Laurelindo was sitting in their camp, watching the sky above, writing in his usual book at the light of the fading fire.
“The journey started with no incident. Which I suppose, I should count as lucky, knowing the both of us. When Tyulusse and I are together, there is no telling what can happen.
We were just a little delayed in our departure. I suppose it wasn’t avoidable. We either should have left earlier, or should have expected it.
We met on the porch of the Last Homely House (after I decided to borrow his cloak for the journey). That’s when we decided to leave on foot. It’ll take us longer to reach our destination, but once there, it’ll be easier to stay beneath notice. That was our reasoning and I just hope we will not come to regret not having the speed of the horse at our disposal.
We had just decided so when lady Eliriael found us.
Tyulusse is just too easy to rill up. A comment here or there ends up with him muttering or scowling at me. It is just fun. Not that I’ll tell him that, I’d like a chance to not end up in the nearest water point he can find.
She told us she hoped our journey will be fun and relaxing. It was nice though if I don’t doubt it’ll be fun, I also greatly doubt it’ll be relaxing. For one, I’m going with Tyulusse of all people. And for a second, Eregion isn’t a very peaceful place, between the orcs and the wargs and… Well… It’s simply not.
And then lady Uilossiel found us. She asked if we had any idea about what that poison was. Well… No. Neither Tyulusse nor I have any idea. And I know it’s important, but it wasn’t going to change our plan to leave.
The funny thing is that Tyulusse really believe it was mentioned in order to get us to stay in the valley. I don’t really think so. Lady Uilossiel is someone I trust, and she is usually more honest if she has something to say. Or I think at least. But to each his opinion I suppose.
At least, I trust her enough to have left her a key to the Mirkwood spider's poison’s chest in my office. I didn’t leave all the poison vials there. I have two with me. It’s as safe as possible. Certainly safer than it was in my office at any rate. The vials are in a leather pouch each, both in a metal box filled with soft fabrics to keep the vial unbroken, and the box itself is in a larger leather bag just in case, to keep eventual leak from reaching the rest of the bag.
I am aware, and Tyulusse reminded me, that accidents are always possible, but by leaving all the poison to lady Uilossiel I also took a risk. What if there’s an accident? And by just having it in my office in the first place I also took a risk. Frankly, from the moment I managed to get these samples of poison, there was a risk. It’s the same now.
But enough talk of poison.
Lady Norliriel joined us at the House’s door. I must admit I was glad to see her before leaving. That’s all of Vanimar’s healer accounted for and well.
Then lord Daegond came by and lady Norliriel left with him and Tyulusse and I took the chance to leave before more people find us and delay our departure. Not that I minded. It was nice to speak with them before leaving.
As we were departing, Tyulusse found a reason to comment on my choice of weapon. Well, a dagger may be less impressive than a sword but at least this time I remembered to take one.
We spoke also of the outposts we’ll have to hm… inspect, as per lord Anglachelm’s order. We’ll send news back to the valley with their riders also on lord Anglachelm’s order. And we must not go up to Enedwaith or Dunland. Well, I’m perfectly happy to avoid both places. I am quite sure that the dunlendings haven’t forgotten us and I quite like my head attached to my shoulders so…
Anyway. To find the outposts I believe we just need to follow the old roads. Of course, that may well be a perfect trap also. But I am quite confident we can find the outposts with or without staying on the roads.
We also will have to be careful as some of the ruins are taken by the orcs.
The camp we are in now is the small camp site close to the valley. I am rather glad we can use it. And Tyulusse noticed only as we started to settle the camp for the night that the cloak I’m using is one of his.
I am so going to make him a flower crown before the end of this journey. He can’t escape it forever and it’ll be fun to try…
We also spoke of Eregion. Well the place always felt like home. And every journey there is like coming back home. Just a home full of danger and dried riverbeds that used to be fun to swim in about 3000 years ago, and orcs… The memories though are still all there and very much alive.
And Tyulusse discovered I brought wine with us. Well, he refused the waybread I have in my bag for its closeness to the Mirkwood spider’s poison vials, but the wine was perfectly fine for him. I swear his sense of priority is entirely screwed.
And now we are resting, and waiting for tomorrow to continue our road. In a way I am glad it’s just the two of us travelling, but in another, I realise how utterly foolish and dangerous it is. None of us is a warrior. Tyulusse is rather good with a sword, but…
Oh well, I wouldn’t have had it any other way if I could, and we are already out of the valley, so it’s way too late to regret it.
Besides that way I can try to push him in the water at next river without having to explain to one of the warriors of the house that it’s perfectly normal when Tyulusse and I are concerned.
Some times ago, Tyulusse mentioned taking this time of traveling to write new songs, or rework old songs. I wonder if we’ll really be able to do so.”
Laurelindo looked at the blackened page of his book and then around again. After all he was supposed to stand guard while Tyulusse was resting. Though, considering the sky, it’ll be soon time to awaken his friend.
It was lucky, the night seemed peaceful.
