27 Nuzyael 720

The warband awake as the first rays of sunlight disturb the darkness in the eastern sky. You quickly pack away your sleeping gear and go about your own private morning routines. The fire is low, but there are embers still smoldering away and the air inside the clanhouse is cold. There is a chill wind blowing from the south west and thick dark clouds hang low in the sky.

Barak gets up, gets dressed, has breakfast, packs away his gear, waits for the horse to be made ready, and then puts his knapsack and sack on it with some relief.

"We must work out a way to not give that horse back to the Daas" he says.

Arises early as intended and cooks up some oats so the band have a last warm meal before they take a spell acting as scouts for the Daas host and so enabling Kelsi's at least some of kelsi's scouts a chance to rest and recover. As the oats are heated Algared packs ensuring that bundles of hard tack set aside for each member as well oats and other grains which can loaded onto the mount until they reach a suitable camp where they can Keep watch he then ensures everyones waterskins are filled. Last he ensures the pot of honey is packed away, imagining that it will help brighten up a cold meal later.

'Find a way to not give the mount back hrmm? Maybe we could give him a gold coin for it. Owning a mount will create supply issues for us, as feeding it may proove to be problematic. But having a beast that can carry more booty as well as provide an edge in combat isn't a bad idea... now eat up the oats, they are warm. We will likely not have a chance to cook, lest we give our position away needlessly so this may well be our last warm meal til we return. I've ensured we all have some dry tact, and each some oats and other grains, the grains will help sustain the mount and us."

Once their fast has been broken and the pots and utensils have been cleaned and packed away Algared checks that he has not forgotten anything.

As Barak stores his pack and Algared finds a place to store the bundles of hard tack and bags oats on the horse, Thaldirs approaches with a wry smile on his face "How long do you brave warriors plan on going out for?" as he surveys the bags of food and the pack.

"It is best to be prepared. Anything might happen." Barak says. "We may spend a day at our ease and join the back of the Daas' army as it marches past. Or we might get cut off by a sudden advance and have to make our own way back."

"What about you? What are the Huscarls doing? Any news of what is planned? The next big attack?"

Thaldirs walks a little closer to the warband and leans in close before saying "nothing is for certain, but I feel that the Daas waits for our wounded to heal some before he thinks to advance any further. "As for us huscarls, we do what we always do, our Jarls bidding" his laughter booms across the compound.

It is not often one sees Thaldirs in good spirits....

"So why such a good mood Thaldris? Have you found some great loot, or been promised a beautiful thrall when we defeat the Ibanvaal? Or is it just the chance of getting a good rest? I must say that I found yesterday to be a great tonic; but I think we all would love to have more independant assignments like today's duties."

Barak Daas wrote:"So why such a good mood Thaldris? Have you found some great loot, or been promised a beautiful thrall when we defeat the Ibanvaal? Or is it just the chance of getting a good rest? I must say that I found yesterday to be a great tonic; but I think we all would love to have more independant assignments like today's duties."

"Why should I not be in a good mood, young Barak, my arse still points in the right direction, unlike some of our companions. There is just the joy of life amid all this" he pauses for a moment as he indicates to the thran about him before adding "carnage!"

"Indenpendant assingments" again Thaldirs smiles "not for me, give me a shieldwall" Thaldirs pats the horses neck as he continues "What point being one in six as a target when I can be one in five hundred. Anyway enough of this you men have a job to do, best you get to it and look after yourselves out there, wouldn't want anything bad happening to our specialists in independant assignments" he adds with a wry smile.

Nodding at Thaldir's words to Barak, Algared says, "Aye that we do have a task to complete." With a raised hand of farewell he adds,"Til we meet again friend."
Algared then makes a final check that everything has been loaded and that nothing has been forgotten as the rest of the band file out ready to leave. once all is ready the companions leave the thran to take up position.

Edited by GM - The scouts return to the thran each night and the watch is taken over by the men in the gatehouse, so no one is left out in the wilds during the night

The warband marches up the road, an impressive if somewhat mismatched sight, in their scavage armour and bristling with weapons. After around a third of a league they pause and look round for possible camping and ambush sites.

If Barak finds any, he'll point them out to Kugald and ask if he want Borygg or him to check it out.

With a chill wind blowing your warband leave the thranhold and pass by several clanhouses as you head north along the road. Clouds hang low in the sky concealing the higher peaks of the mountains to the east.

The road you walk upon takes a meandering path through mainly fields and pastures, a ditch not more than a foot deep follows the trail along it's eastern edge offering meagre protection from the water flowing from the mountains. The ditch is damp but does not contain any stagnant water. The fields look as if they have been left untended and the pastures look as though it has been some time since any animal has grazed upon them.

