-=Prince Leonidas' Camp, Just after daybreak=-
=5 miles outside the City-State of Bergkoff=

It is late Fall and Winter is just around the corner. After weeks of marching Prince Leonidas' troop made up of his Royal Guard and a small force of 50 soldiers have finally made it to the area. Their goal is to investigate rumors of Orc and Goblin attacks coming from the Razorthorn Mountains. So far its said that 3 cities have been lost so far and it seems that Bergkoff was the next target going off of the reported movements. Things have been rough in the North lately not only has there been this recent string of attacks, but it seems that a plague has started to set into the area as well. Prince Leonidas hopes to stop these attacks and assist in curing the plague as well, and although he doesn't have many troops of his own Sir Siegfried and his troop of 500 knights are not far behind and will assist the prince when they arrive.

A cold chill runs through the camp this morning, not uncommon for this time of year. As the troops start to wake up and go though their morning routine and start packing up camp Prince Leonidas stands looking down the road seeing Berkoff in the distance. "I hope we can make it in time. We can't afford to loose Berkoff and loose our main trade route with our dwarven allies..." He says to himself almost wanting to set off for the city right now leaving the troops behind. Although he was just one man, Leonidas felt that his presence could help turn the tide of battle should one come. Now Siegfried would scold him for this thought "You won't do your country any good if your dead boy!" Leonidas could hear the old man's voice in his head and brought a little grin to his face. But the day was still early, and who knows if the Orcs had even made it yet. If the cards fell happened to fall in our favor Siegfried and his Knights would arrive to bolster the defenses before the orcs arrived.

After a few more moments in thought Leonidas would turn back to his camp looking over the solders entrusted to him for this mission. He knew that his father didn't want to worry the people by sending a large force, but he could of easily crushed not only the orcs, but the image of his own weakness if he had sent at least an entire battalion to crush the orcs. But that would be a discussion for another time. The first priority was the defense of Bergkoff, then maybe Leonidas could conscript some solders to join him in launching a counter attack.

Two weeks. Two bloody weeks i've been away, and "Bergie" is already under attack. Rudolph thought to himself shaking his head evidently fed up.
He made his way through the camp to his tent after quickly rousing his squad.
He then hastily collected his belongings and packed up his tent. After sorting himself out, he walked back to his squad to check on their progress.
One had finished his, two were idle and chatting, and the other two were half way through theirs. The two that were chatting eventually saw Rudolph standing there staring at them visibly irritated and quickly squabbled to get theirs sorted. Idiots. He thought to himself.

He sat on a crate as his unit packed up, waiting for the next order to come in. He quickly scanned his gear to check if all was well, besides a few scratches here and there, it was in good form. He then looked down at his uniform, the dark purple and grey trims were somewhat grimey and were in need of a good wash. The rains were heavy during part of the journey, so mud was unavoidable.

With a sigh Rudolph stood up and then noticed the young Prince walking by. He wandered over to join him. "Mornin' your majesty." he said bowing slightly. "I leave for five minutes and me' home town is under attack." he said gesturing to the city with a chuckle.
"So how many orcs are we to be expecting 'milord?" he asks leaning on his halberd. Sooner we get home, the better. he thought.

As Leonidas wandered through camp he was approached by one of the Soldiers. It took a moment for Leonidas to remember exactly who he was but it came to him quickly.

"Mornin' your majesty." he said bowing slightly. "I leave for five minutes and me' home town is under attack." he said gesturing to the city with a chuckle.

"Good morning Rudolph," He responded nodding to the man, "I'm sorry about that, I don't understand why my father called you and your men away from your home just to tell you it was in danger." He continued truly confused by his father's actions.

"So how many orcs are we to be expecting 'milord?" he asks leaning on his halberd.

"Reports are varied the numbers can be anywhere from 200 to 1000. Hopefully we will be able to bolster the defenses and hold out until Siegfried's knights can come in and charge from the sides, hell if were lucky the dwarves might just show up from behind to gun them down." Leonidas replied. He knew their 50 was nothing to 1000 but Bergkoff was a defensible city from the reports so things should go fine.

"I've also head that you have managed to get a few cannons imported in from the Dwarves?" He asked sounding truly interested. "If that is the case then your home won't fall easily even to that many orcs. I have seen a test firing of one of the weapons they are defiantly an equalizer." Leonidas added on, he knew about the cannons and was sure Rudolph did as well. But bringing them up might just counteract any doubt that might have crept in after hearing the orcs numbers.

"Reports are varied the numbers can be anywhere from 200 to 1000. Hopefully we will be able to bolster the defenses and hold out until Siegfried's knights can come in and charge from the sides, hell if we're lucky the dwarves might just show up from behind to gun them down." Leonidas replied.

Between 200-1000 eh? Great, at least we'll be busy. Rudolph thought to himself, sighing at the thought.

