Turn 24

Retribution this way comes...

As soon as Valdo gives the order for the scouts to move, Coru glances at Relg for confirmation. The older man nods in agreement and looks back to Valdo. For a short moment, a flash of anger appears on the Captain's face but then he smiles, nodding in silent understanding.

Relg forces his horse forward until he is next to Valdo. The militia Captain is scanning the line of trees in the distance. Coru and Lochan spur their horses forward and they sweep away to either side of the group at a tangent ahead, towards the further hill.

Relgs eyes follows where Valdo is looking. Without turning to the Captain, Relg asks: "How many of these Creatures did you kill? And more important, how many are still alive? Any clue?"

"That's a difficult question, Relg. I believe we got at least ten but whoever was behind the ambush knew their tactics and had planned the attack on us at least a while before. We were caught by the first flurry of arrows but then fought hand to hand and came out the victors." He looks at the other warleader before continuing: "It was then that a second fresh wave came from the trees and overwhelmed us. There must have been at least a score or so." He turns back to scan the line of trees and the birds wheeling above.

Before long, the dark form of Lochan appears over the ridge as the company ascends its sloping side. He closes the distance rapidly and pulls up infront of the Captain's horse. "No sign of anyone out Sir. I think the way is clear. Coru awaits us at the ambush site."

"Well then, let's go there, shall we?" Relg looks up at the dark swirl of birds in the sky ahead. "I guess we will have company," he adds before spurring his horse onwards to join Valdo's mount atop the rise.

A short while later at the ambush site...

The track is muddy and rutted where it passes through a raised jumble of bare rock and gorse bushes. The whole area is slightly submerged from the surrounding view and scatters of mixed trees further block the site from searching eyes. Indeed an area of grass has been cleared and surrounded by smaller rocks from nearby to make a firepit. Scattered throughout are the mangled bodies of various small and greenskined humanoids; the Goblins. The woods begin here on the east side, dense and thick within a few hundred yards.

Coru steps forward from where his horse is tied to a Yew sapling and address both Valdo and his own leader. "It is hard to tell but there is no indication that the Goblins have been back for their dead. A decent trail shows where they dragged the coffin at first. I haven't followed it any great distance for the woods become too thick to take the horse, so I chose to wait."

As Coru finishes his report, Relg says:
"Good work, Coru. I suppose you haven't found the coffin, have you?"

"No. The trail suggests it was dragged under cover of the trees and then perhaps lifted and carried from then on. The trail is lost a short way ahead.

Relg then adds:
"They cannot have carried the box very far, if it is indeed heavy. The coffin itself is probably not of any value to the Goblins, or am I mistaken here?"

"I would'nt know," the Captain replies beside him, adding:
"We have no knowledge of these Goblins. They must be a new group moving into the area. Who knows what their motives are? But I intend to find out and report. That is my job. I have every faith that we will still have time to catch the Szreldor."

More to himself, but so that Valdo can hear him also, Relg mutters:
"We will, I assure you, we will!"

Heladil dismounts and after completing a circuit of the area to see what he may... he then approaches Valdo. "I understand that you wanted to check out the sight of the ambush because of the coffin and the possibility that it might be tied up with the assault on the village, but should we not be following the Szreldor?"

"I have my orders Heladil. We must check up on the Greenskins in this area and try to recover the coffin if possible. When that is done we shall rendezvous with some men from DionaDail and then go after the Szreldor with a larger force. The Szreldor seem to have taken a route south that borders their own realm. Perhaps this is to avoid attracting interest from the Northmen. If this is so, we can catch up with them by taking a more direct route through our own lands. According to the Watch Commander, if we are swift we will catch them."

Lochan, overhearing this exchange adds:
"The delivery of the coffin had some rewards to Buhr Criocha, of which you're not aware; a delivery of arms. This ambush may also be useful
politically. It is important that we involve the men of Dail on our side when dealing with these murderous Szreldor. The garrison at Dail is much larger than that of Buhr Criocha."

"A good point, Lochan," adds Valdo.

Froin jumps off the back of the cart and lands in the mud. Pulling his crossbow, Froin readies a bolt. "Aye, I know the danger that may lay ahead. But ye will need me when you get to the watchtower." Froin moves along with the group, eyes ahead, glad he has his beard to keep the cold away.

Boldor also stumps out of the cart, groaning as he straightens his back, then spits into the dirty grass by the track.

As the company settles into the site and the area is scouted, Meraina stands by her horse looking carefully around the tree line for any sign of movement.

Arekhel jumps skillfully down from Gwalchmai's huge horse. She streches her legs, smiles at the warrior and says: "Thank you for the ride!" She then goes over to Coru and asks: "Well, they took the coffin all right... but they haven't obviously opened it, have they? They probably knew what was inside, otherwise, they would have checked straight away what was worth grabbing inside it. I was wondering if the Goblins were not paid to attack Valdo's men..."
She turns to Valdo and Lochan, who answers: "Lady you forget that they did not open it straight away because they were fighting the coffins owners. We would not have let them open it here. They did what they did to steal the coffin whilst we were killing their kin."

