(1865-10-28) Northern Exposure pt 1
Northern Exposure pt 1
Summary: Jean-Paul sends out mounted "scouts" in a bid to flush out the enemy's eyes as he moves his forces into position.
Date: 10/28/1865
Related: Related Logs (If there aren't any, use None. Don't this entry leave blank. If there is a log, use full URLs, like http://eternalcrusade.wikidot.com/logtitle)
NPCs: {$npc}
Players:
Atreis  Elrick  Killian  Marcus  Myrana  Nadine  Nathaniel  Stellan  Tavi  

Aequor - Northern Wastes

The Northern Wastes, a vast expanse of wilderness quite unlike what is known to the south in Aequor. A land where forests of stunted trees and harsh stubborn grasses give way to wide empty Tundra coloured brightly with lichen, dotted with rocks and small bushes too hardy to die even in the killing colds of the north.

By summer the ground here is marshy the frost within it turning it to mud. Biting flies and sucking mosquitos are everywhere, and the air is thick and humid with the melting frost. In winter everything is white and when the sun appears it can be blinding. The cold is constant and deadly and exposed skin can freeze solid like the earth beneath their feet.

A few streams and rivers run through the land, cutting meandering courses, their water brackish by summer, and frozen by winter. It is a hard land for hard people and is unforgiving of the unprepared.

10/28/1865

Jean-Paul, Crown Prince of Aequor had organized and set up an Army. For some the organization part might be new to them. As they arrive at the muster point, they find themselves given assignment, and for others they find themselves asked to
volunteer for a scouting mission. As such, the camp, despite its organization is a chaotic mess, as most army camps are when they first get set up. The village of Mastings, has more or less been appropriated by the Crown as the Command Center, it being the furthest North, just a touch beyond that of Benide, and west, close to the Northern Ocean. Easy to supply, easy to defend. A good command center for a Northern Campaign.

The Volunteers, all with capable mounts, are tasked with riding out while the Camp is set up, and searching for possibly Scouts in the area. It is believed that Kyrena has hunting parties looking for Aequoran Scouts, and as such, Jean-Paul has ordered that the group be mounted, to make escape and return back. No more Northern Lives shall be wasted by his command.

So it is, that the One such party, under the Command of The Princess Atreis al'Ramar, has been tasked to find enemy scouts, while also trying to locate the enemy's position. It is hoped that either a position can be found, or the enemy's eyes can be closed in the field.

With multiple mounted scouts working the area, it is certainly a possibility.

After several hours, the group finds themselves far north of Mastings. A light snow drifts down, those of the Northern Province will know, this is common, and it might be snowing for days. Some light. Some a flurry. Either way. It is cold. The breath of horses and men can be seen amongst the party, as each breath creates a white puff. The horses hooves crunch in the snow casually, some bits of dirt, and the green of trees still visible in spots.

It's really the scouting missions which have driven Sir Atreïs mad. They disappear off of the face of the planet, as far as anyone can tell, and the Barbarians are left to move in shadows, without the eyebeams of the righteous to fix them in place. So when the opportunity arose to lead a mission, Trey naturally took to the post, wanting nothing more that to have the shroud of mystery removed from these scouts' disappearances. In command of the small group, she keeps riding order adapting to the landscape, as is easy to do on horseback, keeping an eye out for places where an ambush might most readily be posted.

Myrana D'Armaz has neither offered or given explanation as to why she volunteered for the scouting party. She simply arrived atop a grey roan charger, cloaked in green with her thick dark braids hanging down her breast out of the fur-lined warmth of her hood, a huge black Elementi warhound at her horse's heels while she rides. And she hasn't spoken much since they rode out. There's a cutlass hanging at the skirts tumbling over her horse's flank, and under her riding cloak she's a brace of hand cannons within easy draw of her gloved hands.

If Stellan could be good at one thing, it was likely riding a horse. The squire felt a little out of place at camp, amongst so many veteran militia, but as long as he was around he was compelled to be as helpful as he can manage. His horse, Reginald, was also quite familiar with the terrain. This seemed to be the most logical choice of mission to embark on.

He rides somewhere in the middle of the group, clad in his well-fitted brigadine armor and his lance in hand. This wasn't tunic weather, obviously, but he seems comfortable in spite of the cold. His blue eyes scan his surroundings as they move, ever alert - far more alert than they were on the previous foray he went on.

Riding with the scouting contingent of the Army of the North, is Lord (Captain) Killian D'Lacroix. His own volunteering to go on this little ride, has to do with seeing where he will be leading men of the Black Fox- and get an idea of what exactly they are up against.

His dark grey livery likely only helps if in wood, otherwise he is likely a grey and mottled black blot amongst the rest of the scout cavalry. Snow drifts, and Killian glancesup with his one good eye, before he is looking back down as he continues to keep in step with the others. "Snowing."

A wry smile after his own soft obvious noting: "It was snowing the last time I was here, as well." Well here being the general Northern direction.

