A brace of lone travellers

South Downs - Western Downs

    From the Western tip of the South Downs the expanse of the Greenway may be seen and further on the mists from the Barrow Downs. The gentle slopes run down to meet the road here at their ending point. The grasses sway in the wind nearly masking the sounds of the plethora of insect life that must live here.

    Compared to some regions of middle earth this little corner is quiet and peaceful. This sleepy area of Eriador remains under the watchful care of silent guardians that have kept the North West generally free of evil.

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                      Dunland Time and Weather Forecast
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Real Time is:       Tue Feb 23 14:42:17 2010
IC weather is:      Wind:  - Clouds: clear
IC Moon is:         Waning gibbous
IC time is:         Nighttime
IC date is:         Sterday, Day 8 of April in the year 3049.

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Dusk is lengthening into night, and the swaying grasses that clothe the South Downs are alive with sound: the chirrup of cicadas, the rustlings of small animals and even in one place, where a dip in the ground is filled with a pool of clear water, the croaking of frogs. The air is moist and cool, full of the scent of green growing things.

In a shallow fold of the earth between two of the gentle hills, a little group is making camp. Four of them there are, and two horses (though the smaller might more correctly have the designation 'pony'). Currently these latter are picketed both are cropping the grass about them with great industriousness. One of their riders can be seen crouched a little distance away, assembling a little heap of kindling ready to start a fire occasionally he glances up to survey his surroundings, or to listen carefully to the evening sounds about him. The hood of his grey cloak has fallen back to reveal a head of dark curls. Beside him lies a leaf-bladed spear.

[Nob(#16122)] Gidon is squatting beside the fire-to-be, skinning out a rabbit. He has gotten quite adept at it in the past year holding the creature under his left arm while he wields the knife with his right.

[Nob(#16122)] Owain moves off silently, Saraid with him - it is their turn to bring water and more wood for the fire and see if there is ought else in the greening of spring to add to their meagre supper.

The man with the head of dark curls, Brev, shoots a sidelong glance toward his young companion. "Can't be that much further now," he comments as he rummages in his belt pouch for a flint. "Thought what you're going to do once you're there? And ... him?" He jerks his head toward the taller of the two figures moving away, and his lips tighten briefly. Perhaps to hide that, he bends his head and strikes the first spark.

[Nob(#16122)] The boy looks up, startled. "Er," he says, and blushes faintly. "Um.. no." His own gaze moves to his father and the expression on it stills. "I - I don't know," he says. And slowly, "Reckon maybe he'll go off again. Hunting or guiding, maybe." There is no resentment or anxiety in his voice but maybe a little surprise.

[Lemuel(#30356)]Out of the gathering gloom to the south the a low grumble approaches along the road that of a heavy handcart being pushed along. The man pushing it is in his late fifties, and has long silver hair and a beard to match. He is dressed in a buckskin coat, and has on a fur hat. He has a bow and arrow on his back, and on the cart is an assortment of skins and furs. As he approaches the growing camp he holds up a hand and says brightly, "Good evening!"

Brev, preoccupied with trying to get a spark to catch, does not see the blush. Nor does he respond at first. His tinder smoulders, but a gust of wind snuffs it out. He shifts position so that his body will shield the flame better, and tries again. "Reckon he might. Saraid and me, we'll stay in Bree for a little. See if there's any work to be had - if not there, then somewhere along the road." This time the tiny flame he ignites does not die away, and he bends to feed it.

It is while he is doing so that the rumble of wheels grows he flicks Gidon a glance and mouths, frowning, "Trouble?" Silently he lifts his spear. "'Evening." The Common is singsong, and spoken deceptively casually as he scrutinizes the land for signs of other company.

[Nob(#16122)] Gidon nods seriously, and a bit of a smile warms in his eyes at the news. "Reckon," he is saying, when the traveller comes, and the words are bitten off unsaid. He shifts his weight, turning to see the man his dagger lifted a little from the rabbit- he could stab up with it if need be.

[Lemuel(#30356)]  "I was just lookin' for where to stop the night." says the cart-pusher, "Mind if I stop here with you?" He sets his cart down a short way off the road, and extricates himself from it, then approaches the campers. "Name's Harbin." he says, "I'm making for Bree."

