Caran drank the water fervently. "Thank you," she smiled warmly to Lona and then her smile fell. "Please do not take my...sleep...as a bad omen. If you want to continue I shall continue with you." She frowned deeply. The sound of returning to camp lightened her heart, but at the same time she hated returning home before fulfulling her quest.

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"Caran, it is clear you are not ready. Your sleep was plagued, you were feverish. I fear it is the evil of the land. But, if that were to continue, soon you would not know the difference between reality and your dreams. That concerns me, and is not safe." she began packing. "We are to return."

Caran sighed deeply. "You should sleep first Lona. Take some time and sleep on your decision. I can only imagine what the Captain would have to say..." she grimaced, shuddering violently. She could just hear the sneers from her fellow men. 'Poor women couldn't hack it in the big bad world' her lip curled back in disgust.

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Lona looked up sharply. "If the men have anything to say about us, they will sorely regret it." her words and voice was harsh. She never let any man talk her down.

"Maybe we should scout a little further. At least let the Captain know if he needs to take further action here or not. I hate leaving a job undone." Her lips puckered slightly. It was not the Captain that she wanted to make proud, it was her own family. Her father never shied away from anything. He was strong, bold and brave. It was Caran's duty to uphold his name. Her mother had been brave right to the end. It was Caran's duty to see that that trait lived on. Her sister was brave too. Caran owed it to her sister to be the same. Her head fell slightly.

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"Caran, it is not the right time." lona was concerned, from what she had just seen, Caran had things she needed to work through.

Caran bowed her head. In her heart she knew Lona was right. It was not safe to linger here. It certainly was not safe to push on toward the border of Mordor, not when it was just te two of them. Maybe it was wise not to push their luck. At least they had vanquished the Mage. "Alright. We shall leave when you have had some sleep." Caran said as she rubbed the small of her back.

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Caran bowed her head. In her heart she knew Lona was right. It was not safe to linger here. It certainly was not safe to push on toward the border of Mordor, not when it was just te two of them. Maybe it was wise not to push their luck. At least they had vanquished the Mage. "Alright. We shall leave when you have had some sleep." Caran said as she rubbed the small of her back.

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Lona nodded. "Fill up," she nodded to the food, then laud down and was almost immediately asleep. Her dreams were not plagued, in fact, she would not remember any of them.

Caran picked at the food, realising she was not hungry at all, but accepting it would do her good to have something in her knotted stomach. Unsettled by the darkness around her she stood and began to patroll the area. Her eyes roamed from boulder to rock to Lona to boulder to rock to Lona, never skipping a beat. Her hand rested upon the hilt of her sword with ease. She did not doubt her skill in battle.

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After some time, Lona woke and silently stood. "Let's go." she whistled, and her horse came running.

Caran nodded silently. She stepped forward, a soft whisper leaving her lips. Argo was at her side in a flash. In a hurried manner, Caran packed her belongings and set them up on Argo's back. Argo neighed at the weight on his back and stamped his feet impatiently. "There, there," she said, holding a treat out to him. He took it with pleasure. Caran rolled her eyes and mounted her steed. "Lets go home," she echoed Lona as she turned her horse and began back down their trail.

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Lona eased her mount in a steady canter, thankful that they were going back. They needed more recruits for this mission. Her mind went to the Mage, and a chill raced down her back. What if Caran was right?

Caran noticed Lona shudder. "Place your fears in the back of your mind. We have a long journey home. Let it be peaceful." She smiled softly to Lona, reaching out to rub her arm in an encouraging manner. "We have at least one victory at least. You will no longer be haunted by that Mage. Take peace from that, my friend."

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"I will take peace, but I cannot allow myself to become clumsy. There could be something far worse." she sighed heavily, knowing what awaited them at camp.

"I know," Caran whispered faintly, recalling her arm. She placed it upon the hilt of her sword. With a nudge of her leg, she urged Argo faster. Caran was eager to return to camp and get the humilation over and done with. She longed for it to be over swiftly so that she could get back to the matter at hand. However, she doubted the Captain would entrust the mission to herself and Lona again.

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