Bird on a Wire - Part 1
Bird on a Wire - Part 2
Bird on a Wire - Interlude
Bird on a Wire - Part 3
Heartbreaker already in her grasp, Xanderian smoothly drew and nocked a long shaft in one fluid motion...but aimed it down as of yet. “We are not alone, dear one...” she whispered to Audea.
Audea was just about to take a step before Xanderian suddenly drew her weapon. Quickly, she spun around and her hand fumbled for the hilt of her ornate sword. Yet the shadow on the hillside made no motion to fire, but rather swiftly moved up the incline to find a better vantage point.
Growing more and more nervous, Audea whispered as she looked around the area, "Ummm...Where?"
Xanderian stayed still, her shoulders relaxed. “They seek to gain the high ground...he was not expecting us, he is surprised...so he is not of those we seek. They would be on their guard for pursuers, and we were both well marked by the Viper. I feel the greenwood about him and the way he moves. Be wary but restrained...We know not if he be friend or foe, but he knows what he is about.”
Audea gulped nervously, her hand shaking, though she had yet to draw her borrowed blade. She nodded her understanding, continuing to speak softly. "Do we jus'.. act natural?"
“Natural? Nonchalant?” Xanderian smiled..."No...there is no need for that. Better they view us as vigilant and ready.”
Audea was most definitely neither vigilant nor ready, but damn would she try to put on the act. She continued to scan the area in a serious fashion, moving just a step to her right, as if she were ready to ascend the hill.
Xanderian closed her eyes....feeling the grass move telling her where their mysterious observer now stood...nodding to herself, she spoke in a low tone, knowing their shadow would overhear. “There is no doubt the kidnappers have made their way in this direction. They must have some skill to avoid the Rangers who patrol these lands, which causes me more concern. If we are swift, our quarry will be released unharmed.” She stared at Audea, her voice suddenly filling with meaning meant just for her “But we must be wary...and wise.”
Audea frowned, Xanderian’s theatrical mention of the kidnapping sending her mind back to Hawke. ".. They've prob'ly already done terrible things t'him," she muttered, any confidence she might have mustered faltering.
The huntress sighed, this was not the reaction she had intended. “He is no stranger to terrible things, dear one...have faith in his strength...and his capacity to absorb punishment.”
Audea squeezed her eyes shut at that word: 'punishment.' "He shouldn't have to absorb it," she said a little more firmly, almost turning to march up the hill, having forgotten what they were doing in her upset.
The shadow frowned behind his cowl, catching most of what was being said, at least by the more mature voice. It was two women, as he'd suspected when he saw them earlier. Stepping forward until he appeared at the top of the rise where they could see him, the shadow now revealed to be a Ranger dressed in the typical robes and armor of the men of the North released his bowstring and called to them in Sindarin in a smooth voice. ''Daro! Am man theled?''
Xanderian smiled to herself..."Ah...here is our guest now.”
Audea peered upward, her grip around the hilt of her sword tightening again ".. Wha' did he jus' call us?"
Xanderian unnocked her arrow and called back, but in Westron for Audea’s benefit. "Hail sentry....we seek a party of miscreants who may be sheltered in the Hillshire above. An innocent man is in deadly peril, time is not our friend...they are bound to take ship soon in foul Kheledul.”
Audea watched the stranger above them with slightly narrowed eyes. Foreign languages made her uneasy enough, and everything else about this armed woodsman made her more nervous still.
The ranger kept his bow held high and grey eyes flashed from the cover of his hood. ''Hail, travelers, if that be what you are. I know what band you speak of, for they passed this way three days prior.''
Xanderian nodded and made a slow gesture of thanks. “Did they have a man with them…smallish, he would have been injured...he would look of Gondorian caste to your eye.”
Audea furrowed her brow at 'small', whispering to Xanderian. "Smallish? He's.. kinda tall actually, isn't he?" The elleth ignored her.
The ranger studied the two women carefully. Finally, trusting his judgment of them, he lowered his weapon. ''It seemed to me they bore with them a captive, aye.''
