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piosenniel · 10-03-2003, 01:45 PM

October 30 early night - the Henchmen and Cami

‘Rotten blighter!’ muttered Ahriman, a mean scowl clouding his face as he looked toward Assiram. ‘Who does he think he is . . . ordering us about . . . like he’s the High King hisself . . .’

Ahriman grumbled to himself as he walked the perimeter of the camp. He’d had enough of tramping through the countryside and wanted to get back to the comforts of the Inn. A pint of ale, a pipe to smoke, and plenty of coin jingling in his pocket . . . that plus a little roughing up of the Shire vermin and he’d consider this a job come to a satisfying conclusion. He’d made the suggestion when Assiram asked for it - that they just force their way into that Smials place now and be done with it.

‘We’re armed better’n them,’ he’d said. ‘And bigger. Let’s just smash in the door and take what we want. Make an example of Mr. High-and-Mighty-Hole-Dweller while we’re at it.’

Assiram had spat on the ground at his suggestion saying they were going to do it his way – he wanted plenty of time to look around the place for what the old man had. Then he sent Ahriman off to patrol the camp. Patrol the camp! What a joke! Here they were in the middle of nowhere and who was he thinking was going to attack them . . . Such thoughts as these preoccupied the man as he trudged slowly about the outskirts of the area. The sun was hanging low in the sky, a chill evening breeze had come up. Ahriman pulled his cloak tighter about him. He continue to grumble and mutter as he walked . . . He looked toward the west where the sun was barely visible through the trunks of the trees. ‘At least it’ll be sunset soon, and we can get on with our business.’

He’d come to the area where they’d picketed the horses, glancing at them as he walked by. His eyes went wide. He squinted at the group. There were four horses there! No, not four horses – three horses and a pony! And a brassy little pony to boot. There it was chomping away on the oats they’d put out for their mounts!

‘Oy! You! Scurvy little hayburner!’ Ahriman went running at the pony, his arms flapping wildly. The pony eyed him and snorted - then took one more bite of oats and with a kick of his heels toward the advancing man, took off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Cami heard the man’s shouts and peeked out carefully from round the boulder. There was Dandelion running pell mell up the hill while one of the ruffians sat on the ground shouting curses and holding his leg. ‘Well done, Dandy!’ she cheered to herself, stifling a laugh that sprang to her lips.

The grimness of the situation set quickly in on her once more, her face reflecting the seriousness of the situation. The doughty Hobbit gave a soft, short whistle, and after a few moments the pony found the way to her side.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

‘Wotcher goin’ on about, you fool! Shut your trap! You want everyone to know we’re here?’

Assiram and Helios came running to where Ahriman writhed on the ground, rubbing his right thigh. ‘Blasted beast kicked me!’ he hissed at them, motioning in the direction the pony had run.

The sun heaved a last sigh, its light flaring up for just a moment as the clouds scattered from the horizon, then it dipped beneath the rim of the world. Assiram squinted up the hill and saw nothing. The moon had not yet risen and all was in darkness. ‘Nothing there now,’ he growled at Ahriman. ‘Get up! It’s goin’ on dark. We’ll wait a space then go to the Old Took’s place and case it. You two getcher gear together and your mounts ready.’

Ahriman stood and said, ‘I been thinkin’ . . .’ An argument ensued concerning who was going to do what followed by another round of ‘Why can’t we just get it done tonight.’

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was frightening to hear the ruffians argue. Their voices were harsh and often their fists were raised and threats made. Cami steeled herself against her fear and quietly led Dandelion up the hill, darting from boulder to tree to boulder until they reached the ridge. Then, making her way silently in the shadows of the trees she turned in the direction of Great Smials. The voices had faded as she put a distance between herself and the Men.

When she felt it was safe, she mounted up and kicked her heels hard into Dandelion’s flanks. ‘Hurry Dandy!’ she whispered to the pony, urging it on. ‘We need to get into town and let Paladin know what’s happening.’

