[ Event] Gathering Supplies:

[Minerva]

"What?!" Minerva exclaimed quietly. This had gotten messy fast... Who was that scary-looking guy with the giant steak knife? And now a man in blue... and... a wyvern-riding soldier fellow? "Right, this isn't good. We need to use the confusion to our advantage. Now!"

The young mage moved to a rear exit of the house, gracefully hopping out of an open window and sliding around to the side of the cottage. Peering around the corner at the open area in front of the cottage, she saw the wyvern moving and shaking about on a rooftop. Time for some toasty fun.

"Here's an appetizer," she muttered to herself as she readied a dense ball of flame on her palm, hidden behind the wall of the building. Whipping her arm around, she sent the bright blue ball racing off toward the wyvern's center of mass. And once it drew near... Hehehe, she'd have a naaaasty surprise for him.

[Ilheod]

Though he waited for the man's answer, Astraeus remained unsettled. It's gaze in a different direction at first did not draw attention nor worry by it's rider. He kept his eyes locked on the unseemly fellow for moments more, however his wyvern would not do such. The clenching and grinding of it's nails at the surface of it's perch breaking bits off to fall downwards was merely a sign of it's unrest. Ilheod was so fixated on his target that he paid no notice to the mage who had snuck around to prepare an assault towards them. It was then that Astraeus roared loudly, and started to spread his wings while jerking his body. Ilheod took a moment to register exactly what was happening, though he reacted quickly. Ilheod tucked his legs firmly against the Wyvern's sides, pressing inwards with his thighs to brace himself while he spun his haliberd like spear quickly as he shouted. Racing towards them, his Wyvern's large wings unfolded as it beat once off the surface of the roof with it's powerful gust coupled to the strong legs kicking off propelling it into the air. A second wingbeat swiftly shot it upwards to evade the magical fire, while he turned downwards. No one in sight...

His eyes narrowed remembering in the brief instant that his wyvern had jerked to garner his attention it was from the exit of the alley. Yet no one was there. Kicking slightly at the sides and leaning forwards, Astraeus dove quickly in a single motion to route the corner. The Wyvern crashed into the ground as he flew around the corner, shaking and breaking up slightly the ground beneath it's heavy clawed paws. Snarling and clawing up the ground beneath it he spun his spear to point it at the blue haired woman. Ilheod was not one to assault a woman however.

The Wyvern's wings spread as it roared loudly and flapped them once to gust wind towards her, while also propelling him back into the air. Ilheod spoke in a flat tone while it did so.

"Wyvern's don't take kindly to magic..Has no one ever warned you child? Now I've the troublesome task of keeping him calm so he doesn't disembowel you and eat your torso first...or was that your goal?"

More pressing matters were at hand in the form of leaving the commander alone with the foul looking fellow. However left un-checked even the least of mages was a threat, let alone one with competence such as before him.

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Meanwhile
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The twelve riders under his unit approached the field closer, taking a single half turn to circle around and optimize the tactical edge on the first strike should the gates be breached. Ilheod's second in command lifted his right fist spinning the spear tip slightly while extending his hand parallel to the ground indicating the maneuver to execute. Taking into a pike formation they all dove downwards charging at the ax toting fights, relying on the speed and height to reach them first. Each rider banked downwards swiftly with the intention of disarming or knocking down the ax wielders while transitioning their blows to a quick ascension back into the air. A dive without actually colliding on the ground. Their blows weren't likely to land critical blows or penetrate deeply but the maneuver was designed to allow for various advantages through stamina while staying out of dedicated combat. Ax wielding foes had the edge in prolonged fights. Harassment tactics and harrying assaults were best to soften them up while also drawing out time in a siege.

[Ryuzaki]

Ryu heard a whisper about a 'mark' from through the door and gave a low chuckle.

