---

Jehan breathed hard, but it was all hot bad air inside his helmet. He reached and opened his visor, welcoming the fresh air, even if it smelled of orc blood. At Jasper's words, he fought his way to his feet and approached the orc who was only now beginning to recover his wits. Jehan took a few gulps of air before he went down to one knee and plunged the dagger into the orc's eye, through the thin bone behind the eye and into the brain. The orc switched, but made no sound as it died. With the scrape of metal on bone he removed the dagger and wiped the blade on the orcs rough clothes. He stood, returned the dagger to its place.

"Well." he said to Amare, "I tried.". He shifted his eyes down to his armour, which was covered in a mix of orc blood and dirt. Behind Jehan, Henri made a face, knowing who would have to clean it.

"Thanks for the help" Jehan added, directed to Jasper and Amare, as Henri recovered the poleaxe and offered it to Jehan who took it with a thankful nod. "You too Henri. Good work." Then he returned his eyes to the orc lines to see what more would come at them. Hopefully another small group, foolish as it was.

Jan nodded grimly as the mage gave him her burial instructions. It was not the first time someone had given him such a charge. He was fortunate that he had only rarely had to carry out such instructions With luck, he would not have to learn which realm Illium was. He watched as she floated toward one of the orcs. He was going to remind Ren that this was contrary to the plan he had just suggested, but it was too late- and, beside, the adrenaline was surging through his body. He had nearly forgotten his plan himself.

Taking up his shield across his right arm, he surveyed his oncoming opponents. They were three: One with a longsword, one with two blades, and one with a great mace, which Ren had already begun to assault with some manner of spell. Wasting no time, Jan turned to his remaining men.

“You three!” He called, pointing his sword toward the orc with the longsword. “On that one! Stay close, charge together! The other one is mine!”

And the priest charged, followed shortly after by the militiamen. Their spears would be better used against the orc with the longer weapon, and Jan reasoned their resolve would hold better if they stuck together.

Their orc, spotting their charge, broke ranks with it's comrade, just as Jan had hoped. The monster was quick, however. Before the spears fell upon it's frame, it struck a sidelong blow at one of the older men. The poor fellow went down screaming in agony, his left leg nearly cleft through.

But the orc had left a wide opening for the other two and crumpled back with a thud to the ground, impaled twice through the chest.

As the two remaining militiamen were struggling to free their weapons from the carcass of their fresh-slain enemy, Jan closed the distance with his quarry. The orc seemed sure of himself, despite his odds of survival. Jan cried out, raising his sword.

“Ristoth and glory!”

Shield ahead, he made a feinting strike at the orc's midriff. The orc parried, and struck a glancing blow off of Jan's shield. Sensing his opportunity, Jan shoved his shield hard at the orc, bloodying it's ghastly face.

With his enemy off balance, the priest made a heavy-handed downstroke toward its groin. Blood gouted from between it's legs as it toppled clumsily to the ground, losing one sword in the process.

It flailed wildly with its remaining weapon, but it was nearly helpless now. The priest had little trouble running his sword through the thing's neck.

“Aye!” Jan cried out above the din.

“And there is more of that for ye lot!”

He had not yet noticed his wounded man, and glanced back to see the rest of his squadron. The look of triumph ran away from his face, and he sprinted back toward poor fellow on the ground. It was a grievous wound, and needed attention immediately. He turned toward the youngest of his charges, who had only just pried his weapon from a dead orc.

“You lad! Get this fellow to the rear! See he's looked to, then come right back.”

The ploughboy nodded and drove his spear into the earth before beginning to drag his injured comrade. Moving was evidently painful, as the fellow screamed as he went.

This was shaping up to be bloody business.

Luke faced off against his orc and Silas was waiting to step in if needed. The Orc came at Luke again with a diagonal slash, again Luke caught the blow with his shield, but this time he turned into the blow then slashed taking off the Orcs arm in the process. The orc howled in pain and lashed out with its other hand. It caught Luke by the throat, but before it could do anything else Silas moved in and in a swift movement with both his swords cut off the orc's other arm and sliced its chest open. Luke was stunned for a moment, but took advantage of the crippled orc running his blade through the beast's heart. The orc soon fell to the ground lifeless and Silas looked to survey the battlefield. Luckily both flanks had held with little problem, but that was the desired effects of the flanks. Outside that the middle ranks had seen more action than they had wanted and there were a few casualties and injuries along those lines. The center ranks had mostly held up, one casualty on the left side and no real damage to his line. but the right side had been hit hard, Dixon was to busy sweet talking Violet to give his militia any real direction, they weren't prepared and Dixon himself ended up taking a blow for one of the militia. The fool would live but without a leader that group would be near useless in the next wave. Silas would then send Luke and Jowen back to the reserves. The young archer had been to terrified to let a single arrow loose and it wouldn't be of any help to keep him on the front lines. Aside from that he closed the ranks making less teams and getting the wounded out of the fight.

Strangely the Orcs waited while the Humans reorganized themselves. One of the orc's asked their boss why they weren't attacking and the response was simple. "Let them be, those pups did prove themselves taking on our boys like that. Either way it won't matter this time we will finish them. Bring up the Armored Boyz and tell them no prisoners." The Orc Leader commanded. Soon the heavily armored veteran Orcs had made their way forward and again in groups of three they made their way into battle against the militia. But this time it was different, the Orcs themselves were working together not blindly charging after the first foe they saw. This would be a real battle and would push even the Old Merc's and Veteran Militia to their limits.

Silas stood with Sonya and Odessa at his back, no replacement troops had made their way to his group and Silas cursed under his breath. "Alright girls this is going to be a tough one stay close and I'll try to give you an opening. Odessa, this is going to hurt a bit, but I'm going to need you to use your arcane blast off of your punch to crack the armor. I'll do what I can to give you an opening but I'll be relying on you. Sonya I'll need you to focus on helping me deflect their blows I noticed it last wave, but that will be key here, with no shield I am going to have to rely on parries and deflections to get us through this." Silas calmly said sizing up the orcs and trying to plan out some sort of way through this attack.

Stefano cursed his misfortune as he was caught in a middle of a reload When the orc leader reared his head. He considered sending out Drusilla to harass him. But it would be futile and he refused to endanger such a magnificent creature. Still his keen eyes studied the orc leader, he seemed like a fine strong specimen and would be a worthy kill.
"I'm sure there's a line," Stefano thought to himself. "But I would love to have a head such as that adorning my mantle piece. Well if I still had a mantle." Stefano entertained his little daydream and then returned to the task of reloading his weapon.

The orcs had let out a predatory roar as more assembled into squads and set off charging at their formations. Stefano set the match and re-assed the battlefield again trying to pick out the ideal target. "Damn!" He cursed in his head. His previous shot showed his bullets had no problem punching through an orc, and he was told if placed right he could but a bullet through even a plated soldiers chest and the other side. Yet that was a human he doubted he could claim an instant kill against these much stronger warriors. Still challenge, the possibility of faliure, the risk of death heavy on the air... was this not what gave life it's flavor?

Stefano gave a short high whistle, the command for his hounds to return to him, and studied his potential targets. His hounds wouldn't make it half way to him but this would set them at a charge when he reissued the heel command.

Of these new foes he considered the halberd weilder the most dangerous mark, the reach and versatility would keep Ludivico on his toes and endangered the twins shields. However the axe and shield orc would limit Ludi's vector of attack and slow down the spped of the fight as he looked for his opening. Considering this Stefano threw Drusilla towards him in hopes of forcing him to redirect his guard to the sky (this opening him up for attack from the militia or Ludi) or least slow him down. Next Stefano gave the heel whistle to his hounds who quickly turned and charged back into the fray bowling with furry. Agrippina and Incitatus bounded towards the spear orc while Livilla charged the halberd orc.

