(1875-05-18) The Fall of Six Villages
The Fall of Six Villages
Summary: The imperial forces from hellsmouth and paras reach the lands of d'rhandhoul. Here under the command of Ludovic d'Korbina and Maximus (Mostly Maximus) they attack and take six fortified villages.
Date: 2019 May 18th
Related: Aequorcivilwar
NPCs: Thierry of Bedlyn (NPC run by Thomas), Bill Hook (NPC run by Sylas), Cato (NPC run by Pompey), Gaius Marcus (NPC run by Ivo), Lady (Sir) Lyris d'Rohal (NPC run by Valeria)
Players:
Ludovic  Luixa  Maximus  

The Barony of d'Rhandhoul
See opening pose
1875-05-18 to 1875-05-23

The Barony of d'Rhandhoul is surprisingly flat given the location within the Kingdom of Aequor. There are hills, but they are not rocky, and the Baorny is criss crossed with Farmlands. Coming in from south into the Barony there are six major villages what more or less see to the running and organization of the farming communities.

The first, near the River that has seen the majority of the Aequoran Civil War's battles thus far, is the Village of Rhivakville. Here, Earthworks and a small palisade has been constructed. Men and women, poorly armored man the Earthworks, which, to the Aequoran eye indicates they have called up the Levies.

The second village that is East from Rhivakville, is the village og Summer's Gain. It too has been fortified by earthworks and manned by Levies.

Southeast in the middles of a collection of farmlands is Yellowseed, it too has earthworks and levies but a small contingent of Cavalry can be seen milling about as well.

Kara's Vale rests in a small valley between a ollection of hills. Each hill, five in total, has earthwroks and wooden towers covered in hide. They are mostly manned by archers but heavily armored Spear can be seen there as well.

East of the Vale, is Burnsley, and this appears to be defended by a series of ditches with stakes and fallen logs dragged into position. Levies cna be seen, but they appear to be in good order indicating either some training, or some form of discipline. Veterans perhaps?

Finally, Kelna appears to be just a village with earthworks built up around it and levies manning the fortifications.

These are what Luxia's scouts bring as far as news on the lands on the day they march into the Barony. Of the Barony's professional troops, neither hide nor hair have been seen as of yet.

Now they have arrived and the intelligence has been received (and the refusal to suffender gained) Ludovic gathers the officers and other important people around him for a command meeting. "The farmlands are our priorities so I'm intending to split us up. We'll send the raging bulls and the artillery to capture Kara's vale here. Since it seems the strongest. The rest of you I'm going to split up to tackle the various villages. The cavalry cohort will be responsible for capturing the farmlands. Sound good?"

Bill leans in against his halberd, well away from the important folk, just watching the scenery and idly chewing on a long blade of grass. With both hands clutching the shaft of that vicious weapon, the broad and aging halberdier wrinkles his nostrils at the scent that surrounds him, sweaty soldiers. Mud. Dirt. The usual. And Bill doesn't exactly smell all that great himself, and so the aging Bill, a Raging Bull scratches at something beneath his gambeson, and stifles a faint yawn as he waits for the orders to trickle on down.

Luxia is one of the last of the Blackshafts to return with information, though a few were left to keep an eye out for the professional troops, and where they might have gotten off too. She doesn't seem to like the fact that they haven't seen them as of yet. Dusty and a little tired, she stands listening as Ludovic calls for the meeting, and speaks up of where troops are headed.

All being well, this should be Gaius' last big campaign with the Imperial Army before he gets to retire back to his family in more civilised lands and enjoy the reqrds of service. He's not a young as he used to be, and he has the scars to show the battles he's seen, but the sight of the machines of war still stirs something in his heart each time. The creak of the ropes under tension, the fluttering of the banner… ahhh, is it not glorious? What isn't so glorious is the early starts that always seem to come with fights, especially after a long march, but he drags his old bones out of his tent and starts chiding the younger soldiers into helping with the preparations for breakfast while the officers decide which walls they're going to be hurling things at today.

