Grimbold reclined in the shadows, intently watching the faces and expressions of the others as they interacted. As a Ranger of the North, Grimbold was always visiting such meeting-places where he could hear rumour of the comings and goings, and passing events in the surrounding lands. He was also--above all else--an excellent determiner of character and motives. He could discern the thoughts of others by their faces, or through their shifting eyes.
Grimbold was always waiting and ready for a chance to serve the purposes of the free kingdoms of men in whatever small ways he could. Such an opportunity--he felt--was approaching as he watched the others in the chamber. Curling smoke furled out from his mouth in a long and twisting arc, and the leaf in his pipe glowed orange. He would see how the conversation developed, and he would follow one, or two, or all of them, or he would make himself known to them, all depending on the outcome of the following words...
__________________
Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountains. Like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the west. Behind the hills, into shadow.
How did it come to this?
|