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[Throne/Kil Glenfol] November 1995-January 1996
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   The first refugees had started arriving a few days ago.  The Korrhan 
Barbarians had come down to Kil-Glenfol first in their ones and twos, and 
then in groups of a dozen, until finally they appeared in their droves, 
some carrying wounded.
   Protector Jarryn looked out from the Seers Tower down into the city 
itself.  Double guard had been placed on the walls of Glenfol, and 
although the elves were now accepting the barbarians into the city, they 
were all being searched and weapons confiscated.  These were times of 
war, and in war you took no unnecessary chances.

   He sighed.  How had he come to be in this position?  The petty
squablings of the various families around Glenfol as they vied for the
Throne had not impressed the general populace one bit.  However, as most
of the residents of the city had connections with one or more of those 
aspiring to the throne the arguments had gone on.  They'd gone on for 
generations now, and it had taken that long for the people to realise it 
was doing them no good.
   He thought back to the history he was forced to memorise in detail in 
the Inner Chambers.  Hell, _everything_ had to be learned in detail 
there.  But the history; the families that made it to the throne, the 
ones who didn't.  Take the Davenne family.  Originally from House Daven, 
they had arrived shortly after the plague, helping to repopulate the 
city.  They changed their family name on arrival to prevent claims that 
House Daven were attempting to gain control of the city, for these 
lowly members of the family had aspirations for the throne in 
Kil-Glenfol.  They were far removed from that situation in Daventry and 
thought they'd try their luck here.
   Indeed, they spent much time on the throne in those early days, and it
was not forgotten as the years went by.  Then only twenty years ago they
made a bid for the throne again, the head of the Sandor family
mysteriously passing away one night in her bed. They were too greedy
though, and once on the throne the family split down the middle, with half
supporting one contender and half another. 

   The story went on.  Still, he had answered his own question.  He was 
in this position because nobody else could be trusted on the throne, and 
the Inner Chamber had done much to see that this was the case.  Not being 
of the Sylphanin himself there was no way he could hold the throne, but 
he had been 'officially' endorsed as Protector for the time being.  He 
did not have the peoples' respect, but at least he had their grudging 
submission to authority.

   He brought his mind to the matter at hand.  The Dark One was moving 
again, that much was certain.  The fleeing barbarians were a testimony to 
that.  When they had originally arrived at the gates to the city they 
were treated with distrust, even emnity.  It appeared to some that an 
invasion was planned by the barbarians, but Jarryn knew that invasions 
were not headed by one or two lone figures, dragging wounded between 
them.  Despite the ingrained distrust of humans that the elves had here, 
the Korrhanian refugees were allowed into the city and tended to by their 
healers.  This was by no means just a measure of good will; if the army 
appeared at their doorstep it would be good to have a force of healthy 
human fighters to supplement their own house army, meager as it was.
   He looked down at the tall and muscular human forms parading through
crowds of onlookers into a food hall that had been hastily converted into
refugee accomodation.  Their heads were held high, their pride retained
with a determination borne only of their upbringing.  Oh yes, they would 
fight well when it came to it, but would that be enough?
   Kil-Glenfol was the obvious target for a siege by the Dark One's 
armies if the enemy had taken the wastelands of Korrh and intended to 
invade Tynntangial.  Was Daventry aware of the situation?  Had the 
messages reached them? 
   And what of Fen and her team?  Had they found the object of their 
search yet?  To get a member of the Sylphanin family on the throne again 
would not only hopefully stabilise the political situation in the city, 
but it would boost the moral of the people.  In the current atmosphere of 
apprehension, that would certainly be welcome.

