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Old 09-07-2003, 02:03 PM   #17
Hilde Bracegirdle
Relic of Wandering Days
 
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: You'll See Perpetual Change.
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Sting

Rauthain

Night had not long since fallen when Rauthain drew near his stopping point and taking pity on the horse had dismounted, walking along side the animal for several miles before reaching the Forsaken Inn. There he had hoped to rest the horse for a time before continuing the long circuit from here to Bree, then up to Fornost and finally the Ettenmoors. This small village was well known to rangers and he could ask no further of the beast, though it would have pleased him more to have been in Bree by this time.


Reaching the noisy and brightly lit Forsaken, Rauthain led the weary stallion to the well. Taking rope in hand, the creak of a pulley could be heard through the rising mist as clean water was drawn up from the depths below. Splashing the water into a shallow basin from his kit, the ranger set it before the horse, patting the proud neck before returning to the tie up the well’s rope.


Though a raucous noise could be heard from the inn, the stable yard was still as Rauthain took the reins and crossing to a grassy dell, drove a peg in the ground tethering the horse until his return. “Rest as well as you may,” he spoke softly to the animal. “We’ve a long ride yet, and the worst of it at the end.” Then after stroking the mud-speckled shoulder, Rauthain left to join the noise of the Forsaken.


Opening the door he took stock of its denizens, looking in particular for any from more southerly regions that he could gain tidings from. There were several other rangers in the room, at least three of whom Rauthain was well acquainted with. Shifting his gaze he noticed the long silken gold hair of an elf woman. And as she turned her head Rauthain’s heart became as ice, for she revealed a striking profile that he had once seen so many years ago. It was as if Naiore Dannan herself were causally serving these rangers. But the mannerisms were altered, the proud coolness striped away. Surely this elf had not been the basis of the report he had received? For anyone having had the misfortune of Naiore’s attentions could see plainly this beauty had no malevolence behind her eye.


Requesting food and drink of her, Rauthain considered her closely before he turned and caught Hanasian’s gaze. Raising his tankard slightly and with knitted brow he cast a quick sidelong glance at Vanwe, before joining the three.


“This is an opportune meeting!" he spoke in low tones. "Little did I understand that I would fall in among friends when crossing this threshold. I thank the horse that tired when it did, else I should have missed such a welcome sight!” And smiling broadly Rauthain produced a pitcher of ale and began refilling the group's tankards. “To our continued health and that of our liege!”


"Aye, to the King and his rangers!" came the reply.


The aging ranger set down his empty tankard and settled in his chair, occasionally looking past Amandur and Hanasian, his mind returning to the question of Vanwe.

Last edited by piosenniel; 05-11-2006 at 10:34 AM.
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