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Post by The Smith on May 30, 2009 21:33:40 GMT -5
Fischer smiled, "It is good to hear that stone hearted bastard still breathes. I have not seen him since we lost Castle Black, all of us running into the black of the night." He stood up on his saddle and whooped loudly.
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Post by The Flint on May 30, 2009 21:34:47 GMT -5
"Do you know who commands the Wall at this moment? How many men have gathered there?" Talyn asks, leaning forward on the pommel of his saddle, with great interest.
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Post by The Smith on May 30, 2009 21:41:03 GMT -5
"You left First Ranger Ser Thanos there. Lord Frederick Rill, and Lord Byrant Locke also command." The Ranger replied, "It is secure. Very secure. I think four thousand men, or more hold the walls."
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Post by The Flint on May 30, 2009 21:43:56 GMT -5
"That is very good news. We have perhaps three thousand with us now, and we will need all the men we can as we move south to retake the Kingdom from the cult. Lord Bolton had said the enemy holds Moat Cailin, do you have information to that effect or otherwise regarding event south of the Wall?" Talyn asks.
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Post by The Smith on May 30, 2009 21:47:09 GMT -5
"No I had not heard about Moat Cailin." The Ranger glanced at Thatcher concerned, "You will leave a sizable force at the Wall, correct. We need to stand strong, this could be a feint."
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Post by The Flint on May 30, 2009 21:57:54 GMT -5
Talyn shrugged noncommittally, "I cannot speak for what the Queen or Lord Selwyn may order, but if asked, I would recommend it. If we learned anything for the past three years, its that the Wall, if undermanned, is not the deterrent we might wish it to be. I am sure strengthening the Watch will be much on their minds, when things come to a end."
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Post by The Smith on May 30, 2009 22:01:12 GMT -5
"If the cult is still strong, then perhaps this is just a move in their game." The Ranger said, "You can not leave the Wall unmanned or the North bare of troops. There is a far greater threat then the forces of one traitor."
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Post by The Flint on May 30, 2009 22:05:57 GMT -5
"Nor can they be left in command of the South Ranger Fischer. I am sure some middling ground will be found. I will gladly take word of your concern to Lord Selwyn. He has gotten us this far, he will act strategically as we progress south as well." Talyn said, giving some emphasis that this particular line of discussion was closed, since he personally could do nothing to help the man or alleviate his concerns.
"Do you have any other information that may be of value to the column? Sources of food, shelter, or anything of that nature perhaps gleaned from your rangings? How far are we from the Wall?"
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Post by The Smith on May 30, 2009 22:12:40 GMT -5
"A week or more. We have some food supplies, and there is a large gathering of food, men and woman at Castle Black. Lords, Ladies, singers, farmers, woodsmen and lay-abouts crowd the keep, and the new shanty town they have built." Fischer shook his head, "I have never seen the like. Before the Dusk, it was near empty, more ghosts then living."
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Post by The Flint on May 30, 2009 22:26:49 GMT -5
Talyn nodded. "Very well. I am sure we will put everyone to work at some task or another," Talyn confirms. "When we arrive we can make a true accounting for her grace, and decide courses of action."
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Post by The Smith on May 30, 2009 22:28:34 GMT -5
Fischer nodded, "As you say. Have you seen the dragons? I have always wanted to see Dragons."
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Post by The Flint on May 30, 2009 22:32:40 GMT -5
Talyn nodded. "They are not as awesome as they once were, I've heard they were injured in battle. One of them died when Queen Saella was killed. But they are truly a sight to see, even in their current state."
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Post by The Smith on May 30, 2009 22:39:03 GMT -5
Fischer smiled, "I can not wait." He trailed off his eyes staring forward, but seeing dragons in wing not the sparse forest he rode through.
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Post by The Flint on May 31, 2009 7:36:48 GMT -5
having now reached 850 men, with the riders from Lord Bolton and the men of the Night Watch and Trent of Deepwood, Talyn was beginning to feel more comfortable. With the addition of the men at the Wall, this might actually once again resemble an army, and not just a stumbling collection of the walking dead, he thought. He wondered about the depopulation described by the Lord of the Dreadfort. Would 6,000 be enough to retake Moat Cailin? what about King's Landing? Time would tell.
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Post by The Flint on May 31, 2009 8:10:23 GMT -5
As the men moved south they began to see the massive frozen structure of the Wall rising up to meet them. It grew larger and larger as they approached, until it dominated the skyline. Ser Talyn ordered a halt, as the horn was blown to indicate they were men, and neither Wildlings or Others.
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