All was quiet

[tomcat]

Fengel had no sooner brought his new weapon to bear when the small shape of Nain appeared with his axe in his hand. The weapon clubbed the Dunman in the head and it was more than he could take; he rolled to his side with a groan and then all was quiet.

Seriand appraised the guard that he had just helped in subduing and in the faint light of the stars, light the keen eyes of the Elves were accustomed too, he could see that the man was no warrior. A farmer maybe, given duty with a spear... but no true warrior.

"Why did we not see this before?" he thought.

Because, he knew, earlier in the baking sun these were armed men forcing them to stay in a cage.

The Lorien Elf's thoughts were brought back to the situation at hand by the voice of Edrahil, whispering his intentions to move Durgil away from the settlement. The rest of the company would need to retrieve their gear and horses.

OOC: Actions -or- dialogue?

[Nikitas]

The rogue could hardly hide the grin on his face, examining the pommel of his sword as he weighed the blade in his hand making mock motions of stricking another foe. Then turning to the others he quickly addressed them. Speaking as softly as he could amongst the former hostages Galudir said, "Well then, we should depart along with your friends as quietly as we can."

[Stefan]

Nain looks around the small group huddled near the last guard.

"Running would be a waste of time unless you can dicourage pursuit.  They've got horses and they're likely to be well rested.  I doubt any of us can say the same.  We'll need to get your weapons at the least."

[Wiseman]

"I shall get the weapons, with the help of that one..."  Seriand said, pointing to the stealthy human that had helped free them with Nain.  "These guards are less than they appear though, they went down quite easily.  We should leave but watch them from afar, aiding them against the unseen enemy could garner us an alley in this land where we have none." 

Seriand then began to stalk off, silent as the night itself, sneaking into the hamlet where their weapons were located...

Stealth: Roll(2d6)+10:  4,4,+10 Total:18

[Nikitas]

Stealth Test:
2d6= 5,2
Nimbleness (+3), Skill Ranks (+7), Furtive +1, Observe (Spot) Affinity +1
7+3+7+1+1= 19

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Galudir sheathed his sword and walked after the elf, keeping near the shadows cast by the few torches around the settlement.

[Palandil]

Fengel was glad to have a familiar weapon in his hands, and was sort of glad he didn't need to take the guards life.  Thanks to the hammer like blow of their dwarven companion.  This new character that suddenly appeared with Nain looked a little untrustworthy though.  And upon hearing Seriands idea, Fengel looked to Dirnhael with concern.  Then being the only one with a weapon he trotted off after the two as stealthly as he could.

Stealth Test:
Stealth +2; Nim+1; Sneak specialty+2
Roll(2d6)+5: 5,2,+5 Total:12

[tomcat]

The trio moved quietly through the shadows between the small thatched-wood and mud huts. They decided to move towards the two largest structures as these surely would be the best choice to search for the captured gear. Fengel hoped that they were correct.

Once there, Galudir slightly pulled back the heavy fur that lay over the entrance so that he could peer inside. The sound of snoring was heard and soft glowing embers gave light to see by. There were four slumbering shapes and many other items strewn about but hidden by the shadows as to what they were - also, the rogue was not sure what he was looking for. He gestured for his two companions to look and Seriand and Fengel made their way over.

Both the Sindar and the Eothraim were also baffled and each knew that closer inspection would be necessary.

While all three stood there wondering if entering the hut was a good idea, Fengel looked to his right and saw the Company's horses all tied off to a makeshift hitching post. There were no other animals around them.

Seeing and smelling his master at close range, Heostor gave out a whicker as if to call Fengel over. The sound cut the darkness as a knife through butter.

OOC: Acitons - Dialogue?

[Wiseman]

With a look of dread on his face Seriand ducked out of the doorway so as to not be seen in the moonlight.  He tapped Fengel roughly on the shoulder and pointed to the horses, the human would be better than anyone as freeing and quieting their faithful animals, but it would all be for naught if the horses continued their noise making.

Listening intently Seriand prepared to make another attempt at entering the hut, listening intently to hear uninterrupted snoring.

Observe (Listen): Roll(2d6)+10:  6,4,+10 Total:20
Stealth: Roll(2d6)+10: 6,2,+10 Total:18

[sdrotar]

OOC: Sorry I've been out of touch. I went out of town for the weekend, but the hotel I was at was repairing it's Internet service, so I've been out of the loop since Thursday...

***

Dirnhael would accompany the men in search of the party's weaponry...

