Tatsumura Masamune
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Shogun of the Tou Fuu Shogunate
"You think this is something, you should hear about the Celestial Porpoise!"
Posts: 335
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Post by Tatsumura Masamune on Apr 14, 2009 9:56:14 GMT -5
Masamune looked about the field, the sea of red, silver, and various other colors sprinkled around from the Jovians, elves and his samurai. Two Jovians charged towards him, spears down. Masamune sidesteped them, cutting one spear in half as he did. He thrust his blade into a opening in the Jovian's armor at the neck, the following yell was gargled by the sound of choking blood and the impeding blade. Masamune pulls his blade out as he spins around, bringing the freed nodachi to the waist of the other soldier, spliting him in two. Before he can recover for another attack, he sees a third spearman charging him, he has no time to recover.
Then he sees the spear split by the gaijin blade, then watching the Jovian's hand being severed. Masamune turns around to see Akururi as the one responsible. He listens to the report given him before nodding to Akururi.
"Whatever made the catapults stop firing has given us some time to move in. It sounded like animals, and if I'm right, they won't stop the Jovians for long from firing again. Send some shugenja on these birds to knock out the rest of the catapults, and give the Jovians something to really deal with, like the kami. They will need cover to avoid the Jovian archers, have the elves start laying cover fire on the rear ranks. The Jovians are hiding their archers back there, mixed in with the troops."
Masamune pushed Akururi back as a few more Jovians moved in to attack, but they were quickly dispatched by Masamune, Akururi, and another samurai nearby.
"Tell the calvary to pull back and reform. We must ready our selves for when they send in another wave of soldiers. If the elves have any infantry, now would be a good time for them to be ready. I will give a sign to attack after I see the rest of the catapults go down. GO!! Pass along the orders!!"
Masamune turned to look at the field. The first lines of Jovians had been halted, and were being dealt with in a solid manner. He looked on to see the Commander of the Jovians taking up a position near the front of the remaining army.
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Post by Kaida NyteClaw on Apr 14, 2009 14:26:44 GMT -5
Swinging his hands about, not bothering to steer his avian friend, Denendir threw out a bunch of seeds. He started to talk in a funny language as most would see it. From the seeds plants grew so thick it entangled the Jovians feet within their binding vines.
Denendir thought that might help the Shogunate for a bit. But then a sudden volley of Javelins shot forth from a ballista sitting but 50 feet behind the jovian second wave. This simply would not do.
"Aflax, my brother hawk, there is trouble below. We must take out that ballista. Send in the Bear Patrol to take out the men?", Denendir asked him.
Aflax flew near Denendir and cawed in agreement before flying low out of the battlefield to the far side of the forest, he cawed to a small group of 10 or so bears varying in size. The largest was over 18 ft. tall standing on his hind legs. The group of bears roared in unison sending a terifying sense of fear throughout the rest of the forest, then started to run at great speed to the other end of the forest to the battlefield.
Meanwhile.... -----------------------
Denendir kept flying and throwing seeds, but the jovians kept advancing. He knew this would not do. He flew back to the Kyoden and found WolfBlade standing in the middle of the courtyard. He landed, grabbed up WolfBlade on the back of the Avian and took off from the surface. Flying high above the Jovian Empire, One could see their second wave was mobilizing. This would not do from his point of view.
Looking to WolfBlade, "Throw those seeds you have to muster, Brother. Let us stop their advance before its to late. We need time."
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Post by Arashi Okami on Apr 14, 2009 15:01:37 GMT -5
Okami walked out on to the field following Masamune. She kept her eyes straight as he gave her orders if he should fall in battle. She nods as he finishes, the realization of what those words mean doesn’t sink in yet. As they reached the middle of the field, the Jovian commander begins to speak. His face is hard from battles and his fearlessness shines through his dark eyes.
Their meeting ends just as soon as it began and the two groups return to their lines. Now that the samurai have refused the commanders orders, war is inevitable. Masamune rallies the lines behind them with a speech to be remembered for a lifetime and as he gives the Shogunate’s war cry, all of the samurai gave it back as “Bushido no tame ni” rang over the field.
Like a signal, their war cry was answered with catapults filled with stone. As the other catapults were prepared, the Jovians formed up their ranks. Shields formed walls that would be hard to break. As the two sides moved forward, Okami sent a silent prayer to Tsukiyomi, the god that her naginata was namesake, and ask him to help her break the wall. But as the two sides were ready to clash, a sound erupted that made them stop. The sound caught Okami’s breath; it was such a beautiful sound, one that she had never heard before. She had but a moment to let the sound sink in before she found herself charging at the Jovians, her hands griped tight on her weapon.
Moving her naginata down, she swipes below at the Jovians feet, the only place besides their heads that the shields didn’t cover. She feels her blade hit bone, and watches as two fall, their blood dying her blade. The shield wall starts to fall in some places as the samurai pound relentlessly upon it like waves on a rock. She moves through their lines, always keeping Masamune within her sights. She watched as he takes down two spearmen and noticed the third one. She trys to make it over, cutting down Jovians as she goes, but there were too many bodies between them. She holds her breath as the third spearmen charges, but release it when saw the outcome.
‘Leave it to Akaruri-san to come in at the last moment.’ Okami gives another sigh of relief. Masamune had turned to Akaruri now, but she could not hear what was exchanged, as the cries from the battlefield are too great. Finally reaching his side, Okami looks up at her shogun, awaiting their next move.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 14, 2009 15:12:27 GMT -5
A plunging,snorting elf-horse reined in next to them and both instinctively moved to defend before seeing it was one of the captains of the elven force. Both he and his horse were spattered with blood-both theirs and that of the enemies'. The stallion snorted,pawing at the ground. The elf looked down at the two;wiping his stained blade clean on his saddle-skirt with a look of grim distaste.
"Tatsumura heruatani, taro mellon and Storm-ohta, taro otorno," the elf said,then continued in accented,carefully pronounced common;his melodic voice distant and cool. "The archers of your enemy are dealt with. Ours took them out as we approached,before the..charge yes?,was sounded. You have nothing to fear from them. We could not reach the ...catulpults though." The elf's eyes flickered. " My people are already beginning to pull back for another assault. If you need us."
Two, silver-tipped,white-fletched arrows sang past,loosed by horsed archers;embedding themselves deep into the throats of two Jovians that happened to be too close. The captain never moved,his violet eyes on Storm, Tatsumura and the other warrior near them. "As for if we have infantry,that is a question to be asking us and not Storm."
That violet gaze caught on and held Storm. " Your pendant glows," the elf noted with a strange note in his voice. "Our Queen calls you.." His gaze swung back to Tatsumura;his tone flattening and eyes glinting with something like dulled anger or resignation. " We have taken some losses but until my queen should order otherwise,we will honor her friendship with you and help you and yours to defend your home. No elf will desert field unless our Lady Starbrow orders us or life is reft from us. If you signal, we will mount another attack after yours." The elf touched a fist briefly to his breastplate. "Remember in future not to ask elves not to fight-especially if it is to aid friends of their Queen." With that,the elf wheeled his stallion and sprang away.
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Post by Sir Storm Brightblade on Apr 14, 2009 20:32:01 GMT -5
Storm nodded in agreement with his lord and turned as he heard another horse coming, thinking it was a random horsemen of the Jovians. He put his blades down when he realized it was a captain.
