27 Nuzyael 720

As Borygg mounts the horse and rides towards the thranhold, his movements are detected by the advancing group. Still some distance from your stand of trees. The fields and pastures providing little cover once you leave the concealment of the trees.

The two lead riders look rearwards towards the lone rider and after a short pause he indicates that they should not pursue the lone rider, however, their attention is now drawn to the stand of trees in which you now hide.

The riders halt and it becomes quite obvious that they are searching for anyone else hidden amongst the trees. One rider even stands in his stirrups to gain a better view.

There appears to be a short conversation between the lone rider and the two lead riders, before one of the lead riders, throwing back his cloak, shifts his position in his saddle and unslings his shield and then begins to advance slowly towards the trees.

"Do you want him dead?" Queries Barak in a hushed whisper "Or will you talk?"

Jurri keeps his voice low.

"Take care who you shoot, Kugald. Do we know these are the enemy?"

(OOC: I apparently misunderstood either the terrain or the plan (maybe both), but would we really have set up in a location where our rider would be so easily seen? I thought the point was to not alert the enemy.)

Post by GM Given the surrounding terrain there was no way that you were going to be able to achieve that. This is the only stand of trees large enough to conceal you and that is close enough to the trail so as to give you good visibility to the north. Borygg has a good headstart on the riders given his headstart, since he was sent back to the thran when the riders were first sighted

"We will talk, but if he tries anything funny...Barak, kill him with your bow and arrows."

Kugald shrugs off his cloak and picks up his shield and spear, leaving his bow and arrows on the ground in front of him. The band waits within the stand of trees. If the rider gets close enough to see the them, Kugald will stand up and show himself.

The band waits to see what the approaching rider does.

TTYL

- Kerry

[OOC: This is why a map would be best in these situation. My understanding was that we were located in a spot that could see down the road quite a distance. When we spotted the riders, we dispatched our messenger from the horse's holding position that was someways away from our hide. In future, it would be better if Neil provided a sketch or map and then I can draw on it what the plan is. It will avoid miscommunications like this.]

The rider does not appear to see you from where he is, as he stands in his saddle trying to gain a better view of the trees he suddenly throws his right leg over the horse and dismounts. With the reins and his spear in his right hand and his shield still in his left he moves closer to the trees on foot.

He is not more than twenty yards from the treeline that conceals you when a voice in an Ibavaal accent says "Come out and introduce yourself, we are escort to the speaker and wyrdsman of clan Dagen!" a hint of authority in his voice. He appears to be staring straight at your position.

Barak dosn't move. He stays prone and hopefully concealled with his bow half drawn.

In response to the rider's demands, Kugald stands up and shows himself.

In a bold, clear voice with authority of his own, he says "I am Kugald of Clan Daas." He gestures for the other members of the warband to stand up. "We are sentries for the Jarl of Ygesdram. Your arrival has been reported to the Daas. He will be expecting you and your speaker and wyrdsman. We ALLOW you to pass."

TTYL

- Kerry

"Personally I wouldn't let these dog pass anywhere." Algared mutters. "Ibanvaalers have no honour.. nor does the holder of that ones leash."

As Algared steps forward he says over his shoulder, "Merac, Kahlin, Lukas stay under cover and keep them covered with your bows." Algared doesn't care if the Ibanvaler hears the instruction to the hidden archers, but hopes his words and action give the impression of a greater force.

"Easy cousin," Kugald says extending his spear arm to figuratively 'restrain' Algared, "they are representatives of the Dagen. No matter what we think of them, under Ljarl, they are under the Daas' protection as emissaries."

The weaponcrafter nods slightly toward the rider, the bare minimum allowable while remaining polite, "You have our greetings."

"If negotiations are your purpose, you had best speak with the Daas." He points towards the thranhold to his left.

TTYL

- Kerry

Borygg continues to trot the horse to the thran. He hasn't heard Jurri's horn yet so he assumes nothing has happened that requires more urgency.

[OOC: How long does it take to get back to the thran at a trot? Also, Kugald did not tell Borygg to request any action by the men of the thran so Borygg is going under the assumption that he is to simply alert the guards at the thran gate that the small party is approaching. He will tell them all the details of the group's composition that Kugald told him and instruct them to listen for the horn blasts and come quickly with a larger force if they hear it. Once he has delivered his message, he will turn around and head back toward the rest of the group.]

Post by GM It would not take more than 10 minutes or so. The walk was a little over 15 minutes to get to where you are now

'Indeed Cousin, but if they are here to negotiate then let them await our Jarls pleasure here, rather than allowing our enemies to waltz at there pleasure and disturb our jarl." Algared says quietly to Kugald. Ljarl or no you dont let a wolf inside the sheep fold and the Dagan has shown himself a wolf, letting his emmisaries see the our strength at their leisure is foolishness Algared thinks but doesn't say.

