Think We're Alone Now

[Brian]

Your followers agree with your plan, crouching low, as the approaching group from the east appears to actually be heading to the north-west ... which is also the direction you last saw Phil.

[Rezantis]

"Figures.  We need to stop this group, then - luring them to the fort should do it all perfectly.  Everyone feel up to a long run?"

Assuming all his guys aren't too tired for a decent running race, Rez tries to move his guys to the east . . . and once slightly past, gets them to purposely 'screw up' the stealthy thing, so that they're spotted.

If not, Rez has something rather more direct in mind.  Cackle.

[Brian]

The group you're trying to lure either doesn't notice you, or is actively avoiding you when you try and slip up, letting your armor reflect the starlight, or standing up straight.

[Rezantis]

"Wonderful. We'll have to be a touch more direct about this, clearly," Rez frowns.

"Right.  Whoever out of the four of you archers can run fastest, you're coming with me.  You and I are going to walk up in arrow range of that column and try to sharpshoot the commander.  If we fail, we get their attention, if we succeed, bonus.  The rest of you . . ."

Rez pulls out his map and shows everyone exactly where we are and where the fort is.

"I need you lot to get to the fort. We'll be running with a lot of orcs on our heels, so we'll need either somewhere to dive for cover and hide while they assume we're in the damn fort, or a safe route for us to dash through some traps.  I don't recommend the latter, but do what you have to do.  If you can spread out, do so, because I'd like people in a position to nail anyone who flees."

"If the fort looks like it's been disturbed, or whatnot, I recommend you don't get inside unless you're sure they've been through it thoroughly and aren't there.  The place is intended to be a deathtrap, be careful.  Use your discretion as to whether you feel it's a good defensive place or not.. If there are dreadmarch already there or something goes horribly wrong with this plan, head back towards us and we all dash north," Rez indicates a spot on the map on the border of the northern mountains, "any survivors will link up there."

"Not the best of plans, I know, but every few hours we can buy for the rest of our troops is crucial."

[Brian]

The troops look at one another, and don't seem to like your plan too much, but they agree to do what you say.  One of the archers is with you, and squints at the marching group.  "I'll go with you," he says.  "We're clansmen, after all."

[Rezantis]

Rez nods gratefully to the archer.

"I know this plan sounds lousy, but I honestly don't see a better one.  We need to harass these guys, and we need to be bold to convince them that we're up to something.  Don't engage any dreadmarch forces you find, is that clear?"

If there are no complaints or comments, Rez sends the other guys off to the east, and starts advancing - cautiously, but quickly - in an attempt to get to the outer edges of bowshot range on the enemy group.

[Brian]

You draw near the enemy.  Realizing that you aren't going to be dissuaded, they break into a shield formation, fifteen in front leveling pikes and bracing defensively.  Behind the pikemen, another fifteen swordsmen take positions.  Another three figure stands to one side, behind a bundle of five swordsmen.

[Rezantis]

"Don't shoot," Rez shakes his head at his archer companion, and starts moving forward quickly, bow pointed at the ground, without an arrow nocked.

I may just have fucked up badly.

[Brian]

The pikemen watch you warily, and one of them yells, "Who are you?"

[Rezantis]

Rez turns to his archer, swearing foully, "Get after the rest of the group and tell them to get back here. I told them not to engage, so they should turn north if they see anyone.  Your only orders are to get the hell back to the rest of our army, you should be able to follow their trail from there, if I don't link back up with you. Go!"

Turning back to the armed group, Rez yells back, "Stormriders! And you are?"

[Brian]

Relaxing their guard visibly, the guards step close enough for you to see them.  "Oh!" one of them says.  "I recognize you -- stayed at the fort for...."  He trails off, and looks pale.  "Has the keep already fallen?"

[Rezantis]

Rez puts his bow over his shoulder and walks forward. "Gods, no. The stormriders, however, were late, and some of us went out looking.  You've abandoned the fort?"

[Brian]

"Yes, it's a deathtrap.  We found ourselves blocked from reaching the fort by the Dreadmarch, and retreated to the fort.  We lost half of our own forces, and a goodly number of the temple guarstman," the pikeman explains, gesturing to the swordsmen, who are slowly sheathing their weapons.  "Without the aid of the priestesses, we'd be in sorrier shape than we already are.  We were going to hide in the foothills of the mountain range, and see what we could do to survive until the siege broke, our numbers too few to do much else.  There are other storm-riders out here?  You don't number more than a dozen yourself, though ... how many?"

[Rezantis]

"The entire army. We've no way to the keep, so you'll want to link up with that force.  Are you being pursued?"

[Brian]

"We thought we were," he says, nodding at you.  "We cost them at the fort.  We thought it best to abandon it before reinforcements returned ... all the traps are activated, now.  We must have cost them over two hundred before the end."

The other storm-riders begin to jog up to the rest of the party, as the moon sets, plunging everything into darkness, until your eyes adjust to the stars.

"You'll lead us to the rest of the army, then?" the pikeman asks.  "I'm sure we'd all fare better together; certainly healers would be welcome in a war, and the temple guardsmen are genius tacticians."