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Post by B on May 10, 2008 23:57:54 GMT -5
Suddenly the horse that was once weary and gassy was now full of life and its feet stepped anxiously. Skadi was getting impatient, they hadn't sent out the Mumaks yet. Suddenly they could be seen. From the looks of it, not even the demon army was a match for it. Suddenly her spirit rose. She looked at Vorsar. He looked back at her and made a gesture with his hand. This was just what she wanted.
The horse shot off. Skadi placed her hand on the hilt of the giant broadsword on her back and she threw it up. The large sword flew in the air until the point was began to slowly made its way to where Skadi was looking. It fell quickly and she caught it. her arm left no resistance as it dangled down until the blade was dragging through dirt below the horse. The sword swung up sending dirt and blood up as a Harad soldier was left in two halves. The sword now rested on Skadi's left shoulder, her right arm wrapped around her neck then it went back to where it previously was dangling as another enemy soldier was left soiling the ground with his blood. Seeing her approach, Harad spearmen brought their pikes up and waited for the horse to run into them, however the horse was not aiming for the troops as it quickly made an agile side jump left and swung around the eager soldiers.
Skadi saw her target, it was close now, oh so close; she could even feel the arrows sliding off her armor, unable to pierce the thick sheets of metal. She tossed the broadsword again and it spun quickly as she caught the blade, careful not to cut herself. Then she let it slide down her back where it stayed. With her left hand she took out the javelin from her left shoulder and the horse skidded to a stop as the target and aim was picked. She flung the javelin while quirking her wrist so that it would spin like a screwdriver. Soon enough a scream was heard as the driver of the Mumak fell, the reigns going with him caused the Mumak to topple a bit, lowering its head and tusk. Skadi hopped up on top of her horse and was practically standing on its back now, keeping her torso low as to help keep balance. She pulled out the double knives from her right side and equipped both in her hands.
The horse was close enough now, Skadi leaped from the horse's back, the equine wasn't able to keep its balance from the great power of the jump and found itself doing a brutal crash into dirt and dead bodies. Skadi hung in the air a few seconds and her legs reached the beast's mighty tusks, concentrating on balance and speed she ran across the curved horns and leaped again, this time thrusting both her hands forward as the daggers stabbed into the thick skin of the Mumak. The Mumak, meanwhile, was still in shock and confusion at the loss of the driver and wasn't yet aware of Skadi.
Skadi removed her left dagger and shoved it higher, then slowly she climbed the beast's face. Suddenly she knew it noticed her as its trunk began to swing at her but was halted by a sharp pain. Skadi was close to the beast's right eye and rammed her dagger into it. The Mumak let out a roar and began shaking its head but Skadi didn't budge. She began to climb quicker until she left one of the knives stuck into the beast and slowly brought the other up. She then placed her foot on the knife she had left and, with her left hand, she drew the sword at her waist. She pushed off of the dagger and leaped into the air yet again and was now on the creature's head. The fortress was right in front of her, she leaped through the opening and was now in with the archers.
Two swipes and two archers went down. The others began to fire but the most that happened was the arrows getting caught, but not entering enough to pierce the armor, or just ricocheting off. When they saw their efforts were futile they drew their swords. Skadi had already found the place where the creature's brain stem was located. She threw down her shield off her back and, with ease this time, removed the broadsword. She had her sword in her left hand and the broadsword aiming down with her right, she lifted the broadsword then held it like a shield. She waited until the soldiers were close and they tried to strike on her, but all their swords hit the broadsword and with a mighty push the men were pushed back into each other and a few fell off the Mumak, one unlucky guy falling on a comrade's raised sword. Using this bought time, Skadi raised her broadsword and grasped the handle with both hands, the left wrapping around both the regular sword and the broadsword's hilt, and drove the large blade into soft spot of the Mumak's head. It didn't die but it roared with pain and its legs began to stumble as it crushed both Harad and Ayriian soldiers under it.
By this time the soldiers on top of the Mumak recovered and charged again, Skadi kept her hand firm on the broadsword's hilt but her left fought them back and impaled on man. A guard beside the man that was just killed struck at Skadi, but she lifted the broadsword a bit so that it caught the strike, then she finished him off with her sword. The soldiers began to lose morale as some leaped out of the Mumak. Others were hesitating their attacks until a moment when they all decided the charge. Skadi removed the broadsword fully from the Mumak's head and made a mighty swing that circled over her head, it chopped three men in two as well as one of the wooden pillars holding up the roof of the fort, the roof slanted down.
Seizing this last chance Skadi raised the broadsword again and brought the broadsword down a second time in the same place as she done the first time, as intended, the broadsword drove itself deeper and severed the beast's brain stem. It let out one last roar and it began to topple, shifting right. Skadi ran out to the left side and the beast finally hit the dirt, smashing a bunch of Horad troops (though most saw the state of the Mumak and decided not to venture close to it.)
When the dust cleared Skadi was alone on top of the beast, soldiers stopped fighting and looked on at the fallen beast that was once thought never to be taken down. Bright red blood from the creature's head dripped on the hard hide of the body. Skadi raised both arms, both blades went up in the air and Asyriian troops cheered. "QUIET!" Skadi's loud voice erupted. "WEAK PACIFISTS OF HARAD!" She shouted. "I am the Boehguerra's harbinger of death!" She then stuck out her broadsword to point at the armies. "If there is any here who thinks they can escape their inevitable death, who thinks they're stronger than me and this inferior beast, step forward!" No man dared answer or step forward. Skadi stood there a minute. "Disgraceful cowards!" She seethed and turned and walked down the beast, using the trunk as an easy step down. She picked up her shield which had fallen then went around to the beast's head and collected her daggers but the body of the rider had been crushed under the Mumak, she'd have to get a new javelin. She then walked back to her lord, the fighting continued, but Skadi didn't look back to see retreat but she heard a lot of eruption come from Harad officers, no soldier, not even Ayriian stood in her way as she walked calmly back to her lord.
