Bitter Fight

A messenger reached Kalen shortly after I wrote my last message to you. Another invading Ansgarian army struck across the border. The Boadhagh army moved to intercept the incursion.

Leading elements of Kalen's forces reached the varlets a day later. We have been fighting until yesterday evening. We finally were able to beat them back across the border.

Losses have been high. Kalen is grieving his slain warriors. Those of us who remain can only rest and bury our dead. It was a long and bitter fight.

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From Where

Kalen is uncertain. The Boadhagh army commander has no idea where the Ansgarians will attempt to invade next. He has all the places where another intrusion from Rivalin being watched. He is still uneasy.

Windfire snorts flame still. So battle somewhere awaits us. But from where will it come?

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Doomed

The Boadhagh army was on the move towards the invaders as Windfire and I galloped towards the Ansgarian forces. They met today in battle. I slew I know not how many. At nightfall, the two armies withdrew from one another.

Kalen, as always, used his troops wisely and well. But with the vast numbers facing him, all he could do was halt the Ansgarian army's advance. He is thinking now before the fire, his eyes with a distant expression.

I only hope he comes up with a way of defeating the hordes facing us tomorrow--or Boadhagh may well be doomed.

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Unstoppable

It was a hard day today--and a day of defeat. Even with the Long Riders striking at the Ansgarian army flanks, they moved further into Boadhagh. As I said yesterday, I have never seen them create such a large force before. They seem unstoppable.

Windfire and I wreaked what damage we could. Many of them burned today. But there are just so many more to take the place of those slain.

I had the Long Riders' commander send a messenger back to King Airell beseeching him to send his archers to us. I only hope they can turn the tide of this invasion.

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Another Day, Another Battle

Windfire and I reached the invaders long before the Long Riders did. I know of no faster horse in Boadhagh than Windfire. Their army is immense. All I could see as we thundered down the hillside towards the invaders were the accursed tall soldiers wearing their black and gold uniforms.

At a distance, Ansgarians appear to be human. They have two arms and legs as we do. They have heads as humans do. But they are covered in a tough bark. Deathsong and Windfire both set many aflame, which broke up the ordered ranks on one side of the advancing column. Those on fire panicked and ran heedless of what happened to those around them.

We waded in among the Ansgar warriors. I know not how long we fought. The leader of the Long Riders finally called to me--the enemy is still advancing. But he insisted we must rest. I looked up to see it was nearly dusk. My arms are so weary from wielding my great sword. I fear that is a soldier's lot.

We shall fight again come the dawn.

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Another Fight

An army messenger reached the castle last night; another Ansgarian army is moving across the Boadhagh border away from the Pass. It is night now. Windfire and I are going to the incursion point before dawn.

The Long Riders will go there at first light.

Another fight is before us. I envy my warhorse sometimes, for Windfire lusts for battle. I only wish I did.

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Suspicions

I hope you can forgive me for not writing. I have no excuse--things have been terribly quiet. It would seem the Ansgar Empire is either amassing more soldiers or reconsidering its strategy to conquer Boadhagh. I suspect it is both.

I have journeyed back to the king's castle. King Airell agrees with my suspicions. He too believes the Ansgarians are considering another way to invade his kingdom. They slew my parents, the king and queen of Rivalin, just before their seizing what should now be my kingdom.

But all we can do now is await their next attempt. I fear we shall not have to wait long.

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For the Moment

All of us rest now after fighting off the Ansgarian attempt to get through the Pass. Outside of working on making more flaming arrows, the soldiers of Boadhagh watch beyond the Pass and sharpen their weapons. They know another invasion will be tried. It is only a question of when.

Windfire is bored. That is a good sign combat is not forthcoming--for the moment.

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Pursuit

Windfire was right; the Ansgarians easily broke through the wood barrier put across the Pass by the Boadhagh soldiers. Flaming arrows shot into their midst by our longbow archers stopped the penetration. They retreated. Windfire and I pursued them, slaying more of them. I only wanted to kill as many of the varlets as I could. Deathsong set several afire.

Chaos ensued among the tree-like soldiers. We chased them for a league or so before finally going back through the Pass.

We have won another respite. But I fear that is all it is.

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We Can Only Hope

No other Ansgarians came near the Pass these last few days. It gave us all time to rest. The commander of the Boadhagh contingent guarding the Pass has started building a wooden barrier across the defile opening to slow another incursion--which will surely come.

Windfire snorts in derision as he watches the work. He doubts it will seriously hinder our opponents. We can only hope.

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Momentary Quiet

The fight to keep the remainder of the Ansgarian army from getting through the Pass continued both yesterday and today. I must admit I am completely spent. Windfire no longer snorts flame. But how long that will remain to be true none of us here know.

