[Eyvind Redbeard]

5th Brightening of the First Cycle of the Month of Kalendryas in the season of Winter; Era I of the Celestine Mandate, Era XV Post Fractum.

Word had already spread among the Manjet that the Orcs had attacked Peda and that a few survivors had arrived at the docks in some fishing boats. They all knew as well that all leaves had been cancelled and that all Officers had to present themselves in the Conference Room of Darkblade to a briefing. Cencoris Redbeard had been seen walking and sometimes almost running back and forward making sure everything was ready. Rumors said the Manjet was about to go to war, and rumors were true.

When all the Officers were gathered in the Room and the doors carefully closed and guarded so no secrets would find a way outside the stone walls, the Vagaran started.

"Gentlemen. As you are certainly aware, the Horde attacked Peda. We don't know the amount of damage they caused there, but by the reports I heard from the survivors it was something scratching the barbaric. I am not surprised by this behaviour, it is in the nature of the Orc to be barbaric. And it is in our nature, the one of Imperial Legionnaire, to destroy barbarism wherever it dwells.

The Manjet is almost gathered and tomorrow the full Legion will leave the Gates of Taralon. We will march west and meet the Horde. We will halt their advance and push them back, we will recover whatever other settlements they have taken and we will march to Peda to discover what happened.

Although the Legionnaires can march at good speed it isn't enough. I will personally lead the cavalry Cohort into enemy territory and make contact with the Horde as soon as possible. There we will force them to dig into the ground to avoid being destroyed until the bulk of the Manjet arrives. Once the Orcs are dug in we will pound them hard with our artillery and force them to come out and face us in the open.

I am open to questions and ideas now."