The Clash

The Bard, they called him! Underneath that hood, his weathered face was tanned and slightly scarred. Silver-grey curls of hair matched his silver-grey eyes. He would wander the countryside, cities, and towns, telling tales. The Elders frowned upon him. The Children loved him. He had this rough breathy voice, which enchanted every child that paused to listen to his words.
It was a rainy night, soft raindrops plopping to the ground. As the Bard crouched in a dry barn, young apprentices peered in eagerly, waiting for his tale.

Tonight is the night that I tell it," thought the Bard as the rain rushed faster. 'Tonight is the night.'
As the children widened their eyes, the Bard's breathy voice caught them all as he began to weave a tale... 

 The man was well-trained, Madarek had to give him that. The way he handled the sword was genuine and lethal with perfection. Even in the thundering rain, he could attack with violent fury. As Madarek observed him, he shuddered. A gruesome man…this sword-fighter. His eyes glistened red, and his white skin seemed to glow in the night's moonlight.

Around them, a thunderstorm raged gleefully. They were both moving angrily, predator and prey. Whirling in this vivid battle, hair soaked, eyes narrowed, both ends refusing to let out. Madarek held his axe tighter in his weathered hands, amazed that this man in front of him was maintaining for so long. Fear filled him of how much longer he would hold out. This creature in front of him was fervent in his questioning. Venomous eyes and lips bore in a frightful snarl, he lunged again and Madarek just managed to parry away the blow. Both blade and axe glinted in the flickers of moonlight.

"I will not tell thee, no matter how much you threaten," snarled Madarek, breathing heavily, as the massive figure took another step towards him. "Even over my lifeless body, I shall never tell thee where it is."

"Then I guess, you will have to die," growled the red-eyed man, quite simply in response.

Madarek glanced to the west at the marvellous white structure visible as lightning streaked across the starless sky. If only he could inform someone in the city…then the secret could be kept safe.

“No one will hear you. No one will know. The fight lasts between you and I,” growled the sword-fighter, as if reading his thoughts.

Madarek swallowed. He knew it was true. This ancient battle between the Families was brought out again. And whenever these angers and quarrels had awoken, bloodshed had always ensued.

Ingvar had watched unseen as his master had read the blood-spattered parchment that had arrived the day before by a strange courier and Ingvar had brought to him. As soon as Madarek had finished reading it, he'd carefully placed it into the fire on the hearth and stood to make sure it was entirely consumed. Then, as Ingvar watched, his master had crossed the room and opened the "forbidden" chest with the key the master always wore around his neck. Years before, right after Madarek had taken Ingvar off the streets and given him a place to live, food to eat, and training with all manner of weapons, Ingvar had thought to break into the chest, reasoning that such a fine container would naturally contain great riches and he had not yet been under the tuteledge of Madarek long enough to develop the character he was proud to say he now possessed. The lock had been devilishly hard to pick, but he'd managed, and as soon as he went to lift the lid, he felt a sharp stab in his palm and the world went dark.

When he'd awoken the next day, in a room on the other side of Madarek's hall, he was alone except for a book on various herbs and natural poisons opened to a page on Daerskfish spine poison. Madarek had never mentioned the episode, and Ingvar decided to become civilized.

His master had removed the trap from the chest, then reached inside and taken out a beautiful suit of mail that seemed fairer than any Ingvar had ever seen. Over this, Madarek drew a tunic of deepest scarlet blazoned with a symbol Ingvar had never seen before. Finally, and this was most startling to young Ingvar, Madarek took a shining black double bladed axe from the chest. Ingvar was taken somewhat aback by this since he'd never seen Madarek wield anything except a quarterstaff or some similar non-lethal weapon. Madarek was known the city over as a man of peace.

Later that day, Madarek had come to Ingvar's chamber and told him, "I must go on a journey to attend to some business. While I am gone, you are to treat the Lady Marellel as you would me. She will see that you continue your lessons. If I should not return . . . well, it is of no matter; she will know what to do." and with those words, Madarek had turned and left for the stables.

Worried and intrigued, Ingvar had followed, using the stealth skills his master and men who worked for his master had taught him. Now he watched in the pouring rain as Madarek faced this unknown bladesman. His hand tightened on the throwing dagger in his boot that was a gift from the Lady Marellel on his sixteenth birthday. He was in anguish, first that his master was in a mortal combat when all Ingvar knew was that Madarek was by nature peaceful, and second that he, Ingvar felt powerless to do more than watch.

The large man parried and countered every attack that Madarek could send at him.    With his last efforts Madarek rushed forward at the man yelling out in anger and frustration.   The blade bit into him.  The man had been ready for the charge.  Falling to his knees Madarek could only stare blankly in disbelief ahead as the man licked his lips and drew his blade higher.  And then there was darkness...

Ingvar looked down, shocked at what he had just witnessed.  His master’s blood began to fill puddle upon the floor beneath the dark warrior.   His master had charged his foe in a skilful rush but the dark warriors blade had been ready.  He had stabbed his master in the chest and then proceeded to chop at Madarek’s neck, finishing him off.   Ingvar stepped backwards not knowing what to do.  All he could think to do was run.   Turning he dashed off into the darkness.   His heart pounding in his chest he felt as if he would throw up.  Looking around he slipped into the gateway of the house.  What would he tell Lady Marellel? Lightning flashed lighting up the corridor before him.  Suddenly everything went dark.   Ingvar fell to the ground.  The terror had been too much, he had feinted.

Meanwhile, the Lady Marellel was in her chambers, and she felt the dread growing in her heart. She was fair and of stern countenance and though she was a lady, she could still wield a sword not unlike her brother, Madarek. She stood at the window and gazed out towards the east where she had seen her brother ride off. She thought back to his words, when he had told her that he had to leave.

"Marellel, I have just had tidings that...that...", he had faltered "...that new store of goods has arrived at Osgiliath...I must go at once and attend to it. Ingvar will stay here. Farewell!" And before she could say anything more, he had left...

There was something not quite right with his manner, she thought to herself. Why had he left in such a hurry? She had never known her brother to falter not even when their father had died. He had been the one who had supported her through those rough times. And yet now, the manner of his leaving and his faltering made her very uneasy. She was startled out of her thoughts suddenly by the neighing of a horse...Induin...she thought to herself...But how could that be?

"Ingvar! Ingvar!", she called and swept out of her chambers and hurried down to the stables. "Oh...where has he gone to? Ingvar!" She entered the stables and saw the Induin restless. The mare was a beauty, her coat as white as the moonlight and she was a light as the wind. As a child Marallel had often wondered at this and as a child had always believed that Iduin would never die...it was as if the wind itself had taken the shape of the mare. But tonight something was not right. She wondered that Induin was still there. Her brother rode the mare; then why was she left behind? She checked the other stall and found that her own horse Thalion was not there...but how? Why? She ran her hands down the mare's back to calm her down and stood thinking about this rather puzzling thing...

Marallel stopped stroking Induin for a moment. She must decide quickly what to do. Her brother's life may depend on it. She ran through a list of options in her head. There was nothing for it but to go look for him. She ran lightly back to her chamber to gather certain things before she set out. Her sword was hanging above her mantle, ready for quick use. She also picked up her darkest cloak and put up the hood. She may have to travel unseen.

Marallel opened her door cautiously. The streets were silent and deserted; no sane person was out at this hour in a storm. Smiling to herself, she realized that she wasn't sane, nor was Madarek. Where did he say he was going? Osgiliath. Slipping silently into the street, she again made sure no one was near. Satisfied that she was alone, she continued. A thought occurred to her suddenly. She should have told Ingvar that she was leaving for a short time. Perhaps he would not notice her absence. She laughed. He would notice. Marallel turned back to notify him. She hoped desperately that he was still awake. He was not an easy one to wake from a sound slumber.

She knocked softly on his door.  "Ingvar? Are you awake?" She waited about 30 seconds and repeated the process. No answer came from inside. He must really be sleeping well. Finally, exasperated, she opened the door. The first thing to meet her keen gaze was Ingvar, sprawled on the cold floor, unconscious *Marallel ran down the stairs to the kitchen she grabbed a bottle off alcohol and a little bottle of a very strong odour? She ran back upstairs, and forced the body off Ingvar to sit, she then held the little bottle under the nose off Ingvar to wake him up. The boy scared up due to the odour, she gave him a sip off the alcohol to get him some strength and get his head clear after his fainting* Ingvar what happened my boy? Lady Marallel, it is Madarek, he is,.. He is *he started to cry* He is death my lady, he has been killed by a red-eyed man* Lady Marallel turned white and took a seat*

Lucian, why did you kill him* she muttered to herself. * Please don't start this war all over again. * She turned to Ingvar who's look asked question, he didn't dare to ask. * It is a long story Ingvar, it traces long back in our family’s. We both hold one piece off a secret that would make the person who knows it a very powerful man, which is why it was split between two families. For generations, we have been fighting, once it was one off ours that wanted to know the secret and attacked the Penaller family, and sometimes it was one off them attacking us, but most off the time we just fought because we didn't knew better. Until the day that I met Lucian, he was a strong boy, and we fell in love, off course we both knew it was an impossible love, but when our fathers died and gave the secret pass to Lucian, and my brother, the war stopped, that was now 20 years ago, Lucian didn't attacked my brother out off love for me, and you know Madarek enough to know he was peaceful. And now... I can't believe it.

