Rise of an Empire

[Quiet_Cool]

Dust

I grew silent as we rode, alowig Rhuarc to ease ahead and speak with the others as I pondered the words he'd shared with me earlier. Rockholm. We were going to find the treasures of Rockholm.
I glanced through those around me, my headache finally subsiding some, the world spinning less.
Rockholm.
My father would be pleased. So very pleased, should we succeed.
But, we were not a group of jsut dwarves, whether there were dwarves behind the venture or not. There were only two of us dwarves. And some humans. And...elves.WHat were elves doing in this venture. Truly, I'd grown used to them. They were everywhere, afterall, their presence usually merely an irritation. But to allow such creatures to enter Rockholm and take of its treasure? Was this Logan a fool for allowing such a thing?
The destroyers of Rockholm should not be benefitting from its ressurection, or from the bounty of its treasures should the city merely be looted.
I eyed those among us, the half-elf girl and the elf that had joined us at the Wastrel.
I would have to watch these two, if not them all, as Rhuarc, a fellow dwarf, was currently speaking to this Leaf character as I watched.
Something strange and untrustworthy might be waiting ahead, I realized. Yes, indeed this situation was not a good one.

 

[Paendragon]

Leaf looked up in the trees, and called out in Elvish. A bluebird dropped from a branch, and landed on his hand. He whispered in it's ear, and the bird flew off.

"She should tell us who's ahead. I should have thought of it before."

He turned back toward Vixen, unconcerned, and glad that she felt as he did about the sharing of knowledge. "I'm not sure about River and Devin, only that it involves some sort of bounty, I believe. I'm not certain, however."

He looked of in the distance, contemplative. "It's sad you haven't seen more of my kind. I'm afraid my people's distrust of the other races will be their downfall. I fear no one can live in isolation anymore, and survive."

 

[chewbacca71]

Rhuarc

Rhuarc watched the elf with interest. It had taken him a long time to get over his prejudices regarding elves, this adventure would show how well he could really get along with them. Forced time with them would show how tolerant he really was. He saw the elf cause a bird to come to his finger and then fly away. Looking at the elf in awe, Rhuarc tried to keep his composure.

 

[Gaston_McBain]

Angus

Entering the Blackmarch frontier caused Angus' stomach to churn. Many warriors of his house had met their deaths fighting in border wars over the years, including two of his uncles during the Winter War of ten years ago. Although no hostilities had occured since then, tensions still existed and entering the realm of the old enemy did not make him too comfortable.

Unlike his companions, Angus was not eager for idle conversation. Riding up to the front alongside Logan, his mind raced towards the old wives tales he had heard about the Death Watch Mountains. Stories of dragons, giants, demons, and trolls were linked to those forbidding peaks. Even though Angus doubted the truth of these legends, the sight of the peaks in the far horizon were nonetheless an indimating sight.

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen...

"So... he's a bounty hunter..." she murmered to herself.

"It's sad you haven't seen more of my kind. I'm afraid my people's distrust of the other races will be their downfall. I fear no one can live in isolation anymore, and survive."

"Indeed, true could be said of many races, but I fear not all are so open minded." She replied.

 

[SpectralDragoon]

"Yes Logan, I'll take up the end of the line."

Devin prepares for any danger ahead. He glances over at River, she seems to be keeping her eyes on the conversation of the whole group, silently taking everything in. Rolling the map, he slides it back into the container and then stowes it.

He pulls in on the reigns a bit, dropping to the back of the line, and slowly draws his blade. He keeps careful watch on the sides of the road and keeps an eye on the way behind them, his blade laying against the belly of his horse, held down and out of sight.

 

[chewbacca71]

Rhuarc

Rhuarc is content to be in the middle of the group. He is not the best fighter in the group, nor the best horseman, thats for sure. He had a few abilities that would help as well as a long lifetime of experience. He could also keep a better eye on Dust here, to help keep him out of trouble. Rhuarc checked the edge on his ax, as sharp as always, before he put it back in the holder and followed the others.

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen and Logan...

Vixen's horse snorted and jostled his head.

"Shhh big fella, I know, I know..." She murmered to him absentmindedly. She looked up seeing the small bird fluttering it's way back to Leaf. Her horse stomped his foot, pawing at the ground.

