[Imladris]

So that was what Marreth had been up to in his secrecy: talking to his little spy on the elven ship. The problem, of course, was the fact that he had to babysit the fellow to make sure he didn't get caught. Well, he wasn't much of a spy, was he, if he was caught so easily.

"You are to leave immediately and take the seal skin tent with you. If the snow flares up like it did last night you will need it," Marreth was saying.

Jynne scowled. Not only did he have to babysit some traitor, but he had to to do it in the cold wet snow. If he became sick, all could be spoiled...

With a curt nod, Jynne turned on his heal and slipped into his own quarters. Taking a small oaken chest from underneath the cot, he opened it. Inside, tiny vials clattered brightly against each other as he sifted through them. Finally, he found what he was looking for: a concoction that would fend sickness from his flesh. Holding the green vial aloft, Jynne peered into the transclucent glass. The vial was only half full -- he would have to use it sparingly. Plucking the cork from the vial, he swallowed three times, and then replaced the vial with the others.

As he slipped from his room, clinging to the splotchy shadows, he thought about what Marreth had said. He had ordered them to bring along some trusted men. Jynne smiled thinly. Trusted men...did Marreth not know that men could not be trusted?