Gaeros listened on for a little while longer before emerging from the shadows on horseback and riding up to join Cynraede’s side.
“We're being hunted by far more than black riders,” Cynraede explained before glancing back over his shoulder at the sound of hooves approaching.
"Another?" Cynraede wondered for a moment before seeing his pupil’s face emerge from the darkness.
"I know only what was told to me, which is as always…little,” Sarnai replied.
"Everything alright here Commander?" Gaeros interrupted as he rode to Cynraede’s side.
Brulk shifted his hand slowly across his belt and toward his axe, settling his eye on Gaeros while Sarnai looked at the man on the black horse with suspicion. Gaeros glanced back at the two but otherwise sat on his horse motionless.
"For now, yes they're okay. These are two more, from the Order," Cynraede replied motioning to Sarnai and Brulk.
“And who might you be?” Sarnai asked
“Not important. What is important is that you are all finally here. Right now, we're going to need to stick together more than we could imagine,” Cynraede explained.
“Fine, I can do that. Though I would like answers,” pressed Sarnai.
Brulk listened on shrugging impassively, his hand remaining on his axe head.
Cynraede looked to Gaeros and then back to the two. "When I was brought into the Order, a secret pact was made with Iaurmenel.
“And she has not been heard from in some time,” interrupted Sarnai.
Brulk winced a little at the name as he fiddled with the emerald necklace looped around his forearm.
“Iaurmenel established a directive that none outside our officer circle would ever know. With this she commissioned a fortress be built in Ered Mithrin, its whereabouts hidden within the mists and fog,” Cynraede continued.
Sarnai and the others listened on as Cynraede explained that they would be rallying to the fortress for further instruction, as well as their own safety.
“So, I wondered...,” the huntress reasoned aloud.
"Reckon we can skip to the point? We gorra' issue calling for weapons, Neh?" asked Brulk.
Gaeros patted his horse on the neck while staring oddly at Brulk. Something about the one-eyed man disturbed him though it wasn't his eyesight.
"Yes, weapons but we’ll also need to gather rations and other supplies for our journey. It’s going to be a grueling trip. From Bree to the Grey Mountains.
"I will do whatever is needed" Sarnai offered.
Gaeros turned from Brulk and back to Cynraede, "Is visual impairment always prerequisite for training with you Master Cynraede?" He was purposely poking fun at Brulk to measure his reaction.
"My eyes are fine," Sarnai replied self-consciously.
“Carts, weapons, supplies. We'll take the Gap of Rohan instead of the mountains…and be nice to Brulk. He's always kept an eye on the Order,” Cynraede chided playfully joining in on the joke.
“Supposing being dressed up in a damn hood gives you a notion o' judgment, Master Foreskin!” Yelled Brulk, clearly agitated at mention of his visage.
“Better to be a prick than an arsehole,” the Knight Commander shot back.
Sarnai looked a little paler than she did before, watching the parties hurl insults at each other.
“Reckon we're all arseholes, aint' no other cause o' this place being the shithole it turned out being,” said Brulk.
Sarnai stared straight ahead, keeping very still as if something might attack her if she breathed too much.
Seeing that Sarnai was uncomfortable Gaeros tried lightening the mood, "I happen to like the Old Forest. It's quite romantic."
"It is not a problem with the forest," Sarnai muttered.
Brulk glanced at Sarnai a moment frowning and looked back to the other two.
“Where did you all get such... fine senses of humor?” Sarnai asked.
“So,” Cynraede interrupted. “Make your peace here and gather up supplies. Anything we can get. Food, weapons and the like. We won't stop til we reach the great river. Hopefully.”
Sarnai tries to affect a polite smile, but it comes out as a grimace. The sarcasm dripping off her voice is clear.
“I have been traveling for some time and all that I would need, is with me now.”
"I aint' too fussy as no need more'n I already carry," Brulk shrugged.
