Two days it had been through the snowstorm that had swept across the land. Two days to plough the cart over the frozen road, pushing, cursing and encouraging the horses to speed on your way to follow your Reeve his orders. Evacuate the villagers of Dunfast. Tired limbs shivered in the cold and longed for the fire made by those that needed to be rescued. From the hovel little was left to be seen aside from the trails of feet, some warning cry, echoes into the dark sky, when the Reeve's men arrived. Frightened faces peered out of windows and doors.
Then a man came out, dressed in the finer fabrics woven in these lands. Short for an Eorling and stocky, soft are his blue eyes and the sword he had at hand that did not appear to fit there:
Who is it that approaches my lands?, he asked, waving in a few men clutching to all sorts of makeshift weapons. The question addressed no doubt to the leader of Reeve Garwig's men.
Ecgberht was a trader, an Ealdorman's son from Woodhurst close now to his thirties. It was not long he has arrived in Forlaw, but the Reeve given the circumstance, sent him and his cart to Dunfast to help with emptying the village. He raised his right hand to hail the man, calling out as loud as he could muster: "Here comes Ecgberht! We were sent by the Reeve of Forlaw to evacuate you from this place!"
Winbrand stood next to his thane with the best weapon at his disposal: An iron woodaxe more blunt than sharp, and more ancient than pristine. The man, rather obvious a woodcutter, eyed the strangers with more hopeful eyes.
Gadgyr, one of the guards of Forlaw, sat on the back of his shivering horse that was not really made for him. His helm was too big too, and it was obvious he was one of the younger fresher guards to be in Forlaw, squinting from underneath the metal that he kept having to readjust with his leather gloved hand.
Ceorghast moved on to stand besides his lord. A seasoned warrior he was but his age did not take away any of his stature. He stood over Frambald, a head taller than him, guarding him as always, his dim blue eyes regarding his fellow riders.
Almost immediately this noble-dressed man sighed with relief.
Frambald: "Thank Garwig..", he whispered. "Thane Frambald, am I. We had not expected help so soon, especially in this weather! Let us be away in earnest then, dark things roam the land!" However, in his eagerness he had forgotten his politeness and had not taken into consideration that the men were half-frozen and hungry.
Ecgberht jumped out of his saddle, leading his horse by its reins as he continued to approach the men, stopping a few meters in front of them to bow respectfully. "I am glad we made it through that storm. I was afraid we'd turn to ice half-way into it."
Ceorghast loomed over his Thane to whisper lowly. "It must have taken two days at least to come in that weather, milord"
Winbrand lowered his weapon as he regarded the scene before him for a moment, not truly knowing what to do in the situation like the other small folk. After a moment he spoke. "Should we gather all now here, thane?"
Gadgyr raised himself up in the saddle, lifting his leg over. Be it weakness or inexperience, he nearly fell down from his horse, managing to catch himself in the last moment and remain on his feet with his helmet falling over his eyes though he refused to remove it, adjusting it on his head and leading his horse.
Frambald seemed perplexed and he slapped his own hand against his forehead, "Ofcourse..", he whispered to his bodyguard as surely as to Ecgberht. The thane took in a deep breathe to collect his thoughts and then made his orders, "Winbrand, get our supplies out and get a few of they boys to nurture their horses. And prepare to get everyone up into the cart. Ceorlghast, see to it that these men can warm themselves and have something to eat. I believe we still have some dried porc to spare."
Ecgberht spoke, '.. we should get inside. I ought to be refreshed and warmed up before we make our way back once more.'
Ecgberht pointed to one of the buildings, eager to get inside.
Frambald however did not like the idea much, he rose up both hands, "I am afraid that they are no warmer inside than here. Besides it would be ill-fated to rest here for much longer!", a hint of fear trembled the middle aged man's voice
Winbrand nodded , and he soon gathered the strongest of the small folk to take the supplies to the carts. The horses were soon being fed as best it could be provided by those capable of handling horses. The others, namely the old, women, and children, gathered near the fire with some rations to spare and some extra wood on the fire for warmth.