   The tall and gaunt Protector turned away from the window and headed 
down the stairs.  Today's time for idle thought had passed, and he busied 
his mind with arranging details in preparation for the siege:
   Water and food rationing was already in place, with soldiers guarding the 
wells and food stores, and farmers obliged under law to give their produce 
to the city.
   The outlying villages and towns were presently being evacuated, and 
room was being made for these elven refugees within the city walls.  
Space was getting cramped, he thought grimly.
   Training programs had begun for sections of the population in the arts 
of sword fighting and archery, whilst others were kept busy producing 
arrows, farming and countless other jobs.
   It was a mammoth task to organise, and Jarryn was proundly grateful 
that the war found the Inner Chamber in command of the city currently.  
If it had been one of the petty claimants...  He shuddered.  They 
wouldn't have lasted a day or two.  As it was they'd be lucky to hold 
out much longer than a fortnight, even with such an advance warning.
--Josh Gallagher

    The last of the bulk of the refugees had now arrived at the city 
gates.  The barbarians had lost their former pride, having to come 
begging to the elves of Kil-Glenfol for the safety of the city's walls.  
The Dark One had totally overcome their lands in the north, slaughtering 
many who were either brave (or foolhardy) enough to fight to the bitter 
end, or simply those that hadn't the either strength or a friend's aid to 
escape with sufficient rapidity.
    Protector Jarryn moved through the converted army barracks and watched
with bitter amusment as the Barbarians of Korrhan tried to use cuttlery 
as they partook in the food that had been provided for them on the 
hastily constructed centre table. 
    He didn't speak their tongue too well, but managed to comunicate to a
few via a friendly pat on the shoulder and a minimum of words that they
could dispense with attempting to emulate the complex elven ettiquette and
eat as they usually would.  It had been a bad decision in the first place
to supply them with knives and forks.
    The people of the city had reacted much better than he had expected 
to the arrival of the barbarians.  He wasn't comfortable with them 
himself, but the deeply programmed racial prejudice in the residents was 
a worry to him.  Only last night, the morning reports told him, some hot 
headed young elf had taken it upon himself to 'rid the city of this 
burden' (as the elf was quoted as having said) and burn down the barracks 
where the humans were staying.
    Jarryn knew there were other supporters for the cause, and the
situation was likely to get worse as people realised how much of a problem
food was going to be in any seige, and how much of it would be taken up by
the barbarians.  He only hoped that when it came to defending the city 
the barbarians would pull their weight, or double if they could manage it.

    He left the room no happier than he had entered it.  These people 
shouldn't be here, for their own sake and for the city's.  The Dark One 
hadn't made a move further south yet, but it could not be far off 
coming.  He felt like the a bird waiting for the cat's pounce, 
disadvantaged by large iron weights shackled to its feet.  He hoped the 
scout's information was accurate and not being tampered with.  After 
reading the reports of various questionning sessions with the refugees, 
he knew of the enemy's mind games; how he had converted some of the 
barbarian's own kind to fight against them.

    Jarryn moved to the Seers tower again.  It was a good place for a bit 
of solitude.  There he could pause and reflect peacefully on events that 
had taken place.
    Dismissing the guard currently surveying the land about the city, he 
took the man's position.  The day was clear, the sun bright, the clouds 
thin and high.  One could almost imagine that there were no troubles to 
be had on a day such as this, and the peaceful landscape before him only 
served to strengthen that thought.
    If only it were true.  They would be essentially holed up in this 
city before long, those that were left here.  He turned his gaze from the 
ever imposing north to the lands of Tynntangial that lay south.  There 
lay freedom, at least for now.  There lay the safety of the protection of 
the Realm.  Until such day as it was compromised.
    He looked at the long caravan that stretched out on the road south.  
Men, women and children, elderly and infirm; many were leaving for the 
safety afforded to them in the south.  He did nothing to discourage it.  
They were doing the sensible thing, and no-one could expect them to 
voluntarily stay for the impending seige of the city.
    Yet many did.  Jarryn felt a tinge of pride for the patriotism 
displayed by these people.  Perhaps it helped that they were a total mix 
of the different families that populated the cities of Tynntangial.  
Maybe this afforded them their strong will to survive and to defend the 
city they had made their own.
    They needed a leader.  He was painfully aware that although the Inner 
Chamber had taken over the ruling of the city for the moment, it was only 
a temporary assignment.  People would do as he said up until the moment 
someone once again sat on the throne, but they didn't relish doing so.  
He was forever being challenged by council members from this family or 
the other, his every decision contested by some stuck up high ranking 
official.  The sooner he could be done of the job, the better...
--Josh Gallagher

