[VanimaEdhel]

*****Rhûn Nation*****

Lovek saw Kasteni turn, with a questioning look in his eye.

"I apologize," Lovek said, just loudly enough so that he knew that they would here them, "I was merely startled. Why did we stop?"

"I heard a strange noise," one of the guards replied to Lovek, quietly.

"Well," Lovek said, sounding annoyed, "Next time you decide to stop because you hear a noise, warn the rest of us."

"I-I told..." the guard began, trailing off.

"He did tell me," Kasteni said shortly, "And it would please me, Lovek, if you would be a little more accepting of the other men here. You are not the only one on this mission, and, most likely, not the only one who does not approve of the council in the West."

"Yes, Advisor," Lovek said shortly. He took a deep breath, then turned to the guard and said, forcing himself to speak in a civil voice, "What was it, praytell, that you heard?"

"I do not know," the guard said, swallowing a bit hard.

"I do not know what the Advisor thinks that we should do, but I suggest that we be cautious, just in case," Lovek said.

"I agree," Kasteni said, "We do not need casualties."

Lovek looked down, then looked on the horizon.

"Look!" Lovek exclaimed, surprised that even he was startled at what he saw.

There was a fairly large group coming towards them. Who the soldiers in the group were, Lovek could not see. All he could see was that they were coming towards the group of men quickly. Lovek turned Rastani to face the oncoming group and the other men did so as well. Lovek drew his sword and squinted, trying to see the men.

"Let us wait for them to come," Lovek suggested, "We can then see whether they mean us harm or not, for we could not outrun them. They are moving far too quickly."

The company stood, facing the soldiers as they advanced...