Wulfe would have settled down if he could. Instead he ushered Chloe off to a quiet part of the camp and spent somet time just paying attention to her, more than anything. He was curious about how she felt about their whole situation and what it'd mean. In this sphere, he was truly at a loss for any kind of wisdom, having never known his siblings past children or spent time around any women for any length of time.

"What do I need to do?" he asked, perhaps feeling it okay to admit his lack to a single person who was to mother his own child. The question did make him feel uneasy, however.

After that, when darkness had taken hold of the land, Wulfe walked around the camp trying to think of how to best handle the coming days. He had told nobody of his plans or his own ambition for them; though he could likely confide in those closest to him Wulfe always preferred to focus on the next step as the life he led left no certainty about whether they'd survive even another day. The thought of what might be tugged at his gut and made him flutter with excitement. It was dulled though as he walked amongst the remaining villagers that had suffered a great deal and he wondered whether or not the situation had been handled well regarding their mages or even the enemy troops.  The tactical plan had worked well enough and from that angle he knew they were in a strong position but the new path they had all walked had him making decisions beyond soldiery and this was another domain in which Wulfe had amassed practically zero experience.

He wondered what would become of them all, but grinned all the same that if the world would burn around them then at least it would burn with them all together.

"How is everything? he asked each person in turn. Ovo and Hugh had been seeing to the fortifications of the area and while it may not be much in a single day, any advantage would be greatly useful.

Herkimer had contacted nearby forces and hopefully would provide good news with respect to that and John had perhaps gathered the support of dragons. It was an impressive feat, given that they'd set off with less than a score of men.

"When the time comes... We need somebody to lead the non-combatants away from the battle. We need to select a person who will ensure children's safety so that they aren't harmed. he said to the group, finding comforting familiarity in considering their predicament in with a soldier's mind.

But in the end, he still didn't sleep.

Ooc: does Herkimer know where they are? I am not entirely sure which village.

In reply to Herkimer (msg # 41):

You are in New Fairfield, in North Central Oakwood ... which isn't going to mean a lot most likely.

She looks at Wulfe "Well, you are doing one thing right, delegating. If you lead the fighters, some one needs to lead the reserves and someone needs to organize the non-combatants. We don't want the enemy to use them as shields or a target to distract us." she wants to help him as much as possible.

Morning dawns quietly... the locals aren't at all sure what to do, some go into the fields whole other pack carts to go north... several leave shortly after sunrise, commenting that they cannot bring any value to your stand. [These are are older folks, woman and children, whom offer little benefit to the group.]

During the night Herkimer would have given Dame directions as best he could, approximating their location.

ooc: 06:26, Today: Herkimer rolled 9 using 3d6.  Area Knowledge (Caithness) @ 13

Once he was done doing that he would reach out to Airis and inform her of their current situation.

ooc: 06:26, Today: Herkimer rolled 6 using 3d6.  telepathy @ 14. Unsure how far we are for long range modifiers.

Finally He would reach out to Master Aedan.

ooc: 6:27, Today: Herkimer rolled 5 using 3d6.  telepathy @ 14. Again, unsure how far for long range modifiers

"Master Aedan - Can you hear me? I'm calling from afar and need your advice on who to reach out to, if anyone can help us or something else you can think of given our situation." Herkimer explains the situation to his old master and asks for any sort of help that might get them out of this jam alive. The whole time he was fuming that he was reduced to this. It was embarassing...

ooc: 06:29, Today: Herkimer rolled 9 using 3d6.  Contact (Mage Acadey) @ 15 (somewhat reliable).

In reply to Herkimer (msg # 45):

It's going to be a busy night ...

Morning came and Wulfe, despite feeling some of the tugging at his energy seemed for all intents and purposes wide awake. It was the expectation of battle or perhaps what Chloe had said. She was such a lovely woman, he reflected and then grinned knowingly at all that had passed.

Some people were leaving, and they were old or women or children to which he didn't mind, it would be best that they were out of the way but the rest had remained, and that was good. Whomever was capable enough to hold a stick or shield or knife could be helpful in this and the united force against the enemy wizard would show their resolution to end their influence.

They didn't have much time though, John had told him so (OOC: How much time do they have before enemy are likely to arrive?) and so he felt it best to see how Hugh and Ovo were seeing to defences, and then to John and Herkimer to ask of the support they were to be shown.

She will look at Wulfe "Maybe we should send out a few scouts, people who know the area. Then we might have an idea of the line of attack." she takes his hand "What position do you want to defend?"

In reply to Chloe (msg # 48):

John will suggest Umbulat take an alternate form to see from the air where the enemy troops and the commander was.

Umblat nods and becomes a small bird before flying off... he is gone a good while before returning.

In reply to Master of Fates (msg # 50):

John will approach Wulfe.

"We have an opportunity to gather some more men. There is a large group of some sixty plus men advancing toward us ... the dust will be visisble soon. There is one mage as leader, a fancy looking one, and two lesser ones to carry out his orders. they are perhaps a league away now, but moving slowly. We should set an ambush, with the majority of men at the front, some perhaps disguised as mages, whilst we await behind. Once they troops commit, Herkimer and I, dressed as regular troops and perhaps backed by Hugh and one or two other rangers, move out and attack the mage leader and his three cronies. The less of the regulars taken down the better."

