Rangers: Barracks & Stables

[Isolde Alarion]

Ranger Mourgan Alarion
Mess Hall
@Pele Alarion @Rillewen @Arnyn

He and Relic landed hard enough he could hear the breath rush out of her but he quickly found himself trying to keep her down. She was kicking and trying her best to throw him off of her or squirm out from under him. He had one of her arms pinned between them while she tried to raise the other to keep stabbing him, he seemed to be feebly trying to keep that arm away from him.

He felt something hit the back of his head, all he knew was that it really made Relic angry which renewed her fight but he grit his teeth and held onto her the best he could but then he realized her dagger welding hand no longer moved. He caught a glimpse of Cali doing her best to hold her arm back. She was screaming something but her words seemed distant then all he knew was other people were there. Help had come and that was good because he felt he was losing the strength to keep this sorcerous from slipping out from under him.

He closed his eyes, his vision was hazy and distracted him from holding her down. He didn’t even open them when he felt his head being turned. He took the beans and chewed as Pele instructed and when she asked if he heard her all he could answer her with was a groaned. “Mhmm.” The beans held no real taste, he forced them down. All he could do now if wait for them to act against the poison but now the pain in his chest and shoulder was rising to the top.

Blood was seeping through his tunic and staining both of them. He felt weak and almost as if he were falling, losing his grip. A chill was working it’s way though him yet sweat wet his brow and brown hair clung to his forehead.

His body went limp, dead weight as he lost his grip and slipped into darkness.

Meanwhile …

She was caught off guard when she suddenly felt herself being crushed under the weight of her intended victim. It took her breath away for a moment then she knew she had to get out from under him if she wanted to get away. She tried to kick and squirm her way out but nothing would work, he was simply too big.

With one arm pinned between them her other hand still held the dagger, she could still kill him! Then she had something thrown in her face, it stung and burned at her eyes, she went to wipe at her eyes till she felt her arm being held down.

“I’ll kill you all!” She screamed and struggled to move. When she could open her eyes she snarled to see other people coming. Then she was there, the Alarion. Standing over her with a blade drawn! She laughed in her face when she chose to save him over killing her. “You’ll regret that! Should have killed me when you had the chance Alarion.” Her laughter continued till she saw her feeding him the beans. “You’re too late! Once more you’re too late to save the men in your life!” She taunted her.

She growled at them as they formulated a plan to keep her pinned yet roll him off of her. She could feel his life blood soaking into her clothes, she knew he wouldn’t last long at that rate. Then he went limp, the full weight of him hindered her movements more and his head lay on her shoulder.

“He’s dead!! Once more you failed Alarion!” Her laugher turned dark as she rest her head against the cold floor. She stopped fighting as she lay there reveling in the Alarions failure, of course she wasn’t going to tell her she could hear his faint breathing in her ear. He was simply unconscious but what the Alarion didn’t know would torment her at least for a few moments and those moments, it’s what she lived for.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Isolde Alarion @Pele Alarion

Cali Dringolben - Armorsmith
Mess hall - during the fire

'Please, please, please let him live...' Cali was thinking over and over, trying not to become frantic. She merely nodded in reply to Pele's order to help Arnyn. And Arnyn's order to keep her hand down. Cali was already doing her best, but the woman was strong. And determined. Cali had plenty of strength from her chosen profession, which surprised folks who didn't know. But this woman was surprising Cali with her strength. She didn't even dare trying to wipe the tears from her eyes, lest she break free of her grip. "Please hurry.." She urged the ranger leaders, speaking softly. Hurry, both for Mourgan's sake and for hers.

"You’re too late! Once more you’re too late to save the men in your life!"

The woman's words were intended for Pele, Cali was aware of that.. but they struck Cali nearly as hard. To have lost all three of her brothers.. then her father.. now this most recent friend as well? Her fingers tightened with renewed strength, as did her jaw. Too late? Was it really? Her eyes were blurred from tears, until she blinked and a tear spilled over at last, one from each eye racing each other down her cheeks. The woman who looked exactly like Arnyn was laughing cruelly as she declared that Mourgan was dead, and she stopped her struggling. Cali continued to hold her hand down with her left hand, but let go with her right to form a fist, which she brought down in a hammer-stroke motion as hard as she could(fueled by her anger and frustration) onto the vein part of the woman's wrist. With the floor as an anvil, she hoped the impact would force her hand open and she would release the dagger. If she did, Cali would slide the weapon out of reach across the floor before grabbing her arm again with both hands. Too bad she didn't have her hammer with her right now, Cali thought regretfully, but there was no use wishing for what she couldn't have right now.

[Pele Alarion]

Captain Pele Alarion
Barracks
@Arnyn , @Isolde Alarion , @Rillewen

It seemed that Relic had taken to the same weapons that she had found successful against Pele, and the Gondorian knew only too well that she was still vulnerable; if she let that poisonous laughter and those words capture her she would be pulled right back into darkness she had just chosen to turn her back to. Hopelessness, guilt, and deep resentment.

It took immense effort for her to ignore Relic's taunts and not let them distract her from her work, and she chose not to say a word in response; only her actions spoke for her. As swiftly as she could and with as much care as she could, she moved Mourgan so that he was partly off Relic, and then rolled him over on his back. Unwilling to have him so close within Relic's reach she dragged him further away, paying no mind to the fact that she was stained with his blood in the process.

Her fingers pressed against Mourgan's neck to feel for his pulse just to make sure Relic's words did not have real coverage. Not yet.

Once again Pele had a dagger in her hand, but this time she unceremoniously shredded up Mourgan's shirt into long strips to provide for makeshift bandages and let her get to this wounds properly. She worked in silence, in practiced speed folding up a couple of the fresh strips into several layers which she placed over the stab wounds and pressed down on it with her knee, attempting to get apply pressure on all wounds at once. With no one else to help, she had to do what she could. Meanwhile she joined together a few more strips of shirt into a long one, and then proceeded to wrap it around Mourgan's chest and shoulder to keep the folded makeshift dressing in place.

Applying additional pressure with her hands over the bandages, she glanced over her shoulder at the others. While she could do at least the minimum - stemming the bleeding - with what was at hand, Pele had to get her supplies from her room, or even better - get Mourgan to the Houses of Healing.

"I need a stretcher and a couple pairs of strong arms; or at least my kit at first," she declared the need. And yet it was contrary to the initial attempt to not let in other Rangers and keep them away from being harmed.

[Rillewen]

@Pele Alarion

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Checking on Mourgan

Trastion was coughing a bit more than he liked. The smoke was getting to him, but he pressed the damp shirt to his face and tried to limit his breathing as much as he could. The salt was getting lower and lower. He tilted the barrel on its side so he could reach the bottom better and worked on scooping it up as well as he could. Soon they'd have none left. Where was Mourgan with that other barrel? It seemed like he'd been gone for a long while now. Trastion straightened up and tried to rub his eyes, glancing around. Still no sign of Mourgan or the other two guys who'd gone with him. After a moment of indecision, Trastion decided to check and see what the delay might be. "Take over," He said to whoever was next in line, motioning to the salt barrel. Mourgan should have been back by now, right?

Trastion hurried down the stairs, stopping at the bottom to take in a few deep breaths of the clearer air, and coughed for a few moments. Once he felt he could breathe again, he headed for the mess hall, wondering if something happened. He felt bad leaving the efforts of putting out the fire, but Lt. Brian had put him in charge of the salt, so the fact that they were almost out of it meant he should see what was keeping Mourgan, right? Using the damp edge of the inside of his shirt to try and rub the smoke from his eyes, Trastion did the best he could to clear his vision. Then, Trastion hurried into the mess hall, calling out as he entered, "Mourgan, where's the.." He stopped short as his gaze landed on the two guys lying on the floor, in a pool of blood. Then raised his widening eyes to see the others there, struggling with..Arnyn? No.. wait, Arnyn was standing there... two Arnyns? As fast as his confusion arrived, it dissipated as he remembered the talk Arnyn had had with him and Mourgan. He didn't have to ask why there were two of them. The bigger question was; which one was which?

Before Trastion could get too caught up with that dilemma, he noticed the other. The captain was kneeling over Mourgan. Trastion had walked in just in time to hear the last part of what the captain was saying, about needing help and a stretcher. And he quickly noticed that there was a lot of blood on Mourgan's shoulder area. Trastion felt a chill race down his back, seeing how badly injured his roommate appeared to be, and his first thought was to rush to his side and ask what he could do to help the captain/healer. But then he remembered the fire, and that they needed more salt to put out the flames. For a moment, Trastion was torn, unsure what to do. They needed salt upstairs for putting the fire out, and they needed plenty of help. But Mourgan might be dying, and the captain needed help to save him. Then he decided swiftly that there were enough folks upstairs with the fire that they ought to be able to spare a couple to retrieve the salt barrels.. since they'd have little to do without it.. and another one or two could come to assist the captain. "I'll be right back with more help!" He answered the captain hastily, and turned to run back up the stairs and grab a few others to do what needed to be done.

[Arnyn]

Barracks
@Isolde Alarion @Pele Alarion @Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen

At Not-Arnyn's taunts, the real Arnyn gritted her teeth and pretended as if the woman had said nothing at all. When Mourgan stopped moving, the Lieutenant told herself not to panic. She imagined sheets of steel to keep her emotions away from her mind. Her mind needed to stay cool. Sharp. This was how she worked.

She said nothing while Pele moved Mourgan away from them and she assumed control of the sorceress. Once she heard the sounds of Pele setting about to shred fabric,she breathed easier. "You are reaching." sHer voice was calm. That the sorceress looked exactly like her, though, was still uncanny. "He yet lives."

Arnyn shouted out to the ranger guarding the entrance to the mess. "Hyandaner! The Captain need your hands!" The man immediately came in and rushed to Pele, waiting for instructions.
Even as Pele spoke her request, Trastion rushed into the room. Then he immediately rushed out again, saying he'd be back with help. Arnyn nodded. Good. Very good. Then the Hyandaner could stay and assist Pele where he may. The Lieutenant smiled down at her own face, but not because she was pleased or amused or triumphant. She was simply proud of how everyone was carrying themselves.

"Months," she remarked neutrally. She spoke louder then, so her steady and convincing voice would reach Pele's ears as well. "Months you have been here. You have drawn blood today, yes. But Mourgan will live. Pele will live. And the Captain has chosen the light over the darkness, for she is Faelind. Will you live? Of that I am not so sure."

"Cali," Arnyn continued, less loudly. "Take the dagger from my belt. Then do that again, would you." Relic was letting go of that poisoned blade. One way or the other. It would definitely result in Relic letting go of her weapon. And while Arnyn was loathe to kill if not absolutely necessary, and quite opposed to torture, she felt like the sorceress could use... a bit of education. There were consequences to trying to hurt Pele yet again. Arnyn would not stand for it.

[Isolde Alarion]

Fake Arnyn
@Arnyn @Pele Alarion @Rillewen

She watched Mourgan being moved off of her and she was tensing up to be ready to strike out. She just had to get the hand free that was pinned between them and she could strike out at the Lieutenant. It didn’t happen as her daggered arm was suddenly punched in the wrist!

It was meant to unclench the grip she had on the dagger but she used all her strength not to let it go despite how it effected her muscles. She didn’t cry out, instead she turned her hate filled brown eyes toward the Smithy. “My slaves hit harder than you.” Of course she would never tell her how close she was to losing her grip.

Meanwhile the Lieutenant assumed control of her arms and kept her pinned, when she hear her tell her she was reaching and that he lived she slid her gaze it meet the same one that faced her. “For now.” Her dark smile mirrored the Lieutenants own as she now spoke of her being there for months and how all were going to live and how the Alarion had chose the light over darkness. Her words became whispered, meant only for her ears.

“Do you really believe I’ve been idle all this time? Arnyn Dealedwen? Daughter of Kadya? Itchilien is pretty this time of year.” She let her words hang between them. You could get a lot of information from a persons file, like where their family was.

She kept her dark gaze on the Lietenants eyes as she gave the Smithy directions to take her knife and repeat what she had done earlier. She didn’t look over to the Smithy to see if she had the spine to stab her wrist, pain didn’t affect her like normal people. It gave her strength and focus. It fed the darkness inside her and she would let that darkness free soon, very soon.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Isolde Alarion @Pele Alarion

Cali Dringolben - Armorsmith
Mess hall - during the fire

Months... she heard the real Arnyn saying that this impostor had been here for months. How was that possible? Cali blinked at her, staring in shock, then felt a glimmer of hope return to hear the words that Mourgan would live. Cali glanced over at her friend, worried for him. He had been helping her to refresh her memory on a few self-defense moves ever since that day after midsummer when those weapons went missing. Between Mourgan, Nal, and lately, Trev helping her with that, a little bit of her former confidence had returned. For a moment, though, that confidence wavered. Despite Cali's best efforts, Arnyn's evil twin still refused to release her weapon. She was more than a little frustrated that her attempts had no effect, and was tempted to slam her fist down again.

Arnyn - the real one - spoke to her now. Cali looked over, and saw the knife in question. She was very tempted to do exactly as the lieutenant said. The Captain had said to do as Arnyn said, right? Thinking of the way this horrible, cruel Arnyn-lookalike had stabbed Mourgan repeatedly.. just like Ryn had been stabbed in multiple places. Cali still remembered the pain of losing him, almost as sharply as she had felt that day. Cali grabbed the knife from Arnyn's belt, her hand closing around it, and raised her hand as if she would do it, but paused. Then, rather than slamming it into the woman's wrist, Cali instead brought the dagger down and slowed at the last moment, pressing the point of the blade hard against the wrist, gripping it in a tight fist. Her thoughts went back to the incident last autumn. Remembering the Umbarian who had threatened her and Iole, using Ryn's dagger. Her arm had been injured for months, thanks to that creep. But it was more than her arm which had been injured. Cali had been troubled and anxious ever since, fearful. Feeling... weak and powerless, helpless against him, and against others who would do harm to those she cared about.

Cali's anger was kindled now, enough that she was barely holding herself back for fear she might do something she would later regret. This woman had murdered those two rangers over there on the floor.. that was two families who would suffer the same grief Cali had endured. The woman had also tried to viciously murder Mourgan, and it was still uncertain whether he would survive. Cali had very little knowledge of this woman, but she was clearly evil, and needed to be stopped before she murdered anyone else.. and Cali could easily end her with a nice long cut down the arm. Her mother was a nurse.. which meant Cali had learned about a few things of that sort through her. Her hand was trembling slightly as she struggled with the choice. Then her thoughts strayed to Ryn, trying to imagine what he would say to her, what he would want her to do. She had also heard what Arnyn had just said of Pele, how the captain had chosen the light instead of darkness. Cali briefly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and released it. Ryn wouldn't want Cali to do something in anger that she might regret later. She knew her twin's mind better than anyone, and though he was gone, Cali knew what he would want her to do.

During this time, Relic, as Mourgan had called this woman, was speaking to Arnyn. Cali frowned, hearing the things she was saying. She tucked Arnyn's knife away for now, thinking of a better way to make the woman let go of the poisoned blade - Cali had concluded it must be poisoned, since there was no other way she could think of that Mourgan would have gotten poisoned. It must be why she was so determined to hang onto it. With her right hand gripping the wrist she had recently slammed her fist into, Cali struck the inside of Relic's elbow with her other hand and forced her arm to double over with the elbow bent, so that the knife Relic was holding ended up pressed against Relic's own neck and Cali's left hand gripping the inside of the elbow to keep her controlled(which would painful to her arm, too). "Drop it." Cali told her in a quiet, level voice. That surprised her slightly, having expected it to be shaky. But now that she had made her decision not to injure her unnecessarily, she felt calmer, some of her confidence came flooding back. Now, it would be Relic's own choice to either let go of the knife or be cut by it...

