Zaedus pondered the options. They could go in all together for an all out assault, but since he knew not the full capabilities of the group, he did not want to risk that. A pincer maneuver would also work, if he had a better grasp of the layout of the town.
He peered around the group assessing, and gauging. He really had no idea who these people were outside of their names. Zarr was the big guy and he knew that since the man uttered his name with almost every sentence. Dani was the leader of the bunch with, Zaedus assumed, was her friend Ama. Then there was the skulking one.
"Well. I do have an idea. Who ever is suited to stealth and subterfuge should approach from one of the sides. I have no talent for stealth, and frankly I would find it hard to believe Zarr would either. Essentially we distract from the front, move in from the side and ambush."
He looked square at Dani after discussing his plan.
"I would also kindly ask that you cease addressing me as Commander. If we are to enter enemy territory, it would be wise for them not to know who I am."
::She looks back before quickly looking away. The Warven had a point. She had been addressing him by his title because she felt uncomfortable doing otherwise, but with his ok, she would call him by name from now on.::
"As you say, Com...
...Zaedus.
Your plan sounds good. The three of you..."
::Gesturing to take in Zae and the two Soren::
"Can cause a distraction and lure them out of hiding, while the rest of us sneak in and attack from the side."
::The rest of the day was a quiet ride, unless people would like to chat. Towards late afternoon the party turns down a small branch of trail off the road and travles for another hour or so before Dani comes to a halt and turns back.::
"We are close. Very close.
They SHOULDN'T have scouts out this far, but we should still be careful. If we are to go with seperate attacks, this is where we should split."
::She slides down from her mount and grabs her gear.::
"Take the horses with you, or leave them here gentlemen. Ama, Dionne and myself will be traveling through the woods and having them would only slow us down and give us away."
::She hands the reins over to the nearest man and turns to see if the other women are ready before entering the treeline.::
"I do not aim with my hand; he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.
I aim with my eye.
I do not shoot with my hand; he who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.
I shoot with my mind.
I do not kill with my gun; he who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father.
I kill with my heart."
He dismounts and ties his horse's sleigh onto a tree nearby. They would need their horses to return back home faster after this was all said and done.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out his paints and begins to smear it all over his face, body, arms and legs. Afterwards with his arms spread out to his sides, he calls out to the group feeling as if he was not visible to them.
Eh? You can't see Zarr now huh? Hehe. Zarr a ghost in the woods. They will not see me coming.
The old Soren pulls out an axe and begins cutting the air, already visioning the attack and killing elves.
Take that you tree hugger. You didn't even see what killed you, huh?
Ama dismounted her horse, glad to have her feet back on the ground. She checked to make sure all her gear was in place and adjusted the dagger in her belt. She even chowed down on a bit of jerky, just to up her energy levels.
"Ready when you are."
The young demoness tried her best not to laugh at the Zarg, as he covered himself in 'invisible paint'. Was this guy for real? She had a feeling that he'd be the first to fall on this mission, even though she didn't like the thought of having to deal with a mutated and enraged Soren who wielded two axes.
Zarr smiles back at her waving goodbye, completely forgetting that he is supposed to be invisible to everyone.
Byeeee!
He goes back to attacking his pretend enemies. Spinning his axe around before bringing out the other for another swing at the air. Yeah, this battle would be epic for him.
Upon reaching what Dani declared the splitting area, Miroslaw knew he probably shouldn't be going with the stealth squad, even if he felt the need to protect the ladies. He was never very skilled at a subtle approach. He almost always preferred a direct approach that usually ended up quite noisy. He could only hope the ladies we prepared for what they were heading into.
He also had little use for remaining mounted. He quickly and ungracefully unmounted his steed, nearly toppling to the ground in his haste. Taking a brief moment to readjust to his feet being on the ground, he led the his to a tree and tethered it up.
This was it. They were little more then a breath away from the elves and this was the last chance for anyone to turn back. Turning to the group he made sure they knew, "If anyone is having second thoughts, this will be the last chance to leave."
Seeing Zarr's pitiful display made Miroslaw worry. He looked directly at Zarr, his eyes showing his concern fur the Soren. "You are not invisible." He paused to leer Zarr realize how ridiculous he looked then, "You sure you are ready for this?" They were surely going to be needing everyone on their top game and a Soren believing himself invisible wasn't going to cut it. The last time he dishy vocalize his concern due the skill of a party member, his friend nearly died. What's worse is it was to the same fiends they were going to be facing.