But it happened I saw him chop off his head My Lady. And Mardek was attacking him back; he had put on mail and taken his axe. *Lady Marallel turned white* so he knew this was going to happen and he wanted to warn Tobias, our nephew who would inherit off the secret when Mardek would die. * They hear someone knocked on the door, and she recognised the voice. * Ingvar fast take the chest and take it to Tobias, he runs the Sirens call, a tavern in the city. He will know how to protect the secret, tell him to retrieve the mail and then to watch out for the chest. The secret is hidden in the fake bottom, but Ingvar don't try to open it again, that trap was one off many, the one more deadly then the other. * They heard the door crack open. Now run, I slow him down.

*While Ingvar grabbed the chest and fled with it through his window towards the tavern, Lady Marallel went down the stairs her sword firmly in her hands. Lucian waited to meat hat at the bottom off the stair. Her eyes filled with tears she said*

Why Lucian, why...
Hand me the chest Mara
You know I can't do this Lucian, my love, why?
Because I have no choice my sweet Mara, now get out off my way. I don't want to hurt you
you will have to get over my dead body my love, jus tell me why.
Because my master wants the secret and I have to get it for him.
Oh my love

*Seeing the pain in his eyes, she lowered her sword and jumped in his arms, but he impaled her on his sword. She slid in his arms, her arms around his neck. Her eyes betraying her surprise. * I am sorry Mara, My love. * As the live slipped away from her, he removed gently his sword, and laid her down on the floor, like she was breakable. A tear ran over his left cheek, as he closed her eyes, and kissed her lips a last time. * I am sorry my love, I have no choice. * Then he sprinted upstairs to seek the coffin, while Ingvar was riding to the city to deliver the coffin, not even curious off what is inside, just panicked and scared for his live. *

Ingvar turned around and looked down at the chest he was taking.  He wanted to know desperately what was inside it but wouldn’t, couldn’t.  He had been told to hurry.  Rushing through the cold streets he kept moving.  His hands were numb and freezing to the handle as he carried it further.  He could see his breath as he laboured to carry the large object.  Looking down the lane he saw the symbol of the tavern, a large sign of a beautiful woman looking down upon the ones entering.  He carried the box inside.   Standing for a second he let his eyes readjust to the lights of the tavern.  It was a darkened room with a tall man standing at the tap.  Running too him he shouted out, "Are you Tobias?  Please sir I must speak to him!"

The tall man at the bar turned around.  His long brown hair and warm gaze comforting Ingvar.  I am indeed Tobias.  Speak now young one.  What do you carry? The boy shook his head and said, "We must speak alone!"  Tobias nodded and opened the door to the back.  As the door slammed shut Ingvar began to speak quickly and fearfully about what had befallen his master and mistress.  "I hope she is alive sir but I know the man came for her.  I saw him as I ran past the front gate to get here.   He did not see me!"  Tobias looked down upon the object and picked it up hurriedly.  He opened up a door and exited with it.   Ingvar looked down upon his shoes.  His head hurt and his hands were numb but he was more afraid then injured.  The small knife in his belt was all the protection he ever carried.  Why did this happen to his family?

Tobias soon returned with a frown upon his face.  It has been taken care of! He said folding his arms if you wish to stay you may.  I will pay for your work.  If not you may return home to see the fate of your mistress.  A sad thing has befallen the city tonight.  The war has begun anew.  Ingvar nodded not knowing what he spoke of and ran out the door to return home. 

Knife in hand he crept up to the window he had come out of.  Looking down into the room he saw the bloody form of Marallel.  She had been stabbed through the middle.  Whoever had done this had left her on her bed after killing her.  Blood splatters on the floor showed that he killed her at the door.  He saw her lying there.  Walking over to the body he saw that she was dead indeed.  Falling to the ground upon his knees he yelled out, "Why?" he had never known such pain and death in one night.  He grabbed his knife from his pocket.  This Lucian would die and so would all of his family.  Ingvar swore this.  Gripping the blade he slipped into the streets...

Dawn was approaching which meant he had little time before the city would come live and discover the horror the took place while they were all sleeping. Ingvar crept along the dimly lit streets as nothing more then a shadow. "If I were Lucian where would I go after killing someone," Ingvar thought out loud. The only places his brain could up with at this hour were taverns or his house and since he had no club where he lived he might as will start with the taverns.

He entered every pub looking for a man who he had only gotten a glimpse of before in poor lighting, he then asked every person in the taverns if they had seen the man. After his poor descriptions of the man most people looked at him as if he had hhallucinated the whole thing, other would reply to him in a childish sort of concern telling him that sorry they can't help and hope he can find him soon. As he exited the last tavern the sun now lit up the streets in a sort of morning haze and person were moving around in their houses. Ingvar flopped down on the curb and started to weep, he had failed to avenge the killer and he would soon strike again probably destroying the secret his masters had worked so hard to keep so well intact. Then it hit him, he had not checked Tobias's tavern, what if he was there. With a new found strength and determination he head off towards the tavern at amazing speed.

When he got to the pub he dashed to the woman behind the counter and ask if she had seem a man come in and ask for Tobias's. Telling him that about five minutes ago someone came in with urgent information for him and requested to see him privately. Ingver quickly dashed up stairs wondering how Lucian had found he so quickly. Reaching the door he clenched his blade tightly in his hand and swung the door open.     

What he saw nearly stopped his heart from beating. Lucian and Tobias sat near the hearth, chatting like old friends. Ingvar stood in the doorway, mouth agape, too shocked to speak. Both men glanced up as he entered. Tobias forced a smile. "Hello again, boy. Is there anything more I can do for you? I offered you a job, did I not? I have business that needs taking care of, so will you please exit the room?" He rose from his chair and moved towards Ingvar.

Ingvar leapt away from him. "What are you doing? You are talking with the man who just murdered your aunt and uncle in cold blood!" A sob escaped his throat as he shouted at Tobias. He gripped his blade even more tightly than before. Lucian's eyes narrowed menacingly at him. He spoke softly, hate edging his every word. "We should kill him, Tobias. He knows too much."

Tobias shook his head. "No, he may yet be useful to us. We can test his loyalty." He moved forward towards Ingvar again. "Are you loyal to our family, boy, or just to my weakling aunt and uncle?" Ingvar couldn't answer. He had been bereft of his master and mistress in one night of horror, and now he was being asked if he would help their murderers? Well, he thought, it would keep him alive...

Another man entered, and Ingvar ignored him, still glaring at Lucien and Tobias as he heard the gentle shutting of the door behind him. The soft dawn light was the only source brightening the dark room. But this man who came over to speak to Tobias and Lucian looked oddly familiar. As Ingvar glanced at the man, the strong features of this other man confronted him. The man's dirty blonde hair fell over his eyes in a familiar way. Ingvar gaped and dropped his blade, and a strong whisper escaped his lips,
"Master Madarek????"
Tobias shook his head, gently. The boy was in shock.
"But I saw you die...." Ingvar continued, his voice laden with disbelief.
Seeing Madarek like this, next to his killer Lucian, evoked visions of seeing him headless. His heart beat faster, and Ingvar passed out.

The man looked amused as the young boy plopped to the floor in a dead faint.
"He plans to kill Lucian, yet falls in a dead faint upon seeing me. Is this how your family trains their apprentices?" remarked the man to Tobias.
Lucian stood silently, smirking at the comment. Tobias gave the man a stern glance, as he knelt over the boy. He speaks to him, as he gently sprinkles water over the boy's face,
"He had been through much, Marek...and like many, knows not that Madarek had a twin brother."

Marek laughs, warmly. He was nothing like Madarek for he had the heart of a warrior, and was always looking for action not the peaceful way as his brother had.
"Tobi, 'tis only a jest. And quit your worry over the lad, he shall be fine...we cannot mollycoddle our men. And a man he is. At sixteen, we cannot treat him as a boy. We'll explain to him, when he wakes up and don't dare soften the truth. The Clash has started up again...and I have a feeling that it is not only Lucian who has killed and started it...no offence, of course."
Lucien nods at Marek, his eyes twitching. Even Lucien had recently found out that Marek was Madarek's twin and it gave him Goosebumps to see the same piercing eyes of Madarek gazing back at him. Suddenly, Ingvar moaned softly, and Tobias eased the boy up on a chair. As the boy's eyes fluttered open, Tobias smiled warmly at him and turned to Marek, his smile fading, slightly.

"Go ahead and explain to him Marek--tell him who you are and the story of our families…his test can come later.”