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Post by Turn 360 and walk away on May 11, 2008 1:43:57 GMT -5
I daemons faltered. Vorsar's men continued to charge, through them. The Anur'Ranst bellowed, and fell, in an explosive collapse. The archer battery atop the fortress filled with cries of anguish, as Vorsar's volley struck it's mark. Vorsar looked around. Those bastards put their beasts outside to box them in. That insane woman broke away. "Deserters!" some men shouted. She was headed right for one of the mumaks, gallivanting off. "Only one way forward, men!" The humans ran forward with a second wind. Vostocre screeched, seemingly translating, and the daemons redoubled their efforts. A loud crash behind them, a mumak stumbled. They continued charging and exchanging volleys. Suddenly, the arrows stopped for a moment. The beast fell. Vorsar roared. Finally, he made it to the wall. Wasting no time, he began hacking at a small side entrance. Behind hhim, someone screamed "watch out!"; An Anur'Ranst ran behind him, and, seeing no need to wait for the Boehguerra to move, rammed at the door with it's shoulder. Other parts of his army were moving to take another Mumak, disoriented with the sudden death of one of it's herd. From the roof, a Ballista was fired. It found it's mark; it hit two Nioa'Oea, square in the chest, and continued moving through they're soft flesh, into three men. The daemons gave ear-deafening screeches of pain, and the men died instantly, all but shorn in two by the siege machine. their innards flying like a standard through the air, they landed. One of the Nioa'Oea stood up; it was unsteady on it's feet. One hand grasped the ballista bolt in front of it's chest, the other behind. With a mighty shriek, pulled it away, and tossed it aside. It knelt down b the dead men. It stuck it's tongue out, and began lapping the blood. sharp as a knife, it seemed, as it cut away at the dead man's body. The gaping hole in it's chest began to regenerate, and it kept running towards the Mumak they were swarming. One Anur'Ranst ran head on into the beast; the barbed wire hanging from it's tusks cut it in two, leaving the legs to fall. It contunued climbing the trunk--it's arm, now a single, long tip-- acting like a pickaxe. It's stump, dragging behind it, left a trail of caustic slime in it's path. and Nioa'Oea used the softened flesh as a way up. The Anur'Ranst was plunging at the beast's faceguard. A sickly squish every time the tip would impact, causing the arm to break and splay out. The Nioa'Oea was searching with it's palms for soft flesh. Shei'Kabach began peppering the rear of the beast with their shots; the fauns had obviously switched tactics-- the archers were distracted from the front of the beast. The beast was shaking it's head violently. the Anur'Ranst gave way, and hit the ground, boiling into a puddle of slop. The rest of the Nioa'Oea was climbing up it's trunk, with the exception of the second injured one, who opted to join the Man's army at the gate. The first Nioa'Oea looked up, and saw the archers on the burdened beast's back. It leaped, arm outstretched, and caught the driver in the neck. The fingernails dug deep into his flesh, paralyzing his voice and lungs. The terrible mouth opened, and it ate away at the driver's gut, before casting him aside. One of the archers, seeing this nightmare, shot an arrow at it. Another miracle of the infidels, the incendiary arrow. A hollow tube, filled with lamp oil, was put around the shaft, and lit. It was filed into the heart of the Nioa'Oea, followed by more, from other box archers. with a squeal louder than a trebuchet strike, it fell, quivered, and evaporated into a puddle. The rest of the demons scaled the beast; a Anur'Ranst swung wildly at a few archers, and destroyed the bunker, before falling. A Nioa-Oea found the beasts eyes. It speared them out with it's fingers and licked at them, before leaping down.
the door was coming down at Vorsar's aide, hacking away at it's hinges with his sword. Soon, all hell may be unleashed upon the bastards who resist the God-Army's fight for divinity.
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Post by Jo on May 11, 2008 2:22:58 GMT -5
Rising from her slumber, taking a long and well deserved stretch. Lestari slowly sat up properly and looked out the window. Day had just broken apart from the night.She would have to go to work soon. She pulled away the thin, white cotton sheets and swung her legs over the bed side. She wandered over to the basinette. Pouring a pitcher of water into a bowl then proceded to clean herself.
She chose simple garbs for her morning stroll into the market. It was time for her to shop for food. Plus some fresh air would be needed. She wore a bright red wrap dress that clung her figure. The young Nymph then gently put on her gold bracelts. After that was done she applied dark charcoal to her eyes, outlining them. Once she was pleased of her look she left.
Exiting her home, she nearly stopped her walk. Many of the men were talking of the lastest war. News had always travelled fast.
" Did you hear? Last night Harad was pretty much repelled by the Ayrii army. They devestated their forces. Do you think they'll try and capture Kamigawa?"
" Nonsense. They despise other races. They are to proud and ignorant to bend their traditions!" another exclaimed.
" I heard they captured the women to help bolster their ranks. Kill all the men folk. Children captured and now facing lives in slavery" another went on.
" How savage!" almost screamed a woman.
Strange. Maybe they had forseen complications and decided to do all that stuff. But then again much of this was purely gossip. Unless an offical anouncement was made then it wasn't really considered to be news, per say.
With a wicker basket Lestari made her way to the market place. The city guards once in a while stared in her direction. She recognized quite a few from her slaves days. Men paid top dollar to be enticed by erotic dances. And guards had plently of money to spare. If they didn't a couple of words and they were in anyways.