    Another morning had passed, another council session through with.  The
attitude within the city of disagreement with the barbarian presence had
gathered strength, something Jarryn was not in the least bit happy with. 
He suspected the work of a particularly right wing group that certainly
had a presence in the council.  Posters had started to appear around the
city, anonymously requesting that people petition the Inner Chamber for
the expulsion of the refugees from their city.  The petition was gathering
pace, so he was informed, and its presentation could not be far off. 
    He wondered whether these people realised that the disaster on their 
doorstep was of far greater import than the presence of refugees within 
their walls.  Although they might be eating the food and drinking the 
water, they had nevertheless agreed to fight beside the elves of 
Kil-Glenfol when the Dark One struck.

    Jarryn was lost in his thoughts as usual, again in his favourite place
for contemplation, the Seers Tower.  As he began to think about moving
down before his entire lunch time had been wasted on idle contemplation
rather than eating, he realised he had been staring unthinkingly at a dark
spot on the horizon that had been getting bigger by the minute.  He narrowed 
his eyes and attmepted to focus on the approaching object.
    "Guard!" he shouted down the stairs.  A few seconds later a slightly 
breathless guard returned to his post at the top of the tower from which 
Jarryn had temporarily dismissed him earlier.
    "Yes sir?" enquired the guard.
    "Look out to the horizon," ordered the city's Protector, pointing in 
a generally southernly direction.  "What do you see?"
    The guard, who had been picked for this duty due to his keen 
eyesight, squinted at the commotion.  "Sir, it's... griffons sir!  They 
are Legentors!"
    A smile broke on Jarryn's face.  "At last," he muttered to himself, 
turning again to watch the Legentor's progress.
--Josh Gallagher

The horsemen rode under the cover of griffon-riding Legentors in the sky.
Through a small forest, up to the gates of a walled city, the elven cavalry
rode their mounts hard.  After being seen as friends, the massive gate was
lifted, and the troop rode into the city of Kil-Glenfol, down the main avenue.

The leader of this troop was none other than the High-Marshall of the Royal
Army of Tynntangial, Jon Lin Sandor.  He possesed keen, silver eyes, matching
the silver hair upon his head.  He was a living legend, the one who had, not
once, but twice, led the royal army to bloody the nose of the Karantine Empire.

Jon Lin halted the troop, and looked about, seeing the multitude of refugees
from the Korrhan wastelands.  Finally, he spotted the man he came here to find.
A friend of old, and a comrade in arms during the Karantine wars.  Jon Lin
dismounted, as did the members of the Black Watch assigned to guard him, and
together the group made their way through the Korrhan refugees.  "Jarryn!  It
is good to see you well!"  Jon Lin called out.  
--Johny Enright

    "Jon Lin!  It is most certainly good to see you too, my friend!"  
Jarryn was certainly surprised to see the High-Marshall here so early; 
this did indicate that the rest of Tynntangial were somewhat concerned 
about the city's plight however.  But besides all that, it had been a 
long number of years since Jarryn had last shared a table with Jon Lin, 
too many to comfortably count.  Jarryn was pleased to see him again; the 
man inspired confidence even merely by his presence.
    Earlier on Jarryn had ordered troops to clear some space for the new 
arrivals and to make sure their passage into the city was unhindered.  He 
wondered where the troops had got to now, as he made his way through half 
a dozen barbarians out and about the town.
--Josh Gallagher

He walked up and grasped his friend's arm.  Smiling he handed Jarryn a 
scroll.  To Jarryn's questioning look, Jon Lin answered "...from 
Eventyne.  You, and the house troops of House Glenfol have been royalized 
by command of Eventyne and the LordHolder's Conclave.  Welcome back into 
the army, Marshall!"  he finished with a smile. The commission was a 
technicality.  Jon Lin would see that the defense of Kil-Glenfol would 
be led by a unified command, and *that* commander was standing in front 
of him.  By royal commission, Jarryn now had the right and power to
do what needed to be done to defend Kil-Glenfol, which was the first of
Tynntangial's cities in the Dark army's path southward.
--Johny Enright