At these words Ingvar become very alert and ready to listen, he was finally going to learn way all of this was going on, what his family was brutally murdered over.
"Let's see where to start," Marek paused for a second staring off into space wondering what all he should reveal to the young man and where to start. Drawing in a sharp breath he contuined,"It's all started long ago when my Great- Great- Great- Great Grandfather received a piece a paper that I will tell you about later. But some women came to the door telling him to take this paper and split it up and give to all of his trusted relations to keep safe. Well his brother was Lucien's Great-Great- Great- Great Grandfather and whom he didn't give a piece to became very jealous and tried everything to get his own piece of this priceless treasure. When he failed he passed his anger down to future generations so that they might get this prize he so greatly desired. So as you can guess this is how the Clash broke out between everyone. There has been time when it has been very heavy and times when it has been calm. Now my brother, your master, always hated the other side of the family for no known reason, he always was picking fights in the streets when ever one of then would pass by. He especially hated Lucien because he claimed to have denounced the whole feud thing and wanted to make peace, Madarek never trusted him always thought he wanted to steal it from us right under our noise's. But the truth is, is that Lucien wants nothing to due with the Clash, it's cost to many lives for both families and has brought neither one the happiness they seek. So your probably wondering who I am and how I know all about this family, well I am Marek, Mararek's twin brother he doesn’t like to speak about because of my wish for peace as well," He then paused again looking towards Ingvar to see if he had any questions, he just looked forward ready to hear more. So Marek started in one that to piece of paper meant to the family and what it was.

Ingvar was completely confused and decided to speak out load instead off keeping it for himself." But, Madarek was a peaceful man, and so was Lady Marallel, they never picked any fight and I saw Lucian fight Maradek, and that was the first time I saw him fight. And then Lucian attacked us at home and killed Lady Marallel why? Why kill everyone if you only seek peace? This isn't right." Ingvar clutched his head in his hands and held back his snottering. " I don't understand" the boy said as he could figure out to believe them or not and certainly if he believed them how to explain the cold-blooded murder on Lady Marallel.

The three men, looked towards each other and it was Lucian that spoke in a voice that betrayal some emotion." You are right Ingvar, Marek lied, Maradek was a peaceful man, and I did love Marallel. But the new leaders off the Clash asks things off us that we have to take, no matter what the cost." Lucian's eyes became moistened but he shook it off fast." And I we only lied to you because you would have an easier time helping us, we didn't wanted to bother you with the knowledge that sometimes there is no bad guy in the story. But you can choose now, are you with us, and do we tell you the rest off the story like it is our do we kill you now?" Lucian turned to the two other men" Like you said, we can't treat him as a boy, he is a man. So what will it be Ingvar?"

Thoughts raced through Ingvar's head, at this point he was completely confused at who was what and people did they things they did. But now was not the time to worry about that, now he had two choices before him, either keep them talking or be killed.

"Okay I'll hear the rest of this story," Ingvar calmly said shaking all over, "What about this piece of paper that you spoke of?"
"Well truth be told little is known about the paper," Marek started up again, "a lady came by the house in the middle of the night and when my Great- Great- Great- Great Grandfather, Bakee, opened the door she handed it to him with few instructions and little information. She simple said, take this piece of paper and rip in to six pieces, give them to your most trusted relatives and keep one for your self. They're meant to be hidden and never looked at until your family and the cities need is dire, then she left with out another word. That night he ripped into six pieces like he was told and put them into boxes right away. Then the next day he delivered them to his trusted relatives repeating to them what the old lady told him. So it has been passed down through generation, but never been used."
"But what did the paper have on it," Ingvar interrupted.
"That is a great mystery because you see Bakee was the only one the look at the paper so when he died the paper's identity died with him. Although there has been speculation that the paper was a map to an idem that could restore peace to the city and between the two families."
"But how do you know when the right time is?" Ingvar questioned.
"When the story has been told to the next generation it was told to us that we will know when the right time is. But right now it is time for breakfast because I'm starved, do you have any food in this tavern Tobias?"
"Course we do, I'll go tell Marvis to cook us up something, what would everyone like?"

After all of the men had ordered their breakfast the talk continued. Ingvar was completely overwhelmed with the new information he was learning about his master's family. One thing bothered him, however. Why were the six pieces not united at the end of the Third Age? The city's need had certainly been dire at that time. Ingvar didn't remember the battle of the Pelennor Fields; he had only been a small child at the time. He decided there was only one way to find out. "Why wasn't this weapon used for the battle of the Pelennor? Surely it could have saved many lives."

Marek looked at him curiously. "I had often wondered that myself, over the years. You must trust that all of the keeper's of the paper had to believe it was the right time to use it. The battle was still won, even without it. So there is no use talking about it now." He sighed deeply. "Those days are gone." Ingvar studied his master's brother closely. There was a difference between the two. Marek's eyes held something that Madarek's had not. Ingvar took a moment to try to find the right word. Ambition. Marek wanted the weapon to be found and used, Madarek hadn't. Ingvar wasn't sure if he trusted Marek.

He looked to Tobias, still pondering. "What is the next thing to do? I would like to know before I decide to help or not." He wanted no part in something that might be considered evil.

“Truth be told Ingvar I don’t know what will happen,” Tobias answered, he seemed to be wondering the same thing. They four men continued to eat there breakfast in silence, during this quite time Ingvar’s brain started to form an idea, he could escape. He was nearest to the door and the box was with in arms reach, he didn’t trust any of these men with such a big responsibility he had to get it and himself away from these people. He knew his horse was still tied up outside, if he could get on the horse before anyone could touch him he would be safe.

Then with out thinking he grabbed the box and bolted to the door, he quickly opened the door and ran out into the hallway slamming the door behind him. He tore off to the steps and into the bar area, he could hear the men cluttering down the steps after him so he dashed out to his horse. Quickly untying the knot he hopped up on to the horse and headed down the street and around a corner, out of site. Now that he was free he had to think of what to do and where to go, he trotted around town for a bit thinking on where the safest place would be. Then it hit him, his old neighbourhood, no one knew that’s where he came from and most people wouldn’t dare enter into such dangerous territory. He use to live in the most dangerous of ally’s, a place where everyone was poor and fights broke out daily over a simple piece of bread. But the most dangerous part of all was that visitors weren’t welcome, people thought they came to help them and they didn’t want help.

So he headed off toward the ally hoping he would be recognized and give a place to stay for a couple day’s while he sorted some things out. 

Grimmire was awakened by an incessant pounding he first thought was the little dwarves from the dwarven spirits he'd drank the night before. As the fog began to clear from his hung over mind, however, he realized the pounding was coming from his front door! That was unusual indeed since he couldn't think of any of the local crime figures he'd angered, not that they ever needed much of a reason. Cautiously, he took down an old ox tongue spear from above his ramshackle bed and eased towards the door with a limp brought on by an orc arrow he'd taken in the thigh during the Siege of Minas Tirith. Ah, he'd been a younger man then. A Ranger and on his way up in the world, but a love of the wrong woman and the wrong drink . . ..

He took a firm grasp of the door, yanked it open, and nearly speared a young boy who fairly exploded into the room carrying a box. Grimmire slammed the door shut and, with a two handed hold on his spear, whirled on the assailant who was now cowering in the corner of the room behind the strange box he carried. Grimmire advance, spear at the ready, then, he dropped the spear and gave a cry, "Ingvar, My lad, what are you doing here? I thought you gave up these parts for a better life? What's wrong, son, you don't look so good. Matter of fact, you look as if you've seen Sauron himself!"

Between great gasps of exhaustion and great sobs of frustration, anger, and grief, young Ingvar related to the astounded Grimmire all the events of the last 36 hours or so. The older man's face became increasingly dark and ominous as Ingvar told his tale. He rose from the floor and fixed some coarse bread and cheese for the boy with a glass of ale that he didn't bother to water, considering the state of things, it would likely do the lad good he thought. Then, he sat down on his rickety chair and pulled out a tattered pipe weed case and an equally battered clay pipe. Turning to Ingvar, he smiled, and then nodded grimly, "So, Lucien Malshearte and Marek Daesmael have decided it is time to renew the warfare between the Family’s again? How fitting, and how very sad poor Madarek wouldn't listen to me all those nights out on the Rammas when I tried to talk sense to him."

Ingvar nearly choked on his food, "YOU know these men? Their names? You knew Lord Madarek and Lady Merrell?"

"Aye, lad, I know the whole lot of them. There's much about me you don't know, Ingvar. Lots of stuff I never told you when you stayed here for a while after your ma, may the Valar keep her soul, died and that piece of trash father of yours ran away leaving you to starve. The dwarven spirits have taken their toll on me sure enough, but it would take a great deal for me to forget Lucien Red Eye and Marek the Shape changer. Let's just hope for your sake they've forgotten about me. At least for now. Lie down and sleep, lad. I'll keep a watch. When you're resting, I've some people to see. Don't worry. I doubt they'll think to look for you here . . . yet."

And so Ingvar to tired to even think about resisting the invitation to sleep, sunk into a deep but restless sleep. Grimmire gave out a little sigh, thinking the lad must have been very exhausted to not even doubt that he was a friend, and not another piece off this complot. He placed a blanket over the boy and went to freshen up. He shaved his beard and pulled his hair back. It had been a sad day for him as Madarek and Marelle had been friends until he slipped down towards this way off live. When he walked in his kitchen he grabbed a bottle off spirit, he had it on his lips but putted aside and took a seat at the table with a glass off milk and bread. " This is the moment to stop the spirits Grim,” he said to himself out loud. Then he stood up and walked towards the door, making his way out.

