OOC>>In future posts, if anybody wants to maintain private words with another, that is not intended for all to hear and learn, it would be best to utilize this forum's PM messaging. That could serve us well...that no spoilers get out.
:D
<font color=skyblue>Turín had been brewing over the information that he had received two days ago. It troubled him greatly that there would be a traitor in the ranks of this small group, and that this person had been the downfall of their prvious operation, including the death of many great beings, men, elves, and dwarves alike. The traitor could never be an elf, so that left Roland or any of the dwarves.
What was he to do? He had to find out who it was now, or they would always be in jeaopardy with future missions, including the one that they currently faced.

It was not fair for the other troops either, to keep this a secret. Their lives were their own to live, and if he withheld information from his good men that could save their lives, he was a murderer.

He acknowledged Hrolf.

"Now that we are secluded and safe for a time, it is my responsibility to all of us gathered to introduce you to the revelation that one of us sitting here is a traitor who sabatoged our mission, and will continue to do so unless we find him out now. I ask that everybody put down your weapons if you are with one, and keep your hands clearly in the open. If anyone makes a move in a defencive or offencive motion from now forward will be considered the enemy and attacked by all of us. I know that no elf could ever side with Morgoth, so they shall become our judges. I enter this challenge myself, that you will see that I have nothing to hide.

Feldorn, will you take the lead and examine each of us men and dwarves, excluding the lady Robyn, who was not with us, but was with the other elves when we were attacked? You will be looking for evidence either on ourselves or in our travel gear that might prove one of us the traitor. Any sudden moves from anyone, and you have my permission as the leader of this party to bind him with strong cords, that he not escape. Do this now.</font>

OOC>>>I hope this is acceptable, dplax. It is the only thing I can think of that makes sense and saves the rest of us.

[ 03-23-2004, 11:32 PM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

Feldorn motions to the other elves and they start searching each and every member of the party. After they have finished they move on to their equipment and sacks. Finally after about 10 minutes of going through everything they find nothing. <font color=green>"We haven't found any physical evidence, although it might be that all necessary information is only in the traitor's mind." </font>

<font color=skyblue>And I trust that an elf would have access to mind reading spells? Please do what you can, for I must know who the traitor is. I will not risk another man or woman lost to treachery.</font>

<font color=green>"I think Therlion could do that." </font>

OOC: Bozos just PM me with the order you want to mindread the characters in.

<font color=silver>"Yes, I will begin at once. But I must ask one of you who has any skill at mindreading to use it on me at your own discretion. I must be sure we have complete trust in eachother."</font>

<font color=red>"Well, I have some access to lie detecting spells, which should do well enough. It might not be alot but at least it is something to aid Therlion, if not more."</font>

[ 03-23-2004, 07:37 PM: Message edited by: The Fallen One ]

<font color=green>Feldorn

"OK then Therlion I think you can go ahead with mindreading the others."</font>

Therlion looks deep into Roland's eyes and his conciousness is transferred into Roland's mind, like a thought among thoughts. Navigating through the intangible thoughts, Therlion started reading the thoughts, memories and feelings but still leaving the man's privacy. Nothing. Therlion smiled and moved on to Kirun. The same procedure produced no ill effect. Bober was his target now, and after the mind read he came clean too. Therlion looked at the remaining ones and realised that one of them is probably a traitor. Hoping noone notices, Therlion magically lifted a fist-sized stone behind the group and left it levitaning behind Hrolf's head. He proceeded with the mind read.

<font color=gold>Hrolf </font>

She knew the moment Therlion started mindreading her that he would find out the truth. She knew that in order for her children to survive she could not let him get the information out of her.

<font color=gold>"Stop"</font> - she shouted suddenly, thus breaking Therlion's concentration. At the same time she reached behind her head and grabbed the stone she had heard rising in the air earlier. She moved back a step, but then stopped suddenly as Feldorn fitted an arrow to his bow and pointed it at her. She dropped the stone which fell with a thud to the floor.

<font color=gold>"Please don't shoot. I can explain everything. I am indeed the traitor. Firstly I would like to say that I am sorry for all of those that have died because of me. I didn't mean for that to happen. I only had to put information on the parties movements on paper and leave them along the way where they could be found. I did not know what they would do with it. You must understand me, they forced me to do this. They have my twin sons as captives. I am sorry for all that have died. They were my friends."</font> - she slowly started crying.

She wiped her nose with the sleeve of her tunic. <font color=gold>"I am sorry."</font>-she said again. She slowly unfastened the amulet around her neck and handed it to Feldorn. <font color=gold>"I'd like you, Feldorn to take this amulet to my sons. They are being held captive where you are headed." </font>

Then as Feldorn lowered his bow to take the amulet she turned round and with a sudden movement jumped clean out of the window. A few moments later a horrific sound was heard as her body struck the forest floor below. (OOC: The elven encampment is high up in the trees) Everyone stood in silence for several moments afterwards. It was Feldorn who broke the silence: <font color=green>"She chose death by her own hands rather than living on in shame. I respect her memory for this choice." </font> He then looked inquiringly at Turin as to what would happen now. In the background elven voices could be heard converging on the body far below.

[ 03-24-2004, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: dplax ]

<font color=steelblue>Turín

Turin's reaction to the whole scene was grim, but quiet.

In response to Feldorn's inquiry, he said,

"Let us go down, gether the body and give her a proper burial. She has earned that much. The lives of her children outweighed the lives of all of us, including her own. We shall honor her for her strong family devotion."

And without waiting on any agreements or disagreements, he walked out the door to go do just as he had said.</font>