Post by blythe on Oct 6, 2010 14:26:27 GMT -6
PercivalVizharen
Percival watched as the summe rnight progressed from atop the highest watch tower in the wooden fortress. His expression was blank, but all knew the man was running math, doing some sort of crazy thing none could comprehend. He hadn't been at dinner that evening, which showed that he was anxious, and perhaps this anxiety was eating him up. He didn't pace, or have a nervous twitch, he simply stood and stared.-- The Welsh fortress was built over a river, and its walls incorporated this as a means for fresh water. The walls were strongly lashed and backed with new stone as a more permanent structure was being fortified. The front wall was much larger than the back, as the back had low bearing tree tops that shaded the courtyards and barracks. Up ahead, where the front gate sat closed, was an open, sloped hill that stretched into a rolling field. In the moonlight, Percival could see far, and make out any shape that showed in the light.
A Merc For God
"They say God makes people anxious to remind them that any moment can be their last." He piped up in German, stepping up beside the vigilant englishman. He glanced toward him, though his eyes were shielded by his large brimmed hat.
The Bean Shidh
Perfect response in perfect German was offered back. "Your God makes people anxious to prepare their meat for the hounds of hell." Rasp of a voice was offered from the shadows nearby where the cowled banshee stood overlooking the sight below. Blythe, never one to stray far from the man who had her oath of loyalty, viewed all from the darkness within the hood that covered her wild, vibrantly red hair. Gloved hands rested on the pommels of each of her chosen weapons -- her rapier and that trusty long knife. The hood shifted as the woman's head was turned back toward the view, keen eyes taking in the wild around them. The ranger within her would never die nor be cast aside; it was always her first line of thought.
PercivalVizharen
"You lot scare me sometimes." He replied in his ever arrogant, cokeney accent. He looked between the pair of them and shook his head with an audible sigh. "There's something out there, I can smell it." He turned from them and moved up a small ladder to a slightly higher platform. The wooden ladder squeaked as it took his weight on, bowing at some points, then straightening when he got to the top. He placed both hands on the wall and leaned forward squinting. "There... right there. I can see a shifting shadow. Earlier, tha' shadow was behind tha' lone tree, yet somehow, it's made it to about thirty or so feet in front of it." He took a pondering stance, his chin supported by a gloved hand. "Lazarus, wake tha' Mosby geeza up, will you? We need to organize."
A Merc For God
He might have commented on the Banshee's retort, but he didn't think it the best course of action. Instead, he watched Percival with renewed interest and followed his gaze to whre he indicated. He saw the descrepancy, and turned to get Mosby as Percival had directed him.
The Bean Shidh
"Shall I go see?" Those eerie blues were already resting on the shadow below, but there was no indication otherwise of what her expression might have been. A very small turn of her head was given as she listened to Lazarus move away, but her eyes never strayed from their target, not even to follow the sight of Percival as he ascended a bit more to gain a better view.
Mosby
Mosby came up moments later looking quite disheveled. He scratched his head and looked to Banshee, then to Percival. "Wha' is it, mate?"
PercivalVizharen
"We are under attack, they just haven't made it to the gates yet. "
Mosby
"I'll sound the alarm." Mosby turned and ran down the stairs he'd just traversed. Moments later, a loud bell began to ring. Men awoke, and battalions were being formed from within, readying to fight so suddenly.
PercivalVizharen
As Percival predicted, an army shoved their fake cover off, revealing themselves and charging the walls. "No love, best to stay up here for now." Percival said calmly despite their new situation. He leapt from the higher platform and landed beside her. "We're going to be choked at the main gate with no way to get out. We're already over run, once that gate is down, we'll have to fend them off; you kno' wha' I mean?" For now, we hold the high ground and fire into them.." He tossed her a long bow and a standing quiver.
The Bean Shidh
Blythe smirked within that hood. Who said she'd been talking about going out the gate? It was just as easy for her to repel the wall as it would be to run headlong through the thralls of people. There was a small shift of her form when the army below revealed itself, but it was so minute that only those who knew her best would have perceived it. Left hand rose to shove the material from off of her head while right snagged the tossed longbow. When it was free, her left hand pulled the quiver close and rested it within easy reach. An arrow was pulled and came to the string in a motion so smooth it looked like second nature. With a soft thrum, the first projectile was released into the mass of enemy below. She needed no call for ready.
