North- East of Torbah IC

The moment the Knights of the Radiant Cross reached the hot desert around Torbah Mattus knew they should have used the Pass of Highcliff Castle. The heat made the Knights sweat extremely and water was a necessity. They traveled alone most of the time but as Torbah came into sight so came the D'shar Raiders. At first they only saw one on the Horizon, but quickly their numbers rose . Mattus counted at least 30 of them but it was hard to tell because of their formation, or rather their lack of formation. The raiders were using their usual hit and run tactics, charging forwards and then releasing a flurry of arrows before returning to a safe distance. Most of the first volleys landed short of the Radiant formation, the few that reached the men were not able to penetrate the thick armor of the Radiant Knights.

The Formation of the Radiant Cross was advancing slowly. The Knights looked like gods of war with their huge Polehammers, their pure sight might keep the D'shar Raiders at a distance. In between them were the Plaguewardens, their Crossbows were loaded and ready to fire should the D'shar charge again for a another volley of Arrows. Behind them rode the newest contingent of the Radiant Cross, 10 Veccavian Knights in their beautiful armor. Their bows were ready as well but they were not firing yet, the enemy was just too far away. The left flank was occupied by the Knights of the Radiant Shield and Mattus himself, they were prepared to charge with spear and shield ready, they were just waiting for a moment.

"Keep the formation, Mattus looked at his Veccavian Knights. ready your Bows!"

Mattus tried to judge the distance at which the Raiders normally fired their bows, as they charged again he tried to get a moment just before they turned around again to give his commands.

Things had certain started off at a clip, not too long after entering the steppes and already someone was trying to kill them. Morek's band held the middle of the line of the Radiant Cross, his men arrayed in a formation that was different than Mattus, favoring a more conservative approach. Four plaguewardens held the first line, each with a Knight of the Order close behind him brandishing their wicked polehammer at the raiders. Behind them the other 6 wardens of the warband held their lethal crossbows loaded and at the ready at the enemies. In the gap between left flank comprised of mattus and his men and the center, the four heavily armored Barclayan Conquistadors rode on their heavy barded chargers, resplendent in their heavy plate and mail. They held their shields bearing their personal heraldry before them with their lances held at the ready, prepared to unleash their charge when the time was right.

Morek huffed beneath his helm from his spot in the line, the first line with shields presented. His large shield didn't even bear a single arrow in it, none of the few that had managed to hit it had gotten stuck in the stout wood or even marred the brilliant white cross upon it. The haft of his large warhammer poked over his shoulder, but he held his morningstar in hand, the weapon more suited to the shield wall than a weapon that needed two hands to use. He turned his head to the crossbowmen behind him.

"Fire when they raise their bows to shoot, our weapons have a range superior to anything they posses they should be well within range before then. Show them the accuracy of a real weapon of war. Man or beast, I care not which you hit but let your bolts be fired well aimed. As for the rest of you, keep formation! It served us well enough in Windholm, it'll serve us now. Fight as one!"

He turned back to the sight of the raiders before him, waiting to see the effects of a volley of bolts into them.

De'Veer, for lack of a better word, cowered behind the rest of the shield wall. Sweat poured out of his hairline in what was approaching waterfall levels. His face was red and flustered and he stumbled several times to keep with the group. The D'Sharsian heat had hit him like a brick wall, the far milder Amalan forests had had a softening effect on the knight. He staggers forward with his surgeons bare essentials bouncing around in his bag, his helmet swinging wildly from a string at his waist. He collapses against Moreks shoulder, leaning heavily on the larger man, gasping for air to stave of the heatstroke. "Yes, yes quite" He incoherently mumbles, waving his hand vaguely, "Do what he sais!" Glancing down you can see he is dragging his maul along the ground at arms length.

De'Veers four companions seem to be faring much better, they keep pace with the group and wait pensively with each barrage ready to strike like coiled cobras if the nomads get close enough, whether they will is another story. The rest of De'Veers plaguewardons seem complacent to follow Moreks and Mattus' orders.

