Dawn was near. Pink mat of clouds slowly drifted across the eastern sky. Lake Evendim was calm as a mirror. Green hills arose behind golden sandy beaches and reflected from the surface of the water.
The fleet of rowboats had anchored with grapnels a couple of hundred yards from the shore. Some of the tomb-robbers were still asleep while others were playing dice, eating a breakfast of dried meat, mending their clothes or chatting quietly. It was a rather cozy picture, all these hardened cutthroats in their everyday chores.
Sun was rising behind the horizon. It rose quickly like a glowing gold coin, and the lake and the verdant hills were soon basking in sunlight.
Ernil stood up, yawned, stretched, squinted his eyes in the sunlight and glanced at the horizon. Avice Twynam stood up next to him. She was pale and had dark stripes under her eyes. Ernil smiled at her.
”A beautiful morning, my dear.”
The woman stared at the sun, blinded by it.
Ernil smiled again. ”All right, Rycroft. Row us to the boat. Let’s wake up everyone for the show. Attention, everyone! Attention!”
All the conversations died and necks craned as everyone turned their attention to Ernil and the boat with their captives.
One man was holding up the horrifically tortured Ranger. Hellrien lurched behind them, also help up by a tomb-robber in case her legs would cave in. Hellrien’s hands were tied behind her back; the Ranger’s hands hung limp and lifeless against his sides.
Ernil made a mock bow at them.
”Good morning, Milady. Milord. Did you sleep well? I hope I didn’t interrupt a budding romance?” He guffawed. ”The romantic scenery here in Lake Evendim will do that to you. I too had a real angel sleeping next to me last night…”
Hellrien didn’t look at Ernil – her head was hanging down flaccidly. Her face looked wan and grey in the ruthless sunlight. Large parts of it was covered by splotches of clotted blood.
”May I draw your attention to this small but intricate knife in Rycroft’s hand. Pretty, isn’t it? In case you’ve ever hunted or known people who do, I’m sure it’s purpose is familiar to you.”
Ernil stepped into the boat and slowly stepped in front of Hellrien. In his gloriously garish Dúnadan noble outfit he formed a stark contrast to Hellrien battered form.
”You are an inquisitive woman, Hellrien”, he said. ”In case you’re wondering what I have planned for you and your equally nosy friend, I will satisfy your curiosity. I am going to disembowel you – but do not worry. This little operation will not kill you. Unfortunately though, when I tie you and your boyfriend together with your own entrails and toss you in the lake tied to a stone, death will be inevitable. Perhaps you will even welcome it at that point.” He threw his head back and guffawed again. He looked at Hellrien. ”You don’t seem very interested. Perhaps a little show will arouse your interest. Rycroft – the other one first!”
Rycroft stepped into the boat. The Ranger grimaced at the sun – his eyes were wide open. Hellrien shivered. She felt sick. She found it hard to control herself – she felt like she had to snap the rope, draw the knife and… No! That was not good enough! Killing Ernil at the cost of her own life was not enough. It would not avenge anything. It would not put an end to anything. The others would still get away, and Rycroft or maybe Tripper would take Ernil’s place as the leader. Valar, if only…
”Cut him open”, said Ernil, beaming with satisfaction.
Suddenly the Ranger’s coarse laughter stopped. Hellrien tried to focus her gaze on his fidgeting reflection from the water. Her eyes narrowed with concentration. One more moment… one moment. Wait until all their eyes are fixed on the Ranger!
Now!
Hellrien acted fast as lightning. She threw her head back violently and crushed the nose of the tomb-robber behind her with the back of her head. He released his grip and tumbled backwards, toppling over the mid-thwart. Letting out a wild scream she fell forward over the gunwale. The water surface dashed to embrace her.
Cold water surrounded her. Fast rays streaked by her in the water like absurdly fast fish. Arrows. There was a sharp pain in her side – one had hit her. She kept sinking deeper and deeper. When she was deep enough – when there were no more arrows streaking by – she tensed her muscles and the rope snapped. Pain twinged her arms. She began to swim diagonally upwards. Her lungs began to ache. Then she saw the dark bottoms of boats above her. She chose one and swam towards it’s stern. Her body felt heavy and numb, her heart was pounding and the pressure in her lungs was almost intolerable. She saw the keel above her and the shining surface. Layers of green, shining algae floated on the waves. Hellrien ascended towards the keel. It was difficult to get a grasp from the slimy, algae-covered surface. She couldn’t hold her breath any longer! The stern of the boat arched above her like a shelter. Slowly! Surface slowly, or they will spot you! The water may not splash – you can not even make ripples! Latch carefully onto the keel and breathe!
