IC Scene - The Duke's Wharf

Everything had seemed to happen at once, the Eventide had halted their charge before a horde of reinforcements showed up and began a charge of their own. Morek swore beneath his helmet, a collection of choice words that one would not have expected someone of his upbringing to have known. 

"Radaints, forwards with the others! Plaguewardens, stay with your wyvern, target windows and fire when you have a shot, make those archers fear the skill and training of your corps!"

Morek raised his shield and began the advance forwards with the others, his conquistadors joining him whilst the three Radiant Cross Knights who were still available followed close behind the trio in cover of their shields. The other radiant treated the injured plaguewardens as best he could, trying to get them back on their feet and able to use their crossbows. The Plaguewardnes witht eh wyverns obeyed Moreks command, loosing bolts at the windows if an archer appeared while their leader tried wrapping his head around what was happening one last time.

Men! Hold together! 


William was suspicious of the goings on around him, he did not trust anyone but the Dragons around him. His head felt dizzy and light. His eyes wouldn' focus, the world a blur around him. The world began to grow dark around him.

Barbarossa's charge was met with a hail of arrows from the front.  Fortunately for the unshielded captain, the volleys were obstructed by Dragons and Dawn.  Plaguewardens responded, but moving with the charge did not help their accuracy, as they were forced to keep up with the wyverns.  The charge finally cleared the bend, only a pair of unlucky rebels taking arrows in the process.


The first wave of arrows crashed into the flank of the charge, away from the protective cover of the shields.  A line of Clarion Call waited down the road, mere Larian Outriders, but a powerful line regardless as their volley sent half a dozen rebels to the pavement.  Two of the Dawn wyverns joined them and Wulven's horse hesitated, already hurt from the longbows in both attacks.


Barbarossa was unperturbed and the knights tried to make the best of the situation, half of the remaining wyverns scrambling to cover the exposed flank.  Three rebels took arrows from the windows and another two from the outriders.  Javier's horses joined the charge suddenly, but were riderless and mostly stopped behind the charging troops and scattering along the road.  Six were shot by gryphons and outriders.


Javier's men were unmolested by the archers in the house, the bowmen more concerned with the quicker moving horde before them.  The ghilmen didn't try to shoot at the windows, content with being ignored for now.  The knights pointed to a barricaded alley, which they quickly smashed crates and scrap wood to force entry.


Above them, though none saw it, a column of smoke rose from the chimney of the house they had now reached.  Even farther on, completely invisible to the attacking rebels, another column of smoke rose from the direction of the keep.
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One of the rebels piped up.  "There's fighting to the east," he told Rayvs.  "Lord Kilnam joined Captain Barbarossa just a few minutes ago."

"We're here ta balster th' line," added a nearby Vanskerry.  "Th't Kilnam is afraid the Doochess' troops might somethin' with all the fighting."
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The Maelstrom continued to sail, her impatient captain able to see those columns of smoke from sea.

As Javier's forces moved throughout various houses and alleys, the knight himself took a quick glance out a window. The Rebels were slowly dwindling in number, enemy archers peppering them without fear of retaliation. The horses, dimwitted as they were, also did not carry on as was originally planned.

"So much for disciplined warhorses," Javier muttered under his breath.

The Eventide knights, finished with their task, moved further along to continue the order. The Ghilmen and Javier followed not far behind.

[OCC: Continue with the previous order, Ghilmen fire when needed and Knights slay hostiles and destroy obstacles. Javier aims to flank the enemy.]

Rayvs sighed and examined the siege lines. However, something else caught his attention. Looking up, he squinted, and noticed two thin trails of smoke, with one being very close to his position, and another further into the city.

Confused, Rayvs ran the options through his head then decided to ask the rebels.

Turning to the men who informed him, he asked "What happened when the smoke began rising from the wharf? Right before, and right after?"

Barbarossa remained determined in his charge. A few specks of iron on sticks were not worthy of fear. Despite his falling comrades the charge continued. Each step brought the Butcher-Captain closer to the house of the City forces, and a step closer to victory. He had no care for the shields the knights attempted to push in front of him, they'd simply slow him down.

"Push on! They don't have enough arrows for all of us!" the cleaver-wielding man shouted, without bothering to look back.

