***** Erebor Time + Weather Service ******************************************

** Real time is: Tue Aug 24 10:06:03 1999, GMT -8 **
Elendor time is: Before Dawn (about 4 AM ) on Sunday, 20 March 3018. In the
Spring sky, The last quarter moon hangs low and sleepy in the sky on the way to
its bower behind the hills. 

****************************************** Erebor Time + Weather Service *****

Dwarven Road, North of Long Lake

The road follows the Long Lake here, though the shore is a ways off, as is the
River Running to the east. The land is largely wooded groves standing like
islands amidst a rolling plain. 

Dwarven Travel Camp
This campsite is smaller than normal for Khazad. There is a campfire in the
center, surrounded by a number of small shelters. Though not as large as some
dwarven camps, there are sentries on duty.

Large Travel Camp
A circle of tents around a campfire, guarded by silent Dwarves in gleaming
chain-mail.

A large group of dwarves are setting up a temporary camp alongside of the road
here, the guard is light and not very focused at the moment feeling a sense of
security being so close to their own lands. Most of the dwarves apear to be
soldiers but many are obviously not. A lone dwarf wearing a baruk nala master
gallant uniform, wearing armor and carring a battle axe heads southward down
the road towards what appears to be another camp of dwarves.

In the distance, sitting in the small travel camp to the south, a lone dwarf
makes his way out of a wagon, a sheaved broadsword in hand. He quickly reveals
the weapon, you can see it is a standard dwarven design, no jewels guild it's
hilt. He turns quickly and runs towards the edge of the camp.

Kurgan continues to walk south down the trail as his own camp becomes smaller
behind him. At first Kurgan does not spot the armed dwarf rushing his way but
when he does, he stops short and calls to the dwarf "Hello cousin, who might
you be?" Kurgan makes no move to prepare for an attack but his weapon remains
at the ready as he waits for a reply.

From Dwarven Travel Camp, his face full of suspicion, Brican calls out to the
other dwarf as he continues to approach, "I be the master of this camp, if ye
must know, we be travelling north to meet a cousin of mine, he said that he
would be meeting us around here, have ye seen by chance a merchant named
Gumbart?"

The morning mist clings to the lake, occasionally it wafts across the dwarven
road. As the dwarves start shouting in the early morning hours, a grey shadow
awakens in the brushes nearby. Somebody obviously tried to follow the Baruk
Nala master. Gumbart gets up and shows himself. "Do not worry, dear friend, I
am here!" he shouts.


Kurgan

Before you stands a middle-aged dwarf a little better than four and a half feet
tall. His greyish beard falls to about six inches below his waist. Like most of
his people, He is quite strong and stocky and you can see many of his large
muscles from beneath his clothing. Although he is about middle aged, his face
appears to still retain much it's youthful appearance but you can easily make
out the signs of his age. 

He wears a grey, hooded cloak over his very muscular body. You notice a small
brooch made of silver with a trim of rubies depicting two crossed silver axes
with red hafts pinned to the cloak. From underneath his cloak you make out what
seems to be a pair of black pants. You can also descern a suit of mail that his
cloak doesn't fully conceal. You also notice that his boots are so well
polished that you believe you can almost make out your reflection in them.
Although both his both his boots and his cloak appear relatively new you
believe they have seen some use in their day.


From Dwarven Travel Camp, Rimli has waken up, as he noticed some noise. He
exits from his tent and follows Brican. Than he stops on the edge of the camp
to observe what's happening

From Dwarven Travel Camp, turning to face Rimli for a moment, he asks in a
hushed voice towards the dwarf, "Well cousin, do ye know who this cousin of
ours is. Since ye is from these parts I feel that you must be able to tell me."

Turning towards the Baruk Naga, Gumbart growls, "I've followed you guys these
last hours, and I was very astonished to see your goal seemed to coincide with
mine. So tell me now, cousin, what be you business in these parts?"

Kurgan pauses for a second and started to move for his weapon and then stops
short when he hears that it is Gumbart and his hand rests. "Hello cousin,
Gumbart." Kurgan continues toward the camp and then speaks, "If the cousin you
refer of is me, then I can tell you. I am Kurgan, Master Gallant and head
weaponsmith of the Baruk Nala under the mountain and I am with the travel party
over yonder." He points back at his camp and then turns back to Brican.

From Dwarven Travel Camp, smiling in the direction of Gumbart, the young dwarf
Brican yells out, "Well good to see ye again Master Gumbart, you sent word for
me to meet you in these parts, I hope that this here Baruk Nala master takes no
offense in travelling in these lands, as ye can see we travel without guard so
we can not be too careful these days."

