Angmar Bound, Chapter 2: Where Shadows Lie

[arienv]

Frali:

Frali looked thoughtful. He was of torn mind. On the one hand there was the risk of being discovered and/ or risking a fight against superior numbers which probably would not end favourably and the thrill of searching the buildings, not knowing what really would await them. He wouldn't mind spending a few days out of the saddle with the prospect of a slightly more comfortable place to rest at night. The guard house sounded a good place to stay and a chance for new supplies if there was something like that in this accursed place was to be considered. Finally he spoke aloud. "Frali of Erebor, at your service and your family's.", the young dwarf said with a bow to Telperos. "If I may say so, we are an able group of skilled fighters and scouts. I fear no orcs or dead or whatever might linger in this place, and my axe would not mind to see some use, my good elves." He grinned a bit and added: "It would not hurt to find some additional blankets or spare clothes or maybe something that is of use for our good mounts."

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Auros nodded in acknowledgement of Frali's stance, then turning to Fainan, he affirmed, "We do not need to be completely invisible, we merely need to delay discovery of our visit until we are safely away with whatever information we can obtain. You are a scout of Mirkwood. If it needs to be said, I have confidence in your ability to move about stealthily when needed and leave little trace of your presence." Turning to Calion, he added, "That goes for you as well, Calion. I expect you have some familiarity with remaining undetected by the many dark creatures that stalk your forests." With a gleam in his eye and a wry grin, he added, "In that same vein, I assure you both that this haughty, pompous, and conceited Noldo has not spent his entire life tramping recklessly from one foe to the next." Telperos lowered his head chuckling softly at Auros' description of himself. Auros concluded, "Frali may need some help in that regard. As far as those things we cannot help, we will keep contained to this shelter Telperos speaks of so that when the time comes, we can erase any last vestiges of our presence. We will leave the horses in the stable, and move about the town on foot. It is not a large town."

[Eonwë]

Telperos:

With a grin and a bow to Frali, Telperos petitioned, "I have the utmost confidence in the skills of your redoubtable group, Master Dwarf, but I hope you will permit me at least one night of peace before you rouse the armies of this land to test their mettle against your axe!"

"As for the supplies," he proceeded, addressing the group, "we shouldn't overthink reasons for why they may be missing. This leader is trusting orcs to carry out his commands, and you can only trust orcs so far, as I've been reminded recently. If whoever comes to check on things finds the city's guards gone and the supplies ravaged, they will be suspected, if we are careful."

With a look of disgust, Telperos added, "I would warn against consuming anything from the shelf in the upper room, however. I have seen what things these orcs consider delicacies, and I would sooner eat the grass, if those were my only options."

[Varda]

Fainan:

    "Thank you for your confidence. And although we kid about you, your behavior has always been that of a decent and capable person. The idea of the guard house is sound. As for old scrolls, I had my fill in Rivendell's libraries, unless you need help. As for supplies, perhaps I could range out a bit to check for unwanted company and wanted small game?"

[arienv]

Frali bowed to both Auros and Telperos with a smile to both Noldo, pleasantly surprised that Auros at last showed some signs of humor and suprising sensivity of how others might perceive him. In the same tone he repled: "If you think that I am untested and move like a mumakil then say it so, Master Elves." Then he added a bit more seriously: "If it contributes to not being overrun within a matter of hours or minutes I shall be grateful to receive your instruction of course." Then Frali winked again and continued goodnaturedly: "I am more than willing to follow your lead and instructions,, Master Auros. I trust you and your friends in every aspect. I only ask you to trust in my abilty to learn as well."

[Eonwë]

Auros:

"You are welcome to think what you wish about me," Auros declared to Fainan. "It matters not. What does matter is that we are able to work together towards our common goal. As for you, Master Frali," the Noldo said, turning to the Dwarf, "Do not take my words harshly. I have no doubt you are formidable in your own element, and your valour has been proven in combat; but you have not had need for stealth, and that is what we need now. I am certain you will adapt quickly."

[arienv]

Frali:

" I 'll do what I can, my Lord Auros" answered Frali and bowed. "But stealthy or not .. I think we better get moving before any of the owners of this abode return or we grow cobwebs as these .. abodes." Frali gestured at the ruined house and its interior.

[Varda]

Fainan:

"Sir Telperos, after your scouting the stores, how would you recommend that we best destroy the stores and make it appear the yrch did it themselves?"

[ArPharazon]

Calion:

"Destroy? It seems a waste of the food, and I'm sure Auros would like to keep some of the scrolls. If we're going to destroy it, we'd best make sure we take and hide what we want, first."

[Eonwë]

Auros:

"We're not destroying anything," Auros declared emphatically. "Not if we can help it. The point is to make it look like we weren't here, not to raze and pillage our way across Angmar."

[Varda]

Fainan:

"I would rather not blazon our names for the Enemy to read, either. How then would you like to cover up what we have already done?"

[Eonwë]

Auros:

"Done? So far we've done nothing. Telperos has killed a few orcs. That so far is nothing we should have trouble dealing with."

[Eonwë]

Telperos:

Telperos nodded. "Well, I've done a little more than that," he added with a mischievous grin, "but nothing we have need to worry about."

[Varda]

Fainan:

She mostly managed to restrain a smile. "Perhaps the bootprints, hoofprints, and leavings from our horses might tell a tale."

[Eonwë]

Auros:

Turning to Fainan, he said, "Again, that is nothing we can't deal with, once we have our horses in the stable."

Telperos remained silent as he watched Auros' and Fainan's discussion. Auros paused for a moment in thought, closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. "Very well. We will take only what food we need to shore up our own supplies, and only what we will reasonably eat while we are here. This is not a celebration. Tonight, however, we are taking only the hay for our horses. Leave the stores below alone."

Telperos nodded. "Aye, that would be best."

The decision made, Auros turned now to direction. "Calion, you and Frali see about getting some of those hay bales out here. Not too many, just enough for tonight. We'll worry about more in the morning. Fainan, see if you can find a vantage point from the top of one of these nearby buildings, get a general layout of the town, such as it is and if you can manage it through this fog." With a small grin, he added, "If you use a ladder, make sure to put it back where you found it." Turning to Telperos, he said, "Show me where this guardhouse is."