Angmar

Estarfin nodded as the houses behind him went up in flames. The village of dry wood would burn until nothing was left but a pile of ashes, and perhaps a poisonous haze.

Estarfin turned and began to carefully scramble down the rocks. His hair and armour were covered in a fine dust, his expression set and determined. 

“We find them,” he said, as if it were an irrefutable outcome. 

Nan Amlug East was a long vale that bordered on the foothills of Angmar. A land of rolling hills and thick forested groves, it was home to many a warg pack and herds of aurochs. But there were other inhabitants too, one of whom had given the area its name. 

It rained a little, of course. How could it not rain on them? But they kept up a good pace over the farm and grasslands of Annundir, into the gently rolling hills of the West. It was a trail Yrill had only followed a few times before, being far more a haunt of Men than of Elves. She knew the way, but not much of the surrounding land.

It had been a long ride more than a difficult one. The path from Bree to Angmar was not well-worn, neither were there welcoming places to stay, not even for one such as her. Khahaynd had known that when she set out she would be on her own until she reached Lady Zairaphel’s house. But difficult? Nay, there were Men around Trestlebridge, but not the sort she would waste any time on. They were not interesting nor threatening enough for her.

Thoughts were racing in Yrill’s mind. Looking down from her vantage point it was obvious that neither captive was badly injured. Both Danel, and what she could see of Parnard, appeared dirty, tired, frustrated, but neither were bleeding, nor had visible damage. On the other hand, many of the Men looked worn to exhaustion, and moved slowly, with eyes dull and weary. Were it not for the two Southrons, she would have thought to attack the group alone.

Khahaynd remained in Calla’s house, in Bree, for two days. She knew she was nearing her goal, and that time was important. She also knew information was important. She would take all she could find to her Mistress.