June 14, 2026
8th Khordrak
Foothills of the Queen’s Mountains
As the Torchbearers traveled, Ormar told Hilda that he fought for the dwarf side in the tax revolt. Hilda responded by saying how difficult it was to be put under Gunbalar Prakk’s command and how much she hates Kaiser Anselm. They recognized each other as fellow soldiers.
9th Khordrak
In the afternoon, the Torchbearers came upon booted footprints. They followed these to the rear side of a blind where several rukkator lay in ambush above a game trail. They eavesdropped, hearing the orcs bicker about discipline and military life. Deciding that the enemies were common soldiers, the Torchbearers rushed them and wiped them out. Ormar cut a rune into the heads and staked up the bodies.
10th Khordrak
Moving more quietly, the Torchbearers came upon a supply caravan. Several rukkator soldiers guarded a chain of wagons pulled by a dozen walking wounded. They heard the leader say that the caravan was bound for “Orcsdike”. The Torchbearers attacked the caravan, expecting to drive off the wounded. But after the guards had fallen, the wounded steadied and martyred themselves in a desperate charge.
Ormar gave the bodies the same treatment as before. The Torchbearers pillaged all the weapons they could carry and burned the rest of the supplies.
11th Khordrak
The Torchbearers stopped, deciding that they were lost. Alwin used animal friendship to send a bird to Vira, nonverbally signal her, and return to the spot.
That night, the Torchbearers saw lights flashing far over the northern horizon.
12th Khordrak
Vira received a sending from Scheffelden:
Costly siege lifted. Circumstances politically fraught, Scheffelden still in danger, commencing evacuation. Legions expected. Report status of Alfdyke and self and continue at own discretion.
And responded:
Alfsdyke held as enemy stronghold. Building stronghold in mountains. Locating dragon hoard. War is being fought, giving them hell. Keep Ormar updated.
13th Khordrak
Ormar received a sending from Scheffelden:
Siege of Scheffelden lifted. Neutral soldiers in our streets, unsure of intentions. Rukkator still hold Lake Scheffelden to Lake Friederich. Bleed them. Raise our price.
15th Khordrak
The Torchbearers decided no one was coming for them and struck south into the mountains on their own.
16th Khordrak
A small search party, sent by Vira, arrived at the Torchbearers’ abandoned camp.
In a mountain valley, the Torchbearers saw a winged shape approach from the north. It resolved into a young dragon that flew overhead and landed in the mountains.
