Edward asks to prepare for the battle with Qas, curious to find out what he can learn. Especially as Qas has separated himself from a more authoritative organisation like the Servants of the Weave. They go to his tower in the castle and look over some scrolls and spellbooks, Edward shows his tome of darkness to Qas and after they try to copy over a spell and the ink burns on impact, Qas has some stern words regarding the powers Edward is tied up with. Despite this, Qas promises to work alongside Edward but warns him that he may lose grip on his morals. The boundaries between himself and his patron may dissolve over time.
Mornington Lormanston, carrying the jeweled goblet of his families lineage, approaches the bed chambers of Heron Capstan. After being ushered in Mornington gifts the goblet to Heron, a gift for his wedding to come between himself and Bella Mordred. While courteous over the gift, it seems rumoured opinions over the Lormanstons has very much wormed its way into Heron's education. The boy is rather stuck up and self-important. Mornington encourages him to join the forces that will face the evil at his doorstep. He seems enthralled by the idea and Mornington leaves him as he is looking through his garments, trying to pick his flashiest garment to impress the men.
Fenris and Crom meet with Tomas Vinares, Aegheard Leofred and Magnus Brenner. They discuss the tactics they feel are best suited for bringing down The Storm Shard Tribe. A great deal of it pivots on Zorok, defeating him so that the rest will soon follow from loss of morale. Qas, Edward and later Mornington join the discussion in the small meeting chamber. Mornington wishes for Heron to join the battle, to represent the Capstans and bring the spirits of the men up to know the nobility fights beside them. However, the plan is met with hesitation from Tomas and others who know the boy to be brash, over-confident and underprepared.
The final plan forms, with the foot soldiers and archers to march on the Ogre camp from the gatehouse. Simultaneously, a vanguard of cavalry leaves through the southern secret tunnel and approaches the camp without engagement from other forces. The party are to lead the vanguard and meet Zorok head on.
The forces of Capstan, Minerson and Mordred are presented rank and file in the castles bailey. Horses are brought forth and lead into the dwarven tunnel that leads south. Qas is to join the vanguard alongside the party and instructed to ignite the ogre campsite when in range. Joining him will also be Magnus, while the men in the castle are left under the command of Tomas and Aegheard.
Rahl Capstan makes it out to the bailey and says a few words to encourage the men on this fateful day. Heron stands close by, adorned in very eye catching garments compared to the worn soldiers. The party lead the cavalry vanguard down the tunnel, "for Artax" is uttered as they bypass the traps out into the open once more.
A worg mounted goblin is spotted breaking away from a collection of trees when the party are spotted. Crom makes chase trying to bring him down before their position is discovered. He gets close enough to hurl one of his Javelins, taking the goblin clean off of the worg. Unfortunately, his leg is caught in the stirrups and the worg continues to drag his lifeless body towards the encampment.
The party and their surrounding vanguard approach the ogre encampment at full charge. The battle at the base of the castles ramp is in full swing, the party can see the worg is alerting the ogres. Then spotted on a mound firing a lightning bolt into the frenzy is Zorok. As he is alerted to the approaching cavalry charge he starts to reposition. Raising his staff in a fashion the party recognise, a bright orange spark forms at the skull on the end.
A moment later the spark lunges forward as a huge fireball engulfs the ranks of the cavalry charge...
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