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Post by Garith Valkyrie on Aug 4, 2011 19:09:08 GMT -6
"Alright Garith let me start off by telling you my connection to the Hellbreakers and Orrith," Cryger started as he eyeballed Clair as she walked by. "Hellbreakers originally started with me, Queht, Calnith and Velix. As we started doing missions and becoming succesful a mercenary by the name of Orrith Cremnix wanted to join us," He stopped talking as some one passed by.
"We were impressed by his skills and knowledge of politics and business so we made him our treasury guy, keeping track of our money that we would get from jobs. Things started to get strange when Orrith started recruiting more and more members without consulting the rest of us. He then started making deals behind our backs with bandits and other shady men, mainly selling weapons he made or sending mercenaries out to jobs the four of us had no clue of. I tried to keep this away from your mother but she was stubborn and insisted on knowing why I wasn't coming home as often as I used to to spend time with my son. I spent most of my time closely watching Orrith from the shadows. He had started gathering more and more men to these fortresses that would export all types of things," Cryger stopped again and looked to the snow below him.
"The what happened?" Garith asked intrigued by his father's story. Cryger let out a small sigh and then turned to his son.
"When we approached Orrith about this he said he had no idea what we were talking about but we had proof and there was the fact that we were getting paid less and less which really pissed Velix off. Velix was really in it for the money he took no pride in our work but he had to make a living. I knew Calnith, Queht and Velix way before Hellbreakers started we were all good friends. So when we decided to make this mercenary group we only took jobs that were beneficial to other not just ourselves we only killed those who deserved it. But Orrith started doing it for the thrill and for others selfish needs. When I was the one who really stood against him and turning the Hellbreakers into some kind of manufacturing company he got a man name Berkler Rinko, a powerful sage and relative to Queht, to use a staff called a berserk on me and I just started going on a killing spree. I took down every target they wanted me too all they had to do was get me in front of the person and use the staff and that person was as good as dead. Velix and the others were catching on though I didn't tell them at first what was going on but when they started seeing wanted signs of me all over the place they figured it out. Orrith was smart though and knew if those three came at him he'd be as good as dead so he used the staff on me one more time and forced me to attack your mother," He stopped there. Garith sat there and thought about all the things he had just said. It made little sense to him. So Orrith was using their skills to get money, money he use to pretty much start a mercenary manufacturing company. It sounded if Orrith had enough men for a large army.
"That bastard made me attack my own wife and then made it seem like I was going to kill you. Even worse when I found out that she wasn't dead he's been using her as a hostage to keep me working for him. The other then blamed me for everything that was going on when Orrith told them the incident with you mother. That's why they were working for him when you saw them. When I finally got the chance to talk to them and tell them the truth is around the time you first met Lance Captain Marle I believe and yes I've been stalking you for a while. Velix managed to get away but now Queht is working under Berkler and Calnith Orrith and they both plan on taking out two major capitals, Bern and Arphen," Cryger stopped talking again and waited for Garith's input.
"So you're telling me that my mother is being held hostage, Queht and Calnith are now being used as slaves doing Orrith and Berkler's dirty work and Orrith has a plan to take over two capitals sounds a bit far fetched at least the last part," Garith said as he looked away from Cryger.
"Orrith has been preparing this for years Hellbreakers started when Queht, Calnith, Velix and I were very young around your age so a long time and Orrith joined us two years after it started so he's had a while but not very long he doesn't have enough men to try and take over the world but he's been working with some prophet guy that's how he's been getting some of his men and resources," Cryger retorted.
"How do I know you're not just lying and you're hear to kill someone?!" Garith asked his tone sounding a tad vicious.
"Listen kid if I was sent here to kill someone it would probably be Feldsky or the tactician seeing as Richter isn't here anymore and he's been targeted by Calnith and Queht who are also after you," Cryger said. "I wouldn't trust anyone here as they could be a Hellbreakers spy as they are probably out looking for me and you," Cryger snapped.
