There were about half of us left, of the Guard. We were on our way toward Kingsfell, Peake, Hodge, and Gatson were the landowners of prominence there. We were all tired, beaten. I looked behind me, eyeing the men over for a moment, some of the townsmen held axes clutched in there hands, angry, yet disheartened at the loss of Stoneheight. "Captain, rider." said one of the guard. I looked up to watch the approaching rider, whose head kept whipping from side to side, as if to watch for orcs. He stopped before us though, "Nathan Hodge, sir. Me, William, and Gatson, we've rounded up the local lads, huntsmen, trappers, to defend the farms of Kingsfell. Harvest is at hand, and Trestlebridge is out of reach, due to the orc scum." he paused as he eyed them, "We saw the fire. It was the sound of a fight that stopped us." he said, rubbing his neck. We were silent, sullen as we looked at him. I had intended to round up Gatson and the others to take to Trestlebridge, not to stay at the farm. I shook my head as I started to walk on again, "Tell Gatson to ready a meal for our folk, we'll be there in half an hour." I told him wearily. The sun had started to rise, and my sword was still slick with black blood of Orc. Thomas limped beside me, though I slowed my pace so that he won't strain himself. I looked at him, "You alright?" I asked, pulling his arm around my shoulder, so that he'd lean his weight upon me, "Was struck in the leg." he said simply, sweat beading on his brow. I kept quiet for the rest of the way.
As we made way to Gatsons farm, we were greeted by his mustered force. Near a hundred farmers, trappers, huntsmen, lumbermen, that banded together for security. And now my near two hundreds coming for the same purpose. Gatson's eyes looked this way and that, his own sword in hand, "So it's true?" he asked, biting his lower lip nervously, though his brow creased with a sort of anger, I didn't answer him, as it was self evident, "Damn..Damn!" he cried out, letting loose a long breath, shaking his head as he thought about what to do next, "Did you make meals ready?" I asked, approaching him slowly, digging the tip of my sword into the dirt. "We have lost our home, family, friends. What food you have to spare, we will enjoy." I paused, raising my sword to lean the flat against my shoulder, as I walked toward the house, to stand upon the porch. The sun rose above the hills, to beat down upon their backs, "I will not lie to you. An army of orcs roam around our fields, and hills. An army. We of the Greenway Guard are sworn to defend you, however we are hard pressed, and few in number. Too few to make a difference. So I shall add you all, to our ranks. From here on, you are not farmers. You are not hunters. You are Guards of the Greenway, sworn to defend the North." I said loud, raising my sword, "I will fight for your lives. Will you do the same?" I asked them, the fellow guard raised their weapons, and shields, to beat steady against it, the townsfolk raised their arms to cry in agreement, it was the few of Gatsons folk that didn't cheer with the rest. As the crowd settled, I breathed in deeply, "I know I ask much. But we must stand and fight together, only then, can we safeguard these farms. Only together, we can defend the North. I will try to break word with those from Trestlebridge, see how things stand with them..But we can not count much upon them. Hunters! Divide yourselves into two squads. Six of my men will join each of you, and you shall patrol the perimeters. A score of my guardsmen will patrol along the Farm, and the rest of you will be trained with what weapons you have. We must be ready for the battles to come.."
