Manly Things, Like Recon

Frost returned back from his first order of business out of the city, he needed to secure the borders of Frostgate now that they had helped to crush the force that protected it. A sad thought at the lives that were lost and the good that they did, even if they served a corrupt bureaucracy. Covenant was secure, at least as secure as they could hope for in their current state of recovery. Haraku and his men were still a notable force, and Severnaya and Chronus would protect the city if necessary... But three more cities were spread across Frostgate, now only protected by local militia at best. As he flew back towards Covenant after his meeting with his old master, Diamond Ice Hunter, he was pleased with how it went. His mentor had agreed to protect the borders of the territory from barbarian hordes and the Wyld, even more pleasing was his masters blood lust for The Realm. While Frost was a formidable combatant he paled in comparison to his mentor's physical and spiritual prowess. Along with his battle hardend barbarian horde, they might stand a chance against the Realm forces on their own given the proper conditions. Though it would be more favorable if Frost could enlist some more help, or somehow turn things in greater favor of his own side...

It would be no easy task, but things finally started to be headed in the right direction. It was almost scary, he expected something to go terribly wrong at any moment. No doubt he would need to address the issue of Wayland, though perhaps in the long run abandoning the distant city would be wise. If they could at least evacuate everyone before hand, at least then no lives need be lost and the other cities of Frostgate could easily take on the population of the smallest major city within the territory.

Frost flew back into Covenant, quickly swooping in in the form of a white owl, he landed gracefully on the ledge of main barracks in Pyramid Square. He paused for a moment to reflect on how comfortable it was to finally be in the open, what a difference it made in his mood to not be an outlaw in the city he chose to protect. Why did so many like him have to live lives shrouded in secrecy, even when they worked tirelessly help the very people who persecuted them? Thoughts for another time...

He shifted into his human form, still perched on the ledge before hopping off and heading purposefully into the barracks to find Haraku and the rest of his companions. He entered the barracks and headed directly for Haraku's office, hoping he had recovered enough to still be awake. Frost did not want to wait until morning to start his next search, one that promised to be far more difficult than his last.

He brushed the large hood from his head and back to his broad, armored shoulders as he knocked once softly on the door before pushing it open slowly. He stepped in slowly glancing about the room and slowly shutting the door behind him. He would quickly brief Haraku on his success so far before he headed out in search of the legion that marched on Covenant, hoping to start his search in the south but prepared to swing north to search the sea if they took that route.

(Dan I figured you could post from here, though it would be a bit of a buzzkill if Haraku was sleeping... Frost mostly intends to give Haraku a honest run down of what has happened so far before heading out in search of the Realm forces. And he certainly wouldn't mind if Severnaya and Chronus were there as well, though Severnaya has already infiltrated Diamond I think.)

--FyreFly 22:45, 15 February 2010 (EST)

It was clear that Haraku had hardly been sleeping at all. Empty coffee pots and recently scribbled upon maps were strewn about the office. Haraku himself sat hunched over one such map, and looked wearily up to Frost.

"Good to see you back. I've been trying to settle an approach to this attack. Optimistically, we're outnumbered about 3 to 1, but we've got fortifications on our side. With you and your friends, as well as a defensible position, it's not unreasonable that we could average out to three of them for every one of us. We really might be able to pull this off... How'd scouting go?"

After Frost had issued his report, Haraku sighed.

"It's good to hear that at least someone else is on our side. Clearing Wayland shouldn't be too much of a problem, given the timeframe. If anything, it's less territory to defend when this whole thing is over. I can accept that deal. What's the next step, scouting out approaching Legion?"

After Frost responded affirmatively, the two agreed to part ways once again, and Haraku decided to heed Frost's subtle suggestion that he get some sleep.

After a some time spent flying south, Frost found the Legion's camp in the middle of the night. After a landing in the hills distant from the site, he assumed his snow fox shape and set off for the camp. Although he garnered a few comments from the guards on watch, he kept up a docile enough appearance to avoid any interference. After thoroughly taking stock of the group's armaments and noticing the Wyld Hunt's own tent within their ranks, Frost decided against stirring up any trouble.

His reconnaissance of the area turned up enough useful info to plan an attack, and, satisfied with this, Frost returned to Covenant, reporting the group's arsenal:

1 Dragon of Medium foot (500 troops)
1 Wing of Heavy foot (250 troops)
~100 archers dispersed into 3 segments
~50 troops in a sorcery core containing a warstrider fang, 3 sorcerer-engineers, and supporting technicians
~100 troops to guard and man siege weaponry, which includes trebuchets, heavy implosion bows, and wheel-mounted large Essence cannons