Turn 25

The Watchtower

While the Hobbit and the Gargath men are making ready to leave into the woods, Arekhel crouches at the back of the group staring at the grass below her. She seems to be in intense concentration.

Billy moves off with Relg on his left and Coru, a little way to the side on the right. They creep forward for a few minutes until Coru holds up his hand for them to halt. Only he can hear the faint sound of muttering coming from up ahead through the trees. The trio moves on, stealthily now. Billy has no difficulty walking beneath the lowest branches while the Gargath have to stop frequently to carefully push past twigs and overhanging branches.
As they move closer, the others also begin to hear the strange guttural language of the creatures up ahead. Relg manages to stumble over a fallen branch which snaps loudly making the voices immediately stop. The three hold their breath...

Eventually the voices begin again and one of them seems to raise in volume as if laughing. Billy moves ahead of the Gargath, crawling forward as a faint smell of burning wood and perhaps - scorched hair, confronts his nostrils. The Gargath stay where they are, not wishing to risk going closer.

From Billy's position, he can see three Goblins with semi naked green skins and highly pointed ears which almost flap as they laugh and joke around with each other. A faint wisp of smoke rises from between where they are sitting suggesting they have some sort of fire going. It is dark and murky in this part of the forest but Billy can see them clearly. He wonders what to do..

The Hobbit indicates the position of the three Goblins, then waits for someone to respond. Relg waves to him, signing that Billy should circle around the small group to check if any other Greenskins could be nearby. He also indicates that Coru should stay with Billy if possible.

Billy nods and moves off towards Coru's position and beyond, flanking the Goblin's position. He moves stealthily and silently and Coru doesn't risk destroying the little man's chances so hangs back but within bow range.

Watching them leave, Relg pulls out two arrows and prepares himself to jump forward and fire his bow, just in case the three goblins detect Billy or Coru.

Billy takes his time and creeps around the Goblin's position in a circle without alerting them at all; they seem more concerned with chatting so he eventually returns to within visual range of the Gargath.

Coru signals to the two others to move back a little, and gather about 40-50' from the Goblins, so that they can whisper in relative safety. Then he asks Billy:
"Well, what can you tell us?"

"There are only three of the despiccable creatures and they seem to have made a little fire out of twigs with which they are trying to burn some poor forest animal. They have no idea we are here. I also saw a shadow of a building further on while I was behind them. There are no signs of anybody else nearby. The place looks empty apart from them."

Coru looks at Relg. "What do you suggest Relg? Could we manage an ambush without attracting a horde of these little creeps? Or do you think I should go and get some backup?"

"We all three will carefully retreat to the rest of the group. It makes more sense to start a common attack - even if the three Goblins would have been an easy target," he says wistfully.

The three turn on their heels and silently return to the main group where Billy narrates once more what he has found out to the waiting men.

Arekhel has got to her feet by this time and overhears what Billy says. She goes towards them and speaks to Relg, looking deep into his eyes as if gauging his reaction:
"Beware, I can feel magic around here! I am not sure, but I think that these Goblins are not alone...it is as if the whole place was too quiet to be trusted."

At Billy's words about a building, Arekhel turns her head quickly towards him and says, with a noticeable flicker of knowing fear in her eyes:
"A building? What sort of building have you seen? Would it be an old watchtower possibly?"

"Er..yeah!" answers Billy, surprised. "It was pretty crumbled but looked like a tower yes!"

Froin looks over at Billy. "A crumbled tower? It could not be the tower we are seeking for a tower built by master craftsman would be able to withstand the forces of nature for centuries, long after the craftsmen are laid to rest."

His head moves towards where Billy described the tower as being placed, then turns to Arekhel, "What exactly do you sense. There must be dark magic in play here, for no sorcerer in their right mind would want to work with goblins, unless..."

Froin runs his stubby fingers through his beard, deep in thought. He then continues where he left off. "When we left Buhr Criocha, we left with the idea of catching up to the goblins, and perhaps finding the coffin in the hope that this Urmahd... the one we think drugged the guards and other things, might be inside. But if what Arekhel is sensing, there may be an answer to one of our questions. Urmahd could have used magic of some sort to seal himself inside the coffin. If this is true, then what is to say he is not out of the coffin, and..." Froin looks towards where the watchtower is supposed to be before finishing his sentence "...helping the goblins at the Watchtower."

"Hmmm, The power I can feel is fairly minor but if this Urmahd is indeed helping the Goblins, he must have some ability that would scare them into co-operating." She nods but looks unsure.

Gwalchmai steps up to Valdo's side. "I don't know about all this talk of dark Magic but we're here to do a job so lets be moving on. May be some of us should pass around the site and go behind the Goblins, a bit away from the tower - to cut off their retreat, should they try to flee into the tower."
He readies his throwing axe instead of the larger battle axe, and awaits the order to advance.

Lochan stands around a little as if he's mulling the facts over in his mind. He glances up at Valdo and says:
"Sir, I had the same suggestion. Perhaps if we can position some of our number around and behind the scum they're sure to be stopped before they can reach the tower, if its nearby."

Before Valdo says anything further, Heladil looks at him:
"Before you make a decision, please give me a moment," he says. Then, taking a step back, the Elf sits on his haunches a little way away from everyone, with his head on his arms. He seems to be deep in concentration or feigning sleep. One hand slowly revolves, touching the air before him, his eyes tightly shut.

The Gaurd Captain watches Heladil for a moment, a faint frown on his weathered features. Then he shrugs and, not waiting for him says:
"Your both right," to Lochan and Gwalchmai while buckling his scabbard tighter. "Missile weapons at the ready. Relg, can you advance once more to cut off their retreat and then call to us when your in place? Billy, will you go with them?"

The Hobbit nods and throws back his cloak ready.

