Odellius nodded his head, “I’m afraid technically I’m still on civilian duties, First Rider, and he does seem quite fearsome,” he continued as the two advanced on the leader whose guard suddenly seemed to evaporate in the avalanche of steel. “But I’ll come along in case you get yourself in trouble and I have to save you… again.”
The two knights strode forward towards the heavily armored champion who turned to face them with a sneer on his face. He uttered something in a strange, guttural language, made a gesture with his sword even as the First Rider, who stood at least a foot and a half shorter than the massive creature darted forward and brought his sword up in a thrust that caught the big creature between the legs and drove into his body. Odellius, more on par height-wise with the creature, blocked a violent blow that caused his shield to ring and arm to go numb and fired off a level swing that neatly beheaded the creature whose shocked expression remained even while it rolled along the ground a moment later. After this, all resistance swiftly ended.
The two men stood for a moment and the First Rider looked to Odellius and shook his head sadly, “You tall fellows always go for the sweeping attacks. I’ve told you many times, my old friend, that it is easy to block such attacks, come in low, with a stabbing motion and your opponent must either dodge aside or be impaled.”
“I grant that for a half-hobgoblin, half-halfing midget like yourself such a tactic might prove effective from time to time but those of us who can see over the back end of a horse find an overhand strike has more power,” he replied and looked down at the First Rider, a large grin on his face.
“Ah, now with the racial insults,” replied the man and shook his head again with an equally broad grin across his square jaw. “At least my mother knew the identity of my father,” he finished as another of the well armored horsemen approached.
“That’s hardly fair,” said Odellius, “my mom had it narrowed down to three or four the last time I spoke with her.”
“First Rider,” said the man who wore steel armor with the symbol of four horseshoes around a clenched and bloody hand. “The enemy is defeated; the prisoners indicate that another group of them are holed up in the hills north of here.”
“Well done,” said Vipsanius with a nod. “Set a unit to take the prisoners back to Black Roost, allow them their personal possessions, but strip them of arms and armor.”
“Yes, First Rider,” said the soldier, clenching his fist, then turning to the other men, and beginning to bellow out orders.
“So Odellius,” said the squat man, “why are you out here chasing reptiles when you should be in Black Dale working on your masonry skills?”
“I apologize, First Rider,” said Odellius, scratching his mammoth belly with one meaty hand. “The mayor received your orders to mobilize after the reptiles landed.”
Vipsanius looked at Odellius through narrowed eyes for a moment and the coal black seemed to take on a hint of red. “I see,” he finally said and put his hand on his sword hilt. “And he ordered all men on civilian duty to arms?”
“Yes, First Rider,” said Odellius as he looked away toward where the knights organized the prisoners into lines in preparation for the long march to Black Roost.
“Most unfortunate,” said the First Rider with a shake of his head, although he also turned to gaze at the prisoners. “You and your men return to Black Dale and resume your twelve month,” he said. “I’ll get to the bottom of this incursion. The mayor is with you?”
“He joined us after a few days but died bravely yesterday when we first encountered the enemy,” said Odellius. “He led the first assault.”
The First Rider shook his head again, “This is most troubling my friend. There is something going on in the lands. I’ve known for several months now but I did not appreciate the gravity of the situation until this moment. Our own men influenced by this force, corrupted in some way.”
“There is another thing, First Rider,” said Odellius quietly as the two watched the organization continue apace. Most of the reptiles lined up tidily while armored horsemen maneuvered around them, their lances in an upright position.
“Go on, Odellius,” said the First Rider and turned to look up at the huge bellied mason.
“An emissary came to Black Dale shortly before the mayor sent us on this patrol,” continued Odellius quietly. “A man, a young man not much out of boyhood, named Jon Gray who claims he is the son of the Gray Lord of Tanelorn. He wanted to speak with you of an alliance.”
“I’ve had no word of such a thing,” said Vipsanius with a frown. “No messenger, nor my priest magically notified.”
“No, First Rider,” said Odellius. “Mayor Thorius thought the boy merely a drifter looking to steal or otherwise deceive you and refused to send a message.”
The First Rider nodded, “And what did you think of this young emissary?” he said and turned to face Odellius and look up at him.
“He’s no drifter,” said Odellius with a smile, remembering their tussle in the yard. “Perhaps he’s not what he claims but he is a lad to be reckoned with. I’ve heard of this Tanelorn, First Rider. They are a people not unlike our own and an alliance with them is something I would welcome. If their warriors are on par with the boy, then, at least, I would not want to be their enemies.”
“So,” said the First Rider, “you think it likely he is who he represents to be?”
“Yes, First Rider. I think it highly likely. I also think his presence here has something to do with the recent activities of the reptile creatures, of the… corruption of Mayor Thorius, and more.”
“Where is this boy now,” said the First Rider, “in Black Dale hoping that I’ll turn up?”
Odellius shook his head, “No, First Rider. He befriended the young brewer boy, the one who was sickly and untaken as a squire but who grew up well, Sorus Brewer. They headed into the hills with Sir Germanius. The old warrior hoped to end his life with some sort of glorious deed and seemed to trust the boy well enough.”
“Where were they headed?” asked the First Rider as his hand went to his square jaw.
“Into the Mountains of the Orc,” said Odellius, “I think…,” he started to continue but the First Rider immediately held up his hand.
“The Mountains of the Orc,” he repeated as his hand left his chin and his face turned towards the mountains which were visible to the northeast in the distance. “Did he say what he wanted up there?”
Odellius shook his head no, “I’m sorry, First Rider, the boy was in town for about a month hoping you would turn up but eventually grew bored and left. I think he confided in Germanius, otherwise I doubt the old fellow would have gone along.”
“Odellius,” said the First Rider, “would it bother you terribly if I ordered you to come along with me to the mountains instead of resuming your duties in Black Dale?”
Odellius smiled broadly. “To be honest, I was enjoying sculpting very much. I hoped to make a statue in your honor by the end of my term. Your form is not particularly easy to duplicate, short and wide and how I was going to cut that third leg of yours that hangs near the ground I’m not certain.”
The First Rider rolled his eyes, “Odellius, is it any wonder you’ve provoked every First Rider for the last ten years into giving you the worst civilian duties possible?”
“I’m quite congenial,” said the rotund warrior as he pulled himself up to his full height and squared his jaw. “I’m terribly insulted by this implication of yours.”
“It’s no implication, you great oaf,” said the First Rider as he broke into a hearty laugh. “I believe it was a direct accusation. Having said that, you will join me? You’ve met this boy of Tanelorn and I gather he trusts you?”
“We had a tussle in the yard,” said Odellius smiling broadly. “He fought well enough and seemed not to take it personally when I bested him twice.”
“He fights with skill you say,” said Vipsanius as the last of the reptiles marched off, accompanied by half a dozen mounted warriors. The First Rider’s lieutenant approached again presumably with news.