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Post by Richter Abend on Dec 20, 2010 20:09:30 GMT -6
Richter, sitting upon his horse at the front of his army's march through the frozen wastes, pulled his steed to a halt and glanced back at his soldiers. With Marle's division and his division now combined, their forces were most likely large enough to scare off any stray bandit raids. Stray bandit raids, however, weren't what the pink haired solider was worried about. Come to think about it, Richter hadn't seen Marle in awhile. The rebel commander had somewhat assumed control in her absence and her Ilian soldiers seemed wholeheartedly responsive to his lead. If she continued to lay low, Richter would just finish the march himself. They were all headed to Ilia anyway.
More importantly, though, were his soldiers. Even the Ilians were beleaguered by the pace Richter had set. The commander was pushing the men hard. He didn't want to spend any more time out in the treacherous, and apparently rebellious, Ilian snow than he had to. Richter peered cautiously at the mountains around him. The worst thing that could happen right now was an ambush. "We can't stop," he thought. "Not while the enemy is still out there." Besides, they still had a long ways to go yet.
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Dec 22, 2010 18:07:14 GMT -6
Clair soared through the sky on Corona's back. The wind was bitter, but she'd gotten out some of her old Illian garb again to layer, and that helped keep a bit of warmth in. She'd decided to take to the skies this march, and reveled in knowing that she was as high as an eagle would fly. For that matter, was that an eagle below her? Alas that her eyesight was not the match of the mighty bird of prey, though she would still be able to see any sizable grouping of travelers who neared, especially considering that the trees here were thinner than what would truly be needed to remain hidden. They hampered her scanning, but could not fully hide.
Clair had heard many people long for the sense of flight. To be free in the air, and to be released from the difficult ground. She rolled her eyes at the sentiments as she clung frenetically to the saddle she was sitting on. That was the third major gust of wind in the past hour. If things kept up, she would have to swing lower, within arrow shot of the ground, and if that happened, she may as well return to the army. It would be better to rely on ground scouts, who could hide and take cover in the landscape, than to use the exposed flyers at low altitude.
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Post by Meredy Laplace on Dec 22, 2010 18:44:03 GMT -6
"Why are we here again?" Max asked. Thamir sighed. Max was as annoying as Meredy by this point. "Well, we're supposed to stick around her. That's pretty much it, really.
Meredy finally woke up, cheek and right arm sore from having slept against the hard, cold stone. It took her almost a minute to realize where she was. "Oh, right. Hey guys!".
The sleep seemed to have vastly improved her mood. Meredy got a bit closer to the fire, trying to heat up her nearly frozen hands. "So, when will we get going?"
"Soon, milady. Soon."
"Oh, great. I hate this cold."
Just...stop complaining. Just...stop. Please.
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Post by Cyrus on Dec 22, 2010 22:24:42 GMT -6
Being requested to join the Ilian army from is little town,Cyrus at trouble keeping the pace, well sure Cyrus was used to the snow and all,but it was is first real trip he had.Cyrus tryed is best to stay in the formation and to not show sign of is tiredness. Ussesing is lance like a hiker stick,when those said hikers are tired,Cyrus was puting a lot of is weight on in lance to kept him standing. While hardly keeping up,Cyrus just remember why he was here,some Bandits where causing problems and his job was to take cares of them. The though of it make his legs all sloppy and shaking together,he would probably have to fight bandits,even maybe they were watching them in this snow.
" Oh ooh oooh...why i am in this?"
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Mavick
Seer
Little Strategist
"The Darkness... It consumes me."
Posts: 208
Etruria Fame: -2
Sacae Fame: 1
Affinity: Dark
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Post by Mavick on Dec 23, 2010 0:22:13 GMT -6
"You there!" Mavick shouted, bringing his pony around to Cyrus's side. "What in the bloody hells are you doing, man!?" the diminutive tactition demanded. "You've broken formation! Pikemen at the front of the line! You're almost to the back! The bloody back! A lot good you'll do us back here! Plan on THROWING the damned thing!?" he berated. "Get moving, NOW!" His face it's typical angry shade of red, he rode back up to Richter. "Honestly! That's the fourth one today! It seems that half of these men are nothing more than a disorganized militia! No better that Ly-" Mavick stopped for but a second. "Lycian bandits!"
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Post by Richter Abend on Dec 23, 2010 2:32:13 GMT -6
Richter smirked as the fuming Mavick pulled his pony up and around. His face was so red, he'd probably melt the snow if he fell off his stout little mount. Richter didn't mind the shaman being constantly ablaze, though. His anger was constructive. With the purple little man all over the soldier's cases, the commander didn't have to worry as much about keeping the men in line. They kept themselves in line for fear of retribution from Mavick himself. It was funny how such a small man could instill such fear into the hearts of trained soldiers.
"Well, to be completely honest," replied Richter, "I'd say we really are only a few steps above a disorganized militia at this point. It's not like I've had much time to whip these men into a cohesive fighting force considering all of the chaos we've been going through." The pink haired man shook his head. "But at least I've got you keeping the men in line. You'd make a good drill sergeant."
