[IC] In the starving time

Stirring gently, Gisela's eyelids flutter under the unwelcome glare of the morning sun flickering across her face.

"... Hrm, no no dear. Leave the curtains, we can wait..."

Gisela's eyes focus, their attention drawn to the open sky visible from what shelter within these hills the party had managed to find the night before. Time to start another morning of her new life, to shake off the memories and habits formed over many years.

The Rabbits Foot is long behind you Gisela. But that doesn't mean you don't have patrons to attend to...

Stretching out her arms and legs while audibly smacking her lips together, Gisela lifts herself up and begins to stretch our her old, creaking form. Looking over at her compatriots she smiles warmly, her face a picture of a life well lived with few regrets. While her age may have left her small even for a Halfling, Gisela wastes no time warming up with morning exercises and is quickly back to her usual self - well kept and spry for a woman her age.

"I think, dearies, we had best discuss our next move. A path walked without a plan is as good as a blind stroll into a hole, as they say! Perhaps we could plan out where to next? I think we all agree these hills just won't do..."

Gisela's eyes focus on the surrounding areas, her mind clearly setting to work.

"Maybe a trip to the west and south through the forests below? Come along, let's everyone put forward some thoughts and then I'll see what I can gather and whip us up for breakfast... Think of it as a reward for putting our minds to work so early, hmm?!"

Eldar returns from an early first watch to see Gisela already awake. As usual his monk elven steps are as silent as a breeze in the countryside, so he clears his voice before speaking as not to startle anyone.
"Morning Gisela, slept well?"
He closes in the shelter.
"I saw nobody in the paths around our shelter, and it seems that the weather will be nice on us today and tomorrow. Not too cold, not to warm, not too cloudy. I may even hunt something later."
Eldar always thought that this hills, as protected as they were by the mountains around, could also become a trap if attacked by stronger foes with bigger armies. Of course, a good place to defend if we had such big army, but we don't.
He refreshed his face with some cold water, and opened his map on a big rock to evaluate a route for the travel ahead.

The Northman, Ulfheddin stood silent vigil over the room. Green gold eyes unblinking observed passively as Gisela went about her morning routine. He said nothing, she didn't pay him to talk. He had already cleaned much of the site. Stoked the fire, added some softwood as fuel. Checked the knots, leaned the sheets. Even set himself to beating dust out of the laundry before his apathy set in. He never asked what needed done, for that was how he earned his keep. He just did what he saw needed doing.

He nodded along with the treatise of strategy regarding their encampment, it wasn't an ideal place to hide. But it wasn't a hiding place they were looking to be. Anyone's port in the storm. Ulfheddin would have said as much if he thought it made a difference. Eldarenth was well meaning, that is what mattered. The presence of another fighting man gave him a great deal of comfort.

Ulfheddin had been on the losing side of the war of succession. He was Druzhinnik, companion to a dead monarch. Exiled and never to return home. But he held himself with unimpeachable pride and dignity regardless of this. When Gisela mentioned a time to plan Ulfheddin nodded his agreement. She didn't pay him to talk.

Talayan rolls out of her bed and up on her feet. She stretches and enjoys the satisfying crack of her joints. Then she rubs the sleep from her brown eyes and scratches her chin, setting the braided strands of beard swinging. A lock of dark blond hair falls into her eyes and she pushes it away.

"Morning all." She walks over and leans in to look at the map laid out before Eldarenth. "Aye. I won't be missing these hills, though I'll be sorry to see those majestic mountains disappear from sight."

She points a grubby finger to the forest and then taps on the town sandwiched between the forest and the hills. Something is written there. "What does it say?" She spells it out, the letters swimming a little bit. "C A W T H E R… cow there?" She smacks her lips as if tasting the word. Then she shrugs. The name doesn’t ring a bell. "It would offer shelter for a bit, wouldn’t it?"

She slips her hammer into her belt and the knife into the sheath. "Gisela, you need me to carry anything for you today?" She jangles her pack invitingly as she does every morning.

She starts humming quietly, a deep, low rumble that seems to emanate from her broad chest.

Alfred slowly emerged from the embrace of sleep. But he hadn't opened his eyes yet. Once upon a time, in the good times, he did this every day. First: the mission. Focusing. Objective. Motivation. Only then: he allowed himself to come into reality.

But now... now there are other times - bad times. He quickly got up from the bed, which in this case: was an expensive and ornate carpet with an image of his great-grandfather holding a lance on a horse. It has been with him for as long as he can remember. It was always laying next to his bed, in his comfortable room... in his comfortable family house... But now ... now he doesn't know himself why he took it with him at all. It seems quite silly and childish under the circumstances. But whatever! He felt at least soft on those rocks! And as Pimpula - the old maid from his family home - used to say: the most important thing is: to get enough sleep.

His eyes met his mount, which was tied at the corner of the camp. The Fakir was a beautiful animal, his pride. Even now: when instead doing some crazy racing with Alfred at its back, he is serving as a pack mule for the group... He is also the second (out of three) thing that reminded him of what life he had lived before he left his family home ... "To investigate the greatest secrets of the world! "... Was he really so naive? Currently, the biggest mystery in the world that interested him ... was whether he would eat something for breakfast today or not. He even smiled a little to himself, thinking about the absurdity of the situation. It's good that he took that old Mrs. Gisela with him back then. Although, in fact, the term "old lady" - as it turned out later - does not fit her too much. Despite the appropriate age. That and Fakir's faithful gaze cheered him up a little.

Waking up, he heard that the team wanted to plan further steps. [i]He had to be there![/I] Swaying slightly - as he had just gotten up and not all of his muscles seemed to be as awake as his mind - he immediately walked over to the little meeting that had been held by the map.
Morning! Shouldn't we stay out of the cities? There might still be soldiers there. I support Mrs. Gizela: we should stick to the forest for now. There is always a chance that we will catch a deer there ... which will provide us with food for a few days.

At this very second, his stomach decided to make a noise. Noise more like a yawning bear ... than anything else.

Ulfheddin nodded along in agreement with the sentiment of staying out of the cities. "Mhm." He grunted in affirmation of that plan. He pointed to the stream to the northwest on the map. Without much else to do the massive northman sat upon a stump and began to hone his axe on the whetstone with practiced ease while other's weighed his indicated direction.

Gisela's eyes twinkle as she nods enthusiastically at Eldar's question.

"Oh yes dear, like the proverbial log! I always sleep better knowing we have you to help keep the morning watch! As for a hunt... well that sounds grand! Perhaps I could look about for some herbs to go with game..."

Gisela's thoughts wander momentarily as her mind is overcome with the phantom smell of better times, food prepared for happy travellers who pay equally in both gold and grand tales of sights seen... A mild breeze whips through Gisela's bones, bringing her back to the current reality and her face scrunches in concentration as the group begins to discuss what movements would be best taken.

Gislea's mood clearly lifts slightly as she focuses on Talayan's melodic humming.

"Talayan dear, I'm not quite as helpless as I look you know!"

Gisela chuckles, a dry but warm sound.

"Still, I wouldn't say no to help carrying the pot! You're a good woman to offer."

Gathering behind the others overlooking the map, Gisela listens thoughtfully and looks about her compatriots.

Ulfheddin was as quiet and difficult to read as ever, but Gisela had come to find his focused outlook very comforting. There was something reassuring about the man in these difficult times. He was like a mountain, imposing for some certainly, but always a reliable point of reference. It was clear he agreed with Alfred and wished to avoid the cities and stick to the wilds. Gisela was not so sure...

