In other posts, I have mentioned that I switched an ongoing campaign (utilizing a system I called Middle-earth d20) into The One Ring RPG. I thought some of you might enjoy knowing what the campaign was about and events that have taken place. Please note that some of the information provided reflects the Middle-earth d20 gaming environment and not that of The One Ring RPG.

The Lost Realm of Cardolan

I based the initial idea on an article I'd read called Cardolan: A Middle Earth Campaign Setting for 4E D&D.
The campaign begins on 9 June III 1650.
After two centuries of slow but inexorable decline, the few remaining Dúnedain of Cardolan, even the doughty defenders of the sacred Barrows are emigrating to Arthedain and Gondor in roughly equivalent numbers. The Gondorian garrison remains in Tharbad but the rotation of troops and commanders are gradually ceasing so that they are becoming a hereditary warrior class in the decaying city. The people of Cardolan continue to do reasonably well, but new settlements are made across the Gwathir in Enedhwaith, rather than east or north because of the increasing severity of the winters. Many of the common folk drift south, most often to swell the population of Dunland.

The first story arc of the campaign is called "Escort Duty".
Background: After her husband (Peledur) is killed on 26 March III 1650, a Cardolan widow (Mîrithil) decides to move to her brother’s (Faradil) estate in Arthedain with her children: Celedur (age 9), Lothwen (age 7) and Hallas (age 4). The player-heroes are hired by a family friend, Amlaith, to escort her family from Tharbad, the former capitol of Cardolan, to Fornost, the capitol of Arthedain.
The company is accompanied by Amlaith, 1 House Guard Sergeant, 6 House Guards, 4 servants, and 6 teamsters in 2 carriages and 4 wagons. The companions travel 325 miles by foot, over Moderate terrain, through wild lands in the summer. The journey takes 24 days. Each companion must make 5 Fatigue tests at TN 16.

The campaign has the following player-heroes:

