Homeward bound

Old South Road (Methedras) - Dunland <>

You are close to the mountain peak named Methedras and you can make out greater detail in the crags and spikes of the rocks that cover the sides of it. Through this area, you can barely see your way because the road is faint and overgrown with grass. The only evidence that the road was ever here is that the grass is thinner and of a different variety from the surrounding plains. The trees are sparse off in the distance, but help to break the monotony of the horizon.

To the north stands clear sign of habitation, however. The black stonework of Crebain Keep is clearly visible, the faint line of the Road leading directly towards its heavy gates, which at most times stand forbiddingly shut. You glimpse movement atop its high tower as sentries pace to and fro, watching the lands beyond.

OOC note: You can look and shoot at the keep TOWER.

Contents:

Hawk Camp

Obvious exits:

Northwest leads to Small Village - Dunland <>.

Southern Gate leads to Courtyard <>.

SouthEast leads to Old South Road - Near Methedras.

Old South Road (Methedras) - Dunland <>

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Dunland Time and Weather Forecast

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Real Time is:       Sat Mar 28 01:38:00 2009

IC weather is:      Wind: gale - Clouds: sparse

IC Moon is:         Not visible

IC time is:         Dawn

IC date is:         Sterday, Day 14 of July in the year 3046.

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Dawn is here, but not a bright one. Clouds scud darkly overhead, borne on a heavy wind that likely presages one of those sudden summer storms. The little Hawk group will need to find shelter soon, though shelter in this land of craggy foothills and open plains is not always easy to come by.

At the tail of the group, Brev plods along in a haze. He has kept up with the rest, but whatever Saffron has given him to dull pain has mayhap dulled the wits also, for the man has shown little interest in his surroundings and has seldom responded if spoken to. Now, though, the effects of the herbs must be wearing off, for he halts his plodding to stare uneasily at the place where a couple of Hawk are investigating some gap in the crags, one hand at his side. \"Kiern! Not /another/ damned cave.\" The plea is half-groan.

[Carac(#32384)] Though he has tried to not make it obvious, Carac remains close to Brev and he looks towards the younger man with a small smile. \"We\'ll let the others scout this one out for us,\" he says with a soft chuckle. \"There\'s a storm coming, and I expect the forgoil will be looking for whoever burnt that village as well.\"

He glances towards the sky and the clouds and then to the north. \"We might be able to make that village we passed on the way down before the storm hits, but would be close. We can push on if you like, but I think it would be best to get the lasses into some cover before the storm or the strawheads catch up to us.\"

Brev turns his head - slowly - and stares at Carac a moment before returning the smile with a crooked one of his own. \"You know I never did like caves,\" he mumbles. \"And you have a knack for finding the most dangerous. Lets hope they don\'t.\"

The other issue is given barely a moment\'s consideration before he snorts. \"You mean get me into cover. Right now, I\'m the one slowing you down.\" His voice is sour. \"Want us to split up?\" The offer is made, but the twitch in his cheek does not suggest enthusiasm.

[Saffron(#15443)]

Surely, Carac could not have been referring to Saffron as one of the lasses needing cover, for she has been powering through the long hike with the fastest of them, with her camping gear and an axe strapped to her back. But she will never know, for she does not hear the conversation.

\"Let me know if you need more herbs, Brev. It\'s important you get some sleep, and I know pain will keep you awake.\" Saffron walks over, having shed her heavy pack at the entrance.

[Carac(#32384)] Carac give a snort and shakes his head. \"If we do encounter the thrice damned strawheads, I\'d rather it be as one large group and not as two smaller ones,\" he replies. \"I\'ve been watching and I\'ve seen no tracks that might indicate something is living in these caves.\" He gives another chuckle. \"What with them using this land to graze their precious beasts, I\'m sure the forgoil keep it clear of predators.\"

He then turns to Saffron. \"Don\'t give him a large dose, he\'ll need his wits if we do get attacked.\"

Brev considers that. \"Doubt the Forgoil will come up here,\" he answers after a pause. \"Scared of the mountains, aren\'t they? Didn\'t come after me, and I tried. Laid a few trails. Down on the flat, though ...\" He swallows. \"We should keep off the plains.\"

The thoughtful expression changes to a scowl, and he adds, irritably, \"And /he/ can speak for himself.\" He squints in Saffron\'s direction and admits to her, \"It\'s wearing off now. Strong stuff though. What is it?\" And then, hard on the heels of the question, \"Eh, I don\'t want to know. Works, anyway.\" The scowl twists into a pained attempt at a smile.

[Saffron(#15443)]

The older woman considers them both, tilting her head as if sizing them up. She is about to say something when she catches the pained smile, then sucks in her breath instead.

