Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jun 25, 2010 13:12:18 GMT -6
A week to the day had arrived, when Marle had said she was preparing to leave on expedition. The young commander of Ilia's new and fully able battlegroup sat upon a chair in her room. The sun was well into the morning sky, and shining in through a window that flooded the dark room with light, well enough that the candles were no longer necessary, but the braziers to keep the stone-surrounding room warm definitely still were. Clutched in Marle's hand was a list of provisions that were ascertained with her commander's approval, and were currently being loaded onto pack horses and also with the soldiers who were already gathered, yet not fully prepared just yet to leave.
With quill standing in the ink jar on her table, Marle laid the paper flat, and tapped off the feather to reduce the amount of ink upon it's end, and began to finish filling out the amount of what was there. Flint for the fires, food and water for the soldiers and horses, Wyvern and Pegasi, and various other resources. They were set, now...
Marle began to stand clad in her new armor, the only sound other than the clinking of chainmail and plate, was the scarping of the chair against the wooden floor. Putting the paper with the rest on her table, she pushed them between a leather-bound folder of sorts for easy keeping and management, and tucked that just under her arm as she moved towards the door. Outside the cold Ilian air traveled through the halls from an open window. No longer was the memory of her defeat a means of shame. She had moved on, but still remembered, always, will she remember.
Her pace was brisk, but she had to be. She wanted to be out as soon as possible. Her men were gathering, Arthis would be seeing to them now, if luck was with her. He was a dutiful man, well trained, and knowledgeable. If this was his country, he would be her leader, and she would not have it any other way...but this wasn't his country. Still, his tasking to Ilia was a bit of a...questionable one, but there was no use for those kinds of thoughts, it was none of her business. Traveling down stairs and passageways, passing by servants, soldiers and those of the 'noble-er' classes of Ilia, some gave fair respect due to her rank, as she did those above her own when they passed, but only half-heartedly.
Exiting out one of the main doors, she could see the people assembled, a much, much larger tasking than the group before, fitted with finer armor and weapons, and with Arthis there, better skills and knowledge in how to fight though they were still green. Grinning at the lingering soldiers, she too her weapons from a soldier holding them for her, and slid them onto her back cross-wise, much like mercenaries did when they had two weapons, and took the helmet from his other hand. More work had been put into this than before. There was now a long bridge that peaked out like a visor, but grooved into it was the shape of a dragon's head minus the lower jaw. At the base of the helm were the fins, with two white horns jutting at the top, and two fangs just at the front sides of her visor. It was beautiful.
Placing it upon her head was even better, it was comfortable, a little heavy, but that was expected. Taking her shield from another soldier, she put it on her back also, overtop her brace made for her lances, which hung upon it also. Looking around for a moment, she called out, in a loud voice, resounding with authority and certainty.
"Arthis! Are we prepared?!"
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Arthis
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 43
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Post by Arthis on Jun 25, 2010 15:20:24 GMT -6
It had been a long week. Beating recruits into shape, both physically and militarily always seemed to take forever. The first part was always the toughest, breaking down the ego. He'd done a decent enough job in the week he had requested, but if they were ready for war or not...
Before Marle had arrived, Arthis was speaking to the troops, or maybe threatening them would be a better description. "Listen up! This is a scouting mission, we do not expect to engage anyone in combat. You will not raise you arms unless you have a direct order from myself or the captain. That being said, anyone who refuses to raise arms when ordered, or attempts to flee the battlefield." He didn't need to finish that sentence, his glare did it fine. "Will be executed on sight for treason."
The atmosphere had been set, and he wouldn't have it any other way. These men were more petrified of him then they were of the entire Inquisitional Army, which was just how it should be. When Marle entered the room, Arthis called the soldiers to attention. There they stood, looking like an actual, capable battalion. After Marle was armed, Arthis nodded and looked to the soldiers.
"All present, Captain. We are ready to move out by your command."
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jun 25, 2010 15:32:26 GMT -6
With arms crossed, a look of satisfaction rested on her face as she eyed the troops, giving them a flash of a smile before it disappeared into seriousness once more. Handing her folder off to the quartermaster which was deigned for the journey, Marle nodded to Arthis, craning her neck up to look at the giant. Licking her lips, she faced the group once more, and raised an arm, as if issuing an order.
"Right. Seems everything's been clear and set for travel. We march for Sacae using the southeast road through the mountains."
Her tone was a touch casual, but it was meant for everyone to hear.
"Fall into ranks, we move."
Marle gave a salute, to which the troops also did so in complete unison. Impressive. After dropping her fist from her chest, the troops began to rally outside, forming into narrow lines for quick movement. Task handlers, or servants, began taking hold of the beasts of burden and other stock that would be taken on the trip. As the last soldier exited, Marle looked up past the visor of her helmet, and grinned.
"Good work, Arthis."
With a nod she now smiled and rubbed a scuff out of the breastplate, before filing out of the room herself.
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Arthis
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 43
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Post by Arthis on Jun 25, 2010 16:44:59 GMT -6
Arthis allowed her to get everything set up, so this was the first real mission of these grunts. Should be interesting. And hopefully not caked in blood.
