[IC] The Storm Cycle: Reclamation

[VitaVitaAR]

"..."

Fio wasn't particularly fond of taverns, but at the very least it wasn't a terrible place to start. Besides, the lack of business made it a less aggravating place to be then they usually were as far as the Sword Witch was concerned.

Still, it wasn't as if her frustration at the old giant's stubborn nature had given way. But perhaps that also served as a motivator: She wanted to slay the wyrm just to spite him for thinking that they couldn't.

It was impossible to miss the bow, even moreso then the woman herself. Fio could easily detect the magical energy emanating from it, approaching even as she held Wisp's jar in her hands.

"... I'll hear you out later," she commented to the unseelie in the jar. She'd already witnessed the fairy's capabilities in altering the state of an object, so if she could assist somehow in a fight she might as well hear what she had to say.

With that being said, she also had to guard herself against any tricks. Not that she was worried about being harmed or cursed, more that she didn't want Wisp to escape.

"But if you're lying, no more honey bread. Ever. I'll put a curse on you to make it taste like ashes, so even if you run off you won't be able to enjoy it."

But first-

That bow. She couldn't ignore it, not when simply laying there was putting off so much magical power.

Fio approached, slipping Wisp's jar into her bag as she did.

"I'm Fio Fan Falisse," she introduced herself with a curtsy, "That bow of yours is quite impressive, isn't it?"

@Rune_Alchemist@Pyromania99

[Rune_Alchemist]

Location:
Llobrokor Mountains
@Pyromania99@VitaVitaAR

---

The woman, upon hearing both Fio and Luna approach, turned to face them. Upon hearing Lunas name however, the green clad archer’s face visibly paled.

“Pfft, uh-hi yes hello-cough-” She’d sputter into a mug of ale. “Uh. Cecil. My name. Cecilia. No last name.” She’d clear her throat, sitting the mug down on the bar in front of her. Cecil, apparently the woman's name, gave both of them a roguish grin. “Ain’t it? She’s a beauty alright. Not as beautiful as either of you but if it's caught your eye then you must be a pretty discerning sort, huh?”

The woman proceeded to wince, as though she was just smacked upside the head. Sucaria was giving her a mild glare in the background.

“Buuut I doubt you’re here for a good time or just to chat me up, huh? Are ya miss Lightsword?” It was clear this woman was expecting some sort of trouble despite her friendly demeanor. “What can I do for the Lightsword clan and the court wizard of that upstart Queen in Airedale?”

“Oh, Cecil hi didn’t see ya there.” The giantess waved at the archer.

“Oh hey Gunnrun. Friends of yours?”

“Sorta. Old man Grettir wants them to kill that dragonkin that took my hand.”

“...well good luck with that, my services are currently not for hire. Ta-ta.”

Location
Harzel Plains
@Crimson Paladin@BrokenPromise

---

“I see. Well, I only spent long enough with the Tuatha to learn about my companion here,” He’d respond to Luana. “But Druidism can perform many miracles from what I’ve seen.” Well, if she could that would be useful. If not, then they’d just have to adapt. “Ah, and my hair is completely natural by the way. Supposedly I have some Fae ancestry somewhere in my blood, but I’ve never confirmed it.”

Lonan set about drawing his blade, waving Steblas off and quietly observing the surroundings. He wanted a more solid plan before heading down there. If they could perhaps find its other exits they could collapse or do them in and force it into a corner…

Luana, in turn began to mediate, looking into the Eclipse for answers to the drake. After a few moments she could feel it. It was moving fast. Concerningly though, she could see…herself? Lonan’s back. She’d have only a few seconds to realize what this meant before the sound of snapping branches, powerful legs pushing off the ground as razor sharp talons aimed for Lonan’s back!

---

Memories and paths

“Your highness.” Sorcha grabbed Reinhardt’s hand, and with a grunt of effort would pull herself over the ledge, a tired sigh accompanying it as she’d take a few moments to look out over the mountain ranges below. In the distance she could sea the snow covered plains of the northern edges of Albion. To the south, the rolling plains and to the east she could see Tuathan mountain.