Signing softly the ellth bowed formally. “I am Xanderian the Nightwind, once of fair Imladris now Belfalas...my companion is Audea of Breeland, her beloved is the one taken. He has been kidnapped by a sellsword, known as the Viper.”
Audea brought her palm from the hilt of her sword upon seeing the stranger lower his weapon, but her eyes widened at Xanderian’s words, her cheeks coloring crimson. “MISS XAN…” she hissed. “Hawke t’ain’t my beloved, he is just m’..well…I am…he…Miss Xan why did’ya say such a thing? What might this fella be thinkin a'me?”
The ranger called down, not noticing or just ignoring Audea’s agitation. ''Gi nathlof hi, Nightwind. You are known to my kin. I am Braichanar and the safety of these hills is in my charge.'' He slid the arrow back into the sheath at his hip and slung his bow onto his back, stepping with ease down the steep incline. “'You say this captive was a boon companion of yours?”
Xanderian nodded as the ranger joined them. “Hail Man of the North... and yes, he is very dear to us both, but especially my companion. He may appear rough and lowly, but he has virtues thus far unrefined.”
Braichanar turned his keen gaze from one to the other, raising an eyebrow slightly at “very dear to us both” but letting the matter pass. These were curous companions indeed. ''As I said, I marked the passage of a band with a captive traveling by horseback, headed into the hills.”
Audea stared at Braichanar with solemnly hopeful eyes, one hand fiddling furiously with the other's glove. “Did y'see wha' he looked like? The captive…did they-... Were they.. hurtin' him?”
The ranger shook his hooded head slighty, searching for words in Westron as if unused to speaking this much. “I made no clear mark of the captive, save that they bore a figure slung upon one of their saddles. Six they were in number.''
Xanderian nodded..."That sounds correct, I had marked at least that number as having invaded the room from which he was abducted. Their leader would have had a vicious aspect, white haired and bearded? Clearly of professional manner? The others would be common bandits, hired to die no doubt.”
Braichanar shook his head, watching the younger woman, clearly no Elf though she wore ill-fitting armour of Elven make, before looking back to Xanderian. ''There was none fitting that description, Nightwind. Six brigands of low repute, no doubt, though they had the skill to slip past my kinsmen's watch.''
Audea perked up a little bit, turning her gaze to Xanderian. "Six! We can fight six, aye? Especially if tha’ Viper t’ain’t among em? Yer an' Elf, and Heartbreaker is fierce! We jus' have t'take out the little goons first!" Audea suggested this as if Xanderian were almighty, which from the glow in her eyes she actually believed.
The elleth however shook her head fondly. “It is not a simple matter of numbers, dear one. If they have made Hillshire, there will be no surprise for us, and they have an easy weapon to hold us at bay.....Hawke is helpless in their grip.”
The ranger watched the two wordlessly, his expression perhaps pitying at Audea's hope. ''How long have you been tracking this companion of yours?''
Audea looked to Braichanar once again at his question and understood well the look in his eye, any miniscule smile she might have had quickly swept away. “We’ve been walkin’ from Bree seems like forever.”
Braichanar nodded. ''Then perhaps there is still time to end this matter before long. There has been smoke from their fire the last night, so perhaps they linger still. Your companion was wounded?''
“Yes...” Xanderian frowned slightly, troubled by Audea mercurial mood but then puts it aside. “He was already wounded when they set upon him, and in the battle was wounded more. We know not his condition, but it will be in their interest to keep him alive.”
Audea nodded urgently, raising her voice. “If his leg was fine, I don't doubt he would've given those fools a taste'a their own medicine.'
Braichanar made a small sound of distaste. ''Such is the way of cowards, striking the wounded. So he is a hostage, then, for barter?'' He pointed towards the hills. ''They have passed the river, no doubt using the ruins for shelter.''