Stefano raised his wepon to eye level and squeezed one eye closed zoning in on his chosen mark. Once again he shrunk all he knew to gust him and his target. Thinking his weapon's armor piercing would be needed again soon he opted to fire at his quarry at a larger distance than the previous. He aimed lower ,however, this time at the orcs massive barrel like chest in hopes of a lower margin of error. There just a little below the run cage was were a solid piece of chest plate was connected by chainmail to a large iron gutplate. Here was were Stefano reckoned his for was weakest.

Stefano breathed deep in the blood and stench of combat and squeezed the trigger. An explosion, a flash, and the stench of gunpowder, Stefano's sweet heralds of Violence rang out as the bullet races across the field.

The orc was blasted back a few steps and dropped to his knees as the bullet found its mark. Stefano smiled knowing his shot had pushed through his mark and hopefully ripped through the orcs guys before coming through its body. Stefano's smile disappeared when he heard the bloodcurdling roar of pure hatred as the orc stumbled to its feet and charged like a frenzied bull strait towards Stefano's position. "Shit! Shit! Shit! Calamity and misfortune and divine shit!" Stefano cursed in raid fire as he raced to load another shot. His enemy was well and truly frenzied and it would take truly devastating damage to stop him now.

Despite the guy shot and the tremendous amount of blood the orc was swiftly losing, the beast was making much swifter ground then it's two companions. Livilla intercepted the charging orc and at a leap sunk her teeth into the orcs upper thigh and held in with all her might. This did little to slow the orc, it's anger was so complete it was content to charge foreword with the blood hounds teeth embedded in it, dragging the dog with him.

As the orc reached the start of the flank the youth Stefano had bet with tried to stand in the way of its charge only to be slammed into with so much force he was sent airborne for a solid 3 seconds before slamming into the ground 10 feet away. Stefano was only packing new powder into the barrel as he silently prayed, "No need for the parrots Ludi, things are definitely going wrong. I need you to work magic now!"

@Skull

Just standing there watching them fighting wasn't very helpful, but Aimée wasn't sure if she should just show up out of nothing to help them. They sure seemed somewhat organized, plus, they had dispatched the first wave successfully. Their numbers were rather small compared to the orcs, but their warriors seemed very experienced, the ones that survived the first wave of course.
Aimée was really surprised with the group, they didn't look like an army of soldiers at all. In fact, they looked like they were completely different people without anything to do with each by other.
Nonetheless, they were a bunch of very interesting people, Aimée was quite curious about them, and the time she spent watching them only made her more curious.

The first thing she saw was man wearing colorful, noble clothes, wielding a very strange gun and fighting together with three big hunting dogs and a falcon, he certainly stood out on the battlefield just like a sore thumb. He also wore a beret, one of those that artists wear, certainly not an optimal choice for that situation.

After that, a number of other weird figures stood out in the middle of the common soldiers, amongst them there were: an armed priest wearing a black cassock and a cloak, a mage wearing a blue robe that looked like it was always fluttering in the wind, his movements were almost weightless, a young girl wearing a beautiful eastern robe, like one of those Aimée heard about from friends that travelled to the east and finally a small girl, wearing a fox mask just like the shadow warriors from the east.

But things wouldn't be easy for them, the next wave brought some serious threat: heavily armored orcs. These seemed smarter and more experienced, working together to overwhelm the weird group. The heavy armor would prove to be a very big advantage for the orcs... Things were looking grim for the group, and Aimée was starting to feel guilty of not helping them. To make it worse, there were already some injured and their formation was starting to fall apart when the orcs charged.

Aimée got really startled when she saw one armored orc rushing towards the colored man. A loud noise followed as the colored man shot the orc, but to his dismay, that only made the orc even more angry, as it tackled him, sending him flying away.
"I can't just stand here and watch... If I don't do anything they might die... But there is only one thing I can do in a situation like this..." She said to herself as she held the wrapped ring blade and started running towards the orc.
With an incredible speed, agility and grace, she danced through the battlefield, too fast for the orcs to notice, especially because she was coming from the side of the battlefield, where there shouldn't be any enemies.

Just as the raging orc raised his legs, Aimée did a cartwheel, jumping over the orc's head and putting the wrapped ring blade on his neck as she landed, making the orc fall face first on the ground, landing over him with a kick to the back of the helmet, powerful enough to disorientate him for some time.

Putting the ring blade around the colored man in a swift movement, who seemed to be still a little shaken after his friend being thrown by the orc, she walked up to him, putting the ring around him and looking at him with a smile.
"You don't look like a soldier at all." she said, walking around the man, who was still with the ring around him, studying him.
"I'll do my best to help you guys, but you'll have to offer me something in return." she said with a mischievous smile
With a playful wink, she took off the ring from around the man, moving swiftly to the center of the battlefield, amongst friendly units.

Standing on a place where friendly units would easily see her, she whistled to call their attention as she held the ring blade and started to dance. Performing beautifully complex and almost hypnotic circular movements Aimée used her entire body to rotate the ring, putting it on her foot as she raised it over her head, showing her beautiful thighs (and a small birthmark on the inner part of her right thigh to those who looked carefully at her), spinning together with the ring as she smiled and swung the ring in beautiful wide arcs using her arms, hands and legs. It was a very energetic dance, with wide arcs and fluid movements, although it was beautiful to watch, it filled those around her with energy, invigorating them and boosting their morale.

"I have a very special dance to show only to you guys, but I'll only do it while we are partying after defeating these orcs! Of course you do want to see it, right?" Aimée said in a playful tone, putting the ring on the ground and leaning over it in a provocative pose, resuming the dance right after that.
Turning to the tall man and the two women who were standing a few meters away from her, she said without stopping her dance:
"I couldn't just stand there watching... Sorry. My name is Aimée, but everyone knows me as Lala. I thought it would be better to boost the soldiers' morale than try to fight together with them and ruin the synchrony of the groups that are already formed. If you find the commander, please tell him that. Oh, and don't worry about me, I can take care of myself if things get bad." she said with a confident voice, like nothing was happening.

"No-!" Ludivico reached out to try and pull him back but it was too late. The farm boy went head on against the approaching beast thrice his size. Though Stefano had wounded it with a rifle shot, the orc showed no signs of slowing down. The beast plowed right through him like a tuft of snow, launching the boy across the ground like a harmless rag doll. Not even Drusilla's leg pecks did much to stop the orc from its violent advance. The beast stampeded forward and raised its halberd high into the air. It was a telegraphed attack, easy for Ludivico and the twins to dodge. As the blade crashed down, Ojan and Ulri retreated backwards while Ludivico side-stepped to his right. He responded with a quick slash from his axe that clanged against the orc's shoulder guard. It growled in response, then with both hands, swung its halberd in a circular whirlwind. Ludivico rolled with the swing, inches from decapitation. Again he responded, but this time found an opening. He brought one axe down at the orc's exposed elbow, then rolled until he faced the beast's backside.

"Occupy this one!" Ludivico called out to the twins. "Give Stefano an opening!"

He figured with two grave wounds, Ulri and Ojan could keep the halberd-wielding orc busy until Stefano delivered the finishing blow. At the very least the hounds will come to their aid. That unfortunately left Ludivico to face the oncoming threat alone. This was going to be tricky. Two orcs came running at full sprint, one armed with a spear, the other, an axe and shield. The spear had the longest reach and initiated the first attack with a jabbing thrust. Ludivico side-stepped, parrying the bladed tip away with his axe as he rolled toward the other orc, who had its ragged shield raised in front of it, striking with its own axe down at Ludivico. He back stepped away from danger, then pivoted his body outside of their lines of attack, keeping the spear out of range by putting the axe and shield in its way. Ludi feinted an attack, causing the orc to raise its shield firm.