Brev, still looking round warily, spares the cart-pusher a glance. "And if I do mind?" There is a faint note of mockery in his voice, which fades at the next words. "Alone, are you?" The fire-in-the-making crackles, and he bends a little stiffly to add a few more twigs with practised ease before straightening again, using the shaft of his spear to aid his balance.

The smaller of the two grazing beasts, a brown pony, looks up and whickers before returning to cropping grass, seemingly quite disinterested. The stranger is, after all, only human.

[Nob(#16122)] Gidon spares Brev a flicker of a glance, and returns to skinning out his rabbit, though his eyes keep track of what the stranger does - glancing up from his work often.

[Lemuel(#30356)]  Harbin extends his hand toward Brev, and says, continuing in his bright tone, "Aye, I'm alone. And if you do mind, I'll on my way, no offence taken, unless you know of a reason why I oughtn't." He smiles warmly.

Brev shrugs at that. "Because these are wild, dangerous parts, no place for an old man? Or so they tell me ..." Humourlessly he grins. "Fine, then. Might as well warm yourself if you wish." The offered hand is either not noticed or is ignored. "Oh, and we're not alone." Amusement flickers in his gaze, which shifts then to the cart, a half-seen bulk in the dimness. "What you got there?"

To his companion he enquires, "How's that rabbit doing, Gidon? Figure we've enough wood here to get the cooking started before Saraid's back."

[Nob(#16122)] "'Bout done," Gidon says, jerking his gaze back to the bunny from where it had gone, curiously, to the cart. He makes one last careful slice and hands the carcass to Brev. Then he looks at the skin uncertainly. Is it worth trying to keep and tan?

[Lemuel(#30356)]  Harbin nods, and says grimly, "Aye, I'm aware. Still, a man's to put up with some of that if he does as I do." He goes back to his cart, and returns with a leather pouch, which he unfurls to reveal a pair of fishes. He holds them up to Brev, offering them and says, "You making up a pot? Why don't you throw these in too?" He slowly, lumberingly sits near Brev's fire. He leaves the question of the cart unanswered, but does nod towards Gidon's skin, and says, "You'll get a nice pair of gloves out of that, eh?"

Brev must set down his spear to receive the bloodied rabbit carcass. He does so reluctantly, with several sidelong glances at Harbin - but the oldster doesn't appear to be wielding a weapon. In the end he busies himself with setting the rabbit up on a makeshift spit, working in silence.

When it's done he looks up to Harbin, and his brows furrow at the sight of the fish. "You've got a cart full of ... those? Kiern, it must stink!" He grimaces, then shakes his head. "Wasn't planning to use a pot tonight - still, there's breakfast to consider, eh? You'll not reach Bree tonight - leastways, we reckoned we'd not. Suppose you can come with us in the morn - if you don't cause any trouble." Still he has not given the man a name for himself.

[Nob(#16122)] Gloves? Gidon looks back down at the skin, consideringly. "Din't think it were much use," he says softly. Shy, perhaps. Still... he shrugs, and rolls it up to save.

[Aglarebar(#15977)]

The light of the fire is a beacon in the darkening twilight. It draws attention where usually there is none and so comes new soft footfalls coming from off the road, to the downs of the west.

A keen ear may hear the sounds of approach, but there is little delay before a voice sounds and the shape of a man takes hold in the shadows

"Ho, travelers! Maybe I approach your fire, friends!" a cheery voice calls out.

[Lemuel(#30356)]  Harbin nods, and says, "That's what I reckoned - suppose we'll get there tomorrow afternoon. And I'd not mind some company, if you'd like mine." He shakes his head, and looks back at his cart. He stiffly stands and pulls his cart further from the road. He lifts the cover from it, showing its contents - rolls of skins and pelts. "Not fish, don't worry. Furs and skins and the like." He looks up as a newcomer arrives, then looks back at Brev, not saying anything himself.

Like? Brev arches a brow at that particular part of Harbin's speech, but he refrains from commenting.

As the soft sound of footfalls approaches, both horses in turn lift their heads briefly. Perhaps Brev has noticed it, for he glances westward, frowning. And then the voice comes. "Seems we're popular today." The sing-song Common is dry in tone. "They're coming like crows to a corpse - or is it moths to a flame?" He stands, spear in hand, and directs his words to the newcomer. "If you come forward, keep your hands where I can see them. And tell us what you want and what you're doing out here." He drops his chin so that he can speak to Harbin without taking his gaze from the newcomer. "Friend of yours?"

