Atulon's Pass (Full)(Started!)

[Sporky111]

Spoiler

It's the RP that goes down but won't fade away

Weiss stumbled forward as his horse pitched to the ground. The large tower of a man quickly shook off his disorientation from hitting the ground and forced himself to his feet. Immediately he was beset upon by a spear wielding Easterner.

Raising his shield, Weiss deflected the jab over his shoulder and lunged in return with his sword. The strike was parried away by the spear and his opponent expertly spun around to strike Weiss on the side of the head with the butt of the shaft. His helmet rung on his head and shot pain into his skull, but Weiss immediately returned with a strike from his shield. The Easterner dropped his spear and fell backwards.

Weiss paused with his sword raised. He stomped down hard on the spear, splintering the rough wooden shaft. "Leave here, now." he commanded, granting mercy upon the man. The Easterner scrambled to his feet and ran, but to Weiss' horror he was immediately intercepted by one of his own men and cut down. The interceptor spat on the body and kicked it, undoubtedly punishing him for cowardice.

With a sigh, Weiss moved away and located the woman he had been riding with. She was nearby, just picking herself up from the snow. He moved closer and announced his presence to her. "I'm right behind you. I can hear Rinus nearby, we should move that way."
[hr]Orson panted frantically, looking around to try and find the source of the spear that had just whistled past him. He seemed to have found a temporary lull in the battle, as the main body of the clash was off to one side of them. But the spear was worrying; somebody was nearby and had launched the attack. He doubted that such a perfect throw had been a fluke, as he could hear the frantic screaming inside the wagon he feebly stood guard over.

There's no way I can protect them. I can't. I'm in no state to fight.

Doubt swirled in his mind as he stood watch, trying his best to ignore the sickening pain in his stomach. Despite the cold, sweat beaded on his forehead and dampened his tunic only to freeze into crackly crystal on the fabric.

Finally, he couldn't stand the tension any longer. Protect them, he could not. But he could get them somewhere safe. The young soldier looked into the wagon, recoiling for a moment as he beheld the woman impaled upon the spear, now dead.

"Brace yourselves," he warned them all, peeling his sweaty, frozen hair off his forehead. "I'm going to try and move the wagon into the woods to shelter us."

Iemben looked at him sympathetically, as if to tell him to stop and let them help him. The doctor knew that he was in shock; aside from the sweating, he was nearly hyperventilating. Iemben feared that his wound had been disturbed too much by the activity, but he couldn't ask Orson to stop. Not when he was putting his life on the line to save them, as a soldier was meant to. They would all die otherwise. the doctor nodded solemnly, and Orson rushed as well as he could to the front of the wagon.

He pulled the dead driver off and laid him on the ground. As much as he loathed the thought of leaving a person behind, even a dead one, they couldn't afford to waste time on him. Orson bowed his head respectfully and crossed the man's stiff arms across his chest, then clambered up into the saddle.

As he reined the horses forward and pulled the wagon away from the battle, toward the forest. He looked down at himself and his breath caught at what he found. Starting at his stomach, right above the bandaged wound, was a dark red stain. And it wasn't just on his stomach, it ran grimly down his shirt and showed through his pants on his thigh. A tear came to his eye, but he forced himself to look away. The pain was dulled by the extent of his shock and the adrenaline pulsing through him. He wasn't afraid to die, not anymore.

 

[Shapsters]

Aryana stared in awe at this man, at first her sword was raised, worried that the man was in such a rage he would have regard who his allies were. Standing away from him as he hacked up the enemy, she wondered what had come over him, no doubt something must have set him in off in such a way that he not only was able to cause such damage but also lost all regard for his own life. Was it merely the battle at hand? Perhaps the thought of so many lives lost truly got to him and sent him into a rage.

Looking at the pile of bodies around his feet she suddenly lowered her sword, something had caught her eye. A body which was smaller than the other chopped up easterners, much more petite and unarmed. Beside that body lay a body which was much smaller in height, no doubt a slain child at the feet of this man. It then hit Aryana, she realized why such a seemingly normal villager had been set off into a rage, his family, brutally killed by the easterners, lay at his feet.

