~ Dire Struggle for Dillend: [Archive] [Home] [Previous Turn] [Next Turn] ~

Edryd seethes as he watches the foul orcs poison the very air they breathe. It is only with the greatest effort that he doesn't fling himself upon the inbred walking dungheaps where they stand, regardless of the cost. Then his face brightens a moment. He turns to Crayne and Dire... "Is it true you have the capability to render one of our group unseeable? Invisible?" He waits for their answer and asks the others, being careful to not let his voice carry, "Perhaps we should send someone stealthy to see if we can gather some intelligence to aid us." His gaze moves to Hannibal, "If one of us could go down noiselessly and get close enough to the officers, perhaps we would hear something of use to us, no?"

Emma nods at Edryd's suggestion. "In times of war, it is often best to gather information before making a decision on how to face an opponent." She also looks at Hannibal, and still somewhat unsure of how he must think of her since the incident in Jilten, she looks back to Edryd...and Cy...and Crayne.

"Is it true?" she asks the mage, "Can you make someone no longer appear? I thought I heard you and Dire discussing something like that before our...conversation...last evening. If Hannibal is willing, I think he would make an excellent spy."

"Also, depending on what he discovers...if anything," she offers, "I could pray for Anhur's aid to send a small bird to Mitchend that will carry a message for Sir Moore, warning him of the army that approaches. He should have reached his destination by now. Sir Nigel told us that his ship left days ago, and when we were at Castle Parton, he said Sir Moore should arrive within one more day at Mitchend. If Moore hasn't left the fort with his men to retake Dillend yet, perhaps we can reach him before he departs and Mitchend is overwhelmed in his absence. It would take a few moments for me to seek Anhur's guidance in this matter and ask for his blessing, but I should be ready by the time Hannibal returns. Do the rest of you think that would be a good idea?"

At the mention of Orcs, Storm suddenly lifts his head, a wide eyed stare directed at Edryd. Then he growls and almost propells himself right over the hill, ready to take on the entire three hundred troop army all by himself just to kill as many Orcs as he can. He is restrained by Hannibal, though, thankfully, and he just sits and fumes at the thought that he is near an Orc.

Emma watches with some amusement as Hannibal drags the eager Dwarf back from the hill. Good ol' Storm. Always spoiling for a fight. She could always count on him to lend a hand whenever a battle was near...and his enthusiasm was contagious, she had to admit.

Hannibal, at the mention of his name, isn't shocked, but a bit bewildered. He had never cared much for magic and the idea of being rendered invisible to go spy on the Orcs was a bit uncomforting. "How long will this spell last exactly?" he asks to the two magicians, hoping they can give him a specific answer.

At the mention of sending someone to spy, Storm pipes up. "Aye, I be willin' ta go down there, too. And me be in favor o' killin' as many o' those buggers as me damn well can! Eh...I be guessin' not the whole bunch, though, they's be a lot. But put me toward an Orc an' we be havin', eh...uh...ah, Orc-kebob! Ya, Orc-kebob fer dinner!! Heh-ha!" Storm unsheathes a long sword in preparation.

At mention that Storm would be close by, Hannibal's hopes are lifted slightly. Clapping the Dwarf on the back and smiling, "It will be good to have you along my friend!"

"Umm, no disrespect intended Storm," Emma politely laughs, "I'm sure you could sneak to the camp just as easily as Hannibal, but I'd be betting he'll hear more than you because you'll be too distracted by those Orcs nearby." She glances around at the others, clearly trying her best to make a joke and make light of the situation. "Perhaps they should both go, so Hannibal can listen in and Storm can make sure he gets back in one piece in case he's discovered?"

Edryd smiles and looks to Storm, "Valiant Sister, I think we have to worry more about how Storm will keep busy while Hannibal investigates..."

Storm looks at Emma for a moment after she comments that he might distracted by the Orcs. "Aye," he then says quietly. "Ye may be right at that." He smiles a little.

Edryd holds his hands up to calm the valiant dwarf. "Storm, there's a reason I singled out Hannibal." He laughs, "If you go down there and start picking them off, you'll set them off on the hunt and have them on our heads before we know what's happened. I think I too would have the same problem... Now if there were only 50 or so, well, that would be a different story." He hopes he's not offending Storm in any way, and adds, "I think Hannibal will be better able to keep his head than you or I, although if he comes back with a few coins in tow, I don't think even Emma will redress him..."

Cy then mentions his suggestion. "Why don't those of us with bows fire into them from another location? The rest could track those soldiers down on a fast horse and lead that column into this one. With luck and some planning, this force could be destroyed with the help of those we passed earlier. If not, continue onward, and maybe myself, and anyone with a keen eye for range, can institute some backhanded small unit tactics." Cy seems excited at the prospect of harassing the enemy.

