Fable - Ask Beaten and Bloody

[Kristen Pirian]

In keeping with formality and propriety, Kristen introduced herself as well, "And I am Kristen Pirian."

Would that she could have met Reynard and reacquainted with Olvir, as the former said, under better circumstances. Perhaps she would have to wait until she was graduated and in the Reserves to have more agreeable environs for social calls.

Do you mind if we come with?

Kristen smiled. "You've plucked the thought from my very mind."

Reynard expressed some doubt concerning his acceptance in their company before the Governor, and Kristen hoped to assuage it, saying, "If it is necessary that we vouch for you, he shall not mind."

Not that Kristen wanted to abuse her position as being one of (if not the only) Dreadlord or magic user here in the Keep. Yet it was that she felt better being in good company rather than on her own. Surely the Governor wouldn't deprive her of that in this desperate time.

And so they made their way up to see the Governor, getting directions as needed, and Kristen with a watchful eye looked over Olvir's gait to see if his leg was yet giving him trouble and if he needed even just minor aid, a shoulder upon which to lean.

Olvir Reynard De Eramant

 

[Olvir]

As they walked Olvir did not lean on either of his companions, though it was clear that the pain from his leg was still a problem. He all but hobbled as they made their way up, favoring his other side and even using the wall to support himself as they went up the stairs.

Nevertheless, he never asked for help, and oddly enough the more they walked the better he seemed to move.

The governor, like any good Anirian Leader, was not holed up in some office in the basement of the keep.

Instead they found the man in a central hall, what looked to have once been a throne room or perhaps mess hall, now emptied out save for a single great table standing in the middle of it. A dozen officers stood standing around the table itself, though no Guards watched the door or even offered a word of greeting as the trio stepped inside.

Focus was entirely on the battle at hand, and aside from the occasional messenger it was clear that nobody who didn't have to be in the room, was.

"We have about four hundred men in the Keep at last count" One of the men said, continuing as Olvir and the others walked up towards the small crowd. "Probably gone up since, but we'll have enough supplies for a week. After that things ge-"

The mans topped talking as he noticed the trio, the others looking up at him and then towards where the newcomers. "Governor, I-"

Before he could get a word out, Ollie was interrupted by the old stately looking man.

"Ollie! Its good to see you alive. Though I'm not sure I'm happy to find you trapped here with us." The old man smiled sympathetically, then glanced at Olvir's two companions. "Who are these two?"

"This is Dreadlord Kristen Pirian." The Governor's eyebrows rose sharply, but did not yet speak. "And this is Reynard De Eramant, a mercenary, and a friend."

A dubious look came from the other man, but he didn't question. "Well, I'm glad for all the help we can get. The situation is dire, and we'll need every sword."

For a second he frowned, and then he turned to Kristen. "My Lady Pirian, I am happy you made it. Though I’m afraid I have no good news.”

There was a pause, as if he was allowing a moment of sympathy and humanity. Then his voice switched, as though turning into the proper commander that he was.

“You are right now, as far as I know, one of three Dreadlords left in the city." The Governor looked grimly at the two Nobles, and even shared a glance at Reynard. “And I’m going to require every resource if we’re to hold out.”

 

[Reynard De Eramant]

Reynard was happy to get Kristen's greeting and agreement from her on the subject of visiting the governor. It seemed the whole group had agreed that was the next step. He was still unsure of exactly how welcome he would be at the meeting considering his position but encouragement from his companions caused him to follow them all the way to the governor without any more complaints.

Both he and Kristen were there to support Ollie should he need the help but the man was stubborn in walking the entire way on his own two feet. Not that Reynard could blame him, he wasn't sure how welcoming he'd be to assistance either. Regardless of any worries they might've had the trip was made without issue and Ollie seemed no worse for wear either, a blessing for the hard times that lay ahead.

Reynard was introduced by Ollie, his mouth turning up into a happy smile at the word 'friend' being used to introduce him. It could've been just to dissuade and argument from the governor on the topic of Reynard's presence but frankly having a friend in this strange situation didn't sound too bad either. Reynard caught the dubious look from the governor but thankfully the man didn't push the subject any farther.

The governor explained their dire situation. Granted Reynard knew very little about what a dreadlord was but from how the last few hours have gone he surmised they were quite an important piece of the fighting force. it seemed there was a chance Reynard's presence really might be worth more than he though. He couldn't help but wonder how his sword skills matched up to the guards of the city and those around him. It made his fingers itch a bit, wanting a chance to test and prove how capable he was but for now he'd sit still and offer his help.

