Rank and File

Your first order of business is to locate a few people. You would need the help of no less than a few influential people to organize the throng and help you keep some degree of order. You would need names that people could rally behind, names like Inslod the Observant, Zeitsya the Proven, and Hjalund the Grim. The second task is to find Garran, you wouldn't want him to get left behind after all. You've decided it would be advantageous to split into five groups, however, if you were to split the crowd into groups on the basis of Clans alone then the groups would be greatly disproportionate. For example, since the Forest Clans are what makes up nearly half of the throng before you, that group would be massive in comparison to a Mountain Clans group that would barely have 100 people in it.

The first group which is of course your group would be an advance **** intended to travel ahead of the main **** to scout and assess/neutralize threats. Your group would be about the smallest in numbers so as to be more mobile and maneuverable. You decide it would be best to ask Inslod and Hjalund to recommend notable warriors to you for this group.

The Second Group would be led by Zeitsya and comprised of all of the Bog Clans. This **** would be intended to function as support if the First Group were to encounter an obstruction.

The Third Group would be led by Hjalund, and act as both the main fighting **** and rearguard. It would be best to keep them close to the Fourth Group to provide it with ample protection.

The Fourth Group is the most important of all the groups. This group, led by Inslod, would contain all of the Plains Clans as well as all children under fighting age. This was the best possible place for Inslod, as his observant and peaceful natures would both prevent him from rushing to join an attack, and assist him should he need to call a retreat.

The Fifth Group would be the Mountain Clans led by Garran (if he is here that is...). This group would be intended only as a rearguard and to escort the Fourth Group while on the path.

You aren't sure how well this will all work as obedience is never a guarantee where most Ardri are concerned. Asking around you finally find Zeitsya, humming to herself while busily skinning a rabbit. Her features are quite thin which is to expected of anyone who hails from the bogs. Her dark black hair only comes down just below her chin, which makes her hair very short by Ardri standards. Her amber colored eyes have an almost childlike gleam to them, their golden brown hues matching the earthy tones of her Bog Clan tartan almost perfectly. She is more heavily clothed than most women (those from the Ice Plains being the only exception) which seems to highlight the simple but lovely features of her smiling face. You've only met her once before when she first came after word of your victory spread, you didn't have much time to talk to her though as so many had been eager to meet you.

"I have a favor to ask." You say plainly, almost clearly in a hurry. "I have decided it is time to leave. I need you to gather up everyone from the Bog Clans and form a group, I would like your group to hang back behind mine a bit as well if you don't mind. Can you do this?" Your briefness does not seem to dishearten her in the least.

"Is that all?" She asks, "For a moment I was almost afraid that it might be something important. I can certainly do that but first I'm going to finish my breakfast if that's alright by you." She says as she carefully dissects the rabbit.

"I’m not done." You say, almost hating to further delay her feeding. "You wouldn't happen to know where I could find Inslod or Hjalund would you?"

"The beast-tamer was that way the last time I saw him." She says pointing in his general direction with the tip of her bloodied flint knife.

"Thank you, and enjoy your meal." You say cordially.

As you walk away you can hear her mumble the words "I’m trying to.." as she begins to devour the raw rabbit meat. A short walk in the direction indicated by Zeitsya quickly brings you to Inslod, whom you recognize by the color of his bright blue eyes and fascinated look within them.

"So it is true. Your markings did change color didn't they?" He asks, somewhat rhetorically.

"Indeed they did, I presume you know how." You respond.

"All I have heard is rumors. Tell me are they true?" The disbelief in his voice is only thinly veiled.

"Aye. A dragon. Said it’s name was Karnak."

"I see." He says pondering your words for a moment. "I thought I would believe it more if I heard it from your lips. I can no more believe it now than I did when it was first said. On to the matter at hand however, I surmise we are leaving soon?" He says, his eyes now closed in thought.

"We are. I need you to gather your men and form a group, I want your group to protect the children while we travel. I would have you follow behind Hjalund the Grim." You finish.

"Sensible. Best to avoid putting the little ones in the care of Hjalund I should say." He replies pondering some unseen question.

" Speaking of Hjalund, would you mind telling me where he’s at?" You ask him, clearly interrupting some meandering line of thought he was quietly pursuing.

"Ah yes, Hjalund is sitting under a great hawthorne tree less than a stones throw north of here. He's been there in that same spot since he got here." He says somewhat amused for a moment before returning to his thoughts.

"Thank you, I trust you will have your group ready soon." You say before you turn.

"Of course." He says as you head in the direction of a large Hawthorne on your right. After a few minutes you arrive at the tree and are face to face with Hjalund the Grim. You have never actually spoken to him before and he has perhaps the most intense gaze of any man you've ever met. It takes a bit of effort just to maintain eye contact, though you would not be likely to admit that.

"You are Hjalund I take it?” You ask, “I am.” He responds, his voice jagged and gravelly like the edge of a weathered blade. “I have decided to leave today. I would like for you to gather the Forest Clans and form a group. I would have you follow behind Zeitsya's group." As you finish an awkward silence trails behind your sentence.

"And?" Says the man, raising a single bushy eyebrow.

"I want you to pick out a few talented hunters to join me in the front. I expect the best." Again silence follows your words for a moment.

"I understand." He responds indifferently.

You eagerly to break the eye contact and continue on your business. You trace Riggas scent back to the tree you had been laying under this morning only this time there is someone else beside her, a stout pale man with a long braided beard and unkempt golden hair. It's Garran.

"Ah brother!!!! Ye've grown since last I saw ye! Mother'd be proud indeed. I heard about what you done and I just could'na keep away!" His exuberance was highly contagious and you struggled to keep your joy hidden.

"Garran. I was just looking for you.." You say casually.

"I know that wee brother, yer mate found me a bit ago an told me all about it. Yer wantin me to get our kinsman ready and lead from the rear eh?" He finishes. You had forgotten how poor his speech had become and wondered briefly what had caused it... Poor diet? Isolation? Too many bead injuries? It didn’t matter now you supposed.

"Perfect. Do you think you can handle it?" You say. Though Garran was a bit of a mountain clan legend in his own right, you couldn't be certain the Mountain Clans would really cooperate with him.

"I suppose so. Only one way to find out for sure." He said, rising from his seated position near Rigga.

"I'll see what I can do. Ye go ahead and we'll likely be ready." He assures you as he walks away.

"And good to see ye!" He shouts, while moving further away. You sit down beside Rigga and wait for Inslod and Hjalund to send your new men. After a short time you have a few dozen men, it's certainly not the hundred you were hoping for but it should be plenty. You set off with your troop in tow for the Sanctuary of Gidul.