Turn 18

The Interrogation

As Boldor calms down, knowing that any direct move to aid the Hobbits at this time will be highly dangerous, Raigorn turns to those still in the room. "I understand your actions Boldor but we shall certainly hear what these Hobbits say before condemning them. You are welcome to voice your opinions then but you have to agree that it does all look highly suspicious...anyway," he speaks to the assembled group of people:
"I'm afraid time is too pressing to offer you hospitality in my own house, I hope you will excuse me to attend to these important matters elsewhere but I hope to speak to you all perhaps at a later date? - I believe the local tavern is the most likely place for you all to be found?"
Some nod an affirmative while Froin gestures towards a vacant chair in the room, "If I may?"
"Certainly Froin. Now, I shall leave you all now," answers the Watch Commander before turning to go down the stairs and out into the morning air. Lochan and Arekhel follow him out, as does Boldor, grumbling to himself about finding evidence.

Froin ponders the situation while looking out of the doorway:
"What to do...hmmm."

"I don't think we have to do anything," says Meraina from the open window. "I mean, we don't even know these Hobbits".

"Well, Froin. This seems a good enough place for hiring guards and that is what I came to Buhr Criocha for. They sure need some support at the moment. Perhaps we should follow them?" suggests Gwalchmai, stooping to retrieve his gear.

"No, they will be interrogating the hobbits, I suppose. It would be best to let them get that done without us bothering them."

"Fair enough but we should be there to hear the outcome at least," Gwalchmai says, heading for the stairs.

The Dwarf looks up, "Your right. I don't see any harm in us just hearing what they have to say." Froin stands and walks towards the stairs.

"Well, I have no intention of going," says the southern woman after their retreating backs. She plays with a battered metal box in her hands, turning it over and over making a clunking noise. Seeing no reaction, she adds:
"Look. I may catch up with you folks later on at the tavern but my work here in the village is nearly done. I'm thinking of getting out of this danger zone!" She turns to look out across the rooftops.

From Heladil's position in the hallway, he hears all that happens in the other room. His pensive expression has turned to a frown as he hears the fate of the hobbits. When Gwalchmai, Froin and Tewo emerge, he comes to a decision, shaking his head and muttering:
"Hobbits may at times be quick fingered, lazy or gluttons, from what I've heard, but evil? I find that hard to believe." With a further shake of his head he hurries down into the street after the prisoners.

Elsewhere...

Sealvach heads back towards the tavern. The streets are fairly empty of locals but some can be seen quickly moving between houses or clearing up the reckage left by the invaders. All keep their heads down and there is little chatter. The Gambler swiftly makes his way to the battle-scarred tavern without any hindrance. Galgwen and Balneg are there as are a small group of locals making small talk and complaining about not being told what is going on. Galgwen is consolling a woman at one of the small tables. The woman is sobbing into her blouse while an old man is shouting croakily and angrily across the room:
"...Mahrdhricks should have defended us! Why didn't he do his job properly?" He waves a gnarled walking stick in the air.

Others from the group respond:
"I don't think it is his job is it? I thought that's why we have a militia isn't it?"

"Raigorn is the one to blame. He's the leader. He should have expected that they would attack after our sister villages the other month..."

"But did you see them? Riding out of the night...there were too many. Raigorn and all our militia couldn't have held them back..."

"Well we've got walls haven't we? What the damn are they for except keeping invaders out. It's not to stop wolves in winter is it?" complains the old man again.

A woman adds:
"They got into the village very quickly didn't they? The first we knew was when two kicked our door in and raided the kitchen. Thank the stars they didn't come upstairs, my husband couldn't have..."

"Stop this chatter!! People have died! Don't you all realise that?" The woman at the table bursts into tears once more and Galgwen looks reproachfully at the group while patting her gently.

