Crossing the Isen - Part One
The hour was late as Khalis emerged from the tree-line and looked down upon the Ford of Isengard. His gaze looked down upon the road that wound its way towards the crossing, every now and again he would catch the glimpses of the torches carried by the roving patrols of the Horse-lords. There was a whinny to his left which drew his attention, by the volume of the sound it must be some distance, no doubt the patrols maintained an unsettled peace this night.
So far they had managed to pass through the southern lands with only a few minor obstructions which were dealt with either by wisdom or as a last resort the sword. They always took time to reduce the scene of any trace of their passing. The two rangers guided them on pathways unknown to many which kept them for the most part away from prying eyes.
Turning his back on the scene ahead Khalis’ form vanished back into the tree-line and before long the small party of four broke cover afoot guiding their horses and headed down to the ford. They had covered the heads of their steeds for the warhorses were more attuned to battle than proceeding stealthy through the night. Steadily they traversed the scrubland being careful to avoid the roving riders of the mark and soon the ford came into sight. They key now was to cross the waters as quickly and as quietly as the evening breeze, but as of yet they had not formed a plan for they knew not how the ford was guarded.
The two rangers roamed ahead to test the way forward the dim light cast by the waning moon was their greatest ally this night. The second ranger returned and she quietly spoke of the proposed plan to get them across. They would move down river a little and use the strength of their steeds to carry them across, this way they would be out of glow of the torchlight of any sentries. Khalis spoke it over with a few questions asked by Hiril Elisbeth and they were then agreed.
