Session 11 14/10/957 The Egrebi were professional soldiers. Two guards watched over us. Caed speaks their language, and said that they were discussing the demons. They were suspicious of our claims to have fought and survived. Abbud, a bard, talked to us, and told us that the Holy Men of the Prophet's land had come north, to the States. This army belonged to Hani al Muhammed, son of the ruler of Kheir, an Egrebi principality. I've studied geography, but I must admit, I know little of these places. I could even be misspelling the names; I'm afraid I'm not so good with foreign names, Andoulaise excepted. I'm not sure of the situation. I think the troops actually belong to another ruler, the Emir of Djedida, Jibril al Watih. So many confusing names. Jack sent a message to Isolde, Jack-style. 15/10/ We heard a knock on the door, as Abbud entered, accompanied by a soldier carrying a pot of porridge and some bowls. Abbud ate with us, and spoke in good Echtan. He said that the Emir had made a treaty with the Free States. He also refered to the Holy Men, who were going en masse to Morpeth. Apparently, these "mad fools" are much lover by the Emir, which is the main reason why he decided to send troops to the States. Thanks be to God, so as to speak! A soldier went 'Imshi! Imshi!' at us, and we began the trip to Morpeth, accompanied by two squads of troops. A cart held all the baggage. The soldiers wore cream-coloured trousers and red shirts. The weather was poor; stormy and wet. It began to rain, turning the horse-track to mud. 16/10/957 Walked; talked to Abbud. 17/10/957 We heard the troops talking about rumors they've heard. They didn't know the names, but one of the stories was clear, if true: Baron Aross saved Duke Guilder during a great battle with the Elves, and is now a war hero! At least this war is bringing the States together. Then again, so would a crushing conquest of the Blood Plains and beyond. We heard shouting outside the tent. Rushing out, we saw a row of horsemen on a nearby hilltop. They charged. We shouted at Abbud to fetch our weapons. (We were sure which tnet they were in.) He got the bag of weapons and held it open. I told him to spill the contents out onto the ground, which he did. I got my knives. Surefoot did the Flying Porpoise on an on-coming Elven rider. Elves, here, on this side of the mountains!? The ground, the air, everything suddently turned pastel. The glow of the Elven glass-armour shone with stunning pastel hues. Several stunned Egrebi were struck and killed by lances. An Elf grabbed Jack, and tried to haul him along on his horse. Lee jumped at him, and it really was a mighty leap, because he managed to shove the Elf off his horse. Talking of horses, these ones were nasty. I'm good with horses, but I know when it's futile. These aren't just warhorses - they're more like warrior-horses. Melee ensued. Cae took a nasty hit, but succeeded in hacking at a horses knee, causing the rider to tumble onto the ground in front of me, face down. I hit him hard. [OOC: A satisfying if unspectacular 20 HP attack.] One of the Elves tried to cast a spell at Jack, and succeeded. As the Elves prepared to flee with Jack, wheeling around and shouting at each other, Lee ran over and stabbed the Elven mage. It tried to spellcast, but injured and under sttack, failed. We ran to help. I tried to mount one of the horses, but failed. Well, there was an Elven rider still on it at the time! Surefoot stunned the Elven wizard, who was then rescued by another Elf. The Elves wheeled around again, towards us, and rode through the camp. One tossed a crystal into the air as he rode off. We ducked for cover. *boom* No damage... but all the Elven dead were gone. They'd just... disappeared. Checked out hilltop. Nothing of note. 18/10/ Less rain. Moved along. Very cold. 19/10/ Onwards. 20/10/ In the evening, we heard hooves. Egrebi cavalry. Two horse messangers had been found dead on the road to Morpeth. We were to be escorted on horse by these cavalry. The Captain's horse looks outstanding. As fine a horse as I've ever seen, and I've seen some of the best in the States. 21/10/ Rode hard. Farmland, mainly deserted now. 22/10/ Riding through the day, we reached inhabited areas. It was wonderful to see the lights of Morpeth ahead. They've never looked so very pretty. Reached the Great Rode, and then the tent city that has formed around the walled city. The city gates were closed. "Who goes there?" "Prince Hani al Muhammed and his men." Ah. Quite. That explains the horse then. Risky for a commander to be out with so few men. I'm not sure whether to disapprove, or admire. A small gate was opened, and we rode in, and up to High Rock Castle, the home of Queen Catherine Derina. Once past the guards and into the main courtyard, we dismounted, and made our way to the audience chamber. As we waited for the Queen, the Prince walked over to a beautiful dark-haired woman who looked to be Egrebi. He whispered in her ear. Duke Guilder