• Elwen — a 2003-year old female Elf of Mirkwood (Lindon) Scholar [Background: Noble Blood]
  Elwen is jealous of those who venture out of Lindon in “Wandering Companies” and have “grand adventures.” The daughter of Gaerdae, Cirdan the Shipwright’s Captain in Harlindon, she has taken it upon herself to go forth and have her own grand adventure. She finds herself far from home in the city of Tharbad. There, she is hired by Lady Mîrithil, a very beautiful 24-year old Dúnedain woman from a proud noble Arthedain family. She has accepted a position to care for the Lady’s children: 9-year old Celedur, 7-year old Lothwen and 4-year old Hallas. She is to be paid 1 gp per day, expenses en route, and 100 gp upon safe arrival at the Lady’s brother’s estate in the Kingdom of Arthedain to the north.
• Eradan — a 18-year old male Dúnedain of the North Warden [Background: The Seeker]
  Eradan is the sole-surviving descendant of Celebindel Melosse, the last Lord of the Angle. His family, having fled to Cardolan from their ancestral home for safety nearly three hundred years ago, has longed to return to the Angle and reclaim their lands. Sadly, their struggles to accomplish these goals never achieved much success. The Great Plague, which devastated Cardolan’s population, took from Eradan every blood-relation at the young age of 4. At that time, he was sent to live with family friends in Amon Raith in the Kingdom of Arthedain. When he reached the age of 15, he was apprenticed to the Wardens of Annúminas, Arthedain’s Ranger Corps. After several years, Eradan is a full-fledged Ranger and has been given his first solo assignment … he is to travel south to the city of Tharbad in the lost realm of Cardolan and escort a noblewoman and her family back north to the Kingdom of Arthedain. Eradan is excited about this assignment for two reasons: the first is that it is his first assignment as a full-fledged Ranger and he is anxious to prove himself; the second is that the noblewoman he is to escort is Lady Mîrithil, a woman who was as a sister to him growing up! He is escorting her back to her brother, Faradil, who was as a father to him. The journey is ultimately a homecoming for Eradan!
• Ivy Banks — a 34-year old female Hobbit of the Shire Treasure Hunter (Background: Bucklander)
  Ivy is a Stoor, the broadest and heaviest of the Hobbits and the only ones that wear footwear. She is a professional guide of the Swanfleet Marshes, the Mannish name for the marshy lands above Tharbad, famed for their swans, at the outflow of the River Glanduin (the Elvish name is Nîn-in-Eilph). As competition in the area has increased, Ivy has taken advantage of a job posting in Tharbad and is hired by a man named Amlaith to escort a noblewoman and her family north to the Kingdom of Arthedain for the pay of 2 gp per day, expenses en route, and 150 gp upon safe arrival. Other opportunities for profit may arise along the way.
• Korin — a 56-year old male Dwarf of the Lonely Mountain (Longbeard Clan from Khazad-dûm) Treasure Hunter [Background: A Penetrating Gaze]
  Korin longs to be an Artificer (a crafter that cannot cast spells but can craft runes that imbues items with magic abilities). Not possessing the finances to gain the attention of a Master Artificer (he requires 300 gp for the initial interview), Korin is compelled to seek his fortune out in the world. He ultimately came to Tharbad, the capitol of the lost realm of Cardolan. He is hired by a man named Amlaith to escort a noblewoman and her family north to the Kingdom of Arthedain for the pay of 2 gp per day, expenses en route, and 150 gp upon safe arrival. Other opportunities for profit may arise along the way.
• Mirni — a 42-year old male Dwarf of the Lonely Mountain (Longbeard Clan from Khazad-dûm) Slayer [Background: Bitter Exile]
  Several years ago, a mid-sized number of Dwarves from Khazad-dûm made a mining colony in the eastern hills of Dor-en-Egladil (S. “Land of the Elf-point”) or just “Egladil” (S. “Forsaken Point”), “the Angle,” an area of southern Rhudaur. They mine for Dwarf-iron, gold and platinum and forge a small amount of weaponry for the men who inhabit the region. Their colony, named Smallforge, is located near Reedhaven, the largest Hobbit settlement in the area, and they enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship with the Hobbits. The Dwarves provide the Hobbits with farm tools, arrowheads and protection, while the Hobbits give the Dwarves provender and other supplies they cannot create. In order to secure him a better life, Master Smith Kona brought his son, Mirni, to the colony. Fortune smiled upon their endeavors for many months and the pair prospered, but good fortune ultimately turned to ill. Before dawn, Kona ventured out alone to bring water to their isolated camp and was ambushed by Orcs. Mirni, hearing his father’s calls for help, rushed to his father’s aid and slew many Orcs, driving off the remainder. Mirni picked up his father and carried him for several miles to Smallforge and healing. Despite his son’s heroic effort, Kona succumbed to his many wounds. Filled with wrath, Mirni gathered other miners to pursue the Orcs who fled. Following them back to their lair, the Dwarves fell upon them with righteous purpose and slew them in their entirety. The Dwarves gathered the weapons of the foes and placed them at the feet of Kona’s body in the cairn which Mirni himself constructed. Mirni attempted to continue mining, but found that his desire to mine died with his father. Securing the home which the father and son had built, Mirni travelled south along the banks of the River Bruinen to the city of Tharbad. Taking advantage of a job posting in Tharbad, he is hired by a man named Amlaith to escort a noblewoman and her family north to the Kingdom of Arthedain. The tale of the noblewoman’s plight to return to her family’s lands, combined with her children’s loss of their father, touched a chord in Mirni’s mind and he resolved to see the family safely to Arthedain. Accepting the pay of 2 gp per day, expenses en route, and 150 gp upon safe arrival is of secondary concern.