PercivalVizharen
Percival was like her in many aspects. His affinity for using modern weaponry surpassed that of any soldier he served with. From the quiver he withdrew an arrow and knocked it, like she did. He took a moment to lead his shot and pulled back, then released. The arrow soared into its target, killing the man. Other archers began to arrive now, taking their own stand and firing. Welsh marksman were unmatched, and soon the first rank of Spanish were simply piled yards out from the main gate, which was opening and a battalion was coming out. The Spanish continued to push, and the arrows continued to volley!
The Bean Shidh
There were only two things which kept her attention -- the men below and the man beside her. The Welsh who joined them were all but ignored when they appeared and began their fire. Shot after shot was knocked, aimed, led then released into the Spanish who assaulted their stand. Once the line had fallen, Blythe shifted, her small form pushing with ease through the archers until she had ascended to the place where Percival had stood before. With her she brought the quiver, but for now, those blaring blues scanned the area below with an eagle's vision in search of movement. The first line could have very well been a distraction to carry their attention away from flanking units who needed to move into position elsewhere.
PercivalVizharen
An explosion erupted to the right of Banshee and Percival, shaking the whole fortress. A grate that had been put in place to allow the water passage was blown clean open, and from it trudged Spanish soldiers. Screams erupted through out the entire fortress. Just then, another line appeared on the hill charging up. Archers were not sure where to focus fire. "KILL THE MEN INSIDE, THE BATTALION OUTSIDE HAS THE LINE! SHUT THE GATES, CONTAIN THIS!" Percival yelled, turning to fire into the trudging Spanish now engaged in combat below, in the courtyard!
The Bean Shidh
The explosion brought the Banshee's attention to the right, though there was no startle that came from it, merely a pivot of her body to take in the sight. Immediately, with quiver and bow in hand, the small one shifted to a different side of the stand and perched there at the edge of it. As before, the bow was an extension of herself and a rain of arrows was soon piercing Spanish flesh in the courtyard. A small growl was given from her throat moments later, though. She could not get a good cone of fire where she was now, especially with the archers beneath where she perched. Again, she was setting herself into motion, this time to get down out of the perch and to the other edge of the tower.
A Merc For God
Down below, Lazarus made his stand amongst Mosby's Knights. He withdrew his sword and looked skyward. "GRANT ME STRENGTH O'LORD!" He yelled in German, turning to strike down a Spanish man. He knelt and made the cross motion with his hand over the dead body, then proceeded to his next victim. "Be strong in your religion, for I will send you to our father, the maker!"
PercivalVizharen
The gates closed, shutting the battalion outside off from retreating while containing the threat inside. Arrows plunged inward, catching foes as they came through the hole in the side. Percival had turned his attention to the far western wall where his archers were being overrun by men who made it up the stairs. He slung his bow over his torso and withdrew his posh sword, jogging the length of the wall. The first man he encountered used a large bastard sword. He swung with all his weight, but missed Percival who had ducked. Percival came up, thrusting forth and plunging the tip of his sword through the man's eye and further into his head. He yanked the sword back and twisted to avoid a slice from a large halberd. His back was to the striking soldier who strained to pull the weapon back up. Percival utilized this moment by using his elbow to strike the soldier, knocking him backwards and off balance. Lightning quick strikes left the soldier falling in Percival's wake as Percival dispatched the next man in a quicker fashion. Percival continued into the crowd of chaos.
The Bean Shidh
Position was finally reached at the lip of the rampart where Blythe could finally get a good view of a wider variety of enemies she could send to see their precious deity. As close as she was to the edge, the bow in her hand was twisted to rest horizontal with the string above her forearm. Yet again, the fluid movement of her form set the arrows into flying. The smallest of smirks and a twinkle of delight was given on her stoic features as one arrow was sent just past Lazarus' head to bury itself into the eye socket of an advancing soldier. How she loved to toy with the priest! Her mirth was short-lived as a trained eye caught the movement of her Talon. The banshee was more than confident in Percival's abilities, but he had a debt to her and she fully intended to see it fulfilled before he fell in battle. So it was that she saw the advance on him as he dispatched the helberd-weilder in quick fashion. All below were forgotten as her left hand, that which brought arrow to string, dropped briskly to the long knife at her thigh. It was tugged from its sheath and brought up with a quickness. In the time it took for an arrow to fly, Blythe sent the knife flying with precision into the unseen soldier's throat.