He had walked for about twenty minutes when he arrived at the dinning place. It was a cheap place so his cloths wouldn't betrayal him as long as people didn't pay to much attention to him. That was why he had made sure to look clean before coming. He spotted the man he needed to speak. It was an old man now not able to move alone but all knew that the whole neighbourhood where Grimmire lived was loyal to him. And they always could turn up to him in times off need.

"Mrs Elendaro, good morning." Grimmire said with respect, and he bowed in front off the man. Good morning master Grimmire, what bring you out off your bed and drinks so early in the morning lad?" Grimmire was always amazed that he knew all the people who lived in his neighbourhood. " It wouldn't be about that young lad, what is his name again... Ingvar who returned after several years." Again Grimmire was stunned by the knowledge off the man. " Yes sire, Lucien and Mardek have killed Master Madarek and Lady Marelle and." Mrs Elendaro lifted his hand for Grimmir to stop talking. Which he did." and the lad escaped with the box who carry the secret while they got murdered and turned to you." the old man said showing wisdom." Not entirely sire, he went to Tobias with it, it seems he is in it with those two rats. The boy escaped from there."

"Amazing" said the old man " but also terrible, the clash is about to begin all over again. Luckily or unfortunately Minas Tirith isn't in times off war like last time, when the battling starts it will be hard to keep a low profile and dispose off the bodies." the old man shook his head." what did you told the boy?" Nothing sire, I first wanted to announce you this. " Good tell him the truth, tell him we are the third party in the story, the peace keepers between the family’s in time off piece, and the faction who shall do all they can for nobody to posses the weapon. Here a bit off money for you and the kid. " The old man offered him a handful off copper, who was approximately worth off two silver threes. But all knew that having money wasn't safe." and Tirithas you go with him you protect the boy and the box.

What about who the box should go to now master? Tobias was the last off there line now. " Grimmire asked. " You know the rules we have to assassinate Tobias first for the betrayal off his family. If the boy show himself worthy in this war, and we all survive, he will be the second family, it isn't like if it hadn't been done before, don't forget this weapon is as old as Arda my son. Now you two go, don't leave him alone; we will need him if we want to save middle earth.

Tobias spun around suddenly on the other two.  "He's gone now." He stated frustratedly. 

"Well, you two are apart of the family, you figured out where he probably went!" Lucian said, pointing to the other two.

"Everyone knows I have had minimal contact with my brother after our quarrel."  Marek snarled.  "Tobias, why didn't you keep better track of their doings?"

"Don't yell at me, Marek!  You're the one who was telling the story!  If he smelled a rat, it's your fault!  He obviously suspected you were not telling the truth.  You should have started with the whole truth.  Then, if he had been told anything, he would not have suspected lies from he first!"

Taking a deep breath, Lucian took control.  "Ok, he's gone for now.  It's getting light.  I cannot afford to be seen for a while.  My red eyes are too obvious.  Let's go back to Tobias' tavern.  We can sort things out there.  And maybe something will come up to point towards the kid's whereabouts."

Grumbling, they all returned to the upper room.  All were shamed that a mere boy had slipped from them and eager to place the blame on someone else.

They rested a while with the instructions from Lucian to keep thinking and met back in the fire room after a few hours. 

"Any ideas yet?" After a brief silence, which said more then words, Lucian spook again.  This time to give instructions.  "Ok, Tobias, you need to keep up the act that you are horrified of Madarek and Marelle's deaths.  Marek, you and I need to keep a low profile.  Look around as much as possible for the boy, but we'll have to do most of our work at night.  We only have a short time.  If the master finds out..." Lucian did not need to finish the sentence.  They all knew what would happen.  They could not afford to fail.

*Somewhere in Minas Tirith's nobles houses, an man sat on a throne, the room was dark expect for a big fire behind the man, making him look even more scary with his big black cloak. With his hood over his head. A man entered and went to sit on his knee in front off the Throne. And looked at the floor, it was with a note off fear that he delivered the message. *

Master, I bring bad news, Lucien and marek failed. They let a boy who worked at Madarek's. The boy hasn't been spotted in a few days. But we fear that he may have warned Elandaro.

*The man on the thrown, stayed silent, but his rings rhythmically hit the cold stone off his thrown. Then he spoke and it was like his voice came from the death itself. * Find out where the boy is, and give Marek a little token to show him we know. * The messenger bowed and ran away, there was much to be done. *

Where is that boy! * Marek slammed his fist on the table* it has been three days now, why haven't we heard off him yet! How could he disappear like that, the city is sealed, not a rat could pass us, and we searched the whole city! * At the moment Lucien wanted to speak, Tobias entered the room with a little box. He handed it over to Marek. He opened it and found a finger, with a simple ring on it. He tossed it on the table. * We have a joker it seems. *But when he saw Lucien’s face turn white he knew it wasn't just a joke. Lucien stood up and slammed his fist in the door cracking it. * It isn't a joke marek, that is the ring off my son. * He paused trying to get his act back together. * The master found out we screwed up. And now we have only one place to search. The bloody alley. It is the only place where we didn't look, and the only place that is almost safe for him to hide if he is known there. *

Ingvar stood up; he had spent the last three days inside with Grimmire and Thiritas. They had thought how the best plan was to eliminate, Tobias, and they hoped the two others would play along in their plan. Ingvar was to be escorted to the alley next to the tavern, walk in shoot Tobias and run back to the alley, there Thirith would wait with his bow on a roof nearby. They had decided to do it by day to give Ingvar more cover once outside. They only hoped it would work.

As they left through the sewers to get to the tavern, Lucien, Marek and 6 men left the tavern to search the bloody alley, and if they didn't found it they would go and visit Mrs Elarando hoping to get close enough through his guard to ask him a few question before killing him.

Arriving at the back of the tavern, Ingvar was cold with dread.  He was going to kill a person for the first time.  His escort whispered a few tips and then slipped off into the shadows.  Taking a deep breath, he took a step towards the tavern's rear door.  But he got no further.  At that moment Marvis, the cook, stepped out and saw him.  "Tobias, that boy you're looking for!  He's back here!" Marvis yelled in.

Springing to action, Ingvar turned and sprinted down the alley just as Tobias exited his back door.  "Ingvar, wait!" He shouted.  "I've been looking all over for you!  I've been worried for you!" He ran as he yelled, trying to delay the boy just a moment.

Suddenly, Ingvar heard a twang, a gasp, and a thud as something heavy fell to the ground behind him.  Turning, he saw Tobias had been caught in the ambush.  Returning, he knelt over Tobias and spat.  "I hate you for what you did to my family. " He choked through clenched teeth.  "You're a traitor.  And now you will die.  As payment for what you've done!"  Tears clouded his vision as he turned and ran down the alley to meet Thirith.

Finish him! And hurry there is no time to waist! *Ingvar looked at Tiritas with disbelief; Tobias was losing a lot off blood and surely would die soon. But the look in the mans eyes told him he wasn't kidding.  Ingvar ran back to Tobias, the man looked helpless like this. But then he remembered his Master and Lady. He builds up the anger, pointed his cross bow towards the heart off the man and pulled the trigger. Then he ran away as hard as he could towards his new home. With Tiritas and Grimmire on his tail.

Lucien and Marek had been searching the bloody alley but there was nothing they could do to get information on the boy without blowing there own cover, they knew that if they where caught here they wouldn't live to tell it so they decided to go back to the tavern and see what they could find to catch the boy before the master killed Lucien’s son. Marek knew that if his son would die, Lucien would not back him up anymore, so no matter what happened they needed the boy.

Grimmire stopped Ingvar* come here boy, we need to go see someone. * Grimmire leaded the boy in the dinner he presented him to sire Elandaro, then the old man started to speak. * Welcome Ingvar, I know this few days must have been hard for you but it isn't nearly over. As you know the two families have failed to keep the peace, and as one off them is now decimated it falls on me to eliminate the second family. It is going to be tough and we need you. Tomorrow we will do an attack on the 7 members we know are alive and corrupted. We need to know who pull the strings. If you are with us, you will be the head off the new family. If you fail you'll be death, if you don't help out I’ll be forced to kill you, and I think neither off us wants this to happen. So do we have a deal?

Standing tall, Ingvar looks Mrs. Elandaro straight in the eye and answers, "If you are who you say you are, then you will allow me time to rest and think about it.  I ask for only six hours."

Mrs. Elendaro sighed.  He liked this boy's self-confidence and knew what the boy asked was fair, but they did not have the time to indulge in fairness.  "I wish I could grant you your request."  He said.  "But this requires and answer now.  There are other factors at work and time is running out.  We all must make decisions quickly.  I will allow you one hour.  That is all we can afford right now." 

"Which side are you really on?" Ingvar asked in a low tone.  He desperately wanted to trust this old man, but he didn't know what to think right now.  He had already taken the first step to working with this man and his group, and if he didn't say yes he would die.  But was life worth living if it was so twisted that he ended up helping those who killed the only family he'd ever known?