The militaristic structure and organization is not new to Elrick who had served in al'Callenta's Northern Army for two years, easily slipping back into the rigidness of army life. The d'Tremaine heir is also eager to face off with the barbarians who had dared venture so far south with their small raiding parties, and to also see if he can increase his House's standing with the royal family. So it is not a surprise that he been one of those that had volunteered for this mission.

Wings fluttering behind her, Sir Nadine d'Cadri, eldest child of Viscount d'Cadri, lifts an arm to allow her gryfalcon, Talon, to light there for a moment, chittering slightly, before he takes to the skies, wheeling off. Her brow furrows. The cold does not seem to bother her much, rather the response of her gryfalcon.

She shifts on her mount, glancing back over their scouting party. Snowshield is in her plate today… stealth isn't really her forte. Her lightsilver sword hangs at her side easy to draw.

/This/ was scouting? Marcus thinks not for the first time since he was assigned to the Princess' command. Men on horses in - he glance behind him - One help him, steel, and was that wings on that woman's back? Yes, he wore mail but it was muffled and buried under some furs he'd bought in Mastings, after being told they were close to what the barbarians wore. After he returned he would try to seek out the crown prince and convince him to leave these sorts of duties to the professionals, which of course meant his wraiths. Still, complaints aside there as a job to do, and Marcus was ready to do it. Besides his
furs and mail he wore a sword on his back covered over by the furs and gripped a bow in hand with a quiver of arrows hanging from his hip the tips of which he left in his privy pot overnight. It wasn't a sure poison but he'd seen nightsoil turn a wound rancid, so for now it would have to do.

Nathaniel is representing in a way the church, since the order had some invested interest in Benide after all, it was fitting to send one of their best along to the warfronts, despite the fact that he wasn't necessarily a warrior. Bundled up as one now, he rides sedately with a neutral expression on his face, interested in the various sorts that have arrived for this mission and the Prince's army as much as he is to deal with the barbarians yet again. He's riding a white mount, that is sturdy enough in the winter climates, let alone a known mountain horse. That he's been chosen or perhaps elected to go along, matters not. He is there, observing as much as he will be participating.

Tavi rides in silence. He has replaced his normal blue half cloak for a blue full cloak and he has on thicker tunic and fur lined gloved. All of surprisingly good make. To be a successful Pirate one MUST look dashing after all, and even if he can't do the second part of that equation, that of owning a ship with a crew to perform the acts of aggressive salvage, he can at least still look good. His horse rides smoothly, and he watches around him warily.

The North is cold normally, but here in what can officially be called the wastes? It is very cold. The snow drifts lazily and the sun. The sound of some twigs breaking is accompanied by falling snow. Clearly the snow breaking the smaller branches with their weight. Nothing else.

Killian sees something black move, but then a black fox moves in front of him. Had to have just been another fox.

Stellan spots a brown - not a wolf. The thing is too big, still canine, just BIG. Crouching and slinking carefully through the brush. With no time to should warning, but time to defend himself, the animal moves.

So do men, so do three other HUGE Canines. Elementi leap with humans snarling and barking.

Atreis' formation stopped them from being just pile driven, but doesn't stop the enemy from attacking. Steel axes' glint, white, sharp fangs and vicious claws gleam. The men are on horse, and they break form blinds, streaking in, the Elementi beside them. Several, six to be exact, other men ride AWAY from the ambush. Crouching low and urging speed from their animals.

Thankfully, the squire is alert enough to spot the danger. He abruptly stops his horse and attempts to shout - but the thing is already upon him and he's forced to strike in self-defense. He veers sharply, avoiding the animal as it ferociously lashes at him, and swipes at the creature as it goes by. It wasn't a deep wound, but hopefully it would hinder the onslaught somewhat. "Danger, everyone!" He finally manages as he regains his bearings, circling the thing that just attacked him. Just in case they didn't notice YET.

Atreïs sees the potential for attack better than she sees the attack itself, and by the time the squire is shouting the alarm there's already a hound at her leg, jumping at her as she urges her horse ahead, drawing her blade and veering easily into the attack, moving her mount's hindquarters away from the animal.

And this is was why he should have kept his mind on the task! One moment Marcus had been mentally grousing about how obvious the patrol was, the next there were barbarians and hounds all around them. Marcus is struck hard by an axe which beyond whatever other damage it does, knocks the wind from his lungs. He rolls from the saddle which avoids a second axe swing aimed at him. He gets to his feet, bow thrown to the side and draws his sword, knowing he stands a better chance on foot than in the saddle.

The snapping snarls of Elementi draw her attention, and Nadine wheels her horse around, snapping the visor of her helm down and drawing her sword. She bears down on the nearest heathen barbarian, calling out a wordless battlecry.

The Reaper with his tabard of white and the red cross upon it, was an easy mark. He should really advise them against wearing a bullseye, but it was the church tabard, how could an inquisitor, a bishop at that, make moves to change the insignia of all who served for the Church. So it was not a surprise that a man came at him almost directly and struck his chest with a battle axe. The scale bounced much of the blow aside, but he felt it and grunted in the saddle. His eyes follow the man's attempt to drag him off horse, the Reaper's tone speaking to the heathen in their own language, while raising his own blade, "« You get one chance and you have already spent it. »"

Elrick was even less aware than his cousin who manages to get off an attack of his own, but his horsemanship is superb. Enough that he is able to turn his steed away from the first large Elementi and then a second that comes at him. The lance that was in his hand is useless in this close quarter fighting, especially when he has no space to ride down his opponents. So what he does is drop the long weapon, drawing his longsword instead.

