Murdered Princess: Revelations

Revelations
Summary: The joint Taniford/Rhaedan army tracks Kerilyn and Darrin into the blasted fens of Ellowe for the final climactic battle.
Date: 17 June 2013
Related: Murdered Princess Logs
Players:
Amira Augustus Carisse Dalyros Darrin Deidra Emrys Fayre Kerilyn Pawel Peronell Roltoff Samwell Stefan Tamara Tylon Storyteller 

Blasted Fens
Away from the warm fires of Haven, where locals and traders finish a day of hard work, the shadows of the Blasted Fens grow thicker as twilight gives way to nighttime. Deep in the swamp, where darkness reigns supreme a path leads west and upward towards the cleft of the mountain region, and southwest toward the deepening of the Fens.

The path is steep, narrow and twisty, and combined with near gale force winds of the storm, a storm seemingly made for one purpose, the destruction of man. A narrow cleft half way up sparks of golden fire light and shadows of man can be seen. Here the land opens to an large alcove of black stone, the cavernous mouth of a large cave flickering gold and white in the firelight.

It is here they came to survive and learn from the darkness . It is here the end of the Kingdoms shall be decided.

17 June 1329

For weeks now the troops of Taniford and Rhaeden chased their elusive kin Northward. The hunt continues for the missing pair in a little known area where the lands of Rhaenden touch the Blasted Fens. As a terrible thunder storm wracks the region, sending sheets of rain and streaks of lightning across the sky we focus in on a party lead not by an adult but barefoot and toothless waif of a girl. "Over there, through the swamp, the cave." And quickly the child turns on heel to run the opposite direction.

Among the falling sheets of rain thunderous claps echo in the black sky. Pale white lightning streaks across the sky forking dozens of times high up in the heavy cloud banks. A finger of the raw destructive lightning blasts down from the black sky striking a standing stone atop a large cave set here hundreds of years ago by forgotten hands. The flash lights up yellow eyes alive with malice, its dripping fangs glistening with rain water, and black blood. The fen spider guarding the cave turns and stares with it hundred eyes at those advancing, shaking violently in a futile attempt to keep the need for warm flesh and blood under control.

From whence comes the foul wind? But it matters little. For the blinding flash of light strikes again near the mouth of the cave, bringing to life the shadowed figures of man and beasts. Men of red hair and their companions of fen spider under the chaos bringers control watch in silence the pair standing upon a raised blood red stone speak the words of to bind them as one.

"Our union is blessed by Bornas. Together, we will be strong and steady, enduring the harshest trials as one.

Our union is blessed by Altheara. Together, we will learn from one another and find joy in simple pleasures.

Our union is blessed by Ravas. Together, we will be courageous, and our loyalty will be as constant as the rising sun.

Our union is blessed by Stilltha. Together, we will be calm and wise, and our marriage will be fruitful.

Our union is blessed by Kharnas. Together, we will control the chaos, and the many will rise up through our marriage to destroy the privileged and spoiled."

Standing with Kerilyn upon the blood red rock, the plate maille of Darrin Taniford gleams in the lightning strikes, along with the glow of the stone beneath the joining couple. As he finishes speaking those binding words, the dark Prince, his armor reflected red and dark blue, looks out towards the arriving armies. "Ah! It seems our guests of honour have arrived. Welcome to our wedding, men and women of the Taniford and Rheadan. For several weeks.. months.. years.. we have allowed for too long the spoiled children to rule the Kingdoms. Like our parents and their parents before them, the Tanifords and Rhaedans need to be united under a strong and firm hand." he announces. "Instead of being run by the hearts and sexual organs of the likes of my brother and my new bride's sister, we shall rule your lands with a firm and hard grip."

His hand rests on his mount - one of those giant spiders has been saddled for Darrin to use as his personal mount in this battle, as he grins darkly. "We have agreed to bond and unite our lands with Ellowe. We will become one large kingdom, and then we will go forth and conquer the Corsairs, and then expand our reach beyond. Our lands will prosper and grow under this union, this combination of our skills with the lessons of the Red. With Kerilyn ruling all as Queen, and me at her side as her Consort, we can give you all what your nobles have failed you. Do you wish to be ruled by those that ignore you for their own fancies, or serve with those that have your best interests in mind?" he asks the assembled troops of the Taniford/Rhaedan alliance. "Would you rather follow the mewling kitten looking to suckle on the tit of the Rhaedans or the roaring lion?"

"Decide now, men and women of Taniford and Rhaedan. For once unleashed to the slaughter, you will not be spared for changing your mind this night. An example will be made. Only through blood can a land prosper. Only in death can life grow. We must prune and destroy the spoiled and privledged and grind them beneath our heel in order to control the chaos. Those that do not side with us will pay the blood price for such a success, and for that.." He opens a bottle of wine and takes a long drink. "…we salute your sacrifice." When he steps forth, it's clear that his armor is not made of metal. Judging from the looks of it, it's scales. Large, reptilian scales of blood red and black that fold over each other, with large horns rising from his shoulders as he slips on the helmet, stylized as a dragon as he climbs upon his spider mount and takes the reins.

Where Darrin is all fire and thunder, Kerilyn is the cold of ice, the quiet of stone and the chill of winter nights rolled into one. This is not to say that passion does not gleam in her eyes, nor ring in her voice, merely it is to say that she is the balance to Darrin's heat and thunder, the balance that is his perfect match. She stands at his side, the lighting born wind tugging at her hair, making the blue of her eyes spark with each lightning strike, her shoulder length hair to drift about her face and what appear - at first glimpse - to be flowers strewn in her hair are, at closer inspection, delicate appearing spiders that stir restlessly as Kerilyn surveys the guests that are now gathering.

Her voice rings out, cold and clear, to echo the words spoken by Darrin. "Our union is blessed by Bornas. Together, we will be strong and steady, enduring the harshest trials as one.
Our union is blessed by Altheara. Together, we will learn from one another and find joy in simple pleasures.
Our union is blessed by Ravas. Together, we will be courageous, and our loyalty will be as constant as the rising sun.
Our union is blessed by Stilltha. Together, we will be calm and wise, and our marriage will be fruitful.
Our union is blessed by Kharnas. Together, we will control the chaos, and the many will rise up through our marriage to destroy the privileged and spoiled."

She waits a moment, letting her words echo over the sound of the lightning, the tug of the rising wind that carries her words easily, her gaze shifting only once to alight upon her chosen consort. "Those who stand with us, now and from the moment forward, will know the strength, the resolve and the untarnished might of our combined strength. Those who chose to stand against us, now - or ever - will know only death, in the long or short of their futile struggles in our wake." She steps onto the bent leg of one of the large spiders and swings calmly up into the saddle, more spiders spilling forward to climb the larger spider, settling on her arms, shoulders, more drifting upward into her hair to join the others in a coronet of life that endlessly shifts in position and pattern. More spiders, more than can be counted, more than can even glimpsed at, sweep over the rock floor in a sweeping sea of life, a seething tide of hungry life forms, hunger for blood, for the sweet taste of flesh.

Fayre Taniford— if her mother knew she came, would she be in trouble?

Perhaps not. It's time to take her place, after all, at the head of next generation of rulers. At barely 17, she sits upon a graceful steed of dappled grey, her slim body decked in the finest of gleaming armor, a helm upon her head in the shape of a beast. She has ridden to the front of the the armies of the North and South, whcih have at last come together here upon the field. She has bow and guardians aplenty at her side, as well as the lovely silk-furred hound one beloved brother once gave her.

Her horse rears, but the young lady sits it well and regains control with ease.

"Darrin Taniford!" Her voice rings out clear, light, youthful— but with an edge darkened by her sense of betrayal. "I have not had time to prepare such a grand speech as you have given. This whole affair comes as a surprise to me. I, until recently, was your loving and trusting sister, innocent and light-hearted. I dreamed of Ellowe, of adventure, of travel. But you, my dear brother, have made me a queen. You have stripped me of dream and fancy, of youth and innocence. Now it is you who dwells in fantasy. Here, today, all our dreams will die. Yours and mine. yes, mine. But most /assuredly/, /dear brother/, yours."

She turns her horse, the beast prancing restlessly, and faces the armies that have gathered.

"A man who would slay his sister in cold blood, for power— is this the ruler you will trust with your futures, your peace? He did not give Aylanora the chance to fight him fairly— he murdered her. He and this northern princess whose lust for power has driven them to mak compact with the damnable. I beseech you! Fight here not for me, nor for Prince Jerric an your king and queen, but for your own families! Your own hopes! your own futures!"

She flings a gauntleted hand behind her, her slight body barely picking up any bulk from the finely tailored metal of her armor. "There is your enemy! There are the oathbreakers and kinslayers." Her voice almost, /almost/ breaks on the last word, but she keeps her grief in check. There's a pause, as the wild winds whip her hair about for a long few moments. Has the Princess lost her nerve?

She turns her horse again, facing Darrin and Kerilyn. "I will miss you dear brother. You died for me before you embraced this evil, and I will remember my dear, dead brother Darrin fondly. But you, villain, will be erased from all history."

A black Charger advances slowly. The mount of a Prince, but mostly, the mount of the commander of the Blue Guard and the Taniford Army. A general who moves before his troops, standing in front of the first line of soldiers at all times. Black fire rages in his gaze, and a solemn expression remains untouched by the words of his brother. The silver armor of Samwell Taniford shines brightly. The coat of arms of the ruler House of the South rests on his chest and shield as a proud reminder.

"Here we are." he says firmly to the men and women at his back, "The swords, spears, shields, and hearts of North and South, united again. Here we are," his eyes never leaving Darrin in the distance, "The biggest army since the Eikeren Kings ruled the world. The biggest army to cross sea, land, and hate, to unite and stand firm against our mutual enemy. Against the treason. Against the false unity through the blood of the innocent." the horse, a wild and majestic beast, moves a few steps ahead. "Here we are. Here we face the man I loved truthfully. The man I called my brother. But his words are just those the ones of the madness and the treason to his family and lands."