During the night...

Herkimer tracked down Wulfe and found him doing whatever leader-y type things these men with swords do when they are as useless as tits on a dragon.

"Wulfe."

Herkimer dispensed with titles. They were meaningless. They were meant to impose some sort of intimidation to people who didn't know better.

"Spoke with the Queen - she says some Men of Stone will be here come morning. If that's all then I will be off to try and keep my potential protege safe from whatever arrives tomorrow - also rest. I need all the energy I can muster."

Wulfe cocked his head. "This morning?" he asked, knowing that Herkimer had planned to contact the others the day before and through the night. But it was good news either way and so he smiled.

"The girl? he asked, questioning about the new Protege. "I don't doubt you're long overdue to pass on some of your arcane wisdom. Just make sure you teach her a better temprament than you've been showing lately. We wouldn't want another one of these fucking wizards about now, eh? he said with good humour but understanding well the path that some people choose to follow.

Herkimer drew up short... He turned and slowly looked at Wulfe, his sword, his shield.

"Never again mix me up with those who cower before something other than the truth, that hurt what could never hurt them. brother... best you watch your own entanglements rather than others.

He turned once more and left, his message delivered.

She whispers to Wulfe "So what adjusted his attitude I wonder? In a time of war, it is good"

As Herkimer walks off, a slight shadow detaches and walks beside him.

Wulfe shrugged "Who could guess? Airis perhaps or maybe  he just enjoys fighting more than he originally thought.

It is good so long as he knows which way to point and doesnt lose control. He injured himself and John last night. Like a lad finding the limits of his ability, to be fair. Just probably more dangerous when you can set things on fire with your mind.
he said

Somewhere around Mid-morning the Enemy appears, spread in a line of mounted men a long bow shot wide. There is thundering military music as well; they advance at a slow walk.

Over the Music a Voice Thunders TRAITORS WHO HOPE TO LIVE SHOULD RUN TOWARD YOUR BROTHERS NOW.

One or two break ranks, only to be grabbed by those beside them.... one breaks down in tears, sobbing that he doesn't want to die.

The voice thunders again  YOU WILL PAY FOR YOUR INSOLENCE


The Old soldier whispers  The help is kinda late   he points to a small cloud of dust rising behind the trees behind you.

"Better late then never." she says as she sits on her horse watching.

She looks at Wulfe "What me to send them a present? I guess I should really wait till I have a good target in sigh" she says with a grin

In reply to Chloe (msg # 59):

Was John and others able to get into a position to be behind them?

John can, Hugh and Ovo are needed with the troops, Herkimer is concerned about his new apprentice who knows nothing of magic and stays back to work from the lines.  You and Umblat do go out to the woods on one side.

As the enemy line approaches, there is some disturbance in the air above and behind the Enemy formation. It takes a second or two before you can make out something large and dark appearing... (in todays world it would be like a B-52 appearing behind them, only quieter).
It takes a few seconds for a Gigantic Dragon to become clear in your sight ... his rapidly growing form appears to soon be as wide as the enemy line from wing tip to wing tip. Your troops point and pull up shields, a few step back, close to panic, many are pointing which causes the opposing line to look about and then scatter.

REMEMBER ME GRUEDUK? thunders through the air drowning out the martial music and all other sounds ... as the enemy line dissolves you can see the fancy mage in the back spurring his horse toward the woodline ... deep laughter echoes around you and the Dragon plucks the mage from his horse and rises with several flaps of his great wings, causing dust and wind around what was the enemy line...  at about 300 feet in the air the dragon drops two objects and keeps flying, fading out into a hazy disturbed patch of sky.

The two objects become human forms that plunge into the ground. The enemy is in total disarray... your troops are actually in a much better formation, but are totally stunned by what has just transpired.

It came and then in the shortest of time the Chaos had started. A dragon, had seemingly plucked mages from their formation and launched them to the air only to let their body smash back against the Yrth. The enemy line had broken and it was the best opportunity to take

"FORWARD! he roared with the hope of getting Hugh and Ovo to press their own troops and crash upon the unformed enemy.

Wulfe stayed back a moment and tried to find the place he could be most useful... eager to catch the fate of the enemy mages.

Herkimer looks at Jaeleen and her kindness melts something in his heart. He almost smiles. Then his barriers go back up and he scowls.

"Yes... we won't let them hurt again will we. Tomorrow morning when the enemy comes we need to keep you safe. Stay with me and we will offer what aide we can from the rear."

---

The dragon was a sight to behold. Herkimer runs his hand through his hair, reminded of the power these creatures wield, the white streak still branding him. As chaos ensues he watches as the mages plucked by the dragon begin their fall to the ground. Jogging forward he yells, as if anyone was listening.

"SKEWER THE MAGES - THEY COULD PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THAT FALL."
Suddenly he didn't trust the others to do that. A sense of honor? Responsibility? He looked around and grabbed Jaeleen by the shoulders.

"Hide girl - but quick, give me a trinket or a lock of hair. Oh i'll do it myself"

Yanking a strand of hair he puts it in a pocket and strolls urgently forward, making his way towards the mages. In no particular rush but approaching all the same.