Seeing six other riders fleeing, Elrick was tempted to give chase but this is the Army now so he glances briefly to Atreis, "Orders, Stonewall?" The Byname used, not Highness, not while in battle. While he awaits for a command from her Highness, the d'Tremaine heir strikes down at the beast that is trying to dismount him.

This is what happens when you start talking about the fucking snow. His horse moves along, and almost-something seems to catch the former mercenary's attention-however it is quickly forgotten, as he is turning to look towards one of the d' Tremaine fellows-their colors and bearing easy to pick out amongst plate and mail. "I say-" and then out of no where it is hell-maddening and quick. "Th' One's balls!" croaked out as he is whirling to keep from being surrounded,-though in the confusion his shield does not come up in time-rather-that nice axe that furry fellow is carrying catches him in his gorget. His call is hacked horse, before he's countering as best as he can. The blow-enough force to send him down from his horse. Lovely.

Killian is quick to get to his feet once knocked down and bringing his blade around, as his shield comes up. With the furry bastard atop of him, he's quick to swing and hopefully hack the man back.

Myrana grips the reins in her hand, wheeling the horse under her around just in time to see the group of elementi and men bearing down on them out of the snow. Just like that battle breaks out.

The enemy descended from their trap and swung steel weapons and flung warrior Elementis at the scouting party. Blood sprays form the strike against Marcus the Icenailan growling to the Wraith, "DOG, DIE LORD OF SOUTHERN!" in really broken common.

Tavi hisses as an Elementi LEAPS at him and slashes with razor sharp claws. Instantly his cutlass is out and he calls out, "AMBUSH!" You know. In case you couldn't tell. He spurs forward to stand his horse near Atreis, "Princess! Stay near me! I'll be damned if I'm going to be the first crow begotten one of these idiotic Cavaliers to loose an al'Ramar!" He lashes at the Elementi as it comes back at him.

The Icenailan on Killian laughs as he is knocked down and he spurs forward, lashing with that now blood covered axe. "The One HAS no Balls Southerner!" He calls out in Common as he swings the axe again.

The others move in, swinging weapons and such, trying to kill the Aequoran Mounted group.

Then one man walks calmly into the mix holding a MASSIVE greatsword. He smirks and spreads his arms WIDE holding that weapon in ONE hand. "«MANY! FOR THE QUEEN IN THE NORTH! FOR MY PEOPLE! GRANT ME YOUR POWER!»" He slams a fist into the frozen earth and there is a loud CRACK as the ground splinters. He begins to walk forward, opening his eyes as he does. Eyes that are now shining with an eerie Red Light.

Stellan looks over his shoulder as chaos unfolds, noting Marcus is already not doing too well, but the hound jumping on him and attempting to chew through his armor inevitably steals his attention again. He grounds out a growl and promptly skewers the animal off him with his lance, but the wounded animal remains among the living. Then… something even more dire catches his eye, coming towards him. "Damn it!" He likely wasn't going to remain unharmed for much longer.

The al'Sylenthar whelp falls, and the appearance of the Chieftain does adjust her aim, causing her to miss the first target. It does not matter.

"<Long have my family stood a Shield for God and the North,>" she points her lightsilver blade at the Chieftain. "<I will shield them now from you.>"

And she kicks her horse's sides, charging down on the chieftain with a sense of calm duty.

"I'll keep it in mind, Brother." Killian retorts, before the man's blow catches at his arm, though-thankfully his greaves hold out to the blow. Jarring all the same-the mercenary moves forward again, trying to keep the Northman off center- and hopefully from someone riding in the middle of them.

Atreïs rides straight past the hound at her heels, and even as it lunges at her flank she rides to succor Marcus where he's being pressed hard by two Icenaila, running down one of them with a blow to barely leave his head hanging onto his neck by a flap of skin, head flopping down to his back as she wheels about to engage the other.

Elrick's thrust with his longsword is on the mark as it stabs into the Elementi hound, drawing blood. But it seems like the beast is now more angry than dead so the d'Tremaine brings his blade up and then slashes down, attempting to lop off the creature's head. He is weathering the attack from the barbarian as well, the axe glancing off of his plate armor. When that one, large barbarian with the even larger blade approaches, Elrick's eyes widen for a moment under his visored helm, then he sees Atreis charging forward, "Stonewall, careful! That's a berserker!" Remembering them all too well from the White Hall raid on Four Corners.

In a flash of skirts Myrana kicks her leg up over the hook of her saddle and drops down to the snow with a crunch. In an instant she's reached Marcus where he fell, attended by her father's big black elementi hound. A gloved hand go to his rent chest, pressing a clump of his cloak into it as she draws out clotmoss to stuff there.