"Your pendant glows," was all that Storm heard when he looked down and saw it was in fact glowing. He looked at the nearby samurai and realized it was one of his own.
"Do as Tatsamura-dono tells you and round up shugenjas. I need to round up the cavalry," he saw the samurai nod and run back to the armies of the shogunate, "would you mind giving me a lift my good elf? I need to respond to the queen?"
The elf nodded and pulled Storm upon his saddle and ride off the field. Storm yelled the commands to every rider that he saw and told them to spread the word and meet back in the forest. The two reached the forest and Storm dismounted. He braced himself against a tree and clutched his amulet, trying to focus on hearing Elestirne's voice.
'Oselle, flee. I can't afford you to get hurt here. It's too risky, I will lead your elves back the way you came, but don't come here. I couldn't stand you getting killed, oselle. There's a thousand strong and we have just broken the first line. There's more of them probably coming. So please oselle, leave while you can" Storm thought, pleading.
When Storm finished sending the message, he looked up and saw the cavalry already assembled. There was a few missing but the majority still remained.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 15, 2009 15:10:44 GMT -5
Elestirne breathed a relieved sigh as she felt Storm's contact. Good, he was well. That relief faded though at his words and her expression became almost stricken. Authion looked at her with concern but she did not see it and he refrained from speaking to her-for fear of disrupting the connection or her concentration.
A numb feeling of hurt and dismay touched Elestirne, hurt and dismay that the closest and dearest of her mortal friends would ask-nay expect-her to turn her back on he, her friends and her warriors and flee; run away from the battle, stay away from it like a mortal woman, like one of their ladies.. Did he think so little of her ability to defend herself or was concern overriding all? Some of her hurt filtered in the connection and she knew he felt and saw it.
Still a knight, she thought to herself, faintly wryly. Protect the women and protect royalty...she was both and so, doubly important to protect. But she was also elf,and fiercely loyal. She had a duty and obligation to her friends and her warriors,to help and protect them. She would not abandon them. Her voice when she answered Storm was sorrowful and resigned-hurt-and carried grim resolve.
My otorno...how could you ever suggest such a thing? I know you are concerned and wish to look out for me but you forget that I am elf and warrior, not a human lady. You cannot expect me to flee this, to just...leave you all here. I have a duty and obligation to help and protect my people as their Queen, and to you and Tatsumura as your friend and ally. I will not leave any of you to stay and fight while I stay safe and hidden. It will not happen brother. I have had to leave friends behind once already this night and I will not do so a second time. Do not ask it of me. Please.
The Jovians threatening you are the only ones. The others are engaged with attacking and seizing Mittelmarch. Doubtless, they thought the kyuden was a little threat and easily taken. They did not anticipate you being forewarned, nor my elves. You have only this thousand to deal with. If any others threatened Olore and I would know.
Her tone gentled now,but retained its hurt and sorrow. Storm, brother...please understand. I cannot,will not flee. It will remind me too much of fleeing the ambush on the escort to the Black Door, or of watching helplessly while Karn burned Mittelmarch. No brother I cannot,will not run-it would feel like a failure. Besides otorno you told me once, our first meeting, that you would honor my wish to fight if it was my wish. Has that changed? If it will ease your heart at all you may ride at my shoulder so that I am always in your sight. But you cannot sway me on this. Please respect my wish. She ceased speaking and dismounted,looking to Authion briefly. "We are going to help. They are preparing a second attack."
"My lady Elestirne I cannot..."
"Storm already tried that, old friend," Elestirne interjected without even looking up. "He did not dissuade me and you will not. I will not run this time. I came back to help my friends and I intend to. I know the risks Authion. If I get hurt in this...well then you and Storm can take turns scolding. But it is my friends and people out there fighting. I have the right to be besides them."
Authion looked at her,mouth agape for a moment, then to Olore. The stallion shook his head against the protest forming on the elf-knight's lips. Authion shut his mouth and sighed. "Your armour is in Olore's saddlebags, I packed it as a precaution. Some of Olore's too." Again the knight shook his head. He had also dismounted by this time. "I packed mine as well for..how is it mortals say? 'just in case'. "
Elestirne touched his shoulder lightly. "Thank you. Please understand this is my chance to help where I was prevented before and I will not give it up."
Authion only nods wearily. As Elestirne disappears into a small copse of trees to don armour-guarded by Olore-the elf-knight could be heard to mutter under his breath. "Compassionate and deeply caring like her mother...stubborn and couragous like her father. Makes me remember why I serve her."
In a surprisingly short time, the two were fully armoured and ready. Elestirne's eyes glittered faintly as she finished buckling the swords around her waist and Olore snorted,pawing the ground lightly. Night was beginning to wane. Another hour or so would bring dawn. As the slender elf-queen swung up into the saddle, she sent her thoughts out to Storm once more. Look for me otorno... We are not far.
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Post by Sir Storm Brightblade on Apr 16, 2009 21:31:08 GMT -5
Storm frowned and put his helmet back on while standing up. The message he was trying to convey wasn't out of cowardice, but just for safety.
'Oselle, I meant no disrespect but you have to think of Artanor's sake and while you have the chance to safely make it out of here safely, I strongly suggest you take it. I can't protect everyone and I know you can take care of yourself, but I would be crushed if you were to be killed in this fight. If you wish to join, then we shall go down together. But I was merely looking out for everyone, and for that I apologize my lady.'
Storm pulled up his visor and whistled for Angelos, who was nearby and mounted while waiting for the signal to charge.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 17, 2009 16:53:32 GMT -5
One of the elven-captains-the violet-eyed one whom had come upon Storm and Tatsumura earlier-rode up now. The elven-force had all safely slipped away to a deeper position in the surrounding woods and reassembled there.
The elf studied the warrior curiously. He appeared distracted and the ancient pendant he wore-a pendant the Queen had a duplicate of-was glowing softly. Was he, perhaps, talking to the Queen? All of the elves knew of the connection and almost uncanny friendship between the Queen and Storm. He waited politely a moment before speaking.
"It would be good to know Queen's otorno, just what happened at this meeting you attended with her and why she had to meet this sorcerer. And also why she and Lord Authion did not return with you, why it is you are here to command us and not them. It does not feel right to be preparing for battle without them-especially without the Queen." His violet eyes bored into Storm. His inquiries were perhaps a little bold but the situation merited them, he felt.
"We have the right to know," interjected one of the other captains;coming up on Storm's other side. It was the elf-maid Tatsumura had spoken to. "Has something happened to our Queen, or to Lord Authion? If you know we would have you tell us." Unlike her counterpart, there was no trace of an accent, nor any careful framing to her speech. She spoke precisely,clearly,her tones almost sharp-as was the deep blue gaze she leveled at Storm. Direct questions like this were bold but they were in battle and in such a situation the usual politenes of avoiding direct questions could be ignored. "If anything has happened to the Lady, or our commander-or you know where they are-tell us."
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Post by Sir Storm Brightblade on Apr 18, 2009 0:40:59 GMT -5
Storm sat upon his horse, gazing out into the distant but not really looking at anything.
"Your queen is safe," Storm said with a very monotonic voice, "She and Captain Authion decided to ride to Mittelmarch to aid in whatever she could, but was forced to flee from the city. She now rides to meet us here, hopefully before the signal is called for the charge."
Storm turns to the male captain and stares into his eyes.
