IC Scene - The Duke's Wharf

Klaus's legs buckled at the wounds, though he still held himself with pride. Instead of crying out at the wound, the Mettenheimer did something unexpected - He began to sing, low and mournful at first but clearly invigorated by the words;

"We are the forlorn ones, we sacrifice our blood, we fight for honour!

We are the loyal ones, our armour stained in blood, we killed the serpent!

No more living in fear, it's time to free the Count, we raised the flag of freedom!"

Klaus twisted as he rose to his feet once again, trusting to his excellent armour that it would not allow the blade any deeper into him. His hope was that this would disarm the twin swordsmen, or else the sudden jolt would break the tips of the blades, wedged as they were between sheets of metal.

The noise of the arrows raining against horse flesh and the steel of armor caused Morek and many others to whirl around, the few men that were in the way of Karstan's horse moving aside to allow it a path to escape. Long experience with the horses of the Snake Cult armies had taught them that a horse would follow the path of least resistance, and would prefer to go through a gap in a line rather than try plowing through a line of soldiers.

Morek growled under his helm as he saw Aelos's courser flop injured to the ground. The enemy had taken the first shot, now it was time to see how they enjoyed being shot at. It would give the enemy archers something to think about rather than shooting at the dragons, if they wanted a shot, they'd risk getting a crossbow bolt in return.

"Crossbows! Window target! Fire!"Morek had pointed towards the house that the arrows had flown from. His Plaguewardens stepped forwards a single step to place themselves in front of the Wyverns that carried shields before raising their crossbows as one and letting loose with a volley as one. 8 steel tipped quarrels hurtled through the air towards the darkened windows of the house. After they had fired the plaguewardens stepped behind their shielders to reload and shelter themselves from any arrows that might be directed their way. Morek himself had his shield raised, as did the conquistadors with him, towards the house as he backed away, barking out another order.

"Keep your damn shields up! Those without one will find one who does and STAY WITH THEM! Fire at will then resume the moving backwards, slowly! Dragons! Get your blasted hides moving! I do not want to explain to the Thane why some of your order ended up dead!"

Morek did the opposite of what he had ordered his men to do, charging forwards with his shield raised high to ward off arrows. His ever loyal Barclayans accompanied their leader, the three shields overlapped in front of the three to form a small shield wall as they advanced towards the injured Alm and the scrum between Aelos, Klaus, and the other Dragon Knight.

Klaus succeeded in wrenching Wulven's blade from his hands between the plates, though it left the blade lodged in him. Icebreath stayed in Aelos' hand, merely slipping out of Klaus' body. Sir Morek was shouting something as Klaus was faced with his captors, one incapacitated, another disarmed and Aelos himself slightly off-balance from the push.

The fourth Dragon was slowly fading into the distance, shouting obscenities, though whether it was toward his horse or the other knights he had passed wasn't clear.

[OOC: I'll deal with the Radiants when we know what the Dawn is doing.]

"Yes, clearly," the man answered to Javier's first comment.

"Sir, we've been trying to take that wharf and the ship for several days. Do you really think you'll make a difference?"

The man suddenly smirked. "Then again, who knows? All sorts of crazy things have been happening since all these knights arrived. Maybe you'll make a difference. Open the gate!"

Not giving the dragon a reprieve, Klaus rushed at Aelos intending to barge into the man's wounded shoulder. Regardless of the success of this, he would then use the momentum to twist away, and make a dash for the Griffon lines, drawing on all the endurance and skill as a runner that he could. While doing this he would try to dislodge the blade from his armour, though it was a minor concern compared to the other two actions.

Once again Gilaver looked at the street from the window. The situation was still dire but the archers had done good job. Quickly Gilaver shouted at Klaus:

"Hurry Klaus!"

Gilaver dashed out of the window and shouted upstairs to keep firing at the Dragons and anyone who would threaten Klaus. Along the way to the door he grabbed a shield from one of the wounded guards. He whistled very loudly at the door and started mounting his horse. The other Griffon Knights started to gallop toward him. Gilaver also hoped some of the Clarion Calls would follow them to give fire support. The group started to make their way toward the corner*.

"Make haste. We need to give Klaus protection from the enemy. Shields ready!"


*OOC: I doubt we can reach any further in the given time.