The two barbarians come for him again. He dodges one, and the second strikes his hand. He cries out in pain as his blade tumbles from his grip and he falls to the ground. His eyes blink open long enough to see the princess all but behead a barbarian and then opens his eyes again to see Myrana above him tending to his wounds. "Myrana?" he asks the woman. "And I thought people said you were trouble."

There is a literal earth-shattering battle cry. The man with the great sword runs forward, his blade dragging in the ground as he does so one hand thrust forward. Right toward Stellan. The Icenailan runs directly past Nathanial and Nadine and their challenge, leaping as he goes by with another loud roar. As he comes down, he brings that massive great sword around toward the squire.

Atreis rides off and Tavi rolls his eyes as he slashes at the animal that tried to pounce him. "I swear to God. Princesses NEVER listen to their body guard. Every time: "Princess! Go to safety!" And what do they do? They run right toward it." He slashes again. "Princesses."

The Northern Warriors press their attack, supported as they are by the Elementis. They remain seated on their mounts, apparently bolstered by the arrival of their Chieftain.

Stellan attempts to focus on the hound, which may ultimately be his undoing, for he is unable to evade the charging chieftain coming straight at him. The slash of his enemy strikes true, at the neck of all places, and predictably his attack on the dog goes wayward as a result. Blood in the throat has a tendency to distract him. He veers away from both beast and barbarian to recover his bearings somewhat, but the relief is short-lived.

The axe comes back down, and this time the Captain is able to shrug off the hit, using his shield to direct the axehead down and bang harmlessly off his chest plate. A grunt-sends Killian forward again to the mounted warrior, in order to back him off-which seems to work-though killing the fool would have been welcomed as well. His lone eye-keeps trying
to see where his horse is, less he chance remounting.

"Shut up Marcus," says Myrana. One of her braids falls down and smacks Marcus in the face where he lies, since gravity has a sense of humor. "They don't know what they're talking ab-AGH!" Distracted by tending to Marcus, one of the barbarians comes up behind her and hacks into her back with his axe, causing the armored corset she wears under her riding cloak to spit a metal splinter.

Nadine growls, wheeling her horse around after her blade glances off the chieftain… and he brings his sword down onto a squire. "<Face me, coward! Or do you quake in fear from those would bring divine justice to you, heathen?>" She lets out a sharp whistle, and overhead, her gryfalcon turns in the sky, flying back towards camp.

And then she rides down the chieftain again, silvery blade slashing out to claim more of his blood.

The downward stroke by Elrick had a devastating effect as it cleaves into the Elementi's neck, a deep wound. Some could say mortal but this particular Elementi appears to be very stubborn. With a curse, the d'Tremaine shifts his attention away to the barbarian that is also attacking him, knowing that he can't fend off the axe with his shield for much longer. Hoping that the Elementi hound would bleed out, Elrick now strikes at the Icenailan with his blade, turning his steed so he has a better angle to attack. Beset by two aggressors, he has not noticed that his cousin had taken a serious wound from the Chieftain.

The Icenailan does a number on the Reaper, sending him off his saddle with another jab with that axe to his gut. Nathaniel tumbles off the saddle and thankfully playing dead for a minute might just distract the man long enough to send the barbarian toward someone else. Nathaniel staggers to his feet, realizing sending an old man into the field of battle was likely the church's plan for him after all. He chuckles quietly to himself and makes for his horse, whose only gone off a couple feet from where he dropped. There he'll grab his damn greatsword and also some supplies to clot up his wounds until he can better
tend to them. He finds cover enough to do this…hopefully the blood trail in the snow won't be noticed until he's secured the wounds where the axe chopped through his armor.

Atreïs is nearly knocked from her horse as a dog's head slams straight into her breastplate. Nothing penetrates the armor, but it's still quite a surprising blow, knocking her off-kilter to pursue the Icenailan attacking the night-haired maiden. She wheels her mount in a wide-spiraling circle, trying to keep her shield between herself and the hound to better attack the barbarian.

Marcus manages a tight smile at the rebuke "Just- look out!" it was too late the barbarian had struck. Marcus pushes Myrana out of the way with his bad hand and grabs his sword swinging wildly at the fur clad warrior trying to keep him back at least even if he can't kill him.

The Chieftain roars again. Blood curdling, possibly making people wonder why THEIR God doesn't grant this kind of thing. The thing changes direction, suddenly charging for the dismounted Killian, he screams at the top of his lungs as he goes, "«KILL - YOOOOOU!!!! KILL YOU! KILLYOU!!! KILLYOU!!»"

Tavi slashes with his blade and then rides toward Atreis, "For the love of the ONE woman, would you bloody flaming hold still and let me do my crow begotten job! The one's hairy ass you make this impossible!!" He slashes again, "Down boy! Find a rabbit you son of a vitch!"

The enemy continues to press, the snow quickly turning a lightest shade of red from the spilled blood, while patches of it steam and cool in the snowy ground. The sounds of horses, the sound of Elementi snarling, the sounds of screaming. The battle is chaos.