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Post by V on May 11, 2008 2:55:00 GMT -5
From the fortress, the generals watched the Mumaks charge in, and bring everything to hell for the enemy...for all but a few minutes. After those minutes, one seemed to be getting the best of by a mass of metal. And then there was a sudden shockwave, knocking some of the soldiers from their balance. The Mumak had fallen..obviously dead. Atleast it took some of the Ayriian demons and soldiers with it. This was a tragedy of course though, but the men fought on. Jia Min gave the signal again. "Volley!" And the longbowmen fire again, the arrows arcing over, and impaling the enemy. They were met with an enemy barrage, this time, the bile like projectiles claimed much of the wall archers. They were nearing the gates. "Kahyet!" the female shouted to her companion amidst the battle. "Get down there and coordinate the cavalry when they break through." He nodded and went down, leaving the female general alone on the wall. She gathered her remaining men on there. "Seek cover from the archer boxes and fire from there. I want you and you leading shots. If it gets too out of control, fire at will." While this was going on, it seemed another of the Mumaks was being overwhelmed and a crash of the bunker alerted everyone to this. The bunker's crashing killed several of the Ayriian's actual human troops and, thankfully to them, one of those man Nioa'Oea, by landing upon it. Jia min watched in despair, as this mumak too, toppled over. The loss of another great beast...and all to compensate for it were a few of these hellspawns. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The final mumak, angry at the sight of another of it's own dying, entered a rampage, and started flailing it's tusks wildly about the middle of the army. It flung men and demon about, one of the Nioa'Oea was caught in this, torn in half, and landed behind the fortress walls...but did not die. The archers on the bunker found it slightly more difficult to aim, but were able to still. The demons would attempt the same trick with this one, but they would be ready. The archers spread themselves out amongst the bunker, and continued firing as they do. Arrows flew mostly at Fauns, the brains of the demon army, red blood spraying upward every time impact happened. The elephant ran forward, barbed wire low to the ground, trying to clear out whatever it could.
The fortress gates had been reached, and they were attempting to break through. Jia Min pointed her longbow men to the side of the doors, and gave the signal again. "VOLLEY!" she cried loudly. And they released. This volley caught some Harad'rim soldiers in it's numbers, but a majority were Ayriian. They could hear something battering at the door. Until finally....it broke open, leaving them exposed to the outside army now. But Jia Min had a surprise for them. A group of archers had waited for this, most conventional crossbows and bows, with lamp oil arrows, as well as the Horadrem crossbow. They needed not a signal from their general, the doors bursting open served as it. And they released all they had. The flaming arrows caught caught the anur'rast ram, as well as Nioa'Oea. They clearly hated fire, and started to flail around, striking other Ayriian soldiers with their limbs. Kahyet's cavalry had been preparing to charge, and now was the time. Spears down, the horses reared and charged. "Do not let them set foot inside this fortress!" He shouted from the middle of the ranks. "We will not falter!"
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Horses trampled the enemy, and horses were caught by the enemies' weapons. The casualties were equal but, this reckless charge was all Kahyet could really do. The archers reloaded their bows at the door, and were about ready to fire. But the Nioa'Oea who had been tossed in, had regenerated, and was now behind them. Jia Min was on the wall, and she saw this. "Turn around! TURN AROUND!" When they did, they were met with the gruesome beast. Some near the front were stricken with fear, that they could not move...and were immediately speared by this monsters fingers. With her bow, Jia Min strung an arrow, and let it fly. "Kill it!" she shouted to her shocked archers. "KILL IT!" Snapping out of their momentary daze, they raised and fired. Arrows were embedded into this creatures skin, but it showed no sign of fatigue, as it swiped it's long nails at them again, claiming several. Her force wasn't doing much better than the cavalry. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An ensign finally blew the horn of retreat, the back doors of the fortress opening to let them out. The cavalry who had charged out were now filing back in, and out that door. Jia Min, and her remaining archers mounted as fast as they could, and and out through it, thankfully, while the Niao'Oea was still semi-stunned. And the Mumak, the driver regaining control, left the way it arrived, by going back around the fortress, at charging speed. The fortress was Vorsar's once again. The remaining men, at the most sixty on horse, fifteen on Mumak fled north. both Jia Min and Kahyet knew of a possible haven, which resides underground.
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Post by B on May 11, 2008 17:01:33 GMT -5
Skadi had trouble finding Vorsar, they had already charged the gates after the Mumak fell, she admired such quick actions to a quick victory. Suddenly fighting erupted and soon enough the horn to retreat was sounded. An Ayriian cavalry soldier was nearby, she forcefully pushed him off his horse and mounted then road off, leaving the cursing man in the dust.
Skadi skidded to a halt to see the remaining Harads rush out. Two were no doubt generals and one was a woman. Skadi glared at the girl and knew that she would be her target. A strange feeling in her told her that that person was the one she should fight, not he male. The horse under Skadi turned away as the bodyguard would return faithfully to her lord. This victory would no doubt bring fear among the Harads at having seen their greatest arsenal fail twice.
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Post by D on May 11, 2008 19:57:56 GMT -5
Shhhh-splortch.
"Urrrck!" He held to his throat before slowing down to a walk and then finally falling down. His cloaked attacker emerged out of the safety of the forest and walked after the rest of his prey. Calmly, the attacker placed his foot on a crate and raised his bow and arrow. He pulled back on the string and stared directly at his next target's heart.
Shhhh-thunk.
There was another painful scream and another fall. While standing on top of a crate, he released his last arrow.
Thunk.
But the blasted thing never made its mark.