Reynard smiled and put his hand on his chance, every ounce of charisma he head coming out in his words. "And you have that assistance in us three. I have no connection to this fortress or it's people yes, but although I am a mercenary I aim to protect those who can't protect themselves. I will do everything in my ability and even more than that to protect those that live within these walls. You have an extra blade in me governor." he finished, hoping to convince the governor he was worth the time.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"Initiate Kristen Pirian," she was quick to interject when Olvir called her a Dreadlord (and this she accompanied with a quick curtsy of greeting for the Governor). One day she will have earned the title of Dreadlord, but that day was yet to come. And the last thing she wanted to do was give the Governor a wrongful impression.

Not that it made too much difference. The situation before them would still be as dire as it was, whether it was two Dreadlords and an Initiate or three Dreadlords.

Reynard stated his case, though even if the Governor was a spiteful man who held hired blades in utter contempt, he'd be a fool to turn Reynard away. Every resource—Kristen didn't doubt the Governor's word on that one bit.

"Governor, may I ask who the two Dreadlords happen to be, and what magic they have?"

All the better to coordinate where each of them would be best positioned, especially if plans went awry and new strategies were called for on the fly.

Olvir Reynard De Eramant

 

[Olvir]

The Governor seemed to frown when Kristen corrected Olvir, though only for a second before Reynard caught his attentions.

"I'll take any man willing to fight alongside us on the walls." He said, a genuine gratefulness in his voice. No Anirian was usually so accepting of a mercenary, but it spoke to just how dire the situation had actually become. Vel Hetren would need every man and woman capable of holding a sword before the battle was out.

Returning his focus to Kristen, the Governor frowned slightly.

"I have Danor Telgrim and the other one just calls herself Maisie." The Governor seemed to frown out that for a moment, as if he found it odd there was no last name. "Danor has the sight. Scrying he calls it, he's the only reason the city is still standing. Because of him we got an early warning and were able to send out for reinforcement before the enemy fell on the walls."

Likely also meaning that Danor was only a third or perhaps even fourth level. Though the Governor did not elaborate. "Maisie moves and shapes earth. I've had her reinforcing the walls of the keep since the attack began."

Ollie frowned for a moment, noting that the strategy was a good one, but had also likely lead to the deaths of many. Those who had made it to the Keep were safe, for now, but how many had died because the Dreadlords had not been there to slow the enemies advance?

The young noble didn't begrudge the Governor's choice.

"Right now you three are the most important asset we have." He frowned for a moment. "We're not just fighting Orcs now, we're fighting moral and malaise. Three Dreadlords and a Guardsmen garrison can defend this Keep. The men have to believe that."

Ollie was about to point out to the Governor again that Kristen was not a Dreadlord, but from the look on the man's face he was understanding there was no mistake. "Do you understand?"

 

[Reynard De Eramant]

Reynard was more than happy to see his offer of help accepted without issue. Though truthfully he doubted the governor would be foolish enough to deny any blade willing to help the cause, people could often be unpredictable at the worst of times. No need to worry about that this time however, as he continued to listen as the conversation switched to what could be done in order to help.

Reynard wasn't wholly familiar with the terminology and inner workings of the fortress. He had a bit of knowledge on dreadlords and their purpose though certainly far less than any other person inside this room. He was after all an outsider and was unfamiliar with their ways. What he did know was that dreadlords were practitioners of magic and fairly talented ones at that. He'd seen a bit of Kristen's own magic earlier in the day. It seemed they had a seer and a geomancer in their ranks, two very necessary talents to have at this stage of the war. Reynard wasn't entirely sure what Kristen's type of magic was but he was sure she was geared towards battle more than anything else.

What they had wasn't preferable but it was surely better than nothing at all. He nodded in turn with the governor's last words. Reynard knew well that one of the largest issues with war was indeed keeping morale high. It was easy to be discouraged and demotivated when the attacks never stopped. When homes were under the threat of being invaded and destroyed. It was terrifying not only for the common folk but for the soldiers and guards trying to keep the threats at bay. Reynard had seen many battles and knew firsthand the effects that war could have on a persons psyche.

Reynard though for a moment before speaking again. "What would you like us to do governor? How can we best help keep morale from sinking?". Reynard needed a goal, an objective to follow. He could probably act on his own but it was better to see where he was best needed from the governors point of view. Whatever task he was give, he'd do his best to accomplish it. He needed to help as many people as he could.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Dreadlord Danor and Dreadlord Maisie. In Danor's case, knowledge was certainly power, but how useful his gifts would be in their enclosed situation now remained to be seen. In Maisie's case, geomancy could help delay and bottleneck the orcish forces, but they may well have shamans or casters of their own to counter it—or perhaps, if they had sharper strategic acumen than Kristen thought such savages were capable of, they might simply wait and starve out the Keep. Then there was Kristen herself, who was still on a long journey toward mastery of her only directly lethal spell: her Impalers. She would not be able to rely solely upon it. Her other Conjurations, her Curses, would have to be used to their utmost as well.