A spurt of blood leaves Killian's lips as he is caught again in the neck, already the blood is pooling down under his mail and coat of plates-the warmth noted. Staggering from the blow, the shield is brought back up after he manages to catch the other's arm, though his steel-is ringing well. He totally needs to get out of here-or they need to peel back their attackers.

The d'Tremaine squire now gets his hand almost ruined. Mind you, this was a much better choice than his head, which the hound seems adamant about chewing on. He miraculously remains on his horse, pushing off the mutt yet again, and doing his best to do harm to the Chieftain evidently very bent on killing him. He fails quite spectacularly, however - it is obvious one needs both hands in good condition to adequately use a lance! He drops the weapon and goes for his sword, hoping to have better luck with it before he's unhorsed or worse.

Nadine's sword bounces off, though she does not stop in her slashes. "Get the wounded back!" she calls. "We will hold the line!" Her eyes glitter through the slit on her helm, focusing on the chieftain. If he falls, perhaps too will their morale. "<Face me, you motherless vitch.>"

Myrana hits the snow with her shoulder as Marcus pushes her out of the way. From there, once the stars are out of her eyes, she draws her cutlass and scrabbles back, just barely having her leg hewn off by the Icenailan's second attack even as Atreis rides up. Between the Princess and Marcus, the barbarian is soon in pieces and Myrana's heart is pounding madly in her chest. She picks herself up, shedding clumps of snow from her garments and shoots a thankful look up at the princess before grabbing at Marcus' arm. "Get back up!" She says, pointing at his horse. And then she's sprinting toward Killian, grabbing Sage's
reins on the way there.

Atreïs doesn't have much trouble with the second Icenailan on Marcus, who is too busy avoiding blows from both patient and healer to look out for a firm thrust between the ribs and hip, something to lance those needful organs, not deeply, perhaps, but deeply enough. Once the pair of them seem unhurried enough, she'll tip her blade up in gratitude to Tavi, who's getting that dog off of her flank, somewhat.

Marcus curses as his wild stab finds nothing but air. Though a moment later he is splashed with the barbarian's blood all the same when the princess cleaves the fur clad warrior in the stomach. The next moment? He's grabbed by the arm and shoved towards his horse by Myrana. He pulls himself into the saddle and turning his steed follows after the d'Armaz girl, swinging his sword as a barbarian as he passes.

Once more, Elrick and his steed are able to nimbly avoid the snapping jaws of the badly wounded Elementi and the now wounded barbarian who took a cut into the torso after his axe was parried by the Aequorian Knight's blade. Only now does he glance at how the rest of the group to see how they fair and what he sees causes his brows to furrow into a frown. The d'Tremaine heir sees that his cousin has taken two nasty wounds and calls out, Stellan, fall back and regroup! You still have that hound on you!"

The monster turns in place and changes direction, charging Nadine now, bringing that terrible weapons, already slick with the blood of Aequorans, toward the Knight of the North. "«KILLYOU!!»" He screams as he closes the distance.

Tavi slashes as he draws his one unspent hand canon. "Your Highness. Leaving. You should be running now. We're losing, I will NOT be the first Blue Cavalier to lose an al'Ramar." He slaps Atreis's mount with the flat of his blade. "GO! YAY!" Then he slashes at the incoming Elementi. "NO! BAD DOG! I SAID RABBIT! NOT TAVI! RABBIT!!"

The enemy presses forward, slashing and hacking. Each one of them trying to kill an Aequoran, and each one wielding bloody weapons. The Elementi snarl and leap, fangs and claws dripping blood that they have taken form the foes of their masters.

Stellan pauses as his cousin gives him advice, but he stares ahead. The man attacking him now seems to be distracted by Nadine! He can't help but be a LITTLE relieved, considering the blood pouring from his neck… but he presses on, not compelled to let a woman - even though clearly a warrior woman - fight this brute alone. He rides alongside the raging barbarian and swipes hard at him. It goes somewhat wide, but the man now has a pretty gnarly hand himself now!

A quiet curse escapes Nadine's lips as the greatsword bites into her abdomen. But the young d'Tremaine squire and the princess are on hand to help dispatch the cheiftain—

…or not. He rises again, and she lashes out with her blade again, stifling the urge to slam her shield into the overlarge barbarian.

With his former adversary focused on one of the d'Tremaines, the mercenary with red grim grin and bloody steel moves, a bit more aggressively-well as one can be-with a woman coming over to him? As such he is hacking with one arm- in hopes of aiding a beleaguered knight. Killian pushes through and swings hard.

"Servants of the Darkness…" is all that Nathaniel does manage to say as his blade slices a dog in half, ending the two pronged attack on Elrick. However, that means the bastard who originally knocked him on the flat of his arse is back again. He doesn't turn fast enough to evade the attack, but he certainly puts his eyes on the man to mark him as the mounted barbarian wheels back around for him.

