Lightstar Family/Xarnelf/Roleplay 59

Worry Not!

"Your Grace! I bring news from the Marshal!" a man on horseback cried as he galloped to the front of the marching column. He delivered the message and waited for Xarnelf to read through it. They continued to move forwards at a slow trot, keeping pace with the infantry.

After a brief furrowing of the brows, the duke turned back to the messenger and inquired, "Good man, how many of the enemy will be present in Hosiel after the dawn comes?"

In response, the messenger quickly ruffled through a pouch before removing several papers and reading off the numbers. "Sir, reports delivered to the army from the Captain General indicate that there are about two-score-and-a-half of infantry in Hosiel at the moment, with another score of cavalry on the way from Attlel."

"And our own troops?"

"Only the Captain General and his Frost Guard have arrived at Hosiel. They are outnumbered at the moment, sir."

Xarnelf frowned, and then asked, "Is anyone moving from Ozrat to reinforce his position?"

"Uhhh.." ...some more digging through his pouch, and then... "..indeed, sir! Reports indicate Lord MacCrae will arrive shortly with his infantry, but not before Lady Lightstar and her special forces, sir."

"How many men will that be?"

A page was flipped before a reply was given. "A few men short of three-score, sir!"

"Excellent."

The messenger stared blankly at the duke, waiting for him to say more. When the silence dragged on for an uncomfortable amount of time, he stashed the scout reports back into his pouch and hesitantly spoke. "Uh, sir, what will be your response to Marshal Starfall?"

"Huh? Oh, you are still here, my good man? Well, let the good Marshal know that I will be joining the General soon, after I conduct a brief foray into Upasael, that is."

"Understood, sir!" This time the messenger turned about and galloped back to report.

The duke's captain, who had been riding alongside his commander the entire time, spoke up at last. "My lord, there is still time for us to change our direction and join the others in Hosiel. Our presence would ensure that our forces will crush the Ohnarians who decide to show up for battle."

When he received no response, Mathias continued. "Should I inform the men of a new objective?"

"Worry not, my good man! I am absolutely certain that our friends in Hosiel will triumph without our aid. We are talking about Tharion here, whose black warhammer can crush five men in one swing! Not to mention my very own sister, who once single-handedly slew (again) a dozen zombies! The Ohnarians will not stand a chance! We carry on as planned, Mathias."

Dubiously, the captain grunted a simple, "Yes, my lord," in reply, while they continued on to Upasael in silence.