The orc with the spear was growing impatient and tried to push its companion out of the way so it had a clear path to Ludivico. The orc with the axe and shield was caught off guard by its companion's move, taking its attention away from Ludivico, who seized the moment by striking at an opening. The blade of Ludi's axe sliced open the shield orc's bicep, forcing it to drop its weapon in pain as it clutched at the wound with its shield hand. Ludivico kept himself light on his toes, continuing to keep the orc with the shield between him and the spear by using lateral movement. The spearman finally had enough sense to trip up its companion (who howled in frustrated anger) and stepped over the downed orc so nothing stood between its spear and Ludivico. With the orc's line of attack now clear, it unleashed a reckless barrage of spear thrusts. Slow moving, but powerful, Ludi had to stay focused and wait for the opportunity to counter, while keeping close watch on the wounded orc still on the ground. He only hoped that his squad will make short work of the halberd orc so they can come to Ludivico's aid.

@Cuddle Pot

"Ludi You and I are getting closer by the second." Stefano thought as he watched Ludivico expertly diverted the advancing group. [coHe admired his courage as he watched Ludivico try and take on two of the orcs at the same time he nearly had his next shot loaded when our of his peripheral vision he saw the halberd orc break free from the twins melee.

He did so by coming at them again and again with pure animal ferocity his, wound in his shoulder left him using his weapon in one hand, making his blows slow and clumsy but still frequent enough to push them back far enough that he broke away to enact his vengeance on Stefano. Stefano Haas set the match and tried to turn his arqubus on the for yet he still hadn't set the match and for the first time in a very long time, Stefano was briefly worried he might actually die.

However before he could even process what that even ment to him a strange young woman darted past him with a odd wheel of steel towards the orc. Just as the raging orc raised his legs, the woman did a cartwheel, jumping over the orc's head and putting the wrapped ring blade on his neck as she landed, making the orc fall face first on the ground, landing over him with a kick to the back of the helmet, powerful enough to disorientate him for some time.

She Put her ring blade around Stefano in a swift movement, who seemed to be still a little shaken after his friend being thrown by the orc, she walked up to him, putting the ring around him and looking at him with a smile.
"You don't look like a soldier at all." she said, walking around the man, who was still with the ring around him, studying him.
"I'll do my best to help you guys, but you'll have to offer me something in return." she said with a mischievous smile
With a playful wink, she took off the ring from around the man, moving swiftly to the center of the battlefield, amongst friendly units.

Stefano was shaken a bit from the encounter and he found the dancer very intriguing and he returned her studying look with his own calculating eye. Before he could speak she darted back onto the battlefield and have a demonstration of her...ability.

Stefano was captivated by her dance, by the fluidity and the fervor of her movements. The beauty of the woman moving in tandom of what moments before had been a weapon that had saved his life, stirred something deep within Stefano. He felt emboldened by the display and more awake and energetic then he had all morning. He was taken out of his study by urgent barking from all three of his hounds sitting on their haunches and waiting for orders.

"And where were you when my life was in danger?" Stefano asked acqusingly. They only barked louder impatient to be back in the hunt. Stefano sighed and let out a high pitched whistle that slowly lowered in pitch, the signal to tear and go for the throat. With vicious snarled the hounds turned on the downed halberd orc. The blood hounds ripped at any exposed flesh they could while Incitatus ripped out the opponents neck and the beast bled out into the dirt.

Stefano turned back to the battlefield and finished reloading his weapon he could see the twins rallying and running to assist Ludivico. Seeing this Stefano saw the orc with the sword and shield picking picking himself off the ground. Stefano had learned from his earlier mistake. To avoid the risk of enraging the orcs, from now on Stefano would only take shots guaranteed to kill or cripple the enemy.

However this orc was much closer than the other shots Stefano has taken and his prone position would make this an easy kill. The orc had barely raised his head off the ground before a bullet ripped through it killing him instantly. Stefano kept his dogs by his side as he was confident Ludi and the men could dispatch the last orc before they got there. He would give his dogs a short chance to rest.

Stefano set about reloading far quicker then he had before, aided by the strange energy of the woman's dance. As he was packing the powder he noticed a patch of blue bells growing. He smiled remembering the dancers words, "I'll do my best to help you guys, but you'll have to offer me something in return." Well these would be a start. He picked the whole patch and called down Drusilla. He held out the bundled stems for her and watched her pick up the package in her beak. Her threw her towards the dancer, he had trained her to drop anything she was carrying when given things to hold. She would only land of Stefano had put something in her harness.

Stefano watched her take off and stayed idle for a few moments. "Where was I? Oh right were in a battle!" he thought returning to his reload.

@Skull @13org

Sonya

With the group focusing on the remaining Orc, they were quickly able to overwhelm the lone beast. At it struck out at Luke once more, Sonya the guided the tempest to bubble around Luke’s shield, the pocket of air easily cushioning the blow and leaving Luke in-balance as he struck out at the Orc in a deadly strike that unfortunately left him over-extended. Despite the loss of a wound, the Orc was still able to lash out in a death grip. Even as Sonya guided the wind to push against the reaching hand, the beast’s determination for death seemed greater. ’No! I can’t stop it in time!’ her mind cried out as she watched the beast grasp Luke’s throat, unable to recover in time from his earlier strike.

For a moment, she half expected to see the beast’s fingers sink into the flesh and tear away at the poor boy’s throat, the image buzzing at the edge of her mind and threatening her concentration. Thankfully for all involved, Silas had been ready to move in and swifted ‘disarmed’ the Orc before he could complete its attack allowing Luke to follow up with the finishing blow. As the Orc’s lifeless form fell to the ground to join its kin, the images faded from Sonya’s mind for the moment and the wild winds quieted for now, allowing the silence to resume its control of the battle field. Letting her mind relax for a moment, Sonya took in the surrounding scene in more detail, noting as Silas and the other groups re-arranged their formations. Turning her gaze to the two boys, she could see Jowen was still shaken by the events that had unfolded before them, understanding why Silas would send both of them back even if they could use more help in the coming fights.

Off in the distance, motion caught Sonya’s attention as the Orc’s seemed to be preparing themselves for the next skirmish as well. Larger and heavily armored orcs pushed their way past the teeming mass of the Orc front-line and began their trek across the empty plain towards their opponents. ’Even apart from the armor, these Orcs aren’t like the first wave. There’s no wild charging and breaking formation. These ones must have quite a bit of experience’ Sonya concluded, a noticeable air of tension spreading through the militia as others must have reached the same conclusion. Even though the situation was starting to seem grim, as Silas spoke and delivered his orders it was with the same calm and collected tone he had been using all morning.

Sonya nodded in response ”I can do that, but I must emphasis the winds work best at amplifying actions you already take. They can turn an opponent’s blade and slow their strikes but these creature’s strength makes it hard to stop entirely. As long as you take the actions to deflect and dodge their strikes, I will make sure you succeed and they fail” she explained, her mind flashing back to how close to harm both Luke and Jowen had come when their movements had stop. Her gaze drifted over to Odessa for a moment, before focusing back on the approach Orcs as she added to herself ’And if necessary, since there are only two people I need to worry about, I can more easily direct some of my other magic to their aid if need-be’ as the wind once again to pick up, its soft howl mingling with the clanking metal of their opponents

Odessa listened to her only comrades left, since the other two had been too shaken to truly continue, especially against the new threat. Silas was right to be far more focused and cautious of the enemies, as they were not only armored, but moved in tight formation - she might have no seen any combat before, but she was smart enough to pick up on what was good tactics and what was not. "Got it.. I'll follow your lead and I'll do my damnest to make a mark for you after the opening," she responded, nodding to the commander. She then looked to Sonya was a gentle, if serious smile. "I'll also make sure to dodge and take full advantage.. though I have my magic to shield me, so you can focus a little more on our commander.." She suspected Sonya might be more inclined to help Odessa, which is why she felt the need to speak up, but Silas definitely needed it more than she did. If for nothing else, because he would likely be drawing in the most attacks.

Turning her focus back to the battlefield, she quickly laced arcane energies around her hand, trying to best to create a magical cushion so her punching or kicking through armor didn't right out cripple her. This technique wasn't new to her, but she hadn't perfected it to where she could call it on demand, but luckily she had some moments to prepare it before the next wave actually hit. The transparent purple glow buzzed around her fists the closer the orcs got, her eyes flashing to Silas as she curled up tension in her body like a spring, ready to dash forward at a moment's notice. For some reason or another, she suddenly felt a surge of desire - she wanted to get out of this alive. She wanted Sonya to be alive and she wanted to make sure Silas came out the other end to. Maybe it was simply survival instinct activating in it's truest form or just an urge to protect what she was beginning to see, as her own.