That butcher was either an idiot or insane, probably a little of both considering his wasteful strategy and disdain for putting something between himself and the arrows. Morek scowled under his helm at his place in the small shieldwall made of him and his conquistadors, the militias morale was likely based around him, and he didn't know if the citizen soldiers of windholm would panic and run if he was felled or be provoked to an insane beserk fury. He secretly hoped it was the latter as a random arrow glanced off his shield to embed in a nearby doorframe.

"Sir, I reconmend we do something about the outriders. The charge is splitting, the archers in the house are only one threat." The voice of one of the radiant knights taking shelter behind him reached his ears and he grunted.

"Fine, I've been a bit busy keeping up with these two." The conquistadors grunted in acknowledgement. " Plaguewardens! Outriders, target and fire at man and beast! Make your damned shots count, show those prancing horse archers what its like to be on the receiving end of crossbow quarrels!"

As the group of radiants advanced towards the line of cavalry morek tightened his grip on his morningstar, the leather wrapped handle protesting at his tight grip. His conquistadors and knights readied their weapons as a volley of drossbow bolts flew overhead, aimed at the lightly armored outriders sitting atop their horses. Morek turned his head as a conquistador spoke up.

"You take my brother and I to such nice places valren, almost as fun as that time a serpent priestess almost drove that spear through your thigh."

"Shut up mautista and move faster, I want to hit them before we all die of old age." He turned his head to where the dawnites were in the rebel lines and gestured to the house where the griffons were. "Sir lucius! Show those cowards that being a guard of the king does not make them immune to the displeasure of the gods! Cleanse them with holy fire!"

Quote :

"Fall in with the Dawn, Plaguewaradens draw crossbows. All Plaguewardens." Morek took Melka from her minder and cut her bonds from her hands, taking the weapons she had carried before her detainment and returning them to her before stepping back and addressing her.

"You are free to do as you please, though keep this in mind, you owe me a debt for not turning you over to the tender mercies of the Eventide. I imagine your friend is dead by now and yet here you remain, whole in every way. Fight with us and your debt is paid, or flee and be damned by the divines for cowardice. I may end up owing you if you fight." With that he returned to his men, who had integrated themselves in the Dawn party, the plaguewardens each pairing off with a shield bearing Dawn Wyvern as the Knights kept their polehammers ready yet lowered so as not to reveal their presence to the enemy as a new battle line was formed. Morek turned to look at Lucius.

Melka watched Morek for a few seconds, and then answered.

"I will fight with you, with a condition that i will always stay close to you.And no my intent is not to assassinate you, you are valuable source of information and possible ally."

While the ambush had been initially succesful, Gilaver found himself worried at the situation. Despite the inflicted casualties, a great host of enemies was still standing and ready for a fight. The situation wasn't helped at all by the sudden presence of supposedly Eventide horses, suggesting the presence of the grim order from Singal. However, the sudden separation of the Radiant Cross from the main host presented a sudden variable in the skirmish.

"Griffons, let no bolt hit the Outriders. You were trained to be bodyguards, act like it! Rangers, I suggest focusing fire on the knights and other unshielded opponents."

Gilaver brandished his own shield with his smaller sword, ready to catch any bolts and arrows. Inaudible to others, he whispered.

"4 Wyverns cannot protect them all..."

A pair of Barbarossa's men, brandishing axes, began to hack away at the building's door.  They each only got through their second swing before furniture started to rain on them from the floor above.  Chairs, tables and dangerous kitchen implements plummeted from the windows smashing even more rebels on the head.  A few smaller pieces were pitched at the plaguewardens, who had just unleashed their volley at the Larian outriders.  A particularly heavy stool sent one of the knights of the Dawn crashing to the ground.  Even with the rain of furniture from above, however, the door wouldn't hold forever.

As the Radiant Cross broke off for their attack, the plaguewardens launched their attack.  The Griffon Knights were fast enough to catch most of the volley, but a pair of outriders fell from their horses.  As the plaguewardens reloaded, Morek and his men began to close the distance between them and the line of horsemen.  Despite being sharply outnumbered, they moved with determination and fearlessness.  The Outriders released a volley into whatever targets they could find.  A few more rebels went down and an arrow found a gap in the shoulder joint of a Cross knight.

But they advanced on.
______

Javier's men advanced into the alley hoping for a flank attack.  Then moved quickly, knowing that every second counted with Barbarossa's reckless charge.  Emerging into a wider road, they were suddenly halted by a clear voice.