---

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Getting help

After running back up the stairs, Trastion took a quick look around at the people still fighting the fire. He hated to pull anyone away from it, but it was necessary. "We need some help downstairs!" He called, his voice a bit hoarse from all the smoke. He grabbed a strong-looking guy, then another. "You, and you," He declared. "Downstairs. Mess hall. We need the salt barrels, quick! Don't worry about anything else, just get those barrels up here." He coughed for a moment before continuing. "Anyone here with medical training?" He asked, and was relieved when a couple of rangers called out that they did. "Great, get down to the mess hall and help the captain, as fast as you can." He remembered having seen another ranger down there already, and wasn't sure how much help Pele would need.

While he really wanted to go back down and offer his help in any way he could, Trastion also knew he had very little experience with anything medical. And he had been placed in charge of something.. so he couldn't just abandon that job to do another. "How much is left?" He asked, returning to the first barrel. He saw that they were just scraping up the last of it from the bottom. "I'll help them bring up the next barrel," He decided, and hurried down after the others. Without Mourgan, he wasn't sure how hard it might be to carry the barrels, and figured a third pair of hands might be needed.

[Arnyn]

Barracks
@Isolde Alarion @Pele Alarion @Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen

Now that Not-Arnyn was looking straight at her, the actual Arnyn felt the tiny hairs in the back of her neck rising. Unsettling. Yet she met the mirror of her dark eyes with seeming calm and composure. Despite a brief flare of concern, soon tamped down by reason. If something had happened to Kadya, her mother, she would know by now. This was quite likely only more reaching on the slaver's part. And even if it was not, and something had indeed happened... whatever could Arnyn change about that now? All she could hope to influence, was the scene at hand.

"So you can read," Arnyn replied to her own face. "Congratulations." She had not forgotten Pele telling her about how she'd found Relic's ring in the office. It wasn't a stretch to assume Relic had spent some time gathering information. She returned Not-Arnyn's gaze steadily as she felt Cali taking the dagger from her belt. Yet the smith did not do as instructed. Instead, Cali went down a different path. And the Lieutenant was not going to lie. It was an interesting one.

Arnyn raised a challenging eyebrow at Not-Arnyn from her position, holding her down and looming over her. "Decisions, decisions," she said quietly.

[Karis Ziranphel]

Ranger Thûllir Bregedýr
Barracks Kitchen/Mess hall
Last week of July - Early Morning
@Pele Alarion @Arnyn @Isolde Alarion

Kaylin had suggested breakfasting at the Barracks this morning rather than at home, and Thûllir figured it would be a welcome break after morning calisthenics to be able to go straight to eat and then to training instead of taking time to cook. She had gone ahead as he got ready, so he was a few minutes behind when he saw the smoke seeping from the Barracks building. Brow furrowing in concern, he chose the back way into the mess hall through the Kitchen, as it was closer and wouldn’t bring an immediate draft into the building like opening the main front doors would. He could run through the building if needed.

Those were his thoughts as he entered the large kitchens, but he quickly saw that the surprisingly few staff present were frozen looking toward the mess hall, and raised voices could be heard. He recognized Captain Pele’s as it was lifted with the comment about a stretcher and her healing kit. All he had on him was his standard small first aid kit that was always on his belt when on duty, not the kit of a master healer. A quick glance around landed on the linen cupboard and the table where the tablecloths and napkins were folded before being shelved or taken out into the Hall. Pete might not be pleased at losing linens, but it was better than a life. Thûllir ran over and grabbed up a handful of the folded napkins and a tablecloth before hurrying to the door and then pausing to briefly peer around the frame to take in the scene. A few struggling on the floor, two still bodies…and Pele off to the side bent over a motionless figure, with a swordsman standing by her side. He would keep alert, but Pele was the one who had called for help, as Arnyn had reiterated with her most recent shout. Sure of his assessment of the room, he called back over his shoulder. “Bring two broomsticks if you can find them.” She had mentioned a stretcher, and they could make one quickly enough if there was need. It might be faster to lift whomever it was and carry them, but the wounds might not make that advisable.
His steps were fast and light as he approached Pele and her charge, and pushed the tablecloth into the hands of the Hyandaner in a way that brooked no arguments. His thoughts paused for a second when he recognized Mourgan, but he was focused and engaged again as he dropped to his knees by Mourgan’s head. “Let me help, Captain.” His voice was calm and clear.

Three wounds. The blood staining the bandages she had applied marked them even though they seemed to blend together under a large wrapping. He immediately clamped the heel of his hand with the wad of napkins over the topmost spot of blood on Mourgan’s shoulder, and placed the other over her hand near his clavicle. The bleeding needed to be halted as much as possible before the man was moved, and that meant spending a few agonizingly slow minutes applying pressure. One of the kitchen staff was brave enough to run out with the requested broomsticks at that point. Thûllir attempted to project calm to those around, drowning out the flurry of words being exchanged with Arnyn’s double nearby. “Hyandaner. Take the tablecloth and lay it out flat. Put a broomstick on either end and roll them tightly inward until only a body-width remains between. It will serve as a makeshift stretcher. We can carry him together.”

[Pele Alarion]

Captain Pele Alarion
Barracks

While Pele's hands were busy trying to stop the bleeding from Mourgan's wounds, she was only vaguely aware of the other goings on; she knew that Relic was under the control currently, and it was what mattered the most. It seemed that there was no immediate danger to Arnyn or Cali, or anyone else, and she hoped it would remain this way.

Pele blocked out most of the conversation to make sure Relic's words would not affect her, yet her attention was drawn to the two Arnyns when the real one spoke louder. She could not deny that it mattered to her to see that she had indeed chosen well - she would not choose otherwise even if she had to fight Relic for all the rest of her days. At the description, or was it a name, that Arnyn used for her, Pele studied her friend for a few moments, and then a faint smiled touched her eyes. She did not say anything though, and turned her attention back to work at hand.

From Trastion's going back and forth and the men fetching barrels the Captain guessed that the fire was also controlled, and it did her heart good to know that regardless of the chaotic nature of the situation the Rangers were acting as a team.

"Thûllir," she acknowledged when the man came to kneel next to her to assist with Mourgan's injuries. "At least it is not a long way from here to the Houses of Healing. As soon as he is stabilised, I'd prefer to handle him there."

[Karis Ziranphel]

Ranger Thûllir Bregedýr
Barracks Mess hall
Last week of July - Early Morning

Indeed, it wasn’t far to the Houses of Healing, and yet Thûllir did not think it wise to move Mourgan just yet, although he nodded acknowledgement to Pele. The definition of stabilized could end up different for different healers, but it would take at least a few minutes from initially applying pressure for the danger of bleeding to subside from the seemingly deep wounds. He gave a quick glance over to the struggle going on beside him, and realized Pele was likely more concerned about the proximity to this Relic.

Thûllir was leaning his weight on the wound to get the bleeding to stop from the pressure, and it would have been enough to have Mourgan groaning in severe pain if he were alert. It showed how bad shape he was in that the man did not respond. Thankfully Mourgan’s breathing did not sound like the lung had been compromised, and he hoped it would remain that way.
Taking one of the long strips of fabric and folding it into a thicker band, he worked with Pele to tie it over the new pad so that it was secure and the knot applied pressure directly over the wound. It was tricky to maintain pressure while wrapping around the shoulder and chest, but vital. Once completed, they hopefully wouldn’t need to continue applying manual pressure to halt the bloodloss.
The Ranger who had taken the tablecloth and makeshift poles had managed to construct a useable stretcher, and positioned it next to Mourgan on the far side from the rest of the action. Thûllir nodded his thanks. “In a minute, if there is no fresh blood flow, I’ll take his shoulders and you take his feet, while the Captain monitors him for us. We’ll shift him together.”

[Pele Alarion]

Captain Pele Alarion
Barracks

It was a challenging task to bandage up Mourgan considering his size and build, yet eventually the task was accomplished, and Pele gave Thûllir a silent yet thankful look as she ran her sleeve over her forehead to remove the few drops of perspiration which the effort had called forth. She hoped that her nephew would be strong enough to overcome the double onslaught of poison and cut and stabbed wounds; at least he had managed to get those beans down before he passed out. And the bleeding seemed to have stopped.

For a few moments, Pele observed and listened to Mourgan's breathing, and was reassured that it was steadfast enough. She then turned her attention back to his bandaged wounds watching for any signs of new bleeding while glancing up now and then to make sure that Arnyn still held Relic in check. Even though she was silent as she watched, her mind was racing - she was sure that her primary task at the moment was to save Mourgan's life; however, it was not easy to leave Arnyn and Cali to deal with the dangerous Umbarian and not do anything to help in the matter. What if she returned and found them bleeding out as well? Or dead? And yet, she could not be everywhere at once, nor could she really guarantee any safety even if she was present - she had already lost her guard right before her own eyes.

"Right. I think we should risk it, Thûllir," Pele said after what had seemed an eternity to her. "The bleeding seems to have abated, for now." She got to her feet and took a step back to provide space for the Rangers to move Mourgan onto the makeshift stretcher.

[Karis Ziranphel]

Ranger Thûllir Bregedýr
Barracks Mess hall
Last week of July - Early Morning

It seemed an interminable wait for the Captain to make the call to shift Mourgan, but Thûllir worked on projecting calm as much for her sake as it normally would be for the wounded warrior. Her close kinship with the man likely made it more difficult for her in many ways.

He nodded when she finally gave the word, and shifted to a crouch with a firm grip under Mourgan’s shoulders. The man was already heavy, but being unconscious added a laxness to his limbs that made moving him the more difficult. Thûllir took the more challenging task of safely moving his torso, with a quiet “Ready. Lift!” The shift to the stretcher was thankfully managed in one go without dropping him prematurely, as his fingers threatened to slide.

A second to make sure Mourgan was breathing still, then he wiped his hands to dry them and grasped the broom handles on his end firmly and gave a nod to the Hyandaner to turn and face away. “You lead the stretcher and we lift on my signal.” The man nodded and turned to grasp the handles in a staggered crouch. Thûllir was thankful the distance was indeed short to the Houses of Healing, as the broomsticks would quickly bite into the hands. “One, two, three. Lift!” He grunted as his arms took the weight and he straightened his legs in a steady motion so as to not tip Mourgan’s body. Settling his shoulders to ease the strain of the tendons in his neck, he reminded himself to breathe calmly. “Captain,” he gritted out, “lead the way.” She seemed torn, but it would be helpful to have someone open the doors and be there so he didn’t have to give a report to the healers. She had been the lead in treatment thus far, and she should be the lead in continuing care. He and the other stretcher-bearer started walking toward the entrance together with their burden, with as fast and steady a motion as they could bear. At least they could get out to the barracks entrance before they needed assistance.

[Pele Alarion]

Captain Pele Alarion
Barracks

Pele's attention was still split between Mourgan and the situation with the pinned down Relic, but she did not have much time to hesitate. She simply needed to follow up with the decision she had made, the life. And since she had trusted Arnyn this far, had let her into the darkest secrets she had held in her heart to bring them to light, she could trust her now to handle the situation.

A look at Arnyn, a brief nod, and she turned around on her heel to catch up and find the door so that the men would not be hindered and need to hold up the stretcher longer than necessary. Once out the door, she would keep alongside the stretcher to keep watch over Mourgan's condition, only quickening her step when they approached the Houses of Healing.

[Isolde Alarion]

Relic
@Arnyn @Rillewen @Pele Alarion

Sh could see it, concern, even if for a brief moment it was there. It gave her small comfort just for a moment. When Arnyn spoke and congratulated her on reading he simply smiled back. Her gaze then turned to watch the Smithy get the Lieutenants dagger and as she drew the blade and raised it as if she intended to stab her wrist with it. She grit her teeth for the bite of the blade but it never came.

Although the tip of the blade pinched her skin she could see the indecision in the woman’s eyes then she dropped the blade. Maybe she was going to surrender? Apparently not as the Smithy then slammed the inside of her elbow with her hand causing her elbow to bend despite any thoughts she might have of the contrary. Her anger once more rose to the surface and she growled out profanities between her grit teeth.

Her nostrils flared and her breath came in short ragged breaths as she looked up at the looming Lieutenant. Her challenging brow and her words of decisions caused her to narrow those mirrored eyes. “Death or surrender? I’ll
chose neither!”

She closed her eyes and on her lips came a dark chant. “Nauk-cenar deaavh, come parpara agh do mausan liwo avill jiak ukend lat once ma avo yor mubullat nauk-ukar.” It ran over her tongue like a silk ribbon, one word flowed into another. It became apparent with each repetition she was putting more of her hate, rage and evil intention into each syllable.

It was a dark spell that would cost her much because all magic had its price. She couldn’t hold the image of the Lt. and wield the spell at the same time. It would consume too much of her. Besides, it would feel good to be herself again.

The first noticeable change was the eyes that flashed open to stare into Arnyn. The pupils were as two bottomless pools, dark as a widows clothe surrounded by swirling crystalline iris that a person could find themselves staring almost trance like into if they weren’t careful.

A blonde braid gave way to a roar of flames crowning her head, while her lips became fuller and her cheekbones assumed their natural high position. Her skin, kissed by the desert sun while her arms became surprising strong despite seeming no larger than Arnyns. There was cruelty in her features, a body made for creating chaos and pain.

She used the time to turn her grip on the blade in her hand, she twirled it around and now it pointed straight at Cali, a promising threat to the young Smithy then she had to get out of the hold that had her down. She changed her leg position, opening her legs a bit. One foot jammed down between the Lt’s ankles and she hooked it with the same foot giving her other foot, her left, the room to brace for her next move. She swiftly pushed her hips off to the left while using the hand the Lt held down to quickly lift herself enough to roll herself and the Lt.over.

Now she sat atop the Lt and looked down at her. There was an upturn to the corners of her mouth. “Decisions.” She said but were her features turning? Her teeth sharpening as the bones in her face cracked and moved into a different position. Her crystalline eyes remained but the shape turned more narrow and deeper set. “Decisions.” The word growled out from the quickly elongating face, her red mane of hair becoming more fur like as she looked down at the Lt. Her nails becoming sharp and claw like they bit into the Lt’s arm.

Within the space of a breath she shifted fully into a larger then normal red wolf with crystalline eyes that searched the woman’s face as it growled and snarled, gnashing it’s teeth before going in to bite at the woman where the shoulder met the neck.

Sharp teeth were slicing through skin and would have tore through the woman’s neck till it abruptly stopped and pulled back with a growl of pain. It looked where the bite was and growled at seeing the necklace. The blue teardrop gem didn’t concern it but it was the metal that caused it to growl deeper. It snapped at the necklace but the moment the shiny metal touched its skin there was a sharp burning of its lip and it dropped it again.

It narrowed its eyes at it, a talisman. An object with protective powers that she as the wolf couldn’t break. She wasn’t even sure if she could break it in her natural form. Although she would have loved to tear this woman to shreds she felt a need to get away. This form took much energy and she couldn’t hold it forever, not without a good amount of blood. Fresh pulsing blood.

It turned its gaze to the other woman, the Smithy. She had no talisman. Acting on instinct it pushed off the Lt and bounded towards the Smithy…

[Arnyn]

Barracks
@Isolde Alarion @Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen

Arnyn dimly registered Pele, Thûllir and the Hyandaner leaving with Mourgan. Relic's words, that she chose neither death nor surrender, preceded a waterfall of words Arnyn could not understand but which - quite literally - spelled bad news. The bad feeling started deep in Arnyn's throat, and made its way further down into her stomach as well as into her head. Arnyn felt rushed, wired, as Relic repeated the chant and her eyes started to change. The pools of the woman's pupils were dark, too dark somehow - and the iris swirled and confused her. What was happening? Her grip on Relic tightened, while something primeordeal told her it would not matter, not even if she could increase her grip tenfold.

