Cole listened to Sapteth’s words and offered a few of his own, though it was idle talk, lacking the enthusiasm he had at first displayed. It was obvious that the man had little interest in talking to him and for once Cole decided that it was best to keep his mouth shut. He was glad that Branack had stood up for him, but the gravity of his words made him nervous again. The Dwarf seemed to have a very grim outlook on life, but maybe that was normal for folk who lived underground for so long. Either way, what he said was worth noting – whatever grievances this dark-skinned man had with the others and they with him, they would have to be settled before long, otherwise their quest would be doomed from the start.
 
Lost in such thoughts, Cole withdrew into himself again and finished his ale in silence. His eyes were distant, but they occasionally shifted to focus on either Branack or the stranger, Sapteth. Even the man’s name was strange, it sounded like no other he had heard before, be it of Man or beast. Cole was deadening the moment he would have to utter it out loud, knowing full well that he was going to make a mistake and earn a rebuke from the haughty Easterling. 

The group Gweulon had assembled was strange, to say the least. Try as he might, Cole could not find a suitable reason as to why the Elf had insisted on gathering them. Would not a group of the King’s Men be better for such a task? Or why not seek the assistance of other brave knights, like Baranor? The Gondorian had told him that their numbers had dwindled of late, but surely Gondor could spare a couple for such an important undertaking? That line of thought led him to an even more important question – why had Gweulon not sought out his own kin? The Elves were always said to be wardens of ancient lore in the tales, did that not make them the best prepared for this quest? 

Still, Gweulon seemed to have made his choice and had come to the realms of Men. Whatever council he took, it was doubtful that he would share it with the likes of Cole. The only thing the Bree-lander could was to place his trust in the Elf’s hands blindly. That, or return home to Bree, which no longer seemed like an option. He shook his head, banishing those thoughts and rose from his seat. 

Cole bid the others a good night and made his way to the innkeeper. He paid for the night and headed upstairs, where he opened the door to a modest, but comfortable room. There was not much furnishing apart from a bed, a few chairs, a small fireplace, a worn-looking rug covering the wooden floor and a table, but Cole was only interested in the bed, so he hardly noticed. He got a fire going to ward off the chill, tossed his clothes in a formless heap on the ground and buried himself in the covers. Almost instantly he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.