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 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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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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I Only Wish

King Airell rubbed down Windfire today. They seem fast friends. It always seems to me the monarch's spirits rise when he's around my horse.

I know his missing daughter Deirdre weighs heavily upon the king's heart. I only wish I could do something to alleviate that.

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Not So Sure

Sometimes there are no answers--only questions. Could I be king of Rivalin? And if so, would I make a good one?

I know not. Windfire believes I would be a good monarch as does King Airell. But I am not at all so sure.

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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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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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Windfire's Counsel

Windfire is my best friend. I talk with him about what bothers me. And what bothered me today was knowing, if I could become king of Rivalin, I should not.

All I want is to live without being a legend or a hero to anyone. The people of Boadhagh see me as those things. All I want is to love someone and have her love me back. Is that so much to ask?

I would gladly be a commoner if I could have that girl's love who spurned me because I am of royal blood.

I spoke to Windfire about it as I rubbed him down today. His counsel was to wait and see what happened. All could well change. He said I would make a good king, regardless of how I felt about it. I have never known him to be wrong.

Yet, I still doubt my ability.

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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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A Hard Day

It was a hard day yesterday. Between Deathsong and Windfire, many of the Ansgarian soldiers were set afire. My black warhorse trampled numerous other members of tree-like encampment. But the Ansgarian warriors have no fear. They fought hard against our intrusion into their camp.

Part of the Long Riders intercepted reinforcements coming to them. It was a bitter fight. Their leader told me after nightfall his own losses were high.

The camp is still there and have more replacements for those they lost. Another hard day is before us today, I fear.

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No Chance to Rest

We fought against the oncoming Ansgarian army all day yesterday. Windfire set many of the tree-like soldiers aflame as I hacked and slashed them. When Deathsong gets close to an enemy, it no longer erupts with blue-white energy. It seems to know its blade must do the work.

And work it did yesterday. Cutting through both leather armor and their own bark is trying. I must use more strength to penetrate both. Between our efforts and those of the Long Riders, the assault was halted--at least for the moment. They have a small encampment on the Boadhagh side of the border. And it will be from there that they will attack again.

Once more I must use Deathsong this day to push them to retreat. I only hope I have the strength.

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A Grim Fight

We fought until Deathsong could find no more Ansgarians to burn. Fire slew many. Darkness prevented further battle. But I have no doubt the tree-like soldiers will attack again before dawn on the morrow.

The Long Riders attacked the right flank of their column late in the day. That gave Windfire and I a chance to rest briefly. And for that I am thankful. I cannot write more, for I am exhausted.

I know not if we won or even stopped their advance. I am so very tired.

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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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My Worry

Kalen celebrated heartily last night our victory over the invading Ansgarian army. But I did not participate. For Windfire still believes battle is imminent. He snorted fire when I told him of Kalen's joy.

So I stood watching the Pass last night with a half moon as the only light illuminating the way. No one approached. Yet, I am still uneasy.

Something will happen, I think--and soon.

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