Sir Guido Orishnos
It appeared to Sir Guido as
they rode through the dark Jungle lit by a torch carried by Miss Tuffa, that
Marshal Morgana was showing him little trust. Since her men had just raided his
half-brother’s Seraglio this was understandable. Doze Arran’s orders had been to
guide her into dangerous places and delay her mission as much as possible.
Unfortunately she had this other expert guide Dupuis Jean, whom she trusted more
than himself. He did not think he could get away with disposing of Depuis Jean
and it seemed that Morgana was unlikely to be easily led astray. It was a wasted
effort to stay with her! If he went back admitting failure, Doze Arran was not
going to thank him. What could he do? Rescue some of the prisoners? Take back
one of the women on his horse? Morgana had set guards and they seemed to know
their business. He thought about her. Morgana had had many adventures and was
politically clever as well as being able with a magic sword. He thought over the
bits of the Lay of Two Unicorns Morgana that he had heard. There was a tale of
some of her deeds really being done by Bronwyn the Sektarar of Narchad or
perhaps the other way around. It was known that they both wore shimmering purple
silk gowns and were handy with a blade. Ahead lay the Tonoki meeting place at
the Tregua Menhir. Its crag marked the boundary of three tribal areas and it was
where they met for Toniki parleys. It was a place where Morgana’s overlarge
menie could camp and would almost certainly head for. How if he told the three
tribes that she was in fact the Sektarar in disguise raiding Oblivia? Her
unicorns were really horses painted blue! Yes, that would get them to oppose
her! But first he must convince Wizard Whyman the keeper of the Tonoki parleying
place. If he could convince him, then he would do the work of convincing
the Orivos, Kenturi and Satyri tribes to strike. Wizard Whyman had great magic
powers, he could give Morgana big problems even without the tribes.
Riding steadily he
reached the Tregua Menhir by early afternoon and sought out Wizard Whyman in his
cave.
“Most wise wizard I bring dire tidings!
Sektarar Bronwyn of Narchad is leading a raid into the jungle and is heading
this way. She is disguised as the
heroine ‘Two Unicorns Morgana’ and has two horses painted blue to aid the
deception. She has raided my half-brother Arran’s town Zarza Tanque and taken
many captives and treasure. It may be that she comes here after your legendary
staff?”
“This is indeed worrying news Sir Guido
Orishnos.” Said the Wizard giving him and unnerving stare. “Perhaps I should
visit my niece at Fecha for a few days then, until the danger is past.”
“Noble wizard surely it is your duty to
lead the tribes to resist these raiders? At the very least to warn the tribes so
that they can do so! Who knows what other damage these Chaotics can do?”
“I shall call the tribes to tell them
your tidings and to give them choice of fighting or fleeing.”
“My bother Arran has sent messages to
the Nizander, so there will be other forces moving for us. I think he will be
wroth an you do nothing against the Narchadians!”
“I care little for the
Nizander’s wishes but I will call the tribes and let them decide.”
He went out to climb the
crag on which the Tregua Menhir stood. Then he smote it with his staff and
commanded “Tregua Signum Dare!” and
the stone gave out a high pitched wail. After a few minutes he said “That will
be enough, Tregua Signum Cesa!” and
the wailing stopped.
Within half an hour three
leading representatives of the Orivos, Kenturi and Satyri tribes had arrived and
stood below the menhir. Wizard Whyman spoke, “Noble denizens of Oblivia Sir
Guido Orishnos here has brought dire tidings. Raiders, thought to be Narchadians
led by their Sektarar Bronwyn. She, disguised as ‘Two Unicorns Morgana’ with
blue painted horses, unprovoked attacked Zarza Tanque. From there they took many
prisoners and treasure and are heading this way!’ Sektarar Bronwyn is a great
magician, who knows what damage she could do to our creatures and jungle home?
Sir Guido thinks that the Nizander would wish you to stop her, but what say
you?”
Minoster Chieftain of the
Kenturi spoke, “First how many are there of these raiders before we make a
decision?”
Sir Guido answered “Their
fighting strength is around a score including eight knights but they have camp
followers including women as well. They have a four horsed wagon plus their
prisoners.”
“They have nymphs with them?” asked Pyn
the satyr sprite representing the Satyri tribe.
“Yes both of their own and with the
prisoners taken from Zarza Tanque.”
“Then we will fight to take some of them
on the way whether or not these other do!”
Minoster then said “You do what you may,
we will face them here where we can charge. Most of our tribe came here because
our places in the grass lands were burnt by the Narchadians. We will be glad to
obtain some revenge!”
Onimus of the Orivos then
said. “Since our fellows mean to fight, we will do our bit for the Nizander. We
will set traps and ambushes on the track with the Satyri. Hopefully that wagon
and few of their force will be left to fight the noble Kenturi!”
So they dug traps and set
ambushes on both the main elephant track and a narrower one to the north of it.
Most of the Kenturi formed up at the Tonoki meeting place ready to charge any
survivors of the invaders reaching it. Guido positioned himself in the centre of
their line.
