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Arcavis
Sept 11, 2012 20:20:44 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 11, 2012 20:20:44 GMT -5
Kade
The pincer attack they had planned was working beautifully; though Malacion had sought to pierce the defenses of Gullsforde by stacking their massive numbers all on one side, they had left the rest of the city wall unguarded, allowing a group of Arcavians to circle around the city unnoticed and attack from behind. Karryhs Bishop was at the head of the group, leading them into full-on combat with the Malacionites. His son, Kade, wasn’t far behind him.
Over the chaos of war, Kade could hear someone shouting his father’s name. He turned to look, just as he felled another enemy, to see the Bishop’s trusted crewman, Seth Ebbliss, riding toward the frontline. Once he’d got within better earshot, he shouted to Karryhs, “My lord, there are others! More on the—“ But he didn’t have to finish, because as he pronounced the words, a fresh force of Malacionites came charging down the hill behind them—Sturdivant’s army had planned for Arcavis’s pincer attack and made arrangements. Now the Bishop-led rear attack was trapped between two large enemy groups.
Karryhs was yelling orders, but over the fresh Malacionic onslaught, he couldn’t be heard. Instead, he led by action, pushing his horse forward, through the initial enemy forces and toward the southern city gate. Kade covered his father’s back as the Arcavians made the difficult path back into Gullsforde. The others got the message quickly, gathering together in as solid a force as they could manage and functioning as one unit.
They were nearly to the gate without losing one man when one of the soldiers in the rear was separated from the rest. Without thinking, Kade loosed himself from the group and returned to help the man. He dove into the sea of Malacionites, hacking away at anyone who dared to attack him, forcing his way to the lost soldier. Once he arrived at the soldier’s side, they killed the Heildat he’d been facing. (OT: okay, fine, I admit I don’t know what to say here. I’m more of a one-on-one type fight writer and there’s too much going on here for me to focus.)
Kade moved to follow the Arcavian out of combat, chasing close behind on horseback, but a sudden sharpness in his back tugged him off his horse and onto the chaotic ground. He realized what it was almost as soon as he hit the ground: the six tiny pins of a Malacionic cable gun. He turned around, his sword out, and hacked the cords in two, nearly getting trampled by a horse. Already his mind was fogged by the poison, his vision blurring and his muscles rebelling against him.
From the front of the battle line, he heard a distant roar, a vague shout that sounded like his name. He noticed some of the horses around him begin to shift backward and heard the solid thunk of men falling dead on the ground. Then he knew he heard it. The sound of his father calling out his name. “I’m here!” he replied, hoping he could be heard over the stamping of hooves and the clashing of swords. His dizzy head was only half aware when he felt someone lifting him up off the ground just as a horse thundered up to the place where his head had been.
Karryhs had ventured out after him with a few other men huddled together as before. They returned to the city, behind the defensive line the Arcavians were struggling to hold and Karryhs slid off the horse. Kade groaned as his father pulled out he pins still planted in his back before turning to Ebbliss and saying, “Make sure he gets to the camp Aston’s set up outside Alneford. The poison should wear off in an hour or so.”
“I’m fine,” Kade murmured, but he didn’t feel his lips move. “I want to keep fighting with you.”
The Lord Bishop gave an odd, gentle frown. “Not in that condition, Akkadyan. You need rest.”
“Then at least keep Seth here to help,” Kade answered stubbornly. “You need as many men as possible.”
Karryhs considered this for a moment before giving Ebbliss a nod. “Then carry yourself to camp and be careful.”
“Yessir,” Kade answered and headed off to the eastern gates. The center of the city, though not as quiet as a normal day, wasn’t overrun with soldiers or trampled by war. But for the sound of cannons firing in the background and the cries of men losing their lives, it might have been a lovely day in Gullsforde. A clumsy evacuation was still underway at the east exit; a vast line of people went on, halfway through the city. These people should already be gone…, he thought as he rode to the front.
At the gate, he saw what held them up. Imperial soldiers had begun attacking the east side of the city as well, taking on a group of farmers from the city as well as a few other capable people. No Arcavian soldiers had arrived to help yet, perhaps unaware of the trouble or too busy with their own battles. Kade came to join the farmers and citizens, climbing off his horse and choosing to fight on his weary, poison-weakened legs. Turning to one of the people fighting alongside him, he said, "Go find my father, or Lord Gaunt. Tell them we need help!"
(OT: Okay, so I looked up pincer attack and it's not really a pincer attack, 'cause it's sideways. But whatever.)
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Arcavis
Sept 11, 2012 20:21:03 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 11, 2012 20:21:03 GMT -5
Rylec
He had been enjoying a simple dinner of fruit and vegetables when the first shouts came, he had at first ignored it but then the shouts grew more desperate, that's when he stood up left his money on the table and rushed outside.
He grabbed what looked like a merchant and asked him what was happening. "Good ser, we are under attack." Rylec let him go then and looked at the walls. His family missing and now he was caught in a battle that his soul couldn't allow him to leave. "Hold on guys, I'll find you soon." He says as he heads off in the direction of the east gate, since that was the way he had been facing.
