NIGHT / LORNSETTLE, MEAD-HALL OF FORLAW
Saexwyrd exchanged a few words with his fellow guards before stepping inside the Mead-hall. As eyes fell on him and gossip started, his discomfort grew and it took effort to walk holding his head high after being so humbled by the Reeve's verdict. Still he walked the way to appear in front of Gyric as requested.
Yrminas entered the hallway, letting out a brief sigh as the heat of the place slapped him around the cheeks. Some wetness dropped out of his beard by the time he was reaching the one summoning him.
Gyric stood tall near his lord reeve, trading a few words with him. Words content of which would seem serious to those beholding the two high office men. The man bowed his head firmly, before he turned to meet the gazes of the approaching figures. Years have not robbed him of his good looks, though they did not make him much more knowledgeable either.
Saexwyrd bowed his head, both to his lord and Reeve and his Captain. Stiffly he spoke. "You asked for me. I am here!"
Yrminas bobbed his head politely, "As am I."
Gyric narrowed his eyes as he descended from his lord's dais, he stopped only briefly to greet with a nod the two men who were summoned by his request. ''Aye, I can see that.'' he paused, drawing in a breath and keeping his stoic-self, the two men would find it difficult to guess the nature of the orders he would give from his expression.
Saexwyrd glanced briefly at the Reeve's side, where he used to stand. His head lowered as he felt a pang of shame. He soon turned back to Gyric though to concentrate at the task at hand.
Yrminas placed his fingers upon his belt and merely awaited for the reason of him been sent here to be spoken. Only once did his fingers reached for his beard, which he squeezed some melted frostiness out of.
Gyric would speak at long last, his words feeding the men's enthusiasm ''I've had a word with my lord reeve, and it's decided.'' the weathered commander's eyes glistened ''As the situation at hand remains ill as this from the reports of our scouts... 'tis merely but a matter of time that orcs might manage to mount up a strong attack, probably with weapons and equipment acquired by their working supply routes. Things they plundered from the abandoned frontier villages and near, ceorl caravans to the southwest.'' the commander paused.
Yrminas nodded, acknowledging his agreement with that statement.
Saexwyrd nodded at the words spoken, though he flexed his fingers as he slowly grew impatient.
The tall commander let his eyes swing to meet Yrminas' gaze, ''You were one of the men who rode far north to explore the situation there, and your reports to us were of high importance for this war council.'' he gave a short, approving nod over towards him, ''But I must ask you to pledge your service once again to Forlaw, and accompany our host of men to ride north. Our patrols missing the security of the terrains was no longer what it used to be.''
Yrminas narrowed his eyes as Gyric spoke, the man nodded once more and then replied thus, "I made no pledge to Forlaw, for I am beheld by other oaths and shan't be coerced into swearing fealties I can not offer, however aid in this matter of Balewood I can and shall. What is it exactly that is required of me?"
Saexwyrd shifted his weight to his other leg, his eyes briefly scanned the hall searchingly.
Gyric managed to give a weak smile, firming his jaw and he narrowed his eyes gleaming in full certanity with the love of the country and his lord, allowing a glimpse into sharp blue eyes emphasized by high cheekbones. ''We shall soon ride out to ambush their main supply area, and only but a few party of men, including you, had grasped the chance of nearing their territory...'' Gyric continued uttering his words in grim determination, speaking in a quick and hardened fashion ''Thus I'll need men like you, who are at least familiar with the ground we'll fight. My lord reeve spoke well of you, and convinced me to have you in this task...'' he grunted as he scanned the ground ''Albeit, regardless to say I don't so lightly take un-oathed men to my patrols... But it appears you're oathed to the land you walk upon. And so be it.'
Yrminas said, 'So you intend to take me along to wage battle on the orcs and wargs holding up there? Is this also why Saexwyrd has come?'
Saexwyrd purses his thick lip, he looked towards Yrminas, with some enmity in his gazed fueled by a sting of jealousy.
Gyric let his gaze drop for a moment, tilting his head with the gravity of a point already known ''Rightly guessed, Yrminas...'' he turned his gaze upon young Saexwyrd ''My lord demands your presence too, Saexwyrd. And he told me of your enthusiasm for it, which is grand.'' a straw-hued brow was lifted. ''Alas... since you've no experience in battle, nor have you spent much time out of safe walls lately and slept by your horse, you need a mentor and friend. My instincts are telling me that Yrminas would be a fitting choice for it.'' -- ''If ye both agree upon it, of course.'
Yrminas casted his eyes on Saexwyrd, "I believe his sister can provide him the necessities to outlast the weather. However, if battle is to be waged, is there no kinsman closer to his household that can be chosen? I do however not mind the task by itself."
Saexwyrd's face turned red with anger, he opened his big mouth to speak, though in the presence of the Reeve he managed to shut it right back before blurting out any obscenities. ''I won't blow my chance to ride outside the walls just to point out how wrong you are. So be it, if the Reeve commands it.''
Gyric's brows were furrowed faintly at their look ''I myself do not prefer placing related ones close in battle. Heavy emotions oft lead to choices of failure, 'tis what I've seen in my long winters as a commander.'' he nodded at his own words as if repeating them in a soft whisper between his lips. ''Anyway, since now 'tis settled...''
