On the March

[Nemt]

Nemt tells Arno to make camp at the beach, ideally with nearly twice as many men on the beach tomorrow and stronger towing lines Olomuk's ship can be sent back out.

[Gamemaster]

Shell Peninsula near Zekran, Zekresh Empire

25th day, 1st month, 41 Cledman VI

After making camp for the night near the grounded ship Trayakir, the 3rd Kantora Zekresh awakens the next morning to a day that is brisk, but not as cold as Winter days usually are this time of year. The skies are clear. There are no signs of enemies.

The soldiers resume trying to dig out the ship Trayakir. Some civilians come and offer to help. Some of them bring shovels.

Considerable progress is made, but the work keeps getting interrupted as passing ships cause the soldiers to think that either the navy or reinforcements are coming. After three such interruptions by ships which later turn out to be lone civilian merchant ships passing by, the soldiers break for lunch.

During lunch, a group of sails appears on the horizon. It is not one ship this time, but a small fleet. It is, in fact, ten ships. Though the soldiers prepare to march inland if it's the navy, it turns out to be the expected convoy from Serat Trayakir.

This time, each ship has at least one small boat. Some of the boats are tied to the decks. One is lashed to the side of the Skanor Toloresh. Most of them are being towed behind each ship on ropes.

Rather than risk running aground and getting stuck, the ships offload the next kantora of troops via the boats. This process takes much longer, but reduces the risk to the ships.

Srenger comes ashore with the first group of boats. He greets Nemt and inspects the digging. It is almost high tide again and he heads back to the Shoolen Divi to bring towlines to the Trayakir.

Meanwhile, soldiers are arriving on the beach. An officer finds Nemt and introduces himself, "Ulor Nemt, I'm Gurikan Gamuk, commander of the 1st Kantora Sishan. I'm surprised you're still here. I think we should march to Zekran as soon as possible. Also, we saw navy ships along the way and they may be pursuing us."

[Nemt]

Nemt explains his reasoning with the grounded ships to Gamuk, thogh he realizes Gamuk probably already understands why they haven't left yet.

"We'll march as soon as they tow the ship off, hopefully the Navy hasn't followed the convoy all the way here."

Nemt hopes Srenger and the shipmasters are wise enough to choose a different landing site for the next trip.

(OOC: Is the first Kantora Sishan 800 soldiers?)

[Gamemaster]

(OOC: all kantoro are supposed to have 1,000 troops, but as you know, actual strength varies greatly. You don't know how many men there are in the 1st Kantora Sishan.)

Gurikan Gamuk does not agree that it is worthwhile to wait or to help get the Trayakir back out to sea. He says, "It's just one ship. For all we know, it may be impossible to get it out of there. Leave it to the sailors. Our mission is to get to Zekran as fast as possible and make ourselves available for whatever mission may be most urgent. Also, we need to inform the Regent and Gurikan Falanorata Krulmuk that large numbers of troops from the South Peninsula are on their way. I'm going to order my men to start marching as soon as the rest of them are ashore. I urge you to join me."

[Nemt]

Nemt reconsiders and agrees with Gamuk.

[Gamemaster]

Once Gurikan Gamuk's men are ashore, he marches towards Zekran with his kantora. Nemt and the 3rd Kantora Zekresh follow.

[Gamemaster]

The soldiers march inland for about two dozen talong. They come to a place where they can see the sea again to the south. The road runs along the beach. Nemt is pretty sure this is the bay that Zekran is located on the west side of. The soldiers continue marching until darkness catches them and it is necessary to make camp.

[Gamemaster]

(OOC: Don't miss the post above this one.)

Just as the soldiers are making camp, a horseman come towards them from the direction of Zekran at a fast gallop. Gurikan Gamuk orders his men to block the road and prepare to defend themselves in case it is some kind of attack.

The rider does not stop. He rides off the road, avoids the troops and keeps on going. Some of the soldiers who were closest to him said he was dressed as an Imperial Courier. Gurikan Gamuk decides that he is probably not a threat.

[Nemt]

Nemt agrees he was probably not a threat, and without any realistic way to chase him down he should just be ignored for now. Though he does worry word may have passed to the capital about the landings, from where it could also spread to Yishil.

Not knowing if Gamuk has spent much time in the North Peninsula, Nemt explains where he thinks they are in relation to Zekran.

[Gamemaster]

Gurikan Gamuk has been to Zekran before, but hasn't been on this particular road before and defers to Nemt's greater knowledge of the area since Nemt was born and raised in Zekran and Nemt was stationed in Zekran during most of his military service.

The rest of the night passes uneventfully.

[Gamemaster]

(OOC: Don't miss post above)

near Zekran, Zekresh Empire

26th day, 1st month, 41 Cledman VI

The troops of the 3rd Kantora Zekresh and the 1st Kantora Sishan awaken early and after a quick breakfast, are on the march towards Zekran. Various travellers pass them by in both directions. By midday, they are within sight of the city.

There is no sign of battle and even after the troops are easily within sight of the city's watch towers, there is no alarm call and the gates through the city's defensive wall remain open.




(OOC: This action continues on the thread called "Nemt in Zekran" which can be found at the link below.)

www.naegame.proboards83.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=capital&thread=1195118195