The previous wound that Elrick dealt to the barbarian had made the savage a bit more sluggish, and that is enough for the next blow that the knight lashes out to be a lethal one. A horizon cut is unleashed and it sweeps cleanly through the neck of the Icenailan, the man's head parting from body with a horrid spray of red onto the snow. There was no time for the d'Tremaine heir to celebrate as another barbarian attacks him, the axe cutting into his gorget just enough to leave a cut. He sees that his cousin is still being ravaged by the Elementi hound so he feints and attacks on the barbarian attacking him, then
kicks his steed into motion. He will either ride down or cut down at the beast.

The large monster Icenaila goes down. Except, even despite the numerous wounds, he clamors to his feet and then roars. Looking to Atreis, the thing surges forward, swinging that great sword in a blood soaked deadly arc.

Tavi sees the monster get up, sees it go for Atreis. WHO HAD ATTACKED THE DAMNED THING.

"Are you serious. You seriously just pissed it off. I'm over here trying to protect you. You know. MY JOB. And you piss off the undying monster with a great sword that could likely split you and your horse in half. He For the love of the One's fucking testicles. Will you please. Listen to me?" Then he calmly points his hand cannon and fires it at the Elementi that has decided HE is the Rabbit. "I need to buy a new boat." He mutters to himself.

The Icenailans are dropping. So too are their faithful Elementi, but these men continue the attack, trying to drive the Aequorans into the dirt. The enemy fighting with grim determination.

Killian is up and so Marcus turns his horse away from him and Myrana to aid Nathaniel. Swinging at the barbarian he faced from behind as he rides past.

Alright, now the dead are starting to rise, and that— that's not good. Despite the shift in the tide of the skirmish, Trey begins to think hard about her brother's words, to cut and run if things look iffy, and she arrays herself alongside Stellan and the Snowshield, "In line, or behind!" she calls to her forces, "Clean up the field and back!" It's the signal to start effecting a retreat.

Myrana runs through the battlefield, followed by her father's Elementi and her horse Sage, whose reins she holds in her free hand. By the time she's finished pressing clotmoss to Stellan's gashed neck, she has red arms and slicked gloves and and the back of her riding cloak is soaked down in a grisly line between her shoulders.

The feint seems to have failed rather abysmally because when Elrick turns to ride down the Elementi hound, the barbarian takes advantage of the large opening that is left for him. The axe is buried into the d'Tremaine's back, past the steel plate, probably the only thing that saved the knight's life. This throws him down to the ground with a groan. But Elrick does not stay down, driven by adrenaline, he climbs back to his feet, looking back to see that the barbarian has been dispatched and turns to assist his cousin, "Come at me you ugly mutt!" He says to the Elementi, not his cousin.

Stellan seems to be eager to continue, but Myrana stops him to give his wounds some much needed care. He frowns slightly as she works - more precisely at the blood - but he DOES need to start breathing again soon. "Th-thank you, m'lady…" He spots Elrick distracting the mutt who was still trying to gnaw on his head at every pass, and he decides he'll help his cousin dispatch the beast. Finally.

When one doesn't notice the Storm crow-he tends to do quite well. As such the poor bastard who thought it smart to hack into his neck, doesn't seem to notice what the Merc is up to, until he catches the man, and jerks him off his horse-before ending him quickly-his blade piercing through the man's piecemeal armor. Killian twists and turns, dropping his ruined shield-and moving in to support the d'Tremaine heir.

The Monster roars and then changes direction screaming "«KILLYOU!!!»" as it closes and swings at Tavi. Who does NOT scream like a small girl who just had her pigtails pulled. That would be unbecoming of a Blue Cavalier.

"I don't think you know the word you are screaming!?" Tavi yells back doing his best to NOT be in the line of that thing's blade. Screw parry. That thing would snap his cutlass like a twig. Forgetting the Elementi, he lashes at the Barbarian screaming and creating bloody spittle in face as he does so. The cutlass slashing as he spurs his mount, trying to ride around the thing.

The two Elementi's snarl and leap at their targets, fangs snapping toward the throats of their foemen.

House d'Tremaine crafts some very effective helms, apparently! The squire watches as the dog lunges at his cousin's head instead now, with as much luck as he had previously, and… the hound is promptly dispatched by the knight, seemingly with his aid being unneeded. "Uh… wow. Good job." Stellan seems impressed for a moment, before he wheels towards the last foe remaining. That he can see.

Stabbing through the barbarian's chest made Marcus' hand ache fiercely. So, as the others converge on the chieftain he falls back watching the terrain and praying those six men would not return with reinforcements.

Nadine still presses her attack, glancing over to the princess. "Stonewall, your orders?" She has every intent of holding until the last moment, to allow the others to retreat if the princess calls for it.

Disemboweled, that is the best way to describe the brutal wound that Elrick just inflicted on the Elementi that he had angered. As the hound leaps at him to chew off his face, the d'Tremaine's blade is even faster, ripping through the beast's belly. His helm does take a blow but there is no more strength behind the Elementi's jaw as it drops to the ground, guts spilling out onto the snow. "Cousin, you'll live." Expert medical advice offered there to Stellan as Elrick looks over his uncle's son, then at the remaining war chief. "Let's go, that one is too damn ugly to leave alive." Then Elrick charges with his cousin but instead of leaving with his blade, he rushes forward with his shoulder, intending to knock the war chief down.