"Have you ever had to protect your queen from harm, Captain," Storm asked, "Picture this, your queen is in the lair of the most deadliest predator in the world. She walks into there calmly, showing no signs of fear. You know that she must go alone, but you wish to so earnestly protect her but know you can't because she must face this alone. That is what happened at this meeting my good sir. Luckily nothing serious happened to her, but I wish your queen knew when to listen sometimes, even when it does hurt."
Storm turned forward and looked ahead again, waiting for the signal.
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Post by Kaida NyteClaw on Apr 18, 2009 1:48:36 GMT -5
Flying high above the canopy, overlooking the kyoden one could see that forces were mobilizing. Denendir chuckled at the thought of things. Roaring, Howling, and cawing began going off as all animals similtaneously came at the jovians. Birds, squirrels, wolfs all attacked those guards guarding these monstrosities built to harm the walls and buildings of the kyoden. Bears of great immense stature charged from behind the ranks, startling and killing those that tried to wield these massive war machines.
Denendir flew over to where thought best, reaching back and grasping those seeds which WolfBlade had decided to lend to him to stop the advance. Denendir looked down to the little men before him and saying, "Live not in the past, but in the present. Worry not what is in the future, but worry how you get there.", with this short mumbling to himself he dropped these magical seeds onto the soil blood and bodies now lay upon, while chanting words and holding his hand down at these seeds.
Vines, Trees, bushes seemed to all rush upwards towards Denendir. Massive vines had woven in around and through all trees surrounding the kyoden facing the impending forces of the Jovian Army. A 25ft wall of nothing but thick dense, almost impentrable and inmovable wall of shrubs and plants and vines lay before all that battle here. The bodies of the fallen ones lay beneath it feeding this wall with lively energy.
Denendir felt pain and suffering from those that were injured. He felt his forehead and veins starting to pulse and hurt. His eyes were slightly bloodshot. He clenched his head as if to scream.
Those within audible range, heard from the skies a loud yelling of immense power, anguish, and hatred. Denendir had seemed calm before but all this bloodshed, and over what. He could hear those voices of the wounded in his head. All those feelings from all within himself.
"Rid the Jovians from their footholds, my lovelies!", Denendir said before releashing his anger in one final spell he left for dire times. His hand released several small seeds that were a dark brown and red and glowing. They settled to the top of the wall he had created and then slowly began to enter into it as part of it. With each seed grew a large carnivorous plant that sharp thorns for teeth and vines for arms.
One of these plants reached out and grabbed two jovian soldiers, eating one right off the bat ofcourse. The other it tried to strangle.
Screams of the jovians dying left and right could be heard from the opposing side of this wall. No harm to those on the latter side.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 18, 2009 16:47:29 GMT -5
The two captains looked at each other, slightly stunned, then back to Storm. “What..?” the golden-haired female started. “You…”
She started to say more, but the male waved her to silence curtly. He looked at Storm keenly; reading the nuances in the mortal’s behavior and posture and noting his tone. The young warrior knew more than he was saying, much more. He wasn’t lying, but nor was he saying everything either. More had happened than he was making it seem. And he did not want to talk about it.
The captain’s eyes narrowed; many thoughts and questions entering his mind. Such as why his Queen had gone back to Mittelmarch and been forced to flee, instead of returning directly with Storm...or why she would choose to return now...if she knew of the situation…and many others that could not be answered at this time.. A possible explanation for Storm’s almost-to him-sulky behavior did occur to the elven-captain though after hearing his words and he met the warrior’s gaze unblinkingly. He put a hand on Storm’s shoulder, noting yet again the odd mixed armour. His tone was almost as gentle as the contact.
“If you tried to tell the Lady to stay clear of the battle and not return then I cannot pity you, though I can and do sympthasize. Among us Storm, our monarchs are expected to look out for and protect their people-yea even risk their lives to ensure that they are safe. An elven monarch’s place in battle is not hidden away somewhere safe, nor at the back where they will be able to get…safely away? retreat?-should danger threaten too near.” The captain silently cursed his unfamiliarity with this common tongue as he struggled to explain.
“Their place is at the head; meeting the threat to their people...head-on yes? With their people. It is considered…cowardly? not to be willing to stand and fight with the rest of your people, to flee to safety while leaving your people in danger still. If you suggested to the queen that she not fight, but flee and stay away somewhere safe-waiting on the outcome- you would have hurt her. It is no wonder she did not listen. It may seem like needlessly putting herself into danger to you, but observe that no one denied your Lord Tatsumura his place at the head of the line; standing proudly with his people against what threatens. Is it any different for Lady Elestirne, for all that she is female? Or is there another reason you feel so strongly against her taking the field Queen’s otorno?”
The elf subjected Storm to another unblinking look. “Do not doubt her, or her decisions. Trust her, as we do. She is wise beyond her years and she has honored Olore and Commander Authion at her side. She may walk into a wolf’s den, but it is never with no reason, or no plan."
"We have scouts posted at wood's edge to look for your Lord Tatsumura's signal," the other captain interjected now;noting Storm's resolute forward gaze and almost tense posture. "We will know if we are needed."
"Ware!!," came a warning hiss in elven from one of the scouts in the trees above. "Riders approaching!"
The lines instantly tensed and the camouflaging gray-green cloaks were donned;horses and elves somehow effortlessly blending into the forest in a moment. A tense minute or two passed before another hissing call came, tinged with joy and surprise:
"It's the Queen and Olore! And Lord-Commander Authion!"
The concealing cloaks were thrown back and,just as swiftly and silently as they had disappeared, the elves rematerialized, They waited intently;word swiftly spreading through the ranks.
After only a moment, there came a soft glimmering among the trees and soon after Olore and his rider were readily available. Authion on Mornaur was right behind,Thalon walking free at his side.
Attention though, was focused on the Queen. She was fully armoured in her sleeveless silver-gold chain dress and mithril fauld, breastplate, greaves, bracers and pauldrons embossed with elven-runes. Beneath the armour she wore a skirt and tunic in midnight blue and silver. The front of the skirt showed a silver embroidered openwork star and the collar worn over her breastplate was of silver-gold metal,enameled in deep blue with the symbol of Artanor in silver at the throat. Her helm rested on the saddle, but her long hair was braided back partly.
Her expression was sorrowful,strained-almost grim-and her face seemed pale. She scanned the elves that bowed all around her at her's and Olore's approach. Her eyes alighted at last on Storm and Olore immediately and unerringly shifted his course to bring them to the mortal.
He halted right before Storm and,with respectful bows, the two elf-captains reined their steeds away a short distance to grant them some privacy. Authion went to them and the three began to speak softly. Elestirne looked directly at Storm. Her silver eyes reflected a deep weariness,tension, pain and sorrow in just one glance, and almost a pleading for understanding.
"Otorno, please understand." Her voice was soft and low. "I understand you did not mean to imply cowardice in your suggestion for flight, only concern. But cowardice is exactly what it would seem like to me. Elven monarchs will not run from battle if it threatens our people or our lives. We cannot. Our obligation is to protect,serve and look out for those we govern. Our place in battle is at the head;facing the danger without fear. I cannot hide in the back and I cannot flee." She looked at him,utterly solemn.
"If it eases your mind aught brother, I swear to you as your oselle that I will keep myself as safe as you and not risk myself unduly. You will guard my shoulder and back,as I will yours. Should I become injured at any point I will remove myself from the field to safety. I promise you this. If I cannot...it falls to you or Authion to get me off field so that I will keep this oath-for I will not have it said that I do not keep my promises."
