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Solaria, Brightening I of the Third Cycle of Cryxatum Summer of the Third Era of the Pax Imperialis, Second Era of the Celestine Mandate, Fourteenth Era Post Fractum in the Regency of Milo L’Evienne.
Cavernous orbs of darkness surveyed the downhill path of the road he, and his companions, travelled upon; noting the lightly forested slope which rose up on his left to become the towering Khardran Mountains. His scanning of the area was not born of a conscious need to ensure their safety but rather a force of habit given his profession. Moving from the left to the right those keen orbs took note of any part of the road ahead which could be used as an effective ambush point, not that he was planning an ambush himself, but rather to ensure he was subject to one. No such location was apparent as yet, though his current position would have made a fine point given it was on a road cresting a hill in a forested area; however his scouts had already made sure this location was free from attack, just as they were currently ranging on ahead to ensure the same.
The orbs broke off their habitual scan of the surroundings when the sounds of his companions joining him became consciously recognized. Those orbs turned first to the right and then left, noting the human and dracon who were also mounted, then with a shift in the saddle he twisted to look behind him at the column of mounted soldiers who were now approaching the crest. The men were all dressed in the uniforms of their organization, the Knights of the Argent Sword, and though they had travelled for some brightenings they still appeared only the slightest of travel dirt; hinting at their disciplined care of weapons, armour and clothing, but even greater their respect and pride in who and what they were.
Another twist and the orbs were focused ahead again, though this time they leveled higher than the road and forest noting the travel of the sun and the approaching darkness. They would need to find a suitable campsite for the night before too much longer, and once that had been decided and put into action they could decide in more detail how to proceed; though truth be told the owner of those orbs had already come to his own conclusions about what action would be taken. A gloved and mailed hand rose, paused and then motioned forward. With that the mount upon which he rode was squeezed slightly with his thighs and knees and they were once more proceeding forward; companions following to either side.
”Ral, do you remember the first time we travelled this way? What was it? Three eras ago? Four? We visited Pala in Taralon.” The words came from his right, out of the mouth of the lean human casually riding and taking in the countryside. ”Countryside has changed somewhat since… or at least that’s the feeling I’m getting. Suppose a war could do that, eh?” The human paused in his surveying the countryside to glance at Raliric (who had decided upon his natural form for this particular venture), a slender brow raised with the question asked.
”Aye, Ged, your right. Seems a lot more… deserted. Wildlife noises aren’t particularly as loud as normally they should, especially when we are surrounded by trees. My guess is that the Orks patrol this region pretty frequently. Scaring off the wildlife and humanoid inhabitants alike. Wouldn’t be surprised if stumble onto one of those patrols within the next brightening or so.” He shrugged, not much concerned with the prospect of an altercation with an Ork patrol. His men were numerous enough, skilled enough and equipped well enough to handle anything short of an army, and even that they could probably do quite well against.
The brown scaled dracon to Raliric’s left spoke up, ”I’m surprised we haven’t hit one yet, we did move into their territory mid-brightening and since then the scouts have only reported their tracks, some of which were as fresh as a few candlemarks. Either they are terribly bad at patrolling, or we are just incredibly lucky to have not come across one yet.” The dracon’s speech was deep and hollow sounding, like wind through a cave.
Whilst Raliric’s speech, also deep, was more resonant, ”Or they are following us, Barth, seeing what we are up to and don’t want to engage us until they know they can win?” Lips peeled back slightly into what could only be a slight dragonic grin, ”Probably have alerted other patrols ahead and some main outpost nearby as to our presence. We’ll get company soon enough…” The human smiled at the prospect, always eager for a good fight. The brown skinned dracon on the other hand was more concerned with the idea of getting attacked by, potentially, an Orkish army. Concerned more for the well being of the men and what he might do to ensure they all got out of such an attack with their lives; such were the concerns of the thaumaturgic master.