Bowing her head she slowly backed away, this man needed peace. If she came across him after the battle she would apologize for his loss but for now he needed peace. Turning around she was suddenly face to face with an easterner, his scarred and bloodied face inches away from hers. Raising his sword into the air he smiled a sickening smile and brought it down upon Aryana, barely able to get he sword up to block in time she was knocked off her feet. Scrambling on the ground he slowly approached her, the wild grin still spread across his face and a thirst for blood in his eyes.

The familiar twang of an bow was heard and the man collapsed on the ground, an arrow stuck between his sickening eyes. Cursing at herself Aryana stood up, once again her emotions and lack of tact had almost got her killed. Shaking her head she pulled the arrow out of the mans skull and headed toward the last place she saw her fellow soldiers, they were probably in need of help.

 

[Yorgmiester]

The phalanx's right flank began to break as many of them turned their shields around to block Felon's arrows. One of them barked a harsh command, but they were too unorganized and would not heed his warning. Peering from his hiding place William saw his chance and readied his bow, sighting down the long shaft at the Easterners unprotected backs. He took a deep breath and steadied his hand, then let the arrow fly. It seemed to take the missile forever to span the distance, but finally it struck home, sinking into one of the men with a sickening thump that resonated in his head. He turned away.

Nearby Ravius also fired, having caught sight of Felon's plan. The frightened enemies turned this way and that, unsure of where to raise their shields, and the phalanx began to crumble. Buyir and Otlina charged upon its left flank with a mighty shout, and the formation was soon no more. William huddled against the cart breathing hard, listening to the bloody sounds mere yards away. He had thought he wanted to be like the Heroic Archer, but now he was not so sure.

~​

The imperial soldiers had valiantly survived the initial rush and beaten off their attackers. The Easterners were phased, and circled the hemmed-in caravan like wolves, unsure of how to proceed. Enemies still came, but in small numbers, throwing themselves wastefully against the defenses to little avail. This was the chance Rinus had been waiting for. They had to make a break for it now, before the barbarians regrouped and swarmed them again.

He turned to give his order and realized that someone had already got the idea, albeit a little too soon. One of his men was guiding the infirmary wagon away! Was that... Orson? Damnit, he was in no condition for heroics! At least he was headed in the right direction.

"Shields, men! Hold fast around the villagers! Shilas, north, to the mine!" Shilas nodded and ran to the front of the caravan to lead the villagers. Rinus fell into formation at the back, with his shield held high, as the crowd began to move.

 

[Lost In The Void]

Felon heard the cries of Rinus and he moved to follow, he ran back to the villagers that had previously been in danger and saw that William looked like he was about to be ill and Emma was struggling to her feet, "Come with me! To the mines!" he shouted and grabbed William by the arm, throwing him into the group of villagers, "We're not out of this yet!"

They began to run towards the bulk of the group, Felon grabbed a man and slit his throat with his dagger, grabbing the man's sword. He clashed with a couple others, only his quicker movements saving him against the brute strength of these men.

Soon enough he was back with Rinus's main group, "Thought you were all gonna ditch me," he said with a laugh, "Glad to see I was wrong."

 

[The Hairminator]

Yan sheathed his bow back on his back, before riding up to the the woman that had caused him so much joy, suffering and confusion these last few days. He had saved her after all, the arrow killing the easterner who had knocked her down. He reminded himself that it was only luck that he had arrived when he did.
Normally he would have though of something witty to say. This time, however, he couldn't think of anything in the way of jokes.

"They've started moving towards the mines!" Yan told her as he approached. "We've got to move quickly."

He extended his arm, to help her up on his horse. Yan had to get her back to the others, to safety- it had been much to close.

 

[revolverwolf]

Jovy nodded her head, ready to go along with Weiss. She was intent to follow him as vigilantly and as quickly as she could, despite the advancing pain in her right arm. She didn't know who he was talking about but she could definitely hear him; Rinus' voice was distinctive above the clatter of armaments and armour. Even if that were not the case, she could quickly see movements in the battle of non-Eastern-born soldiers moving to one point. They were headed for the wagon which meant that was where she and Weiss were going as well.

A sword-wielding Easterner quickly came forward, swinging his sword in a vertical arc at her. She forced her shield against the oncoming strike before burying her own sword deep in the attacking Easterner's throat. That would be one less Easterner between the two of them and Rinus.

