Gone to the Dogs

Gondorian Encampment

Several banners flutter in the air, marking the different companies they represent: Seven Stones Company, White Tree Company, Knights of Dol Amroth, Company of Ithilien. The tents are organized with geometrical precision, every nine tents forming square blocks separated by small paths. At the centre of the camp, is the Healing Pavilion and a wide clear area for weapon practice and meals.

Surrounding the camp, some good meters away from the tents, so as to keep them clear from ranged attacks, there is a ditch and a wall made from the earth dug, with stakes elevating its height. There are four entrances, heavily guarded, and patrols walk the empty space between the wall and the camp properly said. Other sentinels are stationed along the wall to better keep watch for any unexpected manouver from enemies.

Scene in progress

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"I want you to go into the mess tent,\" says Indilzar. \"Bring out here a side of beef, two pork legs, a chicken... and oh yes, a duck. Huan likes ducks. Feed him, and then after draw your sword and I\'ll see what Arathis has been teaching you so far.\"

[Dramborion(#13258)]

Jumping at the entrance of the hound and taken aback by its aggression, Dramborion eyes him warily, though he does not dare touch or even so much as look at the dog. Instead, he casts his glance back to the Bragollach lord. \"He understands the speech of humans? But how...\"

Once again cut off by the lord\'s request, he listens intently, taking careful mental note of each item he lists. \"Right away, Lord Bragollach.\" With this he turns and strides briskly off toward the mess tent, pushes aside the flap and ducks inside.

Indilzar sighs and pats Huan\'s head as Dramborion runs off, \"I don\'t know what is going to become of this order my old friend. But don\'t worry, he\'ll get you your duck soon enough.\"

Huan barks at Dramborion as he runs off as if to hurry him.

[Indilzar(#10108)] Huan growls hungrily...

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Let\'s move it squire!\" calls out Indilzar. \"I really dislike feeding squires to Huan, like I did my last three, but I have no qualms about doing it to dull-witted slowcoaches!\"

[Dramborion(#13258)]

Mere minutes after Dramborion enters the mess tent, the flap is again rustling and the young squire reemerges, arms piled high with the meats requested by Indilzar. Approaching him again, Dramborion displays them with outstretched arms. \"Here you are, Lord Bragollach: a side of beef, two pork legs, a chicken, and...\"

Suddenly he trails off, eyes growing wide in fear at the sudden realization that he had forgotten the duck. Trying desperately to play it off as ignorance, he continues, speaking more rapidly, \"and that\'s everything you wanted. A side of beef, two pork legs, and a chicken.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Huan sniffs the meal and looks indignantly at Dramborion.

\"No duck?\" asks Indilzar.

[Dramborion(#13258)]

Flinching internally, Dramborion blinks once and tightens his lips. He pauses, but only briefly, in order to collect his thoughts.

\"Duck? Oh, yes: the duck! Certainly, Lord Bragollach: forgive my forgetfulness.\" With that, he eyes Huan warily and turns again, heading back to the mess tent, this time breaking into a light jog.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"It will be fine Huan,\" says Indilzar. \"I know... I know...\"

Indilzar laughs and says, \"Yes, go ahead.\"

Immediately the hound starts tearing into the enormous side of beef.

The rain threatens but does not come as yet, and so Ceredir has not drawn up the hood of his cloak, nor is he bothering to protect the ledger he carries in his hands and is lost in concentration as he scans it, reading even as he walks slowly through the camp. Eyes down as they are, finger marking his point in the page he reads, his left hand holding the one black gauntlet from his right, as well as the ledger.

Yet the smell of food catches his attention so that he looks up just in time to avoid a near-collision with Dramborion. \"Seems we are always running into each other,\" he greets, actually granting the Squire a smile for a change.

Then it is that his eyes fall on the dog ripping at the meat, and his face loses its color.

\"What ..is..the...meaning..of...this?\" Each word enunciated with the threat of rage behind them.