Death is no more than turning us over from time to eternity. Whether that eternity is damnation or salvation is determined in the time we have.
He looked at his arms and legs noticing the paint that did very little to camouflage him to his surrounding. It disappointed him that he spent money on it for it to work on him. The old Soren places an hand on his friend's shoulder, looking straight into his eyes.
Zaedus looked to his two compatriots, and shook his head. Not the most tactile group, but they will do. Then again he also had to remember he was not dealing with Sentinels either just regular folks. He took his mind off of the current situation, instead focusing on what might happen.
He had several outcomes flash through his mind, hoping this would end in good terms, at least for him and the others.
"Well, lets us not delay the inevitability of this day shall we?"
Zaedus asked, his tone low and more focused. He shifted the baldric strapped across his back to lower the hilt of his sword for faster access. He almost wanted to draw it now just so he could feel the warmth of it. It mattered not now for now was time to start this madness.
The few words from the Soren did much to ease Miroslaw's concern for the aged Soren. He placed his hand upon his friends shoulder and returned the eye contact, “Just don't die.” Miroslaw has watched too many friends perish on the battlefield. It never becomes less painful to experience. There is very little that leaves such an everlasting ache.
As the Warven's words came, Miroslaw's gaze locked onto the commander. It was relieving to hear his eagerness. Perhaps having such a renowned combatant on their side would make for a beneficial end to the imminent battle. “Aye. Lets get this started.”
He looked to the ladies, knowing it could potentially be the last time he sees them alive. It was saddening to think about, but he was a realistic person. From what he knew, these elves are vicious. They didn't seem keen to taking prisoners in his last scrap with them. “Well, best of luck to you ladies.” He hoped he would see them again, especially the pretty one. With those as his last words, he was ready to move forward.
Last Edit: Jun 18, 2014 1:44:59 GMT -5 by Miroslaw
Death is no more than turning us over from time to eternity. Whether that eternity is damnation or salvation is determined in the time we have.
::Dani drew and readied her bow as she entered the treeline. She gave one last look back to the men that had volunteered to help her and Dionne on this adventure with no guarantee of pay. She was not good with words, and could not fidn the right ones to convey her gratitude. She wondered quietly how many would be standing when this was over.
She gave a solemn nod to whoever may be looking her way before turning and taking a few quick steps to catch up to Dionne and Ama.
She tried not to think of Dionne. She liked her fellow Sonari, and respected her need for privacy as it was something she herself wanted on most occasions. It just happened that the current situation went counter to that and she was forced to interact with others.
However, she chose to respect Dionne's need to distance herself from the group of mostly strangers. She missed her, but knew that dwelling on that now would only distract her and increase her chances of getting killed. She just hoped that she would still follow at her own pace as she felt they would need all the help they could get.::
"Stay behind us, Ama. I will try to keep anyone we encounter away from you as much as possible."
::She had concerns for the Demoness' safety. She wore no armor and only carried a small dagger for a weapon. They would have to work together should they want to return home when this was over.::
"We're likely to run into lookouts in the watchposts before we find anyone afoot. I'd like to be able to bring them down without having to climb trees all day."
::She said this with a smirk as she tried to inject some levity into the deadly situation, hoping to ease any tension felt by the Ama.::
"I'd like to not go too far in until after the boys have engaged the enemy. They may need help with sentries in the trees. Once fighting breaks out we can break off more.
Unless you have a different idea..."
::Miro, Zarr, and Zaedus continue down the trail on foot, leaving the horses behind. They reach a bend in the trail when Zaedus' ear prick to the sound of movement ahead. Possibly the shuffling of footsteps on dry ground. If he alerts the others in any way, Miro would pick it up as well.
Zarr hears nothing...::
((Flashback to Dionne since I had assumed she was following along silently, but was mistaken.))
::Dionne had watched the camp break down and move along from her post in the tree. She was able to see Dani spot her perch and give a nod of understanding before they had left to continue their journey. Should she decide to follow along in the parties wake, she would come upon the riderless horses soon after the group left them. Should she decide to return home, she makes it back safely.::
As they walked, Zarr began to realize that they were about to fight elves, which are known to usually attack with ranged weapons. He stopped to place his large axe he carried with his left hand on his back and grabbed the smaller one that he used to throw, just in case it came in handy.
There was an adrenaline building within him the more they walked further into the woods. It was a feeling he usually built up just before entering battle. A feeling he loved having, fueling his strength almost like a thirst for blood.