Atreïs had already presented the orders, before engaging with the risen man, taking her first blood of the encounter at his blade, a thing which, true to her byname, barely seems to register on her helm-shaded features. "We hold the line, clear the field and back," she reiterates; keeping in formation with the others keeping the risen man at bay, calling the ranks behind her to finish mopping up the field and get in ranks to fall back if this monster proves to truly be immortal.

With almost twin yelps, the two remaining Elementi are brought down. The Chieftain pants and glares at Tavi, who is currently feeling his chest and wondering how he isn't cut in half. With a shrug he slashes at the monster.

The Chieftain roars and slashes with that big monster blade, changing targets once again to charge down Killian, bloody foam dripping from it's mouth as it surges forward. The weapon SHEARS through a tree as he slashes, sending a shower of splinters flying as it does, and the blade rockets toward Killian with deadly force.

It may be that with the hounds dead, all is left is this rather bulking monster that has been attacking their ranks-now here the Storm crow is turning his attention. A grimace made as the sword is raised back up, held in both hands to assure he can still swing it, what with all his damned strength. What's the worst that could happen?

The charge that Elrick commits to did not have its intended effect and what instead happens is that the knight felt like he ran into a brick wall. "Damn!" The curse is muttered as the d'Tremaine heir scrambles back to his feet. Then with both hands gripping his broadsword, he growls out, "Look at me you dickless whoreson! So I can see your eyes when I bury my blade between them!"

Stellan charges on his horse again, but his blade bangs uselessly against the armor the barbarian was wearing. He narrows his eyes as he rides past and guides his horse around for another attack. He's not much of a conversationist in battle, so he leaves the trash-talking to Elrick.

The beast comes for him, and neatly, the Storm crow dodges out of it's massive reach, his own blow however catches the thing at it's chest, but not enough to do anything. Grimacing, Killian turns, his blade raised high as he tries to follow through with another shot-if anything to keep it's attention off of the al'Sylenthar son. "Here HERE!"

Nathaniel cants his head at the Chieftain, realizing that it is far beyond the damage a normal man can take, as his own blade bounces off it quite … lazily. He backs up toward Atreis, spotting her in the throng, "Stonewall, you may wish to press your men toward the neck to behead the creature, unless you have a sidhe steel weapon." It's just a matter of fact tone that he uses, "Every other weapon will do damage but not kill it. Unless you take the head and burn the body."

Atreïs thrusts her blade forward and into the risen Chieftain's stomach, a good, solid blow, but with all the wounds already seeping from the creature, he should be down twice over already. When Nathanial rides alongside to offer her guidance, she lifts up her voice, "The head, the head! We take the head home with us!" she rallies the troops to take that particular prize.

Another ear-splitting roar is erupted as the great Sword misses Killian, the ground, where it impacted erupting in a shower of frozen earth and stone. The Thing rips the blade around. Then LEAPS. Right at Marcus, screaming the whole way. The weapon flashing wetly in the snow and the blood of the battlefield.

Tavi slashes but the beast is just too fast. "Your Highness." He states calmly, "I think you should not engage this thing. Head back. To safety." Which is of course ignored, and he sighs. "Boat. I'm buying a boat." Then rides forward slashing with his cutlass as he closes the distance.

Stellan goes in for another attack without missing a beat. This time, while the beast of a man is distracted with practically everyone pounding on him, the squire aims for the head. This time, he manages a good slice just beneath the helm. His horse gallops to a stop a few paces away…

The Thing stumbles forward after slamming it's blade into Marcus. It snarls in Marcus's face. The red beginning to fade from it's eyes. Before the head simply falls from the shoulders to bounce a few feet form it's body. Dropping both Marcus and it's weapon as it does so.

With the Berserker dying and falling there's a bit of a sigh from the mercenary there as he lets his hands droop. Apparently, he's missed Marcus dropping from where he was attacked-though he's turning to snag up the weapon on the ground- dropped by the chieftain. With his good eye-as best he can he'll likely inspect the blade. Perhaps Killian is not the best/most concerned vassal.

Nathaniel watches as Atreis commands her men to take out the head of the beast. It seems, that between squires and armed men, that the plan works and the beast goes down and doesn't get back up. His own swing was nearly there, but, just out of reach as the beast went after Marcus. The Inquisitor stands there for a moment, regarding the field and those who have injuries. There is a whuff of air from him as he marches with his blade toward his horse, who had been skirted off to the side. He slides his sword back in the scabbard, taking out instead a few more bandages, as there were men and women that could use them.

Marcus is lifted from the saddle by the barbarian sword and only drops once the chieftain has fallen. He lands hard in the snow, his wounds opened, and bleeding, sword fallen from his grasp. He didn't even see the man break through his attackers. He blinks slowly looking up at the sky unable to move or speak.

"G—god!" Myrana sees Marcus hit the snow. She drops out of the saddle and runs over to the al'Sylenthar, kicking up snow in her wake and skidding down to her knees as she reaches over and presses the wound shut with her hands. Working fast, she presses more of the clotmoss in and crushes something powdery into the ugly gash before binding it tight with a strip of linen. The cold makes her hands shake, but almost miraculously she gets the bleeding to stop before he has lost any more blood.