Truth be told, Raliric felt much the same as Barthanes on the subject, whilst he was also aware of the feeling of anticipation for the thrill that came with such heated combat. However regardless of what may befall them they were on a mission of sorts and the objective would need to be reached regardless of the obstacles in their way. If those obstacles happened to be Orkish Armies, then so be it. It would give them ample experience in their new method of warfare, even if they had yet to be supplied with the necessary equipment to make that method a definite reality.
The three companions who led the column noticed a mounted figure emerge from the forest onto the road and turn to ride toward them. They were unconcerned for the figure was identifiable to them from a considerable distance given their familiarity. The rider stopped a few meters ahead of them and wheeled their horse around. Gedriwyn’s horse opened up some space between he and Raliric without being directed to do so and the three companions met up with the rider who matched their pace. A leather gloved hand pushed back a dark leather hood to reveal the features of a female elf. ”Raliric, the scouts all report the same as they have been since mid-brightening. There are signs of the Orks but we haven’t seen them yet. Not surprising given this is their land and they know it better, but disconcerting to think they can elude even the scouts so thoroughly.” She pulled a water skin from her saddlebags and took a long draught of the liquid, a little spilling from the side of her mouth and running down her jaw line. This was wiped away before she replaced the stopper in the water skin and continued her report, pointing at some unseen location further ahead with the hand that still grasped the water skin. ”Found a campsite a little further ahead. Its off the road a ways and on a small hill, we should be able to defend it quite easily should our unseen Ork friends try to make trouble for us.”
A black scaled head, Raliric’s, nodded at the report, ”Excellent, just in time too. Alright, Sorrow, show us to the campsite and then notify the rest of the scouts to keep up their vigil until sundown and then to come back to camp.” The elf woman inclined her head in simple reply to the orders before securing the water skin to her saddlebags.
It didn’t take them long before they arrived at the campsite; it had only been a short ride down the road before they turned off into the light forest, travelling down a slight incline before rising up into an even more lightly forested hill which had a small clearing at its’ crest. As soon as they arrived Sorrow wordlessly departed to confirm the orders Raliric had given, even though they would have done exactly that anyway even without being ordered. Raliric gave the order to make camp and to set up temporary defenses; tasks which only took a candlemark and still with perhaps another left to start the cooking fires before the sun was completely set.
It was only then that Raliric reached out mentally with his bond, the mental link to his animal companion, Arminius. Conveying thoughts, feelings and images to communicate with the Frost Wolf, he asked, ”Where are you? Where are the Orks? Do you have a scent? Seen tracks? Are they close?” Then he proceeded to send images of landmarks that would assist the animal in finding the camp. He then waited for a reply from the beast, and waited for the sun to set and his scouts to return before beginning the next phase of his plan.
Secrets :
NPCs Involved in this thread are as follows. More information regarding these NPCs can be found in the Knights of the Argent Sword faction forum within the thread named NPC Library.
NPC's Number in Total: 77
Gedriwyn, Knight Bachelor
Barthanes, High Templar, Master Thaumaturge
Utilizing the only North-South road from Enamoria into Sheridan Provence on the west side of the Khardran Mountains was the most expedient but also the most heavily guarded part of the new orkish frontier. Raliric and his group were wise to stop for the night. The lands from here on in were not going to be so friendly and his troops will need all the energy they can get.
The suns began to set on this brightening and as the light retreated, the darkness advanced. It enshrouded the camp site in an erie cloak that was only held at bay by a fully fueled camp fire. Along with the darkness came a sense that eyes were set upon the unwelcome occupants of the Maevewoods. The Maevewood forest used to extend alot further south into the Sheridan Provence but orcs have hacked and hewed upon the trees of this great forest for many eras using the wood to fuel their forges to make yet more weapons and armorments to torment nature and humanity. Now the forest which Raliric and his forces now rest is but a shadow of its former self and really has been reduced to a simple finger that despirately tries to hold on to its grip in the Sheria.