Samwell turns his head and mount to face the warriors and healers. The people of Rhaedan and Taniford.

"I will only ask you to follow me if you want justice. We didn't ride for glory. We didn't sail for fame. We didn't march for blood. We are here to walk the path of the righteous. We are here to stop the darkness. We are here to fight for the Kingdom of the North!" the Taniford Prince says louder in raging voice. "We are here to fight for the Kingdom of the South!" the black beast hits the ground and turns again to finish his words towards the spiders of the wicked army, "We are here for the justice. And the justice, my brothers and sisters, the justice is what we will take from this place. We will fight and die if needed. The ground will be painted with the red of our blood. But our Kingdoms will never be taken. Today we will stand, and today we will win."

No longer masquerading as a healer, Pawel's dressed in his armor again now, his greatsword in his hands. Shaking his head as he hears Darrin and Kerilyn, he mutters a little bit now. "Pompous little ass…" he mutters, before he raises his voice a bit as he hears Fayre's words as well, nodding with approval now. A similar nod is given at Samwell's words.

"See? If what they are trying to do was any kind of a just cause, would they have to ally themselves with beasts and other evils, even sounding like a couple of worshippers of evil?" Turning to look at the rest of the fighting force now. "It seems clear to me that we are no longer just fighting for the North, or the South or anything like that. We are also fighting for Good, against the forces of Evil. And I, for one, know we are not going to let evil prevail on this day. They say they are trying to reunite Eikeren, and at least for today, they have. For all of us to let Good conquer Evil." And then, raising his voice further now, to about a roar. "ARE YOU WITH US?"

Roltoff looks at all them fancy speeches and shakes his head. "Look do youreself a favor huh. Take one of them fancy spears your boys are pack'n and stick it. That goes for you as well lady. As for your pets, well they'll make for a good trophy mounts in my tavern. Give the people something to talk about after your both dead and buried."

The Deputy of the Blue Guards, Sir Deidra Vangoriel, stares at the spectacle with a fierce glare in an unmoving face as she listens to the aberrant Taniford Prince's speech. When he is finished there is a light shake of her head, the incredulous stare in her steely green eyes hinting that she still has a hard time accepting the gruesome truth. Princess Fayre's speech elicits a nod from her. The Blue Guard's mien is grave, but still her gaze shifts to Prince Samwell next, her Commander, and remembering her place she raises her hand to signal her unit to wait. Her posture alert, she grabs her shield and readies her sword.

"They are *indeed* completely out of their minds… Some evil spell is at work here, my prince." is murmured more to herself, while Deidra waits for her prince's reaction. Ready to act on his command, whatever it will be, her gaze brushes the Fen Spiders and remains there for a moment. "So be it!" Deidra roars, in response to Samwell's words, as she reins her horse in that seems to feel her excitement. Although that look, shot in Darrin's direction seems to be mingled with a bit of doubt. He is a Taniford after all. The Blue Guards are supposed to protect the Tanifords. But this one seems to have forfeited his right to live.

There is a look of bloodlust in the eyes of the young man servant, which now is dressed like a soldier, spear held tightly against the scales of his armor. Emrys stands as close as possible from his master, Sir Augustus, assuming a very much protective position as he listens to the words of inspiration, but these don't seem to affect him very much, as if killing and protecting his master were the only things he needed to join such a thing.

On a horse and armored and armed, Amira still has ashes in her hair, her lined face appearing old and the cloak over her hair and body fastened securely against the wind. It had been a long few weeks and now it seems it had all led to here and now. She was in dire need of a bath, but it only lended creedence to the disguise she'd managed to keep for the duration of the boat trip. Seeing the spiders crawling over her once beloved sister brings a shudder to the youngest of the Rhaedan siblings.. spiders, and her sister seemed… okay with that. As the vows are spoken, she blinks back tears as she realizes she had just attended her sisters wedding and she feels a hollow ache deep within as she looks between her new brother-in-law and her sister. None of anything they said made any sense. Why upset the delicate peace they had established? Still, she remains silent, waiting… uncertain of what to say and what to do. Treason.. that was the word dancing on her tongue, demanding release, though with will she keeps it in check. Tightening on hand on the reins of her horse, she reassuringly feels for the pommel of her sword instead of the bow on her horse. When the Southern Princess and Heir speaks, Amira regards her with a renewed respect, shoulders straightening. To be forced to grow up and take on such a huge responsibility must be more than she had ever even imagined.

Following suit, Amira whips off her hood, the sheets of rain already rinsing ash and dirt from her as she draws her blade, lifting it in the air. "Traitors! Kerilyn, you speak treason to your King and Queen. To your family!" Swallowing hard, she nudges her own horse nearer. "You have betrayed us all, sister. I would have your head for such." The fire burning in her eyes speaks of her family loyalty, the passion and anger she feels for her sister.

Augustus chuckles as he hears the commoner's quaint speech and grins. "Tis a fine thing to unite two lands but betraying them to do it is a cowards way, not honorable and just. To use defiled creatures to aid you shows your intent is pure evil and that I will not abide. " as he and his men line up in formation and set spears, While Augustus readies his gladius and waits.

Armour glints in the lightning and a blue cloak is tossed by a wind and soaked by rain. You barely could say, that under this cold metal hides a fiery woman. She remainds a strong and self-confident man, who sits in his saddle firmly, clenching reins of the sorrel horse. Mare's manes looks as a wild tongues of flame in the darkness of the storm. Peronell Savage sticks her eyes in the horizon, where enemy is standing. She doesn't mumble under her nose anything, her breathe is calm and woman is ready to face these people, who rides monsters, giving some fresh food for her broadsword.

While the Duke has revealed himself Lady Tamara Taniford except to a select few is still disguised as just a healer. She stands back away from the horses and hopefully the fighting. Seeing the creatures the healer is glad for having set up some sort of triage with the assistance of the others with healing skills. She shakes her head at the words of the two standing with the beasts and creatures.

It is all a great deal to take in, especially from the back of the armies as the healers begin this great adventure at, but one thing is clear enough to Tylon the name of the Fifth has been called forth in an ill gotten perversion of a marraige ceremony. Had they the god of Kharnas him self presided over it? The calm priestess yet remaining so as a breathe was drawn, while so many sought to make worldly speeches to be remembered, to empassion the troops. Tylon turned inward and offered up prayers to the Guardians of Four to watch over them all, to guide them and be upon their side in this war against those who sought to bring chaos upon the lands. The Guardians preserve them all.

Atop a Charger steed bred on Lohstren lands, Sir Dalyros Lohstren comes riding along behind Princess Fayre. His mount is a chestnut, with one white sock and a white star on his head. The nostrils of the horse flairs as they approach the scene, the horse laying his ears back and dancing slightly as his eyes take in the spiders and crocs. Dalyros eases his horse with soft whispers into his ears. He nudges his horse along, moving up to Duke Varghem. He looks over, making eye contact with the Duke, offering a nod of his head and pausing only a moment, before his kicks his horse into a trot and catching up to the front. When the Princess stops, so does Dalyros. He listens intently to the speeches, remaining silent for the time being. His greatsword is already in his hand, ready to take blood and glory from this battlefield.

Carisse is at the back. With most of the healers and those who aren't fighting. She's got her bow, but she's not planning to use it unless dire necessity strikes. No, she's planning to do just what Mother Tylon needs her to do, in order to heal people up. Though as she listens to what she can hear of the speeches, she can't help but whisper, "Guardians preserve us." She lets her hood fall, and isn't so worried about her disguise any more, much as she has been /trying/ to keep it secret. She simply stays back by Tamara, working with the triage area.

Fayre knows she must soon turn and ride from the fray, leave the men and women— her brother, her cousin and others she loves— to fight where she cannot. The girl gives her family members a solemn nod and extends her hand to Samwell, even as her head knight threatens to take the reign s of her horse if she does not willingly go. Oh to stay and fight! She at last understands how warriors feel. Battle never meant anything to her, for she never understood what it was before.

"Good luck!" she calls to her brother, to Pawel, to them all, as she and those appointed to keep her safe ride from the field, where they will take a place upon a hill and watch.

"You are a weak-willed Princess! It was not I that slayed our sister!" Darrin calls back out towards Fayre as he prepares. "It is the attitudes that all of you have taken! That somehow if your brother seduces away the Rhaedan Amira that there will be peace. As if stealing someone away and holding them captive will win them over! The children of this generation are weak! We must be stronger than them, Fayre Taniford! You speak of death and dreams. My dreams died the day that our mother decided to put someone weaker than I ahead of me. Only someone with the strength of will can bind our lands. Kerilyn and I will make sure your words are carved on a pretty monument, dear sister."

With that, the armored King of Chaos turns his attention to his troops. "For Ellowe! For Rhaedan! For Taniford! For the uniting of the Three Kingdoms, ADVANCE!" he yells towards the troops to send forth the bringers of Chaos. Fayre said she had dreamed of adventure in Ellowe, now she gets to live the adventure - the nightmare of darkness and blood that is the Blasted Fens as the charge begins.

Samwell's words bring a dark laugh from Darrin as he looks towards his brother. "Do you not see and realize? They only unite in war. In blood. The lust of your loins will not bind these lands. The fruit of the bitch that you take as a bride will not bind them. You have to see. Only death. Destruction. You pay for the day in blood. And in the end.. you are just like me. Chaos. Death. Blood. You have already lost, just with your hunt, your bloodlust, you and your sister's need for vengance. You have already failed. If I fall this day, there will NEVER BE PEACE!" he says with a roll of his head and a high-mocking laugh. "TO THE SLAUGHTER!"

Hearing the words from the others, Stefan just shakes his head a bit as he makes himself ready. Passing by Augustus and whispers to him before making himself ready. Watching Kerilyn and Darrin, with a shrug. "Such a lovely wedding. Sorry for having to crash it. I mean, it just doesn't sit right with me." He offers as he stares at them for a moment before looking to the others. "Who ever else wish to fight for what they believe in and what is just, you are free to join me." He offers. Never having been a big speech kind of guy.

