Guthstyr went through the huge wooden gate to the Bree. The town was very overcrowded compering to the place he lived almost entire his life. "Well I should find some inn to gather more information about the anciaent place full of barrows. I must look as the other folks here. I wouldn't like them to know who I am." thought Guthstyr. He rode slowly on his horse - Haystack was his name. He looked around however soon he got lost in ever thickening crowd. "I must ask someone for directions. I don't want to spend whole day wondering about." he told himself.
"Ehm. Excuse me sir could you kindly direct me to the nearest inn? I am weary from the road and need some place to rest." he asked first man who was nearby.
"But of course my friend. You must continue on this main road, then you come to a market place with fontain in the middle of the square. You can't miss it. There is a statue of huge boar on it. Then continue through the square and follow the main street and in little while you will see the finest inn in the land. Prancing Pony. May I know what is your business here?"
"Thank you for telling me how to get to that inn but my business is my own and your business is your own. I prefer to leave it that way."
Guthstyr followed thw stranger's instructions and in not too long time he saw first time the famous inn. He left his friend Haystack in the nearby stables and gave few coppers to a stable boy telling him to look after his horse well. Guthstyr entred the Prancing Pony, greeted everone and noone as he thouth it appropriate and headed to the bar to speak to inkeeper. He ordered some mead and bread and cheese and sat at one of the tables. He was eating slowly and listening to the folk around. He didn't learn much useful however it appeared the the local innkeeper was decent man and so Guthstyr decided to approach him. Guthstyr received direction to the Barrow-Downs and warning of this dangerous place. "There are many people trying their luck to find some little treasure there. Quite large number of them I never saw coming back. I urge you don't go there unless you must and even so you stay there only necessary time and hurry back."
Guthstyr slept well that night. Following morning he got up early, broke his fast, checked his equipment and the mysterious dark stone. Then he went to the stables for Haystack, greeted him and asked him for another day of favor. Haystack neight and agreed to carry Guthstyr again. It took them about three hours to get to the borders of Barrow-Downs. The more closer they were the more darker it became. Both Guthstyr's and Haystack's mood sank somewhere very deep. Guthstyr wispered to Haystack: "We will find the nearest barrow and then quickly back to Bree my friend".
After few minutes of ride Gythstyr saw big pile of stones and changed their direction immediatelly. He took the dark black stone from his pocket and looked at it. When they arrived to the stony barrow Guthstyr walked to the side of the pile and put the evil stone down on it. When he tryied to sat back on Haystack there was sudden noise coming from behind him. Haystack panicked and run off in the process Guthstyr tumbled down on the ground. Then he turned and saw just a shadow moving very quickly towards his head. Guthstyr thrusted his body to the side and he heard something heavy landing several inches from his head. In a moment he was on his feet holding his weapons and deffending him against a pair of old skeletal waights. Guthstyr's instincts took over his mind and before he came back to there were two skeletons broken bodies lying on the ground. Guthstyrs found a piece of jewelary nearby. Then he remember his horse friend Haystack. Guthstyr looked around and there was nothing to be seen. He continued several minutes in the directing where he noticed Haystack running. Then he saw poor Haystack's bloodied body on the ground not moving, surrounded by pack of queer looking wolfs. It was too late. Haystack was beyond help. Guthstyr quietly turned around and run in full speed away toward where he came from.
The road to Bree was sad, long and sad again. His dear friend Haystack was devoured by wolfs. Guthstyr journey back to Bree took him rest of the day and large part of the night. When he opened door of the Prancing Pony innkeeper exclaimed: "Call someone for healer she has work to do here."
