CHAPTER 1 - PART 2

Jaegir and Harrald soon left for the Inn, they’d have to get some rest and leave by dawn if they were to get their gold. As they slept, the village was in commotion, some villagers argued to stay behind and yet others frantically gathered their belongings. The village chief though old and diminutive in size still managed to exude a pocket of calm. The more responsible lot stood around him and were methodically discussing how best to secure the village and organize the movement of 900 villagers to Bracklewhyte.

By the time the two messengers set out to return, half of the village folk were on their way.

Further to the north, a company of men marched in step. Four carriages trailed them, carrying supplies and several bards. Melodies from their lutes mingled with the drumbeats that boomed in synchrony with the mens’ steps.

‘Halt!’ roared the man at the front of the column. The instruments went silent and the men stood rooted. The man removed his helm and held it in his arms.

‘We camp here today. We leave at noon tomorrow.’ He announced. The men dispersed. A slight smile adorned his face and his piercing eyes turned to his second in command.

‘Arthas, any news about the roads ?’

His words were steady and clearly pronounced.

‘Not much Rogan, a band of villagers are headed towards Bracklewhyte. Do we let them by?’

‘The villagers must be positively craving some excitement! Have a few killed. A harassing run, send 30 men, raider like. Have them report back before dawn.’

‘That I will. Is there a purpose to the deaths this time?’

‘Perhaps. Get some rest. We have new friends to make in Tottenspur.’

Jaegir and Harrald merrily received their one gold. One man saved his half to purchase a horse, the other saved 25 pieces of silver for his wife; another 25 were invested in pints of ale. When they had met him, the guard captain’s face had been the same as before, sunken eyes, disheveled hair and a grim frown.  If they had stayed in town for another day, they’d have known that his countenance had grown much worse.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

‘Sir, we’ve received the villagers from Tottenspur, they’ve been shown the marching grounds. They also brought 19 dead. The bodies aren’t in good shape, several crushed by hammers, and chopped by axes. The raiders must be closer than we thought. The villagers said the assailants turned back once the town was in sight. What do we do now?’

‘WHAT DO WE DO!? WHAT DO WE DO!? I’ve NO IDEA what is going on’. His simmering frustrations had boiled into anger. Disturbed by his unusual outburst, he quickly calmed himself.

‘Return to me in an hour, I will have orders for you.’

The stunned soldier whipped his arms for a quick salute and shuffled out the door.

The damp stone walls of the guard house paid audience to the man within. He was mumbling, vehemently shaking his head, and walking about in punctuated circles. Given this description, most people would think the man was mad, and they would be right.

His lips curled and spit flew as his mumbling grew more vigorous, surely the deaf walls could hear him by now.

‘ The blundering buffoons at the state capitol refuse to give me more information or men, but have the audacity to appreciate my good work with limited resources. Ha! Good work, I’d love to see how good they think it is when all that’s left is a burnt town and the salt flats. Rotting lumber at the harbor would be quite the fine present for  Scrodin.’

His request for scouts had been denied thrice already. He was lucky to have known about the raiders five days in advance and by then there was very little he could do but warn the villagers. His posse of men only numbered about 200, and the rag-tag town militia woudn’t be much good in a real fight. There was no way he could’ve scoured the forests up north without leaving Bracklewhyte under defended.

His pacing slowed, he further composed himself and took a seat at his table.

‘Raiders, Raiders…, I doubt they’d have made it in time to harass these villagers, they should have been a day away from the roads when the villagers passed through. Then…”

What little news he had heard came from a month ago, there were rumors of a man in armor sighted heading south. They were seen well below the front lines of the war in the north.

‘… A disciplined army, A forced march and they would have made it.’

‘CROWE!’ He bellowed. And the orders were given.