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Post by Airkshil on Aug 13, 2007 16:44:19 GMT -5
"Tomorrow morning." Hiranna concurred, nodding. Dawn seemed as good of a time as any to set out.
Even if it was only going to be a day-long journey, Hiranna began to think of it as an adventure. Setting out with only a few people to accomplish a task seemed so much different than being in an army. She was just letting her thoughts get away from her, though. Her last 'adventure' had turned out so sourly she thought she'd lost all taste for them.
"Is that all then?"
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Post by lighthawk on Aug 13, 2007 16:49:44 GMT -5
" Yes...unless you have anything you feel needs to be discussed before we leave," Konar said, going back to his map and tracing his finger between the town, and the city of the new lord.
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Post by Airkshil on Aug 13, 2007 17:20:39 GMT -5
Recognizing the clear dismissal, Hiranna gave a curt "no" and quickly moved out the door of the hall.
She went directly back to her room at one of the inns that the soldiers and mages were staying at. It was a bit earlier than she usually went to bed, but she knew that if she got involved in something, she probably wouldn't get to bed at all. She could almost hear her deceased master reprimanding her for the times when she had stayed up too late, People die from too little sleep, you know! So, after gathering the few things she would need for the trip, she retired to bed early.
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Post by lighthawk on Aug 13, 2007 17:30:20 GMT -5
Konar spent the next few hours working out who and what he wanted to take the following day. They would be traveling light and on the best horses they had. He wanted to be able to leave quickly if things went bad. He considered turning in for the night, but there was too much to take care of if he was going to be gone, even for a day or two. It was going to be a long night.
(Whenever you're ready for the next day shaio, let us know.)
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Post by shaio on Aug 13, 2007 22:52:55 GMT -5
Isferg was in a foul mood when he returned that night. All but two of the towns he'd visited had been outwardly hostile, and those that weren't had wasted hours of his time in fruitless discussion.
It didn't seem that complex to Isferg. If they accepted his protection, and laws, he would fund, train, and arm a militia from the towns populace for the express purpose of defending said town.
Isferg sighed, he guessed there would be many to afraid to try and defend themselves against the warlords, or simply to mistrusting to accept his help. It didn't much matter to him, many people came to the land he'd declared under his protection, and there would be many many more once his plan was realized.
Another sigh, and Isferg began stripping off his armor. It was nearly morning, but even he needed sleep.
(Quite ready)
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Post by lighthawk on Aug 14, 2007 8:20:50 GMT -5
Konar was up before dawn, despite only having taken to his bed just after midnight. The horses and troops he had ordered ready were waiting when he arrived at the town's front gate. Five scouts, twenty of his infantry who had training on fighting mounted, and his five strongest mages. It was a force that was much stronger than it looked thanks to the spell casters, but not too threatening.
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Post by Airkshil on Aug 14, 2007 12:26:26 GMT -5
Waking with the sun, Hiranna spent no time lounging around, as was the typical desire in the morning. She knew that Konar would be wanting to leave as quickly as possible.
It was with that thought that Hiranna arrived at the front gate of the town. She was greeted by a fairly impressive escort, especially for an army so small. Even so, picking Konar out from among them was no difficult task. Without even a proper salutation she asked, "Are you ready?"
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Post by lighthawk on Aug 14, 2007 12:42:26 GMT -5
" Almost," Konar answered, personally checking the saddle and gear of his horse. He was a firm believer that the only person one could truly trust was themself. " I sent the water skins to be refilled. The water had been in the skins too long and wasn't fresh." He straightened up from the horse, satisfied. " Are you ready?"
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Post by Airkshil on Aug 14, 2007 12:59:06 GMT -5
"Of course." Hiranna replied in a sure voice. She gave Snowhare a quick scratch behind the ear before mounting. The white mare had been her friend since she was a filly. She looked back to Konar. "Is fresh water so important to you?"