<COMBAT> Fen Spider2 attacks Deidra with Dirk and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Keris Croc attacks Emrys with Dirk - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Spider Rider1 attacks Dalyros with Longbow and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Fen Spider1 attacks Peronell with Dirk - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Fen Croc1 attacks Pawel with Dirk but Pawel DODGES!
<COMBAT> Croc Rider1 attacks Roltoff with Spear - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer attacks Augustus with Bastardsword - Serious wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Tylon passes.
<COMBAT> Tamara passes.
<COMBAT> Stefan passes.
<COMBAT> Samwell passes.
<COMBAT> Roltoff attacks Croc Rider1 with Broadsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Peronell attacks Fen Spider1 with Broadsword - Serious wound to Abdomen.
<COMBAT> Pawel attacks Fen Croc1 with Greatsword - Critical wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Kerilyn passes.
<COMBAT> Emrys attacks Keris Croc with Spear - Light wound to Abdomen.
<COMBAT> Deidra attacks Fen Spider2 with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Neck.
<COMBAT> Darrin attacks Samwell with Bornas Bastardsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Dalyros passes.
<COMBAT> Augustus attacks Chaos Bringer with Broadsword - Light wound to Left Arm.
<COMBAT> Amira attacks Kerilyn with Greatsword but Kerilyn DODGES!
<COMBAT> Fen Croc1 has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Fen Spider1 has been KO'd!

And suddenly, before she even knows what happens, one of those huge and horrible fen spiders attacks Deidra, maybe angered by her intense gaze. While swiftly evading the monster's bite by letting her horse do a sidestep, the Deputy Commander swings her slim sword for a 'bite' of her own and manages to hit the beast somewhere at the lower part of the huge and monstrous body. "Careful, my prince!" Deidra calls as she sees her Prince being attacked by noone less than Darrin himself.

As the combatants clash Tamara winces and snakes a hand out to grab Carisse's since the woman is standing beside her, "May the guardian's protect them." She whispers and winces as her blue eyes, hidden still beneath the hood, try and track Pawel, and the princes and princesses at once.

Prepared to take the offensive, Amira nudges her own horse forward once again and swings her blade at her sister… closing her eyes did not help much, except to miss. This was her sister she was trying to hurt. How could it have ever come to this? There is anguish clearly pronounced on her features, her heart breaking as she once more aims her blade for her sister, intent this time on at least getting her to give up…

Roltoff engages one of the crocs and gets a nasty bite taken out of him but thankfuly his armor protects him a bit, Even as his own blow bounces off the crocks armored chest. "Ok this could have gone better. " as he shifts and dances trying to keep the scaley beast off balance.

Dalyros is patting his horse on the neck and whispering in his ear when an arrow from the Spider Rider slices into the dirt a few feet away. The Blue Guard known as The Queens Champion turns his gaze in the direction of the mounted bowman enemy, his eyes narrowing. At that moment, he catches sight of Augustus being critically slashed, and both brows raise in surprise. Thoughts of his sister flash through his mind, and he kicks his horse into a sprint. Another arrow misses as he is in a dead run, attempting to help the wounded northern Knight.

Emrys uses his arm guards to stop the blow from his opponent, with a swift pace to the side, he thrusts the spear against the body of the enemy, but his lack of appearant skill is only able to hit the side of Keris Croc, pale eyes focused on the dirk as he thinks on the next move.

As the fighting starts Stefan is quick to rush after his sister. Both of them really. To protect one and get rid of the other. His main focus is protecting and thereby he does so. "It seems our brother could not stand to watch you fall from grace." He offers and shrugs. Making himself ready to strike. Himself being quite cold, released from his usual happy attitude. Not seeming to see who he fights, only that it is an enemy.

Okay, a Fen Croc is coming for him? Pawel instinctively moves to try getting out of the way of the incoming beast, while forcefully moving his greatsword to push it through the creature's belly, trying to use the attacking creature's mass in his favor. Managing a killing blow, he pulls his weapon free, moving for the next target. Seeing the Auldholme heir having a bit of a problem with his enemy, he moves over to aim a solid slash at the enemy now.

"Whatever it is, Sir Deidra," Samwell answers to her words, "We will stop it now." to his sister, a longer look is given. "Thank you, Your Highness. We will fight for you." before being his sibling, he is now a commander. His words are strong and honest, and his gaze follows her as she moves. Enough to spot another Princess and her words towards the traitors. A Princess he didn't know was in the battlefield. "Amira." he whispers to himself, covering his head with a helmed - the fire of his eyes now hidden behind steel.

"I will never be like you, Darrin." the Taniford Prince says in bitter tone. "CHARGE!" he commands the army and advances quickly, always in front of them, blind to those around except for one enemy. An enemy who strongly hit his armor. But Samwell remains standing, seemingly without notice at the solid clash. "Kill me, Darrin. KILL ME!" his sword merely is unsheathed. The shield which didn't rise to prevent the attack is now ready. And the blade now, finally, attempts a strike at his foe.

Augustus rush's up on once of the Choas bringers and While he's Hit with a bastard sword, His maille stops some of the damage but not all even as he manages to strike back at the creature lightly damages the left arm of the creature. "Well I wanted a good work out but I think this is a bit more then I expected. " he chuckles.

Carisse glances over at Tamara as the other Healer reaches for her hand, happy to keep that contact, and needing it perhaps, as the horrible fen creatures attack. "I do not believe what I am seeing," she says softly. "We need to be ready - though I hope there is nothing we will need do, I think that is a vain hope." She mutters under her breath, praying to the guardians to protect the men and women who are defending Taniford and Rhaedan, her family, her friends. And not the crazy ones with the spiders, though even that - is just unbelievable. And sad. "How can this be?"

Fayre stays astride her horse— the better to see— but she is now with the healers and others who are not fighting. Her knuckles are white as she grips the reigns. Her eyes are wide. Even the best outcome of the day will mean that she loses a brother. And the way things are looking— one of them will kill the other.

There's a time for everything, a time to speak and a time to fight. This happens to be a time to fight. Squaring off against her sister, Kerilyn leans calmly to the side to evade the first of the incoming strikes, feeling the movement of air cool on her skin as the blade slices through the air and misses her entirely. She gives Amira this one pass, one pass only: "Surrender your claim to the throne, Amira, marry your lap dog and rule at his side - if he survives the night. Take your men, take these weak willed soldiers and walk away from here. I do not need to end your life this night," though from the empty tone in her words, the coldness that edges each remark, 'this night' is the only promise she makes. "You have long hungered for more, more attention, more things, hungered to be the sole focus of all who are in your orbit. Retreat, and you may live until the time comes for your life to end, as all lives end, in due time," she says, drawing her sword and holding the blade in a calm guard, gauntlet covered hand curled securely around the hilt, giving Amira this opportunity to step back.

If incest is best, is fraternicide better? Darrin laughs as he slams his sword against his brother's chest. "Yes! Feel the chaos within. Feel the blood rage. Know my pain. Did you enjoy it when mother chose the CHILD over you? Again. What happens when she dies? Are you hoping the Queen recognizes the woman you are rutting as Queen? NEVER. You are useless, as flacid as your prick." Darrin says with a dark laugh as he turns his spider to face with Samwell again.

"Kill you? Spill your blood? You're just a pawn of a Prince. Useless. After I am gone, you know who they will banish to the Northlands? You." he says with a laugh, "Welcome death, my brother, for it is a far better fate than to be the pup to the child Queen. Even now.. your poor mother. You should have never sent so many after us. It left her so.. unprotected."

With that threat hanging in the air, the tainted Prince's sword slices through the air.

As the battle rages about them a vengeful fist opening with ragged claws, so does the storm reach with anger from its roost, pouring in all directions with deep and rowdy intent. Echo after echo of thunder is rent from the sky by the blasts of lightning signaling doom. 'Boom boom boom' rolls down the region- black trumpets bellowing bass to give root to the hissing of the oncoming fen spiders. These too grow in chorus, a wicked harmony cast by Kharnas and bred within the bones of all his creatures. Too familiar to man; too close now for much hope.

And if it was dark before, now it is truly black, with little light from moon or star making way through the clouds fraught with rain. Yet no eyes are needed to sense the other gathered darkness pressing slowly around. Speed, stealth, and silence: the marks of a hunting pack. Shadows dart through the brambles with the wind.

Through the magic of story-telling, Fayre hears all. Darrin's words make her blood run cold. It is a good thing the near-child is not upon the field, for it is had to keep the tears from starting to her eyes. But she will be strong. Even if she fears some part of Darrin's words, how he speaks so openly of Amira's desire for power and Sam's resentment— does any of it ring true to her?

But when the allusion to her mother's safety— or lack thereof— is brought up, the girl has had enough. She spurs her horse forward, grabbing her bow. But her knight is ready. He storms in front of her on his war-horse and bars her way.

<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer attacks Augustus with Bastardsword - ARMOR on Abdomen stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Spider Rider1 attacks Dalyros with Longbow - ARMOR on Abdomen stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Keris Croc attacks Emrys with Dirk - Light wound to Left Hand (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Fen Spider2 attacks Deidra with Dirk but Deidra DODGES!
<COMBAT> Tamara passes.
<COMBAT> Stefan attacks Kerilyn with Bornas Bastardsword but Kerilyn DODGES!
<COMBAT> Samwell attacks Darrin with Greatsword - ARMOR on Abdomen stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Roltoff attacks Croc Rider1 with Broadsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Peronell attacks Chaos Bringer with Broadsword but Chaos Bringer DODGES!
<COMBAT> Pawel attacks Chaos Bringer with Greatsword - Moderate wound to Abdomen.
<COMBAT> Kerilyn attacks Amira with Broadsword but Amira DODGES!
<COMBAT> Emrys attacks Keris Croc with Spear - Light wound to Abdomen.
<COMBAT> Deidra attacks Fen Spider2 with Broadsword - Critical wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Darrin attacks Samwell with Bornas Bastardsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Dalyros attacks Chaos Bringer with Greatsword - Critical wound to Neck.
<COMBAT> Croc Rider1 attacks Roltoff with Spear - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Augustus attacks Chaos Bringer with Broadsword - Serious wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Amira attacks Kerilyn with Greatsword - ARMOR on Neck stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Fen Spider2 has been KO'd!