Do you understand?

The Governor's question cut right to the heart of this lack. If she had better proficiency with her Impalers, she could devastate a fair portion orcish forces—especially if she caught them in a chokepoint. But she had to keep this disappointing, if not outright dismaying, truth to herself. To do this as best she could. Here now was a fine example that truth in and of itself was not a virtue, for as the Governor said they were all in fact fighting a battle with morale as much as with the greenskins, and the truth could bring about wanton destruction from within.

"I understand, Governor."

Kristen was a horrible liar, but all she needed to do, effectively, was not what she had done a moment ago; she just had to keep the fact that she was but an Initiate (and hardly a comparable one to her peers at that) to herself.

Reynard petitioned the Governor for orders, and Kristen echoed it.

"We are at your command."

Olvir Reynard De Eramant

 

[Olvir]

The Governor slowly nodded at Kristen, letting his gaze linger before slowly he turned his attentions towards Olvir. "What about you?"

A frown touched the young Nobleman's face. He glanced at his two companions and for a second simply considered his own place in all of this.

"I'm not a soldier or a Dreadlord." Nor was he a mercenary by that fact. He had no real place in the defense of the city, and had only been here for business. Yet he wasn't exactly a useless mouth either, and nor would he allow himself to be one. "But I can wield a sword, so can my bodyguard Trik."

An understatement, as the Governor knew. Trik was twice the size of an ordinary man and his flail could crush a horses head. "Just tell us where I'm needed."

For a moment the Governor stayed quiet, and then slowly he tilted his head in a nod.

His attention pulled away from the three newcomers and turned towards the maps that lay in front of him. Olvir now turned his attention to, seeing that the maps mostly consisted of structural blueprints for the Keep they now found themselves standing in.

"I have Maisie reinforcing the walls here and here." The Governor said pointing to the eastern and southern walls, both of which were the most exposed. "My men are reinforcing the gates and we're corralling those unable to fight in the barracks."

He pulled one of the parchments away and revealed another. "This here was my next problem. Danor had a...vision of orcs coming from below. There are old dungeons down there, connecting to the Well. I doubt these greenskins have the wherewithall to dig, so I'm guessing there's another way in."

The governor looked to the three of them.

"I've sent men down there already to find and seal it, but another few hands would be helpful." His eyes set on Kristen. "Do that, then make your way back up here for..."

He shook his head. "Well, for the rest of the damned siege."

 

[Reynard De Eramant]

It was a rare sight to see Reynard with anything less than a smile on his face, but this was a rare point in time as a whole. He was in the middle of a war between humans and Orcs and this wasn't the time to be happy or joyous. He'd keep his mood from turning too sour of course but he had enough experience to know when it was best to keep serious. His usual smile was pulled into a tight line, not grimacing but still serious in his expression, and focused in his thought.

Reynard was, however, glad to get some marching orders. As the Governor point at the maps Reynard did his best to memorize all the most important structures and directions as the man spoke. As a complete newcomer to the fortress he needed every edge he could get in it's layout and pathways. However he couldn't help but cringe slightly at the reference to orcs and the use of greenskins. From his experience it was a word used kindly, and was even longer to say than Orcs itself. Reynard had spent plenty of time with Orcs himself, so admittedly he had a far better outlook on the race than most people did. As well as that he couldn't fault them for their animosity considering Orcs were smashing their way through the gates as they speak. It hardly mattered, they were entitled to their opinions even if Reynard didn't always agree. They were fighting for the same purpose anyways.

Underground tunnels were seemingly being used by the Orcs to get past the well defended walls. It was smart on the Orcs part and would've likely worked out perfectly had it not been for some future sight in the fortresses favor. Reynard and his companions were to head underground and assist those already closing up the path, preventing Orcs from popping in the middle of the damn city. Reynard nodded his head, it was a good idea and likely of great strategic importance. The walls couldn't defend a pincer attack right now not to mention all the innocents that would be completely exposed. They needed to close this alternative entrance as soon as they could.

Reynard spared a glance at his companions and then looked to the governor once more. "We'll do all that we can to ensure we're not worrying about attacks on more than one front." He said simply, knowing that no amount of fancy words could change the situation they were in. All they could do was get to work and hope they made it back to surface level in time to prevent a breach or serious damage. Nothing was known and chaos lay ahead. Reynard steeled himself, ready for action.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen nodded after Reynard's answer, then added her own, "Yes, Governor, it will be done."