"Flee, master! I will slay this one and find you!" A talking beast shouted. The attacker slowly placed his bow and arrow bag on the ground as he moved off of the crate. "I am Lurik serving under Master Gaeir! Your death is upon you!" The beast snapped the arrow stuck in his shield and the attacker moved on forward. "Hmph...Tell me where your master is headed and I shall spare your life." "Is that so, human? I am of a greater race. You shall be crushed!" "Don't look down on me, beast." He stepped over a fallen body and drew his daggers. The 'great' talking beast laughed at his smaller blades, but the cloaked man kept his ground. Lurik charged and swung his large sword around. The attacker dodged his attack easily and then laughed. "You are one of the lowest of your kind. I've faced better swordsmen..." Lurik swung again and the attacker ducked. Another swing, and it was dodged once again. His sword couldn't connect. In frustration the beast yelled, "STOP RUNNING!" Lurik roared and the attacker placed both daggers in his right hand. "I WILL MAKE YOUR DEATH QUICK, HUMAN FILTH!" The cloaked attacker lowered his left hand to the ground and it began to glow green along with his eyes. "I WILL-" The beast charged once more, but was halted when wooden hands rose out of the ground and grabbed the beast's leg. "The forest is crying...You have helped destroyed its sister." The beast fell with a whump, and the attacker sprang up from the ground and toward the monster. He landed in front of Lurik, but kept some distance away. "What is this sorcery?!" Lurik yelled, but the attacker obviously ignored it. "Where is your master headed?" He asked and then kicked the beast's sword away. "I SHALL NOT! I will not tell you!!" "Very well. Perhaps this might help." The cloaked attacker drove his dagger straight into the monster's hand. "Ahhhrgh! My master means more to me than my life! I shall never betray him!" "I see... Shall I take away everything that allows you to fight?" "Taking away my sword and shield will do nothing." "Don't fool yourself. You know what I speak of, and I will not hesitate to do so..." Lurik laughed at the man and with his other dagger, he cut through the beast's arm muscles. The laughter turned into yells and screams, but the dagger continued to move up and down Lurik's arm. "You will not be able to use your sword arm again. Should I take away your ability to walk or maybe... finish your shield arm?" Lurik continued to yell, and the attacker got up and walked over to his legs. He knelt down and did the same thing he did to Lurik's arm. "RAHHGH! STOP! I SHALL SPEAK! I SHALL SPEAK!" "Good. Where is your master headed?" "Master Gaeir is headed west!" "Your master shall be killed, but your life is spared...If you die from the loss of your own blood, know that it was Davyn who gave you those wounds. But if you live and tell this tale, know that I shall come and hunt you like the animal you are." Davyn pulled his dagger out of Lurik's hand and walked to the west. He stopped and looked back at the fallen Lurik. The beast was trying to get up and move. "I dare you to escape his forest." Davyn then started again to the west.
"Wait! I must stop..." "Keep Moving, Luund!" Gaeir ordered. "Do you think Lurik killed him?" Luund asked. "No...We have not heard his victory roar. Hurry. We must move!" "Who do you think he is?" "What makes you think..." Davyn moved out of his hiding spot and drove his dagger into a Luund's chest. "Uurrk!!" "... that I have that that knowledge?" Davyn pulled his dagger out of Luund and wiped it on the dead man's shirt. "Luund?" Gaeir turned his head to look back and without a second of hesitation, Davyn gave a hard punch to the back of Gaeir's head. He picked up Gaeir's body and carried him off to another part of the forest. Then he tied the man's hands behind his back and he used the rest of the rope to tie him to a tree.
It took some time for Gaeir to wake up, but Davyn had the time. This little mission had no time limit, so he didn't worry. "Don't think of me as a fool. I know that you are awake, Gaeir. Answer my questions and I'll let you live." "...Fine." "Good. What are these?" "Orders. They're in code." "Who did you get them from?" "..." "You didn't hear me? Who did you get them from?" "Isn't the answer clear? If you work for Harad, then I must work against them." "Can you read the code?" "No." "I thought as much." Davyn rolled up the papers and put them in his bag. He then pulled the strap over his head and turned to leave. "I've kept my end of the deal. Hurry and untie me!" He walked away from the tied man, but ignored his words. "Hey! What about me?! You said you'd let me live!" Davyn didn't stop, but he turned his head and raised his hand. "I am." He lowered his hand and left the man there. If Gaeir was lucky then maybe the wolves would kill him him quickly. In Davyn's mind, he would rather die from being mauled than die from starvation.
Davyn traveled back to the place of Lurik's defeat, Gaeir's camp, to pick up his bow and arrows. "I've lost one arrow...thanks to that repulsive beast." With the time he spent at the camp, he pulled his arrows out of the dead and cleaned them. He checked if they were still usable, and when they were, he placed them back into his arrow bag. Once Davyn was finished, he went back into the forest and found his horse. "I'm surprised you've managed alone, Leila." He said, before getting on her and riding her back to Kamigawa.
"It is done..." Davyn threw down the rolled up orders on the table and took off his hood, revealing some of his face for a dark gray cloth covered his nose and mouth. He had short brown hair and forest green eyes."A group of men serving under this kingdom's enemy were the ones who murdered the scouts. There in front of you is the proof." "Did you keell them?" A plump man in red asked. "Who do you think I am? Of course, but knowing you..." Davyn pulled out a blood stained feather. "This is the feather that you have given to me. The leader of the group has been killed." He put the feather on the table in front of the plump man. It was a lie, but the fat man would never know. "Mmmmyeas! That is the feather I gave to you!" Davyn looked at the fat man with disgust. "Now, now, Leely...fetch this man his moneeeyz." "Yes, Master Bahb Gie!" A girl said, exiting the room. She then re-entered the room with a sack of 'gold' and gave it to the circular man. "Now, now! Where were we, Mister...Mister, ah, Daveen?" "I finished it, so I am here to collect my pay, Sir..." "Say my name now, Daveen." Davyn didn't show it, but this man was beginning to become an annoyance. "Sir...Bahb." "Now, that wasn't so hard. Was it Daveen?" Davyn held his hand out. "Give me my pay." He said, and Bahb finally handed the sack over. "Thank you." He took the sack and left Bahb's house quickly. "Pleasant doing business, Mister Daveen! You come work for me again, yes?" Bahb shouted as Davyn left.
