The northern villas where the main column has assembled to protect the elf merchant and his precious cargo were not the only area under threat from the skaven.
A skirmishing force was wreacking havok South from there, in the valley farmlands near the bridge that cross the Tarano.
Surprised by the sudden strike of the chaos creatures, the elf and human townfolks had been unable to coordinate a militia. So many of them have been forced to fortificate in their homes and take the old family weapons the defend themselves, while others try to lay low until a rescue force is sent from Tor Nimtala when the news reach…
However, the ratmen were not merely sacking the villas, they were hunting any messengers that could alert the city.
The skaven skirmishers were battling against any possible scout from the Tor Nimtala or messenger from the locals in order to cut the small party of the merchant’s remaining retinue and the Mindogol mage’s forces from any reinforcement. If they cannot bring more troops, it was inevitable that they’ll fall into a trap when trying to cross the river. They will be between the northern troop pursuing them and a second army that was coming from the old elf tower by the southern bank of the river.
The skaven did not expect a series of fortunate events. Starting with a trio of adventurers, metting in one of the elf farrms along the old dwarf road.
- Dunno where do these rats come from, but we must try to go South, it is not possible to come back to the camp and… wait, see that young lady, my friend.
+ Seems that you are in the need of a knight, mia signora.
With a swift strike of her swords, the two creatures fell.
> I am just fine, but a helping hand will be welcomed. I am triying to go to the city and I am tired of slashing these pesky creatures.
- Hello my lady, I am Precio and this gentleman is my friend sir Caballo di Bronzo. Forgive him, he was a little overindulging with a lady that seemed in trouble. You are pretty skilled with the sword. Why are you alone in this road filled with chaos creatures??
> The ratmen have attacked the villages along the dwarf road in numbers, the other villas are under threat and the militia is unable to coordinate under this pressure. Several neighbours that could hand a sword tried to go South before me. I tried to catch them and help. However, everything I saw in this path is death and desolation.
+ Let’s go then, three swords are better than one if we want to reach the city. We may not end our travel like our predecessors.
The trio followed the dwarven road down to the main southern bridge where it met with the coastal roads. It was important to check if there were any other helping hands or safe houses along the road. Everyone should rally in the village and maybe establish a troop down there.
The farther they went South, the more perilous their travel it came. It was in a suddent and fast combat they had to push off to the main road, down of the river crossing of the bridge.
> Back off, they are like a plague, we cannot follow the roads with these creatures. I know a path to an alternate shallow.
Fortunately, there was a small crossing site not to far from the main road. The ratmen were no in this part of the northern bank so they could reach the southern side at last.
Down the road the came to a city patrol. They met with one of the elf lieutenant and send them the unfortunate news. There was no time to lose, a small troop will alert the city and soon an army will be assembled.
- Commander, the path is full of rats and we have seen ranked units forming in the outskirts of the village. They’re probably besieging it. But this young and brave lady know an alternative path that would come handy.
~ They may have cut the southern bank as well, because your words are the first news of this attack. We will want to know that path, if we approach from an angle in the northern bank that they did not expect, we can probably enter the village. Troop, get ready, we march now to the village. The reinforcement will met there when we safe the bridge.
The company of city spearmen marched to the bridge, crossing by the scouted land that the three adventurers have already crossed in order to avoid further resistance. The plan was to reach the village from an area the skaven they were not expecting if the village was already in trouble while the lords evaluate the threat and rally the main elf army from the city.
