To Far Away Times

[Dracos]

Dracos follows, showing no sign of hesistation.

Dracos

[Brian]

You're led past countless men in minute variations of your own equipment, all of them lugging heavy packs on their backs.  A few wave, or call out (not your names, just a general greeting) but your usher herds you past them as people begin to sit down and rummage for dry rations.

Once people begin to break, you can see further, and see that the rough center of this army is occupied by a number of wagon trains, the wagons heavily laden with other goods, the women, and the children.

Before you can investigate that further, however, you're led to a largish brooding man in darker skins than most of the others.  He wears a torc with two rabbits reaching towards one another, as though to grapple, about his neck. The armor he wears is of a higher gauge of steel than your own.

He blinks when he sees the pair of you, and his jaw drops before his expression melts into a boyish grin.  "Cousin Bloom!" he yells, running for Phil and attempting a bear-hug.  "All went well?"

[Dracos]

Dracos grinned and reactive with instincts from a long time of dealing with family he didn't recognize within a first glance, grappling the man in a fierce bear hug for a moment before releasing him, "All went well indeed, better than expected.  How have things gone since I left?"

Dracos

[Brian]

He slaps your back companionably a time or two before he releases you, and then he sobers.  "We've been slowed ... foul weather at the outset.  We should have left sooner, we should.

"But, no use complaining.  We can use this moment of rest -- what news have you, to come meet us here instead of waiting in the warm comfort of Stormwall Keep's walls?"

[Dracos]

"The dreadmarch is moving fast, and according to a lorekeeper there is treachery afoot meant to prevent you from arriving."

Dracos

[Rezantis]

Rez just stays quiet, slouching a few steps behind and to the side of Drac, casting his eyes around and getting a feel for the area.

[Brian]

"Treachery?" the man asks, as another man draws near, this one the same height, but in golden and silver armor.

"Indeed," this newly arrived personage says, frowning.  "I would know of this ... Sir ... Bloom.  You and Shuker were given a duty, and now strayed from the priestesses side?  I would know more of this."

This man wears a torc, as well, though his is two reindeer, charging towards one-another.

[Dracos]

Dracos' voice was calm as he turned to the new figure, cooly taking in the armor. "Certainly, ... Lord Markham."

Dracos

[Rezantis]

"Yes, my Lord. Treachery," Rez looks contemplative, "Our own group was ambushed by orcs on our way to the keep.  Other groups, I hear, have been attacked in the same way and not all have prevailed."

"And from where Sir Bloom and Liandral" Rez indicates the elf, "saw the Dreadmarch, it appears to be early. We wanted to make sure they weren't in a position to cut you off, and perhaps to see just what force they bring to this battle before it arrives."

[Brian]

"To cut us off?" Caribou-torc muses quietly.  "This would be an ill thing...."  He eyes you with re-evaluating eyes.  Turning about, he snaps, "Find Tomas!  He said he'd scout ahead.  He will know if the Dreadmarch is out there."  A few Storm-riders scurry off to hunt down this Tomas character.

Turning back, he says, "Tell me of these others, while we eat."

[Rezantis]

"I am not even certain of names, just that several who should have arrived . . . haven't, My Lord.  Lord Kevin could give you the full picture better than I."

[Brian]

Markham looks unsettled at this.  "More of what we need," he replies sourly, as another man rushes up to meet the group, this one dressed identically, save, without a torc, and with long blonde straight hair.  Markham's is shorter and slightly curly.

This newcomer (Tomas, you guess) says, "My Lord?"

Markham gestures to the horizon, and says, "Have you seen any sign of the Dreadmarch while scouting?"

Tomas blinks.  "Of course not, My Lord," he replies, bowing.

"Well," Markham says.  "That settles that.  Have some food, some drink, then follow us to the keep.  You can take a wagon, should you wish it."

With that, Markham appears to consider the matter dismissed, and crouches next to Tomas, the two sharing out some dried meat and bread.

[Dracos]

Dracos creaked his neck a bit, not liking this turn of events.  "I think I'm going to take a walk."  He glanced back to his, well, retinue, shrugging slightly and heading towards the outskirts of the camp, intending to scout around the place.

Dracos

[Brian]

"I'll keep you company," Rabbit-torc decides, pacing along with you, Nathan, and Liandral as you head towards the outskirts of the army.

There's not much to see, other than hundreds (thousands, actually -- probably about seven thousand fighting men, all told) of Storm-riders rubbing at their feet, and tossing small flasks of what's presumably alcohol around to one-another.  Beyond the perimeter of the army is just plain snow, unmarked, and unremarkable.

Your visibility is fading, along with the setting sun, though.

[Dracos]

Dracos rubs his beard, heading towards the snow, eyes scanning for anything off, even the slightest bit.  Specifically looking to see if he can spot people hiding nearby.  He is a bit silent, but focused about his actions.

Dracos