PercivalVizharen
It took Percival only moments to advance to the heart of the fight. Two armored soldiers confronted him, and he acted accordingly. The first swung wide, missing him as he stabbed the other soldier's foot and kicked him down the stairs. The other twisted to hit him, but Percival avoided the swing and performed his own, cutting the man's throat. Both men stood apart from each other until the soldier fell first. The wall was clear, and the archers recovered their position which was threatened yet again by a lone soldier. Percival pulled out his pistol and shot him. "LET'S GO PEOPLE!"-- His yell was cut short as an explosion erupted behind him, and caused a portion of the wall to collapse. Up ahead, large balls of fire lofted high only to fall within the structure. Percival was collateral from the shattered wall, and was buried beneath the debris.
A Merc For God
The priest closelined a soldier to the ground and held him under water, as if baptizing him. Only he drowned him. The debris flying about was no concern for the old german man as he stood with a large piece of wood in hand, using it to bludgeon passing soldiers and baptize them the same way.
The Bean Shidh
The debris would not have been a cause for concern for the small woman, either, had it not swallowed up Vizharen. Bow was dropped and archers were shoved out of her way as the Banshee was set into motion once more. As soon as there was room for it, the rapier -- that weapon that she weilded better than all others -- was pulled from its sheath. Soft-soled boots made nary a sound even throughout the haste that spurred her forward in a flurry of mud-caked fabric. An ancient tongue rose from her lips in a rasp of a whisper. A prayer? A spell? It was anyone's guess. The staircase was reached and with it came the rubble of the wall. With rapier well-ready to taste blood, the wraith of a woman fell to a one-kneed kneel and used her right hand to begin shoving the wreckage out of the way.
PercivalVizharen
Percival managed to assist her with pulling and shoving the rubble aside. He came up with minimal injury, and he looked rather livid. "This whole place is cavin' in around our ears, it is!" His sword made a scraping sound as he used it to aid in standing back up. "We need to take care of those war machines. Find horses and Mosby's calvalry. We're riding out now!" He yelled to her. There weren't many left inside the fortress, which gave them time to really move about.
Mosby
Mosby was below, pulling his sword from the corpse of a soldier and standing up straight. Long hair plastered across his face where sweat had mingled with the strands. He looked exhausted, but he managed to stay alive.
A Merc For God
Lazarus was holding a man under water, drowning him. "What are we doing here?" He asked Mosby in casual conversation, although it was german.
Mosby
"I can't speak german, you old geezer."[d]
The Bean Shidh
The fiery-haired one used her right arm to assist Percival in standing once more, though she didn't linger long at his side. A single, firm nod was given. Withdrawing herself from his side, Blythe strode over to the man who bore her long knife in his throat and pulled it from where it had buried itself so effectively. Blood was wiped onto her thigh before the knife was re-sheathed. Immediately, the nimble figure was descending the staircase, dispatching a single soldier with a single flick of her wrist that opened his gullet to a gaping hole. It would not take the woman long to find horses. They were wound up but her presence calmed them almost the instant her empty hand curled around their leads. Once they were in her possession, her voice pierced the assault. "MOSBY! PRIEST! WE RIDE!"
Mosby
Mosby turned at the sound of the woman yelling. He didn't question the call, but moved toward the horse to climb up. Others joined them, others in the calvalry. He patted the horses ass with the tip of his sword to get it to stir. "We haven't much time, Percival!"
PercivalVizharen
Percival moved down the stairs and climbed atop a horse. He had to sheath his sword, but he managed.
A Merc For God
Sick of holding him under, Lazarus pulled the man from the water and watched his mouth open, gasping for air. Instead of air, he got the muzzle of a pistol, and Lazarus pulled the trigger.-- Turning, he gathered they were riding, thus he tossed the jagged spar off to the side and holstered his pistol to climb on a horse to ride!
PercivalVizharen
"Through the hole in the wall. We'll ride wide, and come up behind their artillery!"