""I've also heard that you have managed to get a few cannons imported in from the Dwarves? If that is the case then your home won't fall easily, even to that many orcs. I have seen a test firing of one of the weapons, they are definitley an equalizer." Leonidas added on.

Rudolph straightened himself, he had forgotten that the Dwarves had gifted the city some cannons. "Aye 'milord. Before i'd left, not long after they delivered and tested them, they were already implementing them into the city's defences. They should be finished by now.", he briefly looked over towards where the city sat on the horizon before turning back, "We might not have much magic, but we manage." he followed up with a nod and smile.
"If the city were under attack, we'd be hearing those new toys going off." he followed up.

The meager camp that Faira used was already packed and ready for the continued march. With such a short distance left to travel, she had hoped to arrive yesterday, but it had simply gotten too late. She believed Prince Leonidas did not want to arrive by night, and though she could keep going, Faira knew many of the men were exhausted.

To her understanding, they would be approaching the city from the opposite side from where the invading force had come from, but she thought it possible that the orcs may have surrounded the city, maybe even sent scouts to the surrounding area. So she had made a habit of scanning ahead for any sign. Just like last night, however, there was nothing to see yet. They were simply too far.

Faira approached to where the prince and another member of the guard were discussing the defenses.

"If the city were under attack, we'd be hearing those new toys going off."

"Unless the fighting is over," she cut in, making no allusion to which way she expected it to have gone.

Acrius frowned and let out a long-drawn sigh. The past week had just been marching. Marching. It didn't exhaust the amber-eyed lad but it did bore him to no ends. He knew why. Still, his body shook from the inactivity; he hadn't had a good fight in awhile. No one was willing to spar, citing that they were exhausted from the endless marching and setting up the camp. This morning was no different. The cold seemed to pierce through the thin tents, rendering many of them exhausted and dragging their feet. Acrius couldn't help but think it a tiny bit pathetic; a little bit of cold and some marching did this much to the men who was supposed to hold Bergkoff?

Acrius sat on a box, he had already finished his own preparations. His left foot bounced up-and-down incessantly, trying to release excess energy. Whether it was from boredom or anxiety, he didn't know. What he did know was that he was going a bit stir-crazy. Pushing those thoughts out of his mind, he observed the two by the prince's side; both seemed affable enough. At the very least they were made of sturdier stuff than the rest of the men. It was Faira and Rudolph, he believed. Neither of the two whinged nor complained during the march.

"When is this damned march going to be over?"

"The faster it's over the better, I say."

"Hah, right! Yeh I just want my gold."

"Dying for the Grand-Empire? Fealty to the crowned prince? Sod that."

The two men guffawed between themselves. The boy's amber eyes trained onto them. His gaze pierced through them like a hawk watching its prey. Is this the stench of insubordination I smell? Acrius thought fiendishly, knowing full well that it was barely that, After just a week of marching?

One of them had a chill run down their spine. He directed his friend to Acrius' piercing glare. A look of anger and confusion boiled within the two men. He didn't say anything, his eyes instead invited them to try something. They seemed willing to fight; finally, he might get some real exercise. One more push ought do it. "So we're discussing open treason in the encampment now, eh?" He got up and cracked his neck, "Sounds like you two need sorting out."

"Who the fek do you think you are?"

"Someone needs to teach you some respect, boy!"

"I don't think there's anyone here quite worth respecting, though?" Acrius spat back with a grin. He goaded the duo, intentionally making their slight bigger than it actually was.

The two men approached Acrius carelessly. One threw a strong hay-maker which he ducked and swept. The man landed face first into the dirt, seemingly reeling from the impact. The other soldier grabbed Acrius' wrist and screamed obscenities. Acrius simply reversed the hold and, using his other arm as leverage, flipped the man easily. He now had the man in a shoulder lock. With one more motion he could dislocate the man's shoulder. He then shuddered as he felt the fierce, lion-like gaze of Leonidas. He immediately released him; placing both his hands up in mock-surrender. Had it been a moment later he might've gone through and actually snapped his arm.

"That was good exercise lads, you've improved!" Acrius said loud enough for the prince and the rest to hear. He whispered the following words to the duo, "Any more talk like that and its more than an arm I snap."

The duo retreated somewhere further into the encampment; glaring at Acrius all the while. If looks could kill...

"Good morrow to you Prince Leonidas." Acrius smiled as he approached the group; his mood was noticeably better because of the 'exercise', "You too, Rudolph and Faira."

Manald was not amused. In his mindset, 'varying reports' was a quite shameless euphemism for one's system of intelligence having either broken down or been successfully deceived by the enemy. It shouldn't be that hard to keep track of a horde of Orcs marching straight for one of the more important settlements humanity had, should it ? Being outnumbered was one thing, but not even knowing whether it would be one to four or one to twenty if one only counted the soldiers around the prince himself was another.

