NationStates Jolt Archive

Osteia, near The Voids borders...

The summer night was warm, the was grass still wet from the rain that had come earlier on in the afternoon, Two dark figures ran through the fields under the moon lit sky hand in hand rushing towards The Voids border then one of the figures stopped gasping for air, a female spoke...

"Alez!, i can't run no longer..i cannot breathe"

The voice was sweet, the young girl moved the hood of her cloak off her head to reveal a beautiful face with dark percing eyes and long dark hair, she looked tired but somehow managed a smile for the male standing in front of her....

Anna Maria Locke
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a354/nihongaz/czj63.jpg

"We must Anna, we must. We have to get to safety. However..." He looked around. "We are nearing a town. We might be able to rest there." He smiled back. "We can walk there now. Just a little longer."

The two people were identified as Princess Anna Maria Locke, and Prince Alez of The Void,

"My father must know im gone by now" She wisped...

The young woman was breating normally again, she nodded to the Prince who stood there smiling at her, she continued to smile at him and said..

"Ok, lets go.."

She gripped his hand tightly as they walked on through the tall grass, she looked at the sky..

"It's beautiful isn't it" she said quietly..

Her romantic thoughts were interupted by the thunderous sound of hooves in the distance comming from near the border,

"Soldiers!"

Alez grimaced and whispered, "Come on. We have to get to Karas." He could see the village's lights now. So close...

A group of dark figures rode towards the two who were walking more quickly towards the border, a loud voice called out,

"YOU THERE! HOLD IT WHERE YOU STAND!"

The riders were Osteian heavy cavalry on patrol along the border, the heavily armored men cut the two young lovers off right before the border, there were twelve of them,

"Good evening" One of them said as he slowly dismounted..

He walked up to them and lifted the visor on his helm, he was a middle aged man and his face was covered with stubble, his eyes were kind...

"I must ask..why are you out at this hour? and where exactly are you headed?"

Anna Maria prayed they would not recognize her, she gripped Alez's hand tight in her own....

Osteian heavy Cavalry:

http://www.artfund.org/images/artwork/1933.jpg

"We were out for a walk. It is a lovely night, is it not? We are soon to be married, you see." So close... He looked straight into the eyes of the cavalryman without a hint of a lie.

The man nodded slowly and looked up at the sky briefly then back to the couple,

"Congradulations, and it is quite the evening for a stroll under the stars..isn't that right my dear?"

He smiled at Anna Maria and looked her right in the eyes. She felt as if he was close to reading her thoughts, his blue eyes probed her for any sign that her male companion was lieing to him..

She replyed calm and cool,

"Yes it is, i was rather enjoying it Captian before you and your men came disturbing our peace"

He chuckled and shook his head looking at Alez,

"Firey one an't she lad?"

Anna Maria just realized he addressed this soldier by his rank...

My god! how could i be so foolish! commoners wouldn't know that, but..he never noticed...

She remained calm as it had never happened, Anna Maria wondered if Alez noticed she had almost aroused more suspision from her fathers soldier...

Alez smiled and said, "A little. May we take our leave, or do you have further questions for us?"

The Captian gave them a slow nod shifting his eyes back to Alez, he wasn't sure if he believed their story but he had no reason to hold these people here any longer..

After a slight hesitation he replyed,

"Uh, ..no..no more questions, my men and i have dutys to attend to and im sure you have some place to be.."

"Congradulations on your marrige arrangement and i wish you the best of luck, you can go.."

The Cavalry officer mounted his horse, flipped his visor down studying the two for a moment longer..he raised his hand in the air and motioned forwards, the Sergent shouted,

"Forwards!!"

The group rode off quickly....

Anna Maria looked at Alez but wasn't sure what to say to him, she breathed a sigh of relief...

Alez looked at Anna Marie and said, "Come on, Anna, we have to go now." Noting the look she gave him, he continued, "Don't worry my love. I would not have let you get captured."

Anna Maria nodded quickly, gripped his hand tightly, smiled and they ran off towards the village lights....

Castle Locke

King Reginald Locke was outraged, he stood in his throne room speaking with four of his Cavalry officers,

"I gave you simple orders to find my DAUGHTER! AND YOU COME BACK WITH NOTHING! NOTHING!"

"Sire we serached everywhere, all the surrounding villages, barns, inn's, even some houses nearby...she's nowhere to be found..."

Locke replyed,

"Thats why you LOOK HARDER!" He yelled...