The Bean Shidh
As each claimed their mount, Blythe tossed up their lead to them, but she paused with a small smirk and an uttered marvel to speak in that flawless German once more. "Your work, while misguided, never ceases to quicken the soul." His lead was tossed upward and the Banshee turned without another word, shoving her rapier into its hilt. With practiced ease and grace, she swung up onto the back of the final steed. Taking control of the animal, her heel popped its side and set it into motion away from the others. When the words were spoken, a quipped yell was given and the horse was sent toward the hole in the wall of the fortress.
PercivalVizharen
"YAH! YAH!" He kicked his horse and guided it into the river and through the hole in the fortress wall. They were brought to a treeline that stretched far east and rounded about the large, hill/field. He stuck to the night's shadow, masking his fast approach with darkness. He could hear the twenty others behind him, and the battle off to their west.
Mosby
Mosby remained silent, following his men, Percival, and his team of loonies.
A Merc For God
The father simply laughed at her comment, but rode well despite his preference of walking. He admitted to God that perhaps he was getting too old for adventures like this.
The Bean Shidh
Thighs tightened around the saddle as Blythe leaned forward and drove that horse into quickness behind Percival. Cape, cowl and crimson hair flew wildly behind in the wake of the woman. There was a thrill in her eyes and on her features, a thrill at the freedom of the ride, at feeling the world slipping away in a blur of movement.
Mosby
They were rounding the crest of the next hill and coming to the source of their problem. Three teams of spanish worked war machines, loading them and firing into the air. Each was built magnificently. Mosby withdrew his sword and took command of his men, leading them toward the work teams and mules dragging the debris used for projectiles.
PercivalVizharen
Percival freed the pistol from his belt and rode right for the commander's tent amongst the spanish tent city. His horse toppled over the pair of guards surprised by his sudden appearence. Percival leapt from the back of his horse and tumbled across the ground to disappear into the tent. A bright orange flash luminated the inside with a loud BANG. Percival came out, and climbed his horse once more, withdrawing his sword and engaging the teams.
A Merc For God
The german priest rode into battle behind the Banshee. He used what looked to be a branch he ripped from a low bearing, rotting tree. The first man he came across was bludgeoned across the face with it!
The Bean Shidh
The Scottish Banshee broke away from the rest as they began to branch off. Followed by the priest, she headed toward one of the teams manning one of the seige machines. The reins in her hands were wrapped around the horn of the saddle, thighs tightening to keep her in place and guide the animal for the moment. Body went low and to the side a small bit as she neared a grouping of men. The one nearest to her would never know what hit him. Blythe slid from the saddle and clutched to his head as she did so, using her momentum to swing her body into the other men while the movement snapped the neck of he who became her cling-post. They all toppled, but the wraith hit the ground, rolled and pushed to her feet, rapier rasping from its sheath an instant later.
PercivalVizharen
Percival watched, amazed at the ferocity that drove the Banshee to topple an entire team. His own time was coming, and he closed in on a small group of men looking to assist the others. Percival cut them off with a pass, catching a soldier across the face with the blade of his sword. The man toppled over screaming, and the others drew raised their swords. Percival slid from horseback and landed. There was a cokey smirk that crossed his expression and he lightly turned his head till his neck popped. All of them charged the well dressed pirate! Percival lowered his sword and withdrew his pistol, firing into one. He managed to intercept one sword and guide it to block another. Both of those men were shoved sideways, and Percival punched another using the hand guard on his sword. That man stumbled back and was replaced with another. Percival was punched, but he twisted with the momentum and cut low catching the man deep across his groin. Insides poured into the man's trousers as he stumbled back and fell. The two that were knocked off balance both struck out and missed when Percival tumbled away, toward the man he'd punched. Stabbing him through the stomach, Percival yanked his own blade back, rounded him and stuck him through his back. He used his body as a shield, tossing it toward one man then pursuing the other. They locked blades, but Percival managed to knee him, then uppercut using the hand guard. The other man had recovered and moved toward Percival, but Percival twisted so fast with his sword the man hadn't realized his throat was cut until he started choking! The man on the ground was pummeled by Percival's booted vertical stomp.
