[piosenniel]

A day later -

The Attack at the Bridge . . .

The two Dunlendings trailed alongside the slow moving Rangers and Elves keeping well out of sight. It had been two days since they’d first come upon them, and the group seemed to have some idea that they were being tracked. Though, the Dunlendings took especial care now to keep their dogs quiet and them selves well hidden behind the trees and bushes that lined the road.

As the seven Rangers and two Elves drew in sight of The Last Bridge, their spirits seemed to lift a bit. Their stride lengthened and their eyes were now fixed on the passage across the River Hoarwell. The two Dunlendings who were tracking them pulled silently away and rode quickly away to where their fellows awaited,

Hidden three to each side of the road behind a copse of trees on one side and above on a rocky outcropping to the other, the Dunlendings watched the approach of the men and Elves with great anticipation. As the last of the men reached the small rocky cairn the Dunlendings had put near the road to guage the moment of attack, The Wild Men and their four great hunting dogs swept down and out from their hiding places with a great cry. Wolvish grins on their faces, swords and lances raised in readiness they charged the Rangers and Elves from both sides and behind.

Ulrich led the attack on the hated Rangers from the rear. He spurred his horse in, his two great dogs running alongside, their lips pulled back in a snarl from their sharp, yellowed teeth. The first man to fall was the Ranger, Eldin. He took Eldin’s lance in his left shoulder and stumbled back. Ulrich’s female dog saw her opportunity and was on him in a flash of fur and fang . . .