The outriders appeared on the plateau. They had traveled nearly non-stop on the way to Torbah. Most had taken off their helmets and hung them on the saddle replacing them with cloth wrapped around their head to stop dust thrown up by the other horses from entering their eyes. Some of the outriders still were recovering from their last skirmish. All were fight worthy however, just maintain the bandages over cuts and bruises. Three rookies joined them, they could be spotted from the rest by their straight backs and grins.

Leading the Crescent Horns was Natir. He was tired, being almost constantly on the move ever since leaving Windholm, because he had stayed longer then most of the other orders helping put out the fires and helping the area to some extent recover.  His face cold and stern, he surveyed the city and the nearby area. The desert heat blurred the image of the city in the distance, making it seem like it could be merely a mirage. Taking a gulp of water from his canteen and counting his fingers he determined, he was still hydrated enough to know this was no mirage.

As the outriders continued to the city, Natir heard something. He immediately ordered his men to stop so that he could distinguish the difference between the sound of their hoofs and the unknown vibrations. He heard shouts and the pats of hoofs beating against the desert sand, and the occasional thud of arrows striking wooden shields coming from over the dune to the right of them. Natir indicated for his right hand man, Vanha, to follow him as he climbed up the dune leaving the rest of the troops under the supervision of Sir Petro.

Upon reaching near the  top of the dune Natir dismounted and left his horse with Vanha a few feet from the top of the dune and continue stealth fully to the top of the dune and  saw the situation. The Radiant Cross were being attacked by a raiding party of horsemen. Natir sat on the edge of the dune's peak for a while thinking to himself. He finally slided down the dune to where Vanha waited, and mounted his horse again. He indicted for the squads of Vanha and his self (12 outriders +Aodh) to join him on the side of the dune and for the rest to go around and flank the cavalry on the sounding of two Clarion Calls.

"Who is it?" Vanha asked.
"Its the Radiant Crosses"
"Why are we helping them? Their leader killed Hurack"
"I know... but their castle is one of the closest to Janos of the orders, and if things go bad I would prefer them to be on our side, especially now since reports say there is an army nearby I would prefer not to be caught alone. Plus that one name Borek or Morek or whatever his name is, seemed to be able to be reasoned with." Seeing Vanha was still unconvinced, Just think of it as clearing out some bandits, not helping the Radiant Cross."

Natir spurred his horse and shot off over the dune. The outriders followed quickly behind. Natir paused at the top of the dune put his lips to his clarion and blew the iconic horn twice, as his men spit into two. One group moving past his right and the other to his left. They charged down the dune. The main charge headed straight for the group of with Vanha's group taking the front with their bows shooting into the group of horsemen before splitting off from the charge to allow the Lance wielding troops of Natir squad to push through and charge into the chaos they created.  Vanha swooped around then horsemen in an attempt to drive any retreating horsemen into the spears of the Radiant Cross. Petro's group swung round the outside of the dune and tried to charge into the back of the cavalry.

Morek stiffened at the sound of the clarion, standing up slightly straighter to get a better view over the rim of his shield. Seeing the lightly armored outriders and then Mattus's own personal troops charging seemed like a good reason to commit his own mounted forces.

Morek raised his morningstar and waved it in the air towards his Conquistadors, who turned to look at him. He pointed it forwards at the raiders whom the Clarion Call were charging with Mattus and the Veccavians.

"Go! Support them and crush the raiders under your heel! Support the Clarions and the Radiant Shield."

Four heavy lances were simultaneously lowered towards the enemy as four Barclayan Chargers were spurred into motion forwards as the Conquistadors began their charge. They picked up speed rapidly as they chose an approach between Mattus's mounted men and the Veccavi Knights, seeking to do as all heavy cavalry sought to do, smash the enemy under lance heads and hooves.