As he walked in that direction, he slowly harmonized a little more, if he had to put a number on it he went from 10% to 30%. He wouldn't have had to do this if he finished his supper but that wasn't an option.
When he reached the east gate he saw farmers and a knight. They where fighting for their homes and city, but the Knight was moving sluggishly. Rylec now in a battle state of mind, pulled out his sword. "Let's do this partner." He whispers feeling his Nami grow more intense as it felt completion. He saw a farmer about to be cut down and ran as fast as he could and impaled the opposing warrior. He turned and helped the man stand up then proceeded in the battle.
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Arcavis
Sept 11, 2012 20:21:25 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 11, 2012 20:21:25 GMT -5
Maerwynn--Noreve
"Farmer Goodard, did you or did you not steal the package of meat from the Butcher?" Maerwynn sat in the high-backed wooden chair. Though she sat on an embroidered pillow, her spine and backside ached from sitting still for nigh on 8 hours. Yet still she did not even shift her position but maintained the utmost poise, keeping her grimice of pain inside her.
"Well, I wouldn' exactly call it stealing, M'lady." The old farmer scratched his bald head. "Seein' as my family is right starvin', and 'e has plenty, e' has." Goodard gestured to the butcher, a beefy man with a full brown beard who was eyeing the farmer venemously. "An' jus' last week 'e took me last cow, wouldn' even pay full price for it. So, I wouldn' call it stealin'. Redistrubutin' I would call it, Ma'am." the old man wrung his hat in his hands. Maerwynn couldn't help it. She put her head in her hands and rubbed her tempels wearly.
"But he paied for it none-the-less, which made it his property. Did you not relieve the butcher of his property without payment?" The farmer lowerd his head.
"Well--yes, Ma'am." Maerwynn sighed inwardly. Finally, a straight answer from the man.
"Then law demands that you pay the butcher back, or return his goods. Do you still have the meat?" The farmer lowered his head further. "Then, you must pay for it in full. How much is it worth, Butcher?"
"Twenty coppers, it is." the butcher spoke gruffly and crossed his arms. The farmer raised his head, and the color drained from his face.
"But please, Ma'am, I don' have that much."
"Very well, Farmer." Here, Maerwynn leaned over and whispered something to the scribe standing to the right of her chair. The scribe rifled through a huge book that was on a podiem before him, then whispered something back to her. "Do you know what the law says is the punishment for those who steal, and for those who do not pay their debts?" She let the sentence hang in the air. The farmer hung his head, and Maerwynn could see him shaking. "Therefore!" She said sternly, "I decree--that this man," she pointed to the famer, "be loaned a pound of beef from the palace kitchens." Mawerwynn motioned for the scribe to take it down on parchement. "Untill such time that he can pay it back."
Farmer Goodard's eyes widened. "Oh, thank you princess, thank you!" Maerwynn nodded to him formally.
"And may it teach you not to steal again." she also motioned for the Butcher to collected his re-enstated wares. Maerwynn slumped foward in her chair, and glanced out the door to the hall. Many were still lined up to seek an audience with her, even this late in the evening. "Briar," she spoke to the scribe on her right, "Please notate the names of those who wish to come back on saturday, and I will see them first. We are done for the day." she leaned back in her chair as the man skuttled out into the hallway. The door was closed, and she was alone with the gaurds.
Maerwynn relaxed her stiff muscles. "Cianha!" she called over her shoulder, to a little wooden door conceled behind a corner. There, she knew her handmaid awaited her with a tray of refreshments.
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Arcavis
Sept 11, 2012 20:21:47 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 11, 2012 20:21:47 GMT -5
Ivan
CLANG!
Ivan turned just in time to catch his opponent's sword with his own. He shoved back hard, knocking the soldier off balance, and finished him with one, strong diagonal swipe from his large sword. He wiped the sweat from his face with the back of his hand, smearing dirt and God knew what else. To think he had been having a quiet meal this morning, eager to get back on the road and bring news of peace back to Swansreach.
He cut down another Imperial who tried thought it might be a good idea to get at the innocent people inside the tavern where Ivan had been sleeping mere hours before. He was on a basic scout mission to evaluate which parts of the nation were most in need. Gullsforde had not been on that list until just recently.
With a shout, Ivan brought his broadsword down on the next man who challenged him, ending his life quickly. This time, Ivan took the offensive, running straight for an unsuspecting Imperial who was attempting to disarm a particularly young looking ranch hand. The boy shot Ivan a look of gratitude before diving straight back into the fray.
Ivan growled and looked around, impatient. Surely the Arcavian army had heard of this attack? As if in response to his thoughts, a Son of Bishop, his family's insignia clear on his armor, rode up to join the fight. Ivan ran over to get some information from him, but before he could say anything, the young man shouted, "Go find my father, or Lord Gaunt. Tell them we need help!"
His father? How was Ivan supposed to know who his... it didn't take long for Ivan to piece it together. A Son of Bishop, this young with this much battle experience would have to be Lord Bishop's son, Akkadyan. Though he had never met Kade himself, Ivan was familiar with Lord Bishop. He put a strong hand on the young man's shoulder in affirmation, then took off toward the stables. He stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled. Though she was penned in, Ivan knew Tamai would never ignore his call. Sure enough, he saw the stable doors burst open and his trusted companion galloped toward him.
