Battlefield

[dr_mabeuse]

Ardriss Salonar

OOC: I think a physical description of Ardriss is in order. He is a very big man, a bear of a man, with black hair and beard. He is quick to anger and quick to forgive, very emotional, with appetites as big as he himself is.

IC: King Salonar pushed his way towards the circle that had been established for the fight. His cutlass hung at his belt, in his hand he carried an eight-foot boat hook. He had heard about the duel as soon as he had set foot on shore, and he couldn't believe his ears, couldn't believe she would gamble all she had gained on a trial of personal combat.

Not only that, but Queen Sonya had put herself in a no-win situation. If she beat Tearsmith he would die, and his army would never show loyalty to the woman who had killed their King. They would be useless in battle, totally unreliable. And if she lost, she lost it all. Where was the wisdom in this?

The only way she could gain control of his army was through alliance, and he intended to make that point extremely clear to her.

But by the time he got there it was too late. The Queen was already in the lists with her big sword drawn, no shield.

Ardriss shook his head. This Queen was mad, he thought. He could no longer put his fleet under her control; it was too dangerous. Something would have to be done.

 

[Athena_e19]

Did we die?

OOC: I will be able to access a Computer and post for myself at least once a week when I am visiting a friend and spend the night at her apartment. I was wondering why we stopped posting or if this was simply the end.

IC: Derryk readied himself as the duel began. His opponents movements were swift and fluid. One misstep and he would be a dead man. But he knew that missteps from him were rare. He had been trained to fight all his life and had spent almost as much actually fighting in battle. He parried the first few skilled attacks easily. He knew she was simply testing his defenses and abilities. Soon the real struggle would begin....

 

[Sky Jade]

OOc: No, it just got lost in the jumble. Sorry about that, I am just getting settled into college life once more myself.

The sword with Sonya used was forged of a special metal which her people's metallurgy had recently developed, mithril. It was lighter and stronger than steel, and her sword was specially decided. Along the middle of the blade ran a hollow rod which contained a special mist which would render her opponents dizzt for a few moments, but she herself was immune to the effects by now. In the hilt was a small dagger, lightwieght and easy to throw.

"This will be over in a few moments m'lord."

Sonya smiled and then rushed at him, sword coming up at a fast sharp angle towards his torso.

The maid who had accompined Sonya turned to see King Ardiss is a bit of distress. She moved to him and bowed her head to him.

"Please do not worry m'lord. Mistress knows what she is doing. She does not kill her opponents in one on one battles, only knocking them unconsious."

http://blazedstr7.homestead.com/files/figh27l.bmp

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Ardriss Salonar

The warriros and guards stood thick around the dueling ring as King Derryk and Queen Sonya circled each other, feinting and parying to take each other's measure. Ardriss rolled his eyes in exasperation. There was no stopping her now. There was nothing she loved better than a battle. The woman was obsessed.

One of his sailors pushed through the crowd. "My Lord! My Lord! Admiral Bram charges me to tell you that Captain Sevoral is taking his squadron and leaving for Panador. Captains Morosan and Saliazer are of a like mind and want to go home as well. They say their duty is finished here and there is no reason for them to stay."

"What!? What!? Those scurvy assed beetle-dicked bug fuckers! They can't leave now! I'll nail their balls to their foreheads! You tell Bram to keep them on ststion."

"Sir," the sailor said, "Sevoral's already left. I don't know if he can convince Morosan and Seliazer."

"Flaming cups of piss!" Ardriss exclaimed. He was torn. he must see if he can keep the fleet together, but he wants to see the battle between Derryk and Sonya as well. He has never seen her fight, and is frankly curious as to how she has become so formidable. He knows a think or two about swordsmanship, and it seems to him that her blade is too big and unwiedly. Also, she uses no shield. The edge of her weapon will soon be nicked up amazingly if not shattered outright by the impact of Derryk's blade.

No doubt she uses some magic spell. But if she uses magic, then she really isn';t that formidable herself, is she? It's tyhe magic that's formidable.

"I'll be there as soon as I can." he tells the sailor. "I have to witness this fight."

