Elendor
Uncertain Paths
Tet'Nak and Carac talk over the potential paths they can take, and Carac has a job for Finnian.
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Dunland
Description: [Tet'Nak(#6174)] It is night. The camp is ablaze with a fire. There are sentries walking around the edge of the camp, lookout for anyone that might get close. Tet'Nak is actually one of them, bored with just sitting, his now lightly bearded face peering around in the darkness.
Finnian approaches the area where Tet'Nak's camp is supposed to be at a cautious pace, wary of getting shot full of arrows despite the fire that blatantly proclaims their presence. "Hello?" He calls in a low tone as he picks his way with no particular stealth amongst the twigs and leaves.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] People raise there bows, but Tet'Nak waves them off immediately. "Yes?" he says, come forth, there. He grabs a torch from the fire, taking a few moments to do so, and walks toward Finnian. He waves the torch in front of him, attempting to catch glimpse of who it is that calls out in the dark.
Finnian steps towards the man without any threatening gestures. He only has the knife sheathed at his side and doesn't wear armor. "Tet'Nak?" He asks after a moment, thinking that he recognizes the man bearing the torch. "Carac be wanting to meet with you, to talk things over."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Really now?" Tet'Nak says, not really saying it is him or not, though it obviously is. Finnian recognizes him right off. "Do I need to bring a bodyguard or three?" he asks with a laugh. A few men walk toward them, as if to serve in that capacity. He hisses, almost swinging his torch at them, "What are you going to protect!?! You toads! Stay here!" He grunts, nods to Finnian, and says, "Led the way."
Finnian nods after flicking his dark eyes to the men the intended to join them. There are lines of stress around Tavish's eyes that weren't there when first he met Tet'Nak weeks earlier. "This way." He says quietly, and turns to walk back in the direction he came from.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak follows Finnian through the darkness, torch in hand, walking without speaking the entire way back to Carac's camp that he visited days before.
[Carac(#32384)] A goodly distance before the camp, Carac sits upon the slightly rotted remains of an old stump. A bow is propped up against the stump, but he holds no weapon and is alone. At the sound of approaching footsteps his eyes move in the direction of the sound and he rises from the stump.
Finnian is quiet as well as he guides the older man to the meeting place, his eyes watching the ground as much as the surroundings to be sure he doesn't trip or twist an ankle. When the reach the location, he walks up to the stump without hesitation. "He be here.. alone."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "So you say," Tet'Nak says, speaking out, "Carac, I am here, alone." His words nearly mimic Finnian's for whatever reason. The man has come to notice Tet'Nak's way of speaking is some times strange. "Come forth, then," he says, waving his torch about, signalling himself as he moves in the direction of the stump.
[Carac(#32384)] Carac lifts a hand to block out some of the light that comes from the torch, hoping to keep his night vision. "I'm alone as well," he calls back and steps further out into the smallish clearing around the stump. "Recent events have turned everyone against each other," he continues. "Let us get to the bottom of all this before things turn worse."
Finnian glances between the two, obviously uncertain if he should remain or not. Finally he settles on walking over to the stump that Carac just vacated and sits down. If either doesn't want him around they'll likely say as much.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "I suppose so. One of your Hawk friends was looking for blood the other day." Tet'Nak shakes his head, "Tsk, tsk," he shakes his head, "Not very civil, I'd say, particularly for an ally so as myself." He clears his through, "So, what is it you wish to get to the bottom of, Carac?
[Carac(#32384)] Carac lets out a soft sigh and nods. "We were betrayed," he says plainly. "Which has everyone pointing fingers in an attempt to find the traitor." He pauses a moment.
"I will not bandy words, your past is not what one would call unblemished. I am not saying that you are the traitor, but can you blame some for thinking that it may have been? You know the stories that are told of you, true or not, many have been told since the cradle of the 'evil Tet'Nak." He bats a lock of hair from his eyes and pauses once again.
"What I wish to get to the bottom of is this betrayal. Have you some thought on who may have betrayed us?"
Finnian watches the two in silence, staying out of the discussion. He's been accused enough times now that it's almost funny. Almost.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak shrugs, "If I wanted you all dead, you would be." He waves a hand, dismissing the previous talk about his past. "Who is to say? I have no idea. They were headed with some haste toward Laeg. They never made it, but, what I told your man is all I know, I am afraid." He smiles, "It could be anyone. Anyone indeed. Shadrack? Perhaps, perhaps not, Forthunn could be under seige for all I know. Was it simply men of Iron Jaw? Sent to inform Feent, or Shadrack himself if he though Shadrack still under Feent's money grubbing thumb." He laughs, "Too many choices."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac frowns slightly. "Shadrack could have killed us all when we were on the road from Iolair to Forthunn, and anytime while we were in Forthunn afterwards. The men who attacked us near the hamlet, seemed to be expecting us. Few knew we were heading to Iron Jaw's, so that limits the choice quite a bit, I'd say."
