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Dredigan

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he asked. "I knew a Robyk when I was at Ysmora, we played cards." The girl Bert called Aveline looked at him, "Yes. My Rob was at Ysmora, thank the gods he fled. You knew him?" She asked surprised. "Aye, he and I always took turns winning the card games. He was always a deal braver in combat then I was though, So everyone made fun of the knight hiding behind the archer." He laughed, and so did she.
After around three weeks of Aveline staying with them Valtir could tell she was with child, And one night at supper he asked her about it. "Do you want a boy or a girl?" He asked. "A boy." she said. "I'm sure Rob would be pleased to have a son, all he ever talked about on the march was going home to make little knights and what not." Aveline blushed a little, "He... Would not be Rob's. He will be baseborn." she said. Valtir felt a little embarrassed now. "Oh... I'm sorry." he tried to make himself feel better. "It is not your fault, A guard did it, against my will. I hope that Rob kills him." she said. Valtir was unmoved, he agreed with her. "Rob has enlisted with the local rebels then?" He asked finishing his supper. "Yes. They are the ones who rescued him from the gallows." She said nibbling on a piece of ham.
"I see. This village is not far from revolt either. I feel it every time a caravan of soldiers marches through, or a noble is being escorted by household knights. Soon nowhere will be safe." He said. "I know. But we can only hope that Rob's cause grows and they take down that vile lord Roham." Aveline said happily. "Survet will be a decisive force. Should they declare for Roham the rebels will have a much harder time, if the Survets go to war with Ornica then there is a chance." Valtir said.
"We can only hope the war avoids us long enough to see." Said Bert who had entered unannounced.

23-Jun-2012 06:58:55 - Last edited on 23-Jun-2012 07:15:56 by Dredigan

Dredigan

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"I've just received word from Devon. The rebels have liberated the town. The royal guards were put to the sword, some apparantly turned over, others preferred the chopping block." He said pouring himself a mug of wine. "The citizens rejoiced at the idea of 'freedom'." He said downing the cup. Aveline turned back to Valtir "It appears the war will be here sooner than expected.", Valtir nodded at the statement. "Indeed." he said sipping his wine.
Nothing happened for a while after that until a courier brought another letter for Bert. "I'll intercept that and bring it to him." Valtir said smiling. He took it and opened it up, he read over it quickly. "Gods..." He mumbled. He bolted back into the house quick as he could and found the old man sitting at the kitchen table with Aveline. "Bert..." He said. "I just received word from Rob." Bert looked up, "What?" He and Aveline both said simultaneously. "He says they have established themselves in Ysmora. The Draugr's are gone."
===============================================================
Chapter six: Yorlede
"Peasants, beggars, and rebels." Were the words Captain Stavi used to describe the citizens of The Lorik, some dirt poor village on the edge of the Lorik forest. Yorlede had just earned his first command and was told to bring a garrison of fifty men, five of them knights like himself. to hold the town against any attacks. Thankfully the garrison was small enough that they could all be mounted, which would cut the trip in half, if all went smoothly. Yorlede was almost embarrassed by the other knights, They were all tall, handsome, and proud, he himself was no taller than 5'7, sinewy and swarthy. With brown hair that was receding although he was only one and twenty. His one redeeming quality was the color of his eyes, a bright green-blue that were truly bright.