[Dramborion(#13258)]

Shaking his head at himself and his appearance of ineptitude, he has no chance to see the approach of the young deputy quartermaster and jumps, startled, at his words. He returns his smile, though it is slight, and replies good-humoredly, \"For better or worse, yes: so it would seem. Do excuse me, though, I still ha...\" he stops abruptly mid-speech at the sound of rage welling up behind the young scout\'s words. Standing directly before the mess tent, he looks with apprehension to Lord Bragollach.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

The hound ignores Ceredir and continues...

SLURP... MUNCH... CRUNCH....

Indilzar smiles and watches as Huan now leaps over to the pork legs...

GOBBLE...

Indilzar glances up and says, \"Ah Ceredir. You look troubled. What seems to be the problem?\"

Menawa slips free of the healer\'s tent, her hands a bit red and chapped, her shoulders a touch stooped. But soon as she exits, she draws them back, lifting her chin to the sky overhead. Inhaling deeply through her nose, she takes air down into her lungs slow and steady..and then jerks her gaze down towards Ceredir\'s voice, her brows drawing down.

\"Pork legs...! Beef...a side of beef!! Chicken!! What is this dog eating and whose rations are these?!\" Ceredir looks aghast from Dramborion to the Knight, to the dog. \"Who authorized these rations to...to a DOG?\" he roars.

And then he steps forward--ledger hastily tucked into a pouch at his waist--and means to come between dog and its meal. Drawing on the right gauntlet, he reaches to rescue the side of beef.

[Dramborion(#13258)]

Dramborion closes his lids tightly against the ensuring ordeal, groaning to himself and rubbing the back of his neck. Looking to Lord Bragollach for approval, he tarries before the mess tent, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

Huan growls at Ceredir, seemingly insulted at the word \'dog\' and would launch at him except he pauses with very intelligent eyes.

\"Hold Huan,\" says Indilzar. He then says, \"I see your dilemma quartermaster, but I am afraid Huan has a very hungry appetite. Also, it is not wise to call this fine hound a dog. He and I have been to war together on many occassions and has probably killed more fell beasts of the enemy than you have ever seen.\"

[Menawa(#20113)] What has she stepped out to behold? Menawa smooths her chapped hands over her apron, straightens it just a touch though it doesn\'t truely need it, then moves off around the edge of this, heading obliquely towards the tent that houses sustenance for those that hunger.

\"Call him a rabbit for all I care!\" Ceredir snaps an angry reply. \"This...\" he indicates the wreckage of the ripped, sniffed, and licked food, \"is enough meat to feed a soldier for an entire month! Are you telling me that this...flea-bitten..._hound_ can kill enough enemy in one day as a soldier of Gondor can kill in a month? For that is the only thing that could possibly justify him eating all these rations in one sitting!\"

Incensed, Ceredir glares at the growling dog and snatches away the side of beef with both hands. \"You!\" He looks to Dramborion. \"Fetch a cauldron of water that we can clean the dirt and slobber off of these. And healer...\" Said softer, without anger, \"can you help in this? Is it possible to save these meats?\"

Then rounding back on the Knight, he continues, anger renewed. \"I am but the Deputy Quartermaster. The Quartermaster has a temper.\" He grins, a sneer. \"So you had best work with me. If you wish for your....HOUND...to receive rations, then tell me how much and what he eats and justify his payment. Otherwise...have him hunt rabbit. Like a DOG.\"

Indilzar holds up his hand and says one word, \"Don\'t go anywhere squire. This man has no authority over you.\"

Menawa pauses between one step and the next. Caught! Did she just hunker a bit, as if to ward off a blow? Nah! But she does stand straighter and just a touch taller, pulling her shoulders back again that mere hint that they\'d rolled forward. With a flick of her wrist, she sends her thick braid over her left shoulder as she turns to head towards the men. More specifically, the one that is brave enough to take meat from a big toothed killing machine.

