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Dredigan

Dredigan

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"I know some of you are losing heart, but don't! Remember why you started this fight, and imagine what it will be like when you finish." Irve was having a hard time, though a few more of the men had joined the cheer many still remained unconvinced. "You're free to leave. But the fight will be everywhere soon, just decide who's side you're on." He said in a last ditch effort to gain morale.
That night, when the fires were out, Irve was ecstatic to see that almost nobody had left. The cooking spits all had food on them, and the men were singing great songs of battles years past, "The survet's came late" seemed to be popular among them. Irve himself did no singing, He was busy building Merlon's funeral pyre. When he finished stacking the wood, he lay Merlon's body atop it without clothes and only a wooden sword to hold, despite how disrespectful it looked the rebellion needed his armor and weapons more than he did.
Irve only stayed to watch the pyre light, but then found his way to the temple to pray. Though not for the lost souls who were killed or worse, but for his own.
===============================================================
Chapter ten: Valtir
"Southern Lorik is ours." Valtir told Rob. "We expect word from the northern and eastern within the week." he explained. "Good. When Merlon and his men return we will be able to count our numbers total, if our total is high we can take Survet and wipe them out of the war before they even enter." Rob said sounding happy. Just then Raylov entered the room. Rob stood from his desk and saluted him, Valtir simply stood off to the side.
"Rob. I need to speak to you alone." He said. Rob looked at Valtir. "Got it." Valtir said, walking outside the room into Bert's kitchen where he and Aveline were breaking their fast on sliced ham and goat cheese. "Good morning sir" Aveline said. Valtir sat down in the third chair at the table, and forked a slice of ham with one of the silver knives on the table. "To you as well Ave."

24-Jun-2012 23:55:59

Dredigan

Dredigan

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Valtir was happy to see her well, she had killed a guard during the raid and only the sight of Robyk had cheered her. Valtir had been trying to play it tough so he didn't look so craven around the others but deep down his cowardice still ate at him. "Rob tells me you have sworn fealty to him?" She asked, nibbling on her ham. "I have" Valtir said after a swallow. "I wish to fight for his cause, but only for him not this Merlon I hear of. Rob is an old friend, and trusted." he explained.
He was looking at Ave as she got up to clear her plate and silverware when Valtir realized how swollen her belly had become. "How long until your child arrives my dear?" She had to stop and think for a moment. "Close to two months, maybe three at most." She told him. Then Rob came down through the doorway, "Valtir, come here." He said, then he disappeared from view. Valtir wiped his mouth with a rag, then stood and walked back to the study.
"Valtir, Raylov has commanded me to go to Iverst whilst the other rebels take the inner Lorik. But I cannot leave Aveline again so soon, so I'm sending you." Valtir knew he couldn't refuse his liege, though he hated the prospect of leaving Aveline behind as much as Rob must have. "Why am I going there my lord?" Valtir asked grimly, though he already knew the answer. "You are to liberate them of course." The answer was a stab through Valtir's heart, and the fear was coming back to him. "If Diplomacy would work then try it, but I doubt it. I've been given orders to take twenty men and march through the southern Lorik and pick up eighty more, that village has plenty of people to spare. If you can get twenty out of the eastern then by all means do so, but I doubt you will take Iverst by any conventional siege." He explained.
"Look for a way to get your men into the city without assaulting the main gate, if at all possible that is." Rob said. Valtir fought the urge to refuse, and bowed deeply. "Yes my liege." he said.

