Cebrail
Soldier
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.
Posts: 64
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Post by Cebrail on Jul 25, 2010 12:34:19 GMT -6
OoC: Sorry this is so late. My wireless internet is having some problems I had to find my long cable and connect directly to the router :/
IC: Gah... The merc he was fighting had already slashed him in the thigh. He sidestepped and rapidly jabbed his lance into the man's gut. He could feel his blood drip from the wound. He looked up and saw Reylan conversing with an oddly dressed man. What he was doing on the battlefield, he didn't know. Cebrail looked around and noted that their numbers had dropped severely. Those who were still alive were barely standing. There captain was nowhere in sight.
"I hate public speaking...." Cebrail shook his head. He took advantage of the moment's rest and began to organize the men. "Gather round. We must keep formation and hold them off. We are soldiers of Lycia! We must fight like it! Archers in back, soldiers in front."
"Who are you to order us? Where's the Captain?" A soldier quickly yelled. He was soon followed by a small crowd of soldiers yelling in agreement.
"I don't know where the Captain is, but I don't see anyone else volunteering to lead. If you want to lead this rabble we call an army, so be it. Stand here." Cebrail stood there alone. No one moved in the crowd. "Where's the cavalry? I want them ready to counter and flank the enemy." Cebrail looked around for his friend the cavalier.
"Reylan! Who leads the cavalry?" He yelled towards the approaching cavalier. "If there isn't anyone, you will lead them, since you're the only one I know." Soldiers, archers, cavaliers. All began to line up in formation and were starting to look like the army they were trained to be. "Knights of Ostia! The enemy approaches once more!" With that, he took line with the other soldiers. He looked towards Reylan. He watched as the cavalier gripped his left shoulder in pain. He hoped his new friend would be able to hold his own and still lead the cavalry.
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Post by reylan on Jul 25, 2010 15:39:19 GMT -6
OoC: I apologize for this post being so short, but I felt that this battle couldn't go on much longer.
Reylan was taken aback by Cebrail's words. "I don't think I have the qualities of a leader... I'm only a common cavalier..." Reylan set aside his doubt, realizing that his unit needed him. "Very well... all troops, charge!"
To his surprise, the troops all charged toward the entrance of the encampment, attacking all sellswords in their path. Reylan motioned for Cebrail and Balthier to follow him. With a swift flick of his horse's reins, Reylan rode towards the main assault. He still had trouble controlling the horse, but his skill with the lance was improving quickly. He also knew how to wield a sword, but not quite as well as a lance.
As Reylan took aim at a nearby sellsword, he realized that they had started to retreat. Taking note of that, he cleared his throat:
"Stop your attacks! The enemy is retreating. They will most likely return soon in greater numbers, but for now, the battle is won."
The few remaining soldiers who were strong enough to stay alive cheered. In spite of the glory Reylan had just achieved, he knew he had to act fast. He turned to Balthier and Cebrail.
"We need to get out of here right away. Out of Ostia. I'm afraid my time in this army is temporarily over."
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Balthier
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Everything you think you are that puts you above others is a lie.
Posts: 68
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Post by Balthier on Jul 25, 2010 16:29:47 GMT -6
Balthier gave a bright and loud laugh as the enemy retreated. "Ah, look, the fools! As they charge, they fear nothing; as they retreat... they fear us!" He smiled, running after Cebrail and Reylan.
The mage in training lept into the air, and carefully guided a whiplash of fire around the border of the camp to ensure that the sellswords were away. Upon landing, he smiled at his achievement, and looked back to the others.
"Well, suppose that takes care of that, then." He smiled at the two, approaching them. "My name is Balthier, a man simply traveling for wisdom. I've come from Santaruz, in search of knowledge, but as it seems, you two could learn how to brandish a weapon." He smiled jokingly, and waved his hand signifying a mere jest. "If you could put it beside yourselves to travel with such a strange ally as myself, I'd much like to join you."