He glances over his shoulder towards Finnian. "Have you anything to say?" he asks. "There are those who suspect you as well, if you've an opinion on who it may have been speak it."
Finnian meets Carac's gaze, a frown crossing his features. "No.. I don't know who it be. But, I think someone be trying to break your group apart.. turn everyone on each other. No one be knowing who to trust." Tavish hesitates, then adds, "I be thinking that you should leak wrong information to different people, see who comes back with what. Then you be knowing who your traitors are."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak finds a stump and sits down. He groans as he does so. "What, here in the wilderness? We are all stuck, I'd wager, as it might not be safe to go back to Laeg. Feent likely has skirmishers running up and down the Old South Road, looking for anyone he can arrest and put to the block if they are not loyal or appear so." He pauses, "I would not overly worry about the traitor here, as it does them little good if it is someone amongst us. We must decide how we get out of here and back to Dunland."
He smiles, "And I have a plan as to that."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac scratches his head and frowns some more as he begins to pace back and forth. "A good plan," he says to Finnian. "However, as Tet'Nak points out, we're pretty much trapped here for the moment."
He kicks a pine cone that lies in his path into the trees. "There are some who've suggested we make north for Tharbad, and wait out the winter, but I'm not very supportive of the idea. What plan have you?" he asks Tet'Nak.
Finnian nods for the compliment and falls silent again, his gaze also going to Tet'Nak.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Riskier, but, perhaps more rewarding." Tet'Nak looks at both Finnian and Carac, "We head to the Isen through Enedwaith. I know the way. We travel east along the Isen and make our way north through the Gap of Rohan." He considers, "If we can rally support of the Wulf, we can wage war on the Stag from the south, they will not expect it. If the Wulf turn down our purposals, we can flee to Isengard and hide amongst the Dunlendings there."
[Carac(#32384)] Now Carac winces. "That is a long journey," he replies. "Not to mention more than a bit dangerous. Winter will be on us before we know it, will not we be trapped by the snows?" he asks. "I admit I am not familiar with Enedwaith or Isengard, but I would hate to be stuck in foreign lands, without food or shelter when the cold sets in."
Finnian runs a hand through his hair, still watching the two with that frown on his face. "Why not Tharbad? What be the danger there?" He asks, the flickering torchlight reflecting in his dark eyes. He slaps at a bug that bites his neck.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Tharbad? Bandits, more than likely." Tet'Nak shrugs, "Plus, we are moving closer to Feent, he may even have presence there." He stands up, "The path along the Isen will be long, but I do not expect much in the way of people. We may not see any, unless we travel too close to Lond Daer." He stretches, "We could also simply return the way we came, sending scouts, and see if we can sneak through."
[Carac(#32384)] "Bandits, murders, and the Sea Lords," Carac says to Finnian. "Some say worse dwells deeper inside the ruins."
Carac appears torn as he continues to pace and consider. "Garaig and the others are in Caerdh by now," he says. "If Feent has reached Forthunn, I'm sure they slipped over the border into Bear lands. I do not like the idea of leaving them behind if it can be helped."
"How many do we be having to move? A couple dozen? What about a distraction, so the rest be sneaking through?" Tavish suggests, an uncertain look on his face as he presents the idea. "We could be setting a fire, making them think we be attacking elsewhere?"
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak shrugs and yawns, "I shall leave you with that thought," he says, standing up, torch in hand. "This old man needs rest," he comments. "I shall speak with you in the morning, move your camp east, and join it with mine." He pauses, "And tell your dog to quiet his bark."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a nod. "We will talk more when the sun rises," he replies to Tet'Nak. "I'll have an answer by then." He says nothing about the older man's last comment.
He watches as the torch light dwindles as the other departs for his own camp and then turns to Finnian. "Let us get back to camp ourselves," he says. He stops by the stump to retrieve his bow and slings it over one shoulder. "What do you think of his plan?"
