Chapter Five

In Joyous Celebration of the fist establishment of dominion, the village is re-Named Ilmanar’an. Benin stays in Ilmanar’an with Methomet, and half the soldiery.

Nazeem, Hamar, and Raschid set out with fifty men, to bring the rule of law to the other villages.

They ride across overgrown lands, pass abandoned hamlets and farmsteads, and at dusk reach another village..

Its gates are shut, and all demands to open them are rebuffed. The claims to represent the Turkhanate are dismissed as baseless. A lantern of Ilmanar’s Light is left as a gift and token of goodwill, which seems to allay some hostility. A progress Report is sent to Ilmanar’an via the portal.

Camped outside the village, the camp’s rest is disturbed by a sighting of a figure in the night, which is spotted by lantern light, The Ghul, for it proves to be such, is sent howling into the night by the Power of Raschid’s faith, to the praise and acclamation of the troops

Leaving the doubting villagers behind, they Ride on,

Crossing a broad meadow, suddenly a scout’s mount falls, and riding fast to investigate, the party find themselves slowed and then bound fast by Grab Grass. Normally only a danger to Isolated travellers, the urgency for setting the fallen men free increases when the nearby trees are seen to begin moving toward the fallen. Heroic efforts are made to free the fallen troopers with Raschid vaulting over Hamar and bodily interposing himself between the Murder tree and the foremost fallen trooper. The main body come to the rescue, but not before Raschid has taken a brutal blow from the Murder tree. Weapons fail to bite upon it, and finally rock oil is brought to set it alight, and it collapses in flames. One man is not reached in time, and meets a grisly death. All others set free, the party mount up, and depart swiftly, swearing dire vengance, and marking the meadow with a banner.

Nazeem spots other areas of similar grass, which are given a wide berth. As evening approaches, they find themselves in the foothills again, and make camp on a hillock.

In the depths of night a sentry is shot through the throat by an arrow! Arrows are exchanged, and some figures seen in the night, by lantern light, but none are brought down. Blood splashes and the make of the arrows seems to confirm that it was an Orc or Goblin attack.

The morning of the next day is spent at rest.

The southmost Village is then approached, and scouted first. Rabaht captures a peasant, Nankum, who is Questioned naming the village as Baranul’s Stead. The headman Baranul is described as Strong and no better or worse than any other man. The column ride slowly to the village, and the field workers flee before it. Nankum is released with a Perpetual Lantern and sent back to spread the word of the Turkhanate’s return. He returns, fearfully delivering a message, that if the Magi are truly such then they should demonstrate their power! Much discussion as to what spells to cast to show power ensues. An old or sick animal is demanded, but instead a sacrificial lamb is sent forth, and slain by sorcery, where upon the gates are thrown open to much rejoicing. Loyalty to the Turkhanate is proclaimed by all. Baranul is confirmed as headman with threats and promises.

Twenty men are garrisoned in Baranul’an.

• Chapter Six

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