Lady (Sir) Lyris d'Rohal, twin to Lady (Sir) Perrine d'Rohal of Hellhounds Rove gave a curt nod, as she heard the orders. She seemed neither pleased nor displeased by the assignment, only glancing away towards the exit to the tent, as though eager to begin the work assigned for the 2nd Hellsmouth. If she made it back to the keep, she would have a thing or two to say to her sister about sending her off on this escapade.

Arriving at the Commanders meeting, Maximus is in his armor, sword at his side and shield on his back. He looks upon all gathered as Ludovic begins. "It is acceptable. We have received no reports on the professional soldiers? Mustbe off fighting Aequor's civil war. But nonetheless, we must all take caution."

Maximus takes a light breath. "I will send my unit to Rhivakville. Their men are poorly armored, and if we strike as if in blitz, I can take it quickly." He looks at Lady Lyris. "Lady Lyris, I suggest you take your Cohort to Summer's Grain. The quicker we take down their defenses, the faster we can all help Senator Ludovic with the siege. Strike hard, Strike fast."

"Be careful." Ludovic adds. "They've said there wont be quarter given by them." He gives them all a hard look. "Don't think that means we're abandoning the rules of warfare. If they surrender, you'll honor it. Lets not prove the west right in all the lies they've said about us." He gestures to Maximus. "I've been assured that Tribune Maximus here is a 'gifted' commander. So you're to treat any orders he gives as if they were mine." A quick grin. "I can't shout loud enough to be heard over the top of a battle. So someones gotta do it." He glances to the document. "Right then. The Raging Bulls and the artillery are going to Kara's Vale. Maximus' cohort is going to Rhivakville. Luixa you take Burnsley. Lyris you take Summer's Gain. I'll take the heavy cavalry to look at Yellowseed but the most of its going to be securing the undefended farmlands and hunting for our friends. Least for the first day or so."

As one of the Blackshafts on mercenary duty, Thierry of Bedlyn has marched with his fellows, clad in a mail shirt, a good helmet and of course his strong wooden longbow. He's got a wicked archer hanger too on his waist, the sword complemented by his buckler behind his back. Unlike some of his fellows, he did not go out for scouting. Instead, he's quartered with Bill and the other Raging Bulls. "Ey." He nods over to Bill. "S'weird name for a Kentairish fellow, eh? Bill. What kinda bill?" He laughs.

Luixa's gaze shifts briefly to Maximus as he joins the group gathered about Ludovic, but turns back to listen as assignments are given. When her name is called, she stands straighter, "To Burnsley." She passed it recently on her way back here. She waits to be dismissed before she looks to gather her Blackshafts up and take them out.

As word comes down that they're marching for a village called Kara's Vale thhe artillary start to break camp. There's a spring in their step as it looks like they might get to ply their trade once more for the glory of the empire, but Gaius has to have a quiet grumble to himself as soon as the word 'archers' is mentioned. "Bloody archers, it's always archers, bloody marvelous." Still, they form up with the Raging Bulls and march onwards for the glory of the Empire.

Bill smirks at Thierry, "Easier to pronounce… Bill Hook, though where I'm from matters little these days." So sayeth the halberdier, "Fancy name you've got for an archer though, sure you ain't some noble lord slumming it with the rest of us? Either way, best of luck to you. Don't get yourself killed."

Thierry laughs at Bill. "Me? I'm fucking gutter scum, mate." His pronounciation indicates otherwise, but he doesn't sound like a noble. Still, he could afford to own and draw a bow as a kiddo. "You too. Stick 'em where they need it, and don't do no more. Less there's loot to be had." The young man grins at Bill.

Once Lyris had her orders, and they were approved by the battle commander, Maximus, she swept from the table, heading back to mount her horse and pull the 2nd into formation to move out. There was nothing to be done now, but to wait for the signal, and to plan how they would approach the village to strip of their defenses with as few casualties on the friendly side as possible.

Bill grins broadly, his weathered and scarred features only partially covered by a kettle helm and padded hood, "Rest assured there'll be plenty to go about lad." The older mercenary gives the younger archer a firm slap on the shoulder, "Aim true, and when all it said and done, remember the tip of your bow can punch right through the underside of a man's jaw…" Bill's handy tip #456.

