Crimson Paladin

The Storm Cycle: Reclamation

Ethelred

That could've gone worse. I suppose, however, it also could've gone better.

The woman retreated upon hearing the horn, leaving Ethelred with a maimed, badly frozen bandit. Any hope of questioning them seemed moot now- the bandit was so deeply frozen that he probably wouldn't recover, and it'd be unlikely he could catch Cecilia even if he chased her on horseback.

According to Lugh, the young Tuatha squire, the battle was over, and the knights were being summoned in the strategy hall. Ethelred would guess that it had to do with the bandit attack, and how they'd be responding.

"Thank you, but, I don't need any help," Ethelred replied, placing his hand over his damaged pauldron, simultaneously relieved to be uninjured and disappointed that the blow wasn't enough to temporarily free a part of him from his crystalline carapace. "I'll be heading back now, but first, I have one other matter to attend," Ethelred stated, looking down at the frostbitten bandit.

"I'm afraid your ice burns are likely too far deep" he grimly told the bandit. "If you are spared, you'd probably suffer quite painfully before passing, so I promise to make it quick." Ethelred readied his lance. "When you're brought before Rifelshka, I wonder if she'll commend you for your loyalty, or punish you for your sins of banditry." With that, he plunged his weapon into the man's heart. Finishing off a downed, defeated foe was a rather unpleasant ordeal for Ethelred, but it was his responsibility to ensure his powers did not cause undue suffering to his foes.

With the bandit dealt with, the knight returned to his horse, which was no worse for wear, which was more than could be said for the bandit lying nearby, with a hoof-shaped mark on his forehead. Ethelred was in a merciful mood, and decided not to check if the fallen man was still breathing. Besides, surely the other knights had managed to take someone alive, right?

His business in the forest concluded, Ethelred rode back to the town. He'd normally offer the small Tuatha squire a ride, but he was still quite cold.

The Storm Cycle: Reclamation

Ethelred

Ethelred's attempt to change the battlefield to his advantage worked. The thief-woman slipped on the ice and fell off her feet. This was his chance, he thought, to catch her.

At least it seemed so, until the last bandit grappled him from behind before he could rise back to the ground. It was, all things considered, immensely frustrating considering that he had only just managed to get the advantage over Cecilia. His lance was too long and awkward to strike at the man behind him. As a veteran knight, Ethelred was versed enough in unarmed combat that he could probably best this petty thug in wrestling, but he didn't have time to put that theory to the test. He needed to shake this assailant off now, before Cecilia lined up another shot!

At the same time, however, he didn't want to simply kill the man. He might be the only one of this band still alive besides their leader, and there was no guarantee that Ethelred could catch the slippery thief even if he did manage to defeat her.

Once again, the Frozen Knight invoked his powers over ice, while attempting to rise to his feet against the bandit's efforts. His armor seemed to become even colder. Any point in physical contact with him would rapidly draw heat away from the bandit in a supernatural manner, and even the bandit's clothing would provide only the briefest respite before the freezing reached his flesh. It was not something Ethelred did lightly- frostbite was a horrific affliction that not even Od's miraculous blood could fully mend- but right now, it was the weapon he needed.

As his powers took effect, the knight made an effort to throw the bandit off of him while his foe was hopefully distracted by the terrible pain of one's surface flesh being frozen. In truth, he hoped for both their sakes that the bandit was not disciplined, suicidal, or loyal enough to try and hold on. If he succeeded, he'd charge towards Cecilia, still intent on attempting to apprehend her.

The Storm Cycle: Reclamation

Ethelred

This Cecilia woman proved much more agile than Ethelred had anticipated, jumping over him and firing an arrow into his shoulder. Unlike the previous arrows, this one managed to shatter the ice on his shoulder, and he very much felt the force behind it. He didn't feel like his flesh had been pierced, but it was clear he had to be careful because that bow of hers could penetrate his armor.

Meanwhile, Ethelred heard the sound of his horse's hooves striking someone and knocking them down outside of his field of view- it sounded like his horse had just struck one of the bandits, probably the spearman who had been menacing them. He wasn't sure of the bandit's state- he could simply have had the wind knocked out of him via a blow to the chest, or the hooves could've struck the man's head and killed him instantly. If so, that'd mean one less possible person to interrogate.

As soon as he could do so, Ethelred spun around to meet where he anticipated the woman's trajectory would take her, and then dropped to one knee. To Cecilia and the bandits, it probably looked like he had been weakened or injured by the arrow, but the truth was that this act was intended. He placed his hand on the ground and begun to channel his power of freezing. Frost rapidly spread out across the ground in a radial pattern as the ground and the air above it suddenly became much, much colder. He needed to hinder this woman's considerable mobility if he didn't want to be on the receiving end of armor-shattering arrow after arrow from outside the reach of his lance. He hoped that freezing the ground would hinder her footing, or, if she made the mistake of standing in place for too long, the freezing effect might make its way through the soles of her boots.