When Kugald stands up the rider takes a half step back in surprise. As Algared speaks the rider turns a glare at him. When Kugald speaks the rider turns his attentions back to him "and you have my greetings also" the rider continues to stand near his horse his spear still held vertically. When you offer him passage he mounts his horse quickly and with ease, but then when Algared speaks he says "What is it to be, Kugald of clan Daas, do you allow us passage or would you keep our wyrdsman out in this cold longer."

The riders that now remain on the trail have formed a sort of half circle around the wyrdsman, they remain mounted unsling their shields but other than moving to protect their charge they offer no other threatening moves or posture. It is quite a defensive posture they have adopted.

Kugald looks across the fields to look for Borygg. Seeing that he has got a good long head start, he smiles wolfishly.

He transfers his spear into his shield hand.

He looks across the field to the unarmed man at the center of the ring of riders and bows slightly.

"But of course...."

In a bold clear voice that carries across the distance, he says, "Speaker and wyrdsman of the Dagen of Ibanvaal, you have my PERMISSION to pass and approach the thranhold. Whether the Jarl of Ygesdram, the mighty and victorious Cunate of Clan Daas, will grant you an audience, I cannot say. Unless..." he smiles subtly, "you come to negotiate the Dagen's surrender or withdrawal from Menglana."

Kugald sweeps his right hand towards the thranhold.

"Proceed in peace wyrdsman."

TTYL

- Kerry

The closest rider turns his horse and head back towards the main group still on the trail. A quick look over his shoulder as he departs - you are not sure but you think you catch the slightest smile across his face as he moves away.

Without waiting for the first rider the group commence their journey to the thran once again.

You watch them move closer to the thran and when they are about half way between the thran and your location a lone rider emerges from the thran. It is to far to tell but it should be Borygg, the rider is moving only at a walking pace when you first see him.

The two groups move closer towards each other and from where you sit they appear to pass without incident.

When the emissary's party has moved out of earshot, Kugald turns to speak to the others.

"We could have held them up here, but I think that would show we fear them. We have met them in open battle twice now. Although they have broken and run before us, I feel certain that some among the defeated army had the presence of mind to get a good estimate of our number to report back to the Dagen."

"The Daas will meet with them or send them away. If he meets with them, I am sure he will want to do it in the comfort of the great hall, inside the thranhold and surrounded by his huscarls and valhakars, and not on the cold and blustery open road where he would be vulnerable to assassination or ambush. If the Daas declines to meet with them, Borygg has given them plenty of warning and they can turn them away at the gates without ever letting them see our full strength."

He spies the lone rider.

"Ahhh, I think that is Borygg. He will have news of the Daas' intentions."

TTYL

- Kerry

Kugald Daas wrote:
He spies the lone rider.

"Ahhh, I think that is Borygg. He will have news of the Daas' intentions."

When Borygg gets back to where the group was, he'll see if the group is back in hiding or if they are visible. If they are visible, he'll dismount, lead the horse off the road, and tie it to a tree, then join the group.
"I alerted the gate guards that company was coming and told them to listen for the horn. I tried to see the Daas but Thaldirs said the Daas was busy and that he would take the message. He send me back out here. I see you let them pass. So what's the plan now?"

"Well done Borygg."

Kugald says, "The rumour is that the Ibanvaalers have between 5000 to 8000 men. I'd guess we routed about 1000 outside of Lihea, but most of those got away to fight another day. The Storzars only have about 3500 men, but that includes old men and boys, adequate to defend a thranhold, not very useful on campaign. Still, a defender behind a wall is worth at least 2 or 3 attackers. One of the traders at the dock told me that King Hlanakar has decreed that their will be no help for Clan Storzar. The same trader told me that some of the clans are planning to send help anyway."

"Once we march past the Beneta Pass, the Dagen's forces will be cut off from an easy retreat back to Ibanvaal. I imagine the emissary is trying to stall for time and hope that the Dagan can capture Froyaheim before he has to turn and deal with us."

"Unless relieved, our job is to stay out here and watch for the enemy until nightfall. Algared, can you please take the horse around to the rest spot. We might as well go back to our three and three rotation. Barak, Algared and I will take a break; while Borygg, Jurri and Vidar, you stand sentry. Whistle for us if you see anything. Same routine as this time. If we see a small group, we send a rider, however if it is a large force, we will just blow the horn three times and all retreat to the thranhold."

"Stay sharp, these emissaries could just be a ruse to get us to lower our guard."

TTYL

- Kerry

The light soon begins to fade and the shadows begin to grow ever longer. The wind picks up slightly gusting a little more consistly still from the south west and still with a chill that nearly bites all the way through to your bones.