At least she got a look at what she supposed was Relic's true appearance. Those eyes. Flaming red hair. Tan skin. Full lips. High cheekbones. A cruel set to every detail in her face. Arnyn could feel a change in the body beneath her, and her eyes widened involuntarily as she realized Relic felt... stronger. "Cali..." Arnyn started to warn the smith while Relic turned her grip on the blade in her hand to point at the young woman. Then Relic moved. Arnyn wanted to respond, tried to, started to - but the Umbarian was too fast. Shocked at this, the Lieutenant gritted her teeth and kept trying anyway - but to no avail. A second passed, two - and Relic had turned them around. Somehow.

"Decisions. "

The tone was so harsh. Brutal. Vicious. Arnyn saw the change in the shape of Relic's teeth as she spoke, and for a moment the shock of the sorceress being able to flip them around along with the elongating teeth stunned her to silence. When the first bone in Relic's face snapped audibly, Arnyn also snapped out of it. "Cali!" she exclaimed urgently. "Run!"

A second time: "Decisions. "

Relic's face was getting longer, the red hair changed. Arnyn could feel clawlike nails biting through the cloth of her sleeve, into the skin of her arm. "You must RUN. Now, Cali!" Arnyn ordered, her voice almost impossibly steady - even though she could not believe what her eyes were seeing. No matter what was going on, no matter how this was possible - it was happening. There would be a time to think about the how of it later. That time was not now. Now, Arnyn could only react. And she realized, in the very same moment, that it would not matter what she did. As the woman on top of her suddenly turned into a large, red wolf, as Arnyn felt the animal's weight upon her, the strength of those limbs and claws, as she saw the strength of the animal's jaw as it gnashed its teeth together... she knew.

She knew the truth. She would die here. And if Cali did not run, the other woman would soon follow. The Lieutenant pushed at the wolf on top of her, using one forearm to try and push back against the creature's throat as it leaned in. But the creature's strength... Arnyn lost ground inch by inch. Pele had trusted her to handle Relic, leaving her to deal with the sorceress while she saw to Mourgan. Teeth penetrated the skin to the left of the base of Arnyn's neck. Pele had been mistaken. Arnyn had failed her.

Then the wolf withdrew, growling. Breathing shallowly and stunned to still be alive, Arnyn stared at the monstrous viage as it growled again and snapped at her neck again - but did not deal damage again. The felt the chain of Dhalion's necklace dropping back against her skin. No, not the necklace, she thought, a stupid thought with her life on the line - nonetheless there it was.

Arnyn's mind started racing again as the wolf stared at her neck, in seeming indecision. That small moment was what she needed to gather her wits.

And so, when the wolf's head turned away, toward where Cali was... - had been, hopefully... nay, she was still there - Arnyn reacted instantly. The wolf pushed off of her, but Arnyn grabbed at the animal's tail - or one of its hind legs - it mattered not - whatever she could get her hand on. She drew a throwing knife with her other hand and aimed to sink it into the wolf's hind quarters and pull it back. Once her grip was secure she did the same with her other hand. The knives were not long, being no more than throwing knives, and therefore the wounds would not go deep, but it gave her two decent hooks at least. And then the LIeutenant pulled. She pulled with all she could. She pulled with all her strength.

It might pull the beast back. It might simply do no more than keep it from reaching Cali. It might do nothing at all. But by Manwe. Adrenaline was rushing through Arnyn's veins. And she gave it all she got. Cali was a civilian. Cali hadn't promised Pele they would deal with Relic together. Cali hadn't signed up for any of this. Cali had to be protected.

"Sword... Someone get me a sword..." Arnyn groaned, trying to keep the beast back by pulling at the two knives into the back of its body.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Isolde Alarion

Cali Dringolben - Armorsmith
Mess hall - during the fire

Cali glanced after the others as they transported Mourgan away. To the houses of healing, she assured herself. He would be fine. He would live. She kept telling herself that. It was sad that those other two had died, but at least Mourgan would not join them. And.. now it was just herself and Arnyn left alone with the murderer. But it seemed that between her and Arnyn, they had managed to subdue the murderer. She couldn't imagine the woman being able to do anything now, with her own knife held to her throat, the lieutenant pinning her to the ground. Everything was alright. Right?

And then.. to her great surprise, things suddenly happened that Cali did not expect. The first was that the murderer flipped the knife around, so that it pointed toward Cali now. She hadn't even thought of that possibility, and tightened her grip slightly to keep the woman's arm bent... she feared that if she could straighten her arm, Cali's leg might be stabbed with it, and she certainly did not want that. But before there was a chance to think, or react any further to this... the woman suddenly was no longer pinned. Rolling herself and Arnyn, toward her right. Toward Cali. The maneuver broke Cali's grip on the murderer's arm, and she was quite caught off guard by the fact that she'd managed to do anything at all.

Having been kneeling while she held the woman's arm, the rolling move had knocked her over sideways, but she swiftly tried to sit up again. And then.. stared. Stunned, she watched Arnyn's evil duplicate suddenly begin to change her appearance. Cali's eyes widened in shock, staring in astonishment. She was transfixed, as if she couldn't move. First the woman changed to a red haired woman, and then... Cali felt a terror rising up inside her as she saw the woman begin changing into a wolf next. How was such a thing possible? She had heard some strange words uttered, but had no idea what it meant. What in Middle Earth were they dealing with here? She snapped out of her daze of horror as she heard Arnyn yelling for her to run. Blinking, Cali fought to make her mind actually cooperate with the order. She almost felt like she was trying to wade through a river against the current, like she could only move slowly and with great effort.

Before she knew what was happening, the huge wolf was tearing at Arnyn's throat. "No!" Cali cried, but just like when Mourgan was stabbed, it happened too fast for Cali to do anything. And she had no way of trying to stop it from happening! And then... as if the wolf had actually listened to her, she stopped short of killing Arnyn, despite how easy it looked like it would have been. Cali hastily got to her feet, her hand absently grabbing Arnyn's dagger which she had stuck in her belt earlier, but she had no idea what she would do with it. The wolf..woman? whatever.. seemed to lose interest in Arnyn suddenly, and instead looked up at Cali with a terrifying snarl on its face. Cali had taken too long in coming to her senses. Swiftly, she backed away, eyes widening further. There was no way she could outrun a wolf, much less one of such unusual size.. but she had to make the attempt. Feeling somehow like she was unable to turn away, she retreated backward as fast as she could... until she tripped. Cali fell backward with a panicked cry as she tripped over something. A body. One of the rangers who had been killed earlier. Looking up, she expected to see the wolf already on top of her, but, instead, it seemed Arnyn had managed to grab on and delay it.

Cali's first thought was to do what Arnyn had said earlier, to jump up and flee from the room as fast as she could, but as she was trying to get to her feet again, Cali dimly heard Arnyn asking for someone to get her a sword. But there was no one else around to help her.. everyone else had left already. And as she tried to disentangle herself from the dead man on the floor...Cali became aware that he had been wearing a sword. Possibly, he had been headed out for some duties, or had intended to go train after breakfast. Whatever the case, the sword was there, close to her hand.

Though panicking seemed like the thing to do with a huge wolf bearing down on her, Cali tried her best not to, and instead fumbled to draw the sword from the sheath. Cali was definitely not trained for any sort of battle, wehther with a giant wolf, or any other enemies. She had very little knowledge about using weapons.. only making them. But maybe she could do something to help those who could do the fighting; in this case, the lieutenant. "Arnyn!" Getting the sword freed from the scabbard, she shoved it, sliding and spinning, across the floor toward the lieutenant. If she could just get it to Arnyn, maybe she would find it useful.. maybe she could give Cali some time to get away, maybe some help would come..or something.

---

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Back to the fire

Between the three of them, it didn't take long to lift the barrel, which Mourgan had dropped. Luckily it had landed upright, and none of the precious contents had spilled. Trastion spared a glance toward the conflict going on, at the two Arnyns. One pinning the other on the floor, and it looked like they had the situation under control. Then one of the other rangers groaned with the weight of the barrel, reminding Trastion to help them. He grabbed one side of the barrel and added his strength to supporting it as they made their way swiftly, but carefully, out of the mess hall and back up the stairs.

At the top, he saw that the first barrel was completely empty now. He grabbed the empty barrel and pushed it out of the way while the other two positioned the full one in its place. Trastion saw that the flames were fewer than they had been, at least, though there was still some work to do before it was completely put out. Pulling his shirt back up over his mouth, he tried to be careful of how much he breathed. "Let's get this fire out," He mumbled, grabbing a bowl as it was passed to him. Some people had been busy throwing dirt from outside onto the flames during his absence, and others had been busy working with damp blankets. Digging a bowl into the top of the salt barrel, passed it to one of the guys who'd helped him bring it up. "Let's get our line back together! We have more salt!" It seemed the line had dispersed while he was gone, once they ran out of salt.

A few people ran back to assist, and soon the line was back at work, passing bowls from the barrel to the nearest flames. While he worked, he was starting to feel his arm stinging from the pain of that shard of porcelain that was stuck in it, but he ignored it the best he could. A bit of salt had gotten stuck to it, he noticed at one point, and idly thought that might explain the burning sensation. He kept working, leaving the shard because he wasn't sure whether it might start bleeding worse if he pulled it out.

[Isolde Alarion]

Relic
@Arnyn @Rillewen

So focused on the Smithy was the wolf that it didn’t feel when the Lt grabbed it by the tail. It did feel the sting of the throwing knives, one after the other and turned momentarily from its target to snap at the woman.

It turned back its attention to the Smithy and was trying to get to the fallen woman but the Lt was pulling against it. The wolf dug its claws into the cold stone floor, scratching and clawing to keep from being pulled away too far, meanwhile it snapped at the Smithy trying to bite her leg and finally it was successful as it grabbed her by the calf.
Sinking its sharp teeth in and was ready to pull her closer to get a better bite when the Smithy sent the sword spinning and skittering across the floor towards Arnyn which caught the eye of the wolf. It let go of the Smithy and when it came within distance it reached out and stopped the blade under one of its large paws, its handle toward Arnyn.

The wolf lowered its head and growled at Arnyn, showing its large sharp teeth beneath its curled lips. Its red hackles raised along the length of its body as the muscles bunched beneath its skin readying to make a final charge at the woman. No necklace would stop it this time, it would aim for the heart. Preparing to rip it from her chest…

[Arnyn]

Barracks
@Isolde Alarion @Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen

Cali hadn’t listened to Arnyn when she'd told her to run. As the wolf turned to snap at her, Arnyn leaned away, and the teeth missed her by a hand's width. Yet the creature's attention soon returned to the smithy, and the weight of its body and the strength of its muscles strained against Arnyn. The Lieutenant could feel that the wolf was gaining one inch at a time, and she couldn't brace herself in such a way to keep it from happening. She was not as heavy as the red wolf.

"Cali! Can you get a shield?!" Arnyn called out to the smithy as she heard the wolf snapping its teeth together, trying to get at Cali. Arnyn was unable to remember if Minluzir had had that piece of his equipment on him this morning. His last morning.

But whatever was happening with the wolf - Relic - and Cali, the smithy was made of sterner stuff than Relic had likely expected. Despite the teeth in Cali's leg - which Arnyn could not see; all she could hear was a cry of alarm, or pain, or both - the young woman still got a sword out of a sheath and sent it spinning across the floor, toward the Lieutenant.

She had already been weighing her options. If the sword ended up close enough, she could reach out with one hand and grab the hilt - although that would require her letting go of the straining wolf with one hand. Which would be enough slack for the wolf to reach Cali.

But it was also entirely possible for the wolf to turn around any minute, or to kick back with one powerful leg that would shove Arnyn away. In both of those cases, Arnyn needed that sword. Really, she would need it if she wanted to continue having any hope to protect Cali... The current situation was impossible to maintain. Arnyn needed a blade. A longer blade than these throwing knives. She could not fight this thing barehanded.

The decision was made. Arnyn let go. The sword spun. The wolf turned.

For a brief moment, Arnyn was immensely relieved and strangey happy for the wolf to turn away from Cali. But Arnyn was soon faced with the next problem when a heavy, fiercely clawed paw stopped the sword... when it was just out of reach. No...

The savage wolf's head focused on her, those eyes jolting Arnyn yet again before she remembered herself. She was not one to panic. She was not one to freeze. The Lieutenant fell back into a defensive stance, eyes darting around for anything useful. And then she saw it. Relic's own dagger. In the fight, it had skidded across the floor, and it was now lying just out of reach.

Not wasting any time, she lunged for it. Her left-hand fingers curled around the hilt. Instead of waiting for the wolf to charge her, Arnyn charged the wolf. "Cali!" she cried out. "Stab it!" The smithy had better listen this time.

The Lieutenant dropped her knees to the stone floor, ignored the impact on her joints and slid the last few inches toward the wolf, right in front of it and slightly below its jaw. Then she used Relic's poisoned dagger to stab up and forward as her knees spread out for proper balance. Arnyn meant to penetrate the creature's throat where its head met the neck. Right in the middle. As deep as the dagger would go.

Her right hand gripped the handle of the shortsword under the wolf's paw. Arnyn pulled with all her might. Hopefully, both Arnyn's stab and Cali's - if she managed to stick Arnyn's dagger into the wolf from behind - would distract it enough for the Lieutenant to pull the sword free.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Isolde Alarion

Cali Dringolben - Armorsmith
Mess hall - during the fire

A shield.. that would be great, Cali thought, while struggling with the sword and the scabbard. And then the wolf clamped her teeth around Cali's leg. The cry burst out without realizing it, terrified at the thought of being ripped to pieces. Plus, it hurt a lot. For a second, she thought that the huge wolf would bite her leg off, or rip it off, more likely. Razor-like teeth would tear through her skin, the strong jaws snap her bones... Cali had the random thought that if she survived this, she'd probably end up like Nal's dad, going the rest of her life with a leg missing. But as it turned out, her work boots served to protect her from something other than the hazards of smith-work today. Thick leather boots were a necessity when working at a forge, and the wolf's teeth didn't pierce her calf as deeply as they would have otherwise.

The second she realized that it didn't hurt as much as she anticipated, Cali had continued with her efforts of getting the sword free, even more desperate to get Arnyn a proper weapon. Once she had sent it across the floor toward the lieutenant, Cali felt the wolf let go of her. Where were all the other rangers, anyway? Probably fighting the fire, she remembered a second later. Gasping softly as she tried to ignore the pain in her leg, Cali glanced around to see if there might be a shield anywhere nearby. The other guy.. he had a shield strapped to his back, but could she reach him? She reached, stretching across the fallen ranger as much as she could in an attempt to reach the other body, to grab the shield from him. Trying not to think about the fact she was lying in a pool of their blood, and probably about to be next to die alongside them. Regretfully, the second ranger was too far away and she couldn't get at the straps holding his shield onto his back. Frustrated, Cali struggled to wriggle closer, but she seemed to be caught on some part of the armor on the guy she had tripped over.

Deciding it was useless, Cali turned her attention to finding out what had her caught, instead. She soon realized that the hem of her dress had gotten snagged on a buckle from the man's armor when she tripped on him. She yanked it free, but she couldn't take the time to inspect her leg yet. About that time, Arnyn had yelled at her to stab the wolf. 'Make up your mind..' The thought flashed briefly through Cali's head but passed quickly. She was the only one around to help Arnyn, and she couldn't just let her face this monster alone. The wolf had turned away from her now, and with any luck it wouldn't turn back to her just yet.. She still had Arnyn's dagger, though she'd had to set it down to get the sword free. Now she snatched it up again, clenching her teeth together against the pain in her leg as she moved onto her knees, then lunged forward with the dagger, aiming her stab toward the wolf's right flank, between the ribs and hip, hoping that between her and Arnyn, they might actually succeed in defeating this monstrous wolf.

[Arnyn]

Barracks
@Rillewen

Lieutenant Brian
The Fire

They were making good progress on the fire, even before the arrival of more salt barrels. When Trastion called out for rangers with medical training, they all knew he meant more than the basic first aid training they all received. Brian focused on the fire. He was not the man they were looking for. He noted that two of the rangers responded and left, but honestly...

