Laelit - RP Thread

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Alandro looked at the man before him, silently weighing him up. He was roughly the same height and age as himself, and obviously had the same profession. He wore light armour, better suited to the jungle than Alandro’s own, and a pair of swords hung on his hips, one longer than the other. A bow was strapped to his back, with a quiver full of arrows hanging across his back the other way.

As he opened his mouth to speak, Alandro saw that Bracdorn had just completed the same analysis of himself, and he smiled. A warrior indeed.

“Well, we both know what’s going on, so shall we skip the details?”

Bracdorn smiled, and motioned for him to continue.

“Firstly, we need warriors. How many have you?”

“All Travellers can fight, but I have twelve dedicated troops. We need more.”

“Agreed. The village?”

“I’m dubious as to their number and skill.”

“Number should be fine, but skill is an issue” Alandro agreed. “Those of us who found the creatures are central to this fight. Many will need training.”

“I can supply that. Alandro, we know nothing of the surrounding area. We need scouts, and local ones.”

“Can you speak to the village leader?”
Bracdorn lead Alandro further into the camp, calling for wine and food.

“Probably. Holon will be needed to recount the fall of his town, and that should spur them into action.”

Alandro thought for a moment, and then raised a finger in thought. “We will need to relocate. This village is not the ideal place for a confrontation. There are too many innocents here. We don’t want to lose lives needlessly.”

“But if we leave, the village is unguarded, an easy target.”

Alandro nodded. Bracdorn made sense.

“So, we begin preparations today?”

“Of course. Come, my friend. I shall introduce you to the rest of the clan.”

They had just turned to move further into the camp when the first scream was heard…

 

A hairy hand slapped across Lena's mouth and silenced her in mid-scream. She kicked and scratched at her captor, fighting for freedom with all her strength.

A mental prod from above her gave her a calming influence. Poros was near. _I'll fly for help_ the bird chirruped and dashed like a spark toward the Traveller camp.

Holon, where are you? Please, mother, tell me he was following me? she cried in her mind.

 

Neither man spoke, but both darted towards the sound of the scream, weapons drawn. Alandro found himself just behind Bracdorn, his heavy armour weighing him down. They burst onto the scene just as another arrived from the opposite direction.

 

As Rayenna followed the men into the camp she heard a scream. Salana flew upward and towards the sound. The Phoenix comes. Look! Rayenna joined sight with Salana and saw the Phoenix winging towards them and then she saw the enemy.

"Bracdorn, one gifted is caught by ugly creatures, Not far from the Inn. Maybe 20 or more."

Rayenna's stomach turned and she thought she might throw up. Then her mother was beside her thrusting a padded jacket at her. "You are Owl!" Rayenna quickly put on the jacket as Brocdorn blew a long strident blast on a horn. In seconds 12 men were at his side. The women grabbed children and shoved them in the wagons then weapons and took up positions nearby.

5 older men and 3 boys stood near with bows and arrows.

Bracdorn glanced at Alandro, saw Kayn and Miost nearby but said nothing. He and his little troop headed towards the Inn.

Rayenna and her mother followed behind. Rayenna had her lyre out and hoped her stomach would behave enough for her to sing. She stroked a few notes and then became Owl. She would sing her warriors to victory or death. She new that Lark was at her side.

 

Alandro flashed a wink at Rayenna as he raced past.

"Would you give me a song to dance by, lady?"

He swung his sword in an overhead arc, cutting down the first enemy he reached. As he pulled his weapon free again, an arrow sped over his shoulder, killing the second attacker who aimed to capitolise on Alandro's overswing.

Nightingale hopped onto a branch near Rayenna, and began to sing counterpoint to her, his melody soothing, inviting sleep to those it was aimed at. It seemed to be affecting their enemies, who looked to be slowing somewhat. Already, another three had fallen to the Travellers alone, and more arrows were speeding their way to waiting hearts.

