Part Ninety-Seven
The council within the Silver Wood had taken days in deciding that they would grant Orcs land and it took over twice as long to decide where that land would be. Ultimately, a fortnight passed while the council met each day in debate. Many locations were removed from consideration in the first round of voting, but several that seemed qualified came to a second round of debates and voting. One of these was between the Mines and New Haven. Another was far to the east in lands possibly claimed by Rómendar or traveled by nomads. A third was to be granted from the High King's lands along the western sea coast. The last to make it to the final vote was west of the mountains, in the north, unpopulated by Elves, Men, or Dwarves that they claimed, and claimed perhaps by Trolls.
There had been hours of debate over the nature of Trolls, and if they should rightly be considered people or beasts and should they be considered worthy of conservation or as a natural resource available to Orcs, or a potential enemy. This debate ended with the agreement that Trolls had made themselves no allies of any other peoples but Orcs and that if the Orcs did not manage a vote against this location, it would be their responsibility to deal with the Trolls. Interestingly to the others, the Orcs did not argue the location based on the possible existence of Trolls there and were more concerned with whether there was water and whether Dwarves claimed the mountains nearby.
It was this last location, which Dale had been the one to propose, that won the final vote. The other three were slowly removed from consideration for one reason or another. To the Orcs, this location provided a region that Men, Elves and Dwarves had shied from due to its past association with an evil kingdom of minions to the Dark Lord. This meant there was a wide array of land now wilderness but which had proven in the past able to support a powerful kingdom able to rival the Men of the North. The Orcs did not fear Trolls and truly, even as conservationists, Elves classified Trolls as fell beasts to be slain and did not care if the Orcs killed them or made servants of them. The granting of the land was their concern. The location included access to mountains where mining might be possible, one river and various streams that came from the mountains to feed it. The river ran south and provided a means to transport trade goods to River Forge and New Haven, which were already cities populated by many races.
The Dwarves did not indicate they had any claims in the area and had been for the location when it was introduced to them. The Elves felt confident that they would have the Orcs someplace they could find them, as there were Elven settlements over the mountains, directly to the south, and to the west along an easily traversable trade road. No river that ran through the Orc land then ran through Elven territory. A few of the Men had voted against this location, because they were downriver from the Orcs and feared some pollution, but they were proven a minority and the Grey assured them that an pollution would dissipate before it reached them. The majority of the Men who voted were content with the location, as it also meant they would know where to find the Orcs, and Rangers had already proven able to battle Orcs in northern territories.
There were still matters to discuss. It must be decided how the news would be sent to various peoples and when the Orcs would take possession of their territory and how the Orcs of the Mines should be convinced to go with them.
The treaty Marduk had made had not specified that all Orcs must go, but because the Mines, having few exits, had been shown to be susceptible to Wizard weaponry, the Orcs wanted the others to join them, and the Men, Elves and Dwarves wanted the Orcs gone from the Mines, which made them a threat to travel west and east of the mountain range, which became difficult to cross every winter.
The Dwarves assured the council that they spoke for all their race in saying that if the Orcs could be made to leave, they would surrender their own claims on the Mines, provided they became a place open to use by all races and peoples for travel. The Dwarves knew that the metals they valued had been mined out long ago, and even if other races believed there were things of value there, the Dwarves now believed that had newer and better places to dig, unknown to other races.
To the Elves, the prospect of having a safe winter crossing from east to west without having to detour far south seemed desirable. There was a pass farther north they usually favored, but it became treacherous in winter.
Though the council had been called to decide whether they would honor Lenaduiniel's treaty with the Orcs and how, their new focus was on the matter of getting the other Orcs out from the mines. Marduk spoke for Orcs present and said Orcs loyal to him would allow the proposed free passage of other races through the mines, so long as they were allowed to also have travel through the mines and along roads maintained in other kingdoms for trade.