The dust setted slowly and what remained were the screams of the wounded and dying. Mattus looked around to count his men and luckily everyone was still there.

"Dismount and search for anyone we can keep alive for questioning, give the rest an honorable death."

He said this without giving any sign of emotions, his face remained cold. As his men dismounted he searched for the Commander of the Clarion Call and rode slowly towards him. He fastened his shield at the horses saddle and held his spear at his side.

"Greetings Commander, my name is Mattus Meraxes of the Order of the Radiant Cross, and it seems we are in your debt."

Mattus inclined his head and help his left hand over his heart to show his respect.

As Morek approached, he replaced his morningstar back in his belt. The wardens that had their crossbows drawn replaced them with their blades and shields as they headed towards the field littered with corpses.

"Spread out, search the bodies for anything of use or interest. Kill any mortally wounded but see if there are any that will live." He unknowingly echoes Mattus's command.

Meanwhile as his men moved amongst the bodies of the raiders, the Barclyans were thrusting their lances up in the air and chanting in their native tounge, taking advantage of the situation to celebrate the victory, minor though it was.

Morek himself walked over to stand by Mattus's side. His black painted armor covered by a cheap, light cloak the type of which he had made sure to acquire for himself and the members of the warband as they moved towards the D'Shar lands to combat the rays of the sun and drifting sands. His black helmet with the white cross painted on the front was recognizable to those who might have met him in Windholm however if they cared to think back.

"Well. The Clarion Call. You're a ways from Janos."

De'Veer shuddered from the adrenaline leaving his body, he felt a bit more clear headed after the raiders had been routed. Placing down his bag, he thankfully gulps down some unpleasantly warm water. Pulling out a gruppy hankerchief, he mops at forhead and cleans his glasses. Unconcerned with Clarion call he pulls out his surgeons tools and walks over to the press of dying men, waiting to be signaled over to survivors.

Natir, re nodded in reply to the Mattus, and with friendly chuckle, commented. "You are very generous, but the most I saved you is a small nuisance, but I am glad we were a help. I'm am Sir Natir, I believe I have already met your fellow knight Sir Morek" By this time, Sir Petro had rode up to join behind his captain. "Go find any of the riders who maybe still alive for questioning." Petro was about to protest but a Natir ignored him and concentrated on the Radiant Cross. So Petro left grumbling to himself.

"Greetings Sir Morek. Yes, we have traveled a fair distance to get here, and got here just in time as it seems. If I am not mistaken you traveled a long way to get here as well, I'm assuming you also came because of the rumours of a Warlord uniting the D'Shar tribes. "

Mattus took the initiative to answer before Morek could.

"Yes, this army might be a thread to all of Pendor, the least we can do is try to find out what they want. I hope we can solve this without having to fight more."

Mattus dismounted. He walked among the bodies of the slain. The color of the robes of the dead matched that of the sand, for someone riding by fast the bodies would be very hard to see, the only thing that gave them away was the red of their blood. Mattus called two of his men over.

"Try to find some robes without too much blood on them, we might need them as camouflage later one."

Morek nodded sagely at natir's words.

"There is little of value in these lands now besides horseflesh and the men to ride it. This army might be enough to tip the balance and throw Pendor back into the chaos it last saw in the Unification War. We are here to ensure that does not happen."

"Yes it it as you say. My Order is here for the same reason. I hope this common objective will help us overcome any grievances that were created in Windholm. " Knowing this would be a slightly uncomfortable subject for both sides, Natir quickly changed the topic. "Do have any idea where the army is amassing? The city of Torbah is nearby. I was going to head there first to get more information."

As the knights spoke, plaguewardens walked among the fallen, administering treatment to those who could be saved and comforting those who could not. Though they were warriors, they were also physicians and could not, in good conscience, let men suffer in their sight. One flagged down De'Veer, pointing to his man.

