The Hall of Fire 28.pdf - Fan Modules - Free

Hall of Fire The Unofficial Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game Webzine Issue 28 March 2006 Page 23
Edrahil sat for a few moments staring back towards the
south and the castle Eldanar two days away. He worried about
those they had left behind and what they would soon face. He
hoped that when he and his comrades once more passed by the
Dúnedain keep that there would be many who would be able to
accompany them back home.
“Come on Edrahil,” said Fengel over his shoulder. The
Éothraim had paused to wait for his Sindarin friend. With a nod
to each other, the two spurred their horses after the others.
Standing on the battlements of Eldanar, Nain sniffed at the
air and stared north. He had spent many of the last forty-eight
hours hard at work in the smithy and his hands were tight from
the laborious heat. He heard a shuffle and turned to see Lûnduf
approaching. The Dwarf craftsman knew not why but Edrahil
came to his mind and then he knew that they would have but
one more night of peace.
The day drifted wearily by like those prior and while Dirnhael
and his Company made good headway in catching up to the
wain that drew Camentir north, Lûnduf was drawn from his
labour by the sound of shouting. He set down the tool that he
had been using and walked about the wall of the donjon to peer
up at three sentries on the west outer tower. The Dwarf began
to sprint towards the tower entrance and was met by Nain and
Eradin who had also heard the alarm. The trio mounted the
stairs that led to the roof and moments later stepped back out
into the afternoon sky. One of the sentries turned to Eradin and
spoke.
“Commander,” he said as he pointed out to the white plain
below, “It would appear that the Enemy has come, or at least a
reconnaissance!”
Lûnduf peered through the crenellation and saw a
recognizable banner unfurled - it was that of the Easterling,
Sacal who had attacked them in the few weeks prior. He sat
before his colors upon a large roan and behind him was a troop
of cavalry roughly thirty strong.
“They are sizing us up…” whispered Eradin behind him.
Nain grunted. He was no warrior but had fought enough
orcs and goblins to know a thing or two. Besides, you couldn’t
tell an orc from an Easterling at this height anyway. “Keep the
men off the battlements till they come closer, there’s no point in
letting them gauge our strength without tasting it. Sentries only.
If they charge or advance then we will open fire. Have everyone
prepare for the battle just in case.”
Dirnhael and his riders pushed themselves on through the
morning and into the dusk of early evening. When the sun was
beginning to fall towards the western horizon, the Company
mounted a hill and from their new height could see the road
north stretch out before them. The wagon was close enough to
be seen by the eyes of the Men as well as the Elf - it still rolled
north at a slow pace, being drawn by a pair of horses. Around
their quarry rode an entourage of seven other riders. Dirnhael
counted… seven riders and two men on the wain. It was going
to be a challenge.
“We need a distraction,” said Edrahil. “We need to draw
the riders away from the wagon and while they have been drawn
off, we take Camentir.”
“I’ll go. Three for the distraction and two for the rescue?”
Durgil queried Dirnhael.
“The ‘distraction’ will be far more than that, I fear,” said
Dirnhael. “We may be able to make headway, but we will have
to face at least most of these men with steel in hand.”
Dirnhael looked to his wounded comrades, and then his
eyes flashed momentarily towards his Elven friend - if they ever
were in need of his powers, it was now...
Noticing Dirnhael’s look around, Durgil asked, “Is there
anywhere ahead that we could lay an ambush for them to maybe
even the odds?”
“Exactly what I was thinking,” said Dirnhael. They are not
expecting us, and we have both bow and steed available - and
Edrahil. This, plus the element of surprise, gives us a chance.”
He looked around the group. “I am open to suggestions. We
need a plan that will deliver a deadly blow to our foes quickly.
We do not wish to stand toe-to-toe with them in our present
condition any longer than we must.”
The Elf spoke, “The horsemen guard must be drawn from
the wain and not for any purpose of combat. They must be
drawn out and led away as far as is possible and for long as is
possible. It will be a game of cat and mouse - the mouse, or mice,
keeping the attention of the riders while the rest of our
Company can pluck our friend from the Enemy’s grasp.” Edrahil
continued, “I suggest this Dirnhael... Fengel and I ride about and
come before those below us. We will give them a reason to
pursue, I promise you.” The humorless smile that crossed the
Elf’s face told the others what he meant.
“I choose Fengel as my companion because he is most
wounded and would do best not to get into another skirmish. He
is born to the saddle and will be able to evade pursuit alongside
me. We will draw off our enemy, lose them from our tail, and
then meet you at our encampment from this morning.”
He looked to Dirnhael, “That is my suggestion...”
It was a risky plan. There were only five of them left, and if
Edrahil and Fengel departed, that would leave only Dirnhael
and his two younger charges to face the rest - and only Durgil
was truly hale. They had to eliminate the guard and take
Camentir back to their encampment quickly in case Edrahil and
Fengel had not lost their pursuers. It had two large benefits,
however - they may not have to face all the soldiers in battle,
and they would already be on the run - looping around and
turning back towards Barad Eldanar as quickly as possible.
“We will commence as the sun sets. The veiling darkness
that follows will aid Edrahil and Fengel on the run, and will
disguise our approach. After the horsemen have been drawn
away, we must strike fear into our enemies and end the battle
with haste.”
Fengel listened intently to Dirnhael and a wolf-like smile
appeared on his face. He had been raked many times by the
abominable monsters that had set upon them the night before,
but he would not let his friends down. He drew in a great breath
and twisted the wood of his spear.