”How do you feel about living, Thendryt?” Khalis said, looking over the tents.
Khalis, Lilleduil, Caleniel and Thendryt had infiltrated a Denlending camp on the border between Eregion and Enedwaith. The camp could hold a large host, though it didn’t look like such a force was in the area. Still, there were a significant number of Dunlendings and half-orcs in the area and they were heavily outnumbered.
“It’s alright.” Replied Thendryt. He knew what Khalis intended.
“Shame.” Khalis remarked.
“Agreed.” Thendryt stated, coldly.
“I was thinking those tents would burn quite well.” Khalis continued. “But it would take a fast and strong Man to run down there with a torch.”
“Well…” Thendryt started, while looking down towards the camp. If he could set fire to all of them, while staying in the middle, he would force them to come at him from one direction. It was possible. “If you continue to flirt with me like that, maybe I can be persuaded.”
“We’ll destroy the forges and the rest of the working-area.” Khalis said. “Should keep some of them off you and disoriented.”
“Let Thendryt deal with the tents.” Caleniel commented. “The Captain and Lilleduil, along with myself, will burn the forge-area.” She suddenly looked over towards Thendryt. “Perhaps if you were to dance or wear feathers on your head, Thendryt, you could create a more impressive distraction?”
Caleniel tried, hard, to look Thendryt in the eye without smiling. Thendryt returned her look, as he took out a feather from his pocket. He walked up to her and placed it in her hair.
“You first.” He said, and smiled slightly.
As the others were leaving for the forges, Thendryt walked over to a wine-barrel. He smashed it and drew his swords. After dipping both blades in the alcohol he turned around and descended towards the center of the camp. As he came closer, he could see a large light in the darkness. Stealth was no longer an option. He picked up the pace and when he got close to the tents he smashed a lantern with both his swords. The blades went ablaze instantly as the force of his swords flung the lantern towards the first tent.
When the large tent began to burn brighter, the area around Thendryt lit up. He could hear fighting from the forge, but quickly turned his attention to his own fight.
Confused Dunlendings started coming out of the tents, but Thendryt was quick to strike anyone he saw. His swords, still ablaze, spread the flames to every tent he passed and soon the entire north side of the camp was an inferno. Dunlendings and half-orcs finally got their heads around the situation and began to charge Thendryt. Thanks to the raging fire, he had his flanks protected. But he was still outnumbered. Three charged him. He parried the first and blocked the second but didn’t have time to block the third. He tried to dodge the blow but didn’t completely manage to evade it. The blade slashed his left arm. The sudden pain woke Thendryt up, as if he had been asleep the entire fight. Loosing himself to bloodlust, he slashed the first Denlending across the chest. Parrying the second one, he quickly forced his elbow into his throat. Not wasting a second, he used his momentum to thrust into the third Dunlending’s torso. He saw something in the corner of his eye and was suddenly forced to take a step backwards. An arrow was sticking out of his left shoulder. He looked around, trying to identify the archer, when a second hit him in the side. Moaning, he looked down. It had missed his vitals. He grabbed the arrow and tried to pull it out. Unable to, he broke it. He’d have to remove the tip later. He grabbed the arrow in his shoulder and forced it out. He looked up and stared at the archer. The archer panicked and fired another arrow towards him, barely missing his head. He didn’t have time to loose another. Thendryt’s burning blades pierced him before he had the chance.
Thendryt looked around. The entire camp was ablaze, as were several Dunlendings and half-orcs. However, he was getting surrounded. A great number of enemies had realized what was going on and moved towards him.
A horn sounded. Khalis. He thought. That was the signal to retreat. He dashed through the smoking tents towards the river. Not far away, he could see the three Elves waiting for him.
“We’re leaving!” Thendryt roared. The Elves looked up at him but before they could say anything Thendryt shouted; “NOW!”
They quickly made their escape across the river in the cover of the night, though Thendryt heard the arrows landing in the water around them.
They didn’t stop until they were sure they weren’t followed.
“Next…” Thendryt started, trying to catch his breath. “Next time… You ask me to commit suicide…” He let out a heavy sigh. “Don’t.”
“Are you injured, Thendryt?” Lillediul asked.
“No, I’m fine.” He replied. “Warm, and I think I have less hair. But otherwise fine.”
“You did well Thendryt, truth be told.” Khalis said, looking down at Thendryt.
“Don’t get soft on me now, I do this on a monthly basis.” Thendryt replied, still trying to catch his breath as he removed his mask and hood.
“Well, you did ‘die’ in the Misty Mountians.” Khalis continued to look at him. Lilleduil looked up. “Mountains?”
“Nothing, Lill.” Thendryt replied quickly, and sharply.
“You’re not the same Man who went up to those mountains.” Khalis continued. “We both know this.”
“I’m going down to the river.” Thendryt said. The pain was getting to him.
He made his way down to the river. He put his hand under his mail and took it out again. It was covered in blood. Thendryt looked at it for a moment before he lost consciousness and fell into the icy water.