There is no other traffic heading in either direction along the trail as you wait until last light before packing up and heading back to the thran, arriving just before darkness falls.

"Kugald, you had better tell Thaldirs that we are back; and maybe you'll find out what the emissairies are all about and why they are still here"

"Good idea. You guys might as well go back to the clanhouse, start a fire and warm up. See if there is still some food."

Kugald makes his way up to the great hall. He asks the huscarls where he can find Thaldirs to report. Once he finds him, he says, "Thaldirs, nothing additional to report. Since the arrival of the Dagen's emissaries, the road has been quiet. What happened to the emissaries? Did the Daas meet with them? Can you tell me what they wanted? I'm curious."

He waits for the huscarl's reply.

"OK, do you need us on sentry again tomorrow?"

"Do you know when we are marching on?"

TTYL

- Kerry

Kugald turns and heads off towards the main hall, the rest of the warband then head towards the commandeered clanhouse. Along the way Borygg leading the horse wonders what to do with the beast.

Once Barak, Algared, Vidar and Jurri enter the clanhouse it is not long before a fire is started but will still be sometime before the fire and embers are prepared enough to start cooking. With the fire started Barak sits down and begins to relax, Jurri begins to practice with one his insturments, while Vidar joins Barak in sitting down and relaxing, while Algared scans the pantry for tonights meal.

Algared finds that the pantry is starting to become a little bare and that the pickings for tonight when added with the leftovers from the previous meals will just about do for another day or so.

Kugald returns to the clanhouse to talk to the band.

"Algared, don't worry about making supper."

"I didn't get to speak to Thaldirs, but I did bump into Thorin. He said that Thaldir is entertaining the 'guests' and that the wyrdsman did speak to the Daas in private. No one knows what was said. Anyway, Thorin told me that there is to be a feast in the great hall tonight and we are all invited."

"The 'guests' are staying the night."

"So, kick back, relax and have a snack if you are really hungry. We have a quarter watch or so before we have to head up to the great hall."

Kugald heads over to his sleeping platform and begins to strip off his armour and weapons. He goes out to the well and gets a couple buckets of water. He comes back and stands next to the fire while he strips down to his breeches and gives himself a good wash, ending off by dunking his head in the second bucket.

After he has dried himself off, he stands close the fire to let his hair dry. Then, he digs out his (newly looted) serge tunic and leggings from his backpack. He puts on his jewelry (rings, bracelet, necklace etc) and fastens the amber broach to his cloak.

He puts on his belt, with his dagger and sheath at his right hip, his money pouch in front of it, and his valuables pouch behind it. He picks up his sword and sheath.

"So, what do you think?" he says to the group, "sword or no sword? Personally, it think I should wear it as a mark of status, if nothing else. However, I don't want to appear too threatening. What do you guys think?"

TTYL

- Kerry

GM wrote: Along the way Borygg leading the horse wonders what to do with the beast.

Borygg will look around and see if he can tell where the stables might be. If he can't see, he'll take the horse and wander around a bit until he finds them or he'll ask around until someone tells him. If there is a thrall around, he'll ask that the horse be cared for. If there is none, he'll do what grooming he knows how do to: he'll check the hooves for stones, brush or rub it down, make sure it has water and whatever he can find in the way of fodder.

Once done with this, Borygg will return to the clanhouse, where it appears he will learn about the feast. He'll follow Kugald's example and get cleaned up as best he can. He'll put on his spare cloth leggings and his silk tunic. While he will leave most of his armour behind, he'll wear the leather vest. He will leave his weapons behind except for his dagger. His belt pouches and valuables stay with him, of course.

Barak joins in getting cleaned up and puts on a fresh tunic. He wears his belt, hunting knife, coin pouch and purse, and the jewellry he has.

"Cousin my Sister would tell you and i to wear the swords as badges of our rank, and if she was here I'm sure she would if she were able wait upon us. It's not as though you'll be wearing your mail and gambeson. Though if there is a feast and we're also to attend I would suggest we wash, ourselves clean, comb our hair and beards or trim them if need and ensure we dont look too shabby."

Algared still doesn't feel like attending any feast and knows he is still in a foul mood over Hervold's insults, yet he also knows that this feast is likely as much for show and unlikely to do with celebrating new found friends. Duty and honour to himself, his family and clan insist he attend, and be socialble. Though Algared wonders whether even the entourage is a ploy to have the Daas the Daas off guard, while an army marches into position. Algared wouldn't put anything past these invaders.

None the less Algared washes and combs his beard and ensures he wears his best clothes, wearing the sword Kugald gave him to mind, along with his knife and pouch with his coin. He also ensures what jewellry he has is also worn. Then sits and meditaites upon the ways of the Shek P'var until called to leave the clanhouse with the others and attend the feast.