It’s a week now since we returned from the small hunting trip with Dimheim and the Fist of Steel Tournament. Both went very well. I think that my tournament was the only fighting tournament that was concerned for the participants’ welfare than any other in history. Let’s see what happened though, now that the days have passed and things have settled in my mind.
I invited Elias for a short hunting trip in Nen Harn, like I used to do with other friends back when I was still a sellsword, a notable trip of which was the one with Deorgast. He accepted reluctantly, very reluctantly I might say, he seemed to accept it when he thought that he might find some herbs that he needs and the forest might have them. Well, at least he did! The man wanted to go to Nen Harn with a cart. To Nen Harn! With a cart! I am certain that he is afraid of horses, he says he doesn’t care for them but he looks like if he can avoid riding or being close to one he will do it. I don’t understand but everyone has his own issues. Our trip was rough due to the ground and the lack of proper roads there, after all everyone’s going there with horses, no path is needed, but we got there safely and settled at a beautiful spot between the water and the forest. We made our camp and I proposed fishing and hunting. To catch some fish and put them over a slow fire while we hunted. That way when we would get back we could nimble on something while preparing the proper dinner but the man argued that fish will be enough, or just hunting, because it’s too much. Is there ever too much food!? I tried to convince him but he is stubborn, partly like a Dwarf and partly because the way he’s thinking is… I don’t know, like someone has drawn a square around him and despite the fact that he can see past the lines he still can’t think past them. Well, we did fish. I did. At first.
I caught two small fish and told him to try it because I wasn’t lucky, so with his boxed thinking he said that if I am not lucky how can he, or why. And I said, well, come and try! It took a while to persuade him, I even proposed a bet. Whoever catches three or four first wins and the other one will have to clean and scale them. He reluctantly agreed, so he took up place a little further from me. He was certain that he would be unlucky or have the same luck as me, but why stand next to an unlucky man! Some time had passed and I caught nothing, he didn’t too at first, then he did. Something big that was hard to pull out. It turned out to be a big salmon, six times bigger than what I caught… I want to believe that he felt some thrill in that, win a bet and catch a big fish, though we do agree that fishing is boring. Of course, I cleaned, scaled and cooked the fish but I didn’t debone them properly, so he said he’ll show me how to do it. Needless to say that I did my utmost to not shake my head or sigh or laugh. I didn’t want him to think that I am making fun of him, I invited him because I enjoy his company and such trips I have done with very close friends only. Counted on the fingers of one hand. We spoke for the remaining of the evening with the fish and tea and the next day I woke up early to go and see if there was any kind of ore scattered, sometimes it does sprout from the ground. He somehow managed to get caught in a trap but luckily some woodsman woman helped him. I didn’t get to meet her though, she was long gone before I returned.
We went to the forest to hunt, I missed a buck because I am bad with a bow but he found some trees that he wanted to take samples from. The hunt went on and we saw a deer. He wanted to try and draw it closer and I would shoot at it with my bow, staying hidden not too far. Me, shoot with a bow at a target with someone next to it. I wouldn’t trust me. He did. So I hid and he said down and started making noises. The animal heard him and came closer to study him and it played with him. What I saw made me think that he is like a big child, pure at heart and despite what he says or acts he is close to nature. While the deer played with him and he did the same he laughed, innocently and pleasantly with some surprise In him. And the deer stayed. I couldn’t shoot. I let the scene go on until the deer ran away. It turns out that it was wise to have the fish still. We returned, heated the pieces, took the wine and sat next to the water to discuss, life, dreams, images, maybe love, as always, until sweet sleep came. The next day we returned.
Despite the tiredness of the trip and the journey back the man came to the tournament as we agreed, Maddoct came as well but he remained mostly in the inn as he doesn’t approve of fighting. I respect that. He is a pleasant Dwarf that can hold enjoyable conversations and has principles. Some good punches landed, Zarbes, a man from Gondor fought against Kattja, some local girl, she was fast but he’s stronger and more experienced, he dropped her on her back and that was it. A man from the East, dark of skin and strong body too, he introduced himself as Zals Pahro, he looked decent. He fought a Dwarf called Altli, enjoyable fight and the man from the East won, sending the Dwarf on the floor and out of the stage. Gondor against East was the final. A good fight, balanced, it was close and anyone could win. The Eastern man was using his strength and Zarbes was using his brains until he threw him off the stage. History repeated itself and in a small scale fight Gondor once more won against the East. Good fight. No one got wounded. Ale was consumed, food. There was also that girl there, Elgerin, the one we have to find parents for soon. Carmillia, Cedwyn and Maddoct took her inside and away from the fight. A most pleasant surprise! Two Hobbits came, one called Theodebald with noble manners but thinking he was cunning and Gustine, one I met at the Pony and was saying how bad is to have people beat each other. She didn’t approve but Theodebald and her were there and seemed to have a good time. That’s what matters. A good time among good company.
Now I am preparing from the trip to Ered Luin, the good healer wants to find seaweed and according to the maps the place closed to the sea is the Southernmost settlement of Elves there. We will leave in three or four days. I just returned from the Hengstacer farm and made a deal for four horses and two wagons, yes wagons again, yes, Elias wanted them. This time with a good reason, we’ll have barrels with us for the seaweed and who knows what we may bring back with us. It will be him, Cedwyn, I and Jackilyn, a young Breelander (by the looks of her) that Elias is seeing. I am happy to see him happy. His state wasn’t very good as of late and he drunk a lot of wine. I am sure that my advices worked on that matter and he managed to win her. Now we’ll all go on a trip together. I am considering taking Catherynne with us, just to get her out of Bree and show her that the world is big. We’ll see though. For now I have to write a letter to Elias about the cost of the horses and wagons that we’ll rent.