With confirmation of the plan from his squad Silas moved forward a bit to meet the Orcs. The group of three came with the Sword wielding Orc on Silas' left, shield in center, and axe on his right Silas wasn't dumb enough to initiate the combat and leave himself open instead he would give that honor to the Orcs. And disappoint them he did not almost simultaneously the Orc with the Greataxe and Greatsword both swung their weapons down at Silas, using his twin blades Silas parried both attacks but before he could counter he had to jump back to avoid a stab from the Orc with the shield and sword. Then they did this action again keeping Silas on the defensive. Luckily with the help of Sonya's magic Silas was able to keep this cycle up while looking for some sort of opening to exploit. After about four rounds of this attack Silas saw exactly what he needed the Orc with the Greataxe had become a bit winded and his timing fell a little behind the orc with the Greatsword. Taking advantage of this Silas dodged the Sword's swing then using the hilts of both of his swords Silas stuck the back of the Greataxe driving the blade into the ground. Silas then parried the Shield Orc's sword and using the Axe's shaft as support delivered a powerful kick into the Orc's chest sending it stumbling backwards eventually tripping over itself and falling to the ground. "Go Now!" Silas commanded without turning his attention from the other two Orcs Catching the Greatsword with his own twin blades.

Through the course of his fight Silas had seen the dancer entering the battle, but he didn't take his eyes or his focus off of his opponents at the time. Why would a dancer be on the field? when did she get here? and why was she outside of the formation? All these questions raced through Silas' mind as he fought. He almost called out to have her help but was to enthralled in his fight to call.

---

A new group of orcs came then, before much else could be said. Jehan turned to face them and lowered his visor once again, readying himself. One axeman, though it was to be said it was no small axe. One halberdier and one spearman with a shield. All of them were better armoured and moved in a manner that suggested it was more of a unit then the earlier wave had been. The spearmen moved in front, supported on his right by the axeman and left by the halberdier. That meant, if someone could get in close on their left and deal with the halberdier, which would be easier if you got close, the other two would be easier to deal with.

"Focus on the halberdier, press him, get close kill him. Henri and I will keep the axeman and spearmen busy." Jehan said, as he rotated the poleaxe. The hammer would be far better for the armoured orcs that were coming at them now.

The orcs came at them together, seemingly having a similar plan as the spearmen and axeman attacked together, forcing Jehan and Henri back. Blows were delivered by both sides as the melee continued, but none of them caused any real harm. The axeman swung again, aiming at Jehan's head, but Jehan knocked it aside and swung his poleaxe, but changed target to the spearman as Henri forced the spearman to defend his legs. The poleaxe's hammer connected with the side of the orc's helmet, sending the orc sprawling. If not dead, knocked out or stunned. The axeman was already swinging his weapon again as Jehan turned to him and was barely able to raise his weapon in time to deflect the blows. But he was unable to recover as the orc simply kept coming, swing after swing and Henri's spear not doing anything to deter him.

Jehan tried to attack once again, knowing he could not defend forever, only for the orc's axe to hit his breastplate and send him staggering backwards. He recovered to find he had dropped his poleaxe, or perhaps the orc had grabbed it, he was not sure, it all happened so quickly. On instinct he drew his sword from its scabbard and saw how Henri swung a sword at the orc, only to have it do nothing as the orc brought his axe up and then down in one quick movement. Henri went down with a scream. He heard the orc laughing, as he raised his axe again.

Before the axe fell, Jehan was back into the melee, gripping the blade of his longsword with his left hand. He feinted a stab to the right before he buried the point of his sword in the orc's throat. Though it must only have been a superficial wound as the orc kept going, forcefully pushing him back and raising his axe again. Jehan gripped his sword tighter, knowing Henri was either dead or slowly bleeding out just next to him. He wanted to turn and save him, to drag him back from this loud, smelly and tiring business that was a melee. But no, he could not do anything, not yet at least.

Her entire form lit up as the command was given, darting forward towards the trio locked in battle. She shot a pulse of arcane energy under her feet as she got right up on them, jumping and twisting in the air right over the three and landing on the other side where the tripped orc was. It was struggling to get back up, propping itself with it's shield as it reach out to it's sword. It was too late though as Odessa came shooting to it's position and kicking it's blade away. With surprise, it looked up only to feel another kick planted right on it's chest again - but this time it had an extra kick of magic, piercing through it's plate as it grunted in pain. It was hard enough to send it back onto the ground and she could feel soreness in her foot, though it was far from any actual injury.

Sticking to the plan, even though the shield orc was likely to go into a rage - from what little she knew - she left the orc to fend for itself, knowing Silas would deliver the final blow. Instead, she turned to her companion and ran over to the one with a greataxe, who had finally gotten it's weapon pulled from the earth. Again, using the momentum and drive from her magics, did a backflip as a kick landed on the orc's weapon. It forced him to nearly lose his grip on the reacquainted axe, turning his attention to Odessa and heaving the giant piece of metal at her. It didn't do any good though, since combined with his fatigue and her agility, he missed once and then twice, keeping him occupied while Silas had a chance to end the shield orc. 'Hopefully distracting this one will help!' she thought, keeping in mind to take advantage of Sonya's wind as well as.. the strange new dancer. She didn't have much time to think about it, but it seemed to be a new magic she was unfamiliar with.

Sonya

A new voice reached Sonya ears accompanied with a blur of motion that flickered at the edge of her peripherals. At first Sonya had assumed its words were directed at another group of militia but the last statement carried itself over the thundering sound of the approaching Orcs, betraying its intended direction. Though the Orcs were drawing close, Sonya risked a glance over to the side, spotting Aimée as she danced in a rather spectacular fashion. Sonya paused, stunned for a moment, ’Dancing...On a battlefield? What on earth is she thinking?! her mind shouted in confusion, before an Orcish Warcry drew her attention back to the front-lines as Silas engaged the Orcs. Quickly regaining her focus, she resumed her weaving of the air, but as she did so, her mind drifted back to the sight of Aimée dance, the lively motions of her actions dancing through her mind in a wave of positive energy

A number of questions bubbled at the edge of Sonya’s mind but she dismissed them ’She seems sure of her action and does not appear treacherous, It’s best to just assume it’s a positive effect for now and question later’, needing to focus all of her attention on aiding Silas as the Orcs weapons swung one after the other, each time having to cleave through the wind that pushed against their weapons, slowing them and diverting them off course just enough for Silas to easily maintain his defense. As Sonya continued to weave the air though, visions of the dancer continued to settle across her vision, the motions of the illusionary dance aligning with each gust of tempest air she conjured, causing Sonya to settle into a solid rhythm that matched the flow of the battle.

Subconsciously, Sonya had started to hum a little tune, the dread and fear of being on the field of battle seeming to have been driven away by a strange flood of warm energy. Both Odessa and Silas seemed to be moving more confidently and quicker as well, the three of them functioning as a well-trained group despite being driven together by circumstance. Whether it was an effect of the dance or some natural alignment between the group was unknown to Sonya for now, but as she settled into the ebb and flow of battle, she began to cast a stronger spell. The winds around Silas and Odessa began to intensify as an ice cold draft was summoned, the winds whipping at the Orcs each time they dared to strike against either of Sonya’s allies. Each time the Orcs were lashed by the freezing air, small tendrils of frost clung to their form, marking the point of impact. Individually they were insignificant but as the frost accumulated the Orc’s movements began to slow and become more stiff as they now had to fight both air and frost

Odessa's attack on the downed orc was more effective than she might have thought. The orc coughed blood as her strike not only cracked its armor but the arcane blast that would follow did some internal damage to the beast, and on the bright side the kick made it harder for the Orc to stand slowing the action. This and the fact that Odessa was now holding off the Orc with the Greataxe gave Silas the perfect chance he was waiting for, One of the Orcs singled out against him. Silas quickly broke the lock between their weapons and with swift attacks quickly turned the tide putting the orc with the Greatsword on the defensive and with Sonya's magic assisting him Silas was close to breaking through its guard. With the tables turning the Orc started to panic giving Silas the opening he needed with one blade Silas knocked aside the Orc's weapon and with the other blade he sliced off one of the Orc's arms. It dropped its weapon grasping at its now missing arm, and to finish it off Silas slid his blade through the Orc's throat quickly finishing it off.

