Post by balianwindsor on Mar 20, 2010 17:51:22 GMT -6
Dawn broke over Turas Lan, Balian had always been a light sleeper and despite his many attempts to sleep in and catch up on sleep he was an early riser. He had a busy mind and a full schedule each new day. The large double doors to his tower chambers opened giving him passage to the large room simply decorated with tapestries and paintings brought back from his travels of the known world. Not more then a few feet in his wake was the tower servant Anna with a tray in hand and a steamy mug and muffin rested on the surface. She smiled toward Balian offering a polite curtsy while he made way for the balcony and pulled the doors open. Stepping into the cool morning air the sweet scent of near lavender trees caught his senses making him smile just a little. Anna followed him out extending the tray to him where Balian would carefully lift the mug of coffee up and blow a cool breath over the brim of the mug. "Good morning Anna." He finally had spoken. Not that he meant to be rude and ignore the woman but there was much on his mind in the early hours. He rest his free hand against the railing of the balcony and stared out over the horizon even while the fields below were filling with the Riders of Turas Lan reporting for the days service.
Captain's calling out orders to organize the men below could hardly be ignored. Some preparing the veterans for their post orders and patrols. Others were candidate Riders awaiting for the days lessons and training to begin and then there were the veterans. Balian watched the veterans gathering noting the calmed demeanor of those men that had seen it all and knew what to expect. Even now as the orders were given to them knowing that soon enough they would be joined by the Marshall and be lead into known Bandit occupied lands they didn't seem bothered, excited or concerned they simply waited. Balian lift his mug back to his lips and took a small sip before he turned his head just enough to look back toward Anna who spoke softly in return. "Good morning my Lord." She smiled just then while Balian nodded just once and motioned his mug outward. "Tis a fine Skye morning, this." Anna would nod while she took a step toward the railing and folded her hands carefully in front of her. "Aye, much like my home in Scotland.. ..Though there isn't the fog that often id see rolling over the highlands. ... Will you be riding out today my Lord?" She asked plainly though knew well enough that Balian rarely took a day to relax and enjoy the city he so restlessly protected or the home life with the Lady Windsor. Jelenah had those same devotions to her work ethic as Balian himself. She liked Balian unlike many of the other families she had served before the Windsor's he was kind and never talked down to her.
That steamy mug was brought back to his lips for another taste while his eyes drift back down over the field. "Yes. Send for Captain Duncan to report to my office.. ..Have the stable..tack up and armor the stallion Erimus.." Balian spoke plainly once more while Anna simply curtsied and started back toward the door. She filled in the blanks on some of those details that Balian didn't speak of. Send for his armor have provisions settled for his ride and today's dispatches and messages brought from the Windsor estate to his offices below. All such details she knew that Lord Windsor expected of her and she had well on her way to do them.
Balian sipped that drink once more before turning to make his way back into his chambers to get dressed. Soon enough he made his way down to the Offices of the Marshal of Turas Lan. Black leather trousers and a padded quilted vest hugged his chest. Already there was men awaiting word with him and the first was Sir Duncan who grinned upon seeing Balian. "Lord Windsor." Balian nodded to the man and made way for the large oak desk where Anna had settled his messages. He flipped through them searching for any urgent news from the Lord of Lady Aberdeen or the Lord Marshal Eamonn."Sir Duncan, What news from the night patrols?" Duncan could only cross his arms over his chest before he would speak. "My Lord the latest reports have the bandit fugitive Marcus Mathers south. Anna has the scouting report" Anna just then extended the small map of the terrain to Balian. He unrolled it before his eyes while looking it over. Noting the thick forest surrounding the camp. "How many men are estimated in this camp?" Balian reached out and brought the mug back to his lips for a sip just as Duncan replied. "No more then fifty no less then thirty is the best guess.. Sir Orion's men had encountered five men from this camp on the pilgrim road in the night hours.. ..One of the Riders had been wounded but he's been seen by the surgeon...Three of the bandits were killed but Orion managed to arrest the other two who were willingly to talk up a fortnight if we let them about Marcus and his camp for the free spirited" Balian did nod to him only to set the mug back against the desktop and soon enough the map. "Anna.. see that the wounded Riders family is kept." His blues lift back toward Duncan. "Fifty men? It seems Mathers is gaining numbers to his cause." Duncan did nod while unfolding his arms to rest back at his side. "Aye Lord Windsor." Balian licked his lips while his blues moved toward the map still laying against the hardwood of his desk. "We have waited some time to find this Camp.. .. If we wait longer they may move again and leave us searching the forest shadows again.. and how many more men will be lost or innocent people robbed and murdered in the wait?"