She urged him into a trot off the main road and into the trees.

Logan looked back and nodded at her once before she was out of sight. He was tense, wary.

As they rounded the bend it happened.

Four mishappen looking men wearing what once were the royal colours of the guard, now looking more like vagabonds stopped them. "HALT!" One of them called scowling at the group, "who dares use this road without the Lord's permission?" One of the three backing him snickered as he eyed River up and down.

 

[Paendragon]

The bird sang down to him in warning, and Leaf opened his mouth to isue a warning. But it was already to late.

"HALT! Who dares use this road without the Lord's permission?"

Interesting. Leaf kept his staff slanted across the pommel of his saddle with his right hand, and his left hand held his bow. he would not hurt anyone if he could, but he had sworn to help protect the group, by offering his services as healer. Still there were ways to incapacitate a man, without killing him.

He looked toward Logan, awaiting his response to the threat.

 

[chewbacca71]

Rhuarc

Rhuarc could not see what happened in the front of the group, but he heard some shouts up ahead. Damn it was tough to see over all these tall people. What the heck is going on up there? He could feel the tension around him, as the others got ready for battle. He pulled his axe from the holder in his back.

 

[Moneytalks]

Logan...

"We are but weary travellers good Sir..." Logan spoke calmly even as he eyed up the four men before him.

They were tough men. He could see that from the look of them. Rebel guards were often the worst. Toughened by years away from civilisation. Their initial duties were in fact to protect the roads but they were easily led astray by a few gold sovereigns and this group looked to have been taking the bribes for a good many years.

The leader who hailed them started intently at Logan and the two men judged each other like opponents. Despite wanting to get moving, Logan recognised that these men were not likely to just take the money and leave them be.

"There is a toll to use this road boy!" The lead guard spoke with implied insult.

"I see... and... what would that toll be pray tell?" Logan responded politely.

"Why boy, did you not see the sign yonder?" Snickering from his men.

"No, I do believe I must have missed that particular sign Sir..."

"It's 50 gold boy... no less..."

"Ah, I see, and... for this price what exactly do we receive?" Logan continued.

"YER LIVES..." the man sneered menacingly.

Logan seemed to ponder this, "maybe you could explain to me Sir, how four men, admittedly large men as you obviously be, could win against a group as large as mine?"

At this the guard chortled with genuine humour.

"A mis-matched group like you? No challenge to me and mine!"

Logan looked around with interest, "why... are there more of you Sir?"

The guard frowned, obviously deciding that the conversation had gone on long enough. He drew his sword and aimed it at Logan's throat.

"Enough talk... hand over your coin or die!"

Logan smiled, pushing aside the point of the sword with his finger on the flat of the blade. Surprising the guard enough so that he waited to see what Logan would do next.

 

[crysede]

River:
As they rode her attention was divided between the new addition to the party, and the road ahead. The woman was quick to fall into conversation with Rhuarc and Leaf, and, as she saw a quick glance cast in her direction, she could not help wishing she could listen in to their conversation - how to get free of her current captivity was still foremost on her mind.

The shouted challenge from the guards called her attention back to the road. Frowning, River prepared to drop her reins and reach for one of the poison darts hidden beneath her clothing - on the one hand, the last thing she wanted was to let Gavin know she was armed; on the other hand, she'd rather spend an intimate evening with the decomposing corpse of a sea troll than fall victim to these self-righteous goons.

She would not act unless it became necessary, she decided - but just in case, she steadied her mare beneath her in preparation for needing to make a clean throw.

 

[SpectralDragoon]

Sword held on his right side with the flat of the blade against his horses belly with the tip pointed straight at the ground, he turned sideways in the road. By looking right, he could clearly see if anyone was coming up the road from behind, and by looking left, he could see what was happening up near Logan. From their vantage point, the four men wouldn't be able to see that he already had sword in hand, and he could easily dispatch at least one of them with a charge. Tensing... he waited.

 

[Moneytalks]

Vixen...

Vixen could hear Logan's calm voice filtering through the trees. The man was a born negotiator when the need arose.

Her horse stepped slowly and steadily into the trees until they lost sight of the group. She dismounted smoothly. Resting one hand on his shoulder she bade him be still. She listened cocking her head carefully. She frowned.