Setting up camp here was a gamble. If it had been his own decision he had not stopped just 5 miles before the destination after days of marching, but pushed the troops harder so they would have arrived earlier, reducing the enemy's chances to do so before them. The big downside of this idea ? The possibility that the Orcs might already have reached the city even before that, resulting in 50 soldiers who had not been given any opportunity to rest running right into them. Manald could have made an argument out of that, but he held himself back. In his opinion they all had been thrown into a situation that had already been a dilemma, caused by others. He'd really liked to have a serious word with Leonidas' master of spies instead...

As the beastman meandered around the camp at a sluggish pace he could almost feel many of the soldiers turn their heads towards him behind his back. At least some of those had to be new people, not part of the gang that knew him already. Another item on today's negative list... just knowing that the men around oneself were good was much better than merely hoping for it. And then he heard the splashing sound of someone falling into the mud. Or, given the intensity of the noise, maybe one should even say 'having been dumped into it' ?

Out of sheer curiosity, Manald took the detour around the bunch of tents to investigate. What he saw made him cross his paws in front of his enormous chest: "Already starting the fighting before the fight, are we ? The lycan chuckled.

Soldiers seemed to enjoy complaining and gambling in equal measure. Or so thought Zatana Aleana as she moved along the edge of the camp, her dark and worn cloak sweeping along the dew studded ground that warned ice and winter snows would soon take hold. Adjusting the slight mask of rough fabric to fit over her nose a bit more comfortably, Zatana watched as a few of the men who did notice her look pointedly away. They were wary of the strange woman who was a wraith amongst the trees, and she could only bring herself to be amused by the thought. Checking her gloves were on tight, she knew why they worried. What woman wrapped herself up in so many layers as if the sun's touch would be poison to her? Even those who looked under the hood and saw her black eyes would see the dark lining of kohl that rimmed them. The shading of ashy grey makeup that disguised even her skin. Alas, it was hardly makeup but her actual skin, not that Zatana wanted them to know that!

Seeing a slight commotion she was drawn from the path she had been walking to inquire as to the source. The battle-loving, Acrius was just having a tussle with two soldiers, and it seemed they were the ones worse of wear as the mud-spattered men passed her and deeper into the camp. Her lips twitched under the mask, had they really thought they could best the young man? From what she had found out over the last month Acrius had bested in the arena to join the Prince. Zatana dismissed the thought for the moment, while it was interesting it served no current purpose and she had more interest in making herself of use. Which was the crux of why she was heading to the now five people standing along the road, and she considered holding back a time.

The large grey form of Manald was intimidating and Zatana had little enough knowledge of beastmen culture and abilities that she was wary of the large man, and drawn to learn more. Her grandfather most likely knew, but in her hundred and twenty years Zatana had found little cause to remember the specifics of the race. The other two, aside from Acrius and the Prince, were human. One a trained soldier, the other was a tall women. Rudolph and Faira respectively. But the crux of why she was dressed so that her skin did not show was the impressive figure of the Prince to the Grand Empire of Man. Prince Leonidas Lionheart. She had saved him from an assassination attack and joined his guard in doing so. While that would be cause of celebration, Zatana sincerely doubted there would be welcoming cheers to find the Prince had been saved by a Dark Elf, 'Drow', who just happened to be very well trained at sneaking around and stabbing people. It wasn't that her people did not do that, they did. Her people- or rather her grandfather- had exacting opinions on whom to stab where and when that person should be stabbed, if they should be stabbed at all. There were other ways to deal with someone that were far more tasteful. Still, that reputation went before her. For the sake of sanity, and not incitng a mob of angry nobles and commoners alike, Zatana chose to hide what she was. Allowing tales of vicious scars and deformities to float about. There was one rumor that even suspected she was a ghost!

Stepping up behind the group, she spoke in a soft and oddly young voice. While her age could be counted beyond the age most humans would call 'old', in truth she was still soft-featured and fair. Elven advantages. "Perhaps, Your Highness, I should go ahead of the company and see the state of Bergkoff. If the fighting is finished, or not yet started, the information would be valuable, yes?" There was a slight accent to her words, a few of the 'r's finding themselves rolled.

Leonidas gave a little grin as he saw his comment had brought Rudolph at least a little comfort.

"If the city were under attack, we'd be hearing those new toys going off."

"That we would, and we should take that as a good sign." He added slapping his palm onto Rudolph's shoulder. "We will make it in time to help your home that I promise you." Leonidas said just as Faira came to add her comment to the situation.

"Unless the fighting is over,"

"I doubt our luck is that bad, if that were the case there would be signs of that as well, we're close enough that we would see the fires if the city had fallen." He responded knowing at the very least they weren't to late.

Then a bit of commotion caught Leonidas' attention as Acrius got into a scuffle with a few of the soldiers. And after turning his attention to the boy, Leonidas was somehow able to break up the fight with just a look.

