Sleep held tightly to the healers and their patient that night, all sounds and motions passing unheeded as the grasp of slumber forbade their rousing. Yards away, the blaze crackled in the still of night, illuminating the small number who yet denied themselves the luxury of rest. The majority of the encampment slept soundly in a ring of hastily strewn bedrolls, however, each thankful for the respite they were offered by the evening's calm.
A sharp snap broke the serenity of the scene, erupting from the shadows beyond the light's reach. The wakeful men jumped at the sound, each springing to their feet to identify the direction and potential cause of the disturbance. Silence pervaded past their limited ring of light, interrupted only by the muffled snores of the still sleeping men and the steady serenade of the night's inhabitants. The thin strip of moonlight offered little assistance as the men continued to scan the darkened reaches outside their circle.
Minutes passed without event, gradually easing the alarm of the wary guards. Eventually they returned to their earlier posts, concluding that the cause of the noise had since passed them by. A second, even louder crack nullified their assumption as it tore through the camp a short time later. Again the men jumped to the ready, nervously peering into the black veil around them.
Despite the reverberation the noise created, the slumbering band remained lost in unconsciousness, mindless of the impending danger that lurked so closely. Nevertheless, the forest temporarily rose to life, excited by the sudden interruption that could only mean danger. Creatures of all types cackled their alarm, warning those around them of the occurrence.
The men winced as they listened to the brief uproar, intimidated by the intensity of sound the forest emitted. Fretfully they waited for whatever attack was to come, partially expecting terrified animals to come charging into their camp at any moment. Within minutes, the clamor subsided, returning the former peace as though it had never been broken.
Relief flooded the tense sentinels as the progression of time failed to bring catastrophe. Still concerned, they remained frozen where they stood for some time longer, making certain the welcome change was not a calculated illusion.
When no further interruptions presented themselves, one of the men emitted a high-pitched whistle. Immediately a figure emerged from the shadowy abyss, pausing at the edge of the fire's light to survey the motionless group. A sly smile lit his face as his unvoiced question was met with a nod from the foremost member of the party.
"Considerably more reaction than we'd anticipated, wouldn't you say?" he snickered. His comment was met with a chorus of concurring chuckles, though it remained evident that many of the group had not fully calmed. A wary eye glanced around the group, silently identifying those who seemed less comfortable with the situation than was perhaps desirable. "I take it everything has gone smoothly here?" he inquired absently, his gaze moving to inspect the numerous sleeping forms that encircled the small cluster.
Four more men materialized from the unyielding blackness, taking their cue from the banter that it was safe to reveal their presences. They remained silent as they moved to join the others, wordlessly admiring the camp that yet lingered in sleep.
"Impeccably so, as you can see," the man in the center remarked, a smug glint in his eye as he coolly regarded his fellow conspirator.
"I do," the first man agreed with a small nod, grinning at his boastful comrade. Casually he entered the ring of light, his smile broadening with each unconscious body he stepped over. He was soon revealed to be a tall man of considerable build, hardened by years of life in the wilds. His dark eyes reflected the coldness of his spirit as they gleamed in the firelight, lending to the menacing air that clung about him as he amusedly made his way over to the waiting men. "Although I had begun to worry for the delay," he appended, turning to face the other man with an expectant glare. His smile faltered as he waited for the explanation he felt he was owed.
"It was the boy - he avoided sleep for some time this night, wishing to remain awake to further marvel at the elf-child," the second responded in a somewhat derisive tone, glaring at the form of the young healer as if to emphasize his irritation. "We dared not proceed until he had fallen asleep, though we would have taken... alternative measures, had he not begun to drowse as he did."
The taller man regarded him silently for a moment, his lips pursed in a thin line. "Very well," he replied, accepting the explanation. "Let us not waste any more time. We have many leagues to travel before first light, and I fear we may have already delayed longer than is preferable."
The surrounding band of men scattered throughout the camp, some gathering supplies, while a few others moved to the dwindling flame that illuminated the sleeping forms of the elf and two healers. The leaders of the crew remained standing where they were, quietly observing the progress of the others.
"Are we to take both healers, Jarek?" one man called from the far side of the site, standing beside the indicated bodies.
The shorter of the two fixed the man with an exasperated glare. "As we agreed, yes, we are bringing them both," he answered gruffly. "And be sure to bind them - we can't afford for the elf to escape, or for Tewarn to take up a quarrel with us while we travel."
"And the youth?" a second man inquired, standing beside the first, nearer the elf.