23-Jun-2012 07:28:46 - Last edited on 23-Jun-2012 16:08:40 by Dredigan

Dredigan

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Yorlede himself rode at the head of the column, he posted the other three knights carefully, one on each side, and one in the rear, should they be attacked a commander would be in every part of the column. They would be arriving in the town today, he had to give an appearance so he dressed in fine silver armor with a black tabbard with the whitewashed shield of Roham emblazoned on it. He wore a black cloak with the same Sigil, and a flamboyant helm with three red ridges lining the top, each shoulder was also lined with red to signify rank.
"Sir, the outriders say the path is clear." Sir doran said trotting up to him. "Good, then no need to halt the march any, Hyaa!" He drove his heels into the horses sides and moved into a gallop, the rest of the column soon joined it. When the village came into view he slowed his horse and waited for the column to re-organize so that their entry would look nice. He was thankful that the rain had stopped so that they did not look soaking wet and tired when they entered. (The gods have some mercy then.) he thought riding into town down the main street.
(What a town... An inn, a pub, and upwards of ten farmhouses.) he thought miserably as he trotted down the street which now had a crowd of people. When he was in the middle of the street he turned his horse in place looking at the crowd. "I am Sir Yorlede of Ornica, Your lord has sent us to defend you folk from the likes of those vile rebels. Soon enough they shall come to 'liberate' you" he used air qoutes for 'liberate'. "But they will not succeed!" He turned and trotted toward the end of town where the guards barracks would be.
The quality of the guardhouse reflected the quality of the town. A hovel, a longhouse with enough beds in it for half his men. "well we will have to establish a night's watch as well." Said Sir Ben. Yorlede looked at him angrily. "You think I hadn't already planned on it? Rebels could strike at night even easier than at day you fool." he said.

23-Jun-2012 16:21:48

Dredigan

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After scolding the knight he walked with his horse to the stables and locked it up, then found his office off to the side of the guardhouse. A large enough room with a decent desk, chair, two bookshelves, and two chairs in front of the desk for meetings. Yorlede's squire, Robert, was already inside waiting for him. "M'lord I've cleaned the room up a tad, dusted and put the books away is all, but if I can do anything else..." Yorlede cut him off, "If I want you to do something else I'll tell you. I don't need you to remind me that you're my squire." He said bitterly taking his seat behind the desk.
"Send for Sir's Ben, Donal, Patrick, and Kevin." Yorlede said pulling out a sheet of paper, a quill, and some ink that was already on the desk. He began to write out the watch schedule, no sooner than he finished did the knights all arrive, all were clad in the same armor as him, Though Kevin had a visor on. Donal had his visor up, and Patrick had his helm under his arm. Patrick had apparantly shaven just before arriving, trying to look pretty for the girls as was his way, Long brown curls on his head, clean shaven face, and a muscular figure all worked in his favor. Donal was different, you could tell his nose had been broken more than once, and his eyes were icy cold though he was kind enough, and always respectful.
"I have the watch schedule. Pat, first watch beginning at six in the morning." He handed pat a list of men to take. "Donal the second watch, beginning at midday. Here's your list of men." He handed him a list. "I'll have the third watch beginning at six in the afternoon. And Kevin you have the last watch beginning at twelve in the morning." He gave him a list of men, then dismissed the knights, one by one they bowed and left.
Yorlede got up and went into the barracks, he removed his armor bit by bit, then got down onto one of the beds. (Commander has to sleep with the rest of the guardsmen, primitive.) He thought as he closed his eyes and sleep took him.

23-Jun-2012 16:39:24

Dredigan

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He must have been asleep for a while, he awoke an hour before his watch. He donned him armor once more, though this time he left his helm in his footlocker. His silver armor glinted so bright off the torchlight that it almost seemed to glow. It's red ridges appeared to be covered in blood, though it was only paint. He buckled on his sword belt, he had been awarded the sword of Guyard Valten, an ex-knight slain at Ysmora, for earning his command badge so quickly. The sword was said to be enchanted, when the steel was being folded during its making the smith folded three dragon scales into the center of it, The thing was unbreakable and said to possess dragon fire in its steel.
The hilt itself was quite flamboyant, a ruby in the center of the cross guard and lesser gems along the length of it. Up the center of the blade itself, smaller rubies were engraved. The hilt was wrapped in fine red cloth and the pommel was made of solid gold. He wore no shield, shields only slowed you down. He made his way outside to gather his men, they were all practicing in the yard (Good. Soldiers need do naught but fight, and learn to fight.) He thought. "Men!" He shouted as he walked to the center of them. "Time to take the first of many watches. The night is cool and calm, you will have no trouble from the citizens, they fear us, and you are well armed. Get to your posts and relieve the men who are there!" He shouted
He himself was going to be patrolling, along with several other men. He walked alone down the main street, inside the inn music could be heard as well as laughter and shouting. (Filthy hovel. Full of lust and greed.) he thought, and kept on walking. Upon reaching the end of the street he heard clanking, and grunting. He turned and played hotter colder with the noise for a moment until the noise stopped, then upon inspection, and with the help of torchlight, he found it.