"Fear not, ma'am, I mean no harm," Ryu began innocently. As things got increasingly muddled by the new arrivals, Ryu smiled wickedly. So Rogus and his boss were going to take this woman out, hmm? Well, then, if the man with the beautiful sword was going to so kindly distract that pesky blue fellow, he'd just... Whoa, whoa, wyvern!

Diving to the side, the thief slipped into the alley beside the house, only to have the wyvern follow him, landing and... Oh, look, it was that woman. And the rider was threatening her... Well, he hoped she could hold her own. Now was his chance!

Slinking over in the growing shadows, against the wall, Ryu sighted the woman, and slid along in the shadows, undetected, before emerging to her left a few meters away, approaching fearlessly and boldly and leering with the impunity of arrogance. He then drew his scythe and spoke in a hushed but sharp and biting tone, almost mocking the woman. "I am shadow... I am invisible. Once you see me, it's already too late... for I am the Angel... the Angel of Death!"

With a cackle, Ryu swung his scythe low and fast. It began... At last, it began. The haze of murky gloom descended around him once more as he felt the hum of the weapon as he turned, accelerating, bringing the cold iron arcing upwards in a blur of silvery doom.

[Rogus]

Damn it all! Rogus asserted as he heard the piercing howls of wyverns. Not too long after his companion had fled as he told her, Rogus decided running in this situation was the best plan. What with every army and mustachio'd big wig running in with weapons drawn. He growled in disgust and threw his hostage toward the doorway. Turning immediately, Rogus ran through the small house's hallway and lept through the same window Minerva had. He rolled to his feet, drawing his dagger from his belt as he did. First things first, going with Minerva to find Orland. He was no more than a few seconds behind her when she called out to one of the wyvern riders... and shot some sort of magic at him... She certainly wasn't the wisest. The man couldn't have seen them from where he had been, He'd have to act quickly to save her hide.

Milady Minerva! Wait! He's not a bandit, he's here to help us! Rogus feigned innocence, and quickly reached minerva's side. I'm sorry soldier, she is quick to violence, but she means well. His voice was shaky, a decisive act played by Rogus to make it seem like he had been running for quite a while, or at the very least scared. This is where it gets tricky. He knew the other soldier had seen him, but this one probably hadn't and was likely to believe them if the woman played along as the well-intentioned, yet poor-sighted villager. As long as he moved, the two of them could easily disapear before the truth was found out. IF the Wyvern Rider didn't, however, Rogus's plan b was to run through the alleys until he figured out how he'd survive this.

He attempted to nudge minerva, outwardly a sign of caution; inwardly the woman would hopefully know to play along.

[The Madness]

Oleg continued to watch Orland direct his raiders, motioning for his own men to stay with him for now to observe the giant. He would be a big help in fighting the City of Heroes. Sure, he was seemingly not the smartest nor the fastest, but he had raw power and enough respect from his men for them to follow him. A perfect way to knock on the city's doors. Augustus will be pleased.

[Minerva]

"What...?" In the name of Barigan, wouldn't it just be easier for them to swarm and kill this flyer before he caused more problems? But this wasn't her call, she'd play along... For now. Until she could torch that damned flying snake.

"Oh, I'm sorry... I got hasty. Are you really here to save us?" Minerva allowed charm to begin to ooze from her, moving closer to the rider. "My brother and I were being chased by bandits, so we hid in my aunt's house... She's still in there. Do you think that you could help us get away safely, sir?"

Minerva's voice was smooth and seductive as she painted a picture of perfect innocence. She appeared to be simply another easily frightened woman, who needed a companion like her 'brother' to keep her in check.

