[Brinniel]

Desolyn studied the map carefully. Her thoughts were all jumbled together and she wasn't sure how exactly she would explain this plan of her's without confusion. But finally Desolyn spoke.

"We are heading northwest. Is that right?" she asked Fionel, pointing to the map.
The girl nodded in response.
"I see," Desolyn continued. "We'll need to change directions then."
"Why would we do that?" Haven asked. "Going northwest will be faster. It's the best path."
"Not necessarily," Des replied. "Northwest is the direction the hunters expect us to take. They'll search that direction first. Besides, no direction is faster when we have to cross the Ephel Duath."
"Well, what direction do you propose we go then?" Fionel asked.
"West. And perhaps slightly south too. When we reach the edge of the mountains we will stop and prepare for the hunters to come."
"And then what will we do?" asked Lanbriel. "Attack them? With what? Rocks?" The girl folded her arms, looking rather irritated.
"We don't need weapons to fight back at the Easterlings," Desolyn said. "All we need is something that they don't have: intelligence. We can trick them; set traps."
"What kind of traps?" Haven asked.
Des shook her head. "I don't know. That's the part of the plan I don't have yet. I'd have to see our surroundings first."
Desolyn's response caused Lanbriel to frown even more.
"I don't know this will work, Des," Fionel said. "The hunters are all good trackers. They will find out quickly that we have changed directions."
"Not if we cover up our tracks," Des responded. She looked over at the elf who stood quietly. "Perhaps our only elf can help us with that if she is light-footed enough."
The elf looked at the girl in surprise. "Me?" she asked.
Des nodded.
"It still wouldn't work," Lanbriel argued. "They'll track our scent."
"That's what dirt is for," Desolyn said. "So, what do you all say? Do we use the plan or not?"