\"Here.\" She holds out a small fabric sack in front of Brev. \"Chew on one twig and see if that is enough to dull the pain. If not, take another. But take three, and you will be dancing with Rathos wearing a dress. If the forgoil do attack, you will be too busy dancing.\" She glances at Carac. \"Fair enough? We let him decide how much pain he can tolerate and how much wits he can forego to get rest.\"

[Carac(#32384)] Carac laughs loudly at this. \"Ratho has been wanting a dancing partner,\" he says with a grin. \"Careful or he might slip a few extra of those twigs into your dinner tonight.\" He stretches and yawns slightly, still not having slept since his return the evening before. \"I\'ll take the first watch,\" he says and nods towards a small overhang above the cave\'s enterance. \"Should be able to see anything coming for quite aways off from up there and at least be able to put a few arrows into them before they get close enough to do much damage.\"

Brev reaches out to take the sack he does not open it, yet. \"My thanks,\" he tells Saffron gravely. Again that awkward attempt at a smile. \"And Ratho dances? Hah. Must get him to demonstrate. Maybe he\'s the one needing these things.\"

At Carac\'s speech, he frowns. \"Might be best if someone else did that. You .. uh, don\'t look too good yourself.\" There is a hint of amusement in his tones. \"And we need you alert, to lead us if there\'s trouble. Kiern knows I can\'t do that.\" For a moment bitterness seeps into his voice. \"Can\'t even take a watch, don\'t know what\'s real and what\'s - ach.\"

The pair who had gone to explore the cave have returned by now, and his words trail off. \"Best I go get some rest. Rouse me if there\'s need, eh? Don\'t want to wake skewered on a spear as someone\'s breakfast.\" With that, he moves slowly off.

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Dunland Time and Weather Forecast

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Real Time is:       Sun Mar 29 16:02:09 2009

IC weather is:      Wind:  - Clouds: dense

IC Moon is:         New

IC time is:         Dawn

IC date is:         Mersday, Day 19 of July in the year 3046.

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[Rathos(#19023)]

Dawn\'s soft light slowly illuminates the land, the dew still thick upon the grass. A fresh breeze occasionally picks up and ruffles over the small band of Dunlending who have been making slow, methodical progress towards the border. They have been on the move for several hours already, making the most of the nights cover. The men decide to take a break and eat their morning meal. This close to safty the mood is more apprehensive than relaxed.

Rathos pulls a strip of dried meat from his satchel and bites off a reasonable sized chunk. The wood cutter takes a look back in the direction the small party has been traveling and then towards the general direction of the village they seek. With a shrug he returns his attention to the group. More directly to the injuried Brev. He walks over and takes a seat next to the Bear, \"holding up alrigh\' with all this moving about?\"

Brev stares blankly at the man for a moment before responding. He was keeping up with the group fine at first, but as the night wore on his movements have slowed and he has been cursing at anyone within earshot, a sure sign of discomfort (or maybe reluctance to take more of Saffron\'s potent herbs). \"Aye, fine,\" he says at last, sourly. \"Never better. Why? Looking for a dancing partner?\" For some reason, that brings a hoarse chuckle.

[Rathos(#19023)]

Rathos gives a small smile, \"I\'d prefer a better looker than ye for starters. Besides, I\'d be betting on yer having all the grace of a startled ox climbin\' a steep mud bank.\" The woodsman pauses, shuffling in discomfort in the silance before deciding to break it again, \"Ye know, I ain\'t never been to fond of ye clan, Fain. Migh\' be a bad time to bring this up I guess.\" Rathos sighes and looks at the ground between his legs, clutching at words. \"It\'s not easy.... pretendin\' we\'re all buddy buddy an the like.... Still.... Thought ye should know...\" The Hawk looks up at Brev, the smile on his face goes no farther than his lips. His dark eyes somber and withdrawn, \"so long as we out here, we got each others backs right?\"

Brev\'s mouth twists into a lopsided smile, and he snorts at those first words. \"I\'ll not extol my virtues else you\'ll take me up on it. \'Sides, I might already have found a better dancing partner.\" Enough on that.

He follows Ratho\'s silence with one of his own, as he regards the man with raised brow. \"Just as long as we\'re out here? Pity, that. I follow Carac. As for clan - doubt I\'ll have one, soon, if Tavish has spilt what he knows. Unless, of course, I become a Hawk.\" Once more a half-smile - is he trying to rile the other man?

[Rathos(#19023)]

Rathos shrugs, \"Politics never been my strong point.\" He takes another bite from his beef strip, offering Brev the dry end before continuing, \"Sounds as if we have at least a few things in common though. Carac\'s got a righ\' strong fire in his belly.\" The woodsman laughs softly, \"Did you ever meet that boy\'s old man? Now there was a magnificient bastard if ever there was one.\"

Brev shakes his head at the offer of the strip of beef, and mutters awkwardly, \"Not now, thanks. Those herbs of Saffron\'s mess with more than just your head.\" He shifts position on the hard ground with a sigh.

Ratho\'s last words bring a snort, though. \"Plenty of them about. Bastards, that is. Aye I met him, when I was all of five years old. Only man I was more scared of than my father.\" He winks, then suddenly looks away. Maybe that wasn\'t the best thing to say.