"Couldn't defend himself against an angry sparrow," the tall commander sneered. "But bind him as well, if only so he doesn't feel overlooked…"
"Remain where you stand!" a bellowing voice ordered, causing all to turn at the forceful interjector.
Two blades glinted in the flicker of blaze, just behind the two men who had been about to follow orders. At their hilt stood Tewarn, angrily glaring at the troupe of traitors as he firmly wielded the swords.
"What is the meaning of this, Prevos?" he demanded, his eyes boring icily into the man he knew to be responsible.
The tall commander raised an eyebrow at the uncharacteristic stern tone and fiery stare of the healer. "Tewarn, my friend, I did not know you to possess such fury," he commented amusedly, effectively masking any surprise he may have felt at the unforeseen resistance.
The healer appeared unfazed by the disdainful riposte, and continued to steadily glare in disgust at the man. "I, however, have always known you capable of low and despicable deeds," he returned acidly.
Prevos quietly studied the angry resister for several moments, contemplating how to proceed. Dark hair hung limply about his shoulder, a layer of oils causing it to glisten in the flicker of the flames, reflecting onto the equally greasy hair of his beard and mustache as he idly fingered it. He cast an exasperated glare over his shoulder at Jarek, wordlessly accusing him of failing and allowing the hindrance. Finally he returned his gaze to the vigilante before him, displaying a calm visage that successfully veiled his annoyance with the highly inconvenient delay. "We have known each other for many years, and I have never known you to behave rashly," he pronounced with a sickly smile, as the healer impatiently nudged his hostages with the tip of his swords.
The antagonist frowned at the placating comment, his glare narrowing dangerously at the vile being he'd loathed for much of the time he'd known him. "I believe my behavior is justified, given the circumstances," he snapped. "What I do not understand is what ills you intend to accomplish, having drugged our men."
He was awarded multiple looks of surprise for his comment, as he revealed his knowledge of what they had done.
A disbelieving snicker rose in his throat as he witnessed the inanity of the group. "After the many years I have spent as a master of herb-lore, it surprises you that I would recognize when a vile concoction was presented to me? Your administration of the sleeping draught was scarcely subtle, though I commend you for your skill in delivering it to such a number of water-vessels."
The men appeared startled and intimated by his frank averment, doubt clouding their thoughts as feelings of guilt were enhanced by his elucidation of what they had done to those they had long considered their companions.
The healer noticed the slight waver in the mutinous band's resolve, causing a glint of hope to stir within him at the possibility that perhaps he could talk down the uprising. "What are your plans for the rest once you have taken the elf child?" he demanded Prevos, whom he knew to be the instigator of the foul plot. He had never liked the man, having long ago recognized that his heart was blackened, and his thoughts only concerned themselves with his own advancement. In battle he was a fierce opponent, with a lust for bloodshed that had immediately alarmed the healer. Likewise, he'd never presented himself as the most trust-worthy of allies, for he would sooner safeguard his own life, than risk it for the benefit of another.
His gaze moved to the surrounding men, coming to rest on a shorter man to the rear of the dark haired villain. Immediately he realized that whatever their plan, there was to be a handsome pay off, for he knew Jarek to be easily swayed by his greed for gold. His eyebrows furrowed angrily as he glared at the man through narrowed slits, sickened by the depth the man would sink to for his avarice. Unlike his partner, he was not overly detestable in nature, but his immense greed rendered him an unreliable ally. "I am appalled that you would consider such atrocious deeds Jarek, even if much gold is promised," he sneered, his mind deducing where their path led. "Turning on your entire party is one thing, but as I'm sure you're aware, Prevos would never be content to simply leave them behind. I had not thought you as deceitful or treacherous as Prevos, but obviously your relations with him have tainted you."
Jarek snarled, a red curtain of fury falling about him as he listened to the man he had always respected vilify him. In the back of his mind, he knew the words to be true, for he had never known the healer to lie, and his own conscience had been screaming a similar mantra to him for some time. It had been a hard decision to reconcile himself with, the knowledge that he was about to participate in the murder of those he had begun to call friends. Unfortunately, he knew it was too late to back out of the agreement he had committed himself to, and he feared crossing Prevos, who would not hesitate to turn against him violently.
He averted his gaze from the truthful man, choosing instead to stare at the ground beside him. He would not break his word, but he could no longer suffer to watch the situation culminate. "I'm sorry," he whispered beneath his breath, offering no other response as he waited for the stalemate to end.