"Well dearies, the way I see it... My vote would be to start with the forest and then head south? I know we want to avoid soldiers, so heading in to the city itself may be dangerous but... Could we not take a look? From a distance at least? There may be signs of where others have fled to if nothing else. Eventually we need to find others, yes? We can't be the only decent folk trying to make their way around these parts now can we? ... Can we?"

Gisela tries her best to keep a forced cheerful tone in her voice as she discusses the possibility of other survivors, but it is impossible to not note the desperation creeping in. Of all things, it is Alfred's stomach growling that draws her out of this mood. She grins and cheekily wags a finger in his direction.

"Aha! I see someone has voted for us to focus on food first! We've got enough rations to get today's breakfast out of the way, worry not. I'll pay you back for you and your valiant steed's help yet!"

Gisela places her finger to her lip and looks thoughtfully off into the middle distance.

"Whatever we decide, a hunt sounds good so we should check for any flowers that may help with healing... You never know when something may go wrong, best to be prepared for fever!"

"How about this, we all agree we want to head to the forest first yes? I suggest we eat up and get the morning preparations out of the way. Once we've reached the forest we can hunt and gather, then vote on whether we want to head north or south. Sound good?"

Talayan makes room for Alfred at the map and grins at Gisela.

"The pot? I can certainly carry the pot." and she steps behind Gisela and lifts her a foot off the ground. "An iron pot, yes?" Then she lowers the older lady again. "Just jesting miss Ironpot, I’ll carry the pot for you. Once we’ve had some breakfast!"

She reaches into her pack and takes out a piece of hard tack. "Your porridge vastly outshines this. Reminds me of me mam’s.. The porridge I mean. Not this!" She mimics chucking the hard tack back into the pack willy-nilly, but does stash it carefully in its wrappings.


She leaves the map to the others and steps over to Ulfheddin to watch him sharpen his axe. She bumps him gently with a hip, conscious not to do it at a critical time in his movements.

"You remind me of my father. You move like him doing this. When I was just a wee lass I’d sit in the crook of his arm, swaying with every movement, listening to the grind and to his voice." She nods to herself. "I wonder what stories you have to tell, I’m sure you have many. Would be good to hear them."

Not really expecting an answer she looks back towards the others. "I will go wherever y’all goes, whether it be the forest, the town or even north towards the river. I’ll even help forage. Though, knowing me I’ll probably pick Bitterweeds instead of flowers."

All this talk about breakfast made Alfred quite enthusiastic. There might have been even a shadow of a smile on his face.
"So we have agreement on this: first we prepere the breakfast... <happy smile again for a secound> I will share my finest meat with you, as we need strenght for the coming journey. I will go for brushwood in a moment, to reignate the fire. Can we still hide the smoke in the light of a day? Anyone of you, my firends, know how to do that? If not, we should pack up and depart from here as soon as... our belyies will feel some comfort... I mean as soon as we can!"

"Then we will depart south west from here, hiding in to the forest but we will stay on its souther edge to try to scout the nearby villige for any sight of human... or other movement. Did I understood this corectly, or... I'm just to hungry... ?"

Alfred gives 5 pices of meat to Gisela: "The finest out there, I can asure you miss Gisela. But probalby there are no better hands that I could put those in." He felt a certain resistance to share in him... but he was fast to overcome it, a little ashamed. He knew this was the right thing to do. Maybe... these people are all that he has left now?

Eldar has been so concentrated on the map, he barely kept track of the conversation around the camp.
Then he shared some ideas:
"From what we know, every densely populated area, like towns and castles, would be target for bandits and warlocks and such foes with their larger forces we probably should avoid. Those enemies would be also looking to stablish a permanent base and eventually expand their dominion."
The he points to the middle of map... "Most larger populated areas are around here, and roads that connect them. So I suggest we avoid this whole area for the time being."
Then he points to the east, north east, from their current place " Here, beyond the big desert surrounded by mountains, there is a smaller valley, and in the middle of it, the Temple of Zhor.
From what I remember, they are not the richest place around and it's accesses are difficult, so shouldn't be an initial target for main foes. I knew the abad there and he was a very good, intelligent and friendly old man. Hopefully he is still there and will accept us there. Otherwise, we may negotiate a place for our own around. Worst case scenario, we may be forced to take control of the place... then still, I think it is a good place to create a permanent base."
He then looks up from the map, to see his friends faces
"If that goes well, we can then think thether to spend our control to the north, this Northern Pass, or to the south to the other temple.
What do you think?"

"Mmhmm." Ulfheddin nodded emphatically at the notion of breakfast. His bright eyes lit up at the notion of eating something warm.

When discussions of a hunting party were raised Ulfheddin was greatly interested but not having a bow he didn't volunteer himself. He set back to honing his axe, a well maintained thing made of strange black and lustrous steel.

"Caedmil Talayan." He offered a friendly greeting in Quen'ya an Elvish language. When Talayan made her interest known in his past Ulfheddin sighed and his head felt heavy. He stared at his boots for a few seconds and shook his head. A profound melancholy in his eyes. "Die Minn tongue der kostful lossen. Nein, ich nicht sprach der teil todagh." When Ulfheddin said "Minn tongue" he made a disgusted face.

That was the most he had ever said, in Palais Adunaic it was unlikely much translated though much of the common tongue came from Adunaic, it had been far too long since Elros had begun the race of man, Dunėdain like Ulfheddin didn't leave the west much. The Exception were the Numen, from the North - their Kingdom Numenor being the one that had just fractured in civil war.

He didn't want to set the tone that he was offended however and offered a shrug. He took a moment to piece the words together. Stringing together a few words in broken common. "Dunėdain no speak Mannish. Is pigdog speak." His heavy accent and deep rumbling bass gave the impression he did not think very highly of the race of man. "Vi er Varangian, from Fremmedland, er Nordland. From yonder." Ulfheddin pointed to the north. He took a deep breath and told what he could articulate. "Mine train Southron, Karlos Magnus called me son, and Prince of Miklagaard, the great white city in Southron Sands. We Varangian Guard, we Jomsviking, righteous shields and swords. We vike to Fremmedland as Karlos Magnus ordered and we make Koenigsegg, kingdom. We fight, we fight more, we win much. My brother we call him Volsung, he was good man and maybe my father Sigmund the Volsung. Him rule a great kingdom, much peace, much trade, much industry, much wealth. But his brother kill him, for those same reasons. We do what must be done for the vengeance of Sigmund. We fail and fail badly, Sigmund's wife Brynhildr was killed her sons too. We win some, find allies, it starts a bigger war. We lose that war, we lose our land, we lose our house, our horse, we lose our wife. We here now. We waiting, Karlos Magnus will not be happy with his beloved son being murdered. Less happy with a pretender Karlos on the throne. We think times are good now, but when The Black Numenorean comes, many people will die in fire and war. Karlos Magnus punishes the wicked with iron and fire. We owe him our sword and shield." There were many gaps in time in his story, Dunėdain did not die of old age, they weren't immortal but many Royal Dunėdain had been alive since the second age. Ulfheddin may well have been the oldest living being for leagues if what he said was true. "Is not happy tale, but I am not happy. It is right then I think."

