[b]Autumn. One year and a half after Master Muin death.[/b]
Leth Longstrider never waited for the first light of the day to wake him. His dreams mostly woke him far earlier, and rather then staying in his bed, near the warmth of his wife, Longstrider would slowly climb out of it, to start his day. 
Today was one of these days! He heared the soft breath of Xara next to him, and turned around, to watch her for a moment. Her skin had a darker tone then the dwarfs of these lands, and her slim body gently lifted up and down with her breath. Once more, he couldnt stop the smile on his lips, as he looked at the bulge that formed under the wool sheet. [i]"My child.."[/i] Soon, the first of blood would be set foot into this valley, and become a ranger, just like he was! But then Leth turned away from his sleeping wife, and climbed out of the bed, picking up his cloak and wrapping it around his body. It was already freezing, and if the knife-ears outside the valley were right, this winter would be a cold one. [i]"Never trust a bloody knife-ear!"[/i]

His steps carried him away from the bed, past the fireplace and out of his personal quarters. Since his marriage, it had turned from a barren and simple room, into a warm, decorated place, and a true home to return to! Once more, he recalled his fathers words, as he made his way to the great hall. [b]"One a woman can turn a hall into a home."[/b] The way had been carved into the stone, and even the inner sanctum of it, was densely used. As he came past the guards of the great hall, both raised their heads, and smashed their fists against their chests. "The first Watch, stands attention, Warden of the Valley!" With a simply nod, Leth showed his approval, and pushed the door open. Making his way to the high table, he found the hall mostly empty, except for another figure at the high table. 

Kregoc Irontooth already was at his breakfast, and was ditching a pieces of bread into a bowl of bashed eggs, before he raised his head. "Lord Master!" His long black beard had long been the envy of many, but after losing all his theef to an orc fist, and replacing them with iron casts, it had become his new signature. "Lord Master of a single clan! Beside, my uncle still remains silent over the matter of the firstborn...Warden for them, Leth for you!" 
Kregoc didnt seem quite entusiastic about this, and simply picked up a roll of paper, before laying it on the table. While Leth was taking it, he loudly slurped down the egg-bread creation, while the warden began to read. 

Leths eyes narrowed as there still were no news about what had happened to Clan Orin, yet he pushed the thought aside. For the moment it wasnt his concern, and he never had liked Orin that much, so he would cry no tear after him if he should have simply left the valley. 
It were the news of the missing Hunters that caught his attention. Using one hand to fill a horn with some breakfast Ale, he pointed at this sentence of the reports, and looked at Kregoc. The Dwarf with the Iron Teeth simply let out a burp, before cleaning his mouth with his arm. "Thats all we know about! Green boys who made that report, so they were clever enough to simply return and tell about it!" 
Leth took a deep sip of the Ale, before scratching his nose. "Send a Patrol! Its the duty of the Rangers to clean such dangers out, if it turns out as one! Wouldnt be the first time, that a few hunters simply turned poachers! To the next point..." His face turned grim, as he read the part once more. "Traitors! Stealing my grandfathers arms, and turning bandits! Be ready for any calls of aid, we will respond with a fitting force, and make an example out of them!" 
Kregoc chuckled, as he filled his own horn. "The hammers of this hold will rejoice! Has been quite a while since he had the pleasure!" 

The last point seemed quite unimportant at first, but it slowly took his notice more and more. Xara had a refined taste, and longed for the luxuries of her youth. The clan of Longstrider never was rich in gold, but the smile on her face, would be more then worth it in Leths eyes. "Make sure that one patrol comes pass them i...." He took a deep breath, as he emptied his horn. "Scratch the Patrol! Wake Brodic and Trakec! We leave at Noon! I will take care of these vanished Hunters myself!" If he ever wanted to become the Lord Master of the Valley, he would need the loyalty of all clans! And for that, they would need to know, who would protect them.