Turn17

The Hobbit's Dilemma

In the village Hall...

Froin looks at the fallen Lord of Buhr Criocha, with Arekhel and Lorrelinde crouching by his side.

A frown forms beneath the dwarves beard.
"Draigen. I know you mean well for your lord and wouldn't want anybody to bother him, but I do not wish to return to the tavern. I am in no need of ale, and I do not believe that Balneg is still over the fact that we locked him in his cellar during the attack. If it is alright with you, I would like to accompany the Lord and those with him. From the looks of it, you could use another man at arms. Even though I am not a fighter, I can still do my best. And if you are worried about something going wrong...I swear upon the honor of my blood line that I will do everything to the best of my ability. But the decision is up to you. It is your Lord's life you have to look after."
Froin looks at Draigen and awaits an answer.

The Bodyguard turns to the Dwarf:
"Thank you for your kind words...ah - 'Froin'. Thank you. But I'm sure there is nothing you can do at present for our Lord and Lorrelinde would not wish to have the clutter of people surrounding the man."

He takes the Dwarf's crossbow from one of the militiamen and hands it back to Froin in a gesture of goodwill. "Your sense of Duty is commendable. When Mahrdhricks awakes I will surely tell him of your honourable pledge, but till then he needs rest, quiet and the ministrations of the Healer. And as for the need for men at arms, well, that is something that only Raigorn can decide. We are all under his control now. If you wish to offer your services, then I suggest you go to speak with the Watch Commander."

Froin looks at the guard. "There is much wisdom in thine eyes. I will go see Raigorn when I can..."
Taking the Crossbow back, he looks again towards the Lord.
"I am trusting your word that you will tell me of the Lord's situation when he awakens. Thank you."
Froin leaves the guard and walks over to Relg:
"May I join you two?"

"Yes, of course. The more we are, the easier we will find Coru."

"I will go to find the Watch Commander, Raigorn. I am no healer and I think it is better if we found out what's happening out there before going to search for anybody."
Raddish says these words with a preoccupied tone.

Then turning to Billy, he asks: "Do you come with me?"

Looking out over the crowd of people huddled outside in the square and realising that Billy cannot do anything to stop these people, he looks around for Raddish. With a sigh he turns to Froin:
"Yes, I'll follow you."
Mumbling to himself Billy adds "Perhaps something will happen so that these people will respect me..."

"I suppose ah better go with you too. Keep you both outta trouble," says Boldor, moving off towards the two Hobbits.

Meraina gets slowly to her feet, stretching and watching the guards. "OK. I suppose I'll come too. There's not much going on here anyway."

Gwalchmai speaks with Relg as they pass the portal and down the outside steps:
"Can't you remove those Szeldor's clothes ? This would avoid any misunderstanding! Anyway, I am following you."

Relg gives him a sharp look and after a few seconds says:
"Friend, let me tell you, these are no Szreldor 'clothes'. We Gargath would never wear such. But I won't take it as an offense."
<From his reaction, it becomes clear that Relg indeed thought he should normally be offended by this comment.>

Then, turning around, Relg realises that only the group remained in the room and that the situation has calmed down. As there seems some decision to be taken about what to do next, he raises his voice:
"Listen! We don't have the luxury of time if we want to follow the Szreldor war band and therefore we have to push things a bit. As it seems, Mahrdricks is in no condition to offer us advice or help and so we have to decide on our own. Gwalchmai, Froin and I are going to look
for Coru, one of my men, who was wounded during the fight against some of the Szreldor. I suggest that the others are trying to find Raigorn, who I understand is now in command of this village. Let us meet back here again, in one hour."

Draigen suddenly butts in, seeing Relg for the first time under the sunlight:
"Who is this, a Szreldor by the look of him. I thought you all..."
but Relg acts quickly to fend him off by raising his right arm in a peaceful gesture.
"Don't be foolish. I am not a Szreldor. My name is Relg of the Fist of the Gargath people and my one and only task is to fight these cowardly Szreldor dogs. Follow your responsibilities and look after your lord. Don't waste your time and life by trying to fight me."

