It is Raddish Smallfold who first speaks after Relg's suggestion of a plan. He steps up beside Billy and says: "I don't know what my friend Billy here thinks, but I think we are talking too much. There are times when words are over-important, and as an Ambassador I understand that much more than many here, but now we have some things to do quickly." He pauses for emphasis then continues: "And one of these things is catching up with the murderers. Not squabbling with each other." 

During Relg's speech, the Gambler had stopped just once shuffling his Tarot, to draw a single card at random. Looking at it, he frowns, then dismisses it back into the deck and watches as Lochan, Heladil and after them the figure of Boldor ascend the far embankment and disappear into the heather expanse beyond. 

"A poor plan in my opinion Relg," he says at last, returning to regard the Gargath in the eye and shaking his head slightly. 

Relg raises an eyebrow, curious to hear what comes next. 

"Do you think we would leave Billy, even with a broken leg, when he could easily be borne by someone else's horse? Remember we have a spare one, now. Gwalchmai would be one thing, but Billy I could lift with one arm, " he adds smiling. 

"If I may help you count ... just because you had the privilege to ride your own horse doesn't mean that all the others had it, too. And about Billy - I think Megrin knows who has the Torc, that's why Billy would be the choice to stay behind." 

"Hmm, 'tis true. You are right, they will follow us when they see we don't run after them..." Sealvach puts his deck into an inner pocket and draws his black-hilted dagger. "We might do two things. Run after them or run after the Szreldor. Anything else would waylay us and slow us in our task. Right?" He looks at each of the others with a raised eyebrow. 

"Well you may be right also," says the Gargath.  "Staying behind would be too obvious. We should let them move, slowly, however, because of the pretended injuries of Billy's. But anyway, if you are going to follow the merchant anyway, my plan is obsolete, since it counts on you observing us." 

Relg hesitates for a moment, then he continues: 
"I don't mind riding on, following the Szreldor, and I agree, that is what most of us should do. I simply don't like the thought of having two rats following us, biting whenever they can. Anyway, it might be wiser, if I go with the main group. My experience might be of better use, if we approach the Szreldor band." 

Sealvach waits for a few seconds more, in case Relg has something else to say, then nods once: "Yes. Let's each do what we are the best at. you as Warleader, me as Rat-hunter. I might even bring back their hides as proof of my luck in the trade." He grins before standing up straighter and making a swift decision. "Good. So it is agreed we must be unpredictable. This is what I'm the best at... I will go after the two of them, as I said. This way you will be able to go after your Szreldor party with minimal loss, and I'll keep them off your back". He swirls his dagger, ending its movement blade up, and winks: "And no, I'm no traitor who will join his fellow conspirators there in the wild." He pauses and shrugs. "I just hope I'll be able to end my game with Ranal. I had a winning hand after all..." He eyes Lochan from the shadows of his hat with a slight smile. "Oh, don't mistake me. I just prefer being on the giving end rather than being on the receiving one." He looks at his weapon pensively, and a shadow crosses his face, just for a second. 

Relg looks into the Elven Gambler's eyes: 
"Yea, may the Southern Eagle sharpen your eyes. Good hunting!" and with this, the Gargath Warleader turns towards the others. 

Arekhel looks towards Relg and Sealvach. Finding the moment silent she says: 
"I agree with Sealvach, Relg. I don't think the merchant would fall into such a trap as you suggest. I'd rather think they WILL follow us, from behind and probably try to steal the Torc another time, when its night. Besides, they know that you Gargath are great warriors. I don't think they would risk in attacking you like this... it seems too brave!" 

Relg nods: 
"Yea, you are right, fair lady. I may still underestimate this merchant or whatever he is. Assassin would fit better, I guess." 

Arekhel then addresses Sealvach who is still twirling his dagger blade deftly through his fingers and watching the discourse: "However, I know that you call this hunt yours, but I would not go all alone after these two." She turns again towards Relg and the others: "My opinion is to carry on after these Szreldor, but to keep an eye behind us, especially at night, for any unexpected visitors. That's what I reckon, but you lot decide what you prefer to do." Arekhel pauses for a while and then turns, taking a few steps to join Billy and Raddish. 

Again, Relg nods at her words: 
"I agree. At least Coru could go with you, Sealvach. He can learn much from you, and as I can see, he is eager to do so.or at least with the other Elf, Heladil." 

