After some fun in Breetown, we are off to find Saeradan. I'm sure everything will be smooth-sailing, I mean what possible trouble could they find? Read on to find out!

Chapter 7

After getting what we needed at the market, Candaith mentioned that he needed to run a quick errand and would meet me at the West Gate. Curious but not wanting to pry, I nodded and headed to the gate, noting him walking back into the busy plaza. On the way to the town entrance, I stopped at my vault and deposited a few things I had in my pack that were only taking up space. I noted things were getting a little rowdy at the auction house and quickly left, not wanting to be drawn into some kind of altercation.

About a half an hour had passed before I saw Candaith riding his horse towards me; I had retrieved mine from the stables outside the Prancing Pony. I swung myself into the saddle and we were off.

I noted that the road was less traveled than the last time I was here. People were quickly getting to their destinations and keeping their heads down. After several hours on the road, I warily looked around and noticed a farm that was swarming with brigands. My natural inclination was to drive them off, but we were severely outnumbered, and I did not want to cause any bloodshed. However, my decision was made when I saw a woman, likely the owner of the farm, cowering in front of the door to her home, a large brigand threatening her. I glanced at Candaith, silently asking him how we should proceed.

"I think we should go find Saeradan first; his cabin is not far, if we ride hard," he said grimly.

"Don't you think one of us should stay here and keep watch? I would rather stay hidden but if the brigand attacks her, I will intervene. I can shoot him from here."

Candaith sighed, "Very well, but do not reveal yourself unless it is your last resort." He turned and rode off without another word.

Hiding behind some well-placed ruins, I poked my head around the corner and watched. The brigand had backed off, and I could see he had a bag of coins in his hand. The woman sank to her knees on the steps and was sobbing. Clearly, she had given him money, and I doubted she had any to spare. He would certainly be back for more before long.

It was not much longer before I saw Candaith returning with Saeradan, who was accompanying him on his own horse. He was young, younger than Candaith, but looked more grizzled with his head mostly shaven and sporting a goatee. "Hail Gwinthilnel, it has been quite some time since we last met." He spoke quietly, as to not alert the brigands to our presence.

I inclined my head in his direction, "Indeed it has, and we come here on an errand of most importance. However, right now we have a more immediate problem." Saeradan took my place where I had been spying on the farm. "I did a quick count and there are at least twenty men and women roaming around. One of them, likely the leader, threatened a woman who is the owner of the farm, and she paid him to make him leave. It seems it was not enough to get them all to move on." I sighed. "Likely this is not the first time she has been forced to give them money."

Saeradan crouched down, thinking. "There is a sizeable brigand encampment northwest of here. If we could create some chaos in their camp, they may leave the farm and come running. This would give the woman time to escape to Breetown. One of us would have to stay behind to guide her." Both men looked at me, and I scoffed. "Are you suggesting I stay because I am not a man?"

Candaith shook his head, a little frustrated. "No, it is because you might be less threatening to the woman. You need to convince her to leave, and the people here have an irrational fear of the Dunedain. If you keep your hair down and cover your ears, she will likely go with you." I considered his logic, and found it made sense.

"Very well. I will have her ride with me to Breetown. Once you are done causing trouble," I smirked as they grinned at each other, "You may join me there."

Their grins faded as they considered their next move. Saeradan seemed to have the beginnings of a plan, "Their camp is surrounded by wood fencing. If we can light it on fire, it may be visible enough to attract the attention of the brigands at the farm, especially if their leader is among them. However, I am unsure how many are in this camp, and it is well positioned high on a hill. Once we get closer, we can see if there is a way to scale it from the north side, as I noted there were less guards there when I last scouted." I was familiar with the camp, having scouted it myself months ago when I passed through Breeland on my way to the North Downs. At the time, the number of enemies was too numerous for me to risk an assault on my own, and I hoped we could do some damage to it this time.

Candaith nodded slowly in agreement, "The tricky part will be finding a torch and a fire to light it with. Likely all the fires are inside the camp, and ideally we would light the fencing from the outside and climb down the same place we climbed up."

At this point I chimed in, "I was there some time ago, but there was always a small camp with one tent and 2 or 3 men on the northwest side of the hill, near to where you would be climbing." Saeradan nodded in agreement. "If you knock them out, you could use their fire to light something you can use."

"If we light them down on the ground, how do we get on top of the hill? Climbing with one hand up the steep face will not be possible," Candaith countered.

Thinking for a moment, I smiled and dug through my pack until I found a small bottle. "This is oil I place on my arrows occasionally. It is flammable of course." I also pulled out some linen and twine. "Wrap this around a few sticks you find; there are plenty lying around, and you can store those between your packs and your backs as you climb." I also took out some flint. "You know how to use this right?" I said, smirking as Candaith made a face.

Saeradan nodded. "Good plan. We will make our way there; you stay hidden until the brigands are gone." They left shortly after, leaving their horses behind so as to make it easier to move unseen.

Meanwhile I sat down, occasionally peeking around to make sure the woman was safe. She had entered her home and I could see her sitting by the window, looking out nervously. I didn't have to wait long before I heard shouts. I looked and could clearly see smoke pouring out on the hill, and flames licking the fencing. The brigands at the farm began to run towards the camp, leaving no one behind to guard the farm. Clearly not too smart.

Once they were far enough away, I took my chance and sprinted towards the house, knocking quietly and announcing who I was. "My lady, please open the door. I want to help you escape to Breetown before the brigands come back."

"I cannot leave, this is my home!" she replied, sounding terrified but defiant.

I sighed in frustration, "They will continue to ask you for money, and when you cannot pay them, they will likely kill you! It is not worth the risk." I looked through the window and saw her staring back at me. "Please allow me to help you. I have a horse that can take us there quickly."

After an agonizing moment of consideration, she nodded sadly and opened the door. "I must gather a few belongings."

"Move quickly, we do not have much time. They will return ere long; I sent some friends to create a disturbance at their camp, but once it is under control they will come back." I must have shown enough urgency on my face, because she moved with speed.

After 5 minutes, I called my horse and she came galloping quickly. I helped the woman into the saddle and mounted up, digging in my heels. "Hold on tightly to me my lady. We will be moving fast."

Sure enough, my horse raced down the road towards Breetown, neither of us looking back.

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