<The way Relg says this makes it clear that he has no doubt about the outcome of such a fight. He glares at the bodyguard, a challenge in his eyes but after a moment, Draigen shrugs.>

"The only reason I believe you warrior is that you would be more the fool to have remained in this village after your people had left. Wearing that outfit would have turned all the remaining blades in this village against you at once. You cannot be that stupid so I guess we must believe you - for the time being."
<This warrior is easily a match for Relg, or so he thinks, but neither are prepared to find out just yet.>

Turning to Gwalchmai and Froin, Relg nods to both of them and said:
"Ok, let's go." But before he goes, Relg suddenly seems to remember something and again turns to the others:
"If you see a man looking like me, then tell him that I am searching for him. Show him the way back here where we will meet again. It will be Coru, since no Szreldor will be here anymore exept the dead ones." Relg looks back towards Draigen.
"Soldier! It might be of help if you try to find out how many people the war band took with them."

"I had thought of that - thank you, Relg of the Fist" replies the other, leaning on the polearm and watching the Gargath.

Relg then leaves, followed by Gwalchmai and Froin.

Arekhel, busy helping Lorrelinde, hears the others talking. She turns a head towards them, to see what's going on. Seeing them leaving, she pauses a bit, thinking, and then talks in a low voice to Lorrelinde:
"Are you the only healer in the village?"
"Yes why?" says the other woman.
"Well, do you still need me? I was just wondering if I could be of any use to someone else. What do you think?"
"No. Thank you for your aid. I might wish to call on your services again before this day is out. Where can I find you?"
"Well either in the tavern or at Raigorn's house, I suppose. I might as well follow this crowd." She points at the others leaving the room. Lorrelinde shrugs and gives the Elven woman a little smile. "OK."

Draigen steps to the elevated position between the pillars of the council hall and addresses the crowd as the group leaves:

"People of Buhr Criocha. Our Lord Mahrdhricks is injured and will need rest before he can address you all properly. The Healer tells me that he should be well enough later to speak so please return to your homes and await the guards who will be coming round to each house
soon. We need to find out who is missing and who is injured. Until the Lord is well again, our Watch Commander - Raigorn McGarht will be in charge of the town's defenses and until he knows how many of us are left he cannot organise pursuit of those villagers taken prisoner by the invaders. Rest assured that once we know who is missing, an armed pursuit will be organised and we will seek aid from our neighbours to get our people back. Now please disperse and we can get on with the task."

The locals grumble and a few shout out but after a few moments they reluctantly start to disperse down the side streets. The group leaves through the main square attracting quite a few stares from the locals who still stand around. Relg agrees that a sensible place to start looking for Coru is at the tavern but before they get far, a flustered guard runs out from a side street and nearly collides with Gwalchmai.

"Uh, have you seen Lorrelinde - the Healer? Raigorn needs her here immediately."

The Northman is the first to reply:
"She is with the Lord - in the main village hall."
The guard runs off, muttering a thanks over his shoulder.
"While we are here, why don't we see this Raigorn also?" suggests Froin, as the Hobbit's, Boldor and the two women turn down the street. The others quickly agree and the whole group soon reaches the stone-built house of the Watch Commander. A guard stands outside, spear raised but looks worried. Raddish steps up before the man, who looks a little incredulous at
this small person before him. Thinking quickly off the top of his head, Raddish says:
"We are ambassadors of our people and have come to offer our aid to the people of Buhr Criocha. Uh, we also have an important message for Raigorn McGarht!"

"You know I have no idea why I am going to see this Raigorn. As I have said before I have nothing personal against the Szreldor and well..i can see no profit in chasing them down. Self-interest has always been my motive and besides I have other things to do." Meraina looks at Billy, Boldor and Froin who are beside her.