Ivan jumped into the saddle, letting her momentum pull him up, and guided her through the city streets toward the sound of battle. He easily avoided the frantic citizens, eager to get out of this mess, and eventually made his way to the other side of the city, enjoying his height advantage from atop his horse.
After clearing the few soldiers who had come after him, Ivan took the opportunity to look for the clearly marked Lord Bishop. He scanned the chaos, hoping to catch a glimpse of- There! The red tunic with the black dragon jumped out at him and he made his way that direction. Once he managed to clear a path, he pulled back on the reins and Taima skidded to a halt just in front of Lord Bishop.
"My Lord!" He figured it would be safe at this point to skip all the high society formalities of greeting a noble, "The eastern gates have been compromised! Your son fights alongside the able in an attempt to keep the enemy at bay, but I'm afraid their inexperience will be their downfall."
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Arcavis
Sept 11, 2012 20:22:07 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 11, 2012 20:22:07 GMT -5
Cianha:
Cianha waited patiently behind the door all day, in case her Lady might call for her. Hour after hour, her Lady adjudicated case after case with a balance of justice and mercy. Once in awhile, Cianha would bring her a cool drink, or at noontime, her midday repast. Now that her Lady's day was coming to a close, Cianha had fetched a tray loaded with colorful fruit cut and arranged artfully, thin-sliced roast goose with dipping sauce, and two goblets, one filled with chilled water, the other with chilled apple juice. When her Lady called, the door man opened the door silently, and Cianha hurried through, wishing she had some magic that would let her just appear there. Her feet would have to suffice--
The goblets wobbled because of her haste, and her heart leaped into her throat. Carefully, she slowed down enough to stabilize the goblets without spilling any fluid on the lace doily. Heart pounding, she finally reached her Lady. Cianha went down on one knee, bowing her head and gently setting the tray down on its legs before her Lady. Should I tell her she was wonderful? she thought, then corrected herself: Of course not! My Lady has no use for my ignorant babble! Do not speak unless spoken to! she thought, reprimanding herself with one of the primary rules she'd grown up with. As quietly as possible, she rose to her feet, then dipped into a curtsy, holding it while she stepped back three steps. Then she stood to attention, but with her head still bowed, waiting upon any further instructions, or dismissal. I hope I did that right! Wait--was it supposed to be four steps?!
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Arcavis
Sept 11, 2012 20:27:06 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 11, 2012 20:27:06 GMT -5
Meryth:
--Aboard the San en Uath-enti, three days ago--
"Captain On Deck!" a voice shouted from above, followed by the clanging of a brass bell. The Captain? Meryth thought, pulling her head out of the innards of the machine she was working on. The weather is perfect, so why-- "Sails to port! Sarivandi warships! Thirty...thirty-five...more!" the man in the crow's nest bellowed. "All hands, General Quarters!" The orders were repeated from various posts throughout the Ship, and suddenly the sea nomads were all very busy. Quickly, Meryth closed up her mechanism and hurried to secure her supply of cogs, cams, and shafts, and get all of her tools put away in her toolkit so that none of her things would be in the way. She slung her toolkit over her shoulder, since it was not too heavy to move easily like her box of parts, or bolted down, like her prototype Differntial Engine Kite Sail Controller. Meryth looked for someone who was working in place instead of dashing about, and hurried over to him. "Are the Sarivandi a threat to us? We're not involved with their wars... Is there anything I can do to help?"
Normally, major decisions like which port to visit or what cargo to carry were decided by a process of structured discussion and voting among the adult members of the Tribe. Judicial decisions were made by a panel of Elders, or one appointed by them from among their number. While the elected Captain and her or his officers would administer day-to-day operations, like setting the sails, navigation, and so forth, the phrase 'Captain On Deck' declared an emergency and placed the Captain in complete and unquestioned command for the duration.
"If they're buildin' armadas now, they may mean to involve us, Lub," he said, using the teasing term for a land-born Walker like herself. "How's your heka?"
"I'm no Ur-Hekaii, but I meditate and perform my katas regularly. I'll do all I can!"
"Good. Get below deck and follow the lead of the Chanters. We may need all the heka we can get." Meryth nodded, thanked the man, and headed for one of the entrances to find a way down. The structures aboard Ship were much like those of a City, but more dense and carefully planned for optimum use of limited space. As with a City, much effort had gone into hitting the sweet spot of maximized utility and aesthetic beauty. Unlike the ships of land-living cultures, a Ship was not a vehicle meant to carry people from place to place; it was itself a place, a home for those who lived aboard her and tended her. Meryth had no time to appreciate the intricate geometric carvings in fine teak wood, or vibrant mosaic floors of inlaid chips of stone with borders of elaborate gireh tiles; images of dolphins chasing fish or octopus and other strange sea creatures, mermaids or men and women frolicking in the waves, or pure geometry with meanings cleverly encoded in the measures and angles...
