[Alcarillo]

Cainenyo fell down the other side of the wall. His arms and legs ached from fighting as he stood. He was in another alley, running to the left and to the right, but this one was not filled with the usual crates and clotheslines. It was empty and kept clear, for this alleyway was used by the servants of the rich. And their great houses stood on each side, empty and bare. Their owners had abandoned them long before. Cainenyo wandered from the sounds of battle, just wanting to not see anymore orcs. He walked down the alley, to the left, where a small iron gate stood. Cainenyo limped; his ankle was twisted climbing the wall, and with each step came a dull pain. The sounds of war became quieter, but it still buzzed and roared in the background as a constant reminder that the city was no longer safe.

There were also wounds in his shoulder, where a knife had dug into his mail and now hung there caught in the rings, and a long red scratch on his cheek. He came to the iron gate and found it unlocked. The homeowners and servants had forgotten to lock the doors in their rush to escape the destruction. And so it was that Cainenyo walked into a spacious courtyard, with tall poplar trees at each corner and a square pool of clear water in the center. High white walls surrounded the courtyard, and a mansion stood on the side opposite the gate. This place seemed safe as any. Cainenyo slumped down upon the white tiles by the pool, and dipped his cupped hands into cool water. He splashed the water against his face and stretched his limbs. Although his hurt ankle would be a hindrance, he was most worried about the cut on his cheek and on the back of his shoulder, where a knife had pierced his mail. It still remained there, not in his flesh but caught in the rings of his mail, where it uncomfortingly pressed against his body. Carefully reaching, his hand felt the knife's handle and tugged it out of his armor. It was a devilish blade, sinisterly curved. Cainenyo threw it against the wall of the house in contempt and anger.

He now stood, and heard the sounds of battle growing in the distance. It sounded as though the fighting was pushing further into the city, and Cainenyo realized he needed to leave Ost-in-Edhil if he wanted to survive. He made his way around the pool and to the backdoor of the mansion, which swung open lazily, revealing an opulently decorated hallway. Tapestries hung on the red walls and pleasantly carved columns held up the ceiling. But Cainenyo had no time to admire any of this fine workmanship. He found the front door along a high-ceilinged hallway, and pushed open the great oak doors, carved with images of dragons and warriors. He flew down the stone steps into the street, and ran towards the West, away from the dim sunrise and Celebrimbor's palace and the orcs, and towards his family and survival.