"Sir Duncan..today I will take the candidates with me South to encounter Marcus Mathers.. I expect you to stay in Turas Lan with the remaining Riders." Sir Duncan simply nodded. He was none to surprised by his order to leave Duncan in Turas Lan with the veteran Riders. He was Balian's second in command after all however Balian taking the candidate Riders out alone did leave him to wonder. "As you Command My Lord...But I should tell you . ..Perhaps its best you take more experienced men with rather then candidates Sir.. .. None of these men have been proved by battle yet." Balian chuckled while Anna came up behind Balian lifting the heavy chain over his shoulders. Balian stuffed his arms into the chain mail pulling it over his shoulders as if it had been done a thousand times. "None proved by battle is it? Then why not prove them Sir Duncan? Better against bandits then a true enemy of Skye when war comes to shore, no?" Next came the plate mail fittings. Anna strapped them on Balian one by one, tightening down the straps while he continue to sift through his messages. Sir Duncan simply grinned and did nod. "Aye My Lord." Balian lift that mug back up for a final sip before extending the mug to Anna just as she put her palm out for it. Balian was so predictable to her.
He nodded his thanks to her before taking a few steps from his desk and he turned to look back at Anna once more. "Send flowers to the Lady Windsor.. A message that I love her and will return on the morrow.. ..Send a messenger to the Lord Marshal and leave him with the status of the Riders of Turas Lan and our latest scouting reports from the patrols. " Anna smiled and nodded to Balian, though without speaking it she had already done both requests an hour before Balian's request. She knew the Lord Windsor all to well.
Balian brought a closed fist up over his heart to salute Sir Duncan before passing him. Soon enough he found his way to the steps of the tower and to the mount of the pure white stallion. Ornate armor baring the crest of the dueling lions across the fine armor matching its rider. Twenty nine Riders found the formation behind Balian just as they took to the rode taking them south.
Nightfall. The winter night plagued the trail with ice. The Riders visibility became obscured with heavy snow fall though neither would have the Riders turning back to the failing light of the Capital city fading in the distance behind them. Heavy fur lined hoods were drawn over each riders brow giving only birth to the visible breaths of the Riders. "By one." Balian's voice rumbled out over the night air as the trail narrowed ordering the Riders formation to shift to one behind the other. The Candidates were proving their experience in horsemanship while taking the command to action.
