Ch. 6 The Horse and the rider
“Leading a caravan?” Aeldryt said. “What on earth is he doing that for?” Bernard lifted his shoulders “That’s all I know, friend, but rumour goes they attempted to reach Rohan and it failed and are now on their way back.” Aeldryt looked at him “Any idea when they shall return?” The Bree-lander shook his head “Not an idea, it could be tomorrow, it be could be another week, there’s no telling.”
The blonde man signalled a waitress who smiled and nodded, to bring him another ale, he noticed the two women sitting on the other table throwing sly looks at him, when he looked back and smiled, the left one, the redhead, blushed. For a second he was tempted to go over there, but his mind was on other things.
“Hmm, I’ll hang around a bit longer then. Thank you, my friend, we are now even.” Bernard smiled “What I have done is but a small thing compared to your feat, Aeldryt. Know that you are always welcome on my farm, always!” Both men stood up and shook hands, said their farewells and Bernard walked out of the Pony.
Aeldryt sat down again and looked around him, he couldn’t help but feel a bit unnerved. Then he saw those two women sitting there again and said to himself “only one way to make me feel better again..” he smiled, stood up and walked towards their table.
A few days had gone by and still no word of Donhelm, he had thought about looking for Essea as well but he figured that most likely he would have gone with him. It was no certainty and perhaps it was better to search for Essea as well, but for now he’d gamble on them being together.
He had rented his room for another week and was starting to get bored in this town. He was never one to be able to be at some place for long and certainly not in a small town as Bree. There was one thing that kept him busy…women. They both mystified and intrigued him. In a conversation long ago with Althred he had said “as long as I haven’t found the one woman that understands me, that knows how to hold my heart for her, I intend to discover as much as I can about their peculiar kind.”
And that is exactly what he had been doing to occupy his days, sometimes his charm worked, sometimes it didn’t, but every single time he learned something, or at least that’s what he thinks.
Tonight he sat in, what had become his own little corner, in the Pony, the light of the candles and chandeliers didn’t quite reach up to there and he always felt more comfortable sitting there. Besides he had a great overview of the whole bar area and could always perfectly see who came in and out.
The door swung open a woman came in first, looking at the reactions of the locals she must have been well known. They said her name but he couldn’t quite catch it, there was by far too much noise in the Pony to overhear.
Some dwarf, which he hadn’t seen yet either, some of the halflings and quite a contingent of Men both male and female entered…but no Graymare. He sighed and drank from his pint when he suddenly faintly heard one of them mentioning a caravan. He turned his head to try and hear more and heard that they were indeed part of Donhelm’s caravan, but where…was he?
That question was answered immediately as the door swung open once more and in came his cousin, the eye patch and the nose, both unmistakable features of his face.
A rush of relief went through Aeldryt’s body and he wanted to just stand up and greet him but refrained, he decided to overlook everything and subtle get his attention.
He had put up his hood and looked at Donhelm talking with some bystanders and holding a mug of ale in one of his hands. For a few more minutes he remained at his seat and watched his cousin until finally he got up and walked passed him “I hope you hold that ale better than you hold your women…Donhelm Graymare.”
His cousin turned around and looked at the hooded man in front of him, he definitely recognised the voice but had trouble placing it. Not being able to see the man’s face fully didn’t help either “Let me ask, do you know me or are you just interested in a fight? If it’s the former, remove that hood, if it’s the latter I shall do it for you.” A laugh came from underneath the hood “Still quick to be piqued aren’t you…cousin.” Aeldryt threw down his hood and Donhelm finally saw who he was talking too. A raucous laughter followed and both men gave each other a quick hug and handshake “Aeldryt! Good grief, what are you doing here? Or better how come are you here? Last I knew you were in the army.”
Aeldryt smiled “A long story, cousin, one which I do not intend to have everyone listen to.” Donhelm nodded, understanding him completely. “My friends, excuse me, but it seems another Graymare has found his way to the North!” From somewhere in the group a voice said “Oh woe our women!” which made all in the vicinity burst into laughters.
“Come Aeldryt, let us talk.” Both men walked towards another table. There Aeldryt told Donhelm the complete story of why and how he came to the North.
“So you see cousin, I still serve Rohan and when the call comes I shall ride South immediately but for now it is not safe for me. That and the fact that these lands have a debt to pay.” Donhelm looked up, both men had been drinking heavily and the alcohol was wearing their tired bodies down. “A debt? To you? How’s that possible?” Aeldryt shook his head “Not to me, but to our family. They claimed Althred, in return I will claim many more.”
Donhelm’s face changed, a saddened look on his face “Althred….That boy….Aeldryt you should have seen him fight…. but still… why didn’t I send him back as soon as he arrived here…” Donhelm shook his head. Aeldryt coldly replied “Althred was a naïve fool but nevertheless he was our fool. And we loved him for it. It was his innocence, his stupid belief that in each person there was something good to be found, that we liked. That defined him and see what happened to him, his body bruised and broken, filthy wargs nearly feasting on his flesh. That is what he received for trying to do “good”. My cousin…sometimes one can only do good by doing something bad, and I have no trouble doing both. These lands will pay and I will collect.”
Donhelm looked at his younger cousin, a long time ago a young man, not all that different looking stood across him and convinced him to stay with him.
This time he knew that the man opposite him, knew full well what he was talking about, what could happen if he failed and the tales he heard from back home were quite impressive but still could he bare to lose another family member? Had they not lost enough already? And even if he resisted Aeldryt was old enough to make his own choice and being a Graymare he was stubborn enough as well.
“Come to the estate, there’s a room there you can use, it may be easier and more comfortable than where you currently sleep.” Aeldryt smiled “Good to see you again, Donhelm, good to see you indeed.”
He stood up and shook his cousin’s hand, gave a quick pat on each others backs and walked towards the group that was still standing near the fire.
“My friends may I present you Aeldryt Graymare, my cousin and another nail on my coffin…” the folks around them laughed heartily and welcomed the stranger.