Either way, Raddish's speech somehow convinces the young guard who takes only a short time to wave them through. They mount the stairs to the first floor and enter a room which has
hurriedly been turned into a meeting place. Raigorn is there, as is the remaining sargeants of the militia; plus the Guard captain Valdo, a Ranger named Lochan, Sealvach and Relg spies Coru slinking in one corner by the open door.

A little time before...

Sealvach pushes his trail hat back a little on his head, folds his arms, and leans against a wall near a small trestle table, watching intently as Valdo marches across the room to stand in front of the Watch Commander. The older man looks injured and weary but as Lochan and Heladil enter the room also he asks:
"What has happened out there?"

"I'm afraid it is bad sir. It seems that while we have been away, a large warband of Szreldor have attacked the village and secured many prisoners before fleeing. Lochan and I have faired no better either, Lord. We were ambushed at dawn upon the south road by a large band of Goblins and were pinned down for many minutes. Some arrows found their targets before we could retaliate and three of the men were sadly killed. Targon was also wounded but managed to avenge himself before he passed out until only the Ranger and I were left. We fought them back but not until they had snuck behind and secured the Lords remains as booty. We have lost the coffin sir."

He shakes his head in dismay as Raigorn casts his eyes about in exasperation. "Damn! This is truly a foul day. What in hell would they want a coffin for?" But then he sobers and looks to Valdo's tattered clothing. "But do not worry yet my friend. We have more pressing problems at first. You have fought well to survive and I am glad this village still has a captain. How does the village fare, Valdo?"

"Not too badly, sir. From what I could see, some of the lower houses have been burnt to the ground and I fear that some of our people have been slain but the locals have taken it upon themselves to guard the walls from now on so they have something to concentrate upon. I have given orders to have a tally of all residents accounted for and the last fires are being put out as we speak. There is much death sir but we shall survive. These villagers are tough."

As Valdo finishes his report, the group from the council hall arrive and mount the stairs. Sealvach scans the scene, noting as everyone slowly enters the room. He recognises those from the Inn but some new faces are here also.

When all are assembled, Gwalchmai is the first to speak:

"Well, we already had a long story from Tewo on what is happening here, but maybe you could help us to better understand all that! What do the Szeldor exactly want? Why have they burned this village? What can we do to arrest them? And who is their leader, this demonic ghostly Lord or whoever, I have heard about? Please, tell us your story."

While Gwalchmai is speaking, Arekhel shakes her head in disbelief and mutters to Sealvach, who is nearby:
"I knew Northmen were a little bit barbarian but this time, I can well understand why! He will get us killed speaking like this to this man! That's SO typical of Men!!"

The Watch Commander stretches his legs beneath the makeshift table and flicks a quick glance to his captain standing nearby. Lady Elinor stands at his other shoulder eyeing the motley assembled group suspiciously, (she appears to be a young women in her teens, pretty
but not overly graceful).
"Well warrior, I don't normally answer those to whom I have not been properly introduced but I'm sure you will do me that courtesy in a moment. Since I have questions of my own to ask, I will answer you first."
He shifts again, and those astute enough to notice deduce that his wounds are giving the old warrior some considerable pain. He mutters to Brannd, "Where is that damned healer?"

Arekhel turns her head towards Sealvach and mutters again:
"There, I told you...he's not happy at all! Why did I ever come here!!!"
The Gambler doesn't respond from where he leans against the wall and Arekhel chooses to ignore him, as after a moment she seems to unfocus. She stares into empty space and seems to ignore what the Watch Commander is saying...

The sargeant leans forward and whispers to his commander who nods as if understanding for the first time. "Ah. I see. Well, I guess it can wait then. Hmm..."