Instead, she hurried into one of the Chanting Circles, which were now filling rapidly with mostly elders and children and Lubs like herself. She found a place and started centering herself. The Chanter rang a translucent carved fluorite singing bowl to establish a tone, keeping it going by sliding the clapper around the rim. Meryth and the others joined in, their voices coming into resonance with one another...
Up on the crow's nest, Uiah'nephti felt power building beneath him. From each of the Ship's Chanting Circles, set around the main masts below decks, inlaid ribbons of gold embossed with hieroglyphs and geometric patterns ran up each mast to the crow's nest or fighting top, carrying concentrated Ka [Nami] energy from below to Uiah'nephti and the other battlemages. By the Captain's orders, the forest of ribbed sails changed their angle of attack as the Ship steered away from its intended destination, the Arcavan port of Gullsforde, to head due south and away from the approaching armada. Consisting of hundreds of capital warships and even more small escort vessels, it had to be carrying a major invasion force. It took time for bellowed orders and the running up and down of signal flags to convey orders among the Saravandi ships, but fifty of the heavy warships and most of the smaller corvettes peeled off to pursue. We'll not outrun them, Uiah'nephti thought. The San en Uath-enti's great size made her a more efficient carrier of cargo and people than smaller vessels due to the mathematics of surface area to volume ratios (so that a larger and longer ship could carry more mass per unit of construction materials than a small ship), but the Saravandi ships had the advantage in raw speed, especially their sleeker corvettes and corsairs.
Signal flags ran up and down and up again as the Captain of the San en Uath-enti and the Saravandi Vice-Admiral in charge of the pursuit fleet exchanged messages. A demand for surrender.
--- End of Part I
Part II:
"Uiah! Tell them 'no' for us, would you?" the Captain called up. "Aye aye, ma'am, tell them 'no,'" Uiah'nephti called back, then began making the hand gestures and incantations to summon and direct the Ka energy of the chanters below. His final gesture completed with an aim of his flat hand toward the water just off the bow of the nearest Saravandi corvette. A huge fireball shot from his hand and exploded into the water in a gout of steam and spray. Puffs of smoke erupted from the bows of the nearest pursuers, followed shortly by reports like small thunderclaps. Splashes stippled the water behind the Ship, and a few of the shots hit, some of them bouncing harmlessly off of the stern, others smashing through windows in the stern castle. Those would be their bow-mounted firepowder weapons. Smaller ones, pintle-mounted for aiming. The ones in the sides of their ships will be more powerful. "Uiah, fire at will! Meera, give us a steady wind!" the Captain said, then called out orders to the other masts. Even the smaller 'guns' had impressive range, and they had a lot of them. Uiah'nephti gathered Ka energy again, unleashing a spray of smaller fireballs at the corvette's sails, setting them alight. Meanwhile the wind summoned by Meera and the mages on several of the other masts picked up, accelerating the Ship. Not enough to escape her pursuers, but the longer the stern chase continued, the longer the battlemages would have to thin the enemy numbers before they could bring their broadsides to bear.
--Chanting Circle--
As hours passed, Meryth struggled to maintain her concentration in the increasing din. Every now and then the Ship would shudder from the impact of an enemy broadside, or their would be explosions without such a shudder--the destruction of an enemy vessel, Meryth guessed. The battlemages above had to draw more and more Ka energy. Some of the younger children and older Elders had already fainted. Other children had to be taken away because their growing fear was contaminating the harmony. It was one thing to hear reports about the use of firepowder weapons on land: the vast, random carnage they caused when fired in fusillade, the recoil that could maim their own wielders if they were in the way of the caisson when it bucked, the fact that an overheated barrel or a cinder of wadding from a previous firing could cause the next load of powder to explode in the faces of the reloaders. It was another to hear the barrages of fire, even through the hull, and multiple chamber walls of the Ship. Meryth could only imagine the literally deafening roar the enemy sailors had to be subjecting themselves to. It was difficult to conceive of how barbaric someone had to be to wield such weapons, or order their construction and use.
--The Crow's Nest--
Though many of the enemy vessels were in flames or sinking, the rest fought on doggedly, seemingly indifferent to losses. Uiah'nephti could feel the Ka pool of the chanters below him flutter as another Sarivandi warship unleashed a broadside. They were lined up on both sides of the San en Uath-enti now, pounding away with one barrage after another from their cursed guns. The Captain had tried to turn the Ship to cross their lines, but they were more maneuverable, and one of their captains had taken the opportunity to ram his ship into the port bow, even though it meant the destruction of his own vessel. Mages managed to partially re-grow the timbers back together and stop the intake of water, but that was the end of any more attempts at a battle of maneuver. Now it was just a brutal slugging match, and Uiah'nephti could tell that the Saravandi had the edge in brutality. The gunners aboard the ship that had just fired pulled their guns back in to load them. Uiah'nephti gathered as much Ka as he dared, then hurled a Multiple Chain Lightning spell at the rows of guns. The electricity skittered across the hot gun barrels, arcing out to shock the gunners, but more importantly, to set alight their stores of firepowder. Volcanic gouts of flame roared out of the square gun ports, tearing large chunks of the ship's hull loose. In moments, the entire side of the warship was on fire and coming apart.
