I have been situated in Trestlebridge for about a week now and the sight of the burned houses and scorched town with the road dusted with ash continues to poke and prod at my mind... It is a sight I am all too familiar with... A sight that I shall never feel at ease with.
Dalfura has not come yet... And perhaps I do not wish her to come, maybe she and I are just better with her remaining at Bree, these scars... They still blight my face, I have been hurt too much.
I had not committed down to paper the events of that grim night... I do not wish to, it pains me too much to recount that scene in my house... It was a bloody affair indeed.
I am left with this scar, three claw marks now run down the left side of my face. Ha! Who said this job was ever going to leave my face looking good? If it wasn't this that got me it would have been some near miss with a sword or knife that would have. But this... This is different.
I loved her, I put my trust and care in her, I unconditionally supported her in her hours of need... But I was thrown across the room into wooden chairs, almost strangled and now these claw marks... It was one hurt too many, I know that much.
But I know this is not the way of the Beorning, Arindiis has taught me much about the kind and natural temperament of her people. These Skinchangers... They are not monsters, they are merely men and women of the wilds, but they are not savage or grim like one would have originally thought before I met them. Nay, in fact, I believe Arindiis to be the most understanding, loyal, caring, protective, kindest, bravest...
...She is a friend and a great friend at that. I know to keep her close, especially in these pressing times. For something tells me I shall need her in the end. And she may very well need me.
And my heart is joyous indeed to have found her when I did, I met a man named Aeglorond, a man very familiar to the North Downs it would seem, he had the look of one of those Rangers, I did not know whether to trust him at first, but when he explained that he too knew of Arindiis and could help me locate her whereabouts I took the chance. It turns out that he is a good enough man for one of those Rangers.
We had trekked and scouted through the fields and hills around the Greenway, neither track nor trail did I seem to locate before Aeglorond, for his skills in tracking were great indeed, perhaps for what it is worth those Rangers are not all that bad, as grim and secretive as they may seem.
We rested by an outcrop of rocks and stones and had a clear view of the Deadman's Dyke in the distance some miles off, according to the map I carried we seemed to be also several miles Northeast from the detected Orc Assault Camps, knowing that those wretches prowl still prowl about and are likely mustering a force troubles me... And the grim Deadman's Dyke stood hauntedly in the distance, a shadow was upon that place.
There was once a war on those fields, ere Fornost fell a great battle took place at its gates, the vile Witch King of Angmar waged war on the Old Kingdoms of Arnor and forever blighted those fields with death and darkness. That was the tale Lithindir told me of that place... I do not wish to ever step foot there, I could feel its chilling darkness from even at our rest.
That was when I saw them, tracks in the wet mud where it had recently rained, these were none other than the paw prints of a great bear. I knew they belonged to Arindiis. Our hunt was bolstered by the hope that she was still near. And she was.
We arrived at a small cliff face, there did I spot Arindiis resting by a large pine tree. In her bear form, she still seemed to carry an air of tranquility and calm about her.
The drop was not too far, which was a good thing for in my eagerness I lost my footing and found myself sliding down the scree! I tried desperately to regain my balance but it was too late, I slid, tumbled and rolled down the unforgiving rock face and landed flat on my face. A few scratches and bruises here and there but otherwise I was uninjured.
Arindiis greeted me warmly with a comforting embrace, I cannot deny I missed her smile, her stoic yet gracious mannerism, she did not look at all gracious in her dirty and slightly worn clothes, the Wild did not do her any favours when it came to her appearance, she had a wild and worn look about her. But that did not matter, she had time aplenty to wash in the river when we arrived back to Trestlebridge.
We arrived to the sounds of battle, clashing of swords and yelling of Guards, a small scouting party had arrived to assail the Trestlespan, without a second thought Arindiis, Aeglorond and I, Askelin Ashdown, joined the fray.
Many Orcs did we cleave, The Guards were few in number and were merely locals of the Town who took up arms in defence. Aeglorond was sure and swift with the bow, his arrows sung as they flew from his bow, I fought strong and proud, I always did revel in the fray of battle, the thrill of the fight encouraged me even further, before long we were pushing back! The Orcs did not come without knowing they were going to meet some resistance though.
Arindiis did not Skinchange, she opted to fight with her two axes, she was agile and swift, I always have admired her skill in battle, she did not merely rely on her gift... She genuinely was a fighter, her strength was unparalleled on the field.
Two score and thirteen in total did we defeat before the Orcs retreated. two of the guardsmen, unfortunately, lost their lives in the attack, struck by arrows and fallen off the Span, I will have their bodies recovered and see that they are given a proper burial.
We repelled the attack though I fear this was but a scouting party, perhaps they were merely poking and prodding at our defences? Testing us and seeing what we were made of. I am assured that we are made of sterner stuff than they had thought, but our resolve alone will not save Trestlebridge, every day we stand idle is a day that the enemy may be amassing, gathering, bringing forth soldiers for their assault...
When they do decide to unleash their fury, I fear it will be a bloodbath that shall forever stain the town... We must hold out any and all assaults and repel this threat as best we may.
We are going to need reinforcements.
