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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rel" data-source="post: 1818647" data-attributes="member: 99">“South?” Lazarius asked.“Yes,” Speaks replied, “in the lands of the Suevi.  It makes the most sense to hold the moot of the various shaman there since it still looks as though Relmar wants to try and stand his ground against the Imperials if they come.”The group sat together once more around a table in the corner of Urdrax’s mead hall.  Marius had his maps out on the table.  He gestured at them and interjected, “If they come, they’re going to be at the Suevi lands in only a week or so at most if they march there unopposed.  The Legions travel slowly without the roads of the Empire, but it just isn’t that far to the southern edge of the Suevi forests.”Speaks nodded in agreement, “That’s true but I already have some plans for how we can slow them down.  There are some tributaries to the Fodor that they’ll have to cross and I think I might be able to have them flood at just the right moment.”Cathal took a turn to speak, “Well it sounds as though the Legions have no cavalry at present and don’t plan on bringing any up from the Empire.  That means that the Almanni should be able to nip at their flanks with little fear of retaliation.  Perhaps that will slow them down.”Lazarius shook his head, “Slow them down – maybe.  But any direct confrontation between the tribesmen and the Legions will almost certainly guarantee the conquest of the Fodor valley.  The Almanni horse archers will attack the column who won’t be able to chase them down.  So the Generals will send out the War Wizards to attack the horsemen magically.  And things will just get worse from there.  Trust me, I’ve trained for this kind of battle.”The War Wizard continued, “I still say that the best hope is for the Suevi to withdraw to Hrongar’s Hill.  Let Speaks muck up the terrain along the way to slow them down.  That might buy enough time for the Empire to decide that those Legions are needed to defend the homeland.”Speaks agreed, “That’s true.  To be honest, at this point the sooner the Orcs attack Emor, the better off the people of the Fodor will be…”  The Druid got a far off look in his eyes and paused.“What is it?” asked Marius.Speaks paused a moment further before answering, “What if the Orcs began their attack on the Empire immediately?  Don’t you think that would hasten their withdrawal of the Legions in the Northlands?”“Weren’t you listening, Speaks?” asked Lazarius.  “Our best estimate so far is that it will still be at least a couple of weeks before the fleet is far enough south to be able to make their attack.”“I’m talking about US,” said Speaks.  “WE attack the Empire.  We can use the same trick we used to get into the City of Endless Summer.  We disguise ourselves as Orcs and begin marauding across the southern provinces of the Empire.  Not actually killing anybody of course, but burning some empty barns and putting on some impressive displays of magic.  For that matter, we might even be able to get Magdar and his men to help us!  A couple score Orcs, both real and imagined might go a long way toward getting the Senate to pull those Legions back across the Crescent Sea!”Cathal was grinning at the notion and Marius raised a thoughtful eyebrow but Lazarius and Marcus were both shaking their heads.  It was the War Wizard who responded first, “It is a cunning plan, Speaks, but I fear it could have dire consequences.  With reports of attacks by small forces, they first ones they’ll send in are the local Auxiliaries backed by whatever War Wizards they can rush to the area.  Magic can do a lot and if any of us get caught then our credibility is completely wrecked.”Marcus took up the argument, “Also, suspicion is already falling heavily on you, Speaks, thanks to the lies being spread by the Druid Circle.  Even if they don’t actually capture you, if they can put together any evidence that you’re involved then they might try and paint the entire Orcish invasion as your doing.  The Banites would love that.  And if Cathal is implicated then they will have further cause to invade the Northlands.”Speaks was forced to agree with the Imperials.  “Well then we’re going to just have to hope that the Legions camped near the Fodor Fen don’t intend to start their invasion for another couple of months.  Otherwise I don’t think we’re going to be able to save your people, Cathal.”Marius tried to cheer the mood, “Historically the Legions have almost never moved to attack in the wintertime.  And considering that we’re talking about the Northlands, I suspect they’ll wait until spring is well under way to assure that they don’t have to tap too heavily into the winter stores to feed the army in the field.  So I think we’ll have those two months, Speaks.”“But will that be long enough,” answered the Druid.</blockquote>

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