"He smelled like a pig, looked like a big, and has a ridiculous name...I refuse to work for another being like him." He said quietly as he closed the door to Bahb Gie's home. "Utterly disgusting...To think that a man of his status...ugh..." Davyn shook his head and opened the sack to check if the pay was good. It was and he placed it in his bag. He'd need to count those later. "I need to buy better armor..." He then headed toward the market place.
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Post by V on May 11, 2008 20:51:30 GMT -5
Further north, the retreating army was allowed to catch breath, as the horses stopped, and the Mumak was given breath as well. The generals met up again, glad the other had made it through. "The enemy has the advantage once again..." Jia Min began speaking to her companion. "and the Shah must know this area is not under our control." The male general agreed, and called over to one his riders. "Your spear." he ordered the rider, and he was given it. Kahyet produced a roll of parchment from his belt, and gave it to the rider. "Ride swiftly back to Sudentor. Deliver this message to Shah Chichor. Make sure he knows that Vorsar has demons now. And that we, Kahyet of Gandara, and Jia Min of Matau, have failed him for the first time. And that we are seeking shelter in Kamigawa..." "I will ride without rest, my general." the man said, then turned off in a direction, and galloped away. He then faced Jia Min. "Come, we must not waste anymore time. e maybe safe now, but that might not last much longer." Again, the riders forced their moments to gallop off again, until they arrived at destination. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They arrived near dusk, some of the gates sticking out. It was amazing the Ayriians knew not of this place, and not many other else did, other than a select few of the Harad'rim, and those who lived here. The Shah found this pact between them mutual. This city was a great tactical point, and in exchange, the Harad'rim offered protection and secrecy of those who would be destroyed by the marauding Ayriians. They approached the gates, and one of the guards appeared. Before he could speak, Kahyet gave the order. "Open the gates!" The guard took a look at the uniforms, and shouted "Open!" A moment later, the grand doors started to part, until the opening was large enough for the Mumak to enter. The gold and garnet army marched in, and when they had all clear, the gates were shut. The sight of these soldiers stunned some of the villagers, but the soldiers meant no harm. The Harad'rim military had a barracks and and stables set up in the city, and that would be where they were headed. Peasant and slaves gave way, as the army marched slowly forward, their heads down. The gates of the barracks were in sight, the guard to it opened the gates, and the army filed into another closed space. Until they all had entered, and the gates closed, did they start to speak. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jia Min and Kahyet immediately headed for a room in the barracks, one they would usually exchange idea. "It is clear..." Jia Min started. "That we must mediate, and consider our next move."
"These people..they know not what we are fighting against now." Kahyet answered. "And once they do, they'll see that they must come and fight to protect themselves...fight alongside we, who have protected them for so long."
"But...if they see what they must fight, they will not take up arms quickly. I fear those demons, as do my men...and as do you."
"That may be, Jia Min. But there comes a time where we must all throw fear aside...and merely fight to die. Have that thought in your mind, and nothing else. That is why the demons, are successful. They have no fears, just one thing on their mind; "fight to die." Kahyet left the barracks, followed by Jia Min. "We must spread this message, Jia Min. Recruit all willing men first, then turn to conscription. Take a message to the town crier. All men who seek to fight...to report to us. We'll evaluate their skills."
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Post by Jo on May 11, 2008 21:15:54 GMT -5
Time passed as slowly as a boulder transforming itself into grains of sand. Each one rubbing each other harshly. Much of this philosphy was adapted into the School of Helm. You must endure the hardship of lief and training before becoming part of the local militia. Perhaps Kamigawa could have repelled either Harad or Aryii but neither really posed much of a danger of their ways of life. It was easier to comply to their wishes. It was foolish of Harad to believe they were the first to discover them. Both nations had known of this place but ignored it. Could you not notice a droplet of water in a downfall? Or see the rising sun in the morning. No but they took much for granted. Although in recent history the knowledge of Kamigawa remained as a haven. Commoners knew where to go to seek sanctuary. The nobles, militia and the Rulers of the other nations had not had first hand intereaction with the city. They had their own mage school, army, priests of many gods. The most revered of the city was Selune (Seh - loon - eh), also known as the Moonmaiden, Our Lady of Silver. The twin Goddess to the Lady of Loss, Shar. Her arch enemy. Many of the races had nearly forgotten of these Dieties. Well that is until the Time of Banishment. Where the OverGod Ao had banished the other gods to the mortal plane for their own ignorance to their worshipers. Many struck one another. Dieties slain by their kin. That was over five centuries ago though. Ancient history so to speak. ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ Lestari had shopped for fresh fruit and milk. She returned home then off to work. She was a little known dancer in an off shot Cantina near the market place. It had flourished after the Marquis visited the Cantina one night, maybe five years ago. She followed the rythym of the music, her body swaying to each individual beat. Each movement percise, it was an art. She longed to achieve the Perfect Dance. Each dancer wished to fufill this desire. You knew though. You knew when it would happen. After her exhausting regiment the half-nymph wandered the marketplace again. Searching for dancer apperal, maybe once she aquired enough gold coins she would commission Jana the local seamstress to make her an outfit fit for royalty. High hopes, yet few dreams that may be in reach. While on her search she heard one of the many town criers. " The army of Harad are looking for able bodied men. Experience the rush of battle, slaughter those who dare opress our way of life. They threaten all of which we have accomplished". It went on more but that was nonsesnse. Men here were lazy, and all the hot headed men were working for Daryl Avintuer. A smuggler, slaver, an all around fiend. ' Fools' she thought before resuming her work.
