After the recounting is done and thnaks offered for the information, Klale says North then. Grandfather Eles, are you coming with us? With luck, you'll be able to ride.

"I will come, of course.  If this is to be my last tale, then I will be witness to its telling."  His countenance falls, then.  "I only wish we knew what happened to Aashara...and even Cace.  We simply haven't the time to search for them."  He smiles wanly at Klale and the others.  "So.  Which will we head for?  The Chasm of Doom or the Lonely Mountain?"

"I share your sentiments Eles. My thoughts reach out to Aashera as well. Perhaps we can have Amath and his followers keep an eye out for them, and at least let them know they are on our side."

Tobens tone changes to one of more urgency, "I fear we do not have the luxury of time on our side. Even a month seems too long, so my vote goes toward The Chasm of Doom... despite the name."

Phineas is clearly delighted to see Eles in good health, and after an initial enthusiastic embrace (and a grudging but respectful nod to Amath), stays close to him as the conversation continues.

"I would cast my vote for the Chasm of Doom as well, though I am slightly alarmed that all of the sightseeing we're doing thus far seems to feature 'Doom' prominently in the names of the landmarks. Even so, a month of travel sounds painfully long, though if it's our best option, we should pursue it."

"I wonder: would it be prudent to send a scouting party and see if we can find any trace of Aashera and Cace before we embark? Or would we do as well to leave messages for them with these guardians?"

Caven's being leached, dying. We go to the nearest; Caven didn't say which dwarves. No time for side trips, and it's more danger for each of us if we split up. Let's go. Eles, it gets hard, you let me carry you. Ano and Toben, if they will, can then carry hammer and sword.

The fresh air felt good in Ano's lungs as he left the cave, feeling renewed.  Like the others he was glad to see that Eles was still there waiting for them, and that he was able to provide some insights to the location of the dwarves.  Ano nodded in swift agreement with the others "The Chasm of Doom, then"

Before they get ready to leave Ano looks at Toben and asks "Perhaps we should ask if Amath knows anything about the rings we found."

"Great suggestion Ano. I completely forgot about that." Toben whispers quietly to Ferb, and he quickly disappears. His backpack appears to animate as the critter rummages around. Within moments, Ferb reappears with the black idol firmly clasped within his mouth and a single ring on the tip of his tail.

Toben pats him on the head and offers a treat for his trouble. He retrieves the idol and ring and walks over to Amath. "There was a small group of bandits that we defeated not too long ago. Many of them had these rings, and their leader carried this idol. We believe they are a part of the larger group we mentioned earlier." Toben hands the items over to Amath, "You seem to be far better versed in the ways of the old world, do these mean anything to you? They made mention of something or someone called the Valaraukar as well."

Amath looks almost...well, not frightened, but surprised and wary at the mention of the name 'Valaraukar'.  "Your people called them 'Balrogs'.  This one pictured here is Gawlûtharonoded, or simply Gawlûth.  His long name means 'charm of the void unending'.  They are demons, Maiar corrupted long ago by the darkness.  This one was known for his subtlety and craftiness."

And he doubtless has designs on the returning Maiar. Well, we know something; thanks, Amath.

As they start off, Klale remarks All of us are smarter than any one of us.

Amath guides you through the cauldron to its edge and bids you farewell with one final warning.  "Beware, not all Orchoth are Lim.  Many still hear and heed the call of the dark.  Those who look like us are called Uruk Hai.  Those who are smaller, weaker, are simply orcs."  He says the last word with great disdain.  "The orcs may not have come out of the deep places of the world, yet.  They fear the light of day and will only come out at night if they move on the surface at all."

He places his right arm across his chest and bows respectfully.  "May the light of Ilúvatar ever guide your way."

Klale repeats the gesture And may your guardianship continue to be successful.

He looks for the horses by the wagons when they arrive there.

"Thanks for all your help, Amath." Toben takes the ring and idol back and places them in his travel pack. "Aside from them just attacking outright, is the a way to identify the less enlightened Orchoth? Probably not like a secret handshake, but something we can look for?"

Toben bows deeply, and then extends his hand in friendship. "Until we meet again, honorable one."