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Post by lighthawk on Aug 14, 2007 13:19:51 GMT -5
" I had my fill of stale, muddy, even dirty water when I was younger," Konar said, climbing up onto his horse. " If I can get fresh, I'll take it." Even as they spoke of it, several men came walking up the street, full skins of water drapped over their shoulders. The water was quickly passed out, and all final preperations made. " Move out," Konar only raised his voice slightly, but his words were firm with command and everyone heard him. The town gates rolled open, and the group headed out onto the road, the scouts already darting ahead. The mounted soldiers fell into a circle ringing the mages, alrert and ready even just outside the town. Konar set them to a quick but not quite pressing pace. They could make it to the city in about five hours at that rate, which would allow them time to return in daylight if they needed to.
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Post by Airkshil on Aug 14, 2007 14:27:48 GMT -5
It felt good to ride again. It didn't even matter that they weren't going the fastest, just feeling the wind run through her hair was enough for Hiranna. No matter how long they rode, it would not be long enough for her.
Despite her euphoria, Hiranna couldn't help but remember there was a purpose for what she was doing. It was the least bit hard to forget when you where surrounded by a good number of soldiers who seemed to be ready for a fight.
After riding in silence for a while, Hiranna struck up a conversation with Konar. "Have you given any thought to what you're going to say to this man?"
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Post by lighthawk on Aug 14, 2007 14:37:58 GMT -5
" A bit," Konar replied, not about to admitt he'd been up half the night thinking and planning for every possiblity that came to mind. " So much depends on what kind of man he is, and how big of a force he has under his command. I prefer a direct approach, but if he has any 'noble blood'," he sneered as he said the last words with contempt. " Then he will need careful pampering and ego stroking. Nobles are so easy to upset..."
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Post by shaio on Aug 14, 2007 16:29:50 GMT -5
Isferg was back awake only an hour after he feel asleep, wasting no time in beginning the training regime of his troops. Thus as the sun rose his troops were lined up before him, awaiting orders.
Isferg waited, and watched his men, as they strapped weights to there weapons, and filled there backpacks with rocks. It was an utterly exhausting method of training, but he'd long ago proven its worth to his troops.
That, and there were few infantry men who were unwilling to do as there commander did. Isferg, in full armor also had one of these packs on.
Infact the only troops in his force who weren't subjected to this were his cavalry. In a field to the east they rode in circles, firing off arrows into targets while riding at a gallop.
"Comon, if we get this hike done by mid-day ill give you tomorrow off." There were a great deal of smiles, and a few cheers at this announcement. With but one wave of his hand his men moved out, beginning a rather fast jog right behind Isferg. "SKIMERISHERS up front, form scouting screen." the men ran past the rest, easily the fittest and fastest of his troops, and quickly disappeared off into the distance.
It simply wouldn't do to be surprised by an enemy while training.
(ooc. hah... you guys do all your posting like an hour before i wake up. )
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Post by Airkshil on Aug 14, 2007 16:37:31 GMT -5
Hiranna wasn't sure how to break it to Konar that she had been of the 'noble blood' he seemed to despise so much. It was true that she had been quick to give that up for different kind of life, but still. . .
Instead of making a point about it, she replied, "Just don't overdo it. Some nobles can turn frivilous words into promises you didn't mean."
(ooc: O.o it's about noon here when I start posting)
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Post by lighthawk on Aug 14, 2007 16:45:59 GMT -5
Konar nodded with a slight grunt of understanding, but offered up nothing more on the subject.
The sun was starting to cross it's highest arc when the scouts started coming back. They were close to the city, less than an hour away. What was more, one of the scouts had seen scouts from the city roaming about. He was certain that they had been seen too, something that did not bring a happy look to Konar's face.
" Well, at least we won't surprise them into aggression, but I'd rather not have given them this much time to prepare for us," he growled, but seeing as there was nothing to be done about it, he sent the scouts back out, this time to keep on the lookout for an ambush.
(Heh, I get started around 8, but that's cause I have internet access at work)
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