'It would be so much easier if only she could...' She shook that thought from her mind quickly.

She heard the arrow cutting through the air and barely had time to register it before she reacted with keen instinct. She spun, arching her hand out so she moved with the arrow catching it mid-flight in her hand. She looked towards the point of estimated origin and had thrown her knife in one easy movement. She heard the satisfying thud of a target being hit followed by a gurgled cry and another crashing thud as something large fell from the tree.

She walked over to her fallen victim. He clutched at his throat where her dagger was deeply embedded. He coughed, thick blood oozing from his mouth. She watched him die without a flicker of emotion. Then she removed her dagger and wiped it clean on his already dirty clothing. She gathered up his bow and arrows and checked him for any other weapons. She found a crude dagger which she discarded and couple of bronze coins hardly worth anything which she pocketed none-the-less.

She wasn't sure if there were others, so she walked carefully. Trying to imagine where she would be if she were about to ambush someone on the road.

 

[chewbacca71]

Rhuarc

Rhuarc rides up to the front of the confrontation, holding his axe across the pummell. "What are you men talking about? There is no toll on this road, now get out of our way or you will force this band to ride over your stretched out corpses." Proud of his brave speech, Rhuarc pulled his axe up into attack position, waiting to see what they are going to do.

 

[Guest]

Rebel Guard...

The leader of the rebel guards looked at Rhuarc after his grand speech and smirked. He returned his gaze to Logan.

"You ride with dwarves?" He taunted, "and it is with dwarves you think you out number us?" He chuckled, then laughed out loud. His men joining him in his mirth. Finally he managed to control his amusement.

"Hand over your gold... all of it... you may still walk out of here alive..." He warned.

****************

Meanwhile...

Vixen...

Vixen could smell the second marksman before she could see him. She wrinkled up her nose in distaste. She had left her horse in the small clearing where the last man had fallen. Now she picked her way carefully through the dense bushes.

She was not prepared for the attack. She felt her arm being pulled back and as she fell backwards a fist smashed it's way into her face. Stunned she staggered, feeling the tell- tale throb in her cheek. Another fist into her stomach and she doubled over in pain falling to her knees. Desperately she tried to catch her breath. Squinting she managed to make out boots before her. Through the red haze of pain that engulfed her she forced herself to react. Her fist balled up and she struck out blindly, praying her fist would make contact.

The cry of pain was reward enough of her attempt. Now on his knees and clutching his crotch, her attacker was more or less at eye-level. Ignoring her own pain she produced a knife and with a wry smile she stabbed him in his side and twisted the blade. His eyes opened in shock, he opened his mouth to scream but she reached up to quiet it. Holding him almost lovingly she wrapped one arm around his head and with a sickening twist and a corresponding crunch she broke his neck.

Swallowing back her own discomfort she turned to see that the man with the bow and arrow amazingly had not turned to investigate. Taking a shuddering breath she walked over to him and as she approached he said.

"You can't of had yer way with her already John, you fast bastard... looks like I'll have ter show yer how a real man..." His speech was cut of abruptly as she held her knife to his neck.

"Let me guess... you're gonna show me what a man you are right?" She whispered dangerously into his ear. He gulped nervously.

"Now tell me... how many of you are out here?"

He shook his head as if to deny there were any others. She pressed the blade harder to his neck so he could feel it's keen edge. He whimpered now.

"Three!" He gasped, "Oh Lord, please don't kill me..." He pleaded. Vixen rolled her eyes. Her face was starting to go numb and she was loath to think what it would look like tomorrow. Still she wasn't a cold-blooded killer really. She stood up and heard him sigh with premature relief. He had been lying on his stomach with his arrow aimed at the road below. The hill just high enough to give him the right angle.

She brought down her boot to the back of his head knocking him out cold. She whistled shrilly three times followed by a long low hoot.

*******************

Logan...

Logan heard three shrill whistles and a long hoot, and he smiled. Three men. All down.

Logan grinned, "well now... I still say you're only four men, and I say we can take you out easily enough!" He drew his own sword suddenly and the guard reacted. Two swords clanged loudly.

"Attack!" Logan shouted.

