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Old 10-06-2004, 03:05 AM   #306
Nerindel
Spirited Weaver of Fates
 
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Amandur

No words passed between Amandur and Léspheria, from long years of experience they both knew to be cautious and to always keep their guard, but nevertheless he caught the gentle warning in the endless deep pools of her starlit eyes . A ride less horse could mean a number of things and not all coincidental chance, the danger of a feint was heavy on all their thoughts. With a slight nod and Menecins words of warning still fresh in his mind he turned and swiftly rode in the direction she indicated the sound was coming from. Behind him he heard the bard order the others to prepare themselves. He well knew that the Kin of the Revennor where the most at risk it was ever on his mind But three of his rangers were still missing and the possibility that the mount he would find belonged to one of them and the implications that might mean also flitted through his mind.

Now hearing the soft clip clop of hooves with his own ears he silently dismounted, looping the chargers reigns over a low hanging branch. Without a sound he passed on towards the sounds of the approaching horse, crouching behind a bramble thicket as the horse passed through the trees. Peering through the thorny tangle he came to recognise the familiar creamy markings of the dark chestnuts forelegs. “Dir!” he whispered breathlessly slowly standing so as not to startle the beast. But the horse either did not notice him or it didn’t care that he was there, as it walked by with a slow and steady gait, its head bent low with sorrow and despair.

Moving quickly forward Amandur took the geldings reigns, gently resting his hand on the animals forehead in a friendly and calming gesture, but Dir pulled meaning to continue sorrow reflected in his large dark eyes as he stared back at him and then to his cargo. Amandur’s eyes widened as they fell on the two large dark bundles secured to the geldings saddle. Whispering a few elven words in the horses ear he let go of the reigns and with stilled apprehension moved towards the two motionless bundles. He paused for a moment then taking a steadying breath he slowly drew back the hood that covered the face of the first body, to reveal the scarred face of Kaldir, he turned away bringing the back of his hand to his mouth and nose. The smell of death had already begun to lay on the man who only yesterday had recanted his old ways in hopes of a better life. Solemnly he moved to the second bundle, his mind already convinced that he would find the body of the bounty hunters young, loyal, headstrong friend. Fighting back the grief and anger that welled within him he removed the hood covering the second body and was startled to see not the body of Dúlrain as he had expected but that of Rauthain, though now seeing that it was Dir that carried them this made sense and gave him some hope that at least Dúlrain was still alive though it did not make the loss of his kin any easier to bare. Quickly he studied the bodies trying to determine some clue as to what happened to bring about the deaths of two highly skilled rangers and if Naiore’s hand had been in it as he sorely expected.

Kaldir’s wounds were indicative of a fierce battle ending with the mortal wound to his side. However Rauthains wounds or more over the lack of puzzled him, it were as if only one blow had been struck. He looked for Rauthain’s sword and found it still strapped to the dead rangers waist, drawing it out he found it to be clean and sharp edged as if it had not been drawn in battle. Either he knew his attacker and had no cause to expect an attack or he had been completely caught off guard he concluded ruefully. Carefully re-shrouding the bodies of two men he had not only counted brethren but friends, whispering again in the geldings ear letting him continue onto Rivendell with his heavy burden.

He watched for a moment wearily as the gelding passed out of sight, then returning to his own horse he mounted and quickly returned to the others. “Rauthain and Kaldir are dead, but Dúlrain is still alive!” he said solemnly as he approached them but without stopping or offering anything further he indicated for them to move out . For several long minutes his eyes searched the way ahead, his thoughts on Dúlrain and what he would be capable of in his current frame of mind, grief, sorrow, anger, hatred, revenge, all things that could get him killed if he went after Naiore alone. He was now firmly determined that he would not allow that to happen, they had to catch up to Dúlrain before it was too late! But still the warnings of the bard Echoed in his mind.

“Is she near!” he suddenly asked turning to look on Léspheria.

“No she is not near,” Léspheria answered shaking her head sympathetically. Taking a brief glance back at the sullen faces of his companions he quietly related to Léspheria what he had found, his concerns regarding Rauthain’s only wound and his fears for Dulrain, while she nodded her agreement he could see her look turn pensive.

“Something more troubles you!” he pressed looking at her intently. She looked at him a moment longer then nodded slowly, “It has troubled me why Naiore should take Benia as I fear is the case. As far as I am aware the Southern woman has had no quarrel with Naiore and her only misfortune is to have been travelling in the bounty hunters company with whom the revennor is more than familiar, however with Kaldir admission of weakness around the revennor, his feelings for Benia and my own thoughts of Naiore’s presence this morning there may be more reason for Naiore to take Benia than I had first assumed.”

“Kaldir!” he frowned making sure he was understanding her reasoning, “Yes,” she sighed sadly, “Benia may have been the weakness she needed to finish what she had first began with him those many years ago!” he caught the hint of sorrow and pain in her eyes as she turned away to look ahead at the forest that now thinned out before them. Her words with the evidence he witnessed troubled him in his mind scenario after scenario played out in his mind each more troubling than the one before! Did Kaldir kill Rauthain? Was Dulrain force to take action? More urgent now seemed their need to catch up too the young ranger, but still Menecin’s words drew caution, they all had a weakness that could be exploited by this dangerous elf! Glancing back he took measure of each member of his company. There was strength and determination in each, but would it be enough? He thought wearily. It will have to be! He silently told himself as he turned back to the path ahead.

“I need your help…. I need to know how to keep the elf out of my thoughts, we all do!” he whispered to Léspheria. With a weak smile she turned nodded her understanding.

So it was that as they continued Léspheria spent time with each member of the company teaching them how to build up defences against Naiore’s possible intrusions using but only their strongest gifts and a strong strength of will. While Amandur and Menecin with the help of Avanill kept them moving on the path of their evasive prey, stopping only when it became too dark to continue on safely through the treacherous mountains pass Naiore had chosen to lead them into.

Last edited by Nerindel; 10-22-2004 at 09:00 AM.
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