Even as he spoke Ulfheddin hadn't missed a stroke as he continued to grind his axe bit. There were times in his story that he pressed harder indicating he had particularly strong, angry, emotions. But his tone of voice seemed rather oddly flat, he was either very good at suppressing his feelings, or so out of control emotionally that changes in them weren't reflected in his speech and his anger had gone quite cold. Satisfied with the quality if the edge on the axe he withdrew his Arming Sword after setting the axe aside. The blade was in atrocious shape, many inclusions along the length of it. It was rusted as well, Tarnished from having been put away dirty. This was the blade of a killer and the steel had gone blue-black from the amount of blood it had tasted. But where the blade wasn't included, it glimmered viciously.

Ulfheddin took a handful of sand and began to carefully rub it on the worst part if the caked blood, the smell was terrible as the blood began to give way to the grit.

Gisela lets out a surprised yelp as Talayan lifts her into the air. A hearty chuckle bursts forth, her feet swinging in the air as her diminutive frame shakes with mirth.

"I should have seen that coming really, shouldn't I?"

Once back upon the ground, Gisela's face settles into a crinkled smile at the mention of her cooking. There is a pride that shows clear as day upon her face, earned through decades of hard work and care.

"Well then, let's get breakfast on! They say there is no cook finer than one's own mother Talayan." Gisela gives a cheeky wink as she starts setting up her gear. "We'll do our best to make yours proud, hmm?"

Noting Alfred's enthusiasm, Gisela pats his hand warmly as he hands over the meat.

"I'll make good use of this dear. Thank you, this will make for fine flavouring indeed! Why don't you go fetch some tinder for the fire? I'll come with you and keep an eye out for any flowers or herbs along the way... Whether for food or fever, it should be a good use of my time!"

Gisela turns to listen to Eldar's suggestions with interest, her respect for his opinion easy to read from her face.

"You raise fair points Eldar... Well, who am I to argue with such knowledge! I'm all for it. Let us hope this abad of yours is still there and as wise as you recall! If you wish to lead the way, I shall follow. Though I can't see a way we could get there without crossing mountains... Perhaps we had best spend the day hunting and foraging to gather supplies before we set out tomorrow?"

Gisela returns from her trip in time to hear the beginning of Ulfheddin's tale. While the fire crackles and the porridge bubbles, Gisela's face is neutral. Much of Ulfheddin's words are uninterpretable to her, but the meaning behind them speaks clearly of something ancient and long lost.

Gisela takes aside some bowls and begins using her spoon to dole out the morning's nourishment for each of her fellow travellers. As she reaches Ulfheddin she tries her best to give him a reassuring smile, seemingly unconcerned by the cleansing of blood from his blade.

"It is never right to not be happy dear. Eat up."

Much to her surprise Ulfheddin starts to speak. The sounds are foreign but there’s also a familiarity to them, but a familiarity that doesn’t translate to a full understanding. The odd languages of the Elvish were not often heard around where she’d grown up.

To her delight the next words are in common. Broken, hesitant and some words still unknown, but all in all the story is pretty clear. She strains and listens and already starts to commit them to memory, whispering under her breath as he speaks and adding mental images to the words. ‘Vi er Varangian. Fremmedland.’ She sees northern men bashing shields with swords, fierce and scary. And the senseless loss of his family. And the great wars fought. In her head it is both glorious and awful.

Ulfheddin’s words fade to nothing and Talayan comes back to herself sitting on the ground in front of him. She reaches out and gives his knee a squeeze.
"Thank you Ulf." Her head is swimming a bit with all the details and it is the only thing she manages to get out.

She lets her attention wander and be caught by Eldar’s suggestion for their further travels. His foresight, knowledge and strategic thinking lights a flame of awe in her. He must also have stories to tell. How can he not? But his suggestion also leaves her a little anxious. Crossing the desert feels… impossible in their current situation.

"I understand your concern about the cities and the towns. And I agree we need to find a way to make our own hold if we want to survive this… war or what we will call it. I’m worried though. that the things that dissuade stronger bands will also make it doubly hard for us. We are so few and very low on provisions."

So when Gisela suggests that they stay for one more night to build up provisions, she nods.

"As I said before. I will go wherever y’all go. Also if it is across the desert. But then we need more food. And water."

"Thank you Ulf" Eldar replied, being an elf himself, it was hard to listen to Quen'ya for him. But that is a story for another time.

"So, from what I understand, we all agree that we should have a good breakfast. Thanks Gisela for your great work on that so far!
And we agree to look for forests, not yet cities... "
Eldar tries his best to put all opinions and preferences together the best way he can...
"I suggest we hunt here, for a couple of days. In these days, the ones with bows or other appropriate hunting weapon can hunt, and others can look for herbs and mushrooms. The two teams come back here mid-afternoon and we cook, eat and dry the extra meat we find. We can set some guardian shifts for the night. Now, crossing a dessert, as Talayan implied, is always very challenging, so we should probably try to avoid that...

Once we have enough food, we could cross this mountain to the north" Eldar points hex 1206 " ...and we continue north east to this forest" then he points hex 1404 " ... We could hunt there and continue traveling through the forest up to here " now pointing hex 1504.

Eldar looks at the rest of his friends. He hopes Ursula's ideas on forest was well included, that Talayan will find it easier not needing to cross the big dessert, and that Alfred would sleep better and eat well, and that Ulf may find this a good path that should present only small groups of bandits if anyone at all.

"We may find groups of bandits or soldiers around. Hopefully we are a small enough group the pass undetected by bandits. On the other hand, good soldiers could join us on our way to Zhor, thus strengthening our forces."

"From there we could cross the Northern Pass to the south, to Zhor temple"

"Within Zhor territory, we will face difficulties, but I also hope that we all will find honour, courage, and success in this righteous fight we will face, and the path we decide today. We can share some light in the grim dark that have wronged our land! We can bring some order, some joy, some hope, to the people that join us!"

Eldar have lived long years, he had experienced being left in a Monastery at early age, before he could remember his parents. But has also lived to be an apprentice for great elven teachers, in meditation, combat, hunting, philosophy, music and strategy. And later yet, to serve as diplomat and peacekeeper when required, even when most kings back then couldn't understand his selfless motivations. Yet again he found himself in abandoned, when his monastery was sacked and destroyed... he would have preferred to die there with his brothers and sisters and teachers, but his long travel to achieve master's degree kept him away of the massacre. Not away enough to avoid seeing all the destruction a few days later when he arrived.... the destruction and the smell... Death smell... He wished he could forget. But now, in his memory, the strategy lessons took prominence. First objective was to stay alive, then secure a stronghold, and then create a place of order and wellbeing for all good people, and protect them from whatever evils lurked beyond.

After first few sips of Gisela's stew and hearing wise elf words... Alfred become almost happy. Still with some food in his mouth he said to Eldarenth:
"That's really good plan! I like your strategy thinking. It reminds me of my uncle Herbert who was my father's main strategist and was a frequent guest at our noble manor house. He always had great stories to told me, my brothers and sisters. For a brief moment he was in different place. Warm and familiar. But then: back again in this cold cave.
Not as old and grand as Ulfheddin's - but still." - he nods to the Big Man, but he seems to still be more concerned about his sword then anything else.
"So we are going through the mountains? It will indeed be easier to spot any enemies if they will go after us, but for the same reasons it is easier to set up an ambush and get into one - if there will be some different foes in the mountains. We must be extremely careful. But I prefer this, then baking myself at the desert. In normal times I love mountains and their majestic presence... they make me think... about life and everything." - he considered his words for a moment.
"But provisions are a must. - he said looking at stew - with almost some kind of love inn his eyes. - I will go collect some wood and make some traps in order to catch some rabbits. I presume we are leaving tomorrow morning?"

