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Arestevana · 10-04-2003, 06:05 PM

Kirima left her spot at the base of the tree and began to wander aimlessly away from camp. Suddenly she heard a step behind her. She turned, half expecting to see an angry villager with a sword. What was it Lotar had said? Little Men with pitchforks? Kirima shuddered. They sounded horribly like orcs. It was only Kandel though. She sighed, wishing she might stop imagining vicious attackers at every noise.

'Good day' the man said, smiling. 'We've been assigned to head to the town for mapping. I suppose you'll be wanting to head out now?'

Mapping? for a moment Kirima could make no sense of the statement. Then she remembered that they were attacking this settlement called Bree. Of course their leaders would want accurate maps of the area. She turned to Kandel and nodded, then followed him toward the town.

She thought for a moment of going back to camp to fetch parchment and charcoal. Then she realized that it was too dark to use such tools accurately. Darkness was setting in as they reached the town, and they moved quietly, examining outer defenses and committing them to memory.

As she walked, Kirima spotted a place where the dike surrounding the town had collapsed and filled in. She stepped experimentally over the makeshift bridge it formed, then ran back across. She found several other similar crossing points and tested their strength. Then she crossed at one of these places and began examining the hedge running adjacent to the dike. She soon found an opening here as well.

A shadow fell across the gap. Pressing herself against the hedge, Kirima saw a small dark figure walk past on the far side. It walked along the hedge until it was well past the West gate, then retreated into the darkness.

Again Kirima peered through the hedge. She noted many darkened buildings, thrown into sharp relief by the light streaming from torches around the town square. Many people seemed to be crowded into the space, and their voices could be heard over the distance. A meeting! These villagers were preparing defense after all! She ran back across the dike and beckoned to Kandel.

They crossed dike and edged through the hedge, slipping silently between buildings to reach the meeting place. Krirma moved ever slower as she neared the circle of light. Keeping to shadows, she moved behind a nearby building and out of sight. She could still hear the speakers well though, and settled down to listen.

[ October 05, 2003: Message edited by: Arestevana ]

10-04-2003, 06:05 PM	#23
Arestevana Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: West over water Posts: 486	Kirima left her spot at the base of the tree and began to wander aimlessly away from camp. Suddenly she heard a step behind her. She turned, half expecting to see an angry villager with a sword. What was it Lotar had said? Little Men with pitchforks? Kirima shuddered. They sounded horribly like orcs. It was only Kandel though. She sighed, wishing she might stop imagining vicious attackers at every noise. 'Good day' the man said, smiling. 'We've been assigned to head to the town for mapping. I suppose you'll be wanting to head out now?' Mapping? for a moment Kirima could make no sense of the statement. Then she remembered that they were attacking this settlement called Bree. Of course their leaders would want accurate maps of the area. She turned to Kandel and nodded, then followed him toward the town. She thought for a moment of going back to camp to fetch parchment and charcoal. Then she realized that it was too dark to use such tools accurately. Darkness was setting in as they reached the town, and they moved quietly, examining outer defenses and committing them to memory. As she walked, Kirima spotted a place where the dike surrounding the town had collapsed and filled in. She stepped experimentally over the makeshift bridge it formed, then ran back across. She found several other similar crossing points and tested their strength. Then she crossed at one of these places and began examining the hedge running adjacent to the dike. She soon found an opening here as well. A shadow fell across the gap. Pressing herself against the hedge, Kirima saw a small dark figure walk past on the far side. It walked along the hedge until it was well past the West gate, then retreated into the darkness. Again Kirima peered through the hedge. She noted many darkened buildings, thrown into sharp relief by the light streaming from torches around the town square. Many people seemed to be crowded into the space, and their voices could be heard over the distance. A meeting! These villagers were preparing defense after all! She ran back across the dike and beckoned to Kandel. They crossed dike and edged through the hedge, slipping silently between buildings to reach the meeting place. Krirma moved ever slower as she neared the circle of light. Keeping to shadows, she moved behind a nearby building and out of sight. She could still hear the speakers well though, and settled down to listen. [ October 05, 2003: Message edited by: Arestevana ]