Deep Thoughts

Hammer triumph in the goblin tunnels was now complete and Veryacano ordered regroup back at the camp. He had led the company first out of the camp behind the Hound, who was taking point as guide. He now returned to the camp last and found all others huddling around the fire. They greeted him and saluted him. After a short speech congradulating everyone for their part in the successful raid, Hammer Lord took a glace at the boiling pot over the fire and sat down next to it for some well deserved rest.

 

Noone talked. Veryacano dove into his thoughts, just like everyone else seemed to. It was a success, but to himself, he refrained from calling it a great victory. They had fought through the damp and dark tunnels, brought fire and destruction to the goblins. At first, the goblins were taken by suprise but as they pushed deeper into the caves the resistance became stiff. Still, the Hammers could easily dispatch all the goblins had to offer, for they were the finest warriors, armed with the heaviest weapons and armor. Veryacano looked at the state of his attire and grunted. Black goblin blood was all over him, his fur cloak was partially burned and his armor had numerous dents and his skin was bruised. Then the images of his murder of the goblin leader came flashing back into his mind. For a time, he stared blankly into the fires. In his tired and battered state, he found himself thinking ''Why?''

 

The thought drifted him off to past memories of battle and loss. It took him a while to recover from this petrification. He then remembered. They were here to assess the threat of the mountain goblins before winter. As far as he could remember, the loop never changed. The goblins would lay dormant during the freezing winter months, preparing for spring inside their deep caves and once the weather allows them, they would go down the mountain, killing, ransacking and burning. Hammer Lord wanted to undermine their winter preparations to sap their strenght in spring. The Hammers had succeeded for now; they had destroyed great amount of supplies stockpiled in the tunnels, they had collapsed many tunnels within the caves and they had slain hundreds of goblin warriors and diggers. Most important of these deeds was the collapsing of many access tunnels and of course the killing of the Goblin leader and the burning of his makeshift throne. Once the goblin leader was slain, screaming and squeaking, the remaining goblins fled into the darkness. That was the end of their counter attacks. ''It will strike fear into their hearts for a long time.'' Veryacano thought. ''They will have to dig through winter to open those collapsed tunnels again too.'' He thought and a sinister smile appeared on his lips.

 

He then looked at the faces around the fire. They all seemed battered like him but noone suffered heavy injuries except for Parnard, who had a broken arm. Most of the warriors seemed content but he could tell that now they all expected to return back to Imladris. Veryacano was planning for a final blow against the vicious goblins on the surface but as he looked into the eyes of his troops, he thought again. He weighed the gains for another attack and cost of it. The Hammer Lord enjoyed pushing his troops to the limits of hardship but he wondered if they had reached the limit yet and pondered a while.

As his gaze shifted around the fire, he noticed Parnard. Veryacano had told him he wasnt fit to fight for the Hammer Order, but thought bringing him along would be a good experience for him. He had posted one of his finest guardians, Estarfin, to guard Parnard to make sure this little trip didnt cost him his life. Veryacano was well aware that the raid was hard on Parnard, for he had difficulty keeping up with the Hammers and at times he was pushed around, taunted and mistreated by the troops.

 

Although he did not keep his standards for well-manners very high, Hammer Lord expected honorable conduct from his troops. But this time, he purposely overlooked this, for he was curious to see what Parnard would do about it. Parnard seemed to lash out at times but mostly kept to himself and did as told. He had failed to hide his hatred for his guardian, Estarfin and the quartermaster, Nirhen. But when Parnard did not come to him to complain about the situation - as the troops expected - and persevered instead, Veryacano was not suprised at all. That's what he was expecting. Now Parnard seemed to direct his anger to his sword, sharpening it to a razor as he lauged at the emptyness. Veryacano was amused with this. He watched Parnard closely for yet a while, and thought: ''Long ago I have learned that frustration, anger and hardship are good teachers. I am glad to see they are still teaching, but I hope they will not drive young Parnard mad.''

 

Then he glanced at Estarfin, who was now relieved of his watch. He was sitting alone, quietly and did not dare look at Veryacano. ''It seems he thinks to have failed me because of Parnard's broken arm.'' he thought. In truth, Estarfin had done all that could be done and whatever else was Parnard's own fault. Veryacano would rather not have his troops bear needless guilt. ''Tea for Estarfin.'' He called. Daegond the Hound was serving again. He poured the blackest tea into a small cup and handed it to Estarfin. Estarfin looked up at the Hound and then at Veryacano, who nodded with hint of a smile.