“Haaa, haven’t been this high up in awhile. I’m a little short of breath.” She’d chuckle. “Lets rest for a bit. We’re almost to our destination I think, but we’ll have to cut through an old cave here somewhere. Memory’s a little fuzzy on details.” She'd reach into a small bag she had with her and pull out a piece of dried meat. "Guh, only thing I hate about traveling. No good food~"

“It was quite the climb.” He briefly considered asking Sorcha about their destination again but she seemed intent on evading the subject. “Memory though? Haven’t been here in awhile?”

“...well, sort of. You could say that.” Sorcha glanced to the side with a chuckle, having quickly downed the meat in merely a few bites. “You know I have memories of my past life, yes? Or have I only mentioned that to Fio…? Well, whatever its not too important. What we’re looking for is someplace I…he, has definitely been at least.”

“This far into the mountains?”

“If memory serves, the path was a lot less arduous during the past, but when the old kingdom fell…well, not only were the paths blocked off by the invading armies well, time has taken its toll.” Sorcha would stand, stretching her shoulders. “Come on Reinhardt, lets keep moving. Sooner we get done here the sooner I can quit freezing my arse off up here. I would question how you are not cold but as I am here my looks must be keeping the frost at bay.”

“Your majesty, if that was the case simply by existing I'd turn this mountain into a volcano.”

"Oh bold words. Saying you're more attractive then I am! You've got guts. When we get back to Airedale I'll have to ask the citizens what they think."

[BrokenPromise]

"Time to TP the dragon's house!

— Luana Roycroft

@Rune_Alchemist@Crimson Paladin

An ambush was coming, but from where was the question. The lower light and familiarity of the cave would have made a great spot for an ambush. Though the point of an ambush was to catch your opponent off guard, and performing an attack at the mouth of the cave did just that. The drake had retracted its claws and hid in some fresh vegetation to conceal its tracks. Or perhaps it had enough time to enter the burrow and come out the other side to wait for an ambush. Either way Luana was able to detect the drake in time, and thanks to Ethelred 's suggestion, they had a defensible position. That didn't mean Luana could dawdle.

Every second counted.

"It's here!" Luana swung her spear into one of the freshly grown trees to alter its growth. With a jolt of her drudic magic, Its lower most branches expanded outwards to obstruct Lonan's back from the incoming predator. She didn't stop with just one tree, she smacked another, and another, always trying to keep some branches between Lonan and the drake. She didn't imagine he would need to be told where the drake was, with the branches snapping and decaying behind him.

On the last tree, she had it launch a branch straight out towards the Drake's head and attempted to make it wrap around its face. But Luana held her hand against the trunk of the tree this time. This wasn't to manipulate the tree's growth in a meaningful way, but she was sure it would try to claw the branch off of its face. If she focused her magic into the branch, could she actively fight the drake's cursed claws?

[Crimson Paladin]

Ethelred sprung into action as soon as Luana alerted them. Turning his gaze to where the druid had, he saw the incoming wyvern. It had not retreated in the cave- rather it had hidden itself nearby in order to ambush them.

Luana's guess regarding its intentions and strategy was on the mark. It had wanted to move the battlefield to someplace more familiar and more to its advantage.

The Frozen Knight moved to act. He spurred his icy horse forward, reading his lance to strike. With Luana trying to distract the wyvern with her plants, it'd be the ideal chance to strike. As he came within range, he thrust his lance forward, intending to strike the wyvern with his and his charging horse's combined momentum as he passed his foe.

He would need to be careful not to get any closer than he needed, lest he put him and his mount within reach of the wyvern's lethal claws.

@BrokenPromise@Rune_Alchemist

[Pyromania99]

Luna grabbed Cecilia by the shoulder. "Oh, you know Fio is the court mage for Her Majesty?" Luna asked with a puzzled look on her face. She didn't remember saying anything about Airedale or Queen Sorcha. Nor did she remember Fio saying anything about it. "Have you been around Airedale to know that?" The knightess mentioned with the puzzled look on her face still. "How about you stay here and have a drink with us if you've been there." Luna said, not sure if she wanted this woman to go. She was somewhat suspicious with her motions but she tried to not let anything show on her face as more than a puzzled look.