"He's pretty badly hurt, sir," he said, indicating the surprisingly well-armored and unconscious patient. "Took a sword to the arm, it looks like. I think he's important, at least to this band. He might be worth saving for later questioning."

A chilly silence came between the Radiant Knight and Clarion rider for a moment, the dark eye holes of Morek's Great Helm boring into Natir's eyes at the mention of Windholm. It was apparently a sore subject to discuss at the moment, especially when the same horses that had recently crushed the life from a member of the Radiant Order into the cobblestones of Windholm were standing about short distance away.

However, when he spoke again, Morek's voice didn't reflect the chill that had split the desert air not a moment before, he merely drew the shabby brown cloak he wore tslightly igther around his large, armored body.

"An army the size of the one reported to have amassed will need shelter and more importantly water. The ruins of Torbah have both in abundance as I doubt the wells will be dry, especially since no one has touched them in decades before now. We would welcome your presence if you care to slow your pace of travel for our infantry to keep up."

"Aaah Yes" De'Veer purred, pulling out a small knife and peeling away the clothing from the wound. The blood was already drying in the sun as De'Veer gently teases the mail away to reveal the full extent of the damage. The mail had broken, the gash was not as deep as it seemed. The man must have been hit at full speed as he galloped past. Lucky the mail did so well, De'Veer pondered as he turned the arm gently looking for any metal or tunic in it. Any deeper and the arm would be sheared in half. Taking out his scissors De'Veer cuts away the cloth above the cut, taking out a heavier pair of pliers he then cuts away the mail. De'Veer then pulls out small staples and pliers, as well as a small bowl and wineskin. Placing the staples in the bowl he pours the contents of the wineskin in with the staples, producing a smell that melts earwax. Fiddling with the pliers he removes the small fragments of mail and cloth out of the wound and then pulls the skin over, stapling the wound together with the sterilized pieces.  Unwrapping a bandage he slowly ties it around the wound. Not much more to be done for such blows, if he was strong he would live. Or he might get sick and die. Either way he would at least live long enough to be questioned.

Mattus walked over to Edison, he looked over his shoulder as he fixed the wound of the Raider. He was visibly impressed with his quick work. After he was finished Mattus knelt down and searched the unconcious body for concealed weapons.

"We don't want him killing anyone of us or himself now that you helped him." He then turned to Edison." Do you have anything with you that could wake him up? Or do we have to wait?"

Coming over the hill Harvey stopped for a moment briefly taking in the battlefield before him and the area around it for signs of danger while pondering how much he should reveal to the other orders before coming to the most obvious conclusion.

"Aurora, Eve, Lucian, Chrissy when we're around other people we're Knighs of Ravenstern and nothing else clear? Nobody out here knows we're with an order and I want to keep it that way for the time being so the first one of you who lets slip we're Clarion gets 10 seconds to run 100 yards or I start shooting."

As he continued to watch the scene below Harvey wasn't surprised to hear a snort of amusement from behind him and reached back to poke Eve in the stomach and wink at her catching the pale faces of the others out of the corner of his eye.

"One day that mouths gonna get you into trouble that your bow can't get you out of girl, you better hope I'm around to save your sorry ass again when it does.

Anyway, let's go introduce ourselves before we miss out on all the fun."


A few minutes later Harvey walks into the midst of the Knights aiming for a pair he had spotted from the hill who seemed to be standing over somebody and stopping just to the side of the pair with an easy going smile on his face and casually interrupted there conversation.

"Hello friends!!!! Or future friends as the case may be. I'm Von Waggle, Harvey Von Waggle, perhaps you've heard of me.
Youngest Ranger of the last generation, Bowmaster and Knight of Ravenstern, please hold your admiration I'm just a man.

Anyway as I was saying, thats my name and these 4 behind me are my apprentices, Lucian is the son of some noble or other, he's a nervous sort but Astrea knows he's got a good eye.
Aurora and Chrissy are sisters but nobody would train them and well, look at those faces."