The guard hollered, "take them all down!" The three men behind him looked confused, as if they were waiting for something. The guard screamed. "Wake up you idiots... take them DOWN!" Finally the men behind him drew their swords while looking up into the hilled area covered in trees near by.

 

[Paendragon]

No killing. Leaf dropped his staff, and raised his bow, drawing an arrow from the quiver on his back, and firing in one smooth motion. Then drew and fired a second, immediately. His two arrows took the rearmost soldier in each arm, forcing him to drop his weapons.

Then Leaf's companions rode forward, blocking his view. He wasn't afraid of his aim, elves were counted the deadliest archers in the known world, and with good reason. He was, however, concerned that one of his companions would inadvertantly ride into his sights, just as he released an arrow.

 

[chewbacca71]

Rhuarc

Rhuarc saw the guards rush to attack his companions. He felt two arrows rush past his shoulder, imbedding themselves in one of the guards in the back. Damn, that must have been one of the Elves. The legends of their marksmanship must be true. Rhuarc sees the leader of these bandits engage Logan, and a second man try to come at Logan from the side. Rhuarc knees his pony, forcing it in front of the onrushing man, cutting him off. The man looks at the dwarf with a look of disgust at the small dwarf in front of him.

Rhuarc causually reaches out with his axe and cuts the front legs off the mans horse, his height and his ponies height are perfect for this. The horse whinnies and then goes down in a heap, blood fountaining out of its butchered stumps. The man lands hard, hitting his shoulder and head on the hard packed soil. Rhuarc waits for him to regain his feet. "AH, now we are the same height." The man looks in consternation as Rhuarc's battleaxe whistles through the air, seperating his head from his shoulders. Rhuarc salutes his downed opponent and looks to see what his companions are doing.

 

[Gaston_McBain]

Angus

Anger was swelling up in Angus when the leader of the brigands was taunting Logan. If he was in command they would have attacked the Blackmarch flith long before. Positioned to Logan's left he mangaged to maintain his composure. Logan must have some good reason to wait.

The dwarf rode up on Logan's right and escalated the insults. Surely violence would commence soon. Angus steadied himself for the upcoming combat and picked out a tallish bearded man with a tattered cloak as his target. Likely, his foe would underestimate him but he had begun training with the Easthaven army as a light cavarlyman starting last year so he was quite confident in his abilities.

Then the order to attack finally came. Angus spurred his horse towards his foe. Drawing his sword, he landing a solid blow on his foe's shield. The enemy returned with a weak effort that Angus easily deflected. Although his foe was an inferior opponent, Angus kept his cool and decided to wear him down instead of going for a risky killing blow.

After several exchanges of fruitless strikes, Angus could his foe's labored breathing. Soon he would be able to finish him off.

 

[crysede]

River:
Seeing Vixen slip into the forest, she edged her mare near to where the woman had vanished - did she suspect an ambush? River waited tensely, feeling naked without her bow - but Devin had not been foolish enough to leave her armed. It was only lucky that he had not felt the need to do a more thorough search for weapons, so that she had at least been able to retain her darts.

Thanks to Vixen's intervention, the assault was over almost as soon as it started, and she was relieved to see that she would not have to reveal the fact that she was armed, at least not yet.

 

[Guest]

Logan & Vixen...

Logan caught the next downward swing from his opponent and noted that Rhuarc intervened before another guard could attack his open side. With a grunt he heaved the attacking sword away and with a nimble turn of his hand swung the sword around glancing the guards armoured arm. The guard thus stunned left himself open for attack. Logan thrust his sword forward finding an opening in the guards chest plate near his side just below the rib cage. The guard cried out in surprise and with a gurgle reared backwards. His startled horse stumbled slightly causing the guard to fall forward, which in turn embed him deeper onto Logan's sword. Logan watched as the guard slowly died. Logan lifted his boot and kicked the guard in his stomach to remove him from his sword. The dead guard slid slowly off his horse and onto the ground.

He looked over to see Rhuarc had dispatched of one of the guards with rather gruesome technique.

"For mercies sake Rhuarc, put the damn beast out of it's misery!" He said shaking his head at the falled maimed horse.

One of the guards still lived... his arms both stuck with arrows. Logan noted the accuracy of the shot even as he dismounted to question the guard.

***********************

Meanwhile...