"Grey or gold?" announced a well-armored man of regal bearing.  Though Javier did not know it, his group had just cut off Lord Kilnam.
______

The soldier Rayvs had spoken to shrugged.  "I don't know, sir.  We've been trying to keep the line organized while the Captain pulled his men to High Street."

Before he could answer further, the blaring of a clarion cut through the air.  Up by High Street, soldiers could be seen marching across Bay Road, bearing the banner of Greysword.

"It's an attack!" shouted the Vanskerry.

Javier paused for a moment to address this new interruption. Why does nothing seem to go his way in this cursed city...

"Gold. There is an engagement going on at Bay Road, and I intend to reinforce our allies by catching our enemies unaware."

Javier motioned for his men to form up behind him. As tempting as it was to have them carry out the original orders, these new arrivals warranted more attention.

"... I would prefer if I was not interrupted any more than I already have. Ever since I set foot in this city every tactic I use falls apart. Based on my previous attempts, I would assume you are here to slay my men and I."

The knight just stood there, hand on his rapier, awaiting a response. His Eventide soldiers did the same, prepared to retaliate if the situation required it.

Except for the odd grunt, and rare yell the house was remarkably quiet, so intent were its defenders on their work. After the furniture blizzard slowed, a familiar Mettenheim voice rang out, loud and clear so that even those outside could hear.

"They come in through door soon, and when they do, battle will be make. Outside they are criminals, nothing more than vermin, they rise against duchess, against order, against king, against Pendor! Until now, we just move position, try to make advantage. We have the advantage! We are men of Windholm, we are here to defend our homes. Many probably look like this one, think of it now! Think of the families those familiar walls shelter. Think of your mothers, your wives, your children. Be under no illusion, if rebels take city then they will make dead all you love. The city will burn, your families will be butchered. Stand now! Stand for your city! Stand for your families! Stand for Windholm!"

Rayvs cursed.

"Form up the men Haroun! Ghilmen in the back, knights at the front with me. Reinforce the line!"

The Dragon knights were standing for a difficult choice, they had been ordered to accompany and protect Barbarossa. Their heavy armor and shields made them possible while still protection themselves, but Sir Alm would not be able to enter the building and fight on foot with the Griffons. It had been Sir Karstan, clever as always, that had found a solution that he told Alm while they did their best to shield the butcher from any harm.

"If we enter the building, You stay mounted and join the Radiant Cross knights."

Sir Alm nodded and Sir Karstan was content knowing that Alm wasn't as stupid as he looked and would find the most opportune moment to do what was ordered by Aelos' second.

Meanwhile, Sir Aelos Odheas, still unarmored but wielding his magnificent masterwork longsword known as Icebreath, advanced in the rear of Barbarossa's force of rabble.

In the midst of the group of rebels stood Sir Lucius, carefully avoiding the rain of furniture and hoping that the Goddess would protect him. He was certain of what he was about to do and thankful that he instructed Knight-Brother Jofrid to acquire what he needed before.

"Sir Jofrid!" he shouted loudly and clearly, while sheathing his sword. The Dawnite knew precisely what Sir Lucius wanted and immediately sprung into action. Behind his shield and strapped to his arm was an unlit torch; Sir Jofrid removed the torch, turned to his nearest Knight-Brother, and watched the man ignite it. Quickly, he approached Lucius and firmly placed the torch in his outstretched hand, watching as his leader weaved and pushed through the mass of men to the house before them.

"Cover the exits!" Sir Lucius shouted, hoping all would see what he planned. As he approached the house, he reached out with his torch and attempted to bring fire to it. If he succeeded, he would continue trying to light it in numerous places.

Morek was hissing prayers under his breath, to every god that was worshiped in Pendor, and after a brief moment of consideration some that were not looked upon so favorably, asking them to protect his men and allies from harm. He turned his helmet to the knight that had been struck.

"That wound is nothing, you will fight on regardless. Your brothers in arms have siffered worse and stood strong against the snake cultists, a wound from a mere clarion is nothing in comparison. Bring honor to yourself and your order through your wound and your actions in spite of it."

The Plaguewardens reloaded their crossbows and aimed down the street again, releasing a volley towards the clustered griffons and outriders. However, this time they did not aim at the riders themselves, but the horses that they sat upon. They intended for the armor piercing bolts to cripple, maim, or provoke the herd instinct of the beasts to flee in the opposite direction of what was sure to be a painful impact. After their volley they would hurriedly try to reload and release another shot at the larger targets of the horses.

