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The two brothers were assigned to the end of the caravan. More precisely, they were to see to the reindeer which pulled the sledge for bearing passengers. For the most part of the journey north, their only passenger had been Rôg. All bundled up in his thickly fur-lined leather breeches and overtunic, the skin changer seemed to be enjoying himself - commenting as they went along on what he knew about the ice formations and the wildlife they hid.
‘I see you’ve brought your blades and bows,’ Rog noted, about a quarter of the way into the trek. ‘Planning on hunting something?’
‘Protecting’s more like it,’ chimed in Carandû, his breath sending out great plumes of frosty air as he strode along. ‘You keep your eyes open, too. Let us know if you notice anything.’ Rôg looked at Carandû whose face seemed quite serious, then turned his gaze to Annû. ‘What’s that about,’ he mouthed at the younger brother.
Annû glanced down at the man. ‘We’ve a theory about the rockslide at the cavern,’ he began, pitching his voice a little lower – though what, other than the reindeer, could hear him was dubious. In quick phrases, he told Rôg about their suspicions and wondered if he’d remembered anything more about those two vague figures he seen. The man’s answer was ‘no’, though he assured them he’d gone over his memories time and time again.
Most of the day was spent in pleasant conversation. At lunch time a brief rest was called – time for food and drink and a chance to sit down for a while. But soon, the Captain had them on their feet again. The sun had moved past its zenith and he wanted to reach the camping grounds the two Lossoth had told him about before it grew dark.
Five more hours brought them to their destination on the northern shores. As Carandû and his brother drew up with the two reindeer and their sledges they could see the two Lossoth women – Hilde and Alahseey, pointing out to those in front the best places to camp. Annû shivered at the expanse of ice and snow that was meant to serve as the place to pitch their tents. ‘Ah,’ he said, watching his brother take the thick bearskins from the sledge where Rôg had been sitting. ‘I doubt even those will not protect our bones from the hard mattress the Captain has chosen for us.’ Carandû nodded as he began to put up the hide tent, then piled the bearskins within.
‘Why don’t you two see about getting us a fire going . . . and find something for us to eat,’ he went on, his fist clasped round a large hammer from the tent chest, ‘I’ll just get these pounded in, then I’ll see to the reindeer. The animals eyed him at this comment, as if they understood his intent, and their hooves struck the ground once or twice in anticipation of a handful of hay and dried grasses that were packed a the back of the sledge.
Annû helped Rôg to his feet, and the two of them went off to rifle through the supplies for food and then were off on a small venture to find water. ‘The sun is hastening toward the horizon,’ said the Elf. ‘Let’s not loiter too long in any one place. I want to be back at our own campfire before darkness falls.’
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