03.29.3014: The First Tilt
Summary: While out on a patrol, the party of Valens encounters a party of Hostiles. Battle commences and the Valens emerge from the opening encounter of the campaign to cleanse the Vale of Hostiles.
Date: 12 December 2013
Related: None
Canis Ellinor Elodie Garus Grayson Kassandra Nikomachos Sammel Solon 


Plains of Ares
Outside of Phylon, the Plains of Ares stretch on for thousands of miles, from the furthest southern end of the Vale to the beginning of the Forlorn Swamps in the chill north, from the eastern coast of the continent to the western. Scattered farming communities and noble holds lie within the near endless rolling hills, surrounded by seas of grass. Ribbons and patches of water lie about it here and there, streams and ponds coming together to run into the ocean or the expanse of the Great Lake. Grain farms crosshatch large swathes of the Plains, centered around small communities that are in turn centered around Waygates, but the vast majority of the Plains have been left to their own natural devices.
03.29.3014

Activity in this particular Valen warcamp in the Plains of Ares has seemed to be buzzing ever since the word came down that forces were mobilizing in order to push the Hostile plague out of the Vale. After sending out word that he was going to lead out a patrol of the nearby area, Solon has made his way to the assembly point, making his final preparations, which consist of making sure his armor is pristine and shiney, and that his horse is well groomed. After all, if one may have to go riding towards their death, why not look your best?

The youth heard the call however he has no armor nor is he trained in battle. He just knows his duty to Lord Ellisaire. Defend his home. The druid brushes his hair back and girds his loins. Belt is tight, cloak is held close to his body and he stands off to the side trying to not be noticed. He's ready to fall for protecting a home. His falcon was locked at home to protect her for the time being.

Nikomachos is among the horse-lines, working with his young squire to get his new horse into its barding. The blood bay dances restlessly, complicating the procedure, and a scowl has painted itself across Niko's features. "Quit squirming, damn it." He gestures over to his squire, "Hold his nose, hold his nose," and the young cousin moves to take bridle and reins in hand while the elder cousin makes the final adjustments. Looking over to Solon, he grumbles, "I miss Erinye. He didn't… dance all around when I was trying to do something important."

Having gotten No Name all saddled up and ready, Sammel comes to a stop near where Niko is, in time to see the happenings with the new horse. "What did you name this one, anyway?" he asks, a bit quietly for the moment.

"Stop bullying your horse," Ellinor says as she guides her silver destrier up alongside her husband. "Don't listen to him. You are a lovely horse." She smirks toward Nikomachos before her gaze scans over those gathered. She bobs her head in companionable greetings to all, though grins are cast toward Sammel and Solon.

Glancing up from his brushing down of Hengroen, Solon offers Niko a grin, "Erinye was used to sensing our combined anticipation before going out like this. Give him some time, and I am sure that he will adapt fast enough." Handing the brush off to a nearby armsman, Solon brushes his hands off before moving over to Niko. Spotting Sammel riding up, he offers his cousin a friendly wave and a smile, then passing along that winning Valen smile on to Ellinor as she approaches. "It is not bullying, it is more like… showing a firm hand."

Grayson doesn't have a horse and suddenly feels like he should have stolen one. He inches closer to the Lords and Lady and keeps his hands under his cloak. He's trying to make it more obvious he wants to be part of this party. His eyes on the horse that's slightly acting up and he makes a small noise, attempting to calm it while his aura bleeds through the cloak like a calming mist.

Nikomachos shakes his head at Ellinor's chastising, "Tell him to stop bullying me, then." Reaching up, he gives the blood bay a little swat on the back of the head, then scrubs his fingers through its dark mane and gives its neck a good rubdown. "He doesn't have a name yet, Sammy. I like to see what sort of horse I've got before naming it, and you can't see that without being in combat." Getting the last plate in place, he nods to himself, moving to take the reins from his squire, "Go snag my lance, if you please."

A grin as he hears Niko's words, and Sammel offers a chuckle. "Just make sure you give him a name. Not having one is already taken, you know." Hand moving to where he has his poleaxe secured, he makes sure it's fastened good, but not so good he can't get the weapon out in a hurry if needed. That done, he makes sure to get a lance now.

Merrymaker actually snorts at Nikomachos, rolling his dark eyes toward the Knight as he stomps his huge feet into the dirt. Ellinor looks amused, though she also looks a touch sympathetic. "You'll grow to like him." She then glances over toward Solon as she gives her horse's reigns a small tug. "Alright… point us at the enemy. I'm ready."

"How about 'Dunce McKhournas' for a name?" Kassandra suggests, nudging her mount forward to join the group. It is better to be late to the party than to never show, and Kassandra takes this philosophy to heart. Her arrival is delayed only because of an issue with her saddle; the one she is using right now is not her usual. "I forgot to send you my condolences, brother."

Grayson looks up to all the knights. He's a waif of a creature and he doesn't have a horse. He moves to beside a horse that's already there and pulls his hood back. He's now in full view. Blond waves bushed back out of his face and that face gaunt and appearing tired. He grips his bow and his quiver full of arrows. He does not speak though in the presence of the highers.

Riding on the back of Orson, a large, armored destrier in a chocolate brown coat of fur, Garus approaches the group. As he nears, he dismounts the massive creature and takes him by the reigns, walking the rest of the way with a gauntleted hand brushing at the horse's neck. "My lords." Garus announces himself, giving them all a gentle bow of his head."

Nikomachos puts an armored boot into his stirrup and swings himself easily into the blood bay's saddle, the giant red horse dancing sideways as Niko settles into his seat. "I wouldn't dream of stealing your schtick, Sammy." He gathers up his helmet in both hands, reaching up to hold it over his head, "I wouldn't dream of…" the quick snarky response halts on Niko's tongue, and he shakes his head ruefully, "…insulting our Khourni fellows like that." Apparently, he's taking his all-Haven initiatives to heart. Settling his helmet down over his head, the speakers on his armor continue, "We've lost good men and women, Kassie, I can't mourn a horse too long." Garus' arrival causes him to nod in greeting, his helmet twitching slightly as he glances over toward the unarmored archer skulking around the outskirts of the gathering.

Another horse rides up to join the group, with slighly larger saddlebags than most, the top flaps having the white patch with a red cross. The rider holds her helmet on her arm, her hair pulled back in a smooth braid, but it seems hastily so. Hooking her helmet over her saddle, Lady Elodie dismounts, leading the tall, battle gelding that's been her teacher so far. She gives a smile to those assembled, and makes her way over to Solon. "Sir Solon," she approaches the Cindravale heir. "Dr. Herschal had a mishap with his horse, and I've been sent to report in his place as your medic, surgeon if need be. Which I hope won't need be." She checks over her armor one more time to make sure she's not missed anything.

"I am not sure anyone wants another Horse with No Name running around the Vale, Sammel." Solon offers both Niko and Sammel a wry little smirk, and then nods to Ellinor. "Indeed, I find myself ready to get back at them for, well, you know." He lets his eyes fall down to the ground for a moment before turning to gather up his own horse and hoisting himself up in the saddle. He's still not exactly happy about the events of that rescue over the winter. He finds himself hoping that Niko puts a lance through a Hostile's head as repayment for poor Erinye's death. None of this needs to be said though.

