Post by Horas on Nov 23, 2008 14:12:17 GMT -5
Burleys had been congregating by the fastness for two weeks now. A small ringfort on a large grassy mound overlooking the White Knife River, surrounded by a deep spiked ditch, a high palisade of sharpened poles and bordered on three sides by the river. At the top of the fastness was the sod and timber longhouse of The Burley. In the bailey were the sheep pen, and the houses of his immediate family.
When Ondrew and Nara had arrived, The Burley had been keen to celebrate, since most of the people had given them up for lost. Hamish, Ondrew’s father had growled with displeasure to hear of his marriage, since he’d hoped get a good dowry from a Wull or a Knott, but when Turek Knott’s sheep were added to the pen, Hamish counted it a good deal, whatever the circumstances.
Ondrew counted the small bronze discs on the bit of cord that represented his due. Six medium disks representing ewes and a larger one representing the one ram that Turek had. Plus two smaller ones representing the goats. It was less than some in the clan had but more than others.
Of course grandpa Herdon had been more interested in his tale of the Liddles, and the death of Shadd, and the killing of Turek Knott, than he was in goats or sheep.
Herdon had listened quietly while Ondrew had described the ambush at the creek, and the bowmen, and being chased, and the killing of Silgar. Ondrew’s older relatives had howled for war, demanding retribution against the slight. But Herdon had only listened to the counsel before raising his hand.
He spoke sternly, and was a man of few words.
“Summon the men. We’ll take vengeance against the Liddles for Shadd and the others. Jasper, you and your boys Kevan, Mace and Mors go to The Knott. Offer alliance. Spoils split fifty-fifty. Go to sixty-forty if he plays hard to get, but their Moot was sullied I don’t think they’ll say nay.” Jasper nodded, and he and his sons had departed shortly after for The Knotts residence, just on the other side of the Last River.
The Liddles were a large clan, but together the Burleys and the Knotts were their equal.
Assembled, they were around three hundred, wearing the blue and white pattern of worsted wool common to all the Burleys, and their pinewood shields painted blue with the white knife visible.
In their hands they had spears of black iron and ashwood, or heavy cudgels. Some held axes and others hatchets. Many had a long dirk or cleaver sticking in their belt. Others held heavy sledge hammers, or leaned on pitchforks. Every man armed with what he had available. They wore little armor. Mayhaps a leather cap, or boiled leather, heavy quilted tunics for those as could afford it, layers of sheep skins and naught else for those who couldn’t.
They were divided into four warbands. Herdon’s was by far the largest. Followed by Wylis’ men, than Yohn’s, and Wallis’ being the smallest. They would travel along the Last River in troupes of ten and fifteen, lest they draw attention from any who might be watching. Like Liddles, or even Umbers, who would be sure to send word to Winterfell. The Starks some times took a dim view of the clans settling things their own ways. But still it went on. It always had since before they’d bowed to the King of the North.
……………………………………………………………………………………..
Ondrew led a group of twelve through thick pine forest. He wondered if that wasn’t kind of a jape. To ambush the Liddles in a pine forest. The path was narrow, and the conifers gave them ample cover. Ondrew had spotted the tracks a few days out. Too many heavy boot prints to be anything other than a warband. The Burley had told Ondrew to screen the advance of their other warbands, so that they would be able to unite with the Knotts. The Liddles had commenced raids against the Knotts shortly after Ondrew had reached the headwater fastness.
“Shhh… quiet now…”
Ondrew and his men knelt down, watching the path through their position amidst the pine trees. After what seemed like an eternity, they could hear the steady foot steps of men moving through the forest path. Ondrew eyed his men carefully. They had been instructed to wait until the full troop was in the middle of them before striking. Ondrew gestured with his left hand as his free hand slipped his axe free of its sling.
“Twack!” Arrows from Burley bows fell upon the party of unsuspecting Liddles. The barrage dropped three men and the others dived to find cover. The Burleys fired another salvo of arrows, before Ondrew stood and charged through the trees. He met the man at the front of the column, an older man with grey showing in his beard, and slashed him hard across the chest, and the man fell badly injured. Ondrew stepped over him, ducked a slash from a short handled scythe, and cut down the man wielding it.
The Liddles had managed to form up their column into a shield wall, and were pressing back against the Burleys.
“AAAAHOOOO” Ondrew blew the curve battle horn hanging from its cord at his waist. Upon the sound, the other contingent of Burleys charged from their hiding places into the enemies’ rear, cutting them deeply where they were most undefended.