Maximus looks at Ludovic and he nods lightly, clearly in agreement with what the Senator has spoken. Afterwards, he looks around. "May you all return victorious." and he puts his helmet on and he leaves. He pulls his cohort into formation and begins to move out towards Rhivakville. This was going to be quite the battle, he only hopes that everyone does their role well enough that they can get this done…and send a firm message at the same time.

=========< DAY ONE OF SEVEN >============

Ludovic's group breaks off from the main army column and rides for Kara's Vale. With 100 Horses, 50 of them heavy Cavalry, they should be able to make quick work of a bunch of Levies. At least that's what the general consenses is of the Cavalrymen. As the approach the Vale, they can see the towers, and they can also see the Signal fires. Smole curls upward, and a bugle blows a long sorrowful note. A few hundred men rush to take up positions. Three quarters of which stand with longbows, while the remainder man the Earthworks in Chain, shield and long spears.

The Infantry of the Raging bulls form up and the officer looks to Ludovic. "At your Command sir."

THe Levies looks scared, but determined. One of them shouts toward the d'Korbina's, "TRAITORS! DIE IN THE FIRES OF THE ABYSS!"

Maximus marches toward Rhivakville, and once there he finds the Earthworks defended by hundreds of archers and not a few spearmen. All levies he guesses, though the Imperial liekly has never seen a Levy in his life given the Empire doens't use them. At least not like this. The 8th Cohort knows it's business though, and makes ready, waiting for the Tribune's order to attack.

At the Ditches and Stakes of Burnsley, Luixia finds the enemy entrenched, and more than fifty old Long Cannons there. While not as accurate as Muskets, they are deadly. These are supported by levy archers and spear. The Archers and Long Cannoners in the ditches, the Spear at the stakes. They look out and ready, clearly nervous. Luixia's officer nods to her. "We're ready to let loose My Lady. On your Order."

The Lady Sir d'Rohal and the 2nd Paras arrive at Summer's Gain. There she finds the enemy already at the earthworks and loking stoicly outward. Somebody shakes a spear. Somebody elses throws a curse at them. And a third sombody moons them as somebody gestures, "EAT OUR ASSES TRAITORS!"

A Knight sights and nods to Lyris, "Shall be on with kicking their collective ready to be Eaten Asses my Lady?"

At some point in the last day or so someone has taken the time to tie a bunch of yellow and black ribbons to the sweeping horns that rise from Ludovic's helmet. They flutter prettily as the unit of heavy cavalry find a position from which they can look all imposing and scary without becoming pincushions for the garrisons archers. Occasionally they take a bit of a run inwards, trying to encourage the scared looking inhabitants into wasting arrows, but mostly they rest their horses and wait in case the enemy gets clever. After the inhabitants have had a good opportunity to see that the d'Korbina brought artillery along Ludovic tells one of the knights to "Put up a flag of parley. Lets go see if they will at least listen to a demand of surrender."

Ivo assumes that the 'traitors' comment is for the men marching with his unit, not the unit himself, and lets them decide if they're hot headed enough to get rilled up by it or not. It makes very little difference to him at this point. With the carroballista drawn up the Optio indicates which tower to attack first and the bombardment begins. It only takes a couple of ranging shots before they're hitting their mark shot after shot and it's not all that long before a shot from Gaius' ballista takes out a structural point and the first tower is down. "Good work lads and lasses," the old man mutters to his crew, keep this up and the Empire will be restored by Spirit Day.

Maximus arrives at Rhivakville and he sees the enemy that awaits him. But, Maximus is experienced, and he knows how to hit them so hard that they cripple and move so fast that they think it was some kind of beast. The forces move with silence, until Maximus gives the order. "LEGIONNAIRES! FORWARD MARCH AND STRIKE THEM DOWN! Crossbows! PROVIDE COVER FIRE! Make their archers bleed!" and the soldiers charge forth. More than a few of the Legionnaires are killed by archer fire, and some more are wounded, but not nearly as many as the enemy. the 8th cohort blows through the earthworks and the village, carving through their archers and spearmen as if they were wheat in a field. They take the fortifications handily, and force a surrender. True to his word, Maximus defers to the honor of battle, and spares their lives. A well-fought victory at Rhivakville.