No-one notices when Sealvach enters and pulls up a chair in one corner of the room. Balneg comes through the rear door asking his wife for a bale of twine. She waves him downstairs to the cellar. Sealvach pulls out a deck of cards from his clothing and looks around for anyone interested. Another old man slouched behind a corner table in a moth-eaten wool cloak and hood is the only one who notices but waves vaguely indicating a 'No' and the Gambler shrugs, orders a drink before turning inwards to his own thoughts. Idly flicking cards in pirouettes through his fingers, Sealvach stares intently at the wood-grain in the table, his thoughts elsewhere. He doesn't notice when the surly shape of Boldor stomps in the door and heads straight for the bar. He climbs onto one of the wooden stools and catches Galgwen's eye. She comes over and while pouring him a drink, the Dwarf begins to mutter his thoughts:
"Could the Hobbits have been working for the Szreldor...hmm? Galgwen? You seem to know the Hobbit's a little. Do you think them honest folk?"

"Well, I don't know about that," says the woman. "That Billy Goatsfoot is a bit uncooperative but the Ambassador is a nice enough fellow. I can't believe he could have anything to do with those riders." She leans close to the Dwarf, "I'm sure it's something to do with that shifty Elf. I've never been happy with having him under my roof..." She straightens and nods knowingly at him, forgetting to keep her voice down. "Ever since he was spotted by Danna, up on East Hill, I've had my doubts. We've had a 'Ghost Owl' haunting the Inn for a number of days recently and I couldn't believe my eyes when we went to destroy it and...it flew straight in through the window of that Heladil!! It must be his, in which case he is the harbinger that has brought all this trouble down on us! I knew it you know, knew he was up to no good."

"That's all just superstitious rubbish, Galgwen," mutters Boldor, "and you know it." But he doesn't see the group nearby listening in to the tavern owners wife.
"What's that? You said we have an Elf here?" says the croaky old timer.
"I've never liked those shadowy people myself - at all!" says someone else. The group comes over to the bar to hear Galgwen's story...

A little before...

As everyone leaves the upstairs room, Lochan sees the Lady Elinor leaving her fathers side to enter a rear room of the building. Wishing to speak to her, he follows, carefully down the stairs. "Lady, I am relieved of my duties for the present but I would like to speak with you for awhile. I hope you're not offended by my current state." He glances down at his torn and grubby clothing.

She turns towards him. "Thank you, Lochan. You are very sweet."
Lochan smiles, then continues:
"You have a wound yourself and since others are likely to be busy elsewhere I would be happy to treat it whilst we talk."

"But Sir. Your wounds look much worse than my own. Let me get some hot water and help you," she answers and immediately turns to stoke the fire in the hearth, checking that water is in the large boiling pot suspended above it. Lochan has to agree with the girl so takes a chair and begins by asking her:
"I know that you must be very upset about the raid but if you can tell me what happened it may help, for my sorrow is great..."

Arekhel meanwhile comes to stand on the threshold of the kitchen, watching the young Elinor find clean cloth to dress Lochan's wounds. Froin sees her from the bottom of the stairs and moves to join her:
"You wouldn't know which way they took the Hobbits, would you? I know they are going to the guardhouse but which way is it?"

"What? Yes. Ah, I think they headed that way," <she points up the street> "-the center of town. Relg and Raigorn have just gone that way if you want to catch them?"

Elinor starts to apply hot water to free the bloodsoaked cloth on Lochan's shoulder. She suddenly spots the Elven woman in the doorway and blushes darkly, stepping hurriedly back from the Ranger, clearly embarassed.
Lochan looks round seeing Arekhel and the Dwarf.
"Erhum...Excuse me." He slams the door, leaving Froin and Arekhel on the outside.

"Well, thank you," says Froin. "Not the best ettiquette. I should catch up with the others."

"Hmm, I guess your right." Arekhel turns towards the front door. "No wait! I wanted to speak to Meraina in private. I will see you all later." She heads up the stairs once more.

Towards the center of the village...

