Redwick stood at the stables checking the quiver of arrows that was strapped onto Goldwine, it held a little over ten arrows and this fared well for Redwick, for he had another quiver strapped to his back. He made sure that all the straps were tightly buckled to Goldwine when his attention was drawn by the sound of approaching hooves amidst the sound of rain pattering upon the grassy floors and within the light of a nearby torch he sighted a familiar rider; Yrminas who had just returned from the fields and he had brought word that naught moved save for the falling rain. But Redwick was not stayed by these words, he nodded their acknowledgement and said that he yet had wish to ride out in the rain and Yrminas offered to accompany him. Thus he climbed upon Goldwine and together they left Snowbourn in the darkness and followed the roads.
They say that the Eorlingas have keen eyes even in darkness, but they looked from left to right and saw nothing after many few minutes, on and on they went. Across a muddy field whither Yrminas advised caution, for many a horse had its hooves caught deep in soft sand and fallen; the worst of such cases was if a horse had broken its foot in the fall.
When they had come to the edge of the field they had still seen naught, nothing stirred within their gaze and thunder began to roll across the skies. Redwick peered to the dark and clouded skies for a moment and he looked to Yrminas who say closely, bending his gaze about with caution. "Let us go South of Snowbourn, nigh the Entwash." suggested Redwick,"There are often orcs to be found hiding in piles of hay at the crofts over yonder." "Let us go then!" Agreed Yrminas, "No sense standing here and being washed away by the heavens!" And to that they both agreed and road off towards the south, more muddy and burnt fields they crossed and their faces became bitter as they gazed upon burnt stalks. They hated that such food would go to waste. "Look at this mess." Yrminas said and Redwick as he frowned at the burnt stalks, "Little love have they for aught that grows," He said in turn, "they have not the decency to plunder. Instead they burn all of it." And on they went away from the dreadful sight.
They stopped once more on a cobble road beside a bridge, the path there led three ways, one to the South, the other North and the other East across the bridge. There they sat for a while, for it was at the top of a slope facing South, yet even from there naught could be seen and they were getting cold and frustrated. Their beards were wet, there armour was wet, their weapons were wet and their steeds were wet. They were growing grumpy and decided to press forth to make swifter their patrol.
When they came to the bottom of the slope the sound of loud and violent neighs were heard to their East near the river, the sound of fell voices could be heard amidst the drops of rains and there Redwick halted, Yrminas carried on but soon returned, "Before you ask," he said, "I did hear that." But there was little humour in his tone. Within the darkness they could see the silhouettes of four shapes in the likeliness of men surrounding a horse that reared and neighed loudly, kicking one of the figures down upon the wet grass, a cursed reached the ears of the two Riders and then a rough, strong voice spoke out; "If ya do that then the master will have yer head as well, now get moving, ya slug!" Said the voice at the cursing figure who stood up once more, they bound a noose around the neck of the horse who had begun to grow weary but still put up a fierce and fearless resistence, but it was in vain. For the opressors were more in number.
"Bows will be of little use in this weather," Said Yrminas wisely in more than one way, for they may have struck the horse with a stray arrow, "but unlike what most may think my arm holds a spear just as keenly as bow and arrow!! Let us see what we yet may do over there, if only it were to kill a few intruders of the Maerc!" To that Redwick agreed and unsheathed his sword, saying; "Then let us be quick, and as silent as we may!" Then the two of them road forth with the rain coming hard down upon them and they cought the opressors on unawares. By the time they had noticed the sound of hooves one had been impaled by Yrminas' spear and the other felled by Redwick's sword. "Oi! Get 'em!" exclaimed the strong voice from the larger figure, the riders made their way around once more, but then the horse reared once more and kicked the large figured upon the wet grass. Yrminas swiftly road forth and seized him upon the ground, "I have this one. Get the last!" He exclaimed to Redwick who rushed forth with him and he felled the final standing orc who stood dumbfounded, seeking to grope for his sword and thus the battle was over, but the rain persisted and thunder came down into the distance.