Stefan raises a brow as he hears Kerilyn, "Don't forget about me." He tells her and goes in to attack. Even though his swing goes a bit wide. "You are the one hungering for more power." He tells Kerilyn, pushing in keep attacking her. Moving in his usual flowing form. "Stop acting so high and mighty." He tells her with a rather unimpressed tone.

Emrys isn't too fast this time and the dirk gets a taste of his flesh, opening a cut on his hand, which it's protected by a set of scaled gloves. The young man still has his eyes fixed on the enemy as he waves his sword and pierce the abdomen of the opponent.

"Do not even pretend to know me, Kerilyn. You are here with your creatures, your prince and your evil mind intent on killing our Mother and Father. My claim to the throne? I -have- no claim, I am last born. I -want- no claim to it. Jerric will rule. Stefan, you, Niniane are all in line before me. I am content with that! You are full of LIES. You are poisoned by your need for power! I want none of it! I am happy with my place, and never once, not once have I ever claimed differently!" Amira yells out her words as she swings her blade, managing to dodge completely. This time.

Peronell stops her horse near an oponent, making the horse aggressively stand on his back legs and her broadsword hits straight to the enemy's chest, but his armour saves him from the wound. However, the same enemy is attacked by other two men and is defeated. That makes Blue Slayer to find another oponent. She makes her horse turn around, while her fiery eyes intently is looking if someone is in need of serious help. She peeks at her Prince briefly, before her eyes catches some more enemies approaching and she just encourages mare to run straight to them.

Some greenish liquid drips from the fangs of the fen spider. Deidra can smell its foul breath as it launches its next attack, trying to bite her off her horse this time. But somehow the Deputy manages to evade the monster's bite, it rushes past her, turning its eyeless back towards her. A mistake, and the last one it will ever commit. Deidra's slim blade enters him with a sploshing sound, not stopping before its tip reaches its center, where the heart would be if it had one. A last shiver, and the fen spider drops to the ground, not to rise ever again. Deidra however does not lose much time to relish in her little victory. From the corner of her eye she glimpses Roltoff, badly injured and in need of help. Turning her stead she rushes towards that horrible crocodile creature, to help the sellsword.

Watching and waiting, waiting and watching. That's almost worst being here, rather than at home. At least home there would be things to do, ways to keep one's mind off the danger that is ongoing. But there would also be a lack of knowledge. Carisse looks over at Tamara, and then back to the fighting, wincing at the sound of the battle, the cries, shouts and thunder of horses. It's loud, chaotic, and she's somewhat glad to be back by Princess Fayre and Tamara, along with the rest of the healers.

Helping the others take down that first Chaos Bringer, Pawel frowns a little as he turns to help Emrys as he spots the man fighting the croc. He's still able to hear some of what's said between his cousins again, though. "Hey Darrin! I was about to ask if you always was this long-winded, but now that I remember it, the answer's yes." Called out before he moves to try beheading this croc.

Dalyros comes charging down on the so-called 'Chaos Bringer' with intense fury, his blade held out to the side. As he nears the target of his action, an arrow bounces off his abdomen and ricochets into the battle, killing a random northern man-at-arms, piercing into his neck. Dalyros doesn't seem to be concerned with the stray arrow as he remains vigilant on his target. Just after Pawel's sword strikes the Chaos Bringer, Dalyros' own blade comes crashing down on the beasts neck, slicing his head off and sending it rolling. He looks up to give yet another nod toward Pawel, before turning his horse toward the archer aiming at him, sending the steed lurching forward in a blaze of glory, streaking across the battlefield. "Hyah!" Dalyros nudges his horse, faster, faster…

Samwell keeps standing, letting the blade shine and move through the air before his strike takes place. "Your sword should learn something from your words, Darrin. Surrender now or flee to reign over spiders and Fenwolves. they might be easier to convince with your cheap and traitorous speech." the hint of a laugh escapes him. The clash of steel against steel is heard once as his hit impacts his brother's armor. It is heard twice as a sword hits his own. "Do you hear it, brother? Is this the music you wished so much? Is this a worthy accompaniment of your disgrace?" and his blade flies again, this time higher, in a new attempt to hit his target.

Kerilyn follows the momentum of Stefan's swing, leaning to the side to avoid the incoming blow while taking the slash that amira aims at her against the armor that shields her neck from this precise move. "I don't ignore you, brother," she says in that same voice that is empty of all emotion save for the cool of remote calm. "Merely I find that our sister," and she shifts her focus from Stefan to Amira again, "is more dangerous, the better fighter perhaps," she says with a gleam of a little smile. "The female of the species, after all," and she lets her words stand.

"Darling Kerilyn, you should ask her how she enjoys shopping in the southlands, because she certainetly cares more about that than the people of the land. All of you. Samwell, Stefan, Pawel, Amira, Carisse, Augustus. You are all the traitors, not Kerilyn and I. We care for the people and seek to unite them. You. All of you, all you care about are your teaparties and whom is warming who's bed. You care not for the people. You only care about yourselves. You forgot what your parents sacrificed to live in the lap of luxury."

"Deidra!" he calls out to the Knight Commander. "Did Samwell bother to look with you, or did he spend all of his time.. entertaining?" he asks her. "Do you really think he cares if you were to fall this day? No, I say. He will replace you as easily as he replaces the favour of the woman he puts his useless seed into!"

With that, he turns to look back at Samwell. "No brother. You are the traitor and disgrace. Your mother was so disappointed in you, after all. You never cared to bother to learn. You just wish to adventure and stick your prick in whatever whore of a noble throws herself at you that night."

Tamara shakes her head to Carisse, "I do not know." She sighs and winces again as swords continue to clash, she seems to have stopped trying to watch everyone and instead focuses on the Duke of wolfshire's actions as she pushes back her hood to see what is happening better. Catching site of the Northern Augustus' wounds though she whispers to her companion, "We need to get him out of there…"

<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer2 attacks Deidra with Longbow - Moderate wound to Left Arm.
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer5 attacks Peronell with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Right Hand (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Spider Rider3 attacks Pawel with Longbow - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer4 attacks Stefan with Longbow - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Spider Rider1 attacks Dalyros with Longbow - Light wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Fen Spider2 attacks Amira with Dirk - ARMOR on Neck stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Croc Rider1 attacks Roltoff with Spear but Roltoff DODGES!
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer3 attacks Augustus with Broadsword but Augustus DODGES!
<COMBAT> Keris Croc attacks Emrys with Dirk but Emrys DODGES!
<COMBAT> Tamara passes.
<COMBAT> Stefan attacks Kerilyn with Bornas Bastardsword but Kerilyn DODGES!
<COMBAT> Samwell attacks Darrin with Greatsword but Darrin DODGES!
<COMBAT> Roltoff attacks Croc Rider1 with Broadsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Peronell attacks Chaos Bringer5 with Broadsword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Pawel attacks Keris Croc with Greatsword - Moderate wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Kerilyn attacks Amira with Broadsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Emrys attacks Keris Croc with Spear - Critical wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Deidra attacks Croc Rider1 with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Right Arm (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Darrin attacks Samwell with Bornas Bastardsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Dalyros attacks Spider Rider1 with Greatsword - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Augustus attacks Chaos Bringer3 with Broadsword but Chaos Bringer3 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Amira attacks Kerilyn with Greatsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Croc Rider1 has been KO'd!

While Peronell was hopping to attack one of the enemies, another one tackled her from the right and that was a surprised attack, which made her flinch, when her right hand was slightly wounded. Thanks for armour, which reduced the wound. Blue Slayer tries to make a counter attack, but her broadsword just slices the air and she starts loudly cussing out the one, who is in front of her.

Roltoff manages to avoid being bitten this time, while also scoring a hit that seem to draw some blood off the larger croc. he catches movement of the Deputy commander and salutes her for the aid, just as the croc collapses and he lets out a sigh of relief.

Augustus plays cat and mouse with Chaos Bringer3 as both sides keep out of harms way. "Well this is a change of pace. " he chuckles.

Onward the army of spiders come born it would seem of the blinding flashes of light, pouring from cave and marsh. Yet above the cave, upon the stone the largest fen spider sits, waiting. His wait answered with a perhaps a trick of light and shadow. Creature? Human? Or God? Soon they will encounter something better left forgotton. A something out of ages past, like fog rising from the ground, materialized through the beating rain atop the cave. What remains of the creature's face turns cold as the snow-white peaks of the mountains in deepest winter - which pinnacle upwards over the lands, ever higher to pierce the coming dawn with their untamed crowns. The creature shows no other sign, no other outward move as it simply stares straight ahead in silence.

And yet, as the moments pass a resounding moan of malice and the figure raises an arm aloft in the summer air, the long silver blade in its hand glinting as if it holds the lightening from the sky within its hand and pointed at Stefen who dare to challenge the chosen Queen. The hiss of words for his creatures, "Bleed him."

Stefan chuckles drily at Kerilyn's words, "IS that so?" He asks. Though feeling arrows coming towards them, glancing around a bit. "Someone, take out the archers." He offers. Turning to get rid of the approaching spider, do defend his sister.

Dalyros rides the bowman down furiously, and as he nears, the bowman releases an arrow and it rips into his side. He lets out a light grunt, kicking his horse into yet another gear. As he nears the bowman, he raises his sword, bringing it down hard as he steed rushes past, slicing the beast in the neck. Blood squirts across Dal's armor, staining as the storm brewing ahead lets out a violent wave of thunder and lightning. The Lohstren stops his horse a few feet past his target, turning to take another run at the enemy.