It was about a half nights ride into the winter night before Balian brought a closed fist upward to call for the riders to hold. Icy blues were sent to drift over the narrowing path. Foot prints nearly forgotten in the snowfall ahead had caught his attention. They lead east into the thick of the trees. "My Lord? ..We should not hold here.. ..we will be unable to defend if we are ambushed here." Spoken by one of the riders behind him. Balian nodded just once paying little more attention to the candidates recommendation before he spoke himself. "They wont ambush here.. ...Its to close to their Camp.. it would pose a risk to the whole settlement.. .. They are not far east of here." The faint scent of camp fires did linger in the cool air giving a hint to the Riders of the camps location. It was a defensive blunder on the part of the bandits that Balian would capitalize on. Balian circled his stallion around bringing his attention to the men behind him. "From here on.. we go silent.. ..Remember first there may be women and children in the camp.. So you will yield and tilt your lance to the innocent. " He tilt his head looking eastward and toward the tree tops. "These men likely have scouts.. .. expect archers in the trees..crossbows on the ground.. .. ..Mind your mounts against spears and polearms.. .. Your horse is your life..Let his instincts guide you when in doubt." He licked his cold lips and reached back drawing the kite shield baring the crest of the Riders of Turas Lan from his back. The Lance tightened in his other before he would lift his blues back to the men. "Hold your ranks.. look to me for commands..... Our goal is to arrest Marcus Mathers.. the rest are pawns." He rolled his shoulders back and circled the white stallion back around. "Cut the head off the snake.. the body dies..aye?.. ..You ten to the east of the camp." He motioned toward ten of the riders with his lance. "You ten.. to the south.." Balian then motioned his lance toward the remaining nine. "You nine to the west.. .. I will enter north.. ..Do not ride in until you hear me call your quarter." Closed fisted salutes and a bow of their heads were exchanged between the Marshal and his men before each took to their assigned direction. Balian would continue onward to the north until he found the simple path that lead him toward the mouth of the camp.
The strategy was simple, simple enough even the well trained candidates could execute without Foley or experience proved in battle unless they forget the virtues they were taught to live by. Patience, mercy and prowess would prove them well just now Balian thought to himself though he would speak not of it and let them show there own. By the end of this engagement he knew that only a few would remain as Riders. Some of them may choose another path and decide that life by the mount and sword was not for them. Others would foul out of the ranks in error and by Balians keen and ever judgmental and watchful eye for talent and perfection amongst his ranks would see them into another profession. But those few, those brave, bold and disciplined few who would survive this night wearing the colors of white and silver blue would rise up to be one of the Elite heavy calvary. The Riders of Turas Lan.
"Marcus! ...Turas Lan has come!... Riders approach!" Shouted one of the bandit men. The camp went into alarm just as the single Pale cloaked Crusader approached the camp. His lance raised toward the heavens and a stead fast calm that warranted respect. Marcus came rushing from his tent pulling his tunic over his head while another man handed him his sword. "Riders?.. ..Its just one man there." Marcus barked back while staring down at the rider and accepting the sword. "No Marcus.. .That is not. .. ..That be the crest of the Riders of Turas Lan.. Heavy calvary commanded by Lord Balian Windsor. .. Knight sworn to the service of the Griffin, Aberdeen." Marcus could only chuckle while he marched toward the mouth of the camp raising his sword to point while five other bandit men came racing to Marcus's side. "You there Rider!.. .. You be lost mate?.. ..This be no place for the likes of your sort. ...Be that as it may .. ..Don't you be thinkin you get to whisper past without payin tax of my camp, eh?" He grinned and lowered his sword while the other five bandits marched toward Balian. Balian hadn't faltered, holding his stance while the white stallion beneath him huffed a hard breath. The ever disciplined knight dipped his chin slightly toward Marcus before his deep voice would call ahead. "..I am...The Marshal of Turas Lan.. I have come for the bandit outlaw.. Marcus Mathers. ...You five.. .. Bold of you to take one more step and meet my lance." Icy blues settled between the five men approaching him who only seemed to slow in there march. They were not disciplined soldiers by any means like the Riders that who now surrounded the camp. By now the men of the camp had taken arms rushing to ready for battle, bloody fools the lot of them Balian thought to himself. Unorganized and panicking at the sight of one Rider. Marcus scowled. "There is no law here!.. ..KILL HIM!" Balians heels were thrust back, the Pale horse lunged into action throwing snow up in his wake while the lance was lowered his form lowered, shoulders squared when his blues settled on the first of the five not a moment before the lance was driven into his chest throwing him backward into the next. His shield collected on the onslaught of the sword swings from another two bandits only to have him ride threw them and clean over the next man to be trampled by heavy hooves. His jaws parted with a roar of the awakened inner lion. "SOUTH!" Shouting out the quarter to call for the Riders hidden in the trees to the south of the camp to ride into action. His hand snapped back throwing his pale cloak open and gripping the hilt of the nameless sword drawing it upward and from its sheath while he rode straight for Marcus.