As the Orc Dropped Silas pulled his blades flicking the blood off and turning to the Shield and Sword Orc who had finally gotten up and retrieved his weapon. Again singled out against Silas and even injured it wouldn't stand much of a chance.

----

Stefano and Ludivico's group only had a few moments of rest as two more armored orcs (One armed with a Maul the other with a greataxe) came at them after wiping out the group closest to them. And to make things worse as Stefano started to line up his next shot two arrows plunged into the ground around him. Annoyed with the weapon that had so easily dispatched a number of his Orcs the commander of the Orcs had sent two archers to kill the human with the weapon. To make things worse the orcs were hiding behind another Orc with a massive tower shield that would block any shots made at the two archers between shots.

As Aimée continued to dance, she felt her allies fighting more energetically. She never understood why her dance had such a dramatic effect on others. Maybe was due to the uniqueness of her dance.
Seeing them look at her, feel that her dance was having an effect on them made Aimée really happy, after all, there is nothing better for a dancer than see others enjoying her performance.

Her first surprise came soon after she helped the colored man. His falcon came flying on her direction, carrying in its beak beautiful blue bells. When the falcon got nearby, she stopped dancing as he dropped the flowers on her hand. On the distance she could see the colored man looking at her.

Aimée held the flowers, putting them on the folds of her dress, decorating it. She looked at him back, making an artistic bow.
"Thank you very much!" she said with a big smile on her face.

Looking to the battlefield in front of her she saw as another wave of orcs charged towards them. The group she was nearby was easily dispatching the new wave, as the girls used magic to freeze and deal a mighty blow to one of the armored orcs, not only cracking its armor, but damaging his internal organs.

Things weren't going so well for the colored man though. His gun was being very effective against the orc troops, and their commander noticed that. The next wave was comprised of archers, standing behind an orc with a huge shield, big and thick enough to stop his bullets.
Maybe she should go to him to say thanks for the flowers.

Moving through the battlefield with grace and agility, she got nearby the colored man. Sneaking up behind him, she got one of the blue bells from her dress and put it behind his ears.

"Hello again! Shouldn't it be the other way around? You should be the one saving me!" she said, with a playful smile, sticking her tongue out of her mouth.
"This is my thanks for the beautiful flowers, and a reminder that it doesn't matter how beautiful it may be, every rose has its thorns." she said, unwrapping the silk strip that covered the weapon. The bright metal reflected the light of the sun as she grabbed the silk strip and thrown the ring blade, making a wide circle around her, grabbing it in front of her, pointing its edge to the orcs that were charging into their direction. The sound produced by the ring cutting the air was simply terrifying.

She began to dance once more, but this time, the dance was very different from before. fast movements, cutting motions and strong swings composed that martial dance. The blade danced together with her painting silver streaks through the air as the steel reflected the light, the terrifying howl loud enough to all the battlefield hear. It wasn't an ordinary performance. There was no happiness on that dance. Completely confident on her movements, she danced with the sharp ring blade. The dance included powerful kicks, imprevisible cutting motions that appeared to change directions mid air, creating a chaotic, yet graceful dance. The howl continued to soar through the battlefield, each time she swung her weapon, it sounded that the very air was crying as the weapon teared it. The hypnotic movements continued in the same rhythm, fast and lethal. Enough to generate a small air current around her, making the red silk strip that was hanging from the ring blade swirl around her, following the blade's imprevisible movements. The red color made it look almost like it was blood flowing from the blade, only contributing to the already disconcerting dance.

Aimee's eyes were different from before. Her confident expression and her fiery red eyes gave her a dangerous look as she stared to the charging orcs. Anyone who looked closely enough at her body now would see her muscles tensing up, marking her delicately white skin, betraying her apparent fragility. She was using every single muscle of her body on that dance with an incredible efficiency.

@Cuddle Pot@Arthanus

Stefano returned his eyes to the battle and saw two more orcs charging towards Ludivico and the men. Stefano bent to one knee and was in the middle of threat assessing when something pound and fast whistled loud and fast past his ear and plunged into the earth behind him, followed by a twin just as dangerous. Stefano looked to the source and saw to his dismay two orcs with bows advancing under protection towards his position. The bowman had ducked behind the orc wielding the massive shield while they notched more arrows. Again they let loose and while still off mark, the shots were closer to hitting him. Stefano smiled as he thought through his options. As usual he enjoyed the challenge. Freshness and new challenges all ways added spice to the hunt.

"First things first. Take care of those who take care of you." Stefano rationalized as he gave the heel command, sending his pack towards the orcs advancing towards Ludivico. He was formulating his next move when he felt something soft tickling the back of his ear.

Aimée Bellerose

"Hello again! Shouldn't it be the other way around? You should be the one saving me!" she said, with a playful smile, sticking her tongue out of her mouth.
"This is my thanks for the beautiful flowers, and a reminder that it doesn't matter how beautiful it may be, every rose has its thorns." she said, unwrapping the silk strip that covered the weapon. The bright metal reflected the light of the sun as she grabbed the silk strip and thrown the ring blade, making a wide circle around her, grabbing it in front of her, pointing its edge to the orcs that were charging into their direction. The sound produced by the ring cutting the air was simply terrifying.

@Cuddle Pot@Arthanus

Stefano smiled at her words and sudden reappearance. He answered her first sentence after ducking his head after hearing the tell tale whistle of more arrows being loosed. "Well My dear I've never been good at settling my debts, I find owing others such as yourself keeps a man such as I thinking on his feet." Stefano gave a rather unmanly yelp as another arrow landed right in front of his leg. He smiled with mirth as he continued, "Besides, the story of the damsel in distress has been told a thousand times. About time someone saved the dandys eh?" in response the woman...

Aimée Bellerose

She began to dance once more, but this time, the dance was very different from before. fast movements, cutting motions and strong swings composed that martial dance. The blade danced together with her painting silver streaks through the air as the steel reflected the light, the terrifying howl loud enough to all the battlefield hear. It wasn't an ordinary performance. There was no happiness on that dance. Completely confident on her movements, she danced with the sharp ring blade. The dance included powerful kicks, imprevisible cutting motions that appeared to change directions mid air, creating a chaotic, yet graceful dance. The howl continued to soar through the battlefield, each time she swung her weapon, it sounded that the very air was crying as the weapon teared it. The hypnotic movements continued in the same rhythm, fast and lethal. Enough to generate a small air current around her, making the red silk strip that was hanging from the ring blade swirl around her, following the blade's imprevisible movements. The red color made it look almost like it was blood flowing from the blade, only contributing to the already disconcerting dance.

Aimee's eyes were different from before. Her confident expression and her fiery red eyes gave her a dangerous look as she stared to the charging orcs. Anyone who looked closely enough at her body now would see her muscles tensing up, marking her delicately white skin, betraying her apparent fragility. She was using every single muscle of her body on that dance with an incredible efficiency.

@Cuddle Pot@Arthanus

Stefano was keenly interested in this new dance and the sheer ferocity that had overcome the dancer. It sent cold shivers down his spine and made him thank fortune she was on his side. The archer orcs seemed affected by the display as well. They seemed disconcered by the reaping sounds of the blade, yet took the fire in it as a challenge as they picked up the pace. Stefano wished he could put his attention back to Ludivico and his orcs but he worried that if he didn't deal with the archers he would take an arrow through the skull before he could get a good shot off.