Eldar smiles warmly at Alfred's account of his uncle.
"I'm glad you have good memories of your uncle, he could probably give us all some lessons on strategy. So I'm honoured by the comparison."
Only now, listening to Alfred and after being so focused on the map and the plan ahead, Eldar realises his own hunger, and pours some of Gisela's stew in his plate. "Thank you Gisela, smells tasteful as always."
Then, back behind his map... "You are right, the mountain could be both helpful and difficult. And provisions must be secure beforehand. I think the alternative would be to go around the mountains, to the north west of here and then east... but that is a much longer route, with its own dangers... That's why I prefer risking one day crossing the mountains directly to the North East."
Of course the matter of food was inminent...
"If our hunt today goes well, we may find enough and cross tomorrow morning. Otherwise, we may need to hunt here tomorrow, and cross the following."
He enjoys the stew some more...
"Of course, putting rabbit traps is a great idea, also my bow here will be in the hunt and hopefully we find some larger prize as well."

Alfred ate his meal savoring every bite for as long as he could and it was appropriate to do so... Seeing that everyone has already got to work, he stands up from his sitting cross-legged and says:
"Miss Gisela... I don't have words for this! Delicious! Now: time to work!" - saying that he left the cave and departed to prepare some traps for the rabbits he is hoping to find in some distance form the cave.

At first he was quite content with his traps... but apparently he didn't set them in the right places. Time to tray again...

Ulfheddin kept busily stewardship of the camp. He maintained all the equipment that was used in daily activities cleaning what he could, sharpening it, keeping the order. He didn't stray far from the fire, seeing no need to it. After doing some chores he returned to his sword trying to fix the inclusions in it. Takinging his anger out on the steel by running the blade of his axe along it making a dreadful racket as he did.

Stopping when he cut his finger as a particularly jagged inclusion caused the axe to skip. In almost feral anger he cast the sword and cursed at it in his barbaric tongue before binding the wound and sheathing the sword. He went to his furs and sat upon them trying to find his center and failing. Giving up to depression he just laid down and covered his face.

Talayan silences her mind while she eats and concentrates on the flavours and the texture and the sensation of something warm in her belly. It was never something she paid much attention to before, she would always just swallow her food and run off to the smithy or the fighting pits as soon as the last morsel was sunk. Now eating was almost meditative.

Once she's finished the last stew she turns to Gisela og thank her for the meal. As I said. As good as me mam's. I will go help you forage. Are Bitter Weeds edible, you know?

Talayan wanders the area around the camp, careful not to set off Alfred's traps and forages for edible tubbers. But nothing catches her eyes and she returns to camp downtrodden and upset.

I'm sorry. I was sure I would find something, but I didn't.

At the edge of camp she starts working out her frustrations and feelings of guilt by making a little cairn out of large rocks, carefully weighing and stacking and fitting the rocks until they form a cone. Then she topples it at rebuilds it, repeating it until her arms are sore and sweat runs down her face in streams.

Seeing everyone agreed with the plan he drafted, and went their ways to the tasks at hand, Eldar finished his meal.
"Thanks Gisela for the breakfast, we wouldn't be able to start the day without you!"
Then he turn to Ulf
"Thanks Ulf for keeping the camp together, we all trust it in your hand. And good luck Alfred and Talayan, see you all later."
Walking past the camp, he remembered the bitter and brown drink he used to have at the temple, so long ago... he missed this drink, but never learned where could he find those seed.
He checked his bow, grabbed his quiver full with arrows, and set a swift and silent walk into the 'hills', his mind already focus on hunting.

Eldar doesn't wait a single moment to aim the ram to the right.

He remembers well his shooting training. But specially, he remembers fondly the last shooting contest he took part in his old monastery, in the last round he needed to shoot a 10cm target 400m away, only 3 participants were left. An instant before he would shoot, a giant eagle with red eyes approached at full speed aiming at his master. It was very strange for giant eagles to attack this way! Eldar felt some evil magic involved and, instead of using his last arrow to try to win the contest, he shot it to the giant animal... the arrow pierced through one of the eagles eyes into its skull, and the flying animal crashed-landed in the ground a couple of meter away from his master.

With no more arrows to shoot, he was disqualified from the competition. But his brother and sisters celebrated how he had saved the Master from a very dangerous, potentially fatal, battle.Then he focus again on the target, and fires.
If the first shot is a kill (or at least incapacitaes the first ram), and time allows, he will try to shoot the second too.

Eldar is happy he now can provide good food (and lots of it) for every body. Even some could be dried, in order to pack to eat in the next few days.

With one issue solved, he now faced a different one, how to bring them both to the camp... He remembered a short travel he once did with some of his brothers, one of then got hurt in the ankle and couldn't walk. Eventually they created a sort of sledge, to pull him around, by tying a rope around two long branches.

Using his knife and his own weight he cut a couple of 'straight' branches from trees, and with his rope he tied them to makeshift a sledge. He rolled both rams on the rope zigzag between the branches, lifted the two handles (the branches' endings opposite to the rams) and started to walk to the camp.He reckons he would need to walk back to cover the tracks once he arrives to the camp. But that would be easy to do, with his friends help, while Gisela dries the meat.

It seems that two rams are more he can carry, but timing is of essence...Eldar doesn't wait longer, he jogs for help to the camp.

Alfred get back to the camp after long, long day... and many, many rabbit traps...

The last one was the most promising. When he went to check if there is any rabbit is in it... there WAS some movement in it... but when he got closer, he saw a rabbit OUTSIDE the trap... happy, carefree, eating some vegetable that he used as bait as there wasn't any trap... like ever. He could swear that the rabbit smiled maliciously at him! And in an instant - he was gone in the nearby bushes. But rabbits do not smile, do they?
"DAMN YOU! You little, furry bastard!" - angry to the bone, he shouted with the whole strength of his lungs... hoping that no-one could hear him. He was even more concerned being heard by someone from his camp, then any by-standers. He felt so angry, that he could take on a whole unit of enemies - at least that was what he was thinking right now.

"I will go to the camp right now, maybe others had better luck... so I could help them, and be of any use..." - he said dissatisfied to himself.

Eldar is quite tired for the day..
"Thanks a lot Talayan and Ulf for the help, I wouldn't make it without you. I'd say that, given the size of this ram, we should be able to get between 40 to 50 kg of meat. It would mean rations for all of us for 3 weeks. Gisela, do you think you could either dry it or smoke it? I mean, I'm sure you know better than me how to preserve it for longer times."

Looking at the hanged animal, he adds " And the hide could be used as a gift to the current temple's abbott, if a present is required to get an audience, or to secure the help of new allies if we meet some. Otherwise, we could turn it into something we could use."

"How was your day?" He asks the rest of the team.

"Not as good as yours... as I can see. Really good work Eldarenth!" - Alfred said with a smile.
I hope that I will be more useful for this group in other fields of expertise. - he thinks while tapping on his two swords. Or maybe it was just bad day for me.