The Riders to the south came charging into the camp, lances lowered to plow through the outlaw rebellion causing more of a panic in the ranks. Marcus lift his sword high just as the Pale Rider came racing toward him and in one pass the clash of steel on steel rocked across the sky. Balian circled his sword back around, lifting his blade up and between his eyes to offer a salute to the soon to be dearly departed Marcus Mathers before he dismounted. Gold spurs played there cool melody when his heels met the soft grounds. Marcus looked on amazed that the Rider would give up his advantage. Balian was an honorable man and would give Marcus his fair chance at life and a clean fight. "WEST" He shouted while spinning the blade forward in his palm and tossing his shield to the ground. The Riders from the west came barreling through the trees and into action claiming more of the bandits as they fled to the west. The other two bandits had finally caught up to Balian and Marcus who now stood five feet from one another, each of the four of them began to circle one another. Each eyeing the next. "EAST!" Balian shouted calling for the action of the last rank of Riders not a moment before Balian himself lunged forward bringing his sword upward to collect the first Bandit Blade. The second Bandit swung wild, Balian ducked in time to have that swing catch another Bandit across the brow causing one bandit to kill the next. His boot snapped backward kicking Marcus square in the chest as he charged at his back only to spin hard to his left slashing the nameless sword broadside the next bandit cleaving his right leg off at the thigh. The next bandit jumped back at Balian only to have the nameless sword meet his steel for the second time. Balian held his sword their keeping his blade locked with the other mans while his eyes met the mans. One quick jerk of his arm and the sword jerked upward hacking into the mans throat and throwing him onto his back. The Riders mopped up the remaining rebellion while Balian came to stand over Marcus who lay there trying to find a breath. The bloodied edge of Balians sword lowered to aim at Marcus's throat. "Do you yield?" Marcus could only nod while lifting his hands to surrender. Balian would simply nod before motioning his hand to one of the Riders. "Seize him." He shifts his weight to look back over the camp, studying the grounds littered in the debris of battle. He lifted his chin just a little noting not a single body of a Rider lay on the ground. Some of them battered, bloodied but all mounted proud and strong. "Well done. ...Lets go home."
Captain's calling out orders to organize the men below could hardly be ignored. Some preparing the veterans for their post orders and patrols. Others were candidate Riders awaiting for the days lessons and training to begin and then there were the veterans. Balian watched the veterans gathering noting the calmed demeanor of those men that had seen it all and knew what to expect. Even now as the orders were given to them knowing that soon enough they would be joined by the Marshall and be lead into known Bandit occupied lands they didn't seem bothered, excited or concerned they simply waited. Balian lift his mug back to his lips and took a small sip before he turned his head just enough to look back toward Anna who spoke softly in return. "Good morning my Lord." She smiled just then while Balian nodded just once and motioned his mug outward. "Tis a fine Skye morning, this." Anna would nod while she took a step toward the railing and folded her hands carefully in front of her. "Aye, much like my home in Scotland.. ..Though there isn't the fog that often id see rolling over the highlands. ... Will you be riding out today my Lord?" She asked plainly though knew well enough that Balian rarely took a day to relax and enjoy the city he so restlessly protected or the home life with the Lady Windsor. Jelenah had those same devotions to her work ethic as Balian himself. She liked Balian unlike many of the other families she had served before the Windsor's he was kind and never talked down to her.
