In need of Time

Irwfrith looked at the felled deers he had brought in, already there was a pile of carcasses laying around the kitchen of the meadhall. With no time of finding propal disposal of them he started skinning the ones yet unfinished. Bundles of dried meat had already been created, he merely hoped that it would be enough for the company travelling, considering the small amount of time that was given to prepare. Irwfrith cursed, as no matter how many times he counted on it, it always seemed to be barely enough for four people. This was not going to be a journey home on a grander scale, more of a chase to catch up with the rest, and doing a quick scout of the gap before heading back. 

He failed to see why anyone wished to follow after the sons of Argoth, and he couldn't figure out whether it was out of mere loyalty to them or impatience of returning back to Riddermark. In eithercase, one thing was certain. They abandoned those remaining in Bree. Making their remaining kinsmen return journey more riskfull than it needed to be. Actions he he doubted would bring any honour to their names in Bree-land or in Riddermark.

As he started skinning the deers he felt shamed over the behaviour of those who departed, even if himself wasn't much for taking oaths he couldn't think of abandoning people in need of help. Irwfrith could however seize this oppertunity to scout the way to the gap, and in the future use this knowledge for the proper relocation from Bree. Melowen brought great ease to him, as she seemed to be willing to make a similar journey as him. After a few words with Ferawyn it seemed she was more aligned to staying in Bree-land for the time being. 

Understandably so.

The warm glow of the embers in the large firepit of the meadhall had faded when he was done processing the last packages of meat. Fatigue came over him, for he had been hunting from the day he had heard of Daellas and Arunels abandonment without closing his eyes to rest. Covered in deer blood and various pieces of meat he slowly sank down on the floor next to a wooden beam in the main hall. At the borders of the dreams he woke up, hearing the mainhall door slam. He stood up and looked towards the hallway. It was the daughter of Eoryth, for once she seemed pleased to see Irwfrith as he saw her appearing in from the entrance. Irwfrith could not quite figure out why, until he saw the arrow twirling between her fingers as she approached him...