[Aglarebar(#15977)]

As he steps into the light proper, the man is revealed a hunter by the look of him, bow on his back and knife on his belt, with a thin fuzz of whiskers on his chin. His smile is warm and friendly, his hands out stretched and open, "I could not help but notice your fire. It has been some time since I had the pleasure of resting for a bit beside one and would greatly enjoy the company of others for a time."

"As to my business, it is an honorable one, but not one I am prone to speaking of. Though, of course, I can assure you it has nothing to do with yourselves," he laughs.

[Nob(#16122)] The boy puts his rolled up rabbit skin down, and wipes his hands on the grass before picking up his knife and standing. He takes a step or two sideways, so that he can watch both men, and so he isn't near enough Brev to be taken down if the newcomer should attack the Dunlending. He says nothing to either, even though no weapons are visible save his and Brev's.

[Lemuel(#30356)]  Harbin shakes his head, and says, "No, I've no friends. Though I think I'm not so suspicious as you of my fellow travellers. As long as all are friendly and are willing to give as they take, if you follow." He achily lowers himself into position near the fire once more.

Brev snorts at that. "Fond of your words, aren't you?" he comments to the newcomer. "I've no objection to one man sharing our fire, but when one becomes two ... or three, or four ... a man can't help wondering what's behind it." The words are mild, and he does nothing to stop Harbin sitting down again, but there is a closed, suspicious look on his features as he glances from one stranger to the other.

To Gidon he murmurs out of the side of his mouth, a few words in a guttural tongue: "Brigands? Stay near the horses." How much of it the lad will understand, who knows?

[Aglarebar(#15977)]

"You can put away your weapons," the man pats his bow with no small amount of confidence, "It is an easy thing to hunt those who stand by a fire at night. Any ill will I could mean you would already have been given if it was my intention. It is only I for I travel alone, as is my wont."

"What are your names? I am called Fennec."

[Nob(#16122)] Gidon gives Brev a glance, a small frown betraying his concentration. But after a minute, he moves unobtrusively towards their two horses. Not far, but enough that he is between the two strangers and the picketed animals. The request for names, he leaves to Brev.

[Lemuel(#30356)]  Harbin looks at Brev, and seems to take a moment to decide. He nods at Fennec, and says, "Harbin. These good people are more careful than you or I with their names. I trust they don't need to be." He pulls a half-carved wooden spoon from one pocket, and a sharp knife from another, and proceeds to whittle at the spoon.

Brev keeps his hand on his spear. "There seem to be an awful lot of lone travellers all of a sudden. Funny thing, that. Didn't see a soul last time I was this way."

Harbin's comment brings a sharp glance and a bark of laughter. "My name's Brev. Not an offensive word in this tongue of yours, is it?"

To Fennec he states pointedly, still watching the man warily, "The oldster thinks you should share something - I suspect he means food."

[Aglarebar(#15977)]

"Harbin! Well met!"

"You need not worry about bandits. There was a small party, perhaps five, of highwaymen. But they too eat at a fire at night, feasting on the spoils of their prey." A grim smile curls on his lips, "No more will they threaten this road. I would say your trip back to your town should be free of any who would hinder it." Aglarebar continues to move casually towards the fire, stepping fully into its circle of light and then further still.

He smiles at the young boy, "Good evening, lad. How's the trail treating you?"

Then again to Brev, "Well, uh, food I have little of. I am no trader but have but a small sample of cured meats. The rest I gather from the land during the day. And normally, I would have more but," he rubs his leg, "A loose rock twisted my ankle fairly well this morning. Didn't have much of a chance to gather my usual take."

[Nob(#16122)] The boy nods, hesitantly, at Fennec's greeting, and glances over his shoulder. The dusk is making deep shadows across the land, fooling the eyes - but he doesn't see anything else moving, and looks back to the others. "Only got a rabbit t'day," he says, his voice a soft burr. He looks apologetically at Brev. "Clean missed th'other."

[Lemuel(#30356)]  Harbin looks incredulous at Fennec's story, and says, "Quite the adventurer, you, eh?" He turns to Brev and says, "It's the time of year. I always walk this road first week of April. I expect this gent's doing same sort of thing. Here, Fennec did you say? What is it you're here doing?"

