I summoned Rhiwnag, and he appeared stepping though a cloud of drifting snow kicked up by a sudden wintry gust. “And what are we up to today?”, his mind asked of mine. Elfnere smirked at the battle-cat’s dramatic entrance.
“Welcome back”, I replied verbally, to invite the Thane’s attention into our exchange. “We are at Thrymm’s farm and need you to scout the perimeter while we investigate the property”.
“Did you notice the absence of the irritating whine?” Rhiwnag asked my mind as he began to trot away, his senses focusing on his task. I affirmed that I did, not sure if the detail would be an unnecessary distraction to our immediate mission; find the local hero Thrymm.
Elfnere was focused on the ground, looking for tracks. “There has been a struggle here. Some blood was spilled, but as there is no sign of remains, we should assume that someone was captured. Maybe Thrymm?” He looked off to the southwest.
“The trail leads away?”, I asked pointing in the same direction.
“Aye. It looks like wargs large enough for riders. Some of them left deep pawprints and their stride is shortened, as if they were laden. One or more prisoners, possibly. As I recall, Garnoth’s farm lays that way, as the bird flies.”
As soon as Rhiwnag completed his patrol, we searched the farm buildings, which were unoccupied and undisturbed. Then we began trotting along the warg-trail, the battle-cat leading with Elfnere close behind, bow drawn with arrow nocked. I followed, keeping my attention on our flanks and rear.
The Garnoth Farm seemed deserted from a distance, but Rhiwnag slowed, his alerted ears twitching and his eyes darting. Elfnere noticed the battle cat’s wariness and joined him in scanning the area, dismounting and signaling me to keep my distance astride my mount. We continued our approach, Cat and Man flanking each other on foot, while mounted Elf brought up the rear, keeping a cast at the ready.
The front door of the farmhouse burst open, three Orcs laughing and growling at their bound captives, shoved them roughly and threatened them with crude blades. Three farmers, stumbling against their bonds, cowered beneath their captors as they were being herded towards the barn.
My thoughts reached out to Rhiwnag. “We must…”.
“Yes, I know.” He began a crouching run toward the group. Elfnere drew his arrow, waiting for the cat to choose his target before selecting his own. The Orcs, preoccupied with their tormenting, did not see Rhiwnag until he leapt upon one of them. At the same moment, Elfnere loosed his arrow at another and was drawing again when the barn door flew open. Another trio of orcs emerged, responding to the alarms raised by the first three. The Man drew his sword and with a great bellow rushed toward Rhiwnag’s side.
My lightening scattered the second set of Orcs, and Elfnere leapt over the Orc he’d shot dead to draw the next Orc away from Rhiwnag while the cat finished off his victim. Man and cat fought together as a team, instinctively aware of each other. Fire-cast, claws, and sword made quick work of the rest of the Orcs, and in moments the skirmish was done.
Rhiwnag and I kept vigil while Elfnere questioned the farmers as he cut their bonds. The three were from Thrymm’s farm, and the Orcs had been ordered to capture them. Obviously, the White Wizard was indeed intent on conquest. According to the farmers, though, Thrymm had not been at his farm when they were captured and had not been there for some time.
Fortunately, there was still a draught horse and hay wagon in the barn. Soon, we had all made our way back to Forlaw. I released Rhiwnag outside the city gates, and Elfnere and I escorted the farmers to the inn.
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