Main NPCs

• Amlaith: (Age: 42; Height: 6’4”; Weight: 210 lbs) A Dúnedain, Amlaith is a friendly, upbeat, devil-may-care soldier with the morals of a pirate, the appetites of a hedonist, and a total lack of personal responsibility. Now that Peledur is dead, Amlaith has vowed to see his friend’s family to safety in Arthedain; it is he who hires the player-heroes.
• Mîrithil: (Age: 24; Height: 5’6”; Weight: 150 lbs) A very beautiful woman who is devoted to her family, Mîrithil is a proud Dúnedain lady from an old noble Arthedain family. After marrying Peledur (at the age of 13) and giving birth to their three children, she functioned as a single parent when Peledur went off to war. After Peledur’s death, Mîrithil decided to move to her brother’s (Faradil) estate in Arthedain with her three children and household servants.
• Celedur: (Age: 9; Height: 4’1”; Weight: 61.6 lbs) Celedur is a shrewd boy with an understanding of the world, people, philosophy, and politics that go well beyond his years.
• Lothwen: (Age 7; Height: 3’7”; Weight: 50.6 lbs) Lothwen is an innocent, naive girl who seems to almost always to be able to find something to be “glad” about no matter what circumstances arise. She lives in a fantasy world, fully expecting a fairy-tale life to be her due.
• Hallas: (Age 4; Height: 3’1”; Weight: 37.4 lbs) Hallas is an inquisitive boy who is prone to wandering off to visit any place that has animals. Although he is quite shy around unfamiliar people, he has no hesitations around any animal. He is never found without his fox ragdoll named “Foxy.”
• Peledur: Peledur was the husband of Mîrithil, the Dúnedain lady who hires the player-heroes to escort her and her family to the Kingdom of Arthedain. Peledur died before the start of the campaign on 26 March III 1650 from a mysterious malady. He was a staunch, traditional Cardolan officer who struggled to balance his personal beliefs, his duty to his superiors, and the needs of his family and friends.

Supporting NPCs

• Sgt. Brander Pickwick: (Age: 24; Height: 5’11”; Weight: 185 lbs) A Common Man; the House Guard Sergeant.
• Roddy “Rod” Gooseberry: (Age: 18; Height: 6’4”; Weight: 210 lbs) A Common Man; one of the House Guards.
• Kipling “Kip” Dogwood: (Age: 19; Height: 5’9”; Weight: 175 lbs) A Common Man; one of the House Guards.
• Walter “Walt” Whistletree: (Age: 21; Height: 5’9”; Weight: 175 lbs) A Common Man; one of the House Guards.
• Stan Mawseed: (Age: 17; Height: 6’1”; Weight: 195 lbs) A Common Man; one of the House Guards.
• William “Billy” Appledore: (Age: 20; Height: 6’6”; Weight: 210 lbs) A Common Man; one of the House Guards.
• Amrick Petals: (Age: 16; Height: 5’8”; Weight: 170 lbs) A Common Man; one of the House Guards. He wants be a hero like Amlaith.
• Rowan Roper: (Age: 48; Height: 3’1”; Weight: 32 lbs) A Stoor Hobbit; the cook.
• Dírhael: (Age: 69; Height: 6’; Weight: 190 lbs) A Dúnedain; the House Steward.
• Kelda Booth: (Age: 18; Height: 5’2”; Weight: 130 lbs) A Common (Wo)Man; a maid.
• Holly Rumble: (Age: 25; Height: 3’; Weight: 31 lbs) A Stoor Hobbit; a maid.
• Al, Bob, Bert, Mat, Rowlie, and Woody: (Various ages, heights and weights) All common men; the teamsters.

Episode #1 — took place in Middle-earth d20.

Thirteen bandits attacked the caravan along the Greenway. The bandit's ambush was spoiled and the player-heroes, with the support of the House Guards, drove off the bandits. Amlaith made an incredible Intimate check (a 32!), completely breaking their morale.

Episode #2 — took place in Middle-earth d20.

