[Child of the 7th Age]

Guthwine welcomes the recruits

Guthwine's horse nervously pawed the ground, sensing the impatience on the part of its owner who was now shifting in his saddle and staring at the distant horizon. The afternoon sun hung heavy over the wide expanse of grass and wildflowers as Guthwine leaned over his horse's mane and craned his neck forward, struggling to catch a glimpse of the scouting party since they were now several hours overdue.

This time, his efforts met with success. In the distance, he could make out the shadowy forms of a number of Men, a few riding but most on foot, as they altered their course northward to take advantage of the taller grass and bracken that ran along the edge of the field. Guthwine looked up in surprise. Those scouts he'd sent out from camp did not have the knowledge or talent to hide themselves so skillfully. They must have picked up someone who was wise in the ways of the land and tracking, a skill that could prove most useful at times, especially for an army that must rely on speed and deception as much as their own brute strength.

Impatient to learn more, Guthwine kicked his mount in the withers and cantered towards the approaching figures, heedless of the fact that he was totally open to anyone's eyes who might be venturing nearby. He came up to the group and rode towards Eruantalon who, with Kirima and Soran, now led the band, "You've had success!" Guthwine bellowed, his eyes scanning over the more than twenty recruits who followed along behind.

The boy grinned and triumphantly retorted, "I told you I would!"

Guthwine slowed his horse to a walk and came up alongside Eruantalon asking him questions about what had happened and what men he was bringing back. Guthwine was pleased to hear that one new recruit who went by the name of Minastan, boasted skills of woodcraft and tracking on a level that exceeded any of his own men. This one could prove valuable, indeed!

Quickly covering the remaining ground, the band made its way back to the secluded glade, with the men being ushered into the middle of the camp. Several newcomers went over to a stew that hung simmering over the fire and, without a word, took out their daggers and began spearing a few choice morsels of meat straight out of the pot, leaving the unwanted roots and greens behind.

When Guthwine snarled at them to back off, one recruit returned a brazen stare, "Rudgar told us we could have what we wanted. There'd be plunder a' plenty."

"Plunder there'll be and meat too, but not till you go out and get it. Tomorrow morning you'll ride out in bands and come back bearing the best that Bree farms have to offer. But there will be no reward unless you first learn to take orders." The recruit turned away, gritting his teeth, and then stomped off to the side muttering something to himself.

"That goes for the rest of you as well," Guthwine growled, surveying the bunch. "We have a force at the Weather Hills that's big enough to topple the entire city. But there'll be no plunder or reward for any of you unless you take orders like a soldier."

Guthwine listened as an undercurrent of discontent ran through the group, but quickly cut it off by standing up and shouting, "Now, who's with me in burning down the houses of these farmers. Let's make them pay. Their crops are ours for the taking".

A mighty cheer of approval went up. Gareth, one of the men who had joined the band just an hour before as they rode cross country, leaned over and whispered to his companion in a voice that even Guthwine could hear, "Their belongings too... And I know just the place to start!"

[ November 12, 2003: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]