COASTLINE INVASION
OF YESTERYEAR
Torynth stood to meet the woodsman
Aramil seemed concerned about the group splitting prematurely " Good fellows of Airrdale, maybe we can accomplish both tasks. Could we track the horde awhile, then break for Airrdale?"
The monk finished laying the items out in front of everyone: a pair of polearms, a newer suit of studded leather, a kite shield and a suit of chain armor.
Oktavianus studied the chain mail intently and the bard surveyed the shield.
Torynth pondered the half-orc's offer " We'll decide what to do as a group when we have come to that point of mandatory separation."
11 PM: With no dispute, the monk placed the equipment alongside the gravesites and the partnership fell asleep underneath the cool, night stars. Nerendil provided first watch.
MYCRAN 6 ~ 8 AM: A full sleep rejuvenated the group's deprivity though aches and pains from yesterday's battle were still felt to the bone. As the dozen ate breakfast, Torynth asked Gailwind
Gailwind showed everyone a colored drawing from his compendium of the infamous pirate captain Crimson Crist. The drawing depicted him standing evilly at the stern while devilish skeletons manned the cannons. Boats of Zegithir sunk all around as lead balls plowed through the water.
4 PM: The travelers departed the brook and headed south skirting along the Nalmiar forest. They now left the open areas as the sun descended slowly across the sky. The fellowship found that the Downs now pressed upon them on their left
and a maintained road met them from out of the northeast.
" First, we must decide what to do with the equipment we found."
Teflar monitored the scouts while the monk laid the items fetched from the cavern in a neat configuration around the fire.
The orc-man nodded " We can follow the forestline until we hit the main road. Raven clan is more than welcome in our village. As we mentioned before, you need a refuge before going off onto a mission that is surely to fail without proper planning. Our Magistrate would wish to hear your king-given travels in the region. It would enlighten us all and give yourselves a chance to replenish."
Torynth pointed to the weapons " The reach of the polearms can come in handy for those able to wield them. If none can use these items, I will leave them to mark the graves."
Noone, save Hebron, seemed too concerned about claiming the dressings of the dead warriors.
" I noticed you read a book last night. What was it?"
The lorist grinned slightly and raised his brow " I was reflecting on the old policies of Bethlun and their skirmishes with the Violet Sea Pirates. These 'savages', from lands beyond, bombarded our southern coastline principalities from enormous ships. Almost two centuries ago {å2¥267}, many battles were fought off the shores of Zegithir to keep these barbarians at bay. Many prime fishing villages were ravaged once these ships outgunned our thinned marine defense. Relich, our main port, was seized by the bloodthirsty bastards in two days. King Dargarein sent his war cavalry across the Aerelyn Fields to claim our territory back but, lo and behold, found that the pirates were crossing the slender grasses midway toward them!!! The barbarians had apparently meant to attack our Kingdom, but horribly underestimated Bethlun's power. The savages were slaughtered on the fields within three hours and our coastal ports were slowly retaken in the next week. These sea marauders retreated back to the safety of the warm ocean, but kept waging a last massive attack from the strength of their ships. For ten days our cities were pounded, but we held strong. The raiders then sailed away never to return again in full force. To this day, an occasional attack might take place, but only minor incidents these are to us."
" He was a vicious giant among men who took pleasure in decapitating his victims. Skulls decorated his bloodstained shipmasts and the sight of his galleon meant the end of your life for noone could outrun him.
His jagged scimitar was the size of a young sapling and he took pleasure at debreasting women as well."
Gailwind winked at the monk " Lucky the starpoint never made it south to the sea, huh?" He chuckled, closed his book, and started packing his gear.
Iron Raven snorted " We are but hours away now. We will have to travel a few hours in darkness if we are to make Airrdale, but the road should provide great guidance."
He then glared at the Nalmiar forest as it opened out to them in a wide hollow.
" Most of them went in that way." He pointed to the trampled brush " I suggest those who wish to hunt them should do so now; otherwise follow me."