Wilderness, Weathertop, & Wild Things RPG

[Envinyatar]

Fen Sherdspurse

‘Well, lady, I might can do that for you.’ Fen wiped his dirty sleeve across his face, smearing away the tears he had managed to work up in the telling of his story. ‘But,’ he went on in a trembling, fearful whimper, ‘and begging your ladyship’s pardon if I offend, but I’ll not be going out that way less I have some good strong men at arms to protect me. There weren’t no sign that any of the attackers had been kilt.’ He reached out hesitantly to pluck at her sleeve, then drew back his grimy hand, thinking better of the act. ‘They could still be around you know. And Elf or no, what with your sword and all, you’re nowt but a lady.’

Fen blanched beneath his layer of dust and smudged tears as the Elf gave him a quick, mirthless smile. She gestured toward where Veryadan and the others of the Breelanders were gathered, discussing other incidents that had occurred. The crowd of farmers and traders parted as he came forward, not so much in deference to one who has witnessed a horrible thing, but more as if they wished to distance themselves from the man; to be clear of his touch even in passing as if it might taint them somehow.

Veryadan watch the crowd’s reaction and the flickers of distaste that played here and there on the others' faces. Fen he noted ignored their glances, coming to stand close to him, nearly touching the Ranger’s arm. Despite his display of fear and horror, there was a certain air of excitement that seemed to radiate from him. He told his story again to the Ranger pointing to the location on the map once Veryadan had explained it to him. As he talked, he glanced often at the Ranger, wanting to make sure he was following the story and more important believing Fen’s truth in the telling of it.

Throughout his narrative, he slipped in many questions. Why had they come, and who had sent them, and what were they intending to do were the repeated themes. None of the companions answered him directly, but others in the crowd began discussing those points. Often the King was referred to, though no one of the Rangers or Elves affirmed the connection.

‘Now, I can’t take you out there today. I’m just too tired and too wrought up to see it again,’ Fen said, as Veryadan finished putting the last of the notes on the map. ‘Tomorrow, I could do it or the next day. Whatever you good folk need.’

He looked round expectantly, awaiting an answer . . .

[Nuranar]

Tarondo

Fen flinched and nearly fled when a cool voice spoke directly behind him. "The day after next will do." The cringing Breelander turned guiltily to face Tarondo. The tall Elf's dark eyes fixed him in their daunting gaze. Fen backed up, his reborn assurance dissolving. Drat those soft-footed Elves! Had he heard him questioning the Rangers?

“Ah – I – ah, that’s good,” he stammered, nonplussed. “Uh, wh-”

“Be here by dawn,” Tarondo said shortly. His eyes swept the circle of his companions, then with an inclination of his head he left the common room. With a word of excuse, Veryadan followed him.

* ~ * ~ *

“I agree, Shepherdspurse has acted suspiciously. Most of the Bree men are nervous around us Rangers – and frankly, especially around you Elves.” Tarondo smiled but did not interrupt Veryadan. “But why were you so curt with him? We’re asking for information; he comes forward with information and is willing to lead us to the site. If he is up to something, all you’ve done is put him on his guard.”

Tarondo shook his head. “My friend, you do not understand. I want to put him on his guard. He may decide against making mischief if we show him we are ready. And if he is not deterred, we are prepared nonetheless.”

Veryadan still appeared doubtful but the entrance of the others prevented him from continuing the subject. He turned to the map. “Here is what we’ve learned today,” he said, indicating the new marks. With the assistance of Thoronmir and Menecar he briefed Tarondo on the latest news.

“That corresponds with what my sister learned. She spent most of the day in the markets, talking to the women.” Tarondo straightened up and gazed thoughtfully into the fire. “Very well, all of you keep your ears open for more, but prepare to leave the day after tomorrow. We may not return to Bree for some time, so give thought to your supplies. And we will probably be traveling separately for a bit.” He grinned suddenly. “I intend to keep a very close, personal eye on Master Shepherdspurse.”

[rutslegolas]

Tarondo straightened up and gazed thoughtfully into the fire. “Very well, all of you keep your ears open for more, but prepare to leave the day after tomorrow. We may not return to Bree for some time, so give thought to your supplies. And we will probably be traveling separately for a bit.” He grinned suddenly. “I intend to keep a very close, personal eye on Master Shepherdspurse.”.

Aidwain grinned at Tarondo,and then the company went to their rooms to have a good night's sleep.