Raigorn stares out of the small open window of the room for a moment collecting his thoughts and no-one dares to interrupt him. Finally he turns back to the assembled group.
"You ask, what the Szreldor mean by this invasion? Well, I would be a clever man if I knew that. All I can say is that it has all happened before. In previous months, the same Szreldor warband, apparently, have attacked both Buhr Copar and our sister village, Buhr Lusraig.
However, on those occasions they did not readily invade the town in the hope of securing slaves. Either way, their strategy suggests that someone else is making the moves for the Szreldor would never normally attack a defensible settlement. They stick mostly to the open plains. So the question currently burning on my lips has to be - who the hell let them in!! And when I find that out I will string them up from the highest gallows to mark the seasons from hereon in!!"

He stares beneath bushy grey eyebrows in anger at everyone in the room and even Relg has to eventually turn from his gaze as he raises his voice demanding:
"Now! Before I have you all arrested on suspicion, please explain to me who you all are and what is your business here in Buhr Criocha!"

The force of the man's words hit home and Arekhel suddenly stirs, as if awaking from a dream.
She shivers suddenly and clutchs hold tightly to the Gambler's shoulder for a second, her body visibly trembling. A brief look of fear crosses her eyes before the moment passes and she looks guiltily at Sealvach, letting go. Sniffing and wiping sweat from her brow, the Elven woman steps forward towards Raigorn perhaps to cover up her actions:
"Wait, we mean no harm, we're just travellers who happened to be in the Inn when these idiot warriors started ravaging everything. We came to help you. We've been to Lord Mahrdricks, he was nearly dead, that's why we came here afterwards, to see what we can do for you. We helped Lorrelinde there, and <pointing to Raigorn's wounds> I see that you could need my help very soon."

Arekhel looks straight into his eyes and challenges him to refute her claim.

"...You are right Fair Lady. I did not get away free from this battle but Mahrdhricks is in far worse condition than I, if I've heard right. My wounds can wait until a better time. Then I may well call on your skills - I have no doubt that I should heal quickly from the ministrations of one of the fairfolk. I thank you for your offer." He suddenly smiles warmly at Arekhel before turning towards the others and especially Valdo who stands nearby:
"It seems that Lorrelinde is with Mahrdhricks, as she should be, and that he has suffered a near mortal wound - but he still lives, a better deal than his bodyguard, I hear. When the Lord is settled in his chambers, I have asked for Draigen to be present when we take stock of the situation. He, more than anyone here perhaps, knows the enemy leaders best and I would value the man's judgement. Now, please inform me of why you others have come here.

******

After listening for several minutes, Sealvach stands upright and sighs deeply. Turning to Lochan and Heladil he says flatly:
"You know, Valdo's loyalty to the village is touching but his rage is not, I fear, what is needed now. I have no desire to partake in some poorly conceived, blood-crazed ride after those raiders, and that is what I fear he will suggest at any moment."
Uttering a short, bitter laugh he continues:
"I may be a gambler," he pauses and fixes both his companions with a steely gaze, "but I don't take chances...I'll be at the inn if any seek me."
Sealvach wheels on his heel to leave the room, pulling the hat back down over his face, but Lochan suddenly explodes with pent-up anger.

"Wait a minute Sealvach," the Ranger looks at his friend. Tears of pain, tiredness and rage have given him a terrible and cruel expression, "I do not care for your cold wisdom and I can scarcely believe your selfishness. How can you stand there and glare so? Will you look the same at me when I join Valdo in his 'foolish human heroics'?"
Lochan meets the Gambler's gaze and does not glance away at the sound of a rather noticeable cough from behind.

Sealvach listens impassively to the young Ranger's heartfelt words. Looking into Lochan's eyes he sees the emotion well up within them, his passion causing a ruddy flush to cross his face.
The tall Elf's eyes betray a different emotion, one that is curiously hard to read, in fact the dull, almost dead look that they show suggests hardly no emotion at all.

Their gazes lock for no more than a heartbeat yet the air itself seems to grow cold in the icy gaze of the Gambler. Reaching inside the long leather coat he is never without, Sealvach withdraws a card from the folds and lays it on the trestle table beside them.

