8 Peonu 720

Kugald curses to himself, he should have brought his bow. He continues the pursuit as quickly as he can so that he will only be a few seconds behind when Barak and Borygg catch up to the man.

TTYL

- Kerry

Jurri will gather up his gear and make ready to either engage in combat or travel, as needed. He's keeping an eye out around them.

"Algared, think you he was truly alone, or merely the bait?"

Borygg will continue his pursuit.

Jurri Grebel wrote:Jurri will gather up his gear and make ready to either engage in combat or travel, as needed. He's keeping an eye out around them.

"Algared, think you he was truly alone, or merely the bait?"

"He may be alone, he certainly ran like he is, though the closer he gets to the thran the more chance there is he will find help." Algared answers Jurri and then adds almost reluctantly, "Time to armour up I think, or ready our ranged weapons."

Algaered dons his gambeson and draws his sling.

"If he gets away and raises a hue and cry I fear we'll need to move up into the hills once more. For we'll certainly end up having the Dagan's men and mayeb the hounds after us as well."

Barak continues the chase. He'll reassess whether to continue if the man breaks the cover of the woods, or some other change in circumstance warrants it.

With Jurri and Algared now watching the site of the tree felling - Kugald, Barak and Borygg have disappeared off into the forest and now only the silence the forest remains.

Let us pause here while things are worked out on other threads

Time: End 2nd watch - Beginning 3rd watch

The day remains grey as the wind has shifted and now gusts from the south west, the temperature has dropped slightly making the day colder. The grey clouds have broken a little allowing a little of the blue sky above to shine through.

Through the trees first Borygg, Barak and Kugald can be seen returning with the stranger in tow. Both Kugald and the stranger seem to be in conversation as they return to the tree felling site.

Barak goes and collects together his gear, and has a long swig from his water skin.

To Algarad and Juri he says "Get your gear together, we're moving on out. Downstream. Ulf here is showing as the way"

"Barak, don't be rude. We should introduce our new friend first. Jurri, Algared, this is Ulf the 'not quite as swift' as Barak..." Kugald smiles at his own joke.

"We caught up to him in the woods and explained our situation. He tells us there is a ford a short distance downriver where we can cross safely. This will save us the danger of trying to cross the log bridge. He also tells us that all of the Menglanan men will be in Froyaheim for the next few days swearing loyalty to the Dagen."

"Which leads me to my next question Ulf, what are you doing out here? And perhaps more significantly, why aren't you going to Froyaheim to swear loyalty to the Dagen with the other men of your thran?"

Post by GM "My clan is only a small clan and our Valhakar and a small guard are making the trip to Froyaheim to offer his oath on our behalf" Ulf replies. "Besides the war has taken a toll on our men and thran and some are needed still to work the fields and offer the hunt. I was selected to remain behind to hunt"

Kugald continues to talk as he gathers up his gear. He puts on his armour and straps on his sword.

TTYL

- Kerry

Algared visably eases his watch as his friends come into view with the stranger. When Barak makes his biting and rather rude comment Algared shakes his head and replies, 'Cousin it isgood to see you as well.'

Algared nods in greeting as Kugald introduces Ulf, and chuckles at Kugald's introduction and the play on Jurri's introduction of the others earlier. As Kugald puts on his armour, Algared also takes the time finish putting his armour on. It makes sense, they dont know this man and any ford could be guarded... not to mention it is easier than carrying the armour

Borygg puts his armour on, gathers his weapons and gear, and prepares to get underway.

"So, Ulf, it appears everyone is ready to go. How far is this ford anyway? I suggest we head their immediately. If all the men are going to be in Froyaheim, now is the time for us to leave the area."

Post by GM Ulf pauses for a moment before replying "About a league"

TTYL

- Kerry

Barak sighs, then puts his armour and helm on, and goes armed with shield and spear.

Posts added to Kugald's posts will post the rest soon...

Time: Beginning 3rd watch - Mid 3rd watch

The warband quickly returns to their campsite and gathers their gear together before following Ulf east along the river. You continue past the tree that has nearly been cut in two along the southern bank of the river.

Ulf seems to know his way around these parts as he rarely stops to check his heading (the river might be a give away here ) and the warband makes good time.