25-Jun-2012 00:13:27 - Last edited on 25-Jun-2012 00:27:34 by Dredigan

Dredigan

Dredigan

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The next day before the time came to march Valtir went to see Aveline. "My dear, I am to leave today." he told her and, to his pleasure, she looked saddened to see him go. "Why?" she asked. "I am to liberate Iverst." He told her, and saw the sadness in her eyes. "Pray for me little dove, and I will return." he told her, then she hugged him tightly and let him go. He went to the armory and donned his traveling gear, a mail shirt and leggings, a white cloak and hood, and his new longsword, Ember. Along with some plain leather riding gloves and boots.
He had chosen the first random twenty rebels he saw. Aveline, Raylov, Rob, and Bert all saw him off, Aveline kissed his longsword for good luck, Rob gave him a salute, Bert nodded, and Raylov stood there. "Hyaa!" Valtir yelled, kicking his heels down into his horse's sides. Luckily they had enough horses to mount all twenty men on swift Mare's, though Valtir himself had a strong white Stallion.
At the end of the second day's ride they reached the village dominating the southern Lorik, Korinstead, And they picked up eighty men. They only had twenty more horses to give, so some of the men had to ride double, and they couldn't ride as far then because they didn't want to overwork the horses, though it was still better then slowing to let walking men keep pace.
When on the ninth day they reached the eastern Lorik they learned that the victory won there was very costly, they only had thirty men left in the city so Valtir decided not to even ask for more men out of them, his hundred would have to suffice.
The rain had began again, that would slow the march, whereas it would have taken another day to reach the town, they had to add another day or two to the trip because the lowlands they would have traveled through were flooding steadily, they had to keep to the highrises and ride around the lowlands through rain and treacherous rocky terrain. Valtir may have complained if he had someone to complain to but he was in charge.

25-Jun-2012 00:16:45 - Last edited on 25-Jun-2012 02:17:23 by Dredigan

Dredigan

Dredigan

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That night they took shelter under a wide overhanging rock, though ninety of his men were still in the rain with thick cloaks hanging over them supported by sticks dug into the ground. At least that was one advantage of this command, he got to stay warm. He sat next to his little cook fire, sharpening Ember, then cleaning the steel which, despite the cold weather, seemed to stay warm. When he looked at the ruby that decorated the cross guard it almost looked like a flame was burning inside, though he supposed that was the reflection of the cook fire.
He had appointed Donyl as his squire, though all the rebels were already knights in Merlon's eyes, Donyl still accepted. He didn't use him for much other than serving him meals and bringing people to meet with him, every night Valtir ordered him to bring a different group of people so he could learn his men better, and they could learn to trust him before the battle.
Whence the outriders finally spotted Iverst in the distance they came back with reports of smoke rising from the walls but through the thick rain it was hard to see much else. Valtir used this to his advantage, if smoke was rising thick enough to see through the rain that meant a riot, revolt, or battle. Any of the three were could to be used against Roham's men.
He gave the order to march on the city, but when they got there it was worse than they could have imagined.

25-Jun-2012 02:51:24

Dredigan

Dredigan

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===============================================================
Chapter eleven: Vaylar
"My lord are you sure you want me to send this?" Burin asked. "I gave a command, now send the letter I do not wish to be second guessed by stewards in my own court." Lord Vaylar Worrik commanded. Vaylar hated being questioned, Men should know their places and no man in Survet had the right to think himself above him. The steward bowed and took his leave of the court. Then another man, an older fellow with a hunched back and saggy skin approached the high lord's seat.
"What is it Raynol?" Vaylar said a bit annoyed at the unnecessary urgency of the stewards voice. "We have received word that the rebels have began, heh, Liberating the Lorik, they call it." Vaylar was not surprised, nor did he care. "And?" He asked impatiently. "Well... My lord soon they will march on US! We must put a stop to them!" The steward said abashed. "And help clean up Roham's mess? No it's him they have a problem with, 'The king in the mountains'. Not a very enticing title either, it appears Roham has nothing going for him." Vaylar smiled a sick smile. "My Lord, You MUST-" Vaylar cut him off, "I must? Remind me Raynol who is the lord here?" "Well... You are-" The steward was stuttering a bit now.
"Exactly. I am the lord, you are the steward, do not tell me what I MUST do or I'll remove even that minor title from your shoulders. Off with you." The steward scampered away, Vaylar was pleased at that sight. Vaylar stood and looked to his squire, "I'm done with court for the day." he said and he walked off to the staircase in the corner of his gloomy throne room. He found his way to the top of the staircase and walked down a long hallway decorated with painting, flowers, and red carpets. To his right side was a balcony going down the length of the hallway overlooking Survet.

