Early the next morning, leaving the rest of the company to pick up the pieces after The Linhir Ripper and the escape of Mans, Xandilif, Finchley and Eduwiges returned to the road and began the long, cold journey back into Eriador.
Whenever they paused to rest, Xandilif found herself focused anew on Eduwiges’ training. The Rohan girl carried her frustrations from the Battle in the Linhir Clinic heavily upon her shoulders, and her confidence had been shaken by what Ordan had to say about her parentage. Between the old man’s troubling words and the brutal mace blows she took to the head, it seemed to the warrior that her entire world had been knocked asunder.
With a surprising amount of sympathy, the elleth ran the woman through drills again and again, working on her stance and her balance while Finchley watched and munched on what produce could be gleaned from roadside trees. Lif showed her new ways to fall as well as to swiftly right herself again, and ways to keep the enemy at bay even when she herself was stunned or disoriented.
Beyond all that, the Banshee listened patiently to Eduwiges’ many questions and doubts about who her parents truly were, and where the reality and the stories she had been told might meet.
One evening as the trio made camp near the Midgewater Marshes, sitting on a rock as she watched Eduwiges drop, then roll to her feet again and again, the elleth took a long swig of grog. “In the end, greyhound, none of us can really know what went on in our parent’s heads, anymore then we know what really went on in their beds…all we know is what we saw for ourselves, either by their words and actions, or by hiding in their closet and peeping. Maybe your old man WAS a thief…but he was also a good father, weren’t he? He could have ridden off when your mother died and left ya to be raised by the village…but he didn’t. He did his best by ya, which is more than I can say for mine…and I got a feeling you were quite the fecking handful.”
Eduwiges paused, breathing hard, and nodded, smiling a bit to herself remembering her young antics. “You are one to talk…but I was not always the easiest girl to raise, I admit, but…but what of all Ordan said? Did my father betray the Mark?”
The Banshee shrugged. “Don’t know yet, but I expect you will find out soon enough. I know once we get some of this mess with Finch sorted out Rian intends to go with you back into the Norcrofts to hunt up the truth. Until then, hold onto the man you knew, the man he showed ya…don’t try to make sense of things you don’t know yet.”
Edu paused and stared at her mentor, shocked despite herself. “Wait…She…Lethy would do that…with me? But…but what about Calidis? Aren’t she and Xanderian….”
Xandilif shrugged again. “Yeah…but when did that ever matter to Rian? Her “lynx” needs her, she’ll be there. As for Blackbird, I imagine she would go along if ya asked...maybe even if ya didn't ask.”
Eduwiges nodded…and turned away to see to her gear…rubbing at her face occasionally with one forearm as she did so.
Finchley tilted her head, whispering. “Lif…is Edu…crying?”
The Banshee just smirked and ignored the question.
---
A few days later, the trio rode wearily into town, passing the Auction House and slowly riding towards the Pony.
Xandilif looked around slowly. "Didn’t expect ta be back in feckin Bree again so soon...
Finchley shruged and smiled as she looked about, though something in her expression seemed pinched. "Neither did I," she responded, cheery voice somewhat lackluster.
Xandilif frowned. "What's the matter Babygirl?
Finchley let her smile fade a little. "Just... being here reminds me of last time. But it's alright."
Xandilif reached out and ruffled her hair...then patted Destiny the Wonder Horse who snorted loudly. The large black bird riding on Finchley’s shoulder squawked at the locals as they rode through the market. “Feck BRRREEEEEE” he called out.
Edu laughed. “There little sister, Galvra has the right idea…Feck Bree…We’ll get ya something ta eat you’ll be right as rain.
Finchley smiled at the pale haired woman but was not nearly as sure as she wanted to be…but she WAS hungry.
As they rode up to the Pony, Eduwiges stayed on horseback. “I will see to supplies for the trip onward, just get me a keg or two of ale for the road. Barrow Nut Porter if it is in yet, if not then Radagast’s Own…or Northfarthing Nights…Dwarven Gold if there is no choice, but only if it is aged, or…”
Xandilif had already begun to ignore the woman as she continued to recite favored ales, leading Finchley into the Inn after she had set Galvra to wait on the horn of Destiny's saddle.
The elleth strode into the Pony and looked around, ignoring Butterbur’s groan when he noted her. "Phew, this place always smells like an Ogre's spare bedroom.”
Finchley gigglesnorted and looked to the space by the door, frowning a little. "I had hoped to see Miss Cesistya here."
Xandilif looked around again, checking under a table. "Hmm...odd she ain’t there...maybe she finally died of terminal melancholy?”
Finchley sighed and shook her head. "Pfft! I hope she's alright."
The elleth shrugged. “Her kind are always fine…the letter I got from Hrorr says we should find someone called Catalinna to ask her about the Witches....silly-assed name, Catalinna.'
