(Gyric : Captain of the Forlaw forces, head of the footmen team (green V)
Ceorlghas: head of the archers (orange lines)
Radbald: head of the reserves, vanguard
Assigned team: Yrminas, Faerhild, Langhund, scouts and archers (purple)
Start position: crossroads (yellow triangle)
(The text needs editing, it is from our rp chatlogs, we will be continuing with the event on Sunday 19 Feb)
The barricade riddled around with the corpses of the small number of orcs stationed there is being abandoned as the boots of the Eorlings march eastwards into the thickly forested ravine. From ahead and behind two deep horns kept booming, east particularly a stampede could be heard, groans and angry howls of orcs mixed with the yips of lashed wargs!Shieldbrothers move onwards, squaring their shoulders for the battle to come. Their rank and file shaped as a reverse flight of swans seeking warmer climes.. The scouts sit back, their eyes preening to the west and in between are Ceorlghasts archers trailed by Frambald's few. Stealth had been forlorn, horns were held ready to be set to cracked licks if needed...
Gyric shouted his orders to his men, and his voice rose steady and confident as the day he took his oaths as a Rider. Unblinking he moved ahead, with determination engraved on his handsome face. Still his mind strayed for a moment to the man they convicted. Should they fail, would they have to face his fate too?
Langhund glanced about the woods, chewing on his lip nervously for what ever reason. He did feel safe amongst numbers, though this was his first time being amongst so many men for a battle. "It is my eyes that would give on me before my body, so it is a good thing that Wildehyse has the keen eyes of his father."
Faerhild carried a sword in her hand and a shield in the other, moving in the flow, her face lacking expression and her lips uttering no words. Solemn as ever.
The din of Orcish shouting grew thicker in the distance, there was no mistake to be made that they were in the coming in spite of the eastern horn no longer resounding. The one in the west however seemed to bellow it's depressing tune for some reason that couldn't be known.
Saexwyrd marched ahead. He spat on the side, as the once fresh air of the woods was now contaminated by the filth of the orcs. As his ire rose, he turned to his left, trying to spot the source of his only worry, his beloved sister. He frowned, the words of the Reeve at his trial ringing in his ears.
The youths that had been sent ahead came sprinting back with wide eyes. Trying to maintain their calm they hastened to Gyric, "Wargriders, half of the band that is coming this way is made up from them with some armored uruks at their head. They won't be long, the whip quickens their pace with each new crack." They looked startled and impressed by the assembly of Orcs.
To the best of Gyric possible attempts it seemed that the terrain on either side of the road was simply dense woodland with beyond ravines that couldn't be traversed. The only way was to go forwards or backwards, the clamour of the orcs indicated that they were nearly upon his men!
Gyric presented no sign of worry, his face wearing an unfailing mask of confidence. He shouted to his men to hold. "Shoot the beasts first!" He cried out and readied his own shield and sword. His horn sounded, to notify the assigned men to depart.
-Prepare for shieldwall!
Both files of the men in front layered their shields over eachother, spearpoints poking through them as they all howled the name of their commander in unison! Wary eyes fell on the road ahead ..
The small number ordered to separate found themselves a spot among the bushes and trees that would lend them a small vantage point.
Saexwyrd broke from the rest of the men, it took him a couple of moments to spot the men he was supposed to go with within the trees, he swiftly followed, stomping on whatever it was under his boots.
Yrminas let one of his knees dig into the snow as he addressed the others, his voice tempered and low beneath the ever increasing noise, "Do you both know how the recognize the leader of an Orcish horde?"
Faerhild stepped along the men, casting a brief glance at her bother, a flicker of warmth in her eyes, before they'd return into their duty.
Saexwyf replied with a brief nod, there was a taint of fear over his face, as he looked at her, but then he just took side by the rest.
Langhund said, 'The fattest and the one that smells the worse?'
Faerhild grinned somewhat.
Yrminas let the quip slide with his usual somewhat stoic demeanor, "As Wildehyse claims, look for the one well fed, well equipped and often bullying the others. If we can pick such off it'll cause disarray..however, do not show yourself or we'll be lost.
Gyric nodded at Ceorghast, to check if he was ready as well. He shouted "Get ready!
Faerhild strang her bow, picking an arrow ready, her thumb brushing lightly it's feathers as keen eyes stare into the direction of the Orcish sounds.
Ceorlghast simply fetched an arrow from his quiver, "Make your arrows follow mine, we'll cover the forest floor with them!"
The archers followed suit ready to unleash their volley when needed.
Langhund gripped onto one of his arrows, waiting as he nocked it slowly and took his time. He crouched down in the snow, one eye closing and his red hair were getting a dusting of white.