Finnian stands, watching Tet'Nak leave, then sighs at Carac's question. "I think you need to be making your own plan and keep it to yourself. If people be loyal, they be following you without question because we all be smart enough to know that treachery be happening otherwise. Do what be best for the cause." He scratches at the beard on his chin. "Tet'Nak be fishy. Brev be saying it. I be thinking it. Halen.. he be a strange one too."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a nod. "You said you were a scout," he says seemingly changing the subject. "Is that true? If it is how good of a scout do you be?" He slows his pace slightly giving them a few moments to speak before they reach the sentries along the perimeter of their own camp.
The sun rises brightly off the snow covered tops of the Misty Mountains and Dunland Highlands.
"Aye. I don't be the best.. I haven't had much real training for moving quiet or the like, but I be patient. That be making up for it, I think. Maybe it be from hours watching sheep." Finnian smirks, shrugging. "Do I think I be able to sneak past the Stag?.." He winces at that, a doubtful expression on his face.
[Carac(#32384)] Carac stops now and rests his gaze intently upon Finnian. "There be more than a few in camp who think I should be rid of you," he says. "I have not yet made up my mind about you, but I will not cast you aside until I have reason to do so."
He turns and looks towards the east. "I need someone to head back to Caerdh and find Garaig and the others, as you have just said it will mean slipping past the Stag. Alroy would be my first choice, but he is injured and so I must look to others."
His intent gaze settles upon Finnian once more. "Will you do it?"
Tavish stops as well, his gaze settling on something past Carac as he thinks on this. After a moment he smirks, "It be funny that you say you won't be getting rid of me, and then ask me to be doing something that be just that." He scratches his chin again, that same doubting expression on his face again.
"If it be what you think is best for the cause. You be knowing what I want.. who I be wanting." Finn agrees, finally, but asks, "Why not Brev? You be having more reason to trust him, if this be an honest need and not a convenient disposal." The last is said with a wry grin.
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a soft chuckle. "I did not intend to send you alone," he replies. "I may not be ready to be rid of you, but I do not trust you entirely yet. If you go, Brev will accompany you."
He glances to the east once more. "I can hold Tet'Nak off for a day or two, but I need your answer soon." He turns back towards the camp and begins moving towards it again.
"Sleep on it and tell me in the morn."
"Whatever you be thinking is best, Carac. That be my answer." Finnian says. "There be too many here questioning your choices and I be having no part in that.. not with how everyone be looking at me." Tavish chuckles as he begins walking again, "Though Brev may not be wanting to travel with me. He don't be liking me too much." Then the man breaks away to where he's been making his bed each night.
Finnian approaches the area where Tet'Nak's camp is supposed to be at a cautious pace, wary of getting shot full of arrows despite the fire that blatantly proclaims their presence. "Hello?" He calls in a low tone as he picks his way with no particular stealth amongst the twigs and leaves.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] People raise there bows, but Tet'Nak waves them off immediately. "Yes?" he says, come forth, there. He grabs a torch from the fire, taking a few moments to do so, and walks toward Finnian. He waves the torch in front of him, attempting to catch glimpse of who it is that calls out in the dark.
Finnian steps towards the man without any threatening gestures. He only has the knife sheathed at his side and doesn't wear armor. "Tet'Nak?" He asks after a moment, thinking that he recognizes the man bearing the torch. "Carac be wanting to meet with you, to talk things over."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Really now?" Tet'Nak says, not really saying it is him or not, though it obviously is. Finnian recognizes him right off. "Do I need to bring a bodyguard or three?" he asks with a laugh. A few men walk toward them, as if to serve in that capacity. He hisses, almost swinging his torch at them, "What are you going to protect!?! You toads! Stay here!" He grunts, nods to Finnian, and says, "Led the way."
Finnian nods after flicking his dark eyes to the men the intended to join them. There are lines of stress around Tavish's eyes that weren't there when first he met Tet'Nak weeks earlier. "This way." He says quietly, and turns to walk back in the direction he came from.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak follows Finnian through the darkness, torch in hand, walking without speaking the entire way back to Carac's camp that he visited days before.
[Carac(#32384)] A goodly distance before the camp, Carac sits upon the slightly rotted remains of an old stump. A bow is propped up against the stump, but he holds no weapon and is alone. At the sound of approaching footsteps his eyes move in the direction of the sound and he rises from the stump.
Finnian is quiet as well as he guides the older man to the meeting place, his eyes watching the ground as much as the surroundings to be sure he doesn't trip or twist an ankle. When the reach the location, he walks up to the stump without hesitation. "He be here.. alone."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "So you say," Tet'Nak says, speaking out, "Carac, I am here, alone." His words nearly mimic Finnian's for whatever reason. The man has come to notice Tet'Nak's way of speaking is some times strange. "Come forth, then," he says, waving his torch about, signalling himself as he moves in the direction of the stump.