At first Edryd had considered the force of Knights to be too far gone down the road to be of aid, but hearing Cy's suggestion flares one of Edryd's deepest passions for Justice...His eyes flash like green lightning, but he holds himself in check and says, "I'm not sure what would be the best route. My mind tells me that calling on a force to enter willingly into a battle outnumbered 3 to 1 is not a particularly nice thing to do. But my heart tells me that Orc blood that has not been shed is not doing anyone any good anyhow. What say the rest of you? Crayne? Dire? Canter?"

Canter kicks a few pebbles between his feet as he listens to his friends debate their next move. He then responds to Edryd, "I'm all for a good fight, like my friend Storm, here. And I'm no battle tactician, like Cy over there. But my gut tells me that there's no way we can survive a fight against numbers like that. I do think that sending Hannibal, and maybe Storm, down there to check out their true numbers, maybe listen in on a few conversations, or something is a good idea. But let's not be too quick to jump into the fray on this one. I want to make it to Caerloon and back--without getting captured this time!"

Dire waits patiently as Canter speaks his mind. Then the elder mage speaks up. "I can provide your men with some invisibility, as can Crayne. Now, I've been on the front, and I've seen my share of battles. And I know what I can do. I can help you fight this one, if you choose. But my powers alone will not be enough to help you win it. You asked my opinion: Don't fight today, learn from them and you'll meet them again at Dillend."

Storm listens to Dire while fidgeting mercilessly with his sword. After Luthor speaks, Storm raises a question "Er...eh, me not be the best at these things, but eh..." he scratches his head and crinkles his brow. "...How long ye think it'll take those Orc bastards and their friends to get to th' next fort?"

"Depends on how fast they're marching, right?" Canter asks the group in response to Storm's question.

"Yes," Dire Luthor answers. "But seeing as the sun is setting, my guess would be that they will stop soon after dusk and make camp for the night. Then they would probably reach Mitchend sometime tomorrow afternoon."

"The gods be damned!" Canter curses.

Edryd turns and gathers everyone together, asking Cy to keep his eye on the troops. "Here is what I recommend. First things first, we have to get word to Mitchend. The swiftest way, I believe, is to trust Emma's incantation. Then we should send our stealthy friends down amongst the enemy to gather some knowledge for Rinder. Whoever feels the most confident of his abilities should actually go in amongst them, invisible. The other, also invisible, if our wizardly ones can make it so, should trail behind to give support should a quick exit be necessary. Those of us who can weild a bow should nock an arrow and be prepared to provide cover under the same necessity. Also in the same way should Dire and Crayne prepare the best spell available for the need. Finally, Emma and I can act as a gate, per se, for Hannibal and Storm as they return, to slow any pursuit should such a thing happen. We should pick a spot to regroup should we become separated. In all, they can only pursue so far, since a few pursuers could delay the entire timing of an attack. It's unlikely that we'd have too much on our hands escaping into thicker foliage." He finishes and looks to each of them, his eyes shining emerald in the fading light. "What say all of you?"

Storm listens intently, a bead of sweat running down the side of face generated purely from holding in his anger toward the Orcs. "I be ready to do what be needed. Ye just cast ye spell or point me in the right spot and I be takin' care o' my own." He growls slightly, getting his adrenaline flowing.

"Your plan is one of promise Edyrd," Crayne says to the Paladin, "and one that appears to be agreed upon. Before you act however, a few words of warning. Orcs are natural hunters and have snouts and ears that are very sensitive even if you are invisible. I suggest whoever amongst us is the most skilled in prowling and keeping quiet would be the wisest of choices. A shame there is not a hobbit amongst the group. Nevertheless we must deal with what we have at hand. Are there any of you here who are skilled in any methods such as hunting or the arts of prowl?"

Crayne looks around awaiting a response. He then looks and turns towards Dire, considering the elder mage's words. Crayne looks a little suprised at this statement. He has seen what later magic can do and is suprised that he could not take out such an army. A little disappointed in his mentor he turns back to look at the Orcs.

A sudden spark touches his mind as he speaks up once more, "I don't mean to put a damper on things but does anyone speak or read Orcish for I find it very likely that will be what they will use to communicate. If there is no one among us then perhaps this mission would only achieve the mere success of putting us in a whole lot of danger. We must be careful and consider all our options before we put this plan into operation."

Crayne rubs his nose and whispers under his breath, "I just hope they haven't a shaman within their ranks."

Everyone looks around, but no one seems to volunteer knowledge of the Orcish language. "My guess," Canter says, "is that those stupid oafs aren't the ones in charge here. It's the humans who are in command. How many Orcs are down there? Maybe a hundred? Hundred fifty? And the rest human. And the men on horseback, as best I can tell from here; all human. I think Storm and Hannibal should concentrate their listening on the mounted humans--that way they can gain the most information and avoid the Orcs and their senses."

"That seems a wise plan," Dire says nodding to Canter.

"Alright then," Crayne says, turning to Dire. "Let's do this!"