Now saddled, Solon lets Hengroen take a few steps before giving him a loving caress and then barking out, "Mount up and let us be away. Remember to keep an eye out for possible Hostile activity. Should we come across a scouting party, we shall show them that the Vale will no longer stand for their blighted presence in our fair lands." He lets his eyes scan over the assembled party, and spotting arrival of more, including what appears to be a newly healed Garus, and Elodie. Glad to know that at the very least they will have a medic, Solon turns his horse and gestures for all to make ready. Putting on his helmet, he does a quick check of his comm's before announcing, "Move out." Urging Hengroen forward, he lets his horse trot out of the warcamp before moving up to a swifter pace out on the fields.

With a plated gauntlet pressed with a bang to his chest, Garus salutes the other knights as an end to his greeting. At the order to move out, Garus turns to spy Lady Elodie in their midst and gives her a quiet nod. She's aided him in healing at Phylon this past week, and of all she knows to go right from the hospital bed to the battlefield is the warrior's way. He mounts his destrier quickly, sliding his helm over the top of his head so that the circuitry and AI can initialize. When all is ready, the golden eyes of his faceplate ignite to life, and he trots after the others.

Kassandra is absolutely silent, choosing not to join in the conversation at this point, oddly enough. She salutes Solon with a quiet thump of her fist before twisting her hair atop her head and tucking it beneath her helmet. Once it is secured, she hoists her weapon and clucks, urging Platinum Prince into formation.

Sammel nods a little as he offers a grin to both Niko and Solon, before he starts putting on his own helmet, pausing for a few moments as he sees his wife joining them. A smile in her direction, before he finally puts on the helmet now, getting ready to head out as the order is given, and he leads No Name forward now.

After meeting Sammel's smile with one of her own, Elodie pulls her helmet from her saddle, puts it on, and tests her comm channels. With a quick toggle, she sends a message over to the youngest Cindravale sibling on the field, and then swings into the saddle, waiting for the others to move out and taking up a tail position in the march.

Nikomachos gets the lance held up by his squire, shaking his head at the young man's query, "Not this time, coz. You'll see the field soon enough." He tucks the butt of his lance into his stirrup, nodding at Solon. Elodie's arrival causes him to nod once in greeting, "'Die. You're planning to stay away from arrows this time, yes?" A light chuckle touches his lips within his helmet, and then he's kicking his new horse into a trot, falling in at Solon's right side. As the blood bay stretches out for speed, Nikomachos relaxes into the gait, tightness leaving his shoulders as the wind of their passage trails out the color-changing ribbons at the base of his lance-head.

Grayson has found a horse and he's climbed onto the back of it. He rides behind the group keeping his eyes open for anything that might jump up at them. Like that rock there…or the mound of dirt. One can never be to careful. He grips the horses mane and keeps close to the group, still seemingly invisible.

<FS3> Nikomachos rolls Alertness: Failure.
<FS3> Elodie rolls Alertness: Good Success.
<FS3> Sammel rolls Alertness: Failure.
<FS3> Ellinor rolls Alertness: Failure.
<FS3> Solon rolls Alertness: Good Success.
<FS3> Kassandra rolls Alertness: Success.
<FS3> Grayson rolls Alertness: Good Success.
<FS3> Garus rolls Alertness: Good Success.

After a short, and uneventful time, the patrol finally comes across a section of rolling plains with slight dips and raises along the seemingly unending sea of grass. Solon begins to slow, and raises a hand for others to do the same. "Should you see anything, point it out at once. If the Hostiles are trying to scout our positions, we do not want them being able to make it back to report anything." That being said, he scans out over the plains, trying to see if he can spot anything himself.

At the back of the group, Elodie's eyes rove often away from the group, although her helmet does turn from time to time to Sammel. After riding for awhile however, her helmet keeps turning the right for long periods. Finally, she toggles her communications to their leader. "Sir Solon, are you seeing something to the right? Appears to be five?"

Ellinor Sauveur rides confidently alongside her husband, her draconic armor having been returned to its former glory. She glances suspiciously toward the strange druid that has joined them, though she doesn't say anything yet as they continue to patrol the plains. At least this time, the likelihood of being trapped in the frozen wastes is unlikely at this point. She then glances toward Elodie as she points something out, and she speaks to her A.I. "Syrus, scan for possible targets."

Grayson was about so say something when it's already pointed out. His green eyes locked on the figures off to the side and he moves his horse on the other side of the group and pulls out his bow. He is at least putting people between himself and the hostiles while notching his arrow and aiming.

Nikomachos pulls up as Solon slows the patrol, reaching down to pat the new destrier on the shoulder through the plates of its red-gold barding. The blood bay prances almost as if it were a show-horse, picking its steps carefully. Looking around the little group, he frowns slightly, inquiring over the comms, "Does anyone know who the unarmored young man riding with us is?" Elodie's call causes him to sit up more sharply in his saddle, turning to look in that direction.

The crusader-style helm that Garus wears turns to a direction off of the patrol, as the AI, named Predator alerts the Leonnidan knight to shapes on the horizon. Pulling back on the reigns of his horse, Garus slows with Lord Solon and uses his knees to stir the beast, his free hand holding the lance in its catch to point straight into the air. "Sirs." Garus' wolfish voice sounds to the group's comm-channel. "I see outlines on the horizon as well on our two o'clock." A beat, Garus turns to look to Grayson, silent to the outside world. "I should hope so, My Lord, he's readying an arrow, but I know him not."

Looking around, Sammel pauses as he hears Elodie's words now, starting to look in the direction indicated. "Can't see anything…" he mutters, mostly meant for himself, although it goes over the comms as well. Waiting for the others that are better able to see what's there.

Kassandra scans the surroundings carefully, and off to the right her HUD lights up with possible targets in the distance. Before she can get a good look, a tickle in her nose causes her to sneeze. Thankfully someone else has enough wherewithal to point it out, giving Kassie time to hastily remove her helmet and wipe out the inside display. She secures it in place once more just in time to catch her brother's question, and she turns in her saddle to stare at Grayson. "I do not, but I am sure Lord Solon does. Are the targets Hostiles?" Facing forward once more, Kassie readies her weapon and tightens her grip on her reins.

As others point out the targets off to their right, Solon spots them and makes note of them before glancing over at Niko and speaking over comms. "Who he is, is someone who seeks to kill Hostiles, and it appears, my dear cousin, that the Hostiles are going to oblige us with some action this very afternoon." He gestures towards the figures. "No other patrols have been scheduled, or assigned, to comb this area today, so unless someone has violated their orders, an issue that shall need immediate addressing." Switching so that his voice can be broadcast over the assembled group, Solon says, "We shall go an investigate, but everyone needs to keep an eye open, there may be more. If they are indeed Hostiles we shall engage them in force." One final glance is passed around the group before he says, "Let us ride." Turning his mount in the direction of the figures and sets off.

The Drakefire Knight frowns at Solon's assessment. She casts a glance toward Nikomachos, and her chin nods slightly toward him. Then she turns her massive, silverine beast around toward the shadowy figures in the distance. She pulls out her bastard sword, the drake-headed hilt held heavily in her right hand while her left comes to bear with the bright orange of her hardlight shield. She presses her horse forward, riding steadily alongside her fellow Havenites.

Since the incident in the Forlorn Swamps, Nikomachos is distinctly careful about reporting, comming, "Patrol in map grid 3746-XR, contact with five or more unknowns. Moving to investigate." His spurs touch the flanks of his horse, and the big blood bay moves readily after Solon, choking up on his lance to ready it to be lowered at a moment's notice.

