Page 6 of 6 Donal dismounted with some difficulty, and one of the handguners who seemed to have some training in battle-field medicine helped splint his arm and place it in a makeshift sling. The captain spoke in rapid Reikspiel to his trumpeter, who blew a complicated series of notes that Sir Robert assumed was a signal. The captain then mounted his own horse and beckoned to Sir Robert to follow him as he started trotting down the road towards the tower. After about ten minutes riding, they reached the tower, and Sir Robert was quickly admitted to the presence of the castellan. The castellan was armoured, but seated behind a large desk. His helm was off and resting on the desk, revealing closely cropped hair and a well-manicured moustache. When Sir Robert handed him the letter from Sir Orin, he snapped the seal and produced a monocle to read throw it. He glanced through it quickly, then read it again more slowly before standing and marching to the door. He stuck his head out and bawled something unintelligible to Sir Robert, then walked back to the desk and picked up his helmet. Turning to the Bretonnian, and speaking slowly to make himself understood, he told him that they would ride out immediately and invited Sir Robert to join them. Sir Robert accepted without hesitation, yet pointed out that his horse would need some time to recover. The castellan therefore offered him a horse from his stables, which Sir Robert gratefully accepted. Although the castellan had promised an immediate departure, it was at least half an hour before the knights were mustered. Sir Robert's barding was transferred from his horse to a fresh mount, and he rode with the knights of the Empire when they finally departed. They rode rapidly, but were not bothered by any orcs as they rode. Ahead of them they soon heard sounds of battle, spurring them on. The Bretonnians had covered a good proportion of the distance to the tower, yet were still a good hours ride from the tower. Eventually they drew close to the battle, and fell suddenly upon the orcs from behind. The orcs saw their situation change suddenly from besiegers to besieged and panicked, scattering into the woods. Seeing the orcs in disarray, the Bretonnians sallied forth from their defended positions and helped pursue the greenskins into the forest. The battle drew quickly to a close, neither Imperial nor Bretonnian wishing to delve too deeply into the forest while it was infested by orcs. Sir Orin found Sir Robert and congratulated him on getting through, when he asked about Sir Tybold, Sir Robert shook his head and Sir Orin knew not to ask further at this time. Sir Robert then led Sir Orin to the castellan and introduced him. The combined party of Bretonnians, monks, and Imperial knights pushed on towards the tower. They continued after nightfall as it seemed foolish to invite another attack by camping out when safety was so close, and they eventually rode in through the castle gates about an hour after dark as the moon rose over the distant forests of the Empire. The castellan turned to the Bretonnian knights and said in a strong accent, "Welcome to the Empire."
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