07 – More clues, more questions and little big friends
South Bree welcomed them with warm rain and chirring of neekerbreekers. The caravan was now thinner of the elves, who stayed in Eregion.
All the remaining days until the arriving in Bree, Kor was asking about other possible occupation. The Rangers were busy with some other task, which needed to be done only by them. But Cannuion gave him a few hints, including Bree watchmen and their brother in arms Andreg.
When the party has split up and everyone continued about their business, Kor obtained a handful of silver coins from Saeradan.
“Here is your salary. Well earned, I believe.”
He expected something but was nicely surprised anyway.
“We be seeing you,” nodded Kor.
*
The first thing to do was buying some new clothing and armor, finally after such a long travel. From the small silver pile remained still quite a lot after the shopping, and they did not look like beggars anymore.
In a carpenter’s workshop Kor arranged that he could craft a new, sturdy spear for Plusheila. She gladly took her new weapon, watching the sharp iron point with interest and crooked smile. Now the enemy will have one more reason to fear…
The grassy landscape looked so pleasant and lovely. Only highwaymen and outcasts were spoiling it.
“We got lots of them around. There were always some, but lately they are spreading like disease,” said chief watcher Grimbriar.
Two flies with one hit – to get bounties and at the same time interrogate the scum about the big bosses. The petty thieves had to be connected and directed, as the Rangers knew well.
Both the road and leading of fate could not be more winding. The job for Grimbriar brought him further to another person threatened by the bandits.
Well, person...
A hobbit. Adso Haybank was only half tall than a man but to the detriment of height more cunning and trade-talented. Kor wasn't wondering anymore, Middle-earth was showing new surprises every day.
And as time showed – as Kor was gathering information about evil men further west into Shire - many hobbits were such, and also twice merrier, compared to 'big folk'.
Dark, tall and laconic Kortheod incited suspicion first, but recommendations from Adso, from whole Brandybuck family and gradually from many other hobbits started to be a good door-opener.
The list of bad guys to hunt grew bigger, but the head count slowly too. That took a lot of time, of course: Missions lead to quests, quests required rescuings, rescuings gave urge to scout further... Still, Sharky remained hidden as Kor wasn't able to catch his hot track.
During that time, he realized that the exploring give him more satisfaction than the main goal. But Plusheila was kind of reserved about that.
Do you think we can save Rohan from here?
She had gestured and Kor had lip-read.
Or save the whole Middle-earth?
Kor stayed silent for a moment. Then he replied:
„We can at least try. It is better than sitting idly.“
Plusheila wrinkled her nose.
„And we are not alone…“
That was true. Bounders, Rangers… She had to nod in agreement. But she remained a bit discontent.
*
After many weeks, when arriving in the most distant corner of Shire. In the village Needlehole, they met new race and new trouble.
The dwarves and the Dourhands, respectively.
„Aye, I say one does not see such strange pair often,“ looked Ulfar up to their faces. Kor noticed, that he was leaning against a two handed warhammer. That woke up mutual interest.
This encounter turned to new detour - they ended up in Blue Mountains, the most western outskirts of Eriador.
The grim, bearded folks were looking askance at the “tourists” first, the Shire experience has repeated. But to Kor’s surprise, the ice-breaker here was Plusheila. She won many dwarfs’ hearts by, alas, her attraction to beer and hooch. Of course, her mysterious silence drew interest as well.
Kor had bitterly admitted to himself the painful stinging of jealousy. But every night, when falling asleep, she reached her hand and held him. Subconsciously or willingly, she was hugging him during all sleeping. Nothing more. It was comforting, filling. And strange. It was still lacking much. But to break this glass wall, even if it was so thin, was impossible at this moment.
The next weeks were blurred in stereotypical cycles: Drinking – sleeping – slaying vermin, and over again.
One day, the pair woke up and both realized this cannot go on.
“We cannot save Rohan from here,” said Kor, looking into her hangover-blurred, but always beautiful eyes.
She paused, then blushed and nodded.
It was time to get back to the Rangers and put the clues together.
