Episode XXV – Under Yael's Cold Light: 16th to 17th Halane, 720TR
The following morn the companions are circled and pestered by the devilish yelgri. The companions make a grisly discovery at the edge of their camp. They find the roughly butchered corpse of the boat thrall Hrani, who has been missing since their arrival. His body parts are seeded along the beach as 'bait' for the harpies.
Once the yelgri are driven off and the 'bait' consigned to a bonfire, they question the short woman, who claims to be a slave sent as a bride for a 'prince' in the kingdom of Azadmere by the Khuzdul of Ivinia, a fate she very much wishes to avoid.
Under Ulfarr’s direction the men spend the day salvaging wood from the wrecked dak beneath the nearby cliffs. Sigmarr searches in the hold of the wreck and finds a number of corpses, possibly Khuzdul.
That night they set up a piquet line to guard the ship and their camp. As they feared the Khuzdul infiltrate and attack their encampment. Vermundr, on piquet line sentry out in the swamp, takes a shot in the gut, whilst Edered who is bringing meat and wine to his kinsman, is pierced by a similar projectile which shatters his hip. The boat thrall Kol who was accompanying Edered flees back to the camp fire in terror, alerting the companions of trouble.
While the warriors form up a shield wall against the unseen enemy, Telen summons his art and dazzles the hidden crossbowmen whose bolts have been taking such a deadly toll on their fellows. Illuminated by the amplification of Yael’s cold light, the hidden attackers are exposed, and the companions charge them. Telen takes a bolt in the shoulder and falls into a swoon.
The companions assault a line of seven Khuzdul. A tough fight ensues as all the Khuzdul are heavily armoured. In the fierce melee Brand takes off the leader’s head whilst Asgrim takes a vicious cut across the throat; most of the other companions take blows. Eventually the Khuzdul all fall under the swords and spears of the more numerous Thursans.
Elation at their victory soon fades when Vermundr staggers into sight with a blood pouring out of his gut. He collapses and feints. As Snorri the Skald sees to the many wounded Thorim ponders the terrible toll this conflict with the Khuzdul is taking on his men.