"I know that when taken by surprise they would fare as well as anyone else would. Mages are not immortal nor impossible to kill. And going back to the captain wouldn't help, what would he do? Send more men? What is the point in that?"

"Fine," she sighed deeply. "But I will not let you go on this suicide mission on your own. What is your plan of attack? We need to act quickly if the offence of surprise is to work. I am sure he will start to sense a presence soon."

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"We attack each from a different side, that way while he is distracted with one, another can get him by complete surprise."

"Alright, Lona." Callie unsheathed her sword and walked around the path, moving swiftly. She soon was on the opposite side from Lona. She remained crouched low to the ground, waiting for Lona's signal.

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Lona crept forward, her sword instantly in her hand. She looked up, and nodded to Caran. They both crept forward, and the Mage chuckled. "Lona Ulairi. I wondered when you would cone and find me." he stepped toward her.

While the mages' attention was drawn to Lona, Caran took her advantage of her opportunity. With her sword drawn she charged the mage. Her blade striking upwards, aiming for his abdomen. Her eyes clenched shut as she heard the revolting sound of flesh tearing. Caran could smell blood...or was it victory?

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The Mage stiffened, and he made a gurgling sound before dropping over. Lona rushed forward "Caran!" her plan had worked.

Caran wiped her blade on her cloak and sheathed it. It was clear that Lona was ecstatic about their victory. In truth Caran was proud too, but deep down she felt that is was not over, that this was just the beginning. Caran looked up at Lona as she approached. "All in a days work," she said, a smile pasted on her face.

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"Now, we continue to Mordor. The biggest threat is over with." she went back through the trees to collect their belongings. "I wonder if he had his headquarters in Mordor?"

"I would not put it past him," Caran said as she walked behind Lona. Caran gathered her things and called for her horse. "We shall need to gain some height. Perhaps it would be best to peer in before storming in wouldn't you say?" She glanced over her shoulder at Lona as she readied Argo.

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"My plan exactly." she grinned at Caran and mounted her own horse. "To gain some height and cover we'll needto head that way, unless you know of a better route?" she tilted her head as she inquired.

"There is another. It basically brings us to the gates of Mordor. However without elven cloaks we would be easily seen. Therefore I believe your route will be better." She returned Lona's smile before mounting her stead.

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Lona nodded. "Alright. I know of the hills that will give us cover. But we must leave our horses at the bottom, it is far too treacherous for them." she urged her horse foreword after she mounted.

"Indeed. Perhaps we should also think about hiding our tracks. Would not want anyone sneaking up on us." Caran urged her horse forward and fell into pace beside Lona. "Alright so the mage has been slain, what will happen to the orcs without a leader?" She asked, her voice low.

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"My guess is they will scatter, but without proper direction they will move without purpose or knowledge, and will be easy to cut down. Unless they have someone commanding them, they know nothing of war tactics." She looked back, noticing their tracks. Looking over she saw stretches of a stony, forgotten road. "It would be harder to reck if we ride on stone."

(*track)