Chapter 3

Barad Eithel -- Approach

Barad Eithel, the Tower of the Well, stands proudly to the north. Graceful sweeps of grey mountain stone, joined so perfectly that no joint or crevice can be seen, rise up in great ramparts topped with parapets and arrow slots. Behind the high walls are several towers, which reach up, higher still with one rising up much taller than all the rest so that it seems to pierce the sky; upon its topmost spire, blue and silver banners ride upon the wind.

To the west of Barad Eithel lies the cobalt blue loveliness that is Eithel Sirion, partly surrounded by the high mountain peaks of the Ered Wethrin further off. Eastward, foothills sink towards wide plains, and the outworks of Barad Eithel extend some distance in that direction. Southward lies a road, and beyond that the foothills sweep onwards with the Sirion threading its way southeastward to join with the far-distant Rivil.

For an hour the two make their way silently northeast from the camp, stopping to listen and look the area over a bit...tis what they are doing at the moment....the sun has sank lower, but there's still another two hours of daylight before dusk sets in. Aragant looks to Acalewin and says, "Well we have not seen or heard anything this far, perhaps we should go a little further....to yonder knoll ahead...then head back to camp." he looks to his friend after pointing.

Acalewin follows Aragant as they walk down path. He listens to Aragant as he points towards the hill and nods, "Yes, that sounds good. We can look at some of the surrounding land from there as well." He look at Aragant and then begins to make his way towards the knoll, his eyes still casually watching the area around them.

The terrain the path leads over is rough, and in many places there are a good many positions in which an ambusher could lay in wait. In fact, it is in one of those very positions, behind an oddly positioned stone, that a crouched Orc figure is hunched, his greenish eyes peering suspiciously over the top of the rock at the approaching Edain... Their words sink into his filthy ears, as one of his scarred hands reaches to his back to unbuckle the large battle-axe hanging there, and slowly bring it to the ground in front of his feet.

Aragant halfway to the knoll Aragant reaches out and taps Acalewin's shoulder...He looks at the Hunter and says," How do you feel?'...I don't get this feeling often...but I feel ...odd...as if we are being watched, but it may be nothing, lead on, but lets be a bit wary....we don't have far to go."

Acalewin hand goes the hilt of the sword at his side as Aragant taps his shoulder. He stays silent for a few moments as if trying to sense something, but he finally takes his had away and says, "I don't feel anything, but then again if we are being watched I am used to being the hunter, not the hunted. But as you say let's be cautious." He replaces the hand on the hilt but does not draw the blade and continues walking slowly.

Aragant nods to Acalewin," From the top of that knoll we should be able to see Bard Ethil...the great fort here in these parts...."he follows Acalewin again, but he keeps glancing about...if unsure, then shrugs off the feeling...but even so he goes as quietly as he can now.

The Orc remains behind the uniquely shaped rock, his eyes peering out once more over the top of the rock, at the Edain who are now scarcely more than 15 feet away. The green flesh on his knuckles is pale, nearly white, as he holds the wooden handle of the battle axe firmly.. Then, his thighs tense up, and he pokes his head above the rock, not revealing his presence completely, but not worrying about being spotted - The time for subterfuge has passed.

"I would like to see the view." Acalewin says in response to Aragant. His gaze scans the area around him and it stops on a nearby rock. He stops walking and keeps his gaze there for a few moments, but he only shakes his head slightly and mutters to himself, "You've got yourself nervous now. That is nothing." and he continues walking slowly, sometimes returning his eyes to the rock.

Aragant glances just in time to see something move down behind the rock and he grabs the back of Acalewin's collar and jerks him back towards him, hollering, "Yrch!" as he frees his left hand so does the right grab the hilt of Courage and the blade sings as it comes forth from the scabbard.

Realizing that the enemy has discovered his presence, the Orc steps out from behind the rock, it's legs bent rather awkwardly at an angle, yet this is the normal stance for this twisted creature. The battle-axe is still held tightly in it's hands, and the ease with which the creature holds the heavy weapon speaks of great practice with it.. Yet, it does not speak or attack, merely watches with the axe-head before him...

Acalewin coughs as the other adan pulls on his collar. "What was...." he cuts himself off as he hears what Aragant says and sees the creature step from behind the rock. He eyes widen as he sets his vision up on the orc and he pulls forth his sword from its scabbard. Under his breath he mutters to Aragant, "Funny isn't it? The first day you give me the sword and it seems as if I am going to have to use it." He forces a grim smile as he warily watches the actions of the axe wielding orc.

Aragant moves to the right of Acalewin and eyes the creature and his axe. For a short moment they both stare at one another, but Aragant knows what's coming and doesn't wait any longer for it....he sidesteps further to his right and lashes out at the orc aiming at the arm nearest him, trying to get the creature disarmed and at a quick disadvantage.

Evidently, not attacking first proves to be a hindrance, for the silver blade of the human called Aragant flashes out, scoring a slight wound on his left arm. A grimace of pain appears on his face, yet the look does not appear to be an unfamiliar one, as though this Orc has been injured a great many times. He steps backwards, and the black blood wells up on his arm, drizzling downwards to the ground.. Yet, the injury seems not to have affected his reactions, as he steps forward towards Aragant, bringing the heavy head of the axe in an arc towards the armored shoulder of the other.