As the others move off, Elodie pauses a moment. She strings her bow, then continues after. Her gelding's long legs keep pace with the group, but she doesn't close the distance she lost. Rather, she keeps back, scanning the area for more Hostiles, and intending to stay out of melee range.

Grayson moves his horse after Solon since he can't head under the helmets since he's not wearing one. The bow is held firm so his pace is a little slower. His eyes are focused on the hostiles. His peripherals keeping eye out for more to his sides.

<FS3> Garus rolls Alertness: Great Success.
<FS3> Grayson rolls Alertness: Good Success.
<FS3> Ellinor rolls Alertness: Success.
<FS3> Kassandra rolls Alertness: Success.
<FS3> Nikomachos rolls Alertness: Good Success.
<FS3> Sammel rolls Alertness: Great Success.
<FS3> Elodie rolls Alertness: Good Success.

Kassandra's lance is at the ready as she nudges Platinum Prince forward to line up with the front guard. A few last-minute checks on her armor shows all is in order. "Let's clean them out so I can get home. I'm missing my shows for this."

As they ride closer, Solon can clearly see that the figures before them are Hostiles. Scowling at them from inside his helment, which is most assuredly quite fearsome if they could ever see it, he calls out, "Hostiles! Lower weapons and charge. I shall get the one with what looks to be a spear. Keep bows at the ready, there may be more. If anyone spots another group of Hostiles, call it out, but for now let us dispatch with this group as quickly as possible." As his comms click off, he lets his mount continue to press forward, and then begins to lower his lance and assumes a stance which will allow him to deliver the maximum force whenever he ends up making contact with the chosen Hostile.

Steering his mount to follow towards the five mysterious figures, Garus finds himself on the outside of the group near Grayson, the unarmored man. Hooves pounding beneath his massive destrier, Orson, Garus readies his lance and pulls ahead from Grayson. As they approach a pass of heavy grasses on their side, he glances towards it, spots movement, and spurs his horse to ride alongside Solon, covering him from the sudden threat.

"Ambush! Left WING!" Garus' voice calls out over the speakers to the open air, exposing the ambush. "Archers to the left!"

Kassandra doesn't need to be told a second time. "I'll go for the one with the bludgeon," she calls into her comm, loading her targeting system and tightening her grip on her lance. Not even the call for an ambush can deter her from her forward movement, and she must trust to those at the rear to cover them.

Lowering his lance and preparing to charge, something catches Sammel's attention, so at the same time as he hears Garus, he calls out as well. "Hostiles at the left!" This while charging forward along with the others now.

Merrymaker is already transitioning from a trot to a canter. He ducks his head a bit, setting his forehead parallel with the gathering of Hostiles. His nostrils flare as Ellinor draws up her sword and shield, the glowing eyes of her helmet flashing as she commits herself to the charge.

Grayson hears the call out and turns his horse to the left lifting his bow and aiming for the first hostile his eyes catch sight of. He's letting the others attack the far off ones and he's aiming for the archers.

<COMBAT> Hostile23 attacks Garus with Sword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Solon attacks Hostile22 with Lance - Moderate wound to Left Arm (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Solon's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Sammel attacks Hostile22 with Lance - ARMOR on Left Arm stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Sammel's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Nikomachos attacks Hostile21 with Lance - Moderate wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Nikomachos's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Kassandra attacks Hostile20 with Lance - Light wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Kassandra's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Solon with Spear - Moderate wound to Right Hand.
<COMBAT> Hostile21 attacks Nikomachos with Polearm but Nikomachos DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile20 attacks Kassandra with Bludgeon and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Hostile12 attacks Grayson with Launcher - Moderate wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Hostile12's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Grayson passes.
<COMBAT> Garus attacks Hostile23 with Lance - Critical wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Garus's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile24 with Sword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile24 attacks Ellinor with Sword - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile11 attacks Grayson with Launcher - Light wound to Head.
<COMBAT> Hostile11's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Hostile10 attacks Elodie with Launcher - ARMOR on Abdomen stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Hostile10's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Elodie attacks Hostile10 with Bow - Moderate wound to Right Arm (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Solon has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Grayson has been KO'd!

"I don't think that 'Hunky Khourni Working Out' counts as 'your shows,' Kassie." The laughter infects Nikomachos' words as he ignites his blazing orange hard light shield and adds into the comms, "Report update from Nikomachos Sauveur, unknowns are Hostiles, repeat, Hostiles." As the cavalry sweep bears down on the Hostiles, Nikomachos rise up in his saddle, switching from his comm to armor speakers, calling out in the midst of Garus' report, "FOR GLORY!" Only then does he drop down into his saddle and couch his lance under his arm. His horse shifts just to the right as he charges, letting him lay his lance over its neck, slam the point into the Hostile's chest, and take it's halberd-blow evenly on his shield. Fiery wings flare up from his shoulders as his lance hits home.

The horse Grayson's on rears back and all the youth feels is a pain in his chest and head before he hits his back into the ground and the horse rights out of combat. He could really ride anyways. Grayson feels the world around him spin and the blood drips down his face and he feels the pain in his chest with his hand and sees the blood. He lifts his eyes and the world around the youth starts to get fuzzy like with morning fog and his eyes turn into the color of pure snow. He lifts his hands and bares his teeth in anger. The horse runs away like a smart creature.

With a broad sweep of her sword, Ellinor slices through the armor of the Hostile, though her damage seems so petty compared to that gash that splits her chestplate and draws blood. She sways in her saddle, almost threatening to fall before her knees dig in and she swings her gaze around toward the Hostile who dared to strike her. "Fiend!" She snarls.

There's a moment where Elodie winces as she hears the thunk of the launcher bolt on her armor, but it bounces off and doesn't penetrate. She takes a deep breath to test the ribs, noting the man falling from his horse. Turning on her outside speakers, she gives a quick call to the young man as his horse runs off to see if he's okay while she nocks another arrow. Seeing him on his feet, she sights on the same Hostile and fires again.

Kassandra's lance connects solidly with the chestplate of her target, but the momentum knocks him back enough that the blow is a light one. Platinum Prince carries her past her target and out of reach of the Hostile for the moment. She takes advantage of the purchased seconds to check her lance, raising her shield in defense while she readies herself for another pass. "I do not watch hunky Khourni workout shows," she growls into her comm, belatedly taking up the banter. "It's a hunky Grantham. Get it right."

Through the roar of the hooves from the charging knights, Garus' roar of bloodlust can be heard. Eyes narrowing inside of his head at the final seconds, the lance comes down in a point that shears into the chest of his target, taking it off of its feet in a Critical blow. The push of the lance's hit against his wrist is a satisfying crunch as Garus follows through, racing past the line of Cantosans to put some distance, wheel about, and prepare his next charge.

Solon joins Niko in a shout of "FOR GLORY" before he crashes into the line of Hostiles, his lance thudding solidly into his target, but not doing enough damage for his target to have the presence of mind to jab up with its spear and deal him a nice cut along his hand. Wincing in pain, grips hard on the reins to make sure he doesn't lose hold before continuing to ride past the line of Hostiles.

All along the line, the Valens have crashed into the Hostiles with solid results, but this has not deterred the Hostile with a Blugeon to gesture to its fellows to get off another series of blows against the knights before they can make it past them.

The party of Hostiles fire their weapons off, two of which were aimed at the unarmored form of Grayson, while the other took a shot at Elodie, after which they quickly begin to reload readying themselves for another volley.

