Flight of the Gryphonclaw Brigade
Part 4: Preparations
Lozordo was abruptly awakened by the sound of the alarm bell in the town hall tower being rung. He looked out his window to see night watchmen running about arming themselves with torches, swords, and bows. Homes were being bared and shut, women and children were being taken to shelters for safety.
"What's happening!" Lozordo cried out to one of the watchmen nearby.
"A small raiding party of Horde are coming, the town is preparing to make a stand!" he replied ushering a mother and her two crying children into a building that was being barricaded.
Lozordo quickly donned his chain shirt and strapped on his belt that held his two swords and the special sheath for his great sword to his back and rushed out of his room he was given in the tavern to the streets bellow. His face was now cold and focused with all seriousness. Yet anyone who looked into his eyes would see they were alive with fire and energy.
"From which direction are they coming from?" He asked another watchmen boarding up a window.
"From the road to the West." The guard replied.
"How many?" asked Lozordo.
"Our one scout that returned said he counted five of them." The guard said taking another board from the pile and beginning to drive nails into it.
"Only five? How the hell do they expect to raze the town with just five?" Lozordo pondered out loud.
"That's all they usually send our way." The guard chimed in. "We've always repelled them though it does cost us dearly whenever they do come."
"You mean to tell me this happens often!" Lozordo asked, almost too shocked to do so.
"Well...Yes!" the guard said between hammer swings. "It's as if they don't WANT to raze the town...just give us a little grief...toying with us."
Rage welled up inside of Lozordo. What kind of game does the Horde play with this already troubled town. It was bad enough that they were continuously battling the remaining Scourge that infested the woods and Raven Hill, and the Worgen that hungered constantly for their flesh. But to throw this at these people as well, fully knowing that they were already faced with hardships, and keeping their numbers dwindling to where the town could barely survive was unacceptable. Lozordo had to find out why they were doing this...so he could put a stop to it once and for all.
"You there," he said to a passing watchman, "let the guard know that I want to take captives for interrogation, try and see if we can take one or two of them alive."
The guard nearly fell backwards in disbelief at the statement, and then promptly nodded and ran off to spread the word. Yes, Lozordo was determined to get some answers tonight.
A short while later all the guard were standing at ready around their makeshift barricades, archers had their bows taunt and ready, some waiting behind hastily made wooden walls and others camped on roof tops. The rest of the guardsmen stood there with their swords drawn. All of them were either older and weathered, or young and seemingly inexperienced in Lozordo's eyes. He could now see why there was an uneasy feeling spreading throughout the gathered night watch. Lozordo knew that if these people were afraid now...they were doomed before they could even strike a blow.
"These Horde are few in numbers," Lozordo shouted, breaking the heavy silence, "they come into your town and pillage and ransack without worry or remorse. And why shouldn't they, if you're too shaken to even stand your ground, you might as well give them the town."
All the guard were glancing about each other and looking intently on Lozordo. No one had ever spoken this bluntly to them before.
"He's right!" came a voice from the crowd. Out stepped another obvious stranger to these parts. He was not wearing the normal night watch gear. Instead he wore a full set of mail armor. His hair and most of his face was covered by a chain mail coif. He carried a large, two handed mallet and wore a red tabard with a golden insignia of a polearm with a flaming halo around it.
"You are all shaken," the stranger continued, "and if you are frightened now, then you're dead. So stern up, you're all brave fighters defending your homes, and for that reason you are unbreakable. By the Light...you all will not fail at your task tonight!"
And with that comment the guard let out a cheer, all of them seeming a bit more at ease, their confidence bolstered by the two seasoned strangers in their midst. The stranger walked up to Lozordo and set the head of his hammer on the ground, leaning on the handle.
"You've got some fire in you," he stated, "My name is Jerrith Falacion" He nodded his head greeting Lozordo warmly.
"Lozordo," he replied, "but now is not the time for introductions...we'll talk more after we're finished with the fight."
Jerrith nodded, agreeing with Lozordo. And they both turned and stared into the darkness of Duskwood where they expected their foes to appear.
