The Red Hand of Doom

[Miraqariftsky]

Blood drips down his gauntlets, making the armour heavy and cumbersome. Laius hits himself once more against the tree then slides wearily down its bole to rest in the crook of its roots. There he lies, seemingly dead to the world.

And then, after a quarter of an hour of intense meditation, comes forth from his seeming-stupour and begins taking off his pack and armour. From his pockets, he tosses a handful of beef jerky to the grateful Truefang who rushes forward and chews it all up.

Once every piece of armour has been stripped off and neatly piled, Laius stretches and flexes. Wincing, he draws out an ashwood wand and calls out, "Ho, fellows! The battle was too swift for me to tell... who amongst ye were wounded? Come, I shall mend your hurts by Yondalla's grace, if we are to continue through goblin-country..."