He walked aside them, looking around at the soldiers, both injured and the few dead. "So, you mentioned your captain. Is he in.. absence? When did you last see him?" He caught the two mens' eye momentarily, then continued. "And as for leaving Ostia, if that's your decision, I suppose I'll follow... be it permitted." He smiled, and awaited a few answers.
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Post by reylan on Jul 25, 2010 17:39:36 GMT -6
Reylan looked at Balthier and Cebrail. "I'm not sure where the captain is. My guess is that he fled, since I didn't see him on the battlefield. And we suffered too many casualties for us to stay here. We need to leave, because the camp is destroyed, and we're ultimately defenseless... I spoke with the remaining soldiers, and they'd be happy to accompany us. I've always wanted to travel outside of this territory. We can head west, around the mountains and into Etruria. We could probably get more backup there."
Reylan paused, then concluded his request: "I apologize for us leaving so soon. But I'm afraid the sellswords will return. Since they lurk all across Lycia, we need to escape. Etruria is by far the safest place for refuge."
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Cebrail
Soldier
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.
Posts: 64
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Post by Cebrail on Jul 26, 2010 1:33:18 GMT -6
"Etruria? Are you insane? We'd be heading straight into enemy territory! Safe isn't exactly how I would describe it. If anything, we should retreat deeper into Lycian territory and seek help from the other Marquesses." They had gained a temporary victory. Retreat was necessary, but to Etruria? That was suicide in itself. Cebrail looked around, somehow this ragtag leftovers of an army had survived. How much longer, he didn't know.
"What few men we still have can barely hold their weapons right now. Etruria wouldn't be my first choice as a place to retreat. I'd rather stay here and fight the mercenaries then face the Inquisitional Army." Cebrail shook his head and sighed, there was no avoiding a fight. "But we have to stick together. We shouldn't decide this ourselves. We should ask the rest of the men." He whistled and called out to the soldiers who could move. They would vote. They would decide.
OoC: Someone should probably post the 'battle' in the loot board. Maybe we can score a couple pieces of gold XD
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Balthier
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Everything you think you are that puts you above others is a lie.
Posts: 68
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Post by Balthier on Jul 26, 2010 6:51:30 GMT -6
Balthier watched and laughed as the two men argued upon location. However, he knew without a doubt that a safe place was necessary. He looked around at the other soldiers trying to decide, and it made him laugh more. He took to things very lightly, and rarely was he serious - even when need be.
And with that, Balthier took his first leap of courage with his new idea. He stood among them, gathering their attention, and nodding to Reylan and Cebrail. "As for Eturia, with your current situation, I see no point. Cebrail is right, a deathtrap is definitely not what we need to be walking into." He paused for a moment, wary that the soldiers did not know who he was, and continued. "However, for the safety and wellbeing of this small group..." He trailed off again, looking to Reylan and Cebrail once more. "We should retreat further into Lycian territory and plead to Marquess Santaruz, from my home. Possibly a petition for more troops and supplies, if anything. So, what say we make for Santaruz?" He suggested, shrugged his shoulders, and waved his hand off.
He walked back to Cebrail. "I do not know you well, my friend, but you would be safe in my home country. Not only 'tis it safe, but beautiful beyond words, as well. You would do well there; I may put a word in for proper residence, as well." He smiled at the two soldiers, content with his invitation into his home country. "If not Santaruz, the decision rests upon your shoulders, as well as that of your soldiers." He took a seat on the ground, laying back, and relaxing.
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Post by reylan on Jul 26, 2010 10:14:32 GMT -6
"Hm... I never knew Etruria was enemy territory. I haven't been in the army that long, and they never told us who our enemies were. All they said was to kill anyone who opposed us with force...."
Reylan continued. "As for Santaruz, we'll have to take a more discrete path if we are to go there. These sellswords roam all over Ostia. Balthier, I'm going to let you take the lead. You'd probably know the best route we could take."
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Cebrail
Soldier
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.