 

Holon was rammed with a round helmet in he mid-section in the first attack but Beratli coming to his aid chopped the creatures head off with his powerful arms. He jumped to his legs and he spotted Lena among some creatures. Chargeing foward he took one in the throat, while Berali took out one's legs and slammed the axe in it's chest. Holon didn't waste time he smashed one's throat in with the but and took an arm off with the blade. Beratli stayed behind and finished off the struggling monsters. Holon in complete blood rage ran through the monster holding Lena. In his shame of Lena being in danger he chopped down at the monster many times smashing the things face into a pulp. His rage gave the apportunity of one of them to smash him down and Holon went blank. Beratli being there at the right time, threw his axe deep into it's chest. The other's arrived and they ocuppied the other monsters. Beratli being a stout creature lifted Holon high enough to make him more comfortable until healers arrived. After he took care of the frightened Lena and gave some nice words, the best a gruff minotaur can give. Then he stood over her making sure none would attempt a kidnap again.

 

Torben hurried out of the tunnel and ran towards the sound of the fighting. Hiding behind a stack of barrels, he took out his sling and started hurling stones at the creatures. From his vantage point, it looked like the battle was pretty much under control. A few villagers were down, one without a head, but now many fighters were counter attacking. Hopefully, they would soon be victorious.

 

I'll fly ahead, but keep an eye on me!

Miost lifted Surion into the air and took out his bow. He ran to the edge of the village where the scream had been heard. Two Weygips rushed at him as he approached.

"Damn!" He bounded forward, but he wasn't paying attention when another Weygip's claw caught him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He landed with a thud a few feet away, and he looked up to see Surion scratch and bite at the monster's head. The monster swung at sliced at the small dragon, but she was too fast for him. She whipped the spike on her tail into his neck, then spun around and blew fire into the monster's face, the smell of burning flesh suddenly becoming rank in the air.

He jumped up and ran over to a tree. He positioned himself comfortably in the tree, then fired a string of arrows towards more oncoming Weygips.

 

Rayenna stood in the midst of battle, the Order of the Owl as tightly woven as a second skin. Her voice rose in the Battle Song, casting its spell across the fighters. A sense of strength, of resolve flowed over the Travellers and those fighting with them. The music of the Nightingale and Salana wove through her music adding to it and enhancing it.

Some of the creatures sank to the ground ensorcelled by the spell of the Songbird. Then Salana was silent. Rayenna realized that the owl was attacking the Weygips. Not yet fully grown she was still formidable with her beak and claws, tearing at the faces of the enemy. Her attacks silent and swift as lightning.

Rayenna sang on aware of the battle yet strangely unaware. One Weygip sliced through the padded leather of her jacket before driven back by the magic of her song. She was unaware of the blood flowing down her arm.

Aryann moved through the battle aiding the injured as best she could. Casting an occasional defensive spell but mostly just healing.

She came upon three figures, a young woman and man with a small minotaur standing guard. Looking into its eyes she said, "I would help if I can." He gave a sharp nod and she checked the young man, casting a quick healing spell. "He is hurt but should live. I have done what I can for the moment." She then looked at the frighten young woman. "I believe you are a healer. Do what you can for him. Others need me." With that, she rose and returned to the battle.

 

Kayn had allowed Vike to slip of his shoulders. Finally it was time to fight something again. He watched as Vike rushed around under feet and bodies, blowing the occasionall small gust of fire, but moslty just biteing at knees and shins.

Drawing his slender sword Kayn grinned. He was one of The Ten, and now it was time to show it. A rushing Weygrip took a wild swing at Kayn, which the young man ducked and with a measured backhand slash drove his sword between the beats ribs. Lashing out with a foot, he caught another Weygrip in the face. It's own momentum sent it to the ground, it's face bloodied. Whipping his sword back around he slit the monsters thoat before going to find another.

Wadeing through the battle, he found the others that Reyanna had just been with. A small wounded Minotuar, a young man and a young woman stood huddled. "Do the three of you need help or at least another sword to protect your backs?" He asked with a grin.

 

"Beratli, bring Holon over here, please!" Lena cried at the minotaur, motioning him to a safer place. Quickly, she ripped open her small belt pouch and jerked out a handful of green leaves. She gently probed for injuries, finding a lumpy cut on his head. She pressed the leaves against the wound with one hand and caressed his cheek with the other.

"Oh Holon, forgive me," Lena breathed. She'd tried to escape from her problems, only to have them increase in tenfold. Now the young man she'd rescued from the river lay dazed across her lap.

Glancing around her, she saw the battle raging and many of the others fighting for their lives. The woman who'd helped her was in the midst of it all. Lena gasped at the bloody fighting, of axes and swords and arrows screeching through the air. There seemed so many of the enemy and not enough defenders. "What can I do?" she cried with tears pooling in her eyes.

