[Beren87]

And here I am. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] This will go right after Arestevana's post on Nov. 5th

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Minastan's post

He had walked nearly half a league already, into the wood surrounding Bree, and yet Minastan was no better off for it, as there was still not yet a hint of bandits. Yet there was no thought of turning back weighing on his mind, Minastan knew that he had to succeed.

Suddenly the sound of voices carried themselves from the South, only 20 paces off from where Minastan stood listening. A delicate crack echoed through the trees, followed by a sharp curse. "If they're trying to keep quiet, they're doing a poor job of it," he thought to himself. With the grace of a woodsman he stood silently, near invisible among the foliage of the wood. Whispering speech was soon evident as they moved steadily closer.

Finally the broke through a dense patch and into his field of vision. They were moving slowly, looking around them for any hint of movement. With a quick sprint, Minastan was in front of them, a metallic unsheathing ringing throughout the quiet of the forest.

"More Bree-folk!" Minastan barked as he swung his blade at the man, with no intention of hitting. "Bloody, stuck-up, mob!"

"Fool! We're no people of Bree!" shouted the woman as she jumped back. Exactly the answer he was looking for.

"Then what are yous? Supporters from some far-city, I suppose, or mercenaries sent to find me! That uppity mayor still thinks he can be rid of Minastan! He'll get what's coming to him, they all will." His eyes shined with mock-fury as he put forth the charade.

"We're not!" she repeated, "We've the same intentions you do!"

"Kirima!" The man barked, "Don't be shouting off to some highwayman, he could be a spy for all we know." His eyes flashed toward Minastan, doubt playing across his face.

"A spy! For what? What've them imbeciles in the town got to spy on, 'sides me?" Minastan spat the words as he said them. "I was run out of that town months ago."

"Run out? For what?" the woman, Kirima, asked him.

"Thievin', one of them no-good rangers caught me at it. But they won't keep me out, that's for sure." He sheated his sword in mock-regret, playing the words as much as he could. "So then, if you're no folk of Bree, what are you out here in the forest for, there's bandits about."

The man sheated his sword as Minastan did, and then held out his hand to shake. "We're a scouting party, looking for recruits. The refugees at Weathertop need food, and a home, we've been looking to recruit ruffians to help us with that. You may be able to help us."

"Help ya? Hum..I suppose a gang has a better chance than just me, all told." He grasped the other man's hand in his, a smile playing across his lips. "We may be able to help each other out, here. You're grouped up on Weather Top, then?"

Kirima smiled at him, "Yep, you can follow us on up there." She pointed her hand in the direction as she spoke, then nodded towards the man, "This is Rudgar, we two were sent out to meet a group of bandits."

Minastan nodded to them both, then pulled his cloak around him. They were soon creeping through the forest, the three of them watching around for movement.

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While writing this post, I started thinking. Since Minastan will be with the group for a bit, he'll perhaps have a better sense of the hopelessness of the refugees situation. At the end, I think he'll be one of the main callers for giving refugees land.