The scouts sent out by Ral had nothing to report visually as the forest has a tendancy to hold on to its secrets quite well. The woods themselves had somewhat of a magic aura about them as anyone with arcana learning could sense however faint the aura was. There was something else though. Ever since crossing into orc lands half a brightening ago, all those in the party that were unbound magically have come down with what a common person would attribute to a head cold. Everything from speaking to others to focusing for the purpose of spell casting or telepathy seems muffled, almost like putting cotton in ones ears. For telepathy, this makes sentences and images garbled and fractured. One could only speculate if this was attributed to the forest or something else more sinister.
It was a good 40 miles from the trade road which Raliric was camped off of to Autumnus to the east. It was an unknown distance from the campsite south to the Narim ruins though that distance would no doubt be alot longer having to battle through orc armies to get there. There had been no news of Autumnus' fate since the fall of Narim almost 3 seasons ago not even word if it still stood or not or if it was swarming with orcs as Narim surely was. Nothing but open ground and the coast was to the west of the campsite location.
A few candlemarks would pass in the darkness but it was not a carefree night. Noises were abound throughout the woods surrounding the camp. Many of the noises were only audible by those with keen hearing but those noises that could be made out were those of animals. It was not clear if they were the sounds of nature that inhabit the woods or that of animals with evil intent regardless, their grunts, whimpers, and snarls seemed to radiate throughout the darkness and seemingly close enough to keep a guard on edge.
OOC:Sorry for the delay, I have been exceedingly busy and kept away from my computer, or at least the internet.
As the darkness descended and the campsite was reaching its completed state, Raliric called to his tent the higher ranking members of the party; Gedriwyn, Barthanes, and many others of arcane and non-arcane talent, and lastly would come the scouts as they returned. The first matter to address would be the foreign feeling the magic users were feeling at present. They knew not what it was, and they hoped that it did not extend the length of the province, but rather was a spell of some sinister creation. The next piece of business was the continuation of their journey which would begin this very darkening.
When all who had been called upon were gathered in the average sized tent, making for a very crowded gathering given their leader was not partial to extravagant size in his living arrangements. ”Welcome all, there are matters to attend to and I thought it best to keep some level of privacy to our meeting, though we be in a tent of fabric. The first issue is this arcane muffling that is felt. It is indeed a mystery as to its origin and we have yet to explore its facets. Something I would advise of all of you. If we are to be casting with this muffling of senses then we must adapt to casting amongst such conditions, be prepared.” He looked over at Barthanes then, ”Master Barthanes, I would ask that you explore this in greater length. Your knowledge and experience with the Arcane surpasses all whom are gathered here and you may best judge the nature of its condition. Is it a spell of some sinister manufacture or some byproduct, a contamination of sorts, from some great past battle or conflagration?” He looked again amongst the rest of his Knights assembled therein, ”Whilst this study of our circumstances is being conducted, and whilst we adapt to our conditions, we shall journey slowly but surely to the village of Autunmus to discover its fate. We will make camp within short riding distance from that place and approach as emissaries, not those of a war making nature.”
Completely black orbs passed over the faces of his Knights, all of varying races and backgrounds, a gathering of the races of Telath united in peace, brotherhood and common cause and belief; a state that could only be hoped upon for the rest of Telath, and persevered toward. ”It is my hope that no battle should pass between us and these Orks and other Sheridanites; and at the least no battle of our own creation save only in necessity. We shall attempt to pass through this province and assist in what manner we may. Brief your men of this, though insist upon them to keep their vigilance, should conflict be made against us we will not hesitate to reply with the full force of our might.” A last glance about his men before he would stand back. ”Are there any questions?” He hoped that the scouts would arrive shortly to join the meeting and join their new found knowledge of the surrounding terrain so that they might better judge which course to tread and where to camp closer to Autunmus.
