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piosenniel · 08-14-2003, 07:03 PM

Archim sat hunched on his horse, miserable under the prickly heat of the noon time sun. ‘Just over the next hill,’ he muttered to himself, taking the tail position in the group. ‘Never mind the next hill is a good fifteen miles away, and who knows how far over it Tharbad is.’

He reached up to the back of his neck and picked at a boil that was festering there. No place and no time to wash up over the past week, and now he was beginning to feel a bit itchy. His mount looked back at him as if it had read his thoughts, and gave a great snort. ‘Yeah – well you smell none too fresh yourself, Master Horse!’

It was well into evening before they reached the small town of Tharbad. A trading post mostly with a small Inn on the north side of the river, and a few scattered farms. The Inn was a welcome sight to the weary group.

Thoughts of ale and a hot cooked meal drifted through Archim’s thoughts. Looking hopefully at Fréa who had already dismounted, he broached the subject of spending the night – the idea of a soft bed and a real pillow beckoned him to dismount himself and follow his brother into the Inn. Fréa it seemed chose to ignore the query and went straight to the Innkeeper who stood behind the bar eyeing the duty travelers as they came in.

Archim sat at a table and beckoned for the serving girl to take his order. Graitwa and Hama had by this time come in and made their way to the table and ordered pints for themselves. A few moments later, Fréa came stomping back toward the group, his face set in a scowl. Throwing himself down angrily onto the fourth chair he told them there had been no other men from Rohan through here recently, no men looking to buy horses. He was at a loss as to what to do now, and his mood darkened with each silent minute that ticked by.

It was Archim, finally, who broke the silence. ‘Well, I know what I want to do, brothers,’ he said expansively after his second ale, nodding at Hama inclusively. ‘I say we spend the night at this fair establishment – eat well, drink well, rest well. Then make out decision tomorrow.’ He looked round at the group. ‘Come on. What do you say! Dinner and drinks on me!’ He fished in the waistband of his breeches and pulled out his pouch of coins and plunked it on the table. It jingled promisingly, and he thought he saw an approving nod from Hama.

Archim raised his hand and waved the serving girl once more to his side. ‘A pitcher of ale . . . no, make it two . . . and a pint glass for my brother there,’ he said, pointing at Fréa. ‘We’ve got some plans to make . . . and by my reckoning it will be thirsty work . . .’ He winked at her and flipped her a coin as she flashed him her saucy smile.

[ August 15, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

08-14-2003, 07:03 PM	#71
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Archim sat hunched on his horse, miserable under the prickly heat of the noon time sun. ‘Just over the next hill,’ he muttered to himself, taking the tail position in the group. ‘Never mind the next hill is a good fifteen miles away, and who knows how far over it Tharbad is.’ He reached up to the back of his neck and picked at a boil that was festering there. No place and no time to wash up over the past week, and now he was beginning to feel a bit itchy. His mount looked back at him as if it had read his thoughts, and gave a great snort. ‘Yeah – well you smell none too fresh yourself, Master Horse!’ It was well into evening before they reached the small town of Tharbad. A trading post mostly with a small Inn on the north side of the river, and a few scattered farms. The Inn was a welcome sight to the weary group. Thoughts of ale and a hot cooked meal drifted through Archim’s thoughts. Looking hopefully at Fréa who had already dismounted, he broached the subject of spending the night – the idea of a soft bed and a real pillow beckoned him to dismount himself and follow his brother into the Inn. Fréa it seemed chose to ignore the query and went straight to the Innkeeper who stood behind the bar eyeing the duty travelers as they came in. Archim sat at a table and beckoned for the serving girl to take his order. Graitwa and Hama had by this time come in and made their way to the table and ordered pints for themselves. A few moments later, Fréa came stomping back toward the group, his face set in a scowl. Throwing himself down angrily onto the fourth chair he told them there had been no other men from Rohan through here recently, no men looking to buy horses. He was at a loss as to what to do now, and his mood darkened with each silent minute that ticked by. It was Archim, finally, who broke the silence. ‘Well, I know what I want to do, brothers,’ he said expansively after his second ale, nodding at Hama inclusively. ‘I say we spend the night at this fair establishment – eat well, drink well, rest well. Then make out decision tomorrow.’ He looked round at the group. ‘Come on. What do you say! Dinner and drinks on me!’ He fished in the waistband of his breeches and pulled out his pouch of coins and plunked it on the table. It jingled promisingly, and he thought he saw an approving nod from Hama. Archim raised his hand and waved the serving girl once more to his side. ‘A pitcher of ale . . . no, make it two . . . and a pint glass for my brother there,’ he said, pointing at Fréa. ‘We’ve got some plans to make . . . and by my reckoning it will be thirsty work . . .’ He winked at her and flipped her a coin as she flashed him her saucy smile. [ August 15, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.