Once she's sure he won't die, she looks up over her shoulder. "He's not going to be able to ride on his own! We need to leave, your highness!"

Tavi tavi looks around and pinches the bridge of his nose. "All of you head back to camp. Give me the young lord. I'll ride ahead. I'm faster in the saddle than most of you in your full plate and such." He gestures to his shirt of chain he is wearing. He jabs a finger at Atreis, "So long as you swear by GOD to ride RIGHT for camp. One alone knows what those flaming other riders were preparing to do by riding off."

Finally the carnage ends, the barbarian force butchered as the war chief falls to the ground, slain. Elrick's chestplate rises and falls visibly as the knight now gulps for air, no longer hypnotized by the chaos of battle. His war horse now trots back to the
master, allowing the d'Tremaine to slowly remount his steed. Only then does he see Marcus on the ground with Myrana rushing forward, his brows raising to a worried frown. Raising his visor with a free hand, the non-injured side of his body, he looks as the healer works her miracles. He then moves towards Stellan, seeing his cousin's expression after this brutal battle, clasping the younger man on the shoulders but no words are shared, at least not now.

The squire remains in his saddle as he assesses the situation. The enemy seems very dead. Sadly, the blood loss is finally taking it's toll on him, and his consciousness slips away now that death isn't a present danger at the moment. Stellan still manages to remain on the horse, even so.

Nathaniel looks over at Atreis and Tavi, offering, "I'll see her to camp." He was after all promised to the Prince's service for this campaign, so he might as well be useful to the al'Ramar family.

"I'll ride with you, Sir Tavi," says Myra, still holding Marcus' torso up off off the snow in one arm and braced against her leg.

Atreïs already has everyone in formation for retreat— at least, everyone should be in formation for retreat, possibly excusing Marcus, since he's, well, yeah, and Myrana, since she's trying to keep him from dying. She skirts her eye across the group to see if anyone else has not managed to form up, yet, after two calls for it. "Right. Sir Tavi, take him. Bishop, take the head and see it secured with us. Lady Myrana, do you wish to ride with Sir Tavi and Lord Marcus, or will you ride with us?" Myrana'll know better whether he can survive the trip without her, so Trey leaves it up to her expert opinion. "Everyone else
form up tight, we're returning to camp."

Nathaniel doesn't really even give a sign that he acknowledges Atreis, other than moving to his saddle and getting up onto the beast. His own white tabard was red from his own blood and that of other's blood splattered upon him. He looks unphased, nudging his mount forward and toward where Stellan's slumped over form was still riding. He'll hold the horse long enough for someone properly to retrieve the unconscious squire, before pressing forward, to see the way is clear.

Watching as Tavi gets ready to ride off with the badly wounded Wraith, Elrick turns his attention back to the battlefield and the corpses that now litter the ground. He then looks down at the headless chieftain's body, finally speaking, "Highness, should we search that berserker's corpse? In case it holds a map or something of use?" The d'Tremaine Knight makes no move to dismount yet though, awaiting Atreis's decision and command.

In no condition to talk or argue, Marcus goes with whomever is chosen to take him to camp. Trying desperately to hold onto the person, horse, or whatever else is put in front of him.

Nadine thrusts her sword through the head, lifting it with the blade, and moving up next to the Princess. "Back to camp, then," she says tersely.

Atreïs hadn't really thought of searching the corpse, shaken as she was by the rising of the dead. But she nods, "Your Excellency," that's Nathaniel, "While you're gathering the head, search for anything else that might be of import on his person."

Nodding, Tavi helps get Marcus settled, then wraps the man in his cloak around the man. "You're going to get cold." He says calmly to the man. "The Cavaliers have some nice warm cloaks if nothing else. We really have them for all sorts of seasons. You should see the Autumn Cloaks. Very fetching." He nods to Myrana. "My lady. If you are coming. Keep up." Then he spurs his horse forward, and with one hand holds the reins and balances Marcus, while the other holds onto Marcus.

With the great sword snatched and placed on the back of his erstwhile horse's saddle-Killian then feebly goes to climb up, once blade is wiped clean and sheathed. A glance is given in the direction the Princess. A grimace once he's back in the saddle. One hand moving to his ruined neck, and probing.

Myrana helps Marcus up into the saddle with Tavi, and then bows to the princess, utterly soaked in blood, some of which is hers, but mostly Marcus'. "Y-yes, highness. I will help Sir Tavi." And whistling, she summons Sage and swings up into the saddle with shaking arms and legs. A moment later she taps the charger's flanks and takes off after Tavi, catching up and keeping on his left, braids bouncing at her back.

Nathaniel rides up to gather the head, picking up the barbarian thing with a cloth, wrapping it around it and then shoving it into a bag on the side of his mount. He glances back toward Atreis once the head is secured, not having to be told to search the corpses twice, because that is what he does… Search monsters for signs of intrigue.

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License