Sir Lucius had returned to the Dawn and Radiant Cross lines just as the arrows rained down on the Dragons. He immediately spun into action, ordering his Wyverns that were paired off with Sir Morek's Plaguewardens to keep their shields up and prevent any stray arrows from striking anyone. Meanwhile, Lucius and his five Dawn Knights were right behind Sir Morek and his charge towards Sir Aelos, their shields held high to defend against any incoming arrows. However, his eyes were darting between the small building where the arrows had come from and the Griffon hostage, not wanting to miss anything of importance.

"Sir Morek!" Lucius shouted at his ally. "We cannot let the Griffon escape! Your Plaguewardens must take him down if he makes an attempt!" From his vantage point, it was evident that this entire attack was designed specifically to free the Griffon so they could not, under any circumstances, allow that to happen.

Two of the plaguewardenson the rightmost side of the line and the one on the leftmost, those who could see around the advancing knights had apparently come to the same conclusion. They readied their crossbows but did not loose them at the windows like the other 5. Instead they took aim at klaus and if they believed they had a chance to hit him they would do so, seeking to place an armor piercing bolt in his back. Morek had trained his men not to wait for an officer to order every action, but to try and take the initiative if an opportunity arose.

[Sir Javier Kristoph Doyle]

The mass of wood in front of Javier's men began to shift, revealing a passage into the city of Windholm. Javier motioned his men forward.

"Many thanks, good sir! We shall report to the Wharf. Good day to you, fine guardians of Windholm!"

Javier then nudged his horse forward, and made way to the Duke's Wharf. Hopefully the passage there would be uneventful...

[OCC: If Javier is at the Salt Gate and is heading toward the Wharf, wouldn't he run across the engagement going on at High Street / Bay Road? I'll let the GM decide if he runs into the engagement or manages to get to the Wharf.]

* * *

[Javier's Messengers]

"... If only we could climb buildings." said Robert as the trio searched for a vantage point.

"We would be leaving our horses behind, and we are in no shape to be running around on top of structures." replied Nikolai.

"... Continue the search. There must be a suitable location somewhere..." commanded the Eventide knight.

[Action: Robert, Nikolai, and Victor continue their search for a vantage point that can observe both Rebel and Duchess forces.]

The bolt whizzing past Moreks head to lodge in the wall of a house on the opposite side of the street didn't phase him much, he just viewed it as another sign that he wasn't meant to die in this skirmish. He and his Conquistadors reached the Dragon Knights as Klaus vanished around the corner. Morek grabbed the injured Alm under the arm to support him and started to pull the Dragon back towards the lines of the rebel orders while his Barclayans guarded them with their shields as they began moving back. As he did so he almost roared at Aelos.

[Action: Morek uses his strong trait to attempt move the injured Alm back towards the lines]

"Dragon Knight with the fancy sword! Sir Aelos! Get a move on, back to the lines! We don't want to be in front if a squadron of cavalry comes around that corner!"

The Plaguewardens meanwhile had given up the idea of volleys, instead leaning out singly, taking quick shots at the windows before ducking back behind the shield of the wyvern they were behind, no longer presenting themselves all at once and attempting making it hard for the enemy archers to guess where a target might prevent itself. One Radiant Knight took it upon himself to try and see to the wounds of the two plaguewardens that had been shot, the other three still standing behind their own Wyvern, at the ready.

Aelos quickly regained himself and helped Wulven get back on his feet before Morek reached Alm. Although you couldn't exactly see Wulven's face, both Dragons appeared to boil with anger at the cowardly attack from that building.

"When I get my hands on him..."