 

[Shapsters]

Wrapping her arms around Yan's waist, Aryana sighed and rested her head on his tall, lean back. Quickly sitting back up she scolded herself, this was not the time to let her emotions overshadow the situation.

"You alright Yan?" she asked, trying to put as little emotion into her voice as possible. This was merely one soldier checking up on another, not a poor attempt at covering up her concern for the man she loved, "If you're in good health then you are right. The villagers need our help, we should go to them as quickly as possible."

Breathing heavily Aryana blankly looked forward.

No emotions

 

[The Hairminator]

"I didn't want you to be left behind, that's all" he said slowly. It felt good to have her so close, now he could protect her, he hoped. At once he became very aware of how close she were, his head was quickly starting to get dizzy.

Damn it, is that all I can ever think of? he thought to himself. There was nothing sexual or even romantic in her embrace or closeness to him, yet his body reacted in its own way. He showed very little of this internal struggle.

"Of course I'm fine, someone has to protect you and ride you around when you get separated" he said in what he tried to make a cheerful voice. Deciding not to wait around any longer, he started riding after the caravan.

 

[Yorgmiester]

The villagers gained momentum as they continued their retreat. Enemies began to amass around them, but the Imperial soldiers beat them back and washed the snow with their blood. A wide red swath stained the earth in the caravan's wake. Arrows flew and shields quaked. Men and women screamed and fell beneath the feet of their families. The soldiers pushed on, forcing the villagers of Highburn to keep moving. Yan and Aryana were nearing the caravan, but enemies crowded around them, seeking to cut them off from their comrades. Ricof and Silas were at their side, hewing a path for them.

A spear flew from the darkness, long and black. It sailed over the defense and into the villagers. Someone screamed and another cursed. The soldiers tightened their shield arms. Silas and Ricof turned to face the dark with wary eyes.

A tall figure rode suddenly out of the darkness; a great Eastern captain on a monstrous ebony horse, a quiver of javelins arrayed on his back. The footmen broke before his charge and hailed his harsh name. Another long, cruel spear was drawn back in his hand, and as he came close he let it fly.

The terrible weapon was aimed true; it pierced Ricof's shield cleanly with a splintering of wood and pinned his arm to his ribs. His cry of pain was sucked from his lungs before he touched the snow. His body quivered for a moment and then lay still, blood leaking from his mouth. The horseman disappeared into the dark.

 

[Lost In The Void]

Felon looked in shock as Ricof slowly collapsed into the snow. Another one of them dead; it was too much, he hadn't known him well, but he had protected the other villagers as they had joined their group. He had been a warrior and evediently someone at least a little pure of heart. That horseman; he would die before Felon would join the heavens; if only to show their enemy that they were still to fear this company. He had recovered his own bow and despite the arrows being of poorer quality than he was used to; he continued to help hold off the enemies. They were almost victorious and that was his shortcoming. He was unable to avoid a near flying arrow and it cut cleanly through the meat and muscle of his left leg. Only adreniline stopped it from hurting as much as it should have and his knee buckled under the pain of it all.

 

[Sporky111]

Weiss moved through the thinning crowd as quickly as possible. His heavy boots dug deep into the bloodstained snow as he trudged through, deflecting attacks whenever they came. He had to glance over his shoulder occasionally to check on Jovy, and he saw she was keeping up fairly well. But he made sure not to get too far ahead, with her injury she may be unable to defend herself well.

As they approached Rinus, he spotted one of their group go down. Weiss stopped in his tracks and looked through the crowd to see the fallen soldier.

"We need to help him." he called back to Jovy, rushing forward to Felon's aid.

 

[revolverwolf]

Jovy ran to keep up with Weiss, stumbling once as her head started to swim from the pain, but she quickly brought herself back to full alertness. She couldn't afford to let her focus slip, even if it hurt. No, especially if it hurt. Weiss was her one chance to survive right now; to lose him or wander off in this battle just because her attention slipped would be a death sentence.

