[VanimaEdhel]

Kalir urged the horse under him on. He could feel that the horse needed rest. Kalir, too, needed rest, come to think of it. He had been riding hard for a while now, trying to reach Orthanc as soon as he could. The events up until this point were still a blur, from the panic at the disappearance of his father and close friend to the actual discovery of their bodies. It had happened so quickly, and now there he was, farther from home than he had ever been, planning on doing who knows what to avenge the deaths.

Kalir slowed Baragalap to a trot as reached and pulled out the hide in which he kept water. He took a long drink and looked around. He should almost be there.

Urging Baragalap along, Kalir galloped over one last hill, only to rein up in surprise. There before him stood the great black tower. Kalir gaped in amazement. He had heard of buildings of this size, but he had never really believed they existed. Kalir proceeded carefully forward, trotting fairly slowly, taking in the new sights and sounds.

Kalir stopped and asked a villager to direct him to a stable. Kalir rode towards the great tower. Once he reached the stables, he left Baragalap in the youthful hands of a stable boy, but only after he gave the boy a bit of silver. One could not be too sure what another would do, given the opportunity and an available horse.

Who had said that? It was familiar. It was probably something Kalir's father once said. Kalir's thoughts went back to his mother and sister as he walked towards Orthanc. He hoped that all was well back at the farm. He also hoped they would not need Baragalap while he was away.

Kalir saw the guards as he moved towards Orthanc.

"What business do you have?" one guard asked.

"I have come about the recent killings...thought to be the work of huorns," Kalir said, tensing up, worried that he would not be admitted.

One guard sighed, "Well, get in line, then. They are going to discuss that very thing today, actually. You are in luck."

The guard moved aside, letting Kalir in.

Kalir moved through the tower. He followed the voices. He marvelled at the exquisite work around him.

He walked in on a council that was apparently already in session.