Charging forward, it would seem Sammel's lance bounces off the enemy's armor now. Letting out a bit of a sigh as he brings No Name around for another pass. Looking over to Solon near him, he frowns as he sees that his cousin seems to be in pain. "You okay there, Solon?" he asks, quietly.

<COMBAT> Hostile21 attacks Nikomachos with Polearm but Nikomachos DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile20 attacks Kassandra with Bludgeon and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile24 with Sword - ARMOR on Neck stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Nikomachos finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Hostile24 attacks Ellinor with Sword but Ellinor DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Solon with Spear but Solon DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile12 finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Hostile11 finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Hostile10 finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Garus finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Kassandra finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Hostile23 attacks Garus with Sword - Moderate wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Grayson attacks Hostile10 with Psychometry - Light wound to Neck.
<COMBAT> Elodie attacks Hostile10 with Bow - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Solon has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.

Nikomachos slams through the group of Hostiles, ducking under a return sweep of the halberd, taking up the reins he loosed for the impact and wheeling his new destrier around. The blood bay dances in a tight circle, and Nikomachos inquires, "Everyone still with us?" He frowns behind his helmet as he spots the blood on Ellinor and Solon's armor, and then notes that they're down one. Drawing in a sharp breath, he heels the red, "Our hanger-on is down. I'll ride down the Scouts."

"I am still with you all," Garus calls out over the comms, finishing his ride to put some distance between himself and the Hostile. Feeling a sting in his side, he reaches to the abdominal plating of his armor and his hands come free with a small bit of blood. "Bitten but not gnawed." Gnashing his teeth, he readies his lance and spurs his destrier into a new charge. "FOR THE ROAR!"

Grayson feels the pain sting but it's not enough. His powers are flaring and anyone who didn't know he was Awakened, know now. He starts to rush towards the Hostiles with the launchers. He doesn't care about the blood leaking from his head or chest or the pain in his head.

To Sammel, Solon says, "Your concern is appreciated, cousin, but it seems the Hostile got me in the hand. Nothing your lady wife cannot bandage up later, I am sure." Now that they are out of the line of Hostiles, Solon pushes his mount on and then suddenly wheels around his mount and then charges once, this time hoping to put the Hostile with the spear down.

The three Hostiles armed with launchers seem to be slightly more concerned with the fact that one of the mounted Valen knights has decided to come towards them than with the Awakened charging at them, or at Elodie. They all turn and take aim.

Taking a breath, Elodie steadies herself and takes another shot with the bow, another arrow finding its mark. Giving a squeeze of her knees to steady Habu as he dances to the side, she glances around the rest of the party. With the reports coming from Garus and Niko, and the others still appearing to be in their saddles, she nocks another arrow. One last look to Sammel and then she returns to her target, noting the Hostile's attention. "Oh, no, you don't," she mutters under her breath.

There is a whoosh of air as Merrymaker turns to confront the Hostile once more, the sword flashing past his nose as Ellinor steers them clear of the attack. The Drakefire Knight snarls as she slams her blade into the Hostile's throat, but its sword instead meets hers in a sharp clang of metal.

"Just checking. After all, your dear mother would probably be a bit put out if the rest of us let you get killed," Sammel replies lightly to Solon, before bringing in No Name for an attack against one of the other Hostiles now.

<COMBAT> Triggering new turn.
<COMBAT> Nikomachos attacks Hostile11 with Lance - Moderate wound to Right Leg (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Nikomachos's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Solon with Spear - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Hostile23 attacks Garus with Sword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Grayson attacks Hostile10 with Psychometry - Light wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Solon attacks Hostile22 with Lance - Light wound to Right Hand (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Solon's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Hostile24 attacks Ellinor with Sword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile21 attacks Nikomachos with Polearm - Moderate wound to Neck (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile20 attacks Sammel with Bludgeon but Sammel DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile11 attacks Nikomachos with Launcher - ARMOR on Abdomen stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Hostile11's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Garus attacks Hostile23 with Lance - Critical wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Garus's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile24 with Sword - Moderate wound to Neck.
<COMBAT> Sammel attacks Hostile20 with Lance - Critical wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Sammel's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Hostile12 attacks Ellinor with Launcher - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile12's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Hostile10 attacks Sammel with Launcher and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Hostile10's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Elodie attacks Hostile10 with Bow - Light wound to Head (Reduced by Armor).
<Cindravale> Solon says, "GO SAMMEL AND GARUS. :D"
<COMBAT> Solon has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Ellinor has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Hostile23 has been KO'd!

Grayson sees they aren't attacking him anymore so he focuses on the one that doesn't seem injured. He rushes towards him, hand raised and ready to attack again. He doesn't care how close he's getting to them, he wants to take them out.

As Garus rides, the point of his lance tightens and lowers towards the chest of the Hostile invader. The Hostile's swing of his sword is ill-timed, its elbow moving far too late. Instead, the lance buries itself in the chest of its victim and a splatter of dark, red blood coats Garus and his horse. Knowing that no man, augmented or not, could suvive such an impalement, Garus leaves the lance behind to stand up straight on its tip through the chest of the dead. To his right, a Hostile rushes in with a sword, and Garus snaps his sword from his scabbard and wheels Orson around to face him. "One dead!" Garus calls out to the others. He'll get back to the lance later.

Nikomachos ducks low in his saddle as his horse pounds across the distance, not even noticing when the halberd-armed Hostile he hit last charge is coming over to cut off his angle. The blade slams into the side of his neck, half-turning him in his saddle and causing him to choke as blood spatters the red-gold of his armor. His lance-point wavers, dropping a bit, and takes the Scout in the leg rather than the chest. In the tremendous clout of the halberd's strike, he barely notices that a ribbon of steel from the Scout's launcher glanced off the armor of his stomach.

"Well done, Sir Garus!" Solon cries out to the Leonnidan lord as he drops one of the Hostiles with a well placed hit to its chest. Focusing on his own target he scores another hit, albeit not enough of a hit to put the thing down. In return, the Hostile attempts to counter with his spear, but luckily his armor turns the thrust aside and the only thing that is damaged is his armor. He sighs, knowing that the scratch is marring its appearance.

The line of Hostiles may have lost one, but that doesn't mean they are going to stop attacking. They tighten up their line and press the attack as the Valens ride through. As to the Scouts, their own attack seems to have had mixed results, as they quickly begin reloading.

Watching her arrow ping from the helmet of the Hostile and seeing him miss, Elodie gives a grim, unseen smile as she surveys the party. With the exception of the quiet Awakened running towards the combat, everyone is still in saddle. She nocks an arrow, "just the way I like it," she murmurs, and focuses on the Hostile who tried to fire on Sammel.

Charging for one of the Hostiles, Sammel lets out a bit of a breath as he sees the lance go deep into the enemy's chest, managing to hold it out of range for that bludgeon to hit him. Getting the lance free and moving to get ready for another pass, he doesn't really see the arrow that misses him.

Ellinor jolts abruptly in her saddle as ribbons of metal cut into her body, and the pain blurrs her vision. She looks to be on the brink of tumbling to the ground, but she scramples for the holds of her saddle as she glances sidelong to the Scout who has made her its next target. She points two fingers at the Hostile as if indicating she is coming for it.

