Beoda and I are passing the night, or part of it at least, at Brandy Hall, in Buckland. I am not getting much sleep, and I don't think she is either.
Buckland don't got a proper tavern or inn, but we was able to convince the local hobbit-folk to let us set up on the floor in the common room, so she's just a little ways away, closer to the fire. They didn't like the look of us so well at first, but when we told them we were in the service of Citrina Brockhouse, who is an important and wealthy enough hobbit to be known even on the other side of the river, they took notice, though they wanted proof. We hadn't gotten a contract (though she offered) but we did have a box of wine-glasses (Beoda negotiated for six of them, and we got it as pre-payment!) and it seems that were proof enough for them to let us stay. We did have to pay for our supper, though.
While we was securing a place to sleep, Miss Adri rode on to the camp where Adso Haybanks is working on building something, I think maybe an inn. I'm not sure as I followed why. Part of it is that she had the gear to camp with her, while we didn't, but there was something more to it -- some reason why the folks at Adso's camp might be better to think only one person was asking questions about where brigands are keeping these days. I didn't really understand, but Beoda did, and I trust her.
What I understand of the plan is this. While it's still full dark, well afore dawn, Beoda and I meet Miss Adri at Adso's. By this time, she's got an idea where bandits in the area might be keeping, and we go scout the area. Beoda and I keep a distance, maybe from a high place, with bows at the ready. Miss Adri sneaks around, or in, the camp, to see if Bogo is being held by the bandits, maybe for ransom. If he is, then Miss Adri will call out some Rohirric I taught her -- I keep to teaching both the ladies Rohirric while we ride, and today I focused on phrases might come up in a fight like this -- so she can start trying to rescue Bogo, and Beoda and I will be ready to let arrows fly to help.
If it goes that way, both Beoda and me will be for the first time shooting at regular people. I've killed more than a few goblins, and we've both hunted, but never a person. I always known it was possible. Leofdan and Leoffweard will likely have had to by now. But it's sure to be a scaresome moment, that first time. Might be Bogo's life depends on it, or Miss Adri's, or even mine and Beoda's. And even if it didn't, there's still the moment you let the string go and know another man might die. Sure, it's a fellow that thieves, that kidnaps, that maybe kills, but it's still a man.
Then again, there was a day when I had an arrow pointed at a man, or rather a boy, and didn't have the slightest hesitation if it came to let fly, on account it was someone had burned down Miss Baker's parent's house and kidnapped them, and folk do something that awful to folks so nice deserve to hurt for it. Now, I don't know Bogo. But I didn't know Miss Baker's parents either. What I do know about Bogo is that he fell in love with a girl and was ready to risk everything to go to her, and that's something I can proper understand. Makes me think he's a nice fellow, the sort as shouldn't be put to such suffering as to be chased, have his pony killed, and be kidnapped. So them as done it, I figure they're as deserving of hurt as them boys as took Miss Baker's parents were. And that makes me figure, maybe it won't be so hard after all.