<On the rear is a curious design, not one Lochan has seen before, and on the front a hooded figure cloaked in Darkness.>

Turning round, Sealvach makes to leave. No-one stops him. As he reaches the top of the stairs he turns once more to face the Ranger. In a hollow voice he states:
"Death and I are old dancing partners, but she is a demanding mistress. Beware lest you find the dance quickens too rapidly and you find yourself swept away before you recover your feet..."
With a twist of his hand he produces a second card from the deck. Throwing it to the ground in front of Lochan he utters darkly:
"I pray you pay more heed to this than I did many years ago".
<As he stalks across the landing, Lochan glimpses the card as it lies on the floor - it shows a small man in brightly coloured garb, and underneath the single word 'Fool'.>

As Sealvach leaves, Lochan slowly and deliberately picks up the card near his feet. He then takes up the first card as well. As he tucks them away carefully he realises that there is silence in the room.

Turning round, Lochan sees his Commander watching him and quickly comes forward, his clothes shabby and torn from the recent battle.
"Sir, forgive my outburst a moment ago. His lack of concern was offensive to me."

"Go on..." says Raigorn drily.
Lochan pauses, and it seems that much is left unsaid. He steadies himself before saying in a rush:
"The House of MacGarht is wronged. Grant me leave to represent you. These hands are young and strong and this heart is true. I know the route they have taken. There is a place where we might hope to save our people." After a hesitant pause he adds:
"Do you want me to report now Commander?"

"Nay Lochan. Most of us here know of your private interest in the MacGarht family and I am well aware of your abilities, but I am also aware of how close you have obviously come to your own doom recently so for now I say stay your sword arm and seek rest. There will be plenty of time soon to make plans. I can rest assured that you will do everything in your power to get the prisoners back but tell me this young warrior...will you do it all by yourself?"

A couple of the guards chuckle but rapidly fall silent as Lochan flashes them a deadly look. He turns back to see that Raigorn has not meant it in a harsh way and is smiling at him.

"I must hold a war council shortly in this room but first we must hear from these people and then both of us might do well by the ministrations of this Elven healer," he gestures towards Arekhel before continuing with a much more business and authoritative tone:
"After that time, you will report as on normal duty, warrior. Now, go and get yourself cleaned up." And Raigorn turns back to those others who have not come forward, ignoring the young man further.

Gwalchmai chooses again to speak:
"Well My Lord. I am sorry if I over-reacted. My name is Gwalchmai, - Gwalchmai MacGwalhdad son of Gwalhdad MacGwaeroth if you estimate the valour of people upon the length of their names...and I came here in order to find some hiring. While resting at the inn, we were attacked by the Szreldor and we had to defend ourselves! It's really that simple!" He spreads his hands wide as if to encompass the whole event.
"Maybe my friends will find nicer words to describe what happened, but the facts are the facts. And again, I say...we have absolutely nothing to do with the Szreldor, apart that is from now, I hate them as strong as you, for they left me with a good reminder for life!"
Gwalchmai lifts his shirt to show the length of his wound.

As Froin steps forward, Raigorn answers:
"Well, Gwalchmai son of Gwalhdad, you speak from a just and good family and <laughing>, indeed we do take names seriously in these parts. I am honoured that one of the MacGwaeroth are with me this day - for I served in earlier years under your grandfather and a finer tactician I have never met. We must speak again soon. Now, an honourable Dwarf I see before me..."

Froin moves forward from behind the tall human and presents himself with all dignity.
"Froin, son of Dain of Durin's line. Under other circumstances I would say I am glad to meet you but these times hardly allow such meetings. Always with brutality comes chaos. But if it is information on us that you want I will give as much as I can about myself."
Froin brushes his fingers through his beard before continuing. "I came to Buhr Criocha seeking an audience with Lord Mahrdhriks. I was enjoying a cool morning with my companion Tewo," <Froin gestures towards Tewo>, "when the Szreldor attacked. All of us present did what we could to help in the situation that presented itself. We are all willing to help...if you are willing to accept that help." Froin looks Raigorn solemnly in the eyes, knowing that he has done what he has come to do...to offer help to the people of the settlement.