Relg accompanies the Watch Commander up the street:
"Boldor is right, the two Hobbits may have opened the door, but after doing so they fled the Szreldor. It may just have been an unfortunate coincidence that shortly after they left the village the Szreldor moved in. However, I agree that you have to hear their arguments. It may still be the case that we are wrong about them! But about other things now, when do you think we will be able to meet as you suggested?"
The escort directs the Hobbits towards the guardhouse. Raigorn stops and turns towards the Gargath leader. "Look, I still do not know exactly what has happened in this village, the place has been ransacked and we don't know how many casualties we have. I intend to find out what our little friends have been involved in and then I shall call a war council when all other information has been obtained. Now, I value your opinions as someone who actively knows of the Szreldor so I wish you to be there when I hear Draigen's report but we must wait and see. If you wish to accompany us to the barracks then by all means do so, I will authorise a horse for your man..." Raigorn seems stressed and his exhaustion shows through for a moment as he turns wearily to call one of the guards. At that moment, the woman Lorrelinde arrives. She joins the group and nods in recognition to Relg, "I see it has not taken you long to find our Commander? I have not seen your warrior, Coru, for some time. I would suppose he is still sleeping..."

"Actually my Lady, he is awake and fit once more. I thank you for your swift ministrations." Relg bows to the Healer in Gargath fashion, then checks to see that Raigorn has noticed. Raigorn turns back from talking to a guard:
"I have authorized a horse for your warrior. He will have no trouble passing through the main gates now. So, you again speak true warrior. I see that Lorrelinde indeed knows you. Then welcome to Buhr Criocha and I thank you for your offer of aid." The Watch Commander grips the others hand and shakes it vigorously with a firm grip. "Will you come with us to the guardhouse?"

"Not yet," replies Relg. "I wish to speak a moment with your Ranger, Lochan. He seems to have come across the Szreldor and I would be interested in his observations. I shall be along shortly." At that moment, Gwalchmai and Tewo arrive. <Strangely Heladil is not present even though he left before the Northman and Dwarves.> Before Gwalchmai can speak, Raigorn steps over to him and pats him on the shoulder:
"Ah, son of MacGwaeroth! You mentioned hiring? Well, I would be glad to have you join us but first we must see to that wound of yours. Lorrelinde, we have another wounded man that deserves your attentions. But if he is as tough as his grandfather he will keep going for many an hour yet. I wish you to take special care of this one. Now, let us get to the barracks." And with that the group moves off, leaving Relg to speak with Lochan.

Meanwhile...

The guards march the two prisoners, with sharp-looking polearms at the ready, to the barracks building - a stone edifice, more solid looking than the others about and with a partly flat roof. They lead both Hobbits inside and through an ante-room into a larger room with a rectangular and heavy oaken table down its length. There are many chairs about. Valdo places the Hobbits both at the far end of the room facing back towards the single door through which they came. Four of the guards still stand in a semicircle around the prisoners but give them plenty of space. There are no windows at the end of this room and both side walls are open to reveal heavy metal grills into two prison cells. They seem clean with straw matting on the floor. There are a further two guards in the open doorway, interested to see who has been captured. Valdo says:
"Give them stools Sargeant, and would you care for some water? Get them some water too."

"The Watch Commander has not demanded our weapons - a good sign," says Raddish, whispering in Kuduk [Hobbitish] to a highly nervous Billy. The latter rolls his eyes in exasperation at his situation. "We would have been better to never come back," he spits, angrily but is interrupted from saying any more as Raigorn appears with Lorrelinde and takes a seat at the top end so that the two accused face the Watch Commander down the length of the table.

Behind them, Billy notices Heladil suddenly appear in the background, as does Gwalchmai, Tewo and then Froin, who pushes through the press of people to lean against one wall just by the steps.

The Watch Commander addresses the prisoners:
"Right. Lets get back to the story of this morning. Lorrelinde, I am glad you are here. These two, or two distinctly like them were seen very shortly before the Szreldor attacked by one of my guards. The one on the left [Billy] was seen near the center of the village moving hurriedly away from a building and when joined by the other, the dogs started barking and when my guard shouted for them to stay, they took flight down the street. The guard claims these men were acting suspiciously so he naturally gave chase. Shortly after, he spied two small figures by the west postern door and it had been opened. Before my guard could get close the two ran off down a side street just as the first Szreldor burst through the open doorway and attacked. Luckily for us, the militiaman was only wounded and not killed. Now, what do you say to all this? Do you two deny that you were there at that time and that you opened the postern door?"