The Elven woman nods before continuing almost in the same sentence:
"...so you would not have been able to go back and help Buhr Criocha, I mean. Maybe they had a reward inside the coffin. Since it seems that nobody alive was inside, maybe it was full of money for the Goblins to grab? I reckon we should investigate...but you choose, after all, you are the warriors, I am not".

Coru answers the Elf:
"There is no indication that it's been opened here, no. Never heard of Goblins that deal with Men before though. Then again, it is the Szreldor we're talking about, you can hardly call them men."

He lapses into a few seconds of silence, smirking, before turning to Relg:
"Perhaps I should sneak further in and see where the trail leads?"

"No, Coru. We shall all go soon enough I think," answers his leader.

As if exhausted by her recent speech, Arekhel turns away but then suddenly a pained expression crosses her face as she gives a slight grimace and one hand flutters near to the opening of her tunic in panic and indecision. The Elven woman tries to overcome her sudden attack and quickly turns towards an old tree stump, sits upon it and waits with her hands clasped between her knees while the minute shakes in her body subside.

Relg looks at her, not hiding his curiosity. He does not move his eyes from her. For a few seconds he stands still, then he steps closer, but still keeps a few feet distant, unsure. "Are you alright? You should stay with Targen and Amgor if you feel ill." Almost about to turn away, Relg seems to think again and adds: "The day has not yet come, has it?"

Arekhel jumps as the man speaks to her and gives Relg a quick hateful look. But she soon calms down and with a little smirk, she declares: "I appreciate your worries, but I am all right, thank you". She smiles at him, as if nothing has happened.

Relg does not try to hide how much this reaction irritates him. He stares again at her for a long moment, shrugs and then turns to see how far the others have prepared themselves for the coming fight.

As Heladil views the scene of the ambush, he sees several carrion crows about. With a self-conscious look around he heads out of sight of the group under a small grouping of birch trees.

A few of the carrion crows flutter into the trees above him and peer through the branches at the Elf. They caw loudly, their beady eyes watching his every move.

Meraina turns to listen to Valdo as he outlines his plans to the assembled company. "Right. We will leave the cart here and move into the forest. Targon, Amgor, ditch the cart among those gorse bushes where we can get it later. The trees look too dense for bringing the horses so we'll leave them too. You two stay to guard the horses. Amgor, you should be able to spot any enemy coming so take the horses and flee south to 'The Cutting' if you have to. We'll meet you there if your not here when we return. We should be back shortly after dusk, if all goes well." He turns back to the rest of the group.

"Okay, I want three flankers on either side, with the Rangers on the outside... if that's alright with your man, Relg?"

The Easterling nods and gestures to Coru to move into place.

"Ladies, you can come with us or stay with the soldiers. I would not wish to put you both in danger, nor yourself Ambassador and your companion, however, I would welcome your presence when we reach this 'Watchtower' if you wish to join us. If we form a second smaller group behind the first line, we can be alerted if the Greenskins outflank even the Scouts and come up behind us. The rest of us will form the core of the first line. We'll move quietly into the trees heading towards the high ground where we hope to find this ruin. Missile weapons ready, the Greenskins should not be expecting a direct attack and won't be ready at this time of day. Oh, and one final warning... don't stray out of sight of the person on either side of you. If you get lost the Goblin's will kill you before you can even cry out. If we meet heavy opposition, we will make an orderly retreat and rendezvous here again. Any questions?"

"I, being the weak woman that I am, will follow the first line, Captain," Meraina says sarcastically, then moves off to ready for a trip on foot.

"Good! You seem to know your way." says Relg, answering her as he dismounts. "A good plan, Valdo" he continues, taking the reins into one hand and turning to Maleg says: "Maleg, you'll go with the second group, and have one eye to your back." With these words, Relg takes his bow and his fully filled quiver from by his saddle, then leads the horse to Amgor. "This is Morh'kan, the Silent Wind, take good care of him." Then, after a second of thought, he adds: "I know you will. I trust you!". Trying to encourage the men around him, Relg nods at them grinning, then turns, pulling out one of his javelins. "Remember, this will be only the beginning." Now, fully armed and prepared for battle, Relg walks to where Valdo waits. "Let's go for the slugs and squeeze them in our hands," he says taking his position on the right.

Gwalchmai hands his great steed to Targon and removes his axe from its fastening and hefts the wide shield onto his left side. "I am going on the left flank in front," he states, taking up a position as the group assumes two rough 'V' shapes.