Ulfheddin cut both ram's throats, ear to ear. Lividity hadn't onset which mean the blood still flowed, this was a good thing. He examined the ram for scent glands at the joints in its legs, finding none he cut a circle around each elbow joint. Working quickly and expertly. The blood didn't bother him, he wasn't going to cook it but dressing and butchering was something he had grown intimately familiar with.

The strong gamey scent of the meat made his stomach growl loudly. This was a quality meat. He was quite certain that it could be eaten raw, except for the blood shot meat where the arrow had struck.

Then Ulfheddin gut it, cutting it from its posterior to the throat, pulling the intestines out and cutting them free in the same motion, without water to clean them they would go to waste, so he threw them in the fire regretting the loss of high quality tripe. Taking a break he took several pieces of hardwood adding them to the fire then returned to his work. From the circle cuts on the elbow joints he cut up the limb to the tendons holding the legs in place. A cut through the tendon and to the same hole he had gutted the ram finished that part. Next he pulled the kidneys, liver, stomach, gall bladder, cutting away excess fat and stringy connective tissues. The stomach was edible, but with no way to clean it, would go to waste as well. But Ulfheddin had a different plan for it.

Tying it off on one end with its tendons he drained the kidneys and gallbladder into the other, then tied this off and hung it over the fire. It looked like a crude waterskin. Ulfheddin retrieved a pan, finely chopping the kidneys and stripping out the lobes of the liver. These he piled into the pan which he had placed ample amounts of the body fat and covered, sticking it in the coals of the fire.

He went back to the carcass harvesting the bladder which he tied off similar to the stomach and hung over the fire. Then retrieving his axe he split the breastbone using the razor sharp blade like a cleaver. He also decapitated the ram, and harvested the Horns. The head he set into the pot he had been collecting the blood in. Cutting the fur away from its face leaving it mostly intact. When he gave his first direction. "Water. Same as blood, boil into cheese."

He went back to the carcass and began pulling from the back legs up, lifting the skin, cutting through the connective tissues that stopped him and making sure not to tear it apart. It was hard work skinning a ram, and even as strong as he was without a hook to hold it firmly was slow going. But the skin came free after several pulls and cuts. Collecting the fat from under the skin in a pile he prepared the heart, cutting away the excess fat and stringy tissues. Retrieving the pan he had cooked the liver and kidneys in he plated it and then piled the body fat high in the pan. Taking a break he collected several handfuls of pine needles and placed them in the pan of bodyfat, which he had placed next to the fire to melt. Retrieving smoked garlic and olives from his own trail rations he seasoned the liver and kidneys with both, and the pan of body fat. Running out of both in the process.

The third rib down from the shoulder was where the choice cut was located on this beast. A very active ram. Ulfheddin sliced through the spinal cord at the vertebrae beneath this rib then cleaved the entire torso from the carcass in a single cut with his axe. First vertebrae up from the base of its spine a similar cut was made and then cloven from the spine for the hind legs. He bifurcated the hip bones leaving two haunches.

He didn't know what cuts or how to store them long term. This he left for someone else to decide. Instead he served himself some of the liver and kidneys and ate them. They could have been eaten raw but he didn't want to disgust the southern pallates and had learned long ago their sensibilities could get him killed if offended.

He didn't at all mind being covered in blood. It was a bit sticky at first but even his starving skin ate the blood up, cleaning itself in the process. After finishing his share of liver and kidney he rubbed his hands in the soot then washed them clean. Then cutting the heart against the grain cooked it in the oily fat setting it aside. He ate a few strips of the choice meat but it wasn't his kill so he didn't take more than his work was worth.

He worked the other ram in much the same way, though he didn't cook the kidneys, liver and heart on this one lacking the spices to do so. Instead he went to the nearest stream they had found and washed himself and his equipment thoroughly. Checking the bladders and stomachs he had hung over the fire to see the progress they had made in curing.

Eldar wakes up eager to see how the meat cooked, only to find disappointment. The weather was unforgiving despite great effort from the team, but he thought that taking about bad weather is a waste of time, thus he moves on.

He washes his face and hands with some water from the small stream close by, and did a small walk, in the area surrounding the camp like the day before.
He would hate for the camp to be attacked by surprise, so he always do a surveillance round, as silent as every good elven hunter does, very early at dawn. If he finds someone suspicious, he would run to the camp to tell the rest, he will not engage in battle alone (unless under very special conditions like endangering his friends by risking to bring strong enemies to the camp).

When he sees everyone awake, he would go back to planning.

"I still think our original plan is good. Travelling NE through that mountain, then walk that Northern Pass, and the South to the temple. But we still need provisions. I say we try again our luck at foraging here."

Last night everybody had good dinner from the freshed cooked meat, but now it is morning and Eldar is already thinking about breakfast.

Ulfheddin spends his morning licking rocks to find the salty ones. Seeing the lack of salt as a bad thing and wanting to make sure everyone gets some to keep their bodies running.

It wasn't a total loss, two rawhides would make for a good box to smoke future meats. That thought kept him going as he licked yet another salt less smooth stone and dropped it into a bag looking for another rock in the stream bed that could be used in a sling or boiled for salt.

Talayan wakes slowly, bogged down by lingering heavy, guilt-ladden dreams. The cold is nipping at her when she rolls out of her bed and she sighs, then groans as she gets up. The muscles in her back and thighs hurting in a familiar almost pleasant way.

Once up and fully awake she sniffs the air and walks outside hoping to find the large pile of meat well cured, but to her disappointment she instead sees the low embers and the sooty meat. "Shit" she grumbles and follow Ulf down to the stream where she sees the retreating back of Eldar. She fills her waterskin, splashes water in her face and give thought to washing more thoroughly, but make do with checking if she should redo the beard braids. For a while she stays to observe Ulf performing some weird ritual of licking rocks but then walk back to camp.

When everyone is up and they are once again gathered over the map, she nods in agreement to Eldar's suggestion. "We're out of firewood. Staying here would only serve to dig us in a bigger hole than we are in right now."

Alfred had a really bad and tiring night, full of nightmares starring gigantic rabbits with evil faces trying to catch him and making him their toy. He had only few hours of peaceful sleep before the dawn, what is not enough in his opinion but... will have to do for the day. Getting early before most of others, he begin the day with some basic exercises to rise his energy(that he called "rituals") followed by his usual sword training routine. This time he only do the absolute minimum - only set of drills that was necessary to even call it a proper sword training. Luckily even the bare minimum makes him a little more happy and enthusiastic. He goes to the stream, greeting Talayan and Ulf in order to do some "morning hygiene" that is proper for every "noble man"... noble man that he is not sure if he still was.

A the gathering at the map which Eldar has brought, he was sure that they have to move from their current position and look for better place to prepare for the whole journey to the temple.
"I know that it may seem reasonable to stay here and try to collect some more provisions... but I say: we are already too long in this area. It is time to move on. Let's go for the temple, through those mountains at NE. They seem a bit smaller. I think we can make it through. Maybe we will even find some mountain chamois to hunt there. And when we will be at the top, that will be much better position than we are in now - strategically.""I really feel we should go. Now."

Eldar listened to his friends and found reason in moving on.
"You know, now that I hear you, and I think better our situation, I agree we should move on to the mountains at NE. More time here is a waste of time."

