[Himaran]

Pio's post - Archim and Hama trailing Aldwulf

They trailed Aldwulf from a safe distance, keeping to the west of him, hidden in the line of trees that marched along the foot of the North Downs. The man kept up a brisk pace, with the occasional brief stop for water or a piece of dried meat to chew on.

‘He seems distracted,’ doesn’t he?’ Archim motioned with his chin to Hama at the ambling man. ‘No, not distracted. There is something about him that runs counter to the fact he should be acting like a hunted man.’ Hama arched his brows at Archim; then, took a good long look at their quarry. There was no sign of weariness or wariness about him. In fact, to Hama’s eyes he looked like someone about to burst into song. ‘Strange, don’t you think,’ whispered Archim.

As if on cue, they heard a low humming trail back to them from Aldwulf. Archim narrowed his eyes, trying to catch the familiar tune. Hama, too, leaned forward in his saddle. He sat up straight after a few moments, and prodded Archim in the side with his elbow. ‘Turn me into an addlepated broodmare if he isn’t humming that lovey-dovey song we heard the minstrel in the White Horse sing a month ago.’ Archim looked at him as if he had spoken in an unknown tongue. ‘You remember, Archim. The one I saw you mimic afterwards in the Inn yard. The one who sang of courtly love, all that pure-love blathering – you remember,’ he said winking salaciously at his companion. ‘The one you turned into a rather bawdy song.’

‘Hmm,’ replied Archim, the memory growing clearer. ‘I wonder what’s gotten into him?’ He stared at Aldwulf wondering if the man had been bewitched by some fair, dead maiden buried long ago at Deadmen’s Dike.

‘No matter the reason, Archim. It’s a fortunate turn of events for us that he is so oblivious our following him.

They lapsed into silence, guiding their mounts carefully over the forest floor, their eyes ever on the man before them.
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Dain's post

Fréa hung back at the rear of the column keeping a close watch on the others who were further down the trail. He could see Archim and Hama parading at the front of the line, with Graitwa following just a few paces back.

At this point, Fréa was as much worried that Graitwa or Archim would do something impulsive to blow their cover as he was about actually losing sight of Aldwulf. Aldwulf didn't seem to be going anywhere except straight ahead on the path; he was clearly in their view. Yet, every so often, Archim would turn to Hama, and the two men would engage in spirited conversation about the vagaries of the man whom they were following. Once or twice, Fréa turned to his elder brother and grimaced, letting him know that he didn't approve of Archim's loose tongue.

Graitwa picked up on this, and trotted forward to his youngest brother's side, "Pipe down, you two. You're chattering like a flock of young jackdaws. If you don't close your mouths, Aldwulf may overhear us."

Despite this warning, Aldwulf remained totally oblivious to his pursuers as he continued striding up the path. At one point in the late afternoon, Graitwa dropped back to Fréa's side and started a discussion of his own, this one focusing on what would happen once they arrived at Brytta's camp."

"Do you think we'll have the chance to attack today and put an end to all this," Graitwa queried.

Fréa shook his head, "I hope so, but let's not be in such a big hurry until we actually see their camp. Even if the layout looks good, we'd probably want to wait till late tonight under cover of darkness, when their men have fallen asleep."

Graitwa flashed back a grin, "So you think it will be as easy as following this one?"

Fréa shook his head, "That's hard to believe. If they have any sense, they'll post a guard. I do not think that Brytta is as big a fool as this one who walks ahead of us. If there's a sentry, he'll have to be carefully taken out. Then we'll see what happens...."

Aldwulf came to a temporary halt surveying the ridge that stood before him. He hesitated for an instant, looking about in all directions and then moved on. The campsite, the goal of all their travels, had to be dead ahead.


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Envinyatar’s post

It was very early evening when Aldwulf rounded the dip in the path he had taken south as he left the camp. There, visible now a short distance away was the rocky outcropping the others had said would hold a lookout for him. Whoever it was on the rock had hidden himself, or herself. He grinned thinking of Liol crouched down behind the tops rocks awaiting his signal.

But there was none to give. He had seen or heard no one in pursuit. All was clear, as far as he was concerned. He strode on toward the bend which would take him behind the outcropping, and down to the little dell in which his companions waited.

Shifting his pack on his shoulders, he looked up again at the rocks. Then, with a quickened pace he headed back to where Brytta and the others waited, his voice raised in the low singing of some ballad.

At his left shoulder, he heard someone hiss at him. ‘Quiet down! No need to let anyone near know where we are!’ Chastened, he kept quiet as he marched the last few yards into camp.

Unheeded the Forgoils drew nearer, taking up advantageous positions above their quarry . . .

[ September 11, 2003: Message edited by: Himaran ]

[ September 11, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]