"Why would they be after me? I didn't do anything to them," Garith asked confused.
"You and that Lance Captain are the only ones that know Orrith's true nature, he'll want to make sure you two are out of the picture so that you can't ID him. He'll probably come after you as you are the easier target but I'll make sure you're plenty ready when he comes," Garith's father said.
"If there is any possiblity that my mother is alive and I can take down Orrith and his madness than I'll be glad to take him down but don't think this as changed anything between us Cryger you're still dead meat after this is done," Garith said as he got up and walked off.
"Gezz he's just like his mother hard headed," The blue haired assassin said as his son walked off.
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Aug 9, 2011 19:09:01 GMT -6
"Easy Corona..." Clair whispered, coming up beside him as she reached the pegasus lines. Several others were tied nearby, but not closely enough to be of any danger to the damaged war mount. She reached up and stroked his ear, not a familiar gesture. Corona was a giant of the normally small and slight creatures. Normally, his head was held proudly. Far out of reach of the comparatively small figure of his rider. Now though, his head hung low. Defeated. His eyes filled with pain from the injuries which had proven too severe for their healers to seal up all the way. Perhaps an expert in cavalry could have done more, or if they had a more potent stave available for use. As it was, they'd just have to let him heal on his own though. Over time.... The march would be difficult for him.
With a huff, and a cloud of white breath enveloping her face, she headed the thirty yards or so to where the hay and grain was kept, and brought it back to where Corona was tied. At first, he only nosed the hay, not overly interested in it, but as Clair persisted, he began to nibble on the hay. As she placed the grain bucket on the ground, he showed a marked interest in it, though still not as excited as he usually was.
The sound of a bucket of water sloshing from behind got Clair's attention.
"Thought I'd find you here, Commander. Thought I'd help out with Corona." Delia's strong yet breathy voice came, shattering the wailing song of the Illian winds.
"I'm uh... sorry to hear about what happened, with Commander Richter and all. Must'a been a hard thing to come back to.... Congratulations on your promotion though."
Clair frowned as she placed the bucket near Corona. On the one hand, Delia Collins was being helpful, and trying to lend a hand, but that comment about "congratz on your promotion" left the Falcoknight feeling sort of sick.
"...Thanks." Clair spat out, eyes narrowed in anger at the orangey-golden haired woman. There really wasn't any thanks in the sound of it.
"What are the other girls doing, Delia? They should be out here by now." A mage tended to her mind. A knight tended her weapons. In the same way, a pegasus knight always looked after her mount. Without her steed, a pegasus knight was no different than a typical ground soldier. It kind of removed the unique nature of Illia's sky knights.
"They're coming Commander, but I think some of them are about scared out of their wits. Yesterday was their first battle, after all... They're just lucky that they had you there for them."
"How many will stay?" Clair had failed them, she realized. They weren't supposed to be in battle for weaks yet. They were supposed to be training the whole trip down to Bern, and then they'd flown right into armageddon. Instead, she'd lost six of them before even arriving at the army. Yes. The enemy was responsible, but she was still the one that had led 14 trainees into a fray, and only bringing 8 back out with her. She wouldn't be surprised if they all left after this.
"Well,... three."
"I see." Three was better than none. That left her with five flyers, including herself... Oh yes, and Leon's pegasus knight, so six.
"Take care of them until you can fly them to an outpost. You'll also have to see to the training of the thre who remain. I don't think I'll be able to find the time to help much, anymore."
"Really? Ok. Well, whatever floats your boat." Delia's words were full of careless excitement, as Clair's head whipped around to stare incredulously at the woman.
"I mean, yes Commander. I'll do my best. Oh, and Commander, two of the pegasi survived while their riders did not. You should probably make use of them, since you have them."
Clair finished Corona's care, and moved to the line where the other pegasi were kept. The two on the end were the riderless pegasi. Both were skiddish, as she approached, giving away their unfamiliararity with humans. They were also of more average sizing, around 15 hands high to Corona's 17.