[Carac(#32384)] Carac lifts a hand to block out some of the light that comes from the torch, hoping to keep his night vision. "I'm alone as well," he calls back and steps further out into the smallish clearing around the stump. "Recent events have turned everyone against each other," he continues. "Let us get to the bottom of all this before things turn worse."
Finnian glances between the two, obviously uncertain if he should remain or not. Finally he settles on walking over to the stump that Carac just vacated and sits down. If either doesn't want him around they'll likely say as much.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "I suppose so. One of your Hawk friends was looking for blood the other day." Tet'Nak shakes his head, "Tsk, tsk," he shakes his head, "Not very civil, I'd say, particularly for an ally so as myself." He clears his through, "So, what is it you wish to get to the bottom of, Carac?
[Carac(#32384)] Carac lets out a soft sigh and nods. "We were betrayed," he says plainly. "Which has everyone pointing fingers in an attempt to find the traitor." He pauses a moment.
"I will not bandy words, your past is not what one would call unblemished. I am not saying that you are the traitor, but can you blame some for thinking that it may have been? You know the stories that are told of you, true or not, many have been told since the cradle of the 'evil Tet'Nak." He bats a lock of hair from his eyes and pauses once again.
"What I wish to get to the bottom of is this betrayal. Have you some thought on who may have betrayed us?"
Finnian watches the two in silence, staying out of the discussion. He's been accused enough times now that it's almost funny. Almost.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak shrugs, "If I wanted you all dead, you would be." He waves a hand, dismissing the previous talk about his past. "Who is to say? I have no idea. They were headed with some haste toward Laeg. They never made it, but, what I told your man is all I know, I am afraid." He smiles, "It could be anyone. Anyone indeed. Shadrack? Perhaps, perhaps not, Forthunn could be under seige for all I know. Was it simply men of Iron Jaw? Sent to inform Feent, or Shadrack himself if he though Shadrack still under Feent's money grubbing thumb." He laughs, "Too many choices."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac frowns slightly. "Shadrack could have killed us all when we were on the road from Iolair to Forthunn, and anytime while we were in Forthunn afterwards. The men who attacked us near the hamlet, seemed to be expecting us. Few knew we were heading to Iron Jaw's, so that limits the choice quite a bit, I'd say."
He glances over his shoulder towards Finnian. "Have you anything to say?" he asks. "There are those who suspect you as well, if you've an opinion on who it may have been speak it."
Finnian meets Carac's gaze, a frown crossing his features. "No.. I don't know who it be. But, I think someone be trying to break your group apart.. turn everyone on each other. No one be knowing who to trust." Tavish hesitates, then adds, "I be thinking that you should leak wrong information to different people, see who comes back with what. Then you be knowing who your traitors are."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak finds a stump and sits down. He groans as he does so. "What, here in the wilderness? We are all stuck, I'd wager, as it might not be safe to go back to Laeg. Feent likely has skirmishers running up and down the Old South Road, looking for anyone he can arrest and put to the block if they are not loyal or appear so." He pauses, "I would not overly worry about the traitor here, as it does them little good if it is someone amongst us. We must decide how we get out of here and back to Dunland."
He smiles, "And I have a plan as to that."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac scratches his head and frowns some more as he begins to pace back and forth. "A good plan," he says to Finnian. "However, as Tet'Nak points out, we're pretty much trapped here for the moment."
He kicks a pine cone that lies in his path into the trees. "There are some who've suggested we make north for Tharbad, and wait out the winter, but I'm not very supportive of the idea. What plan have you?" he asks Tet'Nak.
Finnian nods for the compliment and falls silent again, his gaze also going to Tet'Nak.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Riskier, but, perhaps more rewarding." Tet'Nak looks at both Finnian and Carac, "We head to the Isen through Enedwaith. I know the way. We travel east along the Isen and make our way north through the Gap of Rohan." He considers, "If we can rally support of the Wulf, we can wage war on the Stag from the south, they will not expect it. If the Wulf turn down our purposals, we can flee to Isengard and hide amongst the Dunlendings there."
[Carac(#32384)] Now Carac winces. "That is a long journey," he replies. "Not to mention more than a bit dangerous. Winter will be on us before we know it, will not we be trapped by the snows?" he asks. "I admit I am not familiar with Enedwaith or Isengard, but I would hate to be stuck in foreign lands, without food or shelter when the cold sets in."