Before Deidra rushes off to help the sellsword, she reigns her horse in for a short moment, turning towards Darrin with an icy stare. "Sir Deidra. Prince. And I assure you, Prince Samwell has not given me any reason to question my loyalty. Whereas you… You have lost your senses. Prince Darrin. Only a fool would join you and your filthy creatures of the night." And with that said, she spurs her steed onwards, as the rain continues to drench her blue muddied cloak. An arrow suddenly seems to come out of nowhere, piercing through a gap in her armor and hitting her left arm. The shield arm. A loud thump is heard as her shield drops to the ground, followed by furious yell, as Deidra continues her attack of the spear wielding crocodile creature, managing to hit him not as hard as she would have liked. But. It seems to be sufficient, as the monster falls, dead apparently, before the hooves of her horse.

"Unlike you, dear brother," Samwell says in entertained laugh, "I am not so obsessed with warm beds and the alike. Why are you so interested in it, Darrin? Please don't tell me you didn't find what you were looking for. And, just for your information, Sir Deidra has something you lack of." his attack is dodged, "Honor." and then a blow is received on his chest. Not as strong as it could be with a different armor, but powerful enough to harm him. But it is not a shout of pain what is heard from the general of the army, but a quiet laugh and some more words. "Now we are talking, brother. Do you like this? Is it any better? Kill me now and you will be one step closer to be King. Kill me now, Darrin. You are nothing more than a Kinslayer, anyway."

Frowning a bit as his hit didn't hit the croc as well as it was meant to, Pawel then notices getting shot at by one of those spider riders. "Oh no you don't…" he growls, moving to attack said enemy now, his eyes looking like fury from through his visor. "BRING THEM DOWN! BRING THEM ALL DOWN!"

Carisse is watching her brother, the northern noble, another fellow, her cousin - too many. She finds her gaze turning to Stefan time and again, keeping track of him and watching what he's doing. How he's doing. Somehow she tries to keep track of all she cares about, the Lohstren blue guard, the - Her hands are clenched as she watches with all the fear and hope showing on her face. "I - oh, Guardians, Tamara, how can we?"

Even as Amira swings her blade at her sister, she feels one connect to her chest and it stuns her for only a brief second, concealing the brief flash of pain from the hit. "You have nothing to gain by doing this, Keri… Nothing! And everything to lose! I will not allow you to hurt my family any further." Glancing briefly at Stefan, then Samwell, before she turns once more and swings her blade for her sister.

Noticing the fact she has revealed herself now, at this moment Tamara doesn't seem to care if Carisse the other hide away knows the Taniford steward is beside her, "We swallow our fear and well…i have no idea!" She sees Pawel take an arrow to the chest and bites her lip to not call out, "We just have to help somehow…"

Pulling that arrow out from her left arm, Deidra does hardly flinch. Steely green eyes narrow a touch as they come to settle upon the one who has shot her. And with another yell she urges her steed on, the promise of death on the tip of her slender sword as she swings it at him.

The cold gleam of Kerilyn's eyes flashes briefly, lightning again striking close - perhaps to close for some of the more high strung horses milling about - and she breathes one word, "Attack." The spiders that weave around her hair, that dance along her shoulders and slide along her coat surge forward, springing and leaping - skittering - across the ground toward Amira and Stefan. The larger spiders, the ones with the eyes that glow, clack their mandibles together with nasty crunching sounds, the sound that any arachnophobe will hear in their dreams for a long time to come. A medium sized spider - say the size of a lap dog - bounds up and over the fall of rocks to Kerilyn's side and bounces toward Stefan, it's mouth no where near large enough to do serious damage, but trying to distract Stefan all the same.

"You can't even issue a command, can you?" she wonders at Stefan, a quiet chuckle following her words, "Stride boldly forward, brother. Or can you only mince your way along, seeking approval at every turn, fearing that not enough will love you, respect you, the meek mannered mild mannered little princling. That's what you fear the most, isn't it? That this is what people will think of you, that this is what people really are saying in their heads when they speak to you. Your fear, brother, is that you are not as strong as you think you should be." Her eyes shift to pierce Amira, easily - ever so easily - avoiding Stefan's lunge and feeling the impact of sword against armor; hers to Amira and Amira's to hers. "And you. My dear.. dear sister. What is it that you fear the most? Should we speak of it now, or would you rather we wait, until your hand is shaking, until the venom of the spider bites is burning through your veins. Would you wait, and see if you can survive having your skin rotting away, your eyes boiling into mud in their sockets, your hair falling out in clumps.. what do you fear, sister dearest," she whispers.

Chaos. It is all glorious chaos, as men from the joint task force battle the spiders and crocs of the chaos bringers. The Queen's Consort of the Chaos Chosen, Darrin, can only smile as he sees the madness sown and reaped. "Oh no. I am clearer in thought than ever before. My dear Kerilyn, she has brought me to see the light. How soft all of you are now." And then he smiles.. widely at Samwell. "No. I know how I will hurt you, brother." he says simply. Turning swiftly, he turns his mount, the massive spider moves quickly as he charges forward, and that blade rises in the air, glinting in the light.. and bloodied with Samwell's ichor.. as he drives it towards Amira's exposed back.

<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer4 attacks Stefan with Longbow - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer3 attacks Augustus with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Spider Rider1 attacks Dalyros with Longbow - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Keris Croc attacks Emrys with Dirk - ARMOR on Right Hand stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Fen Spider2 attacks Stefan with Dirk - ARMOR on Right Arm stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Spider Rider3 attacks Pawel with Longbow - Serious wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer5 attacks Peronell with Broadsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer2 attacks Deidra with Longbow - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Tamara passes.
<COMBAT> Stefan attacks Fen Spider2 with Bornas Bastardsword - Critical wound to Abdomen.
<COMBAT> Samwell attacks Darrin with Greatsword but Darrin DODGES!
<COMBAT> Roltoff attacks Chaos Bringer2 with Broadsword but Chaos Bringer2 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Peronell attacks Chaos Bringer5 with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Right Hand (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Pawel attacks Spider Rider3 with Greatsword but Spider Rider3 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Kerilyn attacks Amira with Broadsword - ARMOR on Head stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Emrys attacks Keris Croc with Spear - Light wound to Left Arm.
<COMBAT> Deidra attacks Chaos Bringer2 with Broadsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Darrin attacks Amira with Bornas Bastardsword - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Dalyros attacks Spider Rider1 with Greatsword - Moderate wound to Abdomen.
<COMBAT> Augustus attacks Chaos Bringer3 with Broadsword but Chaos Bringer3 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Amira attacks Kerilyn with Greatsword - Light wound to Right Leg (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Augustus has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Fen Spider2 has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Keris Croc has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Spider Rider1 has been KO'd!

Augustus brings his blade up to strike at the Choas bringer3 but as the creature dodges out of the way he gets hit hard and its thru sheer will that he remains standing. "Could … use some… help here…"

Roltoff goes after the Chaos bringer 2, and swings at the things head as it dodges out of the way, doing what he can to assist the Deputy commander in slaying the beast.

Emrys makes use of his armor to get an intentional hit on the right hand as he tricks the opponent to hit him on the chest, but it is a bit faster than his spear, reaching only the arm, but that's enought to defeat it. His eyes move throught the battlefield to face an injuried Augustus, "Master! I'm coming!" He shouts, fiercly attempting to step forward and attack the Chaos Bringer.

"Hah!" Deidra shouts as she sees another arrow being successfully deflected by her armor. "You'll soon wish you had a sword instead of that bow!" And swinging her slender sword at him she lets out another yell - of anger as she fails to penetrate through his armor. Wheeling her horse about she swings her sword again, aiming for the villains head now.

"You peace of shit!" howls Blue Slayer, when that Chaos Bringer tries to hit her once more, but armour saves her life again. "You stinking ass!!!" howls Peronell once more, when she sends her sword to enemy's right hand and slices it quite widely. "You are vital as a cockroach!" howls Peronell thrid time preparing for another attack.

As Dalyros and his gallant steed comes rushing past the Spider Rider for another pass, the Blue Guard brings his heavy blade down on the face of the enemy, slicing it in half at an angle. The enemy falls to the ground, dead. The arrow in his side remains in place, for now. The Queens Champion, true to form, is on a bloody rampage. His armor is stained with green and red blood, as is his blade. At this point, Dalyros notices a wounded Duke Varghem, and kicks his horse into a sprint toward the man, and more importantly, his enemy. He lifts the blade, swinging at Spider Rider3's head in a fit of rage. "AAAAGH!" Dalyros battle-cry could be heard from across the field.

The arriving spider is dealt with swiftly by Stefan as he swings the sword through it. Though missing Darrin swinging for his sister. Turning towards the man afterwards. "That's not very nice. You should stop that." He offers in a flat tone to Darrin, eyes set on the man and focusing on cutting through him. The arrows that flies around him being quite ignored for now. Focusing on getting rid of the main threats, while defending his youngest sister. The others can deal with the archers after all.

Getting hit by another shot, as the spider rider dodges his own attack, Pawel staggers back momentarily, before he calls out. "Darrin Traitor Scumbag! Why don't you try fighting someone with as much experience, or more than yourself, for once? Afraid you're going to get kicked, hmm?" It's called out rather loudly, but he still attacks the same spider rider as before now.

The blow from Darrin had been unexpected and Amira staggers slightly. With a war cry that echoes through the sheets of rain, she draws back her blade, ignoring Darrin after all and continues bashing at her sister.

Carisse looks at Tamara and then over at the field. She swallows, and then says, I'm not - alright, if we have to, then we will." Resolute and in agreement. Though whether she can even manage, she's not sure. But she's willing to give it a try. There's a burning anger beginning to slice through her fear.

Another of those calm little laughs comes from Kerilyn as she steps away from Stefan, he is busy after all, and calmly observes at Darrin engages her darling sister, seeing the slight stagger and adjusts her own balance after Amira's sword slaps against her leg. She guides her mount toward Samwell, a sudden thrust being her only 'exchange' with the Taniford prince.

