Spreading the map of the northwestern corner of Yarfell out before them on a small table, the Lieutenant began, "As I explained to the Council of Yarfell, the enemy strength stands at 10,000 Orcs. They are moving ten abreast, down the King's Highway towards Yarfell. The King's Highway itself is a very long, yet broad road that sits in the shadow of the Black Hills, runs through the towns of Pembroke and Macula, and ends at the very gates of the capital itself. The road is also flanked on both sides by some very dense forest--The Forest of Macul in fact! As far as we know, Swan Mays inhabit the northern half of the Forest west of the King's Highway, while Wood Elves control the southern half nearest the town of Macula.""Tell me more about Pembroke, Lieutenant," commanded the Swordsman calmly.
The Dark Elf second-in-command pulled out a map of the area surrounding Pembroke and laid it on top of the previous one displaying Yarfell. Continuing, the Lieutenant said, "Pembroke lies half a day's hard ride to the north and there is a river, the Merridac River I believe, that is forded by a stone bridge half a mile to the south of the town."
Pausing for a minute, the Lieutenant continued, "Pembroke is surrounded by forest on all sides and has been occupied by the Orc army since the invasion began. Currently, Venger's army is using the town as their main supply center. Most of their heavy wagons, practically all of their siege weapons, and various other war material are stored there. Pembroke also has a garrison of a hundred Orcs protecting it."
Looking directly at his leader, the young Drow said, "We believe that it is the Dark Lord's intention to have his army march to the south and secure Macula, then have his war material brought down to support his siege of the city of Yarfell. It would give him a chance to get his army off the road, and to move his siege weapons into position without fear of ambush."
"Which is kind of strange if you ask me!" interjected the Sergeant for the first time. "Captain, why haven't the Wood Elves or the Swan Mays mixed it up with them! Granted the Swan Mays may not have the stomach for it, but the Wood Elves, as territorial as they are, would at least try to ambush them or something? They have no love for Venger, they have home field advantage, and they could ambush Venger's army into a slow, torturous death if they would just get into the act! I don't know, Captain, it just doesn't make any sense to me!"
"I agree!" replied Sterling thinking things through, "But let's focus on what WE can do rather than what THEY should be doing! Lieutenant, if by some miracle, the Orc's siege weapons and war material in Pembroke were destroyed, what kind of impact would that have on their ability to take Yarfell?"
"I estimate that it would have a dramatic impact, sir!" said the Lieutenant confidently, "If the Orcs lost all of their siege weapons, they would have to attack the capital of Yarfell with makeshift siege ladders--and in truth, they can always cut down a few trees and make those! But it would buy the Yarfellians at least a day, maybe two, if the Orcs decided to press the matter and go ahead with the siege anyway. I firmly believe that the loss of their siege weapons would have a devastating effect on their ability to take the capital quickly!"
"I see that look in your eye, what the hell are you scheming up now, Captain?" asked Doc dryly.
"An idea!" said Sterling with an evil grin, "What if we get our supplies, ride all night, reach Pembroke, and attack it before dawn, while the Orcs are still sleeping! We can have Spirits and Gareth torch the siege weapons and blow the bridge, our archers can torch the garrison with flaming arrows of their own and pick off any survivors--and if any Orcs make it through all that hell, we can ride on them, mow them down, and mop up! What do you say, gentlemen?"
"A brillian' idea sir", mentioned Spirits half-drunk as usual. "'Cept how do we get up there to Pembroke? If the Orcs are usin' the King's Highway, then what are we gonna' do? Ride cross-country? We'll never make it in time!"
"There is an old horse trail that cuts through the forest about two miles to the east of the King's Highway, Captain," spoke the Lieutenant calmly, barely containing his enthusiasm. "We could use that instead! While it doesn't run directly into Pembroke itself, it would bring us to within a few miles of the town. From there we can easily ride to the west, move into position, and nail the enemy before they know what hit them! However, there is a complication."
"Like would the Wood Elves object to a bunch of Drow marching through their forest?" asked the Drow Chirugeon sarcasctially.
"Not really, Doc," replied the Lieutenant evenly, "The forest west of the King's Highway contains no markers signifying a Wood Elven presence, only in the east and in the south!"
Turning to face Sterling, the young Drow said, "However, Captain, the complication of which I speak is the fact that we would have to ford three rivers to get to Pembroke if we take the horse trail. By using the King's Highway, the Orcs will have the benefit of crossing these rivers over stone bridges, we will not have that luxury."
"So we leave a little earlier than we originally intended and pack a little lighter as well," mentioned the Swordsman calmly, "With all things being equal, we'll still have the element of surprise! Venger may know that we are here, but he darn sure doesn't know what we are about to do! Lieutenant, I want you to work out the logistics of this attack! Spirits, I want you to cook up any fire or explosive spells that can burn those siege weapons quickly and efficiently! Sergeant, I want you to prepare the men to move out once the Lieutenant has worked out the travel time of our attack. And Doc..."
"No! Let me guess!" replied the Drow Chirugeon, "You want me to handle the distribution of the supplies and money when they come in! Am I right?"
"As always, Doc!" Smiling a little Sterling concluded, "Okay, let's move like we've got a purpose people. We've got a date in Pembroke! Dismissed!"
The Shadow Rider officers departed leaving their Captain with a mischievous grin on his face, as if he was about to play a very nasty trick on someone who clearly deserved it!
A Point To Ponder