"Yes, I know Tewo, son of Lerno. A Loremaster of great skill and a beneficial individual to have at any time here." The man smiles and nods to Tewo who bows in typical Dwarven fashion in return. "He spoke of another Dwarf who was journeying here so I guess he must mean you. I am glad that a representative of High King Nain is here also in this dark time. No greater need is there for Dwarven skills than now I believe. You must speak more with me later, and since our Lord is currently occupied, I believe it is my duty to provide you with a formal reply for your king. For the present then - I thank the Dwarves of the Iron Hills on behalf of the people of Buhr Criocha for your pledge of aid and I welcome it in advance."

Heladil catches the Watch Commander's eye with ease and bows. "I am Heladil of the 'People of the Greenwood'. I have my own reasons for travelling this way but seem to have chosen an ill time to be here. I am sorry that lives have been lost this day but the people assembled here have done their bit to prevent further bloodshed and I have also played my part. There are dark times brewing Watch Commander, so I say this: A horses hooves are swift but an arrow is always faster. Let the horses run but do not squander your quiver less you be found defenseless!" The enigmatic Elf bows once more, then turns to step out of the room after Sealvach.

Even though Coru is both patient and calm-tempered by nature, he nearly bubbles over with agression and frustration at the way he is being treated. Time seems to stand still as he feels like a captive in the presence of the two guards assigned to him, and the claustraphobic atmosphere in the crowded room makes Coru feel like an animal in a cage. He yearns to break free to the outside but waits long enough to hear how Relg is going to get him out of this trouble.

His thoughts are distracted as someone else speaks his turn. It is Boldor.

With a nod, the bulky Dwarf says:
"I'll follow any man who goes after these savages, for if you are to catch these men you will need the fighting skills of the Khazad!"

"Thank you Boldor. Your courage will be well received within this village," replies Raigorn nodding to him in recognition.

It is then the turn of the southerner woman but she only speaks out because everyone turns their eyes upon her:
"My name is Meraina and I came to be in your Inn, when these Szreldor attacked. I have no quarrel with them and I do not see it as my responsibility to galavant around the countryside after this warband. After all I have my own Agenda as do many others. I just came along with the rest of these people to see what all the fuss was about and so far Raigorn, I have neither seen nor heard anything that would convince me otherwise."

"Each is free to choose his way at all times lady. We here have no hold over you but we do have a necessary mission - to seek out the reason for this uncalled for attack, to rescue those who have been taken against their will and at the same time to find out what traitor could have opened the gates to the Szreldor. Not only have both side doors been found unlocked - even open, but the night watchman was found poisoned and has not yet awakened. You must understand therefore that everyone is under suspicion at the moment, even our own people?"

"Er...Yes." The diminutive hobbit pushes to the front of the group and holds his head up high and proudly. "I am Raddish Smallfold of the Hobbit nation to the south as is my friend here, Billy. I...I mean We, are here to speak with Lord Mahrdhricks but we haven't had a chance. We... managed to escape from the town when the Szreldor attacked but thought instead that we should come back and see if we can help. We have nothing to do with the Easterlings and are not great fighters... but we want to know if you need aid from us?"
Billy nods and shuffles his bare feet, one hand thrust deeply into his coat pockets. He looks about at all the other faces grouped around and flashes a brief smile of defiance. He looks at Raigorn.

"Thank you. I am pleased and grateful that you should wish to aid us at this time. But who is this hooded figure that stands back from us all? Who might you be Sir?" He looks straight at Relg.

Relg seems to be thinking hard, trying to remember something. As the Watch Commander speaks to him, the Gargath leader looks directly back at him and throws back his borrowed cloak to reveal the symbols across his weather-beaten leathers. He does not turn his eyes away and says in clear if accented Arhunerin:
"I am called Relg of the Fist and I am one of the Gargath people."
Pointing over to where Coru stands by the door, he continues:
"And this is Coru. He is one of my men. He got wounded while he defended your village against the Szreldor dogs, but fortunately enough, Lorrellinde took care of him. Ask her if you doubt for he is a brave warrior and deserves better treatment than this."

