Ralph and the Pixie

Still, Pran harboured reservations in the Thane’s choice of leader. True, Birin would act out the Thane’s will as though it were his own, but therein lay the problem. In Pran’s experience in his observance of Birin’s performance as leader, the further and the longer the Elf captain was away from the Thane’s sphere of influence, the less flexible, tolerant, and organized he became. Birin’s greatest weakness, in Pran’s mind, was his inability to improvise freely when there was no plan, structure or framework from which to hang his ideas; and worst of all was his utter lack of imagination. Free-association was as alien to Birin’s mind as tatting to a stonemason.

All of those assembled for the journey were families, mostly those of soldiers and farmers. But there were many who represented the various crafts as well; the Thane had carefully seen to this. But to be so well-equipped meant also that they would be sorely encumbered; an unfortunate and unavoidable consequence. The journey was not going to be an easy one; speed, and flight if they were attacked, would not be possible. Should it happen, a chance encounter with a marauding Goblin army would likely prove fatal, but the refugees were made well-aware of all possible risks.