Posts: 64
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Post by Cebrail on Jul 26, 2010 11:42:32 GMT -6
"Officers....they never tell you anything. All they tell you is where to die..." Cebrail thought to the Captain who had recently abandoned them. He shook his head. "Since there are still mercs around, I think Balthier should take a horse with the cavalry. Scout around the road ahead. I'll help the rest of us prepare." He looked at his new allies and walked back to the tents. There were many dead and even more injured. They would have to pack up quickly and move as fast as possible. He walked through the remains of the encampment and gathered what was necessary: clothes, food, medical supplies. Anything that he could carry.
The mercenaries would, without a doubt, search through the place, hoping to find something useful. He continued searching the camp and found the Captain piling maps and gold into a sack.
"You sonuva-" He lunged forward and grabbed the guy by the collar of his shirt. "What were you planning to do?! You abandon your men in the midst of a battle? I should kill you now!" He grabbed his spear and was ready to plunge it into the disgrace of an officer.
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Post by reylan on Jul 26, 2010 14:27:24 GMT -6
Reylan turned immediately. He noticed the captain, who was busy plundering the division's reserves. As he saw Cebrail grab the turncoat by the collar, Reylan stepped in. "Cebrail, stop! He's much too strong-" but he was cut off by Cebrail's abrupt lunge. As the captain attempted to retaliate, Cebrail had already struck him.
Reylan stood motionless, stunned by the captain's and Cebrail's actions. So the man I came to trust early on in my service... was nothing but a greedy traitor?
"Cebrail, stand aside. I'll take care of this wretch. However, pin him down so he doesn't escape. I have a feeling he isn't truly a halberdier." Reylan approached the injured "captain" and began questioning him, Cebrail still pinning him down.
"If you value your life, you will answer these questions truthfully. Understood?"
The captain nodded. "Yes..."
"Why did you leave us during the invasion?"
The captain's face was beet red. "Because..." His voice trailed off.
Reylan had no time for games. He angrily drew his lance. "Answer me, scum!"
"I... I was working with them. The sellswords... they were offering me a reward..."
"How much exactly?"
"Urgh... five thousand gold."
Reylan couldn't believe his ears. "Five thousand gold? A common band of sellswords would be lucky to have even three hundred apiece."
"This... is no ordinary band of ruffians..."
"Do they have a name?"
"Yes... they're called the Night Crawlers. They wander Lycia in search of valuable weapons, gems, and gold."
Reylan's mind froze. The Night Crawlers... I'll be sure to remember that name.
He resumed his interrogation. "So now I understand. How else would you have known the exact time the sellswords were going to attack us? And the entire attack was a diversion... it was just to distract us so you could steal our reserves."
The captain nodded weakly. "Found me out, eh?"
Reylan nodded, then continued. "Were you even a member of this army?"
"No... I stole this armor... I'm not even a soldier..."
Reylan's anger intensified. "That... is treason. You've just dug your own grave." He turned to Cebrail. "What should we do about this cretin?"
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Balthier
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Everything you think you are that puts you above others is a lie.
Posts: 68
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Post by Balthier on Jul 26, 2010 14:44:12 GMT -6
Balthier's laziness was abruptly interrupted by the offer of leading the walk - or ride - to his home country. However, as he was slowly getting up to speak, he noticed that Cebrail had the collar of the Captain in his hands, and Reylan with him.
However, there was something strange... Something very unusual, indeed. Balthier's gaze grew more stern, and he slowly gasped and walked over to the Captain.
"You are..." Balthier couldn't continue.
"Yes yes, I seem to be in enough trouble as it is. Would you mind, ah, Balthier, to help me out of this mess?" The "captain" asked him directly.
His eyes widened, and he sighed, looking towards Cebrail and Reylan, getting nervous. "These Night Crawlers, the men you scared away... This man is right, they're no common sellswords. I know simply because I was a makeshift general, back when this slime was proud to be a Night Crawler." Balthier smiled, knowing he got the Captain in the gut. "You, however..." He started, looking back at the 'captain'. "...deserve no form of mercy. Nor you or I are under the employment of the Night Crawlers anymore, however..." Balthier's face remained ever-constant, a simple face, no anger, and no other emotion. He smacked the captain across the face, then took the collar from Cebrail and Reylan.