Yrminas's eyes slid from left to right, but didn't speak the thoughts that rose in his mind on that topic, it was no time to batter wisdoms at one another.
Gyric straightened some as he stood, an armoured hand subconsciously resting on his old sword's hilt, as if finding some warmth by it. As they took their time, the high-arched wooden gates of the Mead-hall were opened once more, a few armoured men approaching them, from their look, it could be safe to think they were of high office too. Ceorgast, known in times the chief guard of Dunfast, a tall, seasoned warrior, fierceness of whom matching the nature of the kin. The Eorling greeted his commander in a curt manner before wandering his good gaze about the faces. He'd appear content to listen.
Saexwyrd exchanged a nod of greeting with the man, one respectful of the man's years.
“Men …,” Gyric called out to re-establish everyone’s focus “… we have a duty to fulfill to our landsmen, villagers in need, who have lost their homes.” -- ''Thus here's my word, we ride out in two days with half an éored, consisting of three companies, mainly armed by light horsemen and archers equipped with the best arrows.'''
Yrminas said, 'Horsemen?' his eyes widened with alarm and he gave a glance to these new arrivals, being glad that they could hear his next chosen words, "There forest conspires against our people's tactics for the meadows. Many a rider will be thrown from the saddle by thick branches, horses will trip over spiraling roots. Nay, it must be a battle on foot if we are to succeed. And one of stealth!"
Gyric caught a glimpse from Yrminas, shaking his head and smiling ironically as if he had expected this all along ''Aye! For that, we will leave them in the safest spot, with men caring after them. The abandoned hut near the northern stretches would suit for such a place methinks. Despite the reports of our scouts, we remain uncertain of the greatness of the enemy presence in the woods. So, incase our plans fail, we shall least have a safe way of passage to return.'' he grunted some as his words sank, feeling the sign of thirst in his lips, he waved an armoured hand to the passing mead-server, calling her over to take a horn of mead, soon his lips would meet the kin's famous drink, taking several long drafts from it.
Yrminas said, 'I see.'
'We cannot risk anymore, see? We've lost too much already.'
Saexwyrd asked, 'What's our task? Clear the woods?'
Yrminas said, 'I agree that the most spry and swift should take on this battle-task. Let the seasoned veterans remain here and await the outcome, deciding the fate of Forlaw yet depending on battle's outcome.'
Gyric nodded at Yrminas in agreement, turning only to spare a short glance at Saexwyrd ''To destroy their supply area, kill as many of the foul creatures as best we may, by the Hunter's will.'' the weathered man's thoughts turned to Béma as the time went on, faintly lifting up the horn in his hand before he took another goodly gulp ''If we're succeed, we may strike with a greater force, but let the good fate decide for that part.'' he breathed, pursing his lips.
Saexwyrd said, 'So we need to find that one first I gather? The supply area? Or we know where that is already?' He glanced curiously towards Yrminas.
The commander wouldn't add the words of his own, rather he chose to glance at Yrminas, mayhap to measure his knowledge of the territory.
Yrminas spoke, 'I have come to the understanding that the single road running through the woods ends at a crossroads that goes east and west, at this very place they have barred the route from which we must come that hinders traffic, however nothing that'll prepare men clinging to the bark and bushes. Weapons, numbers and wood are predominantly the stock they transport there. To cut that off, is to cut off their supplies from what I have garnered with my eyes. Heavily patrolled this road is though, it'll take craft with the bow and silence to prevent the alarm being raised.'
Saexwyrd said, 'You mean to hold the crossroads?'
Yrminas said, '.. Somewhat further lies a logging area by the orcs, that reaches further to the ruined fortress. Beyond that, I dare not say what would await us, nor what would lay west.'
Saexwyrd asked, 'So... what's the plan then we reach the crossroad, clear it then what?'
Yrminas says, 'Perhaps it shall depends on the early success. It will no doubt be to our advantage if we can take them by surprise at the crossroads, what comes after must be decided by merit of those lasting through the strife..'Saexwyrd says, 'We need to keep an eye on the Fort, we do not know how many are in there or if the old road is cleared by now.'
Gyric listened in firmly mustered attention, eyes glowing in something akin to approval, then he turned to Saexwyrd ''After the ambush, we mean to take what we can of the supplies and destroy the rest. This defeat would give a devastating blow on the orcs' heavy presence in the territory. This will buy us enough time to strenghten our formed outposts there. For now the fort is not our concern, but yes, we shall keep an eye on incase of an unexpected ambush that we would not welcome.''
Saexwyrd said, 'Oi Captain we need to find the supplies to destroy them. Are we meant to wait for their carts to pass by? Find them on the road?'
Gyric would soon furrow his brows, feeling weary of answering the unceasing questions thrown by the lad. ''The hour grows late... and there are still many things that I need to see to. Battle awaits. Till then, keep yourselves occupied and be ready when the hour comes. I shall take my leave now. Ye may throw your questions to your new comrade, eh.''
Saexwyrd bowed his head firmly at the captain and looked at Yrminas grudgingly. "Are we dismissed?"
The hardened Eorling would soon edge himself from the group, patting a heavy hand upon Ceorgast's shoulder as he strode forth, soon to leave the great hall.