Samwell's eyes rage as never before in this fight from behind the steel, as his brother turns to attack the Rhaedan Princess. "They want blood," he shouts to his army as his own horse now stomps following the knight on the spider, "We will give them blood! CHARGE!" his voice is thunderous and his blade steals the light and stands in the air.

The approach of Kerilyn is unnoticed, for the Blue Guard in command's anger explodes as Amira is hit. And the wild beast is the shadow of an arrow. An arrow aiming to Darrin's head.

"You're not worth the seed that spilled down your whore mother's asscrack, Pawel. You know she died of the crotch rot because she was such a whore." Darrin says mockingly towards the Duke of Wolveshire as he yanks the sword from Amira and grins darkly at her. "I will bleed you dry for my bride. We will dance in your inards." he says to her as he twists his blade around, preparing to take a sharp swipe at her head in the process.

"Once it's removed, maybe all those Southern men you spent time with can use your head as their personal toy, Amira. It's all you are good for anyway." he says to the young blonde Princess.

"Sir Augustus!" Tamara Taniford can be seen calling from the sidelines before she moves out into the chaos, trying to stay small as she dodges fallen spiders and other creatures is an attempt to help the combatants on her side. Foolish? Yes. She reaches the northern lord and with the help of others tries to help the lord out despite the battle.

As Tamara rushes out to treat Augustus, the Chaos Bringer smiles darkly. "The woman comes out to treat her man. She probably bleeds just as easily!"

<COMBAT> Spider Rider3 attacks Pawel with Longbow and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer5 attacks Peronell with Broadsword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer2 attacks Deidra with Longbow - Serious wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer3 attacks Tamara with Broadsword - Moderate wound to Right Arm.
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer4 attacks Stefan with Longbow - ARMOR on Left Arm stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Tamara passes.
<COMBAT> Stefan attacks Darrin with Bornas Bastardsword - Serious wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Samwell attacks Darrin with Greatsword - ARMOR on Head stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Roltoff attacks Chaos Bringer2 with Broadsword - ARMOR on Abdomen stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Peronell attacks Chaos Bringer5 with Broadsword but Chaos Bringer5 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Pawel attacks Spider Rider3 with Greatsword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Kerilyn attacks Samwell with Broadsword but Samwell DODGES!
<COMBAT> Emrys attacks Chaos Bringer3 with Spear - ARMOR on Right Hand stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Deidra attacks Chaos Bringer2 with Broadsword - NEAR MISS!
<COMBAT> Darrin attacks Amira with Bornas Bastardsword - Moderate wound to Neck (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Dalyros attacks Spider Rider3 with Greatsword - Light wound to Left Arm.
<COMBAT> Augustus passes.
<COMBAT> Amira attacks Kerilyn with Greatsword - ARMOR on Head stops the attack!

Emrys isn't fast enough to prevent the attack on Tamara, "Fall back!" He instructs, stepping in the front of the enemy and launching his spear miserably against the armor of his opponent, "You want to fight me, you sick bastard, now let me feast with your bowels."

Roltoff screams out as he attacks the archer and yet his blade aimed for the creature's head seems to have detour'd to rebound off its belly and he shakes his heads in wonder "Now how the hell, did that happen" as he watches the creature shoot Deidra but can't see if it hit or missed as he concentrates on killing this thing.

Dalyros comes charging down on his newest target, who is engaged with Pawel. His sword glints against a lightning strike as he slashes toward the Spider Rider3, cutting into the enemies left arm lightly. His horse trots past the rider a few steps before the Blue Guard pulls the horse to a quick halt, causing it to rare back. Dal eases the horse, before planting it directly between Duke Varghem and himself, cutting off any change the enemy would have for another attack on the Wolf. "Aaagh!" Dalyros shouts once more, fiercely as he swings his greatsword toward the opposing beast, careful to block the opponent's advance.

Carisse stays where she is, watching Tamara's brave run with wide eyes. "Oh, guardians!" She stays to the back, but it's a close thing, as she almost starts out there to help. A step forward and then she manages to stop, a glance towards Fayre perhaps stopping her. She's cussing under her breath, words her brother probably doesn't know she knows, and almost dancing foot to foot, with the conflicting desires that are wailing through her.

Another arrow hits Deidra, this time from such close a distance that it literally catapults her out of her saddle. Still… her agility helps her to land on her feet, her stance a bit shaky though for a moment. Eyeing the arrow that is sticking out from the armor on her chest with an incredulous stare, she starts to chuckle. "Impossible… You impossible piece of filth!" The laugh has turned into a loud roar of anger by now. "Eat this!" she calls, wincing at the pain her wound is causing her, as she throws herself against that Chaos Bringer with all the wrath she can muster.

The only answer from Pawel as he hears Darrin's reply is a cold chuckle now. "More proof that you have lost your mind and become deranged, 'cousin'." Spitting a bit as he uses the term of relation, aiming the spit for the spider rider he still tries to attack with the sword. "Had you not, you would have known that your aunt, my mother, is still alive." Another attack for the creature, while he offers a nod to Dalyros as the man comes in as well, before he calls out to Darrin again. "The only reason your mother chose your sisters and not you was that you are a fool and a coward. Always has been, always will be, no matter what dark creatures and evil-worshippers you consort with."

Another strike, this one hits its mark and Amira cries out, feeling the blade slice into her soft flesh. "If I die, it was at least for my family…" Feeling marginally weaker, with sheer willpower, she continues trying to slice at her sister despite the attacks on her by the Southern prince.

Augustus has backpeddled and is now in the hands of Tamara as she does her best to bind his wounds to allow him to stay in the fight a bit longer, so for now he keeps his shield and Gladius ready just in case they try to attack her again.

Fayre has been grounded. Her knight actually holds the reigns of her horse now, just in case some crazy passion takes her again. He's more afraid of the /current/ queen than the future queen. So, helpless, Fayre watches. Never has she seen such violence or nightmarish horror. She does not turn away, however. No better way to grow up quickly.

Not having reached Augustus yet the Taniford lady cries out as she is hit by a creature's sword. ripping off a piece of her cloak she works to assist the knight, while she herself bleeds, muttering now, "Might as well finish the job…"

As he tastes copper in his mouth, Darrin looks down at the wound that Stefan has caused in his chest. There's a loud grunt of pain and a grin. A pained grin as he spits out blood. "You're all worthless." he manages to say. "Even now, you are only bonded because of the hunt and thirst of blood. Blood brought forth.." he leans in close to Amira. "…by your own sister." he whispers to her.

Then he laughs, long and loud. "That's right, Amira. It was not I that killed Alynora, it was Kerilyn! You are so weak and stupid that you never realized it. I am not the kinslayer, not this evening. You all are. And with our deaths.. any chance of peace will die with us. WAR IS ALL! CHAOS IS ALL! Kerilyn was right, you all fight each other so easily.. and now.. now.. YOU WILL ALL PAY! As he pulls his hand from his chest, covered in blood, he starts to call out, making an X on his mount. "Kharnas, lord of chaos, here my cry! Bring forth the punishment! Bring forth the chaos and destruction. SHOW THEM THE TRUE MIGHT OF OUR BOND!"

"It doesn't matter!" Fayre calls, loud and clear but anguished. "Kerilyn and Darrin are bound together, together responsible for this! They call it vengeance but it is justice!" Can she feel relieved her brother is not guilty of that worst of sins? Not really, for to her he still is.

Stefan shakes his head at Darrin, "Not really. You seem to miss the part where it matter not who's sword strikes. You were still involved in it. Even if you were the executioner or not." He says as his sword drove into Darrin's chest. Taking it out and getting ready to attack again. As the man starts calling out to his guardian, Stefan almost rolls his eyes, if not for the combat that is going on. "Just because you lose your marbles doesn't mean you need to yell." Spotting Kerilyn heading for him. "Although it seems someone else wishes something from me." Turning towards Kerilyn and watches her for a moment. "Seems I got no choice then?" Nodding as he hears Fayre. Not coming with a comment at tht though as he will have to clash with Kerilyn.

Samwell's sword hits, but Darrin's armor takes the impact without apparent harm on him. The attack from another enemy is seen just in time - time enough to dodge it and shake his armored head. "Darrin, attacking a woman was not coward enough, so you now hide behind another?" turning a little to watch Kerilyn through his visor, he says plainly, "You have to wait. You are next." but a cry of pain is enough to call him back. "Amira…"

"It is treason, still. It is treason and murder. It is your madness, all around, Darrin." the words from the general of the army are sad and quiet, but his sword arm is charged by the strength the anger has provided.

Kerilyn's smile is the sort that makes wise people hide their children, lock up their favorite pets and seriously reconsider accepting a lift home from her at the end of a long day.

Turning aside from her attention set upon Samwell, Kerilyn turns back to her brother and instead attacks once again. She need not speak, not when Darrin's words are enough to carry for the two of them. She makes that subtle gesture with one hand, once more calling upon the spiders to swarm and surge, spiders to leap and crawl their way up legs and mounts, to swarm upward over every living thing. Spiders to small to do more than leap and hiss, mouths to small to bite and rend flesh, but the surge of spiders swarms ever onward, a living sea of hinged legs, clacking mandibles, beady eyes and hungry mouths.

"You never did understand until the very last moment, did you?" she remarks to Stefan as the spiders that wreath her head continue to spin and shift, creating a spiderweb network of silk that makes her hair gleam in the light, more silk trailing along her arms and from the shoulders of her armor, tiny spiders dancing along the strands of her hair and gliding down her arms to swam along the length of the blade she carries.