Elendaro looked sadly at the boy.  "I will tell you the truth,” he said.  "I am on neither side.  I am here to make sure neither family gets the whole secret together.  I am to keep the balance between the two.  I kill the traitors, hide the war from the people, and guard the secret."

Still looking at him, Ingvar makes his decision.  "I will help you."  He states firmly.

"Good.  Grimmire, give this boy some hot food and put in a bed upstairs to sleep for now.  He needs a rest after today."  Turning to Ingvar, he says, "I am glad of your decision.  But I must warn you that there will be many harder deeds to be carried out then the one performed today.  I believe you will not fail us."

Ingvar turned and twisted in his bed. He had been woken by his own screaming. Grimmir had told him it was normal to have nightmares after the first time you killed someone, even if it was a good thing to do. But no matter what Ingvar thought about the matter, the look on Tobias face when he shot him would stay with him till the day he die. And he thought to himself that it probably will be for soon now that he had given his word he would help out. But after many hours off fighting to stay awake the boy collapsed in a slumbering restless sleep.

Send him the rest off the hand. And in one week I will send them the head if they don't get me that weapon! B..B..but master if we kill the boy Lucian won't serve us anymore.
If they don't have it by next week it only gives me 4 days to get it myself. and if he can't get it in one week we don't need his help.
But won't he avenge his death son?

*The dark figure made a sign in the air while whispering softly incomprehensive words. Suddenly the man who kneeled in front off him dropped to his side the face off the man was twisted as if he had died a very painful way.* Take him away I am tired off his nagging. Thoralip you do what I ask and get. *Two men carried the body away while one man rushed to the dungeon, they knew better then to slack. on duty for the master, certainly when he is in such a bad mood.*

Lucian that is just crazy!* marek slammed his ale on the table, stood up and started to walk back and forth in the room.*
We can not just barge in grab Elandaro and torture him till he tell us where we can find the boy.
And why not?*Asked Lucian with a calm voice.
Why not? Why not? I'll tell you why. *screamed the now desperate marek.* One we would need at least 30 good armed men to even get close off the old man for more then five minutes. Second Elarando may be old but he is bound by word to his cause, breaking him could take weeks. And finally if we barge in, survive and would get the info we would still need to fight or way towards the boy who would have been warned off the action. Look Lucian I know you want to save your son, but if we are both death we can't help him.
I rather die trying then to die because I failed. you know what the master can do to people who don't complain. we can get 40 men loyal to us I vote we go down to the dinner and get the old man.* Lucian said with a controlled voice.*

When Ingvar woke up, the sun was already rising high.  Sitting up, he was momentarily confused as to where he was.  Then it all flooded back to him; the killing, the haunting looks from Tobias, the choice and the commitment.  Dressing hurriedly, he went down stairs to see what was happening.  Going into the kitchen, the cook smiled and set him down with breakfast and informed him that he was to eat, then meet the others in the back room.  This was the common meeting room, for it had three different doors to enter unseen or escape in an emergency.  Eating quickly (though not too fast, because for some reason he was reluctant to face them all again), Ingvar gathered his courage and opened the door to the back room. 

Besides Grimmir, Thiritas, and Mrs. Elandaro, five other men were gathered there.  "This is the boy." Grimmir announced as he waved Ingvar to come in and shut the door.  The five strangers studied him thoughtfully. 

"Are you sure he is trustworthy?  Loyal?" One asked. 

"If he weren't, would I have brought him here?"  Asked Elandaro quietly.  "And if he still proves not to be, would he live long enough to cause us damage?"

Silence met this.  Clearing his throat, Grimmir picked the meeting back up.  "So, we have a plan to pick off the others, but there is still the problem of who is in charge.  We all agree there must be some big guy behind all this, but we don't know who, or how we can find him."    Various ideas flew back and forth, but not one seemed to be a good course of action.  The most common idea was to use the boy as bait, since he was obviously important to the other side.  But the methods for this varied.  Some ideas terrified Ingvar.  He wondered if he would have a say in this if it involved him.  Deciding that he would have a say, he announced his own idea.

"I will be the bait to draw them."  He stated.  The room fell silent as all eight men looked at him.  Swallowing hard he continued, "I know the safe, the hidden, and the quick routs around the entire city.  I lived most of my life on my wits.  I can out manoeuvre almost any man, anywhere.  And I have a plan."  Quickly he detailed it all and waited for their approval.

"I have 45 men ready to go with me."  Lucian quietly announced to Marek.  "They are loyal to me and will do what I command.  We are going in today.  This afternoon is the plan.  We will raid the inn Elandaro is known to be found most any time.  After capturing him, we will bring him to the boss for the boss to break."

Marek looked at Lucian with something akin to purple rage.  But it was tempered by the knowledge that it was to save his son.  Knowing this he could hardly blame the man.  With a curt nod, he swept out of the room.  "Just don't expect me to be with you."  Were his parting words.

Stepping quickly, a man knelt in front of a the dark throne and rapped out his report.  "Lucian is moving.  He has 45 men with him.  Marek is not with them.  The plan is to get to Elandaro."

"It looks like we may not have to worry about an attempted avenging of his son's death after all."  The smooth voice slid out into the air.

A shudder passed through the man kneeling, but he dared not say anything.  This was too powerful a master to cross.  And he had his own interests to care for.  This was a powerful and merciless man.

The servant kept his head bowed even if he was powerful he didn't dare to look his master in his face. He had seen more powerful and courageous man die because they tested how far they could go so Peria preferred to just lock his gaze on a crack in the floor and talk to it as if it was his masters face.* Is there anything else I can do for you master? Yes kill the Lucian’s son. then I want you in the city to see if they actually get elandaro. if he manages just make sure he deliver us the coffin and well then just dispose off him. * The servant bowed and turned away he had much to do.

We need to blast through the door off their tavern and grab one off them! we need to know who is pulling the strings around here.! *Grimmire calmly stood up* do you really think that someone powerful enough to manipulate them don't scare them more then death?* the angry man jumped up.* Well I Tournesol will go in no matter what, I say lets nail them before they get us! Gentlemen! lets all calm down. Tournesol is right we need to do something. but Grim is right two we won't get any help from them. but no matter what we need to hurry and take them down. in three nights the secret star will be at his closest point to the earth for the first time in 5000 years. and it is then that the weapon is at its more powerful.* Ingvar stood up* Sire but what is that weapon? and if it is so dangerous why not destroy it?* Elandaro smiled. and with a calm and teacher like voice he started to speak* Well the weapon isn't evil, and the prophecy stated that it will save the world one day. and we don't know what it is. so we have to fight to our best abilities and thrust that the weapon will be used when it is necessary. Tournesol gather your men and try to eliminate them. everyone here except Tiritas will remain here to protect me. Go

The end.

Authors: Ranwen : Palantar : Oro Hammerfall : Ninque Elen : Dincairwen :
Emus Trask : Funa : Timna : June 05

The ghosts of Razgriz

Merel, Thom, Pill and Ihan where wandering through the streets. They had received a strange letter in the mail and had decided to check it out. The four men where known as the Ghosts of the Razgriz. They where former muinc’s but after the war of the ring they had resigned and since then they have been working for the highest bidder. Even if they refused to kill innocent people they had broken the law with burglary often enough to draw attention to there group. So they had decided to make one big hit and then retire far away from Minas Tirith. As Ihan who was the leader of the group walked towards the building as his three friends scanned the building for any sign of a trap. As it appeared safe they all entered together.

“Welcome.” The voice came out of a dark corner of the hangar. When the four friends took a look towards where the voice came they could discern 3 shadows. But Ihan instincts kicked in. there was something wrong here and he knew the voice, he just didn’t remember from where. So he turned around to walk away. But before he could set another step the lights where let and the hangar got surrounded by a group of Hyandaner and Ehtyar covered by muinc’s inside the building. The four men cursed but knew that they couldn’t survive a break out and the idea of fighting rangers, lets stand there king repulsed them.

“The famous Ghosts of Razgriz. I have to say I think it’s rather disappointed to have been able to catch you so easily. Maybe you aren’t the people we look for after all.” Aragorn said, his kingly voice filled with mockery. “Excuse me my king but a 20.000 golden coins reward for a night off work is an offer we couldn’t over look. So where up to now, the dungeon? “Ihan was upset at himself he should have known better but the money had been too attractive.” What about we offer you a little deal? You see we have a little issue. You can help us with that. And as price we forget about you guys until your next job?

The four men looked at each other and knew they didn’t have a choice and nodded to Aragorn. Who took a deep breath as if what he was going to tell them was hard for him. “ Since the war ended and I have taken control of Gondor there has been a underground movement planning to assassinate me. They are called the Shadow clan. They have people everywhere and my men can’t seem to infiltrate them.  And the info I received last week worried me. The Shadow clan has ties in the East and South and they have been able to use the hatred of those countries against us because of their defeat during the war. They plan to make them attack us and while the city reigns in chaos they will try to end my live. Never less the Eastern and Southern countries refuse to attack us until they recuperated the spear of one of there kings who died during the war. And unfortunately it has been stolen from the museum. Your job is to track and steal this spear back.” Aragorn paused to let the information sink in. ”You used to serve with honour. I hope this part of you didn’t die of. Do we have a deal? “Aragorn offered his hand to Ihan.”

