Chapter 12 - A figure on the horizon

As they crested the first hill a single figure could be seen coming back along the same route that the army had taken, it appeared to either be wounded or old as it was leaning heavily upon a staff and making slow progress. "We should investigate Hrodulf" Morfindion whispered needlessly as the figure was still too far away to hear what might have been said.

Hrodulf grumbled saying "the quicker we get this over with the quicker I can get back and try my luck with Linan" at which Morfindion looked at him as if trying to work out if he was being serious or not.

As they closed the distance it became clear that the figure was a woman, relatively young but injured with a ragged bandage wrapping her leg and bruising starting to appear beneath one eye. "Ho friend!" Morfindion called out once the distance had been almost closed "you look as if you have been in the wars... What news have you of the road ahead?"

I  hear that you intend to follow the raiders and see where they’ve gone.  I’d like nothing better than to come with you, but in this condition, I’d slow you down. In the midst of all this tragedy, there's no reason you would have heard about the fate of my master, Leosin Erlanthar, but it’s important you know.  He is a monk from Berdusk.  He disappeared last night, after we fought a particularly savage battle against raiders. A few others and I fought our way to the keep, barely. Leosin didn’t make it at all. We went back this morning to look for him, but all we found was his broken staff and this choker, which he always wore.""Friends, I see you have come from the village of Greenest, I am on my way there now to inform Governor Nighthill that we were set upon by raiders and after a savage battle my Master, Leosin Erlanthar, sent my fellow Brother and I away while he held out against the savage creatures and cultists of the Dragon Army. we returned later only to find his broken staff and this..." she held up a choker "He wore this always, a memento from his past!"

"What do we care about some pasty Monk that couldn't hold his own against Kobolds and Lizards?" Hrodulf asked only to be shushed by Morfindion "What of your Brother? What has happened to him?" Morfindion asked "He has gone on to Berdusk to inform our Order of what has happened to Master Erlanthar… I would offer to accompany you but as you can see I am wounded from the fight and would only slow you down I fear"

Hrodulf nodded his agreement "Keeping this one from tripping over his own tits is work enough for this deck hand! You should head back Sister..." never one to miss an opportunity for an introduction "Nemis, Sister Nemis Waldara" She answered. "My master has been investigating these raiders for months now, I fear that if he was not taken in the fight that he will have attempted to join another group to infiltrate them... no one understands these... Bandits, better than he does and his knowledge will prove to be invaluable in the continued fight against them".

She looked to Morfindion and clasped her hands together "Please, I beg of you, If you can find their camp will you look for any signs of my Master? As I said my Brother has gone to Berdusk in search of aid but it will be many days in coming and I fear if he has been captured that it will come too late to save him... he is a good man" Morfindion took her clasped hands in his and said "of course, we will look to find your master, and to free him if we are able" at which Hrodulf rolled his eyes and muttered about the Elf making promises that he couldn't keep.