As silent as possible for a large army, the Marauders make their way towards Verminasia. Suddenly a mage reports to Archemetes. "Sir, we have detected a presence of two battalions just east of us." Just as he finished saying these words, a horde of arrows begin their decent upon his forces.

Archemetes swiftly orders a halt and places his men in defensive postures. Other orders are given out and a couple of battalions move. However, the arrows stop as swiftly as they had begun. The first battalion returns and its commander reports, "Sir, the forces east have fired their volley and fled. We were to late to stop them. It is obvious however, that they know we are coming." Archemetes mulls this over a bit, then, his mind made up, places new orders. This wasn't going to be as simple as he had hoped.