Valdo continues:
"Does anyone have any further questions before we attack? It seems best if we use speed to ambush the Goblins before they can organise a strong defense. With the three sentries taken out, they should have little warning." He looks down the line on both sides checking that both lines are ready to attack.

Coru stands still, with his bow at the ready, one arrow in his right hand and a full quiver at his back. He awaits the command to "go" from his leader.

Heladil gets up from his 'trance' and reapproaches Valdo, unaware of the other disinterest. "I believe, don't ask me how I know this, that it is a very big possibility that at least one of them will escape from the attack. So everyone must be ready for that eventuality. Let us get in position and I will signal with..." -(Heladil lets loose with a low bird call, startling those nearby with the clarity of it.)

Valdo looks at him quizzically. "No, I won't ask you how you seem to know all this..." Heladil stares back, angry at the other's tinge of sarcasm then pulls his cloak about himself and moves to join Billy and the Gargath who turn back into the forest, heading directly away from the group.

They head once more towards the group of Goblin sentries, Relg hanging back to let the scouts make headway and gets wipped by a low branch again, this time cursing audibly. Both the Hobbit and the Gargath tracker get close to the enemy before they become alerted. Coru gives the ululating cry as of a woodland beast to warn Valdo as he lets fly with his first arrow.

Relg and Heladil with him, silently appears beside Coru and lets fly, as the tracker sees his shot connecting with one creatures ear, leaving a nasty gash. Relg's first shot however goes wide of the mark as the third Goblin manages to get his shield up in defense and with a yelp, dashes past his fellows in the direction of the ruin. Heladil smiles knowingly and follows the moving shape along the shaft of his Elven arrow. He lets loose but curses in Elvish as the shot hits a tree. The other two Goblins meanwhile throw their burnt sticks into the air and dive out of the way as the Gargath's second shots skitter in amongst the stones. Suddenly, Billy jumps out from within a low bush just as the retreating Goblin dashes past. In the flurry of movement, the Hobbit barely manages to avoid being skewered by the other's spear and doesn't succeed in landing a blow with his shortsword before the Goblin is past him and running for cover. Billy recovers quickly and goes dashing after him, as the first line of Valdo's company comes crashing through the woods behind.

One of the other Goblins dives into the trees just as Coru fires again, while its companion takes a rapid shot at Relg but misses wildly as does the Gargath leader. From out of the trees, Valdo's men plunge across the clearing, pursuing the fleeing Greenskins as Billy makes a lunge for his foe. With a flying leap he brings his blade down on the back of the Goblin's thigh scoring a deep groove. The creature screams and collapses, sending Billy, kicking, over the top of it. Grappling on the floor, the two fight for control as the group of miltiamen overtake them.

The fight is cut short as Billy gains the upper hand. Forced to kneel astride the Goblin, he avoids its foul breath and spitting curses as it's strength slowly fails and the Hobbit finally plunges his blade into its chest. It gurgles one more time as its spindly arms release Billy's grimacing face and expires.

In a few short moments, the forest is silent once more and no Goblin hordes stream out of the imposing ruin to overwhelm the company where they stand or crouch in readiness amongst the trees.

Heladil retrieves his fallen arrow as a militiaman appears from the trees, wiping his bloodied blade with a moss covered stone. "Those two won't be needing their supper tonight," he says grimly as Valdo walks up to them. He looks sidelong at the Elven warrior. "Uncanny," is all he says before turning to his soldiers.

Up ahead through the scattered pines can be seen a sloping hill atop of which sits the crumbling masonry of a large tower. It rises up high among the trees to near 30 meters, but even though sections of wall have fallen away to leave gaping holes, the stonework is hugely impressive, each block being nearly the size of the Hobbits. Froin is standing by some overhanging brambles, admiring the edifice. "Well, okay. It's fallen away a bit but that's definitely Dwarven construction for you. Mighty fine work went into that."

The great stones have been placed on top of each other so that there is hardly a break between them and the tower barely narrows at the top. There are many green streaks of algae however festooning the lower levels, and crows are nesting in the broken gaps. Heladil watches them.

"All right. I want the group split into four, two teams to pass round this watchtower at a bowshot-safe distance to check for openings - all openings must be checked for signs of life. These Goblins may be weak but they're not thick," says Valdo, raising his voice slightly so tha the whole company can hear.

Arekhel looks up at the imposing ruin and shivers but gets no other reaction.

...

The two groups of militia make their careful way around the edifice and return soon enough with no casualties. "There seems to be no-one about Sir," says Lochan, speaking for one group. "Neither have we seen any movement Sir," adds Onar, speaking for the others. "But we did find a secondary tower built onto the first but smaller and it doesn't quite reach the top."

"That would be the inner stairs for the different levels," says Froin, nodding.

"Yes, we saw what looked like steps rising up on the inside for part of the wall has collapsed to ground level. There seems to be quite a bit of water damage but the outer door on the eastern side still seems in order."

"It is an ancient structure, Onar," answers Froin, getting mildly defensive. "That structure over there is probably well over four thousand years old! I bet it would still hold up to use too," he adds proudly.

"Yeah, okay Froin. We understand. It could easily still support habitation then?" says Valdo scratching his chin. "Hmm. We must assume that somewhere in there are at least ten or more Goblins with one damn coffin. Right! I hate to ask this but if that door is shut or locked, we will have to get in somehow. We can go through the hole by the stairs but a charge will be foiled by the rubble and we will be open from attack from within and above. The ideal would be to get the door open also as we sneak in through the hole. That way we can attack from two sides. We must get inside the tower quickly so that we can occupy the ground floor. Then we can move our way up. Perhaps we should check for signs of Goblin tracks into the ruin also. Any body feeling brave enough?"

End of Turn 25.