[Ilheod]

Astraeus snarled loudly, as if almost in a feral state. The wyvern quickly crashed downwards onto the ground again now much closer to the woman with his tail whipping around almost violently. Ilheod's hands tugged roughly on the reigns to calm the Wyvern, though the arrival of a second man calling out suddenly caused the massive wyvern's head to whip in the direction of the new comer and snarl loudly. It's dark blue scales seemed all but to be on edge and large fangs were baring as it snarled ferociously. Ilheod had to tug at the reigns a second time, calming the wyvern to a point where he simply continued to knead and grind at the ground beneath him with horrid almost sickening sounds as the ground was torn up. The Wyvern's body shook with the snarling previously however Ilheod seemed to disregard it as he took in what the man was saying. He seemed distressed. The moment he mentioned the word Milady the Wyvern Lord's spear tip lifted as he drew back his weapon to point upwards. Was she an innocent? As he explained, Ilheod slowly nodded. Citizens could certainly panic at times. When the woman spoke, a brief flash of fangs again caused Astraeus to growl. His distaste for magic over the years had grown quite large. Ilheod tugged at the reigns to turn the wyvern so it's side was facing them to deny the creature any further acts of aggression directly. Ilheod's tone was almost normal at that point.

"If that's the case...forgive me my lady. Worry not. Two of the best units in bern's former Wyvern forces are currently battling the bandits in addition to what I could tell from the skies to rather fearsome defenders. You two will certainly be safe indoors. If you'd like I can lead you to a shelter should this town have one. My flyers and I are quite experienced at fighting brigands, you've little to fear."

In the back of his mind the predicament of the Commander still lingered. However innocents were in need of assistance. As a soldier it was his duty after all.

[Zerachiel]

Zera laughed, he laughed at the absurdity of this situation. "Hahahahaha!" His voice carried, echoing in the allyway. "This is... this is too much." He looked at their new arrival, then back at the silent sage. A wyvern rider, not just any wyvern rider mind you, but one with his own troop of soldier under his wing. He could hear the beating of countless wings as they descended upon the village. To help fight off the... whatever these people were calling themselves no doubt. They're going to love this back home. He looked over at the rider again from the corner of his eye, his back turned to the man and a smug smirk on his face. "Things could be better, couldn't they?" He asked no one, but his mind was already racing of countless actions he could take at every moment. His face didn't show anything but the cocksure smirk, and a pair of amused looking eyes, hiding the mind working tirelessly within.

"Isn't it obvious what brings me here hero? If I have to explain it, then you clearly don't deserve to know." His jagged blade glinted in the muted light. He was distracting the rider, and that was his job after all, and it seemed to pay off seeing as the blast of magic coming at him was from behind. Probably one of the people he was 'helping' and the wyvern took off into the air to avoid it, but Zera didn't want to lose this opportunity. The thing was, this whole operation was a bust. Ruined, destroyed. Something or someone must have tripped up somewhere because Ilian commanders and wyvern riding squads were diving into the scene and it was far more than the group had anticipated. More than he anticipated. This wasn't a victory, even if they managed to fight off the soldier, the militia, and the riders, it wouldn't be without debilitating casualties. Whatever supplies this town held were simply not worth the cost to get them.

Zera wasn't an idiot, and he wasn't going to attach his self onto an operation clearly failing. It was a pity too, he was so looking forward to slitting that Sage's throat. If he had, well this would be a nice little bonus for the rebellion now wouldn't it? However at this point it was clearly obvious that in doing so he would wind up getting caught in something that he wasn't about to let himself be a part of.

So when the wyvern leapt into the sky, Zera made his move. He dashed on the spot, his body clearly too swift for the sage to catch up to. Not that he had reason to, seeing as he had yet to make a move and was standing there like his mind had been vacated or something of the like. He swiftly swerved in and out of the alleyways, darting from point to point while chaos unfurled around him. The rider didn't seem to give chase, good, he didn't feel like fighting him anymore anyways. He wasn't sure what was going to happen in this town, but he knew he wasn't going to be a part of it.

[Hektor]

Hektor was, confused, at where all these people were coming from. First the man that wanted to kill him apparently, Hektor was waiting for the man to make an aggressive move, but he never did. He just ram away asking if he knew why he was here, it had to be quite obvious the man was sent to kill him. So he must have been doing something right if someone in the world today wanted him dead. A shot of magic came out to disrupt the Wyvern though, and that man left to pursue his attacker.

