[RPG] [FEI] [Lasanar] Before the Siege, Fodder

[Samuel Knowlton]

Dodd rubbed his temples. "Explain this to my poor, addled brain but once 
more, m'lud."

"Fodder," said Galiard, "is actually a term that comes from a position of 
GREAT HONOR--"

"see," Dodd shook his head. "That's where you lose me."

"In ancient times," said Galiard piously, "Nobles would compete for the 
honor of being the first through a defensive breach! It was the fastest way 
to advance, to be noticed. The first hole in the wall would appear, and 
you'd run through, before anyone else--"

"...and get an arrow in the eye," observed Dodd dubiously.

"Yes!" Galiard agreed emphatically. "That's why the Gods gave us TWO EYES! 
Because then, after the battle, you'd have one eye, but oh the glory!"

"Glory with poor depth perception," amended Dodd.

"So what do you say?" said Galiard cheerily. "Do you want to be the first 
through the breach?"

Dodd frowned. "I am already m'lud's second-in-command," he replied. "In 
order for me to advance, not only would m'lud have to die a very early and 
immediate death, but the Grand Council would have to select me to replace 
m'lud."

Galiard pursed his lips.

"Perhaps," offered Dodd, "The Grand Council will lose several of their eyes, 
and that will seem like a good idea?"

"I'll take that as a "no" on the fodder." Galiard harrumphed.

"Do YOU want to be the fodder?" Dodd demanded.

"Of course not!" Galiard exclaimed. "We swoop in at the end, when everyone 
is really tired. With as many men as we have, we'd be a target for every 
archer on the walls if we were in front."

"You mean like Duke Luyten," Dodd observed.

"That's different," said Galiard defensively. "His men are insane."

"Unlike m'lud," said Dodd, neutrally.

There was a trumpet call in the distance.

"Sunrise approaches," said Galiard, rising to his feet, his amused 
expression evaporating. "Make ready."

Dodd turned to leave, but Galiard stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

"Juse in case," said the Duke. "There is no finer man I should care to die 
beside, my friend."

Dodd looked misty-eyed for a second, but only a second.

"I'd say the same," he replied just as quickly, "but I can think of several, 
actually."