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piosenniel · 01-19-2004, 02:14 PM

Berilac

The Ranger’s mind was already turning over possibilities in his mind. If what the old man had told him was correct, then there was an almost inevitable possibility that the group from the north would attack and soon. He began making schedules in his head. The archers would need to be in position at all times, in shifts – as would the men who would drop the net. Gatekeepers would be shortened to four hour shifts and there should be two of them at each gate – young, brawny men if possible with steady composures.

He expected the attack to come from the north, but could not eliminate the possibility that the bandits would divide their now large number and attack on several fronts. There were buildings near the gates used by the merchants as small warehouses; he would have them cleared and garrisoned with men and older youth. Should the alarm come from one of the gatekeepers or one of the lookouts he planned to station on the roofs of some of the buildings along the perimeter of the town there would be troops ready for immediate response.

Passing one of the town wells, he ticked off another of the needs on his mental list. Buckets should be stacked by all the wells near the hedge. Should the bandits attempt to burn through the hedge there would be citizen brigades to deal with it.

And where was Minastan, he wondered. And why had there been no reports back from him about the increasing numbers?

His footsteps carried him to the town hall and up the stairs to the mayor’s office. He could hear the rumble of two voices through the partially opened door. Good! Telien and the Mayor were both there. Rapping lightly as he pushed the door open, Berilac stepped across the threshold.

‘Gentlemen,’ he said, closing the door behind him. ‘I’ve heard some disturbing news . . .’

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 4:52 PM January 20, 2004: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

01-19-2004, 02:14 PM	#234
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Berilac The Ranger’s mind was already turning over possibilities in his mind. If what the old man had told him was correct, then there was an almost inevitable possibility that the group from the north would attack and soon. He began making schedules in his head. The archers would need to be in position at all times, in shifts – as would the men who would drop the net. Gatekeepers would be shortened to four hour shifts and there should be two of them at each gate – young, brawny men if possible with steady composures. He expected the attack to come from the north, but could not eliminate the possibility that the bandits would divide their now large number and attack on several fronts. There were buildings near the gates used by the merchants as small warehouses; he would have them cleared and garrisoned with men and older youth. Should the alarm come from one of the gatekeepers or one of the lookouts he planned to station on the roofs of some of the buildings along the perimeter of the town there would be troops ready for immediate response. Passing one of the town wells, he ticked off another of the needs on his mental list. Buckets should be stacked by all the wells near the hedge. Should the bandits attempt to burn through the hedge there would be citizen brigades to deal with it. And where was Minastan, he wondered. And why had there been no reports back from him about the increasing numbers? His footsteps carried him to the town hall and up the stairs to the mayor’s office. He could hear the rumble of two voices through the partially opened door. Good! Telien and the Mayor were both there. Rapping lightly as he pushed the door open, Berilac stepped across the threshold. ‘Gentlemen,’ he said, closing the door behind him. ‘I’ve heard some disturbing news . . .’ <font size=1 color=339966>[ 4:52 PM January 20, 2004: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.