Elenzar looks quizzically back, "Castle of Cornerstone?"
"The castle's name is Cornerstone. It got in disrepair and disuse about 80 years ago."
Ervirel replies as he sees the puzzled look on Elenzar's face.
Elenzar looks to the elf, "Could it be made useful in this conflict or is it too far gone?"
@The Jousting Arena
Travis also falls out of his saddle, his lance slips out of his hand but still was right on track, one ring managed to stick on the end of the lance.
"Ouch, that one hurt." Travis says as his horse comes trotting back and whinnies at him.
"You ok back there Forfax?" He asks.
"If I fall again, I might retire with horseriding for today. I got enough bruises already."
@The Library.
"I don't know Elenzar, the Erathians never seemed interested in fixing it up, neither Heartham or the military thought it would be worth their while. Perhaps Krewlod would think so too." He humss a slight tune, very harmonious and magical sounding, though Elenzar doesn't recognize it, it feels familiar.
"Cornerstone could be a safe haven until found out, though to fix it you'd need guards and craftsmen. It's about 35 to 40 miles north by north-west of here if memory serves me."
@The Jousting Arena
Travis manages to stay in the saddle longer than you, but fails to hit any of the rings before faliing off of his horse as well.
Both tired and bruised, Travis and Forfax lead their horses back to the stable.
"Well that's enough for the day I suppose. I'll guess I'll see you tomorrow? I hope Nathan will be back at that time as well."
"Ervirel do we have any documents here on the castle? Cause I know where I can get some stone masons and a blacksmith."
After a long practise Taliesin will break for the day. He will head of and see how the old wizard and david were doing.
@The Library
"Documents? We have many documents in here, pertaining Cornerstone as well. I am not sure what you are after, documents we have, blueprints of the castle, probably no."
He walks with Elenzar back to his desk.
"Give me a few moments to collect the data we have about Cornerstone."
@Arvinth's Shop
Taliesin will find David and Arvinth practising protection spells and charms, even going so far as Arvinth trying to draw a sword on David, but it remains in his sheath.
Talisein will remain in a corner watching the lesson.
@The Library
After a few moments Ervirel comes back with a few scrolls and a book of records.
"Well now, in this book stands the watchtimes, the supplies and men stationed at Cornerstone as well as their ability to withstand sieges and such with an operable castle. It dates back about 150 years, so the last 70 years of Cornerstone are kept in here."
He slams the thick book on his desk, a large thump sound is heard throughout the library.
"Usually most castles don't have secret escape routes or tunnels out of it, simply because if the enemy knows about it, they can abuse it. However Cornerstone is mentioned to have a secret entrance and secret escape tunnel. Where it is located it's not mentioned, probably due to the things I previously mentioned."
He hands Elenzar the scroll and then another scroll.
"This last one details a small map of the grounds in the castle, you might find what the use of some of the old ruined buildings was."
He sits down at his desk again and looks at you with sharp eyes. "Heartham would not willingly abandon their town to try and build up a keep out in the wilderness. It is a large undertaking do you understand? It might not be so safe to go out so far from Erathian protection."
The next morning comes soon enough, a restful sleep following the hard working day of you all.
When you awake and go downstars there is a messenger awaiting your arrival. He hands a message scroll to the first of you five he recognises.
The message reads:
After the nightly attack on Heartham one night ago, it has become clear to me that we must act. As you have so valiantly rallied to our town's defenses I hope you will not deny my request for your assistance once more.
Our plans are simple: evict the goblins out of surrounding resources, starting with the wood supplies and the farms, retrieve any supplies they still possess and slay as many of them as you can. If you are up for this undertaking, please follow the messenger to the north-gate and we will meet again there, all plans will be made clear.
With high regards,
Ernest Midway, Lord of Heartham.
Taliesin is apparently the first one up and therefore will receive the message.
After reading it he will ask him to wait for a bit. He will head toward the kitchen and ask if a few sandwich on the go could be made for all those of Greenbrook.
He will then go to wake everyone and tell them to get ready for departure with armor and weapons ready.
He will head to his own room and retrieve his backpack then head downstairs to everyone to assemble.
Nathaniel was up when he heard some knocking on the door.
Taliesin said they were to get ready.
As he gets down he sees Taliesin standing, already set to head out.
"Good morning Taliesin."
He is handed the letter and reads it carefully.
Hmm, not surprising after recent events. Let's see what's up.
He folds the letter back and puts it into a pocket.
