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<blockquote data-quote="Arknath" data-source="post: 499548" data-attributes="member: 2850"><p><strong>Bocata defends Helzin</strong></p><p></p><p>I led the charge as the screaming and taunting around us grew. It was only then did I realize that we were surrounded and the shadows were alive with evil. What was worse, they were spooking the horses and infiltrating our ranks with the ease of a knife through butter.</p><p></p><p>“Run on!” I commanded Anton, as he stopped to help a fallen man to his feet and his horse. “I will care for the fallen.”</p><p></p><p>Anton looked at me and nodded, pulling the man to his feet. As I approached him, I grabbed him by the back of his armor and lifted him into his saddle. One quick slap to the horse’s rear was enough to send the beast flying at full speed for the town.</p><p></p><p>I was quickly being outpaced by the horses of Oden’s men and found myself amongst the stragglers at the end of the line. It was the blessing of the Hunter that none of the men were attacked and turned into evil undead themselves. </p><p></p><p>On we ran and I yelled commands at them from behind directing them to the locations of the forbiddances that the cleric’s of Venia had placed around the city. This lent new hope to the men, that their salvation and safe haven was but a short ride away. Soon, again, with the blessing of Oti Ni Nuad, we were inside the city, without incident.</p><p></p><p></p><p>“You did WHAT?” Oden boomed at Anton when the younger commander had spoken his actions to his lord. “You were ordered to stay put! Do you follow Bocata now or me?” His face was red behind the large beard he wore.</p><p></p><p>“B-b-but sir, the m-m-men would have surely perished if not for the actions of Lord Bocata.” Anton stammered. It seemed only one true fear haunted that man, and that was of his lord commander.</p><p></p><p>“Easy, good Oden,” I offered, as I came walking up, “It was my decision and I will stand by it.” I stood over the man trying not to look intimidating.</p><p></p><p>“You may be a great warrior, Lord Bocata, but you have much to learn about order and discipline. Being a leader is more than just barking orders at this man and that.” Oden was trying to be respectful, but I could tell he was very angry at what had transpired.</p><p></p><p>“I will keep that in mind when next I am held responsible for your men, Lord Oden.” My look was hard and unwavering. Oden was a good man, I knew he was relieved at his men’s safety. But, like all leaders, he fears a pattern of disobedience will form from one unfollowed order. I like to call it “sheep-thought”.</p><p></p><p>Oden stared equally hard back towards me but said nothing. “I will speak to you later, Anton.” He said gruffly. “You are dismissed.”</p><p></p><p>Anton quickly left and gave me a sideways glance. I am still unsure if it was a silent thank you or a berating. I glanced casually at Oden. It was at this moment that I heard the cry.</p><p></p><p>“Did you hear that?” I said looking eastwards.</p><p></p><p>“Hear what?” Oden said, very uninterested. “I did not hear anything.”</p><p></p><p>The cry came again, this time more urgent. “Something is happening to the east. Some…one is in danger.”</p><p></p><p>“How do you know this?” Oden asked suspiciously, “I cannot hear anything.”</p><p></p><p>I looked at him in the eye and knew exactly what I was hearing. As if, by some divine interjection, he had just been struck with the same idea that I had, he nodded. </p><p></p><p>“Go to it.” He said softly, “It is a special blessing indeed that you have found one out in this wilderness. I will say a prayer for your safe return.”</p><p></p><p>I nodded. “My thanks, lord paladin. I hope to return and with Oti Ni Nuad’s blessing, I shall.”</p><p></p><p>We both looked at each other with silent admiration of courage and bravery knowing full well what I was about to do. It was a moment I’ll never forget, a moment shared by two beings of utterly different backgrounds who had come to an understanding.</p><p></p><p>Without another word, I took off in a dead run towards the eastern part of town. The screaming in my mind was becoming more urgent and the life-pleading nearly tore my heart in twain. I sprinted for nearly a mile, unconscious of my body’s desire to slow down or stop altogether. One moment could make all the difference where this was concerned.</p><p></p><p>I finally crested the top of the hill and stopped, panting heavily and scanning the low-lying area. There, as big as a hillside itself, was the object of my hunt. It was laying down on it’s side, bleeding from several wounds and crying out in pain, though the cries were not loud by any measure of sound. By the sound of the screaming in my mind, the utter pain and life-ending screaming I knew that this beast was in danger.