--==* Part1 *==--
Low gray clouds blanketed the valley, obscuring the tree tops on either side, with ground-hugging mist drifting lazily along the streams flow. The foot of the mountains along the valley were lined by a narrow strip of forest, bordering the grass fields that stretched to the stream at the center of the valley.
The grass swayed to and fro, to and fro. It had a soothing hypnotic effect on the soul if one stared at it for a while, it was a beautiful land. Looking further out, the breeze raced down the grassy slope, creating random turns as it pressed down on the grass stalks.
A slight vibration grew from the ground and a soft droning became audible. They have arrived. A whinnied softly, breaking the spell of silence. Lord Xander stirred in his saddle and sighed.
'Let thy battle thyne foes and emerge victoriously with honor.', he whispered softly. Sir Luttrell turned at the sound of his masters voice and nodded slightly. The Templar Knight leaned over,
'... and rule thyne kingdom with a firm hand, padded with mercy, compassion and justice.' The two old friends smiled at each other as the Captain of the guards inched forward to inform them that the scouts were returning. The lead scout pulled up from a gallop, dismounted and knelt before Xanders horse.
'My lord, we spotted a large enemy column about four twenty score men, approaching from the west. Their scouts have turned up into the valley entrance.' Xander nodded and dismissed the scout, turning to his first knight.
'Dispatch Lady Mia’s detachment to intercept and silence the scouts. They must not escape and give warning, then have some men of equal number disguised and have them return to the enemy force under false pretense to lead them away to the east. There is a bridge crossing a deep gorge a few miles down that road. A few sappers are to shadow the enemy and follow them to the bridge where they will demolish it a good while after the foe has departed. That will leave us in peace to lay siege to out enemy’s castle.'
Sir Luttrell nodded and pulled his steed over to where the Was Knights awaited his command. Lord Xander leaned back in his saddle, watching the army’s first elements of light cavalry emerge from around a bend, followed by mounted archers and a detachment of armored battle knights.
'Let the war begin.'
occ: hope you like it, its a work in progress