Indilzar rubs his chin for a moment and says softly, \"You are justified to be angry.\"

Indilzar +gives you a Gold Florin.

Indilzar says, \"That, is for the food.\"

Indilzar +gives you a Gold Florin.

Indilzar says, \"That is for your trouble.\"

[Dramborion(#13258)]

Dramborion casts a swift glance to the approaching healer, but soon bristles visibly at the command from Ceredir. Narrowing his eyes in anger, and either in spite of or perhaps because of the presence of the Bragollach lord, he raises his voice, scorn embedded in each word, \"I\'ll take no order from you, *scout*!\"

He marches briskly to where he stands before the Bragollach lord and lowers his voice threateningly, seeming not to have heard the reprimand from Indilzar. \"What do you imagine gives you right to issue me commands?\"

Indilzar smiles and says, \"I am of a kinder nature than I was aforetime. I suggest, with seriousness, that you apologize to Huan for calling him a dog and move on your way. Otherwise, something ill might happen to you.\"

[Combat(#13388)] Indilzar reaches down to the hilt of his blade and a sudden light flashes! Then his eyes kindle to madness as the blood of his fathers runs hot and fierce, for now in his hands is Bragoangurth, the Steely Sword of Sudden Death! Beware all foes of the Bragollach, for vengeance shall come upon thee!

Indilzar says, \"Do it. Do it now.\"

The anger that was on the Deputy Quartermaster\'s face is replaced with astonishment...and then again by anger. \"Keep your money,\" he says coldly, attempting to hand it back to the Knight. \"Where are we going to buy a month\'s worth of meat out here? From the Haradrim?\" he scowls \"From the orcs that will waylay us on the way home?\" His hand is outstretched, palm up, money in it. \"This is my _duty_ sir, to all of Gondor\'s men, not just to its men and their ...pets, no matter how useful and even valiant such animals may be against the enemy.\"

\"Now I ask you again. What rations does this animal need daily and give me a good argument as to why he cannot hunt for prey like any _dog_ should.\" Scowling, Ceredir ignores the Knight\'s command and deliberately uses the word.

[Amrundirn(#29212)]

\"What is going on here?\"

The voice, firm of tone, comes from over yonder: Amrundirn, Ranger, stands there leaned upon a spear. An eye Indilzar and on Dramborion -- and finally Ceredir.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"You speak more calmly,\" says Indilzar. \"Therefore, perhaps Huan is a bit rambunctuous. Yet you should refer to him by name at least. It is Huan. Huan, the Wolf-Hound of Dol Amroth. So do not ignore me there young man.\"

\"His rations have been coming from the Dol Amroth allotment,\" says Indilzar. \"So for that, I regret the inconvenience. Perhaps the flush of victory and the return of the Prince Imrahil\'s son have brought a headiness that made us assume (evil word) that Huan could have the run of this place.\"

Indilzar smiles and surreptitiously sheathes his sword saying, \"Yet keep that money. It is nothing -- it shall help replenish your stock. That you may find in the Dol Amroth encampment.\"

[Combat(#13388)] Indilzar slides Bragoangurth back into its cold scabbard.

Menawa could have hung back. Likely she\'s been forgotten. Yet, the slight female stops not too far from Ceredir. No, not right beside him, not even close to \'in the way\'..but she is there.

Ceredir addresses the healer first, though. \"The meat, Menawa. Can any of it be saved? Washed? Or should it all be sacrificed to...this...this hound.\" That last word seems to cost the scout some pain, for it is accompanied by a grimace.

But relief, at least briefly, is writ on Ceredir\'s face at the arrival of the Ranger. \"Sir. The Knight here fed his ...animal companion enough food to feed one man for a month. And attempts to remedy the situation with coin, as if we can just buy supplies between here and Osgiliath.

Though there are supplies enough to make up for this in the Dol Amroth encampment?\" he now addresses Indilzar again.

Menawa eyes the meat that the large toothed creature had gnawed so healithly upon. She frowns oh so faintly, but will hold her tongue for the moment.

