[Child of the 7th Age]

The campsite was quiet; most of the Lossoth and even the Elves had settled down for the evening. Luindal sat poking at the last embers of the firepit. He looked down one more time at the knife and swatch of cloth that Elwën had found on the snowy bank in the exact location where they planned to search for the Stones. The fabric appeared to be a diferent color but the very same type that he had picked up earlier from the caves. Little doubt remained in his mind: the Corsair crew was planning something for them on the morrow. But what that was he could only guess.

They would have sturdy weapons at their side to fight off any intruders and thick ropes around their waists to lessen the possibility of an "accident" on the ice turning into a disaster. He had spoken to Alahseey earlier in the evening, and she had confirmed that the currents in this part of the Bay could be quite treacherous even close to shore. But she had again stressed that this was an area that would need to be searched, because of the strange rocks that had been discovered, which were inscribed with Elvish runes.

Moreover, this early in the year, there was the very real danger of cracks and fissures unexpectedly forming in the ice. Sometimes entire ice blocks abruptly broke off and floated out to the Sea. And who was to say that the Corsairs would not find some way to exploit these natural dangers?

Yet it was not the Corsairs who worried him most. He was certain his brave companions would stand up to them and fight. It was the unknown spy within the camp who could wreck the most mischief, by pulling tricks of a sort that no one could possibly guess ahead of time. And who was to say that there was only one mole digging about for information? Possibly there were two or three.

With a sigh, Luindal settled down in his bedroll and willed himself to relax, gazing up at the stars and thinking about his family and what they might be doing tonight in the West. He wondered if the constellations looked different from the place where they were, or if they could see the same ones that he was staring at now. Before long, his eyes grew weary and sleep overcame him.

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With the approach of dawn, the camp again sprung to life: Luindal woke early, brushing the newly fallen snow from his clothing, and afterwards setting out his weapons and pack. As he had instructed the others to do, he wound the rope tightly around his waist and knotted it, rolling up the long end in a loop that he swung over his back. After hastily eating a few chunks of travel bread, he gestured that the group should come together for final instructions. Once they had gathered, he began to speak, "Take care this morning. Those going out onto the Bay must step lightly on the ice and try to avoid fissures and holes. Those remaining on shore must survey the land in back of us for signs of attack or ambush. Just as important, keep watching to see if any of those on the Bay have been swept off the ice into the water. If that happens, we're relying on you to tug hard at those ropes. The waters here are swift and deep, and a man can get swept away very quickly. And do not forget, if you see any sign of the Stones, give a hollar, and we'll be over to help."

With that, he handed his own rope to Freyn and one of the Elves he'd known from Lorien who was also helping. Slowly and with great caution, be began inching out onto the frozen Bay. Galhardir passed the end of his rope to Alahseey and Hilde, walking close just a pace ahead of Luindal. Soon the other team had done the same with their ropes, following just behind the Captain and Galhardir. For the moment at least, all appeared well.