About four kilometres later the warband can see the end of the forest approaching. A large clear area extends to the south, east and north. The area is well cultivated with a few stands of trees. The river continues to wind its way east through the fields and to the north west you can see where a small path that runs between the fields crosses the river at a shallow ford.

A thran can be seen not more than a league away from where you are. Wifts of smoke can be seen rising from most of the clanhouses as the clans obviously go about their normal days work. Small bands of men can be seen working the fields but they are quite distant and judging from your likely route it seems unlikely that you will encounter anyone.

Ulf leads you out from the concealment of the trees and out into the fields he quickly finds a path that heads roughly north east, the path is more bare earth than true path, tufts of grass grow along the edge of the path between the fields, a shallow ditch runs either side, the ditch would not conceal anyone even if lying down and follows it for a short time before it branches off, the warband take the branch and now head north west.

You follow the path for barely a hundred metres before you can see the ford ahead. Testing the footing you find the going easier than anticipated with the water running swiftly and less than a foot deep at the highest point. Ulf remains on the southern side and offers each of you Sarajins blessing that you are able to return home to your families.

Soon the warband have gained the other side, standing on the northern bank with feet wet but otherwise unharmed.

Ulf bids you farewell as he waves and heads west back in the direction that you came from.....

"As much as I trust Ulf" says Barak "I think we need to put as much distance between us and here as we can today. It is a shame we have no food and will have to go hungry tonight, but at least we're accross the river. Ulf was a good catch, even if I say so myself."

"Kugald, do you want me to lead on, or do you want to change the order of march? If you do want me to lead, do we stay crossing this good ground, but in plain sight, or do we head back in to the woods? I'd recommend we carry on accross this level ground, roughly skirting the forest, for a league, and then head back in to concealment for the rest of the day."

[OoC: What is the weather like? A comfortable temperature for route marching in armour? Barak stares at the sky and tries to predict what the weather will be like for the rest of the day.]

Post by GM The day is cold and is not looking to improve much in that regard, the plus though is that there does not look like rain but the day will most likely remain dark, grey and overcast

As the band break the cover of the hill and the thran comes into view Algared asks, "What is the name of the Thran Ulf?"

"All the Menglanian men are at Froyahiem", Algared thinks to himself as they pass through the apparent empty fields, 'what a shame we didn't have an army to strike forth, I wonder if it would have been possible if we hadn't been so delayed.'

Post by GM Ulf informs you that the thran you can see is Soliheim home of clan Soli and several other smaller clans including his

"I like your idea Barak. Let's move quickly on level ground and get some distance between us and the thran."

"We stick with the same order of march."

"Even if we had been able to warn the Daas, the Dagen would just counter-attack with an army reinforced by his newly sworn Menglanan allies. No, the Daas will need strong reinforcements before he can even think about attacking."

TTYL

- Kerry

Kugald Daas wrote:
"Even if we had been able to warn the Daas, the Dagen would just counter-attack with an army reinforced by his newly sworn Menglanan allies. No, the Daas will need strong reinforcements before he can even think about attacking."

Algared chuckles at Kulgald's comment, "You read my thoughts Cousin, I was just thinking and wondering, Shame our king was such a fool, and I'd wager his refusal to help the Storzer will help make the Dagan's new allies more loyal. I somehow think that ultimately if we want to be free of the Dagan's boot about our necks that we'll need to leave fair Menglana." As Algared speaks his mood darkens lke the sky. By the end what appeared to be anger can be seen to almost be sorrow at thoughts he contenplates but clearly doesn't speak.

Time: Mid 3rd watch - End 4th watch

The warband turn north west to skirt along the tree line. Not far across the river you crest a rise and away to the north perhaps just under a league away you can see a broad line of trees extend from the west all the way as far as the eye can see to the east. From your current position the mountains seem to stop there progress to the north but the cold hard mountain face can still be seen extending towards the north west.

The foot of the mountains are still covered with the mixed forest that you have been travelling through this last tenday (or there abouts).