The sound of the double doors at the back of the room were opened and in strolled a Cavalry Captian and his Sergent, they stopped beside the others and bowed,

"Your Majesty...Captian Acqua"

Reginald nodded,

"Speak"

The Captian lowered his head,

"Sire, on our patrol tonight we discovered two people, a man and a woman headed for the border..."

He hesitated..

"Go on" Locke said in a stern voice..

"We stopped them, i was suspisious but i had no real reason to hold them...they did not fit the commoner role though, very well educated, cunning sire..and..the woman, girl, called me by my rank which i failed to notice at the time as i was trying to put it all together..."

Reginald moved closer,

"What did they say to you Captian?"

"That..that..uhh..well your highness they said they were soon to be married..."

The Kings eyes widened and he clenched his jaw, he looked as if he was going to explode,

"Was it my daughter?"

The soldier nervously replied,

"Uhh..ye..yes sir, i believe it was sire..Karas was in sight...it was where they were headed.."

Locke stood there glaring at the officer but did not go into a rage although the stood there shaking with an evil look on his face, he calmly said..

"Everyone out...right now...."

All the officers bowed, turned and left the throne room in a hurry......

Alez and Anna Marie walked into Karas. A militiaman walked towards them. He opened his mouth to speak, but Alez said, "We're Templarian. Sanguine my brother." He said, waving towards the militiaman. "Where is the inn?" The militia man pointed towards a rickety wooden building. Alez thanked the man and walked into it.

He walked up to the barman and looked around.
"Quiet night, eh?"
"Yes, m'lud. Not many visitors go through here."
"Can I get a bed? Your best one, for two please."
"Sure, sure. That'll be 200 Black Credits." Alez put a bag of gold on the table and took the key from the barman. He then turned to Anna Marie.
"I got us a room here. It'll do until the morning, then I can get us some horses."

Anna remained quiet while Alez spoke to the Militiaman, once they got the directions to the inn they continued on. The Prince got the key to the room, Anna Maria looked around at the inn, it was comfortable looking but not exactly what she was used to. She nodded to Alez when he spoke to her and followed him upstairs to the room, they walked in and she sat on the bed and smiled....

"Alez, i love you.."

Osteia, Castle Locke....

Locke had sent four of his best assasins to Kara's that night to cheak the local inn to see if his daughter was still in the area. They approached the border and were met by three Militiamen,

"Greetings, have you by any chance seen a young couple come through here headed towards town?"

The Militiaman spoke,

"What's it to you?"

The men behind the lead man pulled crossbows from their cloaks and fired with deadly aim, all three men crumpled to the ground,

"I didn't feel like answearing questions anyways, lets go.."

The men rode through the town untill they reached the inn, they kept their hoods up and two of them entered through the front door approaching the clerk behind the counter....

"Evening sir, have you any rooms for the evening?"

"A few sir, yes. What quality and quantity were you after?" He said, polishing a glass and looking at the three out of the corner of his eye.

The man replied,

"The best rooms you have avalible, we have money..and are just passing though, my friends and i are leaving early in the morning"

He continued before the man could speak,

"Busy, tonight?"

"Ah, not really sir. Quiet round these parts. And about that room, I'm afraid thats already been taken. Next best rooms 180 Black Credits."

A militiaman walked clankingly along the empty hamlet.
"Oi! Dan! Rob! I'm your relief." No reply. "Oi! Youse haven't been at the booze again, have ye?" He walked a bit further and smelt the smell all Templarians know from birth.
Blood.
He took a deep breath and yelled, "Murder! Lock down!" He took his ax off his back and ran towards the barracks.

The bartender took a sword out from under the bar and growled, "What is the color of the night?"

The man nodded and replied,

"Tis' a fair price and we shall pay it"

He signaled one of the others who came fourth with a small leather bag filled with coins, he set them on the table for the man to take. All of a sudden a cry was heard from outside, the bodys must have been discovered, the bartender pulled a sword from under the counter..

What is the colour of the night! He growled...

The man at the counter stepped back quickly and two of the assasins quickly withdrew their crossbows, aimed at the bartender and fired all in one movement,

"Search the place! quickly..we must find the princess!

Two of the men charged upstairs and moved down the hall carefully going door to door listening for any sign that the people they seeked were near, the lead assasin moved to the other side of the bar and leveled his crossbow at the wounded bartenders face,

"Which room are they hiding in, i will spare you sir...if you had co-operated at first you would not be here now.."