Xanderian looked out as the ranger indicated. “Indeed, this would be sensible. Hillshire and its outbuildings was well built in ages past as a watchtower, and still affords a commanding view...if they are wary there will see us as soon as we reach the river”
Braichanar nodded, comforted it seemed that this Nightwind seemed to deserve her reputation amongst the Dunedain. “Indeed. Verily, if you seek to come upon them unawares, you must needs wait for nightfall. I expect they know they are being followed.”
The elleth sighed. “Indeed they know there will be pursuit. Though I would as soon swoop down upon the brigands, now we must be patient. They will be careful and wary of the health of their prize. The man has a price upon him in fair Dol Amroth...they will seek to collect it. The price is not for any misdeeds, but rather family politics as is the nature of Gondor.”
Audea looked down to the map she was still gripping in her palm. With a gentle exhale through flared nostrils, she folded it away and brought her pack around to stuff it into the first pocket she could find. "You should come with us," she stated rather out of the blue. The ranger tensed.
Xanderian smiled softly..."My companion is ill-used to the courtesies of the wilderness. She means no offense. But I would be grateful, brother, if you could aid us in this task. Saving this captive would be a kind act, and these bandits will be up to more mischief soon enough if left to roam these lands.”
Audea blinked, confused. “Oh.. S-Sorry.. Aye, I didn't mean it t'be rude or nothin', I jus' thought.. it might be easier with someone else..”
Braichanar shifted his weight, turning his head to regard the young girl. ''I will offer no argument, if you wish me to join your hunt. Though Nightwind is stalwart and bears no little fame, my bow may not prove unwelcome.'' He bows his head to Xanderian. ''I shall join you. These lands fall beneath my purview, and it would be remiss of me not to come to the aid of innocents in need.''
“We are grateful, Man of the North, the virtue of your blood shines bright despite the ages.” Xanderian bowed again as Audea looked more confused.
Braichanar laughed softly. “Speak not so highly, Nightwind. I am but a humble Ranger, as this girl might call me.” He reached to pull back his concealing hood and cowl.
Xanderian smiled softly. "Ah yes, wandering tinkers and petty thieves as those in Bree would have it. Consider well, dear Audea, if not for this man and his kindred, Bree would have been sacked and put to the sword long ago.”
Audea's shoulders dropped. "Sorry," she muttered. "I don't really know a lot 'bout the Rangers, bu', um.. y'look dangerous, so.."
Braichanar held up his hand, perhaps to halt Xanderian's praise or Audea's apologizing, or both. ''Now, is there aught else I should know? We must waste away what day remains, unfortunately.''
Xabderian looked back up at the fortress looming above them. “I have camped in Hillshire in the past, brother, but it was many years ago and the locale has changed...we bow to your knowledge of the fortress as it is before us at this time.
Braichanar shook his head. ''The fortress has begun to sink into the hills, worn away by time -- much like us, is it not true, Nightwind? The band you seek is camped farther north, if I judge the smoke from their fire aright.''
The elleth was relieved. “Then yes, common bandits indeed...if they chose the cover of the trees over high ground and solid stone. Good, I did not relish besieging such a watchtower. All that we know that may aid us, we have told you save for one thing. Audea...show him the map you gained.”
Braichanar leveled his gaze on Audea again, a brow raised at mention of a map.
Audea squeezed her eyes shut once again. "Um.. The ship they're takin' him to leaves in five days, so.. S-Someone.. told me tha' the man who set this all up may have doubted the Viper.. He'll prob'ly try t'sell Hawk fer more than the nobles are willin' t'pay," she practically whispered, reaching back again for the map she had just tucked away. She hesitantly held out the folded parchment, which had a few recent drops of blood dotting it. “They were s'posed t'stop at these ruins.. Tha's all the map is..”
Braichanar reached and gently took the map, noting the state Audea was in. His gaze was not unkind as he thanked her with a nod, before studying the map. The blood seemed not to astonish him at all. ''Hawk is the name of your companion, the captive? An odd name, but such are the ways of the Bree-landers. I know of no man by the title Viper. There are some vestiges of the old outpost in the forest marked on this map, perhaps it is there that they make camp.'''
