Crater Tower

[Badgerlord]

General Roderick stares intimidatingly at the messenger.

"Very well. Bring the wounded half way to the tower, and then remove all of your soldiers from that area. We will take them in then, and only then."

[Howl]

The archer bows, "very well, we'd appreciate it if you returned our carriers after you've unloaded your wounded" and left to give the message to the High Commander.

Lyzerge looks over to Roderick "make sure to check them before you bring them in"

The physicians push the carriers onto the drawbridge and them headed back to the rest of the small group.

[Badgerlord]

Roderick dispatches another messenger.

"Send out three men, have them check over the carriers and the wounded thoroughly, and then bring them in if its not a trap."

[Howl]

All is well, the Firestarter wounded are brought to some healers and treated, and the Archer gets his weapon and joins the small Sonambulist encampment over the hill.

[Badgerlord]

Roderick dismisses the archers and turns to Lyzerge.

"Get a group of mages together and prepare to send them into the tunnels under the enemy encampment."

He turns around and addresses the throng still on the rooftop.

"WHAT ARE YOU FOOLS STANDING AROUND FOR? WE HAVE WORK TO DO! And somebody find me the Shadow!"

[Howl]

The mage-lieutenant heads to the barracks and gathers together a platoon of mages.

He checked the maps and stationed them at the westward entrance to the tunnels on the 38th floor.

---

A (different) Sonambulist messenger is brought before General Roderick by some guards. "We intercepted this messenger coming from the north, sir. He demands that he be freed so he can deliver a message."

[Badgerlord]

Roderick gives one of his patented intimidating stares to the Messenger.

"I assume you understand how unlikely it is an opposing side in a WAR would release an enemy messenger, so I'll also assume that you have a very important message to deliver. You tell me what the message is, and I might let you go."

[Howl]

"The High Commander is supposed to withdraw his forces and immediately return to Sonambulist territory." The messenger says this with his face straight.

[Badgerlord]

Roderick glares imperiously at the messenger.

"Go, then."

[Howl]

The messenger hurries off towards the Sonambulist encampment. Lyzerge, who had gotten impatient, appears before the General, "Should we go through with the attack?" he asks.

[Badgerlord]

Roderick holds up a hand.

"No. Wait and watch. If they start to attack, then yes, but any order important enough to take the Sonambulists away from a cornered Firestarter force may well affect us as well."

[Howl]

The Sonambulists pack up and head North. Lyzerge scowls, "we should plan our next attack, where do you suggest.... sir?"

[Badgerlord]

Roderick shakes his head.

"We're heading back to Firestarter HQ. I have a feeling we'll be needed soon."

He sounds a general order to the soldiers to pack up and get ready to move out through the medium of the tunnels. Roderick will help coordinate and will assist with any necessary physical labor, despite his advancing years. He notices, however, the absence of an important figure.

"Has anyone seen the Shadow?"

A chorus of negatives and shrugs greet him.

"Hm..."

The rest of the operation goes smoothly. Soon enough, the entire force, including wounded, is ready to go. They depart into the correct tunnels, and begin the long trek home to Firestarter headquarters. Roderick departs with some sadness, and concern for the Shadow. What could possibly have happened to the enigmatic Firestarter assassin?

Only time would tell.

[Athena]

((Locking and moving.))