Ullfar crept as close as he could to hear out Hilfar’s tale, the fate of the geode and the accusation against him. "Are they mad? Locking us up like petty Dwarrows. How can Lord Dwalin even approve of this .. this.. ".
They were interrupted by a couple of guards entering the jail block. They opened Ullfar’s cell and unlocked his chains "Seems like I have to let you go with a warning. Next time you won’t be so lucky." The guard gave Ullfar a foul glare.
Behind the guards appeared a very old dwarf walking with a gem-inlaid walking stick. His beard almost touched the ground. "Let this be the last incident, Master Ullfar..". This was surely not the first time the Durin’s Folk Trading Company had to vouch for 'incidents' caused by their miners. Asfinnur turned to Hilfar and spoke in a gentle tone. "Fear not Hilfar, being at the wrong place at the wrong time can happen to any of us". Asfinnur gave Hilfar an assuring nod as he slowly made his way out again together with Ullfar.
Byli sat on the bed and removed his boot, he opened a small compartment in the heel and removed a slim steel lock pick, light but incredibly strong. "I wish I'd had these boots on last time I was in here," he thought to himself.
He replaced his boot and started gently probing the tumblers of the lock.
"What are you doing lad... Are you mad... Escaping from jail will seal your fate. They will really think you are guilty if you abscond."
Byli concentrated on the lock, ignoring the older Dwarf.
"Byli... Don't do it lad, please don't! Oh Mahal, you will be hung and then what use to her would you be?" With a loud click the door swung open. "Oh now you've done it lad!"
"I'm not going to stay here with the love of my life kidnapped and thrown in some dump for ransom or who knows what?" He didn't dare think of what might be done to her. "Do you want me to get you out, master?"
"No lad. I will stay here and explain to the guards when they find you gone."
"Tell them I will hand myself back in when Thrandili is found and safe. Might I take your cloak please? I can give you my blankets in return but if I sneak out of here I can then put on your cloak and blend in to the folk passing by."
"Here lad, take it with pleasure."
Byli stowed the cloak inside his jerkin and crept quietly to the outer door.
Peeping through the cracks he could see the old jailor with his feet up on a chair, snoring softly.
He carefully opened the door, grateful that this lock was open. He prayed the hinges had been greased.
Using all his hunter skills he passed silently through the outer hall and into the yard where he slipped behind a pillar.
Not a soul in sight! Byli had heard that all the guards were out looking for Thrandili but he had never seen the keep so empty.
Keeping to the shadows he crept slowly to the entrance.
===============
Buhni sat by her husband's bedside... he knew that something was wrong but she mustn't disturb his recovery. He slipped back to sleep and Buhni was disturbed by a curious scratching noise... She turned to the window and nearly cried out loud!
"Byli!"
He shushed her and indicated the kitchen.
She tiptoed out of the bedroom feeling guilty at her betrayal of her husband’s trust.
"Master Byli! What are you doing here? I heard you were in jail and charged with murder!"
"My pardon, Mistress Buhni, but I refuse to languish in jail when my love is lost to me and in peril!"
Buhni swelled with pride. She had known Byli had true affection for her love, her little storm cloud and here was proof! He had broken out of jail to find her! Oh how romantic!
"What can I do to help, Byli?"
"I look a mess and will easily be found out... Do you have any cream or makeup to cover up these bruises so I can move around without immediate danger of being caught?"
"I can do better than that my dear Byli... How about a black wig and a false nose as well?"
Buhni rummaged through the children's dressing up bag, removing wig and nose and finding the little compact of foundation and blusher.
"Sit still and let me work!"
A howl of pain escaped the Strongbeard residence as Buhni attached the false nose.
Buhni hugged him tight! "Find my daughter and I will fight earth and sky to make her yours!"
==============
An oldish looking Dwarf walked towards the Brokenspear residence.
His hair once black was tinged with grey and his face was pale... A miner perhaps devoid of the sun for weeks on end? A dark brown cloak covered most of his form and he slumped as if he might have some injury.
He tapped on the door and waited.
Byl opened the door to a stranger... "How may I help you master? Will you come in and have a cake?"
The stranger bowed and stepped inside. "Father it's me! I need to see if there is a trail from here to wherever my Thrandi is being held."
Byl took a step back and looked closely at the Dwarf. "Byli? Is that really you?"
"Oh father, I am undone... If the guard finds me, I am dead I fear!"
Byl giggled looking at the makeup. "My dear Byli, if the guard finds you they will think they have stumbled on a dwarf of um, somewhat delicate sensibilities." Byl sniggered childishly...but from more than ten paces away the effect was just fine, an old dwarf with dark but greying hair. "Now young Byli... What do you need? How can I help you?"
A bath, a good meal, and a clean set of clothes made Byli feel one hundred times better. Byl carefully re-applied the foundation and added the rouge to disguise the bruising. "Do you want me to adjust the nose, lad?"
Byli backed away "No thanks, father It’s fine"
He went to his room and equipped himself for war!
He looked at the bloodstain on the bed cover and growled low and feral.
Second best bow... Knives and throwing stars.
Thin knives in his boots and similar weapons in subtle sheathes in his sleeves.
A garotte on his wrist and a full axe in his hand.
"I may be a hunter but also I am my father’s son... I could have been a guardian like Byl if I had wanted!"
He stood at the door... Byl laid a hand on his arm... "Byli... You are my firstborn... I care for you so much but I understand your pain! You track... I will follow and guard your back!"
Byl picked up his spear and shield... What more useful task than to defend his first born son and heir as he goes to find and fight for the love of his life?