Finchley punched the elleth lightly in the shoulder. As the Banshee was not in full armor at the moment, opting for a crimson and black doublet and leggings for traveling, she didn’t have to worry about breaking her hand. "Eh, it's a nice enough name. It sounds pretty comin' off the tongue... What else did your friend say in his letter again?"
The door was kicked open with a bang, and two men dragged themselves in, completely drenched as if they had fallen in a river. One was holding his wet shirt in his hands, "Lemme get dry stuff, lad..."
Xandilif looked around..."Hrorr didn’t say much, he ain’t much for writing. He said some Angmar priest told him we should speak to somebody called Catalinna, around Bree or the Downs....then he fell off a cliff.”
The man holding his shirt whipped his head around and stopped at the mention of Cat.
Finchley blink blinked. "He what?"
Lif smiled. 'OK, he may have been a little bit DROPPED off a cliff...same difference. Then Rian said that Necromancer she and Cal came across mentioned Catalinna too, and some sister...seemed real intent we not get mixed up with them.'
Finchley winced a little then nodded. "... Either way, we've got to anyway, don't we? I still want my answers. I'm tired of feelin' like I'm runnin' around half blind."
Xandilif smirked. "When was the last time you knew me ta lay off just cause an Angmar mumbler threatened me about it?
The man holding his shirt was leaving a nice puddle on the after he stopped and stopping to stare openly at the two talking. He wasn't hiding the fact that he was listening in as apparently the name meant something to him.
Finchley smiled a little wider again. "Never." She opened her mouth to say something teasing but then stopped short when she realized someone else was listening in, smile fading once more and that nervous, troubled look returning again.
Xandilif glanced up at the man, her voice going even and neutral, one hand resting on her belt. "We help you friend? We’re looking for a local called Catalinna....you know her?
The man nodded slowly, stepping forward, "Cat, aye? Brilliant red hair?" He looked odd being drenched and shirtless, but he didn't care, "I do indeed. I'm Constable Fairburn o' the Watch here. Been a while since I seen Cat."
Lif nodded. 'Red hair ya say? Good ta know. When did ya see her last and what else she look like?'
The other man turned to observe the conversation.
Bericoft thought for a moment, 'Quite some time ago, she said she was going for a week, that was ages ago though. I know some good friends o' hers though. And the lass be sisters with a girl who's like my daughter. Why are ya searching for her?"'
Xandilif did not seem to notice the water or lack of a shirt...or maybe just not care. 'What friends? Ya got names...and who is this sister? As for why, just got some business ta discuss with her.'
Finchley looked even more nervous when she realized the other man was listening as well then turned to face the Watcher. "... Just have some questions for her, Watcher Fairburn. That's all."
Bericoft regarded Xandilif warily, "Kimbell be one o' them. She's a Watcher too. The other is Egfor, one of the local huntsmen..Or there's her employer too. What kinda business?'
Xandilif smirked. "The businessy kind a business....this sister, she named Sableinna by any chance?
Bericoft shook his head, 'Nay, lass..that is not her name.'
Realizing Xandilif was slowly becoming more and more Xandilif-like, Finchley stepped forward, 'Nothin' bad, sir, honest. I... just have a few questions for her that I hope she can answer for me. It's important mostly to me."'
Bericoft smiled at Finch, 'Well, she ain't in town as far as I know. Either the two I named or her employer would know.'
Finchley nodded and turned to Lif, whispering, "Maybe she's still where your friend said she might be at. Maybe she hasn't come back here yet."
Xandilif glanced at Finchley."Maybe so, Babygirl, but if we are gonna sift through the fecking Downs for her, good to know what the mook looks like.” She turned back to the Watcher. "And what employer is that? You got a description of her other than Red haired?
Bericoft folded his hands, now eyeing the two with suspicion, "Elias Dimheim, our local physician. Description? Uh, red-haired, rather loud. You get her attention with a drink or by trying to make bets with her."
Finchley blinked. "Elias Dimheim... Oh! Lif! I know what she looks like! I've seen her before when I went to get my haircut by Doctor Elias Dimheim. She was there sweepin' and cookin' and whatnot for him. I didn't ask her name that time though since I was in a bit of a hurry on Hawk's account.'
The Banshee smiled. 'Will ya know her if ya see her again?'
Finchley nodded enthusiastically. "Aye, I will. She's got green eyes and such too."
The Champion smiled. 'Fine then....ya said she ain’t been around fer a while, but said she was just goin' for a week, Guardsman? How long is a while?'
Bericoft thought for a moment, 'At least a month...'
Xandilif spats. "Bloody hell. Anyone around here likely ta know if she got herself killed in parts unknown?