"Don't be so sure about that. All I could do in a week is make them more frightened of me then of the enemy, and make them more combat capable then a farmer with a hoe. If they stand a chance in real battle, well I suppose we'll find out if we have to engage anyone."
He moved out to Riese, and grabbed his own dragon style helmet from the saddle bag. It was similar to Marle's except it had a large grated faceplate that blocked him completely from sight. It had taken a while for him to learn how to see out of it correctly, but now he could do so normally. It felt more natural to wear the helmet, after all, a soldier is meant to fight.
"I will take point, Captain. You two, with me." He said, pointing to a pair of Pegasi Knights. "We fly a V-Wing formation, now saddle up!" While Pegasus Knights were usually treated with more respect in the Ilian Military, Arthis made it plainly clear that all soldiers under his command were treated the same.
That was just the way of things. Arthis hopped on to Riese, who tossed his neck back in excitement. He'd been grounded too long, and wanted to get out. "All right then, we'll be performing a 'Caravan's Circle' around the main body, keep your eyes open for any ambushes from the ground." He said to his wing men. "We lift once we clear the city."
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jun 25, 2010 20:21:23 GMT -6
Marle gave a small nod to Arthis, but he was well on his way. He must have already known what her answer was going to be. Standing there by herself, she gave a small shrug of her shoulders and proceeded to the front of the column of soldiers, and raised her arm, and then motioned forwards, to which she quickly set the pace, leading them out and emptying out through the city's main road from the castle. The road was still packed with merchants and civilians, but one of the soldiers just behind her raised a horn made out of the horn of some animal, and blew through it.
The sound of the horn stopped all activity on the road, and when people turned to look at the activity coming through the gates to the castle. One after another, they filed away onto the sides of the road, giving way to the expedition force led by Arthis and the pegasi, followed shortly behind by Marle and the rest of the soldiers and workmen...
Once outside the city's gates, the soldiers created a large column to make full use of the road. Marle motioned again, for Arthis to take off and take point as he was meaning to do. The man was probably more at home up in the air anyways, much were the pegasus units that followed him.
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Arthis
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 43
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Post by Arthis on Jun 28, 2010 6:40:56 GMT -6
Arthis wasn't one for being paraded through city streets. He was a warrior, and a warrior lived for one thing only, the battle. However, once they had finally gained past the gates of the city, a swift tug of his reins and a kick to Riese's side sent them soaring into the air. The air flying past him was comforting, a sign of his fondness for the skies. He motioned to his wing men, as they fell into formation behind him. The first arc headed clockwise, as they took the long path moving over the forest. He kept his eyes peeled. Last thing he needed was one of his soldiers being shot down by some lucky archer.
OOC: Really clueless about what else to post, sorry.
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Post by gabbiano on Jun 28, 2010 14:41:10 GMT -6
OOC: Shall that be my cue, then? Haha...
Gabbiano took a small step forward through the crowd of people outside the city gates. He noted seeing an old companion, Marle, leading a battalion of troops through the city, and wyvern riders taking to the sky. He meekly sidestepped through people, and upon reaching the front, attempted to make eye contact with his old companion.
He merely wanted to know if there was any form of recognition between the two of them. He had remembered her, and wondered if the recollection was mutual. He held tight to the hilt of his blade, gave a slight and wry smile to her, and stepped forward, hoping to be recognized by this knight who was now apparently leading troops.
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jun 28, 2010 22:42:43 GMT -6
As Marle was walking by, she glimpsed at a familiar face among the people. She saw Gabbiano, a person whom she had not seen for quite some time. Grinning, she motioned him to come by, since she could not participate in meeting him over where he was, to lounge and talk freely. She moved at a swift pace, her armor not hindering her movements at all, nor slowing her down. She was much stronger than she was when she met him a good long time ago.
Provided that Gabbiano took to following at her side as she ha motioned for him to do, she spoke softly once outside the gates, and now underway through the bush.
"It's been awhile, Gabbiano. Good to see you again. Wish I had the time for a proper welcoming,...but as you can see, I'm on duty, and my duty takes me out of the country."
Marle looked up at Arthis and the pegasi troops that were with him flying in the standard V formation. She understood much about the pegasi training. Flying like that actually made it a lot easier on the other units further behind the leader, as the leader took most of the air pressure on itself...it was good to have been trained as a Pegasus Knight beforehand.
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Post by gabbiano on Jun 29, 2010 6:56:36 GMT -6
Gabbiano met the trained eye of the knight who was clearly much stronger than she had been.
"Ah, your duty..." He started, swifty walking through the crowd to walk alongside her. "You see, your arrival couldn't be more timely." He gave a cold glance in the direction by which he had exited the crowd, and many bystanders were quizzical.
"It so happens that I was being run out of town by some bandits a bit ago... I assume they've followed me here, and are possibly in numbers enough to cause strife..." He let his gaze follow the Pegasus knights in the sky, and then to the single wyvern rider leading them. "Ahem, so." He glanced back at his old companion. "Let my blade be of service to you, milady. I've not much place else to go, and I fear I'm being followed. It would do me well to escape Ilia anyway."
