Three days, passed in a blur. Despite the recent reports, not a single troll was encountered by any patrols. The occasional rain of late called forth a heavy fog that would linger for hours. At first, the fog seemed ominous, leaving many of the newer Long-Riders visibly unsettled, but after three days of insipidness, and reassurances of more veteran members had mostly resolved their nerve.

Hopefully, the residents of the Darkwood were hunkering down or hibernating or whatever such beasties do when nature sought to teach one of its harder lessons. An idea I could get fully behind, as I spent much of the past days hidden from the cold rain among my throng of blankets in my cozy tent. I had little to do as Luke saw too his own needs and the command building had its own rotation of guards from among the men on duty.In one of the rare moments I spent outside my tent, tending my small fire to prepare a late breakfast when a sense of urgency rolled through the camp, lone runners darted around rousing other from slumber or monotonous task, add in moments the camp was a sea of action and noise. After failing to get the attention on one of the few that seemed to know what was going on as he darted by, I decided to copy the actions of others around me. I ducked into my tent, hastily shirking out om my furred jacket, before strapping on my armor. I returned my jacket to its place on my shoulders, strapping my sword belt over it, going so far as to belt on a spar dagger and tuck a small hunting blade into my boot. I grabbed my shield as I left my tent, sliding my arm through a loosened strap, letting it slide over my shoulder, so the large shield would rest on my back.

I followed the flow of bodies towards the gate. I adjusted my course toward a group of three. I questioned them as I matched my gait with their own.

"What's the situation." Not directing my question to any specific one of them.

"Watchtower spotted an emergency signal sent up by the patrol." A youthful Long-Rider answered me. The muscles of his jaw clenched tight as he spoke with a serious tone.

"Ah, It's Barnes' squad, like'lay lost his way in tha' fog." A brusque female added with an accent not far from Luke's. The stripes on her shoulder denoted her as a Team Leader.

"Barnes Is unreliable?" I asked of her, as two men wielding bows, sauntered into our group midstride, Likely the remainder of her team.

"Nah, academic one he-is, just not from round her'e... Prolly oe'er done, but the response squads 'ill get him sorted."

I continued on in silence as the Team Leader began to address her team. She checked over their equipment as we made our war through camp. We made quick time camp. Marion was already present at the gate. I interrupted her as she organized new arrivals.

"I'll lead us out."

She paused staring at me for a moment before responding "Is that truly wise? Your duty lies here with the Captain."

I answered with confidence. "Luke's in no danger here, and if there is truly an emergency I'm the best sword here."

Marion hesitated for a moment, so I chose to continue. "With me in the front, you could maintain the rear and make sure no one is lead astray in the fog."

She nodded before she replied. "I'll defer to you here."

One of the men shouted ant point over the treeline in the distance.

"LOOK, THERE"

My eyes alighted to the sight of a subtle smoke trail of a burning arrow as it ascended at a high angle skyward. My sense of urgency renewed at the signal of emergency as I solidified my direction towards it. I made my way to the front of the formation, glancing over my shoulder as men made final adjustments to their gear. At the front, I paused for a moment before raising my voice.

"Let's go. Double time Long-Riders." I set off at a trot, speedy up into a steady jog, focus my eyes on the receding smoke trail. The quake of footsteps and the rattling of chainmail followed in my wake. I relied on my sense of direction to keep me straight as I ignored various trails, slapping vegetation aside as I made my own path straight towards my destination. I splashed through bogs and mires, eventually slowing my pace as some struggled to follow my path. Quicking my pace only shortly afterward, as the sounds of battle rang out from ahead of me. The yells and outcries of both men, and those assuredly not, spurned my pace forward. I swung my left shoulder forwards letting my shield slide down my arm. I adjusted and tightened the straps, as the sound of fighting drew close.

The figure of a troll appeared from the fog, looking over its shoulder as it detected our approach. He turned and swung a crude wooden club in a wide arc. I never slowed, lowering my stance and setting my shoulders. My shield connected with it before it could garner any power behind it"s attack. I braced and push outwards with my free hand, flinging the troll from my path. I continued on, drawing my sword as I went. Minutes that seemed like seconds passed as I reached the edge of chaos. Long-Riders, heavily outnumbered, engaged in open melee with a troll horde.

I stalled a moment, The noise of those close in my wake confirming my resolve. I lowered my stance, raised my shield and strode into the chaos.