AUTHOR: Phy DATE: 11/17/2003 05:12:00 PM ----- BODY: Mavhek and company were just suggesting that they have a nip (a daring suggestion when you consider the fate that befell anyone caught stealing from the hooch wagons without permission) when Nagle and Kish rode up.

“You probably weren’t here when Trindle was here before,” said Nagle without preamble, ”but he’s returned and says that he has an idea that may help buy us some time and advantage against Maledon over there.”

Mahvek nodded. “Anything you suggest – we’ll be glad to help in any way that he can. Why, I’d be willing to whip out…”

“That,” said Nagle grinned abruptly, “won’t be necessary, Mahvek.”

The men grinned and had a hearty laugh.

“General?”

“Gentlemen,” said Kish without irony, “we’re going to need the War Wagons up here as quickly as possible.”

The players looked at each other, momentarily stunned by their good fortune, Mahvek and the erstwhile card players, and they spread a puzzled and slightly shocked look around amongst them as if their suggestion had been somehow revealed from a distance.

“Uh, sure, we can bring them forward, if you really think it best and all,” said Mahvek, and they mounted up and rode off to do just that.

“I think I’m going to like that guy,” remarked Rovan as they rode away, while Sarly appeared deep in thought and clearly seemed to betray that he shouldn’t have agreed to play at cards on this day. For his part, Mahvek shot Rovan a look that said that he didn’t believe any of it for a moment but that riding off to where the hooch was couldn’t be *all* bad.


“So how are we going to take that over?”, Nagle asked.

“That’s not my concern,” said Kish calmly, too calmly. “My interest is for these armies, both of them. All of these men are at risk and Maledon could them all out with one attack and clean up the rest with his storm troopers. He clearly intends to do just that, and I’m responsible. I don’t intend to let him do that without a fight.”

“With his what?”

“You know – his armies.”

“You’re not scheming to take over a storm fortress for your own purposes? You really *have* changed,” Nagle observed quietly.

“Well, if you remember the resolve of Trindle, you know that once I’ve made up my mind, I don’t change it without a bolt from above.”

At that moment, a flash appeared from the approaching mass, followed by a far-off crack of thunder.

“Perhaps that was a poor expression,” said Kish wryly. “Let’s move the armies out. We need to get staged as quickly as possible.”

“What was that?” asked Nagle.

“They’re beginning to take ranging shot,” said Kish. “They think they’re getting close to being close enough to start distance attacks. We haven’t any time to lose. The battle approaches.” --------