That steamy mug was brought back to his lips for another taste while his eyes drift back down over the field. "Yes. Send for Captain Duncan to report to my office.. ..Have the stable..tack up and armor the stallion Erimus.." Balian spoke plainly once more while Anna simply curtsied and started back toward the door. She filled in the blanks on some of those details that Balian didn't speak of. Send for his armor have provisions settled for his ride and today's dispatches and messages brought from the Windsor estate to his offices below. All such details she knew that Lord Windsor expected of her and she had well on her way to do them.
Balian sipped that drink once more before turning to make his way back into his chambers to get dressed. Soon enough he made his way down to the Offices of the Marshal of Turas Lan. Black leather trousers and a padded quilted vest hugged his chest. Already there was men awaiting word with him and the first was Sir Duncan who grinned upon seeing Balian. "Lord Windsor." Balian nodded to the man and made way for the large oak desk where Anna had settled his messages. He flipped through them searching for any urgent news from the Lord of Lady Aberdeen or the Lord Marshal Eamonn."Sir Duncan, What news from the night patrols?" Duncan could only cross his arms over his chest before he would speak. "My Lord the latest reports have the bandit fugitive Marcus Mathers south. Anna has the scouting report" Anna just then extended the small map of the terrain to Balian. He unrolled it before his eyes while looking it over. Noting the thick forest surrounding the camp. "How many men are estimated in this camp?" Balian reached out and brought the mug back to his lips for a sip just as Duncan replied. "No more then fifty no less then thirty is the best guess.. Sir Orion's men had encountered five men from this camp on the pilgrim road in the night hours.. ..One of the Riders had been wounded but he's been seen by the surgeon...Three of the bandits were killed but Orion managed to arrest the other two who were willingly to talk up a fortnight if we let them about Marcus and his camp for the free spirited" Balian did nod to him only to set the mug back against the desktop and soon enough the map. "Anna.. see that the wounded Riders family is kept." His blues lift back toward Duncan. "Fifty men? It seems Mathers is gaining numbers to his cause." Duncan did nod while unfolding his arms to rest back at his side. "Aye Lord Windsor." Balian licked his lips while his blues moved toward the map still laying against the hardwood of his desk. "We have waited some time to find this Camp.. .. If we wait longer they may move again and leave us searching the forest shadows again.. and how many more men will be lost or innocent people robbed and murdered in the wait?"
"Sir Duncan..today I will take the candidates with me South to encounter Marcus Mathers.. I expect you to stay in Turas Lan with the remaining Riders." Sir Duncan simply nodded. He was none to surprised by his order to leave Duncan in Turas Lan with the veteran Riders. He was Balian's second in command after all however Balian taking the candidate Riders out alone did leave him to wonder. "As you Command My Lord...But I should tell you . ..Perhaps its best you take more experienced men with rather then candidates Sir.. .. None of these men have been proved by battle yet." Balian chuckled while Anna came up behind Balian lifting the heavy chain over his shoulders. Balian stuffed his arms into the chain mail pulling it over his shoulders as if it had been done a thousand times. "None proved by battle is it? Then why not prove them Sir Duncan? Better against bandits then a true enemy of Skye when war comes to shore, no?" Next came the plate mail fittings. Anna strapped them on Balian one by one, tightening down the straps while he continue to sift through his messages. Sir Duncan simply grinned and did nod. "Aye My Lord." Balian lift that mug back up for a final sip before extending the mug to Anna just as she put her palm out for it. Balian was so predictable to her.
He nodded his thanks to her before taking a few steps from his desk and he turned to look back at Anna once more. "Send flowers to the Lady Windsor.. A message that I love her and will return on the morrow.. ..Send a messenger to the Lord Marshal and leave him with the status of the Riders of Turas Lan and our latest scouting reports from the patrols. " Anna smiled and nodded to Balian, though without speaking it she had already done both requests an hour before Balian's request. She knew the Lord Windsor all to well.
Balian brought a closed fist up over his heart to salute Sir Duncan before passing him. Soon enough he found his way to the steps of the tower and to the mount of the pure white stallion. Ornate armor baring the crest of the dueling lions across the fine armor matching its rider. Twenty nine Riders found the formation behind Balian just as they took to the rode taking them south.