Even with more matters to be discussed, the decision of the final vote on location seemed an historic accomplishment and to the Elves, a good reason to feast and celebrate. Another day's recess was called and a party was quickly planned.
That day that the vote was decided, Beryl came down from his place of healing and was escorted by his daughters to Caratathren's house, where he would stay a while longer with them. He joined the others at the feast the next evening and was welcomed by many. Finloriel and Caratathren had made for their father a new green velvet cloak edged with embroidered leaves and flowers and he wore it at the feast, and did not draw down the hood.
Much of Beryl's wounds had healed, but there were yet scars on his flesh, some of which were on his face. If he combed his hair to cover part of his face, which had often been his manner, the scars were unnoticeable, but he felt too conscious of them himself to go without the shade of his hood.
Though scarred, Beryl felt little pain, was able to speak normally, and was mentally sharp as ever and well-rested. He sat with Dale at the feast, but did not speak of Tsuki, or their battles, or coming down the mountain. Later, when the feast was over, Beryl went to Dale's house, and they were joined by those who had previously been traveling companions to them: Duma, Ugarit, Fei, Setsugekka, Gwindor, Galadhiel, Lenaduiniel and Aud. Jareth kept guard outside that night and those inside spoke together through the night.
Some of which was said had been said already in smaller groupings, but was repeated for all. Gwindor confirmed publicly to his friends his marriage to Galadhiel. Beryl spoke a little of his healing and prayer.
The Grey arrived as they were speaking and had apparently subdued Jareth by some means, without harming the Orc physically. Dale was angered, but the wizard was allowed to ask a few questions and to give advice he wished to give. By morning, it was understood, even by Dale, that the Grey was no enemy, even if he had certain motives that differed from their own. By morning, they all understood they were still to be allies and wished to support each other.
They did not use the stones to contact Laurel or Kato, but Dale and Galadhiel who had most recently used the seeing stones assured the others that Laurel and Kato were still their allies and friends. Beryl suggested, now the voting process was over, they give serious thought to who would use the stones in the future.
"They will best serve if they can be used to communicate with trusted parties over distance." Dale said.
"Many would be tempted to say that Rangers or kings should keep them, and though such figures may use them wisely, I think not all should be given over to those who already hold power. Perhaps some are more clearly fated for such tasks, as Laurel or Setsugekka might be," Lenaduiniel said.
"It depends where we all go," Dale said. "I have asked some of you before, about what you plan to do now the Wizard plot is behind us, or in the future. It is our party that recovered the most, but for the One the Grey holds. The others have not lately changed hands that they can be said to be recovered or found again."
"There is a little time," Beryl said calmly, "it need not be decided until parties begin leaving the Silver Wood."
"That will not happen for some weeks I think," Lenaduiniel said, "I expect it will come to the Orcs marching north with some escort to see that they are not mistaken by villagers as raiders, and to see that they do not become raiders. They will cross the river further north and enter the mines. Depending on our plans, some of may go that way for a time, and some may leave by other routes, perhaps to rejoin others here at some prearranged place of meeting. We all have some thinking to do. All of use here may leave the Silver wood freely."
"We can go home," Dale said.
"Or find a new home," Ugarit said.
Fei nodded.
"Let us be off to our rest," Gwindor suggested, "such heavy thoughts will bring bad dreams, so let us be assured there is time to decide and that we remain friends and go to our beds!"
It was agreed again, and they parted for their various houses within the Wood.
While his former companions were debating locations of land grants and future destinations, Tsuki was continuing his studies with Oromë and Tilion, within the Green Wood. They had begun in the southern area of the great Wood, where Elves of the Golden Wood had gained a foothold during the war and made a settlement to extend their domain. From there they had traveled a short distance to some ruins where the Dark Lord had once made a base. There had been no foulness there, as Wizards and Elves had already scoured the location. Tsuki then traveled north with his teachers, through the depths of the Green Wood, learning and making studies of the creatures there. They came then to a trade road that continued west to the mountains and cities beyond and east through the Wood to a Mannish territory. Some short journey from the road, they came to the Grey's former residence, which he had kept previous to joining the Rangers or becoming the Grey. There were no Wizard devices left, and it seemed the Wizard had packed everything he had possessed and removed it, but there were signs, in form of claw marks on wooden floors, windowsills and doorposts, that many animals had visited the simple house. They stayed there in meditation or study of animals for several days and Oromë seemed to be giving some matter serious consideration, but neither he nor Tilion told Tsuki what the matter might be.