*zing* *zing* *zingzing* *CRACK!* Something hit the railing of his Crow's nest, shattering the elegantly-carved wood. White puffs of smoke coming from a platform high up in the center mast of one of the enemy ships--a fighting top, like the ones on his own Ship. Except that this one held men using long, awkward-looking firepowder weapons instead of compound bows. Uiah'nephti had to tap into his Ka pool again to conjure a shield, then yet again to start casting Fire Arrow spells at the enemy marines.
--The Chanting Circle--
Meryth felt herself go dizzy as the battlemage drew on the Ka pool she and the others were struggling to create. Another multiple roar of thunder accompanied by heavy crashing sounds and screams. Then, a sound even more dire: loud cracks and groans, and the feel of the floor beneath her tilting. Meryth's eyes snapped open. The eyes of the others around her were, if anything, even more worried. They knew exactly what it meant.
--- To Be Continued...
Meryth:
Meryth clung to the underside of a chunk of planking, holding her breath as long as she could, poking her head around and above the water's surface to steal a breath when she dared. The water muffled the sound of screams, the crack of musket fire from the battered but triumphant remains of the Sarivandi task force, curses from its sailors and lewd "offers" to any woman they spotted in the water. They had paid dearly for theSan en Uath-enti; now they wanted revenge. They had many of their own men to fish out of the water. While they did so, crewmen on deck fired at any struggling Tentyrans they chose, without mercy.
Time seemed to stretch into infinity while Meryth fought to hold her breath instead of vomiting or bursting into sobs. Flashbacks of the terrors of the Ship's breakup, the death and ruin, a little boy screaming with a shard of shattered wood protruding from his gut... Meryth had no idea how long it was before the enemy ships finally sailed away, only that she was completely exhausted. It took everything she had just to cling to her piece of flotsam. She couldn't do so much as try to shed her toolkit or her sword belt, lest she lose her trembling grip and sink beneath the waves. Coughing and sputtering when wave caps caught her in the face, she could not raise herself high enough to see anything but ocean in any direction. Even if she'd had the strength to swim, she had no idea in which direction land lay, or how far away it might be.
Something blunt poked her in the side just below her ribs, but she had no energy to even look. It poked her again, harder, almost knocking her off of her piece of flotsam.
*Ekikikiakikek-kreeeeeEEEEEeeeEEeeee!*
Slowly, trembling with the effort, Meryth turned to the sound. A sleek grey face with one eye on each side of a smooth head, wearing a permanent grin on its conical snout. Now that the dolphin had her attention, it moved alongside her, nudging her with the side of its body. *Kiiiii-click-ekekekeek-hisssss* Overflowing with heartache, Meryth reached for the only thing of beauty left in the world. At her touch, the dolphin lowered itself under her with its dorsal fin in front of her face. Taking the hint, Meryth wrapped her fingers around the front of the dorsal fin, and her legs around the dolphin's body. Once she was securely situated, the dolphin's powerful fluke pumped up and down, accelerating it smoothly through the water.
...
"Thank...you..." Meryth croaked, stroking the dolphin weakly with trembling fingers. She was in shallow water now, on a beach in Arcavis. The dolphin trilled and squee'd, opening its mouth in a toothy smile. Then, with a kind of nod, it gave her a final shove toward land, then turned back toward the deep and swam away. On hands and knees, Meryth crawled up out of the water before finally collapsing onto the sand.
--Present day--
Meryth had been awakened by a fisherman and given desperately needed water and food. She'd begged him to take her to Gullsforde, hoping against hope that she could reach the Arcavans in time to warn them. As soon as the fisherman's horse cart came over a rise and she glimpsed the city, she saw that battle had already been joined. A force of Saravandi troops had taken the docks and rushed the west gate of the stronghold. Arcavan knights and infantry fought to hold them back, while another force sallied forth from the south gate, sneaking around the wall to outflank the Saravandi. For the first time since the sinking of the San en Uath-enti, Meryth felt hope.
That's when she and her rescuer heard the hoofbeats. Behind them, a massive force of Saravandi and Malacianese cavalry poured over the hill like a flood. Spread out on a wide front, they would be able to pin the Arcavans between them and their initial assault force, using the walls of Gullsforde themselves as an anvil to hammer them against. "Hurry for the south gate! Drop me off near the Arcavan force!" Meryth said. "I'll help them, try to keep the Imperialists off you until you can get to safety in the city." The fisherman whipped his reins on the backs of his horses again and again, launching the unwieldy fish cart careening and bouncing toward the Arcavan troops, with the enemy forces in hot pursuit.
Reaching them, Meryth jumped off before the cart could come to a full stop, and staggered to a halt. "Go! Thank you!" she shouted to the fisherman, then ran toward the Arcavan lines on still-wobbly legs. "I'm here to help you," she yelled out to them, so they would not take her for an over-eager Imperialist. "They have a whole armada, hundreds of ships!" she said, hoping to give whoever was in charge of the Arcavans some idea as to the size of the enemy force. Without waiting for a reply, she spun around to face the Saravandi, and drew her falcata.
