"I won't get anymore hopefull until I see him alive and kicking again." commented Hurokol as he left the ship, watching Vazanay soldiers carry the dead knight into Hartayon castle.
As Boldan, Hurokol, and Gunfar, were directed into the castle, Gerral Vlax, stayed behind wih her father, who was walking, while overseeing the hills around the castle.
"Yes as a matter of fact, my daughter. Do you see that? It's smoke. There's defintely an army camp over there." said King Vander Vlax.
"You can tell? Are they good guys?" Gerral asked.
"I have experienced smoke over those hills before Gerral. I can tell that, we are in danger." said the King, scratching his chin. Gerral could sense the worry and harshness in her father's voice.
"I'm scared father."
"We all are. Go now Gerral, tend to dead knight's revival. I have a council of war to prepare." finished King Vander. In times of war, the kindly King became much more cold and cruel. Gerral had seen her father like this many times and bid his orders, and rushed inside the castle.
"I'm back."
"I have sent emissaries, to the surrounding villages and towns. They will return with reinforcements."
"It will not be enough. Slaywood and his men have not returned yet, and my scouts tell me the opposing army outside our walls, is massive!"
"At least one thousand soldiers strong."
"Hartayon, has at least eighty men garrisoned here."
"With all due respect, I think, one thousand beats eighty."
"Rayhona is sending troops over the water, but they have been slowed down by Scorpian warships."
"Sona town, can supply at least thirty men strong."
"What about the women and children? Make them fight!"
"Gunfar, please be quiet."
"Dwarven women fight all the time, doncha know?"
"Enough!" said Hurokol, interupting the stream of talking. "Let's not talk about numbers of soldiers, but how we can organise them, and prepare this castle for war!"
"My sentiments exactly!" said King Vander Vlax. "Make haste my captains, and knights. We must prepare for the enemy that awaits us in the morn."
"Yes my liege!" said the captains, and knights in unison.
"Sorry to intterupt, but your son has returned my leige." said a soldier.
"Excellent." said King Vander. "I wish to speak with him at once."
"Father!"
"Son!"
Father and son embraced for a minute, and let go, with Vander looking on his son with proudness.
"Son, you have seen the smoke? You have seen the army that awaits us tommorow?"
"Aye, father. We can defeat them father. They are common orcs, and--" Slaywood was cut short as Hurokol cut in;
"That man and elf you have with you, I know these friends."
Hurokol walked towards Wolf and Renvale.
"Where, have you been? Who captured you?" said Hurokol.
Wolf was first to speak again; "Hurokol, it is great to see your face again. We ran into some trouble back in Kencee. They took our clothes and weapons. Luckily I had a spare hat handy." finished Wolf grinning. Hurokol laughed and told them to change into some new clothes.
Several minutes later, Wolf and Renvale returned, and were now wearing new clothing.
"Don't we look spiffing Hurokol mate?" said Wolf.
As Hurokol chatted with his friends, Graynar, and Boldan walked outside.
"Smells good." said Graynar sniffing the air, while Boldan watched him.
"Are you feeling alright Graynar?" Questioned Boldan, as he watched Graynar lift up some dirt, and sample it.
"I feel much more alive." Graynar exclaimed, observing the surrounding area, and throwing the dirt away.. After Graynar had spoken with Hurokol, and his friends, someone else joined the group. Graynar recognised this man at once.
"Taylon Baxters, my old friend from training. It must have been three years since we last spoke." said Graynar greeting the armoured knight. Taylon peered at Graynar, trying to remember that over excited face.
"Graynar? Graynar Willzar?" said Taylon, walking towards Graynar, with his iron mace, scrapping along the ground.
While the two old friends conversed, they were called inside the keep, as the enemy army had been spotted, marching towards their position.
"It appears, that the castle has recieved its final supply of reinforcements." said Marcus Drone.
"Wolfy sees Sunny, and Furry hat!" panted Wolfy.
"Be quiet half bred scum." spat Marcus. "Craznog, have you dealt with the reinforcements from Sona?"
"Perfectly, sir." smiled the ugly orc captain, cleaning his freshly bloodied sword.
Graynar was in the barracks, doning his father's armour, and placing his sword in it's holster. He felt great, ignoring his painful eye, he followed Boldan up onto the castle walls. Graynar knew he could get killed again during this horrific battle, but he knew he would take as many foes as he could before he died. Meanwhile, Gerral Vlax, and the women, and children were sent into the keep for protection. Every able bodied man and boy over the age of ten wielded a weapon and some form of armour. They traveled onto the walls and into the gatehouse, preparing to fight.
The odds were not good, the chances of victory for Hartayon were slim, and King Vander knew it. He looked around him seeing the living faces of his people. He knew, when the battle was over, most them would be not be living.