The line of Rebel Order warriors moved closer to their target, not at a sprint but at the speed that any soldier would recognize, a speedy trot that ate up distance at speed and allowed for a formation to maintain its cohesion, still presenting a wall of shields to projectiles.

Several more hacks from the axemen, protected by shields and, occasionally, other rebels, saw the door caving in.  Through the gaps in the wood, a semi-circle of city guardsmen could be seen ready to hold the entrance.  A cascade of liquid suddenly rained down from the floor above as the furniture rain finally abated.  A few of the rebels were hit.  The few that could smell it dove away from the soaked furniture and lit torches and matches followed.  In seconds, the scattered furniture was immolated with the fire spreading to the dry pieces and several people too slow too run away.

The knights of the Dawn largely pressed themselves against the house, but Lucius was entranced by the flame and eager to use it for his own devices.  Jamming kindling into a split section of wood, he watched as the house started to burn.  The only thing that was certain in the chaos was that the energy was gone out of Barbarossa's charge.

Just a few steps away, the Radiant Cross focused on their charge.  Crossbow quarrels flying overhead again, they pushed forward into the line of horsemen.  The first crossbow volley struck with pin point accuracy, sending three of the Griffon horses to the ground, but protecting the outriders.  The outriders responded with a volley of their own.  Their weak bows barely slowed the Radiant knights, but did managed to nick another plaguewarden.  But two of the heavily armored soldiers suddenly fell forward, long arrows protruding from their backs.  Despite the smoke and fires, a pair of longbowmen from the house managed to release arrows, flanking the charge.  The other archers shots arrows into targets of opportunity, wounding two wyverns facing the outriders.  Morek and his remaining knights reached striking distance as a second volley from his wardens sent two outriders toppling to the pavement.
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The noble smiled at Javier.  "You and I have something in common.  You fight for Windholm's people as well.  I am Lord Kilnam, ally to Valdor and Barbarossa.  Let us make the streets run red so that this city may have a better future."

He marched on at that point, beckoning Javier to follow.  At the intersection not far ahead, they two groups emerged not far behind the outrider line.
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Varys' men were marching almost immediately.  The vanskerry added a disorganized mob of rebels and his own men to follow and support the Eventide and flank the sally from the wharf.

At the battle itself, the rebels were interrupted by another piercing clarion as a large number of the Duchess' troops formed up at the Bay Road.

Gilaver watched as three of the horses got downed in bolt-fire. The Radiant Cross group was getting dangerously close, even though two of the knights were downed in crossfire. Sir Morek, a single Radiant Cross and two Conquistadores ran towards them, ready to strike. Gilaver turned to look at Sir Natir in preparation.

"Whatever you do, make it count."

As he said that, Gilaver readied his sword and shield and shouted to his Griffons.

"Charge, bring them down before they reach the Clarion Call!"

Three of the unmounted knights ran toward the Radiant Cross with their shields and swords ready, the mounted one lowered the lance and started gallopping forward, ready to strike down the enemy to come across. Gilaver kept the pace with them, ready to kill one of the enemies present.

Javier watched as Lord Kilnam addressed him and then continued his march. The Eventides joined him, and then upon reaching the intersection they saw they were finally behind enemy lines.

"At least something worked..." Javier muttered under his breath.

However, the question remained. Follow Lord Kilnam's lead, or splinter off to to fulfill some mission that is likely to fail like the others?...

Javier and his men marched alongside Lord Kilnam. The Eventide Knights were arrayed in front, shields deployed to shelter the Ghilmen behind them. Javier himself walked along the front lines, even though he was shieldless. The Eventide here would follow Lord Kilnam's call.

Barbarossa quickly retreated back from the flames, cleaver in one hand while the other pulled one of his militiamen back by the collar of his tunic.

"Back! Back all of you! Flesh and steel can't fight flames! Fall back!"

The Butcher made good on his own order, and kept marching backwards. Sadly, he did not look behind himself for the other rebel forces.

Rayvs looked back at the mob of Rebels and sighed.
He shouted back at them, "Form ranks! Line up, keep archers in the back and your fighters in the front. Leave a small line of warriors in the back incase you need to defend your archers."

Rayvs continued to march toward the battle, with his knights in front, and Ghilmen behind the shield wall.

Morek waved his morningstar in the general direction of the advancing Griffon knights.

