Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss

A day seems to have disappeared for Kasen and Sa'id, given that one moment we're waking up at noon with Farron still unconscious and the next it's morning Farron is Ok and I'm cooking food for me and my horse. And maybe a wizard if they ask nice. Anyway, since I'm not sure whether we've travelled for another day since the wraiths or if this is a continuity blip from a month off I'll just flashback to the wraith night and wait for Ty to clarify. I didn't really write anything after the combat anyway.

On the plus side, this has made me go back and brush up on what was going on a month ago. That was some nice writing, kids.

***

Kasen's relief is palpable, oozing from his pores with his sweat when he sees that Sa'id has found himself again. Gathering up the reigns he moves Stormcloud over to the kneeling wizard. "Hand him up to me, friend. Storm and will take care of him." And if he stresses the word friend, he supposes he can forgive himself.

It had happened many times before, on the battlefield a blow would fall where a man's shield would fail him and in those times Kasen had tried to step in for steel. As Helm is the Guardian of his children so Kasen had tried to protect his men, his dedication being his strongest asset as a commander. Still, this time, like all the others, Kasen prayed it would be the last. "Come back with your shield or on it," he whispers in Farron's ear, holding him tightly to his chest while picking the pace up to a trot, "I will be your shield, Farron, I will come with you into morning. If you are to be my weapon against Elise, I will be your shield." The words did not mean what they could have, owing the fact that the wraiths had already been slain and only moments ago he was ready to give Farron up for dead. Still, they were good words to say.

Strange as it was, bringing a wounded man to safety was the most comfortable Kasen had been in weeks, and he finds his mind easily emptying, focusing entirely on keeping his eyes and ears sharp and trying to quiet the small voice in the back of his mind that hopes Farron takes his time in regaining consciousness.

Before too long he spies a corpse of trees clustered tightly to a small stream and instinctively angles toward it. Anyone following them would see it as the obvious place to rest, but it was better than camping in clear view of the road. "We will rest here for a few hours," he tells Sa'id and, not without some reluctance, hands Farron back down to the other man. "Try to get some sleep" he tells him, and then buries himself in preparing to rest, straining to appear too occupied for conversation.

"I spent too many nights in an officer's tent," he tells Stormcloud, as he loosens the straps of his mail and sets each piece on the ground for the night, "I never did get used to using my shield as a pillow." It's the horse's turn next and Kasen cannot help but smile at how she seems ready and able to carry on running all night, making it clear in no uncertain terms that this rest was for Kasen's benefit, not hers. Still, she gives him no trouble as he removes her barding and wipes her down. That she isn't bitter about the extra load is just one of the many reasons Kasen loves her.

"We should rotate the watch, Sed," he calls out softly, though to his irritation he finds that Sa'id is already sleeping when he turns around, "Why don't I take the first and second ones then?" he finishes, tired and annoyed. "Unless you want to take one, Storm?" But the horse has followed Sa'id's lead and stands sleeping where Kasen left him no more than a minute ago, clearly not wanting to waste a moment of this rest -- even if it wasn't her idea. "Even Helm's Eyes are closed," he sighs, looking up into the unnatural shroud that hides the normally full night sky.

It isn't long before he is bargaining with himself for a little sleep, just a few minutes of closed eyes and then a walk around the perimeter. Of course, no path leads to succumbing to temptation like bargaining with sleep and it isn't long before he breaks his word to himself and dreams of walking the camp's perimeter.

Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss

Elohi anawei,
River that sings seaward,
Stretches to the south
Like my lover's hands.
I left her for you,
Singing River,
But your lips are cool,
And I cannot hold you.

Elohi anawei,
I take you in my mouth,
Drink you deeply so
I remember her the more.
Jealous river, be merciful-
You have this my youth,
My body, my hands, my lips,
But her I give my heart.

Elohi anawei,
A river cannot love
As woman, and though moons
May pass in the track of
Algarondil, and years see
The doom of Elohi Luanas,
You cannot have my love.
I am promised to another.

Pensive awakes with the low elves' song in his ears, feeling his heart beating fiercely. His hands find the stonesash immediately. Something is wrong-- no, not wrong. Something is different. He sniffs the air, expecting. . . what? There is nothing. Something, he insists to himself. Nothing now, anyway.

A pad of feet in the darkness-- Rennick. And behind him, a number of halflings. Pensive's heart leaps for a moment, in anger and fear-- but no. These are not the halflings that attacked them earlier. These have a different feel about them, and when they see him, there is no hatred or anger or aggression in their eyes. Pensive coils the stonesash quickly and follows them.

Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss

OOC:

I covered the night and morning up to setting off for Gully's over the course of my last two turns, so this will be a riding turn.

IC:

With his belly full and warm, Sa'id feels significantly better. He keeps pace with Kasen as best he can and even tries to engage the squire in conversation.

"Thank you for breakfast. I almost feel human again." He pauses as his horse takes an extra-long stride and jostles him a bit. "My name -- it is Sa'id, not Sed. The a' sound is difficult. 'Sayeed' is close enough. I'm used to it."

Kasen nods, but seems intent on the trail. Sa'id can't blame him; the mist makes it hard to see what's coming. He drops back behind Kasen so the squire will have an easier time navigating. Farron seems stronger today. With a little luck he might even wake up later today or tomorrow, depending on how long it takes to get to Gully's. Sa'id hopes that Gully still occupies his home, or if not that he is at least all right -- though with that massive creature guarding the place he might not have had much trouble other than what they'd brought down on his head.

Sa'd remembers the battle at Gully's, the first time he'd detonated a fireball spell since leaving the wizards' school. Not as impressive as the manifestation of Cadfael's anger, but... well. "Nothing to sneeze at," the colloquiallism on Huss was.

And satisfying.

He doesn't remember the night's dreams beyond vague imaginings, and for that he's grateful. At least for today he'd like to pretend that the darkness doesn't exist. That seems easier with Farron still alive.