Too Late?
Have I left it too late?
By Bema, I curse my own choices just now. I had meant to keep the danger away from my folk at Bancross. I had meant not to cause them unnecessary distress. And if the last report to me is truth, it will be far more than distress they endure. My folk are soon to face a very dark night indeed.
Why do I not seek aid from Edoras’ garrison? Hah, and that would save naught, other than confirm suspicions. With many of our more experienced folk away from the city, it seems the King has no wise counselors by his side. No order will be given to aid Bancross and Middlemead. My concerns will be put down to a ‘fanciful’ imagination regarding the common seasonal threat. I shall be sought out to disappear, as certain others the present advisors dislike have disappeared.
But they know, that inner group of Reeve Athelward know, the common threat will not be at all common this year.
Aye, orcs are roaming in larger numbers, and although the Easterling threat appears to have subsided, there are more bands of brigands out of Dunland that we have seen for some considerable time. And there is yet more. The darkness in the land is awakening, and the cabal I have tried so hard to breach have, and are using, the artifacts they have already found, to ‘control’ what lies beneath.
Oh, the sheer arrogance of the fools! They waken an old power to serve them, not realising they matter not one jot to it. It needs them not at all once awake.
I deem I have indeed left matters too late. And there is little good I can do here, tucked away in the city while servants of the Reeve keep a close eye on me. It is time I showed them their suspicions were right. I am a traitor to them, just as some were traitors to me. Aye, traitor’s to them… but never to my people.
So shall I ride openly to Bancross this eve, and do all I can to turn the situation into whatever victory can be managed. I will stand beside my people in the coming fray, and this I can do because I know also of the light, hidden just out of view.
I trust Denholm and his guards. Even though Cribba escaped, and slew Paega, I know he will not escape Denholm’s justice.
The men and women of the garrison will hold the barricades. I and a few others will take the battle to the heart of the darkness. When I think of what responsibility I will lay on their shoulders, and the shoulders of that large rough man, I hope this choice will not be cause for regret.
