In Too Deep

[Bjorn]

Bjorn nods at Lammermore.  "It's also a matter of how he's guarded, I think, as much as how many men are watching him.  But this might be a discussion better suited for after tonight's siege."

[Dracos]

"I don't know about that, Bjorn.  With our attention on the battlefield it would likely be the best time to accomplish anything regarding him, whether breaking him out or killing him."  Dracos turned blinking slightly at Lammermore.  "Such a show of hospitality would be appreciated and I'm certain my men would be happy to provide extra guards for the keep....hum..." Dracos blinked, a thought coming to him.  "Didn't...Mattias say something about the wards on the keep?  'fixing' them or some such?"

Dracos

[Brian]

At Phil's words, The Storm-rider commanders nod, and Devin smacks himself on the forehead.  "I won't be able to focus on creating new earthenworks," he says, shaking his head.  "I have to ensure that the wall has actually been strengthened."

Lammermore frowns at this, as does Kevin.

"Well, glad we've time for that," Kevin says.  "We do have time, right?"

Devin nods, scowling.  "I checked the status of the wall.  They'll be safe for this siege, certainly probably the next as well.  But I don't trust Mattias's wards on them.  Not now."

Kevin grunts.  "Very well.  We'll increase the guard on Durant, the Storm-riders will move in and help increase our guard to keep a watch out for assasins, and Devin is going to study the wall to ensure that it's safe.  Do we use a new strategy tonight?"  He shoots a glance at Parthipan, but says nothing to him.

[Dracos]

Dracos glances at Parthipan, question clearly directed at him.  "Has any magical scouting been done as to tonight's general or how they are arraying their troops?"

Dracos

[Ginrai]

"I was planning on doing so after the meeting.  If you want I can go and check on them now."

[Bjorn]

"I think that might be best, Master Parthipan," Bjorn says, a touch drily.  "As this is a planning meeting, information collected after it is over would be of considerably less benefit."

[Brian]

"We haven't time, now," Radagast says, shaking his head.  "For good or ill, you needed the rest you took."

"Moving on, then," Lammermore says, glancing around.  "I believe that the Storm-riders and the keep-defenders worked quite well yesterday.

"I also believe that we've had truly fantastic blessings as far as our losses have been concerned thus far.  It's inevitable, however, that we're going to be drawn into worse, and therefore, I think it's also the case that any losses thus far ... have been losses we still can't afford."

Lord Rogers, and the other Storm-riders lords nod in agreement at this.  "What say you, then?" Lammermore asks, looking across the table.  "Tonight can bring anything.  How do we prepare for it?"

[Bjorn]

"I spoke previously with Mistress Astryd about using illusion to create an illusion of the moat being widened, and the path being shifted, as the Dreadmarch approached," Bjorn offers.  "While perhaps not as effective as the earthenworks, it should serve to confuse the charge, providing us with the same opportunity to thin their ranks before contact.  Though this would be for another night's battle."

He chews his bottom lip for a second, thinking, and then continues.  "Last night's strategy served us well, I think, except in regards to the Jotun.  The question then is if we have a way to deal with them more effectively."

[Brian]

"Could extend the protection of the wall into the air," Devin says, sighing.  "If we could trust Mattias.  But otherwise ... I do not know."

Radagast chews his lower lip thoughtfully, and turns to Parthipan.  "Windmaster Parthipan -- can you manage a screen of air that can cover a wide area?  Say, the area before the earthenworks?" he asks.

[Ginrai]

Ginrai nods.  "I'll be able to do that."

[Bjorn]

Bjorn nods back at Parthipan.  "Then I think we should array ourselves in the same general manner.  And now, the question becomes: were we the Dreadmarch, what would we do to counter the tactics the Keep used last night?"

[Dracos]

"Has the dreadmarch used any magic yet?"

Dracos

[Brian]

"I suspect that would strongly depend on which of the Generals we faced," Lammermore says after a pause.

"Among other things," Radagast says, frowning.  "Ah, I don't think we've seen any sign of Lorekeepers on the side of the Dreadmarch.  Save Mattias, Neil, and Ashton," he adds.  "But we'll need to be quite wary of the Archon, I imagine."

[Rezantis]

"Yes they have," Nathan notes, "Just not very much of it.  The second general made that barrier, which seemed to be for the specific purpose of killing as many of our leaders as possible.  Additionally, when I was talking to Mattias via a . . . speaking stone or some such that he'd enchanted to allow long distance communication, someone not only listened in but interrupted us and broke the stones.  And of course they have Elric, who's capable of some such."

"In answer to Bjorn's earlier question, I'd be almost tempted on their end to, well . . . if we're sitting back and waiting for them to charge, just pepper us with arrows," Nathan shrugs, "Or try something similar to the second day's trick on us again. I'd guess that after the mess we made of yesterday's general they'll use a quite different approach, though - they've only got so long to get us, after all."

[Dracos]

"Um, Nathan, that was with Mattias, so the information there is suspect.  Though I'd bet my beard they do in fact have some lore avaliable to them to use against us.  Really, what I'd do is put the general towards the rear and force us to take some losses.  They have the numbers to spare and having a fight of attrition now would be bad for morale and our numbers in general.   But then, that's not something we can really plan to counter if they do it."

Dracos