<COMBAT> Solon finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile20 with Sword - Serious wound to Neck (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile24 attacks Garus with Sword - ARMOR on Left Arm stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Hostile21 attacks Solon with Polearm - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Hostile11 finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Hostile10 finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Grayson attacks Hostile12 with Psychometry - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Elodie attacks Hostile10 with Bow but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Sammel finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Nikomachos finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Solon with Spear but Solon DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile20 attacks Sammel with Bludgeon and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Hostile12 finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Garus attacks Hostile24 with Sword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Solon has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.

The sound of steel ringing against steel comes from the location of Garus and his foe. Lording high above the Hostile, the Leonnidan lord's sword flashes in the light in a high arc as it comes down into the Hostile's parrying blade. Fighting with one hand on the reigns and another on his sword, the two trade cuts, locked in a test of skill with no visible winner just yet.

Elodie misses, but she merely nocks another arrow, looking to the mounted combatants. For awhile, it all seems a stalemate with blows being exchanged, but only a couple of the Havenites seeming to make a dent. At least there are no dents happening to Havenites this time, so she fires once more, Habu having settled underneath her. The chestnut's ears are pricked forward, and swivel at the sounds of metal ringing on metal, but he doesn't move.

Nikomachos reels in his saddle as he rides past the group of Scouts, wincing and grimacing as he tries to move his neck. Wheeling his blood bay, he looks to the rest of the cavalry wheeling and charging around. His voice croaks a bit as he inquires, "You alright there, Ellie?" There's only a moment's pause, and then he adds, "Shall we dance some more?" Despite the pain rippling from his throat, he laughs throatily, "On Dancer!" And once more, his heels touch the destrier's flanks, and he lowers his lance for another charge.

Her sword, colored with the blood of Hostiles, is pulled free from the Hostile soldier who will not fall. She starts to turn to engage with it once more, but that is when Syrus flashes a warning across her vision that the launchers have reloaded. She twists a bit in her saddle, swinging her gaze toward Nikomachos. "I'm fine," she reassures him before she pushes Merrymaker to intercept the Scout just as it finishes loading.

Turning around once more, Sammel takes a few moments to study the various Hostiles, as well as making sure his poleaxe can be pulled easily out of its restraints, before he charges for one of the Hostiles that seems less hurt than the others.

Grayson feels his psychometry push forward and hit into the hostile. He calms down seeing finally a decent hit come from his powers. He stops and now stands his ground. His hands lift and his eyes narrow. There is a quiet prayer to the Six and he attacks.

Solon finds himself in the unenviable position of being between a Hostile with a spear and one with a polearm. Bending to the side, he lets the spear meet air, and lets the polearm cause yet another scratch on his pretty armor. Well, at least his armor is going to look really war-weary for when he needs to wear it in public or something. Looking at the bright side of things, he is. As he rides past the hostiles, he takes a moment to go over some of the data his HUD is giving him, and over comms ask, "Niko, it looks like you and Ellinor are closing in on the scouts, Garus, Sammel, and I will finish off things down here. Oh, and it appears our hanger-on is an accomplished Awakened." He goes silent as a part of him wishes Ariston were along side them.

<COMBAT> Sammel attacks Hostile21 with Lance - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Sammel's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Solon with Spear but Solon DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile20 attacks Sammel with Bludgeon and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Hostile12 attacks Ellinor with Launcher - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile12's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Hostile11 attacks Garus with Launcher and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Hostile11's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Grayson attacks Hostile12 with Psychometry - Critical wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Garus attacks Hostile24 with Sword but Hostile24 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Elodie attacks Hostile10 with Bow - ARMOR on Abdomen stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile12 with Sword - Moderate wound to Neck.
<COMBAT> Solon attacks Hostile22 with Lance but Hostile22 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Solon's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Nikomachos attacks Hostile11 with Lance - Moderate wound to Right Leg (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Nikomachos's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Hostile24 attacks Garus with Sword but Garus DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile21 attacks Solon with Polearm but Solon DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile10 attacks Sammel with Launcher and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Hostile10's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Solon has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Ellinor has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Hostile12 has been KO'd!

CLANG. T'SCREECH. Garus and the Hostile beneath him are trying like hell to put the other into an early grave. The horse beneath him wary, but obedient, stays in place and quells its urges to flee in favor of its training. The end result is Garus is kept in excellent position for the swordfight. With one powerful swing, the Hostile bends out of the way and comes up in a back-handed swing that forces Garus to bend as well. A series of swings and misses, it's that bending that wheels Garus out of the path of a fly-by ribbon from one of the Hostile scouts. "Yield or DIE you bastard!" Garus barks down to the Hostile.

Another ribbon cuts through her body, embedding deep within her flesh once it slices through her armor. She can feel the warmth of blood as it bubbles from the wound, soaking through her underarmor. The Drakefire Knight looks on the brink of collapsing out of her saddle once more, but she manages to hold steady even as her nerves scream and black tightens on the edges of her vision.

Nikomachos plants his lance into — and back out the side of — the Scout's leg, and he lets it fall to the blood-stained, trampled grass as the flaming, holographic wings rising from his back fade out once more. Drawing his sword, he hauls his horse around between the Scouts and his wife, "Stay with me, Ellie." At least that's just sent in a private comm to her, rather than broadcast to the whole patrol.

Right after he's managed to hit his target, Sammel drops his lance, and reaches to get out his poleaxe right after dropping out of the saddle. "Go…" he says to his horse, sending No Name out of the combat area, before he turns towards that bludgeon-wielding Hostile, attempting to stab its neck with the head spike of the long weapon.

Bearing down on the spear-wielding Hostile once more, Solon can tell almost immediately that he is going to miss. Had he the tongue of Kassandra, he might use such an opportunity to go into some sort of profanity-laden tirade, but he doesn't, and so his only admission of disappointment is an angry sigh and then the flinging of his lance in the direction of the Hostile while drawing out a sword, and reining in hard, Hengroen rearing up and kicking out with both feet in something resembling the very sigil of the house itself before coming back down to the ground, the widest grin possible on Solon's face. Well, the widest possible before he notices both Hostiles pressing in on him. Yet again, Solon lets the spear go past him, but unlike the last time, instead of causing yet more damage to his armor, the second Hostile misses him completely.

Grayson pushes his power out from himself and watches the hostile he's attacking drop. He quickly turns to the next Hostile and stares at it. He takes a few steps towards the two archers left. His eyes slowly narrow. The bleeding slowing now but again, he doesn't care.

With all the clanging going on around, Elodie adds to the din with an arrow that bounces off the armor of the scout she's aiming for. When she first sees a riderless NoName trotting out of the combat area, her heart leaps into her mouth, and she starts to urge Habu forward. Then she notices the motion of the polearm, and she gives a little growl. "Don't you scare me like that again, Sammel Cindravale," she mutters to herself, her outgoing comms still off to listen for incoming reports of injuries. As she raises her bow again, nocking an arrow, she sees the Hostile drop. Toggling outside speakers again, she gives a "Well done" to Grayson before reporting through the open channel another Hostile down. Then she goes radio silent once more and concentrates on her aim.