_a distraction_ Porso whispered. Lena nodded, allowing herself to join with the firebird for the first time. Through his eyes she saw the overhead view of the ensuing destruction.

Yes! Here! she shrieked into the bird's mind. Above the heads of the thickest knot of invaders and defenders, the phoenix swooped over and fanned its inner flame high. Would a burning blaze in the sky be enough to turn the tide?

 

Alandro spun and took another creature through the stomach with his blade.
Dance he had called it, and dance it was, as intricate and beautiful as any courtly whirl. Indeed, back in Gleam, in the towers and halls of the noble classes, it was known as a dance, one of many taught to young aristocrats. The Dance of Death, an art kept amongst those who lead the soldiers in the city’s defence.

“Dance on brother, there are many partners”

He moved from the falling body, and sidestepped a thrust that would have speared him like the latest catch, and riposted through armour to find the flesh below. It was then that he started to lose control. Looking at the creature’s face, he saw not a monster, but Etaine. Etaine, stealer of his love, slayer of his sister.

His next few slashes removed any chance of identification from the body, and when next he span past Alandra, his eyes shone with anger, his face contorted into a rictus of hatred, teeth bared.

“Brother, no!”

-Lord?-

No answer. He used the hilt of his sword to snap back the head of another enemy, before booting it back and running it through. In his fury, he moved faster and faster, but lost track of what was going on around him. A sword tore up the length of his arm, but he didn’t notice. An arrow meant for a Weygip struck him in the thigh, and he only noticed as he staggered in pursuit of a fleeing enemy. His final lunge caught it in the back though, and it slid to the floor slowly as he removed his blade.

He felt a blow to the head, and heard a voice screaming.

“Alandro! Fight it!”

He shook his head wearily.

“Fight!”
-Lord, return to us!-

He looked around blearily, wondering where the Weygip had gone, and saw that he had moved from the battle, and was at least a hundred yards from the fight.

“Alandro, are you back?”
“Aye, sister. My apologies.”
Alandra descended to his side, and laid a hand on his shoulder. “We should talk later about this. The Dance still continues, and you were never the kind to sit it out without a partner.”

Alandro nodded grimly, and stalked back to the fight. He’d be careful this time.

Now he fought slowly, still dancing, but this was a waltz, the last waltz. His every move was calculated and calm, and now that the adrenaline of his wrath had fled, his wounds were beginning to slow him down, but he ruthlessly thrust his pain to one side. There were lives to protect, and this was his vocation.

 

As the Phoenix blazed overhead, Salana screamed a challenge and began to sing. Suddenly it seemed that fire shot at each enemy. Rayenna drew the fire into her song. "Burn!, burn as you would burn others." More enemies fell back, lashing out at illusive flames.

The Phoenix blazed like a sun above them. The enemy screamed and fell. Music flowed across the battle field, alive and vibrant bringing strenth to the defenders and fear to the Weygrip.

Deep in herself Rayenna knew the music was not hers, was not the Travellers but the music of all who defend their homes, their loved ones, all who believed in the right to walk in peace and love.

 

Kayn pulled his sword back from the chest of another Weygrip, the cut on his head had opened and blood ran freely down his face and onto his new armour. Through his connection with Vike he could feel the little dragons bloodlust and to be honest the young man enjoyed it. Even though it would lead to conflict with The Ten, his father had raised him to be a defender, but the lust wanted him to conquer. It urged him to fight harder and faster. Allowing it to control him he cut down another Weygrip, and rushed two more.

 

A monstruous Weygip slashed at the branch which Miost was on, and it fell with a thud. He scrambled out of the way of a falling axe. He stood up and spun around the Weygip with lightning speed, stepped onto the monster's belt like a stirrup, and catapaulted himself into the air, over the Weygip. He pulled two arrows in mid air, and shot them straight into the brain of the creature.

Well done.

 

Holon was still lying on the ground when a Weygip ran away from the losing battle. The Weygip charged Holon and Lena hoping for two easy kills. In his one hand he carried a spear, when he drew back to strike he was tripped by a pair of hairy arms. Beratli then leaped upon the monsters face and pummeled its face for atleast a whole minute. Bloodied up to his arms, the stout minotaurs stamina finaly gave up and he collapsed panting hard. Beratli realized that didn't save Lena's life because they were trying to kidnapp her, not kill her. Holon and Beratli were still bound to her. He was about to groan but he actually liked Lena. They would probably still protect her after they save her. Beratli smiled the fell asleep.

