The group returns to Heorot and goes to bed. They doubt that the creature will return before the next nightfall. The next morning they find Hrothgar waiting for them as the descend the stairs. He did not look to be in a pleasant mood.
“Another of my men died last night!” he said accusingly.
“Grendel was certainly fast,” Wiglaf said.
“Yes he was,” Rigor added, “the man was dead before we could even reach him.”
“I thought you said you would stop Grendel,” Hrothgar said, glaring at the group.
“We will,” Brock said, “it will be easier now that we know what we are dealing with.”
“You let him escape!” Hrothgar yelled.
“Brock had to fight him by himself because YOUR stupid guards were running around like panicked children!” Garusha yelled back. Hrothgar’s face darkened. Wiglaf quickly pulled Garusha aside to try to defuse the situation.
Brock was struggling with his anger. He knew how close to death he had been last night. If not for Garusha’s powers…
“Your men hampered our abilities last night,” he said with a voice colder than ice, “keep them out of our way and we’ll do better.” He turned to the group, “come my friends. Rynn will likely stop at the village tavern on his way into town. Let us await him there.”
Yesterday, back at Geatmon…
Wael approached Rynn cautiously. The man reeked of ale, and was unpredictable at the best of times. He had stumbled in at noon and headed upstairs to his room. Then he ordered Wael to bring him lunch.
Rynn lay sprawled across his bed facedown. His blond hair was a tangled mess and he had somehow managed to put his leather armor on backwards. As usual his bow and arrows were immaculate-he took better care of them than he did himself.
Wael set the tray on a small table and cleared his throat. “Master Rynn?”
“Grymfurff,” Rynn replied.
“Your dinner is served,” Wael continued, “and there is a message for you from Lord Brock.”
His duty accomplished, Wael swiftly exited the room.
A short time later Rynn woke and ate. Upon his tray he found a note from Brock telling him of their mission to Heorot and asking him to join them. Rynn returned to his bed.
Late that night Rynn woke. Thanks to his keen elven senses he was fully capable of riding at night. He gathered his weapons, saddled his horse, and rode after his companions.
He arrived at the village of Heorot shortly after noon the next day. Having drained his flask, he journeyed to the local tavern for a refill. He was surprised to find the group waiting for him.
“Nice of you to show up,” Garusha said, “hope we didn’t disturb your beauty rest.”
“Not at all,” Rynn quips as the barkeeper refills his flask, “Why is everyone waiting on me?” he asked.
The group quickly filled him in on the situation.
“So what are we going to do now?” Rynn asked.
“Who knows? If only we had someone trained in the ability to track,” Garusha said sarcastically, “you know, like a ranger or something.”
“Yeah that’d be great,” Rynn said, “oh, wait a minute…”
They took Rynn to where they had fought the creature. Rigor asked Rynn whether he would be able to track the beast.
“I could track this thing drunk,” Rynn replied.
Caeden raised an eyebrow.
“Drunker,” Rynn corrected.
Following Rynn, the group tracks Grendel to the edge of a dark, deep lake.
“The tracks go directly into the lake,” Rynn says.
Next: Into the Depths!