<COMBAT> Spider Rider3 attacks Dalyros with Longbow and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer5 attacks Peronell with Broadsword - ARMOR on Neck stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer4 attacks Stefan with Longbow - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer3 attacks Emrys with Broadsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer2 attacks Deidra with Longbow - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Tamara treats Augustus:
< Chest (Moderate): successful
<COMBAT> Stefan attacks Kerilyn with Bornas Bastardsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Samwell attacks Darrin with Greatsword - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Roltoff attacks Chaos Bringer2 with Broadsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Peronell attacks Chaos Bringer5 with Broadsword - ARMOR on Head stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Pawel attacks Spider Rider3 with Greatsword but Spider Rider3 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Kerilyn attacks Stefan with Broadsword - ARMOR on Neck stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Emrys attacks Chaos Bringer3 with Spear - ARMOR on Head stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Deidra attacks Chaos Bringer2 with Broadsword - Light wound to Left Arm (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Darrin attacks Amira with Bornas Bastardsword but Amira DODGES!
<COMBAT> Dalyros attacks Spider Rider3 with Greatsword - Light wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Augustus passes.
<COMBAT> Amira attacks Kerilyn with Greatsword but Kerilyn DODGES!
<COMBAT> Darrin has been KO'd!

Amira does not want to be responsible for killing or harming the southern prince so although he continues hitting her, she does not change her attack towards him. Never would she allow herself to be the one who killed Samwell's brother, she could never hurt him like that. Instead, she draws her bow from her horse and aims towards her sister, towards her face… prepared to do her best.

Roltoff once again attacks the archer and Smash's his blade into its armored chest to no affect and he curses. "DIE!! already .." as he looks to his partner in crime for the time being to see how Deidra's fareing. Anger and desperation forming in his eyes. "you'll not live to strike again you foul thing.!!"

Blue Slayer and Chaos Bringer exchanges with unsucessful hits. "What are you made from?!" howls Peronell at her oponent and just decides to jump from her mare and attack that thing with all her strenght, bringing a shield and broadsword together, while mare quite calmy stands there she is left and waits Blue SLayer to comeback.

Augustus gets patched up by Tamara and smiles softly to the lady, "My thanks but the jobs not over yet .." as he stands and staggers back into the field. looking for the one who attacked Tamara to begin with .." You.!!!! " as he points to Chaos bringer3 and charges

Dalyros's trusty steed responds to quick commands from Dalyros' knees, a true rider he is. The horse moves to the left quickly, causing the Spider Rider3 to miss. Dalyros keeps himself between Spider Rider3 and Pawel in a protective manner, but aggresive as ever. While others continue to talk trash during the battle, Dalyros chooses to let his blade do the talking for him as he slices toward the enemy once again, striking the beast in the abdomen. His style is precise, nearly flawless as the young Queens Champion makes waves across the battlefield. He turns his horse once, striking down a random opponent, before turning once more toward his target.

Pawel frowns a bit as the enemy he's fighting still doesn't go down, and looks over towards where both of his cousins are fighting. "Think you can handle this one, Sir?" he offers to Dalyros, although he swings once more for the creature now.

Stefan doesn't seem phased by his sister. Pushing in to strike her over the chest. Feeling arrows bouncing off of him as well as the cut being blocked at his neck. While he doesn't take any damage he does move around a bit. Watching as Darrin seemingly goes down, only to push up to stand once more. Seeing as Kerilyn seemingly blocks his path he shrugs. Getting ready to head in. "You have a choice, sister. Though I suppose I can not hold back if you keep resisiting." Continuing to clash with Kerilyn.

Carisse watches Dalyros as he fights, noting the knight's skill as it shows. She watches Tamara with heart in throat as the young Taniford starts healing folks on the battlefield. She looks to her brother, cheering him on, along with Dalyros, and everyone else who is fighting against spider venom and ice witch.

Deidra winces as another arrow pierces her and joins the other already protruding from the armor on her chest. Grumbling and glaring she shifts her stance into a more defensive one, while she tries to place a hit more carefully this time. Her mien determined, her mouth pressed tightly shut from focusing alll of her attention to this moment. Trying to put all the pain aside that is throbbing inside her left arm and even more in her chest. She is still standing. And as long as she can stand, she can fight as well. "TANIFORD!" The cry is heard all over the battlefield as Deidra moves forward in one swift attack, never letting down her guard in regards of other arrows from the filthy creature.

If she had a hat she would tip it, the Taniford steward is off as quick as she came to help Augustus and moving off at a dead run towards the wounded Blue Guard deputy, "Sir!" She calls out and now Deidra would know it is definitely her at least. The red head trying to not get attacked again rips off some of her hood without thinking to wrap around her own wounded arm then waits hoping someone else assista Deidra so she can assist with the arrows.

As Samwell's sword pierces his chest, surely his heart is crushed and killed. Instead, Darrin slumps a bit and then… one of Kerilyn's spiders hops up on Darrin's mount. Skittering over him, the spider wraps the Chaos Prince's chest in webbing, injecting him with a bite as the young man's eyes flash an ominous purple as he lift his gaze to the battle. And then he laughs. The laugh of the insane. The laugh of the lost. The laugh of one who has…

"HEAR ME INVADERS!" he roars.

"I AM CHAOS INCARNATE! I AM THE RISE OF DEATH, the bringer of DESTRUCTION. I AM CHAOS AND DEATH. You speak of me in shadows and fear! I am the one of many faces. I am the only. I am the darkness that embraces you in your last moments!"

"I AM KHARNAS. YOUR DEATHS ARE UPON YOU IF YOU REMAIN HERE!"

Raising his blade to Amira, he sneers. "The blood of a fair hair maiden will bring forth my avatar. Your destruction. The death of you all is upon you!" Darrin-possessed? roars out as he clutches the bloody X on his chest.

And off in the distance, there is an ominous roar of thunder..

..or something else.

"A choice, brother dear?" Kerilyn wonders at Stefan, laughing again, her sword fencing with his in a clash of sparks. "Spare me the bravado, brother, you have little enough of it is to use for your own sake," she says with a roll of one shoulder, that cold chuckle coming from her again. Dividing her attention between Stefan and Amira, Kerilyn is aware of every breath that Darrin takes and when he slumps a bit she merely makes a subtle gesture once more and once of her spiders leaps into action. The cold gleam of lighting flashes off of her armor, the steel of her sword, the icy look in her eyes, shoving both Stefan and Amira away from her and leaning back in the saddle to allow the large spider to kick it's legs at both of her dearest siblings before she uses the rushing charge of the spider to gain Darrin's side.

As Tamara approaches her, Deidra's face lights up momentarily in recognition. "My lady. I knew it was you. You should have known better though. And… let me take care of this one here first…" Her pronounciation already a bit slurred from the blood loss, the Deputy turns her attention back to the task at hand. To finish that persistent bowman of. Once and for all.

Samwell's greatsword hits Darrin strongly. The clash of steel makes the black fire to burn higher, but it is contained by the helm. But there is something that can't be encaged anymore. "Are you okay?" he asks in worried tone to Amira, standing in front of her and still ready to continue the fight to his brother at any time it is needed. A glance around takes place, stopping for a moment in the wounded Deputy Commander of the Blue Guard. "We can make it." he offers again. "We will make it."

But the disgraced Taniford Prince doesn't wake up. At least not at first. "Guardians…" the Knight of the Citadel mutters at the dreadful reanimation, or whatever it has been, and instead of answering his words, gets ready to hit once more.

<COMBAT> Chaos Reaper treats Darrin:
< Chest (Serious): unsuccessful
< Chest (Moderate): successful
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer4 attacks Stefan with Longbow - Serious wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer2 attacks Deidra with Longbow - Moderate wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer3 attacks Emrys with Broadsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Spider Rider3 attacks Dalyros with Longbow but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Chaos Bringer5 attacks Peronell with Broadsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Tamara treats Deidra:
< Chest (Serious): unsuccessful
< Chest (Light): successful
< Abdomen (Moderate): successful
<COMBAT> Stefan attacks Kerilyn with Bornas Bastardsword but Kerilyn DODGES!
<COMBAT> Samwell attacks Darrin with Greatsword - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Roltoff attacks Chaos Bringer2 with Broadsword but Chaos Bringer2 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Peronell attacks Chaos Bringer5 with Broadsword - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Pawel attacks Spider Rider3 with Greatsword - Moderate wound to Right Arm.
<COMBAT> Kerilyn attacks Stefan with Broadsword and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Emrys attacks Chaos Bringer3 with Spear but Chaos Bringer3 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Deidra attacks Chaos Bringer2 with Broadsword - ARMOR on Abdomen stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Darrin attacks Amira with Bornas Bastardsword - Moderate wound to Head (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Dalyros attacks Spider Rider3 with Greatsword - NEAR MISS!
<COMBAT> Augustus attacks Chaos Bringer3 with Broadsword - Light wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Amira attacks Kerilyn with Longbow - Moderate wound to Head (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Amira has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Darrin has been KO'd!

And again… a third arrow joins its two companions sticking out of Deidra's chest armor, while her own strike fails again to penetrate the bowman's armor. Maybe the blood loss has already weakened her strength. "Kharnas be damned…." Deidra mutters, staring at the villain with a distasteful glare before she falls to the ground, finally passing out.

For through the darkling eaves comes a fearsome sight — the march of the rumored God , now fully revealed to the eyes of any that yet holds vigil for the benefit of Kharnas . Iron-shod talons pound and churn the gnarled earth beneath them, hacking a swathe through the marsh that owes nothing to animal trails, and snarls fill the woodland air as the creature moves on.

Drums too roll at whiles, a steady beat for the black scaled beast to step to, and step they do with fierce abandon; not a flicker of light to betray. But scarce to keen ears and eyes of those who pay heed, such a boon to discern the force that has come to challenge them, this is surely none other than a creature of the God. Mayhap the God himself. Chaos and the Flame here in attendance in the single form of ebony scaled dragon. Eyes of blood red glint as rubies in the flashing night light. And lo the creature bends to Darrin and Kerilyn, a flame of sulfur fire ignited toward those who stand to harm.

Upon the creature the pair united this night mount, the lone figure standing watch over the cave again lifting the silver sword high. His laughter ringing of manic lightening, "It has begun."

Or has it? Is it the end? Is it the beginning? Kharnas? Dragons of old? Was this all a dark magic born of the greed of two? Tales will be told, rumors will flood the lands. Divide? Or conquer together?

