The Doors

[Barrick]

Barrick slowed his horse to a trot as company of mercenaries rode through the outer Dunland villagers. Many were farms or orchards living of the rich Dunland soil, as the group of 50 men passed through the villagers Barrick signaled for one of his men to join him at the front of the group. Soon a long black haired man rode up to Barrack's side, he was a gruff looking man a few winters older than Barrick. The man wore dark green clothes with a large battle axe hanging from his horse, he was originally born in Dunland but joined Barrick's company a 2 years back and had never left.

"The men said you wanted to talk? I guess you want me to translate?" The man said slowing his horse to match Barrick's.
"Indeed i do, i have a feeling the gates might be shut and i don't speak their tongue." Barrick said looking at the man, who nodded his head before dropping back to the main body of the company.

Soon they arrived at the gates of Dunland's main city, this was where Neurion, the king of Dunland ruled. The large gates were shut and a man stood on top of the ramparts looking down at the mercenaries. The Dunland man Barrick had talked to earlier rode forward and after a few minutes of shouting in the Dunland tongue the gates opened to let the mercenaries into Dunland.

Barrick kicked his horse forward, leading the men into the city streets, the wound their way through the streets until they came to a large enough inn with a large stable to keep their horses. As the men tied their horses up and gave them some feed, Barrick went around and gave them their share of the gold.

[Rhedri]

Rhedri chewed on a piece of stale bread as they made their way past the village's outside of the fort of Dunland, he made sure his sword was ready to be drawn and his right arm held tightly onto the shaft of a spear. As they passed through they were not touched or even asked their business until they reached the gates of Dunland's main city. The walls towered above them, covered in black tar from previous battles. Rhedri watched as a man rode past and began to converse with a guard and after a few moments they were allowed entry.

Rhedri relaxed his hold on his spear a little but was watching incase of anything, he finally relaxed when they reached the stables and he dismounted tieing his horse up. Barrick arrived with his shared of the gold which he accpeted gratefully putting it all in a pouch atatched to his belt but keeping one piece out. He was keen to fill his stomach with a hot meal and a few pints of cool ale. As they made their way into the a joining tavern he first organised himself a bedroom before heading back down the hall to the bar, here he ordered some pork and went and sat at a table with a pint of ale and began drinking while he waited for his meal.

Looking around the room he noticed the differences in Dunland's taverns to those elsewhere, he wondered how many people were already talking about armed men arriving and wether the leader Neurion would be asking questions aswell.

[Barrick]

Barrick unpacked his things into a small bedroom at the far end of the tavern, this one had a fireplace with it. He stoked it with some wood and lit it. After a while the flames grew and began to heat up the room putting a couple more pieces on he left the room to fill a bucket of water from the near by stream. The chill of the outside air made him quicken his pace and he was glad when he made it back inside the tavern and into his warmer room. Barrick poured some of the water into a pitcher for him to drink later and placed the bucket on a hook that hung over the flames. Reaching into his bag he pulled out a small package; inside was a small sharp blade, soap and some cloths.

He dipped his hand into the water, the temperature felt right so Barrick pulled the bucket off the hook set it on the floor beside him, he began to undress himself and slowly dipped a bit of cloth in the water, before washing his face. Taking the small blade that was beside the soap he began to shave. After a few minutes he used the other cloths and soap to wash the remainder of his body before emptying the now cooler water out the window into the street. Picking a fresh set of clothes he had some of the fresh water he had poured in the pitcher earlier then he left the room locking it behind him.

Barrick walked into the bar of the Inn and paid for a jug of ale before walking to where Rhedri was seated with some of the other mercenaries . They were all in high spirits, having a laugh amongst each other and racing each other in drinking their ale. Barrick had a gulp of the ale which a bit bitter but was a great end to his day. "I guess we'll sort our inventory out tomorrow guys, tonight we'll just relax you all deserve it." Barrick said. This was greeted by a cheer from the men and they all raised their vessels into the air clunking them against each others jugs before draining them of the remaining liquid.

Barrick ordered another round of ale for his men and told the waitress to keep them coming and he'd pay for it all tomorrow. As the night wore on the men began to get louder and occasionally burst into battle songs that they had sung on some of their campaigns. Barrick of course joined in full heartedly, thumping his jug down on the wooden table as the last song finished, ale slopped over his hand but he was oblivious.

[Neurion]

Neurion had been informed of the band of men who had entered his city during the evening, the last he heard they were at the Inn close by. Gathering his cloak and two of his Blood Guards he began to walk to wards the Inn the light of the moon lighting his way. As he neared the inn he could hear singing and the clunk of jugs on the wooden tables. Pulling down his hood he made his way in the front door, the noise that had been echoing around the inn slowly died down until all the could be heard was the wood crackling in the fire.

Neurion noticed that the men in the inn looked from Neuron's eyes to those of a man who sat at the other end of the inn . Guessing that this was the man in charge of the band of men Neurion made his way down the Inn, his Blood guard followed behind keeping their eyes on the men in the inn for any sudden movements. One of the men sitting next to what Neurion guessed was the leader stood up, leaving his chair for Neurion. As he sat down a jug was placed in front of him by the inn keeper who then retreated back behind the bar. As Neuron looked at the man he could tell he was from Harad for he had dealt with Harad alot and had spent a long time with the people there. "Tell me what business you have in Dunland?" Neurion asked in broken Harad, "I assume you are in charge of these men" Neurion said sweeping his arm around the room.

[Barrick]

A cold breeze hitting Barricks face drew his attention to the front door of the Inn. Barrick watched as a man entered, he was a man of average height much like himself , his face was cold and emotionless and he had a scraggly beard that seemed to shadow his dark piercing eyes. As the man walked forward he walked like he owned the place; and indeed he did. Barrick took a final swig from his tankard. This must be Neruion he thought to himself as the man sat beside him and spoke in a commanding tone.
"Tell me what business you have in Dunland?" He asked in a commanding tone, his dark eyes fixed on Barrick's

Barrick held the stare and answered the mans Question. "We do not come to cause trouble sire, we are here to replenish ourselves and our supplies, we are but mercenaries." Barrick raised the tankard to his lips and took another gulp, the ale released him from the dry throat he had from this intimidating fellow.

[Neurion]

Neurion listened as the man explained himself, he did not seem to be lying and the few men that he had with him did indeed look tired and worn out. "Very well i trust your words but do not try anything or you will wish that you had never ridden through the gates of Dunland." Neurion said in a cold tone before raising from his seat signaling for his blood guard to follow. "Come see me tomorrow and i will sort you out with supplies better than those you will find in the markets. You never know if you prove worthy i may hire your troop." With that said Neurion left the Inn and slowly made his way back to the hall.