[center][abbr= E S K A N D R   |   R A N G E R   |   # B 1 E E E A][img]https://i.ibb.co/JKR1YZD/629981d22811d2.png[/img][/abbr][/center][hr][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][color=#B1EEEA]L O C A T I O N[/color]             |     Road to Rigevand
[color=#B1EEEA]I N T E R A C T I O N[/color]    |     Ulf [@Force and Fury][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][hr]Ulf was quite correct to assume Vali would hold little interest in overturning his decisions. The ranger was well-blooded and held little interest in the politics of power and status; he yearned for respect and admiration, not armies. His mind was drifting to the memories of what he had seen while scouting, plotting already the best manners of approach; men were but beasts, and he knew the minds of beasts well. 

While those in Rigevand were unlikely to be as prepared for assault as Relouse had been, the company was being sent to look for pirates or smugglers. Both would be cautious, and near-assuredly expecting trouble of some kind. Some of them might run if escape seems viable, but Vali felt a number would fight. Bloodier than many of the villages he’d raided over the years, but wholly different than his most recent battle. 

He stayed near Ulf as they journeyed, though the ranger was within his own thoughts for quite some time. [color=#B1EEEA]“A subtle approach with thirty men would be difficult,”[/color] he spoke quite suddenly, green-blue eyes turned to focus on the youth who was leading them. [color=#B1EEEA]“Any outlaws who notice our approach may try to run and avoid us altogether. If we cut off the main roads out of Rigevand, we’ll be able to snare our fleeing prey.”[/color] His tone was cool, and the way Vali spoke truly seemed to evoke the image of a hunter preparing their trap outside a warren of rabbits. 

The Twice-Born did not bother to soften his words, though the suggestions were merely that. He’d been sent with Hrothgar’s eldest son because of the information he held, and because of his experience. It would be useless to dull any of that, and the boy would have to learn how to take advice if he hadn’t already. This was likely a test for the heir, a trial to overcome on the journey of proving himself, but it held some stock for Vali too. Success or failure alike would sit themselves upon his shoulders, and he much preferred the weight of victory.