Stefano reached out his hand and called Drusilla only to send the falcon streaking towards the foremost archer. He knew her attack would frustrate the famously impatient orcs, perhaps making them waste some time and arrows trying to shoot her down.

Stefano knew The orcs would eventually hit him or Drusilla. If he could get them to rage however, they would break rank and try to rush him in a melee. Faster then Their shield guardian could keep up.

Drusilla hit the first orc and caught him completely unaware, raking the top of his cheeks and clear to the back of his head. Stefano could hear roars of pain and rage As the orcs shot went wild. The advance slowed as the first orc tried to swat at the bird and notch an arrow at the same time.

Drusilla kicked and pecked at his face a bit longer before returning to the air. Perfect. Stefano knew they were worried from the dance, frustrated by missing and pain. Now to humiliate them. Stefano returned to one knee and focused on the space between Drusilla and the first archer. He took a deep breath and then another. There it came the orcs arrow aimed at the retreating bird. Stefano let it travel until it was over the shield wall. And then he fired his gun. At that moment Stefano felt a ripping pain tear through the side of his face. Pain filled his head as an arrow grazed Stefano from the corner of his left lip and teared his cheek.

Stefano was motionless as he contemplated how that arrow was inches away from ending his life. And the misplaced gambler threw his head back and laughed. Adrenaline and blood flowing freely. Life and death. The dice had been rolled, and this time at least, Stefano had won. The laugh reached the orcs and thinking he had missed a sure Mark let out his own scream, but his was rage, not hysteria. He broke rank throwing his how in the dirt and charged Stefano. Stirred by his comrades anger, his fellow bowman followed suit screaming and snarling as he charged the marksman.

Both were too busy to notice Stefano's shot going wild and missing the arrow completely. Luckily the arrow also fell short of Drusilla. Fortune and planning had done nothing to remove the danger, just made it more manageable. So who is going to save this lucky bastard?

@Skull
@13org

---

"I wouldn't worry about it lad." Jasper told the young armored knight. "You did what you said you would, I tol' ye tha' yew were under my protection." Jasper grinned at Jehan, padding the back of the tired young knight who had just managed to get himself together and returned with a courteous nod.

Scoping the field ahead of them, Amare saw the second line or orcs slowly begin to approach the team. By the looks of it, they were certainly more armored than the last lot, almost in full scaled armor which to Amare meant that they had been brought up as some of the better warriors in this battle, having been reserved for last. The first wave had just been cannon fodder, easily disposable for the more ready, and experienced warriors. The ashen haired warrior hoped yet again that not many comrades shared the same fate. Already being tired from the last wave, Amare knew he must preserve his energy, whatever left he had of it. It was there that he would have to recover from the heavy blows delivered from the larger Great-sword-yielding orc from the last predicament as the rest of the orc army march towards their lines. Not to far from him in the human militia, was something he had never seen before: A dancer on the field? Amare had heard of such strange martial artists from around the world, though not ever seeing it for himself as they were told in the same stories often old my eager young men gathering around campfires. While recovering his strength, he looked towards the beautiful, well-dressed dancer, gracefully minding her own business during the course of the battle. "What is this, a royal ballroom?" Amare said to himself, thinking nobody heard his doubtful sentiment again.

"I would not doubt her lad." Jasper chuckled, still gasping for air as he cleaned his long bastard sword. "She is still alive, after all of this time. Give the lass some credit to where it's due." Amare nodded, realizing that his band of fellow countrymen where definitely able to defend themselves against a formidable foe such as the orc as demonstrated in the last wave. Though the second wave would soon be the ultimate test, and Amare had hoped this girl was as good as a dancer as she was a fighter, for the small army needed as many troops as they could preserve. As the second, more formidable wave of orcs approached the small army, the young knight, who had been saved by Jasper, gave yet another order.

Jehan de Challon

---

"Focus on the halberdier, press him, get close kill him. Henri and I will keep the axeman and spearmen busy." Jehan said, as he rotated the poleaxe. The hammer would be far better for the armoured orcs that were coming at them now.

"If you shall ever need help again." Jasper said yet again in a serious tone. "Don't be afraid to call upon us." With that, both men nodded. Jehan may have not been the greatest knight he had ever seen, though he was clever, valiant, and bold. Amare grabbed the shield he dropped a few feet behind him before the first wave, knowing it would help guard himself against the more heavily armored footmen that was soon to approach them. Fighting a few armored men before, he knew this would have to be a battle he would have to out maneuver his opponent or defend himself and look for openings to cause superficial wounds in the exploits of their armors, wearing the orc down and perhaps beating the armor with the pommel of his sword though with his shield, that would be tricky though it would certainly help his guard.

"We should wear them down. Our swords are hardly any use of slashing that armor unless we are sly enough to cut through their openings." Amare suggested to Jasper.

"Aye" Jasper agreed. "Keep feinting, wear them out, and the rest will soon turn out in our favor. If we're both clever enough. You will make it out of this hell alive, I assure you." With those last words, the armored orc line charged, forcing Jasper's boys backward. These were certainly more aggressive than the last batch, applying hard pressure, using their strength in an attempt to overpower them. Amare lifted his shield which was taken a heavy blow to by the Halberdier. Jasper, standing five feet from Amare, stepped in and swung his pommel at the orc which was to be served as a heavy blow to the orc's head, maybe passing him out had he not slipped the old man's powerful swing of steel. The orc returned with a potentially heavy blow to the old man, had he not parried. The orc was both fast and strong, they noticed, it was lucky they had two men fighting him rather than one. Amare had hoped that Jehan and Henri could match the two fores they left themselves to handle.

After the blow the orc delivered to Jasper, Amare thrust his sword towards the orc's exposed armor just below the leg, missing as the orc had managed to dodge the stinging sword by kicking at Jasper, forcing him him on his behind. The young mercenary knew that if he didn't act now, Jasper would soon and surly be having brutal steel dig into his skin by his aggressor. He thrust his sword yet again, poking him with a painful string that pierced a superficial wound on the orc's thigh. The orc roared menacingly as Amare began stepping forward and applying pressure to the orc, keeping it distracted form Jasper. Jasper rolled behind Amare towards safety as he gathered himself together from that steel boot that kicked his tried old hip. The orc was beginning to lower his guard, which meant that the young, ashen-haired mercenary could deliver more punishment towards the torso and to the head if he could successfully tire him out though he would have to do it quickly.

The young mercenary struggled, trying to maintain his distance all while dominating the orc in terms of speed while the same shred of advice given to him by his trainer echoed in his head. if you aren't strong, be fast, it echoed once more. Though the orc was also notably fast on his feet, it was the weight of the armor that slowed him down just enough to where Amare knew he had an advantage. Near him, Amare could hear the sound of an orc laughing near him. It was an ugly, brutal, and menacing laugh as orcs usually sounded. That wasn't good he thought to himself, though he could not look behind him, fearing he would be distracted and take a devastating blow.

"I believe the young lad needs my help again." Jasper said, running towards the aid of Jehan.

---

Jehan watched the orc as it moved. He needed an opening to drive his sword through something vital. But he had to create that opening first, but this orc was not falling for his tricks and while he could land hits, they were as the orc's blows against him, soaked up by the armour. The air inside his helmet was hot, and it felt terribly stale. Through the breaths of his helmet he could see his poleaxe on the ground. If only he could get a hold of it.

His thoughts were interrupted as the orc attacked again. Jehan parried and attacked, but once again the blow led to nothing. Then, through one of his sights he saw Jasper running up behind the orc. Jehan feinted at the orc, to take up the orc's attention who only noticed Jasper once he planted his sword in the back of the orc's knee.