"What are we going to do with you?" Clair received no answer as she allowed one of the creatures to sniff her proffered hand. She toyed and fiddled with their muzzles as they continued to sniff her, building a sense of ownership over them. It still didn't help her decide what to do with them though. They, like the governance of the army, had been left to her. The pegasi had lost their riders for good though. Clair couldn't be sure that Richter was dead though. He wasn't here though, that much was certain. That really only left one possibility. Some of the bandits must have taken him with them when they fled.
"Gah! So much time wasted!" Clair's outburst was not taken to kindly by the pegasi, who flinched back. She stayed a moment more, rubbing their necks before heading out into the army again. She came to a decision then. She had responsibilities across the board. Bern, her squires, Corona... But right now, she needed to try and find Richter. He was confirmed missing. Now that the army wasn't collapsing from the attack on it, she could afford to turn her eyes elsewhere.
Grabbing a passing soldier as he was heading to breakfast, Clair told him to spread the word that everyone was to meet at the center of camp after breakfast. Specifically, he was supposed to alert officers, who would then be able to get the message out to the rest. Satisfied for the moment, Clair started the walk back to the command tent cluster.
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Aug 15, 2011 19:10:49 GMT -6
OoC: Done waiting. If you don't fel like reading the whol thing, read from the red text.
Clair grabbed a bowl of stew from a cook pot on the way back towards the command tent. In her rush, she thought it tasted like ash in her mouth as she quickly stomped back to her tent. Oh wait.... It did taste burnt. And, a little crispy here and there. With the rate she was shoveling it in, it was a wonder she wasn't burning herself.
On making it back to her tent, she retrieved a few things. Important things One was the small locking chest which held several valuables of various natures: Her Elysian whip, a symbol of her attaining the level of Falcoknight, A large blue gemstone of some sort, and worth more gold than she'd ever thought she'd possess, and the Seal of Illia, yet another symbol of the trust the Lords of Illia had put in her. Whether that trust was genuine or not, she wasn't sure. She wasn't sure that mattered. What she was sure of, was that Illia's request would have to be put on hold. Until she had discovered what had been done with her Commander at least.
She took the seal out out of the case and inspected its orange coloring for a moment. Her thoughts were elsewhere though, as she fingered the medallion. She had nothing of Richter's to keep in this box, and she couldn't help but feeling a few tears wet her eyes at the thought. It seemed... a silly thing to be worried about right then, when she was preparing to go after him, but she couldn't help feeling bereft of without her Commander there. He'd become so important to her since she'd ridden into his fort. ...so many months before. He brought out the best in her somehow. He brought out the best in everyone.
Well, Etruria had taken him, and now, she was going to get him back, or find out what had happened to him. They'd stolen her Richter from her....
"Well, they're about to find out what happens when they steal from ME!" Clair growled under her breath, righteous fury at the unjustness of war fueling the venom in her voice.
Quickly, she dropped the Illian Seal down her boot for safe keeping. She felt it at last find its way to a secure position near the bottom. If it wasn't safe in her tall boot, then it wouldn't be safe anywhere. The chest she locked back up, and wrapped up inside her blanket, along side a small cushion she used as a pillow at night and a spare change of clothes. She grabbed a work dagger off her desk, a whet stone for sharpening whatever needed it, tied the iron sword she had yet to learn to use over her shoulder, in a black leather baldric she'd scavenged. She grabbed a water-tight piece of fabric made from stomach or hide of... some creature, or so she'd been told. Sh kept it around because she could water Corona out of it. That, and it was far less bulky than a bucket. In short, she was gathering the essentials for a trip away from supplies. She was going after the bandits which had fled.