Since everyone that spoke is of the same mind, he folded his map and put it in his backpack. Then secure his bow, and got ready to walk.
"Everybody ready to walk? It may take us two days to cross them all. Won't be easy, but probably not that hard either "

Eldar motions everyone to get closer and lean to the side of the mountain as to be able to hide from them and also to talk among themselves in soft voice.
"We can't have a clear view of that group, they may be friendly, or not. I think we do need allies if we are to make a stronghold in the future, and if they are not friendly, I trust that we are a big enough party to control the situation if it comes to battle.. so I tend to think we should hail them and meet.
What do you think?"

"Yes, those are very uncertain times, so we must be very careful... but if we will make assumption that ALL other beings are enemies... we will never find any aid in this troubled times. And as Eldar said we need such. So let's hail them and see what will happen. Let try to figure out how many of them is really there. If there is fewer of them then us - we can risk meeting, as the stakes will be on our side in case of battle. Let us not lose what remains of faith for the good things that could happen."

Ulfheddin stoic as ever said nothing - instead he just did what needed doing and began to lock the straps on his Brigandine. He pulled his horn holder over his left arm and loosened the straps of the sling upon it then double checked the hook holding his axe and shield. Satisfied he tucked his head to the right towards the stranger as if to imply someone else should lead but he was intent on going.

Eldar waves to the elf, and start to approach slowly. With a keen eye on any area around him where more people could be hiding.

"Well met Lligarond! I'm Eldarenth from the Silver Moon Monastery, travelling north. I remember the Diensal Wood, to the south of Tulith, beautiful place with tall and old trees. When I visited, before the war, it had a lot of travelers and merchant from both Tulith and Lullwyn. What takes you to this mountains so up north?"

"Suilad Wigarond. Q Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo."

Perhaps a literal greeting so early in these morning hours. Sindarin came out as it should but Quenya sounded strange in the Dunėdain's mouth. Guttural, still poetry but darker than the cheerful lilt of most Elven speakers. Ulfheddin was on his hackles at this point, he did not trust an Elf that did not offer him friendship immediately. But he did lower the axe to a low position. "Caed'mil?" He asked with genuine concern for the lone Elf.

Eldar notices Ulf greetings, he usually doesn't speak much, but it brough joy to Eldar hearing the familiar tongue he has learned not to use anymore.
Then, to the stranger...
"Yes, we are familiar with misfortune, blood and steel. In this land, even when the aim is true the weather takes high tolls. We also look for shelter and a better place to call home, and hope the northern area, shielded by the desert as it is, may provide better opportunities. Why don't you come closer so we can talk without shouting?"

"See! I told you!" - Alfred says with lowered voice and with healthy dose of naivity still proper for his age. Relaxes a little, but still checks his sword - if it is properly attached to his back.
"We know the hardships of the area quite well too. Especially this "hunting curse" as you called it. - he shouts a little to loud in the direction of newcomer, clearly pleased that he is not the only one who has trouble hunting in those lands. -
"So - as my friend said - we are moving from here. Come to us, so we will exchange what we know and maybe we will consider inviting you to our little company? - he ended with hearty laugh, and slight nod towards Eldar , which was meant to show him that he agree with him that it was good plan not to go any further. Being further from eventual trap is a good idea.

"I would say: more like around the desert, first: in north east direction from here. And according to our maps there is quite a big forest there. And hopefully some better hunting grounds.... then here." - Alfred says with some enthusiasm.
"But first: can you tell us what's with your leg? Do you need any help with it?"

Eldar nods back to Alfred, and considering that he is doing a great job at learning about the newcomer, he remains silent for now. But paying detailed attention to all words and movements of the newcomer.
Eldar also wishes to welcome this elf to the company if he proves to be trustworthy, but he is not willing to risk a trap, nor a liar who could harm his friends.

"You have not traveler, we are slow to trust as we do care a lot for each of us. I'm sorry to hear about your knee and that I don't have healing skills, but you are welcome to join us on our way to the northern pass.. if that path suits you plans."

"But please, do approach us, and we'll figure something out to help with with your knee"

"We have no healing magic, but I can help with some healing herbs." As he speaks, he gets a bundle of medicinal herbs out of his backpack, selects only a few herbs, prepares a small poultice and applies it on Lligarond's knee.
"Your knee should be much better by tomorrow morning."
After putting the bundle back.. "So, are you joining?"

Eldar decided to trust the elf, but he would prefer to hear the opinion of the rest of his friends first.
"Sounds like a good option to me,shorter and less risky than muddy slopes. What do you think?"

Ulfheddin who had been silent for the exchange put away his axe and when the pass was indicated nodded in agreement.

"As always - any pass - is a good place for an ambush. So we have to be careful. But this slippery snow seems even more dangerous. We don't have proper equipment for this. So good decision Eldar."

If current food level allow, Eldar would prefer to get to the prairie as soon as possible.

„It could be harder to find some food on those snowy mountains. I think we should press on, for the prairie ." Says Alfred breathing heavily with steam coming from his mouth because of cold air.
"What you think Ulf?"

Ulfheddin didn't respond for some time he didn't even recognize that he had been asked a question directly until it occurred to him that he was the only Wolf around. "Hmm?" He asked processing the question. "Ulfheddin no think!" He corrected and pointed to the plain below. Realizing the answer was completely unsatisfactory to the question he grumbled. "Food below." Sniffing the air several times he nodded agreement with himself. "We go food. Wary brigand!" He patted his axe with a fond smile. "We go!"

"Uhh... what's that smell? Do you smell it too Ulfheddin?" - Alfred asked a companion who seemed to be awake for a long time now. A loud rumble came from his belly - confirming his interest in the new phenomenon.

Ulfheddin nodded and his stomach growled in response. "Sæhrímnir." He said hungrily as he sniffed at the air. Hungry and achey as he was he was itching for a fight. "We fight most like, be ready." Ulfheddin sniffed at the air trying to ascertain the direction of the bacon. Strapping his brigandine tight and winding the sling of his horn holder tight, stowing a rock in it. He double checked the straps on his axe and shield. Finally drawing the sword just about an inch out of its scabbard. Nodding he tapped his right temple. "Ready!"

As usual, Eldar checks the perimeter of their makeshift camp very early.
When he hears his friends talking about the smell, he adds "Oh the smell, and we are indeed hungry for breakfast... you are right Ulf, better to be prepared from the beginning. Let's investigate".

"A nice, hospitable hermit or a little cannibalistic cult? Who takes the bets?" - Alfred says in hushed voice, trying to say it in different direction then the hole - in case his voice could be magnified by the little tunnel's acoustic for the other side.
"I know what my belly is voting for - that's for sure." - he adds.
"Lets sneak to the entrance that have to be on the other side of this raised ground. This time I have mixed feelings... to good to be true?"
He starts to move, crouching towards supposed entrance - if no-one stops him.

Ulfheddin crafty and cunning plugs the hole in the side of the hill with a stone and some grass. He knew how to smoke a building out, this would certainly do the trick. He then followed Alfred skirting along the mound with his back to it.

Seeing what his friend done: "Perfect idea Ulf!"

Eldar follows his companions searching for the 'entrance' on the other side. Bow and arrow at hand and prepared to attack if the need arises, and waves to Lligarond to ready himself and to follow him. Hopefully they are friendly, share some food and eventually join our ranks.

Ulfheddin lunges at the place the old man just stood with incredible speed, attempting to capture the invisible man in a lightning fast bear hug.

"Uhh... friends have you seen that man... a moment ago? Or is it my hunger that plays tricks on me?" - Alfred visibly shocked ask his companions.

