With a chance to write on our travels back to Albridge, putting my thoughts down is a good way to focus for the next phase of the plan. The facade finally cracked; emotional pressure got too high, and I had to confirm what everyone thought. Can anyone fault me, really, for the tight silence that I keep? Yes, it was wrong. Few things instill any fear in me… but the Iron Ring… Nazin and Leviticus, are among the few things still capable of doing so. Although, if I am honest for a moment with myself… I am… grateful, for their support and willingness to help.
-
The remaining trip back to Albridge was pleasant. More relaxed, more comfortable- breaking some of the violet-haired woman's ice helped a considerable amount. And while nobody would go so far as to say they were friends, friendly was now possible... somewhat. Still, such things could be explored later- right now, they had more work to do. Jordan, as was his want, peppered Violet with questions about what exactly happened; but Violet wasn’t ready to elaborate. It got to a point where Sera had to whack him with their board again.
As they crossed the bridge into town, the work was cut out indeed.
By this point, the forces from Tor's Hold had arrived. Somewhere between fifty and sixty in all. In addition to this, Willet Reedfoot and a few other hin- maybe ten in all- had converged. Joining them were a similar number of hin from the Appleseed Clan, led by Zenric. Most of the forces were to be found on the riverbank and at The Millet Inn, a tangled mess of confusion. Travelling through, the group went to Gremath Stables, intent on trading information and contemplating next steps. Once they arrived, Dar had come out to meet them- but he was not alone. Bran followed hot on his trail, followed by Willet and Zenric. But also with them was a dwarven raven-haired woman. All of them appeared to be in conversation. Heated conversation.
"...I've experience with leadership. And battle. Would it not make sense to lead?"
"This is true, Bran. But I’ve been organizing this since the beginning."
"You can reside over your own- and I will reside over mine."
"Zenric's right. We each have a part- and should act accordingly. Though I'm no stranger with such experience either. All of us are adept at leadership when required." Surprisingly soft-spoken, Willet looked to all of them in turn.
"Conflicts are not decided by fragmenting- working as one is advantageous. Under an experienced leader, such as myself."
"Like you've been all along, hidden in your Hold?" The woman's voice was sharp. "I follow one man- and that man would be Dar. Should you not like it, you are most certainly free to do things your own way."
"Why are we here then, Kathrid? We were recruited to help- so we came."
"In this instance, Zenric, Willet and I agree on something. But if you don't need us, then we can leave!" Bran turned to storm off, Zenric and Willet about to do the same. Dar sighed- this is what happened when one put multiple leaders in a room.
Before anyone else could say anything- and before the fighting broke it's fever pitch in violence- Asriel stepped into the middle of all of them. This sudden intrusion was enough to confuse, to cause a temporary ceasefire of words. "If I might ask... What's going on here?"
"And who might you be?" Kathrid stared at him, more sharp words on the tip of her tongue.
"These are the adventurers helping, Kathrid." Dar stepped back in, standing beside Asriel. "They're the ones who helped Bran get Toadswallow clear. And brought Willet and Zenric's clans in. Likely they just returned from intercepting the tithe caravan, like Zenric said. With them is the woman who's tangled with the Iron Ring before."
Asriel nodded, looking back to the group. "Dar is right. I am Asriel- those are my... the others. Sera, Jordan, Silver, Thorin and Violet. Perhaps we should... take this inside?"
"I see..." Nodding in silent agreement, everyone- Bran, Zenric, Willet, Kathrid, Dar and Asriel- went back inside, to speak more freely. Composing herself, Kathrid went to talk- but was cut off.
"Wait, you mean... You didn't even know?" Bran looked at Kathrid, Asriel and Dar- angry now. "Just what I thought! This is no way to organize anything, and you've proven my point!"
Everyone went to protest again- but Asriel merely held up a hand, drawing their attentions and commanding silence. "What's going on here? I see there is... there are talks, but about what?"
"We're trying to organize ourselves- and each other. But none of us can decide how to best go about it." Willet stood straight, looking up at Asriel.
"Willet and I believe the best thing to do, is organize whoever we each brought."
"Which doesn't work when nobody is able to communicate! We need a leader- one with experience in battle and in leadership. Which is where I come in." Bran glared at Zenric.
Asriel nodded gently, taking all the information in. This silent acknowledgement helped calm Bran, enough for the goatman to turn to the woman. "I... do not know your name. Forgive me."
"Kathrid's the name. Chief lieutenant. Should anything happen to Dar, I'd take over in his stead."
"A pleasure. Tell me... what do you think?"
"I follow Dar. He's organized this from the beginning- and should see it to the end. Obviously there are disagreements among us, but you asked my opinion."
Nodding again, Asriel looked over to Dar. "And Dar... What do you think?"
"I have three opinions. One is, yes- I started this organization, and I should end it. Bran does have a point though- someone more experienced with battles would be a good fit. However..." Quickly clearing his throat, he spoke on. "Yourself- or one of your companions- would also work well." That got attention from the others. "You're a natural leader- good at keeping people steady. I can see two of your companions are very adept in battle. And of course- we cannot discount the woman who has directly been involved with the Iron Ring. No individual gains that level on intimate understanding, without crossing with them before. I cannot speak as highly for the other two- but if you told us they should lead... We have been arguing for some time now- an outside opinion is what we need. Should the others be willing, I'll abide by your decision."
"If Dar will abide by it- so will I. Whoever it happens to be.” Kathid quickly spoke up with a nod, and determined stare. Daring someone to argue.
"That is a sound decision- one I'll abide by as well." Willet nodded gently.
Zenric also nodded, seeing the wisdom. "Whatever gets this argument to end is fine by me."
"...While I do not like it, and maintain my opinion... I will also agree to the decision that is made."
