[Child of the 7th Age]

Guthwine:

Guthwine was still in a foul temper as he strode across the encampment, retreating into his tent. Kicking off his boots, he cursed Lotar and his foolhardy schemes. The man was deluding himself if he thought the Breelanders would forget about the raids on the farmhouses and extend a helping hand. Even if a miracle occurred and the Mayor erased everything in the past, the most they could expect would be a few paltry handouts and then be sent out on the road again with no permanent home. They would never make it through the winter without a place to take shelter.

If Lotar would only make an effort and mount an organized assault on the city..... Guthwine's's thoughts trailed off as he imagined what it would be like to live in a home of his own. They would finally have a place to settle where they could start a new life. Beside that enticing image, the promise of a peaceful solution seemed like so many hollow words.

Ironically, things had been going better than expected until those blasted women had shown up. Just this morning, Guthwine had urged Lotar to attack on the fourth day, and the man had reluctantly acquiesced. Yet now he was going back on his promise and proposing that they trust the Breelanders with their wives and children.

Guthwine looked up from his angry ruminations and was surprised to see his wife standing near the entrance of the tent, gasping to catch her breath. She had left early that morning with a group of women who were supposed to travel on foot to a large pond several miles distant in order to fish and gather herbs and nuts. She had taken the children with her as had many of the other mothers who had gone. The group had left in the early morning and wasn't expected back until tomorrow.

Guthwine looked over at Greta and asked in a puzzled tone, "Back so soon? I thought you and the children had gone overnight?"

His wife stared back at him saying nothing. Then she sat down on the ground, drew her legs up against her body and began to sob, while still gasping for air. Her face was as white as the snow in winter.
Guthwine rushed over and put his arms around Greta, cradling her gently against his shoulder. "What has happened? What is wrong?" He drew a jagged breath as he hastily glanced outside. His children were nowhere to be seen. "Meri? Ian? Where are they?" he demanded in a gruff tone.

Greta looked up at her husband with tears streaming down her cheeks. "Meri is fine. It is Ian. He's hurt. A hunting party was also near the pond. There was an accident.....this morning. An arrow." Her answers came in short jagged spurts as she struggled to catch her breath and spit out the words.

"He is here in camp?"

"No, back at the pond. I came to get help."

"I will go now on my horse. But first I must find a healer."

"A healer? There is no healer. They have all perished except for Kirima and she has gone to Bree."

Guthwine cursed between his teeth and ran out into the clearing, grabbing his horse and throwing himself in the saddle as he took off for the pond.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 11:56 AM February 07, 2004: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]