This meant he'd be turning his back to the bandit archer, but the minion was a mere afterthought compared to dealing with Cecilia.

@Rune_Alchemist

Dungeon Clearer! A Fantasy Adventurer RP

Léon Reverdin

They didn't manage to catch the goblins, but fortunately for both the paladin and cleric, they did not run into any traps either. It was evident judging on where they had found themselves, in a path branching off, that the temple was bigger than Léon had anticipated, and that they'd need to do quite a bit of exploring in this place.

With the adrenaline of the battle dissipating, the dread that this place emanated came back over the young cleric. How exactly does a temple end up buried underground like this? This strange, underground, desecrated place was like something out of a nightmare. At least he wasn't alone down here.

The cleric cast a small light spell to get a better look at their surroundings. The bones he saw at his feet looked human, but also quite old, old enough that they were evidently of no use to that goblin necromancer. Perhaps they were from people who discovered this place by accident years or decades ago, or perhaps even the original inhabitants.

"We'd better not split up," he advised the group. "The goblins could regroup, and there could be more out there, so it'll be safest if we stick together." It'd mean more time spent combing through these ruins, but even with the apprehension he felt, Léon wanted to be quite thorough in their search of this place. Given the age of this place, even seemingly innocuous objects could be considered coveted relics. It was also imperative that they be very careful when handling any ancient trinkets they find.

"Oh, and perhaps we should leave some sort of mark to help us find our way out of here?" he asked. "I don't know how big this place is, and I'd rather not get turned around in here in case we need to make a hasty exit."

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Fantasy Knight RP

Fleuri Jodeau

The mercenaries finally broke under the knights' assault, fleeing into the woods. The Iron Roses were victorious once again. With the darkening sky and the unknown question of what lay deeper in the woods, they wouldn't be able to pursue, but like he had noted before, the deaths of the Golden Boars weren't their objective. Either way, however, between their attempted infiltration of the fort, their attempt to kidnap a noble, and their attempt to kill several Iron Roses, they won't be welcome anywhere in Thaln anymore.

The next step would be to attend to the wounded, but it seemed that their order's attached healer, a boy named Martin, had already attended to that and retrieved Haelstadt's head. Seeing the headless knight becoming whole again gave Fleuri some concern. If they were to go up against something like that, he didn't think they had no way of putting them down. Between the necromancer in the tomb, the shard that could drive an entire garrison mad, and now with this, Fleuri was becoming increasingly worried that there were some foes in Thaln that the Iron Roses might lack the necessary skills and expertise to deal with.

Fleuri looked at Veileena, who was now being questioned by the other knights. They were entirely justified in doing so- it was the Iron Roses' duty as servants of the crown to find out whatever they could about this dangerous shard of a literal doomsday weapon. But, hypothetically, if Veileena got tired of the knights and decided to sic her undying bodyguard on them, Fleuri didn't think they'd be able to slay Haelstadt. They could probably win such a fight since it was evident that Veileena's mute black knight wasn't invulnerable, but Fleuri didn't like not knowing the full limits of such magic that could make someone able to keep someone alive even without a head.

"I'm fine, no wounds," Fleuri replied to Gerard's query. The perceptive former mercenary might note that Fleuri's tone was a bit worried, but the reason for his worry would not be evident.

The knight didn't participate in the questioning of Veileena or pester the Captain with his concerns, but stood back and looked around at the bodies of the fallen, hoping to find a fallen Golden Boar who was still breathing. He'd have to put his worries about the Order's capabilities into the back of his mind for now, because the situation at hand demanded that they keep their attention focused, in some way or form, on the very dire matter of the shard.

@HereComesTheSnow

The Storm Cycle: Reclamation

Ethelred

So, someone hired her. Most curious, Ethelred thought as this Cecilia woman rejected his offer to depart peacefully. He was not someone who reveled in killing, so it was a bit displeasing that they decided to fight, but a part of him knew that it was necessary. It was a sad fact that many bandits weren't going to give up their ways just even if they were offered an opportunity to live an honest life without worrying about going hungry. It was something he had seen all too often even back before having been frozen, and human nature had not changed one bit in the century since then.

Thus, Ethelred was going to have to kill them. Or rather, he would have to kill most of them- with the revelation that Cecilia had been hired, it would be wise to leave at least one of them alive to be questioned.

As soon as the woman mentioned that she had been paid and it was evident that the other bandits weren't going to walk away, Ethelred took the brief reprieve before combat resumed to begin dismounting from his horse. Given his opponent and the area they were in, this skirmish was one that he'd rather fight on foot, alongside his mount instead of atop it.

