BW XXV - Lan Zi

Lanzi’s Vision

“Oh, is there a hope, Hominh-san?” Yishmay’s voice penetrates the darkness of Lanzi’s dream.

“Hime, we are not certain, but it may be true.”

“Could he be alive?”

“Again, we are not sure, but the signs appear optimistic.” The samurai keeps his head bowed and is clearly uncomfortable in the close proximity of such a beautiful queen. “We need to keep an open mind, however.”

“Yes, of course. Hominh-san, please continue your research. You’ll need more resource and, of course, you will have all you need. However, this must be kept secret.”

“Of course, Hime, I will need no more other than your continued patronage.” The samurai nodded rhythmically.

“Then will you go to the old lands?” Yishmay walked slowly across the marble floor, her eyes never leaving the man before her.

Struggling to hold her gaze, the Samurai turned to follow his queen’s movement before replying, “Yes, we presume that your father will have been taken to the enemy’s most well defended fortifications, and not necessarily on the Prime.”

“Arh, then perhaps you should not follow the trail; I will not lose any more of my people on what may turn out to be a fool’s errand.” Yishmay stopped and closely regarded the Samurai before her.

Raising his eyes, the Samurai replied, “Hime, let me determine whether or not this is a foolish task; I currently have faith in my informants – they have been right about a good many things in the past. Do not fear, I will not commit any of your people to a dangerous and mis-guided path with little or no chance of success.”

Next Vision

There was destruction everywhere; the dead lay strewn across the rolling plain, blood pooled in the spaces between each corpse and smoke hung in the air above. Lanzi’s eye was drawn to a small hillock on which stood five very different characters. Most obvious was a comparatively huge man, towering over the other four, who occupied the far left of the group, which formed a semi-circle and were deep in discussion. A swarthy man in sable furs he wore a horned helmet and carried a vast round shield on his back, emblazoned with the image of a one-handed Norsemen holding aloft a sword. He lent on a massive bastard sword which was dripping with blood. His eyes were cast down towards the smallest member of the gathering, who stood at his left thigh and scarcely reached the man’s hip. He almost looked to be a miniature of the Norseman, dressed as he was in the same dark fur. However, he was not blonde, had no beard and his broad, hairy feet were not covered in leather and metal. The halfling’s face was lined and battle worn; he looked to be middle-aged though it was difficult to be certain. His unkempt, brown, curly hair tumbled onto his shoulders and his big green eyes stared up at the man enquiringly. Moving left-to-right, the next individual Lanzi saw was Icshoosh. The Gnome’s broad, round face looked up at the man and smiled as if he read his thoughts.

Picking up his blood-adorned hammer and resting it on his left shoulder, the Gnome said, “You fought well Fremar, Perion will be proud of your achievements here today; we should return to Caladhon and discuss our next move.”

The last of the four was a dwarf Lanzi recognised as Marin, Lord of Ishtur, wearing a suit of plate armour and carrying his war helm on which was the circlet of adamantite, which denoted his postition. His dark brown hair and beard were long but neatly plaited. His high cheek bones were flushed with recent exertion and his deep dark eyes regarded the Gnome with sincere friendship.

“I agree,” Marin said nodding solemnly, “the time has come to regroup and collect our strength.”

“What of Maedus? Should we not pursue our enemy and relieve Rodrus? Kalassor must be in need of reinforcements and we know the elves march north.” The Halfling spoke clearly and with conviction.

“You are wise, Ferro, and have a General’s mind when it comes to understanding the intricacies of the battlefield; however, I fear we would overreach ourselves by such an endeavour, without first rallying further our strength.” Icshoosh’s smile evaporated as he contemplated the alternative course of action.

The man was first to break the silence, “My Lord Icshoosh, taking the battle more directly to the enemy now may give us the advantage we have been looking for.”

“It may, and it also may prove to be our undoing; let me think on it for a while. In the mean time, please assemble what forces we have there”, the Gnome gestured to the southern foothills of Minas Morgul, “so we can better understand our strength – men, gnome, dwarf and halfling.”

“The elves are in Eriador and just three days ride away from Maedus and I think the enemy will not risk another attack from the forgotten lands,” pressed the Halfing, “and we have routed the rest into the East. It would appear little stands between us and Balem..?”

“I admire your confidence my friend; however, it is at times such as these that we need to exercise caution. I have seen defeat snatched from the jaws of victory too often. We know the Drow plan an attack on Ishtur and may well have Guerin’s knowledge of the hidden paths. I would counsel against a journey south until we can discern better the Witch’s next move. You are right, the enemy will not try to come north again for a while and I think the Elves of the Old Forest will provide Kalassor and Hasfast with their much needed aid. Of course you are free to take your people south, but we all would prefer us to remain united. Do not look so forlorn, this is not the last of it, we will review our situation and act swiftly when we need.”

“As ever, you are wise old friend,” said the halfling and, gesticulating to areas of the battlefield, he continued, “I was concerned to see the ‘wights of the marsh had risen and that the enemy had brought the fell giants of the Madhur northward.

“Yeah, and the fell men of the forgotten lands,” joined in Marin pointing to a pile of bodies lying close by.

“He has not yet the power to bring sufficient of his number through the Zundar Gate. Either that or the White Council has achieved their mission to close all the old gates but I doubt it. No, we have not seen the full strength of the enemy yet and I would not be surprised if the Witch were to align herself more closely with the Demon. The trick is to divide and conquer, which is why I counselled against your brethren’s attack on Gos. We must maintain a balance until they have battled one another into dust.”