Once again the flurry of blows are exchanged, Stefan to Kerilyn, Kerilyn to amira, back around to Darrin and once more around for good measure.

She sees Darrin slump over, healed - revived - by one of her spiders and - having gained his side - is the nearest at hand to hear the words spoken, the chaos raging around him in a cloud - a nimbus - so dark that she can practically see it with her naked eyes. She rests one hand on the spider that she rides into battle, feeling the beast shift and sort is weight rom one foot after another, ever moving, ever changing, ever responding.

The sudden weight of the arrival of the creature, the dark creature to which they are bound, is heralded by a shriek that is beyond sound, beyond noise, beyond anything that mere ears can stand, mere eyes can bear witness to. The spiders, one and all, bob up and down in place, leaping and springing about in mad fashion, mouths/maws - one and all - opening and closing to sink tiny fangs into anything around which they may grasp and chew, be it human, horse or anything else unlucky enough to be caught in their wake. The shriek continues, the wave of sound growing steadily outward, and for those who are nearest to the center the shriek comes as much FROM Kerilyn as it domes THROUGH her, signaling to all their combined forces. Signalling what, per se, be it a final attack or alerting all to the next phase of their plan, neither action is clear. As those scaled claws reach, burning images searing across the dark sky, she links hands with Darrin and turns a look that is fierce, blood thirsty.. and hauntingly triumphant toward the sky.

"Make them bleed, master," comes the cold echo of her voice.

Darrin stumbles from his mouth. He should be mortally wounded. Dead. Instead, he is drawn onto his master's mount and into the embrace of his beloved Queen. For a retreat into Ellowe - where who knows what dark magic may be done on the couple for the future…

The final hit before the… what was that thing?… took her sister and Darrin away was enough to dismount Amira from her horse and she falls to the ground, bleeding.. from her chest, her neck, her head… the armor has failed her at some point. Laying there, she watches the large bird-like creature come and take them away before she closes her eyes and takes a few breaths, attempting to will away the pain.

Roltoff watches as his blade bounces off the creature he was fighting, only this time to see Deidra go down with another arrow in her. He does his best to slip his arm under the deputy comander and drag her back to safety as best he can to where there are healers who can tend to her. "Dont you die on me now woman. I'm not thru with you." thanful she's uncon othewise he'd get hell for such a comment. He catches sight of the flying creature a dragon or what ever it is barely as his focus is on Deidra and getting her to safety.

And just like that, the creatures and redheads start to withdraw as well, ominous warcries a warning into the darkness. And the flood of fen spiders rush forth, swarming towards the joint army.

Stefan shrugs at Kerilyn, "Whatever you say, sis. I think I can carry my own though." Moving swiftly and dodging her. Although unable to get a clean cut in. Seeing the arrow hit Kerilyn though but missing Darrin's slash on Amira. Perhaps having hoped that Samwell would cover that. Although as something else seem to be arriving he looks up to it with a whistle, "That is large. Quite as I figured perhaps." He says, having a bit of knowledge of folklores and tales of these mystical beasts. So he does try to compare it as well as he can to what he has studied. Looking around to what is happening instead. Moving to cover his sister. Just to make sure that no one tries anything stupid. "Are you alright?" Not really doing much else other than make sure that she is safe, not even knowing where she showed up from. Though if anyone else wishes to actually help her, he won't deny them fully. But he is a bit cautious about anyone for now.

Dalyros strikes down the opponent he had been battling just before the flighted animal makes its appearance. His eyes grow wide as he sizes up the beast. He then turns his horse, taking several steps toward Pawel, offering him a hand up to mount the steed behind him. "Come with me Duke Varghem!" Dalyros shouts, "I will take you to the rear!"

Once more hitting the enemy he was fighting, Pawel takes a few steps backwards, blinking a bit as he sees the happenings now, looking around at the others, since he hasn't noticed what they did. Wait, spiders? "We'd need some fire…" he mutters, pausing a little as he hears Dalyros. "Rear…" Looking back towards the spiders, then taking the offered hand and getting onto the steed now. "There seems to be some holes…" he mutters, moving to secure his sword.

The sight of strange creature does not hold Peronell's attention for too long. She jumps back on her mare and grabs reins with her left hand, while the right one bleeds. She looks around intently if someone is in need of the help. Fiery look stumbles over deputy commander and Blue Slayer encourages her mare to trot in that direction to give all the help needed.

Tamara helps the blue guard deputy out then finds herself on the ground beside the woman looking up at the dragon fearfully, "What is that?!" The Taniford lady calls out and weaponless against the spiders removes a show, yes a shoe, to hit at them if needed since she is trying to defend an unconscious Deidra as Roltoff tries to drag her off. The red head who is so not a fighter just looks scared as hell now as she scurries herself backwards.

On the hill, in the stormy winds that bear the dragon down and up again with her brother and…apparently sister in law… Fayre clings low to her horse as the knights surround her, shielding her from the worst of it all. As soon as she can, however, the princess has cleared herself of this protective shield and taken up her bow. It is clear to see the battle is over, even if the war has only begun. Even if spiders are everywhere. Taking up her bow, she will no more be kept back. Every arm is needed. They begin to fire upon the creatures.

Fay used to love spiders. She once insisted the maid leave an or-weaver in her window for weeks, and cried when she found it dead at last. Lots of things have to change from now on.

Carisse can't help it any more. She has to go help! seriously. She tears off onto the field, spiders or no spiders, heading to Amira first. Never mind all the guys, it's the princess she moves to try to help first. Which may or may not be a good thing. Of course, she slows to a dead stop, at the sight of the … DRAGON! and that freezes her through the whatever that is that follows. "Oh, Guardians, next time remind me to stay home," she mumbles, as she dives towards Amira.

Samwell hits Darrin one more time - but one more time he returns. This time nothing is clear. Nothing at all. The Blue Guard commander cannot tell for certain what has happened, but what appears to be a dragon has entered the scene, left, and now a new plague has been unleashed on the battlefield.

The battle is over, and the war has been won. It seems. But some dangers are not worth the risk.

"Retreat!" the general of the army commands. "Take the wounded first. We are not leaving anyone behind." and he won't. Samwell rushes to Amira's side, carefully tucking the hair out of her face and examining her closely. "We did it." he whispers. "We did it." without any signal needed, men-at-arms from the cavalry come to aid their commander, intending to protect the Prince and Princess as long as they can get on a horse and leave the battlefield behind. And a look, or perhaps too, escapes him towards the sky. Where a black dragon might have gone, taking fire and blood in the name of a long forgotten God.

Roltoff works hard and with possibly Tamara's aid, they get Deidra far enough away so that the healers can begin working on healing her up. Roltoff stands guard over the deputy commander thruout her healing and after.

Once the Duke is on the back of his steed, the Blue Guard Dalyros waits a moment for the Wolf to get himself a good grip, before nudging his horse into a lurch and then a sprint, across the battlefield they go. He turns the horse occassionaly, dodging a wounded soldier or a corpse. Once he is at the rear of the field, he slows his horse, then stops near a tent prepared to house the wounded. A squire comes rushing to Dalyros' horse, moving to help the Duke down and into the tent where various healers are rushing to aid the wounded.

When Peronell finlly reaches Deputy commander with a man and lady, first of all she grabs with her left hand the lady-healer of her hum and easily tosses the woman behind her back on a fiery mare "Don't worry and hold firmly!" she shouts and glances at a man, who is dragging sir Deidra "You'll be good? Lady has to be brought to a safe place!" However, Before that Blue Slayer still hits some of the spiders, which wants to approach her Deputy Comander.

Stefan blinks as Samwell comes over, having his weapon ready at first but he does let the prince help her but keeping an eye on her. Then another southerner arrives and he does lift his blade, not sure who or what was coming against them. Though once he sees who it is, he blinks. Perhaps starting to put things together a bit. Though for now helping his sister along with the others, always cautious though, especially with all the spiders. If needed cutting towards them as they retreat. "Thanks." He offers in a neutral tone to Samwell and Carisse. Perhaps not against them, just the situation itself being weird. Though then his eyes to shift to the Varghem again, "What are you doing here, my lady?" He asks before looking to his own sister. "And I am guessing you two arrived together?" Worry in his voice perhaps.

With Carisse, Stefan and Samwell around her, Amira opens her eyes again, a little dazed, bleeding, but she manages to sit up on her own. She must look like complete… shit, for lack of a better word. And smell like it too. Weeks on a ship with ashes in her hair as a disguise, her face lined with makeup, wearing old rags over her armor. Sitting up, she offers a somewhat sheepish smile. "Clarisse," she whispers. "I think we have been found out.." Her lips twitch in a pained smile, but then she reaches for Stefan's hand. "I want to stand.. Did I see a dragon?" A little confused she looks at Samwell, so glad, so happy to see he was standing and well. "Are you.. hurt? Are you hurt Stefan? Carisse?" Looking back… "Was anyone hurt?"

Thrown up onto the back of a horse Tamara lets out a girlish, "EPP!" and thankfully Roltoff is dealing with Deidra. She holds on for dear life to the horse and hops off as soon as she is able away from the spiders. Looking around for someone it seems she has lost sight of her next query and just looks like a lost puppy in the chaos.

Pawel stops as he's helped off the horse, getting out his sword again, but only to lean heavily against it for the moment. "Wait… There's a few people I need to see first…" A brief pause, before he adds, "Lady Tamara… And my sister… I can stand until then…"

Eventually the spiders are dealt with, and there is nothing left but to look to the damage done. An overwhelming, brooding silence has fallen over Fayre. Life changed far more today than she had even realized it would. All of this— borne across the sea in that fairy land she had always dreamt about, Ellowe? What a dreadful way to grow up. Not just forced to leave one's childhood dreams behind, but seem them warped and grotesque.

She is led to her brother. Her only brother, now. Her only sibling. Dismounting, she approaches,her gleaming helm beneath her arm. She says nothing.

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