Harvey motions off handedly towards the pair of attractive young woman.

" Could you say no to that? Well both of them are damned fine shots if I do say so myself, which I do, or just did I should say. You get the idea. "

After a few seconds of silence Eve pushes past the others with difficulty being the smallest and lightest of the group.

" And I'm Eve and I became a ranger even younger then he di... "

Shaking his head in amusement Harvey covers her mouth ignoring her attempts to bite through his glove.

" Oh yes this little nightmare is Eve and as she never tires of pointing out she's the youngest Ranger of her generation and became one a full 3 days younger I did. So, whats going on around here anyway I was taking this lot for some training when I heard something about an army in the area and Knights gathering to take it on. "

[i]As Harvey speaks a slight thumping sound followed by a muffler groan can be heard as Eve stamps down on Harvey boot at the word " little " hurting her own foot in the process.

(( Side note : My armor and that of my men is ordinary Knights armor with the mark of Ravenstern on it, it doesn't show that we're Clarion. ))

"You could try slapping him?" De'Veer says after several seconds. He looks up to see the newcomers approach the group. "Oh great jesters." He murmurs to Mattus, pausing to sip at his water bottle. "Doubt they'll find much work out here.

Natir thought for a second wondering if he should address the obvious bitterness shared by both of the orders, but decided against it.

"Hmm... We appreciate your invitation and we will join you until we get to Torbah and see where our paths lead from there. I'll send my men ahead to scout, so we can find a clear route to city." Natir motioned for Sir Petro to go and scout ahead.

Natir and noticed the newcomers who were talking to the other Radiant Crosses.

''It appears we have more knights joining us to Torbah. Shall we go over and introduce ourselves." Natir got of his horse, gave the reigns of his horse to Vanha, and walked over to the new comers.

"Greetings, are you on your way to Torbah as well, Rangers of the North?"

OOC: Von Waggle is a new addition to the Clarrion Call, and so Natir hasn't met him yet due to Windholm. So he doesn't recognize Von Waggle either.

Mattus stood up as the small group approached them, he listened closely and nodded at each person the speaker introduced.

"Then let me introduce myself as well, Mattus Meraxes is the name and this ones name is Edison de'Veer, and as you might have noticed we are members of the Radiant Cross."

He looked over to the side and saw Morek and Natir approaching.

"And as you see we have some Knights of the Clarion Call with us as well. We are here because of the rumors of an army gathering, but right now they are still rumors. And now that I talk about I have to do something." After a short break he added. " Lets wake him up then"

Mattus knelt down again and started slapping the unconcious man.

Harvey smiles and nods towards the new arrivals and shrugs his shoulders.

"I have nothing more interesting planned at present and these 4 need some experience in real battles, so I guess so strangely under dressed Knight."

Morek didn't say much as he arrived at the spot where the man was being slapped by Mattus.

"Morek Valran of the Radiant Cross." Was all he gave by way of introduction before pulling his large warhammer off his back and resting it on his shoulder. If the prisoner wanted to be difficult and not speak, a large man with a dangerous looking weapon was certainly an incentive.

Morek's men meanwhile finished up their search and execute mission, wiping blades that had been used to dispatch the critically wounded on patches of grass. The Conquistadors were busy squabbling good naturedly over who was going to get a small pouch containing a few silver half-denars they had picked off one of the corpses. It seems that there hadn't been much of importance on the raiders, or at least his men hadn't given it to him yet.

Mattus stopped slapping to look up at the newcomers.

"If you are looking for practice then you will surely get some. If not here in Torbah then you can come with us to our Fortress, we always need new recruits and there is much to do. If not in Pendor then in Amala."

He then eyed Morek for a second, the huge man blocked the sun completely but the Shadow of him was welcome in this desert where there was nothing else giving you any respite of the sun. He then grabbed his water flask and poured a bit of the water into the face of the Raider below him. He then raised his hand to continue slapping.