[Rune_Alchemist]

Location:
Llobrokor Mountains
@Pyromania99@VitaVitaAR

---

“Sorry if I drink any more my girlfriend will kill me so thanks I’ll be going-” Before she could wriggle herself out of Luna’s grip, though, Fio posed much the same question, a quiet glare from the small girl turning Cecil’s attempts at rebuttal and escaping into a quiet whimper. “I-I mean is it really that odd? Everyone’s heard of that lady and her super talented and skilled court mage that can kill an entire group of bandits with just a flick of her wrist.”

That incredibly specific example aside she’d sit herself back down at the bar with a sigh.

“You sure you don’t wanna help, Cecil?” Gunnrun asked. “You know these mountains better than most of us do, ya know?”

“I’m a hunter, but I don’t fancy hunting something that can nibble on a giant hand, thanks.”

Location
Harzel Plains
@Crimson Paladin@BrokenPromise

---

"You have my thanks, Luana." Lonan swiftly pivoted to face the beast, sword in hand as Ethelred and Luana intercepted the beast, mere seconds having past before Lonan’s head would have promptly been made into a souvenir for the dragon to take home. The branches Luana had cut down fell to the ground, creating a barrier between the drake and the Harzel knight - but the dragons momentum and strength were only slowed by the fledgling saplings so much.

“Weak.” Its claws sliced through the branches, a flurry of talons shredding them into twigs. “Druid you…are weak. You can not stop-” The last branch would start slowly coiling around its neck, doing as Luana had assumed, immediately going to shred it only for its cursed claws to catch on the wood just long enough for Ethelreds charge to slam into the distracted creature.

The frozen lance bored a hole right into the creature's shoulder, ripping right through its flesh and scales.

“Gahaha…nnnngh, how gloriiooous.” Unfazed, the drake ripped the lance out of its own flesh as it’d tear itself away from both the branches and the group. Despite the severe wound, its movements didn’t seem any slower as it’d leap towards one of the trees, using them as a springboard to move swiftly before landing right next to Luana, the beasts fangs bearing down on her.

It seemed she could slow it down, if she focused. Whatever curse its claws carried seemed to be in direct opposition of her druidic abilities.

---

Memories and paths

“Watch your step-”

“Hup-”

“You sure that’s not all fat instead of muscle?”

“You can let go now, your highness.”

“We’re almost there.” Sorcha released Reinhardt from the impromptu hug, the ledge he had been standing on having crumbled into the long valley below, nearly taking him with it. “Got the lantern?”

Reinhardt nodded, wasting no time in pulling it from their supplies.

“If memory serves…ah, here.” Turning into a small alcove hewn into the side of the mountain, the pair were met with what was ostensibly a man made hole in the side of it. A weathered carving on its right side seemed to depict a sword of some kind. “...I believe this was an old escape tunnel for civilians.”

Reinhardt lit the lantern, following behind Sorcha as they walked into the cavern. The walls were definitely man made, tool marks clearly evident on the walls.

“Your highness….I don’t mean to pry, but you’ve led us up a remote mountain. The valley looked like it at one point might have been an old road, or something definitely man made. Now this…escape tunnel…you’re not leading us to-”

“Reinhardt, quiet. ”

“Your majesty you’ll forgive me-”

Reinhardt was cut off as the entire mountain shook, from outside they could hear a loud, echoing bellow of some beast.

“...keep your voice down. It knows we’re here but doesn’t know where.”

Reinhardts chest burned. The old crest upon his flesh feeling warm as his heart beat loudly in his ears.

[BrokenPromise]

"You can’t run and you can’t hide! B-but neither can I!