Olore came forward a pace and Elestirne leaned over to clasp Storm's shoulders. "It hurts me that I cannot do as you ask and keep myself from this field but nor can I betray my obligation to be with my people and fight with them. I shall not get myself killed Storm." A distant look came into her eyes. "It is not my time, and it is not yours brother. And trust me,I know of my obligation and duty to Artanor... You have nothing to apoligize for. Nothing. I am sorry I upset you. Now let us forget this and watch out for each other in this battle, as brother and sister should." She held out her forearm in invitation for Storm to clasp,her silver eyes solemn and earnest. "Now we are both oath-sworn to keep safe as can be and will not allow harm to come to the other if we can avoid it." The elves watched with astonishment-though the majority had not understood what was said,as Elestirne had spoken in the common tongue-but they understood something of import had happened/been said and they waited anxiously to see what Storm would do..
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Post by Sir Storm Brightblade on Apr 20, 2009 16:07:17 GMT -5
Storm heard the lady captain start to speak but stopped suddenly.
"If you have something to say captain, then say it. I am a man who likes to hear his soldiers, if only temporary, thoughts."
But with the other captain gave her a look and she decided not to respond. Storm listened to what the captain had to say and took it to heart.
"Captain, I only asked the lady to stay away because we do not know how many soldiers are coming and with our little forces, I don't want to risk her life and artanor's because of it having no heir."
Storm heard that a rider was coming, but didn't put his cloak on. If it was Jovian he wouldn't need to fear when he knew the elves were not five feet from him. When the queen came into view, Storm faced forward again and pulled his visor down. He had no wish for his oselle to see him like this.
He heard her ride up and acknowledged her presence. He didn't look at her because he realized that he had made her upset and didn't want to see the pain he caused. He merely stared forward and spoke.
"Oselle, I can't promise you that I can watch you all the time. I have the Fuuma samurai to lead. Even with the thousand that are here, I would rather not risk you safety. But I promise that I will watch out when I can and will give you that lecture you know you deserve." Storm said, hearing a tiny hint of laughter in his voice near the end.
As much as he hated it, he couldn't be angry at her. He wished she listened to his opinions sometimes, but understood the need to lead the people. Even if it did cost you your life.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on Apr 24, 2009 13:52:53 GMT -5
The captain looked at Storm keenly. Sympathy lit his gaze but his face remained nuetral as he nodded faintly. "No, but she seems to know. Do trust her. Stubborn she may be at times but you know as well as us that honored Olore would not let her come if it was too dangerous." The captain's face turned grim. "But we wish she would not risk as well, being yet mateless and heirless. However she does have an obligation to stand with us in battle;being our Queen and we her people. Pray you can keep her out of too much danger, or that Olore can."
When the warning hiss sounded the elves immediately drew their cloaks over themselves and melted into the enviroment. The captain wondered why Storm did not follow suit but did not dwell on it. The elves would protect him. Elestirne would be most wroth if they did not. When the call came that it was the Queen and Commander Authion, the elves immedietly relaxed and threw their cloaks back over their shoulders;reappearing. They watched as the Queen on Olore came into view with Authion trailing; noting with concern her taut, almost pale, face. When they noticed where her eyes had fallen they bowed and moved out of the way, clearing her path as swiftly as possible. Th el-captain noted perceptively how Storm pulled his visor down and faced towards the front once more upon hearing that it was the Queen.
As she reached him and spoke, Authion came over to he and the other captain with a grim look, and, at their questions, filled in the missing holes to Storm's story. The two captains bristled, but forced themselves to stay calm, and reverted to watching the exchange between the queen and Storm.
~~~
Elestirne kept her unblinking gaze on Storm, though he resolutely would not look at her. She knew and understood why, but her sculpted lips thinned just a little as her silver eyes narrowed a hint.
"Storm I know. I do not ask or expect you to look out for me all the time. Only when you can otorno. As I shall for you. You have your samurai to lead in Kotaro's place. As I have my people to lead and look out for. Neither of us will be able to watch out for each other every second of this battle,but we shall do so when we can. I have your promise and you have mine. That will be enough." A faint smile flickered at her lips at hearing the hint of laughter in his voice at the end of his last coment and some relief seeped into her face as he clasped her forearm, though he still would not look at her.
"Not only your lecture otorno. Authion's as well. And I will willingly endure both, for I know that I have deserved them. But you must wait to give them. First we must get through this, and end the threat to your home and your new-found brothers and sisters. Afterwards, then you and Authion may compete for the most severe lecture. But trust me when I say I know what I risk and will not put myself in undue danger. I am to important. There is no one to replace me should I be killed." At those last comments her melodic voice held the faintest discordant chime of bitterness and resentment. In full view of her people she hugged the mortal warrior gently.
Turning in her saddle she faced her force now;expression resolved. Spoken in elven, her next words held clear command. "Captains! Tell me the situation."
The two captains that had been conversing with Authion came forward and,after a look to each other, the violet-eyed male spoke;swiftly filling her in. The other five captains hovered behind them.
Elestirne took in the account of the battle so far, and the reasons for their removal to this position, thought a moment,then raised her hand. The elf fell silent immediently.
"You have done well. And you were right to choose to help Lord Tatsumura instead of stay out of the fray. I would have been most disoppointed if you had stood passively by. No doubt he will remember you. And I thank you brother, for leading my people when I could not." Her words were spoken in elven, but one of the mages thoughtfully cast a spell that translated them to common for Storm's sake. "Here is what we will do. Dawn is only an hour or so away. As the sun rises, we will charge again. The Jovians will be blinded by the light glancing off our armour and swords. It will create a few moments of disorientation, moments Lord Tatsumura will hopefully use to rally his surviving troops and initiate a second charge as well. With luck, he will break through the barriers Lord Denendir enacted with his magic, and be ready when he sees us charge.
"The horsed archers will follow the knights,those on foot will stay here or take up a position on the edge of the field. I want the scouts to stay out of sight and continue doing as you have been;perhaps reporting anything interesting you see to the nearest captain. The infantry I will send to Tatsumura,to help supplement his remaining forces. I expect you to listen to him as you would me. Half of the mages I want to go with-six each of the wood-elves and high elves- to help as you may or he needs, and to swiftly get the infantry to his side without the knowledge of the Jovians. The rest stays here with me. Those of you mages that go with your captain and the infantry will follow Borineth, who will lead you. Borineth, you will follow Tatsumura. Go to him now, and swiftly. Let it be known that I am here and what will be done. We will sound a horncall to signal the charge. Fight well,and with honor." The golden-haired female nodded grimly. The mage-captain came forward and, after both had bowed deeply to the Queen, and the infantry had gathered behind Borineth and her sub-captain, the mages enacted spells of invisibility and swift travel. In no time, that segment of elves had disappeared and gone.
Elestirne did not attempt to mask her sorrow as she turned to her remaining forces. "To the edge of the wood. We shall await the dawn." Without a word the elves fell into rank and with utter silence,and camoflauged by their cloaks, made their way the relatively short distance to the wood's edge, where they could see the Jovians massing together again-despite the harrying from Denendir and his helpers-and could see too, the wall with its plants that he had raised. As they arrived and with silent hand gestures began to draw together in battle formations there came a yell from above them of great anger and anguish. The elves looked to the skies but were otherwise unaffected.
