Brytta did not wait long. Soon Aldwulf, Liol, and Rochil had all arrived. Worry shone on each of their faces; worry, and disbelief. Brytta knew that not one of the three before him thought Heldór to be an individual that would murder a man; and certainly not another member of the King's guard. [I]This will make my explanation far easier for them to believe.[I]
"Friends, I am glad that you were all able to come; it cheers me greatly to see three of my dearest friends all here in like mind to help my brother. Of course, I must first tell of how I discovered his innocence, before we discuss other matters."
He leaned in close before continuing, hoping desperately as he did so that he would not appear conspicuous. "I was there the night that Folca was slain, playing cards with Heldór. My brother was a frequent visitor at the inn, you see, though only on off duty hours."
"As I left the establishment, I saw Folca stumble against a man named Fréa Forgoil; who's two brothers were with him. The latter roughly pushed the man off, but I (thinking nothing of the affair) past by without so much as turning. Nearing home, I suddenly realized that I had left my coat at the inn, and hurried back to retrieve it. Looking down at the pavestones, I noticed several specks of dried blood. Someone must have cut his hand, I thought. But by the King, was I mistaken!"
The next morning, Heldór had been accused of murder after Folca's body had been discovered poorly hidden in his house. It was only then that I pieced together the evidence, soon coming to this conclusion: Fréa was the true murderer, probably slaying Folca in a drunken fight. He and his brothers hid the body in my brother's quarters, effectively covering up the crime.
Brytta sat back, giving the information time to sink in. Then Adwulf said; "Well my dear Brytta, why have you not said anything of this to the authorities. Are you going to let Heldór go to his death at the Executioner's block?"
Brytta glanced around him, making sure that no one was watching his table. Then he leaned forward again. "No, Adwulf, that would do nothing. It would be the word of a man and an accused murderer against that of three brothers with a stainless criminal record. You see, friends, that is why I have summoned you here. The only way for Heldór to live is for him to escape."
"I have developed a plan to ferry Heldór through the Gap of Rohan and up north, where he will be safe. But to do this, we must first spring him from prision. I want you to all take a good look at this; it is a map of the prisons of Edoras.
Brytta removed from his tunic a tattered sheet on which a crude outline with several notations written beside it. It showed a simple rectangular room, with prision cells on one wall and stools for visitors on the other. At the far end was a barred window. A door led out of the cell block, into another, smaller room where steps ascended into the main level of the Golden Hall.
"From this we must develop a plan to break Heldór out of Edoras, and down the hill to a wagon that will be waiting. We will then conceal Heldór inside it, and take him west towards the Gap. Once their, we destroy the wagon and continue north on horseback. But we must stay focused; study this map carefully, and tell me what you think would be the best way to free him from the prison area."
Brytta sat back and watched as the three looked over the map intently. He was playing on the hope that they would discover something which he had not; a reliable way out!
[ July 15, 2003: Message edited by: Himaran ]
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