</p><p></p><p>This had only happened to me once before, when Oti Ni Nuad blessed me with Nirthogen* had I felt this kind of bond between a creature. I believed that this creature was bonded to me as Nirthogen was, only there was one small difference between this creature and the small four-legged creature that was my companion for almost a year.</p><p></p><p>This creature had six heads.</p><p></p><p>I saw what was assaulting this creature. Three very strange and grotesque looking undead creatures were battering my new companion and having great fun with doing so. The scene of them surrounding him was one that enraged me unlike anything I had ever witnessed in my 34 years of life. Oti Ni Nuad had challenged me and I would not fail in that challenge.</p><p></p><p>So the rage came and I held the door open wide.</p><p></p><p>My eyes turned a pale red and my muscles tensed. I leapt down the hillock screaming bloody murder to draw attention from the creature as much as I could. The three undead beings turned to look at me and smiled grotesquely to each other as if they had a new toy to torment. It was only when I was within 30 steps of them that they realized I had not come to play.</p><p></p><p>The first creature I came upon was so slow that it did not have a chance to cherish the last moments of his unnatural life. In one swift motion, I had drawn the Hand and Shield and cut this creature down to ribbons. However, when I sliced into this creature, blood as red as the darkest rose shot towards me and splashed my skin and eyes. So powerful was the burning that I could not open my eyes and was forced into a defensive posture to regain my bearings. As the blood started to seep into my skin, a strong stiffness began to form on my limbs, but I was able to shake the paralyzing poison off.</p><p></p><p>The other two creatures realized their advantage and closed in, swiping at me with their huge bloated arms and spitting more of their hot, stinging blood onto my body. I cried out in rage and swung wildly trying to find their fat bodies with my sword points but was unable to locate them. It wasn’t until I had calmed a bit that my senses had returned. If I couldn’t see them, I would be forced to smell them out.</p><p></p><p>The first creature approached me from the right side and as his bulbous arm slammed into my armored chest, I reacted with a three hit combination that sent the monster to the ground. However, my own luck failing, I spilled more of the blood onto my skin. This time, however, I gave into the searing blood’s paralyzing effects and found that I could not move at all. It was Oti Ni Nuad’s hand that stepped in to save his servant, yet again, from certain death.</p><p></p><p>As I stood there unable to move, the third beast roared in rage and grabbed my head in his hands. His arms tensed and his hands began to move in quick motions, trying to snap my neck in half. My armor, blessed Rageskin, protected me with the strength of the Fury and his attempts to take advantage of my helplessness were ineffective.</p><p></p><p>As the time wore on, the beast tried several times to destroy me in one quick movement, and each time Rageskin repelled the attempts by the monster to rid me of my life. Through craftsmanship and sure strength of heart, I was serving the Fury well. It was then that I realized my success when I was released from paralyzation and the burning in my eyes had stopped, all at once. </p><p></p><p>I looked down at my body. My armor, my arms, weapons and even the ground about me was drenched in gory, red blood. I turned to look at the creature before me with utter contempt and hatred in my eyes.</p><p></p><p>“Now…you die.” I said with grim satisfaction. This creature bellowed again and came on, but I had planted my feet and was ready for him. The Hand and Shield made short work of this monster and I, again, was dripping in blood and surrounded by the unmoving bodies of my enemies.</p><p></p><p>As the adrenaline drained from my veins, I began to feel the effects of the poison that the creatures had injected into me. I lay next to the creature whom was dying and touched him with my hands. I prayed to the Hunter to save my friend whom I had come to rescue from utter destruction. My Lord answered me and, through me, used his power to ease the suffering of the creature. </p><p></p><p>My prayer of thanks was quick and unceremonious. Proper thanks would have to be given later. Little did I know, however, that I would be thanking my Lord in a way I never imagined possible. I slumped to the ground, unconscious and feeling very weak.