Lost in his thoughts, Cole failed to notice the newcomer until he was right next to their table, flanked by a pair of glum guards that looked about as talkative as the ones that had accompanied Cole earlier. On second thought, had the man arrived just now or had he been somewhere in the inn all along? The rain was still going strong outside, but the dark-skinned man was relatively dry, which either meant that he had been inside for a while or that his clothing remained dry thanks to some wizard’s trick. Despite the strange things he had seen today, Cole decided that the simpler explanation was the most likely one. 

The strange man had picked an interesting time to announce himself, right after Baranor had left the table. A coincidence? Not likely, Cole thought. There had been an obvious enmity between Eorl’s folk and their prisoner back in the King’s hall, so it was to be expected that such feelings would extended to their Gondorian allies as well. After all, they had fought side by side in their war against these Men of the East, he could see why they would not want to share a table with one of them. 

As if to confirm his thoughts, Éolan rose from her place after muttering a few slurred words and headed upstairs toward the sleeping rooms, though it occurred to him that she had neither paid nor spoken with the innkeeper. Whatever her intention, it seemed to Cole that she too did not wish to break bread with the swarthy man, having left so soon after he joined them. Across the table, Cole could feel the moods shifting, as both Branack and Eōrwīga turned to regard the stranger. The easy smile which the smith wore was noticeably absent from his face. 

For his part, Cole did not share in these feelings. He was mistrustful, as he was of all these strange southern Men, but apart from that general sense of wariness, he did not have anything against this man in particular. On the contrary, Cole was intrigued by his strange appearance; the dark skin and strange-looking arms and armor spoke of a people that were much different than the ones the Bree-lander had so far encountered. What distant wonders had those dark eyes seen? he wondered.  

Thus, when he spoke there was no fear or resentment in his voice, merely a jovial curiosity. 

“Well met, friend. I am glad that another fierce warrior joins us. Gweluon was vague, but it seems that your strength with be sorely needed on this journey.“ Cole extended his hand after a moment, unaware if that was a proper greeting in eastern lands. “Coleman Cutleaf, at your service. Would share your name so that we may know who we travel with?” 

[@BCTheEntity][@POOHEAD189][@Jbcool]