You push on heading north at your best speed and some time during the start of the 4th watch you arrive at the start of the forest. You continue north into the trees making the best possible speed. The forest is similiar to that which you have already been through, the trees are spaced several yards apart with little in the way of ground coverage as the forest floor is covered dead leaves and fallen timbers. The grass is barely knee high in patches and visibility is quite good extending some 40 yards or so in all directions.

The ground however, now consists of steep valleys and high spur lines which slow your progress significantly. By the end of 3rd watch you have pushed on into the forest making the best possible speed. Making your way up and down these slopes your warband push on. Soon your warband intersect with a road running east-west the road is well hidden from the forest sitting in a well worn hollow with a ditch running along its southern edge paralleling the road. Barak casts his hunters eye over the road the trails are hard to read due to the compacted earth but is does seem that the road is quite well travelled by wagons, horses and travellers on foot, but he is unable to determine when the last travellers passed by.

"Well with this road heading westwards you think this is the Abderheim road? If so we are almost back in Daaslund." Algared says, they looking up to the sky adds, "none the less we probably should find a camp site and try to forage if possile."

"Alternatively, since we're dressed in our armour and this road goes where we want it to, perhaps we should push along it some more. Only get off it to bypass the next a thran..." Barak looks towards Kugald for guidance.

"While the road would make for fast travel, it is also the most likely place to encounter the Dagen's troops. I say we parallel it, close enough so it will guide us home, far enough into the forest that we are not easily seen by the Dagen's troops. Not far now guys. Once we clear whatever blocking force the Dagen has left opposite the Daas' troops, we will be home free."

Looking up at the sky, Kugald adds, "But Algared is right, we need to find some shelter before the light goes completely."

TTYL

- Kerry

Looking up the road Barak turns left and leads the party a bit deeper in to the woods, and attempts the difficult task of going west parallel to the road whilst generally staying out of sight of the road. As he scouts ahead he is looking for a good camping site - somewhere where there is a bit of a natural dip or shelter, running water close by and preferably a chance of fishing/foraging and not to far to dry drop-wood.

Time: Mid 4th watch - End 6th watch

Barak leads the warband on a course which attempts to parrallel the road. His job made more difficult because the road is some 3' below the level of the forest and is hard to see at more than 20' or so away. The road itself winds it's way through the forest and the going is not to diffucult with the inclines not being so steep.

The warband pushes on through the forest attempting to find an area that would make a suitable campsite for the night. No one has much success until nearing dark Barak finds a site that will have to do. The only real criteria the campsite meets is that it is not visible from the road as it lies in a small hollow about 20 yards from the road.

By the time this campsite has been found there is little time to find any forage. Algared goes about organising a fire while Kugald and Barak go about organising the shelter for the night while Borygg and Jurri head off towards the south west in search of forage. With only the faintest of light left Borygg and Jurri return to the camp bearing little in the way of forage not more than a mouthful for each warrior to sustain them. Barak and Kugald have erected a shelter that will serve their purposes for the night that should withstand the elements and Algared has a small fire going and enough wood to keep the embers hot until morning.

With water running low and little in the way of food the mood about the camp is a little sullen. The fire is the only comfort this night and with the temperature being as low as it is it brings warmth to cold hands and feet.

Sitting around the fire the warband discuss matters of home and what shall befall the clans of Daaslund now that the Dagen has conquered Storzarlund. With the conversation reaching a end Algared removes himself from the others and finds a place to sit and rest as he disappears into that dreamlike state his companions have become used to seeing him in.

The others quickly follow his lead and retire for the night leaving Barak to stand watch over the camp. With the warband now resting a quiet comes over the camp, replaced by the noises of the night. The night is chill keeping Barak close to the fire as the wind blows in from the south west, the night sky is covered by a thick layer of dark clouds a feint glow emanating from behind them by the glow of Yael.

Barak is startled by a noise coming from the trees and his reflex action brings him to alert with spear and shield ready only to find that it is Algared returning from his vigil.

The night remains quiet and still except for the nocturnal animals going about their hunt for food and water.

With Barak's watch over he makes his way to the shelter to wake Borygg. Borygg lifts his head from his pack yawns and then rises, dresses himself and heads out to take his turn on watch. After a quick wander around the camp to ensure all is well and to familiarise himself with the camp at night he returns to the warmth of the fire.