— Luana Roycroft

@Rune_Alchemist@Crimson Paladin

It was faster than her, it was stronger than her, and it could rip through her spells. The only known exception being if she contested the creature’s magic directly. The drake hardly needed to do that to end Luana’s life. A single bite in the right place was all it would take to do in the human. Her dreams of meeting an elf dashed in an instant. But Luana wasn’t scared. She had been afraid of the drake earlier, but she had forgotten what she was. Luana wasn’t just a hunter, she was a pack hunter. A tiger was strong, but couldn’t contest the might of an entire wolf pack. She didn’t have to be stronger than her prey, they had to do that together. Luana would not run this time, even if it was an option.

Luana crouched as low as she could while keeping her spear pointed towards the drake’s mouth. Her spear sprouted branches all over to make its profile wider. The branches buckled and cracked under the pressure exerted by its jaws, but Luana didn’t let go of her spear. She had to keep things growing, and switch over to keeping the curse at bay once things started to wilt. This wasn’t going to last forever. The broken branches were being pressed against Luana’s form. The Drake didn’t have to pierce her with its teeth, it could crush her inside her own protective barrier. She exhaled to make her form smaller. Her eyes closed while her back serged with pain. She survived being stepped on by a tree, she could take being chewed by a lizard. At least long enough for Ethelred and Lonan to do something. Maybe...

[Crimson Paladin]

This wyvern wasn't giving up. In fact, it wasn't even slowing down. It leaped at Luana, unfazed by the increasing number of holes on its body.

He was a bit surprised that it focused on the druid and not the knight that had inflicted multiple wounds upon it. Whether it thought she'd be more easily felled, or if it viewed her druidic magic as the largest threat, or simply itself angered at being restrained and resisted at every turn, Ethelred weasn't sure what its motivation was. But he did know that he needed to act quickly, because her magic wouldn't hold it back forever.

He needed to strike where it be sure to do damage, and ideally where it was lethal. With the wyvern focused on Luana, he might have just a chance. The Frozen Knight rode slightly away, and once he felt he had enough distance to do this, he turned his mount around to face the wyvern. He then commanded his horse to charge. As it accelerated, he couched his lance beneath his shoulder and aimed it at the back of the wyvern's head and neck.

With Luana crouched and her spear braced, the wyvern was in between two sharp polearms ready to skewer it. If his blow hit hard enough, it could potentially knock the beast right into her weapon.

@BrokenPromise@Rune_Alchemist

[Pyromania99]

"I'm sure your girlfriend wouldn't mind you talking to some people at the least." Luna mentioned letting go of the woman's shoulder. "But you're a hunter with knowledge of these mountains?" Luna asked, her face turned into a smile. "It'd be really nice if we could take you with us. We're not all too knowledgeable of the terrain around here. Is there any way we could convince you to join us?" Luna asked, curious though she was a bit suspicious of the woman, especially with the bandit comment. "

[VitaVitaAR]

It was as she suspected. She thought she recognized more then a few things about the girl, even if she hadn't seen her personally, and just the mere note of recognition practically confirmed it for her.

However, she had other plans. Ones that didn't feature capture and arrest, as much as she briefly flirted with the idea. Instead...

There was another way to deal with potential threats.

"You know... and of course, this is just idle conversation, naturally," Fio began with a wave of her hand, "If a certain somebody wronged a certain kingdom, you'd expect them to be captured at least. In fact, they'd have earned such a fate."

The small girl's gaze was fixed on the archer.

"However, sometimes, when such a person offers their assistance and aid to the people of that kingdom when they're on an important mission, why, their transgressions are overlooked," she continued, "In fact, they might even end up rewarded in the future. Their redemption will surely lead them to a brighter future."

She shrugged.

"Not that it applies to anyone here, of course."

Now she just had to see if the archer took the bait. Of course, Fio had the utmost confidence in herself, and her skills as a mage. Even when it came to slaying a beast like this. The Sword Witch had no doubt in herself.

That being said, it wasn't as if the assistance wouldn't help.

@Rune_Alchemist@Pyromania99

[Rune_Alchemist]

Location:
Llobrokor Mountains
@Pyromania99@VitaVitaAR

---

Cecil snorted into her drink again, coughing and setting the mug down as Fio made her reply.

“Ahaha, well, of course in this hypothetical situation,” Cecil cleaned the remnants of the drink off her mouth with her sleeves as she’d glance over towards Fio. “That person would be a total fool not to accept such a kind and magnanimous offer.”

