Midnight: A Lost Faith's Shadow. Book 1, The Awakening. Chapter 2, Flight

[elapse]

Who needs enemies with friends like us?

Reznik
The frustration growing inside of Reznik knew no bounds. Nothing, nothing in this god forsaken, shadow filled hell-hole of a world was favorable. It was as if these refugees from Caft were unknowing participants in a story for someones sick amusement.

Wrong or not in the assumption of the riders allegiance, Reznik was not about to throw down his weapon and be cut down. He would stay his blade as long as possible, but had no compunctions against killing the Dorns.

The lead riders words caught Reznik's attention. Protect the girl with your lives, he said. Reznik wondered if they spoke of Aisilinn. Were these riders allies of Uriel?

"If you ally with Uriel of Caft stay your assault!", Reznik screamed.

OOC: Will delay action and fight defensively.

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

With the chaos unfolding around him, Valurel sinks deeper into the swordgrass, trying to stay out of sight of the riders. He felt sorrow at the thought that they had injured an innocent, but was not about to let his guard down. Trust in this harsh world had to be earned and growing too trusting too quickly could get a person killed. He keeps himself hidden and watches the exchange between his companions and these Dorns closely, ready to spring into action if his friends are threatened.

OOC: Hide +7

 

[Bobitron]

Kaela's mind, still clouded with the heavy fatigue of travel and sleepless nights, can hardly register the fact that they are once again under attack. She nods dully at Reznik's advice to stay close, pulling Aislinn's small form close to her own as she crouches behind the rogue. The giant's word snap her mind into action. These riders are not of the Shadow!

Eyes wide, she stands and raises her hands high, calling upon the power within to raise a thick mist that wafts upward from the trampled grass at the hero's feet at an astonishing rate. Dropping back down to her knees, she holds Aislinn close and calls out in Norther. "Please! Hold your attack! It was a mistake!"

ooc: Glad to be back!

Cast Obscuring Mist centered on Kaela. That should cover a 20' radius, hopefully slowing the riders and giving us time to speak rather than fight. Melee attacks have a 20% miss chance, ranged attacks have a 50% miss chance.

 

[Hrothgar]

Herger's massive form and unexpected actions did not go unnoticed by the riders. Reining back on their heavy Dornish steeds, the horses shrilling in an effort to stop, the riders come to a stop in front of the Heroes, grass and dirt spraying at the Heroes feet. The lead rider dismounts rapidly, drawing a massive axe and striding quickly toward Herger confidently and aggressively. The other two riders stay in their saddles, spear tips pointed at the Heroes's chests, steely eyes glaring at the Heroes. Covered in battle scars with blades notched from continual war, it is obvious these warriors of Northern Eredane have seen their share of the Shadow's evil.

Before the dismounted Dorn can reach the group, he stumbles back in surprise, white mist springing up out of the ground around him. His companions cry out in dismay as their horses stomp their hooves in agitation. What evil sorcery is this? The woman's a witch! Reaching back for his steed's bridle, half-ready to flee or fight, he calls out again, his gaze fixed on Herger, his companions' gaze fixed on those Heroes not obscured by mist. Friends? Speak your peace then. The burden of proof is on you! Blood trickles down his hand from the wound in his shoulder, but he hardly seems to notice. Agents of Shadow or not? What is your story? His voice is deep and harsh and set on edge.

 

[Krug]

Starhl draws out Bjorn's Faith, hoping the riders will recognise the blade. "See blade. We fight same enemy; kill the shadow. Our purpose."

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

When the rider calls Kaela a witch, Valurel moves closer to the riders, keeping low in the sword grass and moving cautiously. He is ready to spring into action to protect his friends at the first sign that the riders are going to turn hostile again. He hoped that the situation would work itself out but was unwilling to trust the good nature of strangers.

 

[Micar Sin]

Almost casually morn recocks his crossbow. "And who are yyou who rides so openly in the shadows lands?"

 

[Hrothgar]

/break- posts lost due to database crash/

 

[Hrothgar]

The Heroes:

Herger (The Giant)
Kaela
Lodric
Starhl
Valurel (The Ghost)

NPCs: Aislinn and Fallax

Starhl and Valurel Before the database crash, Starhl was speared by a charging Sarcosan on horseback on the wharves surrounding the Blue Sky Traders, both Hero and Shadow-servant spilling into the Ishensa. Valurel and the Wolf followed, Valurel clinging to the back of the Sarcosan as he tore the Sarcosan to shreds, the Wolf jumping afterwards seeing the four orcs charging down the planks. After finishing the Sarcosan, Valurel and Starhl hid under the wharves in the cold river, following the advice of a dark figure hidden in the shadows. After the orcs dispersed to fetch slaves to explore the river (rather than go down to the water themselves given their fear of the liquid), the dark figure quietly moved through the water and around the slimey wood supports deeper into the underbelly of the wharf. The figure paused for Starhl and Valurel to follow...

What does Starhl and Valurel do?

Kaela and Lodric

Seeing their friends attacked by the orcs, Kaela cast sleep on two orcs that charged the two Heroes (these orcs were standing near the battlesite of the Kaela-charmed dead orc, Ghar.) Lodric dispatched the sleeping foes, but both Heroes were horrified to see Starhl and Valurel overborn into the Ishensa. The six orcs gathered near the edge where Valurel and Starhl fell before sending two of their number south, two continued to stand guard at the site of the fall, and two orcs moved west back along the Blue Sky Traders building.

What does Kaela and Lodric do?

Herger, Aislinn, and Fallax

The Giant had half-assisted, half-carried the small, blind girl Aislinn down the sword-grass covered slope from the wooded forest on the hills west of the Ishensa. The sounds of battle had come to Herger's ears, but the mile or more distance between him and the river meant the battle would most likely be over before he reached the river.

What does Herger do?

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Lodric (if Kaela concurs and follows) begins moving in the direction of the skeleton oak they spied earlier in a lightning flash. He moves carefully, trying to avoid the notice of the orcs they know about, and remaining alert for others.