She turned promptly and with Olvir and Reynard left the Governor to his duties. Of all the people in the Keep, the pressure on his shoulders had to be immense. Much like with Walter in Ostia Anir, the lives of everyone here were balanced on his decisions. Kristen aspired to become a leader herself—a landholding Lady within her own House of Pirian, an elected Counselor of Parliament, and mayhap even a commander of men and women if the Anirian Guard ever called on her for active service. Would she as well be able to handle this immense pressure that weighed on Walter before and which weighed on the Governor now?

If she could see herself, and others, through this siege, then that would be a well enough start.

With busyness surrounding the Governor to their back, Kristen said as they walked, "If we are unable to seal whatever opening may be present in the underground dungeon by hand, we should not hesitate to send a runner to summon Maisie."

Olvir Reynard De Eramant

 

[Olvir]

Olvir nodded his head to Kristen's words as they began to head towards the dungeons of the Keep.

"Wherever we seal it." The young noble began to point out. "It will have to be after the well."

Though he had never once in his life taken part in a siege like this, Ollie had read enough books to know that it wasn't the combat that killed most people. It was not the sword which hung as the most dangerous element of a battle like this; it was the bare necessities.

Food and water were the most important things. A man could last about four days without water, seven without food. Defending the walls was all well and good, but if they lost their source of water they would have no chance of holding out.

The Orcs knew that, and it was probably partly why they were trying to tunnel down below.

Trik joined them in their journey down. The massive ogre-sized man speaking a quick word to Ollie before he turned to Kristen. "I put your man with the others, said a word over him."

Ollie's stomach turned slightly when Trik said 'the others'. Unable to keep himself from wondering just how many bodies there were.

They would have to be burned before long.

Banishing such thoughts from his mind, Olvir continued walking with the others. Moving through the constant throng of people moving supplies, people, and whatever else as the Keep prepared to defend itself.

As the Governor had said, when the trio reached the entrance to the dungeons they would find several Guardsmen already present. Most held torches in one hand and weapons in the other, their sergeant stepped up as Olvir and the others approached. His eyes immediately fell to Kristen. "Ma'am, we've secured the well room but haven't moved into the tunnels beyond. No sign of any orcs yet."

There was a slight moment of hesitation, and then he added. "What would you like us to do?"

 

[Reynard De Eramant]

As the trio made their way through the city and the sea of people jus trying to survive, Reynard could see the desperation and fear in all of their eyes. These were innocent people caught in the middle of a war that very likely didn't involve them. It was a tale as old as time of course. Innocents were always the victims of war, and more often than not the people who lost the most when it came to war. He could only hope to do his best for these folks with his abilities, and stop the Orcs before it was too late. He'd do everything in his power to keep the fortress standing strong, and everything he was seeing so far only reinforced the desire to do so.

Reynard took note of Kristen's words as well. They were in a tough spot between the walls and the tunnels. They only had one geomancer and there was a chance both areas would need her abilities. The trio would have to patch the tunnel up and seal it before Orc forces got through. Reynard couldn't help but let out a small sigh, not envying the position Maisie was caught in.

Reynard gave his two cents, careful not to overstep any boundaries he wasn't aware of. "I sincerely hope we're able to seal it. I would caution against pulling Maisie from the fortress walls, though there's a chance we may not have much of a choice." he didn't envy the choice that needed to be made either. "Of course, I'd rather stay down there and cut orcs down until either they all run away in fear of my awesome might, or I die." he said with a chuckle, flexing one of his arms and attempting to lighten the mood if only a little bit.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

"You have my thanks," Kristen said to Trik. It was easy to forget when in battle the piles of dead were so numerous and stacked so high, that each of the fallen was a person, a fellow Anirian. Pullo was one of those others Trik had mentioned now, but he was a man beloved by his father, his mother, his brothers and sisters.

After this was all done, when Vel Hetren repulsed the orcish attack (optimism was important), Kristen thought that she could afford a little detour on the way back to the Academy. This, to pay Pullo's family a visit and personally give her condolences.

First things first. That future needed to be forged by sweat, blood, and perseverance now.

The Guardsmen gave their report. Reynard, as well, gave his thoughts and they were sound. Kristen visibly pondered their input (and only a couple of the Guardsmen gave perfunctory smiles to Reynard's attempt at humor). It was always possible that Danor's vision was imprecise in some manner, that the orcs had not and would not discover some underground way into the Keep; if this was so, pulling Maisie from reinforcing the Keep's walls would be overall detrimental.

"Magic is as well a resource we must use wisely," Kristen said. Dreadlords were not above the Laws of Magic, and Danor or Maisie or Kristen herself overextending could have disastrous consequences. "I concur, Reynard. We must assess if Maisie's magic is necessary here or not."