25-Jun-2012 03:17:07

Dredigan

Dredigan

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When he reached the end of the long hallway he entered his bedchamber. He stripped out of his lords finery and found his lady wife in bed. He lay in the same bed though he took care to lay as far from her as he could. (Filthy harlot, Why did father find her to be such a good match?) Vaylar couldn't think of the answer, and instead fell into a bitter sleep.
He awoke the next morning from his dreamless sleep, he rubbed his jaw and felt his beard growing back. (I'll need to fix that.) he though, rolling over onto his back. "Good morning." His wife Caroline said. Vaylar gave a light sigh and did not answer. "Is something troubling you my lord?" She asked. (Why is this damn woman always trying to earn my affection? It will never work!) He wanted to yell at her, though he knew he couldn't. "I have called my banners." Vaylar said to shut the woman up. "Why?" She asked. (God's this woman...) "To put Lord Roham in his place. Below me, where he belongs." Vaylar explained, swinging his legs off the bed and standing, The chamber was still dark but he could see his wife was unclothed, and still as fat as the day before.
Vaylar was very skinny and sinewy, the idea of him laying with this whale was almost too much for him to bear when he wed her all those years ago, but he had to have an heir, they did have three daughters, but he hoped to put a son in her soon enough, before she dried out and became useless. "Lord Roham is all the way across the realm, what threat could he pose you my lord?" She asked. "All the way across the realm. Secluded, able to do as he wishes and not be noticed. He could be marching here right now, he declared himself 'The king in the mountains'. What sort of bloody foolish title is that? He'll know that if I'm not with him, I'm against him. And Caroline, I'm not with him." Vaylar explained bitterly.

25-Jun-2012 03:22:52 - Last edited on 25-Jun-2012 20:06:48 by Dredigan

Dredigan

Dredigan

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He wasn't looking at her, but he felt her arms slide over his shoulders and her hands clasp together on his chest, her body pressed against his back. "Vaylar, you don't need to do th-" He shoved her off and turned to look at her, his black eyes staring deep into her. "I don't have to do this? I don't have to love you, but I do it for the good of Survet. I don't have to father our daughters, but I do it for love of them. I don't have to do anything. But I do for the good of the realm. That's what a Lord does, I'm surprised you haven't picked up on that these last twelve years. Maybe while you're learning you can study up on what a lady does as well."
He was dressing himself in a black velvet doublet and pants as he explained to her. When he finished he could see the sadness in her eyes. (The soft heart of a woman.) "Caroline. We mustn't fight, Our city needs us to be strong." She just nodded and wiped her eyes quickly, then walked off to her closet. Vaylar himself walked back downstairs to his throne room, and groaned lightly to see that people were already waiting to hold court. "Fine." He mumbled to himself as we walked over and sat on his high lord's chair.
"My Lord Worrik, I present to you Sir Axal Vurin of Ornica." The knight walked up to the Lord's chair, all clad in his fine silver mail and helm crested with a red ridge. His white cloak flapping as he walked. He knelt before Vaylar and his fist found his heart, his mail clanking all along. "My Lord." he said.
"Rise sir, and tell me what you're doing in my hall." Vaylar said. (It appears Roham DOES need my help. Good.) he thought, and felt a smug half smile grace his lips. The knight stood clanking. "Aenis Roham, first of his name, king of the mountain's and lord of Ornica, Commands you to supply him with three thousand men at arms and thirty knights, to fight the rebellion." The knight looked up at Vaylar on his seat, sounding all smug and self satisfied.