Arekhel, beside Billy says: 
"Um, Could I maybe have a look at this Torc then Billy?" 

Relg turns and butts in again as Billy smiles brightly at Arekhel and answers: 
"I haven't got 'e Mistress, Relg does have 'e. Mr Fist sir, could you show 'e to her?" "He doesn't have it anymore, I have it now," says Relg and with these words, he pulls out the Torc once more. "I wanted to show it to you anyway. And maybe Sealvach can share his wisdom and help bring light to the riddle of this item, since he is well acquainted with symbols." Relg points to the cards, the Gambler uses to shuffle in his hands. "I also hope that Froin can help us here." The Gargath warrior looks around trying to spot the Dwarf somewhere. "But we should not loose too much time here, there will be plenty more this evening, when the sun will be down and  when it will be too dark to follow the tracks any further."  Coming over to Relg's side to take a vague look at the Torc that Arekhel 
holds, Froin says: "These symbols you speak of... I would have to study them for a while to see if I can be of any help. When we stop for food at midday, I would like to spend some more time looking over this Torc, if you don't mind. Arekhel?" 

"Not at all," she says. "I will have to study this myself carefully, but one thing is for sure, it is not Elvish." Froin nods and returns to packing his strange assortment of gear. 

Now finished with packing his own equipment away, Billy opens his mouth to speak but only a croak manages to come out. He clears his throat and says in a shaky voice: "Can I offer a plan Mr Relg and Mr Sealvach?" Seeing no immediate objection he goes on, his voice gaining strength as he talks: 
"The way Is see 'e is we have still got to pursue the Szreldor but also take care of the threat from Ranal and Megrin. Rather than split us early in the day, we be riding hard up until lunchtime, trying to close some of the distance between us, hopefully if Ranal wants to keep up with us 'e will need to be riding fast as well. Then, those folk who want to, can double back on our trail, or peel off and hide themselves at the side of our path and wait for Ranal to come to us. The others could ride on and stop a few miles away, until we can all join up again. I think the Torc should keep moving in case his witchcraft can tell where the Torc is. I know e's not much of a plan but e's all I can think of right now." Billy starts picking at his teeth as he awaits any reply.... 

Relg looks at the Hobbit, a smile appearing on his face. "If there is one thing I have learned during the last few days, it is never to underestimate one of the little folk." The Gargath nods in agreement. "This sounds like a good plan to me. Let them hurry and rush into our trap. Let's just hope they don't have any other means of observation than we do, since if they do know some witchcraft, they may very well be aware that we stopped." 

Billy tries unsuccessfully to hide a proud, happy smile. He steps forward as if to hug Relg, well his leg at least, but sees the warning in Relg's eyes and instead says somberly: "That means a lot to I, especially since 'e be from someone as experienced as yourself Mr Relg sir." Billy quickly spoils the moment as he dances a circle around the group playing his flute in celebration... 

Sealvach seems a little amused by the increasing boldness of Billy, but nevertheless listens to him and takes the time to ponder his words. Then he relaxes and smiles at the little man: "Your own witchcraft is your common sense, it may well win the game in the end. I'll keep those men off your hide, so you don't need to worry more. Now let me join the others who already left." Sheathing his dagger, the Gambler turns and quits the circle of individuals to prepare for leaving. 

Meanwhile... 

Just beyond the nearest rise to the camp, the three hunters are scouting the area to pick up the trail of Ranal and his boss. The dawn is not yet fully breaking across the line of hills in the distant east and dark shadows hang deep in the hollows at every turn. 

Following the trail of prints that ascend the sandy embankment, Heladil surveys the rolling mass of heather stretching away north-westwards. He kneels once more to the ground and touches the prints with the flat of his palm as Lochan and Boldor join him on the higher ground. 

Without looking around, Heladil heads off at an immediate tangent and crosses the ground quickly, his feet barely seeming to press down into the heather. Lochan shrugs to the Dwarf and both of them jog forward, weapons at the ready. Within a hundred yards however, Heladil stops and looks this way and that searching for signs once more. As the pair catches up with him he speaks in little more than a whisper: "I think it will be nigh impossible to follow these two. I had the trail for a while there but they are using the ground cover to hide their traces and with this darkness it is hard to see. I think they zigzag in this direction," <he indicates north 
and west>, "but I cannot be sure. The trail is gone here though, the heather blocks all the signs and we could end up following a false trail; say one made by deer or other animals. What say we do? Carry on anyway or turn back?" 