Nightfall. The winter night plagued the trail with ice. The Riders visibility became obscured with heavy snow fall though neither would have the Riders turning back to the failing light of the Capital city fading in the distance behind them. Heavy fur lined hoods were drawn over each riders brow giving only birth to the visible breaths of the Riders. "By one." Balian's voice rumbled out over the night air as the trail narrowed ordering the Riders formation to shift to one behind the other. The Candidates were proving their experience in horsemanship while taking the command to action.
It was about a half nights ride into the winter night before Balian brought a closed fist upward to call for the riders to hold. Icy blues were sent to drift over the narrowing path. Foot prints nearly forgotten in the snowfall ahead had caught his attention. They lead east into the thick of the trees. "My Lord? ..We should not hold here.. ..we will be unable to defend if we are ambushed here." Spoken by one of the riders behind him. Balian nodded just once paying little more attention to the candidates recommendation before he spoke himself. "They wont ambush here.. ...Its to close to their Camp.. it would pose a risk to the whole settlement.. .. They are not far east of here." The faint scent of camp fires did linger in the cool air giving a hint to the Riders of the camps location. It was a defensive blunder on the part of the bandits that Balian would capitalize on. Balian circled his stallion around bringing his attention to the men behind him. "From here on.. we go silent.. ..Remember first there may be women and children in the camp.. So you will yield and tilt your lance to the innocent. " He tilt his head looking eastward and toward the tree tops. "These men likely have scouts.. .. expect archers in the trees..crossbows on the ground.. .. ..Mind your mounts against spears and polearms.. .. Your horse is your life..Let his instincts guide you when in doubt." He licked his cold lips and reached back drawing the kite shield baring the crest of the Riders of Turas Lan from his back. The Lance tightened in his other before he would lift his blues back to the men. "Hold your ranks.. look to me for commands..... Our goal is to arrest Marcus Mathers.. the rest are pawns." He rolled his shoulders back and circled the white stallion back around. "Cut the head off the snake.. the body dies..aye?.. ..You ten to the east of the camp." He motioned toward ten of the riders with his lance. "You ten.. to the south.." Balian then motioned his lance toward the remaining nine. "You nine to the west.. .. I will enter north.. ..Do not ride in until you hear me call your quarter." Closed fisted salutes and a bow of their heads were exchanged between the Marshal and his men before each took to their assigned direction. Balian would continue onward to the north until he found the simple path that lead him toward the mouth of the camp.
The strategy was simple, simple enough even the well trained candidates could execute without Foley or experience proved in battle unless they forget the virtues they were taught to live by. Patience, mercy and prowess would prove them well just now Balian thought to himself though he would speak not of it and let them show there own. By the end of this engagement he knew that only a few would remain as Riders. Some of them may choose another path and decide that life by the mount and sword was not for them. Others would foul out of the ranks in error and by Balians keen and ever judgmental and watchful eye for talent and perfection amongst his ranks would see them into another profession. But those few, those brave, bold and disciplined few who would survive this night wearing the colors of white and silver blue would rise up to be one of the Elite heavy calvary. The Riders of Turas Lan.