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Post by Turn 360 and walk away on May 11, 2008 21:39:06 GMT -5
The Harad'rim retreated in a thunderous flight. The final mumak ran as fast as it could behind the retreating men, in the rear. The few Shei'Kabach who managed their way into the archer boxes let off a final shot, though none hit, and if any did, it was far less than fatal. Many of the bodies strewn about the stronghold were unfit to feed to the dogs, but there were too many. The stench of death would be too strong to even stay in the yard. "Burn them!" Vorsar commanded. "Outside the main exit!" Many Nioa'Oea were perplexed by this. They stole bodies from the wheelbarrow Vorsar's men were using to collect them. The hero of the day sat dorment in the corner, plucking arrowheads from his hide. Small threads of black ooze trailed from the wound to the tips. Another Nioa'Oea dragged a body over, and sat with the injured one. The last faun stood in the center of the yard, orchestrating the entire ordeal, through moans, clicks, and whistles. Anur'Ranst stood at the doors, giant mallets in hand. As soon as the scums standard was taken down, The Amber standard waved in the breeze. The men saluted, the daemons hissed--not of dissaproval, but boredom--and Vorsar began making his way to a small, enclosed corner of the yard, where he would set his camp up. Vostocre's twisted smile faltered, and twitched to a frown for an instant, at the group of Nioa'Oea, which now contained all the remaining, arguing over who gets the dead man's head. Vorsar screamed, "Anyone here bored?" Two men looked up. "Either of you have a horse?" One nodded. He looked tired, though eager. "I need you to ride to Schoem and order, by me, three trebuchets be brought here. 250 men, and a forgemaster." "yes, Sir!" he rode away. Saluting to superiors only wastes valuable time. Vorsar turned to Vostocre. "Myself and 100 men are marching to those damned birds northeast of here. I heard them last night, speaking of our ignorance. Will you, soon-to-be Boehguerra of the East, keep this in the Favored hands?" She nodded once, short and sharp, and whispered something to the faun. He wailed, the sound of a hurt dog, and the Anur'Ranst shifted, to double security by the small man doors. "We will head out by sun-up, and be gone three days, no more.
That night, Vorsar, as the men of his march, laid down on the rough cloth of his cot. He does, as most men, dream, and he does, as most men do, dream of peasantries. Ilona Vostocre filled his mind.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
"He dreams of that woman, does he? this may be advantageous. Anaramph... phalat... vie...." His mind broadcasted to her eyes as the woman's did some moons ago.
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Post by D on May 11, 2008 23:31:51 GMT -5
"Chicken! You sir! Would you like some live chickens?" "I'm not interested." Davyn passed the chicken seller. "Please, sir, do you have any money? My children are sick and we are starving." He pushed her aside and walked away, but the woman ran after him and got in his way once more. "Please, sir. Just a few coins! My husband is sick, my children are sick, and I am sick. We are all hungry. No money to buy our food and no money to buy new clothing!" Davyn was beginning to get tired of her, but the woman obviously didn't know and she continued talking. He pushed her aside again and walked away again, but she came back. "We are suffering!" Davyn sighed and finally said, "I have no money to give you. Go perturb someone else with your woes." The woman looked sadly up at Davyn and walked away, but when Davyn took a glance back, she was annoying another person.
Davyn walked for a while more and stopped when he finally found what he was looking for. He entered a small, quiet shop and took a seat at a table. "Ah, Davyn! One of my best customers!" A gray haired man greeted him with a smile. "Are you here to buy the latest armors? Perhaps a new bow? More arrows? Or would you like the great Andrei to make you new daggers?" "You've created one of the best bows, Andrei, and I know that the bow I hold with me now will last even after I return to the earth. I cannot say the same about the daggers...During my last mission, I discovered a crack in both daggers." "Ah, I promised you that they would never break. Would you like me to repair them?" "No...I would like new ones. I shall pay you when they are finished. Please give me replacements for my damaged daggers." Andrei nodded and placed two newly made daggers on the table. The daggers had black hilts, but were decorated with gold at the ends. "All know you as the one greatest at making all ranged equipment, but none know about your daggers..." He then went over to a pile of arrows, picked them up, and then dropped those on the table. Andrei laughed and shook his head. "Give me your old daggers." "How many extra gold coins for the new ones?" "These daggers cost as much as your old ones. They are the same really...but I think you'll like these newer ones a bit more." "Then for the arrows?" Davyn asked as he sheathed the daggers. "The finest arrows made...For the whole thing..." Andrei leaned over the table and whispered into Davyn's ear. The two men looked at each other and then laughed. Davyn then handed him gold pieces and put the arrows into his arrow bag. "I'm selling a new dark brown brigandine and I see that you have damaged your vambrace." "What else do I need?" He asked Andrei. "You could probably use new greaves and legs. Oh and boots!" "Replace everything?" "You aren't going to fight for the army of Harad?" "Fight? What is the need?" Andrei led Davyn outside and pointed to the town criers. Apparently, Davyn had somehow missed him.
"The army of Harad are looking for able bodied men. Experience the rush of battle, slaughter those who dare oppress our way of life. They threaten all of which we have accomplished..." The crier continued on, but the rest was garbage to Davyn. Town criers were so good at making things seem better than they really were.
"So will you fight, Davyn?" Andrei said after the two of the re-entered the shop. "Those men are rich...Perhaps I will fight for them." "They're all in the back, Davyn."
Davyn entered a back room and began to change into his new armor. The man took off everything except for the dark green cloth around his nose and mouth, and his long sleeved dark green shirt. He then pulled a dark brown brigandine with vertical stripes over his shirt and strapped it closed. The next thing he pulled on were the tan legs and over it he had the matching colored greaves. He slipped on new dark brown boots and then moved to his vambrace. "Urgh...The forest was angry..." He muttered as he took it off his left arm. Once off it revealed a cut he had received from fighting with the trees. Davyn quickly wrapped it and covered it with a brown vambrace decorated with a tan diamond. Davyn re-wrapped his right arm with some brown cloth and then went on to fix his bags, belts, and other things.
