[Envinyatar]

The sun was just a finger’s width above the horizon when Olo returned. He unsaddled his mount and let it roam about at will, cropping at the short grass around the camp site. Carl had already started a small pot of stew for the two of them – some dried vegetables, a few herbs, and the meat from a small coney he had killed on the outskirts of the site. Tea water was also on the boil, and he offered the returning Ranger a mug full as he stepped up to the fire. He asked no questions, knowing Olo would tell him what he needed to know as it suited him.

They ate in companionable silence, and smoked a pipe or two afterward, until the stars peeped through the dark night sky. Olo took the first watch, saying that they should get up early, before the sun rose to head back to their meeting with the other companions.

Carl could resist the urge no longer. ‘So we have the information that Bullroarer wanted?’

Olo crouched down to stir the embers of the fire and feed the flames more wood. ‘We do. Exactly what he needed for his plan.’ His gaze went northward toward the road, as if he would pierce the darkness with his sight. ‘Though I fear that even with all the time in Arda, there will not be enough to keep us completely safe. But what we have will have to do.’

‘. . . have to do.’ thought Carl as he crawled into his bedroll. ‘Now that is cold comfort.’ He closed his eyes, willing sleep to come to him. His dagger lay ready, close by the rolled up cloak he used a pillow.

He did not hear Olo as he murmured into the flames. ‘But I have hedged our bet a bit . . .’