Elestirne however,paled at the shout. She had not yet put up her defenses to dull and block out the feelings of general suffering and death she knew she would inevitably recieve. Some of the losses had been her own, she knew,but she couldn't let herself care now. Her empathy would endanger her if she let herself feel too much. And that would help neither her, nor her people. Denendir's shout though-and the pain and anguish in it-made her wince and start in the saddle. Olore bent his head to nuzzle her and with his aid she fought her way past the unexpected pain and called up her shields. Once they were up, she breathed a relieved sigh and pressed one hand to her temples. Her silver eyes scanned the field, face nuetral, as she waited;one slender hand patting Olore's shining neck gratefully.
Reaching out, she touched, Denendir's mind lightly. Lord Denendir, I am here,with my people. Pull yourself and your helpers away. Let the Jovians regroup. Dawn is perhaps only an hour off and I will be leading my cavalry in another charge the moment the sun rises to disorient and blind the remaining Jovians. At the same time as we charge Tatumsumura hopefully will also do so-with his surviving forces and my infantry.
~~~
Meanwhile Borineth and her elves materialized suddenly with no warning next to the Lord Tatsumura's forces. There were a few cries of surprise and some drawing of weapons, but the elves shushed them quickly. The golden-haired captain found herself right next to the mortal lord, who, strangely for his race, had purple eyes. As he turned to her, she waved the mages to flanking positions and answered his wondering,curious look with frank, quick words as she pulled her glaive and other weapons from the saddle, dismounted,and set her horse running free;grateful now that she knew and could speak the common tongue.
"Do not question. My lady-queen sent us, in her wisdom. She has returned from the meeting went awry and will take the field with us, as is meet and expected of an elven monarch, but against the wishes of her otorno, Storm. I and my force are to help and stand with you as best as we can. The mages too." Borineth, put a fist to her breastplate and tapped it in a gesture of respect. "They all answer to me. And I, on the orders of my Queen, am to answer to you. It would be good to know how best we can assist you.
"Another thing. The Lady Starbrow intends to lead another charge with the cavalry at dawn;using the sunlight to blind and disorient these... Jovians? A horncall will precede it. She would know if you will rally your forces, do away with this wall-perhaps our mages can help you in that- and charge at the same time as the cavalry in a devastating, two-pronged attack. There will be losses, inevitably, but one strong, syrnchronized attack will be the finishing of these enemies of yours. Only these thousand have come to threaten you." Finishing, the golden-haired warrior looked at the mortal lord levelly; her deep blue eyes solemn and glittering, face hard, and waited his answer and reaction to her words and their appearence.
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Tatsumura Masamune
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Shogun of the Tou Fuu Shogunate
"You think this is something, you should hear about the Celestial Porpoise!"
Posts: 335
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Post by Tatsumura Masamune on Apr 29, 2009 8:18:05 GMT -5
Masamune watched in surprise as the wall formed between the opposing lines. He also watched as his samurai finished off the last of the Jovians from the original attack. He began giving orders to get his warriors together. As his samurai began to fall into formation, the elves appeared.
He listened to the information given to him by the she-elf, and looked to the trees once hearing that Elestrine was joining the battle. He breathed deep, perparing to say something regarding the matter, but held back. It was her decision, and he would not be able to talk her out of it. Masamune turned to the elven commander before speaking.
"I have an idea to deal with the wall, i will just need a minute. And thank you for your support."
Masamune walked up to the wall of vines and growth. He looked it over for a moment, before setting his hand on it. As he did, the winds began to blow around him, freezing winds that made all around move back.
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Post by Kaida NyteClaw on Apr 29, 2009 8:56:58 GMT -5
Denendir, after setting Wolfblade back on the ground in the kyoden, took flight once more. He swirled up into the air. He sat while his avian friend say in air flapping, slowly stroking his light yellowish red feathers. Watching an icy wind pull around Lord Masamune, Denendir closed his eyes and focused on Masamune's spell, He slow moved his hands in circles, the wind around blew harder and stronger filled with a chill that would freeze you. Denendir had but to point and is gusted past Masamune at the wall of vines and growth, this added to the effect to help Masamune break it. But it also killed the Man Eating plants on the other side of the wall before the Lord broke through the wall.
"Faux, dear friend, care to accompany?" Deneendir Mindspoke to his feather friend, much smaller than the one he is able to ride.
Faux cawed aloud before landing on Denendir's arm. He noticed a few blood smears in his feathers, probably due to pecking at the foes. Denendir slowly decended to the ground right behind Lord Tatsumara. Hearing Lady Elestirne's words of wise, he brough his hands up near his chin melded them together in a certain pattern, said an invocation and clapped his hands together. Upon making the clapping noise, all Avians and riders returned beside Denendir in a small cluster on the ground.
Denendir sent out a message before standing to watch Tatsumara break through, "Lady Elestirne, I sense you were tense not that long ago, I do hope you are alright. I wanted to try and be there to support you, but things had gotten outta hand, I could not leave. I pray there might be sometime to talk before this battle must commence??"
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Tatsumura Masamune
Moderator
Shogun of the Tou Fuu Shogunate
"You think this is something, you should hear about the Celestial Porpoise!"
Posts: 335
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Post by Tatsumura Masamune on May 9, 2009 7:37:06 GMT -5
Masamune feels the rush of wind around him as he perpares himself. He keeps his eyes closed for the moment. Then he hears it, the sound of the elven horns.
He opens his eyes, and lets out a loud cry, pushing into the wall of vines. The wall rapidly freezes within moments, freezing even the man eating plants on the other side. He pulls his hand back, and thrust it forward a second time, followed my another loud cry. The wall explodes, sending chuncks and shards of a thousand sizes flying toward the formed jovian lines.
After a few moments, the mist clears, and the winds vanish. Masamune looks on to the the now shattered wall covers the battlefield, with a nice chunk of it laying amongst the jovians themselves, who are now in disaray and bewilderment at what has just happened.
With that, Masamune holds up Murasame, and he along with the combined samurai and elven infantry, charge.
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Post by Kaida NyteClaw on May 16, 2009 11:21:29 GMT -5
Seeing that the entire wall was destroyed, Denendir pulled out a small antler horn and blew into it. A resounding horn went off as he flew around on the Avian gathering up the rest of his Avian group he hovered over the Jovian Empire. He turned suddenly as the Sun started to rise from the east heralding bright rays across the land.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on May 21, 2009 17:06:17 GMT -5
ooc: Firstly I should like to apoligize to everyone involved in this story for my delay in responding. There has been much stress for me these last weeks between my father and his health, makinging up homework and tests and then finals. I have barely had the time to breathe and rest, let alone post for this story. I hope this post makes up for the delay and wait.
Elestirne sat Olore. her face drawn and taut as she waited for the dawn. Authion was on one side, equally grim and tense, and Storm was on her other. Owing to his visor, she could not see his expression, but she got the impression that he was still upset. She could not help that-her duty to her people was clear. Behind these two the remaining captains were arrayed and behind them, the rest of the elven force; all shrouded in their gray-green cloaks.
