Some days after the Slaughter of the Northcotton Farm
Erenkhad stood on the hill and sniffed the air around him, his robes were unbuttoned, letting his red chainmail gleam in the morning light. In his right hand he was supporting the dead body of a man, seeming like a young Ranger and in his right hand he was holding his sword, blade bloodied from the kill. He looked around with a frown, overlooking the area for more enemies and then brought the sword up in front of his face. Four men were around him, one looked at him in surprised, even in horror when he saw him passing the flat side of the blade against his tongue, tasting the fresh blood. He stoodmotionless and grimacing a little, in an attempt to hide his fear, but he didn't, Erenkhad turned his gaze towards him and smiled, showing his bloody teeth between his lips.
-What is it little man? Are you afraid of me?
The young man didn't answer, attempting for one more time to seem calm, but his eyes betraying him when they avoided Erenkhad's gaze. The man laughed and threw the dead body on the bandit's feet.
-As long as you are on our side you've nothing to fear. Don't forget...
-I- I will not.
-Good, good. Now tell me, is this the only one?
-Yes, we combed the whole area in and out, we found no traces of them, from his gear he seems to only be a scout, or even a messenger.
Erenkhad looked at the dead body and nodded.
-Indeed, you learn quick, good. Now I want another task of you. You were there when those bastards came in that Farm. We kept them away, the job was done they were late but we let them think they gave us trouble. I want to know who they are. If they interfered once, they will interfere again. The Rangers leave to me.
The men nodded and pulled their cloaks around them and covered their weapons with them, yet they waited, Erenkhad seemed to have something else to say. He looked around once more, sniffed the air and smiled.
-The signs are in our favour, so be confident, don't hesitate to kill and do not betray us. Our Lord will know, and you know well that he can punish you even if you are dead... Don't make him do it!
A sudden uneasiness filled the group and all four flinched uneasily, that made Erenkhad eye them all, one after the other, his eyes were serious and they felt them staring into their very depths, that moment a cold torrent of wind passed and feeling chilly the young man who was spoken to tightened the cloak around him even more. They turned around to leave and disappeared into the forest.
Erenkhad headed for the opposite direction, he disappeared away from the main path and soon he reached the building and entered it. Above him he saw the morning sun and growled, he outstretched his right hand and the doors were opened by the door guards, the man walked in and went down the corridor, alone. He opened a door, shedding light in the dungeons and drew his blade, that moment the shriek of a woman but it died out when the door closed behind him...
The scream found its way to the ears of the man whose room was on the other side of the main hall making him grin very pleased... He waited for some time and then sent one of the guards to call Erenkhad, some minutes later he arrived, blood was staining his brown robes, large black patches could be seen in the scarce light of the room.
-Did you findthe man?
Erenkhad nodded.
-Good, now I have another task for you. I will tell you of it tomorrow though, rest one more day, I am still waiting for news too. Till then, share a drink with me...
Erenkhad raised a curious brow but didn't ask, he knew he wouldn't get any answers.