    "This is indeed an honour!  Considering the disarray House Glenfol 
has been in over these last few years I am surprised and pleased that 
they should consider our forces worthy of royalizing at all!"  He did of 
course realise that Eventyne and the Conclave had very little choice if 
they expected the collaboration of the troops here, but it was 
nevertheless somewhat gratifying.
--Josh Gallagher

"First, you'll have a full regiment of Sanjentors to bolster your house troops.
We've also received promised help from some friends to the south, so three 
companies of dwarven engineers have also been placed under your command.  But
come, surely we can discuss these matters over some wine?" he said with a
smile.
--Johny Enright

    This was just what they needed!  He was glad that help had caught up 
with them (hopefully) in time.
    "But of course!" replied Jarryn, and gestured for the High-Marshall 
and his guard to follow him up through the city and into the central 
citadel.  Some quarters had been set aside inside the citadel for the 
Black Watch and Jon Lin Sandor himself.  The rest of the troop had been 
assigned quarters in the standard army barracks.
    On their way through the city, Jarryn and Jon Lin spoke of the 
current situation in the city, what defences were already in place and 
what provisions had been made for the general public.  Jarryn also spoke 
of the problem they were having in the city with the refugees and the 
petition that had been set up.
    "You'll doubtless be wanting to clean up after your journey," Jarryn 
commented as they got closer, "and in an hour or so there will be meal put 
on in the great hall - there will be a servant on call in case you need 
anything.  We can discuss things in a little more detail over dinner," he 
promised.
--Josh Gallagher

Dinner over, High-Marshall Jon Lin Sandor walked the battlements of 
Kil-Glenfol with the newly reappointed Marshall Jarryn.  They were 
followed by Jon Lin's staff, who were taking notes as the two old friends 
examined the ancient defenses of the city.  "...and I should think our 
dwarven allies could do something about those boulders in the field 
below.  Give us a clearer field of fire, and deny the enemy cover.  What 
say you, Captain Gorm?" Jon Lin addressed one of the dwarven engineer 
company commanders, who took a quick look (after being elevated above the 
wall by one of his men), made some notes in a little book, and nodded.  
"Consider it done, my lord. We shall have those boulders gone by 
nightfall."  The dwarven captain gave some curt commands in dwarvish to 
one of his men, and the man was off in a flash to relay the orders.
--Johny Enright

Protector... nay, _Marshall_ Jarryn, had to admit that Jon Lin had what 
it took to be successful in this line of work; an pleasant and 
confident personality coupled with a clear and ordered mind for military 
tactics.  Jarryn admitted that he himself ironically felt more 
comfortable now that the siege was impending than when he had the mere 
civil matters of the city to deal with.  He was a soldier, not a 
politician.  Perhaps at times, he thought, looking at Jon Lin, you needed 
to be both.
--Josh Gallagher

"Splendid!"  said Jon Lin.  He looked out into the fields below, and a strange
gleam seemed to come to his eyes.  "I can see it like it has already happened.
Our forces will be fighting a delaying action,  continually taking bites out 
of our foe, all the while buying time with land.  I don't want to give you 
false hopes Jarryn...I don't think it is possible for the Royal Army to stop
the enemy before they reach your city.  I fully expect Kil-Glenfol to be put
to seige, an island of light in a sea of darkness.  They will come up that 
pass there, and fill this field with engines of war.  *That* is what we must 
ready this city for....an extended seige.  And you *must* hold out Jarryn.
The more troops the enemy keeps here to beseige this city, the less he'll  
have in the field against the main body of our army.  Above all, we *must*
keep them well away from Daventry.  No enemy has ever set foot in the golden
city, and I don't intend the first to be while *I* am High Marshall."  the
gleam left the High Marshall's eyes, and he smiled at his old friend, and
continued walking.
--Johny Enright

