Thorin's Journal (2): We Prepare for Battle

The council meeting ended successfully with the appointment of my master as leader of the party chosen for the mission. We are to assassinate the orc captain, with hopes that the ensuing chaos will weaken the chain of command and lower their morale, enabling the village militia to launch a full-scale assault on their stronghold. Word has been sent to the neighbouring villages: All able bodied male-folk above the age of fifteen who are willing to do battle with the orcs are to gather at the village centre by the 10th day of the next fullmoon.

Men from the neighbouring villages have been straggling in since last week. Many of them, common-folk, who have never held a sword in their entire lives, have rallied together and enlisted, with great faith put on their newfound hero, my master, Christian Aisling. His fame has spread to the neighbouring villages after our last orc-hunting expedition, where he single-handedly slew an orcish patrol sergant in mortal combat. Apparently, no one who has fought "One-Eye", the sergant, and survived to tell the story. Word has it that the valiant archer who loosed the arrow that earned him that nickname, was skinned alive, disemboweled and hung on a tree just outside the city-gates, a testament to Orcish cruelty and wrath.

It is with great sadness as I see young boys, who have barely reached the age of maturity, with hardly a shadow on their bare chins, laugh and joke about the upcoming battle. They know not the harsh cruelty of war. I hardly dare contemplate the outcome of the battle if we fail in our mission. But with life, there's hope, or so goes the saying.

An attractive lady, Tianna Evaline, with a hint of distant elven heritage in her features, was present at the meeting. Apparently, she is the village's champion, a kensai, a sword saint. I hope her skill with that eastern looking sword of hers is as sound as her name. On hindsight, it was she who came up with the plan; Perhaps she has some wit in her after all. Her feminity belies a brave heart though, as it was with much argument and dispute before she condescended to stay behind to protect the village. Ah! Perhaps I was too quick to judge her by her gender.

Our healer, Nakai, was rather silent throughout the meeting. But hidden behind his words, lies wisdom. The wisdom which comes only with age and experience. He speaks with authority, not unlike one who has lived a dozen lifetimes. He is famous in this region, the bards in the taverns sing mighty tales of his valour. Apparently, he is a retired fighter who has laid down his weapons to embrace his new found faith. This explains his powerful frame hidden under the oversized robes that he wears. It will be an honour to fight alongside this great warrior.

The blacksmith here seems pretty handy with that anvil of his. Perhaps, I should revisit him later. It would be wise to sharpen my axes in preparation for the upcoming battle.