[Daniel Telcontar]

Khalad did not like the turn the conversation had taken. He was grateful that Vlad had spared the elf, but Khalad did not want Vlad to question himself why he had done it; maybe he would change his mind.

Nor was he happy that Jaheira had mentioned they killed strangers, like the scums of the group; was she implying that he was one of them? It seemed that both she and Vlad knew he had not told everything he knew about this elf. And he would have difficulties explaining why he did not kill him when he found him.

"Well," he began, "When I saw him I could see he was in a bad shape. He could not be any danger to us. And his appearance told me that he was no commoner; he walks rather in the halls and courts of kings than beneath the trees in the forest."

Jaheira didn't look to pleased, but she was probably still in favour of killing him. Vlad, on the other hand, who had already spared his life, seemed to accept his explanation.
"You thought along the right tracks, Khalad. Maybe we can squeeze a few coins out of him, whoever he is."

Khalad was relieved to hear that, though he didn't like the word "squeeze". But if he was lucky, he could convince the elf to tell him the truth, and Vlad did not have to order his brutes to do anything to force the truth out of the elf.

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Thelian rode next to Dorlas, as he usually did, though neither of them spoke much.

The events of these past few days lay like a heavy burden on them both, despite that they had not acted wrongly. But both of their lords were in danger, though Thelian was more concerned with Melost's whereabouts, and Dorlas feared for Arthain's sanity.

Suddenly Thelian straightened up, his sleepy attitude gone, and his vigilance awaken. He looked around the company; the ladies were chatting merrily, and occasionally laughter could be heard, though not from Menelya who sent Thelian a look of malice. He quickly looked away and turned his attention to the front, where Arthain rode alone.

"What do you see, Thelian?" Dorlas asked, who also looked around himself though he had seen nothing unusual.
"It is not what I see, my friend, but what I smell. There is a distinct foul smell around here, and if I didn't knew better I would say it came from a band of orcs, probably hiding from the sun. With the wind direction they would be in front of us, though it sounds unlikely; There should not be any orcs by miles near this route. Still, stay alert."

He sat for a few seconds, not sure if he should tell Arthain. He wasn't to keen on engaging in conversation with him, especially with this matter. But he decided the safety of the ladies where most important, and rode up at the front to speak with him.

[ July 23, 2003: Message edited by: Daniel Telcontar ]