Shall we lighten up the fire outside milord?', Ceorghast asked.
Frambald nodded, "Yes, we will need light to hasten our leaving."
Ecgberht noted, 'Anything to eat and warm our hands will do, we'll fall over from the cold on the way back if we don't see to it before we go.'
Winbrand himself was also busy with managing the packing of the supplies in an orderly manner, the Wood Cutter seeming to take a more prominent role amongst the small folk.
Gadgyr took a look around, holding onto his horses reins and trying to stand a bit out of the way of everything. His horse had no cart, though it had plenty of space for saddle-bags.
Ceorghast nodded at his lord, his eyes lingered upon him with care and worry, though no less trust. Then he raised a mighty voice enough to be heard all around. "You heard our lord, we will be leaving! "he then turned to one of the folawigends to command. "Lighten up the fire" With those words he snack back inside to get the food asked
Frambald insisted, "We will see to that, but please, here at the center of the brazier we will get a fire going to banish the cold from your bodies.", the thane would motion Ecgbehrt to come along, "Food is on the way. Now I would want to hear the news from Forlaw if there is any to be had."
After most of the more laborious packing was done thanks to above average work, Winbrand himself moved towards the fire for its warmth. The man ate some small amount of food to keep up his strength, yet he and the others seemed to await further orders, as evacuations did not seem to be part of their skillset.
Ecgberht followed after Frambald, shrugging at the question. "I am afraid I am of no use as far as these matters are concerned, I only arrived there myself a few days ago before being sent here to help you. Perhaps one of the guards I brought with me can say more?"
Ceorghast stepped out with a middle aged woman by his side. The two of them nagged to each other lowly, leaving no doubt they are man and wife. He was carrying flasks of mead and the lady carried jerkies and bread offering them around to the frostbitten soldiers
Gadgyr followed along, letting his horse be taken as he stands besides the fire in still his full armour. Cold was throughout him, though his close proximity to the fire soon meant he got warmer with his thick layers of armour and furs.
Ecgberht eagerly took what is offered to him, first eating and then drinking to satisfiy his needs, saying no more as he awaited Gadgyr's account of events at Forlaw, appearing equally curious.
Frambald despite the cold had to wipe a light sweat from his brow as he awaited, unable to keep his eyes from beyond the houses every once in a while. He then followed Ecgberht's gaze, wondering if the armored man was capable of hearing and speech.
Gadgyr explained, "From what I have picked up.. most are just living their days as they go, though we have not been very willing to let many in.. Reeve's orders..' His voice broke a bit, young and inexperienced. 'I.. I'm just a guard at the gate, not the hall..'
This visibly heartened Frambald, "So there will be space for us." Some news that seemed to have been a concern for a while, perhaps in part they felt a sorrow to burden their lord as such being refugees.
Winbrand and some of the other small folk seemed to be troubled by this news, and small whispers soon began. "No place for us in Forlaw?" "The Reeve will let us die in the cold!" "Is this true?" Some of the Small folk seemed to take the words with less heart.
The middle-aged man passed around the drinks until he stopped in front of Gadgyr. A smile rose to his face and he opened his arms to give the younger man a brief hug. "Oi! Look at you! How the little ones grow! "he teased
Gadgyr's helmet fell down below his eyes before he is hugged, freezing up. "H-hello Uncle.."
You've even grown a beard!, Ceorghast said enthusiastically then he chuckled and looked around him at the villagers, making sure they heard of him and his merriment, hoping they would find some comfort in it
Frambald shushed those who rose their voices in concern in the manner a kind grandfather would unto his youngest offspring, he passed words of ease unto them... and for a while everyone seemed to be caught up in packing, talking, eating and warding off the frosty sky's breath.
Gadgyr squeaked out, "I suppose I have.." He'd try to move away from the hug if not already released, shrinking down slightly as he looked around.
Ceorghast let the young man go, only for his wife to take his place. She let out a merry squeek and threw her arms around the laddie
Gadgyr just stood there and accepted the hug, mumbling out. "Hello.."