The elven-queen closed her eyes, feeling a slight wind tease across her face briefly. Somewhere, back in the woods, a lark began to sing softly. She could sense tension building. Her force was like a drawn bow,waiting for release... She heard Denendir's words but did not respond. She was aware of a messenger and scout coming up to her. Their hurried whispers informed her one, that Tatsumura was awaiting a signal and that Denendir had joined him, and two, that the sun was beginning to rise. The elves behind her sensed this and a few shifted restlessly.
Elestirne waited,drawing out the moment, then, still with her eyes closed, lifted one hand slightly. The tension in the air sharpened palpably as the elves stiffened and waited for her signal.
"My queen?", one of the captains inquired softly.
At the same time, Authion spoke. "My lady? The sun is beginning to rise. We must act now or we will lose the advantage."
Not opening her eyes,Elestirne nodded,very faintly,and signaled with the upraised hand. Things sprang into abrupt motion. She was concious of the elves shifting into formation;lances and swords being brought to bear, helmets,armour and shields being adjusted;of a few of the elves lifting horns to their lips... As the first clear notes rang out in the pre-dawn stillness to herald the dawn;resounding across the field to wash against the ears of all those who could hear,Elestirne at last opened pained silver eyes. She watched the Jovians,recognizing the sound, instinctively turn towards her postition. At the same time though, a chill wind blew up and froze the wall. And the plants on it. Tatsumura's doing,she noted. And Denendir's,she had to add;sensing other magic to the spell. After a few seconds the wall shattered outward;scattering chunks throughout the Jovian ranks and disorienting them. Casting a quick glance over one shoulder, she noted the woods were beginning to lighten. It was time.
She drew one of her swords and held it high. Olore reared and the blade shone like a star as it caught the first light of dawn;reflecting it both back to the elves behind her and to the Jovians and hers and Tatsumura's joined footsoldiers. As Olore came back to earth,Elestirne waved her forces to action. The elven horns pealed out again-clear and ringing-and the elf-horses surged forward without urging as their riders threw back their cloaks and brandished their weapons.
They burst from the wood in a flurry of movement just as the sun rose and cast its first golden rays over the land;bathing the battlefield in soft light. That light also glinted off the helmets,armour and weaponry of the charging elves,and off the armour of their mounts;reflecting it back at the Jovians and dazzling and blinding them. With their bright armour and weapons,and the light of the sun behind them, the charging elves must have appeared as avenging angels-or fiendish light-demons-Elestirne noted with a small bit of wryness; remembering the Jovian attitude towards non-humans. Due to the angle of light and direction of the charge though, most of the Jovians could not see anything unless they squinted directly into the light. And by then it was too late for them.
The elves crashed into the disoriented Jovian ranks with all the force of a wave coming in to land;the horses nimbly leaping some of the spears leveled for them. At that very moment, Elestirne heard a loud cry and was aware of Tatsumura and her infantry charging as well. Denendir and his avians she did not see though and she hoped they were allright. Her attention had to be focused on her battle though. She and her elves had driven a semi-deep wedge into the red-clad Jovians and thier silvery,milky armour stood out vividly amongst all the crimson. However the Jovians had recovered well enough to begin attacking and the fighting was furious. Fortunately though, only a third had followed her. As she had planned, the other two thirds of the mounted warriors, with the mounted archers had spilt off at the last instant-using the Jovians' blindness to utmost advantage-to harry and harrass either flank as she drove her wedge in;simultaneously disorienting them and nearly halving their ranks-a thing neatly achieved when Tatsumura and his forces charged. As soon as he had charged, the elven knights had regrouped and charged back into the Jovians while the mounted archers harassed them.
Thus divided, the Jovians were far easier to deal with,and with no archers of their own, they were no match for her mounted bowmen,who found the crimson armour perfect targets as they ghosted past on their fleet-footed steeds. Her knights and their war-horses fought ferociously and she was aware of Authion and Storm doing the same. Her own swords flashed and blurred as they wove their own dance of death and Olore reared and kicked with daunting ferocity. A Jovian that tried to impale him found himself holding a shattered spear and then very quickly became trampled to a pulp. Another that somehow got near enough to lay a hand on the saddle blanket ended up crushed between Olore and Mornaur. A third unfortunate found himself ran through with her blade,then beheaded by Storm. For a few minutes it continued on like this.
"Otorno!," she called to Storm once there was a small lull. "Get you to Tatsumura when you can and help him. You cannot spend all of battle watching out for me,as you said so yourself. You need to be where you are most needed. With Kotaro missing you must take charge of the Fuuma samurai. They need someone to lead them and you are the most obvious choice."
If he had answered her, she did not hear;as Olore reared and whirled with an ear-shattering scream of challenge. Some Jovians had found their way past Authion's guard-and through the score of knights that were guarding all three of them-and were coming for her. Olore's lashing forefeet smote such a blow on one he broke his skull. The warrior's partner flinched backward-out of range,he thought-whereupon Olore simply spun and delivered a crushing kick with both hindfeet to the chest;sending the man flying backwards,out of the fight and into the darkness of death.
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Post by Kaida NyteClaw on May 26, 2009 23:27:53 GMT -5
Denendir sat with his Avian Unit watching the battle commence. He knew he had to do something anything to sway how this battle would come out. Denendir saw where everyone was and it just seemed that the armies were evenly matched. Seeing that his animal companions on ground had dealt some damage and then left. Denendir knew they were safe from harm now.
He saw that the Jovian Leader and some Very Heavy Armored lackeys sat at the back ready to hold ground. They had joined the battle at the back of this Blood Thirsty army of Humans. For humans their strategy was very bland. Nothing new to the Elven Race. They had seen this kind of battle for centuries to follow.
Denendir saw his chance, he ordered his Avian Riders to join the battle and take out each flanking man so that the Elven Riders could surround their foes. Denendir couldn't join this part of the battle plan, because he was well taxed from his magic. He could do little in the way of magic form. Though Denendir did still have his hand weapons he could use on the ground or in the air. Denendir picked his target, a small group of Jovian Soldiers who fought with their backs to each other, Denendir spoke some elven words and the Avian he perched on, nosedived towards this small group. Seeing that he was closing in, Denendir grasped the sword that lay on his side, Denendir swung just a little outward from the avian and brought the sword behind him still angled outward. As the Avian dove Denendir jumped off and rolled between all of the group of Jovians to tumble inbetween and slice all of there calf muscles. All those Jovians fell to the group grasping their legs, a few of them were unable to grasp their weapons. Though a couple tried to attack Denendir still with the pain writhing at their minds.
Denendir sought this as an opportunity, He slung his sword back in the scabbard and hopped back to a small clearing between soldiers in enough time to draw his bow and knock a single Dark Green Arrow, Aiming not at the Jovians but the ground in the middle Denendir let loose this arrow and as it traveled it changed into a web of vines which upon impact latched to the ground covering all 5 or so Jovians underneath.
Seeing that more Jovians Advanced on him, Denendir retracked his bow into his quiver and pulled the sword and a dagger out and started to get into a defensive stance. The Jovian soldier nearest him lashed out with his might behind a shield and a Bastard Sword. Denendir side stepped the slash down and caught the shield at the side with his dagger before slicing at the midchest area on this jovian with the Sword he held. It cut a little bit under the armor enough to draw a little blood, nothing severe. Before being able to react enough though another Jovian had a spear and had nicked Denendir's side with it, causing a slight wound to be seen through his tattered clothing now. Denendir looked down at this wound, seeing it there made him angry. Denendir ripped his shirt off in one swift movement and growled as loud as he could, his eyes a fiery yellow now and his body covered in blue flames.