To the Guardsmen she said, "Stay here and guard the Well Room. Send a runner upstairs to gather what able-bodied men are available, and what materials are likewise available to begin constructing a barricade—in case of the worst. Meanwhile, I believe that Olvir, Reynard, and I should investigate further in these dungeons to find that sign of orcs, if indeed there is sign to be found."

Trik, she thought, would make for an excellent fighter to help hold the Well Room if an orcish party somehow got through while the three of them were still searching. (If the mood were lighter, a humorous thought would have found more purchase in her mind: why, Trik was almost as strong as Reynard; did you see that flex of his?)

She glanced to Olvir and Reynard. "May fortune be ours, and we find nothing of orcs and no possible means for them to infiltrate."

Yet...who knew what that darkness in the tunnels beyond the Well Room held?

Olvir Reynard De Eramant

 

[Olvir]

A small smile flickered over the young nobles lips as Reynard offered his small jest. In the books he'd read about sieges and battles, which really was his only experience, he'd often heard that humor was just as important as food. Moral was key, just as the Governor had said. "Well, I'll let you do the fighting then and I can kick back and relax."

He jested in an almost whisper to Reynard, though as Kristen began to speak he immediately quieted down.

Olvir nodded along, not adding anything to the discussion.

He had no real place in the military hierarchy, and Kristen was for all intense and purposes in charge of this little mission. If asked he would contribute, but otherwise he offered no opinion. Only offering another nod of affirmation as Kristen suggested they go deeper into the tunnels with just the three of them.

Trik's brow furrowed, and Ollie could see that he was about to object, but one look from Olvir was enough to quiet the man down. The bodyguard was naturally protective, but Kristen's logic was sound. He was better off staying behind and, if it came to it, fighting in a space where he would actually have the room.

Plus, if the Guardsmen were to build a barricade he would be invaluable. "Yes, Ma'am.."

The Sergeant who had informed Kristen of the information said with a nod. Trusting the Dreadlord in front of him, because to his minds eye she was just that, and in the moment it was one of the few things he and his men could cling to.

Scooping up one of the torches from the side of the wall, Olvir said a quick word to Trik, and then drew his sword.

Once more, we step into the darkness.​

The swords chilling words resounded within his mind, and Olvir took in a slow breath as he and his two companions began to move into the darkness of the tunnels. It was not long before the sound of the torch was the only thing they could hear aside from their breath. The craggy tunnel around them breaking into natural formations as they moved further and further from the well room.

Winding steps took them through the rocky tunnel, until eventually, what sounded like voices began to echo in the distance. The tone was far, and yet guttural, almost a shout. Ollie half stopped, glancing at his companions. "Did you hear that?"

He whispered, shifting so the torch light did not cast as far forward.

 

[Reynard De Eramant]

Reynard was more than happy to hear his thoughts taken seriously. He wasn't too sure how much is opinion would be taken into consideration considering his comparatively lower social status and him being an outsider. Nonetheless it seemed his companions valued his input and it was factored into the plan going forward. He was also happy to see at least one person appreciating his attempt at lightening the mood in Olvir.

Reynard nodded his head in agreement with Kristen's words. "Yes, I sincerely hope Maisie's assistance isn't necessary. We certainly can't afford to split our very limited resources too thin. I do feel confident in what us three are capable of. I may be a simple mercenary but I'm better skilled with a sword than I look." he said with a smile and a small amount of confidence.

Reynard's skill with the sword was one of the few things he was entirely confident in. It wasn't that he had a lack of confidence but more so that he was aware of his strengths as well as his shortcomings. Reynard knew his way around the sword better than most, his training from his father, a retired knight, insured that. Add to that his experience as a merc and in battle he was confident he could hold his own against more than one orc if need be.

Reynard smiled to both his companions, doing his best to chase away the somber reality they faced. "Fortune will be ours. Whether that be in nothing at all to be done down there or complete victory against whatever may face us." Reynard made an effort to keep a sense of confidence, even if he didn't completely believe it.

As him and his companions made their way through the dark tunnels Reynard thanked the Gods that he didn't have any form of claustrophobia. He didn't have long to ponder the small space they were in anyways before Olvir raised a warning. He'd heard something, and as Reynard focused he heard something as well. It seemed like voices. Judging from the fact they were supposed to be the only ones in the tunnels, Reynard didn't take it as a good sign.

"Yes I hear it. It sounds like voices and I worry they're not friendly." he said as he laid his hands on the hilt of his sword, ready to unsheathe it and fight in a moments notice. It was a good thing the skirmish from earlier in the day had warmed him up because another fight seemed close at hand.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

What a blessing the solid earth above, the grace of the sun's light. All across Arethil one could find underground environs like this, be they as grand as Vel Tenebria or as commonplace as a creature's burrow, and Kristen found herself in short order wishing at least for the confines of the Keep above their heads rather than the confines of the old dungeon corridors with their stale air, dark shadows, and oppressive looming walls.