Ihan paused for a second as Aragorn offered him his hand to close the deal, he never felt comfortable being forced in to doing something. Yet the alternative was too spend the rest of their lives locked in the dungeon, he had spent many hours in the dark and damp confines of those dungeons, in his role as the interrogator for the muinc’s. As he reached out to take Aragorns hand a dark memory pushed forth to the front of his mind and he struggled to bury the painful memory once again. “Agreed, though I will not swear any oaths or allegiances again, instead I will leave you this, as guarantee that I will return.” Ihan handed Aragorn a small dull pendant, a tiny little trinket that bore no value other than to the owner. For if Aragorn had known it was the only surviving proof that Ihan once had a wife and daughter. That was before he went to war under Aragorns banner and fought the good fight, while his wife and child were mauled and killed by the fleeing Haradrim who Aragorn then made peace with. “It is but a trifle” said Aragorn “But unless my senses fail me I deem that it is worth more to you than your weight in gold.” Ihan nodded allowing his eyes to be caught by Aragorns stare, the two looked deep into each other, before Ihan turned away. “Let it be so then, my Captain will fill you in, and aid you with any supplies you may need.”

Aragorn turned without further word and left the building, the four men looked at one another each passing their thoughts to the other with a mere glance. The captain, who was still not convinced that they could be trusted, beckoned for them to sit down. At least this way if they started any trouble they would be easier to handle he thought to himself. “The only lead we have is that shortly before the spear was discovered missing, a cloaked doughty man was seen near the museum. He was noticed because his skin was very dark which is unusual in the city.” The captain said, almost looking for approval to his conclusion, Pill sniggered at the captain’s childlike reasoning before raising his eyebrow to Ihan.

The next few hours passed quickly as the Ehtyar was sent to fetch fresh water skins and cram, dried fruits and meats were also packed in the animal skin packs. The Muinc’s stood silently in the shadows, ever watchful of any movement or nod that was offered between the Ghosts of Razgriz. Almost being tortured by the endeavour of having to chaperone the thieves and traitors. Partly the Muinc’s were ashamed that these men were once part of their division, not because of what they had become, but because they had allowed themselves to be caught so easily.

Finally the Ehtyar returned with all the provisions that had been demanded, and the Captain’s spirit rose at the expected departure of the four men. Thom and Merel had intentionally kept themselves still and quiet, never raising their faces so that anyone could get a good look at them. They were unsure of what Ihan had in mind as yet; surely they wouldn’t do the kings bidding, unless there was more profit to be made in selling it back to the shadow clan. Of course they had heard of them in their business, and Ihan had even been approached by one of them to join the clan himself. He never did tell them why he turned the invitation down, and they just presumed that he had had enough of being ordered about. Ihan stood up, rather too quickly for some, as the captain was startled and nearly lost his balance. With a wry smirk to the captain  “Right then, shall you lead us out of the city or are we free to make our own way?” he asked with a tone of sarcasm, “I have orders to see you to the main gate and to give you this bonus, if you like. If you return with the spear and will swear an oath of peace, then not only will you receive the 20.000 gold coins, but you will all be given a full pardon for previous crimes.” “Oh,” said Ihan rather unimpressed with the offer, or at least that’s what he wanted them to think anyhow

As the four men let themselves be escorted out of the city they all smirked inertly as they knew that the spear would still be inside the city. Also they would have an easier time getting rid of the two muinc’s that where fallowing them. Once arrived at the gate they told the captain that they would come back as soon as they have the spear. Then the four friends walked on towards the forest hoping to shake their tail off there. They had been trapped easily but the surprise of this encounter had woken up their old skills like if it had been yesterday that they sliced throats for Denethor. After about one hour after sundown the men stopped and prepared a camp site they had lost the two muinc’s for some time now but knew that they would be found back before sun set. But they didn’t really care.

“So we ditch those two rookies in the morning and get as far away as possible? Or do we do the job and see who gives us the best price for the spear?” it was Pill who had talked first. Even if all had thought about those options only him had put enough value into them to speak them out loud. He wasn’t a bad man but he was the youngest of the group and hadn’t the history in the rangers as the other three. Yet Ihan felt uncomfortable to ask them to do this.

“Guys I can’t ask you to fallow me into this mess.” Ihan paused and stood up and motioned Thom to not cut him off.” I should have told you guys this a long time ago. But I didn’t thought we would ever be in this position. When we retired from the rangers after the war we made a pact to never harm anyone. Even if we couldn’t live serving a man who made piece with our enemy it didn’t made him a lesser king. Now a when they started out the shadow clan was pretty harmless and that is why I took some jobs from them. Until the day they started to become more violent. now 10 years later they grew out to become a power able to pull this kind of stunts. I gave my word to Aragorn that I was going to help him but this mean that we will probably going to die, the shadow clan doesn’t let people mess with them. And the “dark” man the captain talked about means that the shadow clan recruited the Balkay.”

The three men looked in shock. The Balkay where a group of murderers and thieves of the Haradrim, the same that murdered Ihan’s wife and daughter. That said Thom stood up and placed his hand on Ihan’s left shoulder. “For live and death Razgiz fly together.” The other three men fallowed the movement. “ Well then we agree. Tomorrow we will head back to the city and visit clide, I am sure he can help us get started.” With those last word the four men went to sleep only woken once by the sound of two muinc’s shadowing them again.

Ihan awoke early, peering out from his hooded cloak he could see that the sun had not yet raised. His warm breath clashed with the cold air and he watched as his breath turned to mist in front of him. It would be a crisp day that was for sure, he thought to himself as he got to his feet. Carefully he added some more twigs to the dying fire and smiled as he saw his comrades fast asleep, being so close to the city they had decided that none need keep a watch, especially as the two Muinc’s would be close by now watching for them. He gave a quiet chuckle to himself not wanting to disturb his friends, they would have some long days ahead and sleep should be sought whenever possible.

The birds sang very loudly in Ihan’s ears, or so he thought, of course it was just that all around him was so peaceful that any sound would be magnified to his hearing. Which is why he heard a feint scuffing sound, like someone had rubbed against a tree or something alike. Instinctively he resisted the reaction to turn toward where the noise came from but instead continued his milling about, to give the impression that he was unaware. Instead he listened closely, bending all his senses toward the area, as he suspected know further sound was made. Which meant it could only be that the two Muinc’s had found there camp, for only they would have the skill to stay put without making a further noise. An animal or small rodent or even worse would have continued their movement by now and alerted Ihan to their presence.

The sun had risen and was beginning to peer over the Ephel Duath when Thom woke up to find Ihan sat nearby, eating a small breakfast of dried fruits and cured meat strips. He looked at Plim and Merel, who were still sleeping before joining Ihan for a drink and some dried fruit. “Sleep well?” he asked before tearing a chunk of meat from the cured strip with his teeth. “Not bad Thom, not bad at all, well better than our friends over there,” he said without motioning to where he meant. “Ah, so they found us then!” Replied Thom, “A bit difficult for them not to really, especially with that fire burning all night.” The two men sat in silence for a while longer before Ihan got up and gave Pill and Merel a quick nudge with his boot, “Come on sleepy heads, it’ll be time to get going soon.” Pill moaned loudly at the interruption of his favourite dream, a regular response at being woken up. Merel on the other hand sprang up on his feet with a beaming smile, “Morning!” He said with an exaggerated amount of pleasure, he had actually been awake for some time now, but he liked the piece of just laying quietly, unheeded.

The group finished of their breakfast before dousing out the fire and readying themselves to head back to the city. “Right then chaps, off to see clide then, he’ll be pleased to see us!” Exclaimed Ihan as they all began a rather menacing cackle. As they strolled back towards the city Ihan gave thought to the previous nights revelations. He had been struck with a blow to his heart when he heard the description of the thief, Balkay, a name that would forever haunt his eternal soul for reeking the havoc and pain upon him, which no man should endure. The loss of a child so dear and sweet to him had haunted him through many years of searching for her killers. Only once had he managed to corner them, and then they escaped as Ihan and the others fought with the wargs, only barely escaping with their own lives. After all they were trained assassins not regular infantry, they used stealth and cunning like a fox, but only better. They moved like the wind, yet with less noise, and struck like lightening, though none saw the attack. But alas the vermin had escaped them and had almost become a fable; a myth if you like, no one knew where they went or where they had been and eventually life drew Ihan and his comrades away from the hunt. But now here was a chance to put all things wrong in his life right, he would avenge his wife and daughter, capture the spear and be well paid in doing so, and possibly protect the king. The latter still meant as much to him as the day he signed up for the rangers, while the King had peace with those that had caused such pain, he could no longer serve him, but if they were dead then who knows.