As the Blackshafts make it to Brunsley and find the long cannons and archers entrenched around the village, Luixa takes stock of the situation. Quickly does she make a decision, giving the order for her cohort to take them out. Keeping behind cover, moving as close as they dare, the Blackshafts begin to lay seige. All day do arrows rain into those trenches, picking off the archers and long cannon handlers both. Before the sun goes down, there's white flags raised, and a surrender of the village is at hand. Only then does Luixa, who's followed by her elementi, move into the village to take hold of it, sending a few to ride off towards Maximus and Ludovic to let them know the village is theirs.

The assault of the 2nd cohort began with he whistle of a single arrow, which came just on the heels of a whispered command from Sir Lyris. A single arrow, which spanned the distance between where the 2nd waited and the levies and sundry thought to set up their defense. A single arrow, that flew with unfailing aim…directly at the levy who thought to offer his ass as a target. And buried itself in the 'bullseye' he presented. Lyris' hand rose, just as she heard the man's scream, and the 2nd charged into action. The Archers provided a withering covering fire, as the cavalry ranged out to sweep like wings of some avenging (Imperial) angel, the spears and lancers charging in to take the earthworks. The men at arms moved in and between the rest of the force as they cohort crashed over the defenses of Summerâ??s Gain with all the force of a relentless tide, leaving swathes of the dead in their wake. So quickly, so decisively did they move that the town and its defenses stood now chance and were swiftly routed. "Signal to the forces that the village is taken." Flags were thrown up, and horns blown.

Halftrack flashes Bill with his index and middle finger, palm facing out. "I want to get me a knight. Capture and ransom. Probably get some poor fuck farmer who just got called up. Cheers!" He waves at Bill and then moves off to the rest of the Blackshafts, heading to Burnsley. He's got his shafts, and there's backups too. Now it's time to kill.

Thierry and his fellow Blackshafts line up just out of range of the ditched Aequorian archers and long cannoneers. "Look at 'em. Think that they're something." He sneers, and this time gives the reverse of the gesture he flashed Bill - the V. The Archer Serjeant near Thierry calls, "Prepare shafts!" The archers begin to tuck their shafts into the earth in front of them. "Knock!" Thierry lifts an arrow and puts it to his longbow. "Draw!" He leans forward, leveraging his momentum to then pull back on the heavy string. "Loose!" Two hundred heavy war shafts fly through the air towards the trenches. "At will!" And the cycle completes.

Over the first day the villages of Summer's Gain, Rhivakville and Burnsley rapidly fall under imperial command whilst the more fortified settlement of Kara's vale is encircled and softened with artillery.

Again a meeting is called to give people instructions about where to go next. And this time its as follows. Maximus and the imperial cohort gets sent to take Kelna whilst Lyris and the second hellsmouth is sent on to take Yellowseed. The blackshafts are called to support the assault of Kara's Vale where Ludovic waves for her to take over the assault as he goes to 'get a look' at the castle at Ranhold and its nearby city.

=========< DAY TWO OF SEVEN >============

The village of Kelna proves to be a small farming settlement defended by earthen ramparts and a motley collection of poorly equipped levies. Despite the fact that they are clearly outclassed they shout insults at the imperials approach.

The second hellsmouth presses onto the village of Yellowseed during the second day, finding a village surrounded by earthworks and supported by the usual levies. A small contingent of cavalry is protecting the nearby area which could prove troublesome.