It started out much like the well-room they had left behind, constructions of man-made material. But once the tunnels degraded from corridors of mason-worked stone to dirt and natural rock, it didn't take long at all for their fears, if not outright confirmed, then to at least be made credible. Deeper in the dark beyond their torch's reach came that shout.

Kristen laid her flesh and blood hand on the hilt of her sword (more and more, she was learning how to wield it with said left hand, her offhand). Reynard had put their fortunes one of two ways, and by the sound of it the latter seemed more likely than the former.

"Gentlemen," Kristen said quietly, with a preternatural calm far from the girl she was when first she had walked through the Academy's gates, "may our parched blades be slaked in the blood of greenskins."

The time for wishing that they would find nothing was over. And though a light tremor of fear for the anticipation of battle still gripped her, her staunch hatred of greenskins carried her through to that calm stability. In some way, she almost wanted them to come.

Vengeance against the ilk of Duresh, her kidnapper of years ago.

Vengeance for Pullo, cruelly slain, as well.

Olvir Reynard De Eramant

 

[Olvir]

Olvir smiled at Reynard as the man spoke of their fortune, though he wasn't entirely sure that he felt as...positive as the mercenary.

Fact was that even if they managed to seal whatever entrance the Orcs were using to make their way through the tunnels...the city was still taken. The Keep remained, and that would allow them to survive for at least a little while, but things would turn far more brutal before they ever got better.

It was a reality that he was already playing over in his mind, and even as he heard the voices speaking he couldn't help but feel a string of dourness pull through him.

Still, there was no time for malaise. Not right now, not here. A fight was coming for all of them, and Olvir intended to do as best as he could in it. Reynard was a Mercenary, and Kristen had been attending the Academy. He knew that out of the three of them he was least suited to the company, but that didn't matter much now.

He was here.

It was time to fight.

The dark crimson edge of his blade slowly slipped free, his hand ducking down as he tried to hide some of the torch light. His lips thinned as he motioned for Reynard and Kristen to get to one side of the wall, the voices drawing ever closer.

Guttural tones spat out, and within just a few minutes the sound of heavy footsteps drew closer. In orcish they swore at one another. "Gradluk said the humie said it 'twas this way."

The voice echoed quietly, Olvir's ears picking up every other word. He had studied Orcish somewhat in Dornoch, though not to any great extent. He frowned for a moment. Is someone helping them?

He thought to himself as the orcs rounded the bend.

 

[Reynard De Eramant]

Reynard was ready for battle, and perhaps among those present he was the most skilled in it. Many fights and skirmishes were behind him and plenty more were ahead of him, that much he would make sure of. He had seen a bit of Olvir's skill with the sword and assumed Kristen wasn't anything less than competent in the same regard. They were far from a skilled party of experienced warriors, closer to a ragtag group of near complete strangers. Regardless of that fact though, they needed to be enough. Nothing else was an acceptable outcome.

The three pressed themselves against one side of the wall, the torch light present but being hidden as much as Olvir could manage. They would have the element of surprise but they'd have to capitalize as soon as possible to avoid the Orcs noticing anything was amiss. Reynard positioned himself close to the front of the trio, volunteering to be the first strike in the battle. As the most experienced it only made sense that he took the lead, something he was unfamiliar with sure but not altogether unqualified. He would make sure both he and his companions made it out alive, failing that he'd make sure at least his companions did. He'd sacrifice himself in a heartbeat if the need arose but he hoped he wouldn't need to.

As the Orcs grew closer their words became louder. Reynard was well travelled and had met many Orcs in his time both as enemies as well as allies. He picked up a fair bit of orcish in his travels, enough to understand the conversation they were having. What he heard wasn't good either, from the sound of it a human was assisting the Orcs. Someone had fed the invading forces important information. Reynard resolved himself to make sure this realization made it to the governor. If there was a rat inside their walls, it needed to be found.

The moment the Orcs were close enough, Reynard rounded the wall and swung his sword out to the side, aiming for whatever throat happened to be closest. He only hoped he was quick enough and that the element of surprised made sure his attack landed without quick retaliation. As long as his companions attacked with him, they'd have made a decent head start in the fight ahead.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen spoke no Orcish, unlike Olvir and Reynard. She knew nothing of the troubling development, and perhaps at the present juncture this was for the better, to keep dismay (or even anger) from diminishing what ability rested in her sword arm. The only thing that need trouble her was the potential number of their foe.

Pressed to the wall with Olvir and Reynard, slowly unsheathing her sword and making ready, this question would be answered soon enough. If it came to it, the well room would be their fallback plan.

