Dunland

[Valdrik]

The lands on the northern boarder of the Gap of Rohan. The barbaric inhabitants of this region have long been at odds with the Rohirrim and often ford the river to pilage villages in the Westfold.

[Anwyn]

The Sun was rising slowly over the Mountains as a group of 300 Rohirrim approached a small encampment of Wildmen on the outmost boarder of Rohan. Anwyn rode at the formost of the pack mounted upon a great black stallion. The Standards of Rohan raised high and blew gently in the early morning breeze. This would not be quiet, It would not be a cowardly attack during the night as so many attacks from Dunland had been upon Rohan. Victory on this day mattered naught to Anwyn, for she was here to send a message to these Wildmen of the North that Rohan was not weak and they would no longer stand for such attacks.

Anwyn drew her sword from its sheath, starring upon the camp. Upon her signal a loud horn was blown to alert the Wildmen to there presence, she would give them that much warning at least. "Riders of Rohan!" Anwyn shouted, a resounding cry arose from the men as they raised there swords and and spears. Horses whinied and pawed at the ground eagerly "Charge!" With that the great host galloped down the hill, descending upon the camp with the thunder of many hooves.

[Valdrik]

The nomadic people of Dunland were of a stout stature, and though the numbers in this camp were small, they would stand and fight. Fight till the end if it were necesarry. The women and children fled into the wild as the men readied their hodge podge of an arsenal.

They were outnumbered by the Rohirrim at a rate of six to one, at least, but that mattered not, their fierceness and hate of the Rohirrim would more than make up for that. If any of these Rohirrim returned to their homeland they would go without taste for further war. Some of the men had steeds, a few of them rode tamed wrags, the majority though had nothing more than a wooden shield and axe or club.

They charged forward to meet the approaching riders, deafening out even the horns with their wild cries. The met the enemy with a force none could have anticipated, they were thrown into a berserking state, not caring that this would be their last day. Some fell immeadiately as the Rohirrim plowed through the lines, but those that survived pulled men from their horses and crushed their skulls with mighty blows.

The fight was not long, but it was bloody. In the end no wildman was standing, but their number of dead was doubled at least by that of the Rohirrim. The few scattered tamed wrags chewed at their dead masters and at dead horses, attacked those who dared come to close.

Anwyn had her victory over this group of wildmen, but, at what cost to her. Were her men's lives worth that of a few stolen horses?

In the distance drums sounded and shrill cries could be heard from the forests. News travelled quickly between the nomadic tribes, and there would come many more to finish off the Rohirrim if they chose to stay in Dunland any longer.

[Anwyn]

Anwyn looked around at the site of the battle, wiping away blood from the side of her mouth she placed her sword back in her sheath. The soldiers that were still mobile searched for any survivors and placed them on Horses. Picking through the dead, she found one wildman that was still partially alive, enough for her purposes. His hair was long dark and greasy, she could barely stand the sight of him. Despite her urge to finish this miserable creatures life, she picked him by the collar of his tunic "You shall live" she told him "Live long enough to deliver this message to whoever has the misfortune of finding you. I will spare your women and Children, We are not murders such as yourselves, But if I ever catch word of your kind on my lands again...my retribution shall be swift and terrible. If you understand this...pass it aong" she let the man drop to the ground and stood.

Anwyn turned to her Soldiers "Get any survivors up on horses and back to Edoras. Bury the dead...There is no victory here this day" she said solemnly, the men bowed there heads out of respect for the fallen. There would be time to mourn later, for now they would return to Rohan.

[Valdrik]

The lone barbarian she had left standing laughed in mockery as Anwyn and the Rohirrim rode into the distance. The wildmen had acted under now orders for their most recent raid into Rohan, but, this incursion ensured that more raids would come... many more. The villagers in the Westfold could sleep without fear tonight, but this would not be the case for long. Retribution would indeed come.

[Sophianna]

Sophianna had assembled the troops as Valdrik had asked, and led them into the area known as Dunland. It was here they were to set up camp for now, making no further move until she had orders from Valdrik. She had, as ordered, chosen the three fastest scouts and sent them on their way to search with haste, and yet with precision. The rest of the troops, including herself, were content to wait.

[Valdrik]

Two days after Sophianna and the legion of infantry made camp in Dunland, Valdrik rode forth with five thousand head of cavalry. Valdrik dismounted his horse and made his way to Sophianna's tent. It was before dawn and when he entered he found her sleeping. He sat down at the one small table in the tent and lit a candle before rolling out a large map of Enedwaith. He then leaned back in the chair and cleared his throat loudly. "Do you intend to sleep all day, or shall you awake and help your King expand the boarders of Enedwaith?"

[Sophianna]

Sophianna arose quickly from her slumber when she heard the voice of Valdrik. Clearing her own throat and brushing her hair back from her face, she arched a brow. "Do you not know how to knock?" She rose from her bed and made her way over to the table, sitting down opposite him and looking at the map. "What do you mean?" She asked when his statement registered in her mind.

[Valdrik]

Valdrik glanced over at the canvas of the tent flap. "It was open." He grinned then turned his gaze back down to his map, runing his finger across the border of Dunland and into the Rohirrim territory of the West-March. "I mean that we move to take back what is rightfully ours. The Westfold. The time is ripe, the Rohirrim people are terrified already and I doubt that their Queen has much taste for battle. I will make her an offer. She pulls out of the Westfold, leaving it to my rule, or Edoras will feel the full wrath of my Army."

He stood. "As much as I enjoy looking at you in your robe, I suggest you find your armor. I ride forward now with the Cavalry." He pointed down at the map where he would take his position. "Split your infantry into two divisions, stay back and take both my flanks. I will signal when and if it is necessary for you to charge." He smiled, and turned to exit the tent. "Hope to see you again soon."

[Sophianna]

Sophianna nodded as he pointed out what he wished to be done. Occasionally, she murmured her agreeance. She rose as he did, and subconcsiously drew her robe tighter about her as he made his comment. With a small roll of her eyes, she nodded. "I will do as you say." She tied the flap down as he left the tent and quickly changed into more suitable attire. Soon she and her men would be ready to follow him into battle.