[maikafanawen]

The rest of the company fled the Prancing Pony at Burzdol’s command. On Exiting the Inn, the group saw about a dozen guards flanking each side headed towards the inn at a run.

“Astarielle! Take the dwarves out of Bree!” Burzdol kept his eyes on the oncoming police.

“But—” protested the elf maiden.

“Just go!” Ani Dao stood back to back with Burzdol, sword raised and ready for th assault. Astarielle led the dwarves back into the Inn and out the back exit.

Surrounded, Ani Dao whispered to Burzdol;

“Are you crazy? I was never good with ratio comparisons, but my senses tell me we are definitely outnumbered!” Burzdol had realized that before he told the she-elf of his plan.

“They are coming from both sides. Hit their swords with enough fury to make so much noise that we can slip away and they’ll end up fighting each other.” Burzdol made it sound easy, but Ani Dao was doubtful at the numbers of their opponents. Gripping her sword with both hands, she struck the attackers with such force that the sound was almost deafening. Wild with fear and energy, the guards thrashed about at the two elves. The police soon found that they were clashing swords with one another and the two “outlaws” had vanished down an alley.

Pursuing, they tripped over barrels and erected barriers set up quickly by the two retreats. Ani Dao stopped momentarily to weave a piece of whip across the alley a foot above the ground. Leaping away just in time, half of the guard tripped and fell over the snare. Cheering silently, she ran to catch up with Burzdol. The two wove in and out of alleys for the better part of an hour in attempt to through their chasers off their trail. Finally succeeding they crouched low in the shadows of an old stable.

“How do we get out of Bree?” asked Ani Dao. Stealthily checking out each gate, they discovered that they were guarded heavily and retreat would have to be made through, over, or under the surrounding wall.

“Wait! I have an idea!” Staying out of the lights, the assassin led them to the apothecary.

A dusty aroma tickled their senses as they entered the store. Kemi came immediately towards them holding a bag of food and other necessary supplies. Two newly made and thick cloaks were draped over each arm and newly sharpened arrows were nestled inside a leather bundle. In answer to the confused faces Kemi explained:

“I heard of the fight at the Inn. I thought you might drop by.” She smiled cleverly and handed the bag to Ani Dao and gave each of them a cloak. The arrows she gave to Burzdol, who took them gratefully and added them to his own quiver. Ani Dao fumbled for her money pouch but the woman stopped her. “Don’t worry about payment. You ave me three times the worth of that las bag. These are well covered.” She winked and clasped the brooch under the elf’s chin.

“Many, many thanks, Kemi.” The pharmacist brushed away the comment and ushered them out the back of her shop.

“in my fence is a weak post. Pull it out and a small forest grows behind it. Between the New Moon, the rain, and its own shadows, you should not be detected. Then you are free, but be careful child.” Ani Dao felt the pouch of stones snug inside her vest and kissed old woman on her forehead.

“Goodbye.” The two left the apothecary and found the false post. Looking one last time at her old friend before exiting the yard, Ani Dao bowed her head and followed Burzdol out of Bree into the forest.

“Do you think Astarielle got the others out?” Ani Dao asked stepping over a rotting tree. Burzdol nodded.

“They’re fine.”

“And the rangers? Yanithe?” Burzdol nodded. Ani Dao accepted it and brushed a stray branch out of her way.

“Good.” She then laughed quietly.

“What?” asked the other elf, not having the slightest idea of what she might find amusing or even humorous. The she-elf shrugged.

“That was fun. I thought it would take longer. Pretty lucky we dropped in to see Kemi. We got food too. Bet the others weren’t so lucky. We’ll find them soon eh? Weathertop or other?” Burzdol stopped and looked at her.

“And you’re just so calm about this whole thing?” Ani Dao nodded without hesitation. The elf shrugged and continued walking. They had a three days journey ahead of them if all went well. Both of them smiled inwardly, secretly thankful for the walk together.

[ March 05, 2003: Message edited by: maikafanawen ]