Fréa calculated that the journey to Fornost would take about a day and a half if they kept to the main roadway and headed straight to their target. But that was before he'd considered the factor of all the bickering that was going on between the different members of the band.
As far as Fréa was concerned, he was all for sticking to the road and heading straight northward. But Archim was evidently of a different opinion, whining and moaning about the fact that Brytta may well have decided to slip eastward into the Weatherhills, perhaps even visiting as far south as Weathertop where he could climb up and get a good view of the surrounding flatlands. After much disagreement back and forth, Hama had even spoken up on Archim's behalf, noting that the Weatherhills was a notorious refuge for unsavory types who kept an eye on things outside and then come charging out to prey on unsuspecting travellers.
Archim was putting up such a fuss that Fréa found himself grinding his teeth and reaching down to clench the hilt of the dagger at his side. Struggling to keep his temper in check, the middle brother finally relented and agreed to a comproimise: the band would make one short foray towards the northern border of the Weather Hills to see if they could pick up any more clues or gossip. As the four horsemen shifted their direction and veered off towards the east, Fréa felt a small warning bell sounding in his ear that this might not be a very good idea.
[ September 04, 2003: Message edited by: Dain Ironfoot ]
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