Three orcs laid dead and one bigger one upon the ground. He sought to lift himself up, for he was unaware of the spear held nigh him and he flattened himself once more at the feel of cold, sharp iron against him. "Out hunting are we? What purpose has your ilk in catching this horse?" Yrminas asked with firm authority in his voice, Redwick looked upon the horse who he could do little to make out, for the steed was darker than the night but was now calm. It lingered nigh to the two riders, seeking safety, but slowly it wandered and ever remaining in the view of their eyes.
"Ain't tellin' ya nothing, Horse-man," the rough voice said with disgust in his tone as he spoke his latter word, "Just followin' orders."
And then Yrminas raised his spear and there was a flash of lightening, the orc startled in fear of the flash but cried out immediately as Yrminas sent his spear into it's leg. "Got more to speak of now?" asked Yrminas in a less than polite way.
The orc snarled and through a sneer he spoke "Master's Orders!" He said with hope of mercy from Yrminas, "These black one's are goin' t' Mordor, given by ya king 'imself! Now leave me, afore yer king has yer head for treason!"
Yrminas then looked down at the orc with a hunt of disbelief and amazement drawn forth as lightening struck once more, their faces lit up for a brief moment and then Yrminas drew his spear from the orc's leg and made some distance between himself and the creature. Redwick sat silently upon Goldwine as rain continued to fall upon his grim face, his hair hanging damply. "You are just like your masters," Said Yrminas, raising his voice in ire, "full of deceit! Speak the truth or fall here!" But betraying his ire, for his hand shook upon his spear.
"The rats from Isengard--" said the rough-voiced orc with means to distract as he began to pull himself up, his hand reaching for the sword at his side and Redwick's hand held fast upon his sword, should the orc become more threatening than he had now become.
Yrminas thrust his spear into the ground beside the orc and began to circle him with his steed, "What of Isengard?" he asked as his voice grew calm, but he remained alert.
The orc spat upon Yrminas' spear, but he grasped upon it to pull himself up, his cruel sword now drawn. He was frightened of both the lightening in the heavens and the two horse-men, but he was still bold in his words. Redwick kept his distance from the orc, but Yrminas was unafraid of the drawn weapon, "Yer know nothin' of what's coming yer way, horse-man." Said the orc, its eyes went wide and it spoke s through a sneer, "Yer fields, yer homes, yer thanes, yer wives, yer children shall all burn along with yer king!" growled the orc. Redwick held his sword even tighter at these threats. With a sudden move Yrminas sent forth his foot and kicked the orc onto its back it fell.
"Atleast now there will be four less orcs to try it!" Said Yrminas as he took his spear again, ordering his steed walk forth. But those threats had burnt Redwick's ire hot and dismounted Goldwine with his sword at hand and he approached the orc, "Yrminas, hold!" said to his companion and turning to the orc who was still gaining its wits he kicked it and suddenly exclaimed, "To threaten all that I love lets you receive no mercy!" And then Redwick's blade fell upon the orc's neck, slaying it. He sheathed his sword and his ire now slowly faded away.
The attention of the riders then turned to the dark horse that lingered near and Redwick approached it. He put a gentle grasp on the rope that was still noosed upon the horse's neck and for a while the horse seemed reluctant. Redwick slowly led his hand along the rope and at the noose he loosened it, but not all the way. He had other intentions and he spoke:
"Unforht, I name you, for even in hopeless strife you show no fear. And you shall come with me now, and upon another day if you shall permit it, then I shall ride you."
He said and he lured the horse by the rope, the horse still seemed frightened but came along half-willingly. Redwick climbed upon Goldwine and rode passed Yrminas asking, "A drink?" a small smile came to his face and together they made their way back through the rain towards Snowbourn, dripping water from head to toe.