23-Jun-2012 16:57:32

Dredigan

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One of his guardsmen was in the dirt, with his face beaten beyond reason. Blood was leaking out of every part of the mans face, his sword was missing and his helm was laying near his body, dented and broken. Nobody was near the body to accuse of the killing though. Yorlede turned around and started walking briskly back to the barracks. When he made it there he found Kevin sleeping inside, "Wake up!" he yelled twice, it took that and a smack on the head to wake up the knight. "Wha..." Kevin started to say. "Shut it, take some men and mount a search, there's already been a murder. One of our guards down at the end of the main street in a little alley. And do clean it up." He commanded.
===============================================================
Chapter seven: Raylov
"The letters have all been sent Merlon." Borthi told the Knight. "Every village now 'knows'." he said pleased. "Good." Said Merlon. He had been a bit distant since leaving Ornica, and Raylov could swear his hair got a lighter shade of gray every day. He seemed to struggle with giving orders, like knowing that he was putting someone in danger was more than he could handle. When Borthi and he were well out of Merlon's earshot Raylov said "I don't think Merlon can handle leadership."
Borthi's tone, and face agreed, but his words fought for Merlon. "He's just having a hard time dealing with death. It's natural for humans to feel this way." he said. "Aye but there hasn't been much o' that. We lost two men, total, and killed about eight of the enemies, whats the big deal?" Raylov couldn't figure it out. The rebels had been hiding out in a mountain, Borthi knew about the little mountain pass for a while, He told them about a hollow mountainside that was well concealed and should they be found, it was easily defensible. It worked as a funnel, no matter how many soldiers assaulted the place only ten men at a time could come through the entrance.

23-Jun-2012 17:15:46

Dredigan

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They had sent out letters telling everyone that they were in Ysmora, and the beasts had left the place. They didn't know if it was true but they hoped that some soldiers would throw themselves at the place and give them a window of opportunity to liberate some of the Lorik. Donyl had went out scouting with Robyk a day ago, He had reported a garrison of royal guards occupying 'The Lorik', the village that was the gateway into the Lorik forest to the west, where they would have to enter. Devon had been liberated as well, thank the gods. They had already been revolting when Borthi led his men in so it was easy to get them to join the cause, that would make four hundred men total devoted to Merlon's cause. The knighting took all day.
"I recommended you for command." Borthi said. Raylov was like to spit out his mead but he gulped it down, "Why the hell would you want ME commanding men?" Raylov asked completely abashed. "You got passion. You live for nothing but the cause, no offense, you fight like a grizzly bear, and you got a good head on you." Borthi replied. "Not to mention your a knight." He smiled realizing what he said. "Well, I mean you were already a knight before joining up." He corrected himself. (Command... I'm not fit for command.) Raylov thought, swirling his mead around in his cup.
He could see Merlon walking over to them. "Well, you and boss man need some private time I suppose." Borthi said, he drained his cup and walked away, beard swaying. Raylov looked up at Merlon as he approached, "I suppose Borthi already mentioned why I'm here." He said. Raylov nodded. "Good. I'm giving you your first command tomorrow, walk with me Sir." Merlon said. Raylov got up and started walking with him toward the mouth of the cave. They could see the Lorik in the distance, vast and green, though the snow made it look almost white, thick as it was falling.

23-Jun-2012 17:18:10 - Last edited on 23-Jun-2012 22:28:09 by Dredigan

Dredigan

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They stopped just as they reached the mouth. "The Lorik." Merlon explained. "The heart of the realm, If Roham loses it the only thing that could save him would be Survet." He went on. Raylov had a nasty feeling as to where this was headed. "Right there, see where the trees form the huge canopy? That's what the locals call the gate to the gift. I suppose it's because the Lorik forest is the only mass of trees in the realm so It's like Guthix' gift to us." He went on. The forest was beautiful, Mostly pine trees, it was a wonder because the pines formed a large wall no army could march through without clearing, and inside if full of oak trees, the further you get to the inner circle the prettier the trees got, the deepest ring was full of maple.
"A mile down that road under the canopy is a village untouched by time. It's called 'The Lorik'. It's the gateway into the forest and we need it. If we can blockade the forest at all entrances we can liberate it from the outside in with no way for the armies to escape." Merlon's plan was sound, and Raylov loved battle, but he did not want to be responsible for the death's of his men, he was already beginning to know how Merlon felt. "You are to take one hundred men and assault 'The Lorik, clearing out any guardsmen. I will march armies around the forest and enter from all sides. The attack will begin in nine days time, be ready, we march at first light." He explained, and he walked away without allowing Raylov to refuse.
Raylov stood at the cave mouth for a while, looking at the entrance to the forest. (The place my friends will die. Many of them due to my poor leadership no doubt.) He was not embarrassed to admit that he was afraid to lead, It wasn't truly in him but apparantly he was the only one that knew it. He went back into the cavern and Donyl found him. "I am to be with you on the morrow Raylov." He said. "Find me in the morning and we shall go to the men, they'll want a speech." he said walking away.