Finnian runs a hand through his hair, still watching the two with that frown on his face. "Why not Tharbad? What be the danger there?" He asks, the flickering torchlight reflecting in his dark eyes. He slaps at a bug that bites his neck.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Tharbad? Bandits, more than likely." Tet'Nak shrugs, "Plus, we are moving closer to Feent, he may even have presence there." He stands up, "The path along the Isen will be long, but I do not expect much in the way of people. We may not see any, unless we travel too close to Lond Daer." He stretches, "We could also simply return the way we came, sending scouts, and see if we can sneak through."
[Carac(#32384)] "Bandits, murders, and the Sea Lords," Carac says to Finnian. "Some say worse dwells deeper inside the ruins."
Carac appears torn as he continues to pace and consider. "Garaig and the others are in Caerdh by now," he says. "If Feent has reached Forthunn, I'm sure they slipped over the border into Bear lands. I do not like the idea of leaving them behind if it can be helped."
"How many do we be having to move? A couple dozen? What about a distraction, so the rest be sneaking through?" Tavish suggests, an uncertain look on his face as he presents the idea. "We could be setting a fire, making them think we be attacking elsewhere?"
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak shrugs and yawns, "I shall leave you with that thought," he says, standing up, torch in hand. "This old man needs rest," he comments. "I shall speak with you in the morning, move your camp east, and join it with mine." He pauses, "And tell your dog to quiet his bark."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a nod. "We will talk more when the sun rises," he replies to Tet'Nak. "I'll have an answer by then." He says nothing about the older man's last comment.
He watches as the torch light dwindles as the other departs for his own camp and then turns to Finnian. "Let us get back to camp ourselves," he says. He stops by the stump to retrieve his bow and slings it over one shoulder. "What do you think of his plan?"
Finnian stands, watching Tet'Nak leave, then sighs at Carac's question. "I think you need to be making your own plan and keep it to yourself. If people be loyal, they be following you without question because we all be smart enough to know that treachery be happening otherwise. Do what be best for the cause." He scratches at the beard on his chin. "Tet'Nak be fishy. Brev be saying it. I be thinking it. Halen.. he be a strange one too."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a nod. "You said you were a scout," he says seemingly changing the subject. "Is that true? If it is how good of a scout do you be?" He slows his pace slightly giving them a few moments to speak before they reach the sentries along the perimeter of their own camp.
The sun rises brightly off the snow covered tops of the Misty Mountains and Dunland Highlands.
"Aye. I don't be the best.. I haven't had much real training for moving quiet or the like, but I be patient. That be making up for it, I think. Maybe it be from hours watching sheep." Finnian smirks, shrugging. "Do I think I be able to sneak past the Stag?.." He winces at that, a doubtful expression on his face.
[Carac(#32384)] Carac stops now and rests his gaze intently upon Finnian. "There be more than a few in camp who think I should be rid of you," he says. "I have not yet made up my mind about you, but I will not cast you aside until I have reason to do so."
He turns and looks towards the east. "I need someone to head back to Caerdh and find Garaig and the others, as you have just said it will mean slipping past the Stag. Alroy would be my first choice, but he is injured and so I must look to others."
His intent gaze settles upon Finnian once more. "Will you do it?"
Tavish stops as well, his gaze settling on something past Carac as he thinks on this. After a moment he smirks, "It be funny that you say you won't be getting rid of me, and then ask me to be doing something that be just that." He scratches his chin again, that same doubting expression on his face again.
"If it be what you think is best for the cause. You be knowing what I want.. who I be wanting." Finn agrees, finally, but asks, "Why not Brev? You be having more reason to trust him, if this be an honest need and not a convenient disposal." The last is said with a wry grin.
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a soft chuckle. "I did not intend to send you alone," he replies. "I may not be ready to be rid of you, but I do not trust you entirely yet. If you go, Brev will accompany you."
He glances to the east once more. "I can hold Tet'Nak off for a day or two, but I need your answer soon." He turns back towards the camp and begins moving towards it again.
"Sleep on it and tell me in the morn."
"Whatever you be thinking is best, Carac. That be my answer." Finnian says. "There be too many here questioning your choices and I be having no part in that.. not with how everyone be looking at me." Tavish chuckles as he begins walking again, "Though Brev may not be wanting to travel with me. He don't be liking me too much." Then the man breaks away to where he's been making his bed each night.
Players: Finnian, Tet'Nak, Carac
Located in: Dunlending
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