"Grim tidings, I'm afraid." Orion stated. He kept his face neutral, or did his best to. But the farmer could see a regret and unease on his stern visage. Ragnar was about to speak but Annika mentally told him to keep a lid on it. Hearing his strange tongue in these strange times could cause panic and grant Orion a lack of trust. The Knight looked over the fields, to the distant farmsteads across the horizon of the fading sun. 

"Have you not heard any of the fighting?" Pentecost asked. 

"Yes sir, but the Duke promised us protection. We've done everything he's asked, he-" 

"Won't get here in time." Orion finished. He looked at the man, and realized they looked somewhat similar. Perhaps a decade apart in age, but with a similar build and chin. Maybe if he had not chosen to become a Knight, or if he was born in a lesser bloodline this would be him. He was suddenly glad that wasn't the case, for this man had a bumpy few weeks ahead of him. "In less than 12 hours, these raiders will roll in on Tolth and this is the first place they hit. I need you to gather your family and follow me. If you can send someone to go and warn your neighbors, that would be appreciated." 

The farmer took a step back, clearly wrestling pragmatism with surprise. Orion had seen it before. Peaceful men who couldn't believe they were experiencing tragedies or battles one would hear from news or rumors. For a moment, the Knight felt as if the man was about to speak against him, gathering his wits to argue. They didn't have time for such nonesense, and he drew his sword, pointing it at the frightened serf. 

"Do as I say!" He roared, eyes flaring. Even his cybernetic eye seemed to gleam. The threat of violence all of the sudden seemed very tangible to the serf, even if it wasn't necessarily from the Vuldroks. "I am Sir Orion Pentecost, scion of the House of Hawkwood. Knight of the Known Worlds and Warrior of the Company of the Pheonix! Go now save your family and people with me or I will smite you where you stand!" 

Needless to say, in short order the retinue of Orion grew tenfold within the hour. Worried men and frightened women and children congregated among them at the crossroads that fed from the greater city of Tolth into the farmlands. Orion organized the families into units, keeping the most influential families at the fore in case they needed to speak to any noble at the drop of a hat. When darkness fell and the lights within the trees grew fierce, they marched into the greater city of Tolth, what had to be hundreds of peasants behind bold Orion and his Confessor, with Ragnar muttering to himself all the while. 
[@Penny]