Then, Oromë stood from mediation one day and said, "We do not need to consult with the Elf-King, but it seems time we went to the place the Sky was at work."
"Not the Ice Bay?" Tilion asked, betraying to Tsuki that he had known something of Oromë's thoughts.
"It may be we do not need to go there. We will see when we have gone to the City of Twilight."
"Haldir said it was fouled," Tsuki said. They had heard much news from the Elves they met, as these Elves had recently had messages from the Silver Wood, from the Elf-King, from Elves west of the mountains, and from Rangers. "Rangers are warning the Lake Folk not to go near the southern shore and to take care in eating any fish or meat of animals that commonly eat the fish."
"That is why it is better to go there now, while you are as able as Tilion or I to shed flesh."
"I see." Tsuki took a moment to think and continued then, "I am to make a thorough study there. It is for me to do this, before I may go to Dale."
"It is not for you in the sense that we may command you or force you," Tilion explained.
"He is of my people, I could command him. I am his god."
Tilion smiled in a way that all three knew would make Oromë agreeable to whatever he said or wished. "Be honest with him, My Lord."
"I could command you, but if I did, it would not really be…to my advantage. I am not going to command."
"I do understand. It is not even for you to say where I will go after this task, but you have a hope what or where I might choose. I have learned much from you both. I already have training in Wizardry. I was said to have an aptitude for The Art. The Grey went there, did he not? He learned something, but perhaps not all there is to know. He and the Rangers learned enough to confirm the plot and danger. And it is fitting I go to this place, where the bomb that killed me was designed."
"We will go with you," Tilion said. "It may be that the next task you perform will be without us."
The journey was near instant. The tower over the ruined city, which had once been a capitol of a great kingdom in the north, was as the Rangers of Tsuki's former squad had left it. He could not think of those Rangers as present or future squad-mates, as Tsuki knew already he would not go back to that same life.
The air and earth around the tower were tainted. In his spirit body, Tsuki could sense the foulness clearly, though it did not touch him. His first thought was that it had come of Wizardry and Dale had been justified several times in his complaints against Wizards and that if it was possible to cleanse the area, Tsuki must make it clean. But the cleansing was not all he should do, for there seemed soon there was study to be done.
Several days Tsuki spent, unfeeling the passing of time except as awareness that tasks had been accomplished and lights in the sky had risen and set, mapping the ruins and making inventories of what he found.
Once the inventories were complete, Tsuki could separate what was physically
dangerous to mortals from what was merely potentially dangerous if misused
and perhaps worthy of further study. All that was foul he hoped to devise
a way of disposing of, even if it was to return it to the mine it had
been dug from and collapse the tunnel over it to make a seal of stone
between the living and the deadly.
Several more weeks passed. Within the Silver wood there was no trace of
the battles that had taken place during the days the Winter Solstice would
usually have been celebrated. Dead were buried or burned, graves were
covered, old and new, beneath snow, the councils were ended. Elves had
returned to their normal routines completely. Those who had fled the Golden
Wood now made preparations to return home, convinced it was safe. Men
and Dwarves who had been at the council made their own preparations to
leave. The Orcs also were making preparations to leave.
Those who had entered the Wood with Dale, but for Dog who was now Chieftain of his own Clan, had all given serious thought to their destinations, now their original purpose in traveling to the Wood was finished. Some had changed their minds several times before coming to their decision. A few had not yet decided for certain, but had chosen only a direction to start.