No mere moments passed when the Orcs finally made their appearance,crooked were their legs, but no sun was here to daze their minds! A blackmash of rusty iron and gnashing teeth came forward as a mob, but none stood out over the others.. "Cheer you maggots! Cheer!!", was being bellowed from behind their numbers."Shall we give them a volley Gyric?", Ceorlghast shouted.
Gyric lifted his hand at Ceorlghast to wait just a moment more until they were too close to change route. Then he raised his voice to counter that of the orcs. "Riders of Forlaw, avenge your captain! For Thrymm! " he shouted and by the time he was done, his words echoed in the forest repeated by the host of the men around him.
Faerhild lowered her knee softly against the snow, finding stillness in her stance before silently lifting her bow, and nocking the arrow. Her one eye closed as she carefully aimed for the one that runs in the head of the group, closing her Kinsmen. No matter how small or puny.
Langhund pulled back tight on the string, keeping it pulled back and feeling the tension build in both the wood and in the muscles in his arms. He took a moment before his fingers moved from the feathered end, and sent the orcish arrow he stole a few nights ago flying towards the group.
Gyric called out to his men loudly to overcome the sounds of battle. His voice was unrelenting, not taking no for an answer. "SCOUTS FIND ME THEIR NUMBERS, MEN HOLD UNTIL ORDERS, ARCHERS PULL BACK! LETS DRAW THEM OUT SLOWLY!
The patience of the commander was rewarded, as a figure saddled on one of the wargs appeared before the mob. A broad jaw from which yellow tusks sprouted lowered and a grim voice came out, "I have something for you strawheads!".. he began to bark something when arrows came whizzing in his direction! The stray arrows flew true when one imbeds itself in the orc it's neck, the remainder of it's message lost to the four winds, whilst the other lodged itself in the warg's eye. In an instant both fell on the road, causing a wave of dismay from the horde.
The Orcish mob went pushing into the ones behind them, while from behind a frustrated roaring of the Wargs could be heard along with their riders. "Elf-work!! They killed Larlakh!",
The disarray that takes hold forced the wargriders to surround the mob and beat them into submission again !
Langhund looked forward, already readying another arrow. He asked out Yrminas quietly , "Why do we wait in shooting? We could easily pick off more as it is now."
The young scouts attempted to close in one the orcs and over the hill ,but while all others followed their orders aswell it was only two of them that returned after a while.. They couldn't even get close enough.
Yrminas said, 'Because we are here to go after the leadership, .. Now await the next one, try to be a bit more patient next time while at it.'
Langhund muttered something as he pulled on the arrow string.
Faerhild too pulled another arrow from her quiver, glancing at Yrminas, before allowing a more knowing look at Hund. Having faith it was his arrow that flew true and killed the leader. She offered a brief grim smile at the half-blood, before readying her arrow for whatever was to come.
Langhund glanceed towards Faerhild for a moment, though he looked back towards the end of his arrow with a brief frown for what ever reason. He then composed himself, and waited for further orders.
The Orcish horde seemed to remain in upheavel among one another, left and right a few were trying to sneak off. Whomever this leader was that now lay dead before them seemed to have held some sway among the lowly warriors that seemed harder to restrain than initially though, regardless to a man such as Gyric it would swiftly be to his realization that valuable time was being wasted.
Gyric narrowed his eyes, as he tried to make out what is going on in front of him. He licked his lip murmured Bema's name before ordering "MEN ONWARDS! LETS GIVE THEM A POKE! DON'T BREAK FROM GROUP!
With a rise of the horn and a chorus repeating, "Fram", over and over the Eorlings pressed onwards. Feverish eagerness in their eyes. Behind Ceorlghast eased his bow and followed in tow with his archers. Radbald was left come with, taking in a deep breath.
Yrminas said, 'Good..,We may have to move forwards soon aswell
Langhund said, 'Good, my legs will freeze to the ground at this rate.'
Yrminas said, 'And ease your bows, it would be an ill fate to be struck from behind by one of our shafts.
Gyric blowed his horn once more, a sign for the assigned team to move onwards. He turned to look their way even though they’d be hidden behind the trees to him.
Yrminas said, 'Hrmf'
Yrminas kept proceeding along the line of the shieldmen, by luck finding a decent vantage point that gave them some opportunity to look beyond the mob and the wargs surrounding them. If only the scouts had found it.
At that moment the sound of single remaining Orcish horn that sounded from the west stopped it's dour tune.
Langhund raised his brow as he also grips onto a new arrow. He pulled upon his string and lined up towards what he could see below, waiting for a signal.
Yrminas glanced over at Saexwyrd, "You're no use here, go stand with your fellows bellow and if you must make Gyric aware of our location.
Faerhild smiled lightly at her brother, nodding solemnly. Knowing such knowledge held value.