Early next morning Aidwain remembered he had to get some supplies for himself.Once outside he went to the stables and then mounted his horse "Snowmount" and rode through the streets of Bree,he wished he could keep riding and never stop ,but once at the market place he dismounted and tied his horse to a nearby pole.

He strolled around the market place ,though the streets were crowded he was given a wide path by the crowd ,some wispering with each other passed him . At last he found the armourers shop he was looking for,here he bought himself a short sword,he had found in his jouneys that a sword is always handy wherever you go,he was not a very good swordsman but he knew the art's basics.Here he also sharpened his dagger and his knife.

Once outside he roamed the marketplace and got himself some water skins and then returned to his horse and returned to the Inn feeling much the better ....

[Alaksoron]

Osric reined Storm in and leapt lightly to the ground in front of the Prancing Pony. He handed the reins over to a stableboy and tossed him a thick silver coin. Then he walked to the inn, but rather than go inside he sat on the porch. He let his mand wander as he lit his pipe and produced a whetstone, sharpening first his sword and then his best set of knives. The blades of each, like Falkur's martial skills, were already honed to a razor edge, but he was fascinated by the intimidating effect it had on people.

He made the knife he was working on disappear somewhere inside his coat with an elegant flourish as Aidwain appeared before the Inn, also handing over his mount to a stableboy. Once Aidwain was on foot, Osric strode purposefully toward him.

"I went for a ride dis'morning." He called out before he was even within three meters. Still walking, he continued "I saw you at the armourer's shoppe, and I noticed you bought a sword. Are you, then, a swordsman yourself?" He carressed the hilt of his own long sword that was hanging at his hip as he waited for an answer.

[Envinyatar]

Veryadan

A day and a half later and the companions had narrowed the reports down to three they thought would lead them to some definite evidence of those behind the attacks. The group’s suspicions about Fen Shepherdspurse had continued, especially since others of the Breelanders that had come forward had made little remarks which confirmed his shady character. Still, there were also one or two others who had come in from the area near the Whittleworth farm with confirming tales they heard of what had been done.

Two other incidents had also caught the eye of the Elves and Rangers. The first was the attack on a small party of merchants and their wagons on the Great East Road, just east of Weathertop. Two large trees, it seemed, had been blown down across the road. The merchants had tried to take their wagons around the barrier, they’d been told. But night was falling and the unsuspecting travelers had been set upon and killed; the contents of their wagons stolen.

The other incident occurred between the Midgewater Marshes and Weathertop. A sheepherder and his dog had been driving their small flock toward the foot of Weathertop, when they had been overwhelmed. The mangled bodies of the man and dog had been found flung on the rocks; the entire flock of sheep had disappeared.

Veryadan had been up since first light. He’d seen to the provisions he’d gotten the previous day, packing them carefully into his saddlebags. His horse, fed and groomed, had been brought round to the front of the Inn. He had just enough time, he thought, to enjoy a morning smoke of Archet pipeweed. As he smoked, Veryadan leaned against the railing of the Inn’s porch. He drew his cloak about him to keep off the chill of the early morning breeze. Osric and Aidwain had also gathered a ways down from him he noted.

Tarondo would soon be out with the others, he thought. Once the Elf had laid out his plans of who would be in which group, they would be off . . .

[rutslegolas]

Aidwain returned to the Inn , and handed over his horse to be stabled.As he was returning to the Inn ,he saw Osric and immdiately turned towards him ,but even before he could reach him , Osric loudy called out,"I went for a ride dis'morning and saw you at the armourer's shoppe, and I noticed you bought a sword. Are you, then, a swordsman yourself?" He carressed the hilt of his own long sword that was hanging at his hip as he waited for an answer.

Aidwain stunned by the question replied " Ah ! No ,indeed not I know a few basics of this art but I am no master,I just bought the sword so I could have it hand if need there be to fight in close combat ,I prefer my trusty bow and arrows in normal circumstances",he said patting his bow .

To Aidwain it seemed Osric was disappointed by his answer so he further said," I have learned that Tarondo is a sword fighter,and a very good one I can say perhaps you can meet to sharpen your skills before we face the real enemies".

Osric laughed," Indeed I hope to learn a few skills from him,aren't we going to leave tommorow ? ". " Yes ,but I think that we are going to be arranged in seprate groups to scout the different incidents that Veryadan discovered from the locals",replied Aidwain,"Of what breed is your horse ,for I ahve heard that the Rohirrim have the finest horses in West ,is that true ??"...