Hostages at Forthbrond [Early April 3010] {Dunlending/Eored}
Jul 24, 2018 16:39:55 GMT -5
Post by Ceolmund on Jul 24, 2018 16:39:55 GMT -5
Low lying, grey clouds whisked across the evening sky, the look of a spring storm in the near future, as the company of men on horseback tore the soft spring soil beneath hooves. Crossing the Heathfells, this land was still what was known as Rohan, though over the five hundred years since the their lands had been a gift to Eorl the Young, it had been contested time and again.
The scouts had just returned from the forefront, one wounded and pierced by arrow, another mastering the art of looking unencumbered though bearing a hastily tied bandage about the knee where he had been sideswiped by scimitar.
Wildmen, Dunlendings, the word had been passed on, had ambushed them around the bend of the River Isen, killing their attackers, though near enough they had drawn to the men coming to and from the small village of Forthbrond. Not Eorlingas but the Wildmen, which could be seen atop the city watchtower. Ruddy, dingy men. To even think on them made Ceolmund wish to spit into the earth. Too many times had he come against the ravagers and Chieftains of the Dunlendings. Too many times had he seen what havoc they could wreck on the citizens of Rohan.
Bile rose up in his throat. Ceolmund had family in this town. At least, he had once had family here; though he knew not what the stakes were now, if Dunlendings were encroaching this well onto the Gap, what may have become of those who had dwelled in the adjacent farmlands and in the village itself?
Night was falling, and hasty decision must be made, for the well trained company could ride and surely take back their own city against the lesser trained Dunlendings, yet Ceolmund had no doubt that on approach whatever captives in the city would be massacred should they ride at once to their aide. Already they had likely become known, for it was not a silent thing, a company of Rohirrim thundering across the plains. The Captain could not make hasty decision alone, and his confidants were called to his side, seeking what information or idea they might have before the decision to attack and secure the city was made.