He had been busy formulating the words of his newest grudge, that Aelos didn't realise Morek had been roaring at him until Wulven moved to help the priest support Alm. He nodded and let Icebreath disappear into the scabbard as he took the reigns of the remaining destriers and moved towards the Radiant/Dawn lines. 

~~~~

Sir Karstan muttered insults at Sir Gilaver while he tried to calm his horse. He had dropped his faceplate helmet on the ground and his unshaven northern face was visibly worried about something.

Klaus lay on hands on knees wheezing for breath, his body shaking mightily. He just managed to flip his helm open before vomiting loudly on the floor, before rolling over onto his side still panting for breath, the puddle of his stomachs' contents beside him. From this position he was able to see the stream of smoke rising above the buildings from the direction of the wharf. He rose to his feet slowly and tentatively with the help of his new sword, still shaking from the torments of the day, but his eyes remained firm like steel as they regarded the plume with a frown.

[Sir Javier Kristoph Doyle]

Javier approached the Dragon Knight alone, motioning for his men to remain next to a building near the intersection.

Javier made no attempt to soothe the frightened horse, instead simply asking its rider, "So, may I inquire of what exactly is going on here?"

* * * * *

[Javier's Messengers]

"Sounds of battle. We should be careful." suggested Nikolai.

"No matter. The Wharf is our objective, nothing more." said Victor. "We continue our task."

However, after a moment, Victor halted his advance.

"Change course. We investigate the battle."

The two Ghilmen, shrugging, followed Victor's new lead.

[Edited Retcon: Scouts go to report to the sounds of battle.]

Gilaver was quite relieved to see Klaus emerge behind the corner relatively unharmed. However, he wasn't as happy about the few cries of pain emanating from the house. He looked directly at the upper floor and issued the last orders to the Gryphons there.

"One last volley, target those not protected by shields. Then take cover and tend the wounded. Sir Hawkins, be on lookout in case of an attack, dismount and preven yourself from becoming a target." 

Gilaver then turned to regard Klaus. He dismounted and went to talk with the man in a quiet voice

Sir Karstan instinctly put his right hand on the seized two-handed sword of the Griffon Klaus, before he turned to see the stranger approach.

"First, tell me to what Order you belong. You don't look the Fierdsvain part one bit."

As every Dragon, Sir Karstan was an experienced fighter with all sort of swords and he made sure he kept the appropriate distance to use the longer blade against stranger.

[Sir Javier Kristoph Doyle]

Javier didn't even flinch at the knight's reaction. He calmly asked the question again.

"...May I inquire of what exactly is going on here?"

Javier then motioned toward the general direction of his men before continuing, "I am from the Knights of Eventide. Good to see you too, sir knight."

The Eventide then glanced off to the side, quickly taking in the Radiant Cross / Dawn front lines with arrows strewn about. He could about make out a small group retreating back to said lines. Needless to say, the fight was still ongoing...

Sir Karstan eyed the Eventider from underneath his sweat covered forehead. After a moment he let the sword slide back into the scabbard. 

"The Griffon traitor Sir Gilaver ordered his archers to kill us. If you want a more detailled report, Eventider, go ask the Dawnite Sir Lucius."

Then he picked up the faceplate helmet and mounted his destrier. He would not pay any more attention to an Eventider. So, without much ado, he rode back to the Dawn lines.

Javier watched as the Dragon strode away in his calmed horse.

"How rude..." Javier muttered under his breath.

Javier looked toward the lines again. Only one thought remained in his mind...

The Eventide went back to his unit, issuing orders. He was in a calm state of mind, but whether it was madness or clarity one could not be certain.

"Ghilmen, line up front. Knights, take to the rear." His men went into formation.

"We will likely be up against an enemy shieldwall, and the only report we have are of archers and that the Griffons will be facing us. Numbers are unknown.

Ghilmen, your orders are to gallop past the theoretical shieldwall and pepper the enemy from behind. The Shieldwall must fall. Afterwards, fire at will. 

Knights, the four of you will charge directly into the shieldwall, after the Ghilmen have run past. No matter if they stand their ground, turn to face the Ghilmen, flee, or not even exist, give them hell. Keep your momentum and focus on the archers afterwards, they should be easy prey.

We will be allied with the Dragons, Radiant Cross, the Rebels, and..." Javier took a breath before continuing, "The Dawn. Turn your anger against those bastards against our foes, the Dawn can be dealt with later. Everyone else you see is a target.

As for me..." Javier smiled for a moment, "I'm going to have some fun."

The Eventide knight took his position in front of his men, ignoring the guardians the Rebels gave him. "Forward!"

And thus Javier led the charge into the fray, shield-less and with a rapier held high into the air, grinned like a demonic madman. There will be blood on this day...