"Good morrow to you Prince Leonidas."

"Don't give me that, What have I told you about getting into Scuffles with the soldiers?" He said back still giving the boy a look. Although young and hot headed Acrius had a good head on his shoulders and had a good bit of potential. And before he could continue to grill the boy Zatana joined the conversation giving what was probably a good idea.

"Perhaps, Your Highness, I should go ahead of the company and see the state of Bergkoff. If the fighting is finished, or not yet started, the information would be valuable, yes?"

"Good idea Zatana, please do take one of the horses and head out as soon as...." It was then that the ground rumbled and a booming sound rang out in the distance. Leonidas instantly knew what that meant. and quickly turned to the camp.

"All troops its time to move! The city of Bergoff is under attack! This is what we came for. I want everyone to be ready to move in 5 minutes!" He yelled out to the troops before turning back to those gathered around him.

@LadyRunic@Gisk"Zatana, Faira I want you two to each grab a horse and ride ahead. I want a report on the enemy units by the time the rest of us arrive." He ordered not waiting for the two of them to leave before continuing hid orders.

@Borosev "Rudolph I want you to lead our infantry troops to the city. You should know this area and know the best way home and where a good place to strike should be." He continued before turning to Acrius.

@Inertia@Fetzen "I'm not finished with you, we will talk later... for now your with me. You as well Manald, the three of us will take the Calvary units and lead the charge." Leonidas turned back to the troops who were now hurrying around preparing for their fight.

"We will not let Bergkoff fall today!" He yelled out once more before turning and making his way to the make shift stables to collect his horse stopping by his tent to pick up his hammer along the way.

"That we would, and we should take that as a good sign. We will make it in time to help your home, that I promise you." said the Prince. Rudolph couldn't help but let a small smile creep up a little.
"Unless the fighting is over." came the voice of the large woman of the retinue. His smile dropped away again with a depressive sigh.

He noticed a commotion in the camp, and soon saw the young lad Acrius coming up to them after seeing two soldiers scurry away. Rudolph rolled his eyes.
That boy needs discipline. he thought to himself, as the Prince spoke at Acrius.

"Perhaps, Your Highness, I should go ahead of the company and see the state of Bergkoff. If the fighting is finished, or not yet started, the information would be valuable, yes?" the voice made Rudolph jump out of his time in thought. He turned to where it came from, and then saw the woman Zatana. Rudolph didn't now what to think of her, he barely saw her amongst the group much of the time, and had little reason to trust her, beside the fact the Prince seemed to.

Before the Prince replied, Rudolph felt something in the air, and quickly turned his attention toward the city, he saw the flashes of cannon-fire coming from the city amongst other things glinting in the sun-light as they flew into it in turn. The sound of the devices hit harder than expected.

He turned back just in time for the Prince to relay his orders. Finally we get some action. Rudolph thought with some adrenaline beginning to build up.
""Rudolph I want you to lead our infantry to the city. You should know this area, and know the best way home, and where a good place to strike should be." ordered the Prince, and Rudolph nodded in return without hesitation. He immediately turned and walked back into the camp to surpervise the troops as they hurried. He barked at them every now and then before they got into formation. "Form up lads, form up!" he said walking by the column of troops as they lined up. "You two,..." he pointed at two spearmen at the back, "You two will stay here and help guard the personel as they pack up the caravan." they hastily saluted and hurried to help the civilians.
He surveyed the troops amongst him, and watched as the Prince and his retinue, along with the cavalry readied themselves in turn. Rudolph squinted trying to find someone, "Oi, Wheres Merik?!" he asked the troops in front of him, eventually a soldier spoke, "He went out looking for food sir." replied the soldier.
Rudolphs shoulders slumped as his frustration grew, he let out a sigh, "Well go get him then!" he barked back at the soldier, shaking his head.
Everyone was more or less ready to go, and he was eager to get going again.
He listened to the battle that occured in the distance, Sounds like the dwarven guns are doing well at least. Wish we had more here. All we have is my pistol and the one rifle that Klaus has. Bows are good enough I suppose though. he thought as he looked over his troops again, I wonder if i'll get a promotion he then pondered.

The Grand Duchy of Bergkoff was once left ravaged and desolate by a Drow Warlord. The city-state is now in a much better position than what it used to be, having given up its sovereignty in exchange for assistance from the Empire. This subservience is an asset; better that they serve the greater interests of the Empire than to pursue its own goals. Thus, this invasion from the local orc and goblin tribes is... problematic.

Even more problematic is the incompetency of this army's scouts. Normally, Balthazar would send for a report from one of his informants within the Duchy, but the fact that the land is being pillaged has made it difficult for couriers to reach him. Five miles was too far away for his Record-Hunters to reach, and any ravens sent to and from the city is shot down by the enemy-- if he wanted accurate information about the situation in the city, he'd need someone competent enough to evade enemy patrols, retrieve the package from one of his informants, and then return swiftly to the army.

