The Fourth Age: The Rantost Skirmish, part one.

As the company quietly approaches Rantost by boat, Captain Belenir keeps a watchful eye on the surroundings. Upon landing, he observes Achillenor and his mariners skillfully concealing their boats, a crucial step in maintaining the element of surprise.With a sense of urgency and strategic foresight, Captain Belenir swiftly gives his next command.
- Quickly, everyone, take cover behind those large bushes," - He instructed his companions, pointing to a nearby area that offers ample concealment. 
- It looks quiet. Do not raise your voices. - Minaiadan then whispered to the others. Forngarmo took a quick but detailed glance on her surroundings. 
- So far we are undetected.. - She said as she moved together with the group towards the bushes, even though her gear was already helping her with camouflage. She glanced at Aethelhard who seemed to not be comfortable around the bear that the wizard has brought along the group. She had to focus again to hold off a giggle as she looked as his face. From the concealed position behind the bush, Captain Belenir  and the others carefully surveyed the three sentinels. The Captain quietly pointed them out to his companions, providing a detailed description to aid in their recognition and subsequent strategy.
- Observe the sentinels closely. Each wears golden armor and a bandana. Notice the distinctive features. One has an eyepatch, another is leisurely smoking pipeweed, and the third is deeply engrossed in conversation. - He then whispered to the Forngarmo and the others gathered nearby. The ranged warriors prepared themselves to strike out at the sentries. Soon enough, Minaiadan manages to throw a dagger at his target, hitting a vital spot and the sentry falls to the ground in shock, dying not long after. The strange woman moved out with him and the ranged to assist, although she did trip on a branch making a faint noise. Before the sentries caught a glimpse of her she quickly ducked back into the bush, not alerting any of them. Thandanar readied his sword just in case. The Forngarmo moved slightly to get a better view of the targets. Although she wasn't a ranged fighter she still had her throwing daggers. She aimed at the other sentry and as she was ready one of her daggers hit the other corsair, killing him instantly. She looked at Aethelhard. 
- There is only one left... - She whispered indicating for him to bring the sentry down. The last corsair, however decided to flee and alert the others as he saw his allies drop dead.
- Someone must take him down! quick! - Belenir then whispered to the group. With a focused determination he sprung into action. Realizing the urgency of the situation, In one fluid motion, he retrieved a knife concealed in his boot and expertly thrown it. The knife sailed through the air with precision, striking the fleeing corsair in the throat. Forngarmo looked at him with a nod, knowing that he just saved the group from an open confrontation with the force. The wizard quickly whispered something to his bear and last the group saw was the bear feasting on the dead corsair. Forngarmo seemed not very pleased about that. 
- Won't that look suspicious? - She whispered towards the wizard who raised a brow at her. 
- Suspicious to be eat by a bear in the wilderness? - He then asked quietly, but the ranger just let the subject slip by with a sigh. 
 - Lets move. For glory, for Honour for Gondor. Team red with me. - Belenir then said, moving out and proceeding towards the camp. The ranger soon followed, preparing her greatsword.  
- For glory, for Honour for Gondor... - Thandanar then repeated, following the others. After a moment the group was ready to proceed to the next critical phase of their mission. Belenir pointed out at a small sentry guards' camp. 
- There's a small camp of sentry guards just there, likely no more than five men. We'll catch them off guard with a surprise attack. Let's move swiftly and silently. - He then whispered to the others. There, at the small camp of corsairs, two corsairs were sitting next to the campfire, the other three were asleep at the tent.
- Line formation. - Belenir then ordered and soon the group stood in a perfect line. 
- We are ready when you are, sir. - Thandanar then whispered to Belenir. Forngarmo nodded at the two. As they prepared to strike, Thandanar took an unlucky step, stumbling upon his foot but quickly regained his composture. Aethelhard lost his focus for a moment, stumbling as well. Forngarmo charged towards one of the corsairs and managed to stab him in the side, injuring him but not enough to kill. She stayed engaged in fighting him off to finish him. 