Boldor waits for Lochan to respond but the man just shrugs and looks to the north west.  Boldor says: "I do not know where they have gone, but I am not yet ready to give up the hunt or chase.  But we must be very wary of ambush and other traps that may have been set for us in pursuing them.  I will do my best to watch the ground for any digging and such but as you know my skill lies not with flora and fauna but with the hard rocks and earth of the land." Boldor repeats again: "I for one wish to keep going a little 
more..." 

Lochan looks at Boldor for a moment: 
"Many thanks for your skills Master Boldor. Let us hope that we find their tracks swiftly." 

As the small group pause in their chase, Sealvach rides up after them. 

Pulling his horse in, the Gambler slides to the turf by his mount and swiftly explains to them the reasons why he thinks Heladil, Lochan and Boldor should not go riding after the two escapees. "In fact, it could well be their intended plan to draw off some of us in a fruitless chase thereby making the whole group weaker," he concludes. "Will you return and join the company once more comrades? Relg is right. You warriors will be needed sorely against the Szreldor. Let me manage the hunt alone, I owe a challenge to that Ranal as I said before!" 

Looking at the others, Heladil says: 
"I don't think we will be able to track them any further.  I agree with Sealvach, that they may try to come at us again.  Why don't the two of you get back with the rest of the party? Sealvach and I will follow, as guarded and as stealthily as we can.  If after a couple of days we find them following or attempting to try something we will either take action or warn everyone. What say you of this plan Lochan?" 

"Hmm, it has merit, Heladil but I'm still not sure we couldn't catch them if we were quick." 

Sealvach grips the reins of his steed but then comes back as if with a sudden afterthought and approaches Heladil. He draws a card from the deck he holds in his right hand and presses it in the other's hand. "Heladil?" the Gambler smiles. "Be cautious, my friend". 

Heladil whispers to him in answer, changing from their normal Sindarin back into the language of men when he hears a cough from behind: 
"... had a companion.  I will accompany you as we shadow the party and see if your gaming partner and his boss try again.  As I said once before, two eyes and swords are better than one." 

The Gambler stops for a moment and turns slowly towards Heladil, his face reflecting for a moment conflicting emotions. He looks at the Elf then slowly answers, as if he pondered each word before saying it: "You have the right to ask, Heladil." He takes a deep breath, then extends his hand and speaks in the formal manner of the Firstborn: 
"My friend... Your trust honours me. Let us share the hunt." His mood changes suddenly and he breaks into a smile: 
"Let's send the others back to the group, and tell me more of what you saw of our prey and about those surprises you mentioned while we try to find their tracks again." The Gambler swings into the saddle of his black steed. 

Heladil answers: 
"Hopefully I might be able to find some trace later in the day, but I think you are right about rejoining the group.  If things continue as they have been, perhaps one or two of us will have a better chance than all of us together." 

From his horse, Sealvach says: 
"Heladil has successfully convinced me that we two would be more efficient on this hunt than the whole of us. But it will be a frustrating task, finding and losing their trail several times, and if all goes right a single stealthy action will close it. I think that you are more suited to the action against the Szreldor where the real fight will occur, Lochan." He then gestures to their single horse with a one-sided smile: "I also doubt that you could make for a stealthy night approach. " He shrugs and winks at the young Ranger: "If nothing else can decide you, shall we settle it with dice or cards, if you feel luckier than your esteemed Captain?" 

Lochan growls and places his hand upon his scabbarded sword. "My esteemed Captain shall stand for himself when it comes to a re-match Gambler. I do not settle such issues this way - as you well know.  I may have thought you a friend in the past, but do not dare mock me. The skills of Elves are renowned and maybe they deserve it but you do not know everything. Your arrogance may well be your downfall. Be careful with whom you trust, Heladil." 

The Gambler is serious again in a moment and leans forward saying: 
"Trust me, Lochan. You know it's best this way. So let's leave to our respective missions, there's work for all of us." He turns his horse and while signalling to Heladil, prepares to leave. 