[Rathos(#19023)]

The Hawk grins, \"Nay. Tis true bout the herbs.\" Rathos returns the meat to his satchel, \"I ain\'t too hungry either.\" He casts his gaze into the distance, \"Tis only a fool who wasn\'t scared of that man. Or so the stories go.\"

Rathos uncaps his waterskin and takes a quick drink, offering this in turn to Brev. The woodsman seemingly becoming more relaxed and speaking easier, \"Ye mind speaking of this Tavish? I\'ve been out of the social circles awhile, ye know?\"

\"Thanks.\" Brev accepts the waterskin where he had not the meat, and takes a quick gulp before carefully returning it. The expression that rests briefly on his features looks almost like relief. \"Aye, I\'ll tell you about Tavish,\" he says, wiping the back of a hand across his mouth, \"if you tell me what it was you and Carac were so worked up about the other night. Can\'t remember a thing about it. Those damn herbs,\" he scowls.

[Rathos(#19023)]

\"Not much to tell really,\" Rathos says while putting the waterskin away. \"We were mulling over what had happened to yer scouting party when outta nowhere Carac shows up. Reckons he was hiding nearby a forgoil village with strange stonework. Looked similar to some of the ruins found in Caerdh and Laeg. That\'s what I found interesting. Ain\'t nobody \'round these days whose to sure of who built those and now there migh\' be more in Forgoil lands. Tis a strange thing indeed.\"

Rathos stops talking, chuckles breifly and runs a hand over through his scraggly fringe. \"I be a simple man, Fain. I like it that way. An\' now... it would seem that this world has seen so much change. How much, for how long, who can tell? I feel very small these days.\" The hawk breaks off, his voice regaining some of it\'s vigour, \"anyway. Strange as that may seem, Carac claims to have found some old scrolls an\' the like amougnst some bones in a cave near the village he burned. I seen them meself though I can\'t read.\"

\"Fian?\" Brev picks up on the title with a snort. \"Not I. It\'s just Brev. Served Fian Ranich for a while, but I figure I\'ve blown my chances there now.\"

If he would have said more on the subject, it is halted by Ratho\'s next words. \"Old scrolls? You mean Carac can read?\" For a moment his mouth is agape in astonishment. \"And bones. Hope he didn\'t bring any of them back - I\'ve no fancy to meet ghosts on our northward road. What\'s he plan to do with them, then?\" He eyes the other curiously, seemingly having forgotten his promise about Tavish for the moment.

[Rathos(#19023)]

Rathos shrugs, \"He can deal with letters better than most. Happens when ye get yerself an education I hear.\"The woodsman takes the break as a chance to check his gear and weapons while he talks, shoddy as the may be.

\"I think we\'re taking them to Harthunn to see the elders there. If anyone can work the secrets from these scrolls it will be them. Tis written in some old form of our langauge apparently.\" Rathos looks up from his work and stares Brev in the eyes, \"But come, what of Tavish?\" Though the woodsman tone is netural his eyes cannot hide his curiosity.

Brev is still looking astonished. \"Never saw the point in yon Forgoil-squiggles. But if Carac can read ... maybe I should ask him sometime.\"

At the final request he blinks. \"Oh, that? Tavish was this fellow who turned up, said he wanted to join us, back when we were holed up Iolair. None of us trusted him much, at first. figured he was probably some Bear spy - right after the Brodie affair, that was. But then, time passed and he seemed to prove his worth. He wintered up with Garaig at Mathain. Then, when Spring came, he disappeared. By the sounds of it, he ended up with our friend Maulduin. Prisoner or spy, by now he\'ll have talked. Guard post locations, scout patterns ... he knew a few things about me, too. Lets hope old Garaig can cope with any trouble, eh?\"

[Rathos(#19023)]

Rathos chuckles, \"politics, huh? It can get complicated.\" Movement about the group seems to signal that soon they will be pressing on, the ever present danger of being caught in the open by patrolling rohirrim acting as an impressive motivator.

The Hawk begins to stow his gear, \"mayhaps I was overly eager to place the blame for past actions on yer shoulders. Tis true that naught everyone agreed with what happened at Mathian all them years ago. Still, we\'ll see.\" Rathos stands, flashing Brev a rare smile of encouragement, \"On yer feet, soft bones. A walk will do you good.\" He offers the wounded man a helping hand, if he wishes it, to get to his feet. \"A word of warning though, ye\'ll soon see a harsher side of life if ye turn on the young master. A lot of us be ready to die for Carac\'s dream. Simply beause he is the voice of our dreams.\"

Brev accepts the hand-up - he\'s seldom one to pass up help when offered - but pulls back as soon as he\'s on his feet. \"And walk off some of that fat you\'re trying to accumulate?\" he responds in kind.

At Rathos\' final words, however, his features harden. \"Turn on Carac? Kiern! The man\'s my friend - has been since I was five years old. That\'s more important than Hawk or Bear, or anything else you care to hold between us. Why d\'you think I\'m here - for my health?\" He snorts, and starts to move away. \"Best I get walking before someone tries to stuff more of those damn herbs down me.\" With that as his farewell he, like the rest, slips quietly into the night.