"Andrei...I've finished." He said, putting on his dark green cloak. "Fix your arrow bag and your belt. If you are going to the army, you shall need to present yourself well. Go to the barracks and talk to the Generals." Andrei pointed at Davyn and Davyn nodded. He straightened his belt and fixed his arrow bag. "Anything else?" "Yes... Come back to me when you are done." "Hmm?" "Davyn, promise me... Promise me that when you are done fighting...you will return here and see me again." "Andrei, I have always returned to you after all of my adventures." "...Davyn...I'll take your word. Fight for us and for me in this battle, son." Davyn smiled. "Hmph...annoying old man." Andrei smiled and Davyn left the shop.
The barracks wasn't too far from where he was, so he walked and made it there without wasting much time. When he got there, some men had already lined up to see the Generals, but it didn't bother him much for he wasn't in a hurry. "So...why are you fighting?" A man younger than himself suddenly asked Davyn. "For the money..." He didn't ask the younger man why he was fighting, but the younger man talked about it anyway. By the time the man was finished talking, it was Davyn's turn to speak to the generals. "I suppose...I'm supposed to ask if I have the permission to speak to them..." He said to a soldier, waiting outside of the door.
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Post by V on May 12, 2008 0:21:12 GMT -5
The soldier took one look at this new "Recruit", and could already tell he wasn't going to be liked. "I suppose I'm supposed to ask if I have the permission to speak with them?" He had said. The soldier shook his head, simply pulled the door open. "Go on in." Inside, the two generals talking with some of the men who decided to enlist, and were pushing shields and swords into the hands of those who did not bring their own. These weapons were "purchased" from local blacksmiths. Then Davyn came up. Kahyet examined him. "You don't look like you can fight very well." He simply said, and then examined his equipment. "Ah. You think yourself an archer. Jia Min! I think this one is for you." The female general stepped up, brushing her black hair from her face. Her slanted eyes scanned this man, and then his armaments. "I see you have a bow and some arrows." She spoke calmly, and removed one from his quiver. She pulled on the feathers that stabilized the arrow, patted the tip of the arrow with her fingertip, and finally, after examining the rest, snapped the arrow into two by bending it beyond it's breaking point. "Psh. These arrows are more flimsy than the ones I give to recruits. Who is your crafter? A young infant?" She tossed the two halves aside, and reached for his bow. Before he could react it was in her hands. Jia Min played with the flash string, testing the tension, and what not. Then, she took one of her own arrows and attempted to string it. Fully stringed, she gave a disappointed look. "This bow is unfit to use our arrows. If you still wish to enlist, you will be given a new quiver and a new bow, and they WILL be used. This is not an option, this is an order. Am I clear?" She waited for his response.
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Post by D on May 12, 2008 1:01:31 GMT -5
"Go on in." The soldier told him and Davyn came in. The generals were a sight to see, but he had expected this kind of thing. All the rumors about them were true. "You don't look like you can fight very well." Davyn stood there without saying a word or displaying any emotion on his face, but inside, he was laughing. Of course, they would be like this. After all, they were two of the great generals of Harad and he was only a mercenary that hardly anyone knew. Kahyet examined Davyn's equipment and then called for the female general. "Ah. You think yourself an archer. Jia Min! I think this one is for you." The woman general stood up and his eyes watched her as she examined him. "I see you have a bow and some arrows." She spoke calmly and took an arrow. Jia Min examined the arrow and then snapped it in half. "Psh. These arrows are more flimsy than the ones I gave to recruits. Who is your crafter? A young infant?" Davyn stood there quietly. The woman then reached for his bow and Davyn did nothing about it again. He watched her play with the string for a while, before trying it out with her own arrows. He saw her give a disappointed look and then she looked up at him. "This bow is unfit to use our arrows. If you still wish to enlist, you will be given a new quiver and a new bow, and they WILL be used. This is not an option, this is an order. Am I clear?" "As clear as a crystal, General." Davyn said seriously. Behind the cloth covering his mouth, he smiled. He liked the Generals for some reason, and he felt that fighting under them would be something worthwhile. He already knew that he'd enjoy some of his time fighting for Harad's army.
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Post by Turn 360 and walk away on May 12, 2008 1:11:07 GMT -5
Very few of Vorsar's men had horses left, but no matter. there will be horses in the village. Nothing happened along the trail, apeart from a squirrel, shorn in two, a rabbit, with a hole put through it, and a hurt equine ankle, courtesy of a cut-down stump. a column of smoke in the distance. Their pace picked up. a day's march, and their payoff is in blood!
Once in sight of the gates, the village took note. it was a large town, held maybe 300 soulless beasts, at the most. "200 are warriors, then." Vorsar reasoned. he looked back at his one-hundred-strong column. The Bird-Men had no hope. He ordered all but three men into the trees, to surround the walls. He ordered the few daemons he brought to stay in the trees. All he brought were Anur'Ranst, and the dumb things wouldn't understand how to climb a wall without smashing through it. Him, and his three emissaries climbed on a horse and rode to the gate. Behind them, two of the putrid creatures waited. "Who ah you?" they stumbled. The lowly bird couldn't even speak correctly. Vorsar dismounted his horse, and strode to the wrought-iron barrier. "I am Cimber, here to deliver a message from the Ayriians to your fine town. These are emissaries of their respective Agencies, Iron," he motioned to a woman to his left, "Fire, and Water." he motioned to two men on his right. We hold in our hands important scrolls, to be seen by your chief at once." "If you wish to see Byk Windclaw, you are welcome." the other Nоabul coughed. he seemed far more respectable, maybe he'll live. They, in unison, pulled the gates open, and the four "missionaries" walked inside the walls. Vorsar whipped around, and his dagger found it's way into the first guard's skull. The second guard took an elbow to it's neck, and was on the ground. They put his head between the gate doors and slammed them. Red spray misted the feet of the attackers. At this, he called his Daemons to the scene. they leaped from the tree and through thatch roof. inside the hut, one of the birds was screaming in agony. all around the outside wall, men in crimson began hopping the wall, making no sound as they did. Vorsar withdrew his broadsword from under a cloak and swung it around his head. it landed with it's tang on his shoulder. His three men scattered left, and he took right. They swept though the town mercilessly, capturing the men, and leaving them in the square. women and children were carted out, to a holding cell in a small building. It had some windows. Once everyone had been taken care of, every Ayriian stood at attention in the Square. The Anur'Ranst took up war hammers. At once, Vorsar's Sword came down, and dug itself into the dirt, inches from the first Noabul. "Plead, or i may kill you without remorse." it said nothing. Vorsar's obsidian blade was raised over his head, and eclipsed the doubled-over bird, on it's knees. He grunted and pulled down. A little grinding sound happened as the blade fought through vertebrae, followed by a distincly squishy sound, as it eased through the rest of it's body. The Noabul cried in pain as Vorsar cut in two at the lower back.The daemons, getting the call, threw their hammers down upon the skulls of their victims. They red haze disoriented them for a second, before moving on. He signalled other soldiers to come and help, 200 was a big number to cut through. In the end, Vorsar collected a handful of bloodied feathers and put them in his cloak pocket. The daemons walked away, towards their brethren, and The Ayriians had a burning. bottles filled with lamp oil and cloth were hurled into every building. The holding cells were never unlocked.
