Lona got off her horse, and gathered her supplies, carefully putting them over her shoulders.

Once the trio were ready they set off on foot. Caran walked lightly on her feet, careful not to make a sound and draw unwanted attention to their whereabouts. As she looked around she was filled with a feeling of dread and fear. Her stomach churned. Who would choose to dwell in such a dark place? What comfort did it bring them? Caran hoped she did not have to stay here for too long.

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Lona stopped and held up her fist to signal the other two to stop as well. She silently crouched, listening and watching. The Mage was near. She sent the other two a warning look and put two fingers to her lips, another signal for them to remain completely silent. She motioned again, stay put, don't move. She continued on silently, acing her feet carefully as she continued to move while crouched. She reached into her boot, pulling a dagger as she got closer.

Caran's eyes were trained on Lona. It was clear Lona could sense something that Caran could not. Caran crouched low to the ground as Lona had done and moved quietly closer to her. She surmised that the mage must be close. Her hand fell to the hilt of her sword.

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Lona motioned again for Caran to stay where she was, a warning look in her eye. She slowly crept forward until she could see. He was mumbling again, a spell. Her eyes searched his hood for his face, but she couldn't see it. She noiselessly crept back to her group. She motioned for them to still stay as quiet at possible. "He's there, just beyond those trees, and he is performing a spell. I can't make out his face." she whispered as quietly as she could.

Caran frowned deeply and froze in her position. "It would not be wise to ambush him. Who knows what spell he is casting. Perhaps we should not take any action against the mage for the moment...At least not until we know what he is up to." Caran pivoted slightly as if to head back in the direction they had came.

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"Agreed. Head out for now, find a safe spot to stay." she nodded in agreement and carefully started back. Hopefully they could get to him before he did any more damage.

Caran wandered back down the path to the start of it. There she found their three horses waiting for them. Caran set up her saddle bag and mounted her stallion. "We should get away from this place and find another route to Mordor." Caran said, her voice low.

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She shook her head. "What we are seeking is just over there! We cannot flee just because we don't like the place. He is the cause! To stop the attacks we must get to him." she couldn't believe what Caran was suggesting. They had found what they were looking for, and she wanted to run?

"We cannot be certain he is the source of what is happening. Even if he is, what can we do against him?" Caran's eyes were wide. Lona seemed to be on a suicide mission. "We should at the very least return to the camp and report our findings. Seek counsel from the Captain. He should know what to do."

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"I am certain. He was controlling the orca when they attacked our headquarters. We cannot go back now, the captain sent us out here not wanton us back until the mission was completed.

"Our mission was to scout Mordor's border to find if there was activity there. We have found the activity, but we are not strong enough to diminish that activity. He is a mage...We are but mortal men. What can we do against his magic?" Caran spoke quietly, nervously.

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"you did not speak to the captain about the mission. Why should we leave now when we have a chance? And we are mortal, but we are trained. We are smart enough to beat him." she wouldn't argue this with Caran. If she wanted to go back then she could, but Lona planned on attacking.

Caran sighed deeply. "Do not say I did not warn you Lona. This is foolish, you could end up getting us all killed. What would you have us do against his magic? What is your plan?" Caran stared at Lona, surprised by her bravery. It was a trait she admired in anyone and in any ordinary circumstance she would be supporting that person one hundred percent. However this was not ordinary. This was a mage. It was clear he could wield powerful magic.

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"then you two can run back to the captain. I won't sit around and wait for something worse to happen. I am not afraid of dying, I am afraid of failing." she stared the other woman down. She would not go back on this, she would not just run away. Mages could be killed, and she was trained in taking an enemy by surprise.

"You talk to me as though I am an enemy. I am not Lona. I merely fear for our survival. What exactly do we know about killing mages?" Caran felt the weight of Lona's stare, but dismissed it. She would not be made to feel like a coward. Not by Lona or anyone else.

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