The two Rangers rode into Awyrgan's small camp on Tane's orders. He wanted to leave the already angered Ranger here. The meeting was going to be difficult enough without having a possibly hot headed Ranger there causing strife. Awyrgan didn't know this yet.
Tane dismounted hard onto his right leg; he wasn't paying as much attention as he should have been. Turning he led Skit to a nearby tree and tied him quickly. Soon all the tack was off the horse and put securely away. He'd give Skit a good rub down once he found the time. Awyrgan approached Tane, obviously wanting to get on their way.
Tane looked into the village. "Where is the leader's tent?"
Awyrgan was smart and caught what Tane was doing, yet tried to sidestep it. "I can take you there in a few minutes."
Tane locked eyes with his underling. "No. I want you to stay here and watch out for the hillmen. We still don't know if they know and what they'll do with the knowledge. The settlers have their own people, but they're not as good as you. If the hillmen do start something I want to be the first one to know about it," Tane saw the man's eyes dart a second, about to protest. "You will go to your post." It was not a question as the old Tane would have said and Awyrgan knew the difference showing through, he still wasn't happy with the decision.
"Thorgil is... Thorgil's body is there," he pointed off to one edge of the settlement. "The tent is on the edge of the village, by the forest edge. If you go straight from here you'll pass a knee high rock sticking out of the ground about one hundred paces from the tent. The tent is brown."
Tane nodded and started out, yet he didn't go straight to the awaiting meeting. He wanted to find Alearindu and he had seen her horse on happenstance while riding in. People had been walking around it while it ate the grass near a large tent. His mind raced as he walked. How did Thorgil really die? How would the hillmen react? Would a fight ensue? How would he lead the Rangers? He knew he could do it. He'd led many groups before, but this was different. He was now the ultimate authority. Not everyone might like it, Rangers and villagers both. Picking up his pace a bit he soon found himself by the horse and looked around for the female Ranger. He didn't look long; some people near him moved and behind them was Alearindu just finishing up a conversation with a young girl.
He walked over to her, startling her with his presence. "I need you to come with me. There's been an upset and I must meet with the leaders at once."
Surprise showed on her every feature, but it didn't stop her. She started to ask what had happened but a head jerk from Tane let her know that it couldn't be discussed in such an open place.
"We could ride Mornen," but once again Tane shook his head.
"No, but we'll walk her," he wanted to tell her what had happened so that she wouldn't be shocked or worse when they got to their destination. They would get there too soon if they rode. A brisk pace was set and they weaved out of the few people around and were soon alone. Alearindu kept the questions inside even though she must have been bursting. She was a trained Ranger before all else and she held herself true.
"The upset...Alearindu, Thorgil is dead," he was more blunt than he had intended.
She stopped immedietly and looked at Tane, her teeth grinding against each other as she got back in control. It didn't take long for her composure to come back, though she was still fighting grief and anger. "How? Tane..."
"It was the creature we thought of no importance. It seems they killed each other. They were found by a villager and that's all I know. I'm going to the leaders now to get Thorgil's body and to talk with them. I need you with me, can you do it?" Tane was gripping her arm as she stared into his face.
"Yes," she faced their destination now and started on an even faster walk, bordering on a slight jog. The one time Tane glanced over it was to witness three tears being viciously wiped away.
It didn't take them long to come up to the brown tent where a man was waiting outside next to an inert form covered in a blanket. Tane stared at the blanket covering his former leader until they got close, then focused on the man. Alearindu had kept her eyes unfocused so she could both see the body and observe the man, but as they came upon the threshold she refocused upon simply the living man. He stood slightly to one side but still held himself with intense authority.
He looked between the Rangers whose faces were as stone. "I am Borgand. I'm very sorry for your loss..." he looked down and weakly gestured. "Please come in so we can talk..." now he held the tent open as he looked at the two.
Tane stepped close to Alearindu. "Could you stay and guard him?" he had sensed no ill will from the leader of the settlers and didn't want Thorgil to be alone.
She nodded and Tane went inside. Sitting at a table was another settler who had just finished eating some stew, the remnant juices pooling in the bowl. A quick survey around the tent showed an orderly living space, as much as was allowed. Two other people were in the tent and Tane raised an eyebrow in their direction.
Borgand caught the look as he showed Tane to his seat. "My wife and son, please sit." Borgand himself taking a seat opposite of Tane's indicated chair.
The still un-named villager nodded to Tane and held out a hand as he sat down. "I'm Calumdril. I'm the one that found them."
Tane briefly clasped hands. "My name is Tane Arisn. I was Thorgil's second in command."
Calumdril didn't need to be asked and he started his short tale of events. The only emotion Tane let through was in his hands which clenched together making the tips of his fingers red and the bases white. The main concern now was the hillmen's reaction and the trust between the Rangers and settlers. Calumdril seemed to be thinking along those same lines.
"Barring an attack from the hillmen, there should be a show of trust between our people and yours," he waited for Tane to nod but was cut off by Borgand before he could complete his thread of thought.
"Thorgil could be burried in town with a memorium, it would show-" but Tane was already shaking his head.
"That's very generous on your part, but there's a burial site about a half days ride to the east where other leaders have been buried. He would want to go there..." Tane clenched his jaw a couple of times, allowing for Calumdril to interject.
"The town is in need of food supplies. It's been suggested that we have a game. A friendly competition between the Rangers and the hunters to see who can find a source of real game first," Calumdril sat back, satisfied that the idea was sound. He looked over at Illith who was watching from her place with Bregand and smiled at her friend.
Borgand looked thoughtful, but Tane smiled. "That sounds like a good idea. I could get something from your trader for the prize."
"Or perhaps name a feast after the victor," Calumdril got another smile from accross the tent.
Tane stood and offered a much more sturdy and firm handshake than before to both the men. "We must talk more soon, but I feel I must get to the Rangers." They each took his hand in farewell and walked out with him where he met with Alearindu who was standing stoutly in front of their burden.
"I'm going to get my horse. Wait here, I won't be long."
She nodded and shifted her legs ever so slightly. Tane hurried off and practically ran back to Awyrgan's tent. The Ranger had just done a quick patrol and was about to go out for a more thorough scouting; he had just stopped in to get his horse an encouragement treat.
"Awyrgan, Alearindu and I are going to take Thorgil's body back to camp. Day after tomorrow we'll head out to bury him. I want you to stay till tomorrow night and then come back unless something happens that needs you to return sooner," Tane spoke as he gathered back together his gear and was already strapping up Skit when he had finished speaking.
"I understand," Awyrgan quickly clasped Tane's hand then helped him gear up.
Soon Tane was with Alearindu again and they were heading off toward their camp, Thorgil on a stretcher behind Mornen, the much fresher of the two horses. Their pace was slow and they spoke quietly to each other on the journey back.
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