Habuk rode on with aches in his heart. They were only two days from the last village and a warband of easterlings was on it's path to it's wall. Who could know how many were already sent to the eternal hunting fields? Now it was with urgency that they whipped themselves to greater speed to the surrounding communities. It was one thing to talk of war, but quite another to actually see it's effects and the enemy itself. More would join of the hated foe, more than any of them would ever have seen! The sky darkened just as his thoughts, a sign that the great Darkness came to Rhovanion. A war like in the old legends, the idea made him afraid and excited in equal measure! It shall be a terrible turning of the seasons and perhaps many more that would follow. Still! What a time to live! With thoughts of all that fame to be gathered energy flowed through his weary limbs again, it caught on to his steed and his men and their own noble ponies! He barked out something at them and with a thundering pace they vanished over the many hills.
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Brotha marched in the column, his deep hollow eyes looked with fear upon the meadows and hills with tall grass, not in the least the brooding forest to the south, which always made him look back. He thought of his wife and child at home and sighed. "This land.. it brings fear and an unnatural cold friend!" Next to him marched Ack, a friend from his youth. he was a small humble figure, just like he, dragged from his home. "Don't talk of it, coin and slaves.. Hmpf! Only for the leaders and their buddies! I say that we must escape before it costs us our heads. I will not fall for these rich slavedrivers." It was rather obvious in the land, a good four hundred men. All laden with thoughts of home and the first things they found to bring for weapons. Some had bows and others knives, but the most of them only had what they could find along the way,they held but thick branches and stones in their purple or blue hands, for they were not prepared at all to come to these freezing lands so unlike their own. There were some warriors from the strongholds in the wastelands aswell, they had curved swords and halberds with them. Also strong cuirasses of leather or some even iron plates that overlapped one another. There were also a few dozen orcs , filthy and vile creatures. More than enough to encourage the slowest walkers to move faster with their whips when they felt like it and sometimes when they didn't too. A necessary evil according to the leaders. Brotha sighed once more and thought back of his bed, his small garden, his hut.. while in the back the cracking of whips sounded and a man cried out!
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The dying cries of an easterling!! Riding as they go! So would Tunaraz and his warriors chase the hated foe out before them! With hews of heavy axes and the forward stabbing of light spears they scattered a warband of easterlings that they had taken off guard! Many still fought back, but it did not matter, soon all were trampled and laid low or on the run! The men cheered themselves hoarse, with weapons held up to the sky! "Come my kin-folk! Our brethren still fight for their lives on the wall!" And so it was, hundreds of brigands tried to gain a foothold on the walls brought up with earth and wood, with ladders and grappling hooks! The defenders fought with bitter resistance, both men and women and even some children! Chopping through ropes and pushing or pulling in the ladders! Many an arrow and javelin came down and brought any unlucky men along with them, pinning them to the earth. A long row of warriors with cruel weapons and eager eyes was waiting under cover of shields, ready to get the call and give the final push to swarm over the defences like locusts in a field. Tunaraz' eyes widened with some surprise at seeing these eastern raiders attempt to take a walled village. It was uncommon at best, but it mattered not, "Chaaaaarrrrge!!" The horses slowly paced forward building up their speed so he and his men were brought within range for a final blow to the tight lines of men that had yet to take notice of the threat from behind! Without fear the small, sturdy ponies swiftly raced forward! Some easterlings looked around when they felt the earth rumble beneath their feet and many already began to break at seeing to oncoming tide of fighters! Fierce warlords stepped forth to command their men to redress their ranks! Cursing horribly at those that didn't listen and pulling and shoving them in place! Too late! With teeth-shattering force Tunaraz' men impacted straight through the lines like many knives going through a bar of butter! A hooded man's skull got cloven in half by an axe! A few of the ponies tripped and men were hurled from the saddle! Many easterlings completely broke ranks and many trampled one another as they tried to save themselves! Most did not get far! "On your feet!", Tunaraz yelled and many did as ordered, in the chaos they hopped from their steeds into the mass of fallen easterlings to hew and stab at any that may yet draw breathe! Perhaps foolish, but luck was with them nonetheless! The enemy panicked, ignoring the pitiful commands of the few remaining leaders. "To us the glory of the battle!", Ulfrid yelled with a bloodied sword held high! "To us!", a chorus of voices crowed! They went after whomever they could!
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All was looking good. Brotha laughed and Ack laughed along, "Just a little while and we're over the wall!" A javelin punctured straight through Ack's shield and both sobered immediately! They watched eachother with fear and those around them were no less tense than they. Eight more men and they would have to go up the ladder! "Much luck friend!" "I shall wait at the gate if we get separated!" .. Seven, six! .. "Don't forget to take a trophy with you for home! Those rich types won't keep a thing for us!" Five, four.. Brotha looked up and a man fell from the ladder, still turning and howling with pain on the ground. Three.. "Behind us!", a voice yelled! Fright evident due the danger that came at full throttle in their direction! Just seeing the frenzied riders approach let many waver , "What do we do?!" A warlord called out, "Turn about! Quick!!" A moment of doubt, then everything turned into a nightmare of carnage! With strange cries of man and horse many were swept off their feet by the rush , sent from this life before they had time to realise it, the line broke! Brotha and Ack felt their hearts hammer in their dry aching throats! "Quick, follow them, or we're lost!" Without thinking of loyalty they ran to wherever there may be a place of safety! "There goes our loot!", grumbled Ack inwardly despite his fear!
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The siege was broken this day. There was laughter as the few fresh riders chased after any an easterling that would yet have to vanish from sight! "We follow?", Ulfrid asked with a satisfied grin. "They will be met with the Beornings, the day is won and their fate is sealed.", Tunaraz answered.
The survivors did not celebrate with a feast. The eldest came forward and embraced Tunaraz, a man his own age. "Timely arrival cousin!", the man said. "Taranix, my joy knows no bounds to see you in good health yet!" They chuckled and pounded eachothers backs with their fists, "How is Bertra?" "Last season a fever took her, but she lives on in our hearts , mine and my daughters." "Hrm, I shall hold her name in mine aswell friend and may she not wait too long on the elders of these days!" Taranix smiled, "She shall have to wait a while longer for me though, atleast not before my tasks in this life have been fulfilled!" Wartalk followed in the hall, filled with the remaining capable fighters. "Maybe hundred and twenty of mine and perhaps sixty and seven of yours?" "It does not look well cousin, I would not dare call up more from my hall!" They frowned while the silence lengthened. "Habuk, has he been here?" "Yes, but his words did not move me to action, my concern lies with this village, nothing else!" "Friend do not be an old badger that wants to sit in his hole during winter to grow fat. Has today not proven that it is to no avail?" "Perhaps, you will go to the muster then?" "Yes! With mine and yours if you would come!" Taranix drank from his ale. "And those who remain behind? Our houses, our cattle?" " Bring what you can to my hall. Rebuild your houses when you return to see them to ashes, before they turn into the tombs of your people!" The evening turned to night and the next morning Tunaraz rode out with his riders that could. Going to the other villages to see how they fared!