The orc roared in pain and rage and half fell, half turned as he swung his axe at Jasper, completely forgetting Jehan in his fury. Jehan stepped in, guiding the point of his sword to the orc's armpit. He stabbed with all the force he could, driving the sword in deep. The orc did not die at once, but it did not take long. Jehan withdrew his sword from the orc and opened his visor to see what was going on. The fresh air was a blessing. Though the sight of the battlefield was not. Henri lay on the ground not far away, with Johannes kneeling over him. Jehan wished to go there, to save his squire. Yet, he could not just leave the battle, as this was the nature of all battles. Men died. Friends, family, brothers; they died and you had to keep going. Jehan turned, and followed Jasper back to Amare to finish off the last orc.

---

Just after being left alone to contend with the orc, the beast managed to return the massive and equal amount of aggression on Amare just as the young mercenary had done earlier in order to save Jasper. The tall and armored orc, sung rapidly, wildly again - each swing being either dodged or parried, causing a violent vibration each time steel struck steel. It was like thunder striking soft ground, and there was only so much Amare could take before the sword might just slip out of his tight and now weakening grasp. With every potentially lethal blow, Amare tried to find an opening, knowing he had to act fast before the strong orc would overpower him, he would have to act aggressively if he were to punish the orc with a finishing blow, the ashen-haired mercenary could not be in a defensive position forever.

The orc swung and swung, each time striking a formidable blow, though with each second that past, Amare felt his stamina slowly begin to regain, all while the large orc was losing his own. With three blows, the orc then resided, choosing to utilize the rest of his energy to defend himself rather than playing the aggressor. Amare would have to press him again. Taking control of the field, the young mercenary thrust his sword five times at the orc, each time being parried though each time being slowly defended by the orc. Finally, with just one more thrust, the orc's guard was finally penetrated when Amare finally had dominated the orc in terms of speed, his long bastard sword sliding into the exposed area of the green skinned orc's neck. In an attempt to dodge the attack, the orc in return tilted his head, though not fast enough before a good two inches of steel quickly dug into his thick skin, barely slicing through the jugular vein.

Despite this lethal attack, the orc still managed to stand on his two feet, barely managing to defend himself against the armed 'lanky' young mercenary. His arms were like lead, his body wry, but still he kept on that lethal attack as a small fountain of blood began to spray from his neck from the moment of impact. Amare swung and parried, but suddenly by surprise, the orc somehow managed to fish Amare within a closer proximity, almost as if the armored orc wanted him to take the finishing blow. With the speed of lightening, the orc grabbed the bastard-sword from the ashen-haired mercenary, though before Amare could yank it from his steel hands, the orc smacked the long steel blade from Amare's hand using his halberd, rendering him unarmed.

How the hell? Amare thought audaciously. His speed in those presumed last few seconds of his life were tremendously unreal. Without hesitation, the orc, with blood falling from his thick green neck, raised his halberd with an abrupt and believable speed that Amare knew he could not dodge. In attempt to block this attack, Amare hovered his arms towards his face and watched as the long halberd, swung targeting his face. He was not fast enough to dodge it and closed his eyes, watching the halberd as it inevitably approached his unarmed guard. His life flashed before his eyes, and soon time seemed to fade as it drew nearer and nearer to him.

For a moment, Amare had thought he was dead, but upon hearing a clang of steel in front of him, the young mercenary lifted his tired eyes to see that Jasper was standing in front of him, his sword awkwardly held in front of him. The old man had been hit. Amare ran behind him to fetch the sword the orc had parried from his tired hands just a few feet from where he was standing, helplessly watching the old man fight off this ferocious beast with whatever strength he had left. Picking up his sword, Amare quickly ran back to see Jasper being stabbed by the long sharp tip of the halberd. Jasper grunted as four inches of steel sank into his fat belly under his boiled leather armor. The orc wrenched his weapon, sawing at the old man as if he were gutting a pig. Jasper clinched the haft of the orcs weapon, and looked at Amare as he was running towards his aid, nodding his head as if he were saying, Go on lad, he's all yours. His tight grasp, was enough to were the orc could not remove the four inches of steel from the old man's belly. Jehan ran by Jasper's side, having arrived before Amare just a few seconds earlier.

It had all happened so quickly. Jasper and Jehan had run to Amare's aid and now Jasper was stuck on a halberd, awkwardly trying to keep the weapon there. Jehan rushed past, advancing on the orc before he could tear his weapon from Jasper's gut. The orc tried, failed, panicked and did not let go of the weapon. Jehan raised his sword, and swung a downwards stroke as he stepped around the orc, aiming for the back of the knee. The orc roared and finally let the halberd fall. Jehan smashed the pommel and part of his own gauntlet into the orc's face. Once. Twice. The orc fell to the ground. Again, the orc had fallen quickly, for a defenceless orc would not stand much longer then a defenceless man. Though this one was not dead yet, only stunned. Jehan looked at Amare and fished his rondel dagger from his belt. He offered it to Amare, hilt first.

Amare blinked for a long second, blood beginning to flow down from his head, it was a considerable gash, though it could not feel it. For a while, the battlefield seemed to have died down and most likely winning in the favor of the newly gathered militia. He looked at the shinning rondel dagger and took it from the nobleman's offering grasp and looked down at the once strong and confident, now pathetic and vulnerable warrior. With one thrust of the dagger, Amare plunged the shiny steel dagger into the orc's throat and finished the cut he was supposed to finish just a few moments ago, leaving a red mess that flowed from under his armor.

As the orc died, Johannes, Vincent and Adrian came running. Vincent and Adrian went to help Jasper. Not that it was much they could do, other then drag him back behind the lines. Jehan knew enough that such a would kill a man, painfully unless they simply bled out. He watched as they brought away the man, and there was a pang of sorrow for the old man. He never knew the man for longer then this battle, but he liked the old man. He turned back to Johannes.

Johannes looked pale, shaking slightly. "Henri is dead My Lord." Johannes said softly. Jehan could tell the young boy was holding back tears. The valets and squire had been close, Jehan knew that much. Jehan felt his own throat go tight. Henri had been a good squire. Diligent, patient and skilled. He would have become a great knight in his time, greater then Jehan. But now, that would never happen.

Jehan nodded and took his poleaxe that Johannes offered to him. He could see that Johannes' hands were covered in blood, Henri's blood. Johannes took his longsword and wiped it off before returning it to Jehan's scabbard. The sorrow they both felt for Henri, could not be expressed now. That had to come later, both valet and knight understood this. "Thank you Johannes" Jehan said simply and turned back to Amare, as Vincent and Adrian also returned to them. They were out of arrows, but even without arrows his archers could be deadly. Both had bucklers, though while Adrian had a sword, Vincent had chosen a mace with his buckler. Mace and buckler was a bit odd, but he supposed it could work.

For a while, everything seemed to be painfully quiet as the clanging of steel against steel were still thundering throughout the battlefield. Though they were in no danger at the moment, the ashen-haired young mercenary could feel his heart still thumping violently from of his chest, reminding him of the anxiety that battle brings young soldiers all while feeling that bleak moment of sorrow, knowing that the old man who kept his optimism alive during the last two weeks could easily succumb from his wounds as he bled profusely from his belly while a medic in the distance treated his wounds nearby. As the battle went on, the team held their position, awaiting any order that could arise from a commanding officer, though for the moment, there seemed to be very little action going on as the end of this arduous and bloody battle seemed all the more nigh.

Sonya

The wind pressed against the Orc’s body, Sonya slowing the wounded beast allowing Silas to swiftly put an end to its existence. It’s body hung there limply, held aloft by the currents of air before Sonya refocused her efforts elsewhere, the monster’s lifeless form crumpling to the dirt where it would join the rest of the fallen. Though only the bodies of the enemy that lay around her feet, Sonya knew that it was not only the Orc’s that had fallen thus far. In the chorus of battle, amidst the sounds of clashing steel and metal, the cries of pain and death from both Orc and Human throats had sounded. But as much as she wished to aid the rest of her allies, she had to maintain her focus on her current charges, Silas and Odessa. Only once the beasts attacking them had been felled could she risk turning her attention to the other fronts.

