The First Blight: Curse of Dumat [RP/Closed]

[ShadowFolk]

She'd woken a few times in the night, though visions of the darkspawn seemed to be less intense, though that may have been partly due to not seeing the archdemon. The sound of the horn was unwelcome, it felt like she'd just closed her eyes again when it shook her awake. Sulahn'nehn had momentarily forgotten where she was. It had been so long since she'd seen the ceiling of her master's estate, but there she was again, expecting to see it when she woke. Memories of the journey, the loss, and the joining soon reminded her where she'd ended up.

It took her quite a bit longer to leave the barracks than Ghil. For one, she actually needed to dress and remember the order items were worn again and another reason being she needed a looking glass to make sure her hair was not a nest when she left. Down to the mess hall she went, fussing with a strap for her staff along the way.

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin had taken up a seat in the same position as yesterday, sitting across form the giant woman, his only greeting to her was a curt nod. He was sure Sulanhn'nehn would join their table, if only out of familiarity. When the female elf approached straggling behind the others and distracted with adjusting her weapons holder, he offered a verbal greeting to get her attention.

"Morning, Sulahn'nehn. Is your new wardrobe still troubling you?"

 

[ShadowFolk]

The second she heard his voice she almost slumped, it was a strain not to look visibly displeased. She was not too eager to speak to Ulrin again after last night. She automatically wished him a good morning a second after his greeting left his mouth.

"It's fine.", she gave up on properly securing it and set the harness and staff next to her on the bench. "It does not need to be strapped to me at the moment."

 

[Rosen2012]

The male elf nodded to her in return. As the servants brought their morning meal selection to the table, he filled up his plate, hoping that the extra portions would restore what energy he'd not regained from sleeping. "Perhaps its for the best? If its loose you can quickly pull it to the ready when we face our foes. No sense getting it tangled and caught at your side."

 

[Cinnonym]

"Knot the belt." Ghil spoke up, though she wasn't asked. It wouldn't have made a difference. "And wear it across your shoulders." She made a gesture towards the food, nodding. "And eat. ...One does not know when it will be the last meal."

 

[duckflesh]

The ride back had been tense and largely silent, their horses breathing heavily beneath them.

Delphina jumped off her mount and thrust the reins at a slave before striding through the fortress doors. She walked quickly, though the twenty-four hours she'd been awake were starting to tell on her.

Thaedrin was the first officer she found, and she marched directly toward him.

"Constable. There's something wrong at the eastern watchtower. It's deserted. There should be a full company of guards there and there just... aren't. We couldn't find anyone to give us a report."

 

[ShadowFolk]

The problem stemmed from not being able to get the strap to clasp properly and thus hanging too loosely, needing constant adjustment. While she considered leaving it the way it was for a moment, Ghil quickly changed her mind. "Y-Yes, ser." It was sound advice and if anyone at the table knew what they were talking about it was probably her. "Thank you, ser."

Sulahn'nehn filled the plate before her, still having a hard time believing she could now stomach that much food and still have room for more.

 

[Cinnonym]

"What...!?" Thaedrin could hardly contain his surprise at the news. Even his vicious and spiteful attitude had boundaries, and his look of annoyed disgust swiftly became one of focus and diligence. "Inform the Commander at once, I will assemble a task force! Komnenos, with me."

His boots clicked quickly down the corridor. With a gesture and a sharp shout, a Warden bolted ahead and climbed the stairs to sound the horn again. From her place at the bench, Ghil looked up at the doorway, the officers and soldiers around her tensing at the noise.

"...Already..." She shoved her bowl aside and stood just as Thaedrin entered.

"To the Hall, all of you! Armor and weapons at the ready!"

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin did the same, pushing his bowl away and standing. He moved with haste, though he was in no hurry to face a Darkspawn horde. He kept his head up and jaw set as he joined the tide of moving recruits to the hall for their next instruction.

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles was atleast as somber and serious as the Constable, marching after Thaedrin without a word. When they entered the mess hall, he quickly spotted the new recruits and eyef them, nodding an indication to follow the instructions of the blood mage.

 

[ShadowFolk]

Sulahn'nehn's face was stricken with panic. She wished she could have misheard him, but there was no way with how swiftly the others were moving to pile out. She got up from the table, trying not to trip over herself and grabbed her staff. If it had a life, she would have squeezed it out. She hadn't had a day of training physically or magically in her life, how was she expected to be ready? If she had bravely walked into the Joining, she could muster up that bravery again to mass in the hall with the others. As if she had a choice. Finally willing her feet to move, she shuffled off as ordered.

 

[duckflesh]

Delphina disappeared for several minutes; when she returned, Trajan and Alrik were following behind, both fully armored. Trajan's sword swung on his hip. A battle staff was slung over his back.

"We're leaving in three minutes!" he shouted from the great hall to anyone within earshot.

Delphina appeared, a slave still finishing getting her armor buckled up.

"Delphina," Trajan said patiently, "What are the odds that they're all just at a whorehouse?"

Delphina flushed. "Low, I think, sir. The Captain there is a fairly hard man, if you recall."