Elenzar eyes the volumes with a sense of overwhelming, he turns to regard the elf with mild amused frustratuion, like pulling a wool thread in the hope of cleanliness only to have the garment unravel. "So it is likely not a short term solution. You said we must act. Did you have a course of action in mind."
@The Library
"There are a few options people here could take, one of which I think Lord Midway will also have come up with.
That is to try to remove the goblins, stack up on resources and try to hold out until the Erathian military comes to help us."
"The others are either very risky or difficult to pull off.
Strike out at the main goblin army, search and destroy their leader or leaders so they are more quickly scattered. The last one is evacuate and join up with either Tidewater or the small garrison of Kildare to the east. The last two options are only a last resort as that would cost too many civilian lives."
"As for you Elenzar, I would at least try to memorize the exits out of Heartham and have an escape plan if things go sour."
Elenzar spends most of the rest of the afternoon and into the evening making a copy of the map and import design notes of the castle. He finds his room and holds his unfinished statue of the dragon mother. He lloks at expecting it to take shape on its own.
When he awakes he gets ready. He answers Tailesin's knock and readies his gear for travelling. After reading the message he joins the others at breakfast. "Are we to be the only outriders? I mean if we are to go on rangeing patrols we should know we are not doubling patrols or spreading too thin."
As you guys make your way to the north-gate you can see soldiers walking the same way as well. Eventually you see a large group of soldiers standing ready at the gates, with Lord Midway on a horse, apparently as their general.
As he sees you he waves you over.
"Welcome and good morning, I'm glad you all took up my invitation."
He extends an arm and gestures to the men before him.
"As you can see I have a lot of men at my command, but I have other plans for you. My men and I will search out and destroy the greater forces of goblins around the farms and the lumber mill, we need those resources back at our command. As we draw out the goblins main forces in those areas, we need you to drive away any remnants before our carts and drivers come in to gather the remaining resources and move back to Heartham."
Marek stands among the foot soldiers of Heartham along with the four Garrock men. "Me and the Garrocks had a word, we'd be fine to help you out if you want, but we'd rather stay with the main army and fight many goblins. Lemme know what you want."
Nathaniel looks at his comrades.
Talking to them;
"Well, I've no objection to the Garrocks staying with the main army. Maybe that way Forfax will continue his impalement streak.", *chuckles*,"The five of us should be enough i reckon."
should be if we don't have to fight more than a dozen of them agreed taliesin
Elenzar nods, "So were are securing areas after you fight through so salvage and repairs can be done. We should be able to do that. If the do not skirmish in force."
|
David will wake up, more refreshed then he had been in awhile. He will gather what few things he has, strap his new spell component pouch to his waist and head downstairs to grab a quick bite to eat before going to study some more at Arvinth's. He quickly learns that his plans are cut short after he reads the letter presented to him by Taliesin.
David heads back upstairs and gathers his crossbow and bolts. He then double checks his dagger in his boot for if things get too ugly. He heads back downstairs, nods at Taliesin and Nathaniel and sets out towards the rally point.
He quickly swallows a meal in the go, since his instincts say that the day will be long. When he sees the large army, thoughts bounced around his skull, We just repelled the goblin attack the other night. I didn't hear any alarms raised. Hmm, this is curious to say the least David wondered briefly.
So long as they don't bum rush us, I agree that it shouldn't be too difficult a task. Any clue on the number of goblins, even if it be a very rough count? Also, is there any way I could get a vial acid, one never knows when it may come in handy
Lord Midway hears David's question and turns his attention towards you five.
"We expect that there will be somewhere between 50 to 70 goblins around the farmsteads and closer to a hundred near the lumberyard. How many will stay behind I can't predict. I expect the goblins to not ignore a challenge, most of them love to fight and get reckless, so the stragglers should be quite easy for you."
Lord Midway points at 4 large wagons with 2 laborers on them each.
"Those drivers and loaders are willing villagers, please protect them while they load on supplies, they can fight, but they are no soldiers.
We will take a few minutes to gather outside, so get any supplies you might need now, take this as a thank you up front." he throws a small pouch of gold coins your way.
The bag contains 60 gold pieces.
"Alright men! Let's move out we'll show these goblins what Heartham is made of.!" A cheer erupts among the men and also with the militia standing guard at the north wall. They are eager to fight for their homes.
well i am all set and ready. So i'll just wait here with the wagons
Taliesin will go and find somewhere to sit while he waits...
