World Revolution

[Dracos]

Dracos gives the order to gather up the supplies and destroy what can't easily be carried, priority given to preservable foodstuffs and any equipment that can be swiped.

Dracos

[Brian]

The axemen hack open a hole in the ice (stuff looks like it's about three meters deep) and just sink everything they can't carry.  You don't see a bottom; the goods just vanish into the murky darkness below.  The bodies get shoveled in, and they all sink, too.

There's no way you can hide the fact that there was a battle here, in all honesty, though.  Some of the men ask you if it's okay to take a few of the wagons before they sink, and make a pyre for the fallen soldiers.

[Dracos]

Dracos nods in agreement, joining them to help out.

Dracos

[Brian]

They assemble the pyres by chopping up the wagons, and basically making a raised stage in the snow with the wagon beds, and some of the runners -- these wagons don't have wheels, after all, they have sleds.  Once that's done, the dead are ceremoniously placed atop them, some of the pilfered and otherwise useless stuff stacked around as tinder.

Their greatswords, or axes, or (in the case of pikemen and archers) long daggers inscribed with their lineage are retrieved to be returned to their next of kin, and then the pyres set aflame on the ice.  While the flames are starting, the priestess says a prayed for the departed, and the smoke from the flames vanishes, though the light will still be a beacon for miles around.

Most of the men don't seem too broken up by the losses, as few as they were.

[Dracos]

Dracos waits until all prayers are finished, and then a little while more, but then sends out the order to get moving to the north east, wanting to put several hours of marching between them and that spot.

Dracos

[Brian]

Your forces gear up to move, the worst of the wounded riding with the supply wagons.  Just before you're about to set out, however, Erik reports that some of Nathan's forces have returned from the south.

They're almost all badly wounded.

[Dracos]

Dracos promptly sends for the priestess to help out and looks for either Nathan or someone to tell him what happened.

Dracos

[Brian]

No sign of Nathan.  When you question one of the less wounded, he explains that Nathan headed east, laying a false trail behind him to mislead any pursuit.

The priestess is able to get about half of the thirty-some people back into fighting condition, and the rest into walking wounded.

[Dracos]

Dracos hums, takes in the condition of the men and just shakes his head, moving on to more important things.  "Let's get a move on.  We have more dreadmarch to kill."

Dracos

[Brian]

You head north-east for a few hours.  Even though you essentially walked through your enemy, your forces are tired, and would like some rest.  Once you're a couple kilometers from the supply route, some of the men begin making noises about making a camp for a while.

At about this point you notice that the moon is close to setting.

[Dracos]

Dracos, as per his plans, sets up camp, asking for a some volunteers who are feeling energetic to handle the guard watch, if he gets enough, he tells the scouts to get some rest.  Once everything is set in motion, he goes to make a circuit of the camp, seeing how the men are faring, being comraderly, and generally trying to keep spirits and morale high.

Dracos

[Brian]

People are pretty happy, all things considered.  The complete route of the dreadmarch forces earlier doesn't leave them with a lot to fear.  When they hear that Nathan's forces of 100 men took on a force of 250, and still won, losing only half of their number, they're even happier.

A rumor is circulating the camp that Nathan is wielding the ancient ancestral blade of his ancestors, too, and with it, he could sunder and foe of the dreadmarch that opposes him.  A few Eagle-clan scouts whisper that he's going to take on the dreadmarch single-handedly.

Other than that, all seems well, if many of the men are drowsy after all the marching, and the battle.

[Dracos]

Dracos smiled as he returned to his tent after eating with the men and gets to getting some sleep himself.

Dracos

[Brian]

You wake up some time later, when Liandral wakes you up.  "Erik is here," he says.  "Most of the men are waking up now, too."  The moon is gone from the sky.

[Dracos]

Dracos shakes his head, smacking himself a bit to quickly get up, and get on his feet and presentable.  As soon as he does so he, ignoring the possible odd looks from Liandril, he steps out, glancing for Erik.  "Greetings Sir Erik.  I take it there is news?"

Dracos