It was over almost as soon as it had begun. Ondrew counted a third of them killed, the rest injured or disarmed. They’d be taken to Knott’s Fastness, and when the fight was over, they’d be returned in trade.
Result:
Ondrew Burley improves to Expert Tracking
Ondrew Burley improves towards Master Ambush
When Ondrew and Nara had arrived, The Burley had been keen to celebrate, since most of the people had given them up for lost. Hamish, Ondrew’s father had growled with displeasure to hear of his marriage, since he’d hoped get a good dowry from a Wull or a Knott, but when Turek Knott’s sheep were added to the pen, Hamish counted it a good deal, whatever the circumstances.
Ondrew counted the small bronze discs on the bit of cord that represented his due. Six medium disks representing ewes and a larger one representing the one ram that Turek had. Plus two smaller ones representing the goats. It was less than some in the clan had but more than others.
Of course grandpa Herdon had been more interested in his tale of the Liddles, and the death of Shadd, and the killing of Turek Knott, than he was in goats or sheep.
Herdon had listened quietly while Ondrew had described the ambush at the creek, and the bowmen, and being chased, and the killing of Silgar. Ondrew’s older relatives had howled for war, demanding retribution against the slight. But Herdon had only listened to the counsel before raising his hand.
He spoke sternly, and was a man of few words.
“Summon the men. We’ll take vengeance against the Liddles for Shadd and the others. Jasper, you and your boys Kevan, Mace and Mors go to The Knott. Offer alliance. Spoils split fifty-fifty. Go to sixty-forty if he plays hard to get, but their Moot was sullied I don’t think they’ll say nay.” Jasper nodded, and he and his sons had departed shortly after for The Knotts residence, just on the other side of the Last River.
The Liddles were a large clan, but together the Burleys and the Knotts were their equal.
Assembled, they were around three hundred, wearing the blue and white pattern of worsted wool common to all the Burleys, and their pinewood shields painted blue with the white knife visible.
In their hands they had spears of black iron and ashwood, or heavy cudgels. Some held axes and others hatchets. Many had a long dirk or cleaver sticking in their belt. Others held heavy sledge hammers, or leaned on pitchforks. Every man armed with what he had available. They wore little armor. Mayhaps a leather cap, or boiled leather, heavy quilted tunics for those as could afford it, layers of sheep skins and naught else for those who couldn’t.
They were divided into four warbands. Herdon’s was by far the largest. Followed by Wylis’ men, than Yohn’s, and Wallis’ being the smallest. They would travel along the Last River in troupes of ten and fifteen, lest they draw attention from any who might be watching. Like Liddles, or even Umbers, who would be sure to send word to Winterfell. The Starks some times took a dim view of the clans settling things their own ways. But still it went on. It always had since before they’d bowed to the King of the North.
……………………………………………………………………………………..
Ondrew led a group of twelve through thick pine forest. He wondered if that wasn’t kind of a jape. To ambush the Liddles in a pine forest. The path was narrow, and the conifers gave them ample cover. Ondrew had spotted the tracks a few days out. Too many heavy boot prints to be anything other than a warband. The Burley had told Ondrew to screen the advance of their other warbands, so that they would be able to unite with the Knotts. The Liddles had commenced raids against the Knotts shortly after Ondrew had reached the headwater fastness.
“Shhh… quiet now…”
Ondrew and his men knelt down, watching the path through their position amidst the pine trees. After what seemed like an eternity, they could hear the steady foot steps of men moving through the forest path. Ondrew eyed his men carefully. They had been instructed to wait until the full troop was in the middle of them before striking. Ondrew gestured with his left hand as his free hand slipped his axe free of its sling.
“Twack!” Arrows from Burley bows fell upon the party of unsuspecting Liddles. The barrage dropped three men and the others dived to find cover. The Burleys fired another salvo of arrows, before Ondrew stood and charged through the trees. He met the man at the front of the column, an older man with grey showing in his beard, and slashed him hard across the chest, and the man fell badly injured. Ondrew stepped over him, ducked a slash from a short handled scythe, and cut down the man wielding it.
The Liddles had managed to form up their column into a shield wall, and were pressing back against the Burleys.
“AAAAHOOOO” Ondrew blew the curve battle horn hanging from its cord at his waist. Upon the sound, the other contingent of Burleys charged from their hiding places into the enemies’ rear, cutting them deeply where they were most undefended.
It was over almost as soon as it had begun. Ondrew counted a third of them killed, the rest injured or disarmed. They’d be taken to Knott’s Fastness, and when the fight was over, they’d be returned in trade.
Result:
Ondrew Burley improves to Expert Tracking
Ondrew Burley improves towards Master Ambush