The big fellow looked down at the formation of the orcs for awhile longer. He looked at the peoples' bows and nodded. "Be careful you" He told his sister then with large strides he walked down the sloap, finding his way between the trees to the road to his commander. Reaching him he shouted out what he saw.
Gyric furrowed his brow, he shouted what he learned for Ceorlghast and his archers to hear then ordered "ONWARDS! STEADY, LETS THROW THEM OFF THE HILL!
Ceorlghast 's brow wrinkled with confusion, taking the order as one of attack. He nocked back an arrow and sent it flying in the direction of the Orcs, then a heartbeat after two dozen arrows were sent in an upwards flight....
Archers focus on the beasts! the Captained ordered
The volley lands amongst the Orcish numbers, a tiny forest of feathered shafts planted itself in either Orc, Warg or the ground! A dozen shots for somewhat less the amount of deaths that followed. A cheer went up from the archers as they knew they did well by the complaints!
The chaos among the orcs seemed only to insist when the projectiles of the Eorlings striked home! The mass in front became evermore frantic, as bulging fisheyes blinked away sweat when they saw the men ofRohan close in!
Gyric bellowed: CHARGE THEM! TAKE THE HILL!, the captain shouted and with that order he too sprang ahead, keeping his shield raised to protect his torso.
The tight shieldwall was held together well, however the men simply couldn't close the gap just yet! For all that the group on the side could see there was no good shot to be made, no leader was within sight!
In contrast to the spinning of frantic orcs and to the sprintingfair-haired men, above the havoc large snow flakes walzed down slowly, their paths peaceful. Quietly they sat on the helmets of steaming men and into the pools of black blood, melting in it's warmth.
Langhund rolled his neck back and forth out of impatience, "Do we move on or wait here for more shots?"
The archers would make an attempt again, Ceorlghast stretched his arm and pulls his string again, "Loose!", he shouted, and another volley was airbound intent for Orcish bodies!
As the hour passed, Gyric glanced over behind him. He then blowed his horn for the assigned team to depart as they seem to be stranded on the hill. His eyes searched for them in between the trees sending his hopes with them.
Langhund raised his brow, though he shot another arrow anyway.
Faerhild skipped forth a few steps, unable to resist shooting as well, for once more.
Another volley landed among the mass of orcs!! Horrific screeches announced the deaths of the orcs and another number of them tumbled down, never to rise again! A cheer of encouragement from the archers followed to their brethren about to crash into the remainder!
On the hill road Saexwyrd clenched his jaw at the sound of the horn, as he knew what it meant now. It felt as his heart stopped for a moment and he cursed his luck for having a sister so wild. With that thought he shoved his shield into a lowly orc's face.
Still and in spite of the severe punishment, the orcs finally decide to fight off the attackers. Forced between the men and their wargriding masters! Yet hope could lie among the Eorlings, for the enemy's number was fairly depleted!
Gyric bellowed| GIVE ME THE HILL PUSH!'
Ceorlghast's archers fired no longer now the front was connected between both forces, the veteran nodded towards his men and they marched upwards, heads held high and something like wary relief on their faces.
The horn resounding from the west had stopped for a while now, yet no scout had made any report.
For all the vicious desperation the orcs showed in that one instant, it was only for a short while. The charging men, for what few they killed provoked a ripple of fear into the Orcish line that made them disperse! Too few wargriders were left and a rout back to whence they came from began to unfold.
Gyric winced, trying to make sure that the orc horns stopped sounding. He saw a gap in the shieldwall and dashed ahead to cover it, raising his sword to hack through the orcs. He shouted then at Ceorlghas "Mind ourbacks! "
Several more orcs died, yet that would be the end of it! The remaining number they had managed to escape towards Framburgh!
As the Eorlings let out a cheer of happiness for having lost not a man in all surprise, they follow the runaways whilst the arches and reserves come up the road.
Then as the frontmen marched onwards, the scouts are coming frombehind, their legs carried as if by the wind, "Orcs and wargs!", these menshout! "Atleast 30 of each!!", another follows up, having lost allcomposure!
Gyric gave one last glance at his prey then he shouted hoarsly tohis men. "BACKWARDS! TO THE HILL! FORM A SHIELD WALL! ARCHERS READY! MINDYOUR BACKS! Himself he sprinted to the hill to help form the wall faster.
Radbald needn't be told twice to hasten when these young men came running upwards, he waved an arm and shouts to get moving at a quickened pace, 'Get those shieldmen back here!', he shouted at Ceorlghast!
Gyric gave one last glance at his prey then he shouted hoarsly to his men. "BACKWARDS! TO THE HILL! FORM A SHIELD WALL!ARCHERS READY! MIND YOUR BACKS! Himself he sprinted to the hill to helpform the wall faster.
