And that's good enough for Adonis, who promptly gives a stentorian bellow of "To Arms!" just in case anyone has missed the riders arrival, then sets to chivvying people into some sort of order while Hadrick decides what is to be done about the news.

"Good!  Some combat!  I was getting tired of recruits whining about being forced to eat ants."  Harou gets his bow.

Brejgun flips his sword to hand, and looks beyond the rider for a sense of what might be coming ...

Brakkus hurries upstairs and takes station at one of the windows overlooking the road, bow at the ready with an arrow nocked.

In reply to Brakkus the Hermit (msg #46):

Hadrik's man pitches to a halt a few yards forward and slides stiffly from his horse.  Hadrik rushes to meet him, and their words carry over the still night air.  It seems his fellow was doubled up with a new man sent by the Jarl, and the horse gave out.  For the last league they were being pursued by a strange howling from behind.  The others dismounted about a mile back to retreat with weapons out.

Hadrik calls for volunteers to form a rescue party.  They will have to move fast on foot.

 "Aye, I may be clad in stout Albish steel but your good armsman Creldo will vouch that I am no sluggard afoot!" declares the Campbell, stepping forwards and quite plainly prepared to out and out start jogging down the road here and now, the moment a few others are at hand to join him or alone if that seems to be the need.

Beren rejoined Brakkus near the window.

When he heard Hadrik's call for volunteers, he sighed. "I might have been with them, but with my magic half-depleted, I won't last long in there, especially if this is the same demon wolf we saw before."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:44, Sun 14 Mar 2010.

Eldor gets into position on the roof facing the way the rider had come from. Using his elf vision he surveys the land below hoping to see what the enemy was and how many.

In reply to Eldor Leaf-fall (msg #30):

Thomas nods to Eldor as he continues to search for his missing armour and the rest of his kit.

Thomas tries four different spots and at the last - his fingers blunt themselves against steel!  Carving at the soil with his dagger he excavates the top of a shoulder plate...  however in the gathering dark it is hard to make out more.

Once he found the armour, he was elated and as he began to dig the call to arms brings him up short and he rises from his digging to get the great sword from near the inn and turns to confront whatever is coming their way.

"I'll go out to the rescue - there may be men in need of healing." says Karl.

"If that is your wish, my thane?", he checks.

Hadrik nods at Karl "aye, go on lad".

Adonis leads the way onto the eastern trail at a steady jog - he is followed by Thomas, Karl and Harou.  Creldo brings up the rear with a savage grin on his face.

 Sir Adonis Campbell might well be dimmer than a campfire in the morning, a terrible drill sergeant and an absolutely awful companion in the early hours of the morning, but when it comes to an enthusiasm for his vocation he's right up there with the best of them and aside from a glance over his shoulder at the men coming up behind him, seems content to meet what foe arises.

 Well, until the first dozen or so yards passes, at which point he cheerfully suggests that Harou and Thomas arrange themselves either side of him in a flying wedge to best use their swords while Karl remains in the middle as their medic and Creldo... well... Sir Campbell is beginning to suspect that giving orders to Creldo is largely a waste of breath, as like the very best of armsmen he'll just turn up in the right place at the right time without bothering to worry his 'betters' about the process.

Thomas nods and takes up a position to the other knight's flank with his great sword. He was not as effective without his armour but he knows his business and his heart is also elevated by the thought of combat. His wounds mostly healed he would not be the lame duck has has been for the past several days.

Where Sir Adonis was surly and vitrious as a drill sergeant, Thomas was the softer hand so that men would not break under the harsh lash of the other knight.

In reply to Thomas Keith (msg #57):

Thomas and Adonis move into formation as they jog.

...

meanwhile Hadrik summons Beren, Brakkus and Eldor for a whispered conference.

Karl takes the centre as suggested.

[OOC: assuming I have not access to spells or rituals outside what is in the old books, if not feel free to correct me. Also, sorry for taking time, RL has been a chore these days.]

]

The armed party jog now in formation, the trees closing around them on both sides.  As the track narrows they can only manage two men - or one Adonis - abreast.  After about five minutes a howling begins to be heard far ahead.

...

[ooc: Beren, I am willing to be somewhat flexible - partly because I have always found DW magic a bit too rigid, and partly because the Rules Companion I am working on, includes rules for this kind of stuff.  So.. use your imagination, within reason.]

 And that's about all Sir Campbell needs to call back, "Follow me - and form a line if the path widens!" as he accelerates rapidly, making about as much noise as you'd expect a man draped in most of a kitchens worth of tin plate to make, but in a way that very definitely says 'man coming through, get the hell out of the way!'

PM

Eldor looked at the men left in the house " I maybe able to aid our friends" With that he closed his eyes and concentrated.

Feeling his power raise within him he focused on the image of the road the rescue team were on. He felt the trees on either side and asked their spirits to help him protect his friends.

He sent images to the tree spirits showing them what he wished for them to do. When he was satisfied he clapped his hands together and those around him could feel a slight ripple in the air.

The warriors quicken their pace and ready their swords.   A minute later they are forced to either side as a horse streaks past, riderless but with a brand fixed high in its saddle.  Its eyes are full of fear.

Now one can hear the chink of metal overlaid with snarls - the battle must be close.

[ooc: actions/rolls assuming you engage next round]

...

meanwhile Eldor is kneeling by the mouth of the eastern track, his fingers dug into the earth and his head bowed in concentration.  Beren and Brakkus stand alert behind him.

Eldor continues to focus his energy into the surrounding countryside.

Sir Thomas glances back as the horse charges off into the distance. They would have to find that later. Horses seemed to be rare here and any one they could lay their hands on would be precious. He looks to Sir Adonis to nod he is ok and begins to move down the path once again towards the sounds of battle.