Something’s still missing, Kaiell mentally repeated to himself once again as he stood there, staring at the small fire with his narrow, unblinking eyes. That was his favorite spot in the pony you see... right in front of the fireplace with his back turned to most everyone else. Unless of course, if it was already taken, that is. Then I suppose he would have to settle for someplace else... as Kaiell usually wasn't too fond of sharing to tell you the truth. But it definitely wasn't anywhere near the top of his hate-list either.
Sipping away at the remainder of his drink – plain old water this time – Kaiell thought back heavily to the small skirmish that took place near the Ranger Torogethir’s camp. It had been about a week since he returned from that and everything else that transpired in the North-Downs. And in that time, he hadn't thought back much to that fight as he has had other things on his mind.
Kaiell closed his eyes and lifted a hand to the left side of his head, the spot where he was hit, as he thought more deeply of what happened. It was sometime after switching opponents with the Dunadan, and before being disarmed—
Then suddenly it clicked and fell into place like a dislocated joint slipping back into the right spot…
About seven days before-
“Switch!” Kaiell snapped as he stormed towards the man Torogethir was facing. A second later, the ranger stepped back and swiveled around to greet the two orcs close behind him. And with the sound of steel against steel ringing in the night-time air along with the continuous pouring rain, the mercenary and the Dunadan both fought almost back to back with Kaiell pushing back the black-armored man and the two orcs doing the same to the ranger. Hardly nothing else but the exceedingly bright moon - peering between the slow, heavy clouds - gave light to their movement. But it was enough, just barely.
After only a few moments, Torogethir was granted with a slight moment of freedom from having to block each strike and continue backwards, and he used it to dash to his right. Now for less than two seconds, the orcs were in a line, one behind the other, instead of side by side. Torogethir took this moment and managed to finish off one of them as the other did not yet reach him. But instead of attacking the ranger once again, the last orc unexpectedly decided to turn and race towards Kaiell, aiming to strike him from behind.
Meanwhile, Kaiell continued to push back the man with every swing and jab he made. His advantage grew and grew, until—
The two clashed and locked blades together, both staring hard into the other’s face for a moment… then Kaiell’s expression changed a little. He frowned and felt his mouth drop slightly as he hesitated in surprise. The man behind the helmet was Jon.
Then the fight continued as the surprise was replaced by the focus of battle. But it didn't last much longer for Kaiell. Just that slight moment of hesitation was perhaps enough for the bearded man to meet his defeat. Kaiell found himself swiftly disarmed through a peculiar and unexpected move – but that granted him the opportunity to almost do the same. It ended up into an a thick sort of arm-lock, and two heartbeats later, Kaiell managed to bring a quick fist straight up to the bottom of his chin, followed by a shove which broke the arm-lock for the most part. Lastly, he was able to send a hefty, solid kick to his ribs – thud - which sent him only two steps backwards.
…heavy running closer behind.
Kaiell spun around as he picked up his long sword from the wet ground to find that his sudden suspicion was true. The orc planned to strike him from behind. And just as Kaiell turned, Torogethir came back to fight Jon. With gritted teeth, Kaiell raised his blade to meet the oncoming attack and just barely blocked it in time, with the orc’s sword only inches away from splitting his forehead after being stopped—bam!
Then with a familiar ferocity, the orc managed a swift hit to his head while the blades were still together, knocking him out stone cold. That’s when Edhelfaron returned and finished off the orc before it could finish off Kaiell.
So that was it. The last shard or memory. How could that of all things escape my head for so long?
For a long minute, Kaiell just stood there still by the fire, thinking. He’s not dead... he’s not dead. He was taken to Tinnudir. That’s what Torogethir said... unless the Dunedain there ended up killing him…
“No,” Kaiell muttered aloud, shaking his head to himself. I have to go to Tinnudir, but I can’t leave Bree now. Tomorrow I am to leave at first light—
The Wulf must be slain, sooner than later.