The sound of the trumpet call from the city ahead, eight o’clock and the changing of the guard disturbed Ihan from his thoughts. “We’ll enter through the tunnels, best not to be seen by too many people, eh?” asked Ihan, all three agreed and they made a quick dash for the longer grass near the south wall, with a bit of luck they should be able to lose the two Muinc’s that followed them closely behind. Up until now they had done a pretty good job of staying in the background, but as the four men got closer to the city, so the Muinc’s speeded up their pace to catch up with them.

Ihan opened the trap of the sewer system, he knew it was out of use since the dwarves had helped rebuild the city after the war of the ring. They had upgraded the sewer system but had forgotten to ceil of the old sewer system. Ihan founded this an outrage as it made the city vulnerable but he knew that the dwarves didn’t think it was necessary as the last war had been fought. As the four men  came at the crossing between the old and the new sewer system they smiled to one another.” It seems that fellow colleagues already decided to make the access easier.” Merel said as he made a little note on the plan of the city he had. The plan was covered in little notes with new passages, passages that have been blocked and passages that only belonged to certain people. But as they ventured inside the modern sewer system Ihan lifted his hand up in the air, fist closed. The four men froze and didn’t make even the smallest sound.

“Two new muinc’s on our tail men, the two others stopped at the entry. Let’s go.” Ihan then speeded up he wasn’t to keen on being fallowed but knew that the king wouldn’t let them off the hook so easily. As they arrived at the opening the closest to Clide’s  shop they went up. The four men walked in and smirked at the look on the mans face who desperately tried to find a way out but knew there wasn’t. “Hello Clide” Ihan sweetened his voice like if he was talking to a kid.” No oh no Ihan I know nothing about that spear!” The cursed at his own stupidity.” Why don’t you tell me more about that spear you know nothing about buddy.” Ihan knew that his men started to unshed there arms to put some press our on the man.” Common Ihan they know you work for the king, they already put a bounty on your head and on everyone who is ready to help you guys! I mean you know that Sykes will kill me if I told you the spear was in his home!” The man turned white due to his mistake. Ihan smiled and moved away. As they went back into the sewer they all laughed. Lord Sykes has always been a target they wanted to hit.

So far, it had never been the right time for the Ghosts of Razgriz to pay Lord Sykes a little visit, albeit a long time deserved. Sykes was one of those men that always managed to wriggle out of whatever trouble he would find himself in. A very well respected member of Minas Tirith among the well to do and one to be seen with, at grand social gatherings. A salesman by trade who was renowned for being able to get whatever a man so desired, no matter how rare. It was in this way that he moved freely around the city without his movements being questioned or even noticed. He would often be missed lurking in the shadows in the small hours of the night, or discovered leaving the city at dawn.

He had a large open fronted shop in the market place where his son, Heric dealt with most of the day-to-day trading, much too his own displeasure. Sykes himself was always busy ducking and diving, turning a profit or financing an underhanded scheme or two. For the other side to Lord Sykes was seldom seem by any, other than those most foul, or within the trade of stealing, murdering etc.

His relationship with the shadow clan was known to Ihan, though how deep it delved or how influential he was, even Ihan did not know, or guess.  But too long, had he ignored Sykes and that had cost him dearly! For unbeknown to him at that time, it was none other than Sykes himself that had set the trap for the Ghosts of Razgriz . Although even Sykes was not aware of why the King sought to capture the famous ex muinc’s himself.

Ihan and the others moved through the sewers with the stealth of a still wind, neither sound nor mark did they make as they marched through the stinking tunnels. Pill had been given the task of waylaying the two muinc’s that followed as best they could. Pill had always had a talent for leaving a trail to follow that wasn’t really there, his favourite trick would to be too smooth out the soil, so that it would appear to one who was looking, that someone had indeed passed that way and had covered his tracks carefully. Seldom will you walk on this earth and find such a smoothed piece of earth that has no sign of disturbance from either an animal or just the rain. Yet they fell for it every time, Pill smirked as he made his way in the correct direction of his comrades.

When Ihan was satisfied that he had left enough distance between them and their tail, he stopped for a short while to determine what action they should follow first. To head for the house would be expected, they knew that Clide would pack his things and go into hiding for a while after revealing the whereabouts of the spear. As soon as Sykes found out that Clide had disappeared he would guess what had happened and move the spear somewhere safer. They needed some security against Sykes moving the spear before they got hold of it. “The only thing truly precious to Sykes, other than his money is his son. So why not take both away from him!” suggested Merel, I mean if we take the shop now, you know burgle it as such, then we can also take Heric Sykes hostage. Lord Sykes will be so concerned about Heric and his money that Clides disappearance will just seem like he was part of the kidnapping.”

”Meril you get worse my friend, but you may just have something there. If as you say we kidnap Heric and leave sign that it was orchestrated by Clide then Sykes will be too busy trying to track him to give any thought to the spear, and then we can make our move upon the house.” Said Ihan with an amused tone in his voice, Merils plans were always obscure and barmy, yet seldom did they not bare fruit. “It is decided then, we make for Sykes’s shop,”  Said Ihan.

Thom disagreed.” Are you all crazy? We will be lucky if we can get inside the house, we will even be luckier if we are able to get out of it alive. But with Heric with us it would be committing suicide Common I know the guy isn’t that big but have you tried lately to sneak away with a man on your shoulders that doesn’t want to be there?” Thom had always be the down to earth man off the Team. And was pleased to see that Ihan started to get his sense back.” Thom is right we better leave the man alone and just focus on the spear, remember that once we deliver it to the king we can take the cash an retire far away from here and start a new live. So we take the spear and bail. Lets scout the area to see what’s the best way in. also if the Muinc’s pick up your trail finish them off. We don’t need a tail that could get us in trouble with the shadow clan.

The four men split up and all took a side off the building to get in. the store was making a corner on a busy street so it was easy to get close to examine the whole area without being seen. It was at sundown when the store was closing up that three of the men got together” oh no where is Plim?” it was Merel that was worried that his young friend had been captured. But Ihan placed a hand on the mans shoulder.” Don’t worry mate he is already inside. An hour ago we both went inside. While I “accidentally” broke a vase he sneaked upstairs while the guards where making sure that I wouldn’t run away without paying.” Merel seemed confused.” You actually paid for that vase?” the boy couldn’t believe it. Ihan smiled” well off course I paid for it, … , after that I had pickpocket one off the guards.

As the night started the three men climbed up the roof, Plim was supposed to open a window once it was safe. But after an hour they started to worry, Ihan was just about to try to pick the lock of the window when it got swung open. It was Plim.” Look guys the spear isn’t here. I looked everywhere even under that pigs bed, but the spear is nowhere to be seen. And there were more guys then expected, two downstairs and one in front of the pig’s room. Don’t worry all death.” Ihan cursed.” Hey Ihan, chill there were shadow clan anyway.” Ihan looked irritated.” Well now we’ll have the shadow clan on our back, why you do you think they where ready for us? Clide told them.

Okay we take the boy.

Ihan thought for a second and then turned to Pill, “When you searched under the pigs bed, was he in it?” Pill looked confused but answered that he wasn’t, his room was empty. “But Heric is in his room asleep yes?” asked Ihan, “Yeah, snoring for all to hear!” Pill jested as Ihans thoughts became transparent. Ihan looked at the others and they all agreed without word, “If any of his guards get in the way, or see you, make sure they won’t tell a soul, not a living one anyways.”  Ihans voice was serious and cold although his face wore a smirk, he knew that they would be in grave danger if the shadow clan turned all their attention to them, and he was not ready for that, not by a long chalk.

Plim and Merel entered through the window once more to fetch master Heric Sykes, Ihan and Thom climbed back down from the roof and watched the street for any sign of them being discovered. It seemed that Pill and Merel had taken ages when finally Ihan heard the sound of muffled moaning, turning he saw Heric gagged and bound propped up against the pantry wall. “Any trouble?” Ihan asked as he made his way to Pill who had a good hold on Heric, “No, though he has a hard head, I thought to render him unconscious but nearly split his head instead, and he’s still awake.” Ihan looked into Herics eyes; he saw fear mixed with confusion and anger. Pulling a knife from his belt Ihan placed the point against Herics Adams-apple, pushing hard enough for him to feel but not to pierce the skin. “Listen you, move when we tell ya, and any funny business and I’ll cut ya throat, dya understand?” Heric nodded, his fear was now easily visible to all of them, “he’ll not cause us no trouble, but we better get a move on.” Said Pill, who was starting to feel as though they were being watched.

Ihan took the point while Meril and Thom guided Heric along behind him, Pill had been given the task to hang back and cover any tracks left. Pill did not mind this job for he feared that someone had watched them and this might give him the opportunity to find out who. Pill had stepped back into the shadows and was now watching as the others made their way across to the sewer opening. A moment later and something caught his eye, across the street in the doorway Pill could make out the silhouette of a hooded man. He edged backwards forcing his heels to rise up on the brickwork and felt the cold stone pierce his cloak as he forced his back against it. The shadow across the street was not facing his way; in fact it looked as though he was watching intently the front of the shop. Pill knew that he dare not move until the man made his way off, and also he needed to be sure of what the man was up to.