Vixen...

Vixen rocked her lower jaw from side to side to check that nothing was broken. The left side of her face hurt like hell and her stomach still felt tender but she walked back to her horse on her own two feet and that was all she asked from any fight.

She jerked her head at her horse, who whinnied back at her before obediently following her back out to the road. Once out in the open she saw River first. Again Vixen's curiousity came to fore. The woman was beautiful in an Elvish kind of way. Striking, and not a little bit arresting in the way she held herself. Vixen couldn't understand her being anyone's captive. It was a story she would like to know more of she thought to herself.

A quick glance around the area and she took in the maimed horse, Rhuarc and a fallen guard. Logan standing over another guard with two arrows in him. Angus finishing off another guard. One guard dead on the ground near Logan's horse.

'Not bad,' she thought to herself.

She touched her cheek and winced. Her horse nudged her from behind forcing her forward so she looked up and saw she was very close to River.

 

[SpectralDragoon]

Watching the battle from where he was suited Devin just fine. The swiftness and the sureness with which his companions acted reassured his respect for them and certainly served to boost his optimism for the quest in general. After no attack came from behind, Devin sheathed his blade and had his mount trot, reigning in and pulling up next to Logan. He wanted to hear what was being said, what information they could learn from this... for lack of a better word... man.

 

[chewbacca71]

Rhuarc

Rhuarc looks towards Logan with red in his eyes "Ay, you are right, I will take care of the horse. When I get into battle, the old battlerager techniques take over and I lose track of such small things. " Rhuarc gets down off his pony and takes the horse gently by the head. He slides his dagger over its throat , quickly putting it out of its misery. He wipes his blade on one of the few clear spots on the horses coat, and then remounts his pony. "Logan, do you think these men were sent to stop us? Seems strange that this many would be laying in wait for travelers on such a seldom used road."

 

[Gaston_McBain]

Angus

Although the battle was finishing up around him, Angus was still locked in combat. However, his foe had realized his disadvantage and had begun to act desperatly. As Angus blocked an ill-advised blow, he saw his oppurtunity. With a swift counterstrike he thrusted successfully under the foe's guard. Withdrawing his sword, the man collasped to the ground, instantly dead.

Looking around his saw the battle was over, he pulled out a rag underneath his cloak and cleaned and sheathed his sword. He turned his horse and rode over towards his companions who were discussing the nature of the enemies.

 

[Moneytalks]

Logan...

[q]"Logan, do you think these men were sent to stop us? Seems strange that this many would be laying in wait for travelers on such a seldom used road."[/q]

Logan looked toward Rhuarc and replied, "you could be right Rhuarc, it does seem incongruous to have them lie in wait for us here..." He looked down at the man downed by the two sure arrows of Leaf. The man whimpered as he saw Logan standing over him.

"Please... have mercy!" He wailed.

Logan found it amusing that men so eager to kill only moments before could deem it sensible to ask mercy when the odds were against him. He had no love for such men as these. Here there was no honour, no courage.

"Who sent you?" He barked at the man.

The man looked bewildered at the question, "I follow Captain McDougal... I know not what or why he choose to ambush you... please... some water... someone to tend my wounds..." He begged.

"Because of your attack we are already falling behind our schedule, you'll have to fend for yourself. If you stop whinning for two moments, you may get yourself together and bury your comrades..." Logan shook his head dismissing the man.

He walked back to his horse and mounted. Vixen walked further into the clearing nursing her swelling cheek. Logan raised a brow and a stern look from her silenced his question about her appearance. She walked over to the moaning man. She looked back at Logan, then she crouched down and slit the man's throat without hesitation. The man slumped to the ground dead.

"Never leave one to tell the tale Logan, have you learnt nothing?" She asked.

"Could be I left him as warning..."

"Could be, but our challenge is difficult enough without pre-warning out enemies... and we do have enemies... these are mercenaries... not mere robbers of the road."

"Then we best get a move on," he turned to the group announcing, "we will make a slight detour, we need to try and make up for this lost time... the way is shorter but slightly unchartered, there could be surprise attack from almost anything, so be on guard."

Vixen had mounted her own steed and was cleaning her knife on a bit of rag that looked suspiciously like it was taken from the tunic of one of the mercenaries.