Raigorn waits expectantly and Lorrelinde fixes both Hobbits with a calculating look. "I would caution you to tell the Watch Commander plainly and simply what happened otherwise your stay here could be a long one," the woman says.

"No, we are not denying that. We were trying to escape from the guards that were chasing us with dogs. We were running, trying to find a way to escape the town, when we found a hooded man in the street. We didn't know the town so we asked him for a way to escape the guards. He replied by showing us the door. When we turned to thank him, he was gone. We opened the door and...<he pauses> then there was a lot of confusion, with us trying to escape the guards and the Szreldor too, the two sides were fighting amongst themselves, and we two in the middle. We are not warriors, so we flew from the town."

Raddish pauses a little to regain what little breath he had at the moment, then continues:
"We then regained our senses in the woods out of the town, and we thought of having been framed by that damned man - for we understood we might be blamed. We had two choices - fleeing away, or returning to search for the man. We chose to come back - being innocent - and we then joined with the group at the tavern to find out some information. If we had known, we would have never open the door! But now the fact is done, and we are here and have not gone away in shame. We Hobbit people are not warriors, but we are proud and have a strong sense of honour. And we won't betray anyone."
Raddish looks very tired and almost faints, but regains a solid composure, thanks to his training as Ambassador, and faces his listeners with pride. Billy seems embarrassed and doesn't seem to want to add anything, perhaps letting the better speaker tell their tale, but after a moment he offers:

"Look, the problem was that the door was open, or rather it wasn't locked so we could open it. If anyone opened-unlocked that door it was probably the hooded man!"

As Raigorn cogitates on the Hobbit's words, a sound is heard from behind them all.
"Ahem..." Froin steps forward. "If I may speak?"
"Sir? You wish to add something?" says Valdo in an irritated tone.
Lorrelinde waves at him. "No, let him speak".
Valdo looks angrily at the Healer woman but Raigorn nods for the Dwarf to continue.
"Thank you," he says before continuing:
"First things first. For the benefit of Mylady here, my name is Froin, son of Dain. I came to seek an audience with Lord Mahrdhricks when the Szreldor attacked. Myself, as well as the others present at the tavern did what we could to help. When all was finished these two hobbits, came back to the town, where we met them. As they have said, they did open the gates. But I believe that they did not mean to open them for the Szreldor. If they had, I am sure they wouldn't have come back knowing what would happen to them if they were caught. But they came freely back to Buhr Criocha. Now, their actions of allowing the Szreldor into the town were not honourable or justifiable, but I wouldn't judge them only on that. Take in the fact that they came back and they willingly came with you to be questioned."

Raigorn nods at the Dwarf's words. "Yes. I can see that they are honourable. Thank you for your belief but you said yourself that you have only recently come to know them. Lorrelinde, what are your thoughts on the matter?"

"Before we can fully decide if these Hobbit's opened the door, we must find out their involvement with this hooded man they speak of. Many people in this settlement have hoods on their cloaks to keep out the bitter north winds so it is not difficult to imagine that someone would be wearing them - can you give a better description of this man? Was he young or old? Did either of you see his face, his eyes? How did he speak to you?"
She whispers to Raigorn so that no-one else can hear. He nods and regards the two diminutive figures closely. "Yes, but this man might not even exist and be a figment of their imaginations, no?"

"Hmm, I think not in this case. Let us hear what they have to add..." answers the Healer and turns to regard the Hobbit's once more.

"And one other thing I must add," says Valdo coming forward.
"Why were you both so keen to escape the guards. Surely you know that the guards are there to check the safety of the village and take dogs with them on night shifts... to prevent crimes being committed... so why did you run when he shouted out for you to stay?..."

At approximately the same time...