10-03-2003, 01:45 PM	#56
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,786	October 30 early night - the Henchmen and Cami ‘Rotten blighter!’ muttered Ahriman, a mean scowl clouding his face as he looked toward Assiram. ‘Who does he think he is . . . ordering us about . . . like he’s the High King hisself . . .’ Ahriman grumbled to himself as he walked the perimeter of the camp. He’d had enough of tramping through the countryside and wanted to get back to the comforts of the Inn. A pint of ale, a pipe to smoke, and plenty of coin jingling in his pocket . . . that plus a little roughing up of the Shire vermin and he’d consider this a job come to a satisfying conclusion. He’d made the suggestion when Assiram asked for it - that they just force their way into that Smials place now and be done with it. ‘We’re armed better’n them,’ he’d said. ‘And bigger. Let’s just smash in the door and take what we want. Make an example of Mr. High-and-Mighty-Hole-Dweller while we’re at it.’ Assiram had spat on the ground at his suggestion saying they were going to do it his way – he wanted plenty of time to look around the place for what the old man had. Then he sent Ahriman off to patrol the camp. Patrol the camp! What a joke! Here they were in the middle of nowhere and who was he thinking was going to attack them . . . Such thoughts as these preoccupied the man as he trudged slowly about the outskirts of the area. The sun was hanging low in the sky, a chill evening breeze had come up. Ahriman pulled his cloak tighter about him. He continue to grumble and mutter as he walked . . . He looked toward the west where the sun was barely visible through the trunks of the trees. ‘At least it’ll be sunset soon, and we can get on with our business.’ He’d come to the area where they’d picketed the horses, glancing at them as he walked by. His eyes went wide. He squinted at the group. There were four horses there! No, not four horses – three horses and a pony! And a brassy little pony to boot. There it was chomping away on the oats they’d put out for their mounts! ‘Oy! You! Scurvy little hayburner!’ Ahriman went running at the pony, his arms flapping wildly. The pony eyed him and snorted - then took one more bite of oats and with a kick of his heels toward the advancing man, took off. ~~~~~~~~ Cami heard the man’s shouts and peeked out carefully from round the boulder. There was Dandelion running pell mell up the hill while one of the ruffians sat on the ground shouting curses and holding his leg. ‘Well done, Dandy!’ she cheered to herself, stifling a laugh that sprang to her lips. The grimness of the situation set quickly in on her once more, her face reflecting the seriousness of the situation. The doughty Hobbit gave a soft, short whistle, and after a few moments the pony found the way to her side. ~~~~~~~~ ‘Wotcher goin’ on about, you fool! Shut your trap! You want everyone to know we’re here?’ Assiram and Helios came running to where Ahriman writhed on the ground, rubbing his right thigh. ‘Blasted beast kicked me!’ he hissed at them, motioning in the direction the pony had run. The sun heaved a last sigh, its light flaring up for just a moment as the clouds scattered from the horizon, then it dipped beneath the rim of the world. Assiram squinted up the hill and saw nothing. The moon had not yet risen and all was in darkness. ‘Nothing there now,’ he growled at Ahriman. ‘Get up! It’s goin’ on dark. We’ll wait a space then go to the Old Took’s place and case it. You two getcher gear together and your mounts ready.’ Ahriman stood and said, ‘I been thinkin’ . . .’ An argument ensued concerning who was going to do what followed by another round of ‘Why can’t we just get it done tonight.’ ~~~~~~~*~ It was frightening to hear the ruffians argue. Their voices were harsh and often their fists were raised and threats made. Cami steeled herself against her fear and quietly led Dandelion up the hill, darting from boulder to tree to boulder until they reached the ridge. Then, making her way silently in the shadows of the trees she turned in the direction of Great Smials. The voices had faded as she put a distance between herself and the Men. When she felt it was safe, she mounted up and kicked her heels hard into Dandelion’s flanks. ‘Hurry Dandy!’ she whispered to the pony, urging it on. ‘We need to get into town and let Paladin know what’s happening.’ __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.