[Bêthberry]

Settlers

Calumdril had returned to Borgand's tent. He was exhaused from the physical strain of carrying the dead Ranger's body, tense and frustrated by the attitude of the young, angry Ranger, worried that a regular supply of food had not been found.

He slumped down on the rough wooden bench with a nod and hollow look at Illith.

"It's bad, isn't it? The news," she said quietly.

"Aye, that it is." Calumdril stared over at the sleeping boy Bregand, wishing he could sleep. "I couldn't find a trace of the herd of deer. The rainstorm and thunder drew them off. But I went looking for the Ranger leader, Thorgil. I had told him I found strange tracks, Illith, and suspected him of duplicity. He was supposed to warn us of dangers he knew in the area. He had not."

Illith nodded silently. She knew at this point better than to interrupt. Instead, she filled a bowl with the bubbling stew from the fire, cut a wide slice of bread, and placed the food in front of the man who was her husband's best friend. She hung a small tin pot with water over the fire, to brew a warm drink for him. For herself as well.

Calumdril exhaled deeply, several times, and watched the steam from the hot stew wander lazily upwards until it reached his nostrils. He was hungry. And he was glad he was close with Illith.

"I found Thorgil, Illith, but dead of a stone wound to the head. He had come upon the Hillman with the strange tracks. I don't know exactly what happened. Perhaps they surprised each other. Perhaps they were overcome with fear and mistrust. The Hillman was dead, too, of a sword wound to the stomach. Not a heroic end for either." He stopped to eat his stew while Illith prepared the draught. The warmth spread threw his belly and he relaxed a bit.

"So that is what you brought Borgand out to see. Thorgil's body."

"Yes, but it's worse. Did I sent Thorgil to his doom, Illith? Should I have tracked this Hillman myself? These thoughts travelled through my head as I buried the wild man, a deformed creature whose death likely will bring omens to his people. And as I struggled carrying Thorgil's body, one of the young rangers came upon me, impatient and hot headed with youth. Did he read guilt in my face as I explained what I had found? He might have. He nearly accused me of killing Thorgil myself, Illith."

Illith sipped her cup silently. "Did he tell this to the other rangers?"

"Likely, I would expect. At a time when we need cooperation between us and the rangers, this will set us apart. And we will be more vulnerable to attack from these wild men."

He ate silently, at first pulling his bread apart roughly and hastily swallowing it, but then slowly coming to wipe his bowl with the final pieces. Illith served him more stew and bread.

"You shouldn't be feeding me so much. We don't know how long our supplied will last."

"We've enough for now. And there are the cattle if need be. Take what is due you," she replied simply, "and don't let haste or panic bring fear."

Calumdril watched her face quietly for several minutes as she drank. There were lines around her eyes and forehead he had not seen before, but her eyes shone brightly with determination. He returned to his eating.

"So, what we need is something to bring us together, the rangers and the settlers," Illith suggested calmly, a hint of twinkle even in her face.

Calumdril looked up at her with some surprise. He had not expected her to think of strategy. He had come to her for solace, the way he had often done with his sisters. He nodded.

Illith looked directly into his face. "Then we take this difference and work it into a game."

"A game? This isn't child's play, resettling in the wilderness."

Illith laughed. "There's more truth in child's play than you men ever notice. Sometimes friendly competition teaches people to share in a similar goal."

The Ithilian ranger stared at the woman. He had never seen this side of her before. With a start, he realized why she was such a good mate for Borgand.

Illith continued. "When Borgand returns, or when the rangers arrive--they will pick a new leader, I assume--why don't you suggest a challenge? Create a wager between the northern rangers and us. See who will find the herd of deer and bring us back food. Maybe we will name a feast dinner after he who succeeds."

Calumdril sat back on the rough bench.

"A game?" he repeated.

"Why not" she replied. At that moment, the sleeping Bregand stirred and she rose to check on him.

[ 9:24 AM November 30, 2003: Message edited by: Bêthberry ]