They were packing now, preparing in some cases for journeys that would take weeks or months in winter weather and perhaps into dangerous territory. They were friends, and so they had discussed with the others where they would go and most knew what the others planned after leaving the wood.
Lenaduiniel and Gwindor would say goodbye to their brother and go north to their Father's domain. Gwindor would go to introduce his bride to his father. Lenaduiniel would go, bringing Annavala and those Rómendar who had surrendered, into custody of her people, as it had been decided among the Elves considered nobles and Elders that the Green Wood was best prepared to keep defectors and prisoners for an extended duration. The Grey, Dale and Setsugekka also would travel with them, and then Dale, Gwindor and Galadhiel would continue west through a mountain pass with Setsugekka and report to the Rangers for further duty, where Setsugekka would be able to find a place with the women of one of the forts, as female members of Rangers' families did. Lenaduiniel would be staying with her father for a time where her people would be planning scouting missions to seek the remaining Rómendar in the east and monitor their actions for signs of future invasion. The Grey would consult with the Elf-King, visit his old house in the Green Wood and then make preparations for another journey, as it had become his mission to find the Sky, who was now outcast from the order, but perhaps still possessed of power and known to be at large.
Beryl, Finloriel, Fei, Sam and several others of Kato's loyal Southmen would travel across the Great River to the Capitol, where Laurel and Kato were yet staying. Captain Anto and the Rangers and Lowlanders who had come with him were to travel along with Beryl's party. They would deliver documents and messages to the King and then collect Laurel and Kato and continue on through the country of the Horse Lords to New Haven. Beryl, Kato, Laurel and Fei would then go north to aid in the settlement of the Orcs in their new homeland. It was not yet decided how long they would visit with friends in the north, or if some or all would be returning to New Haven. That decision had been put off for the time being. Kato would be able to run his business from New Haven very well, and Beryl, whom he loved had a house there, but Dale was their friend, and Dale was yet determined to return to his post in the north. Kato's previous home and house were much closer to Dale's post than New Haven was. Now it seemed Tsuki was gone forever, Laurel and Fei were alone, without wish to return permanently to the lowlands and their Witch circles, though New Haven, being a city on the border of the lowlands and having eastern immigrants seemed one possible home for them.
Duma, Ugarit, and Jareth with them, were to go with the Orcs. The plan devised by Marduk, the other chieftains and several advising Elves and Men called for the Orcs to travel north from the wood, cross the river, enter the Mines at the eastern gate, negotiate with the other Orcs terms acceptable to various interested parties, and lead all the Orcs from the mines to their new northern homeland. To aid their journey, or perhaps to keep them from trouble, a number of Elves had been assigned as their escort. These would go through the mines with them and see the Orcs to their homeland in the north and then take another mountain pass back east before returning to their homes. Greenleaf was not going himself, for his Wood needed his attention, and he had not wished to order Elves to undertake this task, so he had asked for volunteers. Dernder and Loriol were among the volunteers.
Though Duma, Ugarit and Jareth were Orcs, they were also Dale's Orcs, and Dale had no intentions of living in an Orc sovereignty. Duma had not even wanted to travel with the Orcs, but had wished to go with Beryl and come to the north that way. Dale had persuaded Duma to go with the Orcs, with help from Ugarit. It had involved some argument, as Duma believed that if he should go, Dale should as well. Eventually Duma understood that it was because Dale could not bear to go through the mines that he must do it. If he and Ugarit separated themselves from other Orcs before those in the mines were led out to their homeland, their Clan would not be known or feared and they would not have the choice in the future of visiting the Orc homeland without challenge. It was thus important that Dale's three Orcs appear as strong as possible and go to the homeland, before they went elsewhere. Where they might go afterward was not decided yet, but they were greatly considering going to the Vale and establishing a small community there, even if they also left there after a time.