Richter turned his gaze upwards, watching Clair as she soared above them upon Corona. Having a pegasus knight was always convenient. With her up there riding the wind, it was near impossible for them to be ambushed by any marauding bandits. The word "near" was key, though. Bandits seemed to always be either the dumbest or the craftiest men in Elibe. Usually the former, but those few special bandits can really surprise a man. The commander shifted his gaze back towards the hard icy snow before him, the rhythm of marching feet crunching across the wastes. "Let's just hope the whole trip stays this uneventful," he muttered.
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David Krisby
Mercenary
DEAD
"Where is MY path to redemption?"
Posts: 81
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Post by David Krisby on Dec 23, 2010 13:46:31 GMT -6
"Damn." David tripped over his feet as he walked along an icy path. His mind numb from booze, he had forgotten what he was doing out here, something about an army. He couldn't think straight, so he pulled out his whiskey and took a swig. "Ah, booshe, you alwaysh know how to take my mind off of thingsh."
He stumbled his way through more snow. The intoxication helped stop him from being cold, or feeling anything else. "I shupposhe I'll remember what I'm doing in the morning. G'night." He said to no one in particular, before he passed out face first in the snow, catching a glimpse of a large military group just before his eyes shut.
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Post by Cyrus on Dec 23, 2010 15:44:07 GMT -6
Cyrus jump back when Mavick shout at him,taking some precious seconds to realize what the pony cavalier said,keeping a better position in front of Mavick, Cyrus clumsy replied
"Ye-yes sir,ri-right away sir."
Turning now back to the dark magic user,Cyrus was feeling it wasn't his day,the tiring long walk and now this guy shouting at him.While running back in the front of the formation,Cyrus was thinking too much of what just happen that trip over David body face first in the snow,it really wasn't is day. Removing the snow covering is own face,Cyrus looked at the drunked Krisby on the snow,he could not leave him there. Laying Krisby on his back,to let him breath better than his face in the snow.
"Heur...Sir Richter,i found the body of someone,he seems to be still alive,what do we do sir? should we help him?"
Speaking at Richter, shifting is eyes at Richter to the drunken man.He could be a trap but he din't looked like a bandit or some sort,Cyrus wipe some water on is forehead,snow had hang on is head before melt out.
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Dec 23, 2010 16:46:15 GMT -6
Clair continued circling the perimeter of the army, searching for anything amiss, and generally tryig to make the best of the freezing weather. Flying really did help with that, even if it was the chief reason she was so cold to begin with. A short span of time later though, she saw something that caught her eye.
Not far in the distance, practically right around the next hill, was a small column of smoke. There was no telling from here just what it was, but it would be prudent to check it out. With a bit of excitement at using the new piece of equipment for the first time, she lifted the small crossbow tied to Corona's saddle, and loaded in the small dart it fired, double checking to make sure it was the correct kind. With little urging, Corona fell into a swift dive, swooping down over the front of the army. Then, Clair fired. The dart flew into a small clearing which seemed to be forming near a fallen man, a kneeling man, Commander Richter, and the tactician, Mavick. As it flew, the dart released a long streaming yellow cloth, signifying the unknowns.
Coming out of the dive, Corona powered his way back to low orbit again, before wheeling away, towards the smoke in the distance.
What she saw once she was close enough, wasn't much. but it didn't seem to be a large bandit ambush, as she'd feared. She did see three figures camped around a small fire, but she was too high to tell much else. For the moment, she would just circle, and see if there was anything else she was missing.
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Post by Richter Abend on Dec 23, 2010 17:22:07 GMT -6
The commander directed his horse over to the Ilian soldier and the man he had found, face down in the snow. Richter's mount snorted, visible vapors blowing from its nostrils as it came to a halt. "Good find, uh..." Richter quickly analyzed the man's armor. This was one of Marle's men. He had no idea what his name was. "...soldier. Help me get this man on my horse." The ex-mercenary held up his hand in a fist, stopping the march. He could almost hear the sigh of relief as the men came to a halt. They'd take any break they could.
With small hop, Richter dismounted, his feet crunching as he landed in the snow, and walked over to the unconscious man. The two men conscious men carried the newcomer over to Richter's horse and hoisted him over the rear end, lashing the man's body to the mount so that he wouldn't fall off. If the man was a threat, he would also be immobilized in case he woke up. The commander then took his blanket and draped it over his new cargo, just so he wouldn't freeze to death.
As Richter began to remount his horse and , a yellow flag came streaming from the air. Looking up, he noticed Clair circling over the next hill. It wasn't red, so she must not think they were in any immediate danger. He turned to Mavick. "Clair's found something," he said to his tactician. "I'm going to go check it out. You're in charge while I'm gone. The men should appreciate a break." With a snap, Richter signaled two of their few horseman behind him to escort. "Follow me. We're going to scout up ahead." The men, clad in armor, nodded and fell in behind their commander. Together, the three riders rode over the hill. As they reached the top, Richter noticed a small campfire just a couple hundred feet away. Nodding to his men, they continued down to the bottom of the hill.
