"You know, I like it here," said Natalia. "Aside from the whole 'skrolling' thing, of course."
"That will die off in time."
"Will it? I have my doubts."
"Nonsense," he soothed. "You're already popular with the women of Runewald. It won't take long for the men to come around."
They spotted Raleth. The hunter had only just returned, his boots still covered in mud.
"We haven't seen you in a while," called out Athgar. "Where have you been?"
Raleth turned, making his way towards them. "Ebenstadt," he replied.
Natalia's ears pricked up at the name. "To the city?"
"Only to the outskirts. The king wanted to know what the skrollings were up to." He looked at Natalia and blushed. "Sorry, the outsiders."
"And what did you discover?" she asked.
"They are massing an army. I fear another attack is imminent."
Natalia was struck by a thought. "The Crusades," she said.
"What of them?" asked Athgar.
"The Crusades are a series of military campaigns carried on by the Church to suppress worshippers of death. At least that's what they tell everyone."
"I don't understand?"
"Don't you see?" she said. "Look around you. It's not death worshippers they're trying to destroy, it's Therengians! They're coming for us, all of us."
"Why? What could we possibly have that the Church would want?"
"Who knows? Plunder, or maybe it's just an excuse to get their warriors ready for battle?"
"How long would it take them to assemble their army?" asked Athgar.
"Who knows?" she replied, looking around at the distant trees. "No, that's not right. Let me think this through. The terrain here is harsh, and that presents all manner of difficulties."
"Harsh?"
"Yes, difficult to traverse for an army. They would have to bring their own supply wagons. Not easy for an army that primarily lives off the land."
"And even more difficult to move in these woods," noted Athgar. He noticed Raleth staring at them both. "Natalia was trained as a battle mage," he explained.
"I remember," said Raleth, "though in truth, I have no idea what that means."
"I am trained to use magic in battle," explained Natalia, "but it's more than that. We learned all about the tactics of the Petty Kingdoms."
"The attack will be led by the skrollings' church," said Raleth.
"Are you sure?" asked Athgar.
"It has always been so in the past."
"Then it is definitely a crusade," said Natalia. "That means they will be eager to fight."
"We defeated them once," added Athgar, "and can do so again."
Raleth's eyes went wide. "You beat the army of the Church?"
"We did, though we had some help," said Athgar.
"From who?"
"The Sisters of Saint Agnes," explained Natalia.
"I don't know who that is."
Natalia's eyes bore into the young hunter. "They are a fighting order of the same Church you condemn."
"So they fight amongst themselves? I find that difficult to believe."
"It's true," said Athgar. "The Church is widespread, with its members scattered across the Continent. There's bound to be dissension in such a thing. Look at our own village; is there not disagreement here?"
Raleth nodded. "There are many who disagree with our king, but our voices are silenced."
"You said this was not the first time they have attacked," noted Athgar. "Tell me what happened last time?"
"We fled our homes, coming east. We have been doing so for years. Now our enemy masses in the village of our ancestors, Ebenstadt."
"An unusual name for a Therengian village, isn't it?" asked Natalia.
"It is the skrollings' name for it. We used to call it Dunmere."
"When was it lost?" asked Athgar.
"Many years ago, long before I was born."
"And how many times have they attacked since?"
"Twice," said Raleth. "The last time was only five years ago. They razed Ashborne, the village of my birth. I still remember fleeing the flames. Each time we have moved farther east, hoping to escape their grasp."
"Surprising," said Natalia. "I would have thought Runewald older than that."
"It is, but it used to be on the eastern border of our land. Now it is the very frontier. Ebenstadt lies only about fifty miles from here. It will not take long for their armies to arrive once they start moving."
"Do they know the location of Runewald?" asked Natalia.
"I can't say for certain. We have seen naught of their troops in this area, but many of our people have been captured in past campaigns. Someone must have revealed its location by now."
"What will Eadred do?" asked Athgar.
"He will do what he's always done, flee eastward once more."
"That won't dissuade the Church," said Natalia. "They'll be eager to bring about your defeat. I suspect they won't settle for anything less than your total annihilation. The only way to prevent that is to stand and fight."
"Would you have us slaughtered?" asked Raleth.
"You have the advantage. Maybe not in numbers, but your people know the forest, and the Holy Army will have a vulnerable supply line. Proper planning can mitigate their numerical superiority."
Raleth stared at her. "You are wise, Natalia Stormwind, but it is King Eadred who must be convinced, not me."
"Then let us accompany you to his hall. You were about to go there yourself, weren't you?"
"I was," he said. "As soon as I washed the stench from my clothes."
"Then go and wash, Raleth. Athgar and I shall await your return, and then we'll all go there together."
"Very well," the young man responded. He left them quickly, eager to prepare for his report.
"Are you serious about fighting?" asked Athgar. "That doesn't seem like you."
"Perhaps I have been jaded by the recent battle for Ord-Kurgad, but I've come to realize the only way to negotiate with these people is from a position of strength."
"Are you talking about the Church or King Eadred?"
She smiled. "Does it matter?"
The king's hall was relatively quiet when they arrived. King Eadred sat, conferring with Cenric, but other than the presence of two guards, the room was empty.
"My king," said Raleth, "I bring news."
"Let him pass," the king commanded. The guards moved aside, allowing them entry. Athgar noticed Eadred's look of distaste as he spotted the additional members of the party.
"I have come from Ebenstadt," began Raleth.
"And?"
"It