There was another party leaving the Silver Wood, and these were the Treeweavers. After discussions with Dale and among themselves, Tigh, Lain and Gwende had decided that having enjoyed the Silver Wood and their restoration work there, that the challenge of returning to the Vale and restoring it as an Elven settlement was appealing to them. Once there, Tigh was confident they could establish trade with neighboring Dwarves and Halflings and perhaps gain some support from the Grey Elves downriver. The Treeweavers, including their adopted son Lathe, and Alqua and Arë who were close with them, planned to leave. Now, with departure imminent, they had not yet decided by what route they would travel. Some had said they wished to accompany Duma or Ugarit, but others said they did not trust those Orcs yet in the Mines at all, especially with Lathe, and would go some other way.
There were a few other complications to the departures. Beryl's mare Brethil had foaled recently and though the young animal had been able to walk on its own in its first day, as was the nature of such animals, Beryl was hesitant to take Brethil or the foal on a journey so soon. It was winter, and though the unseasonablity of the weather had seemed to pass, The Silver Wood was relying already on stores from previous months and it did not seem it would be easy for any of those departing to find food easily along their journeys. So many guests staying through early winter had depleted reserves. Greenleaf had his Elves spare a little more than they should to allow those departing to depart with some provisions.
As it was time guests depart, the matter of the Seeing Stones came up again. Dale had decided, though the Star Stone had come to him, he did not have great need of it and perhaps there was another who could use it wisely and have some need of it. He gave this blue seeing Stone to Lord Royalhill, as the Moonstone he had used during the council was to be returned to Setsugekka's care. As Setsugekka was in turn in Dale's care, others would be able to reach him through the Moon Stone, if they had need. The Wind stone, which had been recovered from the Sea's belongings, was bartered to the Grey for the Earth stone, because Dale thought those he would give the next stone to would prefer its color. The green Earth Stone was entrusted to Lenaduiniel, with the understanding that others among her kin might also use it when they had need, and it remain east of the mountains in one of the Elven woods or traveling securely between them. The Fire Stone would be remaining in the Capitol, where it would enable the King to communicate most effectively with his Lord Royalhill now, as well as others who held the stones. Laurel was to keep the Sun Stone for the time being, though she did claim it for herself permanently, but for peoples in the southwest. The Grey would retain the Wind Stone he had been traded. The seventh, the Sea Stone, would remain where it had long been, with the Elf Lord of Galadhiel's people near the coast.
Marduk wished to leave soon and in night. They had had too many weeks of talking in his opinion. He was convinced the lands they had been granted would be good for Orcs, the area had resources they could use and land enough. He knew it would be difficult to convince the Orcs still in the Mines to follow. He had four other strong Chieftains and their Clans supporting him now. He had Elves supporting him, so long as he remained able to control Orcs. Marduk was smart and he understood, that though the Elves did not control him, he was locked in a relationship with the Orcs of mutual need and reliance. They each needed the other to keep their people from fighting the other's to maintain peace. If Marduk did not control the Orcs in the Mines, there would be plenty of Rangers, Dwarves and Elves ready to go in and kill them. The Mines now seemed a deathtrap. It would be smart for the Orcs to leave, but Marduk did not think it would be easy to convince them.
Before he had left there had been fights over leaving, and only Nimrod had actually left. How could he convince them that one he called Fool had been smart to leave?
Those Orcs in the Mines did not have all the experience that Marduk and those he had gathered had. There must be a way to teach them what they must know, but it would be difficult, and using too much force would be a mistake, because the numbers yet in the mines were far grater than those without.
Duma and Ugarit had packed all their possessions and met Dale in front of the guest house. He saw they led two horses, not only the one and asked where they had stolen the second. "It was a gift from Lady Royalhill," Ugarit said. "Do you think I should offer her to Beryl for his journey so that his mare will not be burdened?"
"If Beryl wants the horse he will buy it, not receive it as a gift," Duma insisted.