</p><p></p><p>And I prayed.</p><p></p><p><em>*The name of Bocata's first mount.</em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Arknath, post: 499548, member: 2850"] [b]Bocata defends Helzin[/b] I led the charge as the screaming and taunting around us grew. It was only then did I realize that we were surrounded and the shadows were alive with evil. What was worse, they were spooking the horses and infiltrating our ranks with the ease of a knife through butter. “Run on!” I commanded Anton, as he stopped to help a fallen man to his feet and his horse. “I will care for the fallen.” Anton looked at me and nodded, pulling the man to his feet. As I approached him, I grabbed him by the back of his armor and lifted him into his saddle. One quick slap to the horse’s rear was enough to send the beast flying at full speed for the town. I was quickly being outpaced by the horses of Oden’s men and found myself amongst the stragglers at the end of the line. It was the blessing of the Hunter that none of the men were attacked and turned into evil undead themselves. On we ran and I yelled commands at them from behind directing them to the locations of the forbiddances that the cleric’s of Venia had placed around the city. This lent new hope to the men, that their salvation and safe haven was but a short ride away. Soon, again, with the blessing of Oti Ni Nuad, we were inside the city, without incident. “You did WHAT?” Oden boomed at Anton when the younger commander had spoken his actions to his lord. “You were ordered to stay put! Do you follow Bocata now or me?” His face was red behind the large beard he wore. “B-b-but sir, the m-m-men would have surely perished if not for the actions of Lord Bocata.” Anton stammered. It seemed only one true fear haunted that man, and that was of his lord commander. “Easy, good Oden,” I offered, as I came walking up, “It was my decision and I will stand by it.” I stood over the man trying not to look intimidating. “You may be a great warrior, Lord Bocata, but you have much to learn about order and discipline. Being a leader is more than just barking orders at this man and that.” Oden was trying to be respectful, but I could tell he was very angry at what had transpired. “I will keep that in mind when next I am held responsible for your men, Lord Oden.” My look was hard and unwavering. Oden was a good man, I knew he was relieved at his men’s safety. But, like all leaders, he fears a pattern of disobedience will form from one unfollowed order. I like to call it “sheep-thought”. Oden stared equally hard back towards me but said nothing. “I will speak to you later, Anton.” He said gruffly. “You are dismissed.” Anton quickly left and gave me a sideways glance. I am still unsure if it was a silent thank you or a berating. I glanced casually at Oden. It was at this moment that I heard the cry. “Did you hear that?” I said looking eastwards. “Hear what?” Oden said, very uninterested. “I did not hear anything.” The cry came again, this time more urgent. “Something is happening to the east. Some…one is in danger.” “How do you know this?” Oden asked suspiciously, “I cannot hear anything.” I looked at him in the eye and knew exactly what I was hearing. As if, by some divine interjection, he had just been struck with the same idea that I had, he nodded. “Go to it.” He said softly, “It is a special blessing indeed that you have found one out in this wilderness. I will say a prayer for your safe return.” I nodded. “My thanks, lord paladin. I hope to return and with Oti Ni Nuad’s blessing, I shall.” We both looked at each other with silent admiration of courage and bravery knowing full well what I was about to do. It was a moment I’ll never forget, a moment shared by two beings of utterly different backgrounds who had come to an understanding. Without another word, I took off in a dead run towards the eastern part of town. The screaming in my mind was becoming more urgent and the life-pleading nearly tore my heart in twain. I sprinted for nearly a mile, unconscious of my body’s desire to slow down or stop altogether. One moment could make all the difference where this was concerned. I finally crested the top of the hill and stopped, panting heavily and scanning the low-lying area. There, as big as a hillside itself, was the object of my hunt. It was laying down on it’s side, bleeding from several wounds and crying out in pain, though the cries were not loud by any measure of sound. By the