[Nogrod]

It seemed, that four easterlings were coming down the hill. Two of them were too far right for him to have any chances of engaging, but the two nearest to him were riding down on a path he could have chances to intervene. He spurred Thydrë even more, calling her to do her utmost. As the easterlings noted him coming towards them, they very soon changed the angle of their approach. The first started changing his course a bit left, to pass him from that side. The other one coming a bit behind, continued almost to the same direction he was already heading, but making his trail a bit nearer to Sythrics path on the right side. The one coming towards his left side would clearly miss any attack on the party. That was good news. The bad news were, that the one coming behind, could still manouver himself on the others, if the first one would engage him successfully. And the first one was posing a threat to his life, to begin with – the second would come just seconds after that, if the first would miss it... A kingdom for just five able riders! These guys know their trade..., Sythric cursed himself.

Sythric levelled his spear and rushed forwards, pointing the tip of it towards the easterling coming over him from the left. Just before the impact he suddenly pulled the reins back and right, with all the power his left hand could make. Thydrë knew, what was meant, and made a sudden leap rightwards. Sythric ducked simultaneously, and the easterling’s sword cut only air. It would take some moments, before that man could manage to turn around and come back. Just time enough! Before the other easterling could come to grips with this new situation, he saw the spearhead coming towards him. He tried to pull the reins to avoid the collision, but that was too late already. Sythric’s spear pierced through his thin leather-breastplate, just under his armpit, and jerked him off the saddle.

“For Rohan!”, he heard himself bellowing, as he struggled the spear back. The easterling was not dead, but he wouldn’t stand for long, as blood was spurting all over from his trembling body. Turning hastily to see the overall situation, he saw that the easterling he had strayed just a moment ago, was making a turn some twenty yards from him. The battle raged all over him. One easterling was rushing up the hill towards him with speed. He seemed more adorned than the others, and then there was also that something, you just can't point so easily... something like stature. It shined from him yards away.