Jarryn smiled back, his eyes seeing the man that had once lead so many 
successful attacks against Karrantine.  "I should imagine your attitude 
alone would scare the majority of the Dark One's forces away, my friend!" 
he retorted, lightening the mood a little, but appreciating the intensity 
with which Jon Lin spoke.
--Josh Gallagher

Jon Lin broached a new subject as they continued to
study the battlements.  "Jarryn....how fares the search for the new Lordholder 
Glenfol?  It is important during these times that the people have a leader to 
rally around, as well you know.  If not for the upcoming war, I too, would be 
in Skylondor, preparing for war, being a symbol for the people."  Besides 
being the commander of Tynntangial's army, and a trusted friend of the 
Highlord, Jon Lin Sandor was also Lordholder Sandor, lord of Skylondor.

While he awaited his friend's answer, he looked out towards the north, at the
dark, black clouds approaching.  In the distance, he could see another of the
Royal Army's Legentor regiments, riding north towards the darkness to join 
the many regiments already engaged with the army of the Dark One.  How many
elves had died this day?
Johny Enright
--Johny Enright

Jarryn followed the High Marshall's glance, and his eyes mirrored the 
sorrow his soul felt at losses in a battle others were fighting to save 
Tynntangial and ultimately his city.

"We have reached the final stages of the search, Jon Lin.  Hopefully 
within the month we will have located and brought a member of the 
Sylphanin here to Glenfol."  He sighed.  "That's the official line at 
least.  The people will not tolerate the Inner Chamber at the head of 
the city for too long, so speed has been of the essence.  However, in 
truth I have little idea how our team is doing now.  The last report from 
them was weeks ago; they are on the other side of Ifreann at the moment, 
and communication is a little difficult.  All we can do at this end is 
sit and wait.

"We have good people on the job, I assure you.  Only the best were picked 
for this final stage of the assignment..."  He trailed off, his thoughts 
drifting to Fen.  He offered a short and silent prayer for her safety.
--Josh Gallagher

Jon Lin listened to all that Jarryn had to say on the succession to
the throne of Lordholder Glenfol.  It sounded like everything that could 
be done, was being done.
--Johny Enright

Now it was Jarryn's turn to change the subject matter.  "I told you
earlier over dinner of the problems we are having with the people
accepting the barbarians into the city.  I regret to say that we have
become quite a xenophobic society stuck up here out the way of the rest
of civilisation, and the barbarians themselves have previously done
little to endear themselves to us.  That petition that has been signed has
recently been presented by the brave few antagonists that dare show their
faces.  It won't remain a few for very long though, once the people gain
confidence.  I don't need to tell you that we can't afford disturbances
of this sort when danger is so close at hand outside our very gates.
--Josh Gallagher

Jon Lin knew the truth of Jarryns words.  The tall, blond and pale humans
who made up the Barbarians of Korrh had never shown much amity toward the
elven peoples.  Back before the time of the Royal Army's inception, the
barbarians were even wont to make raids south into Tynntangials borders.
It was the same problems that the Elessidel Highlords and their supporters,
had been working on for nigh on a millenia:  How to make former antagonists
start to trust each other.
--Johny Enright

"My suggestion is this:  The people of Kil-Glenfol have long been looking
to the south and to the east for the aid of the Royal Army in this
crisis, and view your arrival as a great advantage in the troubles to
come.  They look up to your Legentors and trust your decisions.
Therefore why not actively include the men of Korrh in your plans early
on, maybe not in positions of command, but certainly have them fighting
alongside the soldiers of the house army.  All this would have to be
under the strict observation of senior officers to make certain trouble
did not flare.  As for the antagonists already known to us; I believe we
can actively persuade them to leave the city before the siege.  Many have
done so already."
--Josh Gallagher