Bericoft shifted a bit, the cold, wet clothes were getting to the Watcher as he wrung his wet shirt in his hands, "Eh, Elias n' Egfor were the last to see her I think."
Xandilif nodded, thinking. “Ya said she liked the bottle....she go off on month long drunks before?
Finchley 's previous excitement over remembering seemed to fade rapidly at the idea of this Catalinna being killed by now. But despite her sudden anxiety there was a bit of determination in her green gaze still. "Maybe we should bring a bottle of somethin' with us just in case..."
Bericoft nodded, 'Aye, that would be a wise idea. She likes stout or whiskey.'
Xandilif smirks..."Yeah, we can put a bottle under a box, held up by a stick
The other man, while still keeping an ear on Bericoft, walked towards the bar, growing impatient.
Finchley gigglesnorted! "Or we can just hold it out, Lif. Carrot and stick method is less shady lookin'."
The elleth gave the girl a few coins...."Buy somethin that looks like a red hair Breeland barfly would like it...and food if ya want it.” Lif almost laughed, trying to imagine Finchley NOT wanting food.
Finchley nodded and took the coins in hand. "I'll pay ya back, Lif." She strode on over to the bar past the man, giving Barliman a cheery wave since it had been awhile since she last saw him and ordered a gigantic bowl of stew and an entire bottle of whiskey.
Bericoft watched the man, then looked back to Lif, 'Was there anything else you ladies needed a hand with?'
Xandilif smirked. 'If that's all ya know about it, nope...thanks. But ya better hurry, yer friend over there is ruinin' the rug.”
Finchley turned around while waiting for her order and pointed to Bericoft. "Aye, thank you, sir!" She then turned back about, watching the oncoming stew.
Once the girl had ordered, the man caught Barliman’s attention. "A glass of whiskey for Mr Bericoft. And a stout for me”. After Barliman served him, he took the glass and the mug and approached Beri.
Bericoft waved a hand at the two ladies, turning and nearly running into Lyca approaching with drinks, "Oh! There ya are. My arse is getting chilled."
Lycaon handed him the glass and took a swig from his mug. "So. Everything's alright?"
Bericoft took the glass and nodded, sipping it slowly, "Aye, seems like it." He called to the elf who never had given her name., "Let me know when you find her. I'm a bit worried bout the lass."
Lycaon slowly took another swig. "I see. Well, go wear dry clothes to feel your arse warm once more then!" He chuckled and patted his arm as the two went up towards the back rooms.
Finchley smiled in pure happiness when she finally received her gigantic bowl of stew, tucking the whiskey into the crook of her arm so she could carry the bowl with both hands. She meandered back to Lif, looking to be in pure bliss for the first time that evening. "Ah, could you take the bottle for me, Lif?"
Xandilif did so."Eat quick Babygirl...before that eats you
Finchley nodded and then well and truly began to dig in to her food, making noises of delight with each bite. She had been hungry all day...
Xandilif reread the letter and frowned. 'A month gone on a week trip...I do not feckin' like that. And it has been a good six weeks since Hrorr sent that letter...someone may be trying to get in our way.'
Finchley nodded and swallowed a big bite. "I hope nothin' dire happened to her..." She has already finished off half the bowl and looked around at the crowd, very aware of the stares both were getting. "... We're still bein' watched."
Xandilif shrugged. "It's Bree, everybody watches somebody.”
Finchley smiled a bit teasingly. "Well that's why there's 'Watchers', Lif. It'd be a silly name for 'em if they didn't do any actual watchin'." She slurped the remainder of her stew from the bowl.
The Champion shrugged 'I ain’t got no comment on the local law, such as it is....but at least we know she has cleared outta here....lets hope some Angmar bastard ain’t wearing her skull as a codpiece. You ready? Ya got change..,buy some bread fer later...we may be on the road for a bit'
Finchley polished off the rest of the bowl with a loud slurp and a sigh of relief. No doubt she'll be hungry again in... a few hours. "Mhhmm!" She went back to the counter to return her bowl and then sighed again, less happily this time. She handed over the rest of the change and got a good bit of bread for the road and stuck it in her pockets. How, was anyone's guess. It was Finchley, so it was best not to question what she's had in her pockets. It was probably more food. She turned back to Lif and looked to inwardly rally before crossing the room to stand by her again.
Finchley said, 'Okay, ready... No Bild or Maurr or Doc here this time to say somethin' to keep my spirits up. But.. It's okay. I can do this. I've got you, aye?'
Xandilif watched Finch....eyes sad and soft...and patted her head. “Yeah…ya got me. Now lets go find Edu and head for the Downs.”
Finchley took her hand and gave it a tight squeeze, knowing the time to find out the truth about Grams was long over due, and this Cat may be the key to that.
