Day 3

I stood outside Archet mentally preparing for my upcoming encounter and subsequent combat with an armed intelligent being. “This is quite different than wolves and spiders” I thought to myself.

Therefore, I decided to get the meat Peg needed to warm up and boost my confidence. Finding, dispatching, and skinning the pigs was another simple task I’ve accomplished on numerous occasions.

I returned the meats to Mrs. Pruner and received some green quilted shoulder pads for my trouble. Thank the Wizards of Middle Earth I helped out Peg! Now I have an edge I didn’t have before against the Blackwold Brigand Scout.

Darren Mills stopped me on my way out the gate to teach me yet another one of his hunter tactics. He said, “You know that barbed arrow you shoot initially at your enemies?”

“Yes” I responded

“When the enemy closes on you, change to your melee weapon and strike the arrow that is lodged into the enemy. It will probably drive the arrow so deep that the bleeding stops, but you’ll cause a surge of pain to your attacker. I call this Scourging Blow.” Darren explained to me.

I thanked him immensely and headed for the gate.

I made my way Southwest of Bronwe’s Folly…

..and immediately I spotted a Blackwold scout spying on Archet. He was crouched behind a bush taking notes on the militia patrols.

I quietly reached into my quiver and pulled out a barbed arrow. I notched the arrow gently into my bow and pulled back with all the force I could muster. The spy hadn’t noticed me only yards away. My heart was pounding so hard that the arrowhead was jumping to the rhythm. This was the first time I was going to take the life of a man. Feelings of guilt and doubts of worth flowed over me. At the moment of my hesitation, the Blackwold noticed my presence and reached for his weapon. The situation changed from murdering a human from behind, to a fight for self preservation.

SSSSHHHHOOO the arrow struck the rushing Blackwold in the ribs. He continued closing at great speed. SSSSHHHHOOO 2 rapid shots struck him in the gut and shoulder. He continued closing at an even greater speed. I flipped the bow around my shoulder slinging the wooden arch diagonally across my back, and readied my sword.

Darren’s words rang in my ears, “When the enemy closes on you, change to your melee weapon and strike the arrow that is lodged into the enemy.” The spy entered the range of my arms and thrusted wildly at me. He must never have fought a hobbit before because his swing was a foot above my head. I strategically struck the butt of the barbed arrow I had shot first, and drove the projectile into the lungs of the brigand. Before he could recalibrate his attacks, he was on the ground gasping for air and dying at my feet.

The adrenaline going through my veins prevented me from feeling any emotions but glee and pride. I had done it.

Within the pockets of this particular spy were outstanding Blackwold orders. It seems they are planning revenge against Archet for the rescue of Celandine conducted by Amdir. Their plan is to open a passage on the east wall and set Archet on fire. They plan on abducting Celandine again, and Dunadan. The orders also uncover the traitor Calder Cob.