Jon Lin nodded.  This situation was indeed grave.  The barbarians of Korrh
were vicious fighters.  Their weilding of their massive battle axes could 
bring fear into even the most stout-hearted of soldiers.  Their main problem 
in battle (which up until now had always been a boon for Tynntangial), was 
their inability to organize.  Like the elven people of old, they were quite 
likely to begin brawling amongst themselves while waiting for an approaching
enemy line.  Jon Lin thought on the matter as they walked, finally coming
to the only conclusion possible.  He had to trust in Jarryn's abilities as
a Marshall.  "My friend, I know the difficulties you face here, as I know 
your worth.  It would take quite a leader to organize the Korrhans into a 
viable fighting force.  I believe you are such a leader."  Jon Lin held up
a hand as Jarryn was about to interrupt.  "The Korrhans are most probably
quite anxious to take vengeance upon the Dark One's forces.  This would only
add to their legendary viciousness.  The Royal Army can re-equip them with
weapons, and help in their provisioning.  You have a regiment of Sanjentors
here who you can enlist to help you train the Korrhans into a cohesive unit.
In that, you will be turning a situation which had been hampering you into 
an advantage."  Jon Lin saw the light dawning in Jarryn's eyes, and allowed
the Marshall to ponder his words while they walked.
--Johny Enright

"Yes," Jarryn said thoughtfully, "if the people were to see the 
barbarians under the direct instruction from the Sanjentors, they would 
be far more likely to accept the concept of fighting beside the humans in 
battle."  He looked up and smiled.  "If this is done correctly the Dark 
One may be deprived of an advantage he may have counted on; hostility 
between the barbarians and ourselves.  Yes, this should work well." 
--Josh Gallagher

They moved off the battlements and down into the city itself as they
talked.  There was much to be sorted out within the walls themselves such
as weapon's storage, precautions against fires, food and water.  The list
seemed endless, and indeed it probably was.
--Josh Gallagher

Jon Lin continued the discussion once they reached ground level.  "My advice
to you:  Get the Korrhan clan chieftans together....those that are left, that
is.  Tell them you wish for them to fight at your side, as brothers.  Tell 
them this is their best chance at revenge.  Tell them they can keep their
families safely here.  It will give them something tangible to fight for.
If some continue to dissent, allow them free passage out of the city.  I 
fully agree with you that once trouble starts, you will *not* have the time
to deal with such matters.  I should think that at the end of such a meeting, 
you would have a fanatical force of shock troops at your disposal in the 
defense of the city."  The two stopped and looked at the large gates of the 
city.  They were open to allow another supply train into the city, this one 
bearing grain from Galadon.  Dwarven engineers were busily at work 
reinforcing the gates with special lamenated beams.  The dwarven engineer 
commander had boasted that it would be easier for the enemy to come through 
the walls themselves then break down the gates of this city, once they had 
finished reinforcing them.
--Johny Enright

"The barbarians shouldn't take too much to convince if we use that
argument.  They are a proud people, and I have noticed a certain amount of
honour in them.  They already seem bound by some custom of theirs to help
us in some way for giving refuge to them.  The gods alone know how this
idea fits into their petty raids on us of previous years!" 
--Josh Gallagher

Jon Lin turned to Jarryn.  "I must soon go back to the front to check the
situation there.  You will receive additional forces to help you defend 
Kil-Glenfol soon.  Until then, is there anything else I can do for you....
anything else you will need?"
--Johny Enright

Jarryn sighed.  The High Marshall had been their all of a day and had
already raised the hopes (and expectations) of the populace, but already
he was leaving!  He had no doubt that Jon Lin would survive anything he 
encountered out on the front and even had to resist the temptation to 
leave Glenfol in someone else's hands to follow his friend north, but all 
the same he would rather the two of them could stay and arrange the 
defences of the city together.  Jon Lin had other responsibilities 
though, he knew, and it would be unfair to even request his continued 
presence here.