The Orcs wouldn't be long after that had come from the west, seeming somewhat more numerous than those now dead or fleeing. A leader on his warg, crowned with feathers stuck underneath a leather cord on his headgrimaced and cried out angrily at the death of it's kindred! In the collision it appeared that Gyric's men and those of Ceorlghast were bumping into eachother
Only Radbald managed to slip through the mess with good time on his hands.. Leaving behind the footsoldiers, the wargs charged upwards with terrifying speed!
The captain found himself caught in a moment of dispair. Though it did not last long. He yelled to be heard over the sounds and screams of battle. "ARCHERS TO THE SIDES AND BACK PICK OUT THE WARGS FIRST, MY MEN WITH ME. AT THE CENTER! MAKE THE WALL, VANGUARD WATCH OUR REAR!
The early victory of the Eorlings instilled a bravery with in them, spear points sank mercilessly within warg's throats and many an orc felt the thin-lipped kiss of the axe! The charge lost it's momentum and a warsong erupted from the veterans their throats! Happy to relieve their land from this danger!
Ceorlghast's chest rose like a bellows after his escape from warg's teeth and claws, he brandished his bow once more along with his surviving men, "Can't get around them!!", the man cried out!
Meanwhile northwards the terrain finally decided to conspire against the team that stealthily left. Thick tangled branches and thorn bushes laid ahead on the path..
Yrminas took a step forwards and sank knee deep into a hidden hole.. he grumbleed with frustration while he keept his bow up with one arm..!!
Yrminas was still trying to climb out of the hole..!
Langhund looked over towards the struggling man, thinking for a moment whether it was worth it.. afterall. .he did punch him in the teeth that onetime. He moved over anyway, and went to drag him out before continuing along.
Faerhild frowned at the terrain, looking about if there was a way to circle it. She also glanced over her shoulder to see if Hund managed to pull Yrminas out of this situation.
Yrminas seemed to be very much stuck with his foot in the hole, a complaint rising from his gorge as he simply could be pulled out! Neither did hacking or trying to walk through the wall nature had created seemed to do much aside rip clothing and scratch leather!
Langhund could't pull out Yrminas, so he goes to see the situation that Faerhild was in. He thought for a moment, before trying to push down on the forefront branches.
Faerhild got infuriated slinging her bow over her shoulder after untying her shield. She presses it against the thornbushes, attempting to push through, protecting her face from the thorns. Surely a thick leather armour could resist wooden thorns if she'd just manage to push through.
Langhund kneeled down for what ever reason, gripping onto the thorn bush and muttering something under his breath. He then tried to give it a good yank!
Yrminas pulled himself out of the hole, his boot covered in muck.. He peered down and it seems that he had gotten himself in some foxhole. Regardless he turned around to go after the others, ripping his clothing on some of the leftover bushes..Langhund frowned as it did nothing at all, so he stood up and puts more trust in his armour now more than ever! He blundered through in a charge, letting out yelps and winces as they cut his legs and tatter his clothing with a particulary nasty thorn lodged in his backside.
Faerhild pushed her weight against her shield, and her shield against the thorns, leaving a trail of broken branches behind herself after her slow trail across the bushy terrain.
Langhund looked towards the new path being made, quickly hopping into thatand seeming eager to get out of the mess! His hand was already to his backside, digging out the thorn with tender movements and sharp breaths.
Faerhild glanced over her shoulder at Hund, her eyes briefly windened, before she'd make her way through the bushes, almost tripping over when they suddenly vanish from under her weight.
Langhund was quick to hop past Faerhild to look at the damage done, pulling out the thorn and throwing it away with a pain filled breath as he pats his rear. He looked down to his legs, scratched and bloody.
Faerhild looked at the men in her company. After each had managed through she nodded silently at them and then seeks to sneak swiftly toward the fort in the cover of whatever the terrain had to offer.
Langhund started to move off again, bow in hand once more as he walks with a slight limp.
Yrminas looked up, "Did you hear that? Have they come back?", he asked unto the others.
Langhund raised his shoulders in a shrug, "Let us just get up there and look." He spoke out, aiming to proceed in creeping up towards the fort.
Faerhild glanced at Yrminas and then looks up at the fort, "We have our orders. Gyric will keep them. She then sweeped through the terrain.
The small group managed to plow it's way through, creating atunnel of sorts through the weeds and thorns that kept them from coming through. In the far distance, beyond bowshot a familiar sight can be seen for some, .. a ruin to which several orcs are yet running.
Yrminas looked over his shoulder as the clamor of battle keeps reaching his ear, he glanced ahead and then back, "Something is wrong over there I think"