Alas, there was no one showing them where to aim, as the 2nd Cohort came upon the village of Yellowseed. Ah well, they did not need a map drawn for them to know what they needed to do. "Cavalry! Advance and engage, get those men unhorsed, and capture all that you can. Kill them if they will not give way. Archers! Covering fire on the advance!" And so, once more, the 2nd advanced, the cavalry, using every trick they had been taught or learned by hard example during their years of raiding making short work of the Yellowseed mounted fighters as the cohort moved in, once again grinding over the earthworks and pressing on into the main settled area of the village. Most, but not all of the enemy were engaged and defeated, before Sir Lyris called a halt to the advance. The fighting had been harder here, and the farmlands more precious. It would take a night of rest and more planning to effect the claiming of Yellowseed.

Kara's vale has been under siege for an entire day now with artillery tearing chunks out of the wooden towers standing on each of the five earthwork protected hills. Whilst each independent earthwork isn't terribly well defended they are well able to support each other and thus it could be a tricky fight. The heavy cavalry ride off early in the day, leaving the Blackshaft tribune, whos just arrived after her successful assault on Burnsley, in overall command.

It is a long and bloody day, the halberdiers and Bill push, and thrust, and hack their way over the earthworks, taking them after what seems like a long day of fighting. Sure he felt his halberd sink into one or more bodies, slash across the enemy here and there, but Bill never once stopped to see what was happening, it was just one bloody exchange after the other. But sure enough as the day comes to its end, Bill and his fellow halberdiers have taken the earthworks and the tower. Their weapons bloodied, the earthworks stained red with the blood of their enemies, and no doubt a few of their own. But the force prevailed, with Bill and his fellow mercs having followed their Sergeants up and over and beyond. And for now, Bill rested atop the rise of the earthwork, once again leaning upon his halberd and daring to light up a rather old and battered pipe, which… after a few long draws, flared into life and smoked, just as Bill did quite contentedly. And onwards goes the war. Onwards to massacre the enemy!

With the success of the first day's bombardment fresh in their memories it's an invigorated team of artillary crews that wake with the dawn outside Kara's Vale for the second day of the siege. No marching, just pounding relentlessly against the foe from a safe distance, that's the best kind of warfare. "Alright lads," Gaius calls to his crew, "up and at 'em. Lets see how many towers are still standing by nightfall shall we?" Then, with a sly grin, "and if our tally is higher than Julius' then they'll be doing the cook duties tonight." With that added incentive the work of the days is set about with one tower being set alight shortly before lunch, and then another just afterwards. With infantry on the other hills the Optio gives the order to switch fire to the gates and the carroballister is repositioned slightly before and more ranging shots are needed. It's short work though, the crews are professional, well trained, and effectively unopposed, but Gaius does note, with some pride, that it's his weapon that fires the final shot, the one that brings down the gates. Then, with their work over, it's time to service the equipment, and boil the water for dinner wheile the infantry get stuck in.

The push on Kara's Vale goes better than expected. Early in the day, Thierry accompanies his spear and a couple of others to take one of the fortified towers on the corner. Thierry's Spear provides covering archery while the others scale the wall, his own bow dropping at least two that he sees. When their fellow Blackshafts give the all clear, Thierry and his group climb up, and then as a group all pour shafts into the backs of the retreating enemies. It's a good day for the Blackshafts.

Given the command by Ludovic, Luixa meets with those other commanders, and decides to continue the push to take the towers. With the Blackshafts lending support, picking off those that would try to defend the towers from their forces. With the towers taken out, her archers move forwards, to continue raining arrows to those that man the walls so that by the time the gates come crashing down, their forces are able to breech the town without trouble. Standing to the back, Luixa watches it all go down, sending in reminders that should surrender be shown, that the enemy be allowed to live.

With new orders, A red moon will rise this day. Maximus and his Cohort charge the walls of the village of Kelna. "ATTACK! Legionnaires, Arrowhead formation! Defend your flanks, Crossbows! defend the legionnares from a distance!" While they make a great impact, and slay a good number of men, Maximus is eventually pushed away and he calls for a temprory retreat to allow his forces to reconvene and to play mental warfare with the forces of Kelna. As soon as they are ready again, they attack in the same manner as they did before.