Relg returns to find Lochan in the kitchen.
"Erhm... May I interrupt? You know who am I from my introduction earlier. May I ask who you are, I think I missed your introduction?" His words sound harsh, somehow, but as he continues, it becomes clear that he did not want to offend Lochan or the lady he is with. He tries to compensate for his choice of words:
"Your words earlier were those of a true warrior. I would be glad to have someone like you with us, when we follow and hunt down these Szreldor. It's important that we get as many of the warriors here to join us so we can persuade Raigorn of the value of chasing the Szreldor. I have three men with me and maybe could organise more. I do not know how many of these other individuals wish to go but at least some, like that Gwalchmai, would wish to go. Do you think Draigen would be interested also?"

Lochan shrugs, wincing as Elinor continues to wipe blood away from his shoulder wound. "I don't know Draigen that well. Both of Lord Mahrdhrick's bodyguards are outside the normal jurisdiction of the Watch Commander and the militia. You would have to ask him personally and of course ok it with Raigorn." He shrugs again.

Relg nods before asking:
"Do you know the stranger Sealvach and how he would react to the proposal of attacking the Szreldor? What about the others?"

[It is clear that Relg's drive is to chase the Szreldor as soon as possible and is almost itching to follow them even now. As he himself says:
"The more time we are wasting deciding, the more leagues the enemy is putting between us and them."]

*******

Coru heads through the main gates in the village palisade fence and turns his brown mare northwards towards the hidden meeting point. His borrowed cloak blows behind him as he spurs the horse into a gallop across the grass. It takes him little more than twenty minutes to ride
into the hills and find the overhanging crag of rock, sheltered from the lowlands by scrub trees. Before he comes to a halt, Maleg steps out from the trees and welcomes the younger man.

"So you made it then I see. Where is Relg?"

Coru dismounts his horse, and greets his friend saying:

"Hello Maleg. Relg waits for us in the village. We have but half an hour, so you'd better ready your horse."

"So he wants us to meet once more. Ok. I have your horse here Coru, with your packs. That's a fine mare you've found. Steal it did you? <he laughs> Huh, I have also been busy, look! I thought that at least a few of the Szreldor would have to walk the long path home, ha ha."

The man, a stocky warrior with piercing brown eyes and three javelins tied to his back laughs into his scruffy beard and thumps Coru on his back. The younger man winces and ducks to one side to avoid the man's following bearhug.

"Ah, so you got into a scrap at least. Good practice. Now, we better get going."

Coru wipes the sweat from his brow and nods.

"Yes, I will tell you what's happened while we ride, the last few hours have been quite eventfull."

In short order, the two Gargath have stowed the makeshift camp into packs and, leading the smaller Szreldor horses and the brown mare, head back down to the gurgling stream in the valley and follow it towards the settlement. On the way, Coru tells the tale of the morning's happenings to Maleg and of the fight where he stood down two armed Szreldor single-handed, to save the group of women.

Maleg nods his approval and asks:
"So what is the Warseeker's plan now? To aid in the defense of this village or to go after these Szreldor as normal?"

Coru hesitates a few moments before answering his comrades question. He then looks straight into his eyes, and tells him about his cool meeting with the Watch Commander, and seeing the people Relg was with.

"It looked like Relg had found some other folk who said they were willing to fight the enemy. But they were a strange lot. A couple of them seemed like able fighters and I could handle fighting alongside a sturdy dwarf or two. But there were others there as well. One said he hailed from the Great Forest, and you know what that means. Strangest of 'em all were these two little men, four feet tall at the most. But they acted as if they were adults. Must be inbreeding or something, but they were clearly not fighters. I don't know Maleg, I really don't know. I do feel more comfortable on my own. Still, I saw the size of that warband, and in the long run, the three of us..."

He leaves the rest of the sentence unsaid.

"Anyway, there seems to be some kind of council soon, so I guess we just have to wait and see what Relg thinks of this."

Before the appointed hour, the two men and seven horses arrive at the main gates and are admitted by the guard on duty. They make their way into the main streets to look for their leader...

End of Turn 18.