For a while everyone got warmed and even Frambald himself had almost forgotten his worry, busy talking with one of the guards of Forlaw. A mother was tucking in her children with a cloth when suddenly a small child's eyes went wide, pointing at the barn, "Mam what is that?" The woman turned and let out a horrid scream that brought sense back to everyone, a dark bow-legged creature jumped into the light.
Frambald turned around and was so surprised he faltered to respond for a moment, till suddenly he remembered and folded his brow, "Orcs! We're under attack!" The monster seemed to relish being recognized and yelled aloud, more came crawling and running from behind the barn!
The small folk seem to some what relieved, and hopeful that they will enter the strong walls of Forlaw without trouble, till it happened.
Gadgyr was quick to get out of his aunt's embrace as there was a scream, turning to look at the creature. He gulped harshly, trying not to scream himself as his legs went a bit weak though he was a guard.. with a shaking hand he pulled his sword from his sheath, the tip of the blade wavering as his shield raised slightly.
Winbrand and the other small folk let out some screams till they tried to compose them selves. They huddled together mostly, with the men facing outwards, shielding the children and the women, though some of them stand on the forefrond of the huddle as well. Still, they seemed rather disorganized thanks to short preparation time and lack of skill.
Ceorghast dropped everything he might have been holding to take out his sword. He cried out "To arms, to arms protect our Lord and children" Then he threw himself to the direction the scream was heard.
Ecgberht turned around in shock to stare at the creatures which were still an unfamiliar sight to him. Lacking the reflexes of a warrior, he only thought of drawing his sword after hearing the old man's warcry, joining him in his charge.
Gadgyr looked to his uncle take off and would take in a deep breath, he shouted out - his voice cracking with fear and youth. He shuffled forth with uneasy steps, ready to meet one of these foul creatures before they could get too close to the lesser protected small folk and their thane!
The chaotic response of the Eorlings leaved much to be desired, however the orcs were bottlenecked while some of the farmer's men broke off from their circle around the weakest, beckoned by Ceorghast's command. Frambald piped up and with clumsy yet practiced sweeps of his blade he joined the youth Gadgyr!
The first creature leaped back with a squawk, pushing it's brethren into the fray! Black blood spilled upon sword and snow.
Gadgyr used his shield mainly, to push them away from him, in fear more than anything. The wood hit upon bodies as they come close, to send them back into their groups as he already felt himself tiring..
The old guard’s gruff voice held over the screams of the night. "Form lines, form lines between the houses! Secure the horses! Get the women and children at the center! Form lines!"
Winbrand and the other small folk around him kept close together, with their weapons pointing forward. They attempted to form a more ordered defense while trying to keep each other alive.
Ecgberht charged towards the orcs, taking Gadgyr's side as he pushed his sword forward to try and keep the orcs at a distance by aimlessly stabbing in their direction.
More bodies of the orcs were now meeting the ragtag defense, children were crying into the night! However the orcs intent to do no more than loot and murder could not sweep around the houses yet. Met by the desperately brave that tried to keep them at bay! The bow-legged orc, their leader it would seem hopped from one foot to the other, pulling at it's hair over a failed ambush that now turned into a fight! In their confusion orcs just run in all directions, some fighting each other to prevent being shoved into the frontline of the fight. They seem a malnourished and miserable lot even for orcs!
Gadgyr's voice cried out, it cracking some more. "Stay back you filth!" His sword swung out, managing to slash at ones arm which spilled some more black blood this way.
The small-Folk seemed to grow a bit more bold now they saw that the orcs could not break through. They formed as proper a defence as they are able at the moment, and they advanced ever so slightly.
Ceorghast yelling loudly moved forward pushing his shield against the enemies approaching, his sword swinging mightily to whatever he could find defenseless ahead. A blow came to his head from what, he did not even know and threw his helmet behind, unleashing his grey hair to the cold wind.