An incredibly large warg named Thauk attacked the caravan along the Greenway. Thauk, the Vile Warg, saw the caravan as a rolling banquet; desiring to eat everything in it. The player-heroes noticed the tracks of Thauk and realized that their troupe was being scouted. The session proceeded in the following order:

• Scouting for Thauk, they came across the wreckage of a several wagons belonging to local merchant prince, Brander Gustaw. Investigating the wreckage, they discovered a sizable warg's claw protruding from the damaged side of a wagon.
• An enormous warg loomed on a ridgeline along their path, but at a distance of over 200 yards; the player-heroes watch the warg circle the caravan and estimate it weighs 2½ tons, was 15’ long and nearly 10’ high at the shoulder! Thauk appraoched and demanded tribute. Initially, they paid the tribute, but realized that Thauk was not going to stay away. They opted to continue travelling at night, having the two Dwarves spot for the teamsters throughout the moonless night.
• During the night, Thauk reappeared, damaging the family carriage's frame before slipping away into the night.
• In the morning, the group made repairs to the carriage, cannibalizing other vehicles and resumed their flight. Thauk continued circling the caravan and ultimately attacked. The group managed to slay the beast with Elwen supposedly using some sort of Elven magic to take him down.

Episode #3 — took place in Middle-earth d20.

The caravan arrives at the fortress of South-guard on the day of the Midsummer Festival. South-guard lies astride the North-South Road, marking the entrance to the Vale of Andrath and the border to the Kingdom of Arthedain. The town of Andrath lies on the northern side of the fort.
Members of the caravan took part in the following festival games: Ale Drinking Contest, Archery Competition, Axe Throwing, Chicken Chase, Dance Competition, Greased Pig Contest, Hammer Toss, Horse Racing (Eradan won the grand prize!), The Master of the Maze, Pie Eating Contest, Pole Toss, and Tag.

Episode #4 — the first session in The One Ring RPG.

The player-heroes were persuaded (i.e., forced) to travel to Minas Malloth. There they encountered the fortress’s insane garrison commander, Baron Turgon; he has an irrational obsession with rooting out threats of the Witch-king. Supporting Baron Turgon are: Tarvarharn, the high priest of the Baron’s new cult dedicated to violently rooting out agents of the Witch-king); Findegil the Bard, a manic minstrel; and, one hundred and eighty Dunlendings of the Razor-claw Clan (i.e., paid mercenaries).

Minas Malloth is a decaying fortress located in the Southern Barrow-downs, on the crest of a hill, and is protected on three sides by steep banks. In the Second Age, the site was originally used by the Dunlendings. The Númenóreans used the site as a stronghold against marauding Dunlendings, and the Dúnedain of the North built a stone curtain wall around the perimeter and a centrally placed citadel on a motte protected by a deep dry moat. A royal palace was established at the citadel for King Valandil (who ruled Arnor for 247 years from III 2 to III 249) and was subsequently used by Cardolan monarchs.
The space occupied by the town is nearly 2,000 feet in diameter, surrounded with a ditch, of immense depth, and two ramparts, inner and outer: on the inner, which is much higher than the outer, stands a wall nearly 12 feet thick at its foundation, of flint and chalk, strongly cemented together, and cased with hewn stone, on which is a parapet with battlements. In the center, on the summit of the hill, stands the citadel, surrounded with a very deep entrenchment and a high rampart; in the area beneath, forming a wide space between the inner and outer ramparts, stands the town, divided into equal parts, north and south; near the middle of each division is a gate … two grand entrances, with a tower and mole over and before each. Besides these are ten other towers, at equal distances round the town; opposite them, in a straight line with the castle, are the principal streets, intersected in the middle with one grand circular street, encompassing the whole town.
Minas Malloth possesses an amphitheatre and is used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as animal hunts, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on classical Númenórean mythology. The elliptical structure measures 330 x 290 feet, with the arena floor measuring 220 x 130 feet, and can hold up to 10,345 spectators. The arena has a series of underground tunnels used to house animals and prisoners, utilizing gear systems to lift cages up to the arena floor. Baron Turgon uses the amphitheatre for public executions of the condemned, usually by the condemned person playing the hero of a story being killed in one of various gruesome but mythologically authentic ways, such as being mauled by beasts or burned to death. Local animals that are used for gladiatorial displays (and executions) include: barghests, bears, boar, giant spiders, giant turtles, neeker-breekers, rats, wargs (though these are somewhat more rare occurrences), and wolves. Upon occasion, they utilize captured goblins, too.