Raliric sat within one of the chairs supplied for this meeting. Whilst they waited for the scouts return he allowed his mind to wander its many pathways; delving into the depths of deep thought that were reserved for private council. The thoughts were many, for his life was filled with moments of choice that, if a different course had been chosen, could have resulted in a better outcome. However these were not the thoughts he entertained for he was a strong believer in his own actions and should those events be played out again he would choose the same course; make the same mistakes; learn the same lessons. No, the thought he entertained upon this brightening was more personal and, perhaps, selfish in nature. At least he thought of it as such now upon later reflection. He had dragged his Knights across the empire for a war that was not entirely theirs, though they had a right to fight in it; taken them from duties and matters of importance that would weigh heavily upon their return.
His orbs of darkness rose from the fire at the center of the tent; he had been staring at it whilst he pondered even for that brief moment of a mistake that he had perhaps made in coming here. Those dark eyes scanned the tent, taking in the assembled officers of his Knighthood who were at present talking amongst themselves. Noble men and women, hardy and strong, fearless; honourable and righteous. They were Knights of the Argent Sword. And they had followed him faithfully to a land that could bring only death. He was their commander and their brother, and they would follow him to the ends of Telath if he had so wished.
He rose to his feet, a movement that caused those within the tent to become quiet with the expectation that he would speak. A slight smile appeared upon his features and motioned for them to ignore him, ”Carry on, I am taking a walk, I will return shortly.” He moved around the fire, parted the tent flaps and ducked so that he could exit, emerging into the warm night. He inclined his head to one of the guards outside his tent and then moved off to the right, skirting the tent and heading for the edge of the camp. He passed the sentries and headed into the woods, well aware that ork foes may be watching him and that he was quite an easy target should the Orks wish to kill him.
He was not afraid of death, the more one seemed to face it the less one was afraid of its eventual grasp; and he had faced it a great many times, and many of those times he had come close to that dark embrace.
He walked for a time until he came to a tree that was some distance from the camp, only a few minutes’ walk but private and quiet; a place for him to think within interruption. His thoughts were the same as those within the tent, though this time they had taken a different turn, a path that was infinitely more dangerous for him, but would spare the deaths of his men and would ensure the work of Siona was being done. Though it did not take him long to come to the conclusion, what did take some time was deciding how to go about it. There were three options that he had to choose from, three paths he could tread and only two that would see his sense of honour and right fulfilled. It took perhaps half a candlemark for him to come to his eventual conclusion and when he had he rose once more and returned to the camp.
The dracon knight entered the tent once more and took up his place. His dark eyes searched for the scouts and noted their return, though he did not ask them of what they had seen and why they had taken so long, not yet. ”Knights, Brothers and Sisters. I have taken council with myself, reviewing the reasons for this undertaking and I have come to change my mind. We shall not proceed into Sherian. I shall proceed alone. Your duty lies in Siona and I am sorry to have taken you from it. I am drawn to this province for a reason I have not yet come to understand. I felt the need to come and join this battle and wrongly brought you all with me in a selfish deed for security.” He seemed to grow stronger in his words at this point, his path more firmly decided and already he began to walk down it. ”For too long have I been comforted by my allies always being at my side to assist me; and whilst allies make us all stronger, it invariably makes the individual weaker when they are relied upon. I have become softer in your protection, but not in this battle. This battle I shall fight alone.” A pause as he looked about the tent. ”You have been loyal, faithful, strong, righteous and honourable in your ways and I am proud of every one of you. However there will always be times when one must fight alone, must proceed with the weapons that they alone can bring to bear; be it their mind, their fists or their will alone. For me, this is one of those times.”
”Barthanes, Gedriwyn, marshal the men and break camp. I want you to return to the Enamorian side of the border as quickly as possible. I will be leaving this darkening to head further into Sherian. This is my request. Those are my orders. Dismissed.” He turned from them then and began to prepare himself.
He donned his leathers; attached his sheaths (two longknives, two Graw’lak, elven longsword); hefted his backpack (with its supplies and such that he had yet to unpack from that brightening’s journey); took up his bec-de-corbin hammer; and moved out into the darkness of the night, heading in the direction of Autunmus.