She left her tent, and looked for Leon, or Farlus, people she probably ought to inform before running off, but didn't see them. She was positively clanking with all the gear she had on. The sword hilt banged against the helmet she'd put on, from time to time,another piece of the sword seemed to clank just as loudly against her backplate. Her killer lance was in one hand, her bedroll and other gear in the other. She wondered how this compared to her friend, Marle's, gear as she walked.
Breakfast was done, and a large crowd had been assembled at the center of camp, just as she'd asked. Or ordered, rather. It didn't make much difference. A request was usually an order when she gave it.
She took a moment to steady her breath before dropping her gear nearby, and rolling a large wooden barrel out away from the caravan it was next to. Thank goodness the thing was empty, or it'd never have budged for her. Once it was out in plain view, she jabbed her killer lance into the earth next to it, and climbed up on the makeshift platform.
"Attention! Commander Feldsky is speaking!" Lieutenant Bennett had a good shouting voice. He would have done well as a trainer.
Clair nodded her thanks as she began. She lifted her hand palm slightly out and down as she lifted her voice to the crowd.
"Soldiers! Soldiers of Etruria and Illia! Abend's Men! You were Abend's men. It was Richter Abend who brought you together. Promised to bring down the False Prophet of Elimine, and destroy the oppression which he represents." Each statement was punctuated by a breath. A quiet chorus of shifting armor accompanying Clair's words as she spoke. She closed her palm and jerked her hand back towards her chest as she continued.
"Battle was joined here though, by our enemy, and Commander Abend was taken from us." She paused for a moment, letting the murmurs of the crowd die down before she lowered her arms to her side and continued.
"Let me lay to rest some rumors that may be circulating the camp. Commander Abend's body was not located after the battle. That is why most of the army will continue southwards, while I lead the swiftest of you in search of those who fled the field! We will find out what happened to Commander Richter!" Clair hadn't been sure what the reaction to this would be, but many of the men suddenly burst out into "huzzahs" at the news that their Commander may still be alive. Several of the officers though, looked a bit shocked that she would be leaving them. She was the Commander now, after all.
"Fall out, and go back to your tents! Those who are coming, get a recomendation from your Commanding Officer. Those without Officers should come to see me at the North-West corner of camp!"
She jumped down off the barrel before any questions or huzzahs or soldiers insisting on coming could rush her, and turned to the LT.
"Bennett, cull the numbers. I'm looking for a small fast force. Probably no more than twenty. And, send provisions over that way. I'm going to get up to the Northwest rally point. I'l have your orders there, when you arrive, LT.
Clair grabbed her things, without waiting for the salute, and ran off to the pegasus lines. She patted Corona carefully. She hated leaving him, but with the shape he was in, keeping pace with a ground bound army would be enough trouble. At least Delia would be here to look after him. That would be a part of her orders. Clair smiled at the thought of the spunky woman, as she tacked up one of the two un-owned pegasi for duty. The thing was nothing like Corona, it turned out, but it would be in time.
She arrived at the Northwest Corner, and waited for those who would come.
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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 Aug 18, 2011 10:42:11 GMT -6
David listened as Clair gave out the orders. She wasn't a great speaker, but David heard what he wanted. "Richter promised to bring down the Prophet? Hahahaha! No wonder he was so suspicious when I asked what his army was doing. I knew coming along was a good idea." He boasted out loud, even though he originally thought coming along was a stupid idea.
He quickly arrived where Clair waited for the task force. "Hello, Beauty. I will do anything in my power to help the commander. Fighting the Prophet is one thing we can agree on, I guess."
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Post by Garith Valkyrie on Aug 19, 2011 21:39:35 GMT -6
Garith had walked into his tent and changed back into his clothing and armor before he had gathered with the rest of the men to listen to Commander Feldsky. He would help find Commander Richter and bring down this Prophet.
"She's a great speaker ain't she?" Cryger said to Garith as he walked up to him.
"What do you want?" Garith asked coldly as he watched the men begin walking toward their tents, he didn't catch the last thing Commander Feldsky said.