The entire group were removed from their wagons by many armed Dunlendings. They were first met by a manic minstrel (Findegil the Bard), who disjointedly explained that Baron Turgon's greatness and philosophical skills inspire his people to follow him. As they proceed, they saw bodies and severed heads scattered about the nearby buildings leading up to the citadel. They each looked nervously towards each other, but realized they were in a quagmire of no easy extraction.

Upon arrival at the citadel, Lady Mîrithil, the children, and Elwen were taken upstairs in the citadel. The rest of the caravan were not so fortunate ... the House Guards and the remaining player-heroes were taken into the dungeons and incarcerated in a large holding cell. Amlaith was taken into a higher ranking prisoner's cell, and the House Servants to yet another holding cell. The teamsters were briefly questioned outside and released to return to the wagons and carriage.

I end my description(s) at this point. I offer an Experience Point or Advancement Point for any player that provides a written account of the adventure from their character's viewpoint. Elwen's player has started providing just such an account. That submission will be the next post.

Elwen's Journal

We are still "guests" of his lordship. He has treated the Lady, the children, and me well, but has not allowed any of us to see our companions. I have tried to watch and listen and be unobtrusive in our interactions with his lordship because I have my own secrets that are none of his business.

During the minstrel's puppet show for the children, I caught sight of an apparition and noticed that little Hallas and his stuffed Foxy also noticed and did not seem distressed. I spoke with him and found out the apparition was a boy and asked if Hallas could get him to speak to me. I also spoke with the serving girl Egale and she also confirmed some things, advising me that his Lordship did not act all kinds of crazy until after his adviser arrived. She wishes to flee this place with her mother and I advised I would help to the extent that I could.

When I spoke to the ghost, whose name is Leb, I learned that my other companions were safe, though Eradan had almost been tortured by his Lordship's people. Leb helped me get word to them that we were safe and returned with word that they were as well and would be moved from the dungeon to barracks in town. Of concern was learning that his Lordship's dead wife's spirit, in the form of a Wight, was being trapped inside the manor screaming on a nightly basis.

In an effort to ease her mind, as the Lady has been increasingly upset about the situation we are in, I told her what I had been able to find out. It seemed to make her feel better until she asked me how I knew and I told her. She then informed me that I was not to discuss this "insanity" with her children. She did not SAY she did not believe me about the wight or the whereabouts of the companions, but her tone indicated that she did not believe me. I have omitted many truths since I left home for my grand adventure (which still hasn't happened yet) and I have put up with playing the part of a servant on this trip and being spoken to in a manner that Elven nobility usually would not allow, but I took great umbrage at it being insinuated either that I was a liar, that I was crazy, or that I did not know how to appropriately handle my interactions with her children. I stammered out an, "Of course I wouldn't," only to have her respond with, "You're right you won't." That led me to "Do you want me to go in and do my job (for it was time to get the children up) or retire to my separate rooms?" She indicated that I was impertinent and the situation we are in must be the cause of my "insubordination." I stood there and looked at her, awaiting her pleasure and a response to my question. She instructed me out of her sight so I returned to my rooms.

This turn of events will make it difficult for me to appeal to her to take the girl and her mother with us when we leave. I may not even have a job anymore. I can't think about that though. I need to figure a way to get those children out of here safely because even if I am not their nanny anymore, I am quite fond of them and would be most upset if anything bad happened to them.

Thanks for the your adventure notes.

I've been waiting to read these notes ever since you since posted about preparing them, & I'm not disappointed. You've written a great chronicle with multiple twists ranging from action to romance to comedy.

While reading your stories I can vividly see the wreckage of the ambush or hunt for (by) Thauk, as well as the tragic & moving interaction with the ghost. In addition, your description of Minas Malloth shows that you've looked at a book or two about ancient & medieval fortifications .

Finally, the merry time at the Midsummer Festival sounds like a lot of just plain fun .

Elwen's Journal

I remained in my quarters until the Lady sent for me. It appears that Ivy had managed to get into the keep and informed her that Amlaith had been sent to the arena as a traitor. The Lady had requested that I watch the children while she had a word with his Lordship. From her flushed face and furious countenance when she was forceably returned to her room, the conversation apparently did not go well.

