[Child of the 7th Age]

The Elven camp was gradually pulling into shape. Several firepits had been dug and wood collected to start a cheerful blaze. Pots of thick meat soup and kettles of herb tea had been suspended over the pits and were merrily bubbling as they cooked.

Most importantly, the healers bustled about the camp tending to the needs of the wounded. Marreth's arrow had only slightly grazed the flesh of his arm, yet he was grateful for Rôg's insistence that he have the healer apply her soothing herbs. In truth, the wound hurt more than he'd expected, While he kept his thoughts to himself, the strained look on his face attested to the stinging pain that now coursed through his upper arm making it difficult to concentrate or do anything more than sit and cradle one hand in another. The healer had assured him that he would be wholy recovered in a day or two, yet for the moment he could do very little that was useful. Added to this was the grim realization that, while all the injured were expected to heal and regain their strength, they had lost five men: two Elves and three of the Lossoth volunteers.

Once the Corsairs had retreated, Luindal had circled back to the Bay and gathered a large bucket of ice both for himself and the others who were wounded, since this seemed to provide some remedy for the stinging pain. Glancing around the Bay, Luindal noted that three of their casualties had been swept away by the swift currents when the men had slipped into the deep waters, but two of the bodies remained stretched out on the ice. Burial was not possible given the frozen tundra, and a large burning funeral pyre was apt to attract too much attention from the Corsairs. Luindal decided to ask his companions to gather up the bodies and strap them onto one of the reindeer's sledge so the Lossoth could be returned to his kin and the Elf given a suitable memorial.

Returning to the encampment with his bucket, Luindal distributed chunks of the ice and then beckoned Carrandu over to his side, thanking him for his parting shot at the Corsair Captain, "Perhaps I've misjudged you, for you've at least given Marreth something to think about . When we get back to camp, we'll summon the Elders and hold a hearing to try and figure out exactly what happened on the ice today. If you'd like, you are welcome to speak on your own behalf to clear your name fully. Meanwhile, we'll keep Alahseey tied up. Get someone to help Freyn watch her, as he will need his share of sleep. Do it yourself if you like, or find another. I have already stationed guards on the perimeter of camp to warn us against any Corsair visitors, but I believe that will not happen now. I had actually thought to leave tonight, but I see no way to do that until the men have rested. We will rise early in the morning and make our way to the ship. Let the men know what will happen."

With that Luindal leaned back on his pallet. feeling that he had gone a way to mend fences with Carrandu. Lying flat on his back, with his arm supported by a block of ice, the Elf nodded to Rôg to come over, telling him of his plans, and then added, "One more thing...I've had enough of this searching on land. We are finding nothing and I feel like a duck out of water. From now on we will be heading into the Bay itself. Give me two days to heal and I swear I will find those blasted Stones if we have to swim from one end of this half-frozen Bay to the other. "