Arekhel, is breathing more freely now and recovers quickly to her usual self. She looks around, to make sure nobody is going to ask her any further questions. Hearing what Meraina says to Valdo, she stands up and declares:
"Well, being a lady not as brave as Meraina, I will take your offer of not being in the first line." She then retreats to the back, playing absently with the little leather cord she's got around her neck. She nevertheless draws her weapons, looks at them with a sad smile and waits for Valdo to order the departure.

Billy joins the left flank of the second row, away from Valdo but flashes his companions a determined smile as he draws his shortsword. Raddish, in drab travelling clothes, looks around at the armoured people around him. He stays close to the centre of the second group and tries to decide which weapon to choose. In the end he draws out his trusty sling and takes a pocketful of rounded pebbles from his pack. Boldor pushes past to join him in the second row, Mattock held at the ready.

The company is soon ready to proceed. Lochan takes the left flank while Coru takes the right as they head beneath the eaves of the forest. Valdo motions for the first line to move forward and ducks beneath a branch and into the gloom of the pinewoods. Heladil glances up at the assembled crows in the trees above for one last time before the second line heads after the first, leaving Targon and Amgor behind with the horses and hidden cart...

Approx. two hours later...

Valdo peers ahead into the serried ranks of trees ahead. The floor is fairly open and soft underfoot, being carpeted with a dense mat of pine needles. The branches are low however and most in the group have scratches and minor cuts on their faces and hands where not wearing gloves. As Gwalchmai wipes the gossamer threads of tiny spiders from his face, a movement up ahead signals the silent arrival of Lochan from the left flank. He dips beneath a low branch to face his Captain.

"The land from here slopes gently upwards," he whispers, barely audible to the people in the first line let alone the next. Patches in the canopy shed greater light and grass grows in tufts ahead. The dark irregular shapes of boulders lie still amongst the faintly creaking trees. The rain has stopped a while ago and now a stiff breeze makes the thin trunks waver and screech against each other. "I have a feeling we are near the ruin Sir," continues the Ranger, as Coru glides up from the other side, a questioning frown formed by his
darkly-lined eyebrows. He joins the small huddle in the center of the first line while the rest crouch down or relax, alert, against the trees.

"That is not all," whispers the Gargath tracker. "I have heard strange sounds from up ahead and slightly to our right. They sound like talking but in no language that I understand. They're about five minutes from our current position that way," says Coru gesturing with his outstretched arm.

"In that case, I think we've found our quarry," grins Relg while Valdo nods, scratching his stubbled chin.

"Yes, it seems so," whispers the other. "Alright, to the plan. Lochan, you stay on the left open side to watch for other groups, while we sweep the line gently towards where Coru indicates. Coru, you have to guide ahead of us while one of my soldiers will link out to take your flanking position. Did they appear to be moving, these voices?" he asks.

"Not apparently," answers Coru squatting infront of the group with his spear held across his thighs. "There could only be perhaps three maybe four voices but they could move off or towards us at any time."

The Guard Captain nods in approval, then turns to survey the faces arrayed behind him. "Mr. Goatsfoot? I believe you may be able to aid us greatly here. Would you like a mission?"

"I...er..," says Billy coming forward. He stands in front of the group and pulls himself up to his full height. "What do you wish then?"

"We have what appears to be a small group of Goblins ahead, apparently stationary. What we need is someone who is low enough? to creep forward without touching these overhanging branches and get a good look at them. We fully understand if you do not want to take that risk but your skills would be highly valued in this case." They await his response.

Billy looks around at the assembled company and realises that all eyes are waiting on him. He sees the obvious difficulties for the Tall People and can't help but smirk, muttering something under his breath. Nonetheless, he turns back to Valdo and defiantly nods in agreement. "I will do it if someone guides me."

"Don't worry," answers Relg. "With Valdo's permission? I'll go with Coru either side of you - us Gargath can move as stealthily as any grass cat." He smiles.

"What happens if your discovered?" asks an unimpressed militiaman nearby.

"Then Relg and Coru will have to take out as many as they can with bows while the rest move quickly forward. If these Goblins are watchers for the main group up ahead, then we could be facing stiff opposition very quickly." He raises his voice slightly to alert the others to listen. "If the Gargath are discovered, we must each go for the highest ground up ahead, moving swiftly but as silently as possible until we see the enemy. If there are many then a sudden charge across a wide front might well demoralise them, especially in the daytime. Then it is up to each one of you in the front line, supported by those in the rear, to engage the enemy and move on, but try to keep in sight of each other. We don't want groups overwhelmed and out of reach." He nods, then suddenly adds as an afterthought: "The Greenskins are weak little creatures. If you scream at them as you attack, they'll probably run away - which is exactly what we want. Let's go!"

With that, the lines reform and Billy clutches his shortsword close under his cloak as he creeps forward after the silent shapes of Relg and Coru...

End of Turn 24.