Across the River and to the Blind King's Hill
The Heroes rejoined at the Rass Manor, then set off to the river where they would meet Argrath and his warband. Ithas Resh the Younger led the heroes to the rendezvous.
The night was dark and cold, and still no wind blew. The moon is black but the ruins seem alive with hidden menace. Your band keeps silent, with many of the Young Riders clutching Pavic charms to ward and to muffle their passage. And they keep their eyes away from Rasa, whose presence spooks the horses.
A hundred or so yards down from the zebra bridge, you meet the rest of the warriors. Argrath leads an uncountable number of resistance fighters--uncountable because many of them stay hidden. Rass family recognize Burraska White, leader of the Five Winds gang. She stands by Argrath and ties up her long white hair before putting on a helmet.
One of your followers with vision magic spots movement on the Zebra Bridge. Amongst the regular Royal Guard types, he spots a single horse rider wearing black and white Pelorian armor.
Infantry ford the river via some small boats or through some strange magic or other. Cavalry must ford the icy but low running river. Still, it's miserable.
By secret ways you move through the darkness to a staging area on a slope of the Blind King's Hill. There is cover here that non-natives would never expect, but it is still dangerous to wait here too long. A reconnaissance line of infantry ring the hill at Argrath's orders, and Rasa feels old magics asleep here.
Wiry looking young men bearing the Resh clan mark carry a rough sedan chair into view up on an old balcony above you. They place it between the torn stumps of columns that once held up the roof whose shattered tiles your animals' hooves crush below you.
A stern voice barks out with surprising clarity "Leaders, forward to me." Various odd types, including at least one of you, come forward. "Your head count and strengths?"
Each of the leaders speaks. Any who puff up or brag are stopped by the voice from the sedan chair. "Each word is a dead ally. Head count and strengths!"
Argrath: "137. Eighty light infantry, fifteen of which ride. Forty-three medium infantry. Fourteen heavy infantry, my guard and storms."
A young man from the Sammanus clan speaks. "Ten heavy infantry of Opili." Oshun would know this must be every able-bodied member of that clan.
An older woman: "Five Vessels of Mani-of-the-Many-Lives and their twenty guards."
A Khan is Born
Oshun ponders much as he sits atop Skimmer at the gathering of warbands on the Blind King's Hill. His bones are weary, but the blessing of Pavis has rejuvinated his spirit. He feels the many paths branching off his present state of fate, for this day is ominous indeed.
He looks of the 5 young riders and feels comfortable with them (even with Chela Crazy-mare) as they have been battle-tested much lately <"amazing they are still alive o'great and wonderous Khan of Khans">. Oshun frowns and absentmindedly flicks his right ear at the annoyance of Bitter-mouth. Oshun is less certain of the rest of the Faithful Lancers warband he gathered up at the Rass manor. 45 braves strong, but without leadership for 2 of their years <"Interesting how they made do without you">. Oshun strains to recognize the authority in the sedan chair who speaks with strong command <"Jealous are we? Get your Issaries to take some notes, maybe you'll learn something. but I doubt it">.
The Prophetic spirits knew Oshun would be here this day, but where will he be at the morrow's moon? or the moon after that? What do the Prophetic Spirits see of him for the future? <"they see nothing but empty deaths and the wasted blood of the Zebra Khan. How Ironic it is we are on the Blind King's hill...it appears the king is not the only one who cannot see">. Yes, an ominous day indeed.