Hannibal and Storm step forward, in front of the two mages. Simultaneously, the two wizards begin to intone the words of magic. These words are unfamiliar to the others; they've never heard Crayne cast this spell before. Crayne and Dire wave their hands in front of their subjects in unison, and then Hannibal and Storm's bodies begin to fade from view. Slowly at first, but then quickly. Canter's jaw opens slightly as he sees right through his friends!

"Now, who among us can cover them with bows?" Cy asks seriously.

"I can," Canter says with a nod, slinging his composite short bow around from his back. Cy does the same.

"Here, take my bow," Hannibal's voice says, seemingly coming from nowhere. Suddenly a bow appears in the air before Emma. Then a quiver with arrows. Emma seems startled at first, but then tentatively takes the weapons.

"But I've never--" she starts.

"Never too late to learn!" Canter says with a smile, patting the priestess on the back.

"Okay," Edryd says to the invisible thieves, "may the hand of Anhur be with you. Remember, begin yelling and screaming to us if you need our help. But we can't see you any better then they can, so get out of the way if we begin to fire."

"Gotcha!" Storm says excitedly, though his toothy grin is hidden behind the spell.

Footsteps can be heard in the leaves as Storm and Hannibal walk over the top of the hill and toward the Orcs and Caerloon men below. An anxious period of waiting sets in as Canter, Edryd, Crayne, Cy, Emma, and Dire wait. Bows are trained down the hill, arrows cocked. The sun continues to set, casting a gray haze over the hill as the field below begins to fall into the shadows of dusk. A cool breeze picks up, becoming a wind.

Storm and Hannibal break into a jog, assuming they stay close together. But with both of them invisible, it is nearly impossible to tell. Minutes pass as they move down the hill toward the troops and Orcs below. They quickly identify and head for two humans on horseback. The footsteps of the marching soldiers does an adequate job of masking their footsteps as they close in on who they assume are two officers.

As they get nearer, they begin to hear the conversation:

"When do ya reckon we stop fir the night, Barlow?" one asks the other.

"Bartman said Wade told 'em to make good time. Ya think we make good time?" Barlow responds.

"Eh," the first one whines, "Those smelly buggars back a-there don't like ta move. How far ya think we're from the others?"

"I dunno.....couple hours if we keep marchin'. Mid-mornin' if we stop now, 'n make camp fir the night," Barlow predicts.

"Hmm..." the first one responds, scratching himself in the crotch and spitting off his horse. "Keep movin' men!" He howls at his troops. A few of them moan in response, but the rest just keep marching. The pace is not brisk...it doesn't seem like they're moving quickly at all. "How many others you reckon we be meetin' with b'fore we get t'the fort?"

"I dunno..." Barlow groans, rolling his stiff head. "Another hundred? That oughta be 'nuff to take the fort. We got ourselves the first one without a-much of a fight!" He lets out a little laugh.

The other laughs a little but then stops. He points at Barlow. "But this one'll be a real battle. We had our man inside there Dillend, remeber? We ain't got no man inside on this one."

"Yeah...but two fifty of us, and a hundred a those buggars oughta be nuff..." He then looks around, the expression on his face changing. "You hear sometin?"

"No, you?"

"Yeah, I though I heard me sometin..."

Hannibal, slinking alongside Barlow's horse, suddenly stops in his tracks. 'Did they hear me?' he wonders to himself. He looks around for Storm, but fails to see the invisible dwarf. He decides enough is enough, and begins to navigate the crowd out and back toward the hill.

As he leaves the Ors behind, he begins to hear them sniffing the air. Cursing inwardly, Hannibal picks up his pace, sprinting up the hill back toward his friends. He reaches the safety of the hilltop, and taps Crayne on the shoulder. The mage jumps, but soon realizes it's only Hannibal, and dispels the invisible spell.

"Where's Storm?!" He asks. Hannibal shrugs his shoulders, catching his breath.

"Damn!" Cy curses, readying his bow. "Something's happening. The Orcs are stopping. Get ready!"

Then suddenly some leaves rustle on the ground. Storm's voice suddenly appears out of nowhere, and Dire dispels his spell. All then crowd to the hilltop, watching the action below. They can see the two mounted officers ride back toward the Orcs. Screaming can be heard, but the words are unintelligible at this distance. All breathe a sigh of relief as the Orcs get back in line and continue marching.

Storm and Hannibal then retell what they've heard to the others who anxiously listen to the tale.

"General Wade...Hmmm....and more troops ahead. Doesn't sound good." Canter says.

"Yes, but," Dire answers, "what about this 'man inside'?"

1. Emma has sent the "messenger" bird toward Mitchend. Anything specific you'd like to write in the note?

2. The troops have resumed marching. The coast seems to be clear.

3. What now? Do you want to attack the rear guard as was suggested? Or let them go and continue onward into Caerloon? Actions?

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