The huntress laughed softly. “Hawke is the name he has taken for himself and it suits him well...his true name is in the tongue of my folk, but I am not at liberty to share it.” Braichanar glanced up at this strange revelation, but did not question.
Audea clenched her fist at the mention of Hawke, tilting her head back to look up the hill impatiently.
Xanderian reached out...gripping her hand. "Gently my sweet Songstress...he is very like a weed, it takes some hacking to damage him...he will see the best of this day.
Braichanar handed Audea the map once he had studied it. He felt more certain of the location now. At the description of this Hawk, his brows raised. ''Am man theled, for what purpose would they harm him if he is worth his weight in gold to them, as you say.''
Xanderian laughed. "He has a...way about him. Many would seek to harm him after conversing with him for a time.
The ranger nodded knowingly. “Ah. I daes orchal dringannen. The nail that pokes out is hammered. He is a young man, then?”
“Exactly.” Xanderian nodded. “As I said, he is rough and caustic at times...but his spirit is bright and valiant and I see in him greatness yet unborn. However I could easily see his captives being goaded to violence against him.
Audea inhaled a deep breath through her nose, holding it for but a few moments, and then exhaled it slowly through her mouth, trying to calm herself. "Only because they're a bunch of chicken-hearted cads," she said, much less eloquently than her two companions as she took the map back.
Braichanar offered a very small smile, more in his eyes than his lips; though he was young he seemed to bear a seriousness about him more akin to a man far older. ''Well said, Audea of Bree.''
Audea grinned just a bit at the praise before her head turned away, hand reaching back to tuck the map into a pocket again as Braichanar turned to Xanderian. ''Posto hi, rest here atop the hill. If you set camp do not light a flame. I shall scout ahead, with respect, so that we may know what to expect come nightfall.''
Looking forward already, considering where best to make camp, the elleth nodded. “I thank you...we shall remain here. It is best I think that Audea...collect herself before we press further.”
Audea 's brow furrowed. and she spoke fiercly ".. Wha'? I'm fine! Every moment we waste waitin' around is another moment tha' they're prob'ly doin'.. horrible things t'him!"
The ranger seemed to study Audea again at that, pausing as he prepared to go. ''You fear they will abuse this Hawk of yours?''
The girl nodded fervently. “O' course! They're a bunch'a sick bastards!'
Xanderian smiled again. "If he is awake and talking, they will abuse him without doubt, but we must be patient my dear....If we attack in haste their obvious course will be to hurt him worse so as to force us to stand down. We may not find another chance to free him before they reach the fortress of Kheledul...and the army of Dourhand dwarves and Angmarim slavers within. We must be sure we make the most of this opportunity.”
Braichanar set his mouth in a grim line and agreed with Xanderian. “I will go now and see what may be seen so that you may be better put at ease.''
Audea scowled, clearly not happy with the idea of waiting around. Nevertheless, she complied, but waved her hand dismissively at the two before turning to trudge up the hill where they could make camp, muttering to herself.
The ranger waited until she had gone, then turned his gaze to Xanderian. As he spoke in Sindarin again his words flowed more easily. ''Have hope until there is cause for all to be lost, is that not so? I shall return as swiftly as I may.''
Xanderian nodded, watching the woman trudge heavily up the hill in concern. “Forgive her...she is a simple village lass and she fears for her heart. As you seek our foes, be wary...as I said, this Viper if he is about could prove a handful.”
Braichanar almost smiled again. ''There is naught to be forgiven. Simple hearts are often truest, and it is my life's work to protect them.'' He nodded at her warning however. ''Fear not, Nightwind. I am no untrained scout.'' He pulled on his hood and cowl and retreated swiftly and nimbly up the hill, until the grass seemed to swallow him whole.
Xanderian sighed, as if lost in memories for a moment as she watched the ranger disappear, then moved to watch over Audea. Soon it would be nightfall, and then Hawke would be freed at last.
