Old Master warned me of him...
A large brute of a man, wearing poor clothes dyed in rust... His name was Brunmor...
Brunmor the Burner.
Why didn't he tell me of this man before? I would have hunted him down within an instant! It was he that burned down the farm all those years ago... It was he who orchestrated the attack that killed my parents... I felt a fire blaze in me that was hotter than the very inferno which my parents perished in... I will have my vengeance this night.
We crept through the fields and by the ruins near Bree, Lithindir stalked a very specific track, we suddenly came across a curious looking patch of scorched grass. His suspicions were confirmed.
Brunmor, disgraced brother of Lithindir... Burner of farms, murderer of innocents was about the ruins, hiding, perhaps he anticipated our coming? I do not know, but as always... I did what my Old Master said and followed orders... He told me to hide behind a large Oak tree, spear and shield at the ready.
I did so...
The moon glew eerily down at us, it was about midnight, the path to the frightful and accursed Barrow Downs stood eerily in the distance as the mist crept in.
Lithindir drew his sword, calling out to Brunmor to challenge him...
There was no reply...
I waited and waited, it felt like an eternity knowing that any moment my nemesis may come forth in combat... Thrice did Lithindir challenge Brunmor... And thrice did he not respond. Lithindir departed back to where I was, he spoke to me in a manner of seriousness which surpassed his usual strict ways... I listened clearly, taking every word as truth.
"Listen to me very clearly, Askelin... Brunmor is no mere Ruffian, there was a way he managed to burn your farm that fateful night... He is an alchemist of no small skill... A man from the East had taught him how to make a vile powder that ignites into a violent eruption... Destroying all in its wake... Heed my words, do not confront him until I give the signal... It is important that you do this. Our lives will depend on this... On your training."
Suddenly I saw a shadowy figure creeping from behind the wall in the distance, I kept my head down as Lithindir stood forward to meet him. All was still and I could see he was tensed... Perhaps my wise yet strict master knew fear that night... I certainly did.
Brunmor was the first to speak, he was about the same size of my Old Master, just far more bulkier and brutish... He carried with him a large staff with mace like irons on each end, used like a walking stick and an effective weapon. His voice was harsh, glutteral, I dare say even Orcish... With perhaps the strongest Bree Lander accent I ever heard.
"So... Ye finally shown up. Come to die, brother?"
Lithindir stood tall and defiently, his dull sword lit up suddenly by the reflection of the pale moonlight,
"Only one will die tonight... brother... You shall be slain for your crimes, many innocent folk you have killed... You have veered off the path of good for far too long... It is clear to me now... You serve only the dark, only to satisfy your own unquenching bloodlust."
Lithindir pointed his sword towards Brunmor, were the two Vandal brothers really going to fight to the death? A million things raced in my head, the man killed my parents and burned my farm... I shall fight alongside my Master in perhaps his final battle...
It all came down to this... Brunmor snarled at Lithindir, baring his rotten teeth. He laughed mockingly.
"Har har! Tha's wot I like to hear, brother! Now come, face yer demise!"
I couldn't stand it no longer, his voice beckoned me to come out of the shadows, rage and vengeance overcame me. I revealed myself, clad in armour and adorning a large spear and shield. As I stood out into the moonlight to face my parent's killer... The reaction I got from Brunmor was more offputting and painful than I had ever anticipated.
Brunmor roared in laughter upon seeing me. He did not recognize who I was at the time... But it didn't matter, he did not see me as a threat... Despite being outnumbered he did not find me a threat.
"And who's tha'? Yer latest pet? Ha!", The brute stared me down menacingly, "Do ye know whot happened to Lithindir's other so called apprentices? I shall tell ye... Then I shall slay ye...
The first was a lad much like yeself, his clothes were poor an' 'is face was battle scarred He was sent on a mission by yer Master 'ere... T' track down a band o' Goblins... Only t'be scorched alive...
The secon'... She was a fair lass t'be sure... Shame really... Could'a been spared if Lithindir didn't step in and trained her for battle eh? She was sent t' her death by Lithindir 'ere... Slain by my hands no less... Oh she screamed an' pleaded for death after my lads had their fun... 'Twas quite the thing t'witness!
The third...
I'm lookin' right at him...
Prepare t' die!"
That intimidating speech struck me hard... Why did Lithidnir not tell me of this before? Was this his plan all along? To train me to fight this man? Would I die this night?
Not if I can help it!
I charged the man, crying out in rage and fury, smacking him with my shield, Brunmor staggered back, he was fairly healthy for a man of his age... He attempted to strike at me with his staff... I felt the impact of the heavy staff collide with my shield, bruising my arm, I fought on bravely.
During the fight, Lithindir attempted to flank Brunmor, but alas, I did not keep him distracted enough, I smashed my spear against my shield as Brunmor spat and cursed at me... But from the corner of his eye he spied my Master and before I could react he threw something at him...
It was a vial of sorts, I only just seen it fly across the night sky, it covered Lithindir in some substance I knew not. The next thing I knew, a bright flash of light dazed me, I could not see... As I staggered blindly about I could hear the screams of agony coming from my Master! I regained my balance and saw him sprawling about on the floor covered in flames. The sight shall stay with me until the day I die... It was horrifying.
Brunmor focused his attention to me, I fought on with even more ferocity than ever before. Tears of rage filled my eyes as I struck Brunmor twice with my spear, piercing his side. With a wail he staggered back again... But Brunmor was crafty, he knew I was going to defeat him. He reached for something in his pouch and threw sand in my eyes, giving him a distraction to flee into those desolate Barrows... Never to be seen again.
I hope that fiend died to his wounds or was ripped apart by a pack of Barghests... I don't care how he dies, I did not want to see him ever again.
To my relief, Lithindir did not die. Though he was burned badly, we fled back to his home and he's currently recovering... Though I fear those burns shall scar him for life. Every time I look at his blackened face I shall be reminded of Brunmor's... Of how he murdered my parents... Of how he murdered so many innocents... And almost how he murdered my Old Master...
I have to get away from this place, I cannot live here anymore knowing the damage that has been done. Once Lithindir is better, I shall depart once again to Bree to just get on with my life and forget...