"Marcus! ...Turas Lan has come!... Riders approach!" Shouted one of the bandit men. The camp went into alarm just as the single Pale cloaked Crusader approached the camp. His lance raised toward the heavens and a stead fast calm that warranted respect. Marcus came rushing from his tent pulling his tunic over his head while another man handed him his sword. "Riders?.. ..Its just one man there." Marcus barked back while staring down at the rider and accepting the sword. "No Marcus.. .That is not. .. ..That be the crest of the Riders of Turas Lan.. Heavy calvary commanded by Lord Balian Windsor. .. Knight sworn to the service of the Griffin, Aberdeen." Marcus could only chuckle while he marched toward the mouth of the camp raising his sword to point while five other bandit men came racing to Marcus's side. "You there Rider!.. .. You be lost mate?.. ..This be no place for the likes of your sort. ...Be that as it may .. ..Don't you be thinkin you get to whisper past without payin tax of my camp, eh?" He grinned and lowered his sword while the other five bandits marched toward Balian. Balian hadn't faltered, holding his stance while the white stallion beneath him huffed a hard breath. The ever disciplined knight dipped his chin slightly toward Marcus before his deep voice would call ahead. "..I am...The Marshal of Turas Lan.. I have come for the bandit outlaw.. Marcus Mathers. ...You five.. .. Bold of you to take one more step and meet my lance." Icy blues settled between the five men approaching him who only seemed to slow in there march. They were not disciplined soldiers by any means like the Riders that who now surrounded the camp. By now the men of the camp had taken arms rushing to ready for battle, bloody fools the lot of them Balian thought to himself. Unorganized and panicking at the sight of one Rider. Marcus scowled. "There is no law here!.. ..KILL HIM!" Balians heels were thrust back, the Pale horse lunged into action throwing snow up in his wake while the lance was lowered his form lowered, shoulders squared when his blues settled on the first of the five not a moment before the lance was driven into his chest throwing him backward into the next. His shield collected on the onslaught of the sword swings from another two bandits only to have him ride threw them and clean over the next man to be trampled by heavy hooves. His jaws parted with a roar of the awakened inner lion. "SOUTH!" Shouting out the quarter to call for the Riders hidden in the trees to the south of the camp to ride into action. His hand snapped back throwing his pale cloak open and gripping the hilt of the nameless sword drawing it upward and from its sheath while he rode straight for Marcus.
The Riders to the south came charging into the camp, lances lowered to plow through the outlaw rebellion causing more of a panic in the ranks. Marcus lift his sword high just as the Pale Rider came racing toward him and in one pass the clash of steel on steel rocked across the sky. Balian circled his sword back around, lifting his blade up and between his eyes to offer a salute to the soon to be dearly departed Marcus Mathers before he dismounted. Gold spurs played there cool melody when his heels met the soft grounds. Marcus looked on amazed that the Rider would give up his advantage. Balian was an honorable man and would give Marcus his fair chance at life and a clean fight. "WEST" He shouted while spinning the blade forward in his palm and tossing his shield to the ground. The Riders from the west came barreling through the trees and into action claiming more of the bandits as they fled to the west. The other two bandits had finally caught up to Balian and Marcus who now stood five feet from one another, each of the four of them began to circle one another. Each eyeing the next. "EAST!" Balian shouted calling for the action of the last rank of Riders not a moment before Balian himself lunged forward bringing his sword upward to collect the first Bandit Blade. The second Bandit swung wild, Balian ducked in time to have that swing catch another Bandit across the brow causing one bandit to kill the next. His boot snapped backward kicking Marcus square in the chest as he charged at his back only to spin hard to his left slashing the nameless sword broadside the next bandit cleaving his right leg off at the thigh. The next bandit jumped back at Balian only to have the nameless sword meet his steel for the second time. Balian held his sword their keeping his blade locked with the other mans while his eyes met the mans. One quick jerk of his arm and the sword jerked upward hacking into the mans throat and throwing him onto his back. The Riders mopped up the remaining rebellion while Balian came to stand over Marcus who lay there trying to find a breath. The bloodied edge of Balians sword lowered to aim at Marcus's throat. "Do you yield?" Marcus could only nod while lifting his hands to surrender. Balian would simply nod before motioning his hand to one of the Riders. "Seize him." He shifts his weight to look back over the camp, studying the grounds littered in the debris of battle. He lifted his chin just a little noting not a single body of a Rider lay on the ground. Some of them battered, bloodied but all mounted proud and strong. "Well done. ...Lets go home."