He looked to the two soldiers. "This man's name is Ivalice, he was a captain in the Night Crawlers, until he and I both decided they were no good. I quit simply because I had better integrity, and I thought the same of him..." He trailed off, glaring at Ivalice. "You, however, went back like a ball of slime! You weren't proud, nor were you open about what you were really doing behind the scenes. When we worked together, I respected you, but now..."
Balthier threw the man on the ground furiously. "I don't know you anymore. Not by face, not by name, not by the deeds you continue to do. Goodbye, my old friend." With that, he never looked at Ivalice again.
"My friends, I am sorry, but that is why I came. I heard rumors of this man being here, in this army, and I came to warn whoever was loyal to Ostia. Yes, I was a Night Crawler, but I came to justice, like I thought this man did. He's no more a man than myself, however..." He trailed off, turning his back on all three, and walking away. "I shall mount up, and lead you to Santaruz. We leave when the sun touches the horizon."
He turned his head, not all the way back, but enough to draw their eyes once more. "Kill him."
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Post by reylan on Jul 26, 2010 15:03:28 GMT -6
Reylan listened intently as Balthier described his past as a Night Crawler. Learning of his ties with Ivalice, he grew wary of Balthier, but he trusted the mage enough.
"It's good of you to have left." That was all Reylan could manage, as his attention was focused on Ivalice. He held his lance up to Ivalice's chest in response to Balthier's command.
Ivalice was terrified. "Please! Don't kill me! I'll pay you! Three hundred! Four hundred! Anything!"
Reylan ignored his pleas for mercy. He did not want to kill this man, but he supposed it was all part of war. If this is truly warfare, then it's devoid of any honor... Hoisting his lance above his shoulders, he dug it right into Ivalice's chest, perforating as much flesh and bone as he could manage. Ivalice gave a long, shuddering scream, then became motionless as death took him over.
Reylan wiped the blood off his lance. "We'll dispose of his body. After that, we'll find a place to stay for the night." His mind was still in a blur. Should I really be risking my life for this? Of course. It's my duty. My father would be proud of me... he told me tales about him killing people without mercy. I suppose it's for the best.
Glancing at the moonlit sky outside, Reylan turned to Cebrail and Balthier. "It's all in our hands now."
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Balthier
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Everything you think you are that puts you above others is a lie.
Posts: 68
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Post by Balthier on Jul 26, 2010 15:18:22 GMT -6
Balthier nodded respectively towards the two of them. "Indeed, it is." He started. "Make your preparations, and ready the soldiers. The chance of us running into more Sellswords, be they Night Crawlers or regular mercenaries, is fairly high. We must be prepared. Ready your troops with proper equipment and vulneraries, and I will do so myself."
He turned from them, looking into the night sky. And so it begins... He though to himself. Balthier walked over back to the trees he emerged from, and surprisingly bridled his horse that none had seen. A white as snow steed, Balthier called him Eidelwiess, meaning "white flower" in another language. The horse was a noble and quiet steed, obedient in every way. Balthier pet behind his ear, and returned his tome into a bag on the saddle.
When he was back at camp, he finally addressed the troops.
"My friends, you soldiers of Ostia," He began, smiling, "we will make for Santaruz at sunrise. Be wary, and most ever vigilant. Never let your guard down. We will only find safety once inside the walls of my home country. Have you equipment ready as soon as the sun strikes, we must make immediate haste. I have been given this position upon the unfortunate death of your commanding officer. No questions will be asked, and none answered. Sleep well, we will converse at morning's tide."
And with that, he was gone, into the trees, where he got what little sleep he could.
OoC: I didn't time skip to morning in case there was anything else you two wanted done.
