The town of Bree was covered in the starry blankets of night, with the moon’s crescent shining above the town. The man who’d live upon it would refuse to come down for his fill of ale, as numerous guards marched through the streets. These guards were not of the regular watch, but of Richard’s own men, sent from the south into the once sleepy town. At least ten at a time would patrol each section of Bree, since in theory it was then the crimes would be most numerous. Most folk in the town paid no mind, since it was assumed amongst the masses, who remained in town the situation would sort itself out, and things would return to the usual sleepy self. They would be excused for thinking so. Inside the town hall, in the upstairs corridor before the Mayor’s door, two such armed men exited through the door into the main halls, with Richard awaiting at the bottom.
“Gave the mayor his medicine as you ordered, m’lord.” The first henchman said.
Richard nodded as something on his face kept him from smiling. “Something’s the matter, sir?” Asked the second.
He put his arms behind his back, and growled through his nose. “I almost have this town in the palm of my hand, and still I am mocked by the dwarf’s release.” Said Richard. “Almost all has been lost that day, thanks to what members of the watch proper remain.”
The first of two guards spoke up again. “M’lord, allow us to remedy this before the night is done. We shall swear it.”
“Bold words,” Richard scoffed, “but words are not enough, especially from two who’d bring down what I have done for the old man, should either of you fail me now.”
The second coughed out before speaking. “Fail now? We haven’t done anything else for you tonight except with the mayor.”
Richard nodded once again. “A quill, some ink, and a sheet of parchment.” He said as he stroked his chin. “I must write something, for the dwarf Stonebeard is no outlaw yet, as those who remain in the day watch can attest.” Without question, the two guards brought back what was requested of them. “Since the old dwarf is still counted as a citizen unlike my late misbegotten.. “ He continued, saying the word son as if it nauseated him in doing so. “Hence it shall be that I challenge him to a duel.” He found a table to begin writing. “The details will be on this parchment, which I will have sent to his dwelling, wherever it may be.” Moments later, the writing was done, and handed over to his two guards present. “Go forth you two, and deliver to Dufr Stonebeard.” They did as they were told, and exited the town hall.
Outside of town, the same two men now on horseback trod out through the southern gate and onto the road. The air was calm and chill, with only the sounds of croaking frogs and chirping crickets travelling through the surroundings. The second the two crossed into the southern parts of Chetwood on the road from Bree to the homesteads, they caught sight of a seemingly ragged man, riding a plain walking horse.
“Good evening, sirs.” The man said to the guards. “What brings you two outside of Bree this night?”
The first sneered as the second snorted. “None of your business, boy.” Replied the first. “Get on with you.”
“Be lucky the mayor hasn’t set a curfew for blokes like yourself.” Added the second.
“I’m sorry, but I was just curious.” The ragged looking man with a beard said. “After all, two astute guardsmen of Bree wouldn’t just leave town without reason.”
The second raised a brow as he harshly spat at the ground where the man’s horse’s hooved resided. “Don’t get an attitude with us, or it’ll be the stocks.” He barked. The two then trotted off from where the man was. He reared his horse and turned around to follow them. Before the second guard could say a thing to the first, the same ragged man took out a cudgel, took off the helmet of the guard, and swung hard, knocking him off his horse with a thud on the ground.
The first drew his sword out upon the sound of his fell comrade, and the man leaped off his horse to tackle him off of his. One scuffle later, and the guards rested on the ground with nary awareness in their minds. He spotted a furled sheet of parchment, and took it.
In the early sunrise, a knock could be heard on the window of a bedroom of the Comb and Wattle Inn, which housed Dufr Stonebeard. It opened and the old dwarf himself creaked through to the outside. “Yes, how can I…” He started, but halted his words before he continued. “Aallan! Get in, get in.” He beckoned, as the latter shut the window behind him. “What’s going on this time, lad?”
Aallan unfurled the parchment and handed it to the old dwarf. “Found this on two so called guards outside of town, luckily enough. Couldn’t have been a wanted poster, but I’d like your few pennies on it.”
“Aye,” said Dufr. He took it and read the contents aloud. “Due to the events of weeks past, as well as your acquittal by the Bree day watch, I challenge you to a duel on the day you accept. The terms are as follow: one weapon only, it will be to the surrender, and no retreat else he be deemed a coward. Should you be victorious, I will bother you no more. If I win, I shall have you as a prisoner, and mark you as a former collaborator of the outlaw Aallan Scarlet. Signal one of my men stationed in the road of Chetwood, should you accept the challenge. –Sir Richard of Bree.” He sighed as he lowered the note onto the table by him.
Aallan, now taking off his hood, shook his head with a flat expression. “I wouldn’t take him up on it, Dufr.” He said. “We both know what his word is worth: nothing.”
“That may be, Aallan.” Said Dufr. “You do know though he’s given the challenge, and I’ll be damned if he’s allowed to call me a coward.” He went to his room for a few moments. When he came out, he was adorned in his blue hauberk with his hooded, as well as plated gauntlets and boots. “Besides, it’ll do me some good to pay him back for his kindness.”
