Fortifications

[Vanidor]

They had arrived sometime around mid of day. Some hundred and fifty men in the scarlet of the Thessilaneian military. They brought along with them ten wagons worth of material and supplies, and started their work the moment a suitable spot was located. The far side of the lake, away from the town to keep issues of populace and soldiery at a minimum.

Their work was quick, and by the time the sun was lowering, a small structure had been erected. Or, at least the wooden walls that would signal the location of an out-post. Wooden logs hammered down two feet into the uprising sand-wall. Each point had a hastily erected archers platform as well.

Quickly made, and no where near finished, but it was a start...

[Vanidor]

The building of the small fortress continued at a frenzied pace. As new soldiers appeared, more hands were used in the building. The walls were expanded, each one lenghtening to a hundred feet on each of the five sides. The walls were thickening also. Two feet of wood, a foot of packed dirt, and then another two feet of wood behind it.

The Thessilanians worked themselves from sun-up to sun-down, and, by the dusk of their second day of work, the foundation for Burel's command post was laid and ready. Timber's ready to be raised, and planks ready to be set into place. It would be a humble building, when it was finished, but more than ready for the task at hand...

The defence of the provence and town of Myken.

[Vanidor]

The letter had come in with the post that morning, along with another five hundred or so men down from the pass at Ruann. It brought his total up to two thousand or so men, and he was swiftly running out of a place to put them. But, truly, he had a plan for that. And they would soon be departing for the border's and assisting with the Order of Straka in their defense. At least, that was the plan that Burel had formulated with his other officers. He just hoped this Kanashia would agree.

Which, incidentally, brought him back to the letter he held before him. Fingers brushed along the parchment for a long moment before he finally plucked up his own quill and tapped it into the inkwell sitting besides him. There would be implications, of course. Many and myriad in their forms... but they would have to wait, until the dust settled...

To Captain Alexander Kanashia, Commander of the Order of Straka,

Greetings to you, Captain, and congradulations of your attainment of the position. I hope that the responsibilities do not weigh too heavily upon your shoulders. The township of Myrken, and the 'Wood that lay nigh, can be a hard and heady place to try and protect, as I myself know. In either event, I will agree to a meeting between us, if that is what you wish, however.

The meeting will have to take place here, at the stockade we are in the process of outfitting. I am sorry to say that my time away from it consists only of visiting my wife and daughter, or riding patrol with my own guardsmen. Herding nine-thousand men at arms, their horses, and the wagon trail can be tedious on the mind, as I am sure you know.

I await your reply with great expectations.

Sir Burel Tassnehof
Duke of Thessilane
Knight-Captain of the White Lions

Signed with a flourish, and then affixed with his official seal. A hawk that gripped a sword and a sheaf of wheat in it's claws. His personal sigil. The parchment was sanded and blotted, then folded carefully. Another bit of wax, and then another seal was placed upon it. This one of Thessilane proper, a hawk in flight. The Duke peered at the letter a moment, then rose his voice.

"Lieutenant Williamsson. Take this to Captain Kanashia at the guard headquarters in Myrken, if you would. And make sure no one interecepts you enroute." A salute, and the man took off, riding hard for the nearby township.

[Vanidor]

"My Lord? The evening post has come in. Something from the town of Myrken as well. Did you want to read it now, or save it for the morning?" The courier stood at the threshold of the makshift office, glancing in the direction of Burel and General Wilhelm.

"Oh, I think I can read it now, Corporal. A few moments reading something from the good town of Myrken shall not make much difference in getting back home. Bring it on over, would you?" The soldier brought the missives over, and then set the one from the town ontop of the pile. Burel paused, then reached over to pick it up. Eyes scanned a moment, then a glance was cast over at the General.

"And you said getting someone in with the clerks and post service here would not be to our advantage? Come now, Wilhelm... Oh, Corporal? Saddle my horse, if you would. And tell the guard I shall be leaving in about ten minutes... Then come back, I have a missive I wish you to return to the Town."

With that, the Duke started chuckling, giving his second in command a conspiratorial wink. General Wilhelm just shook his head and started gathering papers.