Seeing what Ulf has done:
"Dear... Mr Owner of this place - we come in peace. We only are longing for some news and maybe a cup of hot tee? My friend here... he... just wanted to meet someone new... probably he is feed up with our company already."

Eldar looks for the man to appear a few feet away... in every direction (perception check).
Then, in clear and loud voice:
"Greetings Sage, I understand our approach was not usual, but we mean no harm. Would you come to talk?"

Ulfheddin snarls and flexes his enormous forearms and crushes his face into the comparatively smaller mouth forcing more of his beard than he thought the much smaller individual could chew. "No bite or Ulfheddin bite back!"

Ulfheddin sniffs his captive and makes a surprised face. "You smell like Grey Beard, but you not him!" Ulfheddin uses his Glima, clever wrestling of the Dunėdain's people, pinning the invisible one to the ground. "I no like magick men, I no hate them. You stop hiding we speak in Elvish, civil like! We not enemies! You be nice, or Ulfheddin be mean!" Ulfheddin emphasized the point with a low rumbling growl that had emanated from the pit of his stomach through his throat. A subvocal growl that sounded much more like a massive wolf than a man. "If me want hurt you, use axe, no glima. You know!"

"If I were you, I wouldn't really piss off my friend. His patience is as short as his sentences. And we really want to drink tea together with you. And probably pice tea is much easier when you can see your hands. So maybe we're done with these tricks? Because Ulf's "tricks" are much less funny ..."

Ulfheddin doesn't instead looks to his companions for advisement.

Eldar puts his bow away, and the arrow back in the quiver.
"Good man, we should talk, if you dispel invisibility my friend here will free you from his grip. We are thin on rations, but we are not thieves.
You may benefit from having such a group as friends, and we would appreciate some information. What do you say? "

Ulfheddin shook his head and switched to Sindarin which he had a far greater grasp of. "Channas, ci'sam nam-pe.*" Scoffing in Sindarin Ulfheddin then chuckled. "Wizard think Ulfheddin stupid, but wizard fall for simple trick and end up eat dirt." A hearty belly laugh rocked his shoulders and Ulfheddin while no longer pinning the wizard did rise up to his knees to give him a little more space. The Northman ended up sitting down hard on the wizard's legs in the process. This more clumsiness at being unable to see the wizard than any intent on harming him. "You stop hide, Ulfheddin no let magic man hurt friends. You do this to self. Ulfheddin just want friends safe, magic very dangerous."

*Idiots you think we are.

Ulfheddin chuckles and nods rising and giving the geezer some space rounding the mound and pulling the rock and grass free. "You might be brigand."

Alfred walks towar the door like he would like to go through it... but just before entering it. He stops. And carefully tries to examine doors themselves and try to see what is inside the house - by no means going beyond the sill. Could they be magical and all of this could be a trap?

Ulfheddin comes round the mound again and taking the invitation as genuine enters the abode ducking low as he was far too tall for it. Momentarily he settles, hunkered down squatting on his heels stretching his aching legs. "The Wizard has humor." He guffawed at the satire of enjoying the smoke. "We ruin breakfast, but methinks we trade favor for breakfast. Him jolly sort."

Ulfheddin pulled the burned bacon from the fire and scraped it from the pan all the same. Burnt bacon being better than no bacon. He rubbed the heat of the pan away on his brigandine, then perked up when the wise one mentioned a village. He retrieved an oilskin from his empty quiver and unfurled it in the floor. A learned man would instantly recognize it as a scale map of the region. With several such skins in his quiver he might have had a scale map of the Continent.

Poring over the region for a few seconds he found the mountain range and valley they were in and then beckoned the wizard over. "Where willa... willa... er Hearth." His map contained no indicator of the village in the area. "Der Koenig does not know willage here." There was a sound of hope in his tone.

Alfred seeing that Ulf decided the wizard is trustworthy, was very eager to take a taste of this porridge - food - after all - was food:)
"Thank you very much, good Sir. After all maybe meeting you was another good sign for us. I hope you understand our precautions? I'm Alfred Foxglow, nice to meet you when I can see you. Hehe:) Will you provide us with your name? Are you really a wizard?" - he was genially curious about whole situation.
He addressed elf that recently has joined them:
"And you - Master Elf what do you think about all this situation? How is your leg?"
Getting back to "wizard": "Maybe, we should repay you for this food somehow? When you are planing to go to that village? Maybe you need some escort?"

Alfred stoped to eat suddenly. You could say many things about him, but one thing was for sure: he knew when someone was serious about his food and breakfast.... And the "wizard" didn't seem to be so interested in this "porridge" too much.
"Didn't we trusted him too fast... friends?" - saying that he pulled his sword from its scabbard. And this time it was the one named Justice - one that his friends never have seen him using so far. He jumps to the "wizard", push him toward nearest wall and puts the blade to his throat. This time his voice was NOT nice. There was nothing left from "young, polite and energetic Alfred" he usually was. There was a new person, that probably have done things that... were hidden deep inside... and was apparently willing to do them again...

"If there was something with this 'food'... you will die with us! Even a little earlier." - he was furious, his voice malevolent... Apparently Alfred do not like when someone mess with his food....
"If I'm overreacting here... we will just have a nice conversation for a while longer..." - his voice only a tone lighter, face almost touching wizard's and looking into directly into his eyes.
"So what is in this village and what are you trading there?"
Meanwhile he tries to feel how does he feel after eating 3 big spoons of it. Is there something "funny" happening with him?

"10 minutes. That all. If everything will be ok with us, I'll owe you a decent apology. I can be useful too. But we live in strange times. I have to protect my friends. I can't loose them... too..." - for a moment: there was something before his eyes that only Alfred could see - "You should.... have to understand. Or you didn't hear about the war in this nice little house of yours?" - keeping his harsh composure for the time given. So others can act check the food and room, house better.
"So how is this village you were talking about?" - Alfred asked not having better idea and to kill some time.

"Ulf... maybe we should feed him his own medicine? What you think?"
"Why you have so many bowls in here. Don't you live here alone? - another harsh question towards wizard.

Ulfheddin slipped a strip of bacon in his mouth and began chewing it. Watching Alfred work with some interest he took a second strip and as directed by the wizard added a big spoonful of pepper to the porridge. Stirred it then offered the wizard a bite.

Ulfheddin laughs and claps Alfred on the shoulder. Then eats a spoonful of porridge to seal the deal. "We not make friend if we hurt or abuse hospitality. This is the law." He said matter of factly crushing a strip of burnt bacon into the porridge and eating it slowly and methodically. "I sorry. Not say that before. We have hard time."

Eldar after checking the surrounding area, anters the hut.
What a surprise to see the Wizards at sword-edge, eating and inviting them to some nearby town. If there was some level of initial trust, or at least positive interest on the mage, he was sure they lost it.
"What is happening here? Are you two that crazy already?"
He thought about apologizing, but words wouldn't be enough now, and it was not his doing.
Looking at both of his friends: "This is wrong, I will have no part in it. I'll be outside for you to come to your senses."
He tried a small bow to the wizard, his shameful expression impossible to hide, and left the hut.
He will sit near the hut's entrance so they all can see him when they leave.