Aallan smirked at the dwarf’s resolve on the matter, and stroked his bearded chin. “Ah, what am I saying? Dickard’s men’ll be seeing a dead man walking if they’re coming with him.” He chuckled as he twirled his daggers from the belt. “First, I ought to consider a shave…”
Dufr seemed to eye him uneasily at the assertion at first. A moment later, the old dwarf lowered his guard, and smiled at his boy.
Meanwhile, back in the town hall of Bree, three guards carrying crossbows entered the upstairs corridor where Richard awaited, alongside a black hooded man with a dagger on the hauberk. “Is everything ready?” Asked Richard, as the man in black closed the door to the mayor’s office behind him.
One with a crossbow replied. “Aye m’lord. What of your other affairs?”
Richard stroked his chin as he kept one hand on the hilt of his fine sword. “I will return with the dwarf’s head in any case. Send word to Ferny of my men going towards the Shire. Do also inform Sackville Baggins of his reinforcements. They march for his estate as we speak, but it would do him good for him to know such things.”
“Of course, sir.”
“I presume word of Dufr’s reply is already confirmed?”
“Yes sir.”
“Excellent. We make for the clearing in Chetwood before dawn.”
The sun shone brightly through the foliage of the trees, while a very gentle breeze swept through each space between the trees. There at the floor of the woods, Dufr strolled through, with his hand ready to draw his great-sword. Even in his old age, he was aware of another following him by hopping from branch to branch. Soon, the dwarf in blue had entered a clearing, which seemed to be very circular. There on the other side, he saw a figure in chain and plate armor, with a coif on top of his head. It was no mistake for a man of honor to think this was Richard, which of course it was, by himself.
“Are you prepared to face me, Dick?” Asked Dufr as he readied his great-sword.
Richard drew his long sword. “Aye, indeed I am, old one.” He replied as he stepped forward towards Dufr, as he advanced upon him.
“I know the conditions of this fight.” Said Dufr. “You keep your word or I’ll make both sides of your face match.” The second part was accompanied with a dry yet bellowing laugh.
Then it had begun. The two swung their blades at each other only to be parried at the same time. Richard thrust his blade towards Dufr, and he blocked it with his. One swing after another thrust, a chop for every parry lasted for what seemed like more than just minutes. Both men had experience, but what Dufr had more so than Richard, the latter made up for with greater youth than the dwarf.
Meanwhile in the forest beyond the clearing’s reach, Aallan spied on three hooded men with crossbows waiting at the bushes of the forest’s border. Thinking to himself for a moment, he could point to which of them he could knock out with his own weight. Then it was decided. He reached for a small bag of dust and readied himself. Leaping down from the sturdy branch, he landed on one of them as he punched downward at his head. The other two turned around as they readied to fire their bolts at him. Before rolling to one side, he opened the bag and blew right into their eyes.
Dufr clanged again and again at Richard’s sword. The dwarf then took one mightily swing towards his hand, and before he could react, his long-sword was knocked out of his grasp. Dufr then pointed his blade towards Richard’s throat.
“You lost, you lowlife. Now leave.” Dufr said calmly as he stood triumphant over Richard.
He sneered at the dwarf. “I wouldn’t count on lowering your guard. Soldiers!” He shouted, but no answer. However, it was but a second later one hooded thug with chain armor came out of the bushes and screamed out towards his lord.
“A dead man sir! He’s come to haunt us!”
Dufr turned for a split moment to see who was yelling to Richard. “So you’ve gone back on your word before we even started, eh?” Questioned the old dwarf. Unbeknownst to even the screaming henchman, who had now disappeared from sight, Richard began to reach for his dagger. With a knee against the dwarf, he tumbled onto his feet and gripped his dagger.
“So what if I did?” Richard snarled. “I don’t need to honor words to a collaborator of an outlaw!”
Dufr once again readied his great-sword. “I have no fire, but I’m sure I’ll do my best to replicate those scars on your face.”
Before Richard could even advance, a crossbow bolt flew through the air and hit him in his hand, forcing him to drop the dagger as he fell to his knees growling in pain. “You miserable son of a-” Before he could finish, he saw a flash of red come out of the bushes with a crossbow in hand. How could it be, he thought, as he saw a clean-shaven man under a red hood and leather armor. A smirk flashed across Aallan’s face as he saw his dwarven friend and the man he once called father now at their mercy. “You!” Harshly growled Richard. “I saw your bloodied clothes, ripped to shreds by the wargs! You’re supposed to be dead!”
“Oh I wouldn’t say that.” Aallan smugly replied. “You forgot to ask about the body, you know, but I wouldn’t expect a man who’d celebrate his own boy’s demise to think on such things.”
“You think either of you have won?” Barked Richard as he staggered upward to his feet. “I made you into a wolf’s head, Scarlet, and you’ll die like one!” He then turned to Dufr. “As for you, do you think Bree won’t condemn you to hanging for murder? I still-“ And before he could continue, Dufr rammed the great-sword through his chest. Now starting to spit blood, Richard hastily reached for something at his belt. Surely he thought whatever it was he grabbed, would kill the dwarf. Then a dagger pierced his heart from the back. Finally falling to the ground, Richard was dead.
The old dwarf veteran and the thief from Bree said nothing as they both left the clearing. Though unfinished business awaited, it was at least a start.
