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‘Get the wounded behind us, brother!’ shouted Carandû.
The Elf had worked his way methodically through to Annû’s side. A number of Corsairs had fallen, killed or wounded by him, but for the most part he had made his way round the edges of the skirmish, wanting to get to his brother quickly. At one point he had seen the skinchanger lurking about the back lines of the Corsair troops, unarmed as far as he could see. Carandû had almost stopped, thinking that he might have to take the man to a safe place and collect him later. His assessment of the situation, in the slow wink of an eye, had changed radically as the form of a great white bear took the place of the man. The Elf gasped even as he marveled at the bear, but the head of the animal turned toward him briefly, giving him toothy smile before it ambled toward the Corsair bowmen.
Now Carandû had come to his brother’s side. Nearby he could see Elwë and Andtuariel. Elwë was using his crossbow to keep what attackers he could at a distance, while Annû used his heavy club now in the little group’s defense. Andtuariel was armed only with her dagger and stood watch over a number of the Lossoth who had fallen near them.
Carandû fired a number of arrows toward the Corsairs his brother and Elwë were battling; then, slinging his bow on his back, drew his sword again and stood close by Annû, who had already closed ranks now with Elwë. Andtuariel and the others were behind them, and those she could rally, whose wounds were not too severe, she bade them keep weapons ready should their little line break.
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