 

Few enemies remained on the field and the battle was winding down to a clean-up session. The Song became one of triumph and Rayenna collapsed on the ground, Salana flying down to stand guard over her.

Aryann cast healing spells on Alandro and Bracdorn; it would slow the bleeding and ease some of the pain. Then she was off to see to the fallen. One Traveller would never rise again. Aryann arranged for the injured, Traveller or non-Traveller to be moved to the camp. She wondered if there were any village healers that could help and sent one of the boys to see. Torben with his potions would be handy. She would like to know him better. These thoughts flew through her mind as she tended the wounded.

Bracdorn paused finding no enemy to fight, looked around at the carnage and sighed. Bracdorn never went into a battle rage but his determination and dedication caused a trance-like state, now he felt the soreness of wounds and fatigue but this was no time for rest. Much remained to be done.

 

Torben tucked his sling into his belt and took out a potion container. He wasn't very good at toe to toe combat. It was only thanks to Rusty that he had been able to best the Weygip who'd been holding him.

He distributed some healing potions to those who looked like they needed one and were able to swallow on their own. A boy asked him about healers in the village and he directed him to Old Ma Katja's house.

He looked around the battle scene. He'd had a few close calls whilst collecting things with a dangerous animal or two, but this was the biggest, baddest fight he'd ever experience first hand. He was a little shaken up by it. He sat down and pulled out another bottle, not a potion, just pure peach brandy. Just a swig or two to calm his nerves.

 

Bracdorn saw Rayenna, picked her up and carried her back to the camp, Salana flying around him. He didn't see any serious wounds on Rayenna but placed her with the other wounded. Aryann had the women tending them and an elderly village woman was helping.

Alandro was right, they needed a place they could defend. They were too few to withstand another battle like that one. He needed information. How had the Weygips gotten into the village so easily in broad daylight? It was obvious to him that this was an unusual occurrence. The village was not prepared for it as it would have been if it happened even occasionally. What was happening at the other villages? He knew that one village had already been destroyed.

He called several of the older boys and girls over to him and told them to find those gifted with companions and ask them to meet with him in the camp. After checking on the wounded and finding that one of the Traveller warriors had died he relaxed in front of his wagon. His wife brought him ale and food, then looked after his wounds.

There was much to be done but he couldn’t do it if he fell to exhaustion. There was a funeral to prepare. Plans needed to be made. Why was there so much hate in the world? Why couldn’t people live in peace?

 

Alandro stepped up beside Torben, and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"First battle? Difficult, no?"

He motioned for the bottle, and took a long draght before handing it back.

"Torben, my friend, don't drink that. Get yourself a mug of something hot and sweet. You'll be dehyderated after that fight, and alcohol won't help."
Alandro limped away, and was wandering around the village when he heard a voice calling behind him.
"Master Alandro!"

He turned, and saw a young Traveller woman running to catch him. She was out of breath,panting as she stopped next to him. She took a moment to catch her breath, before standing straight agin, and speaking

"Bracdorn is looking for you Lord. He wishes to speak to all of those with companions in the camp centre."

Alandro nodded "I see. Thank you."

As he turned to head back, the woman fell into step with him, and began to speak again.

"I saw you fight, my lord."

When Alandro looked at her, she tapped the dirk at her waist "I fought also."

"I see."

"Your technique is one unknown to us. It was impressive. Perhaps you could teach me some of it?" She smiled, hopefully.

ALandro looked at her. She was a few years younger than him, with a trim figure, and a face that was pleasing to the eye.

"Perhaps I could" he returned her smile.

Hers widened, and they turned a corner, to where Bracdorn waited. The woman waved goodbye as she moved off, her smile never leaving her face.

Bracdorn greeted him with a wave, and a wince as his wife tightened the bandage around his leg.

"Easy woman!" He grunted, affectionatley "Greetings ALandro, making friends already?"

Alandro smiled back at the man, and nodded. "You wanted to see me?"

"Let's wait till the others arrive, shall we?"