- Valar guide my sword... - Belenir then prayed quietly, gripping his sword. Then, channeling his focus and determination, he led the charge towards the camp.In a swift, powerful move, he engaged the enemy, thrusting his sword into the chest of a corsair caught off guard. The remaining corsairs stirred, waking up at the sounds of fighting but before they managed to grab their weapons Belenir killed them both while still leading the charge. 
- Good job, proceed to mission B. - He said towards the group, noticing that the ranged warriors have managed to destroy the corsair boats. The Forngarmo scouted the camp entrance carefully. 
- Good, no backup boats.. - She then says quietly towards the group. Thandanar in meanwhile spotted the entrance was flooded enough to halt the groups' movement. 
- If we are swimming, perhaps being clad in full plate was not the best idea... - He then said quietly towards the others, especially those wearing heavy armor. As the company reached the designated regroup point, a clever plan began to unfold. With quick thinking, they set several fires on the boats anchored nearby, causing thick plumes of smoke to billow into the air. The Corsairs, ever vigilant, noticed the telltale signs of trouble and hastily descended the stairs to investigate.Panic and confusion gripped the Corsair camp as the flames consumed their precious rowboats. The cry of "Intruders!" rang out, echoing through the camp, and the Corsairs scrambled to respond. seeing the chaos erupting in camp the company could seize the moment and launch an attack. The Forngarmo looked to the sides at her companions, readying herself to strike. Thandanar looked back at her. 
- Steady... - he then whispered to the ranger and she nodded at him calmly. 
-  Attack! - Belenir then yelled out signalling the group to enter the camp. 
- Advance! - Thandanar then yelled in Sindarin as they proceeded inside. As the Corsairs rushed to the lower levels of the camp in a desperate attempt to douse the flames consuming their boats, a fierce confrontation unfolded between them and Team Red. The ten Corsairs, wielding buckets and pails filled with water, were determined to salvage their means of escape, but Team Red stood resolute, blocking their path. Aethelhard spotted one of the corsairs that was about to attack his allies first and strikes him down before anyone could react. Minaiadan and his ranged fighters finally regrouped with the others, taking a moment of respite behind the firm line of the melee fighters engaged in the fight. Soon, Belenir managed to kill another of the enemies, cutting him down with his sword. At the other wing, The Forngarmo charged at two other and with her quick moves brought death upon her enemy, retaliating her blade.  Thandanar charged as well, but didn't manage to bring anyone down just yet, engaging himself in the fight. On the other hand the unknown woman kept observing the fight in case anyone needed help. Forngarmo kept reassuring her companions as she fought. The unknown woman backed away as two corsairs charged at her, deeming her an easy target. She shouted something in Black Speech and the two stopped dead in their tracks. She quickly unsheathed her elven dagger and cut both their throats from ear to ear. They fell to the ground. She looked in horror, backing away from the group. That move caused the reaction from the other fighters as Aethelhard looked at the woman with his eyes widening. Forngarmo eyed the woman suspiciously, mistrusting her even more. Minaiadan jumped with the greatsword from the height, and right onto a corsair, almost splitting him in two. As Team Red swiftly dispatched four Corsairs, the remaining six, clad in the same distinctive golden armor, refused to retreat. Ignoring the call to fall back, they drew their swords and charged toward the company with grim determination, ready to defend their camp at all costs. Soon enough, some of them would be killed by the wizard's bear. With the arrival of Team Blue and the support of Thandanar, the tides of the battle shifted decisively in favor of Belenir's company. Together, they fought as a united force, swiftly dispatching five of the Corsairs. The remaining Corsair, realizing the dire situation, turned and fled to regroup with their comrades deeper within the camp. Belenir glanced at the black speech woman, seeming impressed by her skills as the only person among the fighters. 
- Aelwynna! Now it's not the time of falling back! - He then shouted revealing the last of the names to the Forngarmo. Aelwynna then nodded and moved back to rejoin the group. The ranger looked at her with a clear mistrust now. There was something off about her.