The first of the orcs came around the bend, the light from the torch now visible and this giving him some pause. Reynard, then, was upon him, and this brought about a general alarm from the rest of the orcish scouting party.

Kristen led with her most lethal magic first. And why not? This in a bid to crush their morale, to capitalize on the surprise, the alarm, the fright even, from the sudden encounter in these dark corridors. With her porcelain hand outstretched she focused her will, sharpened it to the necessary killing edge, and directed it thusly: an Impaler burst from the ground before the second orc of the party (maybe a bit on the uncomfortable side of close for Reynard there), cutting of his warcry in mid-bellow. The orc's plated feet were lifted from the ground, the spike of the Impaler having been driven through the bottom of his skull, and his twitching hand dropped his axe to the tunnel floor.

Kristen wrenched her hand back and down into a fist, and with it the Impaler shot back into the ground and disappeared and the second orc's body fell into a slump.

Olvir Reynard De Eramant

 

[Olvir]

Olvir stepped out just seconds after his two companions, though found himself somewhat shocked as the Impaler suddenly burst from the ground.

It took his brain almost a full second to understand what had happened. His gaze flickering to Kristen with no small amount of shock. He had known she was capable of some sort of magic of course, she was a Dreadlord after all, but he hadn't been ex-

Don't just stand there fool! The blade shouted at him in his head, rattling Olvir and drawing his focus back onto the moment.

The young Noble quickly righted himself, shaking his head and darting forward into the fray. He moved with a surprising grace, falling upon another of the Orc's as it was caught in the same flummoxed reaction as Olvir had been just seconds ago.

It drew up it's great axe, half catching the crimson edge of Ollie's sword.

He batted the weapon aside, slipping his blade low and cutting the Orc's thigh before ripping the blade back and twisting it in his hand. Pain snarled from his foe's mouth, but it was already too late as Ollie sunk the sword into the Orc's chest.

Behind the first line of foes, a second snarled. One of the Orcs turning on his heel and darting back towards the tunnel. Clearly intent on getting reinforcements.

 

[Reynard De Eramant]

Reynard was glad to see his blade connect flush with the throat of his nearest opponent, slicing their throat open and leaving the Orc on the ground quickly bleeding to death. As close to a quick death as he could probably manage right now.

As he hoped, his companions didn't take long to spring into action although the manner in which they did so caught him by surprise. Reynard had only seen one bit of magic from Krysten since they met and it was nothing like what she had done a moment ago. A large spike shot up out of the ground and skewered the skull of an Orc close by. It came a bit closer than Reynard would've liked but he trusted his companion to aim her attackers properly. He wasn't worried about becoming collateral, at least not yet.

Olvir didn't take long to join the fray either, cutting down an opponent of his own giving their group a solid head start in the skirmish ahead. As the first line of foes was cut down the second approached, with another orc turning tail and running, likely to request aid from its companions. If they allowed that to happen this quick skirmish could very quickly turn into something much worse.

Reynard could attempt a throw of his dagger but in this small space and with so many bodies, his odds of actually hitting the fleeing Orc weren't great. There was only one person here he was sure could catch the Orc in time.

Reynard moved in front of Krysten to guard her, his sword held with both hands in front of him. "Think you could use some of that cool magic to take care of the fleeing Orc? Unless of course you wish to fight the whole army down here, in which case I'm willing to give it a try." he said with a smile, attempting once again to inject some humor into the dire situation. Perhaps it was a touch inappropriate but to joke in the middle of a bloody fight but old habits truly did die hard.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

If the fight in the tunnel was not marked by a frantic and claustrophobic character, then Kristen had no better descriptors for it. Goodness, some of the hulking forms of the orcs barely even fit in the corridor without requiring a stooping posture. Yet this confined aspect of the fight was to the advantage of Kristen, Olvir, and Reynard, whose number was dwarfed by some measure by the orcs' own (though, with the darkness and the limited reach of the torch's light, it was difficult to tell by just how much).

Olvir and Reynard were displaying keen swordsmanship; the kind of swordsmanship that Kristen herself aspired to one day (oh but she needed to overcome the hurdle of having to use her non-dominant hand for it!).

Then Reynard's observation came in, and this with a witty flair despite the dire import. Kristen bobbed her head about, trying to catch a glimpse of the retreating orc beyond the bulky, armored forms of his fellows, and within short order she did.

He was running. The dark of the tunnel was swallowing him. She only had a second to react.

Kristen did her best on such short notice, doing all that was necessary again to conjure an Impaler. Her hand was outstretched, her will focused, her eyes locking on to provide aim—

The Impaler burst from the ground, yet it was just behind the retreating orc. It obliquely scraped the back of his breastplate, caused him to stumble somewhat from the force, but otherwise did no damage at all. The retreating orc vanished within the next breath from sight, taken by the dark of the tunnel and the bend of a corner from which they had all come.

