Solo Ride

[tomcat]

Galudir slept soundly.

It had been a tiring two day's ride and the down mattress of Thergas was a true comfort. But soon the rogue awoke and a new sun shone brightly through the window. He stretched and then got himself out of bed.

Once ready, Galudir left his small room and made his way out of the barracks and into the courtyard. It was a grand sight to see as he stepped out into the well-ordered commotion. The Éothraim were mustering!

WIthin the confines of Thergas was a great gathering of horses and a few supply wagons - beyond the gates the rogue could see a larger host gathered on the fields. He was sure that there were at least 300 hundred horses arrayed and a stern warrior to mount it.

Thuidmar had spoken true - he was going to bring the battle to Harizän the Easterling and drive him back into the east.

Galudir made some calculations in his head... such a force would probably take three or four days to get to Ilanin. He hoped his comrades were still holding out.

[tomcat]

By mid of morning, the riders of the Éothraim were ready.

The men sitting atop their horses, all in ranked order, with their spears held aloft looked like a forest tipped with glinting stars. Suddenly a great, deafening shout came from the troop as their leader rode out of the keep of Thergas and down the sloped road until he came to the fore of the army.

"LONG HAVE I THOUGHT THAT PEACE RULED IN OUR EASTERN LANDS! YET, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT INVADERS OUT OF THE EAST HAVE USURPED THAT PEACE AND SLAIN OUR FOLK... TAKEN OUR LANDS! ENSLAVED OUR PEOPLE!

"RISE AILGARTHA! RIDE WITH ME TO RIGHT THESE WRONGS! RIDE WITH ME FOR JUSTICE! RIDE WITH TO LET THE SAGATH KNOW THE ÉOTHRAIM'S VENGEANCE!"

Again the battle cry rose from the mass of soldiers and Galudir could not help but be moved by the scene. A great banner was lifted at Thuidmar's side and with but a gesture of his hand, the Éored's, the name given the Ailgartha cavalry units, moved out as one. The rogue watched from his saddle as the troops rode forward and then spurred on Edrahil's horse, riding alongside the impressive troop.

Behind all came the support wagons filled with food, water and tents.


[OOC:] Nikitas - what is Galudir going to do? Ride ahead of the army to see if he can get back to Ilanin? Stay with the army? To fight? Watch? Let me know...

[Nikitas]

Galudir weighed the many options available to him. He could stay with the army and reinforce his company at a later day. He could also ride out ahead of the army and seek out his companions in Illanin. Yet, the rogue wondered if the company would still be in Illanin by the time he arrived, and if they were how could he find them without drawing the attention of the Easterlings. Finally Galudir decided that it was his companion's task to defend Illanin while it was his task to fetch the Éothraim, he would stay with the reinforcements and fight alongside them once they reached Illanin. Fight alongside the rear ranks at least.

[tomcat]

The host began to move north along the western feet of the Dinvuld hills. It was quite picturesque thought the rogue, as he rode along the back end of the large troop. To the west could be seen nothing but rolling grass lands that went on for leagues, and east rose the grass covered hills. At times, large crags of red-brown stone and earth broke through the rich greens to add variety to the surroundings, and then the land would give way to the majestic blue of the clear sky. There was little in the way of trees and  the land rose no more than the heights of the Dinvulds, which bothered Galudir who had grown up at the feet of the Misty Mountains. Still, on occassion they would pass by hardy scrub or a lone grove of woods.

They moved through the better part of the day and finally Thuidmar called for them to break for camp. The rear echelon then moved into a northern-facing semi-circle made up of the many riders and there they broke out the wares for feeding such a large force. All in all, Galudir was impressed by these simple folk who he thought un-learned, but were proving him wrong.

[tomcat]

It was well into the second day of marching, and Galudir was becoming bored. He was not anticipating the outcome of this host of men, but it would break the monotony of the saddle. He did a silent count and realized it was four days since he had left Ilanin.



To keep our story in line:

Day 1, morning - Galudir rode from the River Cross and rides the whole day; Dirnhael and friends are escorted to the merchant ring for safety; that night Fengel and Durgil go to scout the Easterling camp.
Day 2, morning - Dirnhael and Nain go to Falin's Forge; in the evening of this day Galudir arrives and tells Thuidmar of the Sagath position; not yet sure what comes of Fengel and Durgil's activities... still in play.
Day 3 - Thuidmar musters and starts first day of marching forth; other companions aren't to this time yet.
Day 4 - Day two of Thuidmar's march; again other companions aren't to this time yet.

[Nikitas]

OOC: Quick question TC, is the Eothraim army entirely mounted? Or do they have infantry as well?

[tomcat]

[OOC:] Hey Nikitas, it is an entirely mounted unit that is being followed on by a support unit of wagons (for cooking, and other needed stuff for encampment).

Some of the Éothraim can dismount and become an archer unit, too.

[tomcat]

The host traveled for two more days.

On the afternoon of the second day, the Éothraim cavalry rode down from a high cliff wall to a vast green field. In the distance could be seen a homestead. Galudir heard the king of these folk speak, "This is where we shall meet out foes! We rest for the day, but in the morning we will send forth scouts to both find and lead our enemy here."