<COMBAT> Solon attacks Hostile22 with Sword - ARMOR on Right Arm stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Hostile24 attacks Garus with Sword but Garus DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Solon with Spear - Moderate wound to Right Hand.
<COMBAT> Hostile21 attacks Solon with Polearm - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile20 attacks Sammel with Bludgeon and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Hostile11 finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Grayson attacks Hostile11 with Psychometry - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Garus attacks Hostile24 with Sword - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Elodie attacks Hostile10 with Bow - Moderate wound to Right Hand.
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile10 with Greatsword - Light wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Sammel attacks Hostile20 with Polearm and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Nikomachos attacks Hostile11 with Sword - Light wound to Left Arm (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile10 finishes reloading.
<COMBAT> Hostile10 has been KO'd!

The frenzied swordfight between Garus and the Hostile comes to a sweet moment of success. The Hostile locks blades with the Leonnidan and shoves forward, hoping to graze its blade up to the man's neck, but the reach is too little and the blade swings off harmlessly and leaves the Hostile undefended. Garus' wrist turns and with a stab, the blade digs deep into the Hostile's chest. Garus gives the Hostile a kick with the boot, but to his suprise the Hostile remains standing; the swordfight resumes.

Elodie's arrow sinks into the Hostile's hand, wounding it once again, and she watches it go down as Sir Ellinor joins in the attack on the Hostile. Settling back in her saddle, she surveys the skirmish. Now, with people on foot, it takes her longer to make sure everyone is still up and fighting. After a more prolonged head count, she finds it harder to bring her attention back to her bow, and has to take a moment choosing and aiming for her next target.

Frowning as his own attack misses the Hostile, Sammel thankfully manages to avoid the bludgeon trying to crush him. "Okay, round two," he mutters, moving in for another attack now.

"I'm here, I'm here," Ellinor murmurs across the closed comm with her husband. She glances his way, though her expression is unseen behind the draconic facade of her helmet. She turns her attention toward the second of the three scouts, not even looking back as the first hits the dirt. She charges forward, kicking up dirt and grass as she does.

Solon's sword thrust misses the mark and ends up pinging off his opponent's armor, a sad bit of luck, and perhaps it's that very attack that changes his luck for the worse. The spear manages to gash another wound into his hand, and he's left pulling his horse back a step or two and muttering something about how unfortunate this is to have his hand getting hacked apart (well, seemingly hacked apart) by a spear of all things. To make matters worse, the second hostile comes in under his guard and delivers another wound, this time to his chest. Grunting in pain, he backs Hengroen up another step before calculating his next plan of attack.

"I'm here, I'm here," Ellinor murmurs across the closed comm with her husband. She glances his way, though her expression is unseen behind the draconic facade of her helmet. She turns her attention toward the cluster of soldiers, not even looking back as the first scout hits the dirt. She charges forward, kicking up dirt and grass as she does.

Nikomachos circles his red — now named Dancer — around the Hostile Scout, hacking down at the Hostile time and again. one of the blows comes down on the arm of the dodge-y little thing, drawing blood. As Ellinor rides off to find a new target, Niko murmurs, "AI, inform me immediately if Ellie is knocked from her saddle." Wheeling Dancer around once more, he drives the destrier toward the remaining Scout, "Watch your flanks, don't let anyone get doubled up on…"

There is a sound of approach though if it can be heard over the din of battle it's hard to say, when the sounds of hooves grow louder though they crest a small hill which blocking them from view. The one leading them is an havenite wearing armor in the color of his house. Canis Ligonier has responded to the calls gathering any of his house he could quickly. "Sorry i'm late." he'll say before dismounting it seems he's on food for the rest of the charge those with him rush forward as well.

<COMBAT> Triggering new turn.
<COMBAT> Nikomachos attacks Hostile11 with Sword - Moderate wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Garus attacks Hostile24 with Sword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Hostile21 attacks Solon with Polearm - Serious wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile20 attacks Sammel with Bludgeon and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Hostile11 attacks Nikomachos with Launcher but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Hostile11's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Elodie takes careful aim at Hostile11.
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile20 with Greatsword - Moderate wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Canis passes.
<COMBAT> Solon attacks Hostile22 with Sword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Sammel attacks Hostile20 with Polearm - Critical wound to Neck.
<COMBAT> Hostile24 attacks Garus with Sword - Light wound to Right Leg (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Solon with Spear - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Grayson attacks Hostile11 with Psychometry - Serious wound to Left Hand.
<COMBAT> Solon has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Hostile20 has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Solon has been KO'd!

Steel continuing to ring, Garus can't help but feel elated at the presence of Canis Ligonier on the field. "Sir Canis! Welcome to the melee, let's wipe these bastards off of the land." Garus calls to the man over the comm-signal, his words ending with a grunt as a sword-lock brings the Hostile's sword down, slicing into the armor just above his knee. Horse growing concerned, Garus squeezes the saddle with his legs. "Hold still, boy, almost done with these bastards! Status, are all well?" He spares a glance, turning to see another Hostile approaching. The time to end this would be now.

Nikomachos knocks aside the Scout's launcher-arm, then leans out of his saddle to thrust his blade into the Hostile's stomach. With the invader being blasted by the dismounted hanger-on, and the rest of the cavalry circling around the Soldiers, Niko notes through his helmet speakers, "I'll leave this one to you." And he provides a salutes of his sword, and then heels Dancer after the polearm-wielding Soldier he lanced earlier. Canis' arrival causes him to speak up again in that pained, damaged voice, "A Valen arrives late, on horseback, and doesn't make a lance charge? We're going to have to talk after this, Sir Canis."

Grayson frowns when the hostile doesn't yet die. He walks menacingly towards the last standing archer. His eyes narrow and he lifts his hands. He sees Niko come closer and he takes off in another unsteady run towards it. His aura is flaring as another shot takes off and hits but again, doesn't go down. He pushes faster in anger.

A glorious arc of blood is Ellinor's reward as she cuts her sword up along the Hostile's spine as she charges up behind him. Merrymaker releasing a terrible whinny that is accompanied by a wild kick of his hoof as he dances around the Hostile as his Knight lines up another strike. His silverine coat is flecked in blood, and not all of it the enemy's, but neither him nor his rider seem intent on surrending.

Finally letting the arrow loose, Elodie listens for responses to Garus's question

Solon's next sword stroke completely misses his target, and he ends up leaving himself open to two more chest wounds, one not so bad, the other? Well, that one is rather not good, and it has caused him to retreat out of the melee for the moment, and catch his breath. That thrust from the polearm is probably going to leave a scar. At Garus' question he responds with, "I seem to have attracted the ends of their weapons, and it appears as if I may once again require a few recovery days in Phylon." Between his words sounding pained, there's also amusement in his voice.

The sole remaining scout goes ahead and drops his launcher, and then grabs hold of a nasty looking bludgeoning weapon before turning to Grayson, and attacking the Awakened who has wreaked so much havoc amongst the scouts.

Ducking out of the way of the incoming bludgeon, Sammel uses the moment to stab the head spike of the poleaxe up into the throat area of the Hostile. Nodding to himself as he sees the enemy lose its energy, he wrenches the weapon free, looking around for the next of them to attack. "Entirely unhurt," he replies back to Garus, before he adds, as he hears Niko's words, "Don't be picky, brother." It's said a bit lightly, though.

The young man's charge into the frey is noticed it would seem, though he's ready for attack this time. "Of course Lord Garus." Canis says though he is now close enough to make an attack the other knights words simply get a small chuckle before he must focus on the task at hand which is to help remove the hostile's threat from his friends.