Hektor turned to one of the 'thieves' as he lunged for the maiden. Hektor quickly shot a fireball in front of him that when it hit the ground the flames spiraled towards the heavens, separating the two people. The wall went so high that it also served as his que perfectly. "You," He said to the thief. "Leave now if you value your life, you are out classed and out numbered, and if you attack again I won't let you go free." Hopefully the man would take the hint. Hektor needed to join the main battle anyways and this man wasn't currently worth it.

Soldiers began streaming from the forests in formation once hey had saw the pillar of fire. They set up and began to move towards the bandits. Archers appeared on the wall ready to fire upon the bandits while 10 knights rushed out the gate and set up a blockade, side by side waiting for the onslaught. A couple of soldiers also came to where the signal came from as it wasn't from the planned spot, Hektor might be in trouble. As they arrived Hektor gave them a strict order to protect the lady for the duration of the battle. But then they asked about the other man. "leave him to his own devices, but if he causes any trouble, take him in." The soldiers went about what they were ordered to do, the town a buzz with activity from civilians and soldiers alike. He himself went off towards the wall to destroy the bandits from above, being cautious, for the assassin or the other two thieves, he needed a word with them.

[Deleted]

As orland and his force began to finish off the remainder of the villagers there seemed to only be the general and the Hero left. They were going to be easy pickings once that happened. No matter how strong you are you are just one man. The sound of Wyvern screech however brought Orland back to reality. He had almost forgotten about the riders. They were starting to cause some real damage in his men, but in truth the same could be said about their forces. Orland's group of bandits were no push overs.

As the tide of battle seemed to move in Orland's favor arrows seemed to rain out of no where from their flank. Hidden soldiers rushed out and began to make their assault on the Orland and his forces. Ten knights rushed up and blocked the path way as archers began to shoot arrows down upon them from above. In a single movement the tide of battle had been changed. The advantage was now on Little Rock's side. However Orland had no intentions of letting it stay like that. He needed to break through the enemy lines and get his men out of this killing box.

"Forward", shouted Orland as he raised his shield to block a archers attack. The giant knight began to push forward toward the line of knights. Orland needed to break through the gates. He still had three more separate units that should be moving in on the city from the North, Eastern, and Southern points, however not taking the West would look bad on Orland. Then again Orland was not even sure if they could take the other points. They other brigands might run into the same blockade that he did.

As the bandits rushed forward they began to throw themselves upon the knights shields. The first was Orland as he slammed his massive shield into the knights and pressed with his full weight. Following behind him ware a few axemen that pressed the knights in attempt to break their formation.

[The Madness]

Oleg had now sat himself down upon a lone rock, sipping some of his ale (he always had a bottle or two in his bag) as he enjoyed the show. The turn of the tide was very entertaining to watch, but also a thorn in the side of Augustus's plans. If the raid fails, the bandits will be without valuable supplies to survive. Sure, they could still rush the siege, but that would cause too many unnecesary deaths.

[Deleted]

As Orland and the other bandits fought against the guardsman it became quite evident that they were out numbered. Every time they would cut down one two more came to take their place. It seemed as if the enemy had almost doubled their number. Orland could hear the horn of retreat from the other sides of the city. It seemed like the Bern army had this city well manned and well protected. It was the fifth city they had taken down, but Orland did not expect this much resistance.

"Retreat", shouted Orland. The words burned his lips as they left his tongue. Orland did not want to retreat but they had no choice. The enemy was too strong and any more fighting would just lead to the loss of more troops. They were already not going to get the supplies Orland did not want to report back that he lost most of his forces too. The giant reached into his bag and pulled out a horn. Taking a deep breath he began to blow on it letting the all on the battlefield know it was time to retreat. As the troops began their retreat a few of the bandits held their ground and harassed the soldiers guarding the retreat of their brothers. After a couple of minutes of fighting they too began to fall back.

