Eonan and Dar went aheaded on horse back as the woods cleared near the river. At the river bank Dar dismounted and started searching for tracks. He found tracks leading south the tracks were very well hidden, clearing whoever passed this way had not wanted to be found. Dar gathered some rocks and made an arrow pointing south for the Dwarves to follow. Then keep an eye out for tracks started to head south with Eonan following on horse back.

Ahead of them Dar and Eonan could see a particularily rocky patch of river bank. Suddenly a figure rose from the water pointing a crossbow at the two men. Dar dived for cover in the wood and Eonan charged the figure. Once Eonan passed Dar also charged. Despite his skill Eonan was quite unsteady on his horse, as he was attempting to draw both spear and shield while stearing with his knees. To add to this a crossbow bolt whizzed through his hair narrowly missing its mark. As this horse veered past the man in the water Eonan attempted to spear him, at the same time another bolt imbedded itself in his shield. Eonan could no longer maintain his balance and tumbled from his horse into the water.

Meanwhile Dar reached the figure in the water, it was Jade. Jade drew a scimitar and combat began. At first the fight was evenly balanced but eventually Dar managed to score a minor strike on Jade. A few moments later Dar realised somebody was sneaking up behind him, there was little he could do being locked in deadly combat and he soon felt a dagger plunge into his back. Dar in great pain and stunned fell back from the two assailants, thinking he would soon meet his father in the halls of Mandos.

Eonan rose from the water on the other side of a large boulder from Dar and Jade. He drew sword and shield and looked to see who had fired the second bolt. Not finding any target he waded out into the stream attempting to come around the boulder from behind and rejoin the fight. As he got around the rock he saw Dar and Jade locked in combat. Just then Dar received the dagger in his back. Eonan in turn stab Jade in his left arm doing considerable damage. Jade fell back into a crack in the rocks trying to find safety. Eonan finished him by driving his sword through Jade's chest.

Dar falling back after being stabbed fled deeper into the river while his sneaky attacker rainned blows down upon him. Fortunately Dar managed to defend himself with his shield. The attacker appeared to be human but was as black as pitch. Neither Dar nor Eonan had ever heard of such before. His colour did little for his bravery, after he heard Jade die he fled for the woods. Both Dar and Eonan gave pursuit. The Black guy was only wearing soft leather armour so should have quickly gotten away, it seemed that fear had turned he knees to jelly, as both pursuers could keep up.

The chase was long and arduous, but eventually Eonan reached grappling range. Eonan dived and attempted to slow the Black guy as Dar smacked him with the hilt of his sword. However Dar only struck a glancing blow. Eonan beginning to fall again attempted to grapple our prey, this time grabbing his legs. Dar feeling himself weaken from blood loss decided it was time to finish this. With a mighty stike (roll of 161) he slashed his sword down the head and back (E crit) of black guy. The black guy immediately lost concious and lay there near death.

Eonan helped Dar patch up the wound in his back as the black guy bled to death. Both men then dragged the corpse back to the river bank. Both corpses were relieved of there money and possesions and Eonan found his stolen equipment hidden in the water. The Dwarves caught up after an uneventful march. Camp was set for the night and Thorin desposed of the corpses some distance from the camp. It was decided that the party would travel back north and search for the ruins the Jade mentioned. This hopefully quite time should also give Dar a chance to heal.