[Endaerion(#30487)]

Another Ranger arrives behind Amrundirn. His steel grey eyes sharpen upon the contestants of this latest disturbance, then upon the hound before them. \"You\'ll have to pardon Ceredir, Hir Knight. He is frugal and pragmatic good qualities when one dwells so far abroad the borderlands.\"

The Lord Cuthalion then betakes with his gaze each man and woman within vicinity and declares to all, \"We begin preparations for the trek north. See to it your possessions are packed and ready. It is doubtful we will come upon resupply en route, so use caution with provisions.\"Then moving on to make his way for another site, he speaks a few words as he passes by Indilzar. \"Worthy hound.\"

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Of course,\" says Indilzar with a smile. \"We are well supplied in provisions. I wonder why you are not.\"

\"He is indeed Lord Cuthalion,\" says Indilzar. \"A most noble hound.\"

\"Yes,\" says Indilzar. \"My, I must be ripening as I get older! In any case, I think Huan is done eating now.\"

He motions to the meat on the ground to which during the argument Huan had returned. He didn\'t eat all of it and strangely left the duck alone. Now the great hound is lying on his back with a protruded belly looking very puppyish.

Menawa appears slightly startled at the announcement of moving again. She glances longingly at the tent which houses sustenance, then sighs silently. It appears eating will have to wait. She then tilts her head to look up at Ceredir, waiting for a moment or two longer.

[Dramborion(#13258)]

The young Isilrim squire, having retreated from his position directly beside Ceredir during the brief confrontation, now approaches him again, his rage and insult following the scout\'s command having largely subsided.

Dramborion speaks to him in a low voice, calmly now, \"You have no right, deputy you have no authority.\" He stares coldly at him a moment longer before swiftly turning his back and walking toward the tents, heeding the Lord Cuthalion\'s decree.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"I suppose that training will have to wait,\" says Indilzar. He then calls out to the Cuthalion Lord, \"Lord Cuthalion. How long have we? I was planning on assessing this young Isilrim.\"

[Amrundirn(#29212)]

A lingering glance follows the lord Cuthalion under an arched brow -- Amrundirn sighs. \"The recompense will do, Ceredir. The Lord Bragollach is as good as his word, and it is very good.\"

\"See to it when next we set camp. Now, there is too little time.\"

[Dramborion(#13258)]

Hearing Indilzar\'s query, Dramborion stops where he stands, halfway between the center of the Gondor encampment and that belonging to Dol Amroth. He turns to face the gathering, looking first to Amrundin, then back to the Bragollach lord, and finally to Amrundin again.

\'Fine. Then it is paid for, and the men of Dol Amroth can eat solely on their own supplies?\' Ceredir responds to the Ranger. \'The Quartermaster will argue for such, I am certain, since the Knight seems so secure in their supplies.\'

Still holding the money that was forced on him, Ceredir\'s fist curls into a ball around the money at Dramborion\'s words. \"We shall see how it goes Squire. Wait until next time you need anything. Anything at all. Wait until we are in Ithilien and you are roasting that dog for your lunch.\"

[Menawa(#20113)] What holds the slender young woman there? Why does she stands stock still and wait? It\'s not like she doesn\'t have duties to busy herself with..especially now that the move is eminent. And yet, there Menawa stands, her frame tight with supressed energy.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Dark clouds and thunders herald storm dark visage and clinking of mail herald Gurtir Carmayar.

The Seven Stones Captain paces slowly towards the gathering, his eyes scanning the scene ahead of himself under a deep-set frown. Still no words leave his mouth.

[Bor(#30834)]

And there comes another Captain, he from Amroth afar. It is Bor, a Tempest heralded by a renewed clap of thunder amidst the blanket of midnight skies.