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Arcavis
Sept 11, 2012 20:27:33 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 11, 2012 20:27:33 GMT -5
Karryhs
Karryhs steeled himself for the remainder of the battle; they were outnumbered now, but he still had faith in their victory, though it would be a costly one. It was then that the bad news arrived, and as the saying goes, bad things come in threes.
"My Lord!" a young man in the blue-and-gold of Elliot called out. Captain Ivan Roranson, who he'd met on occassion. "The eastern gates have been compromised! Your son fights alongside the able in an attempt to keep the enemy at bay, but I'm afraid their inexperience will be their downfall."
Before he even had a chance to respond, two more messages reached his ears, the first ringing out in foreign tongue over the din of battle. "I'm here to help you," the voice shouted and he turned to see a young Djema'ti girl preparing to enter combat. "They have a whole armada, hundreds of ships!"
Then from the north, a Gauntish messenger arrived with heavy heaves of breath. "My lord bid me tell you Imperial forces have arrived in the north. He asks for assistance as the gate is poorly defended in comparison with their numbers."
First the west and south. Then the east and north. Every exit was blocked off by the enemy, but the focus was on the northeast-southwest bias. A plan began to develop in his head, but they would have to work quickly or the city would be totally surrounded. To Roranson, he said, "Lead half these men back to the east gate and have Akkadyan meet me at the south-east wall. Try to block off the enemy and protect the citizens as best you can, but it's important we do this as swiftly as possible."
Then he turned to Gaunt's messenger. "Ask Lord Gaunt to head that way as well. He'll bring up the rear behind the citizens and defend from behind. Take one of our horses for speed," he said with a nod to an idle equine. "We'll force a way out and head straight for the forests. Right now the only victory left for us is to save the people."
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Arcavis
Sept 11, 2012 20:27:50 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 11, 2012 20:27:50 GMT -5
Elecard
The traveler knelt in a clearing in the forest not far from Gullsforde. He was busy skinning a rabbit when his hawk companion let out an ear piercing scream.
"Fenzhong? What is it?"
Another cry.
"War! Oh goody!" The old man ran out of the clearing and to the edge of the forested region. Fenzhong was perched on a branch overlooking a battlefield. The armies of Arcavis and Malocian were ravaging the port city of Gullsforde. As he watched, he felt a dark pit well up inside of him.
"Elecard! Kill them! As many as you can!"
"Yanhuo, I don't want to... It's so much more fun to watch death than to cause it."
"YANHUO-GWAI-LO!! Not 'Yanhuo'. Do not ever disrespect me like that!"
"But that's so long!"
"Never mind that! Go kill the Malocian warriors. It could be of benefit to both of us." The dark spirit tried all of his tricks to get the old man to fight in the battle that raged on in front of them.
"Oi! Fine!"
Elecard sat down and touched the Red glyph on his metal arm. Suddenly a Purple wisp flew from Elecards mouth and nose and a blood red smoke filled its place.
"Hehehe.... HAHAHA!!" Fire burst in circle around Elecard in large pillar. "You will perish!!" He yelled pointing to the battlefield. He charged at the battle field hurling fireballs as he went. He rushed into battle striking down soldiers in his way.
Yes Elecard..... Feed me!
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Arcavis
Sept 11, 2012 20:28:07 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 11, 2012 20:28:07 GMT -5
Maerwynn - Noreve
Rata-tata-tattle. There was a rattling of metal against wood as Cianha skuttled out from behind the door. Goblets jiggled and clanked into each other as Cianha tried to maintain controll over her unsteady feet. She took a deep breath and slowed herself with a self-reflective look upon her face, then approched Maerwynn with steady feet. The tray was set before Maerwynn and Cianha curtsied and retreated not three, but four steps backward. Maerwynn was glad that Cianha's downcast eyes could not see her eyebrow raised in amusment.
Even in the most depressing of circumstances Cianha's vivacity and quirk gave Maerwynn as much refreshment as the tray of food and drink set before her. Of course having and older, experianced handmaid would be more dignfied and save Maerwynn hours of tutoring; but Cianha's loyalty, good will, and eagerness was worth more than it's weight in gold. Cianha and all the girl intailed lit a special spark of adoration in Maerwynn's heart.
"Thank you, Cianha. At ease." Maerwynn gestured for Cianha to relax then placed a napkin over her own lap to protect the fabric of her dress. The cool water and sweet fruit helped to quench her parched throte and soften her leden toung. It felt good to simply sit there in peacefull silence and enjoy the refreshment. The fruit and water she finished, but left the juice and goose untouched. Presently, the throbbing of her spine told her it was time to move. She pushed back the tray just enough to allow her to rise without jousling it. "Come, I wish to change before supper--however you may take some refreshment, if you wish it."
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Arcavis
Sept 11, 2012 20:28:25 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 11, 2012 20:28:25 GMT -5
Cianha:
"Thank you, Cianha. At ease."