As she caught up to Weiss and Felon she glanced quickly from their position to Rinus', which had moved a little further toward the mines at this point. It was not far at all. They could catch up as long as they didn't slow down for too long and, of course, were able to survive. She turned her attention back to Felon, worriedly glancing at the wound. She was no medic, but it was painfully obvious that he wasn't going to be walking very far on his own with his leg in that state. There was no way she could carry him either; it was a miracle enough that she could still fight. Weiss would have to carry him.

She didn't like this situation at all...

 

[Yorgmiester]

The Easterners fell before the caravan's defenses and the hail of arrows slackened. The villagers pressed on even faster now, heartened. The path before them was now clear; Buyir and Otlina and Io ran before them, and the straggling Easterners fled. Shilas' eyes pierced the darkness of the mountainside in earnest, for the mine was now very close!

At the back of the exodus, however, the danger was still near. Rinus and the other soldiers held the remaining Easterners at bay, and bodies continued to fall against their shields. But the attack was growing weak, and Rinus could taste their escape! He gazed at the few who were lagging behind, and decided that now was the time to aid them.

"Forward!" They halted their backwards retreat abruptly and surged forwards, shattering the enemy line and quickly cleaving a path towards their straggling comrades! The Easterners began to break and flee before them.

The jackals were not wholly beaten yet, however. There was still yet a chance for a kill, and the remaining enemies swarmed on the lagging soldiers. Silas urged Yan and Aryana forward to where Felon lay wounded, then turned, warding of the blows of several Easterners who converged on him. Out of the trees nearby the Horseman appeared once more, his steed carrying him swiftly towards them, yet another javelin in his palm!

Silas did not glance back at his comrades or waver on decision. He gripped his bardiche tightly and charged forward silently, slashing down the warriors in his path. Enemy after enemy fell before him as he cut an unstoppable line toward the approaching Horseman. A warrior dove at him and he plunged his weapon into the man's gut, then drew his sword as his feet carried him onwards. The Horesman spied him and altered his course, eyes burning with the hunger of a kill. The horses hooves smote the ground and closed he distance. Silas finally let loose a mighty roar and held his blade high. The Horseman raised his spear.

 

[Lost In The Void]

Felon laid on the ground, his leg bleeding onto the white trampled snow. He broke the head off the arrow and studied it, the shock causing discretion around him to be cast away. The arrowhead was unlike he would ever use; rather than being sharp and with a solid point to cleanly cut and kill; it instead had a cruel tip meant for tearing. They truly were Godless monsters.

His thoughts were taken from him though as a solid brute kicked him, sending him further into the snow. Felon was able to just roll out of the way of the barbarian's next thrust of his blade, where it pierced the snow and earth beside him. Drawing his knife, Felon sank it hilt deep into the man's leg and slashed again, cutting the throat of the man as he sank to the ground.

Felon hit the snow exhausted, that little effort coupled with the blood loss was wearing him out; he couldn't continue this. Luckily it appeared he wouldn't has he saw Yan and Aryana headed towards him.

 

[The Hairminator]

After signaling to Aryana to take the reigns, Yan jumped off the speeding horse, taking the large easterner with him in the fall. The man, about to avenge his fallen comrade slain by Felon, gave off a surprised yell, which was cut short by Yan's dagger. Yan's clothes, already covered with the red of frozen blood, received another fresh, warm layer.

Yan cast a look over at his wounded friend and the hastily approaching Weiss and Jovy. Why hadn't they been there to protect him? Why was a soldier left to almost die like this? It wasn't right. Felon was alive, thank the gods, but non the less in no condition to walk.

Leaving the dead body Yan crawled over towards the wounded Felon. He checked the man's wound before saying anything, yet the only conclusion that could be drawn by Yan without a doubt was that he should try to stop the bleeding. "I am afraid the ascension to the meeting with your beloved gods that you were just lying there waiting for will have to wait. For as long as I am here to do anything about it, at least."

Yan ripped off a large patch of his cloak and started to wrap it around his wounded comrade's leg. Aryana had turned the horse around and was now coming towards them, Krin could certainly be used in this situation. He also looked up just in time to see the two soldiers arrive, panting and cheeks blushed with exhaustion from the run. Yan gave the female soldier a short evaluating look before facing Weiss. "He could have used your fucking help." Yan growled before he could stop himself. It was unfair, and Yan knew it, but it had been said- didn't matter now. "Let's see if we can help you up." He spoke in a considerably more friendly voice towards the wounded Felon.