"Aionus preserve us!" Kristen hissed fearfully to herself. Then, louder to her comrades, "I missed! He has gone!"

A terrible dread descended upon her then: what if this was the moment that decided the fate of the Keep?

Olvir Reynard De Eramant

 

[Olvir]

Shit. Olvir swore in the back of his head, turning from the last of his foes just as Kristen called out about her near miss. He glanced down the tunnel, narrowing his eyes as he searched desperately for the fleeing orc only to find him already gone.

His mind raced for a solution, flickering between the option of chasing after the creature and simply staying put.

"Kristen." Olvir said quickly, his blade flicking towards the ground. "Can you collapse the tunnel?"

The question was one fraught with ignorance. He had absolutely no idea what Kristen was capable of, what her magic could do, but it was just about the only solution that he could think of. They had cut down a scouting party, but one of them had gotten away.

They would be back. "We need to cut off this path, now."

Ollie stressed, as another of the creatures stepped forward. His massive maul swiped towards the noble, a quick step back seeing the hammers head miss him by only an inch. He danced backward as the Orc advanced, dragging his maul forward again and again in an attempt to smash the Noble into little bits.

His hammer came down, slamming against one of the rocky stalagmites. A shower of debris cast out through the tunnel, but Ollie took the opportunity to step forward, swiping the crimson blade across his throat and sending his head rolling to the floor.

 

[Reynard De Eramant]

Reynard felt a pang of dread settle in his stomach for a moment. He witnessed the narrow miss of the Impaler. It was upsettingly close but not close enough to do anymore than make the orc stumble. The orc made it out of their view and further down into the dark tunnel out of sight. He was undoubtedly going to make it and warn his companions. Backup would be upon them and even if they could hold out for hours, the orc forces would continually pour into the tunnel until the small party was destroyed. The orcs had the numbers to make such an attack work, and should they lose the tunnels to the orcs the keep would be all but lost in the ensuing attack.

It wasn't long before Olvir suggested another course of action. To collapse the tunnel would make it one less thing to worry about. The orcs likely wouldn't be willing to devote too many resources to reopening the tunnel with the battle out by the walls still in full swing. If they could collapse the tunnels than perhaps they'd be able to focus efforts where they were most needed.

There was no doubt that such a maneuver would be incredibly dangerous. They'd have to be quick and precise to make sure all three of them made it out uninjured. Reynard kept his position in front of Kristen, intent on letting her get the opportunity and time to collapse the tunnel effectively. An orc stepped forward an swung a great axe big enough to make Reynard wonder how it was swung effectively in such a tight space in the first place. Reynard brought his sword up and caught it before it dashed the contents of his skull against the rocky walls. With a great push he heaved the axe upwards and quickly drove the tip of his sword into the orcs chest. The orc stumbled away clutching at his chest for a moment before collapsing to the ground dead.

Reynard spoke to Kristen but didn't turn towards her. "If you can't collapse the tunnel then we'll just have to grab that other Dreadlord friend of yours. Maisie I believe it was. Either way it seems that we need to close this tunnel off in a major way!" he said, hoping they wouldn't have to send anyone away to fetch Maisie. It was taking all three of them to keep the orcs here, and that problem would become much worse should backup arrive.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

Kristen, can you collapse the tunnel?

"No! I can't! I'm sorry!" she said, her nerve faltering for just that second with the mounting alarm and stress and the unnecessary apology slipping through.

She couldn't truly make a barricade of Impalers either; the longer a conjured Impaler remained in existence, the more and more it began to sap away at her magic, and with multiple all summoned at once? Outside of an emergency barricade to last only a matter of moments, it just was not a viable solution. Her Ashen Crucifix was something of an option, far less taxing than Impalers, and the sight of it would send the orcs running in fear; but again, this would only happen for so long, as a natural resistance built up in those who gazed upon the Crucifix, until they were able to shake themselves out of the grip of fear and become immune to it.

She could slow reinforcements down, yes, but she could not stop them. And stopping them is what they needed.

So Reynard had the right of it. Maisie was their best option. A defensive stand was needed until she could be summoned and allowed to work her magic.

"Back!" Kristen shouted over the commotion, clapping the shoulders of Reynard and Olvir from behind. "Back to the Well Room!"

She spoke a verse and a garden of Withering Chains sprouted from the tunnel floor, the Chains faintly glowing in the dark, weaving around like the antennae of an insect, searching for the legs and ankles of the remaining orcs in the scouting party to hinder and debilitate them with slowness and lethargy.

Olvir Reynard De Eramant