The Northern Defense

Forming the vast contingent of volunteers into a force that resembled something military had not been an easy task. Nasher had given them plenty of soldiers, and reasonably abundant supplies, but the quick need for the troops was the factor that had made their jobs all but impossible. It was a difficult thing. The need on the northern front was real and pressing; but it somehow seemed futile to throw bodies at the problem; yet what other choice was there?

The main body of Neverwinter's troops had been long at battle to the west and there were little more than just the Home Guard left in the city and it's immediate environs. Every home had been swept already with every remotely mature male taken for the great fight with evil to the West of Long Saddle. The reports from there were encouraging and it seemed that, however expensive in terms of human and demi-human life, victory was being achieved. The enemy seemed to be giving ground and even, at many moments, seemed to be becoming desperate as well. The attacks from the ice people to the north seemed doubly harsh in light of all that Neverwinter had been forced to suffer.

With only the now sparsely-manned garrisons and few of the wealthier Barons and such lending their remaining estate troops, the sneak attack stuck a bitter blow to the newly revived moral of the people of Neverwinter. The needs was most intense and Nasher had made that abundantly clear when he had called the newly elected leader of the Knights of the Round Table to him and asked that he strive to raise an army to stand and stop the invading horde from the bitter north.

KORT had been in poor position to help with the main fight, as their recent disarray told. Many of the Knights and Squires, and even a few of the Pages had been "lent" to some of the other guilds who massed units to take to the western fight. Aside from their own garrison at Camelot, there weren't but a few Knights remaining in the area. But Corwin's answer was quick and sure. There could be no question but that he, and the few Knights that were yet in Neverwinter would gladly raise what army they could and march post-haste to the North to meet the new threat. It seemed the only thing that one so loyal and given to the defense of the Good could do.

Of course, that was 5 full weeks ago. 35 days of what could only be described as frustration and desperate instruction as Corwin and his five aides; Exegete, Ganzelle, Windgrey, and the Page, Aldrous; tried to whip 2500 farmers and schoolboys into a fighting force fit to face a hardened enemy. Windgrey and Aldrous had sought to train the bulk of the group in the use of the pike and the sword. Corwin had undertaken to quickly train some 200 of the volunteers in the art of the longbow. Exegete, never the warrior, but quite the horseman, had taken all the could ride, nearly 250, and had attempted to make them into passable Cavalry, and light Cavalry at that, really just riding archers. Ganzelle had taken a small number who demonstrated an aptitude for the Magical arts, and give them in some crash ability in battle magic, healing, and other Magely arts.

The end, after 5 weeks of training and a week of forced march to the far north of Neverwinter was not what any of the 6 Knights, or any of the dozens of other KORT militia personnel who aided them, would have called an army. But then, it wasn't exactly not an army either. The prospect of going into battle the next day was not a comforting one for Corwin as he stood on a small hill that overlooked his camped militia. It was not comforting at all.

The day had begun easily enough. Two units of Lord Exegete's Cavalry had discovered a movement of the Ice People's force swinging to the south and the west, perhaps seeking to englobe the town of WindyClyffs. As the enemy force approached from the north toward their position, the Cavalry unit had dismounted and dug in, after, of course, sending messenger back to Lord Corwin to inform him of the move. They were soon joined by other Cavalry elements and several of Ganzelle's "Mages", bringing their numbers to just over 150. Corwin ordered his archers into position both to the north and south of the Cavalry emplacement and ordered Windgrey's infantry into five divisions. Three would form the line of battle, and two would be held in reserve, along with the rest of Exegete's Cavalry. Ganzelle's Mages would pepper the archers and give some punch to their aerial attacks.

As the time of battle began, the troops evidenced much disquietude and upset. This, naturally, was not unusual for those who, just a few weeks prior had been tending to vegetables and arithmetic. The dawn's colorful arrival brought dread fear to many as the saw the great line of the enemy, dressed in full battle array. Their infantry was speckled with fierce Yeti, and huge Polar Bears, both held in check for the time being by fell Druidic priests. Their Cavalry rode snarling ice hounds, snapping and yowling their fowl challenge. Goblin archers stood behind the line in deep ranks behind the huge Ice Infantry themselves, all clothed in thick furs and waving huge clubs, thumping shields of wood covered with hides. Their leaders rode beautiful horses of snowy white. They were clothed in a grey livery, fringed in red fur and carried long swords that seemed to be made of ice themselves.

