The last days have begun to frustrate Gwair. Patience might be a virtue as the monks had taught him, but all this waiting for action had driven him to distraction. It was with great relief that he was now able to begin to give his men some real orders!

The night passes, first Gwair then Morien send their men in ones and
twos across the yard to the barracks building.  Inside the mercenaries
silently keep to themselves.

Dawn's light begins to pale the horizon.  Cook fires begin to rise
from the building to the south of the one they have occupied, as well
as from inside the inner keep wall to the south-east.

As near to true dawn as Gwair can tell he selects two likely lads from
his men and, with Tanicus, sets off to cross the 60 feet of open yard
to the inner gatehouse.  No one seems to man the top of the gatehouse.
 There are apparently just two sentinels on the inner wall to the
south (on the right as you approach) but their pacing have taken them
away from the gatehouse.  There is another man on the inner walls to
the left.  Gwair notices he is looking towards him.  

He gives a
friendly wave, and the sentinel returns it apparently satisfied for
the moment though he keeps a watch on you.  The timing is well judged
for as Gwair approaches the gate it begins to open.  The two guards
are leaning on the doors to open them.  A third is within the gate
entrance watching.  The gates are open and the three look up
curiously.  The one on the left is rushed by Gwair's two lads, Tanicus
rushes the one on the right, Gwair goes straight ahead.

The man in the gateway is startled, looks to what is happening to his
companions, looks at Gwair eyes widening, backs up, drops his spear,
and begins drawing his sword.  Gwair has been able to see all the
man's reactions as he has rushed forward, all giving him time to close
and place his sword at the man's throat before his sword is half clear
of the scabbard.  "Yield," Gwair says.

The man hesitates, but Tanicus says something foreign urgently.  The
third man's shoulders slump and he raises his hands.  Gwari takes his
sword and pushes his prisoner against the gatehouse wall.  Tanicus
brings his over by the scruff of the neck while pressing his dagger
against the man's throat.  The last is being dragged over by the
smaller of Gwair's lads.  His face is bloody and his eyes are
unfocused.  The bigger of Gwiar's lads is flexing his hand, knuckles
bloody.   "That hurt," he says softly.  Little comfort comes from his
mate, "Punch the throat, not the jaw.  How many times I tell ya."

Gwair looks back to the barracks and waves.  The gatehouse is his
[Battle success].