"Keep the horse. Beryl does not leave until tomorrow, and I am certain he will figure something. I think that Brethil is well enough for him to ride and her foal can run along with them. It is Moon-shadow we need to mind now, or I would have offered her to Beryl."
"Setsugekka can ride Snaga after we cross the river. We cannot take the horse into the Mines."
"Orcs would eat them."
"There are no suitable bridges remaining."
Dale gave a nod. He had already agreed to take Duma's horse with him when they parted ways. "I have just seen Loriol. He says Marduk wants to leave as soon as possible now."
"We are packed."
"We are as well. Jareth had just gone to fill our waterskins. Setsugekka is helping Fei to send messages to Laurel regarding their rendezvous. We will be ready shortly." Nightmare and Moon-shadow were standing nearby with their various equipages and packs secured.
The lull in conversation seemed to make the voices above all the more noticeable. The Treeweavers were politely arguing over what was necessary to carry with them. Perhaps a noble family of Elves would have had servants and carts, but the normal way for Elves to travel was on foot and carrying what they wished to take on their own back.
"It is best to pack many light garments of natural fibers that can be layered," Gwende said and her voice carried to the area below the house's platform. "It will be cold, but we may not reach our destination until it is well into spring, and you will not want to be carrying heavy garments then. That leather will take up more space."
"If we go through the Mines," Lain said, "we will want for a little armor, won't we?"
"You are not going through the Mines!" Loriol said, nearly at a shout.
"You are going!"
"With the Swords! Our Lord restricts the age on volunteers with reason!"
"But if we leave the Wood for a new home, then he is not my Lord to command me!"
"Lain," Tigh said, as if weary, "we have little time to finish packing if we are to leave with the others. Leave that coat. Wear your cloak. It can serve as extra bedding during the nights and will be easier to launder."
"You will smell like one of the Horse Lords or even an Orc wearing leather on a journey that could take months. It needs special care to clean," Gwende said.
"I will bathe! Dale has a leather coat and he is no older…"
"I might miss my cloak soon enough," Dale whispered. "Not that there is anything wrong with the coat, Ugarit. It is very impressive."
"Lain," Ugarit called, "is the coat one that will fit Duma?"
Lain looked down over the railing to those below. "Forgive our shouting. I am sorry."
"Is this coat one Duma would wear? If it is, we will buy it from you, for we could not get all the blood from Duma's coat and had to burn it. You would then have ability to buy yourself another coat after your journey."
"Blood did not wash out?" Lain asked softly. Duma did not speak or look up. The purple wool had been ruined with Orc blood when he avenged Tashmetum. He had not actually let anyone try to clean it. He had not wanted to wear those clothes again. Lain saw that Ugarit nodded at him. "Well, it is an Elvish cut, and a sort of reddish brown color. It was Denelas's coat…he gave it to me a long time ago, and it was too big then."
"It is not a rule Orcs must wear black," Duma said.
Loriol leaned over the railing then and called down, "Duma, Dale, you tell Lain. Tell him that he must not go into the Mines."
"Lain is not my Elf," Dale said. "I will not go through the Mines, but I do not say what Lain must or must not do."
"Alqua says she is going. If a female can go…"
"I hope to convince her otherwise before we are to cross the river," Ugarit said, quietly, meaning only Duma to hear.
Duma gave a nod to Ugarit then spoke to Lain. "If your brother does not have the ability to forbid you, then it is your choice, but I cannot say what it will be like there when we get there. Ugarit and I are not happy to be going."
"But you are Orcs, and there are only other Orcs there."
"Let us not talk about it now!" Ugarit said loudly. "Pack your things. Marduk has started the drums signaling. We will be leaving very soon."
Lain lifted his head to listen. The drums were signaling as Ugarit had said, though the Elves, with Exception of Dale, did not understand the message they gave. Jareth came from the waterhouse at a run, carrying a number of waterskins hanging from a pole across his shoulders. Dale stood from the log he had been seated on to help Jareth hang the skins from the saddles and harness.
