I'd gone north finally, Addie and Nethrida had a slew of people at their cottage keeping them from harm and my services were going to be of better use elsewhere.
Elsewhere was the North Downs, I was thinking. I still had Captain Dynnys' letter tucked in my satchel and it was like to burning a hole in my head with worry over what it implied.
If that elf lady, Xanderian, was correct in her interpretation of things, we were facing trouble the likes of which rivaled anything the Family had ever dealth with. I'd been in the Downs recently and while the Rangers in Esteldin could be a surly, reclusive lot, they'd been courteous enough to suit my tastes and willing to let me resupply and rest when I'd been working there the last time.
By the time I'd arrived, Captain Dynnys had her troops packed and ready to go, scouting parties were already out and she was at the center of things, marching from cluster to cluster of troops, inspecting them and giving them orders before sending them on their way.
Leaning on my halberd, I stayed out of the way to watch her at work, admiringly. Her orders were concise, easy to understand and thoughtful. She wasn't leaving anything to chance that she didn't have to. Apparently, she'd spent a good portion of her time making fortified supply camps throughout the area, a fact which the Rangers were obviously planning to take advantage of when this campaign was concluded.
There were troops already in the field or on their way to ensure that the routes to these stations were protected, as well as several rendezvous points where the assault groups were formed and waiting for the signal to go. As I watched, Captain Dynnys paused and turned to look over the area, apparently making a last minute check to see that everything was being attended to.
Our eyes met then and I gave her a tiny nod and an encouraging smile which she returned wearily, breaking free from the cluster of troops nearby as she made her way to where I stood.
Dark haired and light eyed, those eyes met mine evenly without her having to tilt her back to do so, a fact which I admired. She was a tall, strongly built woman from the North somewhere and she wore her heavy armor and weapons like they were a part of her. She took my forearm solidly in her grip as I offered it, not making it a contest of strength like so many others seemed to want to do, but rather an honest gesture of welcome and greeting.
"About damn time you showed up, Hadhranel.' she drawled in her peculiar accent. 'I was wondering if you were planning to work or sit in the Pony, chugging ale."
Keeping my expression as serious as I could, which meant I was smiling, I replied in the same jesting tone. "Barliman raised the price of his ale by a copper and I couldn't stand the expense anymore. What can I do to help?"
She looked down, opening a satchel on her belt and began digging through the papers stored within it till she found what she sought. Removing it, she offered it to me. It was addressed to 'Lt. Applebottom' and I couldn't help but grin. Seemed the fiesty little Bounder had been temporarily drafted into a command position, will she or nil she.
Shifting my eyes from the sealed letter to Dynnys, I arched an eyebrow and she wasn't long in clarifying her intent.
"I'd like you to take command of the flank closest to Fornost, Hadh. Applebottom's a good lass, but I'd rather a person with command experience was in charge there.' she explained. 'She's got the latest maps and the same team that brought that wagon back for us, so they know what's at stake and will do their best. Also, a steady hand there will keep their adventurous instincts in check. We need precision for what's to come, not a full on charge on the gates like the last time."
"Aye, Captain.' I replied, 'Standard horns and flags?"
With another smile of relief, she nodded affirmatively. "It will take a load of worry off my mind, knowing you're there."
Now Cathnel is a leader, born to it, but I could see the worry in her expression and whether she knew it or not, the job she was doing might mean the difference for the survival of the Free Folk of the North and of Bree-land. My people and my family. Drawing myself up, I gave her a warrior's salute, my armored fist clanging off my breastplate. "By your command, Captain."
A smile threatened to show on her face, the lines of worry around her eyes easing some as she returned the salute. Troops in the area, being troops, had been sneaking peeks our way as we spoke and our display of respect for each other gave them heart. There were nods and murmurs all around and they moved faster and with more confidence.
"Time's wasting, ma'am." I said as I turned and whistled, my armored horse responding immediately by trotting to my side.
"Why are you still here, then?" she replied jokingly while I swung my leg over the saddle and settled. Laughing, I laid the reins against Traveller's neck and he swung around, a touch of my heels to his flanks setting him on his way at a trot. I didn't bother to look back, simply waving my hand over my shoulder as I rode toward Fornost, Dynnys voice raised behind me as she encouraged the men and women who would be helping to determine the future of the Free Folk.
I was content. There was a woman I respected in charge and I had a key role in what was to come. The rangers were doing their part, many of them helping to guide the troops to where they needed to be, relieving Dynnys of that worry. I had that squad of Applebottom's at my call and while they were a bit unruly, they were stout and experienced fighters apparently. I'll finish writing this later, though. The clouds are hiding the moon and Traveller's rested now, so a few hours more will see me at Applebottom's command and I'm guessing there's going to be a lot to write about when it's all said and done.