sound of the screaming in my mind, the utter pain and life-ending screaming I knew that this beast was in danger. This had only happened to me once before, when Oti Ni Nuad blessed me with Nirthogen* had I felt this kind of bond between a creature. I believed that this creature was bonded to me as Nirthogen was, only there was one small difference between this creature and the small four-legged creature that was my companion for almost a year. This creature had six heads. I saw what was assaulting this creature. Three very strange and grotesque looking undead creatures were battering my new companion and having great fun with doing so. The scene of them surrounding him was one that enraged me unlike anything I had ever witnessed in my 34 years of life. Oti Ni Nuad had challenged me and I would not fail in that challenge. So the rage came and I held the door open wide. My eyes turned a pale red and my muscles tensed. I leapt down the hillock screaming bloody murder to draw attention from the creature as much as I could. The three undead beings turned to look at me and smiled grotesquely to each other as if they had a new toy to torment. It was only when I was within 30 steps of them that they realized I had not come to play. The first creature I came upon was so slow that it did not have a chance to cherish the last moments of his unnatural life. In one swift motion, I had drawn the Hand and Shield and cut this creature down to ribbons. However, when I sliced into this creature, blood as red as the darkest rose shot towards me and splashed my skin and eyes. So powerful was the burning that I could not open my eyes and was forced into a defensive posture to regain my bearings. As the blood started to seep into my skin, a strong stiffness began to form on my limbs, but I was able to shake the paralyzing poison off. The other two creatures realized their advantage and closed in, swiping at me with their huge bloated arms and spitting more of their hot, stinging blood onto my body. I cried out in rage and swung wildly trying to find their fat bodies with my sword points but was unable to locate them. It wasn’t until I had calmed a bit that my senses had returned. If I couldn’t see them, I would be forced to smell them out. The first creature approached me from the right side and as his bulbous arm slammed into my armored chest, I reacted with a three hit combination that sent the monster to the ground. However, my own luck failing, I spilled more of the blood onto my skin. This time, however, I gave into the searing blood’s paralyzing effects and found that I could not move at all. It was Oti Ni Nuad’s hand that stepped in to save his servant, yet again, from certain death. As I stood there unable to move, the third beast roared in rage and grabbed my head in his hands. His arms tensed and his hands began to move in quick motions, trying to snap my neck in half. My armor, blessed Rageskin, protected me with the strength of the Fury and his attempts to take advantage of my helplessness were ineffective. As the time wore on, the beast tried several times to destroy me in one quick movement, and each time Rageskin repelled the attempts by the monster to rid me of my life. Through craftsmanship and sure strength of heart, I was serving the Fury well. It was then that I realized my success when I was released from paralyzation and the burning in my eyes had stopped, all at once. I looked down at my body. My armor, my arms, weapons and even the ground about me was drenched in gory, red blood. I turned to look at the creature before me with utter contempt and hatred in my eyes. “Now…you die.” I said with grim satisfaction. This creature bellowed again and came on, but I had planted my feet and was ready for him. The Hand and Shield made short work of this monster and I, again, was dripping in blood and surrounded by the unmoving bodies of my enemies. As the adrenaline drained from my veins, I began to feel the effects of the poison that the creatures had injected into me. I lay next to the creature whom was dying and touched him with my hands. I prayed to the Hunter to save my friend whom I had come to rescue from utter destruction. My Lord answered me and, through me, used his power to ease the suffering of the creature. My prayer of thanks was quick and unceremonious. Proper thanks would have to be given later. Little did I know, however, that I would be thanking my Lord in a way I never imagined possible. I slumped to the ground, unconscious and feeling very weak. And I prayed. [I]*The name of Bocata's first mount.[/I] [/QUOTE]
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