Prevos scowled angrily as he observed the healer's attempts at dissuading his men. As the man's words began to take seed in the heart of one of his more valuable accomplices, he resolved that he would stand for the interruption no longer. He turned his gaze to a couple of men who stood a few feet from the irate older man and his hostages, silently instructing them to act while the insurrectionary was distracted.
Before long, the men caught his gaze and nodded slightly, silently creeping closer to the healer who had moved his tirade from Jarek to another few individuals. Unbeknownst to him, they cautiously slipped behind him, coming to stand within arms reach of his back. After a confirming glance at one another, they struck out in unison, one solidly connecting with the back of the healer's head, while the other landed blows to his shoulders and lower back.
Tewarn grunted at the jarring impact, interrupting him mid-sentence, and immediately sending him into unconsciousness. His suddenly limp body crumbled to the ground, the swords falling at his sides.
The dark-haired commander grinned spitefully at the motionless body, nodding his approval at the two who had succeeded in felling him. "Now that that has been resolved," he proclaimed, irritated by the amount of time they had wasted, "We should really be on our way. Daylight approaches, and we still have much ground to cover." He glanced pointedly around him, signaling the men to resume their earlier tasks.
A deep frown embedded itself in his features as he read the doubt that flickered across the countenances of many of his troupe. "Curse that insubordinate fool," he muttered, gritting his teeth. "Make sure that he is bound tightly," he barked at the men attempting to bind the healer. "And I want all of you to be sure that no weapons come near the captives!" he added sharply.
Within a half hour, all preparations had been completed. The evil deeds had been carried out as planned, and they now stood gathered on the edge of a circle of silent corpses, the metallic tang of blood soaking into the surrounding earth and scenting the air. Prevos silently surveyed the group, noting with displeasure that many of them still looked highly uncertain of their actions. "I want you all remember that you agreed to be a part of this. I do not take kindly to double-crossers, nor to deserters. I encourage any of you who do not think you are capable of continuing to stay here, and face whatever punishment will be visited upon you," he baited.
The majority of the group refused to meet his stare, and stood shifting uncomfortably as they listened to his words. In spite of their misgivings, they knew they were too far involved to back out, without incurring the wrath of an already enraged Prevos.
An arrogant smirk pulled at the corner of their leaders' mouth as he watched them gradually settle and recommit to their mission. He cared not what doubts or moral qualms they harbored, only that they were willing to continue. "I believe we are ready to depart. I expect any who accompany me to dedicate themselves fully to our plan. I will not accept partial commitment at any point henceforth. I warn you that the consequences of such deeds will be far more unpleasant than the fates of these men here tonight. If you do not think yourself able to overcome your fears and declare your allegiance to our intent, then you should take this opportunity to remain behind." He allowed a moment for his words to sink in and his men to consider them, knowing that none would dare allow their reservations to dictate their actions in face of so large a group.
As predicted, fierce stares were returned to him, with grave nods signaling that each intended to proceed. Doubts were squelched, and emotions hidden as the men strove to appear firm in their resolve.
"Good," he grinned, chuckling triumphantly. "Soon you shall all be very wealthy men."
Greedy smiles broke out across the group as they remembered the rich prospect that awaited them upon the delivery of their "merchandise". With renewed vigor, the men loaded the bound captives into a cart along with the majority of their provisions and prepared to leave.
"Everything appears set," Jarek informed Prevos a few minutes later, coming to stand beside the silent man who had been deep into thought as he studied their progress.
Prevos nodded absently, his fingers running through his mustache. "Aye," he murmured, still apparently lost in his internal mullings. A few moments later he turned to face Jarek, seemingly still distracted, but gradually regaining his awareness. "We are ready?" he asked, for the first time making eye contact with his shorter associate.
Jarek nodded, his loose brown hair bouncing slightly at the gesture. "Awaiting your signal," he replied, curiously eyeing the taller man, attempting to discern the nature of his distraction. "Is something troubling you?"
"Eh? Oh, nay, not. Nothing of import," he denied, shrugging off the inquiry as he composed himself. The men had steadily been filing in around the two, until all were gathered together. Prevos spent a moment assessing them once again, 6 in all, with their 3 captives bound and laid on a cart behind them, before offering a zealous smile. "Well done, men," he approved. With a glance at the position of the moon, he turned his attention back to the assembled group. "The moonlight wanes, haste is most needed! There shall be no rest, we make for the Anduin by sun's peak!" he declared in a booming voice, eliciting an eruption of ardent chatter in his wake as they filtered out of the encampment.