From Dwarven Travel Camp, Rimli smirks "These cousins seems to be friendly,
Brican. I guess you don't need my services for a while so I'll came back to
sleep". He yawns walking up to his tent"

Kurgan turns back around to face Gumbart whom is still behind him as he asks
his question. "I suppose our goal may be the same as yours but I doubt it and I
have no idea of what your goal is. However I am a guard of an expedition that
was ordered by Dain, King under the Mountain, himself to erect a watch tower
somewhere between Lake town and the Mirkwood to the south, though Dolvar could
give you more precies directions." Kurgan pauses and the camp guard speaks then
he begins again "We mean no harm to you though you should watch you belongings
their have been reports of thieves and bregands around these parts and possibly
a rouge Troll as well."

From Dwarven Travel Camp, Brican says with a slight grimace, "A troll you say,
I have heard awful things of those creatures, it is said even a dwarven warder
will have troubles keeping there swift arms from attack. Have ye seen many a
troll in your travels?"

The sun flashes brightly on the horizon. Night gives way to morning.

Gumbart nods, and says gruffly, "Aye, there's allways thieves about, you never
know. Fortifying the borders is always a good idea. But a troll? I've heard
rumours in Erebor but dismissed them. What evidence is there for the presence
of a troll other than the daily chatter of Laketowners who know no better than
to pass ridiculous stories around?"

Kurgan shouders as a memory comes to him, shruging it of for a second he
begins, "Well, several patrols have seen sign of very large foot-prints bigger
than dwarf or even men and I have heard that several veterans have identified
the prints as Troll and this was just outside of Erebor." Kurgan takes a long
pause before continueing. "And a few days ago to the south in the Mirkwood, due
south of here our party ran into half a dozen trolls or so all heading in this
direction we were forced to retreat amoung the missing was Thalin, the master
smith of Barazyn."

A surprised silence follows the dire words of Kurgan, head weaponsmith of the
Baruk Nala. Even Gumbart is too taken aback to sneer at what he just heard.
"This is news indeed, I knew not that dwarves ran into half a dozen trolls.
Let's hope that Thalin and the others will make it back, yet. I shall have to
discuss this with the warders accompanying us, later. Let us not stand in the
cold however; I am sure our cousins will share some hot coffee with us. Care to
join us?"

From Dwarven Travel Camp, Remaining silent for many a minute, Brican looks over
towards Gumbart with his head slumped, "I think one of my cousins has some
mutton, and the kettle is on the fire, I would be honored if you would both
join us for a bite or two."

Kurgan nods to Brican, "I thank you very much for your genorosity. Please show
the way." With this, fealing quite safe in the company of severeal dwarves from
two camps Kurgan sheaths his battle axe as he follows Brican.
Kurgan replaces his Battle Axe to it's sheath on his back.
"What was it that you asked about trolls 'do warders have trouble with them?' I
think it was ah yes one on one warders have much problems with trolls..."

From Dwarven Travel Camp, showing Kurgan the way to the blazing fire, he
gestures that he should sit. Several dwarves are frying pieces of sizzling
mutton, and pooring cups of ale for those gathered. With a smile, brican
gathers a few cups and plates from the ground and hands them over to his guests
before he himself sits down on a log. As one of his men fill his cup with ale,
he takes a giant sip before turning towards Kurgan, "These trolls, do ye think
it likely that we shall see them on our road, as ye can see we are little armed
and most likely unable to defend against such beasts."

Gumbart grins weakly, waves airly in the direction of Brican's camp and waits
for Kurgan to pass him. Behind his back, his smile fades quickly and his
brooding eyes try to pierce the morning mist, try to discover what the other
dwarves are up to. After a few seconds, he slowly turns around and follows
Kurgan to the camp, however, his shoulds hunched and turning around several
times. As he comes close to the camp, he throws an angry glance at Brican and
nods towards Kurgan. Quickly, however, a brown-toothed grin spreads across his
wrinkled face, and he greets his cousin with heartfelt friendlyness, "I made
it, at last! Hahaha! Welcome, Brican, in my home country."

Noticing the look of anger coming over Gumbart he looks curious for a moment as
he takes a bite of his mutton, "Why is it you seem angry cousin Gumbart, I did
as ye requested and brought my camp with great strife to the north. Aye, the
mountains here are beautiful I must say, a long time since I seen em."

Kurgan enters the camp before Gumbart and takes his seat and takes a slow
draught from the cup of ale given to him by Brican, he then looks about the
camp sight before continuing. "Well I do not know whether you will see Trolls
on your journey or not because I do not know what road you are taking or your
destination and I agree your party would not last long against Trolls you might
hold your own against one but two I doubt you could handle." Kurgan takes a bit
of the mutton and waits for a reply as he looks about the camp.