Cianha wasn't exactly sure how to go about being 'at ease' in her Lady's presence. She tried to relax a little, but was still standing more or less at atten--
In a simple, almost unconscious gesture, Lady Maerwynn unfolded the napkin and placed it on her lap. Cianha paled. I forgot! Why didn't I put the NAPKIN on her lap?! Stupid, stupid, STUPID! Yet...those harsh words were only in her own head, not coming from Princess Fairfax. In silence, the lady ate her fruit and drank from the water goblet, seeming to enjoy them. Slowly, Cianha relaxed, daring to think that her Lady was not angry with her. The Princess finished the fruit and water, but did not touch the apple juice or the succulent sliced goose. She shoved the tray slightly forward and rose gracefully to her feet. Does she not like goose? Should I ask the kitchens not to provide it next time?
"Come, I wish to change before supper--however you may take some refreshment, if you wish it."
Cianha started into her curtsy, opening her mouth to say 'Yes, milady,' when she realized her Lady's instructions were ambiguous. As long as Cianha could remember, there were certain rules about food. If you had access to it, you ate it, fast, because Lord Caedric or one of his minions could order you away from it at any moment. In the rare event that you weren't hungry, you hoarded it if you could, because there would always be hungry days. If it was something you couldn't hoard and you weren't hungry--well, there was always someone else who was, so you shared. One thing that was never, ever, ever done with anything edible (especially anything remotely as marvelous as that sliced goose), was to let it go to waste. Of course her Lady could do so if she wished. She was a Lady. The Rules did not apply to her.
"Y-yes, Milady," Cianha said, fumbling her curtsy, still not sure what she was, or should be, saying 'yes' to. If I don't eat it I'll be wasting it and rejecting her generosity. What if she's insulted? But if I do, I'll be selfish and keeping her waiting. She didn't eat any of the goose on purpose--it's like a test or something. She could be mad at me either way!
So far, her Lady had always been very kind, very very kind. However, Cianha could not forget for a single moment that anything and everything good in her life existed solely at the whims of one person.
"You are very generous, Milady," she said, head bowed. "I would never wish to give insult to your kindness. But I would not dream of delaying your preparations for supper." Her stomach chose that moment to growl, the betrayer. "Would it be alright if the doorman partook? I am sure he would be very grateful."
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Arcavis
Sept 12, 2012 11:39:56 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 12, 2012 11:39:56 GMT -5
Kade
The battle for the eastern gate wasn't going well. Though they'd been joined by a skilled young Arcyan man, the tide of war was ever against them. As the men of Gullsforde fell in battle, the women began to take their place while a sense of chaotic fear built up in the crowd behind them. Even worse, the harder Kade fought, the weaker he felt-- the quicker his bloodstream, the quicker the poison.
He was losing his fight with one of the Heildat leading the imperial charge when the enemy seemed to notice his fatigue: a second Heildat joined the first, followed shortly by a lesser officer. He tried to back up so to keep the three of them in sight at all times, finding he missed the horse he'd rode in on. The Heildat were speaking to one another, something sneaky in Helvotic that he couldn't understand, and before he knew what had happened, one of them had slinked out of sight.
The other two ran at him, sabers thirsty for blood. His arms were rebelling against him, refusing to move until it was just a few seconds too late. Instead of blocking their attack, he ducked under and slashed one of them open. The remaining one, the larger of the two, was behind him now; before Kade could turn to face him, he felt a blade run the length of his already injured back-- too far away to do internal damage, but close enough to leave an ugly scar.
He collapsed on the ground and rolled himself over, wincing at the sting the grass added to his new wound. The one that had sneaked off was back now, both of the Heildat hovering over him. They spoke to each other again and one of them pulled his pistol....
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Arcavis
Sept 13, 2012 10:48:12 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 13, 2012 10:48:12 GMT -5
Karryhs
As Roranson and the Gauntish messenger left, he turned to the soldiers still fighting off the imperial invasion, struck by how many had fallen in battle in just the last minute alone. He began to call out orders, forming them into a group ready to run with strong numbers in the rear before heading toward the heart of the city-- his hope was that the Malacionic forces would become distracted by pillaging in the abandoned Gullsforde markets. Certainly some would still pursue them but perhaps their number would dwindle; it was the city itself they wanted, after all. Once they'd made it into the markets, he led them around a corner and back out to the southeast wall, praying his son had brought Escarian explosives along with him.
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Arcavis
Sept 13, 2012 23:31:32 GMT -5
Post by atlantis on Sept 13, 2012 23:31:32 GMT -5
Ionas Auger
There had been much to marvel at that day. First, the powerful armies with which Sturdivant had initiated the attack. Then came the golden fleet from Sarivand, first just a twinkling on distant waves before unleashing a rain of hellfire on Arcavian warships and merchant ships alike. And now, now he realized hellfire had been an exaggerated term as a new combatant entered the battle wielding fireballs in every direction. Thus far, he appeared to be on the Arcavian side, attacking Malacionic soldiers all the way through. Ionas was glad for the help; the north wall was practically nonexistent now, as Malacion blasted it away, and the small group of men left guarding that portion of the city was dwindling drastically.
The blasts, however, had separated him from his Lord Gaunt and he was desperate to find his way back to Audan's side. His sword had served him well so far, having killed some few dozen soldiers or more and allowed him passage through the sea of Imperialists, but he still didn't see his lord. Then, ahead, in the center of the mess, Audan Gaunt rose on horseback, locked in battle with Markis Isevka, the Lord General of Malacion amidst the fireballs and the sparks of clashing blades.