"Ah, you’ll be joining us then?” Cynraede asked Brulk. “The fortress is home for us. Warm beds, hot food and a place we'd be alright."
“Reckon you've a need o' black work up that way. I'll do what I can,” Brulk answered in his own awkward attempt at being civil.
Sarnai’s stoic expression softened. “That would be...that would be good."
"I suggest bringing some extra layers. It will get quite frigid at night the more we draw closer to our destination," Gaeros warned.
Cynraede looked at Sarnai and Brulk, nodding somberly. "Lay low, do your best to stay to yourself and work together. The people, the creatures that hunt us are relentless and cunning. I've seen much of this world, but none that match their prowess.”
"Got layers. Rhûn can be bitter cold at night, so I am prepared," Sarnai said confidently, patting her saddlebags.
Brulk jerked a thumb back over his shoulder. "Gorra' blanket, and an axe."
Sarnai reached into her bag and tossed something on the ground.
“I may have been lucky to travel this far without being attacked but I rode swiftly, avoiding the roads. Nevertheless, they managed to pick up my trail when I slowed to help one in need get to a healer. That was how Skufr was hit, and that is how I got the map from him,” Sarnai explained, pointing at the bloodied leather map that lay in front of her.
Cynraede picked up the map and lowered his hood as he spoke, "Uial will be keeping eyes out for me. I've set up camp here in the old forest. Return here if you must, but make sure you're not followed."
“Uial?” Sarnai asked.
"In what condition is the dwarf?" Gaeros interjected, appearing concerned.
“Wounded, but he will live,” Sarnai replied.
"And who is tending to his wounds?" Gaeros demanded from the huntress.
Brulk rubbed a knuckle in his empty eye socket, looking between the trio.
“I heard some call her 'Ash', I think? I was... more concerned with the fact that the dwarf burst into the woman’s house, bloodied and half-dead,” answered Sarnai.
Cynraede gave Gaeros a nod. “Go. Check on the dwarf, if he's able bodied. Bring him with us."
“As you wish Commander,” replied Gaeros.
Brulk folded his arms across his chest, frowning in silence.
“Where is the dwarf now?" Gaeros asked Sarnai.
“Perhaps there still? He bade me flee, so I did. I had no wish to bring my... pursuers upon innocent folk,” Sarnai explained.
Gaeros looked back to Cynraede sarcastically. "She speaks in riddles Commander. I cannot understand her."
“I thought there were secrets to guard in some manner but if you wish, I will be plain,” Sarnai replied defensively.
"Perhaps you can draw me a map?" Gaeros pressed.
Sarnai sighed and began digging through her pack, retrieving a scrap of parchment and a piece of charcoal.
"What’s to hide. People want us dead." Cynraede reasoned.
Sarnai scribbled out a crude map to the village marked more with tengwar, than with words. She finished with a house and drew a circle around it.
“Do you know the ruins near Combe?” Sarnai asked. “Its landmark is here,” she pointed out.
“If you do not, then... good luck,” she added.
Gaeros accepted the map. Carefully making sure not to smear the already illegible scrawling and looked back to Cynraede.
"I suppose learned is not a prerequisite either," Gaeros chided.
Sarnai glared at Gaeros but bit her lip to avoid saying something unwise.
Brulk jerked his jaw toward Cynraede. "Reckon we anywhere close to fightin' these hooded fellas. I aint' no feckin' detective."
"I have the location and take my leave Commander," Gaeros interrupted.
Cynraede nodded firmly, "Go ahead. Ride safely."
"And ride swiftly, at that," Sarnai added.
Brulk beckoned no farewell but only grunted.
"It was a pleasure not meeting either of you. If our paths should cross in the future, perhaps we’ll learn each other’s names."
Sarnai almost laughs, but snorts instead. "I am Sarnai, and he is Brulk."
“Aint' no feckin' mystery o' that,” Brulk added gruffly.
Gaeros squeezed his legs and clucked loudly, commanding his horse and ignoring the two as he trotted off to find the dwarf.
