* Four weapons missed their mark ... daggers and arrows sailed harmlessly by. But five weapons hit! The members of the company standing just at the border of the grounds of Maladil Castle were under attack! *
* Aislan was pelted by a rock, but took only a stinging glancing blow to her back and little hurt before the rock bounced away. Alearindu was nicked by an arrow, which did minor damage of itself, but opened an old wound, for the arrow struck her already-bandaged middle! Gandalf was grazed by a spear ... but the throw was wobbly and partly deflected by an instinctively-raised staff, such that the thrown missile skittered down into the grass after rending a sleeve to draw blood from his right arm. Menelduliniel was struck more deeply by a spear in the back of her thigh, but the weapon was easily pulled out, and she could still walk. Andreth's horse Whinny took the worst of it, and though only pierced by a jagged rock in the flank, moved with lowering head and stumbly steps. In Aislan's expert opinion as a hostler, Whinny was acting as though poisoned. *
Enter the Castle grounds! * Gandalf shouted. * Horses to the stables, the rest of us into the Castle!
* While retreating, Gandalf launched a firework towards the cluster of approaching red enemy torches. The fiery missile careened in a zigzagging arc, for Gandalf's aim wavered as he stumbled over a dead tussock of brittle grass. Yet the wizard managed to slow three Orcs, who squealed on being singed and leapt to the ground rolling to stop the fingers of fire and smoke rising through their foul clothes. *
* Cirgon the Cook ran alongside of Aislan, Alearindu, Estelarion, Gandalf, Hinura, Menelduliniel, and the horses, as though the ghost considered himself a member of their company. Daerohil ran skipping and leapfrogging to the Stately Stables. *
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* Maladil followed Nardol's glance at his sword, understanding, though not hearing any of what Nardol whispered. The Lord of Laurëondo shrieked a bellowing wail. * Yrch! To arms! To arms! Secure the Castle grounds! Guilin, retrieve your halberd from the floor and get out there! Butler, gather all the glass bottles you may, the heaviest sort, and bring them to me at the front door!
* Guilin at first nodded squinting at Nardol's words, obviously having some trouble understanding, but satisfied with what he understood. At Maladil's bellow, the man-at-arms picked up his weapon, bowed once towards Maladil, Poppy, and Nardol, and ran out. *
* Halblung and Tiroedrath darted forth swinging their swords to the edge of their territory, peering now out at the clump of Orcs with torches, peering then at the cluster of Elves and Men with lanterns and candles rushing in ahead. Halblung and Tiroedrath ignored Cirgon and gave free passage to Aislan, Alearindu, Estelarion, Gandalf, Hinura, Menelduliniel, and their horses. *
[ February 19, 2003: Message edited by: Gandalf_theGrey ]
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