He frowned. By this point there were too many people involved - still running back and forth with all kinds of things, while all they needed now was to keep it up with the salt and have just a few people rotating to keep the towels damp and move them to the next doors that freed up when they had made the fire retreat for another few yards.

It was difficult, however, to reach everyone's ears. They were all so focused. The Barracks Master had to almost manually pull people back from the front line. "You're done - go outside. Get fresh air. Come back in a quarter of a bell." He spoke it many times. When these rangers would return, others would have to leave to get some air. He wanted to rotate people, somehow... They were in control of the flames, but he did not want half the rangers here being out of commission due to smoke inhalation.

Speaking of.. he knew one of them had been here since the start. "Trastion! Get out of here for a bit. I'll look after the salt line. You've been running your legs from under you, and have spent a long time close to the flames. Go clean out your lungs. " Never mind that Brian had been here from the start as well. He was the senior officer, though. He ran the barracks. His place was here. And being out of commission for active duty due to smoke inhalation would not reduce the strength of the ranger unit.

He was about to tell the same to Kaylin, closer to the flames, when he felt a burning sensation on his back. "What--" he groaned, reaching back with his hand as he stepped back from the flames. The oil from the lamp, he suddenly realized. His back hadn't just been hit with shards. It had been doused in oil. And he hadn't been paying any attention to it. Honestly, it was a wonder it hadn't caught fire any sooner, when he had still been right in the middle of it all.. He grimaced. "A towell!" he called out.



Hyandaner Kaylin Maethyr
The Fire --> The Mess

She frowned at the barracks master when he grabbed her by the arm but failed to address her. Very unlike him. The way he was reaching behind himself, alarmed her slightly and when he stepped away she could see the flames on the back of his shirt. "Damn it," she cursed quietly, running for the nearest damp towel stuffed against a doorframe. "Get down, Lieutenant," she told him, but when he turned his head to frown at her, Kaylin unceremoniously pushed his head and shoulders down so she could drape the damp tower over his back easily without it falling off. She tapped the thick cloth here and there, where it seemed it was sticking out for no reason, but when her hand touched something hard that seemed to be stuck inside the man and as she heard Brian crying out to stop doing that, she froze. "What, what?!"

"I have lamp shards stuck in my back, Maethyr!" he growled at her, and Kaylin winced. Woops.

"Get out!" he yelled at her, angry because of the pain of the flames and his other wounds. "Get some air!"

Still grimacing over her own mistake, Kaylin didn't put up a fight and hurried down the stairs. The fire seemed under control, besides. They no longer really needed her. And she'd gladly get away from Brian's wrath.

Yet she had been running out and in, and she didn't feel like the smoke was bothering her. On her way to the door, one of the rangers who'd agreed to go to the mess on Trastion's call, came back in. "You're already done at the mess?" Kaylin inquired with some surprise, looking for something, anything to do. The ranger shook her head. "No. I am headed there now. On our way, the smoke got the better of my companion. I helped him outside first... on my way now. Want to lend a hand?"

Kaylin grimaced again. "I'm not really medically trained other than the basics..." The other ranger grabbed her forearm and pulled her along. "No matter!" she said, picking up her pace. "You have hands. I can give instructions."

"But I..." Kaylin gave up as she was speaking, however. If she could help, she would.

They ran up to the doors to the mess. The scene halted them in their tracks. Blood. So much blood. On the floor. Off that away... and then a larger than life red wolf... it looked unnatural... and two people who were WAY too close to it for it be any kind of safe... and two floored rangers right there... so much more blood... Her mind was struggling to put everything together, and she didn't immediately realize who was involved.

Kaylin took a step forward, intending to help. The medical ranger next to her grabbed her arm. "Stop. Assess. The two who aren't moving are beyond my skills. They are gone. The smith and the Lieutenant are much too close. We need a larger weapon, to stab at that thing from a safer distance. Or we could be goners, just like..." she didn't finish her sentence, but Kaylin got the idea the ranger thought the smith and the Lieutentant were done for already as well.

Hold on. The Lieutenant? Arnyn!? What, why - WHY would she be so close!? Did she have a death wish?!

Kaylin pulled her arm away. "I don't care about a safe distance!" she snapped. Although she did wish she had her longsword rather than the shorter blade at her belt, right now. Alas. Kaylin's shield was at home. Too cumbersome to take with her to breakfast...
"Fine," the other ranger agreed, drawing two long knives as Kaylin drew out her shortsword.

[Arnyn]

Barracks
@Isolde Alarion @Rillewen


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen

Her left hand held the dagger piercing the wolf's throat. Her right hand clenched the handle of the shortsword stuck under the wolf's paw. The lingering satisfaction of the shock she'd felt rippling through Relic's wolf form as the blade had sunk in deep, was fading quickly. Truth be told, Arnyn was terrified.

Drops of saliva fell on her neck, dripping down from the wolf's fangs as it turned its head toward her and opened its jaws. The gooey saliva mingled with her own blood from where the creature had bitten her earlier. She wanted to close her eyes. She didn't want to look at that monstrous visage - deadly teath and murderous jaw, all too close and which could very well end her life if she did not manage to distract it enough. But her experience kept her going. She knew, in her heart's heart, she should never close her windows to the world in a fight. And there was no giving up. Not because it seemed impossible. Not because her heart was beating so fast with fear it felt like it would beat out of her throat. Never.

Instead, she kept her eyes open and looked to the sword under the beast's paw. There was more leeway now. But it was not enough. Arnyn stopped to draw a deep breath before she would try again. She kept wriggling the handle of the dagger in the creature's throat - to cause it pain and annoyance as long as the infernal thing refused to die and was hellbent on destroying whoever it could. So she might escape what would otherwise have been certain death.

Another shock went through the wolf's body. Cali? Wasting no time to ponder - and oblivious to the sound of other people entering the mess and exchanging a few words - the Lieutenant pulled Relic's knife from the wolf's throat. Blood sprayed over her shoulder. The blade clattered to the stone floor as Arnyn flung it across the floor, completing the motion of pulling it out and letting go when her hands was behind her. Away. Arnyn did not want that poisoned blade anywhere near her or Cali now she was done with it.

Simultaneously, her right hand pulled at the sword. The paw gave way. Finally.

Arnyn had a sword in hand. Decisions.

Her left elbow cracked into the wolf's head from below, underneath its strong jaws. The head snapped up. The shortsword drove into the creature's exposed chest - high, where it would would not be hindered by the rib cage but where it would sink in deep. Arnyn groaned as she pushed her weight into it and she suddenly fell forward, against the beast, when the blade slipped in much easier than she might have expected...

(For the record: I 007'd this with a license to kill from Issy)

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Isolde Alarion

Recruit Trastion Leithor
During the fire

Once again, the duty of filling bowls of salt was blending together, becoming monotonous. Trastion was coughing a lot more by now, and wishing he'd thought to grab a cloth and tie over his face, instead of relying on his shirt. But it couldn't be much longer, now. He spared a glance down the hall, trying to see how much more was left to extinguish, but all he could see was smoke and the orange glow of flames somewhere down the hall, and people moving around in it all. His eyes were burning from the smoke, and he focused on the barrel before him. Soon he became aware of folks leaving. What? He glanced up again, confused, and wondered if that meant the fire was under control at last. But no, there were still flames, he could see them through the smoke.

Hearing his own name, Trastion glanced up. At first he wasn't sure who had spoken, but a moment later realized it was none other than the barracks master. He'd called him by first name? Wow. Trastion didn't have time to be thoroughly amazed by this. Instead he was blinking in surprise. Get out? But there was still fire to put out! Before he had a chance to reply, he saw the Lt turn toward another ranger, though Trastion couldn't make out who it was exactly through all the smoke. He did see that there were still some flames burning on a tapestry near the Lt, and before Trastion could call out a warning, the flames caught on the man's back. The oil from the lamp swiftly caught fire, spreading across the back of his shirt almost instantly. Despite the burning smoke, Trastion's eyes widened in shock at the sight. He grabbed the bowl of salt he'd just filled, and got about two steps before the ranger nearest the lieutenant had covered his back with a damp towel. Good.

"You gotta get out of here too lieutenant!" He argued, his voice a little rough from coughing so much. And from the smoke. "You've been in here longer than I have... and your boots are melting," He pointed out, "And you literally just caught on fire!" As the ranger, whom Trastion realized was Kaylin as she passed him, ran out, Trastion tried to convince Lt Brian to come outside for a few minutes as well. It simply wasn't in his nature to go without an argument, especially when it was obvious the other guy needed to heed his own orders. "Let someone else handle it.. for a few minutes.. at least." He tried to sway the stubborn man. The smoke made it difficult to talk very much, and he coughed a few times between his short sentences. "You should be in the houses..of healing.. at least go outside a minute..."

Yet despite his arguments, there seemed no convincing the lieutenant and in the end, Trastion shook his head as he finally pushed the bowl of salt into his hands and headed for the stairs, giving up. He was struggling to get enough air to continue the argument, and if he couldn't convince the lieutenant to take care of himself, he could at least get out of here and maybe let someone else know what was going on. If the captain was still around, maybe, although she had been busy tending to Mourgan, as he recalled. Perhaps he could mention it to Arnyn? Last he'd seen of her, she had that...duplicate Arnyn pinned and he assumed by now that the shape-shifting sorceress must have been arrested and everything. He hurried down the stairs, stopping at the bottom as he lapsed into a coughing fit for a moment, until he felt able to move on without doubling over coughing.

Once he got through coughing, he headed for the mess hall. The lieutenant had probably already gone to take the prisoner to a cell or something by now, he figured, but it was the last place he'd seen her so maybe someone could tell him where to find her or the captain. Plus he'd like to find out if Mourgan was alright. The air seemed free of smoke in there, thankfully, so it would be easier to breathe. But, the moment he entered the mess hall, Trastion stopped short after a quick glance around, and his jaw dropped. Not only was Arnyn still there.. but... there was a wolf?! And Arnyn was running toward it... He swiftly rubbed his burning eyes, trying to clear the smoke from them so he could see better. Sure enough, there was a huge, red wolf... and it was looming over Arnyn.. but about the time his gaze fell upon them, he saw Arnyn stabbing it with her sword in what must be a death blow. Hanging onto the wolf's hindquarters, he could see the other woman who had previously been holding the sorcerer's arm, though he couldn't quite tell what she was doing now. Was that the smith from the armory that Mourgan seemed so infatuated with?

It seemed Trastion had come in at the end of a great battle, and almost wished he hadn't taken the time to argue with the other lieutenant, so he might have had a chance to see more of this battle. He wondered what had happened between the time he and the other guys had left with the salt, and now. He then noticed that Kaylin and another ranger were nearby, having just drawn their weapons. Too bad he didn't have any weapons on him, he thought remorsefully. "Be wary, Kaylin," Trastion called out to the Hyandaner. He didn't like how hoarse his voice sounded right now, but ignored that. "It's that shape-shifter woman, I think. Earlier, she looked exactly like Arnyn." He could only assume that was the same foe... unless they'd dealt with the Arnyn impostor, locked her up, returned, and found a giant wolf had somehow found its way into the mess hall. Which seemed far less likely than assuming the sorceress had merely changed into a wolf.

[Isolde Alarion]

Relic/ Red Wolf
@Arnyn @Rillewen

A great howl of pain came from the wolf as the Lt and Cali joined forces to dispatch the red beast. When the Lt rammed the sword into the wolfs chest its howl of pain became more akin to a scream. A woman's scream. It was long and high pitched.

With the loss of so much blood mixed with the effects of the poisoned blade Relic could feel herself losing the ability to hold her wolf form and worse her life. The spell was fading. It started to blend away into her natural form starting with the tail and ending with her looking into Arnyns eyes with her natural cruel features.

Her hands grabbed for Arnyns throat as a last act of a desperate person but they never made it as she collapsed against her. Her right cheek resting on the Lt chest. She seemed to star off until she looked up at the blonde woman.
Her crystalline eyes swirling as she seemed to search her face. She then seemed to whisper between them. “Cursed Alarion.” The effort brought more blood from her throat.

Then the swirling crystal stopped and she became still. No more fighting, no more cursing the world she’d been born into. The iris now faded away to reveal cold jade colored eyes but they were still now. She was still, it was done.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Isolde Alarion

Cali Dringolben - Armorsmith
Mess hall - during the fire

As the dagger sunk into the wolf's side, Cali was a little surprised that she'd actually succeeded. She couldn't see what was happening with Arnyn, and closed her eyes tight as she heard the wolf let out a horrible howl, which seemed to change into a scream. Or was that a woman screaming at the same time, while the wolf's howl died away? She felt the wolf shuddering and swiftly pushed herself back from it, leaving the dagger there. Falling back to sit on her heels, Cali winced as that put some pressure on her injured leg, and quickly shifted to sit off on one side, away from the injury. Her eyes widened once she finally opened them, seeing that the red haired woman was back, and she looked... both furious and a little pathetic at the same time. Much less fearful than she had as a wolf, though Cali had no doubt she was just as dangerous. Usually. Right now, with blood gushing out of a wound in her throat, a dagger sticking out of her side, and a sword impaling her chest.. she hardly looked all that threatening.

Seeing the woman collapse before she managed to do anything more to hurt Arnyn, Cali kept still for a moment, staring, watching for something more to happen. When it didn't, Cali cautiously reached out and nudged the woman's body, then when she didn't respond, Cali pushed harder, to shove her off of Arnyn. "A-are you alright?" She asked the lieutenant shakily, for the moment still unaware of the other people entering the mess hall. Arnyn had blood all over her head, neck, and shoulders. And, after seeing the wolf trying to bite the woman's neck, Cali wasn't sure whether it was her blood or not. As for Cali... she was so far unaware of the blood all over herself. "Who.. why..?" She gestured vaguely toward the now-dead woman, unable to find the words to ask the various questions racing through her mind. She could hardly believe this was actually over. It seemed like it had all happened very fast, and yet.. so much had happened it felt like it should have been spaced out across more time than it had actually taken. Like too many events had been crammed into just a few minute's time.

Some of Cali's hair had come loose from the leather strip she'd used to tie it back, and she let out a shaky breath and raised her hands toward her face, intending to push the strands back from her face. But, seeing the blood on her hands, she stopped and stared at them for a moment, then gave a shake of her head to try and get the loose locks out of her face. Letting out another shaky breath, she dropped her hands down to her lap and clasped them tightly together to try and stop them from shaking so much. "This... is not part of my job," She declared with a shaky laugh, trying to calm down after all the shock and horror and how close she'd come to getting killed. When she took the job, Cali had definitely not expected to get involved in any sort of dangerous battles with vicious people intent on murder... the most dangerous thing she should have been encountering at her job should be getting burned by hot metal, or smashing a thumb at the anvil. "Is... is it over?" She asked, glancing back at the murderess' body, a bit shocked to realize she had helped with this.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen @Isolde Alarion
Barracks
The Mess


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen

The scream was high. And too long. Arnyn winced. She was so close to the source - it made her ears hurt. Yet she did not close her eyes. You never close your eyes in a fight. Not even when you hope it is over. The wolf changed, shrinked, back to the image of the red-haired woman with those cruel facial features. The shift made Arnyn deeply uncomfortable, just as it had done the first time. As did the woman's swirling gaze as she made eye contact.

Relic's hand reached up, but dropped back down as her life force left her body. Her head slumped down to Arnyn's chest. The only reasons she was still more or less sitting up, was because of the sword in her chest and, which Arnyn was still holding onto with her right hand, and Arnyn's left hand also holding her up in part. She would not let go until she knew it was done. She looked down at the woman, who was staring into nothingness, it seemed. Suddenly she looked so... harmless.

The renewed eye contact no longer unsettled her, somehow. Arnyn met Relic's crystalline eyes calmly, without any fight or anger left in her own. The words coming from the sorceress' mouth, made Arnyn shake her head minutely. "You will curse her no more," she said quietly.