Alone.
Save of course for the one creature that would follow him regardless, Arminius. All he had to do was find the wolf.
Now that he was traveling alone and under the cover of darkness, Raliric could well expect to see more than when moving with many others. He noticed something new on this darkening. There were several small lights in sky. They were steady, not twinkling as would a star. These lights mostly drifted slowly through the sky. The direction of drift seemed to be with the prevailing wind but at times one or two would change direction. The lights remained mostly steady but occasionally there seemed to be an almost random irregular pulsation emitted from them. Before long most these objects drifted out of sight but a few remained seeming to remain an almost fixed distance from each other.
As the Knight approached Autumnus his sharp eyes made out the forms of Sentries. In most cases they appeared to be Goblins although some were Orcs. Those who were walking were easy to spot at a safe distance but others who were sitting and leaning against a rock or one of the trees were not recognized as such until Raliric was dangerously close to them. Ahead of him, toward Autumnus was a campfire. There were several figures moving about. If the Knight continued approaching, he too would be readily visible.
__________________ The Kinder and Gentler Red Neck GM
Taralon - where both loquaciousness and succinctness are acceptable
It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious. (an ancient Yeti Proverb)
Travelling at night time was no concern to the dracon Knight, at least not since he had returned from Herozzal and found a certain ring that assisted him in this aspect. As soon as it was fully dark he crouched down and pulled off his right glove, then took from his pocket an old simple looking gold ring which he then put onto his ring finger. Before it touched his skin he closed his eyes, then he returned the glove to his hand. Upon opening his cavernous orbs of darkness the passive magic of the ring would have taken effect. It enhanced his vision ten times what it should have been in the darkness, and wearing it during the day it enhanced his vision almost three times as much, though it gave him headaches during the day. Now that he was alone and it was night he was able to use the ring to its most effective. He did not need a torch, and he could see everything as if it were day time.
Even if he hadn’t been wearing the ring he would have been able to notice the new events that occurred in the darkening; the small lights in the sky that were steady and not twinkling, bringing him to the conclusion that they were not stars… but what else could they be? They moved around, though most of them kept a certain distance from each other. It was a puzzle that he would need to find the answer to before he reached his destination and he had plenty of time left.
He continued on his journey toward Autumnus, easily picking out the sentries which were, for the main, goblins. Though there were the occasional Orcs. When he noticed the first of the sentries who had been sitting or leaning against a rock he froze immediately and crouched, he had not noticed the fellow until he was dangerously close at hand and this meant he was slightly unprepared even with his enhanced vision. He had various ways of being able to detect these almost hidden sentries, but at that juncture he was close enough to the camp that he did not need to use such methods… at least not yet.
He crouched low next to a tree, using his cloak and cloths to blend in to the forest in the darkness whilst he watched the goings on of the camp with his enhanced sight. He was looking for anything unusual, but he was also looking for patterns and opportunities. He wanted to get to Autumnus and this camp was in his way, which left him with two options; going through the camp or going around the camp. Going around would mean he would most certainly run into more sentries and he did not believe himself to be quite lucky enough not to alert at least one of them. Going through the camp would, at this point in time, mean alerting those in the camp to his presence. However, if he waited until they slept, or even helped them along a little, he would be able to pass through the camp unnoticed and then only encounter the sentries on the other side that he would need to navigate through.
For now he contented himself to sit and wait, observing them to see which was the best course of action.
The Campfire was about 50 meters away. Some those Raliric could see were sentries. Others seemed to be drinking and eating. He was not close enough to see how many may have lying on the ground resting.
One of the hovering lights came down lower, a bit beyond the Campfire. After a few moments, the light became a bit brighter and rose again.
__________________ The Kinder and Gentler Red Neck GM
Taralon - where both loquaciousness and succinctness are acceptable
It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious. (an ancient Yeti Proverb)
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