=========< DAY THREE OF SEVEN >============

As the third day dawns only the villages of Kelna and Yellowseed still fly the d'Rhandhoul's banner and neither of the villages is looking particularly strong. Maximus and the Imperial cohort pulled from the legio xiii surround the walls of Kelna, preparing for another days assault, whilst it is the Hellsmouth Second that surrounds the village of Yellowseed. Ludovic has yet to return from wherever he decided to go and so you are left without specific orders as to where the forces of Kara's Vale go next.

Thats the thing about a crushing victory, someone then decides that the best thing you can do is go do it again somewhere else, rather than giving you a day or two to celebrate first. So, the artillary of the VIIIth cohort are up by the dawn and starting their march towards Kelna to rejoin their fellows. With all the infantry already arrayed on the field they don't have quite so good a position, and now it's earthworks rather than towers which always makes things harder, but by Gaius' count they've still made a reasonable impact by the end of the day, even skewered a few defenders too, which is always a bonus.

Step, push, stab, repeat. It's what Cato learned ten years ago. Maximus was left in charge, so Cato leads by example. This almost done with his years of service Centurion stands at the front of the colum, next to his brothers and sisters as he pushes his shield against the enemie, and knows he took two down, one of the poor sods bled all over his armor, well, a stab in the neck does that.

From one village to another do the Blackshafts move, heading towards Kelna where it seems Maximus' group can use some help. Once there and getting orders, Luixa joins her cohort as they move out to support the main attack. With her elmenti at her side, watching out for her, Luixa's bow thrums again and again as she sends arrows out, taking out at least a couple for certain. It matters not much to her, another arrow notched and sent ahead until the time comes that they are to pull back and regroup with darkness falling.

After gaining a bit of loot on the sly yesterday in the taking of Kara's Vale, Thierry is once more thrown into the attack with his comrades. The pace is rather extreme. Operations in town are difficult, though, and as they're loosing arrows with abandon, a few get loosed back at them. Thierry ends up taking one in the mail hauberk, and it's a big one. The arrow breaks something - probably a rib. Either way, he's out of the fight for a little bit.

Maximus seems to have received reinforcements in the form of the Blackshafts led by Luixa, Thierry, Cato, and the artillary lead by Gaius. Maximus's group needed no assistance, but Maximus seems pleased nonetheless. This time, it will be a crushing victory. "Forward unto victory!" and the battle begins. Many of the enemy is bloodied and beaten, and the only reason why they have not won is that exhaustion set in on imperial forces, and Maximus thus called a temporary pulling back to the siege lines. There, the next day, he makes the order for the final push. Though he is careful to make sure Thierry is given medical care with what they have. Though before the battle, Maximus, This time, takes into account the greater numbers.

"This will be the final day for this village. If they surrender, spare them. If not, they give no mercy? Then we will do the same." He unsheathes his sword and pushes it forward. "Attack!"

And the halberdiers support and support ably at Yellowseed, hacking and impaling the enemy with a certain gusto! The glint of halberds catching the sunlight just so, a romantic sight, the warmth of the sun casting its yellow glow against the bloodied hafts of the halberds. And sure enough, Bill is in the thick of it again, running through one damnable enemy and even hoisting him for a few damned feet, the enemy clutching at his spilling guts and loosing his bowels the moment Bill drops him like a hot potato. And in an instant, Bill and a good many others have stepped over him, while the battle rages all about, and the enemy seeks to withdraw back behind their walls. And back the halberdiers head, ready for the next onslaught.

The 2nd spent the night resting as they could, but it was hard going, with no reinforcements seeming to be coming to support their claiming of the village. But there was no time to call for aid, as the enemy cavalry rallied in the early morning hours, and the 2nd broke a hasty camp to engage them. Clearly, those defending yellowseed were not going to be taken without a serious fight, and much damage was done. Still, Lyris waited until the ends of her reserves and until the enemy had returned to their stronghold, before she sent a runner. They could not lose this village. "Send a message, find whomever you can. We need support from the rest of

=========< DAY FOUR OF SEVEN >============

At the end of day three the forces drawn up from the vir sidus regions have failed to take the stubbornly holding villages of Kelna and Yellowseed from the d'Rhandhoul'. Both villages are battered, with gaps torn in their earthworks and wary and injured men manning the walls. Outside the villages the vir sidus forces are starting to feel the fatigue of fighting day after day. Its particularly obvious in the camp of the second hellsmouth cohort where grumbles can be heard anytime an officer steps outside.

