[Child of the 7th Age]

Child's narrative post

The men who'd laid down to catch a few moments of rest groggily pulled themselves awake as the deepest hour of night drew near. They lay shivering in their bedrolls, seemingly hesitent to arise, as the autumn wind buffetted the few leaves that still clung limply to the trees. There was a broad undercurrent of tension and confusion pulsing through the camp; men sat up and covered their faces in shame, struggling to overcome the grim images of death and doom that Lorien had deposited in their hearts during the brief rest they had taken.

Still, Lotar kept to himself and did not appear to tell the band that it was time to depart. Men waited impatinetly, pacing about in circles or irritably quarrelling over trifles, eager for the moment to arrive when they could at last venture out under cover of darkness and force the complacent Breelanders to coil back in fear.

By midnight, a storm had blown in from the Barrow-downs, carrying with it a cold drenching rain that soaked everyone to the bone. Tempers ran short as the men polished their weapons and repacked their gear, eager for the hour of departure. Finally, after what seemed like endless hours of waiting, Lotar came storming over to the firepit and began to speak....

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Tara's Post for Lotar

Lotar stretched out his shoulders from being hunched for a good few hours. Staring the map down again, he nodded and took it out with him to the clearing.

The only people within earshot there were Soran and Guthwine, but he knew his words would be heard through the camp. It was silent as the grave that night.

'Allright! The plan is set! Thanks to Gareth, we know that this farm is unprotected on the outskirts of the town, almost backing onto forest. So this is how we shall attack'

'Two groups, one headed by myself, the other by Guthwine and Soran, will attack. My group from the roads, Soran's from the trees. You are not to be there dallying! This is a snatch and grab! Once you have what you came fer, you dissolve into the trees'

'There is to be no uneccessary actions, and you follow all orders given by your leaders, no questions asked! I have no problems in raking you over the coals meself if you say one words thats not straight. Is all understood?'

Kandel appeared beside his father 'I am supposing I will stay here?'

'Aye. We need someone reliable to stay here. You'll take with ye a few of our original people. I dont want that new group split up'

Kandel looked a little annoyed, but did not argue.

Lotar turned his attention back to the now forming group

'Well, are ye all ready?'

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Child's narrative post

An answering cry split the night as the men thundered out a roar of approval, lifting up their arms and brandishing swords and daggers. They quickly formed up in two groups, some on foot and others mounted, beginning the silent trek southward from the outskirts of Chetwood to the tiny hamlet of Staddle.

[ November 20, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]