A Merc For God
The old priest took his time getting off his horse, and turned to catch two men fighting each other. He recognized the symbol on one, then killed the other by grabbing his head and twisting. The soldier fighting stopped and thanked him, but he was too enriched in prayer to realize it.
The Bean Shidh
By the time the toppled men before her had gotten to their feet, the woman was on them. Madness made those blue pools clear and calm, a frightening image to behold in the moments before your death. That moment of clarity came for the woman as her surroundings seemed to slow. Right hand and rapier rose to block the clumsy swing of the first attacker, her knee soon coming up to connect with the precious flesh between his thighs. Breath wooshed from his lungs and he fell, shoved to the side by the woman who continued on to the next two men who had risen from their toppling. The shirt of the first was grabbed by the woman and jerked toward her to take the wide-swung blow of his companion. He was then dropped into a screaming heap at her feet in order for her newly-readied blade to bury itself through the throat of the second man until he, too, fell. Seeing a rapid advance from the final of the team, the long knife was jerked from its place on her thigh once more. Steel struck her rapier and flicked it aside before a rapid retreat of the blade opened a thin cut across the pale cheek of the Banshee. His mistake was pausing to gloat. The last thing he saw was the blade that soon removed his eye from its socket as it was buried into his frontal lobe.
Mosby:
"We have taken their rear flank, Percival.. what now?!"
PercivalVizharen
"Burn their camp."
Mosby
"Wha'? Why? The battle is won."
PercivalVizharen
"I do not care if we won the battle. I want to kill them all." He yelled, taking a spar from the fire and setting the canvas of a tent aflame. Mosby asked him what to do, and Percival told him. It was his choice to follow through. Percival saw a nurse lady running from a tent, screaming in Spanish. He leveled his pistol and fired. The round struck her in the back, and yet she still crawled. He moved on, setting their wounded tent ablaze. The woman reached out to touch his boot and he looked down, pausing.
The Bean Shidh
Why ask questions? Blood was spilled. Follow orders. These were the thoughts of the Banshee as she stood calmly amidst the carnage of her making beside one of the machines. Blood trickled down her cheek but went unnoticed as the woman reached up to take the oil lamp from where it hung beside the machine. It was thrown into the heart of the works and immediately set it ablaze. A pause. Eyes rose toward Lazarus who was nearest her then toward Percival as he looked down on the female he had shot. There was not a care on her features for the welfare of the woman. She was an enemy and already dying. Talon's mercy was none of her concern. As easily as that, the redheaded fury went back to setting the other monstrous seige machines ablaze.
PercivalVizharen
Percival glared at the young woman and withdrew his sword. Just as he was going to end her life, his arm was stayed by Mosby.
Mosby
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" He shoved Percival back. "Are you heartless?"
PercivalVizharen
Percival frowned, waving Mosby off. "Put her on the table. I will reverse what I have done." He motioned toward the table under one of the flies. Flames erupted everywhere around them, but Mosby nodded and lifted the woman up to lay across a wooden table. Percival ran a dagger blade over a flame, and left it there. He ripped the back of her gown open, and reached into her side pulled the ball from her. She screamed in agony, but nothing compared to when he pressed the hot blade to her back. He didn't grant her respite, but tied her hands behind her back, which irritated the wound, agitating her nerves until she passed out. The woman would be stored on a horse; employed to be a servant of Percival's when she awoke.
The Bean Shidh
The heat of the flames all around licked warmth against the pale flesh of the redhead as she stood there in the relative silence -- which was saying something because the screaming of the woman as she was repaired was loud enough to wake the dead. As if lulled by a sweet tune, Blythe closed her eyes and took in a slow and deep breath. It was held within her lungs for a handful of seconds before being exhaled slowly, calmly into the night air. Maddened blues reopened after a moment. Her duty was done for now. Soon, the soft soles of her boots would carry her toward the blazing scene until she stood like a private, frightening sentry just beside Percival. Those eyes watched Mosby a moment,as she had heard the words he'd shouted at Vizharen and apparently didn't care much for it, but... The weight of her gaze was soon turned away as Blythe merely stood in wait for now.
PercivalVizharen
Percival left the camp in his wake, enjoying the brisk southern breeze as it caught his cape and lifted it behind him. Another battle won in the name of England. Percival's dark eyes peered north, where they'd be heading in the morning.