The messenger from Lyris requesting aid reaches the forces arrayed outside Kelna that same evening. Maximus has plenty of time to decide if anyone should be sent to assist."

Another day but not another march, Gaius will take that happily enough. The artillary pieces are still in position and there's time for breakfast before the assult begins in earnest. With the added complication of friendly infantry between his crews and their targets the orders are given to aim for the earthworks rather than to try and take out defenders at the risk of hitting fellow Imperials instead. It's not perhaps the most efficent use of the tools at hand, but it beats putting a ballista bolt through the back of a Centurion's helmet.

Cato's kills count isn;t as good as the previous say, though his shieldwall is strong and he does aid in pushing back the defenders until they enter the city. It's a good feeling when a battle is one for the glory of the empire.

With the orders to turn about and take her Blackshafts to Yellowseed, Luixa and her men hurry off, making time to the other village. Upon arrival, she gives the order to help out the 2nd Hellsmouth reach the village. Today is not as good as the other days, her cohort taking damage, loosing some men in the process. But, when the day is over, Yellowseed is taken by Lyris' Hellsmouth cohort, and that is what matters most, right?

It was by sheer force of will, that the 2nd rallied on the fourth day of the battle. Whether by offering promises or threats, Lyris managed to get the cohort ready to once again engage the enemy. Only the sound of friendly horns gave them pause, and they turned nearly as a unit to welcome the Blackshafts to the theater. Lyris herself rode out to meet Luixa, her voice worn, but firm, filled with the woman's honesty. "My men are nearly spent, Tribune. It will take all we have left to take this emplacement. Thank you for offering to aid." A horn sounded, not from the cohort, but from the enemy, and the woman quickly turned away, the cohort moving at her direction to begin the last assault they had in them." She knew that it was only the willing sacrifice of the Blackshafts that allowed the village to be taken. And though it was war and there were casualties in war, so too, did Lyris know that she would have to find a way to repay the sacrifices the Blackshafts had made in support of her cohort. The d'Rohal paid their debts.

Maximus leads the charge back into Kelna, and after a solid moment, they manage to take the village FINALLY in what is the last day of the attack on the village. Many of them surrender, a good number of them are killed. With the enemy force routed, the village of Kelna is theirs. In the meantime, Maximus receives word from Lyris that she needs help. "Blackshafts! Go to Yellowseed and assist in its capture. The Second Hellsmouth cohort needs your help." Maximus takes a moment to look around….they did it. "Has anyone heard any word from Senator Ludovic?" knowing him, he's probably doing something…eccentric.

And so Bill spots an officer, and Bill being Bill, he wades through battle to attack this man, and the fight is indeed an epic fight. Ol' Bill hook brings his halberd to bear and charges, managing to be caught by a solid deflection, though that in itself is a bad omen as the fight rages, the two circling one another, thrusting, lashing out, parrying and slamming the hilts and shafts of their weapons into eachother. Armour is dented, Bill even spits a tooth from his bloodied mouth as he catches a good right hook, only to bash the man's knee good and hard. And the fight would likely have continued, but for the surrender of the enemy troops that ripples about the walls. The officer steps back, Bill pauses, and the officer lowers his weapon. Bill however just spits a wad of phlegmy blood onto the wall, and runs the man through, gutting him deeply and fatally. Letting the body drop, Bill steps on over the man and tears a gold ring from about the man's neck, chain and all, "Fuck off yer wanker." And staggering back a step or two, Bill tucks his loot away, and staggers off to do whatever needs to be done. You know, honest soldier stuff.

=========< DAY FIVE OF SEVEN >============

And on day five the various cohorts, bloodied from their battles with the fortified villages, took a moment to rest and recuperate for the real challenges - the unique walls of castle Ranhold, and the large town of Alryne, are still to fall.

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