<COMBAT> Triggering new turn.
<COMBAT> Hostile11 attacks Grayson with Bludgeon - Light wound to Right Hand.
<COMBAT> Sammel attacks Hostile21 with Polearm but Hostile21 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Solon passes.
<COMBAT> Hostile24 attacks Garus with Sword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Garus with Spear but Garus DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile21 attacks Sammel with Polearm but Sammel DODGES!
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile21 with Sword - ARMOR on Neck stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Canis attacks Hostile22 with Polearm - Moderate wound to Neck (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Nikomachos attacks Hostile21 with Sword - ARMOR on Left Leg stops the attack!

From afar, Brienne usually has a hand hurt lol

<COMBAT> Grayson attacks Hostile11 with Psychometry - Moderate wound to Abdomen.
<COMBAT> Garus attacks Hostile24 with Sword - Moderate wound to Head (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Elodie attacks Hostile11 with Bow - Critical wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Solon has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Hostile11 has been KO'd!

Grayson feels his arm hit into and grazed, more blood from his veins. He pushes another attack at the hostile but he's glad to see it go down either by his hand or another, it didn't matter. His foot hooks dirt and flings it towards the corpse before he turns and runs towards the rest of the hostiles in anger. He might not have a horse but he can still run, for now.

Canis strikes his target to the neck, but it seems it's still standing, the young knight prepares for any counter but he'll not delay in making another strike. He is concentrating on the foe but he's able to take a moment to mark the others about him to track friendlies and damage taken.

Finally, Elodie has the satisfaction of seeing her arrow bite deep through the armor of the Hostile, finding something vital in all that cybernetic wiring and human organs. However, as she turns, the rest of the soldiers are in close combat, so she lowers her bow, not wishing to fire into the melee and perhaps miss.

Garus, fighting two on one, enters into an impressive display of swordwork and horsemanship. His destrier holds obedient as not one but TWO Hostile soldiers descent upon him. His sword swings out to parry an attack from one while his shield lifts, blocking the other in a shower of sparks. Turning at the waist from side-to-side, it's parry, block, block, dodge, THRUST in a flurry of motion that comes to a stop with Garus' sword chopping in HARD against one of the Hostile's helms. The sword comes back into a defensive position with fresh blood. "SIR Garus, Sir Canis, I'm bloody working today. Side by side again, mate. FOR PHYLON!"

Ducking out of the way of the Hostile's attack, Sammel's own attack misses now. Once more going in for the arttack, he brings up the spike now, while moving a little from side to side in an attempt to keep from being a good target this time.

The breather taken, Solon lets Hengroen step closer to the action once again, and sword in hand, he approaches the Hostile currently being attacked by Sammel. Nodding to his cousin he says over comms, "Come, Sammel, let us drop him and then help Sir Garus and Sir Canis."

<COMBAT> Triggering new turn.
<COMBAT> Sammel attacks Hostile21 with Polearm but Hostile21 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile21 with Sword but Hostile21 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Solon attacks Hostile24 with Sword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Nikomachos attacks Hostile21 with Sword but Hostile21 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile24 attacks Garus with Sword but Garus DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Garus with Spear - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Canis attacks Hostile22 with Polearm but Hostile22 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile21 attacks Sammel with Polearm but Sammel DODGES!
<COMBAT> Grayson attacks Hostile24 with Psychometry - Light wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Garus attacks Hostile24 with Sword - Critical wound to Neck (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Elodie passes.
<COMBAT> Solon has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Hostile24 has been KO'd!

Two Sauveurs and a Cindravale are gathered around a single Hostile now, but it seems impervious to their weapons. At least it isn't managing to hit anything either. "For glory!" In the midst of the swordwork and wheeling of horses, Niko slams his right fist into his breastplate, triggering the holographic wings of fire bursting from his shoulders again.

The young man's warming up to the combat still and alas misses this attempt but he's fighting by the others side. "Nice hit Sir Garus." Canis says but it's not time to talk really and he's back in taking another swipe at the hostile here not wishing to be out done after all. He'll focus once more properly on his enemy

Still pincered between two Hostiles, Garus' golden, hard-light shield and his monomolecular edged longsword flash all about, blocking and parrying. When the Hostile with the sword swings and misses, Garus leans into the path of a spear, which cuts into his armor. The wound is slight, barely a nick, and the sword-wielding Hostile finds itself vastly out of position. Sword raised high, Garus' forearm turns and brings the blade down in a sweeping arc that connects solidly with the hinge in the Hostile's neck armor. The monomolecular edge does the rest of the work. Beheadings are bloody, spurting things, leaving the area around him bathed in blood. "Two dead!" Garus barks out, kicking the Hostile away to turn to work at finishing off the other soldier with the aid of nearby Canis. "Thanks, Sir Canis. They'll rue their coming to these lands yet."

Grayson sees another hostile go down and he feels his wounds getting the better of him. He doesn't wait for the hostiles to fully drop to the ground before he rushes towards the last two of them and lifts his bleeding right arm up. His eyes focused on finishing them off.

"Well done, Sir Garus!" Solon congratulates the man as he watches him neatly and thoroughly dispatch one of the Hostiles, his eyes following the path of its head for a moment, before he turns his mount and then comes upon one of the two remaining Hostiles, holding his sword in an attack position, readying an attack.

Dodging and missing, dodging and missing. Sammel seems to have gotten a bit tired of the constant missing, and so he moves in a bit more aggressively now, using the axehead in a forceful swing at the Hostile he's fighting, aiming for the stomach of the thing.

<COMBAT> Sammel attacks Hostile21 with Polearm but Hostile21 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Nikomachos attacks Hostile21 with Sword - Serious wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Grayson attacks Hostile22 with Psychometry and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Elodie passes.
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile21 with Sword - Serious wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Solon attacks Hostile21 with Sword - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Garus with Spear but Garus DODGES!
<COMBAT> Hostile21 attacks Sammel with Polearm - Moderate wound to Right Hand.
<COMBAT> Garus tries to attack but has no target!
<COMBAT> Canis attacks Hostile22 with Polearm but Hostile22 DODGES!

Taking a moment to breathe after decapitating his foe, Garus wheels his horse around to face the spear-wielding Hostile. The spear shoves in and he leans to the side, deftly dodging the attack. Breather finished and some new, fresh air in his lungs, Garus readies his sword and shield and continues the fight.

Solon feels his sword bypass the Hostile's armor and deliver a satisfactory hit, a grin as both Ellie and Niko also seem to cleave into the thing. Surely it is dead now, but nope. Some way, some how, the Hostile remains on it's feet, even going as far to attack Sammel and delivering a wounding strike. Glowering inside his helmet, he presses his attack.

The power pushes out of his body and he misses. It must be his head injury. He takes stumbling steps closer to the hostile and he kicks dirt at it, missing as well as his hands lift up and he looks to fire again this time with more intent.

Nikomachos and Ellinor continue circling the Hostile with the halberd, herding him toward Solon and Sammel. He slashes overhand with his sword, cutting into the Hostile and then wheeling Dancer to present his shield-side to the Soldier. "Your ambush has failed, Hostile. You, like the rest of your kind in the Vale, will be trampled under our hooves, and your blood will feed our grasses."

Canis misses once more and is unhappy about it though not over com he's voicing his displeasure at this face only a moment, though he's still fighting and so adjusting his angle to the other he moves back in and takes another jab at the hostile. He doesnt give up as easy as all that.

Frowning as he misses again, Sammel also cries out momentarily as the Hostile's weapon bites into his right hand now. "That's it…" he mutters, once more heading aggressively for the creature, aiming for the neck again.