When Relic's eyes stilled and she breathed no more, Arnyn waited another breath or two. Cali carefully touched her, but naturally there was no response. Arnyn frowned slightly as she surveyed Relic's facial expression. How could the woman have carried so much hate in her heart? Toward Pele, of all people... She swallowed back her sadness at the brokenness of the world, and was in a way dismayed when Cali pushed so hard at the Umbarian that she started to drop away. Arnyn let her left hand sort of guide the body to the floor, meanwhile sliding the blade out of the woman's chest.

'A-are you alright?'

Cali's question made Arnyn blink. She was still sitting on her knees, Relic's lifeless body in between her and Cali. In the past moments, Arnyn had been many things. She'd been in control, determined, calm. She'd been surprised, overpowered and terrified for her life. She'd been an inch away from death. She'd taken a gamble, one of her 50/50s. And once again it had panned out. But was she alright? Probably not. But she'd been in this position before. Not with a shape-shifting sorceress, but battle could throw much of the same at you. She'd come out alright on the other end. There was no reason not to do so now. Her left hand reached up to touch her skin, where her neck met her shoulder. The moment one of her fingers touched the torn flesh, she moved the hand away again. "Yes," she replied.

Cali's questions of 'who' and 'why', however, were very low on Arnyn's priority list right now. The Lieutenant shrugged, and held back a small wince when the movement pulled slightly at her neck wound. That they had faced a shape-shifting sorceress seemed rather evident. The smith was right, though. It wasn't part of her job. "No, it isn't," Arnyn confirmed, her voice weirdly steady. "All the same, I am glad you were here." Cali had put the sword into play that had finished it, after all. Who knows where they would be if it hadn't been for the smith's decision to heed Arnyn's request?

The Lieutenant nodded. "Yes. It is over. Her breath left her. Her pulse left her." It hadn't been hard to check with Relic lying against her just moments before.



Hyandaner Kaylin Maethyr

They had only taken two steps when Trastion arrived. His words of warning, referring to the wolf as 'that shafe-shifter woman' and saying that thing had looked like Arnyn before, made Kaylin's blood run hot and cold all at once. Relic, the woman she wanted dead more than anyone in Middle Earth. That was her? Somehow, her skepticism reared its head and she doubted it very much. Almost as if the meeting at Nárië 20th had led her to believe that Arnyn would never intend to deliver a fatal blow to this woman, which did not correspond with the blood she saw coming from the wolf's throat. Not... not unless there had been no other choice. Her blue-grey eyes flicked back to the blood near the two fallen rangers. Looked upon the other woman and Arnyn, both bloody themselves... Perhaps it was Relic. And perhaps Arnyn had felt like there was no other choice.

The intense scream made Kaylin freeze altogether. Arnyn had driven a sword through the wolf's chest. But the creature did not howl as a wolf would. It screamed. And the scene that unfolded then, almost seemed unreal. As if the moment had slowed in time. Until the woman with Arnyn shoved the now red-haired woman's body and Arnyn lowered that body to the floor. Uncertain of how to respond for a moment, Kaylin looked to the ranger who had dragged her in here first. She was watching the scene with a knowing kind of look in her eyes. It made Kaylin uneasy, so she flicked her gaze to Trastion, instead. Well... this was probably a weird way for him to see his trainer in action, Kaylin mused.

The Hyandaner took a deep breath, sighed it out and then approached Arnyn and the woman in the leather apron. She caught Arnyn's last few words, and glanced at Relic. But first things first... "Are you hurt?" Kaylin first asked the woman she did not know. Fairly certain that she was not a ranger, she needed to be checked on first.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Cali Dringolben - Armorsmith
Mess hall - during the fire

With all the blood on Arnyn, it was difficult to tell how much of it was hers or the wolf's, so it was a great relief to Cali to hear that she was alright. She let out a shaky sigh, then glanced at the lifeless body, still trying to make sense of what it was they'd been dealing with. Mainly, though, she was just relieved it was over. Still... it was a bit troubling to think about the fact she had helped to kill a person. Even someone as clearly evil as this had been. Cali had been around death plenty, being best friends with the undertaker's daughter growing up. Cali and her group of friends had played many a game in the spooky storeroom of their friend's father's workplace. They'd buried deceased pets in Iole's little graveyard for lost pets, and later, Cali had suffered the very real grief of losing members of her own family. But never had she had a part in taking a life. It was... a bit disturbing, but it had been necessary.. this enemy would have killed her and Arnyn and many others, otherwise.

Arnyn's following words drew her from the trance of thoughts Cali had lapsed into. "All the same, I'm glad you were here."

Cali blinked, her thoughts flashing toward how very different this fight might have gone if she had not come in there at all. Or if she had heeded Mourgan's plea to leave. Or if she had hurried off with Pele, to stay with Mourgan, while Arnyn seemed to have things under control. A faint smile slowly crept onto her face as she realized that she had been able to make a difference, despite not knowing all about fighting like the others. She was glad for a lot of things, including... Arnyn and Pele entering when they did, to take charge. And especially glad that she hadn't had to fight that monster on her own. Most of all, she was glad that the deaths had stopped with the two lying nearby, and that she and Arnyn had survived. "So am I." Cali replied quietly, despite how terrifying the whole thing had been.

The arrival of another ranger startled her, briefly. With a slight jolt, Cali looked up at Kaylin and blinked, then glanced down at the blood on her hands, before looking back up, slowly shaking her head. "Uh.. I.. don't think so." She replied, a bit prematurely. "Oh.. maybe.." She added as she remembered that her leg hurt, and looked at her boot. "I don't know..." She frowned. There were obvious teeth marks from the wolf, and a lot of blood on her boot, but then.. there was also blood all down her back. How much of it was hers, Cali wondered? "I.. I think I just need a bath," She said with a faint laugh, and took a deep breath. "I'll be fine, really." She assured the other woman, though Cali knew deep down that she ought to have her wound looked at by a healer soon. Regardless, though she was still a bit shaken by the whole ordeal, Cali reasoned that, since she didn't have any serious injuries, it would be best to clean up a bit first. Otherwise, her mother might take one look at her and faint, or worse.

---

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Mess Hall - During the fire

Watching the conclusion of the battle, Trastion couldn't help being a bit in awe as Arnyn managed to finally defeat the huge, vicious wolf. And without any help except from the young woman who had no ranger training, unless he was mistaken. He'd have to make sure Mourgan heard all about that, by the way, and grinned slightly at the thought of sharing that story with him, before glancing around again more carefully, suddenly remembering Mourgan. His roommate was no longer there, so hopefully that was a good sign. The two dead rangers were still where they were the last time he was here, and if Mourgan had joined them.. he wouldn't have been moved out of here. Right?

As Kaylin moved toward those on the ground, Trastion was close behind her, his steps hastening toward Arnyn, his mentor and friend. He was oblivious to his own need for a thorough washing... being smeared with soot and ash and grime from the fire, and for the moment was only concerned with checking on her. "Are you hurt?" He asked Arnyn worriedly with a light cough, as beside him, Kaylin made the same inquiry of Smith Cali. He was concerned by the blood all over them both, but, considering the still-growing pool of it around the vicinity, it was difficult to say whose blood it all was. The smith had clearly been lying in the first puddle, and he'd just witnessed the gush of blood from the wolf's throat spilling down onto the lieutenant.

Once assured that the lieutenant wasn't hurt seriously, Trastion smiled in relief and held down his right hand to assist the lieutenant to her feet, if she would accept the help. His left arm, the one with the lamp shard still in it, hung down by his side. His sleeve around the area was a mixture of sweat, blood, and oil with a sprinkle of salt stuck to it as well, but he paid no attention to it. "That. Was. Amazing." He informed Arnyn hoarsely, in great admiration of the lieutenant, but also immensely relieved that she was alright when she so easily could have been slain. "That was the evil sorcerer you warned us about, wasn't it?" He felt certain he was right, but he hoped to hear it confirmed. "How'd you do it?" He continued, wide-eyed as he began asking questions, despite how much more breath it required to do so much speaking. Did you have to use a enchanted blade or.. som-" He turned away as he coughed a couple of times. "-something..?" He hadn't seen where the sword had come from, but could see that it wasn't Arnyn's usual one.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen
Barracks
The Mess


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen

She heard Cali saying se didn't think she was hurt and then adjusting her reply to a maybe. Before she could react to that, however, Trastion had come up to her and was asking whether she herself was hurt. While Arnyn hadn't been able - and would not be able, given its position - to look at the wound in her neck, she knew it could not be too serious. If it had been, she would have been bleeding out and at the very least she would have lost consciousness by now.
"I am," she said honestly. "But not seriously so. Don't worry about me, Tras." The Lieutenant gave him one of her characteristic half-smiles.

When he offered his hand, the smile grew a bit - for just a moment. It reminded her of when she had offered him one, when he'd had his concussion and he'd fallen over at the training grounds trying to swing her sword. Not too proud to take his hand, she did so, and rose to her feet with his help. Once upright, she gave Trastion a discerning look. He had been actively involved in fighting the fire. That much was obvious. Both by the way his voice sounded and the way he looked. She was about to comment that Trastion was hurt, as well, noting the way he was not using his left arm at all, and a shard of something stuck in it.

When he so emphatically said 'That. Was. Amazing,' Arnyn blinked as her eyes returned to his. It took a second or two to realize what he meant. Killing someone was amazing? When he asked about Relic being the evil sorceress, Arnyn nodded slowly, frowning just a little. But when Trastion went on to ask how she had done it, was looking at her all wide-eyed and asked whether she had an enchanted blade, the frown cleared and Arnyn gave him a quiet look at first.

She bit her bottom lip. And then she started laughing. It was a quiet laugh at first, almost a giggle, expanding as she marvelled at his imagination. "An enchanted blade?!" she managed in between laughs, grinning at Trastion and wiping at her face with her sleeve to get some of the blood off. It made some difference, though it wasn't as effective as she hoped it would be. She was still holding the sword in question in her right hand, and while it was special in the sense that it had belonged to one of the deceased rangers, it held no magical properties - that she knew of. She clapped Trastion on his right shoulder with her left hand. "Nay," she said, shaking her head with a lingering grin. "Sorry to disappoint you."

The Lieutenant then looked over to Cali, and Kaylin who was crouching next to the smith. A more serious expression once more claimed her features, although the set of her eyes still held a hint of amusement. Arnyn flicked her braid back, over her shoulder. "Cali. Can you get up?"


Hyandaner Kaylin Maethyr

It was more than understandable to be in doubt about wounds right after the events, Kaylin knew. The woman was right that it would be necessary to wash up so they could then better determine whether or not she had any injuries, and if so, to what extent. But it sounded to her more like Cali was downplaying things. Something Kaylin was all too familiar with herself.

Then she heard laughter behind her. Frowning, because it seemed to jarringly out of place in a bloody mess hall where three people had just lost their lives, Kaylin looked over her shoulder and up, to see Arnyn laughing and then clapping Trastion on the bad. Kaylin's jaw dropped a little. But soon enough, Arnyn seemed to return to the self Kaylin was more familiar with. Apparently, the woman next to Kaylin was called Cali. Kaylin rose to her own feet again, and waited for Cali to try and stand. She would have offered a hand, but she'd like to see if the woman could get up by herself, given the teeth markings in that boot of hers. "I can assist if it's too difficult," Kaylin offered, just in case.

Meanwhile, the medically trained ranger had gone into the kitchen and was now returning with cloth napkins and two bowls of water. "Lieutenant," she began. "I'd like to clean up your neck a little and take a look at the damage." She hadn't been distracted by the blood all over Arnyn's clothes and leathers. "Your friend can use the second bowl and some of the napkins to clean her hands and whatever else she would like to get off the quickliest."


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen

Arnyn sighed. "Hmm," she agreed simply, knowing it was a small thing to allow and it would settle the woman's mind. "And when you are satisfied my neck won't kill me on the way, Cali, Trastion and I will be taking a trip to the Houses of Healing." She raised her left hand to Trastion a little to stifle any protest he might have. "Spare your voice, recruit. I want them to take a look at that arm. And your throat. And whatever else they feel is necessary to take a look at."

"Hyandaner Kaylin. Since you appear unhurt and in good condition, I want you to..." Arnyn fell silent as she looked at the scene. "Minluzir and Danthor should not remain lying in pools of their own blood," she said quietly. Then the medical ranger led Arnyn to one of the benches and started cleaning the blood and saliva from the Lieutenant's neck.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Cali Dringolben - Armorsmith
Mess hall - during the fire

The laughter was a bit startling, after the horrors of the recent battle. Cali looked up, a little surprised to see Arnyn was laughing. She smiled faintly, glad to hear it, despite how strange it seemed. At the lieutenant's question, Cali gave a small nod. "I think so." She remembered thinking the bite hadn't been as painful as she'd expected, and therefore, expected it to be fine and not give her any trouble. Shifting her weight onto her knees in a kneeling position, she paused for a moment, deciding it seemed alright. Keeping her weight solely on her uninjured leg as a precaution, she carefully rose, unfolding the other from under her as she did. All the while trying to keep her gaze turned away from the bodies.

Standing had only brought about minor pain from her wounded leg, and Cali was relieved, deciding she would be fine. The moment she put her other foot down and allowed some of her weight to shift onto it, however, the pain caught up to her and she gasped slightly as the leg practically collapsed under her. Grateful for any aid from the red haired ranger in preventing her falling right back down to the floor, there was a slightly surprised look on her face as Cali glanced down at her foot. "Oh... that hurts more than I thought." She had not expected that, and wondered if perhaps it was injured worse than she anticipated.

---

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Mess Hall - During the fire

About the last thing Trastion expected was for Arnyn to begin laughing. He wasn't sure what exactly had made her laugh, but he was genuinely curious, amazed, and impressed. So maybe it wasn't an enchanted blade, but he'd heard there were such things. The one the King carried was rumored to be enchanted or something, right? And it sort of made sense to think that a sorceress might have protections against normal weapons... but as it turned out, this was not the case. Still, that didn't lessen his awe over the battle. "I'm not disappointed," he grinned. "That really was amazing. The way you ran and sliiid.." He was interrupted by a couple of coughs, but carried on immediately after, "And you were all up by its jaws! and then..." He started to mimic the action of when she'd stabbed upward with the dagger, but coughed again, as if his throat was protesting all the talking.

Before he could carry on with relating to the lieutenant how impressive her battle had appeared to him, she declared that he would have to go to the houses of healing. Again!? He opened his mouth in slight dismay... there was still a fire to put out, and he had intended to go back to help once he got a little fresh air! But she beat him to the protesting by ordering him to save his voice. Or in other words, shut up... He frowned slightly, then glanced down at his arm as she mentioned it, and shrugged lightly as if to say it wasn't all that bad. He actually hadn't checked it, having been too busy fighting the fire to stop and see how bad it was. "Lieutenant Brian needs a healer too," He mentioned with a frown. "He literally caught on fire," he glanced at Kaylin as if to have her confirm this, "and he's got a back-full of these," He indicated the shard in his arm, "But he won't leave, no matter how hard I tried to convince him."

Yes, he had been told not to talk, but that seemed like important information that someone should know about. It wasn't that he liked the guy, but he also didn't want him to end up burning to death or collapsing from smoke while being stubborn. Nor did he want the man to end up with serious burns just because he refused to listen to reason. After delivering this information, Trastion went quiet and stood out of the way while the ladies worked on cleaning off a bit of the blood.

[Arnyn]

@Rillewen
Barracks
The Mess


Hyandaner Kaylin Maethyr

She hurried to support the smith, Cali, when she threatened to lose her balance and fall. Kaylin gave the young woman a half grin. "It only tends to start hurting for real once the initial excitement wears off. Come." She led Cali over to the bench where Arnyn was sitting down, making sure the smith was well seated before she took away her arm.