Not to far from the thran Barak is able to locate the footfalls and tracks of what must be Kelsi' scouts and in no time has lead the warband to a location that offers reasonable concealement from the road, while offering an excellant view of the trail with a good view to the north.

The horse is secured and the warband find a place where they can be comfortable and wait out this cold day.

Please post either in the meadhall or in your private sections on what gear you have taken with you (less Barak and Algared who have already done so)

Kugald tromps out along the road with the rest of the band, leading the horse. He has left his backpack behind, but brought along his cloak and a small cloth bag he found with some food for the day. He is very pleased with the site Barak has picked out for the sentries.

"Barak, you are a skilled scout, can you suggest where each man should hide so we are best hidden from the road? We will take turns for a half a watch (two hours) each. Three will watch the road, while the others take a break. Those on break will move back with the horse, out of sight from the road and more importantly out of the wind. That will give you a chance to take a piss, have something to eat and walk around to warm up and relax the stiffness. It will also mean we always have someone ready to mount the horse and ride for the thranhold. Unfortunately, we can not risk a fire, so it will be a cold camp, but being out of the wind and able to move around a bit will help you stay warm."

"Barak, you will lead the first group with myself and Algared."

"Borygg, you will lead the second group with Jurri and Vidar."

"That way, each group has a skilled hunter to lead the watch."

"Any other suggestions or changes?"

Kugald moves out with Algared and Barak to the 'hide'. As the wind whistles over their head, he is glad he wore his thick gambeson and brought his heavy cloak. Kugald lays out his bow and inserts half a dozen arrows head first into the turf in front of him. Then, he pulls the cloak tight around him and settles in for his half-watch.

TTYL

- Kerry

"Yes. There's something very wrong with this plan. Where are the wenches? I was specifically told that there would be wenches. You know... for warmth. I mean, Jurri is pretty and all, but let's face it. You're all a bit on the hairy side."

Barak shakes his head as he leads Algarad and Kugald away. "All the Daas in one team he says". As he settles the pair down in the their hides, he says "If you want to ambush them, then the secret of success, is to keep low, keep quite, and most importantly don't move when your quarry, umm, enemy, get close." When Barak settles down himself, he takes of his packs and sacks and conceals them under some bracken (fern) beside him, and lies his shield and spears down at his side. He then gets out his arrows, feathers, twine, wax etc, and carefully maintains his arrows and bow to pass the time.

Kugald Daas wrote:"Borygg, you will lead the second group with Jurri and Vidar."

"That way, each group has a skilled hunter to lead the watch."

Borygg looks to Jurri and Vidar and shrugs his shoulders. "Catching a few geese for dinner doesn't make me a skilled hunter any more than rutting awkwardly with wenches makes Kugald a skilled courtesan."

He takes the horse's lead rope and picks out a path through the trees, saying "Come, let's get ourselves off the road a bit and hunker down like the boss says."

Jurri considers Borygg's comment.

"Well, I have no appetite now. Thanks."

Barak Daas wrote:He then gets out his arrows, feathers, twine, wax etc, and carefully maintains his arrows and bow to pass the time.

With Barak spending his time maintaining his arrows, only breifly looking up every now and then while Algared and Kugald watch the trail. With their watch complete Kugald suggests Algared go and get the others to swap positions.

Soon the exchange has been made and Jurri, Borygg and Vidar have taken there place on watch overlooking the trail and so it goes for the morning.

The weather has not eased any as the chill wind still blows in from the south west gusting quite strongly every now and then. The clouds still hang low.

It is not until late in the evening while Algared, Kugald and Barak are on watch that they see a group of mounted men approaching along the trail from the north. You first see the group as they crest a small rise somewhere off in the distance, they drop out of sight once again but soon reappear.

There are seven men in total all mounted. Two men lead, they both wear plate 1/2 helms and carry spears in their right hands. Shields can be seen slung across their backs. More details are obscured by their cloaks which they wear tightly around their shoulders. Next in line some twenty yards to the rear another rider travels alone, he differs from the first two riders in that he does not appear to carry any weapons, nor do any weapons seem to be worn. The four riders bringing up the rear are equipped like the first two riders.

They continue to head south and soon come within bowshot of your group...

"Well Kugald" whispers Barak "What do we do?"

"The man in the middle must be important. I can easily take him out with my bow. But perhaps he is a herald, priest or ambassador."

“We can attack then from here, intercept them and halt them, send a rider to warn the Daas, or just watch them pass.”

Kugald leans in and whispers to Barak, “A herald, I would guess.”