As the bandits advanced on Ethelred, it was clear that Cecilia was the biggest threat, with that bow of hers. He didn't want to test if it could get through his armor or find a path through his helmet slits- he needed to stop her from firing that arrow. He deflected the archer's poorly aimed arrow with his shield, then stepped towards the bandit with the axe. With speed and finesse that few would anticipate from a cavalry polearm, he thrust his lance forward, intent on skewering the man on its shaft. It went without saying that the knights wouldn't get a chance to question this particular bandit.

The gruesome impalement, assuming it succeeded, had another purpose. Summoning a bit more strength due to the weight of the still impaled on it, Ethelred would thrust forward and upward, freeing the probably not-quite-dead bandit from its tip and sending him flying right towards Cecilia, this unusual attack being meant to prevent her from getting a clear shot at the knight. He then then sprinted towards Cecilia, trusting in his horse to deal with the spear-wielding bandit trying to flank them. That bow of hers was bad news, and he needed to deal with her as quickly as possible.

@Rune_Alchemist

The Storm Cycle: Reclamation

Ethelred

Ethelred raised his shield, narrowly deflecting the arrow fired by the woman. There was considerable force the arrow as evidenced by the impact he could feel through the shield and the loud clang it made when it struck. If he had to guess, this markswoman was probably the one who shot him before with such precision, and the one calling the shots (literally) for this band of archers. She might pose a challenge, but the other bandits were as good as dead if the knight chose to attack.

He needed to get this fight over with quickly, because something had just entered the battle in the field, something that Ethelred had not caught a glimpse of. He had been able to hear it and feel the rumbling, though. Whatever it was, it sounded like a formidable foe.

Curiously, the woman before him didn't look like an ordinary brigand. She was well-dressed in fine, expensive-looking clothing, nothing like any of the other bandits that Ethelred had seen. Her bow, in addition to being of higher quality than the other bandits' bows, looked like it was magical.

Quite an unusual person to be mingling with brigands. She certainly isn't hurting for wealth. Perhaps she was a commander, but her words were those of a subordinate, not a leader. A lieutenant, perhaps.

Her words to him sounded more like a resignation to the imminent fight, rather than a serious attempt to parlay. At the same time, however, she didn't sound pleased, and judging by what Ethelred had overhead prior, she didn't want to be here. It might be dangerous to allow her to walk away, but if he could resolve this without violence, it'd leave more time to help the other knights with whatever he had felt and heard rumbling out into the field.

"You'd be surprised," Ethelred replied to the woman. "Contrary to my appearance, I am not cold-hearted. Thus I offer you and your friends a deal- run along. Depart from this battle. Go home and get pampered. Live to see another sunset." Ethelred stared at each of the other bandits, as if to emphasize this last part to them. To further drive home of how unwise it'd be to fight him, he channeled his powers of frost, causing a small layer of ice to form on the nearby leave, branches, and brush. If any of the bandits got closer, they'd notice the temperature had dropped measurably around the knight.

"The Queen is carrying out a great work here," he continued. "We are restoring order and driving back the curse. Those who become her subjects will prosper under her protection. Those who oppose her will fall. And when the battle is concluded, I strongly suggest that you reassess your choice in occupation, and consider the benefits of being the Queen's friend rather than her enemy."

Ethelred stared in the woman's direction, ready to charge if she reached for another arrow.

@Rune_Alchemist

The Epic of Beginnings - Fragments of a weathered scroll

Novak

They were supposed to kill her on sight? This was a development that Novak didn't anticipate. He didn't realize before that the Hag was the enemy of the hunters. But if she and the old man were both voices of the Illuminator, why would they be opposed?

More importantly, Soyala came up again. He already knew that she was their leader, and the one that believed that Lazhira was eroding the seal. Now it was mentioned that she was the one who was in regular communication with the Illuminator, and she used this influence to direct them away from worrying about their directive to kill the Hag, and rather to recover the orbs- the very orbs that the Hag seemed to interested in retrieving.

Novak's eyes widened at the realization.

This Soyala...she's working for the Hag. She's manipulating the hunters for the Hag instead of the Old Man. Or...what if she is the Hag?

"Curious...the hag revealed to myself, Lazhira, and Narkissa that she is looking for the orb. If you ask either of them, they can confirm this." Novak spoke. "And it is she, who who claims to speak for the Illuminator, or at least his Old Man aspect, told you to not worry about the hag and focus on the orbs? She is the one who has directed you to target Lazhira as the possible culprit behind breaking the seal, correct? When I get the chance, I think it'd be...illuminating to speak to Soyala myself."