Ionas gritted his teeth and knocked down the man in front of him, charging for the place where his lord did battle. Before he made it to Gaunt and Isevka, though, he was stopped by another Malacionite. He crossed blades with his adversary, willing strength into his arms, that he might pass by and give aid to Audan. The enemy pushed back and swung for Ionas's legs, but the Arcavian leapt back just in time. Refusing to allow Audan to fight alone for even one more minute, he thrust his sword through the Imperialist and tossed the corpse on the ground.
But this final show of loyalty simply wasn't enough. He had been delayed too long. As he took his first step toward his lord, Isevka cut Audan open for everyone to see. Before anything could be done about it, the Lord General reared his horse and galloped to the front of the battle and into the city, many of his soldiers following suit.
Ionas, on the other hand, still maintained his only objective: to be at his lord's side. He found Audan lying on the ground, bleeding out, and he fell to his knees beside him, a pit of fear growing inside him. "M'lord, I'm sorry...," he said quietly as he picked up the knight's head to keep it off the dirt.
It was then that Audan's messenger returned from the other side of Gullsforde, having gained a horse, but no further military assistance. Though, with Lord Gaunt dying, Ionas hardly saw the point in fighting anymore. "Lord Bishop insists on escaping by some method through the southeast wall...," spoke the messenger, though his interest was more on Audan's wound than on the information he delivered. "He asks that we defend the citizens from behind."
"With what soldiers?" Ionas demanded flatly, gesturing with one hand the sorry state of their forces. While the majority of the Malacionites had followed Isevka deeper into the city now, some still remained and the paltry number of Arcavians were still either fighting or tending their wounds. The messenger didn't reply, clearly at a loss for words, and Ionas groaned in frustration. "Take m'lord to Aston outside of Alneford and see that he's given the best care available." He couldn't admit that Audan would die; it was too horrible a reality to accept, especially now that Gullsforde had very nearly fallen entirely.
The messenger obeyed his orders, loading Sir Gaunt onto his horse and travelling eastward, away from the city. Ionas got to his feet, deciding on the best course of action. With Gaunt out of commission, he held enough authority to command the remaining soldiers, but they could hardly afford to follow Lord Bishop's commands. Then he remembered the balls of hellfire that had attacked their enemy. Naturally, their hope would rest on someone Ionas had no command over whatsoever. But he had helped before....
"Listen!" he shouted across the bloody field where the north wall had once been. The stranger was an older man, perhaps Tunarese or Tengan by birth, tall and with a metal arm. "We must find a way to get the innocents out of here. Lord Bishop says he knows a way but we haven't the strength left to complete it. I expect these men that survived are only alive because of your help. Would you consider coming into the city with us?"
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Arcavis
Sept 14, 2012 1:08:53 GMT -5
Post by Sovereign on Sept 14, 2012 1:08:53 GMT -5
Rylec
The battle raged on and the longer it went the deeper he had to harmonize much more than he was used to. He was reaching 100% when he saw a man pull out a some form of weapon and aim it at a man.
That's when he hit full harmonization and the wind started to stir moving out of his way as he ran with a burst of speed no normal person could do on their own.
When he appeared stopped moving his sword was in the warrior who the strange weapon's mouth. His hand had struck the other one breaking his neck, and he had kicked the other one, crushing his lungs.
"Ser, are you okay?" He extends his hand before falling to his knee.
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Arcavis
Sept 14, 2012 23:29:38 GMT -5
Post by Bhunivelze on Sept 14, 2012 23:29:38 GMT -5
Elecard:
Elecard blasted fire at the Malacionic army.
"Perish in fire!" He shouted in the field. Striking down as many of the attacking soldiers as he could. After more fighting and scorched armor, His last visible threat perished and Yanhuo-Gwai-Lo allowed Jing Ying-Zi to take over Elecards mind.
Dizzy, the old man stood up and was looking for Fenzhong. " Were is that Bird? I will roast him if he doesn't come here!" With that his Hawk Companion swooped down and perched on Elecards Shoulder. Affectionately asking if he was alright.
The odd chirping conversation was abruptly stopped when voice was heard from across the field of corpses.
"Listen! We must find a way to get the innocents out of here. Lord Bishop says he knows a way but we haven't the strength left to complete it. I expect these men that survived are only alive because of your help. Would you consider coming into the city with us?"
Elecard looked at the man with a blank stare. Slowly walked over and stared at the man. Getting closer and closer to the mans face, Elcard stopped and without warning, Burst into laughter. He continued on this manner for just a moment until his face turned dead serious.
"Of course I'll help, My good Sir. But I demand maternity leave. And that today be known as 'Cabbage appreciation day'." The old traveler began on towards the man who summoned him. "Of course, I'll need compensation. I want it in Sweet Rolls! Glorious, Yummy Sweet Rolls!"
Just when the man appeared he was going to reply Elecard put his own Index finger over the mans lips. "We don't have time for talking! We have people to Save!" He charged towards the city with Fenzhong giving him the details of what was going on in the crumbling town. Once He got to the edge of the city he waited on his accomplice to catch up and give further instruction.
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