"Very well." Asriel thought it over a moment, looking to each of them in turn- Bran, Zenric, Willet, Kathrid and Dar. "Experience is important." This made Bran nod in approval. "People also... Follow those they are... familiar with." Willet and Zenric gave acknowledgement. "Loyalty has a place, too." Kathrid smiled at that. "With that said... Dar is the best choice." Immediately he could sense Bran's disappointment, but he spoke on. "I see five very good people- many would be lucky to have you. This is... rare to find. And we are all here… under one cause. To rid Highdell of the Iron Ring."
"Why not yourself, or one of the others then?"
Asriel looked outside, to the five he came with. His glance lingered on Violet- who was currently twirling her hair, listening to the others chatting. "See the violet-haired woman?" Brief nods, then Asriel looked back. "My role is... by her side. Same with the others- we came here for her... because of them. And we intend… to see it to the end."
Bran had time to mull the decision over, and calm himself. "Right, then- what's our next step?"
"My next step is see what this cart is full of, return it it the people if need be- and see what they've learned." Six people spilled back out, much calmer now- catching the attention of the five adventurers waiting. "Apologies for that. What's all this about?"
"This is the caravan cart carrying the tithe for the leaders, from Dardun."
"Ah, yes. We'll ensure this gets back to the proper people. Did you find out who's leading this?"
"Yeah, we did. Nazin Redthorne and Leviticus Emberstride." At the mention of this, five faces blanched. "What? Are you familiar with them?"
"The names are familiar- though we have a... different name for Emberstride..." Kathid was quiet.
"Karameikos' Blood Angel. Right?" None of the others could bear to say it, so Sera wrote it down. Once more everyone nodded. "Yeah. We've seen his... handiwork, for lack of better term."
"Question is... What do we do now? And how long do we have?"
"Word's likely gotten out. Especially since that caravan won't make it. We probably have until tomorrow morning. Nazin, with everything he's been told, will likely launch a sneak attack shortly before dawn- when he thinks everyone will be asleep." Brushing some hair aside, she looked to the five leaders. "What can we do to fortify Albridge? What do we have available to us here?"
"There's a tower to the west- just before you cross the bridge. Once served as a post for soldiers, until the roof caved in during an intense storm; but the walls remain sound. The bridge would be their main way here... If we can't hold them back, we'd fall back to town square. On the road there's trees and brush leading in- as you saw. It's clear for a good distance the other way- rendering sneaking hard. A small group will be stationed here, in case they try a dual-front assault."
"And what of those who are incapable of fighting?"
"We're trying to sort those details out. But it is on my mind. For now, though... Any and all ideas are welcomed."
"I can take a couple people, set some natural traps on the paths into town. Slow their forces down a little, bottleneck them on both sides."
"While they're doing that, I'll fortify key areas with oil and acid."
"Mentions of an old tower were had- you said the walls are sound? We could set up an archer force in there, to whittle the forces down. And set up formations."
"As that's all happening... I can help settle any debates that come up. Keep things running smooth. Silver and Thorin... can advise. They can help figure out... Where the six of us will be."
Everyone nodded, then Dar looked over to Violet. "And what will you do?"
"Move between everyone, relay messages. Keep my eyes open, for their arrival. It's all I can do."
"Very well. Then we had better get started. Time is of the essence."
~
The remainder of the day was full of preaparations, the entire town thriving with activity. Sera spent their time laying down traps, in accordance with how they wanted to attack from the tower. Jordan filled the tower area, paths, bridge and town square with oil and acid- easily able to set it off if need be. Dar- with Silver and Thorin's help- managed to efficiently utilize the forces they had. Reedfoots on the river, Peachtrees in the tower and at higher vantage points in the town. The Tor's Hold fighters, and the others not needed at vantage points, would be stationed in the square- ready to take up arms as forces spilled into Albridge. A small force were kept in reserves- to both guard town square, and in case of a night-time assault from the other side. Through it all, messages flowed free and tensions kept low.
That night, The Mallard Inn was full- and many ended up asleep outside, hidden in the town. A force of ten around Gremath Stables to act as a warning in case of ambush, fell asleep hidden around the building. Everyone else slept hidden around town. Eerie silence descended, calm before the storm. Hidden away on the rooftop, a tired Violet sat- head swivelling this way and that, looking for any signs of oncoming assault. Memories racked her mind, fear gripping her soul.
-
Here we are, on the eve before the Albridge battle. This is going to be all-out war. The Iron Ring is relentless; so many innocent lives are at stake… Not that it’s my doing, but I feel all this weight, all this guilt… People are going to die here. People are going to permanently injured. If this fails, so many people will be tortured, enslaved… My companions, gods… I don’t even want to think about the fate in the store for them, if they fail. Never mind myself… Nazin Redthorne, and Leviticus Emberstride- two people I’ve done so much to disappear from. I've not seen either in so long... What if I crumble at first sight? Can I really do this?
-
Violet's thinking was dissipated, a tap on her shoulder startling her. Sera waved with a slight flippance, they sitting loosely curled up beside her.
"You've been up here for a bit. You should get some sleep."
"Can't sleep, not with... Well, with the battle coming up."
"Exhaustion the night before leaves you prone to mistakes. Which is something you really don't need right now." A pause, then more scribbling. "Are you afraid of seeing them again?"
Violet didn't reply. The silence told Sera all that needed to be said. More scribbling could be heard... Followed by an arm over Violet's shoulder. "This is going to be hard for you... I get that. But remember- you're a lot stronger than you were before. A lot more capable of holding our own. And you're not alone. You have us."
Once more Violet sighed, with a nod. "Thanks, Sera... We should find someone to watch, and get some sleep. I've a feeling they're going to hit us early." With that, the pair climbed down. Tomorrow was going to be a test of mettle- especially for the one facing the shadows of the past.