Patrol
A patrol, just like any other. The orcs were driven out northern Bree lands two weeks earlier by the Riders of the mark. So, surely this patrol was going to be just a silent ride on a sunny day. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood as the horses slowly walked through the green Bree fields. As the group passed the former orc camps there was no sign of orc activity, clearly they have not returned. The road continued through a forest area with a hill on the right side, just a bit further till we reach Thestlebridge. The horse of Arunel acted restless and also Windfoot seemed not at ease. We looked around but everything seemed to be quiet.
Ambush
Then a soft 'tod' of an arrow which dropped on the ground. Soon arrows were flying all around. There was a pauze of complete suprise. One arrow passed dangerously close to Dael his head. Dael snapped, and yelled "to the trees, seek cover by the trees!" Commotion as everyone dismounted and ran to a random tree. Arrows kept flying all over. After regrouping Tidhelm was missing. I cursed silently while looking around to see any sign of the Nobleman. I heard Eaden scream about her father, and was afraid she would run into the open. I gave my brother a stern look and nudged towards Eaden, meaning that Arunel should keep an eye on Eaden. (Daellas and Arunel know eachother so well, words are not always needed). Standing behind the tall tree with arrows flying around, Dael tried to make a quick decision. *thoughts* What to do, what to do?! I cant be responsible for the death of a Rohan noble, we have to find him. So Dael ordered to make a shield wall formation and marched towards the hill across the road. Arrows started thudding into the large shields, while some deflected to another direction. Shapes of numerous orcs on the hill and no sign of Tidhelm. This plan was folly... "Brother go ahead with Eadenswith to Thestlebridge, me and Waelden will cover you!!". Dael saw them running untill the thought popped in his head, what if Thestelbridge is overrun... Bam! Seering pain. A black arrow with crow feathers flew deep in his shoulder, bleeding heavy.
The retreat
About twenty orcs came running down the hill. Dael bited his lip and followed together with Waelden to Thestlebridge as fast as they could. The orcs were about 100 meters behind them. At the Thestlebridge south gate he saw Arunel and Eaden and a dozen local guardsman. Dael thought that would be our only chance to hold them here at the south gate, where they can not surround us. A new shield wall on front row with some local archers at the second row. There they come..
The battle
Dael held a javelin in his left hand, as the other arm hurted because of the arrow in his right shoulder. The orcs ran into sight, typically screaming and grunting as their ugly faces became visible. "Fire at will!" A few orcs fell by arrow and javelin fire. There was little time to grab the spear as the wild mob threw their weight on the shieldwall. A quick thrust with his spear hit the orc in the neck, choking in his own blood he fell down. The second orc tried to jump over his shield but landed on his spear, so far that the spear was stuck in the orcs body. Dael tried to withdraw the spear, but it was no use. He quickly drew his sword and started smashing wildly around him. A quick glance at the rest learned that we were winning this fight, orcs dropping dead on the ground. Some local guards had fallen too. As the large orc fell, exhausted and heavily breathing Dael saw a big shadow on the ground.
Life and death
It was not over, a group of four orcs was charging in. They looked rather large, even for an orc. One of them ran towards me with what looked like a twohanded executioners axe. He raised the axe and smashed it down towards me. The force behind that axe would have split me in two. Dael managed to sidestep away as the axe hit the ground. Dael quickly tried to hit the orc with his blade but he evaded it with ease. In the corner of his eye, he saw Eaden fall to the ground. Dael felt panick coming as he could not reach her. The pain of his shoulder was gone as adrenaline surged through him. The orc was swaying his axe sideways as the blow hit Daels shield. The force broke his shield and pushed him out of balance a little. Dael took his sword and lunged forward but the orc pushed Dael further out of balance. For a second he saw Arunel dragging Eaden to safety and the new girl stepping up, from who he did not know the name. The orc laughed at me as if he was just playing around. The orc swung his axe again, but now Dael dived sideways ending behind the orc, Dael jumped and stabbed his blade deep in the orcs back. The orc screamed loudly and reacted by plunging his elbow into Daels face, hard!! Dael flew back rolling on the ground. There was a silence followed by ears peeping. The world circled around him and looked hazey. The taste of blood, shivering hands and a dry throat. He saw the silhouet of the orc towering above him. Dael braced himself for the final stroke. The orc seemed distracted as someone tried to attack him from behind. The orc managed to push the other attacker away. Dael grabbed his sword off the floor and stood up for a final attack with his last strength, but the orc smacked him back on the ground. Dael thought he was going to die, he had no strength left. He could only see the silhouet of a young girl piercing his foe with one of her blades, before he lost conscience.