Brev's brows arch at Fennec's claim, but he says levelly, "I see. Your friends removed these .. bandits." At the man's final words, though, his gaze sharpens. "Leg hurt? Let me see. Over here." That much of the claim, at least, he can verify. He approaches the man, limping a little himself he still has his spear but it's not pointed at anything other than the darkening sky above.

To Gidon he lets out a brief chuckle. "You were hardly going to take it from horseback. Especially not riding Mescan there. If he can mess things up, he will." His features soften, the and grin that lights his face then is almost proud. "See anyone else?" he adds quietly to the lad.

Harbin's explanation is met with a polite, disbelieving nod, then he waits for Fennec to give the man answer.

[Aglarebar(#15977)]

None stopping his approach, Aglarebar comes to the fire and his outstretched hands now are warmed by it. He waves off Brev, "Ah, you misunderstand. It is just a soreness, and it is not an issue now you see. But now is a poor time to hunt for supplies," he grins, amused at his own joke.

He squats and continues, seemingly unperturbed by the distrust of the other man, "The Downs are beautiful this time of year, thus I have crossed them. Before that, I visited Shepherding Village for a time. Before that, elsewhere. And my goals are only to do what I can to aid the lives of the people of these lands. A simple goal, but even tonight you can see how its dangers cast a net of distrust and suspicion even on good folks such as yourself."

And again to the boy, after looking at the rabbit sizzling, "It's a fine hare boy. Tomorrow I'm sure you'll net three!"

[Nob(#16122)] Gidon smiles almost unwillingly at Brev's comments, then shakes his head to the question, coming a little closer to the fire himself. But still he keeps cautiously between the others and the ponies. And at something in Fennec's rambling talk, the boy stiffens so that he only shrugs at the compliment, ducking his head and mumbling something inaudible.

[Lemuel(#30356)]  Harbin appears confused. "Sorry, what d'yer say you're out doing? I'm not one for asking too many questions - but neither am I used to meeting those out on the road who don't have to be. I never heard of any walking these parts on account of their loveliness. There's too much that's not lovely to make it worthwhile."

"I do see." Brev's mouth tightens as he meets Fennec's gaze for a moment, though his features are carefully blank. To the other's flowery speech he comments not at all, but at Gidon's reaction he frowns slightly. "Can you come and watch the rabbit for a moment?" he calls out to the youth. "Need to check the pickets." He moves away from the fire himself, he glances to Harbin and the corners of his mouth twitch. "Fair comment," he offers the man in passing.

As he reaches Gidon he murmurs something else, low-voiced. "I still don't like it - but best we have them under our eye, eh? Old fellow doesn't seem so bad, but the young ..." A subtle shake of the head. "Stay where I can see you - and if either gives you any trouble - stick them." Then he's past and heading toward the horses, out of the circle of firelight, though the glitter of his eyes can still be seen.

[Aglarebar(#15977)]

"Then you have not stood on the highest hill of the Downs at mid-morning in Spring, master Harbin. It is, indeed, quite worthwhile."

Casually, he turns back to Brev, "Where are you from, Brev? I cannot place your accent." Then a smile and the question is asked too, "And Harbin? Are you companions?" Aglarebar asks, rubbing the cold from his hands. "The group of you on your way to Bree?"

[Nob(#16122)] The boy comes forward, pausing a moment and nodding to whatever Brev has said, before coming on to crouch by the fire and turn the rabbit's spit. He is not a chatty lad at any time, and now says even less - though he does nod in answer to Fennec's final question. Yes, they are going to Bree. And after that, he is as silent as a mute neither volunteering any information nor answering any more questions. The rabbit, naturally, needs all his attention...

Brev himself uses the excuse of tending to the horses (the brown pony has turned and is nosing at the man as though he expected an apple or some other treat to appear - alas they are in short supply out here on the Downs) not to answer.

[Lemuel(#30356)]  Harbin shakes his head and says, "We've just met, too. I'm from Bree, but I winter in the country round the feet of the mountains to the east. That's where the best of the fur's to be found, so I take the risk of walking this road once in the autumn and again in the spring. Some of the country round Hollin's fair enough, but I never much liked the Downs. Not enough to come through when I didn't have to, at least. Where have you come from?" He stares idly into the fire, letting the others tend to their business.

RP fades here ...