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Jaerrick's Journal - Delcar's never done THAT before! |
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Written by Jaerrick
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Wednesday, 29 July 2009 |
The Count has announced a tournament for the feast week of Planting, but this evening the announcement was for a two week long tourney.
We were discussing the events that we could look forward to when the Count’s countenance took on a pained expression. Without further warning, his majesty thrust the Countess away from himself and leapt back from the table before bursting into flames!
An undescribed time before the Feastweek of Planting . . .
It’s been cold and rainy these past few weeks, with the sun occasionally appearing from behind the clouds.
Delcar had called us all together for a dinner in the main hall. I suppose the Count tries to sup with us as often as occasion permits, but this evening he had something to discuss regarding the county.
The Count has announced a tournament for the feast week of Planting, but this evening the announcement was for a two week long tourney.
We were discussing the events that we could look forward to when the Count’s countenance took on a pained expression. Without further warning, his majesty thrust the Countess away from himself and leapt back from the table before bursting into flames!
His last and seemingly dying words were for us to protect the Countess and the Baroness (my aunt.)
Nos and Rashida bolted for the closest tapestry and using that they tried to beat the flames down.
Someone tried to pull Shethba away, but instead she signaled a pause and tried to summon a conjuration of sorts. Whatever it was that made this flame that was afflicting Delcar, Shethba was powerless against it.
While Rashida and Nos beat at the flames and the count, others (Jor I distinctly remember) did summon forth water from the air.
The Count was splashed several times by at least three mages. The Count was engulfed by billowing clouds of steam and doused four times before the flame’s hunger was sated.
I was about to follow the others out the front hall, when Turgor burst open the doors (leading the procession out) and a terrible crashing sound reverberated throughout the hall.
Turgor shouted something about a breach in the castle wall and then tore off with a battle cry.
At Turgor’s warning, I did grasp a long sword and shield from the wall of the dining hall and did prepare myself for serious combat. Sir Baltric, of Urnst, did take up one of the swords in the wall as well, and then we did light ourselves to follow the others.
The scene that met me when I stepped outside was daunting, to say the least.
There were two fire mages atop the temple scaffolding. They were pinning the local guardsmen within their barracks. An enemy archer who was adorned with magical bat wings was flying about 40 feet above the courtyard and was raining arrows at any target of opportunity.
In the main courtyard and just on the other side of the newly breached castle wall, stood a peculiar Dwarven warrior encased completely in thick plate armor. There were two odd things about this particular Dwarf. His head was completely encased so that one could not see his face. The other odd bit was the impossibly large gold coloured battle hammer. In spite of the ridiculous size, this Dwarf was still able to swing this hammer, one handed, and the effects were terrible to behold. The Dwarf did smash his hammer upon the ground and from his blow, a wave of force shot from it to wend its way to the Dwarven enemy. I saw the women, racing to the women’s barracks with a close knit unit of guards (mostly the female knights.) Outside the castle walls, we could hear, and catch glimpses of enemy footmen who were attempting to gain entrance to the castle, proper.
Nos and Jor were ahead of me and we were all thinking similarly of getting to the Knights barracks, so as to equip ourselves for a better defense.
There was an elderly knight who called out Turgor, taunting him into a personal contest. Turgor, in spite of being unarmored and armed only with a short sword, did alter his course, and bellowed a vulgar response. The two swung at each other as Turgor closed in and bowled the man down. They proceeded to beat upon each other while lying upon the ground.
I did note that Rashida was charging the Dwarf wielding the gold hammer. Storm Chaser, did try to flank this Dwarf, and for her troubles, the Centaur was struck, square upon her horse chest, and was thrown into the castle wall. I could not see for certain, but she seemed lifeless. After that display and with Rashida charging alone, things seemed hopeless for our side.
I turned my attention to my destination and hoped that I could survive the run to the Barracks. The only thing that might stay my progress was the Bat winged archer. The fire mages were preoccupied with keeping the garrison pinned down.
The Bat winged archer did come to attack us, and his first arrow pierced Nos’ leg, crippling him. Jor, faithful as ever (or foolish if you take my meaning,) stopped to try to protect Nos. Unfortunately, the lad had forgotten to pick up a shield. The two of them began a walking fight, with Nos shooting at the archer with Lightning and Jor casting Ice Sphere missiles.
I raced past the two and just as I did, the flying bat winged archer put an arrow through Jor’s arm.
Pressing myself harder, I put my shield between me and the archer and ran.
I was fortunate to not draw any ire, and bolted upstairs. I knew that with the fight in earnest, I didn’t have much time to equip myself. I briefly noted that Beltrick was still behind me and unharmed as we parted to our rooms.
I quickly strapped on my weapon baldric which carried my hand and a half sword and then took up my bow and a quarrel of arrows.
I went to the arrow slit in my room, which happened to overlook the inner courtyard, with bow and arrow notched.
I was looking for a prime target, when I spotted that bat winged fiend, as he floated conveniently right in front of me.
His back was turned to me as I drew back, and I eyed his left shoulder, judging the drop of my missile carefully.
The arrow loosed itself and floated into his back, driving itself deep into his body.
He yelled in panic, but before I could ready another missile he flew straight up and away.
I searched for another target, but to my astonishment the Dwarf, who was at the time, being manhandled by Rashida simply disappeared, right from her grasp.
Similarly, others of the enemy soon disappeared as well, as if they had been a false illusion, but leaving behind them ruin and wreckage.
Not all of the enemy disappeared, though. Just the mages and captains of this battle. The footmen who were hastily abandoned, began to throw down their swords and to surrender.
I turned and was striding down the hall back to the stairs leading down, when I met Beltric.
“It’s over,” I reported in disgust.
“What?” he asked arrogantly, “We’ve yielded already?”
“No. They have.”
We helped round up the rest of the enemy, Mercenaries really. They’re task was simply to put us to the sword, and none had really considered the possibility of a victory. To emphasis this point, we actually noted that there were none killed on our side, and the wounds were mostly superficial.
The fight had been set as a theatrical production by the Dwarf with the golden hammer, but for what purpose?
The other knights reported that he was demanding the return of Groslyn, Turgor’s new bride.
Being under marriage, I think the prospects of that are unlikely.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 July 2009 )
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