Balthazar knew he would have to ask this of the Prince, or from one of his retinue.

After finishing reading these reports, Balthazar neatly stacks the papers atop one another, before placing them in his trunk. This chest contained information the scholar had accrued about the army, its movements, the region it's in, and any potential threats, both internal and external. It also contained one of his familiars, just in case someone would try to take a look inside. Sealing them away with a magical key, the man stood up from his chair and stretched-- not so much that he'd strain himself in his old age, but enough to shake some of the cobwebs away.

The old man secured his grimoire and took up his cane, speaking an incantation to extinguish the candles in the tent, before walking out and into the army camp proper. A camp of soldiers is hardly the quietest place to write, so he had his tent pitched near the officers' lodgings. Some of the soldiers whispered about the man as he walked, but none of them were foolish enough to openly speak of him in his presence. Balthazar made his way through the winding paths, having an inkling of where the Prince may be at this time.

Sure enough, the Prince was found with most of his retinue near the edge of the camp, upon a ridge with a clear sight of the city. Balthazar eyed them all with scrutiny as he moved closer. It seemed like they were in the middle of a conversation-- or nearing its end, at the least. He quickly reviewed what information he had gathered about them in his mind, before entering himself.


"Your Majesty." Balthazar bowed formally, before giving everyone else in the group a nod in greeting. Before he could relay his request to the Prince, however, cannons can be heard firing the distance. The attack had already begun.

"It appears I am too late. We will have to march without perfect information. Although if I may suggest a plan, Prince Leonidas... I may have a way to get information before then." He commented, before turning to Faira and Zatana, the two people in charge of riding ahead and reporting on the enemy numbers. He leveled a serious glare at both of them, expecting their full attention.

"It is unlikely you will be able to get so close, now that the attack has begun." He started. "...but if you can find a way to enter the city before the horde encircles it completely, you will find one of my informants waiting for a courier near the West Gate. Give this to him." He presented to them a wooden token with a strange symbol etched upon it. "He will give you a parcel in return."

"If you manage this, we will be able to gain information on enemy numbers, their composition, and perhaps even their locations." Balthazar explained. "...and if you fail, you will either be dead, captured, or stuck in the city when we arrive-- all of which, would not be an ideal situation for any of us." He sighed for a moment, allowing himself a moment to breathe.

"...can I entrust this task to you two?"

He posed the question openly. It was a gambit, for certain, and the Prince was always free to object to this plan and that would be the end of it... but Balthazar figured it was time to see if these retainers would have any worth in tasks that weren't simply direct combat. He knew that Zatana could handle it, but he was unsure of her loyalty at this time. Meanwhile, the old man also suspected that Faira could do this, but if they deign to fight every patrol they come across, it would be too late.

Merik Roak

The forest was quiet and calm, most of the animals however were on edge. The fight that was to come set a gloomy mood to the trees and the earth. The deer he was feasting on was already weary and on edge when he ambushed it. Other than a few wild dog tracks in the area Merik had not found any track or scent of the Orcish and goblin hordes he knew lingered nearby. Blood would be spilled this day the reptile could feel it in his scales, in his muscles, and in his bones.

Even with this feeling Merik enjoyed his time out in the forest. His instincts could run wild and he could feel at peace. The loud boom and thunder that echoed through the forest caught both himself and his horse off guard. It took some time for his warhorse to attune to him but it still wasn’t used to the dwarves thunder sticks and thunder tubes. A sigh escaped the large Lizardfolk while he watched his horse run off into the forest. At the very least he knew it would run back to the camp. “Prince Leo be upset Merik lost nother horse.” He spoke to himself for a moment then looked around.

Merik knew which way the camp was and the way to the city, without a horse he will just have to join up with the infantry again. “Ruduf will be happy that big friend help.” Again Merik spoke to himself and stood up leaving the rest of the deer for the wild dogs he knew were lurking nearby. With a huff he headed out toward the camp at a fast pace, he could double his speed while running on all fours. Almost leaping more than running.

The voice of the infantry leader and the scent of man soon grew stronger and stronger. He was sure they could hear the racket and noise he was making as he moved toward them. Loud heavy foot falls and snapping of branches and toppling of small trees. Bursting from the foliage the behemoth skidded to a stop and slowly stood before the men. Some he recognized others he did not, his muscular tail was moving side to side and he smiled at his smaller human friend. “Merik find you Ruduf, (Pronounces it as Roo Doof.) Merik lose horse again, so Merik go with you.” He gave the man a toothy grin and waited for him to keep going for him to follow.

