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Child of the 7th Age · 12-01-2003, 02:07 PM

Guthwine

As luck would have it, the rain began to slacken, making the men's job a bit easier. Once Guthwine saw that supplies were being gathered and Kirima had taken charge of ensuring that the provisions were correctly stowed in the wagons, he hastily retreated to his tent and, lighting a lantern, sat down at a table with a sheet of vellum and a quill pen in front of him. He wrote in the manner of a soldier, with words that were clear and unambiguous, leaving no question as to what he meant:

To the Elders of the Council in the Weather Hills,

Greetings!

As you decreed, we have begun our raids of neighboring farmhouses. We will continue to send wagons with supplies to you over the next few days. We will do this as long as we are able to outwit the local farmers. Use what you need, but be careful as you must set aside provisions for your journey.

Have the entire camp gather up their belongings and get ready for the march. Begin your westward trek no more than three days from the time that you receive this letter. Station the stronger men along the front, back, and sides of the column while placing the women and children inside to protect them.

The journey will not be easy. It is some seventy-five miles from where you are in the Weather Hills to our own encampment. With so many on foot, you can not make more than sixteen or seventeen miles a day. That would mean a journey of some four to five days.

The Breelanders understand that we mean to attack, but they do not know when. Try and maintain that illusion of surprise as long as possible. Avoid the Great East Road where you are sure to be seen. Travel north along the Weather Hills till the mid-point of the range and then cut across the open fields in a southwesterly direction, making sure to stay north of the Midgewater Marshes. That will bring you around to Chetwood where we are camped. That way is more strenuous but you are less likely to run into prying eyes until late in your trip.

I am instructing Tomba to remain at the Weather Hills and lead you back here as he knows exactly where we are. He and Edgar are two of our few trustworthy recruits. Most are not worth the ground they walk on, but what else can we do?

As to Lotar, he blows hot and cold--one minute hanging back from attacking the farms and the next rushing in to try and save someone he cares for at grave risk to his own life. He is no military leader but a good and brave man who heatily dislikes me. I hope he will make it back from his ill-advised rescue attempt in one piece. As much as he curses me, I would still rather have him at my side that be standing alone.

I must leave now. The wagons should be ready to pull out soon, and I must instruct the men that we will strike another farmstead tomorrow night.

Looking with longing towards Bree,

Guthwine

With that, the man set down his quill and folded the sheet over, walking out of his tent to find Tomba and learn if there was any news of Soran or Lotar.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 3:00 AM December 08, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]

12-01-2003, 02:07 PM	#182
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Guthwine As luck would have it, the rain began to slacken, making the men's job a bit easier. Once Guthwine saw that supplies were being gathered and Kirima had taken charge of ensuring that the provisions were correctly stowed in the wagons, he hastily retreated to his tent and, lighting a lantern, sat down at a table with a sheet of vellum and a quill pen in front of him. He wrote in the manner of a soldier, with words that were clear and unambiguous, leaving no question as to what he meant: To the Elders of the Council in the Weather Hills, Greetings! As you decreed, we have begun our raids of neighboring farmhouses. We will continue to send wagons with supplies to you over the next few days. We will do this as long as we are able to outwit the local farmers. Use what you need, but be careful as you must set aside provisions for your journey. Have the entire camp gather up their belongings and get ready for the march. Begin your westward trek no more than three days from the time that you receive this letter. Station the stronger men along the front, back, and sides of the column while placing the women and children inside to protect them. The journey will not be easy. It is some seventy-five miles from where you are in the Weather Hills to our own encampment. With so many on foot, you can not make more than sixteen or seventeen miles a day. That would mean a journey of some four to five days. The Breelanders understand that we mean to attack, but they do not know when. Try and maintain that illusion of surprise as long as possible. Avoid the Great East Road where you are sure to be seen. Travel north along the Weather Hills till the mid-point of the range and then cut across the open fields in a southwesterly direction, making sure to stay north of the Midgewater Marshes. That will bring you around to Chetwood where we are camped. That way is more strenuous but you are less likely to run into prying eyes until late in your trip. I am instructing Tomba to remain at the Weather Hills and lead you back here as he knows exactly where we are. He and Edgar are two of our few trustworthy recruits. Most are not worth the ground they walk on, but what else can we do? As to Lotar, he blows hot and cold--one minute hanging back from attacking the farms and the next rushing in to try and save someone he cares for at grave risk to his own life. He is no military leader but a good and brave man who heatily dislikes me. I hope he will make it back from his ill-advised rescue attempt in one piece. As much as he curses me, I would still rather have him at my side that be standing alone. I must leave now. The wagons should be ready to pull out soon, and I must instruct the men that we will strike another farmstead tomorrow night. Looking with longing towards Bree, Guthwine With that, the man set down his quill and folded the sheet over, walking out of his tent to find Tomba and learn if there was any news of Soran or Lotar. <font size=1 color=339966>[ 3:00 AM December 08, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ] __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.