* * *

Anton, an Eventide Knight, thought of home as he charged forth into the battle. This was a fool's errand. He was to be married before being shipped off the Windholm. He didn't want to die here...

[Action: Javier leads a charge into the fray.]
[Troops: Javier // 8 Ghilmen // 4 Eventide Knights]

The  group of horse archers and heavily armored eventide Knights was hard not to notice,  as a pair of Radiant Cross Knights turned their heads at the sound of clattering hooves behind them. For a moment the pair were struck dumb, looking at each other before returning their gaze to the now approaching knights and Ghilmen. They both hoped that the Eventide were not here for the Duchess and decided to play it safe. Knowing that such a charge would lead to the battle line being forced to move apart, one of them stated towards them, waving the arm that was not gripping the polehammer and yelling to stop at the top of his lungs, trying to get the Eventide to stop their forward movement. The other turned and helped the Radiant Cross who was tending the injured plaguewardens to drag the pair to the side, out of harms way. The noise of the Knight shouting drew the attention of the rest of the Radiant Cross band, who started to move to the sides slightly, taking their shielding wyverns with them, to allow a gap to be opened hurriedly if the need arose and the Eventide were not going to stop.

Morek reached the lines as the plaguewardens started to move, his eyes widening as he let Wulven take the weight of the Alm fully, ignoring the curses as the big mans weight ws dumped on his fellow suddenly. Morek shoved his way through the lines to jog up besides his Knight and start to yell and gesticulate as well, motioning for them to halt. He and the knight were ready to dive out of the way should the Eventide come too close at speed.

Rayvs and his men headed out from the harbor, in tight formation, marching to the Wharf. Instead of taking Bay Street, they headed through the neutral zone (E3) and continued down the Adalhard road towards the wharf, hoping to avoid both the rebels and the Duchess's forces to preserve their neutrality. 

[This would be the most direct route to the wharf, correct?)


Rayvs whistled at the sight of the smoke rising.

"Damn. And I had hoped we'd get here before the looting started."

From the forward rails of the Maelstrom, Kharad stared angrily at the plume of smoke that now rose from the Wharf. He spat overboard before turning to bellow at his crew.

"You see that lads? The bastards think its acceptable to start without us! Well i'll be damned if we're not getting the best pick of the loot! Full Sail! That flagship is OURS!"

Sir Lucius and his Knights reached the Dragons seconds after Sir Morek, providing cover with their shields. Luckily, it seemed that no more archers were taking aim at them for the time being. This did little to soothe Lucius's anger; Klaus escaped and that was precisely what the Dawnite wanted to prevent.

When Lucius finally returned to his lines, after helping escort the Dragons, his attention was drawn to Sir Morek once again. He considered saying something but then he spotted what Morek saw. However, his reaction was quite different. Lucius smirked as he saw the group of Eventide charging towards the skirmish, but he did nothing to stop them. If they were willing to throw away their lives, he was equally willing to watch them do so.

Perhaps, he thought, it could be turned to their advantage.

A thunderous sound traveled to the lines of the rebel Orders, seemingly coming from behind them.  The sound was distinctly not that of hooves, yet was still not the organized march of soldiers.  It took only a brief moment for the source of the sound to arrive:  A ragtag horde of lightly armored but armed men.

In the center and a few steps ahead of the band was a tall man known to those knights that had attended the meeting at the Church.  He wore chainmail, of somewhat poor fit and seemingly poor quality, over a better fitting leather coat.  He carried a most peculiar weapon- part axe, part polearm, and suspiciously like an over-sized cleaver.  The upstart Captain-Butcher had apparently had an enlarged and slightly modified cleaver mounted on a sturdy wood pole.  The cleaver had been reshaped, likely for the purposes of being more practical.  The dulled color of the metal revealed that it had either been crafted decades ago or used recently without proper care.

Whatever he carried, and with whomever he marched, those informed could have no doubt that this was Captain Barbarossa.

((A Wild Barbarossa has arrived, with two units of rebel militia.))

When Sir Karstan arrived on the back of destrier, he immediately signalled Aelos towards the Eventide. The entire group of Dragons had now reached friendly lines again. Alm was dropped so Wulven could get Klaus' sword from Karstan's destrier and just like that all knights of the Dragons were armed again.

Meanwhile, Aelos was informed about the Eventide number and was just about to walk over to Sir Lucius, when they heard and saw Captain Barbarossa approach.

"If this position is abandoned, help Alm on his horse. And get those arrows out of the destriers."

Having said that, Aelos quickly approached Lucius anyway and spoke a few hushed words with a calming gesture.