[Nikitas]

Stealth Test:
2d6= 1,2
Nimbleness (+3), Skill Ranks (+7), Furtive +1, Observe (Spot) Affinity +1
3+3+7+1+1= 15

Search Test:
2d6= 6,5
Perception (+1), Skill Ranks (+1), Observe Affinity (+1), Conceal Affinity (+1) (If purposefully hidden)
11+1+1+1+1= 15

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Seeing that Fengel would attend to the horses, Galudir followed Seriand inside the hut looking for the weapons the company was missing. Though he had not seen them in detail before, they might be easy to spot amongst the chipped and rusted tools of the hill-folk.

[Palandil]

Fengel was glad to see their horses, and though he didn't like the idea of leaving Seriand and this mysterious rescuer, he knew that he had to get the horses quiet.  He motioned to Dirnhael to help and then moved quickly over to Heostor.  He leaned closer to Dirnhael and whispered, "Can you take the horses to the others while I assist Seriand?  I do not like this other person, and besides if something goes wrong this spear might save a life."  He waits for Dirnhael to responed.

[sdrotar]

Fengel was glad to see their horses, and though he didn't like the idea of leaving Seriand and this mysterious rescuer, he knew that he had to get the horses quiet.  He motioned to Dirnhael to help and then moved quickly over to Heostor.  He leaned closer to Dirnhael and whispered, "Can you take the horses to the others while I assist Seriand?  I do not like this other person, and besides if something goes wrong this spear might save a life."  He waits for Dirnhael to responed.

Dirnhael's arm still tingled from the guard's spear as Fengel spoke. Dirnhael wanted to help in the search for his weapons; he wished to feel his blade Vorandur in his hands once more; but Fengel could handle this as well as he.

He nodded, and started to lead the horses away as quietly as possible, toward Durgil and the others.

[Palandil]

With Dirnhael's nod, Fengel stroked Heostor's head and gave the reins to Dirnhael.  Then he went quietly back to the hut that Seriand, had entered.

[Stefan]

While the three stealthed through the darkness Nain carried each of the former guards into the stockade and made sure that each was bound.

[tomcat]

The day's sun had heated up the lake and the surrounding land, and as if to assist in the Company's escape a fog began to rise from the cool night's air. As they moved through the darkness, the settlement was blanketed with a thicker hush. The stars above caused the white wisps to glow with a pale light - to Dirnhael it seemed almost unnatural.

The Dunadan escorted the horses away from the Dunmen camp using the treeline to break up their shapes and the pine needle covered ground to mask the clop of the hooves. He pushed through the low hanging branches and led the beasts towards the ridgeline hoping that his comrades would have great luck in their search. Even if the settlement was roused, with their weapons in hand they could make a stronger point that they would no longer be held captive and treated like animals.

Dirnhael suddenly saw in his peripheral vision three or four forms standing in the soft glowing fog. They were tall and elegant and it seemed that they urgently gestured, or pleaded him to turn around. The warrior quickly turned to where the figures stood but there was only the fog and its shifting form. It felt more chill than it had before... even the horses seemed skittish. Dirnhael shook his head as if to clear the weariness, but his skin still crawled with... fear?

Nain secured the last Dunman and looked about at the fog that had rolled in off the lake. That had happened quickly and his vision was now greatly obscured although it seemed brighter around him. He looked towards the water and the dark night and there was a distant flash of light to the west. It was as if a beacon fire was lit far off and then suddenly snuffed out.

It was there again! The Dwarf struggled to discern the distance to the light, but most he could tell was that it had to be across the lake on the far shoulder of the mountains that marched west. Then darkness once more.

Nain stood watching for a few more minutes but the light did not shine again.

Not far from the Dwarf, walking along the lake's muddy beach, Edrahil and Durgil also saw the beacon flare twice.

Three figures moved silently into the hut and began to move about in search for the Company's gear. The sleeping figures did not stir as Galudir surveyed where the likely places would be to store the treasures. The light in the chamber was faint but their eyes were well-accustomed to it. Seriand moved on the far side of rogue while Fengel stood at the ready. The snoring figures were the two elders of the Dunmen clan and would offer little threat should they awake, but Fengel took no chances.

It was soon evident that the items were no where to be seen in the hut and both Elf and Man began to make their way back to the entrance where Fengel stood poised with the spear. They would go to the next large hut that sat just next to this one and see what that would reveal. Unfortunately, it would be Hurd's... the large Dunman warrior that protected these people.

Both froze as Fengel raised a sudden urgent fist in the air to signal them to stop. A shape had raised its head in the ember's glow over where the two old men slept. Fengel felt the hair raise on his neck as a low rumbling growl began to come from the direction.

OOC: Actions - and/or - Dialogue?