He looked her in the eye, still walking alongside the rest of the troops. "You are leading troops of the country, as you mentioned... For what purpose?"
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jul 1, 2010 0:19:00 GMT -6
Marle was quiet for some time. She had, indeed, heard his pledge to her, but she had to keep up appearance for the crowd. She couldn't just be talking while on march. once passed the walls, and a few hundred meters off from the bulky walls of Arphen, Marle gave a smirk at Gabbiano, a bit of a knowing one, but she didn't have any kind of idea. This would be a fair excuse for him to get away from his plight, with the protection of soldiers around him, but if these bandits were determined enough, they would attack, regardless of who was with him.
"We go to Sacae. Surely word must have been spread to you that the Eturians have leveled Ostia, and moved into the plains-lands. This small group I lead with my second," With a quick motion towards the Wyvern in the sky, "are on our way to investigate the cause for their recent occupation."
Rolling her shoulder irritably, it was still plenty sore from the attack she had taken place in a week ago. Looking over it to the men just behind her, she knew they would be overhearing, but why bother keeping anything from them? These were not important details afterall.
"Our travel will be as speedy as possible. I'd like to get to Sacae within a few days travel if possible. The road through the mountains is linked to this one, so all should go well if nothing hinders our travels. Arthis! Do you see anything!?"
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Post by gabbiano on Jul 1, 2010 6:03:59 GMT -6
Gabbiano looked to the sky, at the mention of the name Arthis, who was presumably the wyvern rider. He meant to not hinder the actions of this Captain and her troops.
"Hm. Shall I stay here, then, and await your return?" He laughed a bit, realizing if he drew the bandits here, it would it would detrimental to more situations than one. "Actually... No." He averted his gaze. "On your mountain path, my friend, I shall join your company. Until then..."
Swifty and without a word, Gabbiano sidestepped out of the pillar of soldiers marching to Sacae. One last word, he hollered back; "I'll see to it that these bandits do not hinder your objectives. Don't worry about it, I'll rejoin you later."
And with that, he was out of sight yet again.
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jul 1, 2010 11:05:45 GMT -6
Marle just gave a sort of odd look towards Gabbiano, she sort of expected him to stick around, but instead, he was taking off? How unusual, but she was not the master of him. Waving to him as he left, and then he was gone.
"What a strange man.."
Rubbing a finger against her forehead just under the surface of her helmet. Looking up into the sky towards Arthis once more, a grin wore on her face. With all luck, this trip would be boring and uninteresting...that was always good compared to exciting and dangerous, atleast for her.
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Post by gabbiano on Jul 1, 2010 15:37:34 GMT -6
OOC: I gotta run for a day or so, so I won't be able to post. I figure my character will find a way to distract the bandits and rejoin you on the mountain path. That's the only reason I left.
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Arthis
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 43
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Post by Arthis on Jul 4, 2010 16:55:37 GMT -6
Due to the roaring winds, Arthis had not heard Marle call to him. Never the less he noticed something from the ground. At her call one of her accompanying soldiers had sent a flag signal to him. He watched it for a moment.
Report? They were barely out of the city!
Arthis sighed to himself, but would answer her in the best way he could. Pulling out from his saddlebag a tiny crossbow, with bolts too small to even pierce a humans skin. He loaded it with a small bolt, accompanied by a white tail, and fired it a good distance in front of the marching army.
As the bolt struck the earth, one of the many soldiers ran up to retrieve it, before bringing it back so Marle would be able to see the white tail on it.
"Ma'am! Air Scouts report no visuals." The soldier dutifully reported. Marle would be used to these 'air grams' as they were, since Pegasi used a similar system to communicate with the ground.
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Marle Daviau
General
The Lance of the North
One word of encouragement, One person believing in me, It's all I need to become stronger.
Posts: 436
Illia Fame: 2
Affinity: Ice
OoC Alias: Marle
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Post by Marle Daviau on Jul 5, 2010 1:13:05 GMT -6
Marle simply shrugged as the letter was read to her. All she had wanted to know was regarding if the roads looked clear ahead, and she got her answer. Now, they would travel until the mountains began to open to green plains, or so she was told. it must be beautiful, just like Eturia's greenery, only roaming fields that cover the land until sight disappears. Tugging a strap on her armor, she waved to the soldier whom had read the message.
"Excellent. Clear roads for today. We should make it to the border within a day and some."
And so, the formation of soldiers and aid carried out their travels, unhindered.
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A day had gone, and the sun was well into the afternoon skies on this second day. The mountains were just infront, raised pillars which touched the sky. The road was wide here, and well packed, aside from loose stone which may or may not have come from the mountains which parted before it. Looking around almost eagerly, Marle scanned the high ledges of the mountains on either side, as the company slowly began to file into the wider path.
"Finally, almost into Sacae. Everyone, keep your eyes open. We all know these can be grounds for muggers and bandits, hoping to get a score on trader caravans. It's a long path through the mountains, so do not falter. We should reach Sacae by the time the sun is well into setting."
Marle pulled a lance from her back, and kept it in hand, just incase. Gabbiano said he would return by the time they reached this destination. She was not about to wait for him, so the company had already continued their march.
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