Duma went to the house and knocked upon the door. Shortly Fei and Setsugekka both came outside. Most of Setsugekka's things were already fastened to Moon-shadow, but she had one bag on a strap slung across her chest, worn over her layers of robes and pale grey coat quilted by Elves.
"We are to assemble along the road," Dale said.
"I will walk with you that far," Fei said.
Dale lifted Setsugekka to Moon-shadow's back. Her robes fell open at the front when she was seated in the saddle and revealed Mannish and western-looking drawers trimmed with lace about the ankles. She had also obtained from the Elves a pair of wooden-soled quilted boots for cold weather and matching gloves, both lined with rabbit fur.
Arë came down the ladder with her pack on her back. Alqua came down soon after her. Both sisters wore cloaks that seemed sometimes grey or brown or green. They wore layered Elvish traveling gowns, though they were not the style with skirts divided for riding, but cut calf-length to keep from dragging the ground and worn with thick stockings and boots beneath.
They were to be traveling and it was near the heart of winter so even Dale had given thought to warm garments and wore additional layers of underclothes beneath his leather pants and several shirts and a jacket beneath his long coat. He had gloves and scarf besides, the same Dior had given to him when he had left Stone Keep. Duma had also added layers beneath his visible clothing to stay warm. Ugarit had packed away her thin and skimpy garments in favor of clothing made from pieces of deconstructed Elvish gowns and workclothes.
There was no such thing as traditional Orc fashion, except perhaps for skin loincloths, but whatever Duma or Ugarit wore seemed Orc fashion. It was no longer only Duma who wore detachable sleeves, as Ugarit had them on her dress, which she wore with underdress and black leather apron that seemed literally taken from the smithy.
Gwende called down to say they would follow soon and Dale suggested they go to the road. They came to it shortly, Setsugekka riding and the others leading their horses, if they had them. Fei said that all was as they had previously planned concerning meeting Kato and Laurel.
Lenaduiniel, Gwindor and Galadhiel, The Grey, Annavala, the other Rómendar, some Orcs and a number of Elven Swords were already gathered, variously dressed in warm clothing, and packed for their journey. Greenleaf, his friend Dwarf, Beryl, Beryl's two daughters, and Lord and Lady Royalhill were also there, to take their leave of those departing.
Beryl came then to the new arrivals and spoke a traditional Elven blessing for those departing on a voyage. Alqua translated the general meaning for Ugarit as Beryl went on to speak to speak about their planned rendezvous. "As we are traveling by road and you will have to travel cross-country some of the way, we shall likely reach New Haven by the time you can enter the mines or continue to the Green Wood. When I come to New Haven, I will inquire with the Rangers there about sightings of Orcs at the west gate to the mines and then keep watch for your leaving. Fei and I will have Laurel and Kato and some of the Southmen with us then and continue north with you."
"We may be some time in the Mines," Duma said, "We know that even the other Chieftains are feeling uneasy about convincing all the Orcs there to leave. It may take time."
"Well enough if it does. I expect as much. We shall keep watch from my house in New Haven, and I you do not show by the thaws, I will take a party through the west gate and see what has come of you. Dale, you should have time enough while they are within the mines in negotiation to reach the Green Wood and be on your way."
"The pass we mean to take may not be safe for several months, but my plan is still to meet you near the home of my Elf Lord. If I somehow reach there before you, I will be at the house itself, but if not, we shall meet along the road. His son left ahead of us and messengers were sent on wing, but I can tell you know he will not reply that Orcs are welcome to his home."
"I should not think so, after the trouble to hide it, but we shall plan to meet you on the road near its hiding place and continue to the granted lands in several month's time."
"It should only be days before we meet with Laurel, as the roads may only be lightly covered in the south and the ferry is in operation. We will have the Sun Stone with us then. We will be able to remain in contact."
Dale gave a nod and then looked to Duma. Those going through the Mines would be the ones out of contact.