Ihan lifted the small iron grate from its resting place, allowing entrance into the sewer system, Merel and Thom escorted Heric into the opening while Ihan looked back for Pill. After a few moments Ihan urged the other two to go ahead, “We’ll meet you in the south passage by the false wall!” Said Thom as Ihan began to replace the grate, pill was nowhere to be seen and Ihan was concerned that he had been caught. The false wall that Thom spoke of was an old room that was made when the sewers were first built, back then it was too far for those in the southern corridor to make it back home at night so they stayed there overnight. It wasn’t very big, enough room for half a dozen men to sleep but it had a funnel that lead up to the street for fresh air and the entrance to it was concealed by a collapsed part of the sewer.

Ihan made his way carefully towards where they had left Pill, he should have been right behind them and it was not like him to dilly about. The plan had been to make sure that they were not followed or had left any sign for anyone to follow, then they would retie Heric and leave him in the hidden room in the sewer while they investigated further. Ihan was used to thinking on his feet but it also made him very cautious, sometimes a little to cautious the others thought.

Ihan had easily picked up the trail left by Plim, he was a bit surprised that Plim’s tracks where so little as he watched out to not be fallowed but Ihan just thought he had been careful while fallowing someone maybe. But not willing to let the young man face an enemy on his own Ihan hurried to fallow the trail that leaded into the lesser neighbourhood of Minas Tirith.

On the roof of a shed he found Plim back. The young boy was just about to jump of the roof when Ihan placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder. Plim who hadn’t heard Ihan arrive grabbed his dagger. Then when he saw it was Ihan he nodded down towards a group of three men talking. Ihan directly realised that it where three members of the Harasin murder guilt. Ihan made sign he would get to the other side of the street so that they would have a better chance to eliminate them.

As Ihan arrived at the other side  he started to doubt, the Harasin murderers where at least as good as they where and Ihan knew that Plim who was the youngest from the group wasn’t as skilled in the art of the killing as he had been a thief for a lot longer then he was an royal assassin. But they had no choice they had picked them up and he had to take care of them before they could rat them out. Unfortunately the muinc send to keep an eye out on them still hadn’t found them back. So now there was no way back, Ihan unsheathed his two daggers holding them so that the blunt side of the blade leaned against his for arms   he made a sign to Plim to back away from the side and to jump down silently.

When they both where at there place they started to run to make the distance but then Ihan heard that Plim had made to much noise and he knew the murderer guild would pick him out of the air, so he jumped early. As he saw the three murders he saw that they had spread out and that he would only be able to hit one. His daggers cut through the flesh of the middle assassin. And Ihan sighed in relieve that landed over him. He rolled but lost one of his daggers that had been caught in the spine of the man, so as he rolled to a standing position he threw his dagger in the throat of a second assassin. As he turned around he saw that Plim had been able to kill his opponent but he held his side.

“Are you okay mate?” Ihan rushed to Plim and took a look at the wound. It was a nasty cut but Plim’s live wasn’t in danger.” Common kid lets go to the hide out so we can heal this wound, then I’ll tell you how stupid you where to not ask us for back up.” And so after making sure that there tracks where erased they got to there two friends in there shelter in an old part of the sewer.

Ihan helped Pill into the secret room in the sewers; quickly Thom rushed across to give Ihan a hand   as they placed Pill on the floor and began to remove his cloak. The cut was about four or five inches long but fortunately for Pill it was a shallow wound that looked far worse than it was. “Only a scratch lad, but we need to get the bleeding to stop.” Pill looked more embarrassed than in pain, and so he should be, he knew that he should have been able to deal with the man with his eyes shut and that the blade should have never got close enough to him to make contact. “Sorry Ihan, I don’t know what went wrong, I just didn’t see it coming at all.” Ihan looked at Pills face and knew how bad he was feeling about the incident, “Fear not lad, we all need to get some battle wounds if we are to impress the ladies.” He said with a tone of amusement, they all began to laugh and Pill knew that Ihan was merely breaking the tension.

Merel had been sat in the corner while this went on holding on to the rope that held Heric Sykes, Heric had succumbed to sleep earlier on but was now awake and taking in all that transpired in front of him. Ihan got up and took a step toward Heric, Ihan face changed in that step from a happy smiling ace to one of morbid sincerity. “Right my son, you have got some explaining to do, and I’m only going to warn you once. If you mess with me or try and be cute I’ll cut you a new smile, do you here me?” Heric nodded frantically, and a new sense of fear traversed through his body. His father had never really included him in his dealings with people like this and he knew that his life was truly in danger.

Ihan nodded to Merel who untied and removed the gag around Herics mouth, pointing to an old wooden box in the corner, Ihan ordered Heric to sit upon it. Then without warning he lurched forward at Heric with his boot-knife drawn, he placed the blade under Herics chin with such speed that Heric didn’t even have chance to flinch.  “My friend has been hurt as you can see, I am praying that you give me reason to end your pathetic life here and now, so make sure you tell the truth.” Tears began to fall from Herics eyes and stream down his cheeks, his bowels gave way and the odour permeated the air foully. Ihan made a discreet gesture with his hand so that the others knew not to comment upon it, the reaction from Heric no matter how nauseating was the desired response that Ihan wanted. He knew only to well that those in true fear for their life would tell all they could, and to be true and honest with the information, of course the best sign of someone being absolutely afraid for themselves was for them to soil themselves. Something that no man could or would fake, unlike tears that only too often were used as a sign of sincerity. “Where is your father?” Ihan started, “ I don’t know sir, honest, he said he had to meet Clide and that he wouldn’t be back until morning, sir!” “Who were the men watching your shop?” Ihan continued, he knew to jump about with the questioning for that way it stopped a person preparing an answer for the next obvious question. “Umm, I don’t know sir, though my father has often had people watch our home when he is away.” Ihan slapped Heric around the face,” Don’t lie to me boy, you know who they were, now out with it!” Heric began to cry openly, his tears streamed down his face as if a tap had been turned on. “Sir I promise, I’ve never seen them, my father calls them his own group of shadows but that’s all I know about them.” Heric spurted out as he began to stutter, Ihan knew that he was telling the truth and he had guessed as much himself.

Ihan continued the interrogation for another hour before he gave up, and only then because Heric had become a blithering mess. “Please don’t hurt me no more, I don’t want to die, please sir please!” Was all they could get out of him for those last few minutes. Merel replaced the gag and left Heric where he sat, “Do you think he knows anymore?” he asked Ihan, “No, I think he has told us every thing he could, and some that he has guessed at, nevertheless we have enough information to launch a few surprises.” Merel took a step back, he had never seen Ihan so cold and ruthless before and the cold unattached face scared him a little. The moment passed by as Ihan turned his attention to Pill once again. He had slept a little and the tourney that Thom had placed around the wound had stopped the bleeding. Pill was now sitting up and all three of them were looking at Ihan for their next move.

Ihan turned to the group. “Merel you run to the shop. I want to meat them at dawn for the exchange. Make it in the empty house close to the ranger headquarter, that should keep them from trying to cross us. At least I hope. Also watch out for the Harasin assassins, if you see one run away and hope he didn’t saw you, but make sure you’re not fallowed when you come back. We don’t want to fight them in this space. “

As Merel ran out Thom took Ihan apart.” Ihan why don’t’ you just ask Aragorn for some help you know the shadow clan will rather try to kill us then to surrender the one item they need to put Aragorn into a dangerous position. And you know it.” Ihan placed a hand on the shoulder of his friend.” We where doomed when we entered that meeting place, my friend. So we will recover this spear and get it to Aragorn, and if the valar are kind to us, they will let us live long enough for us to take our money and travel as far as we can from here, far away from Aragorn, and the shadow clan. So focus on staying alive, cause before the nightfall I want to be far from MT. Now if you could help our guest wash up and change into new cloths I would appreciate, I don’t really want to run around with a man who soiled himself?

Thom had given Heric some water and soap and had fished a new pair of brown leather pants;” Here you go mate that way if you get scared again it won’t show that much.” He joked winking at the man who still looked as white as chalk. When he was cleaned up Thom bounded his hand and feet back on the chair even if he knew the man was too scared to even try to run. But Ihan had always told him to be careful around scared men or animals. He had never paid attentions to his word until he had seen a rat attack a snakes head on while trying to escape, the rat had been killed but not before injuring the snake,. Since then he was as careful with an unarmed prisoner then an armed enemy.

Two hours had passed when Merel finally got back, he looked like he had been into a fight but they let him debrief himself without rushing him.” I was a little held up. The streets are filled with Harasin. I took out 5 on my way back. But I suggest we stay in the sewer. I passed by the house and unlocked the sewer trap in the basement. So we can go now.” Merel then started to check if he had no wounds, but except a few scratches he was okay.

“No we will wait until just before dawn to move out. If the Shadow clan plans to eliminate us being there would only speed up the process. At least here we are safe form them. Did you recovered the sewer entrance and readjusted the mirrors before leaving so we could look in the room before entering?” Merel nodded “then it’s easy if we get there and the room is clean we enter.  Pill will stay wit