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Post by reylan on Jul 26, 2010 15:31:02 GMT -6
OoC: I had nothing else in mind, but we'll see what Cebrail wants.
IC:
Listening to Balthier's speech made Reylan's confidence skyrocket. He felt that he was ready for such a journey. Scanning the area, he noticed several soldiers already making the necesscary preparations for the journey. He parked his horse near a tall oak tree and tied it down with a frayed rope. He then sat down on the ground, resting his head on a nearby tree trunk. His eyes soon grew heavy, and he gradually drifted into his slumber.
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Cebrail
Soldier
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.
Posts: 64
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Post by Cebrail on Jul 26, 2010 23:57:32 GMT -6
Gloom hung over the men. They were beaten weary and were ready to collapse for the night. But a few still made preparations for the tactical retreat to Santaruz. He held the gold that the supposed Captain had kept. What they should do with it, he didn't know. He turned around and scanned the area for Reylan and the strange mage Balthier. Reylan had already drifted off to sleep. Sleep.... sounds so nice... He thought. Cebrail entered a makeshift tent and laid down on the small cot.
Sleep evaded him. He tossed and turned on the bed, trying to catch hold of what little sleep he would need. He closed his eyes but still wouldn't fall asleep. He felt weary, his body was physically tired and worn, but his head wouldn't drift away. Finding no rest in the tent, he got up and continued to walk around.
It was early evening and the soldiers were resting around the makeshift campfires. Maybe some food will help. He approached a soldier and asked where their food supplies were. the soldier pointed to a separate tent and Cebrail headed there. He heard the grumble of hungry stomachs and figured that he should make food for them as well.
He grabbed some onions, potatoes, and what appeared to be eggs. He piled it into a cauldron and brought it out to the campfire. "Can you get me some water and salt?" He asked the nearby man. He was going to make some soup. He had learned a thing or two about cooking when he was younger. He wasn't very good, but it was still edible. The man came back with water and salt. Cebrail took out was in the cauldron and poured the two in. Placing it over the fire, he began to chop the onions and potatoes. He cracked open the eggs and dropped the yolk into the cauldron. Eggs make the soup thicker and give it more texture... He began to stir so that the yolk would mix with the salted water concoction. He tossed in the onions and continued to stir. After a few minutes, when it was nearly done, he added the potatoes. Add them when you're nearly done so they don't get to soggy or soft. And with that, the soup was done.
He had someone inform other people while he filled bowls to give to the injured.
OoC: You can go ahead and timeskip to morning now XD. I just wanted something for character development and to raise the spirits of the men a tad..
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Balthier
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Everything you think you are that puts you above others is a lie.
Posts: 68
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Post by Balthier on Jul 27, 2010 0:24:39 GMT -6
OoC: Understandable. I like that.
IC:
As the sun rose, the sky was filled with pink and yellow and a feeling of nervousness in the air. Balthier awoke, pulling his head away from the uncomfortable tree trunk. He noted where he was, looked around, and jumped down swiftly from the tree. He brushed himself off, petted his horse, and made back to the destroyed camp.
He saw Cebrail, probably cooking breakfast as it looked like, and Reylan still aloof in his slumber. He watched the soldiers prepare, and looked into the oddly colored sky. They would need to leave soon, as it would be a day's trip, and Balthier wanted most to make it to Santaruz before nightfall. More sellswords, the whole group may not be able to handle.
He walked over to a group of soldiers and helped them saddle horses and prepare equipment. He told the soldiers that he appreciated how loyal they were to their country, and that their loyalty wouldn't go unrewarded... Balthier had a plan to reward them when it was all over, especially the two soldiers he met earlier.
He thought of Marquess Santaruz, a close friend of his, and another secret acquaintance. He was relieved to think such things, of safety, and realize it wasn't so far away. They would make for Santaruz safely, petition for help, and hopefully be rid of the Eturians for a while.
He mounted Eidelwiess, and trotted over to Cebrail. "Make your ready, wake Reylan. We leave now." He left his presence, rousing the other soldiers.
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