Orland directed his troops into the woods. As Orland and his troops began to fall back they set fire to some of the trees. The flames covered their retreat as they began to move through the forest. In defeat Orland marched back toward their rally point. He was going to have a lot to answer for to the higher ups.

[The Madness]

Oleg folded his arms, laughing out in a half drunken, half amused manner. It was a fine show, and the citizens had won this one. Sadly the liabilities that lost said fight were mostly alive. He simply threw his hands into the air, stumbling backwards a bit before balancing himself out. He then turned to his squad. "Right boys, you go home. I'll need to do a few notes and pass them to Augustus."

[Ilheod]

Ilheod gazed at the two for but a moment longer before a sound caught his attention. At first it was faint. He was sure he heard it though. Arrows. He had learned to pick out and fear such sounds many times over. One of the greatest threats to an Ariel unit. Moments later he heard multiple horn's from the sides as well as a following horn of intense volume. Quickly flourishing his spear to his side he turned and tucked in his thigh's to press his weight into the wyvern's neck. He kicked lightly as it's colossal wings spread outwards and flapped twice to lift it and boost it, the resulting gust a slight powerful outburst around the ground. He looked to the two calling loudly.

"Stay in doors! From what I can see the number of forces fighting has just grown and...by the-..The forest is in blazes! Head for shelter if you can, if not go back in side immediately. This has gotten many times more dangerous!"

Astraeus roared once as it flapped it's wings quickly and took off growing quickly in speeds. Ilheod's right hand briefly left the reigns as he steadied himself with his legs pressuring weight to the wyvern's neck. His free hand clasped a horn tied to his saddles, undoing it's straps by tugging at it from a specific angle and brought it to his lips while breathing loudly. His horn sounded off with tremendous baritone decibels, though it held a slightly unique reverberation to it from the slanted edges which widened again. His rider's turned mid flight on the spot and knowing the tone began to turn for flight of their commander. As he approached, he noticed three sporting sinister looking wounds. One leaning partially into his Wyvern. A fourth flyer though un-hurt himself, continuously patted his companion and looked to the shoulder of the front right arm where a solid crimson streak trailed down. Ilheod wordlessly commanded them by simply turning once they began to follow, heading back for the town and the entire unit flying over the location he had been moments prior speaking to the two younger citizens. Perching on a roof near by, each of them taking a similar perch upon a near by building Ilheod spoke loud enough to be heard without full out shouting.

"Rest up lads. Well fought. Well fought indeed! Though we did not win this alone, know that countless lives are spared by your wounds you spot. Wear those red badges well boys!

The twelve riders cheered loudly in unison and thrusted their spears into the air. Astraeus roared loudly, the other twelve roaring in unison as the entire company celebrated it's momentary victory.

[Hektor]

After he joined the main battle, everything seemed to be going well. With the archers firing from the walls and the troops attacking from the forest they were able to kill more than they killed of his troops. The bandits would have done better if they didn't thin themselves out trying to surround the village, not that he expected them to be too good at attacking villages with actual trained troops in them. Once the bandits began to retread, he called a group of archers, and a mounted unit to pursue those lagging behind, cutting them down, or casting them down, as the archers and himself did most of the work, couldn't chance the bandits turning around if they got to close. He had planned to break off once they had reached the forest, but before they got there it seemed as though the bandits set it ablaze! He quickly sent the men to return to the city to get the villagers and the water to put out the fire before it could spread too far.

Once he got back to the village he went to look for that man that came in with the wyverns, it might just be because of him that he walked away unscathed from that man that appeared. Once he saw the group, he addressed them with his booming voice, the voice of a commander, to reach him from all the way from the ground. "Wyvern riders, I seek to parley with your commander." He couldn't be too sure, but he might have heard someone saw 'nighthawks' if they did, he just might know who this man was.