It would appear that Niko's taunting has the desired result, as the polearm-wielding hostile turns to face in his direction before attacking.

As one Hostile is being circled, and another surrounded, Elodie watches, holding her bow with one hand, and unlatching her saddlebags with another. Her eyes leave the fight to scan the surrounding area, making sure that the Havenintes are the only ones receiving reinforcements.

<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Garus with Spear - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Garus attacks Hostile22 with Sword - ARMOR on Neck stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Elodie passes.
<COMBAT> Canis attacks Hostile22 with Polearm - Light wound to Right Hand (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Solon attacks Hostile21 with Sword - Serious wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Sammel attacks Hostile21 with Polearm - NEAR MISS!
<COMBAT> Nikomachos attacks Hostile21 with Sword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile21 attacks Nikomachos with Polearm and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Grayson attacks Hostile22 with Psychometry - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile21 with Sword - Moderate wound to Right Arm.
<COMBAT> Solon has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Hostile21 has been KO'd!

The Hostile's spear slashes in towards Garus and is caught at the chest by the three-dimensional mouth of the roaring lion on his breastplate. "Old faithful," Garus grunts, knowing the spot, and tries hard to cleave the neck off of the Hostile before it can parry. The armor in the neck stops the attack, and as Garus rears back to try once more, he hopes the armor finds itself weakened.

Grayson pushes his power out again and lets it clip off the chest of the hostile. He pushes in closer to it and raises his hands. He's still not spoken a word and he's still very angry. His eyes become lidded and voices start to go in and out. His vision starts to blur but he has intent and he's not clocking out before the hostiles are all gone.

Missing, although this one is closer than the others, Sammel lets out a bit of a relieved breath as he sees the others take down that particular Hostile. "Keep talking, Niko. That seems to be the deadliest weapon at the moment," he comments to his brother, with a bit of a chuckle. "We all take out this last one, then?" Moving for that last one now.

The young knight striking his foe once more, can only watch on his AI as another enemy goes down before he's back into action. Canis steps forward and slightly to the side quickly trying to get a good angle on the eneny as he makes another strike at him.

Nikomachos cuts down into the Hostile again, although when he's slashing over his shield, he can't put quite the same muscle behind it. Still, others lay about enough to finish it, and then he turns Dancer to the last Hostile, "Of course it is, Sammy. I've often been told I have a cunning tongue." He laughs, although the sound of amusement cuts off in a hiss of pain as the action pulls at his wounded neck. And then his armor's speakers are crackling to life again, "The Pheonix is coming for you, Hostile. Stand and face me!" And the other like… six people… but with another tap of fist to chest, his wings flare, once more trying to draw the Hostile's attention.

Solon is quite pleased with his final attack upon the Hostile, and he is even happier to see the blasted thing fall down after Niko and Ellie joined in on the hit parade. One more down, he wheels his horse and moves towards the last remaining Hostile standing, which seems to have no other option to sit there and die. Depsite his wounds still throbbing a bit, he switches his comms to broadcast his voice, as he announces, "Is surrender not an option, creature? Or perhaps you actually think you can kill all of us. No matter, prepare now for your death, foul thing. May you rot in the deepest, darkest hell you can find." That being said, he attacks.

<COMBAT> Solon attacks Hostile22 with Sword - ARMOR on Right Hand stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Sammel attacks Hostile22 with Polearm - Moderate wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Nikomachos attacks Hostile22 with Sword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Garus with Spear - ARMOR on Neck stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Elodie passes.
<COMBAT> Grayson attacks Hostile22 with Psychometry - ARMOR on Right Hand stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Garus attacks Hostile22 with Sword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile22 with Sword - Light wound to Right Hand (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Canis attacks Hostile22 with Polearm - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).

<COMBAT> Nikomachos attacks Hostile22 with Sword - ARMOR on Head stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Solon attacks Hostile22 with Sword - Serious wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Hostile22 attacks Garus with Spear and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Grayson attacks Hostile22 with Psychometry - Critical wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Garus attacks Hostile22 with Sword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Elodie passes.
<COMBAT> Canis attacks Hostile22 with Polearm - Moderate wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Sammel attacks Hostile22 with Polearm - Moderate wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Ellinor attacks Hostile22 with Sword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Solon has started a new turn. Pose and choose your action.
<COMBAT> Hostile22 has been KO'd!

The Druid lifts his hands one final time and pushes them against the hostiles stomach. He has a sense of calm overwhelm him and all that's left of his energy bolts out of himself and into the abdomen of the hostile. He sees all the attacks but when the hostile starts to fall Grayson finally drops to his knees and into the dirt. His body exhausted and there is nothing left in the frail form of the Awakened.

Nikomachos circles around the Hostile on his heavy destrier, striking down on it a few times and guiding Dancer away from the others circling the doomed creature so that they can strike home as well. And then it falls, and he turns his horse aside, sheathing his blade through the self-cleaning scabbard and looking about, "Everyone still standing? I'll report the skirmish." And then he moves aside to do just that.

Sammel lets out a bit of a breath as he sees the Hostile go down now. "Done, then?" Moving to call No Name back, he lowers the poleaxe and just keeps it in his left hand while waiting for the horse to get back.

As the druid collapses, Elodie is dismounting, hooking her bow over the saddlehorn. Reaching into the saddle bags, she pulls out her kit, and strides quickly over to him. She takes a knee next to him, her scanner already reading his vitals and taking note of his wounds. She gives a smile of relief. "You'll be all right," she tells the man, even if he can't hear her at the time. She toggles her private channel. "How are you doing over there, love?" she asks Sammel first while she treats the druid, hopefully reviving him. "Good enough I can join you on NoName and give this fellow Gale for the ride back?"

With the last hostile invader falling to the grass lifeless, Garus breathes a quick sigh of relief and scans the field for others. No. Everything is dead. Signaling victory, he bangs his sword against his hard-light shield and a three-clapped signal, which rings out loud among the standing. "Wounded, but none dead, I'd call this a victory." Garus calls it for what it is, sliding his sword back into its scabbard. As he reaches to yank his lance out of the dead hostile nearby with a sputter of blood, he leans forward to pet his destrier, Orson's, mane. He pats the massive beast's neck, showing his appreciation for his hard work.

Grunting in pain as he hops off his horse, he pulls his helmet off and scans the field of battle. "Everyone fought well, though I think the two of you who were most impressive in this encounter were you, Sir Garus, and the Awakened gentleman. Nice work, the two of you, although everyone should hold their heads up high. We have found the enemy, and killed the enemy on this day, and so our great crusade to ride the Vale of their taint has begun." Solon trudges over to the Hostile head that flew off when Garus decapitated it, and bends down to pick it up, grunting all the while. Taking it in hand, he trudges over to Garus and considers offering it to the man as something to put in front of his doorway so his siblings can be intimidated, but instead puts it into a sack and attaches it to his horse. The warcamp will need a decoration, after all.

"Only took a bit of a hit to the hand, nothing major," Sammel replies, as No Name arrives, and he gets out something to wrap that hand into. Nodding a bit at the last part. "Of course." Looking towards the others as he wraps his hand up now. "Good work, everybody."

Canis lowers his weapon when the last hostile falls. He looks about to get an idea of everyones state. "I can help anyone who needs it." He offers though he's un-injured likely due to his late arrival, the knight wishes to help anywhere he can now.

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