When the Lieutenant addressed her, Kaylin turned promptly. Seeing Arnyn earlier... Well. She'd seen her in action during the Poros mission, sure, and she'd been ruthlessly efficient there, but this... this was different. Kaylin couldn't deny that Arnyn's absolutely crazy move to fight the wolf had made the Ranger Lieutenant rise a few pegs on her ladder of respect. Listening to what the Lieutenant had to say, though, Kaylin scowled. Great. First, she had missed all the action. Now, she was in charge of clean up?

At the sight of the rangers who Arnyn referred to as Minluzir and Danthor, however, she immediately felt guilty for thinking such a thing. "Yes, Lieutenant," she nodded, her voice quiet - only loud enough for Arnyn to catch her reception and agreement of her orders. She'd wrangle some rangers into helping her. "They will be treated with the respect they deserve," Kaylin promised, noting Arnyn's own gaze. Despite the victory, the Lieutenant looked sad. More wounded within by the lives lost, than by the she-wolf's teeth in her neck.

When Trastion mentioned the barracks master catching fire and Arnyn looked at her to verify the ta,e Kaylin shrugged. "Some flames caught on his shirt. I covered them with a damp towel. Didn't know about the shards in his back. The Lieutenant was not happy."

When Arnyn gestured to convey she understood, but when she did not say anything, Kaylin left in order to find the help she needed to fulfil her tasks.

And while she had promised to treat the bodies of the fallen rangers respectfully, she had made no such promise for the sorceress' lifeless form. Truthfully, Kaylin couldn't care less what happened to it. Didn't chickens eat anything, or whatever? The critters could pick her apart for all she cared.


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen

When Trastion claimed Lieutenant Brian also needed a healer, Arnyn's expression changed very little. She glanced at Kaylin and gestured off-handedly.

When Trastion gave her a look that screamed he didn't understand, Arnyn sighed. "If it were me in his stead, I would also not step back easily. I am sitting down and letting someone take a look at me, because my fight is done. If his fight, the fire, is still ongoing, then who am I to tell him he has to leave his post? The Barracks Master is a grown man. Besides. If I'd asked Kaylin to go get him, he might have flayed her... verbally. The only person who has a chance would be the Captain."
Arnyn could force him, of course. It was more a case of not having the energy to deal with a recalcitrant Brian at the moment, as well as her wish not to make a scene of it - which it would surely become. Of course, she did not know of the rumors which had spread after her little meeting with Lieutenant Brian at the mess about a week prior.

The ranger cleaning up her neck paused. Arnyn looked at her. "What is it?"

"I don't know. It doesn't look like the teeth got anything important. But the wound..."

Arnyn waited patiently.

"Gnarly."

She shot the medical ranger a grin. Taking a deep breath, as if preparing herself for something, she slapped her bloodied hands onto her upper legs and then got up to her feet. "Well. Off to the Houses. Tras, Cali, let's go. Then we can find Pele and find out about Mourgan while we are there."
The Lieutenant touched the ranger who'd cleaned her neck up a bit on the arm. "Go back to the fire. They'll probably have use of you there."

"Trastion, can you help Cali, please?" Arnyn asked, even as she approached the two fallen rangers and crouched down next to them. She closed both their eyes, and settled their positions into less haphazard ones. She put her hand over each of their chests for a moment, then over her own. Quietly, she rose again and without speaking led Cali and Trastion out of the barracks.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

|
Cali Dringolben - Armorsmith | Recruit Trastion Leithor
Mess hall - during the fire

Glad for the support from the ranger, Cali limped over to the bench with Kaylin's help, and managed a weak smile at her. "Thank you." She accepted the cloth the other ranger had offered her, with another quiet thanks, and began trying to wipe her hands off, at least. It seemed that she was not going to be permitted to go home, change, clean up, and then go to the houses of healing. She held back a sigh and focused on trying to clean off as much of the excess blood that she could. Which wasn't much, since most of it had soaked into her clothes, and was on her back. In fact, she inwardly cringed as she realized the bench would probably have some blood on it now from where she sat down.

Trastion nodded slightly, and shrugged. "Just thought someone should know." He answered quietly, trying to keep from speaking too much, as per the lieutenant's orders. It wasn't so much that he thought Arnyn should run up there(or send someone) to drag him to the healers against his will, but just worried, thinking that someone should know, in case he were to collapse or something. Or, at the least, to make sure that he got to the healers as soon as the fire was put out. It was slightly amusing to hear them talking about the barracks lieutenant as if he were some vicious, fire-breathing dragon that no one could approach and hope to survive, that the captain was the only one who had a chance of surviving, and so forth. His amusement was dampened though by the memory of his back in flames, and the fact that the barracks was still burning. Not so funny, yet. Maybe a few weeks from now when it was all in the past.

As Arnyn declared that it was time to move to the houses of healing, Cali figured there was no point in begging to delay. Besides, her leg hurt now that she was trying to walk on it, and she'd have to go down to the third level to get a change of clothes, then back up to the sixth to get her leg treated... nope, that wouldn't be happening. One thing at least consoled her; as Arnyn suggested, perhaps they could get an update about Mourgan. She was extremely anxious to hear about him, after everything that had happened.

Trastion was also worried about his roommate, and nodded at the request that he help Cali to get to the healers. "Yes, Lieutenant," Trastion answered with a cough that he'd been trying to hold back. He went to assist the smith to her feet, helping her to lean on him for support. Fortunately, it worked out so that she stood on his right, so he didn't have to use his injured arm. He glanced over toward Arnyn as he saw her with the fallen rangers, and briefly bowed his head in respect, though he didn't know them. Then quietly followed the lieutenant at a slower pace, making sure that Cali was able to keep up with her leg injury.

Watching the sorrow with which the lieutenant silently tended to the slain men, Cali felt a lump in her throat at the sight. She thought of her brothers, Dawion and Berthion, who had died in battle many years ago. And of course, her other brother, Ryn, who had been slain somewhere out in Ithilien. As they set out to leave the mess hall, she thought about him, and wondered what he would say if he saw her now. The thought brought a faint smile to her face, but then she also thought again about her mother, and what she would say when she would, inevitably, lay eyes on her only daughter. She frowned slightly as she and Trastion made their way out of the barracks building. "I just hope my mother isn't anywhere around when we get to the healers..." She sighed, already dreading the panic her appearance would invoke in the nurse. "I don't really want to deal with all that..."

[Arnyn]

Barracks
Lieutenant Brian, Barracks Master
The Fire

Once what remained of the fire was put out, and the rangers had taken a moment to breathe and settle down, Brian went on a little excursion in the North Wing, to get an initial idea of the damage. It did not take him long to realize that the lowest floor was unsuitable to be used, at least for the night. And he could not properly assess any structural damage that might affect the floors above. He needed a professional for that; someone from the builder's guild would be best. The Barracks Master sighed as he stood in the North Wing hallway. He shook his head. That it had to come to this...

That he would have to be the one to...

Move the female rangers...

Into the same wing as the men...

He rubbed a hand over his face, gathering his composure once more before venturing to the main hall, where most of the rangers present who hadn't gone to the Houses of Healing, would be waiting. Well. At the least he could console himself with the knowledge that the baths in the North Wing were not affected, and those would still be separate. Despite the longer distance the women would need to cover. But at present this was the least of his concerns.

He delivered his decision and orders for the women to move into the South Wing.

All the men would have to move to the lower floors of the wing if they were not residing there already, and were to fill up any empty beds on those floors. That way, the top floor could be made available for the women. Which is where they would need to stay for one night at the least, possibly more while the structural damage was assessed and renovations would be made.

Now the flames were no longer devouring his beloved baracks, and the immediate necessary decisions and announcements had been made, the Barracks Master's adrenaline was starting to fade and he more keenly felt his burns and the shards in his back. His back was a mess... and his feet didn't feel like they should... Lieutenant Brian groaned. He was starting to feel a bit faint. He should probably get over to the healers himself.

[Arnyn]

A bulletin was put up near the stairs to the North Wing:

North Wing
TEMPORARILY CLOSED

And near the stairs to the South Wing, a similar notice board was posted, only with several sheets of paper to leaf through, detailed the new rooming arrangements per floor. A selection:

South Wing

Room #	Name
Room 1	Ranger Unalmis Raxëlilta
	Ranger Mourgan Alarion
	Trainee Romeran
	Recruit Trastion Leithor
Room 2	Recruit Dunulf (Abroad)
	Ranger Beren Camlost (Abroad)
	Ranger NPC
	Ranger NPC
Room on top floor	Ehtyar Ilisys Azrubêl
	Ranger NPC
	Ranger NPC
	Ranger NPC

[Arnyn]

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Stables
August
@Rillewen @Romeran

Strangely relaxed. That is how Arnyn felt when she entered the stables that day. She was early - as was her tendency - and leisurely finishing a bread roll. Having told Trastion and Romeran to wear their gear, she had naturally done the same. But - not her typical all black today; in line with her mood, she'd traded that in for a mix of browns and black instead.

She still wore her black leather armor: the cuirass, neck and shoulder armor (effectively hiding any bandage or cover she was still wearing exactly because her clothing and armor would be rubbing into it otherwise), vambraces, greaves, and fingerless gloves. The clothing beneath, however, was brown, as were the high supple leather boots she was wearing. Hauling a collection of things on her back and over her right shoulder, she greeted her horse.

"Hey, big man." Arnyn gently dropped her things to the stable floor right outside his stall before going in to greet her destrier. Nársulë was a large horse, a brown bay, and he had seen her through many dangers and adventures. She gave him a treat before starting to get him ready. She would check and clean his hooves, brush his coat and untangle his manes. Then she'd start readying the bags.

It shouldn't take too long for the other two to arrive. They'd been told to bring their equipment: weapons, armour, and whatever they thought they'd need for a possible overnight stay under the sky.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Stables - August

Trastion was quite eager for this apparent outing with Arnyn, and could hardly wait to get going. He generally kept his stuff all in his pack, so there was little need to pack his stuff beforehand. Yet, he'd gone through all his gear anyway, and had checked that all was packed away that he might need. The fact that he was meeting Arnyn at the Stables implied they would likely be using horses to get wherever they were going, yet still, he didn't want to make any assumptions. His things were all packed in his backpack, ready for whatever.

He had made sure that his leather armor was cleaned and his sword properly sharpened and all of that. So he felt just about ready for anything when he came down from the barracks with all of his gear, sword strapped to his side, and his bow hung at his back. He had no idea what exactly Arnyn had in mind, but knew from past experience to come ready, even if the note had not specifically said that.

"Hello lieutenant!" He greeted her as he stepped into the stable, seeing her with what he assumed must be her horse. "Will we be riding horses to.. wherever?" He asked, mostly to confirm his guess as he moved toward the stall containing the one he had become close with, Lightning. He had sneaked an apple out of the mess hall since he knew he'd be coming to the stables, and now offered that to Lightning with a smile. "Hey there, looks like we might be going someplace together, are you excited?" He asked the horse in a mock-secretive whisper.

(I'm not sure if Rome and tras are still roommates at this point so I left that vague lol)

[Arnyn]

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Stables
August
@Rillewen @Romeran

"Hello, Tras!" Arnyn greeted him, her tone happy. She did not look up from inspecting one of Nársulë's hooves, but it was easy to recognize his voice. "Yes, we will." Once she'd finished prying out some dirt and gently placed the horse's foot back down, the Lieutenant straightened.

She was smiling as she peered over the stalls to find Trastion greeting one of the other horses. "Ahh, Lightning?" When Trastion looked over at her, Arnyn indicated one of two buckets of grooming supplies she had readied along with her own. The two extras were still standing neatly against the wall. "Grab one. Prep Lightning." Still smiling, she rested her forearms on the wooden wall between Nársulë's stable box and that of the next horse. "You know how?" she inquired, curious to see what he already knew.

[Romeran]

Ranger Trainee Romeran
Stables - August
@Arnyn @Rillewen

That Trastion was also coming on the overnight trip with Lieutenant Arnyn made Romeran feel considerably better. It’s not that he was scared of the Lieutenant, ok it was precisely because he was scared of her. Trastion on the other hand seemed quite comfortable around Lieutenant Arnyn and that he would also be there meant that perhaps Rome would not draw the attention of the Lieutenant the entire time at least, or so Romeran hoped. It wasn’t that the Lieutenant had ever really done anything to intimidate Rome, it was just that she was his direct superior and the way she held herself. Such confidence and yet also grace. It was clear she had a great deal of experience as a ranger and the confidence that came with a complete grasp of your own abilities. Romeran simultaneously felt both terror and admiration.

That morning he had risen early and went to see Sergeant Pete at the kitchen. As usual he helped out prepping and cleaning in the kitchen at first. The Sergeant had informed Rome many times that this was not actually a required part of his duty but had eventually stopped protesting. Romeran had returned from the death of his uncle and spent a great deal more time in the kitchen with Sergeant Pete who took it to be some form of distraction and quietly accepted the younger ranger’s help. As payment (for the unrequested work) Pete had fixed up some eggs and cheese with some ham for breakfast and gave Romeran some left over hard tack and dried fruit to go with any cheese he didn’t finish as rations for the trip Romeran had told him about. Pete assured Romeran that he needn’t be afraid of the Lieutenant and that he had never known her to bite. Romeran wasn’t sure if that had been a joke.

When Romeran arrived at the stables both Trastion and Lieutenant Arnyn were already there and dressed in what looked like leather armor. Romeran felt suddenly underdressed. He had yet to be fitted with a leather jerkin of appropriate proportions (one would have to be custom made for his particularly large size) and instead wore his usual attire. A black ranger surcoat was drawn over his brown wool long sleeve tunic and grey wool trousers and cinched at the waist with a thick brown leather belt. The one piece of armor that the ranger armorer had found that fit him were a pair of thick brown leather vambraces which protected his hands and forearms but mostly the inside of his forearms from the slap of a bow string. His well-worn tall brown boots completed the ensemble and made for good protective rider’s boots, much nicer than the boots he had worn on the farm. Even though the boots had been new since he joined the rangers they were already well worn and molded to the shape of Romeran’s large feet.

“Lieutenant Arnyn” Romeran said, saluting the senior officer and standing at attention. “Trastion” he greeted with a nod and a smile after being released from attention by the Lieutenant.

As soon as Romeran spoke a large grey mare in the back corner stall snorted loudly and Romeran smiled and looked over. “Hello Daisy” he said cheerfully “I hope you’re ready for a ride today” he said, walking over to the stall and pulling out a brush and hoof pick from the saddle bags next to Daisy’s stall. Romeran’s own pack was strapped to his back. It contained the usual outdoor kit that he took on his outings with Duinion like his tinderbox and whetstone but also the small box of salt and seasonings which Romeran always brought. Strapped to one side of the pack was his short hunting bow, unstrung, and the other side was a small quiver of arrows. Strapped to the bottom was his bedroll which was wrapped in an oilcloth tarp — handy for when it rains or for putting up a quick shelter. At his belt on the right side of his hip was his ever-present hatchet, the reverse side being a small hammer, and at his right hip was, to Romeran at least, a long hunting knife but to a more average sized person might have been closer to a short sword.

As Romeran began taking care of Daisy, who honestly didn’t need that much work as Romeran had been careful to put her away in the best state that he could, he finally plucked up the courage to ask the Lieutenant a question.

“Where are we going anyway?” He asked before quickly adding in “Lieutenant” as a sign of respect, after all by what right did he have to know anyway? It’s not like it would change whether or not they would go. But he couldn’t help his curiosity.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Romeran

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Stables - August

Hearing that they were indeed going to take the horses along, Trastion grinned. "Great, hear that Lightning? You get to come!" He laughed slightly and looked where Arnyn had indicated, seeing the buckets of grooming supplies. He went and grabbed the one nearest him. "Yeah, I know how." He took a moment to look through what was in the bucket. "I had a horse, back.. before." He mentioned, though he had given him to his sister when he left. "I always did this stuff myself, you know.. helps one to bond with the horse." He petted Lightning for a moment before he got started, quietly thinking about that, wondering if Dulinneth had followed the same principles as he and Aearon regarding the horse, or if she did as Torthon and Toggornir did, and let the stableman do all the 'dirty work' instead. He had a suspicion she would do like him, but it was hard to know for sure without being there.

