Last Stand of the Dorinthians (Chapter 3 - The Imperials)

[GlassEye]

Despite Dartis being pressed by two Imperials Silas moves to the still and bleeding Rix. He kneels and rips a strip of cloth from Rix's clothing to use as a bandage. Though he has little skill at it himself he'll attempt to perform first aid on the kobold. "C'mon, you little bugger," murmurs Silas, "I know you haven't finished being contrary, yet." He looks up from his work to yell for help. "KEL!"

 

[Fenris]

Dartis curses as his leg is again bitten by Imperial magics. Still, a soldier doesn't falter, and he would be damned if he had come this far to let a few Tallione taken him down. Spurring on Swift they both attack the wounded robed Imperial.

OOC: [/sblock] Unless of course one of us drops him, then the other will strike at the remaining robed Imperial [/sblock]

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Silas tries to stop the life from seeping from the bleeding Rix, then screams out for Kel's help. Danica's shot buries itself in the thigh of the Imperial fighting Kel, causing the man to scream and spurt blood down his leg. He remains standing, however, and focuses on the elf in front of him. Kel tries to finish him, but is unable. He runs past him instead, causing an attack of opportunity that barely misses him. Kel scrambles next to Silas and yells, "Go back to the battle. I'll help him!"

Chalik swings at the second soldier, but misses once more and curses his luck. Dartis attacks the priest in front of him, but his sword goes wide. Swift has better luck, kicking out and crushing the dark-robed man's head in. He goes down in a slump.

The wizard curses and walks backwards towards the two remaining soldiers. He casts a spell and a ball of acid springs forth and hits Dartis (-2 hps to Dartis). The soldiers both attack Chalik, with one moving to flank the dwarf. Although one of the soldiers misses the nimble rogue, the second swings and barely wounds him across the forearm (-4 hps to Chalik).

 

[Fenris]

Dartis grits his teeth against the pain of the acid burning his flesh.

Fine, if they want a distance combat, I well prepared to fight that way he thinks as he draws his bow. His eyes flickered over the field, taking in the movements of his men and Danica. Rix and Alexander were safe, or as safe as they could make them. Chalik was in need though.

Mounted on a trusty steed, bow in hand, as the arrow is drawn, a flood of memories assault his mind momentarily. Here though was the pride of Dorinthia, here was their glory, here was their skill. Little felt better to Dartis than being on horseback with a drawn bow. He smiled at the Imperial, not as intimidation, but the sheer joy of being on horseback firing a bow. Not since the disaster at Kalden had he felt it.

Rythmically, two arrows sped from his bow at the Imperials.

OOC: [sblock] First at the last Robed imperial, if he falls with the first shot, them at one of the guards. Swift will stand ready to strike any that close with Dartis.[/sblock]

 

[Kobold Stew]

Danica has loaded her crossbow again, and sends a bolt coursing towards one of the Imperial soldiers attacking Kel.

 

[GlassEye]

Seeing Kel's reckless dash through the battle to aid Rix and Alexander Silas quickly stands to give Kel a little defense so that he can work to save the kobold's life. Whipping the wand of magic missiles from his sleeve Silas fires it at the nearest Imperial.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Danica sees the soldier that attacked Kel let the priest run by, and instead moves to attack Chalik. She fires at this man, but misses badly and nearly hits the dwarf instead. Chalik hardly notices, his concentration instead on the Imperial in front of him. With an angry shout, the dwarf feints in one direction, then brings his rapier straight for the raised armpit of his enemy, connecting with the flesh in between the armor and ripping a chunk out.

The two Imperial troops respond in kind, with the injured one missing Chalik, but the other hitting the dwarf from behind and leaving a bloody slash on his back (-4 hps to Chalik).

Dartis takes out his bow and fires his two arrows, the first missing the robed man, but the second landing squarely in his ribs. The man wheezes, and a spell fizzles, but he remains standing. Kel continues to work feverishly on Rix, casting a spell of healing to attempt to stabilize the kobold. As he does so, Silas moves in front of him to protect the pair, removes his wand in one fluid motion, and whispers a command word. A bolt of magical energy springs forth, hitting the black-robed wizard that Dartis had just shot and causing him to flip over dead at the feet of the two remaining Imperials.

At the sight of this, both of the remaining Imperials back slowly away from Chalik, gently place their weapons and shields on the ground, and place their hands up in surrender. As the party considers what to do, the lead Imperial column stops just short of them, led by Commander Sassarius. On the other side, the dwarven army and human militia stop at an equal distance. Both forces consider one another for a moment before spending the next few seconds dressing up the lines in preparation for battle. The two surviving Imperials look back and forth and notice that they, and the party, are dead in the center of any charge that might happen. "We're dead men," one of the Imperials wails to his companion in worry.

 

[Fenris]

"Chalik, bind their hands and lead them back. Kel get Rix on his feet and out of here with Alexander. Back to the line. Danica, Silas, watch my back. Nefius is still out here somewhere. Meanwhle slowly back up towards the column. I am going to see what I can do." says Dartis.

The young noble then slowly trotsout alone towards the Imperial line. Hand empty and raised in token of parlay. Stopping just out of bow range from the Imperials.

"Commander Sassarius, I would speak with you!" calls out Dartis.

 

[GlassEye]

Before Dartis rides out to meet Commander Sassarius, Silas hurriedly steps over to Lord Kalnian's horse and, murmuring a string of words of arcane power and briefly touching Dartis on the leg, casts Protection from Arrows. He ducks his head in obeisance to Dartis' command saying, "Yes, Lord," then slowly retreats toward the Dorinthian and Dwarven line.

As he goes, Dartis' words concerning Nefius echo through his mind. Nefius still about, but hidden... He frowns and tries to come up with something that he can do when he realizes that there is one spell... As soon as he is able he will cast Detect Magic and begin scanning the area of their short-lived battle for sign of the wizard...

 

[Fenris]

OOC: [sblock] Good call Glasseye! Thanks. Especially since I can't do squat about Nefius, I'm glad you thought of something. Let's see what KS can come up with as well. [/sblock]