As the five of you finished getting supplies and their horse, the Heartham soldiers moved outside the gates and lined up. When you get back they are all ready to go and the carts and drivers are waiting for you.
Lord Midway nods to you and calls out:
"Alright men we move to clear the farmsteads first, let's teach those goblins a lesson or two. This will be a long day, painted red with blood of these raiders. Stand fast, stand strong and keep your brethren in arms alive. Let's move!"
"Aye Sir." sounds across the lines before they are set in motion.
The troops of soldiers move as one and they move north.
One of the wagon drivers waves you over and says.
"Sir Midway said to us we should follow your directions. However he gave us a tip of advice: we should stay clear of the main fighting army and go around it. We don't want any extra attention given to us as we head to the farmsteads for the supplies."
He turns to a whisper
"Also I'd like to return home at the end of the day, not that I don't trust you of course, but we're not used to fighting see."
well then my if there is any fighting just bunch up together and go full defense. Don't try anything unless you feel its absolutely necessary.
Taliesin ponders for a few seconds
actually since none of us are really familiar with the area, the farms etc... how about you go where you guys feel is adequate and we will provide the protection?
Ellenzar pipes up, "Well we should get some food and water, torches and such. David any fun alchemy items you think we need." He finishes with a wink.
At the comment from the wagon driver, Nathaniel has a smile on his face.
"We weren't actually used to fighting within our community either. But we all know how you feel."
Elenzar comes back to the wagon train frowning. He is wearing more sturdy gear along with his new armor. He has a backpack slung over one shoulder. You can see he has little idea of how to pack and stow such gear but you also know that he had no pack or camping gear ever before. "I have 8 days of trail rations . . . and a few silver so if Forfax doesn't kill a dozen or so gobbers with that "Holy Goblin Bane Pitchfork of Smiting Doom" of his I will be a vagrant on our return." He looks about at his sturdy explorer's outfit, "Though I will look good for a few days."
i still haven't spent anything so don't worry Elenzar i have a few coin if you need
The wagon driver who spoke up guides you and the rest toward the west in a circumfering move around what would likely be the combat ground of this day.
He knows where the farmsteads are and points you to the least-traveled roads. In the distance you can see the dust cloud of the small marching army of Heartham.
As you move along and the day passes into the later afternoon, you have already heard and seen the signs of a battle being fought and finished. Crows and ravens flock towards a point in the distant east when you reach the first outlying farmstead.
On the way there you have seen signs of goblins, usually discarded broken equipment and abandoned campsites. At this farmstead it is clear the goblins have ransacked much, most of the buildings are demolished in some fashion, the windows are gone and there are just two buildings remaining: The barn and stable and the silo, the farmhouse itself was burnt to the ground.
"Look at the destruction here," the wagon driver murmurs, "It will take some time to rebuild this again."
You are about 60 feet away from the barn and 120 feet away from the silo.
The barn lies more to the north and the silo further to the east.
Elenzar clenches, "Do you hear it? A scraping sound like a whet stone. " Hi hand reaches for his blade.
Turning toward the wagon driver hold here please while we go investigate Taliesin will signal everyone to move toward the barn
"Would you look at the destruction they left in their wake. Though i see no goblins anywhere. Still, we should check out if there is at least something left to salvage."
"A horse and then some. Lets investigate that barn and the Silo."
As you approach the barn, the sound of the horse and scraping of metal becomes more clear. There is also a scuffling sound inside as though something or someone is moving on the ground.
There are also grunting sounds coming from inside.
Taliesin will rush inside weapon in hand and ready for "almost" anything.
Taliesin opens the barn door and rushes inside, only to startle himself and the three goblins that were inside. One goblin has his weapon in hand, a longsword of Erathian making. The other two have yet to draw their weapons.
The barn door is 15 ft wide and Taliesin stands in the middle of it, the two goblins are 35 feet away from everyone except Talisien, for him they are 30 feet away. The one brandishing his sword is 15 feet further away. No straight line to charge the one with the sword as of yet, the other goblins block the way.
Elenzar charges one of the closer goblins.
In his eagarness he misses.
Nathaniel draws his weapon while he heads for the nearest goblin.
Nathaniel hits the goblin, wounding it on his shoulder, but the goblin can keep fighting.
Elenzar charges and misses as the cut didn't have much power behind it to pierce the goblin's leather armour.
David fires his crossbow at the one at the back but aims too high to evade his comrades and misses the goblin.