Disquietude grew quickly among the ranks as the militia beheld their enemy. The ranks seemed to shimmer a bit as they wavered, coming to the brink of breaking and fleeing. The Knights rode and moved among them, encouraging, cajoling, threatening, and doing anything else that might strengthen the resolve of their charges. But it was a losing battle, the militia took on what seemed a mind of its own, and would have broken had it not been for Lord Corwin.

The strength of his voice carried well in the cold morning air. It calm resonance carried a strength and a conviction that stopped most men in their tracks and seizing and riveting their attention to his words. Head after head turned and gave heed to his words as he rode his majestic steed back and forth before them.

"Hear me ye men of Neverwinter, Ye stout and noble heart of the Realms! Hear Me!" he boomed. "I fain would have a short word with ye all before we retire from this field of battle. I know thy time is short and the press of other needs is sharp in your breasts, but hear me, a moment or two longer can make no such great a difference as to set aside all that I might say." He paused and looked a number of the men nearby in the eye. "I see o'er yon field a great horde of manifold evil men, and beasts as well. It seems that evil cannot but taint the whole of a country in whcih it is allow to spawn and prosper. Aye, an that's worthy of our note, for I remember such a time as when the land, not now so far to our north, was not such a twisted and evil place, but was a fair and joyous neighborhood in which I, and many of my comrades spend many a wondrous day. But then, the Pirates came, and good men lifted but a halting hand, and amidst vigorous and bitter protestations, gave but a bare huzzah to taking arms and standing firm against evil's imposition." He shook his head sadly, then shrugged. "They did not understand, as I am sure this august group doth understand right well, that war of such as is now thrust upon us is not a matter of choice, or ground, or gain. Men have always fought for ground, for land and possessions. Wars in the past, indeed, the great war being fought e'en now to our west is a war to prevent such evil gains from being realized at our own dear Lord Nasher's expense." He looked over at the enemy's line, and then back at his own. "Indeed that is evil's nature, to expand and eat up all that it's rotten appetite can embrace, all that it s allowed to eat while good men sit idle and watch from afar. But is not a battle like all of the others. This battle is not about advancing and flanking and military ventures. Make no mistake. These fowl creatures have come to here precisely because they think there are no men left in Neverwinter! They sneak and the skulk from den to cave and wait their evil opportunity, and seize the day when they know the force that would have easily repelled them is occupied in sterner defense of our western border! Don't you see? This battle is not for land, or Prince, or even for honor. This battle is one for your won dear persons! Should this horde sweep us by and proceed with evil glee into Windyclyffs and beyond, into Neverwinter, I fear that my life and your lives, shall never be again what they were. Think of those who, valiantly and courageously, fight the tide of invasion in LongSaddle. Shall we, who stand here ready, allow them to come home to burned out homes, dead children, and raped wives? Think not that this will stop here, oh no! This thirsty brood with carry on their wicked haste and follow thee to Vilnask and beyond! No! I say thee No! It is here that we must make the stand and here that these fell troops must meet their end.!" He turned his horse to face the foe, and raised him on his hind legs defiantly. "I say thee no! There is good still left in the land! Good men still live and still can raise the arm against tyranny and foul wicked hearts." He raised his sword high and shouted in a thunderous voice "For the Good of the Realms!"

A moment of silence passed as each man present considered Corwin's words. Then, slowly and quietly at first, but growing in both speed and thunderous volume came the cheer! "For the Good of the Realms!" Then, the militia, nay, then the army turned as one to undertake the task of standing as men being counted among those who stand for Good and taking to themselves the responsibility of making a difference.

The Northern Defense would be historic and profound. Not the least reason being the charisma and leadership of Sir Corwin Americus. It was but the first of many times his gallant leadership and wondrous charisma would inspire hs troops to follow the path of Good.

Congratulations Cor on your election. We all wish you the best and look forward to seeing you prove yourself to be the great leader and great man that we who know and love already recognize.