 

[Zirconn]

Eirikr

The Sun was shining very brightly through his window. He dreaded to get up from the warmth and comfort of the Baron’s bed. But Alfarinn would not let him stay in bed longer. The first reports from the scouts were coming in, and the smell of breakfast hung heavy in the air. Besides being his trusted advisor, Alfarinn was his butler and very good friend as well. He was the one who taught Eirikr the sword and axe, as well as how to sail, and take command of the army.

“My Liege, Queen Sonya’s army are still camped. Their celebration of their victory against the army of King Tearsmith had apparently gone on throughout the night. Our landing had gone a bit unnoticed. We have gained the advantage you seek. A bit of good news, but still rather sketch and preliminary, my Liege. Apparently, some of the vessels of King Ardriss’ ships have broken off and are now heading for home at full sail. If this “mutiny” continues” we can press our advantage at sea…”

“No, Alfarinn. King Ardriss would not allow that to happen. He knows too much is at stake. We stick to our original plan. Send out woodcutters. We need the timber for our siege engines…”

“Already done so, my Liege. The trees around these parts are very good, so we’ll very good engines. We may have to go further out for the mangonels, but everything is going according to plan. And oh, we just had an extra stroke of luck. We found a cache of crossbows. Very well-made ones in fact. And bushels and bushels of bolts. I couldn’t believe it myself, so I’d to go look myself, which was why I was late with your breakfast…”

“Don’t worry about that, I didn’t even notice. Crossbows eh? That’s a mighty fine stroke of luck.” He was tired, but his smile was like the sunshine breaking through the winter clouds. Today was a new day. War had begun…

 

[Athena_e19]

Derryk goes to war

Derryk was prepared for the swing and deftly blocked it, using the swords force to send it swinging over his head. It was a large sword and he hoped that its weight and force would cause her to swing wide leaving her open for a duel-ending stab to the lungs, but the moment his sword collided with hers and it rushed off at a new angle he knew it was too light for the size. Then the sword was coming right back for his head, the reversal of its direction should have been impossible for such size, but some magic or advanced metallurgy must be in effect. He was forced to dive underneath the oncoming blade and roll in the opposite direction of the attack. His roll carried him into a squatting position, his powerful legs coiled beneath him, ready to strike, but once again the queen's sword was almost on top of him, and even his great skill in battle barely saved him from the next blow. Derryk growled and drew the long dagger from his hip. He would need it now to attack while his sword focused on parrying the vicious strikes of the queen's blade. He executed a quick roll backwards and stood several feet away from the queen, knowing that this duel was deadly interesting now.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Ardriss Salonar

This simply cannot end well for anyone. If Queen Sonya wins, she loses the loyalty of Derryk's army. If Derryk wons, then that is the end of Queen Sonya. He's seen enough to know that these two will be hacking away at each other till both kingdoms fall, and what is the sense of that?

Making a last, desperate effort to save them both, Ardriss strides between them and uses the massive boat hook to keep the two warriors apart.

"If either of you cares anything about your power or your glory, you will stop this foolishness now!"

 

[Athena_e19]

Goings on

Derryk quickly whirled on the combatant who had dared to violate the sanctity of the duel. His blade was soon mere millimeters from slicing the man's jugular in half.
"This duel is sacred and its terms have been set. To enter again is to draw swords against both of us. This duel is not for power and glory. If I win, my army escapes. If I lose, a kingdom is without its leader and my army is hers for the slaughter. Do not presume to interfere again." Derryk shoved the giant man backwards, his muscles forcing him back to the edge of the circle. He turned once again to his lethal opponent.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Ardriss Salonar

Ardriss staggers back to the edge of the circle.

"My Lords Idiot! My two, vain, spoiled children! A pox on both your syphilitic heads and both your houses. You dare attack someone who offers peace, someone who seeks to save your kingdoms by your own inebriated actions and overweening pride. May the two of you die in battle and spare the world more of your misery.

"I have endured insult from Queen Sonya. I have suffered assault from the this scum-sucking pig-kisser. You can stand here and wallow in your pubescent gore with your magical blades and fairy-queen spells till your shit turns to gold. And you can do it without a navy.

"To hell with you both!"

Turning he strides away. "All Panadorans to your ships. Weigh anchor and sail for home. Fuck them all and let the Norse men take them!"