Shaking his head slightly, Trastion put his pack down and went into the stall with the grooming supplies, and started with checking the horse's hooves. He knew that he had left Lightning well groomed the last time he borrowed the horse, but others may have ridden him since then. "Any clues about where we'll be going?" He asked Arnyn as he carefully checked each hoof before moving on to brushing his coat. "You mentioned bringing gear for overnight.. so I take it we're traveling far enough to require stopping for the night..?" He asked with an eager smile. This was very exciting, and he could hardly wait to get going, yet he supposed they still had to wait for Romeran.

Just then Romeran entered, and Trastion grinned and waved. "Hello!" He greeted him in return, then laughed a little as Rome asked nearly the same question. "I guess we're both curious." He grinned as he continued working on grooming the horse.

[Arnyn]

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Stables
August
@Rillewen @Romeran

"Right," Arnyn said when Trastion mentioned he had a horse back home and he used to take care of it on his own. That was good to hear. She smiled. "It does help? Trust is rather important with your horse. In general, but especially if you are taking it out into high stress situations. Like a fight." She watched a while as Trastion started checking the horse's hooves. When he asked about where they were going, she smiled and shook her head slightly. "Not yet. But far enough to stop for the night, yes. It's not a dangerous mission or anything, if that is what you were thinking." The Lieutenant slanted her head. "At least that's the idea, although you never really know. I hope you're not disappointed?"

At Romeran's entrance, her brown eyes were drawn to him. She returned his salute slowly, still gauging his equipment. "How have you not been outfitted with anything yet in all this time?" she questioned pensively. Her tone was not judging or condemning, rather it was surprised. "Regardless of the why, I will have to make sure that issue is resolved sooner rather than later. How can you be expected to perform the duties of a ranger if you cannot be properly equipped?" The slight rant went along with a frown on her brow. "But it will not hinder our little outing. As I was just telling Trastion, we aren't going on a dangerous outing." A half grin mastered her face. "Probably."

"We won't be going anywhere until we've prepared the horses and ourselves to set out," she responded cheerily to the questions about their destination. "So! Once the horse's hooves are clean, their coat has been properly brushed and you've checked their eyes... and ears..." she added, looking at both of the young men to verify whether they did not forget those details, "there is the matter of deciding where our gear and packs go."

"How would you each go about that?" she asked, turning back to Nársulë to make sure he had no knots in his manes or tail, since the outing would only make those worse.

[Romeran]

Ranger Trainee Romeran
Stables - August
@Arnyn @Rillewen

Panic set in as the Lieutenant dressed Romeran down based on his uniform, or rather lack thereof with respect to his armor. Romeran went to open his mouth in reply but found the words had been stolen from him and he stood there for a moment silently agape. Eventually he managed to force some stuttered words.

“I… uh… well” he struggled “you see… the armorer well…” Romeran blushed “they didn’t have even a leather jerkin that was” Romeran went even more red which was hard to see behind his black beard “well large enough” he explained finally. Romeran wasn’t fat, far from it, and while a few rangers (especially the Dúnedain) might be as tall as Romeran very few individuals were as broad. The phrase ‘barrel-chested’ was an apt description it was a considerable reason why Daisy, the largest mare in the stable, had been selected for Romeran when he had first come.

“The armorer said they would have to custom make something and I suppose with the recent events that they haven’t gotten around to it” Romeran explained though failing to mention that he hadn’t exactly gone around telling any of his superiors or asking when it would be ready. Romeran didn’t like to make a fuss.

At least it didn’t sound like his failing would disqualify him from this particular outing, after learning which Romeran let out a small sigh of relief. Who knows maybe the Lieutenant knowing might be the difference between getting his armor and waiting forever.

Romeran distracted himself from his embarrassment and nervousness by tending to Daisy. Having been appropriately put away last time, the mare needed very little tending to but Romeran did so anyway if only to avoid the ire of the Lieutenant.

Feeling somewhat brave, and hoping that he might be able to redeem himself from earlier, Romeran decided to answer Arryn’s question.

“Saddle bags are generally recommended for use when riding. It’s possible that the straps of your bag could catch on the horn of the saddle especially if you fell or were dismounted which could lead to injury. It can also impact your balance if your bag is to heavy.” Romeran explained but quickly added “That being said, I don’t think I would really recommend putting everything in saddle bags. What if you lost your horse or it got stolen?” He asked rhetorically.

“As a consequence I think it makes the most sense to at least carry a weapon, water, and some basic survival gear on your person. If not in some form of back pack then otherwise attached to you” most of Romeran’s riding experience came in the rather technical form of driving a horse to till a field or do other chores on the farm. But he had enjoyed many a long ride with his cousins and uncle in the past and they always carried a canteen, one day’s rations, an axe, and a knife on their person with the rest of the gear distributed evenly in the saddle bags.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Romeran

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Stables - August

Trastion smiled. "Maaaybe." He replied, lightly teasing, in reply to the lieutenant's question about whether he was disappointed. "But no, I'm just excited to get to go on any trip." He assured her, smiling as he worked on brushing Lightning's coat. He listened as Arnyn mildly scolded the other trainee for his lack of gear. He didn't think it was all that big of a surprise, since the other young man had been absent for so long, but then he remembered that he should've had gear from before. He was a trainee by now, after all, and that meant he'd gone through his entire recruit period without a full set of armor? But the explanation made sense, he supposed, as Rome did appear to be larger even than Mourgan.

As Trastion moved to brushing Lightning's mane, he listened to Romeran answering Arnyn's question, but didn't want to interrupt so he kept quiet and let him talk first. When he had finished, Trastion spoke up, as if to pick up where he left off, "When you're packing your stuff into the saddlebags, you also want to make sure that all the weight is evenly distributed," Trastion tried to imagine he was telling this to someone who had never heard of it before, rather than to the lieutenant who was most likely just checking whether he knew stuff. "You have to factor in the horse's comfort when packing your bags, too." He added, moving on to checking Lightning's ears and eyes, then smiled and rubbed the horse between the ears after checking that those were fine.

"The pommel bags are best for things you want to keep within easy reach, like a canteen," Trastion went on. "If we were going on a short trip for just a few hours, we probably don’t need much more than a canteen and a small pommel bag with a hoof pick, a snack or two, and a few other small items. We'd want to also wear a small pack to keep a few personal items close at hand that you might need in case of an emergency," He added onto what Rome had said. "Stuff you’d need should you become separated from your horse." He added, with a nod toward Romeran, agreeing with what he had said moments ago. With that thought, he grabbed a saddle and blanket from the tack room and returned to Lightning's stall before he continued.

"The cantle bags go at the back of the saddle, and that's more for other stuff like medical supplies and food and things that you wouldn't need as much unless you were going to dismount. " He paused and adjusted the blanket on Lightning's back, making sure it was situated properly. "So, for a long trail ride for many hours at a time, or even overnight, like this, when you need to pack a lot of items in your saddlebags, it's best to spread the weight around. Put lighter items in a cantle bag and some heavier items in a pommel bag. That makes it easier for your horse to carry the weight of all your stuff, in addition to your weight." He smiled and lifted the saddle onto the horse, positioning it carefully and checking that it wasn't going to be rubbing anywhere. "Horses do best when carrying weight in front of their center of gravity. So, like, putting more of the weight just behind the foreleg and about one-third of the way up your horse’s body." He added as he worked on tightening the cinch and other straps. "Then there's item-specific holders." He went on, "Like a saddle-sheath for a bow, or a holder for a hatchet, stuff like that." He shrugged.

"Something else to remember when packing your saddlebags, you should put the heaviest items on the bottom of the pack, and lighter items on top. And don't fill your bags with too much stuff, because you don't want to overload your poor horse." He grinned slightly. "And make sure you distribute the weight evenly between on both sides, because if one pouch is heavier than another, the saddlebag will shift to one side as you ride, and might even cause your saddle to lean or something. An unbalanced load is difficult for your horse to carry, which can lead to fatigue and even lameness." He paused trying to think if he had anything else to add, and glanced over to see if Arnyn was expecting anything more.

[Arnyn]

Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Stables
August
@Rillewen @Romeran

"When we get back, we will go to the armoury," Arnyn decided good-naturedly as she finished up checking Nársulë' and retrieved the horse's gear herself. "Get you sorted. Other rangers are built like you are, although I do admit they are the exceptions rather than the rule." She looked back over her shoulder with a smile. "The ranger stables only have the best saddle blankets. If you ever were to get your own, pick a blanket made of high quality wool. Your horse will thank you for it, because it minimizes friction effectively. If you fold it smart then you can only put a clean side on your horse for several days; always switching to a side that has not yet been used on the horse's coat. But you two may know that already. You don't seem like laymen when it comes to the subject." She was clearly pleased with what they had told her.

"Now... I have a bow, and I have a longsword, and I have a dagger. I wear my dagger in my boot, to the outside of the leg," the Lieutenant said. "That leaves my bow and quiver, and my longsword. Now, I can tell you that no matter what you have seen, you don't want to ride long distances with a sword attached to your belt. No matter how high on your hip you've secured it, no matter how tightly it is wrapped to you - the end of the scabbard will definitely tap into the horse's flank once you start a canter. If you're going a long way, that is NOT what you want, yes? At the very least it will annoy your horse. And the longer the road it, the more likely it is to end up chafing or otherwise injuring your mount."

She looked at Trastion. "Given you've chosen the sword as your primary weapon, this is very important to you," she said, as if she were assuming her recruit probably had no more reason to know about any of this than Romeran did. "If you're travelling by horse, you will want to have a way to attach the scabbard to your saddle while you ride. If you're heading into battle mounted, you can still put the sword at your belt. The challenges and difficulties that brings... we will discuss another time."

She continued, turning to Romeran. "I'm afraid I haven't had the time to properly delve into how to best carry your axe on horseback. I'm sure your axe instructor will have something to say about that. But I do know that tapping the weapon against your horse shouldn't be an issue, so if you find it comfortable to wear at your own belt, you can as far as I am concerned." She momentarily disappeared into the tack room again and came back with some axe scabbard options that they could try. "Just to be on the safe side: we will see which of these is the best fit for your hatchet and attach it to your saddle. If riding with the hatchet on your hip becomes cumbersome, you can switch to this. Or if you're the curious type of guy, you could ride part of the trip with your hatchet on your hip, and part of it with your hatchet on the horse. See how it feels."

They finished saddling and bridling their horses, and Arnyn helped Trastion to strap his sword scabbard to the front of his saddle, the length of the scabbard going behind the stirrup, and Romeran to attach one of the leather axe scabbards in much the same way. She showed him how his hatchet would fit, then gave him the explicit permission to decide himself how he wanted to start the trip.

"We all have bows. I'd wear those, along with the quivers on our backs." She shrugged. "Always have. They aren't too heavy, and the straps provide the opportunity to attach pouches along the front of your chest, for some of the smaller items you mentioned which we might want to carry on our person. Such as a canteen or smaller water skin, which you would want easy access to instead of having it on your back. And with some weight on your back as well as your chest, you don't ride differently than you otherwise would and you won't make it harder on yourself or your horse to carry you." She gestured vaguely into the air. "I've never been inclined to use a bow sheath myself."

She let them load their bags as they would, keeping an eye on the proceedings as they worked and as she loaded her own. Arnyn was curious as to what they had brought, and asked them to go over everything. Once she was satisfied, and they were ready, she led Nársulë out of his stall. "I know Lightning and Daisy already, and they are used by several Rangers, depending on who needs a horse and which horse is available at the time. She gently put a hand to her horse's neck. "But you two probably don't know Nársulë. He's mine," she said, some love creeping into her voice as she looked at the horse with a smile. "I chose him, years ago. Only I and whoever I choose may ride him. I am also personally responsible for taking care of him. He's a destrier."

She lifted one shoulder. "Some of the Roquen of old commented on that, since they felt a courser - like Lightning - would suit my style better. More quick, more agile. However -" her smile grew into a grin. "While Nársulë here is not the fastest horse in the ranger stables, he fights with me. He's used to battle around him and doesn't scare easily. He kicks, stomps and bites like the best of them." He also mowed the enemy down mercilessly, but she left that unsaid. She was rather attached to him.

"So, what do you say, eager as you young men are?" Smiling again, she raised an eyebrow. "Ready to get going?"

[Romeran]

Ranger Trainee Romeran
Stables - August
@Arnyn @Rillewen

“Yes, Lieutenant.” Romeran said in response to Arnyn’s decision with his best attempt to keep a level voice despite his nerves. He was somewhat relieved as he wasn’t sure if perhaps the armorer had forgotten, he was rather old after all, but Romeran had been too nervous to ask or even seek him out. Confidence, he was beginning to realize, was going to be something he would need to work on.

Traveling on horseback with a real sword had never been something which Romeran had ever even really considered. The Lieutenant’s explanation made sense, although it was not really anything he had ever thought of. Romeran’s own knife, while relatively long at about 12 inches, could still comfortably be worn behind the back at a more horizontal angle. Often he carried it this way anyway as it was less likely to get in the way when working.

When the Lieutenant came to discuss Romeran’s weapons he found himself suddenly nervous again. Romeran had never used an axe scabbard for a horse, but he had also not gone on particularly long journeys with it either. The Lieutenant seemed honest when suggesting that he try it both ways to see what he preferred. It was a good idea, he agreed. “Yes Lieutenant, I think I will do just that” he said after she suggested he try it one way for part and the other way for another part. He decided to wear it one way on the way out and the other way on the way in.

With help from Arnyn, the axe scabbard was secured to Daisy alongside the saddle. Since they had already fitted his axe inside the scabbard he decided that he might as well keep it that way for the journey out and try it at his hip on the journey in. Romeran did as suggested and wore his bow on his back, strapping his canteen of water to his chest and his knife behind his back. The small quiver of arrows and his hunting bow weighed very little and Romeran felt notably lighter having out his pack down. With the contents removed the pack itself folded small, being made largely of supple waxed leather. This he folded neatly and placed in one of the saddle bags.

When instructed, Romeran described the content of his pack as he placed them away in the saddle bags, being sure to place the items both evenly but also by urgency. Items that would be needed quickly were best packed with easy access.

“Well in addition to my weapons and canteen” he said as these items were already either strapped to Daisy or himself “I brought my tinderbox. It may not be required but it’s handy and doesn’t take up much space and isn’t heavy. It can go in a small accessible pocket. A whetstone, for keeping my axe and knife sharp. Some small pieces of leather strips and some cord. Duinion and I covered a variety of shelters and having something to tie things together can be useful or for making small repairs to bags or saddles.” Romeran put these items away as he explained them.

“A small linen cloth. Can be used as a bandage or cover your face if there’s smoke or be used to crudely filter water.” Captain Pele had yet to instruct Romeran in caring for injuries but bandaging a wound was hardly advanced healing. “I also like to bring an oilcloth tarp, not a huge one but big enough for a shelter or to help construct one. It’s certainly something I don’t strictly need but if it’s raining everything is better if you stay dry if you ask me.” Romeran found, curiously, that discussing his gear seemed to distract him from his nerves and he almost forgot that he was speaking to Lieutenant Arnyn.

“A waxed cloak. Again for the rain but also the wind or just the cold. Pretty versatile but it’s quite warm still and perhaps not necessary. It doesn’t weigh too much in any case.” Now came the heavy stuff. The rain gear was almost certainly over kill, but Romeran rarely changed the content of his pack. Partly so as he might not forget that he had removed his pack but also to become accustomed to packing it all and locating each item. Romeran had thoroughly enjoyed the trips with Duinion. Even if one of them had ended with Duinion injured. Romeran still felt guilty about it even now.