“Eh? You’ll help?”

“What can I say, this beautiful maiden here has convinced me with her quick wit and wise words.” She’d grin at Fio. “So, consider me hired. Free of charge! That’s what good folk such as myself do, after all. For Queen and the kingdom and all that. Besides…come to think of it, I have something you all may be interested in. The location of some ne'er do wells and some troublemakers here in the mountains. Bandits, if you will.”

“Oh, you mean those funny little humans that kept poking me with those sticks?”

“Gunnrun, you’re too naive for your own good sometimes…” Cecil shook her head. “Consider it a favor since I’m sure you’ll wanna clean those fellas up you righteous and courageous sort.”

“Well with that outta the way I can show ya where that things nest is! Or at least…where I ran into it last….” Gunnrun frowned, nervously rubbing her wrist. “...uhm…actually…c-can I stay here?”

“She’s terrified of that thing.” Cecil leaned over to Luna and quietly nudged her.

Location
Harzel Plains
@Crimson Paladin@BrokenPromise

---

The beast gnashed and crushed, its claws cutting and ripping through the brambles and branches Luana had put between itself and its prey. It cared not for the cuts and bruises upon its body, indeed, it seemed as though the bloodshed only made the creature more into a fervor as it grew closer and closer to the Druid.

She could hear a solid thunk from above and could only see a little of what was happening with Ethelred.

“Sir Ethelred!”

The creature's long, spiked tail slammed into Ethelred as he charged at the beast from behind, sending the frozen knight flying from his steed and his horse several feet away. The ice knights lance managed to pierce just the tip of the the drakes neck, but not deep enough to cause any real damage.

Lonan moved next just as its tail was busy whacking Ethelred and its claws and teeth were gnashing at the druid, his blade, coated in clear water slicing through the creatures legs-

“Mngh!”

The beast leaped away from the three, its breath even, but slowed and a bit forced.

Blood poured from a large wound on its front shoulder, numerous branches were lodged in its flesh too, small bits of blood pouring from it.

And then wordlessly, the beast leaped, rolled into a sphere again, and rolled away through the forest.

“I think its toying with us or its going to try and pick us off one by one.” Lonan growled. “As wounded as it is it doesn’t seem like they even bother it. If anything it seems like its enjoying it…”

---

Memories and paths

The tunnel had given way from natural rock to brick. There was no doubt now, this was man made. A place that hadn’t seen visitors in ages aside from the small animals. Even then, there was no signs of rodents, small animals or even insects in these hallways.

“Another one.” Reinhardt frowned lightly, the lantern revealing a skeletal corpse, the old, rusted armor on it rusted with age. He looked up, a cool breeze slowly blowing past as Sorcha motioned for him to put out the lantern. A finger was held to her lips, indicating silence as they moved forward.

A light, and beyond, as he stepped out into the cool, mountain air.

“....your majesty…this is…!”

“I thought I said to be quiet.”

The crest on Reinhardt’s chest burned, a loud, malefic roar echoed through the area.

“Is that…”

“The reason I brought you here and the source of these dragons.”

“I’ll refrain from asking how you knew all this, but if this is true then-”

“Yes. You are one of the only people who can take care of this problem. Now we need to go before that thing finds us and kills us both.”

[BrokenPromise]

"Yea, you'd better run!"

— Luana Roycroft

@Rune_Alchemist@Crimson Paladin

Light.

Once the drake backed off, Luana was entirely in view. Her spear looked like a dead festive tree, topped with a spear head. The branches were all split and broken, some collapsing to the ground once their prey backed away. She locked eyes on the drake, who looked back at them. Neither one wore an expression. The drake had nothing smart to say this time, and just rolled away. Luana dropped her shoulders. She hadn't let go of her spear yet.

But maybe she could help her friend up.

Luana took her time strolling up to where Ethelred had fallen and offered her hand. "Thanks for the save you two. I didn't feel like breaking my hip again." Her fingers wiggled as she waited for Ethelred to pull himself up.