@Borosev

Zatana had just been about to dip a nod to the Prince when her head whipped about to peer in the direction of Bergkoff as a boom shook the ground. It would be far louder near the city, one of the few irritations the drow had with the dwarven technologic advances. In her profession, noise was kept to a minimum and her grandfather often noted that loud sound showed how uncivilized someone was. A statement that thus far rang true as far as Zatana could see. But there was little time for introspection as Leonidas barked several orders, though the ones concerning her was all she needed Zatana did hold an extra second to hear the rest of the battle plan. Knowledge was key to all things in life after all.

It was just as well she had held back as the robed form of the thorn in her side spoke. She had noted Balthazar's approach but pointedly pretended she had not. Zatana was not blind to the dangers the old wizard represented to her. He was often elbows deep in paper and one of the so very few that knew what she was. If he wasn't so competent and she so in need to stay where she was, she would have slipped out of town to fish in a different harbor so to speak. Zatana watched him detail out a plan with a grim smile. That was the problem with this wizard. He was so very dangerous because of the things he knew. If she had the ability and circumstance would she dispatch him? Would he do such to her in turn? Her eyes were flint as the wizard outlined his plan to her and Faira, a good plan to be sure.

Reaching out to pluck the wooden token from Balthazar, Zatana let her dark eyes soften to a wicked delight, letting the thrill of being able to do something show. Let wizard make of it what he would. Emotions that were shown was only another part of the grand game she had been born to. "Within the city, at the West Gate, contact with parcel." Her soft voice was the exact opposite of dangerous as she smiled behind the mask while she repeated the key pieces of information. For a chance to clarification and to make sure she would remember it herself. "Not a difficult task, though any information you might add on this contact? Flashing a token about a city under siege... Those as do not know its significance would find it a distraction. Impeding ourselves and their own efforts." It was not unreasonable and clarification in a city that would be fighting a coming siege would be useful. "It is reasonable to ask, is it not?" She asked in a conversational tone as she slipped the token into the breastplate of her leather armor where a pouch was for small trinkets. Zatana was curious if he would give more information, or if he was using this as a test to feel her out. It wouldn't be the first time nor would it be the last someone had tried to do so. The other option was that he sprung from the same cloth as Murdoc, she was going to be expected to figure it out, and getting the answer wrong would have all the consequences fall on her head.

Cannons ? Oh what brutal instruments of death those dwarves could develop! Death for his sensitive lycanthropic hearing that was... If he found the sound of those things deafing while still a fair bit way of them what would happen once they'd be next to them ? It was not a bright outlook Manald found, but hopefully those things would do more damage to their enemies than they did to their own troops. One could never know for sure with such inventions...

When Manald heard Leonidas giving the order that involved him in leading the cavalry units he knew what to do: Make preparations. He needed not only to retrieve his shield and weapon from his tent, but also his second armor that was more suited to his alter ego -- the one that only came out on rather rare occasions and for a rather short amount of time. Five minutes was not much time for grabbing all things, putting those needed immediately on, then walking back through an entire camp of people all doing the same thing at the same time to the stables and getting one's mount ready.

Still Manald was not in the mood for shoving aside those not making way for him, even in the hurry given. It was important to treat people with at least a certain degree of respect or bad things would come crashing down upon oneself one day. So what everybody caring to look would be able to see was Manald getting his fur dirty as he compensated for any necessary evasive maneuver by walking even faster, thereby transporting a fair degree of mud from his feet to other regions of his body.

He barely made it in time, making his appearance in the makeshift stables while breathing considerably heavier then before. "Leonidas ? I hope your majesty is aware of the fact that horses and I are not best friends." He knew what he was talking about. Horses were sensitive beings and felt that there was something very, very predatory in Manald even if it was not directed at them in any way. And then there was the fact that the wolf-man was just very bloody heavy.

More eyes had been observing the fight than he thought. Manald, a gigantic beastman observed the fight bemused. Acrius gave him a curt nod. "Warming up your joints before a large battle is important." He shot the beastman a half-smirk as he said this. Another figure joined the retinue, Zatana. He had essentially no information on this woman. She was heavily dressed up and seemed to avoid socializing. Still, he couldn't deny her skill during the plot to assassinate the prince.

Acrius froze at the sound of the prince addressing him. As expected, Leonidas was going to grill him later. A slight frown etched onto his face, Leonidas' reprimands sometimes took hours. He quietly followed the prince and pumped his fist in the air at being put on cavalry. A cocksure grin now made its way to his face; cavalry tend to be in the thickest and heaviest fights of the day. "Of course, I follow your orders my liege." He said, trying (but failing) not to let his excitement leak into his voice.

Before they could do so, Balthazar made his presence known. He was a familiar yet still utterly mysterious figure to Acrius. You could say he's his pseudo-teacher in magic related endeavors. Still, he was a riddle wrapped up in an enigma. Hell, Acrius had never seen the old man so much as crack a smile or frown. Well, there was one time... "Ah, Gramps!" The amber-eyed boy called out. That one time when Acrius called him 'gramps' was the only time he'd seen his mask crack. He had half a mind to present his magical progress to Balthazar. However he seemed to be having an important conversation with Faira and Zatana, so he left it at the that.