He pauses defiant as Raigorn appraises his words. At length, the seated man waves for the guards by Coru to stand back at ease. The Gargath tracker visibly relaxes as Relg continues to speak, addressing not only Raigorn but now the whole group:
"What I have heard in the last few hours seems to fit to my observations. My men and I have been following this Szreldor band since many moons have passed over and the only thing I want to say now is that this warband acts very much unlike a typical Szreldor warband." Again Relg holds Raigorn's attention:
"You say that Draigen knows most about our enemy. Well, let us meet with him and discuss how we will proceed to follow and fight these Easterlings. Then I will tell you more about what I have seen of the Szreldor. But before we sit together, I have to care for another of my men. Maleg is waiting not far from the village. He may know where the Szreldor have gone, so we can make a guess at their next destination."

"Well, Relg of the Fist. A warrior chief of the free-Gargath amongst us is a welcome thing. I have heard of a few bands that refuse dominion of the Szreldor and fight still from their hidden camps but I believed that most had been wiped out. I must ask you later - as one warrior to another - for what reason you are so far in the northlands. For now though, I know that you speak truth for that is the code of the warriors of your people. I will see that you receive all courtesy while you are amongst us. Be welcome warriors."

At that moment, a militiaman comes running up the stairs and salutes upon entering the room. Valdo steps forward to hear the mans whispered words, then nods, dismisses him and returns to Raigorn's side to relay the message.

Relg moves over to Coru and talks to him, his voice lowered.

In a moment, the Watch Commander's face darkens and shortly he speaks to the assembled group once more. As he chooses his words, Relg again turns to Raigorn and raises his voice: "Raigorn, I would like to ask you for a favour. Coru will look after Maleg and he would be faster if he had a horse which would carry him to the meeting place. It would help us if you could spare a horse for no more than one hour."

The Watch Commander waves irritably his assent as he fixes the group before him with a stare. "I have some information that might interest you all. It seems that one of my soldiers observed two, rather small figures by the west postern gate shortly before the Szreldor attacked." He focusses now on the two Hobbit's before him. "There are two interesting facts here. The first is that they were smaller than an average man because the militiaman saw them clearly against the backdrop of the night sky shining through the doorway. The second fact is perhaps more interesting. This door has been kept locked for months yet these individuals had somehow managed to open it - apparently to admit the Szreldor since it was only a few moments before the riders plunged through it. Now, who would those two be...hmmm?"

As the Hobbit's find themselves the center of unwanted attention for the second time this day, a number of guards enter the room, Valdo gesturing them forward to block the exit from the room. Billy glances towards the window but it is also blocked by other people. They are surrounded and Billy almost tries to make a dash for it through the forest of legs but something weighs him down and his feet won't move fast enough. Perhaps it is Raddish who stands resolute in the now middle of the floor, head held high with all the defiance he can muster. Billy backs away while the others look on, unable to draw weapons even if they wanted to for lack of room, as both Hobbits are surrounded by a fence of polearms.

"Aaaahhhh! shouts Boldor, pulling his great Mattock from it's leather hasp and bringing it up to his other hand. "They're not the ones you eegits!" he shouts but suddenly stops short as a spear blade butts against his chest. He blinks and fumes but goes no further. Raigorn is on his feet supported by his daughter. "Calm everyone. Please be calm. This is just a precaution. No-one is going anywhere without a fair trial. We have yet to assemble all the facts but these Hobbits must be given a chance to explain themselves - in a less foreboding atmosphere. You will be able to see your friends again shortly and I guarantee that no harm will be done to them while they are questioned. You have the word of the Watch Commander of Buhr Criocha!"

In a few moments, the two Hobbit's are escorted from the room and a further group of hard-faced guards emphasise that further action would be a unecessarily bloody affair.

End of Turn 17.