The day has come.
Thick clouds covered the sky and horizon, and the sole air was so heavy over the Stangard. But nothing was more heavy upon hearts of eorlings then red and black banners that were lining in the east near defeated Eorlsmead tower. Drumming and strange calls are heard from the east. There was not a single man, woman or a child, that didnt help in reinforcing defenses or gathering supplies.
At the Dryhtens command eastern gates troops where lead by Cynebur, with strong mind of a weathered rider. Whilst command over western gates were granted to Langhund, the young maegisterwigend, while Ceolswith the famed shieldmaiden and quartermaster was focusing on ceorlfolc and equipping the defence. Regnwald was everywhere, striding from one gates to others, to the mead hall where weakest villagers were, old and small children.
All wooden logs that would be used for building new houses in Stangard are now used for reinforcing palisades and raising barricades around the walls. One of highes voices was shouting infront of the east gates of Stangard.
With helm under her arm, stood shieldmaiden tall as oaks of Halifirien, firm as iron from Limlight, Golden was her hair, braided into a single long braid that fell over her shoulder at front. She was passed the young years and there was a maturity above her brow.
- That barricade is weak as my fathers walking stick! Reinforce it! Now!! - she pointed out in spacious and thus weak placement of sharpened logs as barrier from cavalry or ladders, at eastern walls of Stangard.
Men and women worked together under the seeping rain that started to fall finally, lifting up the dust and clearing the air.
- "Women to the burgh, gather children and elders to the Mead hall. All able daughters shall take watch on the towers with men. Hurry min freonde, storm is upon -
Cynebur shouts out as they finished work on barricades then returns to the gates as sparing a look to the distance "Damned is the rain as is blessed, they cant burn us alive, but we wont see them clearly till they are under our foot!" she turns back and says to Ceolswith.
Ceolswith stands with her brow knotted in worry, "I just hope the mud slows them down."
Cynebur drummed with fingers on the helm under her arm while long tail flayed behind her from the helm "Lad came from Western gates, Langhund says there is still no goblins on the sight, he is pulling last men from Cuthstan right now."
Suddenly both of the women as well many of riders and villagers that were near gates turn to the east as glamor was raising trough the rain.
"Za dashu snaku Zigur, Durbgu nazgshu, Durbgu dashshu!"
The phrase growing ever louder and louder. Those with keen ears may hear the stomping of boots on grass, and the wild shouts in strange tongues. The rain gave a cover, though soon enough men were spotted in the distance! Clad in red and gold armour, with spears and pikes!'
Ceolswith pales in color some as the army is seen, "I wish I had gone home one last time, Cynebur... Maybe I wasn't meant for fighting?"
Cynebur didnt hear her words but instead ran to forth just as sun raised behind the upcoming armies of Easterling. Rays casted trough red banners deadly warning. Instead she takes off her horn while setting the helm on her head, and takes deep breath and blows into the horn. Mighty the sound was, long and urgent, advancing trough dells and hills of Eorlsmead.
"Close the gates! Close the gates! All to their towers and stations!!!" orders are shouted by Cynebur while ushering trough closing gates last few villagers "Archers get ready!"
The army kept coming, its numbers endless it seemed! They spread across the plains, each marching forth in unison towards the town. At the head of the army was a man clad in dark red armor with golden plating. He seemed similar to the others, though his helm was larger and mightier and he rode upon a black horse that was plated in armor itself.
The army moved forth, but they halted, with shieldmen at the front and in the first few rows whilst archers and those with pikes and general swordsmen were behind. A dead silence fell, apart from rain pinging off armor and hitting the ground. In this silence, noises were heard... roars, cawing, and growls all growing in the silence. Then the leader raised his sword, and shouts of men repeated!
A blow of a horn was heard outside the walls, and it was answered by more in the army and one further away in the distance. The shout then came out loud, floating on the wind, a word in the dark speech of orcs and wargs and easterlings. "GAL! GAL!"
Ceolswith held her sword up, trying to rally the archers; young, old, proven and new. She orders them to prepare, waiting for the advancing army to get in range. Cynebur shared words with Dryhten Regnwald that came to the gates. Able fyrds were gathered around in ordered manner, equipped with spears and shields. Regnwald retreats as orders have been given to see the others muster points and gate commanders.
Cynebur turns to fyrd -They wont advance further till they test our arrows range, but be ready brothers and sisters!!! - and looks to one of the boldest riders Randric who had mustered his resolve and spared a smile to her.
Sudenly, wings started to flap, and up from the army gathered a host of crebain, twisted to the evil ways. They croaked out as they flew forth, an easy target but numerous. If they would not go unchallenged, their sharp talons would soon hook onto the face of those they meet! As the birds moved, so did the army and now they rushed forth to the gates with shouts and horns blasting!
Ceolswith leaned down as the birds flew through, "Birds!". She covered her nose, not wanting to further injure it. Once they passed, Ceolswith stood up, shouting, "Hold steady! Let them come in!"
Cynebur turns "Shields up, the Folcas ring manouvre!" and all gather in tight formation covering their fronts with shields and while second line carries shields above their heads, mostly used against archers arrows.
Ceolswith looks over, her sword still raised. She waits long enough for the approaching army to enter into their range, knowing they can fire down at them, "Hold... Steady..." Her voice would sound nervous like the men standing near her. She would shout again when the army reaches a bit past the road, "Forth Eorlingas! Let your arrows fly true!"
The first few lines of men were met by arrows.. some fell, others took one and just about managed to move a bit more, whilst others used their shields wisely as they moved forward. The men behind trampled over those dead and dying! The lines of men started to gather together closer as they came onto the path, ready to make for the gate. Shields were raised as more men fell, and a warshout was blasted out! They slowed a bit, stepping over the dead with shields high.
The crebain swooped low as they moved between the archers towers and those that did not meet a target in the towers moved down. With razor sharp talons and beaks they would go to claw at any one they find!
Ceolswith shouts to take cover again as the crebain return, "Kill those things!"
The army moved forward, and it would not be long before they made it to the gate! The archers now fired towards the towers in return, and other threw stones. The crebain raised high in the sky, now looping back above the army and going straight towards the two archer towers.
The archers in the towers form up again, readying their arrows to again let lose upon the army, shifting their aim towards the ones over the road.
The lesser protected swordsmen took the arrows, screaming out in pain as they fell back, though those behind simply stepped over them and rushed to get to the gate. The larger men took up axes, shields slung on their backs as they would start to try and break the gate.
End of part I.
Many thanks to all participated in this great RP event! Especially our invaders and defenders!
