A flickering flame of a warm camp fire brought light into the darkened forest, five man sat near feasting on what lay left of their traveling ration. Stale bread crumbles tumbled down from their lips into black short beards or onto leather uniforms. "Eat up! You will need what energy you muster for tomorrow when we raid that village just West of here!" one of the men shouted, his eastern accent very thick. Continuously the men filled their hungry mouths while a water skin made its rounds and was quickly guzzled down, mumbles escaped their full mouths with little chit chat. "You think- we will catch them by surprise tomorrow?" a thin man said, he could not be more then twenty years old. His face had narrow features with large bulging eyes that caught any light in the area. A much older man barked at him spitting pieces of his meal around the dirt covered ground, "Don't count on it! These are Wildermen! Savages! You've seen the heads they leave on the trails. Those were our brothers". A heavy frown pulled down on the narrow face of the young man his mind raced with horrid images.
Time had passed and now any sun that had peaked through the canopy of the trees had vanished, all that remained was a dim circle of trees that could been seen around the group. Three armoured men slept near the fading camp fire, snores coming from one of their open mouths like sawing logs. The younger man paced from side to side with little beads of sweat running down his dark face. Every little noise that could be heard from the woods sent him upright and almost out of his boots! "Just a hare .. or .. some .. animal .." he gulped. The bulging eyes of his darting around every tree he could see, fear getting the best of him we wandered closer to the other man on guard.
"Did- did you see anything?" he cried, barely getting words from his mouth while he looked up to the other Eastern man. The man was a strong build, square jaw with a line of hair running along his jaw line to his square chin, a iron helm sat a top his head and a leather coat covered his chest and well past his waist with metal plates sewed into vital locations. "Relax or you will wake the others .. you do not want them mad at you again do you?" the man said, his voice stern yet friendly at the same time trying to comfort the new solider of war. Quickly the younger man shook his head. "No-no .. I just .. thought I heard something!".
Both men took a few steps and circled the camp. It had been quiet .. no bug or animal made a noise and this was settling for the younger man. Getting slightly tired from his watch he began to turn to make for the others and wake one for their duty. Sweaty hand released from the shaft of his spear and went down to pat one of his comrades when the sound of a branch snapping spooked him. Like a startled rabbit he froze, then looked up at the direction of the noise. "What-wh-what was that?!" he whimpered while the other man held a hand up for silence .. again the no sound could be heard for a time. Fearlessly the seasoned warrior spoke "I told you it was-" his voice was cut off .. there was a brief sound that could not be described but while he tried to get the words out of his mouth blood started to run like a little stream from the sides of his dried lips. Grasping hands hand let loose his weapon and now the bold man clutched at his chest were the head of a javelin had been sent right through his crafted armour.
" Savages!!" the young man screamed, but it was only for a short moment.
- - - -
Huffs of breath like a galloping horse escaped their noses and mouths while hands and feet pushed off the leaf covered ground and vaulted over fallen trees. Painted skin black as night shadowed movement and had blended them into the surroundings. The pack of three traveled quickly though the night. Two large men trailed behind a giant of a man who almost looked to be a sprinting bear, his size almost fooling at a quick glance. In hand a spear, javelin or axe.
Snarling features looked on as the light of a flame could be seen in the distance. The giant man slowed his pace and the sounds that came from their feet almost disappeared besides the occasional breaking branch or twig. Looking between one another they gave quick nods and split up .. each man hugging the trees and making a triangle around the camp. "Ho .. there you are .." the giant spoke, even in a soft tone his voice was loud. More beard then face popped around the trunk of a tree to get a better look at the two men standing a few feet away from the rest of their group. Two javelins tight it hand. Quietly the hunters waited for their time to strike, one of the hunters trying to hold back a snicker watching his foe dance around in fear of the gentle noises of a sleeping forest.
" You sure Uruz can do this?" on of the hunters whispered over to another, each of them had their dirty backs against the bark of a tree. With a little snicker and a devilish grin the other replied " You have . much to learn about my brodr. You will see .." the man chuckled to himself, pushing a strand of red mane away from his blue eyes.
A deep intake of air filled the mighty lungs of the giant, Uruz .. with a turn of his heel he went to cock a javelin back and make ready to strike, though as always his size had turned against him in stealth. A twig snapped beneath his large feet. A second past and he watched his prey. It had reminded him of hunting deer with his father. The slightest noise and they would be sent darting through the woods. With a exhale of breath he finally let loose a shot of spinning death. The head of the weapon cutting they very cold night air before striking true against the eastern mans back and out his chest. They all charged..
"Savages!" the tiny man squealed like a scared child. Wunjo, ran from behind the tree and darted after the man, his bright blue eyes never leaving him for a second. Before the cowardly foe could finish his cry Wunjo planted the head of his axe into the forehead of the man. A dumbfound look went across his face and blood poured out from the deep wound. Soon after Ivar came from his hiding spot and launched himself into the air and brought his long spear down onto the belly of a started man who hand no time to defend himself. blood sprayed from the wound like a damn cracking open. With a slow stride Uruz hand placed a hand on the back shaft of his javelin and ripped it free from the chest of the dying man, his mouth gasping for air like a fish out of water. A shove of the mighty bear paw like hands of Uruz sent him tumbling into the flames giving a terrible sent of burning hair and flesh off into the air.
- - - - -
A Scream had sent the three men from their sweet dreams into a horrible reality. One already trying to push his spilled organs into a ripped open spear wound. "P-please! Spare us! We were just following orders!" cried one of the Eastern men. Tears ran down their cheeks while panicking hands tried to push them back away from the barbarians. A javelin fired away without thought into his head. Bone splitting wide open he fell limp against the ground. Like a voice of thunder he giant spoke .." Stupid men .. "
A final scream filled the forest and then as quick as they arrived the Woodsmen went off, A gory filled scene would wait for the next group of raiders that dared entered to the lands of Mirkwood.