By daybreak the following day, Vorsar made it back. Vostocre greeted him on his way to his tent.
He never slept better.
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Post by Jo on May 18, 2008 0:56:35 GMT -5
She heard the rumors. They spread faster than the last plague. It seemed that they were in desperate need of warriors. The Harad army was recruiting all able bodied men. There was another rumor going around. If they did not have enough then they would force the men. If these were indeed true then was it possible if she could enlist? But her skills in combat were rather lacking. Could she instead be enlisted to espionage? That would be more in her skill set. It wasn't the thrill of war that entertained her, it was what the money should could earn that burned a fiery passion within her. Lestari moved once again. Her new destination was the weapons shop. Once passing through the market place, she could feel many hungry eyes upon her. Placing a target on her, she was new meat to some others..... an old flame of desire. She entered the shop. Kindly smiling at the weapons master. " Hello. I think you might be able to help me ..." her words drifting off. --- --- --- The next minute she was ushered into the back room. It already smelt of death. The rotting aroma was everywhere. " Is it possible that I could join?".
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Post by V on May 19, 2008 18:55:39 GMT -5
The Harad'rim army had conscripted enough soldiers to have replenish their ranks..however, these new recruits were simply going to be fodder...they would be given minimal training, average weaponry, and no mounts. Harad would usually fund it's armies better, having just been mostly hired hands, they'd likely die on the field anyway. The last recruit left the generals, and they went about to discuss their plans. "Our army is back at operational capacity." Kahyet said. "But, we're still not on equal footing with those demons. Two Mumaks dead...and killed easily, too. We'll need the blessing of Hora if we plan to strike back at the Ayriians." While they pondered, a knock from the soldier outside. "One more recruit, generals." He said. Unified, the two generals sighed. "Send him in." However...they were surprised to see that it was a woman; the first they'd seen volunteer. Kahyet made a sound of intrigue. He was not a womanizer in anyway, but he was male, and is one to be infatuated. Jia Min pushed Kahyet aside before he could say a word. "I'll handle this one." She said, and studied the new woman. By the way she walked in, with such grace, and she moved her arms...and even simply by the way should would stand, Jia Min could tell she was a dancer. "Well...I'm sure your moves would be great in a tavern or brothel. But, this is a war. And I don't want you distracting my soldiers with your pretty little face. However, we can use you. You will travel with us, and your lightweight should make it easier for the horse to run...you'll be with our scout division. Now...like I have told all the other recruits. We choose what role is best for you to play, and if you feel like you are not up to the task, you may just turn around and leave. Are you up to this task?" She awaited Lestari's answer.
Afterwards, there were horns outside, signaling the Harad'rim army. Since the generals never allowed anyone to leave, this one had to be from the Shah. The two generals ran outside to meet their allies. They saw several men, dressed in black robes with silver face plates approaching the barracks with wooden carts filled with crates. This was the uniform of Harad'rim wizards. They weren't truly wizards, more like scientists if you would. When they arrived at the barracks, they immediately went into the archery range, followed by the two generals. "General Jia Min...and General Kahyet." One of the robed men said. "We have a new weapon for you to use in your struggle with the Ayriians. The Shah ordered us to deliver it once your message came." The man opened one of the crates, and took out an arrow. The arrowhead was slightly bigger than a conventional one, yet not anymore heavy. The wizard then asked for Jia Min's bow, which she quickly complied. He strung the bow with this arrow, and aimed at one of the targets. Then he released. The moment the arrowhead collided with the wooden target, it exploded. The aftermath left a massive indent, maybe 3/4s deep into the target, the edges of it smoldering. Jia Min and Kahyet were stunned by the very sight of it. The wizard chuckled from behind his veil. "I take it you like what you see? Well, this was a very simple concoction. Some dust here, blacksalt, ground mumak dung...haha, makes a very explosive result. And this is not the only gift we have for you." He directed them to another cart. There was a white sheet over it, and when it was pulled off, revealed a weapon similar to a ballista. However, this one had two launch bases. "This ballista, as well as the others we have brought, are altered to fire the ballista bolts modified with our new powder. however...we're the only ones who know how to operate them with hurting ourselves. We will come with you to take back the fortress once again. With this new weaponry, we'll be even with Ayriians again."
Jia Min and Kahyet could not agree more, as they gave the wizards the best quarters they could offer in the barracks. They'd attempt to besiege the fortress again in four days, after having trained the new recruits, and fine-tuned the new wepaons.
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