Her desire to leave was great… great enough she was willing now to listen. In the children’s room we discussed that there was a secret passage and that her room was being monitored. That incensed her further and she advised that she wanted his Lordship to pay. I asked, now or once they were all safe. She advised once they were safe. I then borrowed Ivy’s bow and tried to shoot through the spyhole, but the Hobbit’s bow was not strong enough and the string broke. Ivy and I hurried the family into the passage, closed the door and began our descent.

Keeping children out of trouble is much less stressful than being responsible for their lives, but I borrowed Ivy’s short sword and led the way. I almost panicked when we twisted and turned and arrived at an apparent dead end, but I kept looking until we found the way through. On the other side was a corridor – left and right. I tried the left first, but saw up ahead a grated door and a guard. He did not see me so I doubled back and we began to proceed to the right. The air grew musty and there were signs that this way had flooded before. I began to get concerned that maybe I had come the wrong way.

As I continued to lead the group through the hidden passage beneath the keep, I became increasingly unsure that I was going the right way. It was dank and flooded up ahead. I did not wish to look foolish in the eyes of my employer, so I stepped forward a bit from the group and whispered to see if Leb was around. As I scanned the dark passage ahead of me, I heard something. I turned and Leb was standing beside Hallas. I moved to them, attempting to shield the sight of Leb from the Lady, but to no avail. Her sharp intake of breath indicated that she saw him.

Leb was a bit cross with me for going the wrong way, but did agree to help us after I promised to return here and purge this place of the vileness that is the Lord and his advisor. Now, we would have to face the guard at the other gate. The children were not as quiet as we would have liked and I saw the guard’s torch approaching. Ivy stayed with the family as I took her short sword and, moving as quietly as I could, approached the guard. He noticed and Ivy shot him a palpable hit. My sword lessons came in handy as, before he had a chance to cry out, I slipped under his defenses and stabbed him. He fell limply to the floor.

It was the first time I had ever actually injured another person. As he lay bleeding, I tried to save him, but he was too far gone. Ivy suggested I take his sword, so I did. It fit in my hand better than the Hobbit’s blade. We also took the keys, for it appears we were in the dungeon.

Leb directed us to a side door close to the barred one that the guard had left open and we slipped through, closing and locking both doors behind us. Now we were in a room with a rotted skeleton. Leb looked at me expectantly, advising it was a riddle to open the passage.

I tried for a bit to figure it out, constantly aware that we had little time. Finally, I stumbled upon the correct word and a passage opened behind it. Leb would not follow us but did remind me of my promise. We all quickly moved inside, where we found 3 cloaks to help conceal us. The Lady carried Hallas, while I carried Lothwen and Celedur took the last one, as Ivy said she did not need one. We went quietly through the tunnel and came out, much to my dismay, in the Barrow Downs … at night. In the far far distance I could see the lights of Bree in one direction and in the nearer distance, the lights of the Lord’s keep.

Traveling with the children, who were already tired, did not seem like a good idea so I suggested the only other course of action I could think of… Rest within the tunnel, shutting the door behind us in the hope that any barrow creatures cannot penetrate within. Much to my surprise, my employer acknowledged that perhaps she had misspoken earlier. I agreed that it had been a time of stress for all involved. Perhaps I will not be losing my position after all.

I took the first watch so that Ivy could get some sleep. It was midway through my shift when I saw the light approaching from the tunnel back the way we had come. I clutched the dead guard’s sword in hand and slipped quietly down the hallway. As I got closer, I saw Korin leading some other people. My relief that I no longer alone had to shoulder the responsibility for the safety of the Lady and the children was so great that I abandoned all sense of decorum, dropped the sword and gave the surprised dwarf a big hug. I looked past him and saw Eradan. Seizing the opportunity to be close to him, I gave him a hug as well, expressing to him my relief that they were safe. I was very happy to see that they had managed to get the Lady’s maids, cook, and steward out and hurried everyone to the Lady and the children, and Ivy of course. I was so very tired from the events of this day and now that we had Korin and Eradan here to protect us, I indulged in the luxury of sleep.