While Lonan assessed the situation, Luana returned her spear to its normal shape. "If we can't kill it, then maybe it would be best to return to the castle. At the very least, we learned normal weapons aren't too effective on it. Any trap we construct will need to be powerful enough to cut clean through its limbs, or blow it to smithereens." She was grinning from ear to ear. "A hunt is never a waste so long as you learned something new." She dropped her eyebrows. "And maybe those other two weirdos can lend us a hand next time."

[Crimson Paladin]

Ethelred took her hand and pulled himself to his feet.

"Ugh, I didn't see that coming," he mumbled as he regained his bearings. He had been banged up a little by that tail whack, but didn't seem to be too hurt. Still, his horse seemed unhurt and his armor appeared intact.

That wyvern was tough. It wasn't even slowed down by the wounds that they had inflicted. Its powers of rot seemed to counteract freezing, and stabbing the monster only seemed to make it angry. If only they had someone like Elias, Sorcha, or Elnith with them...

Ethelred wanted to keep going. He wanted to stab that wyvern until it was unrecognizable, freeze it solid, and shatter it into pieces. But it was not within his power to do so. Luana might be right, they may very well be outmatched. That thing would take whatever they could throw at it, and sooner or later it'd get lucky and inflict a fatal scratch upon one of them. The druid, in particular, had come very close to sustaining a physical injury from its teeth. Still, it'd feel quite shameful to return to Sorcha and report that they had failed to complete her task.

The thought that he wasn't strong enough to do what she had expected of him stung him deeply. He had wrestled with such thoughts before- in particular, he had always worried that the only reason he was strong to be one of Sorcha's elite knights was because of the cruel but flawed Unseelie curse that he was afflicted with. Now, however, it was no longer enough.

Might it be possible to further develop his ice powers, though? Could he learn to further master his cursed form and push its limits? Perhaps Elnith, having lived with her curse her entire life, might have some insight.
Perhaps the fairies would know. Not necessarily that unlucky fairy-in-a-jar that their resident mage had captured, but someone had to have answers.

It was something to think about, but there were more immediate matters to focus on right now.

"What say you, Sir Lonan?" Ethelred asked, turning to the Harzelslack knight. "Do you also believe this foe is beyond our ability to slay?"

If they were going to stay, Ethelred still had an idea or two up his sleeve.

@BrokenPromise@Rune_Alchemist

[Pyromania99]

Luna was pleased to see Cecil so magnanimously offer her services, free of charge of course. "Splendid. It'll be great to have a guide through the mountains here." The knightess smiled, looking over this Cecilia once more. "You won't be dying on my watch, you rest assured." With that, however, Gunnrun asked if she could stay behind. Understandable. She was a giant, sure, but she was just a blacksmith that had her hand removed from her by the beast in question.

Luna took the lead to say this much. "Of course. I was hoping you could keep Sucaria company whilst we were away." She didn't say it aloud, but she was concerned about their safety going into this fight. It would be difficult enough to keep herself safe and she knew she would feel better if Sucaria was somewhere safe with a bunch of friendly faces. "She's my favorite maid so I hope you two could keep each other company until we return."

"Bandits in the mountains however..." Luna dragged off, looking to Fio. "Well, I think it's your choice on that one. It might be a fine warm-up before a certain life or death situation. If they're not out of the way." The knightess mentioned with a sure look on her face.

[VitaVitaAR]

"Bandits, hmm?" commented Fio, cocking her head, "So many bandits. Do they enjoy exploiting the weak, or something?"

She let out a heavy sigh. Naturally, clearing out those who broke the law and attacked innocent people was hardly a bad thing. And it was not exactly a bad idea in terms of ingratiating themselves to the locals. The better they thought of them, the better they'd think of the Queen. It only made sense.

As annoying as it was, Fio couldn't deny the benefits, and using her spells in the name of justice was always a welcome opportunity.

"I suppose we'll have to take care of them, as well," she declared, "Allowing them to do as they please is hardly appropriate for anyone who believes in justice. Hmph. It's like they never think anyone will really come for them."