Luckily Acrius already had the necessary equipment on hand and simply followed the prince to the stables. Luckily, horseback riding was easy to grasp for him. However he couldn't teach anyone to save his life, he was a horrid teacher. As he saddled onto a horse he spotted a dirtied-up beastman entering the stables. Manald voiced a valid concern of him on horses. Acrius had to stifle a chuckle as he tried imagining Manald on a horse.

Balthazar stared at Zatana impassively. Her request for information was a reasonable one-- in fact, he had been expecting at least one of them to ask questions. After all, only fools rush off not knowing the full picture. Still, while this was a matter that was imperative to the battle's victory, he knew she would be capable of that much. Considering the assassin's set of skills, he had no doubt that even if he did not give any additional information, that she would be able to ferret out the informant with relative ease. In the end, he decided to take the middle ground.

"He is in the guise of a beggar. That is all I will say." The man explains. There were scores of impoverished men and women in the city, but how many beggars would be waiting near the West Gate? "Of course, the City Guard is not aware of such an arrangement. You will have to find your own way in." Perhaps they could convince the guards to let them through, or find an alternate way to enter the city. As he recalled, there was an old drainage pipe near the south side where people empty their chamberpots, sometimes used by smugglers and spies to enter the city. It was not the most glamourous of entrances, but it was one of many.

He knew deep down that they will not fail him. This was not a particularly complex task, but it was not exactly a straightforward one, and it was extremely time-sensitive to boot. Still, they would not be a part of the Prince's retainers if they were not capable of this much. They would succeed and continue their service, or they would fail and the Prince would find better retainers.

In the end, the Empire will get its due. He will make sure of it.

"That will do," Faira said, half turning before she had finished speaking, "Lady Zatana, we can plan our approach on horseback. Let us ride."

She turned from Balthazar, and made for the enclosure that held the guard's horses. Here she saddled her horse, Steak, and mounted, but waited for Zatana before setting out.

When they were on the road(though she expected they would leave it before they were much closer), Faira spoke.

"I can run faster than a horse, but only for maybe two miles at a stretch. When we're closer I can get there alone faster, but whether that's a good idea... we'll have to see the lay of the land. But what do you think?"

Zatana gave Balthazar a long, steady look as he answered her questions with an answer that spoke to what she suspected would be the case. Wizards, after all, were so very much the same when you got down to the bones of the debate. "So be it." The woman replied as Faira turned away to fetch the horse she rode. Turning as well, she put the problem of Balthazar and his wizarding ways to the side. They had no place in her current mission until they became relevant again. Now her mind turned to the mission at hand, learning information on the enemy and picking up a parcel from a contact within a besieged city. Walking quickly she gave a fluttering whistle, calling the dark mare that she had come into the Prince's service on. While not a warhorse, the mare was surefooted and fast with a temper as wicked as any Dark Elf matriarch. Traits that were far better than brute strength.

Gripping the saddle as the horse moved by, Zatana stepped into a stirrup and swung into the saddle. With the siege so close, there had been no reason not to saddle the mare as soon as the woman had gotten herself about. Turning the horse towards the road she joined with Faira and her Steak, the name of the horse confounded Zatana. Names were well and good, but they carried a potential attachment, and that wasn't something to give an animal you might need to kill one day. Which might come soon, Zatana thought with annoyance as the mare pinned her ears back and tried to sneak a sharp bite at the other horse. Gripping the reins tighter as she corrected the horse and sent the wicked beast into a plunging gallop, Zatana thought of Fiara's question.

"Running is well and good, but you cannot run through an army." The woman pointed out in her soft voice, raising it to be heard over the horses. "We will have more information when we reach the city. Though if there is an army, I might be able to slip through their ranks. Might. They might also decide they do not like that and try to kill me." Though Faira couldn't see, Zatana had a soft smile. Something she let show in her voice at least, the idea was that she was trustworthy after all."You are faster so perhaps you could slip in and out to the gate better than myself. But what of trying to find the beggar?" That was an added point of the problem. They didn't know exactly what they were looking for and they were on a time limit. "Only one, I think, should go into the city. The other one should report back, or wait to see if the parcel can be retrieved. That runs the risk of death, capture, or waiting within a city."

Shortly after the soldier was sent to collect Merik, the lizardman turned up anyway. "Merik find you Ruduf, Merik lose horse again, so Merik go with you."
Rudolph raised a brow, and sighed, "Alright, you stay with me then." he said nodding to the lizardman. The soldiers standing before them were clearly still a little uncomfortable with Merik's presence.
They'll probably feel better when they see him in action alongside them.

