[Tevildo]

Leod glanced sideways at Sythric, and then nodded his head. "Aye, I've a mind to eat myself. And talk always goes better over food. And your questions will take some time to answer. Some of the others have already started to clean and dress the deer, but it may be a while till it is ready for us. But come with me. I think I can get us a bite while we're waiting."

He beckoned to Sythric to follow him to the far side of the camp. "That's Dorran," Leod explained. "That young lad is a whiz with the cooking pots and he's got some fish smoking over that smaller fire. Let's sit here and rest our feet. I'll try to explain the rest."

Leod went over and snatched up two plates from Dorran, depositing a large smoked fish on each. Then he handed the plate with the larger portion to Sythric and sat down beside the man to eat. The stranger looked to be about forty. He was a bit stocky and had his light brown hair pulled back into two braids. His steady demeanor and serious look, suggested that he was a householder of some sort, not simply a rag-tag wanderer. For a moment, Leod sighed. This man looked little different than the neighbors he'd left behind, lying still and silent in the dirt. Perhaps his sharp words had been too hasty, and there was less difference between them and the strangers than what he had first thought.

"I'm no Wulfhamer. So I'm afraid I don't know the man you mention. And thank goodness, Wulfham still stands whole, or at least Brand says so the last time they saw it," Leod explained. "No, I'm from the village upstream that met its end at the hands of the Orcs. I'm a healer by trade. That place is burnt to the ground. As far as I know, Athwen and I are the only ones who managed to survive. But I will say this. Brand and his fellows, even the women with their feisty ways, are not a bad sort. They've been kind and decent to me ever since I met them. They could have left me behind, but Brand would not hear of it. And this one....." Here, Leod pointed over to Dorran. "He's a good young 'un. Tries his best and can cook up a storm."

Leod reached out and helped himself to another fish before continuing on. "We do need to get out of here tomorrow and run lickety split down to Edoras, as fast as the horses will carry us. If not, we could have the blood of more villagers on our heads. And I've no wish to see that happen twice. The sooner we get word to the king about what's going on throughout the countryside, the faster help will be on the way, and the women and children will get some protection as they travel south."

"I suppose then, you'll prefer to go off on your own? But if you don't want to answer me, suit yourself. Either way, we'll get some of that roast deer a few hours from now and, hopefully, we'll both get a good night's sleep." Leod glanced over and wondered if Sythric would explain more about why they were here or what they planned to do.