Ecgberht let out a victorious cry as his sword pierced the chest of one of the weakly orcs, dropping the creature into the snow. Quickly, he pulled the bloodstained sword out of the corpse and raised it, ready to swing at any orc trying to get past.
Frambald in the meantime wheezed as his body needed air for the fierce exercise, by luck or skill there are two of the attackers to his tally, "Fight! Fight! Fight!", he commanded his people or to himself..
As if they were a black tide streaming out of their mountain-holes the orcs just kept coming, however these seemed to look meaner and more determined! It appeared that a second leader has made it's arrival, a large cleaver held in a tumorous hand. It has a wide fishlike face. He cried out, "Manflesh to eat!", it's warrior-orcs fall upon the Eorlings!
Gadgyr remained holding his ground, though his movements slowed and he only slashed and pushed when he needed to instead of constantly. His shield was dented with battle, his sword notched and bloody.
These newcomers for all their looks seems to fare no better while the lesser orcs run before their feet! Several of the more nasty ones even died!
The small folk seemed to fare well against even these hardy orcs, and their line advanced even more so. Winbrand himself cut down one of the orcs, and he seemed to be filled with the feel of battle, as he stood at the front of the small-folk now.
Ceorghast used the little time he earned for himself to have a quick glance around him, and make sure all lines held. He shouted loudly to send more soldiers where a line would be broken
Still nothing seemed to suggest that the Eorlings were faring terribly anywhere, a cut and a bruise left and right. Untrained though the farmers were, strong backs and limbs seemed to be carrying the day.
Ecgberht remained careful, not moving from the side of the young soldier in absence of a shield of his own to protect him from attacks. An orc coming near him was quickly kept at distance with a downward swing of his sword.
The bigger leader however not at all pleased, seemed to look for weakness and finding none he barked an order to recall some of his warband. He then gestured with his weapon and gurgled out a , "Charge!" Mindlessly the bigger ones grabbed the weaklings and used them as meatshields to rush into the defenders closest to Frambald!
Gadgyr flinched at the shout of the charge, looking towards the charging brute and not seeing an orc club head straight into the cheek guard of his helmet to dent it in to his mouth a fair bit, sending him tumbling down on all fours, his place being taken over by another Eorling as he shuffled towards the back..
The small folk, made too bold thanks to their earlier steadfast defence, seemed to be caught in the lust of battle, and they seem to make a charge of their own with more success, cutting down those they are able.
Ecgberht swung down upon an orc caught on the ground in front of him, seizing the opportunity to crack its skull with his sword!
Ceorghast ran to cover up for his nephew, too hastily it would seem. An orc spear found its way to his shield arm, biting its way through his armour, not long before its carrier was sent to meet his dead friends.
The Orcish charge was an utter blunder, those in the front tripped and were trampled upon by those that could not stop in time. They shrieked in panic and pain and scrambled at one another in the attempt to untangle themselves whilst the peasant-men were slowly being abandoned by the leftover orcs that now either ran away into the woods. Frambald however could not partake in the final part of the fight. He was leaning on his bending blade, gasping for air while all around the others were forced to do the work for him.
The leaders both lived still, however they themselves were no fools. They attempted to flee before the charging men and women from the Riddermark.
Ceorghast took notice of the leaving orcs. "Chase them not! Fall back to the lord! Get only what you need... we're leaving!"
Ecgberht did not miss a beat in hurrying towards the barn, where his horse would be. "Load the cart with people!" he called out on his way there, looking over his shoulder to the people.
The Small folk were not easily stopped, yet they abandon their charge when orders were shouted. They soon backed away from the orcs, and gathered around their lord while others hurried towards the wagon.
Ceorghast raised his voice to give heart to the people around him. "Bema is with us... We're getting to Forlaw!" he said then he roamed around to find any wounded. He commanded a few men to be set around and watch for incoming enemies then went to help loading up the carts
The leaders and surviving orcs would have been mown down had it not been for the new commands, they escaped in the dark of the forest with nothing for their efforts. Then the forest was silent once more. The Eorlings had survived the encounter.