"But first," Novak resumed, "I would be grateful if you would show us the seal. Like I said, we too wish to see it preserved. And...I'm sorry for your friend," he said, looking at the headless corpse. "My companion did what she had to do to protect me, and I am very grateful, but I was hoping it would not end like...this."

@VitaVitaAR@Rune_Alchemist

The Storm Cycle: Reclamation

Ethelred

Just as the bandits seemed to break from the knights' combined efforts, arrows started flying from within the forest. One arrow struck Ethelred square on the faceplate, but failed to penetrate the crystalline armor.

That was either a very lucky shot or a very precise one, he considered as more, less accurate arrows began flying, with one glancing off his horse's flank. This could be a problem. The surviving bandits were now regrouping, their morale seemingly restored by the unseen archers' ambush, and now the knights had to deal with two groups of enemies, all while being completely exposed and out in the open.

When this is over, we need to speak to the queen about having those trees cleared. Ethelred wasn't too concerned about himself- his shield and armor should be enough to stop these arrows- but his horse was another story. Its tough, ice-like flesh was tougher than that of an ordinary stallion, but wasn't rigid, unyielding crystal like his armor, and a direct hit from an arrow could wound it.

Fortunately, aid came at just the most opportune moment. A golden barrier rose up in front of both mount and rider, shielding them from further arrows. It seemed that Lunalel had joined the battle. Ethelred had always considered her a reliable one, with her useful array of elder beast granted powers. This respite gave him an opportunity to assess where the arrows were coming from, and what to do next.

Od and Reinhardt probably could handle the remaining bandits close by, thus Ethelred opted to focus on dealing with the archers. After seeing where the arrows were coming from, he spurred his horse on. With his shield raised, he drove his horse at an angle towards the forest some distance from where the arrows were emerging, all the while leaving a trail of frigid fog behind them. He didn't want to charge them head-on into a potential trap, or give them an easy, direct target, rather he'd want to get a good look at what he was up against, and flank them from within the forest.

He'd have to proceed with caution once he reached the cover of the trees. The rapid speed of his movement would leave him at a considerable distance from the other knights even if any of them also opted to approach the archers before cutting down the remaining brigand foot-soldiers, but he wasn't entirely sure what he would be facing.

The Storm Cycle: Reclamation

Ethelred

Ethelred assessed the foe as they came into view and he brought his horse down to a trot. It was a band of brigands, perhaps fifty in number. Their goal was probably to break down the gate and sack the town, and their current objective appeared to be to break down the gate.

I can't be sure how good their odds of success would ordinarily be against such fortifications, but in these very un-ordinary circumstances, I can be sure that they have no chance of success. While Ethelred had aided people against bandits before, he had never actually taken part in a siege, and knew very little of the field of siege engineering.

The prevalence of banditry was a sad reality of the current state of Albion. This was this dark age, without law and without order. Men lived in fear of one another, and for strong preyed upon the weak. Even before being frozen, Ethelred had sought to undo these injustices, to fight against those who would selfishly darken Albion even further, but there was only so much that a single knight-errant could hope to accomplish on his own. But with the Queen and her fellow knights, they could do more than just fight bandits. They could lay the groundwork of a society where people can live without fear of being preyed upon by bandits, and make Albion a place where banditry is a much less attractive career choice than it currently seems to be.

For now, however, working towards that lofty goal meant repelling this horde of brigands. The knights needed to convey the message that Airedale is off-limits to bandits, that depredations upon the good people of the town would not be allowed to happen.

Ethelred was not the first one to have engaged the bandits. Someone was fighting them up close, and what looked like Fio's sword magic was being cast upon them from the walls. He couldn't see who it was that had drawn first blood, but it'd make a good distraction for his own attack. The knight rode closer, his mount increasing its speed to a canter, then a gallop. As he drew closer, he couched his lance under his arm and aimed for the first unlucky bandit in his way.

Ethelred made no war cry as he closed the distance, for he needed no war cry. His appearance- an icy knight upon a frightening steed- and the effects of his powers would speak more loudly than any words he could shout. Prior to being cursed, his family's motto was his war cry, but with his family line wiped out, he no longer had a desire to speak it.

The mounted knight plowed into the bandits' ranks. Anyone unfortunate enough to be in the path of his crystalline lance would likely be knocked off their feet, bearing a grisly, flash-frozen wound where its struck them. His horse was fighting equally aggressive, using its horns to ram any bandit unfortunate enough to be in its direct path, and trampling beneath its icy hooves any who were not thrown clear by the blows of the horse or its rider. It was fortunate that despite the horse's newfound aggression and surprising mastery of its new state (in fact, it seemed to have been a quicker learner than Ethelred when it came to getting used to their new forms), its obedience to its rider had never wavered, because Ethelred would not want to find himself on the receiving end of its horns or hooves.