"Hmm. I do. Well, good thing we have Thaedrin around to send you on pointless, unapproved tasks, or we might have been in for a nasty surprise."

He tapped his thigh armor impatiently. "Two minutes!" he shouted.

 

[Cinnonym]

Ghil stood amongst the other Wardens. The girl elf looked distressed, but the barbarian had no words of comfort to give, even if she possessed the motivation.

At the two minute mark, Thaedrin emerged from the barracks with the last of the Wardens on his heels. Those he sent with Diocles to find their place in the assembly and stand accounted for as he himself divided up the most reliable of his men and Alrik?s to defend the fortress. Within moments a score of archers lined the battlements with their eyes on the horizon, daring something to move. Trained handlers managed the griffons, though he was loathe to use their numbers without need. Men with iron shields defended every entrance in Weisshaupt. The Constable could not sense Darkspawn near? but their absence only made him more uneasy.

At the one minute mark, he was beside Trajan. ?Aurelius reported the watchtower abandoned; if that is true, the enemy has already moved on and may be nearing.? He frowned, falling silent for only a moment before continuing, ?These recruits may not be trustworthy, Commander, they ought to be returned to cells for the duration.?

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin watched as the Wardens made preparations for battle. Whatever weariness and fatigue had been lingering with him was quickly being replaced by his steady pumping adrenaline. His breaths became long as the more experienced Wardens were divided up to defend the fortress. He supposed that made sense, to send them out as fodder, it would certainly weed out those that weren't capable soon enough.

 

[duckflesh]

Trajan laughed. "Don't be ridiculous, Constable. They're not going to be any more ready to face Darkspawn than they are right now. Goodness, we should -thank- the Darkspawn for giving us such an excellent opportunity to break in the untested."

He took a moment to glance up and inspect the archers.

"They'll be under your command, of course," he said, distracted. "I'll expect a full report on their performance when it is over. Good hunting."

 

[Cinnonym]

?Me!? But, I?ve never?? Thaedrin stopped abruptly, biting his lip. Either he could protest and seem a coward to all who were gathered, or he could obey. With reluctance, he dropped his head and muttered, ?Yes, Commander.?

With a swift salute, he turned towards the Grey Wardens still assembled, particularly the group under his direct command.

?Those of you remaining, mount up! We will track down this breach of security before it reaches Weisshaupt, or the villages under our protection!? As the men filed off towards the stables, he turned to the gladiator called Ghil, and the two elven slaves he had come to loathe, Ulrin and Sulahn?nehn. ??You three, as well. With me.? The blood mage turned on his heel and led them to the stables.

 

[ShadowFolk]

She looked about, stopping short of pointing to herself. Of course he'd meant them. "Yes, Ser!", though she was quick to obey verbally, she still hadn't moved her feet. There was no hiding her fear, not that there was much point in attempting to. A darkspawn threat would make anyone who'd seen or heard of them scared. Well, save for the seasoned Wardens and she was not certain that those ones were quite sane. Still, she would have capable people near her and that could be enough to keep her grounded, possibly even safe.

Breathe. Calm yourself. Creators, be with me.

With a gulp of air, she followed behind Thaedrin.

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin nodded wordlessly and followed the group of Wardens toward the stables. He honestly did not look forward to taking commands from the blood mage, but at this time he knew to focus. His loathing for the humans could be put aside in the face of the Darkspawn. Even he was uncertain if it was by their hand he wanted to die. It would be better to take his own life than to let those monsters have it.


He glanced over at the two women. Ghil he knew would come out of this battle fine, perhaps even somewhat happy. But Sulahn'nehn he still had his doubts about their decision to bring her into combat. When they reached the stables, Ulrin hung back letting the more seasoned Wardens take their mounts before claiming one of his own and falling into line with the rest.

 

[FortyThree]

Have Thaedrin lead them?

Diocles swore-You could be a genius at strategy and tactics, but it was worthless if you didn't understand men. Morale was important. Thaedrin was likely to drain them for power. He made his way down from the battlements quietly, but with the skill of an acrobat, and quickly came up behind Thaedrin.

"I've been ordered to assist in baby-sitting while you focus on your magicks."

 

[Cinnonym]

Thaedrin couldn't bring himself to deny the assistance. "Take a horse, then."


He swung into the saddle with grace. Of the group, Ghil seemed the most uncomfortable atop a horse, but she remained stoic as the beast fidgeted beneath her. These were well-bred enough that she wouldn't be at risk of being thrown, but the Constable was no less grateful that they were not riding far. Half a dozen Wardens joined Thaedrin, Diocles, and the three fresh recruits, but once they reached the watchtower, two rode north and two rode south to scout the woods for tracks.


Near the base of the tower, Thaedrin swung down from the saddle and peeled his gloves from his hands. The raw, red wounds on his hands seemed as two dark maws in the dimness of dawn.


"All of you, follow me closely. Komnenos, hold the rear and be ready to fire." He scowled up at the abandoned structure, and climbed its steps with trepidation. "We have an investigation to complete."