Acalewin watches Aragant move and attack the creature. He watches for a moment and sees the sword bite before he follows suit and approaches. He slows a little bit away from the orc and circles around it in an attempt to flank it on its right side. He steps left and slashes low towards its left hamstring as he also tries to give the humans an advantage by disabling it early in the skirmish.

Aragant tries to step back quickly but, not fast enough as the Axe falls on his shoulder, causing him to lean forward as he grimaces with the pain of the axe landing, but the step back took some of the force out of the blow. Now he stands straight and move further to his right in hope to put the creature between he and Acalewin...when he thinks the yrch is glancing at the Hunter he move in and levels a blow aimed at the back of the orcs left knee.

The axe-head wounds his foe, but evidently isn't enough, for the weight of the head proceeds to spin him in a half circle. While this allows him to evade the hamstring blow that was attempted by Acalewin, the slash from Aragant cuts deeply into his knee. He falls to the ground roughly, holding the axe in one hand, as blood flows forth from the injury.. Yet he pushes himself backwards and begins to rise, his eyes containing the look of a caged animal.

Acalewin watches as his sword blade misses the hamstring of the fallen orc and he turns to face the fell creature again. He takes a step back to avoid having the orc fall on him and moves to his right as he glances briefly at Aragant. The movement to rise from the orc once again draws his attention back to it and the hunter takes a step towards it and tries to make a slash aimed at its right arm.

Seeing the yrch go down from his last blow Aragant tries not to give the yrch any kind of chance and moves in, but also to a point where the two edain have the creature between them. He swings a hard downward blow aimed at the orcs injured knee, only this time on the front....he can see the black blood slowly flowing out the backside of the same knee. but even as he strikes he can still feel a twinge where the yrch struck him.

Reacting first to the approach of Acalewin, the Orc manages to pull it's right arm back just in time, and the silver blade slashes a streak where his flesh was but a split moment before. Yet, the beast is not as lucky when it comes to evading the blow of Aragant, for the silver slices deeply into the injured knee again, and black blood explodes forth, a slice of flesh coming loose, revealing the pale-white of air-exposed bone beneath.. A faint scream is bit off by the creature as it tightens it's grip on the axe, swinging it desperately at the neck of Aragant, praying to end this battle before his strength fails.

Acalewin barely notices his blade's miss as he pulls it back to prepare for yet another attack on the creature. He hears the scream of the orc and barely glances at to damage being done to him by Aragant. He sees the axe once again make its journey towards the scout and Acalewin also tries to end the battle with a thrust towards the now unguarded chest of the orc.

Even as Aragant hears the scream from the yrch he raises Courage again way above his head but just as he starts the downward attack he tries to move a little closer...and suddenly he feels a heavy weight bang into his right collar bone and feels it snap. He staggers backwards a bit as fresh blood pours from the compound fracture. Aragant pulls himself to the side and switches Courage to his left hand now, but the pain is tremendous...his eyes blur a bit. The weighted head of his battle-axe is too much for the defenses of Aragant, and the Adan falls backwards with blood flowing openly from his collarbone. He turns, and the thrust of the Acalewin narrowly misses him, by no more than half an inch. However, the blood-coated axe swings through the air again, aiming for the sword-arm of the fighter named Acalewin...

Acalewin tries to raise his blade from the missed thrust and sees Aragant stagger back from the attack of Gorboth. He looks at the orc just in time to see the axe-head flying in his direction and can't move his shield to block it in time. He yells in pain as the axe impacts with his sword arm and blood flows freely as the axe blade barely misses the bone. He tries to raise the sword but can't and ungainly shifts it to his other hand and tries to swing the blade at the orc's arm.

Aragant sees the orc's axe strike out and land on Acalewin.. he moves forward and pulls the hunter back now...eyes flashing death at the yrch. He starts to raise Courage in his left hand to strike again.

The blade of Acalewin misses by mere hairs, as the figure steps backwards. He is covered in blood, yet it would appear that he has given as good as he has received, in this encounter. His eyes lock with Aragant's, as if promising of meetings yet to come.. Then slowly he steps backwards, inching away from the injured Edain, his hands tight on the battle-axe.

Acalewin watches the orc walk backwards away from the men lowers his blade to the ground. He looks at the still clean metal of his blade and sheaths it with some effort on his part. With his now free hand he watches the orc and then turns his gaze to Aragant, "Are we going to follow him?"

Aragant, panting now, " I think we should get back to camp...and soon." He tries to put Courage in its scabbard but can't and looks to Acalewin for some help." I can't do this Acalewin...part of the collarbone is sticking through the flesh on the right side....under my armor...and it feels like it is bleeding pretty good...let's get back." He drops Courage and reaches for the back of his right upper arm....this seems to lessen the pain.

The bloody Yrch, seeing no pursuit, turns to flee the scene as fast as his wounded legs can carry him. Behind him is left a trail of gore on the ground, as if to prove that he had not won this day.

Acalewin looks at Aragant with some pity in his gaze and picks up Courage with his uninjured arm. "Okay. Do you need help walking? I think it is a good idea to let the Lady Anna look at that." He starts to walk down the path and looks at Aragant for him to catch up. "I wish I knew something to help you."

Aragant looks to Acalewin.. "I can walks but tis at least an hour back...lets go"

Continued in Chapter 4....