The next trial the warden's army set out, back to Andaris, leaving behind only seven of their members together with twenty five horses and supplies for three trials for ten people. Sin's knowledge and most of Heran's unit's experience told them that they would be able to survive without a problem with those but that they wouldn't have enough to eat for the way back to Andaris once the warden got back with all his men. So when Sin brought the problem forward it was quickly decided that they would live off of the land as much as they could and keep the supplies for when the warden arrived.
The trials went by in relative peace and quiet. Except for Sintih, everyone else seemed to think they were on some sort of vacation here. At most they seemed to be on some sort of inner unit exercise in the field. Their guard was kept up, with a scout riding about a quarter trial out in the direction the warden had left from every trial and at least one person remaining in their tiny little camp at all times. Sin spent those trials shivering in his cloak and taking on as many fire related duties as he possibly could. In their spare time, Heran and his knights sparred each other when possible or took some time training the two squires.
Jaks excelled in all the things Sin didn't. He bigger and better than Sin when it came to running in heavy armor and swinging about his big sword. Sin never managed to win any duel the two had while they were camped out at the bottom of the burning mountains. Before he could really complain about the length of their stay, the time had already passed. Aker, this trial's scout, returned to camp in a hurry and much quicker than anticipated. "A group of men is coming down the mountains, along the path the warden took going up. I'm sure it is them but there are more of them than when they left."
Heran quickly barked orders and called Sin with him as he mounted his own horse. Both men followed Aker, who had switched horses as, while the other four started preparing their little site to receive the warden and take care of the men. The supplies were being prepared so they could be fed if needed and Jaks started cleaning out their four man tent in case there were wounded. Taking two horses each, Heran, Aker and Sin rode towards the mountain side, following Aker's trail. "We should move slowly, we don't want to gallop by them and waste time. They may have wounded with them." Sin cautioned his companions as they moved towards the warden.
All nine horses slowly moved up towards the burning mountains as the three riders kept an eye out for the group of men Aker had seen earlier in the day. It was easy enough to miss someone and move past them without seeing them. When the warden's group came into view, Sin raised the flagpole he'd been assigned at the beginning of this campaign. On it, he had attached the black flag of Andaris with underneath Malcolm's flag and below that the blue flag indicating them to be a support unit or medical squad. All nine horses moved into a canter as they headed straight for the group.
Halting just ahead of them, Heran jumped off of his horse before they even came face to face with the group. Having served in the Iron Hand before, he was quite familiar with the warden and his rise through the ranks. He knew the man from a distance as if he was standing right next to him. "Warden. Steward Dreim at your service. We have horses for those who need it. If anyone needs medical attention, Aker can take those with him on horseback if they are able. We can guide the rest of you back to camp. We've got a warm fire and food waiting for you." Sin and Aker both saluted the warden after halting their horses as well. With the warden back, all three of them followed his orders, leaving the decision to him once again.
The trials went by in relative peace and quiet. Except for Sintih, everyone else seemed to think they were on some sort of vacation here. At most they seemed to be on some sort of inner unit exercise in the field. Their guard was kept up, with a scout riding about a quarter trial out in the direction the warden had left from every trial and at least one person remaining in their tiny little camp at all times. Sin spent those trials shivering in his cloak and taking on as many fire related duties as he possibly could. In their spare time, Heran and his knights sparred each other when possible or took some time training the two squires.
Jaks excelled in all the things Sin didn't. He bigger and better than Sin when it came to running in heavy armor and swinging about his big sword. Sin never managed to win any duel the two had while they were camped out at the bottom of the burning mountains. Before he could really complain about the length of their stay, the time had already passed. Aker, this trial's scout, returned to camp in a hurry and much quicker than anticipated. "A group of men is coming down the mountains, along the path the warden took going up. I'm sure it is them but there are more of them than when they left."
Heran quickly barked orders and called Sin with him as he mounted his own horse. Both men followed Aker, who had switched horses as, while the other four started preparing their little site to receive the warden and take care of the men. The supplies were being prepared so they could be fed if needed and Jaks started cleaning out their four man tent in case there were wounded. Taking two horses each, Heran, Aker and Sin rode towards the mountain side, following Aker's trail. "We should move slowly, we don't want to gallop by them and waste time. They may have wounded with them." Sin cautioned his companions as they moved towards the warden.
All nine horses slowly moved up towards the burning mountains as the three riders kept an eye out for the group of men Aker had seen earlier in the day. It was easy enough to miss someone and move past them without seeing them. When the warden's group came into view, Sin raised the flagpole he'd been assigned at the beginning of this campaign. On it, he had attached the black flag of Andaris with underneath Malcolm's flag and below that the blue flag indicating them to be a support unit or medical squad. All nine horses moved into a canter as they headed straight for the group.
Halting just ahead of them, Heran jumped off of his horse before they even came face to face with the group. Having served in the Iron Hand before, he was quite familiar with the warden and his rise through the ranks. He knew the man from a distance as if he was standing right next to him. "Warden. Steward Dreim at your service. We have horses for those who need it. If anyone needs medical attention, Aker can take those with him on horseback if they are able. We can guide the rest of you back to camp. We've got a warm fire and food waiting for you." Sin and Aker both saluted the warden after halting their horses as well. With the warden back, all three of them followed his orders, leaving the decision to him once again.
