As Allen signed one order after another, successive teams of messengers rode out of Fisslet on swift horses.
All of Rhovanion stirred into activity.
Soldiers from Grey Keep followed the river downstream.
The soldiers from Horse-herding Village brought great herds of horses with them when they reported for duty.
As time passed, company after company of soldiers gathered in the vast camp outside Fisslet.
Even the residents near the town knew war was approaching. Their training, once held every fortnight, now took place twice a week.
One of those sessions involved joint drills with troops from other settlements, and even the food served during training had improved considerably.
Alayen arrived as well, bringing the soldiers from Heidelberg.
Allen needed a subordinate experienced in commanding large armies to assist him. Once war broke out, he would very likely have to face Sauron in single combat, and the soldiers would need an experienced, respected commander.
Firentis would command the forces of Dale and Long River Town, holding the Redwater River region at all times to prevent the Easterlings from attacking their rear to relieve the pressure on their allies.
Besides, Bal, the Easterling who had recently become Allen's subordinate, got along well with Firentis on the border. Pulling Firentis away might well do more harm than good.
As the days passed, more and more troops gathered in Fisslet. Tents of every color stretched in unbroken rows, while cartload after cartload of weapons and equipment left the armory.
Several dozen days slipped quietly by. By Sunshine Month, nearly all the troops Allen had summoned had arrived.
He planned to take all fifteen hundred heavy infantry and one thousand archers. Of his light cavalry, he would bring only one hundred, to relay messages during marches and battles.
The rest would stay with Ymira, along