through the Valley of Baruk, gradually falling back to the wall, then the great bridge of Lund that spanned the River Grey, and finally, Lund itself. Their purpose, in principal, was to prevent the enemy from laying seige to the gates of Lund before the retreating armies from the north were able to reach Lund, where they would once again amass before retreating en masse towards the west.

The second departing army was led by Palindor, elven brother of Julina, with whom rode Anest, Lily, and the dwarf, Grol of Munden. They were five thousands on horse, and needed all speed. Their destination was the eaves of the Black Wood, where Anest and Lily would first pay a visit to the Marshes of Morag.

The third army was led by Gart the Renowned, with Damond of Brand. They would meet Brogan and Dorain at Alin and use that town as a base to strike out at the Narrow Plain. They were three thousands on horse, and three on foot.

The fourth army was led jointly by Celedhan and Garnak the Warrior. They were four thousands on horse, and were to head north and east along the south side of the River Grey until it joined the White. Their task was to slow the progress of Morlock's northern army where it would head northwest and attack northern Astargoth once it had forded the Minden, just above that place where the White split off from it in its turbulent course. From there to the Valley of Minden where it




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