As they approached the camp, Richter could identify the three figures. Two men and a woman. They didn't look to be much of a threat. "What brings three travelers such as yourselves to these God forsaken lands?" called the pink haired commander.
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Post by Meredy Laplace on Dec 25, 2010 15:15:46 GMT -6
Thamir had just got back from hunting. Apparently, he had managed to kill a deer while checking the nearby forest and was dragging it back towards the little camp.
"Well, isn't that a nice catch you got there" Max said, getting a hunting knife out of his backpack and throwing a few extra branches into the fire.
"P-poor little thing!" Meredy exclaimed, rushing towards the animal, noticing that it was far too late to try and save it.
"Just what do you think your meals back at home were made wi-wait." Max stopped suddenly and started checking his surroundings. Three horsemen were upon a small rock not too far from their current location.
"We could ask the same thing of you" Max stringed an arrow as he answered their question.
Pink hair, slightly tall, two swords, an axe; a lance knight to each side, light to medium armor, helmets cover half their face. Etrurian horses...? Impossible to tell their affiliation from here.
Thamir picked up his lance as well, though he decided to use a calmer approach. "We are just escorting this lady to Ilia, that's all" he said, pointing towards Meredy, who was still on the floor, hugging the dead deer.
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David Krisby
Mercenary
DEAD
"Where is MY path to redemption?"
Posts: 81
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Post by David Krisby on Dec 25, 2010 16:09:54 GMT -6
David slowly awoke after being moved. He might've gotten up faster, but the bitter cold had dulled his senses. He was used to the booze, so that wasn't a factor.
He wasn't processing much information on his surroundings, but from what he could tell, he was strapped to someone's horse. That someone, riding the horse. Whether enemy or ally, this person was in the middle of a conversation, and it would be rude to interrupt. Also, David was tied up, so better to just wait and see what was happening.
David suddenly realized that for some reason he had been able to think straight and come to a logical conclusion. Perhaps he had become so drunk that his mind wrapped around and became logical again. He made a mental note to drink a little less than he had earlier.
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Dec 25, 2010 19:21:31 GMT -6
Once Richter and his riders neared, Clair tightened up her circles, flying directly overhead. As yet, she hadn't been seen, but that wouldn't necessarily last forever. Once she saw the archer string an arrow, she dipped lower, ready to drop on him at a moments notice, though she was still high enough that it would take a second or two to strike. Other than that, she took no further actions.
The Commander didn't take well to having weapons pointed at him, and he didn't have the same patience that Sir Rayl put forth. These three were completely outmatched, and they didn't even know it. If things kept spiraling like this, then they would end up... well, she didn't really know how Richter would handle it.
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Post by Richter Abend on Dec 26, 2010 0:29:17 GMT -6
Richter's eyes narrowed as one of the men from the group pointed a strung arrow at him. Quick to jump for his weapon. The other man had tried to be cordial enough, but nevertheless was also quick to go for his weapon. Understandable, but their answers were vague. Vague people had secrets to hide. In lands as dangerous as these, one could afford to take no chances. Which is why Richter was going to figure out exactly what they were up to, but with weapons drawn, he didn't feel like being particularly amicable about it.
"Well, technically," said Richter, holding out one of his arms to the frozen peaks behind him, "you are already in Ilia, so I'd say you've escorted the lady far enough." It seemed like a lot of people just happened to be walking through Ilia for some reason, and it felt like Richter was running into all of them. The commander eyed the "lady", who was still on the ground, with slight bewilderment. Why was she hugging a deer? "But I doubt you're just going to leave her here in the snow."
The pink haired man continued to stare down the aggressive one. He was the biggest threat at this point. The commander had no indication of how good an archer he was, and as such there was no point in taking any needless risks. That being said, Richter had the stronger hand here, though he probably didn't even need to play it.
"I've fought and killed things far scarier than you," said the commander bluntly, his hands on the reins of his horse. "So unless you really want to shoot that arrow, I'd say you tell me where in Ilia you plan on going." Richter surveyed the group for a quick second. "Because, I'll warn you, if this feels like a stalemate, it isn't."
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Post by Meredy Laplace on Dec 26, 2010 16:09:59 GMT -6
"I don't doubt that. You even seem to have your own aerial scout. Bravo!" Max said, pointing the arrow to the sky. "Still, we're not going to te-" Thamir stepped in, covering Max's mouth.
"I apologize in his behalf. The trip so far hasn't been easy on us, and with bandit raids on the rise again...I hope you understand our alertness and instant distrust." Thamir said, lowering Max's bow. "She hired us to get her to Arphen. As far as she told us, she has family there."
Meredy kept hugging the deer, blood now dripping onto her hands. What with the recent events, though, she was too scared to even let go of the dead animal. It was even...comforting to hug it.
"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you of your intentions again, though. If you're not bandits then we have no reason to fight.
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