A departure

Southern Misty Mountains - Dunland <>

Evergreen blankets the hilly mounts which command a far-flug view of the surrounding area. The mountain Methedras towers to the east, rising higher than any other mountains in sight. To the west are the lonely plains of Dunland. Far to the north, the forest-green canopy of treetops hint of the luxuriant growth that mantles the slopes, reaching down to the golden plains. To the south, the foothills continue, heading towards the Gap of Rohan.

A stone fortress, the Creatrach Keep of the Bear Clan, stands atop this tallest of the foothills. Pitted and scoured by the harsh highland winters, the fortress of a more crude style than most in Middle Earth, looks older than its two decades. A wide strip of packed earth rings the outside of the fortress and the sturdy fieldstone walls, well manned, is stripped of ivy that used to climb there. The gates of iron-studded wood face east, flanked by two Dunlendings clad in Bear-red. During the day, the guards screen entrance to residents and visitors alike.

Obvious exits:

Northwest leads to Highlands - Dunland <>.

South leads to Highlands - Dunland <>.

Wooden Gates leads to Courtyard -- Creatrach Keep.

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Dunland Time and Weather Forecast

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Real Time is:       Tue Jan 20 00:15:44 2009

IC weather is:      Wind: breeze - Clouds: moderate

IC Moon is:         Not visible

IC time is:         Mid Morning

IC date is:         Trewsday, Day 28 of December in the year 3045.

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[Carac(#32384)] Nearly two months since arriving at Creatrach, Carac slips out of the wooden gates and puts the walls of the fortress at his back. Much has happened in the two months, a new Ceann chosen, a massacre and an oath-taking.

He looks out towards the first rays of the sun peaking over the snowcoverd slopes of the Misty Mountains. His breath plumes out before him as he clutches the hunting spear in his hand. He looks back over the tracks he leaves in the fresh snow and then towards those with him. \"Game will be easy to track in this snow,\" he says.

[Halen(#9388)]

Halen laughs through his thick beard, a spear in hand.

\"Aye, the season is a blessing and a curse. I am glad to be away at least.\"

Another figure emerges from the gates, this one also with a spear the hood of Breveg\'s cloak is pushed back and he is frowning, his head twisted round so that he can glance over his shoulder. \"I should think most things will be easy to track. It doesn\'t make travel at this season easier.\" The words are spoken clearly.

[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a soft chuckles to Halen\'s words. \"Oh it was not too bad,\" he says. \"At least there was plenty of ale,\" he adds with a grin. \"Though it is good to be away,\" he scatches at his beard. \"This beard is driving me mad.\"

Turning to Brev he nods. \"It\'s not going to be a pleasant journey,\" he says. \"We\'ve got to get to Garaig and the others, though. What of you?\" he asks then. \"You going to be staying with this Ranich?\" he asks.

[Halen(#9388)]

Halen laughs again, heartily.

\"I am getting used to the beard, actually. I may keep it.\"

He looks back to Brev.

\"I celebrate the hard journeys. They usually signify great achievements.\"

Breveg extends the spear he\'s carrying to Carac. \"You might have a use for this,\" he offers, his tone still clear and carrying. \"The smith provided more than I need.\"

Carac\'s question is answered by a slight shake of the head. \"I was going to ask Gregoir to send me up to the northern border,\" he murmurs, much more quietly. \"Might have useful information to pass on, then. As for Ranich,\" there he hesitates. \"I don\'t /think/ he\'ll fight. But he\'ll supply the Bear army. Wish I could claim otherwise. I was working on him - was this close - but then came that bloody meeting and he clammed up.\" He hesitates again. \"Have you thought about approaching him? He has no love for Maulduin. And he and his folk didn\'t fight the Hawk, less reason for some,\" his eyes slide in the direction of Halen, \"to hate them.\"

To Halen himself he responds, \"Then I hope what you achieve at journey\'s end is worth it. For all,\" and briefly his eyes harden. He brushes it off with a chuckle. \"I gave up the beard after a month. Damn thing kept itching.\"

[Carac(#32384)] \"And if smells something, awful,\" Carac says wrinkling his nose with a downward glance towards his beard. \"Well,\" he says then. \"I\'d speak with him, if you think it could lead to something. I think there might be others open to negotiation as well.\" He scratches irritably at his chin. \"What of this new Ceann? What\'s your thoughts on him?\" he chuckles. \"Bit young I\'d say.\"

He turns to Halen. \"The beard fits you,\" he says. \"You were too pretty before.\"

[Halen(#9388)]

Halen catches the tilt of Brev\'s eyes and his own glitter mischeviously.

\"If you\'re lookin\' for an apology, look elsewhere,\" he says, smiling. And he but laughs at Carac\'s comment, tapping the butt of his spear to the ground.

Breveg, \'still too pretty\', tilts his head in Halen\'s direction. \"I was hoping it wasn\'t me who would be needing one,\" he remarks with a wry half-smile.

To Carac he nods. \"I\'ll see what I can do with Ciaran. He\'s worried about the Hawk, certainly. and getting a bit lonely I\'d guess. Started pushing me to claim my father\'s Fianship. Like /that/ would work.\" He snorts. \"Gregoire\'s young, but he\'s got a brain in there. And plenty of courage, sometimes at least. Lacks confidence in himself, though. That business with Maulduin should never have gone to council in the first place.\" He flicks a shrewd glance across at his friend. \"Want me to bolster him up, or to set him doubting?\"

[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives Breveg\'s question a moments consideration. \"Find out if he\'s his own man or just Maulduin\'s puppet,\" he says. \"Maulduin will never be willing to negotiate,\" he says. \"So, we\'ll need to find out if Gregoir will stand against him if need be. Kavanagh is the same as Maulduin and will be a pain in the arse, I promise. If you can keep them crossed up, it would be a help, but whatever you do be careful. This is no game we\'re playing, and you to quite a large risk.\"

He then turns to Halen. \"Hope you\'re as bright of eye and glad of heart when it comes to the work we need to do before spring gets here,\" he says. \"Kiern knows Garaig is gonna howl for weeks when he\'s torn from his drinking.\"

[Halen(#9388)]

\"The end is in sight, Carac. I can see it coming,\" says Halen, his mirthful tone still pervading the entirety of his speech.

\"Or is it the beginning? I don\'t know.\"

Breveg sighs at Carac\'s words. \"I know,\" he answers the final question. \"But ... ach, just take care, will you?\" He grips the other man\'s shoulder for a moment. \"I\'ll be seeing you in a month or few - if I\'m not spitted on a goblin spear or one of Garaig\'s arrows by then.\"

For Halen he has no similar gesture, simply a wordless nod. He turns then, and slips back toward Creatrach.

[Carac(#32384)] \"We\'ll see each other again,\" Carac says at the grasp of his shoulder, and then turns to watch as Breveg heads back.

Then he turns towards Halen he chuckles softly. \"It\'s both,\" he says. \"Nothing begins with out something ending. I just hope we\'re on the right side this time around, eh?\"

[Halen(#9388)]

\"Whether we win or lose, we are on the right side, my friend,\" Halen says, hefting his spear into the air. \"You have done well to lead us thus far.\"

\"Shall we?\" he intones, pointing ahead.

[Carac(#32384)] Carac nods and steps forward. \"Let us start it then,\" he says. \"I am wanting to get the ending, whatever may be.\"