"There is nothing that springs to mind, Jon Lin, but I will be sure to 
get in contact with you if something comes up.  Perhaps you could give me 
details of what forces and resources you will be leaving with me before 
you go?
--Josh Gallagher

Jon Lin nodded, and turned to his aide-de-camp, Commander Shaleen Uial, and
said "Shaleen, did you bring that copy of the Glenfol T.O.& E. I asked for?"
Commander Uial nodded, and handed the High-Marshall a folded piece of paper.
Jon Lin opened it, scanned it momentarily, then passed it over to Jarryn.
"So far, with your House troops, you have the 11th Sanjentor Regiment, under
Commander Jalen Galadon - you should remember him.  He was a lanceleader 
during the Second Karrantine War..."  It was good to have seasoned veterans
holding the reins of command.  "....the Mirdum, Kardim, and Rorik Companies 
of Dwarven Engineers, under the command of Captain Gorm, whom you recently
met.  I'm afraid that is it, until I can find more forces to send your way. 
You may have some Rangers up from the Marewood, though nothing is certain at 
this time.  I hope they come.  You can *really* use their wondrous longbows 
up on those walls."  Jon Lin nodded towards the battlements they had just 
recently vacated.  "...but I'm afraid they may yet be too worried about the 
Karrantine Empire seeing the upcoming war as a means to settle some old
scores."
--Johny Enright

Jarryn knew a little of the defences Tynntangial had against the 
Karrantine Empire, but that was the extent of his knowledge; a little.  
He acknowledged this himself, but also knew that he was amongst the most 
informed of the city's ruling classes when it came to the history and 
defences of the rest of Tynntangial.  He knew of the Treefrog Rangers, 
but he had no idea how effective or numerous they were.

His initial reaction to the warning that they may not arrive was to
mentally challenge their reasoning for not coming immediately to his aid. 
Which was more important?  An invasion of the multitudes gathered by the
Dark One or the fear of the human scum, already twice defeated relatively
recently, from the south?  But empathy overcame this feeling quite
rapidly.  He put himself their position.  Which was the more palpable
threat?  That which lay on their doorstep of course, just as the Dark 
One's army was his.

What Jon Lin had left him wasn't much, but Jarryn appreciated it 
nonetheless.  "Whenever you feel you can spare the forces, Jarryn, I 
would very much appreciate it.  I understand that it's a pretty tight 
situation at the moment for you, and I won't put any pressure on.  I will 
ask this though:  If, or more probably, and I hate to say this, 'when' 
your troops have to give way to the Dark One's armies, do you plan to be 
using at least some of them to bolster the defence of Kil-Glenfol?"
--Josh Gallagher

Commander Uial leaned forward and whispered into Jon Lin's ear.  "Ah, yes.
Quite right, thank you Shaleen.  Jarryn...now that you are once more a
Marshall in the Royal Army, you know you must be assigned protection by a
member of the Black Watch."  
--Johny Enright

Jarryn rolled his eyes a little theatrically.  "But surely..!" he started.
--Josh Gallagher

Seeing his friend about to protest again, Jon Lin once again held up his 
hand "Now, now, Marshall.  At least you only have to put up with one.  As 
High-Marshall, I must have a full Lance of them about me at all times."  
Jon Lin made a fake grimace.  He looked about at the members of the 
Black Watch about him, found the one he wanted, and smiled. "Corporal 
Elessidel?"  A tall, lithe woman wearing the black and silver mantle
of the Black Watch stepped forward.  "Yes, High-Marshall?" she said.
--Johny Enright

The look Jarryn gave her could only be described as an on the spot 
assessment.  First impressions held the key to many relationships, both 
working and social.  He was impressed with what he saw, but still 
resented being assigned a body guard.  He had managed thus far without 
interference from the Black Watch within the city; they were last here 
when the Sylphannin family held the throne and had not been back since.  
Why should he require their presence now?  Such were the concessions he 
had to make though, he knew.  He kept his expression unreadable so as not 
to hurt the feelings of either party.  Perhaps he could discuss this with 
the lady later.
--Josh Gallagher