Coming up to stand beside Sealvach, Heladil addressed Boldor and Lochan.  "Boldor before you say anything, while your fighting skills may be considerable, I think Sealvach is right.  If we were under the mountain, " <a slight shudder seems to grip him for a moment as he continues> " I would grant you lead in what and how things must be done.  "Here," <sweeping his arm up and around>" we are at home.  Your fighting abilities, which are greater than either one of ours will be of more use to the party if trouble 
hits them. " 

Boldor grunts, not really believing what this Elf is telling him. 

Looking to Lochan, Heladil says: 
"Ranger while I believe your skills here are considerable, I believe someone with an eye to freeing the captives should be with the party in case the Szreldor are encountered. The captives need someone to make sure that they do not suffer the plans of others." 

"Hmm, I do not like Sealvach's attitude but you have shown me nothing but equality, Heladil. What you say has truth to it. I suppose I should be there to lead the men from Buhr Criocha. All right. You better make sure you catch those fugitives though!" and with that the Ranger makes ready to leave the Elves and return to the campsite without saying another word. 

Boldor however grumpily, replies to the announcement, looking specifically at Sealvach: 
"Very well, I was going to go on this hunt and I was persuaded by your argument and would have joined the Szreldor chase but you have given me the option of dice or cards. Very well, since you offer me a choice, I will take you up on your card game.  If I win, I get to go along, If I lose I will go and chase down the Szreldor." <Boldor pauses for effect> ". So where shall we play, right here in the heather?" and he plops himself down, looking up with a grin on his face to Sealvach. 

The Gambler looks down at the Dwarf and shrugs: 
"If that's your wish..." He turns to Lochan. "Should you wish to test your own luck, it is now. We won't lose more time on this than necessary." He settles at last near Boldor. The Gambler spreads a handkerchief drawn from his pocket, and then puts the Tarot deck upon it. "You chose the means, I choose the game. One shuffle and each splits the deck at random. The higher card wins the draw and the deck is shuffled again. Two best of three draws win all. You begin," ends Sealvach while separating the higher from the 
lower Arcana and shuffling the deck for the first time. 

The two face each other as Sealvach places the pack in front of his opponent, offering Boldor to cut the pack first. He does so and the Gambler follows, turning over the lowest card at the same moment: Boldor's three of Pentangles loses to Sealvach's Page of Cups. Boldor shrugs and takes the deck this time to shuffle. He does so and the players choose again. A seven of Rods to a three of Cups, Boldor wins and grins at his opponent. "Best of three remember," mutters Sealvach and takes the deck to shuffle quickly once more, splitting the deck deftly and raising the lower card towards the Dwarf. Boldor does the same but his face falls when he sees the Gambler holding up the Red Dragon, the Ace of swords. His eight of cups cannot beat such a card and Sealvach grins as he wins over all. 

The Gambler rises to his feet, and brushes the dust from his coat, sliding the deck back into a pocket: 
"The matter is settled, then. Now hurry back to the others, we all have work to do." 

Boldor stares at the space where a moment ago the cards of fate were drawn. He barely hears the words of the Gambler somewhere above him, thinking to himself: "Well, it seems at least that my private mission is not to go chasing after these Elves after all." Then in a louder voice he says: "So be it. I will return with Lochan and chase these Szreldor." And the Dwarf leans on his great mattock and gets to his feet ready to join Lochan as the group divides once more. 

..... 

As the two unlikely companions return to the campsite, the Gambler comes back to the tracks he previously studied, driving his mount by the reins and examines them once again, this time with extreme concentration. With Heladil accompanying him, Sealvach then tries to follow them, circling away from the camp in a spiral. 

Meanwhile... 

The rest of the company are breaking camp when hoof-beats can be heard approaching from the east. As some quickly move to take up defensive positions, clear away baggage from the path or head for the horses, the look-out up ahead along the path calls back, "It's Mouse, the Scout. Call the Captain!" A thin man in the travel-stained garb similar to the men of Diona Dail rides into the dell, his horse lathered and frothing at the mouth. The man steps off the stirrups with ease as he reins in the beast and runs to a stop leading the horse behind him as he bows before his leader. "Captain, I have returned with tidings from the east." 