Seeing how the warven was the commander of the Sentinels, he was leading them into battle and so the old Soren remained behind him and Miro to cover their backs. He took small light steps to not make so much noise, but being as heavy and large as he was it was difficult to remain undetected to the pointy ears of the elves.
"Sure thing," Ama said, somewhat amused by the Sonari's concern for her wellbeing. The blue-haired Haisheth knew that she was probably the least adept at dealing with long ranged attacks, since she fell under the category of brawler, and her magical talents were next to useless at this point. But she held onto the hope of finding a way around such issues when the time came to fight.
"I trust in your decision, Dani. We'll let the lads create their distraction and then do what we came here to do."
Ama gave the Sonari a reassuring smile. She couldn't help but wonder what pressure Dani was putting on herself, to make this mission work with as few casualties as possible.
Dionne listened as they spoke about their approach, and she didn't like it as it was obvious it'd be trouble. However, it wasn't her call to make - it was Dani's. She agreed to help her fellow Sonari, and without her with the rest of the group, they'd be in even more trouble.
One thing made her a little comfortable, and that's the fact she wouldn't have to deal with the Sorens. Being more than willing to let them run in head first into danger, Dionne knew that if things go wrong, she can always get out of there - getting out of trouble was kinda her thing lately.
Slipping off the tree with her bow in hand, Dionne joined up with the ladies, following in silence, trying to figure out a way to convince them that stealth, not an all out assult was the way in this situation.
As they progressed forward, Miroslaw readied his bow. The fight with elves is likely to, at the very least, start at a range. His true skill rests with his blade, but it was likely to not be an option with Elves.
"Zarr. If I know Sorens, our skill is not at a range. We need to try and force the Elves into close combat."
He was speaking as if he was trying to develop a plan, but truly, Miroslaw rarely had a solid plan going into a fight. He played by ear and tried to adapt as needed. He knew this was bound to be a difficult encounter with many mysteries much like the last time. He didn't want his friend walking away with such drastic injuries again.
As they moved forward, much was going through the warriors mind as he tried to prepare himself for what they may be charging into.
Last Edit: Jul 3, 2014 15:23:53 GMT -5 by Miroslaw
Death is no more than turning us over from time to eternity. Whether that eternity is damnation or salvation is determined in the time we have.
::Zaedus pulls a hamstring or becomes otherwise unable to continue at this time, forcing the two Soren to advance without him.
As the pair round the bend in the trail they see ahead of them posts flanking the trail with small worn flags flickering in the breeze strung between them. Time and the elements have worn them to the point of being nearly illegible. Had the Sonari been here and keen eyed enough, they would have told you they were prayer banners to the gods for those that wished to seek refuge within the village.
Pacing near the opening between the pillars was what Miroslaw recognized as a Thorn Elf. He was tall and fit and wore the armor he had seen before that looked like hardened wood. The thorns protruding through it in many places. At his heel was the largest dog eithe rof them had ever seen. Clearly bred for fighting, the thing looked like a pitbull the size of a great dane. Boney plates covered the chest and forehead and ran in a ridge down its spine.
They would also note up in the trees there was an archer on a lookout post.
Both clearly noticed the advancing Soren and the one on the ground called out as he reached down to the animal at his side.::
"You picked the wrong time to call on the Sonari, friend."
::He unleashed the beast and gave a loud cry as it began to charge towards them at great speed. The elf began to follow as he drew a longsword from his hip.
The archer in the tree drew back and lined up his shot...before collapsing and rolling of the edge to fall to the ground, an arrow in his back...
The arrow had come from Dani, crouched low in the brush. She had seen the watcher as expected and smiled as she watched him fall to the ground.
As the thorn elf and dog charged towards the Soren, there came the call of a war horn from further within the village and the sound of many things moving quickly to respond could be heard.
Dani glanced at her two friends in hiding with a nod.::
"That's our queue. Let's hope they can hold them long enough to see us into the center of the village."
::She began to slink ahead on a route that would take them around the edge of the village and hopefully out of sight of the enemy. She tried not to think about the danger the Soren were putting themselves in for her and instead offered silent prayers to Galena that she would watch over them all.::
"I do not aim with my hand; he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.
I aim with my eye.
I do not shoot with my hand; he who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father.
I shoot with my mind.
I do not kill with my gun; he who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father.
I kill with my heart."