She paused for a moment, glancing towards the jar. Actually, this presented something of an opportunity, didn't it?

"Hmmm... Wisp, you mentioned you had a way to help fighting a dragonkin?" she questioned, "Would you perhaps be willing to demonstrate against some bandit rabble? There's something even better then honey bread in it for you."

@Rune_Alchemist@Pyromania99

[Rune_Alchemist]

Location:
Llobrokor Mountains
@Pyromania99@VitaVitaAR

---

“...Can’t go with?” Sucaria’s ears visibly drooped at that revelation.

“I think there’s been a little misunderstanding…” Cecil nervously rubbed the back of her head. “But I guess…I shouldn’t be picky.”

“Eh? Maybe?” The Unseelie pressed a finger to her lip. “Sure, I can totally demonstrate.” A flash of seeming thought of some kind ran through her expression but whatever it was she didn’t elaborate on. She merely giggled and offered the Sword Witch a friendly smile. “Its about TIME. I need some fresh air.”

“Ooh, we’ll have so much fun Aria.” Gunnrun was grinning from ear to ear, patting the half fomor on the head.

“...Sucaria…”

“I know, I know but a cute thing like you needs a nickname! Come on I’ll show you around all the fun stuff here!” Sucaria merely looked pleadingly at Luna as the Giant scooped her up, and was thus carried off.

“Wel, if you all are ready then…lets get going, aye?”

The trek out of the giants city was easy enough. Walking down some giant-sized steps and along a winding path. Down from the mountains they went, towards the north western sides of the mountains into a valley.Cecil mostly kept quiet during the trek, alternating between twirling an arrow between her fingers and rather oddly stopping the trek, seemingly listening and ordering everyone to be quiet before resuming but soon enough they could see what was likely their target.

“And here we are.” The group were standing on a ledge just carefully overlooking the valley below. A short trek down and they could make it there easily. The bandits had constructed what seemed to be simple fortifications and dwellings, lacking any sort of defensive palisades or walls aside from some towers for lookouts it seemed. “Not too many of them. About ten at most. How you guys wanna go about this?”

Location
Harzel Plains
@Crimson Paladin@BrokenPromise

---

“If I didn’t think we could handle it between the three of us, I wouldn’t have agreed to come out here.” Lonan replied, a measured voice as he’d sheathe his blade. “Luana you say weapons don’t seem to be effective…I would disagree only slightly. It can be cut and stabbed, it simply doesn’t seem to care nor affect its ability to harm us. As far as we can tell, it does not regenerate. So our solutions here are simple.”

The Harzel knight walked a bit further from the others, Steblas manifesting and walking up beside him, nuzzling the knight in the shoulder as he’d pet the steed on its snout.

“We need to either make its own attacks ineffective by maiming the beast. Assuming it is merely unable to feel pain and ignore its wounds. A battle of endurance between us and it. Alternatively, we take it out in a single strike. Lif’s canon could likely do that if we could slow it down or trap it. I think she was working on some…explosive ammunition for it.” He’d turn back towards the other two. “I know I suggested a trap first, but I think it would be best if we stay the course here. There’s a good chance it would try and attack us if we left and while we could likely fend it off we would be quite open.”

[Crimson Paladin]

"I see your point, Sir Lonan," Ethelred acknowledged. "We head back, and it'll give the thing an opportunity to ambush us."

This monster was proving a difficult foe. It was fast enough to be able to withdraw from a fight at any time with impunity, and then re-enter it in the blink of an eye. It could kill with a single scratch, and its wounds didn't seem to be slowing it down.

"The wyvern has a massive advantage in mobility. It knows it can jump in, try to kill one of us with but a scratch, withdraw just as quickly as it appeared, then repeat at its leisure," he assessed. "But for all its swiftness, it's ground-bound."

Ethelred stuck the tip of his lance into the ground and began to slowly freeze the ground around it, slowly enough that if the others asked him to stop, he could. "If we're stuck here, we might as well make the battlefield more suitable for us. Between your water, my ice, and Luana's plants, perhaps we could reshape the terrain to be more advantageous to us- or disadvantageous to our foe. If that thing can't get a good grip on the ground, it won't be nearly as mobile. And if we somehow knew which direction it'd be attacking from next, we could prepare a nasty trap."

