[Ransom]

“What happened? Where do you intend to lead us?”

Thenamir gazed in quite a bit of confusion as Volkmar stowed away their meal and loaded the horse. Volkmar stuffed the half-folded tablecloth in a saddle bag and, still working, answered in a voice not unlike a child the night before a holiday.

“It appears that a band of my bretherin are encamped to the north. One of your comrade’s wounded steeds alarmed them when it stumbled into camp. Two of the fastest men came to investigate, and rescued one of your wounded friends. He is burning with fever and babbling, and his healing will take many days. For now, I deem that the best way to aid your friend is to keep our enemies away from them.”

By now, Volkmar had lashed the calvary spear onto the horse. He was untieing the horse when the screaming of ravens filled the woods. Both men gazed at the approaching flock for a moment before seeking cover.

The ravens soon disappeared, and Volkmar slowly crawled to Thenamir, ignoring the rather confused look his horse was giving him. “I fear that we have been found by fell powers, for those birds do not belong here. Let us attempt to track the rest of your group and continue. Your friend will catch up when he is ready. To delay would contribute to his death. We must move and move quickly.”

[ September 13, 2002: Message edited by: Ransom ]