"Klaus, go get that other lad i'd just sent away." he said to one of the five of his kinsmen, whom like him, were dressed in the dark purple and grey trimmed livery of the Bergkoff Guard.

Rudolph turned toward the Prince and his retinue,"Mi'lord, Merik has decided to join me and the troop, if thats alright." he said with a wave.

He then took a step forward toward the troops, "Have you lot collected all your gear and readied yourselves? 'cause you'll be seeing the greenskins soon enough, and theres far more of them than there are of us. They'll want your heads as trophies.", he took a moment before continuing, "If you die, then make sure you at least bring ten of the bastards with you!", the soldiers were mostly quiet. One piped up, surprisingly roused by his words, but awkwardly reeled himself back in.
"Anyway." Rudolph mostly said to himself, as he walked over to inspect them.
I do hope these lads manage. And I hope we get those reinforcements soon. Otherwise we're buggered.

It takes him a meer few minutes to check them all. "Alright, good enough." he said returning to the front reasonably satisfied.
We're as ready as we can get. he thought to himself, with some concern slipping in.

-City of Bergkoff-
This city of 2000 Empire citizens stands at the border between the Empire and the Razorthorn Mountains. Built in a Gothic Victorian style the city takes up about a two mile circle surrounded by walls. These walls stand 30 feet tall and are made of stone providing the city with a hardy defense. The city has a major street leading from the northern gate to the southern gate this road is about 25 feet wide and in normal times is lined with stalls of vendors but as the news of an impending attack came trade has quickly died down as troops from the surrounding areas have gathered to help in the defense. The City has two smaller gates to the east and west each having a smaller 10 foot wide roads leading to the main road. Aside from that there are small 5 foot wide side streets running in circular factions in which buildings are built along both sides.

@LadyRunic@Gisk

Faira and Zantana leave the camp quickly and quickly ride for the city of Bergkoff. The ride is a short ten minutes and as the two approach the city its Walls start to come into view and the barrage of cannon fire continues to the north. As you approach it doesn't seem that the Orc forces have surrounded the city yet and you see some caravans fleeing the city. But it seems that your approach has been noticed by the soldiers on the wall. Seeing that you are not Orcs they seem to wave you over to the southern gate for entry into the city. Although the main gate remains closed a hidden door on the side of the gate is opened to let you in. After being hurried through the gate you are stopped by one of the guards. "State your business, As you heard we are in the middle of a battle. If you are here for shelter we don't have much room left but we can keep you safe here for now." The guard says while looking you over before noticing the insignia of the royal guard on your cloak. The guard instantly straitens up. "I'm sorry, I didn't know the Prince would be sending anyone ahead, Are his forces almost here? What can we do for you?" He stammers as he moves out of your way allowing you to pass into the city.

@Hawthorne@Inertia@Fetzen

After prepping his equipment to ride Leonidas mounted his horse and looked back at Manald, "Well a scared animal will run faster won't it? That means you should get there before the rest of us." He said back with a grin. "Yours is a fine horse give it some time and it will warm up to you. Just don't go biting it and we should be fine. Hell we got Merik's to stop freaking out and that guy is a giant meat eating lizard. Yours will do just fine as long as you don't well you know... while your riding it." He followed up before moving out to check on the others.

It took a little more than the Five minutes Leonidas had said for the Calvary to be ready to move but that was to be expected, getting ready to march did take a bit of time, but with that little kick of a time limit it did speed up the preparations a bit. Once the troops were assembled and ready the Calvary would set off on their way. At their marching pace it would take about 15 minutes to reach the City and things were looking clear, that was until they got about 3/4 of the way when something was spotted to the west. A pack of Wolf mounted goblins seemed to be circling a caravan that had left the main road. At a rough count there were 15 of them but they seemed distracted. Leonidas raised his mighty hammer into the air and then pointed it at the Goblins. "CHARGE!!! Lets show those monsters what happens to those that attack out people!!!" He yelled out as he pulled the reigns of his horse directing it toward the goblins who seemed to busy terrorizing their prey to realize that they would soon be under attack.

@Borosev@ReusableSword

The troops at camp hurried to prepare themselves and were ready to march within 8 minutes only a minute or two after the Prince and the Calvary had left. Their march was harder than normal, but not one that would exhaust the soldiers before they got to the city. The main troops were able to keep up a good pace and were even able to nearly keep pace behind the Calvary only barely gaining ground for a while. Luckily they were able to keep the Calvary in view and was even able to see as they started to break off after the goblins. But they were still to far ahead for the Infantry to be of any real help, by the time they would reach the goblins any skirmish that would happen would be over before they arrived. One of the troops in the lead ranks watched this and turned to Rudolph, "Sir! *huff Huff* Should we send a unit to assist the prince? *Huff* Or keep on to the city?" He asked moving alongside at their jogging pace