Chapter Eight

In the morning after the attack, the village rests warily, with some slow work progressing on the fortifications..

The Magi resolve to reserve their strength, and spend some time in learning spells. Over the week by Ilmanar’s grace all are healed to full strength, and midweek Djan returns with the fifteen troopers from Baranul’an.

Scouts report some brief contacts with the bandits, but nothing comes of it.

On Nazeem’s insistence a harrying party sets out to wage a guerrilla campaign against the bandit fortress, so Nazeem, Hamar and Methomet, with Raschid, Djan and thirty troopers, set off north to the hills above Aq'Qallat to find a base of operations.

In on the first night the sentries report a band of unidentified things passing in the night..

The morning brings disconcerting news. Rajeer, a Pot-boy in Methomet’s service, reports finding tracks of Four or Five gigantic Dogs, heading south west.

A base is found in a small sheltered gully, and Djan an a trooper ride off to scout for Aq'Qallat. They return, mission accomplished, and so the next day the magi head off to observe. Much Is noted, and Hamar goes in for a closer look, whilst invisible. Dogs are discovered in the base of the main watchtower, but Hamar is not found out..

That Night the sentries sound alarm, as a gang of Gnolls find, and assault the camp. Good use is made of Light arrows, but Nazzeem discovers sleep to be of Little Use..

The Gnolls charge into a hail of arrows, and bear down on Hamar and Djan. A desperate fight ensues, with Nazeem and Methomet wading in, and all those fighting taking grievous wounds. Djan is nearly slain, and falls, when the tide is turned by a charge of the lancers led by Raschid.

Morning breaks on a bloodied band..

• Chapter Nine

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