Of the two remaining Opponents, there stood the one with the Greataxe facing off against Odessa while Silas stood against the sword and shield wielding orc. Glancing between the two, Sonya tried to decide which one to focus her efforts on ’The one with the sword and shield could easily adopt a defensive style if the situation calls for it. The Greataxe on the other hand doesn’t have that luxury, and if I can help Odessa slay it quickly, we can finish off the final Orc quickly’ Sonya concluded. Turning to where the Greataxe Orc was she focused her energies, while still keeping Silas in the corner of her vision incase his situation turned grim

Odessa’s was already frustrating the Orc, her nimble movements allowed her to graceful weave around the deadly swings for the creature. Each time it missed, only slicing the air or scarring the earth with its swings, the Orc seemed to grow even angrier as it increased the ferocity of its strikes. Taking a moment to study its movements Sonya began to channel the frost energies around her right hand, needing to have the magic ready to act the moment she saw the action she was looking for from the Orc. Sonya’s eyes traced each of the Orc’s swings as Odessa continued to shift around each of its strikes, until finally it appeared to bring the Axe in a large overhead motion once more. ’That’s it! Sonya thought as she raised her right hand, the swirling vortex of frost giving a physical presence to the spell she had prepared as she waited for the Orc’s strike to finish. The Orc’s swing was fast and powerful, the full brunt of its strength brought to bear in this rageful strike, but which such a telegraphed motion Odessa was already moving to dodge it, the axe brushing past her form as it carried on in its path.

Violently impacting with the ground, the head of the great axe cleaved deep into the earth as its bladed edge carved aside the dirt and stone without effort. Grunting, the Orc began to yank at the hilt of the weapon, preparing to pull it from the ground so it could continue its assault. But before it could free its weapon from the confines of the earth, the ray of frost erupted from Sonya’s hand and splashed against the impact site and carried up the Orc’s arm. Ice rapidly formed around the impacted points, sealing the weapon into the ground and binding the Orc’s hands to the grip as the frost took hold. Enraged, the Orc pulled harder, its strength challenging the might of Sonya’s spell. And as small cracks appeared in the icy prison it appeared its strength would win out given enough time, but in the heat of battle there was scarcely anytime to spare. ”Odessa, strike him before he can recover!” Sonya urged to her companion, wanting to put this creature down as quickly as possible.

Ludivico kept expertly backstepping the orcs rapid thrusts waiting for the perfect moment to retaliate when, until his moment came. His opponent thrust his spear to far forward and low to the ground thus over extending himself. Ludivico took the opportunity to flip one of his axes in his hand and slash upward burrying the axe head through the orcs exposed neck and chin. He then swivled on his feet slamming the second axe through the right side of the neck decapitating the orc. He raised the severed head, still attached to his axe and admired the grisly trophy when he heard a second shot from Stefano ending the shield orc.

He looked back to see the twins raising the farm boy into a sitting position. The poor kid looked like he hadn't the slightest clue were he was. The twins made to carry him off the battlefield when Stefano's hounds started howling again, signalling trouble. Ludivico looked to see two more armored orcs charging, both wielding massive weapons. He barked orders for Ulri to get the farm boy out of here. With a heavy flick of the wrist he lobbed the head of the orc into the face of the maul orc. The beast looked stunned for a moment, and then very, very, pissed.

He and his companion were heading straight towards Ludivico, their weapons raised and their eyes glimmering with malice. Ludivico let them advance as it would give his own allies time to rally. Sure enough three furred warriors streaked past the pirate the two bloodhounds sinking their teeth into the greataxe orcs right leg forcing him to stop. The wolfhound went for the maul orcs heel but was unable to sink his teeth into him.

The maul orc reached him and swung at Ludivico's head. He ducked and took a quick swing that grazed the orcs side. The orc set his next swing in a downward slam, forcing Ludivico to roll forward into his opponets guard. However this put him into range of the axe orc. His new foe swung forcing him to duck. Instead of lifting his maul for his next attack the orc turned and punched a mailed fist into the small of Ludivico's back, driving forwards and to his knees. The maul orc put his fists together and made to bring them slamming down into his foe, when he felt a sword slash deep into his side. He turned to he turned to see Ojan breathing heavily after charging to his commanders aid.

This distraction was all Ludivico needed as he rolled away from the axemens next strike and as he completed his roll he brought both of his axes crashing into the maul orcs leg. The momentum of his blows severed the orcs let and brought him to the earth howling.

Livilla had ripped off the leather straps connecting the shin guard of the axe orc. Once this was done Agrippina was able to sink her teeth into the orcs lower leg and rip off a meaty hunk of muscle bringing him too, crashing to the ground. The dogs set about ripping and tearing at him while Ludivico rose to his feet chopping at the orcs neck ending its life. Oman stabbed downward into the maul orc ending him as well.



Stefano saw the charging archers and scrambled to formulate a plan. The two rampaging greenskins had drawn shortswords and were ready to rip into the former nobelmen with them. Drusilla luckily was swifter then them and returned to Stefano's hand. "Go say hello to your old friend my sweet!" Stefano cooed to the falcon as he sent her in a straight path to the orc who she had clawed earlier. With a deafening screech she dug her hind talons into his eyes, pulling up towards where the sockets met skull and dragged the dagger like claw across the orcs forehead. The forced of the strike knocked the orc to the ground were he writhed in blind hate and agony as Drusilla swooped down on him over and over again.

Stefano was now left with one orc to deal with. He was left with little options as all of his normal tools were preoccupied. Not even Drusilla would reach him in time, so he grabbed his unloaded arqubus and rolled the dice.

"One more step you filthy barbarian, and I'll blow your brains all over the countryside!" this to everyone's surprise gave the orc pause. "That's right savage! Your master was wise to send you after me, but he was foolish not to send his entire army! For my stick of metal and fire thirsts for the souls of all who oppose me!"Stefano noticed the orcs legs shaking, good gods this might actually work. "The only reason you draw breath scum is I need to message delivered. Tell your master I would meet him in open combat! Tell him to recall his warriors and face our champion like a true warrior." Seeing him hesitate Stefano pulled back the empty match lock. This certainly turned him in the other direction.

Wasting no time Stefano pulled some parchment and charcoal from his pockets and hastly wrote a note. He then raised a glove for Drusilla who finnaly ceased her mauling of the second archer to have the message attached to her leg. Stefano sent her off towards Silas.

Stefano walked towords the blinded and bleeding archer with the retrived arrow that had cut his cheek. He kneeled next to the crippled orc and whispered to him, "Thanks for the competition." as he drove the head of the arrow into his neck.

Odessa found herself having an easier time than before dodging the orc's weapon, weaving in a few strikes here and there, that over the course of a couple minutes really started to add up. Now only did she feel invigorated and the wind magics were helping, but the orc in front of her seemed more primal than before. It was more than just rage at not being able to hit his target, but there was a subtle fear in his actions too, as if he knew that his death was drawing near. She wasted no time in taking advantage though and struck out against him once more as he swung the axe over her head, kicking at his shin - she thought she almost heard a 'pop' as the beast started to limp a little.

As the weapon was drawn over head, she moved to the side, ready to look for another opening when one was provided for her. She blinked, watching as the ice formed up around the orc's arm and smirked. Odessa heard Sonya's cry to action and nodded to herself mentally. Drawing back her fist, she swooped in to punch at the greenskin's throat, forcing arcane energies to burst through it as it made contact. The blow caused the orc's neck to nearly explode (which thankfully some of her arcane energies shielded her from the blood splatter) as it gargled in panic, reaching up to try and close the hole with it's one free hand. Spinning to pick up momentum, she kicked the center of enemy's face, forcing the entire head to come loose - perhaps overboard, but it served to not only give the orc mercy but also a message to the rest of it's kin.

Breathing in and out quickly to catch her breath, she looked over to see Silas finalize the shield orc's life and glanced over to Sonya with a meaningful look, nodding once in thanks and looking visibly relieved - so far, she had kept her promise and even more so, kept her word to Silas. For a first battle, this was turning out to be a great success, bolstering her confidence as her eyes found the orc horde once more. 'Just a little longer,' she thought.