Cool,

Was the first blood killing of the Guard a Shadow point matter?

No, I didn't really think of that at the time ... although, it makes sense. I will consider rectifying that ... no, I think I will have her make that check. Thanks for the idea ... <insert evil laughter here>.

I feel I must point out that the death was as the result of a failed Healing check ... with an Eye of Sauron, to boot! No pun intended, but she rolled so poorly she, uh ... had no Hope of making it.

I'm still rolling my eyes on this one .

Seriously, you sound as if you & your players are still having a lot of fun with this storyline, so it's good to see the way that you adapted your D20 to TOR.

She made it!

We are! As I've said many times before, I am SO enjoying TOR!!!

Elwen's Journal

My relief at no longer being in charge was relatively short lived. In the morning, Korin was gone, as were some of the Lady’s jewelry and apparently some treasure Eradan indicated he had found. He feared that Korin had returned to the Baron’s for additional loot. Regardless, as much as I hated to admit it, we could not stay and wait for him. Eradan left Ivy and me in charge while he circled to find Amlaith and the others.

Surprisingly, we found them first. In the distance I could see Eradan, obviously trying to throw pursuit off our trail as he was traveling in the wrong direction. I spoke to Amlaith about what occurred with the Baron and advised that there was an argument between him and the Lady which led us to flee when we did. After she confirmed my words, he decided that we should leave immediately. Everyone was bundled back into the carriage. I was relieved that my sword and bow were still there.

It took almost an entire day to get to Bree and when we arrived, we were all exhausted. The gate was on the verge of closing but they blessedly let us through. We finally arrived at the White Sails Guesthouse, a well respected establishment in Bree. There was still no sight of Korin or Eradan. Assuming that those who led the group were taking care of the business end of things, I took care of the children, getting them scrubbed and cleaned and fed before they collapsed into bed. Unfortunately, the dwarf Mirni was singing and I had to contend with young Master Hallas imitating the bawdy and highly inappropriate song for quite a while. When he and by extension, Foxy, were asleep, I was able to slip out of their room, which was an interior one adjoining the Lady’s.

I then made myself more presentable with a hot bath and a change into clean clothes before I sought out the Lady and Amlaith, who were dining in the restaurant attached to the inn.

Much to my surprise, when I asked them what the Mayor had to say about the Baron’s behavior, they had not thought to send word to him, asking that I summon the Lady’s steward, Dírhael so he could. Since Bree is the closest free city we could have reached and the Baron is obsessed with the Lady, I was most concerned he might try to follow us here, so I quickly found Dírhael. The Lady and Amlaith sent him off with a message and I retired back to my chambers. It was growing late into the evening when a servant advised that Eradan had arrived and had asked for me. It was difficult but I managed to descend the stairs with an air of grace. When I was closer to him, he looked so tired and bedraggled I just wanted to hold him, so I did… in the guise of a comradely hug. We spoke for a few moments and then, while he spoke with Amlaith and the Lady, I arranged quarters for him, had a late supper sent up to my room, and arranged for him to have a bath sent to his.

We talked for a bit while he ate, but he was so very tired, I kept the conversation light. I was concerned he might fall asleep in his tub and drown, but he was given a valet to attend him and I was assured the valet would not let that happen. I then settled down for some well deserved rest.

It was late, past midnight no doubt, when I was awakened by a sound at my door. This trip has made me more cautious than before, so I quietly obtained my sword while listening to the strange men talking outside my door. Much to my surprise, they had a KEY and used it to gain entry. There were five of them … rough looking sorts who had no business in a lady … or a servant’s room. I loudly ordered them to leave and they laughed, advising that I would be coming with them. I utilized my most noble bearing to try to scare them off and then attacked the nearest one. It was a solid blow but five on one when one is wearing a nightgown is not a terribly fair fight and they hit more than missed, in one instance causing great pain and bleeding in my left arm. I tried to scare them away again and continued fighting. The saps they were using hurt something wicked but somehow I remained on my feet. I knocked one unconscious and the others broke and ran. No sooner had my door closed behind them, however, than I saw a strange light outside it, reminding me of the strange light I saw in the woods when the large wolf attacked.