"How goes it, Mouse?" answers Harmal, clapping the man on the shoulder and sending water cascading from the man's hood down his sodden cloak. "Good and bad," replies the other, tossing his horses reins to one of the soldiers and releasing the catch of his outer garment and shrugging out of it. The man named 'Mouse' is even thinner to behold underneath but his clothes show a certain class of cut and are still bright with new dye. The man squeezes the small tuft of his pointed beard to ring out the water and grins at Harmal. "You wanted word of the Szreldor band and I have it indeed. I saw them more than two nights ago, heading in a  south-easterly direction. They were going for Buhr Tallanmoor but I used the shortcut I know of and got there a mere hour or so before their outriders would have seen us escaping. Yes, most of the villagers are safe, I alerted the Headman to the danger and like a sensible fellow, he took his people into the hills. It turned out that the Dwarven Ironsmith in the village, Fabur - although the locals call him Col, knew of some abandoned Dwarf mines in the nearby hills and guided the villagers there. It was a good site and 
sheltered them all - well, those who preferred to flee than to fight anyway." 

"So some of the villagers fought for their homes then?" says Relg pushing forward to hear the man speak, but Mouse looks shocked to see this Eastern man amongst his company and stutters his reply. Captain Harmal interjects with a brief explanation: 
"We have received aid from unusual sources recently, Mouse. We can be thankful that Relg here of the Gargath people and some of his men are with us now if we don't catch those Szreldor soon. For they will soon be in the lands of the Mixed Peoples and the Gargath know much of what happens in that territory. Now continue with your tale Mouse." 

"Well," says the thin man standing before the assembled group. "The Szreldor indeed planned to attack Buhr Tallanmoor and were slowed down considerably with their ambush tactics until they realised that the place was essentially deserted. A number of families chose to try and defend their homes and the grain store at the edge of town but their bodies have all been found. They did not survive." He hangs his head for a moment and some standing around wonder whether this youth is a native of these parts. He raises his head and Mouse continues: "Well, their leader wasted no time when he saw that there would be little killing and sent only a small 
proportion of his numbers, say a dozen or so, into the village while the wagons and rest of the force skirted the village and joined up once more on the farther side. In all, Buhr Tallanmoor has lost eight villagers, four houses to fire, a number of farmyard animals caught out in the open and the winter grain store which is only part-filled anyway. Oh yes, and the defiled the well too which uh reminds me. Can I have a fresh drink, Captain? My waterskin is running low and the horse needs food too?" 

Captain Harmal nods and orders men to bring replacements as Lochan arrives with Boldor and joins the group. He is introduced to Harmal's chief scout as the current officer commanding the militia from Buhr Criocha and the men shake hands quickly sizing each other's appearance. Lochan guesses that for all his few years, this man is a skilled Scout and knows the land like his own home. 

"Now, we ride again in five minutes," says the Captain, gesturing for Lochan, Relg and Mouse to join him to one side. "All gear must be stowed by then or we leave it behind. Now, by my reckoning, we can reach Buhr Tallanmoor before sundown if we ride hard from now, correct?" 

"Well no, Captain." answers the youth. "I know of this shortcut that goes through a cutting in the hills that can get us there just after midday if all goes well. We should make up half a day on the Szreldor if we're lucky. The people of the village could do with some support if." 

"We do not have time to stop and aid villagers repair homes," growls Lochan. "The longer we leave the Szreldor to advance the more that other villages along the way could suffer the same fate... or worse!" 

"You speak truly, Lochan," answers Harmal. "But if work needs doing in Tallanmoor we can at least do something while we rest for a short while and trade for fresh supplies in return. Now, where is the Szreldor force now?" 

"If we get to Buhr Tallanmoor by midday they would be only one and a half, maybe two days ride south of us and we are going faster than they are, what with the wagons. If we catch up say four days hence, we will be entering the morruinn [province] of Conall Sleaghach. We may be able to seek aid from him and his people." 

Just then, the huge form of Gwalchmai looms nearby and the great northman rumbles: 
"Did I hear you speak of Conall? As in Conall of the Bright Spear? Why he is my overlord, or rather the overlord of my family. If we enter his territories I may be able to get us some aid and see my folks once again. What say you?" 

"It sounds a good plan if you have an influential family, Gwalchmai son of Gwalhdad? We shall see. Now, we leave and upon the way we shall discuss tactics. I have a hope to ambush these Szreldor and use the landscape to our advantage but we have to catch them first! Let us be on our way." And with that, Captain Harmal nods to the companions around then leaves to organise his men. 

Soon the call of "Mount Up" is heard and the company move off once more, leaving the dell and the secrets buried beneath the stones of the newly piled cairns behind them.