"Nothing," The blue haired assassin replied as he watched Clair walk off. "So I'm going to assume you're going to help find Richter?" He asked as he took of his helmet. The first thing Garith noticed was the fact that there were more scars on his face than before.
"What are you doing won't you get recognized from your wanted posters?!" Garith asked with a tab bit of worry in his voice.
"I highly doubt that anyone here has seen them," Cryger laughed as he gestured for him and Garith to go where Clair had said to meet her if they wanted to come find Richter.
"Why would you want to save Richter?" Garith asked as he noticed the man he had talked to with the other day with Fran walked by them.
"I've heard some stories about Richter, some crazy stories and I'd rather be on his good side than his bad and plus he could help us get your mother and my wife back," Garith's father said as he walked to his tent and took it down. He then walked over to Garith's tent and took it down also and rolled both tents up and put them in a large bag he had.
"You make a good point," Garith said as Cryger handed him Fenrir and Uprising. The blue haired mercenary placed his two swords in their hilts, strapped them on and began walking toward the area Commander Feldsky wanted to meet.
"You can count on us two to help find Commander Ricther and bring down this Prophet," He said as he hoped no one would notice Cryger's face.
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Post by Clair Feldsky on Aug 21, 2011 11:56:44 GMT -6
Clair didn't bother to stop the slight quirk of her lips at "Beauty". Yes. She preferred to keep things more disciplined than that, generally, but it was nice to hear a compliment sometimes, just the same.
"Thanks for coming, David. I'm glad you're helping."
A moment later, Garith and another man came up. Clair couldn't remember ever seeing this older man before, but they had hired some mercenaries out of Edessa recently. Perhaps he was one of them.... Still, he seemed to bear a strong resemblance to Garith. Could be nothing more than her mind playing tricks on her.
The Falcoknight eyed the larger man for a moment before welcoming the pair aboard. He seemed familiar from somewhere else too, like she'd seen him around elsewhere.
Both David and Garith were capable enough swordsman, from what she'd gathered, and if this third man's scars were anything to go by, he was either really bad, and inordinately lucky, or he actually possessed the skills to have stayed in the trade for a long time.
"Welcome aboard, Garith. Who's your friend?" It was a touch odd that the younger merc was speaking for the pair, rather than the older one.
Within a few minutes later, Lt. Bennett arrived with twenty infantry, each packed up and ready to go. A few bows, a healer, a mage of some kind, and close to an even spread of swords, axes, and lances. The army itself had precious little in the way of cavalry: horses had trouble in the snow anyway though.
"I brought you our best, Commander. There were many more who wished to come along, you said to cull the numbers. These men have been with us since before Ostia." He still seemed a bit unfomfortable about Clair leaving, but seemed reluctant to speak up.
"Thank you, Bennett." Clair pulled the LT aside for a moment. "Lieutenant, I'm putting you in command of this army until I return. Ideally, with Richter...." She glanced away for a moment. Hopefully, Richter really was fine.
"Take the army to the Bern-Sacae border, and sit on it. Stay vigilant, but keep from getting involved. Let me make it clear. There is no one that outranks me now. You keep the army ready to move in until I return. Is that understood?
"Yes Ma'am. I'll do as you say." "Work with Farlus. He's got a good head on his shoulders. And assist Commander Leontius however you can. Both seem to be very competent men."
Clair turned away, after finishing up, only to hear Bennett's voice once more.
Commander! ...Just come back to us, alright?"
"Have a little belief, Bennett. I'll be back, and with my prize!" She grinned at calling Richter her prize, but every hunter wanted one. She took the smaller pegasus and hooked her bags and lance onto it, before grabbing its bridle and coaxing it forward. Heading away from the morning sun. Last evening, most of the bandits had followed the setting sun, so they had a basic idea of directions.
"Come on! We're heading west!" She shouted out, before starting off at a paced trot. She was running on the ground, with the rest of them. Hopefully, she could find a better trail to follow later.
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