A light rain pattered down as Dinengel was traveling west through the rocky hills of the Ettenmoors. Swiftly and silently, like a gust of wind, he passed between the low trees and bushes of the region. The rain water soaking through his heavy green cloak, and his boots sloshed across the muddy ground.
The last few days had been quiet as the Ranger wandered through the forests. The wildlife was emerging again with this spring, the flowers budded and animals crept out of their hiding places for the first time in months.
It was mid afternoon when Dinengel caught sight of a smoke rising in the distance. There were several small streams of campfire smoke penetrating through the tree branches below, and Dinengel could not help but investigate this seemingly innocent disturbance.
Approaching the source of the smoke, Dinengel could make out a few bright lights. He could hear muffled voices some distance ahead, an unusual dialect for this region. He could not make out the specific tongue, but he could tell that it was one of Rhudaurian origin. The first voice was gruff, the voice of some hardened warrior, he suspected. It was stern, but did not seem to be in command of the conversation. The second voice was higher pitched, that of a woman no doubt.
Dinengel lightly stepped closer to the camp, only now standing about forty yards from where the two people were talking. He could see them, the man had a long beard, and was clad in sturdy armor, which looked to be of Hillmen-craft. The woman wore a coat of bright scale-mail, adorned with elaborate crimson markings.
The camp had some small campfires, as well as some crates of supplies and a few horses tied to a post. 
A command tent was placed in the center, and inside a light could be seen, presumably from a torch. Perhaps a few dozen men were busy with various tasks around the camp.
As Dinengel surveyed the situation, he could hear a twig snap behind him. Swiftly turning around, he saw a Hillman scout who had spotted him from a few feet away. Understanding that he had been found out, Dinengel rushed the scout, drawing his longsword, and plunging it into the Hillman’s chest before he had time to react. The scout let out a bellowing wail, which alerted the entire company to Dinengel’s position.
The woman who had been speaking before cried out in words that the Ranger could not understand, and she as well as several Hillmen charged over to where Dinengel had been spotted. Seeing that his enemies were approaching quickly, Dinengel swung the lifeless corpse at the nearest attacker, not realizing that his sword was still embedded in the body!
Dinengel knew he could not fight these foes empty handed, and quickly made for the post where the horses were tied up. He flung a throwing knife at the post, cutting the ropes, and releasing the horses. Dinengel mounted one of the horses quickly, and galloped away as swiftly as possible. As he rode away, the unnamed woman drew a bow, and sent an arrow flying towards Dinengel, which grazed his right shoulder, leaving a deep cut.
Dinengel knew that he had to bring this news to Esteldin, as an unchecked band of Hillmen may prove to be an issue in the near future. It could be certain that their deeds would bring great sorrow upon the people of the North.