23-Jun-2012 22:40:14

Dredigan

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Raylov walked to the center of the dank cavern where the bedrolls were, he sat on his own and thought about what was to come. He fell asleep before he knew it. He dreamed of his first battle that night, his first kill. He had been wielding the same hammer he had now, He was just south of the frost fighting a dwarven army from across the realm. His first kill had been a human though, the Survet's had allied themselves with the enemy. He remember cold so bone chilling it burned. But when the battle began, his blood boiled, he was in the vanguard, charging headlong into hell. The man was very young, no more than nineteen, He was handsome too for a human, long brown curly hair, smooth features, and a strong physique to him.
The boy swung a blade at him but was apparantly used to fighting other men because Raylov hadn't even dodged and the blade passed half a foot above his head. He brought his mace up brutally into the boy's knee, a repulsive crunching noise brought the boy to the ground crying and bloody, screaming. It was fuel for Raylov. Raylov Brought the mace high above his head, the boy screamed something wicked, laying on the floor, Raylov had brought the mace down so hard the first strike he crushed the boys head entirely, it cut right through hit so that the mace was actually touching the ground where the pretty young face used to be.
Then he dreamed of what was to come nine days from now. He dreamed he was doing the same thing to a guard in a red crested helm, he dreamed of jabbing a young guard in the stomach and bringing the mace back around whacking the side of his head. Then he woke up to Donyl standing over him.
Raylov fell asleep in his clothes, but no armor. He dismissed Donyl so he could dress, his first command, small as it may have been it was satisfying to see it obeyed. He dressed in his chainmail again, with plates over the shoulders and upper torso. And a halfhelm with the visor removed. He slung his mace over his back.

23-Jun-2012 22:56:19

Dredigan

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He found that most of the men had already left, save for the small garrison left to defend the cave and the party for the northern Lorik, they were the largest group and took the most time to prepare apparantly. Donyl was at the mouth of the cave waiting, already in his leather with his bow and quiver about his back. "Rob asked to go with us as well, will you let him?" Don asked. "Indeed, he may." Raylov responded walking out of the cave, his men were all waiting in the wide valley below.
He made his way down to them and stood in front. "Form up!" he yelled, and they did. (For rebels these men are well trained. Merlon's doing I suppose.) he thought. "Men! You want to see the realm free no?" They gave a cheer, raising fists into the air. (I see they have granted me quite a few of the dwarven recruits. Excellent, kinsmen fight well together.) he thought before continuing. "The Lorik forest is the most surefire way to do it!, We now go to assault 'The gate to the gift', Your brothers in arms will be fighting in the rest of the Lorik as well, but we only have a little village to concentrate on! Don't you feel a bit cheated?!" They all cheered again.
"Then take this village and show Merlon what were made of!" They all drew swords and cheered, then when it had died down they sheathed them and formed a column. Raylov mounted the horse Donyl had brought him and stood at the head of the column to begin the march. The men followed on foot so he kept to a steady trot instead of a gallop.
"Al'var col" he heard the other dwarves singing, a good dwarven song about the funny feeling you get before battle, and how the kings of old would march huge armies and fight with the feeling in their hearts. "Col teim von heim! Von heim! Elvir col, veil von p'tu!" They sang the whole march, and soon the humans took up the chant, once they learned the words.
The march wasn't so bad then, at least not until Raylov remembered what he was headed for.

23-Jun-2012 23:08:40

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