“Well, I shall tell you all what Lord Thordralin had planned to discuss,” Frimsi said as he shuffled through his notes. “He would ask the Blue Mountains Regiment to train our combined forces, as it is they are the most experienced among all of us when it comes to war. And once we have gotten a feel for working together, we go to Gondamon and prepare for its defense.”
“I for one would be pleased to see how the Regiment has trained,” Seregrían said. “Long has it been since I inspected your formations.”
“Well, there’s various maneuvers we have trained in,” Thorslin said. “I may have to think of yet another, if Elves are involved.”
“This plan of Thordralin’s is too... simple for my liking,” Frimsi said, “but it is all we have at the moment. Now, let me outline another plan of my own that I have in the works. Let's just say while the Dourhands attack our physical defenses, I intend to attack their more sentimental defenses.”
“What, the Dourhands? They have sentimental feelings?” Thorslin nearly laughed.
“Ha! More than you would think!” Frimsi laughed. “I don't think you've had the displeasure of having to overhear a Dourhand during his typical rant on how unjust the world is. Ah, But I cannot get too much into detail now! Just know the Dourhands may FINALLY learn their lesson.”
“It would have to be a mighty lesson, for this to be the final one,” Seregrían said. “Many times they have been 'instructed', and yet they return after each lesson.”
“Well, that is because we kept using physical violence,” Frimsi countered. “Dourhands may be awful but they are Dwarves after all, and as tough as steel. My plan will require no spilling of blood at all.”
“Now that is a curious plan!” Seregrian said.
“Not a good plan then,” Thorslin said. “Spilled blood is the best way – sometimes, the only way. And a dead enemy is an enemy with less chance to stab you in the back.”
“The goblins, yes. I however would avoid the spilling of Dwarf-blood,” Seregrían said.
“You are still welcome to spill as much goblin blood as you like. I certainly will not stop you. But my target is the Dourhands,” Frimsi said.
“One thing troubles me,” Seregrían said. “We speak of training and drilling soldiers; we speak of clever counter-plots within the walls. But outside the walls and in the depths of Rath Teraig, the enemy prepares. Surely you both don’t think they will wait for us to be ready before they strike? While we prepare, they must be delayed, or distracted.”
Both Dwarves fell silent a moment, then Frimsi spoke. “Aye, time is of the essence, and surprise is far more useful than mere numbers. But then again, I'm a merchant with little experience in war. I really just came here to remind Thordralin not to spend too much coin on ale rations for the troops.”
“I am picturing the terrain and the lands around Gondamon,” Thorslin said slowly. “From Rath Teraig, there is only one old path that runs through the hills, and winds along the pass. Mathi’s garrison has it blockaded, but it is as you say, Lady Elf: the garrison cannot hold off a determined attack for long.”
“We need time,” Seregrían mused, “time for the preparations and the plans to unfold. To buy that time, we must find a way to delay the goblin-host in their preparations…” Seregrían fell silent, her eyes darting back and forth as if reading pages from a book only she could see.
“So, we have the makings of a plan: do some training, employ some tricks to stop the Dourhands (which I shan’t go into now),” Frimsi said while jotting notes, “and endure the actual assault on Gondamon. So we understand what we must do, we just need to know when to do them. Which can be figured out later I suppose.'
Seregrían suddenly said, “Hornets…”, then looked at both Dwarves. “Do you see? Hornets!”
“Ha! Hornets! I appreciate the creativity!” Frimsi laughed.
“What does one do, when one stumbles onto a nest of hornets?” she asked.
“Well, they don't really have much of a choice. Get stung!” Frimsi said.
“And hope they are wearing a lot of plate,” Thorslin added.
“And when the hornets strike, all other thought is gone,” Seregrían said, “you only have thought of escaping the swarm, correct?”
“True, true - I do have some experience escaping hornets, yes,” Frimsi said.
Seregrían looked at both Dwarves, “And there is the answer: all we need to do is create a swarm! Here, look at this!” She reached across the table and found three tankards, arranging them in a pattern.
“Why would we wish to create a swarm of hornets?” Thorslin said.
“Ah! Wait, I get it now!' Frimsi cried. “She was speaking in a metaphor! She doesn’t mean hornets literally. And here, I thought I've entirely figured out the manner of elven speech!” he chuckled.
“Well, speaking clearly is much better,” Thorslin said gruffly.
“If I might have your eyes and ears?” Seregrían said, pointing at the tankards. “This here, is Gondamon; and this here, is Rath Teraig. But this? This is Cirith Romen, the Eastern Pass, in your tongue. This pass empties out near Duillond, but also runs south of Rath Teraig.
“I have among my Household scouts who are adept at not only stealth, but sabotage. I can dispatch them along this path, through Cirith Romen, and into the goblins' rear - where their stores are most likely kept. With the destruction of their stores, their march upon Gondamon would be delayed; and if we thin their numbers in the process, so much the better!"
Frimsi laughed, “Well! It looks like you've got this all planned out now!”
Thorslin was watching the tankards, picturing the land in his mind, then nodded. “I can support this. I can take a detachment down to Gondamon myself, while the training is ongoing; see for myself how the defenses stand. And seeing us there would worry any spies.”
Seregrían agreed, “Yes, Uzbad - and make sure that the goblin eyes see that the garrison is being strengthened.”
“I am very distracting,” Thorslin said with a grim smile. “I will do a speech, maybe bring a band. With all eyes on Gondamon, you can do your sabotage.”
“Be sure to give them a rousing chorus!” Seregrían smiled in turn.
So the plan was laid out: the Regiment would begin drilling the cohorts of the other Houses to fight as one; Thorslin would travel to Gondamon to inspect the garrison and allow himself to be seen by the enemy; Frimsi would work to thwart the Dourhands’ spies; and Bar-en-Acharn would enter Rath Teraig to disrupt the goblins’ mustering and buy time for the Dwarves to make ready. The council ended with courteous words and renewed resolve. Over the next few days, swift messenger birds raced the winds between the mountains and the river as tidings and plans were shared.
And Frimsi later realized that now the stones of the avalanche were growing larger and falling faster.
