As Dale's armies marched to war, Hawin was plotting...
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Hawin was the lord of Riverrun, and was the master of that city and all the land that the eye could see from the city's grand tower. This made Hawin one of the most powerful lords of Dale, second only to the lord of Esgaroth and the king of Dale.
Hawin smiled as he looked at the tax records. The nobles and commoners alike payed their dues to the crown, and Hawin made sure that was what happened. although there were a few who avoided tax, they would be "convinced to" soon enough.
"My Earl, Lord Athelstan wants to speak to you." Hawin's servant informed him.
"bring him in, but clear the room of servant's first. Tell them they can rest for awhile."Hawin told the servant
"of course Lord!" the servant grinned at the prospect of rest and invited Athelstan into the room.
"Greetings Earl Hawin, I have come to talk to you about the delicate matter of..."
Athelstan paused and looked around "The Easterlings"
"Yes, I'm worried too, We have worked so hard to keep the peace, but Bard's movements into Rhovanion will shatter all that we have worked for." Hawin sighed
"Yes indeed my Earl, paying the Easterlings now is out of the question, they are already on the move towards Dorwinion. Riverrun is at peace, but I have my agents looking around for spies of Sauron, and of Rhun." Athelstan paused once more and looked around.
"Rumour has it that the orcs of the misty mountains are searching for the One Ring, and that Sauron is making his move into Gondor. There is also word that The Rhun tribes are gathering and are preparing to march on our kingdom. Darkness will soon engulf us all Hawin, so we must prepare" Athelstan bowed and took his leave.
Hawin nodded grimly. Athelstan was right.
War is coming
Bard knew that he could march, he wanted to march, but his generals and captains squabbled pathetically about scouting the territory around. Bard sighed. He was a logical man, and he saw the merits of reconnaissance around neighbouring areas, but surely he would have been warned by the elves of any orc warbands by now?
Bard's war council had been just a argument. Do this, do that, go here, go there, the generals would either suit their own ends, or try and play it too safe for Bard's liking. he wanted to march, but he would have to wait.
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Harald, Bard's trusted friend, warrior and messenger, burst into the tent and said
"I am sorry my lord, but word has reached us of our spy reaching the area to the north."
"What does he report?" Bard asked
"He says that there is nothing around the area, but strangely, the elves there don't answer to Thranduil, but to their own petty lord." Harald replied
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"Strange... But I told my foolish generals to trust their gut, rather than be cautious and waste more time worrying about war bands" Bard sighed
As Harald left, Bard thought to himself about the trials ahead.
A lot of blood will be spilled in my lifetime he glumly thought to himself. but war is coming, and Bard smiled at the prospect of leading troops into battle again.
Dale Rising
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Originally Posted by Trailhog250
but in rest it's good.