Indilzar glances toward Bor and then says, \"So here comes Bor Bragollach.\"

[Amrundirn(#29212)]

\"That is for the quartermaster to decide you will report this to him, surely.\" Amrundirn glances at Menawa and the dog with a frown and Ceredir next. He observes the exchange between Ceredir and the Squire over yonder for a moment before he says without looking at the man, with a rather dry tone:

\"Cousin Gurtir. Setting no sails today?\"

\"Of course, sir,\" is Ceredir\'s answer to the Ranger. \"Though I can say already that I know his temperament well enough.\" Other than that, though the Master Scout\'s expression reveals nothing more of whatever reply he gave Dramboron his face is a neutral.

\"Captain,\" Ceredir turns to Gurtir, first depositing the money from Indilzar in the pouch he wears. \"We are moving north, sir. This is good news, no?\" He peers at Gurtir as if trying to elicit some response from the man, seeming much concerned.

Menawa takes two steps back away from the gathering of males around the dog on the ground, then turns to her left and moves off towards the junior healers\' tents, presumably to pack up her meager belongings.

[Bor(#30834)]

\"By whose command do we retreat northwards?\" responds Bor, apparently heedless of Indilzar\'s words.

\"Harondor is ours for the taking, and then we are upon Umbar\'s gates.\" Then do his eyes spin to his kinsman, and they are inflamed at the prospect.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"Cousin.\", Gurtir replies at Amrundirn, \"The news are different when?\", he then asks, turning to Ceredir.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"I wish you good fortune in that endeavor kinsman,\" says Indilzar. \"For my part, I would see the city of the Corsairs razed as I have vowed to do long ago. Yet even so, we do not have the equipment here to besiege Umbar, much less the man power. Our valour is not to be questioned, but our strength must be. I would say we should retire to the north and gather what strength we may ere we try to take Umbar-town.\"

[Amrundirn(#29212)]

Amrundirn\'s glance fixes on the Seven Stones Captain for a brief moment, \"Presently.\"

\"Indeed, immediately,\" Ceredir confirms the Ranger\'s words. He gives Gurtir a long look, then continues to Indilzar--with, strangely perhaps, something of a quirked smile, \"hounds and all.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

Bor regards Indilzar fully now.

\"Are you not Indilzar?\"

Menawa took such a short time doing whatever it was she was doing in the tent that she\'s coming back out right now. Her small feet hurry her along the ground towards the healer\'s pavillion, along with all the other junior healers.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"Indeed,\" says Indilzar. \"I am Indilzar Elros Bragollach, Lord of the Bragollach, and know I well my oaths. Yet oaths will not keep when I alone am smashing my sword against the walls of Umbar. Twice I have been to that evil place, and not through bold words and the use of swords shall that place fall. Engines of war are needed, and an army many times greater than what we have now.\"

\"Perhaps my temper has cooled,\" he continues, \"since my greener days -- but, I know that if we were to go now, my oath would be unfulfilled.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"But north?\"

And Bor\'s voice now enjoins the whole of the area.

\"We have just won a great battle. Do we now retreat from its victory?\"

[Arashen(#24692)]

\"And I would be there when your oath is fulfilled, Lord Indilzar,\" says the voice of a young man, the Squire Arashen, coming up from behind the old Bragollach Knight. \"It has been long and long since my own Kinsman, Menelhil the Tall, set the City of the Corsairs to flame. It has been a long time since a Telpekhor has stepped foot in that city as a conquerer.\"

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"I echo this query why do we move?\", Gurtir says in response to both Ceredir\'s and Amrundirn\'s answer, \"And why such delay to pass the information on, that it reaches the Knight Captain and myself just now?\"

His eyes meanwhile dart to welcome Arashen.

