CHAPTER 3

The cool evening air blew by the rider and chilled him to the bone. Any normal person would have reached for his cloak to warm himself against the brisk morning breeze. "No!" He swore to himself, "I will not put on my cloak. I'd sooner freeze than show these men any weakness." He made his way slowly through the camp. He rode past tent after colorful tent. Pennants and banners whipping in the wind, a constant reminder of the present political climate. He finally found his destination. A large tent in the middle of camp situated on a small rise overlooking the small but impressive army that gathered there. The banner of Le Blazonny flying high overhead. Aenarion dismounted and strode toward the entrance. Moving as gracefully as a cat stalking its prey. The two knights stationed at the door quickly parted and let him enter.

"Greetings Aenarion!" shouted Sir Renaud, "We did not expect you back until nightfall." The Elf shrugged, "Baron DeClerk is just sitting back waiting for us to make the first move. So I did not fear an early return." Aenarion walked over to the map sitting on the table in the center of the room. Sir Renaud followed leaving his two generals who were busy planning their forthcoming assault. "I did, however, run into a bit of trouble on my way back." "Trouble. What sort of trouble?" Sir Renaud asked anxiously, obviously not excited about having his little meeting with Baron DeClerk interrupted. Aenarion gave him a look of disgust. "Just a small band of Goblins. They were dealt with accordingly. I didn't want anything to deprive you of your petty little war." "You hold your tongue Elf!" one of the men shouted. It was Count Phillipe, a brash young knight whose courage in battle had led to a quick rise through the ranks. "That is the Baron of Le Blazonny you are talking to. His father may have put up with your arrogant back talk but..." "Silence! Phillipe." The Baron said trying to maintain some order. "Aenarion was scouting for my father when you were fighting with toy swords." The Count fell silent but his face flushed with rage. "Now, Aenarion, how many were there," Sir Renaud continued. "I killed eight Goblins," Aenarion replied unfazed by the outburst. "Is there a possibility that they were part of a larger clan." "I do not know, Sir Renaud. I saw no signs of others and if they were part of an advanced scout party, I fear not from them. Being that close to the Forest of Loren, the Wood Elves will dispatch them quickly." "You sound so sure of yourself, as always," the Baron laughed. "If you don't mind though I would like to check with Lyndryell and see if he has heard of anything from his kin." At that, Sir Renaud beckoned one of the guards to find the Wood Elf and bring him back.

Jaeger stalked off into the night. He enjoyed being one of the Baron's personal guards. Even if it did mean being an errand boy from time to time. Although, he could think of many things he would rather be doing than chasing after the wild-eyed Wood Elf. He walked down to the edge of camp where Lyndryell usually spent his time when not off scouting enemy troops. "Where is that damn Elf anyway," Jaeger said quietly to himself as he passed nearly out of sight of the camp. "That damn Elf is right behind you!" Lyndryell whispered into Jaeger's ear. Jaeger could feel his skin crawl. He had seen Lyndryell in battle and knew how deadly he could be with his hair flying and the twin blades slicing in all directions. He had even seen him jump over opponents and impale them from behind. Jaeger turned to speak but Lyndryell cut him off. "What do you want?" "Sir Renaud has requested your presence," Jaeger stated hoping he had not offended the Elf earlier. "And by the way...," he started to apologize but Lyndryell was already gone.

When Lyndryell walked into the tent he saw Sir Renaud, Count Phillipe and Count Degaulle staring intently at a map in the center of the room. Aenarion was standing quietly away from the group as if bored with the whole proceeding. "Lyndryell!" The Baron greeted him and beckoned him over to the map as he relayed Aenarion's report. "What do you think?" "I did receive word that a large force of Goblins was routed in the southwestern part of the forest. They came out of the Grey Mountains for as yet undetermined reasons." "How do you always know so much?" Count Degaulle asked. "You haven't been out of camp for two days." "The trees tell me," Lyndryell stated not a hint of humor in his voice. Degaulle and Phillipe laughed so hard that the Baron started laughing in spite of his best efforts to stop. "The trees tell you?" Count Phillipe asked. "What sort of nonsense is that!" "Nonsense, you say," Aenarion interjected. Although he knew full well the Wood Elf did talk to trees. "Nonsense, you call it--when you ride out to fight men who just six months ago were your allies. You are all fools!" At that remark, Count Phillipe could hold back no more. He started to go for his sword, but before he could even pull it from the scabbard, Lyndryell's twin swords were at his throat. "I would think very hard about your next move Count Phillipe," Lyndryell said in a voice that left little doubt as to what his next choice should be. "Cool your tempers!" Sir Renaud shouted, "And for God's sake scabbard your swords. Now!" With that Lyndryell put his swords away and stepped back.

"Aenarion, I know you disagree, but we are committed to our course. Count Phillipe, Count Degaulle, and myself agree that this is the only course of action." "If I may be so bold?" Lyndryell spoke up. "You are a level-headed intelligent man (or I wouldn't be here) but you surround yourself with fools," he gestured to Counts Phillipe and Degaulle. "And worse yet, you take their advice. Well, you should take heed of what Aenarion is telling you and give up this madness. I for one will have no part of it as my Gods Orion and Ariel do not approve, so I must take my leave of you. Live well Sir Renaud." The Baron started to say something but Lyndryell had already disappeared out into the night. "That's more than he's said since I've known him," Aenarion laughed to himself.

"I'm afraid I echo his sentiments," Aenarion said to a still partially stunned Sir Renaud. "I shall be leaving also." "Well, good riddance to both of you!" Count Phillipe fumed, still angered by the Wood Elf's comments but restrained by the presence of the Baron. "Well, I'm sorry you feel that way Aenarion, but if there is no way to change your mind, good luck to you and if you see Lyndryell, tell him I wish him luck also." "I will do that Baron and good luck to you as well." With that, Aenarion turned and strode out into the darkness. "They haven't heard the last of me," Count Phillipe muttered. "You would do well to stay as far away from those two as possible, Count. You would do well indeed," warned the Baron.
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Aenarion caught up with Lyndryell just outside of camp. "I could have taken care of Count Phillipe on my own, I didn't need your help," Aenarion said indignantly. "Oh, I know," Lyndryell answered, "but, you see, I wanted to be the first one to put him out of his misery." Aenarion laughed despite trying to feign anger and the two rode off into the night.

They rode west for two days and came upon the outskirts of the Forest of Loren. "There seems to be a lot of Goblin activity," Aenarion said as he remounted his horse. "Tracks look fairly fresh." "I do not understand," Lyndryell shook his head, "why do the Goblins keep coming down from the mountains?" "Well, there is only one way to find out," smiled Aenarion as he turned towards the towering peaks. Lyndryell wheeled his horse around and set off with Aenarion close beside.