 

[Sporky111]

Weiss fliched a bit at the hostility from Yan. He instantly felt guilty, even though there wasn't much he could have done. Felon had rushed away as if on a mission as soon as blood was spilled, and they couldn't follow because the main concern was getting Jovy treated.

The large man stayed silent and looked away for a moment, laying his eyes on the woman they'd rescued. Her life was just as important as Felon's, he couldn't have left her injured for the sake of helping a perfectly capable soldier. He just hoped Felon wouldn't die because of what happened here.

"How are you holding up?" he asked Jovy in his rather soft voice that seemed ill-suited to his body, which more closely resembled a bear than a man. They needed to catch up to the rest of the group quickly and get the wounded treatment.

 

[revolverwolf]

Jovy couldn't help but feel that Yan was assuming too much. Felon had been the one to run off alone into the fray, neither one of them could have stopped him after they had been driven from their own horse and yet Yan blamed them. He should have turned that anger against the Easterners rather than his own allies.

"How are you holding up?"

She looked down at her arm, bloodied fingers still clasped tightly over the wound, then back up to Weiss. "I'm f-fine... Just a bit light-headed..." Her voice trembled quietly behind her scarf, but her meaning was clear enough. Felon was the one that needed the most help right now. She couldn't pretend that she wasn't glad Weiss was still concerned about her, even after the other soldier's misguided animosity towards them both, but she knew that Felon's well-being would overcome her own in the eyes of most, if not all of these soldiers.

 

[Shapsters]

From the back of the horse, Aryana placed her hand on Yan's shoulder,

"They did what they could, either way Felon survived. Stop concerning yourself with scolding your fellow soldiers and worry about getting back to the townsfolk. Lets go."

Aryana wanted to set Yan straight, while she more than understood how he would feel if they lost another soldier in front of their eyes, it was no reason to try and reprimand Weiss and Jovy. The only thing that mattered was saving the townsfolk and keeping their squad mates alive. Those are the only thing's Yan should be concerned about.

 

[Yorgmiester]

Silas had always assumed this would be his end. He'd chosen it, really. Now that the time came, he barely registered the thought, so focused was he on his goal. The reality struck him like pebble against shield, and he smiled softly as he saw the spear fly. It helped, a little, to drown out the fear of the final moment in a hoarse battle cry and mindless attack. The only cowardice a soldier would ever be allowed.

The Horseman's spear struck Silas in the chest and abruptly halted his charge. The big soldier's sword flew from his hand as he fell back into the snow, eyes closed, and then the Horseman rode over him.

The Easterner charged onward, not slowing his steed. It was daring, risky. His comrades were fleeing around him, and the enemy were coming swiftly with shields to rescue their own, but he could feel one more kill. He could tastes it on his lips, and see it before him. His vision narrowed, and he dug his cruel shoes into the sides of his horse. The beast screamed fury, and as they sped towards the group of lonely soldiers he reached behind him and pulled forth his final spear.

Death. Of a friend. Of a comrade. The power of a man's life. These things he would take for his gods. For his glory. He grinned in satisfaction, his victory secure, and hurled the javelin. It flew true, with the strength and honor of the gods on its wings.

The long black weapon slid cleanly into Weiss' waist, severing his spine just above the hip and jutting out the other side of his body in a spray of blood.

 

[The Hairminator]

Too late Yan saw the rider approaching. At first he did not register what was going on, and his warning came far too late. "LOOK OUT!"

Yan saw happen, as if in a dream, time seemed to slow down. Weiss looked up, his face carrying a surprised expression. The man he had just carelessly snapped at would never be able to accept his apology. Not in this life. In the next moment Weiss' lifeless body was in the snow, blood pouring out of the exit wound in his chest, coloring it a bright red.

Gods, not again. Not again. There had already been too much death. Yan let go of Felon whom he had been trying to help up on the horse and unstrapped his bow. He darted over to a position where he could get a clear line of shot to the killer. The rider was already very far away, and a moving target was always harder. But he had to try, killing one of them couldn't go unpunished.

The arrow flew far and straight, but in the end it still landed a small pace away from Weiss' escaping nemesis. Tears started to form in Yan's eyes.