He does his best bird whistle imitation, the signal to Borygg to mount the horse and ride for the thranhold to warn the Daas of the incoming ‘visitors’.

He picks up his bow and nocks an arrow. In a hushed tone, he says to Barak and Algared, “Let’s keep quiet and let them pass. A half a dozen armed men are no threat to a thran full of our warriors. I am more worried that this might be the vanguard of a larger force.”

TTYL

- Kerry

Barak undertakes the difficult, abet well practiced (*) maneuver of drawing his bow and nocking an arrow silently whilst remaining prone on the ground.

"I agree it is best to let them pass" whispers Barak in reply "... So why are we drawing our bows?"

(*) He is afterall a hunter who does this for a living.

Kugald Daas wrote:Kugald does his best bird whistle imitation, the signal to Borygg to mount the horse and ride for the thranhold to warn the Daas of the incoming ‘visitors’.

[OOC: Because Borygg, Vidar, and Jurri are away from the road, they will not have seen the oncoming group, therefore Borygg won't know what is going on and what he is supposed to warn the thran of. There has been no discussion among the players regarding what the course of actions should be so I hope the actions I describe here for Borygg do not run counter to the plan.]

Hearing Kugald's signal, Borygg jumps up. He says to Vidar and Jurri, "Quick, one of you get the horse out to the road and wait for me there. I need to see what Kugald's message is." Borygg then rushes to where Kugald and the others are, moving as quickly but as quietly as possible, and asks what they have seen and what message should be delivered.

[OOC: Kugald nocks an arrow in readiness, but DOES NOT draw instead he watches the riders closely, ready for any treachery.]

[OOC: I presume Jurri and Vidar don't actually take the horse out to the road, but hold him ready just out of sight of the road.]

[OOC: Since we saw the riders at a distance, I presume the following happens just before they reach bowshot.]

Borygg sneaks up to the sentries' position in response to Kugald's whistle. Kugald turns to him, "Ride as quickly as possible to the thran. Tell the Daas there are seven men on horse back approaching. Six are lightly armed. One is unarmed and well dressed, likely a herald. We will stay hidden and continue to watch for any forces following them. If we see an attacking force, Jurri will blow three loud, sharp blasts on his horn."

"Now go, quickly. Be safe and don't kill yourself falling off the horse. Return when it is safe."

TTYL

- Kerry

Kugald Daas wrote:Borygg sneaks up to the sentries' position in response to Kugald's whistle. Kugald turns to him, "Ride as quickly as possible to the thran. Tell the Daas there are seven men on horse back approaching. Six are lightly armed. One is unarmed and well dressed, likely a herald. We will stay hidden and continue to watch for any forces following them. If we see an attacking force, Jurri will blow three loud, sharp blasts on his horn."

"Now go, quickly. Be safe and don't kill yourself falling off the horse. Return when it is safe."

Borygg commits Kugald's message to memory then sneaks back to where Jurri/Vidar has been holding the horse and climbs into the saddle. He gives a quick check back along the road to see if the riders are approaching and then walks the horse out onto the road. He'll point it in the direction of the thran and urge it into a fast walk. This isn't the first time he has ridden, but he has never done so under difficult conditions. Once he gets a feel for the horse, he'll give it a bit of heel and move up to a trot, muttering a quick prayer to the Elkyrie Maarne that he be able to stay in the saddle.

Once Borygg is off, Jurri will sneak up to join the others. He'll be prepared to sound the signal if needed, but will otherwise remain out of sight, leaving the surveillance to the expert(s).

He will begin actively listening, closing his eyes if needed to screen out distractions. He will begin identifying the ambient sounds so he can be more alert to those that aren't ambient when they occur.

And he waits...

Algared slips a stone into thong of his staff sling as he waits silently and watches the riders. As he focuses upon the riders he looks for any signs that may indicate their purpose or origin. Seven men on horse even if one is unarmed will still be a tough fight.

The biting cold of the wind makes Algared glad of the gambeson his wears, while the riders are still distant Algared whipsers to Kuglad, "You know Cousin all the Ibanvaaler's know is a Daas lead force has routed their rear gaurd and likely several garrsions amounting to close 1500men, those who fled will likely not have rememebered our number exactly and possibly exagerated it. I would imagine then we dont really desire any with their wits about them reporting our actual number. "I am no soldier but if the garrsions and rear guard numbered around 1500 what size would you expect the main host to be?"

Algared smiles, at least if we must fight this band we'll end up with some horses for us all he thinks to himself as he continues to watch the approaching riders, looking for badges or signs that may indicate their purpose herald, skald or even the Daagan prince, and he waits for Kugald to give the single to open fire on what is hopefully an unsuspecting foe.