\"My Lord Bragollach,\" Ceredir speaks up, though it is to Indilzar, not to Bor. \"Could it be taken by stealth, perhaps? Entering the city and opening its gates from within somehow? Or is our army too small still?\"

\"And it would seem, too, that the healers, or the junior healers, object.\" Ceredir nods toward Menawa and then again to Arashen.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"It is not retreat Bor,\" says Indilzar. \"It is rather tactics. In my reckoning we have taken wounds, and indeed our strength has dwindelled, but we now must return Elphir to his father and only at the behest of the Lords of Gondor should we fight again. I also fear of what stirs in the east.\"

He then says in a lower tone, \"Know you this Bor my kinsman. For many years I have been on the road of errantry for the Lords of Gondor and much of the world is stirring, but not to our benefit. There are evil things abroad that go to the land...\"

\"... of Mordor.\"

He then sees the squire and smiles, \"Ah, Arashen the Concupiscent. Yes, I hope you will be there with me as well, but I shall be sure to keep you away from the Southron whores even if we must lock you in a cage with Huan.\"

Menawa ducks inside the healer\'s pavillion with the rest of the junior healers, likely to follow the directives of the Master Healer.

Indilzar turns to Ceredir, \"That was done in the Fourth Haradraic War when Sirion the Younger opened the gates. The problem was, we could not take the Towers. You see my friends, Umbar is, or was ruled by an oligarchy of Tower Lords, and each keeps their strength locked within. These towers are of the craft of Westernesse, and ere we could starve them out, we fell under attack by the Haradrim. Yet good Ceredir. Pray, it is importune to call me Lord Bragollach, for though I am by right that name, I do not seek it, for many years I have been away. Rather, I am Lord Indilzar, or if you wish, call me Lord Indilzar Bragollach, or even Lord Bragollach suffices, but not Lord of the Bragollach.\"

He sighs, \"We Bragollach can be testy folk.\"

[Amrundirn(#29212)]

\"The Lord Cuthalion passes the word through camp at this moment,\" Amrundirn answers Gurtir. The index finger of the hand that grips his support, the spear, extends in the direction of Endaerion\'s last seen whereabouts.

\"He went that way, should you wish to protest.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"And know this, Indilzar,\" says Bor.

\"I bid them come.\"

[Arashen(#24692)]

Arashen flushes deeply at the old Knight\'s words and falls into uncomfortable silence.

[Indilzar(#10108)]

\"So be it Bor,\" says Indilzar. \"But do not die rashly as many of our kindred have. Think, and be true to your lords. Our obediance is to the Prince Imrahil first.\"

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Nodding on the wake of Indilzar\'s words, Gurtir adds.

\"Indeed much darkness is stirred. Though we have won, Gondor is still greatly endangered it\'s been but a series of battle, yet the war... the war wages on. And while we boast here\", dagger eyes briefly touch Bor, \"the terrible Eastern hand reaches silently over what is ours, to tighten its grasp when we least expect.\"

\"Yet I still ask, Master Scout, on whose orders and why such delay?\", a beckoning hand calling over a Master at Arms even as he nods at Amrundirn\'s words... \"Nay, no protest, I seek no arm-wrestling with the Lord Cuthalion.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

\"The Lord Cuthalion commands the loyalty of our livestock alone,\" says Bor dismissively. \"Tell me now who calls for us to depart to the north?\"

\"Of course, my lord,\" Ceredir nods to Indilzar. \"Though it is a pity the towers cannot be taken that way, if they cannot fall any other way. There are those who might be willing to volunteer to undertake such a matter.\" He looks briefly to Gurtir. \"I would volunteer as well, but not if it is futile.\"

\"As for the house of Bragollach. I have heard such.\" Ceredir smirks and now his gaze falls ever so briefly on Bor and away.

To Gurtir\'s further question, though, he replies only, \"Endaerion. And he did not so why or from whom the orders came. Only that we leave immediately.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

And to Indilzar, Bor says:

\"Death cannot be rash nor prolonged, for it always arrives when it should.\"

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"Bor, pretend you\'re not just a high-ranking boy and do the trust of your Prince justice a Ranger of Ithilien issues an order in here and those officers untrained in the ways of the Garden listen, least they are to doom their troops to perils they know naught of.\"

Thus Gurtir speaks, passing the orders to his petty officers in silent tones and watching as the man hurries off to call the departure of the Hosts of Gondor. A single nod acknowledges Ceredir\'s answer.