"You, Jovian Scum. Think you can handle me, huh?? To bad you wont live to see the end of this battle.", Denendir yelled before throwing his dagger and hitting the Jovian square in the chest, of whom dropped the spear and as those around watched the dagger caught the Jovian on fire and burned him. The blue fire had covered the dagger but wasnt affected by it. The Jovian lay helpless in a black smoking corpse and as Denendir turned toward the others they all growled at him for doing that and charged at him all at once. Denendir waited til he saw the opportune moment, he leaped over behind the Jovians still standing there, lunged at there chest and back and rolled under there legs he left gashes in there backs and there arteries in there legs were cut clean open.
Denendir watched as these men fell lifeless as ever. Though not noticing that more and more were all around. Denendir lifted his head back and knew it was time to bring forth one last spell before things got worse. Seeing that most of the Jovian Army wore metal Armor, Denendir knew a sure like way to get them to stop advancing. Denendir lifted his head to the sky and began swirling his sword in a circle, it began to glow an eerie white color. A tornado like wind came from it and went into the sky, all whom saw this knew this wasnt good. Dark Clouds formed all around the sky and strong winds began to blow all around. Lightning began to strike all around also, then finally CLACK!!!. A Jovian soldier got struck with the Lightning and died instantly.
Seeing this happen Denendir coughed a little bit, getting a little dizzy, he looked down at his side wound. Someone had poison on their blade and it had struck him and was making its way to his nerves, soon he would be paralyzed. He gasped for air and then felt his legs get Qwuizzy and then his eyes went black. Denendir fell down onto the ground getting a few sword cuts to his hand and arm as he fell, to which he lay unconscious not only from the strain of his magic spell but also from the poison that was paralyzing him slowly.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on May 30, 2009 11:09:43 GMT -5
As Olore wheeled away again Authion caught Elestirne's eye. Lady we cannot stay here. You are too vulnerable. Any of the Jovians will easily be able to pick you out as the leader and a target. You could be injured. His mind-voice held urgency and concern.
Elestirne glanced to him briefly, then her keen silver eyes moved to sweep the field and take stock of the situation. Olore reared slowly, majestically-throwing his weight back on his haunches-as he balanced on his rear legs; giving her a better view and scope for the battle.
Tatsumura, with his people and her infantry and mages, were harrying the Jovians nearest the kyuden. They were keeping them back and had driven a wedge similar to hers into the ranks. Her cavalry-under the two captains- were still harrying the flanks and preventing them from closing on her wedge. In this, they were being helped greatly by the mounted archers; whose arrows sang through the air with an always deadly accuracy, mingling with the cries of the wounded, shouted orders, and the trumpets and screams of the war-horses. She herself, along with Storm and Authion and the third of the cavalry she had taken, had driven through to the center. The Jovians had been neatly halved, almost cut in three, by hers and Tatsumura's wedges and the divided forces were much easier to deal with. Elestirne saw instantly though that something more had to be done-and soon-or they could still be overrun and defeated. Her lips thinned as she contemplated, and her eyes narrowed.
As Olore came back to earth she answered Authion negatively, also by mind link. No. You are right, but we cannot let this go on much longer or we will be overwhelmed. Take charge, and watch over Storm. Olore and I will find and take care of the Jovians' leader.
She did not give either he nor Storm time or chance to protest or waylay her-Olore was leaping forward even as she finished the words. The elven knights in the way squeezed aside to make room. She offered no explanation as she and Olore blew past and not a one of them dared question, or had time to. At a hand signal,about half of the knights followed her, for protection and because she knew Authion and Storm-or Authion at least-would flay her alive if she tried this wholly alone.
Her swords, and Olore's hooves, rained blows almost absently as they fought their way through. Any Jovian that threatened was very soon either dead or crippled past threatening. One, in lunging for her, found himself a second later with a shattered arm and blood pooling on the ground. The Jovians soon figured out her intent and focused more on trying to thwart her rather than trying to kill her. She allowed no such concessions and neither did Olore. They carved a swath of dead and dying; angling for the back, where she knew the leader was. Time was nearing for her foot archers and mages to act. After a few more seconds she heard the distinctive, clear singing of elven arrows. Not from her horsed archers, they were on the other side. From her foot archers.
They, along with the mages she had kept, had slipped away through the woods as she and the cavalry had charged to come unnoticed to the Jovians' one open flank; cutting off their escape. She had not ordered them to do this, but had trusted they would find a way to be off use without endangering their people. And they had. The Jovians were focusing on the combined cavalry and infantry threat and all of them were facing towards those respected fronts. Apparently they thought no threat could possibly come to their unguarded rear, that the only enemy they had to worry about was the one showing themselves and currently attacking them. Elestirne could only shake her head against human folly and pride.
She was aware,distantly, of Denendir and his avian riders swooping and attacking, though she quickly after lost track of them. She sensed small uses of magic though,and knew it to be from Denendir. Keeping up her shields to avoid being affected by the pain and feelings all around her and focusing on her own enemy was taking all of her concentration. As the surprise attack of her archers commenced,she and her riders continued undeterred through the rain of arrows;knowing they would not be struck. Olore and the other horses nimbly leapt the fallen and dying. As they neared the shieldwall guarding what was undoubtedly the leader and his lackeys spears were aimed for them. The elves waited until the last minute,then,just before the spears were thown,whipped themselves out of the saddle with lightning-quick movements;clinging to their mounts sides like burrs as the spears flew harmlessly by,nicking a few of the horses. When the last had passed the elves righted themselves and responded with their own short spears. A score of Jovians fell instantly under that hail and the rest had time to brace themselves as the elves hit the line. She saw many cut down and noted losses among her own people as well. The singing notes of elven arrows came again;whistling past the struggling riders to knife into the Jovians and a small gap opened. Wasting no time,Olore flew through. Her riders tried to follow but were not swift enough. Quickly,she sent a general thought imploring that they try to link back up with the rest of the force and not risk themselves trying to get to her. She felt, rather than heard, most of them obey;becoming distracted by the sensing of powerful magic and sudden stench of burning flesh. She had felt the winds kick up too and heard cries of shock and pain. Not any of her mages-it didn't have the feeling of their magic. It has to be Denendir,she thought.I hope he has sense not to overstrain himself.
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Post by Lady Elestirne on May 30, 2009 16:13:45 GMT -5
Olore's snort brought her back to focus,and reminded her she still had a battle to fight. The Jovian leader and some rather heavily armoured lackeys guarding him had taken note of her now. The lackeys were helmeted but the visors were up and she could see the looks of shock plain on their face. The shock changed to smiles though,as they realized she was one alone. The leader's face though,showed a dawning comprehension.
Again Olore snorted,pawing the ground. The muscles of his neck bulged and his bearing was taut,ready. His indigo eyes flashed and his nostrils flared. A silver-white light limned his form and seemed to pool at his hooves. The Jovians had started to charge,but they paused now. Nothing in all their training had taught them how to face such a thing as Olore. Elestirne sat tall and proud on the silver stallion;her silvery armour shining with its own light. Slowly and deliberatly she dropped Olore's reins to fall free on his neck. Her swords sang free from their sheathes,glittering as they did so. Her bearing was proud and regal,unafraid and the silver eyes that lanced into the Jovians were piercingly bright. She waited,Olore tense beneath her.