25-Jun-2012 20:22:37

Dredigan

Dredigan

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"Oh does he?" Vaylar said, more of a statement than a question. "Well, you go riding back and tell his grace that I'll be happy to send him eight thousand men so long as he DOES use them against these rebels. They'll be ready to march tomorrow, though you ought to ride ahead to bring him the news before this army arrives at his gates." Vaylar said. He snapped his fingers and a steward came to him, "See that out guest has suitable chambers, and meat and mead will do him some good I see." Vaylar commanded and it was done.
(Fools. All of them.) Vaylar thought, as he sat his high lord's chair that would soon become a true throne.
===============================================================
Chapter twelve: Valtir
Out of his hundred men, only eight remained. He didn't even know all of their names, just that they were the survivors. Iverst was terrible. Worse than Ysmora, but this time Valtir had learned something about the Draugr's. It wasn't fire, or magic that killed them, all he knew was that it had something to do with dragons. Valtir struck one of them with Ember and it fell like any other foe, but it wasn't the flame woven into it, flames had never worked before, it HAD to be the dragon scales inside the steel.
They had no horses and they all knew the things would be close behind them. They all ran as fast as they could away from Iverst, toward the Lorik. Valtir had stripped out of his plate as he ran, he was left with leather leggings, plate boots, a mail shirt, and a tattered and burned cloak that got tangled in his chain mail as he tried to get out of it. He had been running for at least an hour, he couldn't run a lot longer and it looked like his men were giving up too. The rain was pouring down, they were all soaking wet and miserably tired, the rain was to Valtir's benefit though, his men couldn't see the tears streaming down his face.

25-Jun-2012 20:34:03 - Last edited on 26-Jun-2012 05:32:30 by Dredigan

Dredigan

Dredigan

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He wasn't crying simply out of fear however, he had a million things in his mind. He was about to die, he failed his first command, he was remembering Ysmora, he would never return to Aveline, he missed his mother, his men were counting on him and all he could do was yell to keep their spirits when he knew it was hopeless. He kept running though, off in the distance he could see trees but he would never reach them in time, his stamina, nor the draugr's, would not allow it.
He was running along the same highrise they used to reach Iverst, the low area below him had become more of a canal than anything else. He was hearing the screeches again, his wound was throbbing even though it had healed, and the half of his ear that was missing seemed to burn wickedly. A fog was gathering around them, though this was no natural fog, the Draugr's were close now, he could see thin silhouettes in the mist, endlessly running for them, more like limping at a brisk pace than running.
He was running one moment, the next his foot fell through the soft mud and got stuck in a deep hole, he fell flat on his face into the mud. He remembered everything Bert's books had taught him of the Draugr's then, not by choice it all just came to him. They are reanimated corpses of fallen warriors. Utterly unstoppable, (unless you have a sword like Ember.) he thought. They will follow prey to the ends of the earth to satisfy their lust for blood. It was unimportant, he would die now anyway, why even get up? But he felt himself being pushed forward, not by his own strength, something had taken him over from within and forced him to stand.
He was behind his men now, he was afraid to try and hide or catch up, now the draugr's would have him first, it would be over soon. He just started running anyway. His men jumped a crevice in the ground only a few feet wide, he tried to as well when he reached it but he had no strength. He was trapped here with the Draugr's closing in.

26-Jun-2012 05:59:35 - Last edited on 26-Jun-2012 06:43:16 by Dredigan

Dredigan

Dredigan

Posts: 1,549 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
He looked back, the shapes were growing larger, they would take him if he waited, but he couldn't get across, his men were getting father too but, one or too had fell, succumbing to fatigue. Valtir didn't want to die yet. He wanted to live, to see Aveline, to finish this useless fight he started with his own cowardice. He fell to his knees, mud engulfing his leather leggings. He heard another screech, then one of his men shout some incomprehensible word, then he closed his eyes and felt the rain on his face. Then he fell.
He dropped through the crevice and fell into the earth, he fell for what felt like ages but was really only a few seconds, and he landed in a pool of water. When he did not resurface he got scared and realized his armor was keeping him down. He fumbled trying to hold his breath, unfastening his mail. When finally he got his shirt off he was able to bring himself up for air. After a moment of sucking in breath he was able to look up and see the beasts hopping over the crevice he was hiding in, then he heard steel singing with steel, then ripping noises, and screams. Not screeches like the Draugr's might make, these were human.
He felt fresh tears streaming down his face knowing he'd condemned his men to die whilst he alone lived. He sat there treading water as he waited for the noises to stop, crying as heavily as the rain was falling. He swam forward to an opening where the ground wasn't so low, so he could climb back up onto the highrise. He left his mail in the puddle, that was the last thing he cared about at this point. He crawled up onto the hill his men were running down and saw their bodies, mutilated beyond reason, none of them had both arms attached, some were missing legs, many were headless.

26-Jun-2012 06:31:55 - Last edited on 26-Jun-2012 17:38:02 by Dredigan

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