Gumbart fixates the Baruk Naga and everytime the weaponsmith seems to notice
something new about Brican's camp, he winces silently and grows more concerned
by the minute. Gumbart can't help to scan the camp, too, even as he continues
his talk with Kurgan. "We shall try to travel by dailight and keep no fires at
night. We'll travel quietly and try to leave no traces, there is nothing else
for us to do," he says and lets his gaze travel across the few tents, the two
dozen ponies, the occasional dwarf that has risen to step over to the little
rivlet flowing nearby for a morning wash, to the tired faces at the morning
fire waiting for their coffee.

Brican turns towards Gumbart with concern, "Well, it has been a long road for
us Cousin Gumbart, perhaps now it is the time to tell us why you sent for me
with such urgency. I do not like this talk to trolls so I will probably travel
east, back towards my homeland, I think that is probably the best route,
Wouldn't you agree cousin Kurgan?"

Kurgan nods in agreement to what Gumbart says and then waits for Brican to
finish. "I would agree with Brican but I have no idea of where you are going so
I do not know for certain." Kurgan takes another bite of the mutton and when
his mouth is no longer full he continues. "But I agree also with what Gumbart
says because that will make you harder to find and stick to the cover when you
camp a concieled camp is harder to find and attack than one in the open.
Scouting ahead would also be wise if you have anyone skilled in that area."
Kurgan takes a drink of the ale and continues. "Where are you headed cousins?"

Nodding towards Kurgan, Brican lays his broadsword to rest on the log next to
him, "Aye, I think it best if we follow Gumbart advice for now, but I think
probably the best route for safety would be to the east to the iron hills. We
travelled through laketown on a merchant expedition, but hearing this news of
Trolls burdens my heart indeed. We came thinking that we could deal with the
few bandits we find along the road, but as ye pointed out a troll is very
different then a inexperienced bandit."

Gumbart's jaws are working hard as his gaze darts back and forth between Brican
and Kurgan. "We be eastward-bound, Kurgan, nevertheless we feel uneasy at the
news of trolls moving through Mirkwood, possibly going farther east, still. It
used to be not so bad with the elves doing their share, silly as they might
seem, they are no friends of orcs and trolls and worse," he says
unethusiastically, nodding thankfully in Brican's direction. "Bandits we
expected, but trolls and what else they might be leading east... Have there
been sighings of anything else besides?" he asks Kurgan. As Brican rises an
eyebrow, Gumbart jumps in and says, "I know Brican, I owe you an explanation,
but I think that can wait until later."

Kurgan thinks back for a moment, "The group of trolls that attacked us had a
small complement of uruks with them but we made short work of them. I suppose
that there maybe more on there way and it is not very uncommon to see orcs this
far north of the Mirkwood. I would certainly keep an eye out if I were you and
if at all possible avoid the Mirkwood as the Spiders will be just comming out
of their dens and will be overly agresive this time of the year. The best
advice I can give is be carefull and if attacked don't try to be a hero, you
have a better chance of survival if you run do to your small numbers."

Looking across to the other camp to the north, Brican sighs for a moment, "If
ye didn't have other engagements I would of asked ye for a escourt, but this
new tower ye speak of will be important if ye want to keep those trolls at bay,
I will follow your advice and head east towards the iron hills, avoiding to
light fires at night, the wagons should provide enough protection against the
elements I would say. I thank ye for your valuable news, ye have probably saved
a lot of lives this eve."

Gumbart grins evilly, finishing his cup of coffe. He gets up and says, "Aye, we
are gratefull for your news, Kurgan. But now the time for packing has come and
we shall be off before the day advances too far. I shall get my ponies, Brican
and then we can be off within the hour. Are you agreed?"

Kurgan has already finished his meal of mutton and the cup of ale that had been
given to him. He rises after hearing Brican's comments and then bows to him and
then to Gumbart. "Well I must return to my own camp they are probably starting
to wonder where I have gone off to. Good luck on your journey I hope you
encounter no evil beast of any kind." With this Kurgan turns and walks away
towards his own camp.

Brican nods towards gumbart for a moment, "I shall prepare the camp ready to
leave." He stands and turns towards the assembled wagons and the men, he starts
shouting orders at the top of the lungs and his men begin to prepare to move.
Supplies are packed back into the wagons and the fire is dampened out. He
smiles as the camp moves efficently at his orders.

Gumbart shakes his head as Kurgan leaves. He mutters, "Aye Brican, the time of
truth has come and ye shall know all I know in a few hours, if you can content
yourself with a few more moments of not knowing, I shall fetch my ponies as I
said."