Hunt for the Palantíri RPG

[Child of the 7th Age]

Luindal had clawed his way onto the beach, stopping every now and then to assist those who were battling the Corsairs, or to lend a hand on the ropes. Finally reaching the shoreline, he darted over the crusted snow, halting just once to examine the remains of Galhardir's rope that still lay on the upper beach. He could see that it had been hacked in two, quite possibly by an axe. Moreover, the frayed ends of the rope suggested that there had been two or three successive blows rather than a single master stroke.

The beach itself was almost empty. Most of the rescuers had surged forward onto the ice in their frantic attempts to coil in the ropes and haul out the men who had fallen into the water. Footprints left behind in the grey snow revealed the spots where Corsairs and Elves had grappled with each other; the ground beneath was tinged an ominous red. The Corsairs had trampled over the field of battle, continuing their charge to the Bay where the enemy were grouped in greater numbers. The only ones left behind were Hilde, Alhaseey, and Freyn, each of whom was helping to care for those injured in the fighting. The three Lossoth had found a secluded niche sheltered by evergreens on the far side of the bank where they could tend the wounded in relative peace.

Luindal barged into the glade, shook his head in utter frustration, and growled to Alahseey, "I have come too late. I had hoped to find out who severed Galhardir's line. That had to come from within our company. And one viper from within can do more damage than a hundred Corsairs." He scanned the beach and bristled, "Where is that rascal Carrandû?"

Hilde responded quickly, "I have not seen Carrandû. But perhaps your trip is not in vain. I was able to spot the culprit who did this." She stared over at Alahseey and raised her hand, pointing a single finger at the Elder. "This one!" she glared, her face agleem. "This one....I have seen it with my own eyes. I am ashamed....ashamed that one of our Elders should act thus. But I am certain of what I saw. She raised her axe two, no three times, and cleanly severed the rope."

At this description of the deed, Luindal blanched white and gazed at the Elder, still unsure. "Surely though, you are mistaken."

"I am no traitor," Alhaseey barked. "Why say you this, Hilde?" And then her own eyes dawned with understanding.

"Speak not. Show him the axe at your side. For on its blade rides your guilt."

"That I will do," responded the woman, and eagerly drew the axe from her sheath, handing it to Luindal. At the edge of the blade, Luindal clearly saw the ragged shreds of a rope cut through in two or three strokes, one that bore witness to the Elder's seeming guilt.

"This is a lie," countered Alahseey.

"We have no time now." Luindal glanced about and saw that Freyn had finished treating the injured. "Hilde, stay in this cove and tend to the wounded till our fight is done."

He stared next at Alahseey, "Freyn, take charge of this woman. Bind her in tight cords and give no heed to what she says. After we return to the ship, we will speak further on this matter."

With a heavy heart, Luindal turned and raced back to his men.