As the group departs, Amath snorts.  "Yes.  They will be the ones trying to kill you."

Eles leaves a small stack of rocks and sticks at the lip of the bowl.  "It's for Aashara.  Unless they are members of my family, any one who comes across this pile won't understand the pattern."

The horses and wagons are were they were left, the horses more or less anyway.  Harnessed once again to the wagon, the group is off to the north.  Granting that Pauric's army went around Mt. Doom on the east side, Eles suggests going around on the west.  At the western most part of the mountain, just before the mountainside begins to curve east again, there is a road heading due west.  There is also a gap due north far in the distance, though it is likely Pauric's people will be in that general direction.

"Which way?  I need to leave Aashera directions."

Ano looks at both roads considering for a momnt before saying "West i think.  If we can avoid conflict with other groups then we will be able to keep moving quickly. "

Toben nods in agreement. "While I believe going north would be the shortest path, any conflict that generates would only slow us down... not to mention potential casualties. West it is!"

West then...but turn north soon. Longer but maybe not slower if we find easier county.

The wagons roll west along the old road.  Though grown up in places on the sides, the road is in solid condition and clearly set.  The stones used to make the road must run deep indeed, and are of some material that does not allow grass or the small bushes surrounding the road to gain a foothold.

Travel is swift and easy on the road.  The mountains to the west rise swiftly and the gap between them grows.  Overlooking the road standing sentinel to the pass is a single tower.  It looks desolate and lonely in the shadows of the mountain this evening.  There is a white-washed appearance to the tower as if centuries of rain and wind have kept it scoured clean, almost like a bone sticking up from the sands of the desert bleached by the sun and sand.

The pass itself switches back and forth and makes it nearly impossible to tell what is ahead.  There is...something, a building there, much larger than the tower, but difficult to make out beyond a sliver at the end of the pass.  From this vantage point it is not possible to determine if the pass ends at this second building, fortress, castle, or whatever, or if it only pauses to continue on through the mountains on the other side.

The wind gives voice to the pass, whispers in the growing dark of night.  It gives the eerie feeling of being not being alone.

Klale is for stopping where there is water and grass or horse-edible plants. His mood has been pensive...I could have smithyed better. Perhaps the dwarves will teach me even more. You too Toben; guess there's always more to learn.

Toben stops to gaze at the path before them. It seems like they have come so far in a very short time, but even that is dwarfed by how far they still have to go.

Toben smiles at Klale, "Given what we just experienced back at the cave, that couldn't be more of an understatement." He chuckles. "It's like a whole new world has opened up right before us."

"What do you suppose that could be up ahead?"

At one of the stops to water the horses, Phineas quietly drops off the wagon and runs ahead to see what intelligence he can discreetly gather about the structure ahead, any occupants it might have, and any obstacles along the way.

Klale smiles, looking almost as if he could be good-natured—at times. We shall see...I feel we're already being seen. Let's go easy, give Phineas time. Be a shame if we already learned what he has to tell us...and I hope he doesn't get into trouble.

Ano sits quietly as they wait for the return of Phineas.  He did not like the feeling they got from staying in a place such as this, but he took some comfort in the amount of stone and earth around them.  "I pray it will not be difficult to convince the dwarves to aid us, if we are able to find them".

Doubt it'll be easy. They're not aiding us, the world...themselves included. If old tales are true, the aim of evil is always the same, dominion...breaking others' wills...giving pain...tearing others down to make themselves seem superior by comparison. I"m hoping we have some things in common to talk about.

I've herd that once there was an alliance of elves and men against such a menace as we face. Klale shrugs his shoulders. Maybe there will be an alliance of dwarves and men to do the same.

The minutes pass slowly.  The horses and wagons are checked and rechecked.  Eles takes a brush out and brushes his horse.  That done, he pulls out a small stringed instrument and strums a few chords, hums a few notes, then puts it away.  It is obvious he is antsy about Phineas being gone so long.

"It's been over an hour.  Where is that boy?"

The time passes quickly for Toben, who appears to be doing nothing more than playing in the dirt. It's not until he hears Eles exclaim about Phineas, that his concentration is broken.

"It looks to be getting late, perhaps we should start preparing camp for the night."