"Again! Kill the horses!"

The Radiant Knight that had not been struck by an arrow in the back pushed through the shield wall and moved to take the charge of the Griffon Knight, his polehammer ready to gut the horse or or rip the Griffon from his saddle. He held his polearm with the casual confidenceof one who had seen the Snake Cult forces up close, compared to an Anaconda Knight a Griffon was not such a terrifying foe. The Plaguewardens obeyed their orders letting loose with another volley of fearsome bolts at Gilaver's courser and the charging Griffon Knight. To a man they hoped that the Knight would be thrown from a collapsing steed to be dashed against the paving stones of the street. After they released their volley at the horses they would reload and continue to fire at targets of opportunity, taking a knee to make themselves smaller targets. Half would turn to answer the Gryphon archers in the window while the others would contiune whittling the outridders numbers down.

Behind Morek, Melka the Ebony glove added her own contribution to the fight, a few throwing knives being hurled between Morek and his conquistadors at the knights on foot, aiming to force them to keep their shields up or get a lucky throw at a gap in the armor. She had her short sword drawn as well, ready to back the leader of the Radiants up once he engaged the enemy.

"engage the enemy! Send their souls screaming into the Abyss that awaits those who oppose the will of the gods!" With that Morek let out a roar that sounded like that of an enraged bear with his Barclayans, breaking into a dead sprint to meet the Griffon knights on foot. Morek was not one for fancy blade work, his weapon of choice made that fairly obvious. Leading with his shield he would simply try to  let his momentum carry him forwards and slam into the middle of the approaching trio of knights before laying about with his morningstar; trusting Melka to have his back and his Conquistadors skill to take advantage of the chaos that a large man with a dangerous instrument would cause.

Down the street the fourth of the Radiant Knights that had paused to drag the first of the injured plaguewardens out of the way would come pelting pell-mell down the street towards his commander at full sprint , not wanting to have his comrades fight without him.

Aelos had wrestled himself from the rear and establish a clear vision over what happened in front of him. The orders of the butcher louder than anything else, Aelos peered to the side and saw the desperate charge of the Radiant Cross. Aelos roared, encouraged by the priest and the adrenaline. Now, when the battle was about to turn bloody, Aelos felt more like a Ravenstern Dragon than he had ever felt at home. A Sangendal turned Odheas, Maeghor the Icedragon reborn.

High he raised Icebreath, the sword so white as snow. Loud was his call,

"Dragons! The traitor Gilaver! Charge!"

His knights turned their gazes towards the Radiant charge, their faceplate masking their own adrenaline fueled thoughts. As one, the three knights pulled the reigns of their destriers , their movement free because of the butcher backing away, and charged towards the joined line of the Griffons and Clarion Call.

Aelos Odheas, watched them charge and ran after them. He would finally have the chance to bloody his renowned sword.

ooc: Aelos and [3] Dragon knights join the Radiant Cross.

The house remained quiet after the rousing speech, though some of the city watch looked nervously at the closing fires, for the moment they were content to sit and wait in their defensive position. Noticing the nervousness of the irregular soldiers, the greatswords began to talk among them, while maintaining their positions. Their veteran confidence working to still the watchmen's fears.

Sir Lucius watched the fire he started spread across the house with a mesmerized expression, but to anybody nearby, it was clear that he was oblivious to the chaos developing around him, much to the dismay of the Dawn Knights with him.

"Men of Windholm!" he shouted into the house, directing his attention to the City Guard trapped inside. "Astraea's Will demands that the Griffon Knights and their allies face judgment by fire! You need not pay for their sins! Join the forces of justice and avoid eternal damnation!" Lucius stepped towards the doorway that the Rebels partially destroyed, acting as if the Goddess would protect him from any and all harm; this man was either insane or divinely inspired. "Save your souls and Astraea will protect you!"

[Lucius attempts to use his Priest Background and Silver-tongued Trait to convince the nearby City Guardsmen to switch allegiances.]

The other Dawn Knights looked towards Lucius as he spoke, but they were far more concerned with the flames growing all around them. Sir Jofrid quickly communicated with them and the group of them attempted to follow the edge of the house until the burning furniture no longer trapped them.


Meanwhile, the remaining Dawn Wyverns stayed with the Plaguewardens, eagerly participating in the foot charge. They easily kept pace, using their shields to fend off incoming volleys as best they could while raising their swords to strike.