A messenger came King Airell with a commendation for all of the Boadhagh warriors who fought off the incursion. It brought grins to many weary faces.

Even though no more Ansgarians watch us beyond the Pass, a strong watch has been posted this evening. I only hope not to be wakened this night for another attack. My muscles are supremely sore.

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Battle

Windfire (as always) was right. Another Ansgar army attempted to march through the Pass two nights ago. The fighting was bitter. The Boadhagh archers with their flaming arrows stopped the tree-like soldiers from crossing into the kingdom. The fires started among the enemy troops caused panic and confusion in their ranks.

Windfire and I rode among those who remained. Deathsong set many afire. And others I smote with the sword's edge.

Yet, even after such a loss, they came at us again the next day. The only thing I have ever seen an Ansgarian fear is being set on fire. Even with the possibility of that, their ranks marched towards us again.

How can you fight such courage and hope to win? I wonder sometimes.

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An Ominous Report

King Airell told me several days ago Ansgarian scouts were watching the Pass. Both of us feared what such news foretold for Boadhagh.

Windfire and I went to the Pass and joined the Boadhagh soldiers guarding it. They pointed out to me the tree-like soldiers in black and gold uniforms observing us. My warhorse snorts fire now. So battle is imminent. We await whatever the Ansgar army throws at us.

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Sometimes

Sometimes when I feel discouraged, I go to Windfire's stall. He senses my mood and nudges me with his nose. We talk of many things. He always knows what to say to brighten my mood.

The jet black warhorse is my best friend. Yet he tolerates few others. In that way, Windfire is most particular. Any stable boy who enters without permission is slain by a swift kick of one of his hooves.

But he loves King Airell. The monarch can go into his stall at any time and Windfire enjoys his company. That is one of many reason I deeply respect and love Boadhagh's monarch.

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A Soldier's Way

I am a soldier, a warrior. I trained to fight all my life--my father trained me well to use Deathsong. War is all I know and fighting is what I do best.

My lust for vengeance against the Ansgar Empire makes my thrusts with my long sword against their soldiers harder and quicker. I sometimes think that anger against them helps keep me alive when I should perish in battle.

As a warrior, I have simple values; duty and honor I value above all else. And so I continue to fight to keep Boadhagh free and someday liberate Rivalin from the yoke of Ansgarian occupation. I have a duty to my father to take the throne, even though I think myself unworthy of that task.

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Pondering

There are times, even with my lust for vengeance against the Ansgar Empire, when I wonder if I shall ever succeed. Seeing hoards of Ansgarian soldiers charge towards me without fear time and again makes me question if it is even possible. Remembering my fight against their encroachment across the Boadhagh border last week had me pondering this morn if what I seek is futile.

Windfire nudged me several times while I rubbed him down today, encouraging me that all is not lost. I know he is right. Yet, I cannot help but wonder about that as well as my fitness to be king of Rivalin.

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The Gray Rider

I wear a long gray cloak when I ride into combat. The people of Boadhagh call me the Gray Rider because of that.

There are legends, I am told, which are now spoken in the kingdom about me. Those I have heard are far from the truth. The stories told about how I acquired Windfire are all false. He chose me, I did not choose him.

I have no desire to be a legend. All I want is to be a commoner and find a woman who loves me. I would be quite content to marry her and be a farmer. I find the fame I have in Boadhagh both tiresome and foolish.

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My Only Hope

Kalen received a message before dawn this morning; another Ansgarian army is invading Boadhagh from further afield. He is sending the Boadhagh cavalry (who we call the Long Riders) to harass and impede the progress of the invaders.

He has asked me to go as well. I have saddled Windfire and will proceed as swiftly as possible to where the varlets are crossing the border. Windfire and I shall reach the enemy long before the Long Riders do. Windfire's speed far outstrips any horse I have ever known.

My only hope is that we can slow down or perhaps stop the enemy until the Long Riders can reach us.

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Solution

Kalen, as always, found a solution to the problem of fighting the much larger Ansgarian army facing us in the Pass. He had the many archers the Boadhagh army possesses fire flaming arrows at the tree-like soldiers.

Chaos ensued as those set afire panicked and collided with their brethren. The pending attack early this morning fell apart. Those who survived retreated.

I know not how long it will be until the Ansgarians strike south again. But it will be all too soon, I fear.

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A Long Fight

Kalen and I were up well before dawn moving the army to the Pass. We stood watching the Ansgarian army near the Pass late this morning. He is worried we shall not succeed in stopping the varlets from entering Boadhagh. I share his concern--I know not if we shall triumph here. It would seem a long and bloody fight is before us.

The Angarians vastly outnumbers us. Numbers alone can many times win battles. My only hope is Kalen can find a way to once more outwit our opponents.

Windfire snorts flame now. He knows battle is near. I only wish I lusted for it as he does.

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