Jon Lin smiled.  "Jarryn, I present to you Corporal Andriel Elessidel, your 
new bodyguard.  Corporal Elessidel, your duty is now to the Marshall here.
She is *very* good at her job Jarryn.  Not much promise left for any who 
would wish you harm."  Jon Lin could tell that Jarryn bristled at being
assigned a bodyguard, and smiled inwardly.  He would know her worth soon 
enough.
--Johny Enright

"I am honoured Corporal, High-Marshall," he said with a touch of sarcasm, 
inclining his head to each of them in turn.
--Josh Gallagher

"Is there anything else...Jarryn, Shaleen?"  Jon Lin turned to each in turn.
Commander Uial shook her head no, but Jarryn spoke up again...
--Johny Enright

"Also, there are a number of the Glenfol house army, such as it is, and a 
few amongst the Inner Chamber that wish to help in the efforts on the 
front.  Do you think you could accommodate them, or do you think it more 
wise for them to remain here?"

"Any who wish to come to the front are welcome, though I should think you 
will need all the help you can get here.  I leave that to you.  If some of 
your folk wish to do service at the front, I daresay we could use them."
--Johny Enright

"What you say is true, Jon Lin.  We need as much help as we can here, but
for the sake of the morale of the city we also need some of our own
soldiers on the front.  There are those that will only cause trouble if
they are left to be restless when asked to be patient and wait for the
battle to come to us.  Besides, it would be something for their family and
friends to be proud of instead of being left to feel helpless in the face
of the advancing tide."
--Josh Gallagher

Jon Lin had a hard look about him.  The horses of his command staff and
guard had been sent for, and were now being brought up.  Jon Lin's aerial 
guard had already assumed positions, circling above on their griffons.  The
High-Marshall and his staff and guard remounted their horses, and Jon Lin 
moved his mount next to Jarryn.  The two old friends watched the griffons
soar above the city of Kil-Glenfol.  "I could never be a member of the Heavy
Legentors."  Jon Lin remarked as one of the griffons did a roll in mid-air.
"I tried to ride one of those once, and became deathly ill!  I was sick all
over a Sanjentor unit in the field."  
--Johny Enright

The marshall's shoulders rocked in quiet laughter as he pictured the 
scene.  "I've never tried it myself," he replied.
--Josh Gallagher

Jon Lin shook his head free of the memory, and smiled at his old 
friend.  He reached out and grasped his arm.  "Until we meet again.  I 
*will* send you reinforcements when they become available, Jarryn."  Jon 
Lin promised.
--Johny Enright

"Whenever you feel you can spare them my friend!  I have to say that my 
confidence has been boosted considerably since you rode into the city.  
I hope the next time we meet things will be looking a little better."  
He didn't sincerely believe that they would, but appearing the optimist 
often had an uplifting affect on others.
--Josh Gallagher

Jarryn walked next to Jon Lin to the main gate of the city walls.  Jon Lin
gave Jarryn a grave look.  "Above all else, hold this city, Marshall.  I do
believe the fate of the Tynntangial rest here.  Should Kil-Glenfol fall, so
too will Daventry, and the rest of our cities shall fall in turn, until the 
elven people are nought else but a memory in this world."
--Johny Enright

The thought conjured an image too terrible to dwell on for Jarryn.  
Deserted wastelands stretching as far as the eye could see, and a 
collection of ruined buildings long ago battered to rubble by a harsh and 
bitter wind.  Ruined buildings that had once been his city.  He shuddered 
at the intensity of the vision, and merely nodded to the High Marshall.  
"It is my intention to defend this city to the best of my ability."
--Josh Gallagher

Jarryn gave Jon Lin a final salute, which the High-Marshall smartly returned.
"Take care, Jarryn...." he said, and spurred his mount forward, followed by
his staff.  The griffon-riders were already moving with him, down the road,
where his party linked up with a regiment of Legentors moving northward.
--Johny Enright

"Good bye Jon lin!  Until we meet again!" shouted the Protector cum 
Marshall over the sound of the hooves.  He stood for a few moments 
staring after the man that had ridden into and out of his life again in 
the space of a day and yet made the whole situation somewhat easier to 
deal with.