Baralinion

A flurry of pale feathers swooped in front of me on the path and disappeared into the trees.

It wasn’t unusual to see owls, around here, but this one did seem to be getting closer to me than any I had seen before.  

The inn seemed busier than usual as we entered that night.  Huddles of people in stood around the edges of the room, speaking in hushed tones.  These were not the usual clientele.

I am cold.

No amount of logs on the fire or blankets will warm me.

Well, as evenings go – I have had worse.

He pulled the hood up a little higher on his head while he sat huddled around the fire, looking over to Cynhaer with a grin. "Lucky to find you, traveler. I'd be face down in the scrub of these parts... How did you find me all the way out here?"

Cynhaer smiled and looked to Baralinion and placed a hand on his. "Luck, and by the seven stars. The Lady sent me. Alkawen still moves in these lands but she is far and to the north, in the lands beyond the Vales."

He could hear and feel the wheezing as he fought to breath, each one causing him to cry out in pain but nothing ever left his lips. He could hear the clattering and fighting around him, the world had grown so much darker, he could barely even see his hand as it reached to clutch his fallen blade. Only to realize, it was but a rock. Knowing now that he had led this company of people who  gave him an inkling of trust, and he had not the strength to wield his own blade in their defense. 

“Stop,” the elf demands harshly, hoisting the lantern high above her head. “Do not go further.”

"Good... Now, recite them again. This time, don't talk at me. Show me that you feel them."

 

The growl almost seemed to echo inside the small room, followed by the click of the shears trimming the line close to the flesh. Not so gentle hands went to work to begin medicating and suturing the numerous wounds that the man had accrued upon his adventures in stalking his favored prey. 

"You're sure it was him?"

The voice echeod from the nothingness of the other end of the room that had been drapped with cloth from the cieling and walls to hide whom ever hid behind them.