[Indilzar(#10108)] Indilzar smiles and says to Ceredir, \"Enough smirking now. Are you not a man of Gondor or perhaps your head has been counting too many hamhocks? I suggest you keep your tongue lest something cut it out. You are merely trying to bait my kindred and you are not one to do that to us. Not to the House of Sudden Flame which has a lineage which stretches back to the days of Tar-Minastir. What can you say of that?\"

Suddenly. Very suddenly in fact Indilzar seems to grow larger and says, \"For behold! I and my kin come from a high line of nobility and we will not be baited here. If you wish, I shall answer what your face says with my sword, but I question as to whether to challenge you, for though you may be a man of Gondor, you now look as lowly to me as the orcs of the Black Hand.\"

He turns and walks away, \"If you wish this answered, then you may seek me.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

Bor laughs.

\"The title of Lord Cuthalion does not alone command my loyalty, Gurtir of Carmayar,\" says the Knight-Captain. \"Am I so wrong to dispute the source of a command that moves us from a position where my men have so shed their blood?\"

[Arathis(#30050)]

From the fringes, the Lord Isilrim appears upon the gathering. Hard eyes float between the group, prompting faint nods of acknowledgement they pause longer upon his fellow Swansmen. A twain of steps carry him further inwards, where he stands staid in his position.

[Bor(#30834)]

\"If this is Lord Faramir\'s bidding, then so say it and I shall comply.\"

[Arashen(#24692)]

With the departure of Indilzar, Arashen seems more inclined to speak again - for so he does. \"So we move north - but when?\" he asks pragmatically.

[Endaerion(#30487)]

It is Endaerion indeed who appears before Amrundir\'s pointer, as if materializing upon command. \"Protest if you wish, but we should move a short distance north and lose sight of the River, and thereby let the Enemy lose sight of us. We will be further than their scouts dare venture, and we might find some haven among sparse woodlands. It would better conceal our position while our wounded heal.\"

\"I said nothing of immediacy.\" he then corrects. \"Nor do I order any movement but those of my brethren, and those I am charged to protect. Even now you tread within the domain of the Cuthalion, Knight-Captain. If you wish to remain behind, by all means do so as my guest. But do not look to my coming if you should seek aid, for I go North.\" Turning a shoulder then he walks away.

[Bor(#30834)]

\"Details,\" says Bor.

\"I am sated. So we move.\"

[Gurtir(#30678)]

\"Ceredir.\"

Stern, the word is spoken by Gurtir as his ears catch the sound of Indilzar\'s speech, though he does not look to either man instead his eyes focus on Bor-- nay, on Endaerion. And as an agreement is reached, he but starts to walk away.

Ceredir can only stare after Indilzar Bragollach as the man spits words at him and then leaves, not daring to answer.

It is Gurtir\'s voice that breaks the scout\'s stare, even though he nods to Endaerion\'s words. He turns to the Captain.

\"Yes.\"

[Bor(#30834)]

And with Indilzar\'s departure and agreement reached, so departs Bor.

[Arathis(#30050)]

Having surveyed the group, tarrying coldly upon the Squire, the gaze of the Isilrim regards finally the Seven Stones Captain. A step is taken with the departing man his mien is bare, and his tone even: \"You are recovered?\"

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Gurtir slows down his walk, turning to Arathis.

\"I would say so, though a healer could find reasons to still hold me why?\"

[Arathis(#30050)]

\"I would know whether my steed bore you in vain.

\"So it has not.\"

Thus the Isilrim Lord disengages the Captain, departing in direction of the encampment gates.

[Gurtir(#30678)]

Silence regards the Isilrim Lord\'s departure...

\"Then thank him, please.\", Gurtir afterwards says-- yet a ghost of a smirk rests upon his lips.