I was hoarse from yelling and more than a little concerned. The man on the floor moved so I hit him with a candlestick and then used the sashes from the curtains to tie him up. By then there was an urgent knock at the door. It was Eradan and I flung myself into his arms, glad once again to not be in charge, though I must confess that I am beginning to get the hang of it, I think. He calmed me down and bandaged my arm. He asked what happened in the hallway – the four who fled were lying there dead. I did not know. He left me to check on Amlaith and the Lady, coming back confirming that the Lady was all right and he did not see Amlaith.

The Sheriff came and asked a lot of questions. Eradan talked with him while I got dressed. I was still pretty shaken up and distracted so I only half paid attention to what was going on. Mirni took responsibility for the dead men in the hall – and went with the Sheriff’s men to the jail to give a statement. I was informed to come the next day for a statement. People were coming and going so Ivy and I got out of the way and went in search of Amlaith. When we lit a candle in his room, we found that it was in disarray – he had struggled with someone and had been taken. I rushed – with Ivy at my heels – to the Lady’s room. I knocked and entered at the same time, curious that the door was unlocked. Her bed had been made to look as if she was there, but she was gone. Fearing for the children, I rushed into their room, scanning the area. I saw no children, just empty beds.

As I was looking, I did not see Foxy. I could not imagine kidnappers taking the time to take Hallas’ toy with them, so I started to look around more. I found Hallas curled up with Foxy under the bed. He had done that before – sleeping in his “cave” – but not recently. He was sound asleep and did not wake up when I pulled him and Foxy from under the bed and bundled him up in my arms.

There was a fair amount of chaos after that and Eradan and Ivy left to go somewhere… I think with the Sheriff. I gathered up Hallas, his things and my things and hurried to the Sargeant. It was then that I learned that Dírhael had not been seen since he was sent to the Mayor’s house. Afraid that whoever took the others might come back for Hallas, I instructed the Sargeant to move the group to another inn. He at first refused, saying this was a defensible place. I reminded him that it was known we were here and that Hallas is my responsibility and if he was insistent upon staying here, I would take Hallas and go. He capitulated to my demand and we moved to the Sleeping Bear (can’t remember the name) Inn, a place I had stayed before. The innkeeper, a good but harried man, was reluctant to give us shelter when he learned that the Baron was after us, but I struck a deal with him, offering the services of our lady’s maids as servers and the cook to cook. The men at arms could serve a two fold purpose of protecting the inn and Hallas. He agreed and allowed us to stay. I asked for him to send word to Mirni (as he was the only person I had a clue as to where to find) that we had moved to this inn. He agreed.

I took Hallas upstairs and tried to rest, my body still aching from the injury of before. I had just gotten Hallas to settle down so I could get some rest when Mirni came upstairs, demanding to know where the Lady was and what was going on. He was arrogant and pushy and said he did not have to listen to me. I admit that I lost some of my composure between his attitude and Hallas starting up again with the bawdy song and I snapped at Hallas. I then turned on the dwarf and spoke to him quietly but angrily in his own tongue, much to his surprise, and advised him that Hallas’ safety was my responsibility. If he could find out what was going on with the others, fine, but the guards are here to protect Hallas. He stormed off and I was left with a bawling child who could not be consoled because I had yelled at him.

All of my efforts to quiet the child were going for naught until I remembered seeing a mother cat and some kittens in the barn when we arrived. I asked Hallas if he would be good and let me rest in exchange for a kitten. He wanted the mother cat and all of the kittens. I doubt the Lady will approve but right now, I did not care. I was exhausted and just wanted some sleep. I bribed one of the stable boys to fetch me the mother cat and kittens in a basket, giving him a gold coin for his troubles. When the cat and kittens were safely in the room and some additional food had been brought upstairs for Hallas, me, and of course, Mama Cat, I bolted the window, drew the curtains, and dragged the heaviest piece of furniture in the room across the door. Leaving Hallas to play with his new friends and introduce them to Foxy, I laid down on the bed to get some sleep.