As he awaited their feedback, Ethelred continued to look around, scanning the area for that beast. With the way it could jump in at a moment's notice, with the way it could kill with just a scratch, he could not let his guard down for even a moment.

@Rune_Alchemist@BrokenPromise

[BrokenPromise]

"Steel nor spell can beat our foe. ‘Tis must be laid low by power of friendship!“

— Luana Roycroft

@Rune_Alchemist@Crimson Paladin

Luana nodded along as Lonan gave his thoughts. "If the two of you are up for killing it, I have nothing better to do.“ She placed a hand on her hip. "But if you’re against returning to the castle, I don’t think we can use Lif’s cannon. Regardless, I’m glad you’re being so positive about the situation. I think we can kill it too!“ It was hard not to get a little hyped up, especially after the thrill of a near death experience. In some ways, Luana couldn’t wait for it to happen again.

Luana took her spear and snapped it in half. The upper half of her spear turned into a circlet that she wore on her head. Endless eclipse covered her right eye, showing the location of the dragon at all times. Now she was sure they wouldn’t get jumped. She reached for one of her daggers and had what was left of her spear grow around it. While not magical, a bladed weapon was sure to have some use in their next encounter.

"Oh, that’s a good start!“ Luana pointed at Ethelred. "Also, it uses its front claws for fighting, but it only has two legs for walking around. If we cut off one of its feet, at the ankle where it’s shortest, that would further inhibit its movement. It might even make it less balanced when it rolled, or cut off the tail.“ After thinking a bit more. Luana shrugged. "That’ll be up to you guys. We might also have to set up a trap rapidly, so be ready for that. But I can track it and support you with my plants. And right now…“

If the dragon was still on the move, Luana could guide everyone along the path it was beating. But if it was waiting for an ambush, she’d be a bit more cautious with her approach.

[Pyromania99]

Luna felt bad as she watched Sucaria's ears droop as such... but she would do nothing but worry about the maid whilst they were fighting the dragon. The knightess would feel infinitely better with her remaining in town, safe with giant friends. When she returned, she would have to apologize and give her something nice to eat.

Regardless, they got on the move. First to the bandit camp to warm up. When Cecil asked how they wanted to do this, Luna thought on it some. "If we can rid ourselves of the men in watchtowers, it would be easy enough to simply storm the camp with those numbers." Looking over the camp again, she turned to her companions. Both Fio and Cecil had range options, as did she really. "Fio, Cecil, do either of you think you could remove the watchmen with precision?" Luna asked looking toward Elnith. "Or we could just go without regard for the watchtowers. I don't think ten or so bandits is really scary."

[VitaVitaAR]

"Ten? That won't even be a challenge. To be honest, you could leave the entire thing to me," commented Fio, running a hand through her lengthy hair as she stepped forward, "Of course simply storming the camp is the right idea, however..."

She had plenty of steam she wanted to blow off from dealing with that cranky old man earlier, and the fact that the bandit force was hardly something to be concerned about made this the perfect avenue.

The air crackled around her, as she drew her blade from it, thrusting it skywards.

"Sura," she began, "Two great phantom blades. Materialize them. Harden their edge."

As the blades emerged from the rippling air around them, their phantasmal edge shone. Magical energy crackled along her sword's edge, through her arms, moving outward from her and gathering along the constructed weapons that came to rest, drifting above her and to each side of her.

"I'll take care of the watchtowers. You can attack with that in mind. I'll simply join you when I'm done," she began, "If any of these idiots surrender, we'll take them prisoner."

If they didn't, they earned exactly what they would get. Bandits didn't get any sympathy from the Sword Witch, not in the least.

The sword gleamed as Fio held it aloft, in a manner similar to the less physical blades drifting on either side of her.

"Strike them down."

She swung the weapon down, and with a whistling sound both the conjured swords were sent hurtling towards the nearest two watchtowers.

@Pyromania99@Rune_Alchemist