walked in, with a walking-stick, and greeded us warmly. He'd though us dead. The Baron, now his good friend, was with him. Lady Isolde was fetched. She and Jack tried not to be overly emotional, but were clearly relieved that they were both alive. A Royal Herald announed the Queen. We stood, as Her Majesty entered. She was happy to speak to us. She and the others told us the news of what had happened. Phillipe and co had fought bravely in Auchenross. My father was now the City Quartermaster, and my uncle and brothers had joined the Army. Of course, I'm sure the reader will have access to better historical material if he wishes to learn about those two years I'd missed, but as 'objective' history books are often lacking in their appreciation of how things appeared to those involved, I'll included here for your convenience a brief summary: 25/4/955 We disappear. 8/8/955 Elves attack Woodwall and North Deep. 20000+ Elves crush resistance. 6/7000 Dwarves in North Deep, 4/5000 in South. Duke Guilder had 10000 militiamen, 500 cavalry, and 2000 infantry. [It angers me a little that I warned the Army this attack was coming, and no doubt they knew from other sources, but the fools who oppose the FSA obviously didn't let them build up strength in time.] 25/8/ Great battle, FS forces fall back to Baldock. 28/8/ Baldock falls, and is raised. 10/9/ 3 day battle at Edrick's Pass. Gen. MacAllister killed, Elves victorious. 12/9/ Battle of Slurd (the highway to Whitenlock). Duke of Whitelock killed, Baron Aross takes over. 18/9/ The two FS armies meet. Possibly bloodiest battle of the war at Annie's Field. Duke Guilder falls, and is saved by Baron Aross. Army forces routed, flee to Morpeth. 20/9/ Elves reach Morpeth. Set up 1/2 day from city. 956 Treaties for mutual defense of the Free States are signed. A fleet is sent from Kingsreel. Summer Andou signs treaty with Free States. Winter Egrebi Holy Men start to arrive in Morpeth. 957 Spring Djedida agrees to support States. Autumn Egrebi troops arrive. Winter We return to Morpeth. I've learned that the woman the Prince was talking to was a friend of Isolde, called Isabell. She's the daughter of the Ambassador from Andou. The city's combined forces are lead by the Head of the Knights of the White Bear, Adam Cresner. I was curious about the Holy Men coming here, so I went to the house of the Egrebi merchant who's housing many of them. He's a long-time Morpeth resident, and I've met him once or twice before. He was friendly, and I and Isabell chatted to one of the more comprehensible of the Holy Men. He said some of them had had a vision of a fortress (Morpeth) in the North, and known to come here. Really, they don't seem to know why. He also suggested (when I brought up the issue) that one "Should only kill of the faith or in self-defense". I also suggested to my Father than I might join the Army. He said I'd serve the States better continuing on as I was. 1/11/957 Jack's wedding announcement. Celebration. 2/11/957 Nice dinner with the Duke. Told family all I'd learned about my soul situation. Jack did some research at my request, testing the poison from the dagger of the elven assassin who'd tried to kill us on Tanner's ship, the Heron. Jack managed to poison himself slightly, proving that the poison is a potent paralytic. 9/11/957 Surefoot, Caed and Devon presented Jack and Isolde with a, ahem, beautiful red love barge. We sailed down the river, to where the wedding tents were set up. Guards surrounded the area, as the Queen and most of the court were attending. I'll skip the banalities, but basically a pair of Elven assassins almost killed Isolde and the Queen. Ah, yes, Isolde. Forgot to mention: she's the Dragon. She helped turn the Elves back from Morpeth. Losing her would be a disaster. It looked as if she might die. We hurried back to Morpeth. I told (and doubtless many others) told the Wall Guard to get everyone they could on duty asap. Sure enough, 2 hours later, the Elves began their attack. Two holes were blown in the outer walls, and Alteans rushed in, supported by Elven combat mages. Jack used his power to combat their darkness spells. Devon and his Order d'Aumlet Sacre used the power of Knutt to block off one of the gaps in the walls. Isabella crept off. I went with Surefoot and Lee to try and kill a Elven mage or two. We easily killed a few Alteans, and reached an Elf, who soon died. As we returned, we saw Isabell wearing Elven armour. She looked dazed. She looked at us, raised her blood-splattered hands, and said "This is the blood of an Elven High-Mage!", before collapsing. It soon transpired that she'd defied all the odds. She'd disguised herself as an Elf (put on armour, learned a few words), then pretended to fight a city guard, and be forced back into the Elven forces. She'd followed runners back to a tent, crept in (without being seen, despite guards everywhere), and sneaked up behind Ahlana with a dagger. I am in awe. All Morpethers owe her a debt of gratitude.