Thread: Andrast

Lminzil Western tip of Andrast The rather public and humiliating death of the orc chieftan Jukha had the desired effect upon the rest of the orc war party. They were wary of the human witch that had joined them, though she could sense that wariness beginning to wear thin. West they had continued, between the mountains to the North and the Sea to the South. The pace was grueling, travelling by orc was a hell that Lminzil wouldn't wish upon her worst enemy. She was sore in places she hadn't even known existed, her supple body pushed to its limits. It was however fast, it seemed like they were as fast as horses and required less food and water, at least for short sprints. They found few people here, though those were a most unfortunate few. The orcs pounced upon the few helpless Scouts and lone settlers. The rather sheltered witch couldn't bare to watch as they devoured their foes. As they approached the Western Tip of the Peninsula, Lminzil took more readings of the stars but it was a stroke of luck that helped her find the shard quickly. Low clouds coming from the west swept over them. In the perpetually dark sky, a strange light seemed to illuminate the clouds from below. They simply followed that light to a small line of hills near the sea. Another mile to the west and the Shard would have landed in the Sea, out of reach of men or orcs. The force of it's impact practically buried it in the soft earth of the rolling hill. Just enough of it showed to shine the signal light that caused its discovery. The orcs hated the light, bright as the sun and so close. She laughed as they were like frightened sheep, practically despairing at the return of the light, even such a limited amount. She threw a special cloth over it, snuffing the light and allowing the orcs to approach and dig it out. She noted their reaction, it might prove a useful weapon against them if she ever needed it. At least in the short term. The cloth was a heavy weave, specially made for just this purpose. Bring it to me. She told the orcs, they grumbled but seemed either reluctant to cross the witch or to carry the cursed light. She tied the bag securely around it, letting the darkness surround them once more. It was heavy but not impossibly so and though it would only increase her own discomfort, she placed it into the pack she kept on her back, removing some of her instruments to another pack. Now we go North, to find the next one. She had already mapped out their course as the orcs had dug but she had apparently found the limits of her control. The largest of the remaining orcs refused. No witch, we go East to Mordor, to claim our reward. There was no intimidating or seducing them out of their path so East they went. It was more hard travelling and it got worse as the weather worsened. Storm clouds, lightning then a cold rain that soaked them all. Finally Lminzil convinced them that if they didn't stop and find her some shelter, they would end up returning a corpse to Mordor and their reward would be much less than expected. Just before crossing the River Lefnui, the orcs veered North, finding a cave in the last stretch of mountains before the broad river valley. Lminzil was shivering at this point, soaked to the bone. I need a fire. She told them, trusting only in their fear of returning to Mordor without the witch to keep her alive. When they complained she pulled off her heavy pack. With what felt like the last vestiges of her strength she pulled out the Shard, uncovering just a part of it. The light filled the cave, the orcs cursed, but the warmth and light felt heavenly. Lminzil slept as the orcs stood guard in the dark and the rain.