“A large metal cup which can be eaten or drunk from, a spoon and fork — I already have a knife” he said motioning to the knife at his back. “A small spice tin that I like to take with me. Obviously not necessary but you don’t get to be my size without enjoying food” Romeran couldn’t believe he had actually cracked a joke to the Lieutenant. “And a few days rations” he completed, although a few days for Romeran might have looked like a lot more. It was mostly salted meats, hardtack, some dried fruit, nuts, and hard cheese, courtesy of Sergeant Pete. Romeran also included a hoof pick and brush for Daisy just in case.

With his bags all packed and ready Romeran completed the final tasks to prepare Daisy and himself for their trip. When Arnyn commented that many other rangers would have used Daisy and Lightning, Romeran leaned over and whispered into Daisy’s ear “Yeah, but I’m your favorite right?” Daisy snorted. Romeran couldn’t decide if it was a snort of agreement of disagreement. He smiled either way.

As the Lieutenant described her destrier Romeran looked upon the stallion with wonder. He had never seen a real war horse before, let alone seen one in battle. Romeran found it no trouble at all to picture the Lieutenant bravely fighting atop Nársulë. The image was made even easier to see when they mounted and made to leave the stables. Romeran wondered at the battles they had fought.

On the way down towards the city gate and through the levels of the city Romeran continued to be in awe at the size and scope of Minas Tirith. Having recently returned from his farm it had still yet to settle in again and he found himself constantly looking up and around, relying on Daisy to navigate the streets, something which the mare has little trouble accomplishing. Romeran had to admit that it was comfortable having the axe strapped to Daisy. It was not a particularly large axe but this meant that he could carry a much bigger one without it getting in the way. Maybe he could even carry two axes…

The fresh air and riding shifted Romeran’s mood from nervousness to nervous excitement. He wondered again where they were going. They had both asked and not received a specific response so asking again now seemed unlikely to result in a different outcome. Romeran resolved to ask a slightly more tactical question.

“Which gate on the Rammas shall we make for?” He asked, as perhaps the Lieutenant might ask them to lead and maybe that would also give them at least some information about their destination.

[Rillewen]

@Arnyn @Romeran

Recruit Trastion Leithor
Stables - August

After getting his saddle fixed securely in place, Trastion paused to pay attention to the lieutenant as she went over a few things about carrying a sword while on horseback. He gave a slow and solemn nod, carefully keeping his expression neutral. He did already know that, of course. Lessons of that sort had gone hand in hand with learning to fight and learning to ride. If it had been just himself and Arnyn, he would have mentioned that he already knew this bit of information, but, with Romeran there, he was perfectly fine with letting it appear that he had no prior knowledge of such things. It didn't hurt anything to get a reminder anyway. "Yeah, that's a good point," He agreed quietly. "The horse wouldn't like that too well, for sure." He grinned and went to retrieve a few saddlebags now that he had his saddle in place.

"Oh, I might need an ax scabbard as well," He added, indicating the small hand ax he usually carried in his pack, mostly for firewood and such. While he didn't actually need all that much assistance in getting the sword scabbard attached to his saddle, he was fine with letting her help because 1, he had not done that since the war had ended, and 2, it helped to give the illusion that he was unfamiliar with such things, for the benefit of anyone watching. Such as Romeran. As he double-checked that the weapon was secure, he paused for a moment and reflected on the last time he had geared up in this fashion. He'd been wearing different, less comfortable metal armor then. He'd had a sprained wrist, and had positioned his sword on the opposite side from normal due to that injury. And he'd been riding out to fight invaders who were reportedly setting fire to the forest and destroying his family's land. With a little shake of his head, he did his best to dispel those memories and remember that this was going to be a fun outing for training purposes.

While Arnyn was helping Rome with his ax, Trastion was packing away his gear with practiced ease, smiling faintly to himself as he was reminded of old times when he and Aearonor would prepare for a trip like this. Sometimes he wondered why he hadn't brought Rhovan along with him when he left home. Having a horse might have made things much easier for him, and he might have brought along more supplies and things. But then, he would remind himself that it also would have made it easier for him to be found and recognized with a horse like Rhovan. He was pleased, anyway, to hear that his sister had become quite fond of the horse and exercised him daily. That was satisfying enough for Trastion, even if Rhovan hadn't been intended to be a mere riding horse.

Romeran was listing off the items that he had packed, but Trastion felt no reason to do so, especially since it would mean they were both talking at the same time. He checked off his gear mentally, from the fire-starting kit and water skins to the climbing gear he always brought along, even if he didn't expect to need it. One never knew when ropes, cleats, and other such gear would come in handy. Following Arnyn's advice, he kept his bow strapped on his back, along with his quiver. He had only ever had that take-apart bow, before, so he had never actually ridden with a bow of any sort on his back. He hoped it wouldn't be weird to get used to that, and hoped furthermore, that the bow itself wouldn't feel like it was getting in his way. He glanced down at the bottom of the bow where it hung down his back. "It won't bother the horse, will it?" He wondered with a small frown.

Turning his attention to the horse that Arnyn had picked, he smiled to hear that it was her own personal horse. It wasn't all that surprising to him that she would have her own, instead of using one that anyone else could borrow. And the fact he was a destrier told Trastion a lot more than it probably told Rome, he supposed. Still, he only smiled knowingly at this information, inwardly wondering if the horse was prone to biting folks he wasn't familiar with, or if his attacks were limited to those that Arnyn indicated as enemies. "Well, he's beautiful." He declared, smiling. "I'm sure he's fearsome warrior, too." He added with a thoughtful glance at the horse.

His smile grew into a grin as she asked whether they were ready. All preparations were completed by now, their bags packed, and horses prepped. "Absolutely!" He could hardly wait to get going. Trastion followed the other two out of the stables, leading Lightning. He would wait for Arnyn's cue before mounting, being careful of the bow on his back, which was unfamiliar. But otherwise, he mounted smoothly, and sat comfortably in the saddle with the proper posture. Hearing Romeran's question, Trastion smiled to himself, thinking it might be a subtle way of getting a hint of information out of the lieutenant. He glanced toward her curiously, hoping she would give an answer to that.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Evening, the day of the fire and Relic's death

Stables

It was evening by the hour she found the time for her daily visit to Narsúlë. The blood was washed away by now, the only reminder the bandage and pain she felt between her neck and shoulder. It was a gnawing pain, she noted with the irony such a thought was due, and then pushed the imagery away.

Arnyn entered the stallion's stall and gently put a hand to his neck. "How did today begin with a beautiful sunrise over the fields of the Pelennor... to turn into fire and blood?" she asked the horse quietly. His big brown eyes regarded her in silence and he nudged her gently, sensing her mood. The ghost of a smile settled on her face as the Lieutenant leaned against him. She could feel the emotion behind her own eyes, threatening her outward equilibrium.

She reminded herself she was not in the privacy of her own room, but in the stables. A public enough place, accessible to every ranger. Arnyn shifted her full balance back to her own feet. A deep breath of air filled her lungs. Slowly. She breathed out even as she retrieved the brush for Narsúlë's coat. She said the words she spoke to him on a daily basis. "Time to maintain that gleam of yours."

The routine of the motions helped settle her emotions. Allowed Arnyn to pull up the fortifications she knew she would need before going to see Pele. Pele, who now needed her to be grounded. So the Captain might regain her own sure footing again. As she bent to brush down her horse's leg, small dots speckled over her vision momentarily. Arnyn slowed her movements, waiting for it to pass. She had not eaten today. Unwise, but she had been hard pressed for time and had not been bothered by appetite after what had passed for her breakfast.

These were the times where she wished for her late father. The times where she longed her mother would choose to move back to the City. The times where she missed the soothing presence of just a few more rangers who knew her inside out, and who would not need to ask or wonder what was going on inside of her head or heart. Let alone that they might misinterpret.

When she was done brushing her warhorse, she felt it would be a mistake to linger. She was too close to him to stand near him with idle hands and keep her walls up. Instead, she made sure his water and food supply was well stocked, gave him a parting pat and left his stall. Then the Lieutenant left the stables.

Barracks - Little mess & Officers' Quarters

She forced herself to pass by the little mess for a tall glass of water and a handful of nuts. Thinking Pele might have been similarly afflicted today, Arnyn filled a large bowl with a few pieces of fruit, some nuts, two rolls of bread and some cheese. After finishing her own water, she looked around for something to carry a drink in, but found nothing to her satisfaction. Dark eyes roamed the current emptiness of the place. A quick hand retrieved one of the water bottles in its entirety.

Thus she made her way back out of the little mess, toward the officers' quarters. Outside of the Captain's door, Arnyn tucked the bottle under her other hand, and knocked. "Pele?" she called out quietly, unsure whether the Captain had returned as of yet.

[Pele Alarion]

Captain Pele Alarion
Evening, the day of the fire and Relic's death

Pele had spent a lot of time at the Houses of Healing, mostly tending to patients, spending a bit of time with Nell while she sat at Mourgan's side, and then... she had simply lingered, roaming the gardens. While this little bit of tamed forest locked up on the sixth circle usually helped settle her, this time it did not, no matter how long she walked, sat by the wall looking out over the Pelennor, and walked again. While she might have spent the whole night out here, she had promised to meet up with Arnyn, and she was quite sure that her friend would eventually come looking for her should she not turn up. Turning back to the Houses she decided to make one last round, check in on Mourgan especially, and then head for the barracks.

She might have returned to the barracks, but she was unwilling to meet any of the Rangers and answer questions. Quietly she slipped past the mess hall and common room, heading straight for the officers' quarters. If only she could just crawl in her bed, curl up under the blanket, and forget everything else for a while... But that was not to be - she found Arnyn already standing by her door, hands full with things.

"Have you been waiting long?" Pele asked without any introductions as she unlocked the door and pushed it open to let her friend in. "It took me a while... of everything." Once they were both inside, Pele locked the door again (now rather to prevent a whole company of Rangers barging in with questions instead of keep out any threat). She immediately got rid of the weight of the weapons setting them across the desk. The sword had felt strange with the clothes she usually wore at the Houses of Healing which she had changed into from the blooded uniform.

"How are you doing?" she then queried, as she stopped fiddling around with things and having lit the oil lamp, faced Arnyn full on to study her face and body language.

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Evening, the day of the fire and Relic's death
Barracks - Officers' Quarters

No reply came from inside. But almost as if luck was smiling down upon her, Pele just happened to arrive in the hallway. "No, not long," Arnyn replied, a bit baffled as she followed Pele into the Captain's room. "I had only just arrived." She fell silent then as she watched Pele locking the door behind them and then taking off her weapons. It seemed to her like her friend was tired - mentally and emotionally more so than physically, even.

Still holding the large bowl with food items, the bottle of water tucked under the same arm, Arnyn continued to watch as Pele lit a lamp and then turned toward her. The question made Arnyn raise her eyebrows. "How am I doing?" she repeated, her tone incredulous. "That was going to be my line," she added, with a little amused smile. Arnyn wondered then, whether Pele was one of those rangers who knew her inner workings so well that she could see right through her outward facade. Perhaps not always. Hopefully not always. While it was possible that Arnyn showing her own vulnerability would help Pele to accept her own, Arnyn also feared that showing said vulnerability might only increase Pele's feelings of guilt. And this, she wanted to avoid at all costs.

Arnyn sighed lightly as she moved to Pele's tightly made bed and carefully put down the bowl on it. She sat down next to it, the bottle now in one hand, her other hand leaning on the blankets as she leaned sideways a bit. "Well, at least I can say the day hasn't been boring." She looked at the bowl of bread, fruit and nuts. "Sorry to bring this into your room, but I honestly haven't eaten a thing all day. Please, join me? I hate eating alone when there are others in the room." This way, Arnyn wasn't framing bringing this along as her 'looking after Pele' - and thus avoided the possible implication that Pele was incapable of doing so by herself. Also, Arnyn hoped that even if Pele wasn't feeling hungry, her friend would still be inclined to eat something if she put it this way.

"I'm okay, considering," she then said more seriously with a soft smile. "I'm more concerned about you." Her brown eyes calmly settled on Pele's blues.

[Pele Alarion]

Captain Pele Alarion
Evening, the day of the fire and Relic's death
Barracks - Officers' Quarters
@Arnyn

"You can still use that line, if you want," Pele said, a gleam of a small smile touching her eyes in the light of the lamp. She still observed Arnyn for a while, quite sure that the losses of the day would take a toll on her friend as well knowing the depth of her care for the Rangers; however, she did not press the matter further.

Finally, she turned away to set the lamp down, and pulled up a chair, settling down on it, one leg tucked under her. "To be honest, I would have preferred a boring day," she noted quietly and eyed the display of food. She had managed a few bites here and there at the Houses of Healing, an apple, and a slice of bread, though she forgot these same items half-eaten somewhere. So now, when Pele began to let go the constant restraints on keeping herself together, she not only felt weary, but also recognised the gnawing of hunger in her stomach.

"You know... I'll gladly have something edible. Perhaps I've had slightly more to eat than you, but still..." she admitted, and without much hesitation reached for one of the rolls and some cheese.

She took a small bite off the roll and munched on it thoughtfully while she met Arnyn's gaze and considered a reply.

"I have definitely seen better days, Arnyn," she eventually spoke. "But then again there have been much worse as well." She paused as if to sort through her thoughts and feelings. "I thought... imagined that Relic's death would bring a sort of closure, a relief. But it didn't."

[Arnyn]

@Pele Alarion


Lieutenant Arnyn Dealedwen
Evening, the day of the fire and Relic's death
Barracks - Officers' Quarters

Arnyn slowly reached for one of the rolls as well, after Pele had taken one and some cheese. Even though Arnyn didn't take a bite just yet, she was glad to see Pele did not hesitate to eat something. Pele's words were met with a thoughtful nod, followed by a shake of her head.

"I can understand such a hope," she admitted quietly. "It would be easier, wouldn't it?" She offered Pele a faint smile. "When someone who has done us great harm, goes away, is punished, dies - that the pain simply ends and we can go back to our 'usual self' and our 'normal life'?" Her dark eyes gauged Pele's expression. "In my experience, there is no magical cabinet to lock the pain away; no basket to toss in your experience and throw it off the mountain." Arnyn leaned forward, putting her elbows on her knees as she remained seated on the bed.

"Closure, at least for me, is a fairy tale." For a moment, she looked away. But it did not take long before she looked back to her friend. "There is no 'closed door'. The 'why' remains. The 'what ifs' remain. The feelings are still there." She turned over the roll in her hands. "I'm not sure who introduced this myth of 'closure'. But I've come to think it's a load of nonsense."

[Pele Alarion]

Captain Pele Alarion
Evening, the day of the fire and Relic's death
Barracks - Officers' Quarters
@Arnyn

Now that the food was in her hand and she had the time to attend to it, Pele took another generous combined bite of cheese and bread as she thought over Arnyn's words.

"It surely would be handy to have such a sudden stop to all the pain," she agreed once she had swallowed the delicious morsel. "But alas. I doubt I could ever return to my usual self - and at present I no longer know what that would be. The experiences... I wish I could forget, but you are right. They cannot be discarded, or forgotten easily. But neither do I currently know how to live with it. Like... live and not merely exist or survive."

"Perhaps," Pele regarded Arnyn for a moment and then looked down at her hands and a half-eaten food. "I did not expect a closure as in a 'full stop' but I expected that knowing this one foe would no longer haunt me would give an immediate push towards starting a new life. But perhaps it is all the same anyway." She sighed and looked up again, pain reflected in her eyes. "Those whys and what-ifs are a torment, Arnyn. A constant pain. Especially when others are affected."

Pele studied her friend for a few silent moments as if attempting to see beyond her words and look for the source. "How do you deal with it?" she then asked quietly, and then allowed a small smile to touch her lips. "You are human too and not immune to those same questions, no? But you seem to have found a way..."