"Put sword down Alfred. I know him jolly sort. No hold grudge against hungry man." He offered the bowl to Alfred. "Eat the meat, taste his salt, drink his water. We brothers now." Patting the wizards shoulder. "He is my brother." Ulfheddin looked quizzically at the wizard, the question asked by his gaze and he nodded as if trying to convince the Wizard to agree. He was not the best choice for diffusing a tense situation.

Seeing wizard eating the same food that he offered them... Alfred relaxed. Slowly returning back to his former self...
"I'm sorry..." - he gets his sword back and hides it again in his scabbard. But not completely letting him go.
"Please, forgive me... We were trough many strange things already..." - he lowered his head.
"I didn't mean you any harm. Just wanted to be sure that my friends are safe..." - he is almost sad now. He tries to put wizard clothes in order.
"You will see that it is not who I am usually... But simple recollection of those events sometimes changes me... Please sit here, for 5 more minutes. If everything will be ok... I will owe you an apology and a favor..." - is seems as strengths has left Alfred when he sat near the wizard."You were right Ulf. As usual. Please take my apology, good sir. You can ask me for whatever you need. Think it through. But now I have to catch some air... and think my behavior through too..." - he leaves ignoring offered food by Ulf, with grim expression - what means that he really is not "content" with his actions...

Alfred is sitting outside the house and sighs…

So Alfred is looking carefully at his companions first and then at the wizard. Do they look normal? Everything is ok with them?

Alfred let out another sigh and stands up.
So ... are we going to the village? he asked whoever of his friends were closes to him, in a low voice. He will stay silent for some time and will try to slightly avoid the wizard for now. To let him get comfortable with the group even after recent events.

"I think no."

Ulfheddin turned back to where Ligarond and Gisela were camped. "I no like leaving people behind." His tone was insistent. "We bring New Friend to Camp, he talk to Gisela, she decide what do. We do what she say, and..." Ulfheddin had a surprisingly accurate imitation of Gisela's posture, leaned back on his left foot, forming a square within his extended right foot. Left index finger pointing to the sky. "'... everyone makes it out alive.'" Of course with that rumbling bass of Ulfheddin, the gravely intonation added a far more foreboding undertone than Gisela was capable of producing. "Come Wizard, meet our leader. She is grand hobbit, grey mane like you, much wisdom. You like!" He promised and dragged his new friend along.

"You, Ulfheddin is not name. It is title. Job. Blessing of Yggr Yjungr. But very dangerous for line of Isíl. Râna is mother. How do you know what Ulfheddin speaks? Magick. I Bjalfason aep Isîl al'Elros called Night-Wolf. Who are you, Wizard? Speak you Adûnaîc?" Ulfheddin wagered that like every wizard he had ever met, their knowledge of the spoken word had no equal. Adûnaic, that celestial language what spoke the race of men into being.

Eldar was aroundt the woods, not that close to the house.
He approaches the house when he noticed they are out.

"Please, do go ahead. I'll keep our friendly wizard company."

Ulfheddinn turned back to the village and sniffed the air curious. Before heading to the largest nearby tree and marking the territory. Then proceeded to begin to walk back to camp. He was puzzling out some of the details. Stopping dead in his tracks he turned about and shrugged. "Gisela no need know. We go to village then."

He clapped the wizard between the shoulders and gave the as of yet unnamed person an appraising look. Sniffing the air once more and smiling strangely at his "new friend." "Ulfheddin still hungry maybe food there. Come take us there." He was still being a bit too friendly, too vociferous. "Do you know, in home country, Vizard use illusion to entertain children. Ulfheddin bet you make people happy that way. Greybeard make the mighty firework too." Grinning wolfishly now Ulfheddin once more placed his hand on the wizard.

"So the village in the end? Now, yes? Let's go then." - Alfred still wasn't in mood for longer conversations.

Ulfheddin suddenly much less cordial relinquished the wizard and directed him to his own door, either he wasn't big on manners, or there was a sudden profound change in the man. Using his frame to obscure it he leaned against the turf of the dwelling and loosed the peace bond on his sword. Making sure to catch Alfred's eye and giving him a knowing nod. "We wait." Once more giving smile that was just a little too friendly. Craftily placing his foot in the lintel of the door preventing it from closing properly. As it closed he drew his thumb across his throat and drew sword and shield.

Eldar has had enough. With polite but decisive tone: "Ulfheddin, I get you don't trust him. But right now you are behaving as the source of all distrust. If you continue this path you will, not only create a real reason for the distrust you fear so much, but loose the trust we already have on you. Please stop that."

Alfred just watches the scene mindlessly. Not understanding why Ulf is now acting similar to him a moment ago and not noticing what has changed.

"Gullible Eldar. Not know ruse if it bite. Illusion, lies. No village. Good men no have bacon in starving time."

Ulfheddin just sighs then kicks where the door should have been. Aiming for where memory told him the bolt was.

"Him violate law of hospitality. Him not ally. Him bad person. Not even give name. No friend, no village. Just lies." Ulfheddin wards between Alfred and Ligarond defending the action of his comrade. "We might have died if Alfred not intervened."

Eldar just looked at Ulf's scene as if it was expected.
" I agreed with Lligarond. The initial violence was yours. Being outnumbered, and against such violent people, I would have probably done the same as him.
Do you see the mistakes in your actions, or will you continue behaving like that?"

"The only mistake is your blinded optimism. You still see that illusion? I dont. There is no village over yonder. There is only shadow magic there. No light. This sorcerer is a deciever and you are a willing fool." Ulfheddin switched to Sindarin which he had a far greater grasp of than Mannish.

Eldar answers Ulf calmly, in perfect Sindarin
"I never saw that illusion as I never had any expectation on this wizard. I never cared about any village as you did. I never trust someone who hasn't earn my trust." He breathes a moment, keeping calm and trying to convey his calm to the rest.

"You react abruptly to what was always clear to the naked eye. I'm no fool, never was. Of course, even in a hard or starving time as ours, there is a possibility that we could have learned something useful, even when that possibility was dim. But violence always creates more violence. And here, violence blocked this dim possibility to arise.
We shall not waste any more time here, and continue our planned path. Is that OK with you both?"

"And you don't trust me?" Ulfheddin crosses his arms and leans on the mound that used to be the wizards house. "Pity that. We should part ways before you make the fatal mistake of attempting to capitalize on that mistrust. Or swallow your pride and start doing what is necessary. But don't question my motives after doing nothing to stop them. The time for dissent was when the violence as you call it occurred. After the fact your words are hollow, transparent, and harmful. If you had simply remained silent as you were content to when you didn't have the moral high ground you wouldn't have alienated yourself from your brothers in arms. Now, you have no leg to stand on. Revealing that you dont trust us, why are you still here?"

"I did left the place, not to make an internal issue bigger in front of a stranger. And I did mentioned my motives in that instant, when I saw it, but you were already blinded. Seems you didn't listed to them then, nor you want to recognise it now."
Eldar is still calm, his voice never blaming but sad.
"Now you talk about trust, but it is clear that you don't trust my leadership anymore instead of what you want to imply. Should I fought you instead of leaving the hut, the result would have been worse for both of us, so I don't regret. Each uses his freedom the best each can. So I won't retain you with me nor will I stop you from leaving."
Eldar stands up from the rock he was sitting.
" I'll go to the camp to pick up my things. I will be leaving camp in an hour, meditatite what has happened, then you can join me or follow your own path. Whichever you decide, I do hope the best for you."

With that, Eldar leaves the place, his steps swift as any expert hunter elf but his heart saddened.