At harsh words from the leader, the lackeys surged forward. One hurled a spear. With a movement so graceful and fluid he could have been water, Olore side-stepped. The weapon sailed past,disappearing into the ranks around them,and the silver stallion returned to his previous position,ears half back now. The four men paused,then charged in unison. Olore exploded into motion once they drew near enough. He wheeled,throwing the bulk of his hindquarters and weight into the furthermost Jovian. That one tripped and went down,disrupting the charge and making his neighbor stumble as well. Before he could recover and get up,the silver stallion had switched his balance back to his hindquarters and reared high;coming down on the fallen Jovian with all his weight. At the same time as he came down,his neck snaked forward to seize the neighboring man by a ridge in his armour;dragging him close. In desperation, that one flailed with his sword;marking a thin red line on Olore's neck,before the stallion let go and trampled him. While he was thus preoccupied though, one of the remaining bodyguards charged in with a leveled spear;plainly hoping to gore the stallion. A downward streak of silver marked the descent of one sword as it split the spear in half and as Olore pivoted to face the surprised Jovian with teeth bared and ears flat back,Elestirne's other sword swung in to bury itself in the man's chest. Freeing a foot from the stirrup,Elestirne kicked the body away and off her sword as Olore turned back to face the commander. The lone surviving warrior had retreated to stand with his leader and now wore a look that could only be described as fear. The leader's cocky smile had disappeared but his current expression was hard to read.
Elestirne met the leader's eyes with a look of distant disdain;silver fires simmering subtly in her eyes. Though it was plainly an effort for him,he managed to hold her gaze grimly. They could not speak a word of each other's languages but a look of understanding passed between them. He would neither flee, nor submit and Elestirne was not going to let him try. Olore,at an invisible signal,paced forward deliberatly until perhaps six feet away from the two Jovians. Just as deliberately,Elestirne slid off the stallion and faced the two on foot. She brought both swords to bear grimly and took stock of her opponents. The soldier had a long spear whose tip glinted wickedly,but he looked frequently to his leader and she sensed his resolve to fight was waning. The leader though,had a shield and sword and a bearing of readiness. There was a tense half-second of waiting before they lunged at her.
Fluidly,she parried one spear thrust and a sword strike from the leader. Disengaging,she ducked under a second sword strike,delivered a flurry of strikes to the shield,then kicked the leader back as she spun to parry another spear thrust. This time, she pinned the weapon solidly and broke it;sending the soldier scuttling back weaponless and bleeding. Sensing the leader closing in at her back she dove into a forward somersault,then rolled to come back to her feet;one sword catching his blade. Her arm buckled a little under the weight of the blow and she gritted her teeth against the strain. She struck out with her right sword and it scratched a sparking line on his chestpiece. Her arm began to buckle more and as soon as she felt it give and the Jovian's sword drop she threw herself to the side.
The sword scraped off her pauldrons and down her arm until it hit her elbow,where there was no protection. She felt the steel bite but not deeply and she rolled away and back to her feet. Her sword found an opening in the crimson armor and stabbed. Anticipating the retaliating strike Elestirne ducked under the sword blow and came back up inside his reach;stabbing his armpit. As he cried out and dropped the shield she spun away to a safe distance;wincing at the throbbing to her left arm. Her promise to Storm came to mind,but she had to finish the battle.
Ware!, came Olore's warning trumpet. Turning,Elestirne registered the spearweilder charging with his broken spear. She dodged-leaping sideways over the discarded shield to accompish it-and as momentum and over-balancing took the man past her,neatly ended his life and spun back to the leader. They enaged in a quick flurry,their wounds slowing both of them but neither would give ground. She slashed at his legs but was foiled and leapt over his sword as he tried the same. As it came back around she blocked with her good arm,her face grim. Then she flinched as sudden pain-not hers-assaulted her;getting through her shields. She sensed Denendir getting injured and blacking out, and almost simustaneously felt Authion take an injury. The pain washed her breaking her shields for just a moment, but it was enough.
Distracted,her attention wavered and her guard dropped. Olore bugled a warning, but too late. She felt the sword slam into her side with all the strength that could be mustered. The force stole her breath and snapped the chain at the point of impact. The blade slashed at her side and she cried out in pain. She spun,not away from the blow, but towards it. With grim strength,her right sword sought an opening and found it;stabbing upward through a weak section of chain to the leader's heart. He fell and she spun back away from him with a gasp. Wiping her swords clean,she sheathed them, then pressed her hand to the wound with a wince. The gash was deep, but not life-threatening. Her chainmail had dulled the blow even if hadn't been able to stop it. Still, be as that may the whole area was tender and blood was seeping from between her fingers.
She was startled to find that she was marked by other wounds as well,but none of these were as serious. There was a small, paper-thin cut that burned on her cheek and her left shoulder ached. She recalled that a spear had grazed it to find a mark in one of her riders. And the thin cut on her neck had been from a sword that had been stopped by her collar. Looking back to the field she saw that victory was firmly in their grasp. Each section of Jovians remaining was surrounded and were swiftly dwindling. Hers and Tatsumura's flags and colors still showed. The battle wasn't over, but it was won. She swayed and instantly Olore's shoulder was there for support.
We need to get you off the field, lady, as you promised to Storm,came Olore's thoughts;tinged with anxiety. Can you mount?
Elestirne shook her head faintly,hand still pressed against her side to try to stem the blood flow. She felt too exhausted and drained from the fighting and wounds,too consumed by worry for the pain she had felt and was still feeling, to do much. She felt Olore go to his knees and he nuzzled her cheek. On me, he ordered implacably. She turned and slid into his saddle,wincing,and he rose as gently as possible and began to make his way at a walk through the field;picking his way delicately though and over the dead to try to find and meet up with Tatsumura and Authion again. She did not see her mages or archers.
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wolfblade
Meat Shield
not enough wepons
Posts: 134
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Post by wolfblade on Jul 6, 2009 16:33:58 GMT -5
walking up next to Olore coveredin blood some his mostly not. he looks like he cant even walk straight. looking up but not exactly at any thing or one he speaks to olore.
"master olore is everything well i cant really see yet...i donot fully regenerate quickly unless i die ......does any one need help i can cast some healing spells you just need to point me Master olore"
stubles as the last of his cuts heal
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Post by Kaida NyteClaw on Jul 29, 2009 11:07:18 GMT -5
Denendir's eyes opened just slightly, he tried to see where he was but everything was so blurry and he was weak, very weak. All he remembered was the poison that was on the blade that struck him in battle.
He coughed alittle before closing his eyes again, just laying wherever he was.
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wolfblade
Meat Shield
not enough wepons
Posts: 134
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Post by wolfblade on Aug 3, 2009 0:31:17 GMT -5
hearing coughing he turns to face whoever it was *
"whos there?! answer me or ill use a fire ball! "
*searching hoplessly due to his slowly recovering eyes he does not realize he is facing Denendir his one alie here besides the respect he holds for the samuria and Oloore who he was sure was a extra dementional steed of light but he could not tell any of that for sure jus tfeelings. his thoughts are scrambled about all this ..between the fighting and all that he went through he was lost and confused on top of partially blind*
WHOS THERE!
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Post by Kaida NyteClaw on Aug 4, 2009 11:59:25 GMT -5
Coughing a little more, a stifled name resounds from the Denendir, "Denendir..." with that he took a breathe and passes out.
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