The Imperial Prince Iven Shives was About 6'1 and 160 pounds he was only 18 years old and he was traveling to find Prince Alez and Princess Anna he knew both of them and he want to help them escape. he rode in the inn where he Prince Alez said they could meet as he walked in he could tell the place was being search after all the action he witness. he ran outside to find a place to climb the roof finally he fought a place and climb he looked threw the windows after seeing the prince and the princess he knocked on the window
and said

Its me Prince Iven im here to help you escape said Prince Iven

The bartender spat at the man.
"Foreign scum! I'd much rather die then help you!" He grabbed his sword and stabbed himself with it.

"Anna, someones coming." He ran to the window. "Stand back Iven." He kicked through the glass, then grabbed Anna's hand and tugged her through.
"Come on!"

Alez Anna there a easy way to get down over here said Prince Iven he ran over to where they had a couple haystack stack on top of each other

"Thanks. Iven, see if you can find us some horses." He and Anna jumped down onto the haystack and then to the ground. "Anna, go with Iven. Get some horses and get out. Iven, guard her with your life. I'm going to protect the village." He kissed Anna then ran to the body of the dead militiaman and took his sword.

Iven did not want to leave Alez but he knew must to protect Anna

Alright Alez. This way i stash a couple of horses

((OOC: Anagor, can you use apostrophes, speech marks etc? It makes the posts easier to read...)))

OCC: yea its my bad sorry im little sleepy so my grammar might be off a little

Anna Maria was shocked when the man had came to the window, he had identified himself as Prince Iven, she had heard of him in her fathers court...he must have offered to help Alez get her safely into The Void, thank god for her fathers men were not far off now. Once they climbed out of the window the two men spoke about horses, Iven had some stashed luckily but Alez wanted to go fight the men sent to find her,

"Alez don't go! they are probably Black Order Assasins! they will kill you, and they can't do that because..i need you!"

He just kissed her, stated he must protect the village and ran off...Alez was not scared, he was a brave man, as she watched him go her heart raced. Anna turned to Iven,

"Thank you sir, Anna Maria Locke..."








The lead assasin stood by the bartender on the floor and chuckled at his words and let him reach for the sword,

"Be as arrogant as you want, it is you who is dying on the floor...not i"

He grinned as the man stabbed himself, he raised his crossbow and fired and arrow into the mans head. The others came down from upstairs,

"They escaped through the window, it's broken..their is some haystacks piled..they had help sir"

The man nodded and knocked over a lantern behind the bar,

"The fire is our diversion..lets go"

The men went through the rear exit to where the fourth man waited with their horses, he said nothing as each man took the reins and mounted. The group moved around the side of the building next to the bar, smoke was visible and the flames could be seen through the side window,

"There sir, going inside..town guard.."

"Yes, eight of them.." Said the leader

"We need to find the Princess immeaditly before the whole town comes out pitch forks and all...

The leader looked at his man and rolled his eyes shaking his head slightly,

"While they deal with the fire we take a look about...move!"

The group silently moved away from the burning building keeping their eyes peeled...

"Out! Out!" Alez yelled. "They would not burn a building they were in!" The militia captain yelled, "People! Your town burns! To arms and find the dirt who did this!" A great roar came from the houses, and the entire town came out bearing their tools and torches. Everywhere, axes, scythes, sickles, hammers even swords and arrows glinted in the torchlight.

The people spread out throughout the small town, while the militia held the entrances with pikes and swords. Alez himself stayed with the militia captain and lowered the portcullis on the main gate.

The four Assasins knew things just became complicated. They dismounted from their horses to fit in a little better, afew people were nuetralized quietly as their covers were almost blown, the leader took a torch from a holder, lit it and tossed it on a hay wagon,

'FIRE!! PUT IT OUT!" He yelled

Him and his men moved towards the main gates, they looked like four dark shadows in their hooded cloaks, alot of the people ran ran to help with the fires. There was a group of four men standing at the towns main gates, two of the Assasins removed their crossbows from their robes and fired to shots hitting the men on either sides of the two remaining ones, instantly the bodys hit the ground, the four men continued to walk closer, the one in the middle drew a large two handed broad sword as the last one fired his arrow dropping another man wounded, one stood all by himself....

The Assasins halted in front of the last man, dark shadowy figures in the night, the fire from the burning bar in could be seen in the middle figures blade, the leader studied the man's face...he waited for a fight...this one was brave, instead the Assasin spoke,

"Prince Alez, stand aside and let us pass...our quarrel is not with you"

"AHHHHHHHHHH!!"

A man came out of nowhere and charged at one of the dark figures on the end who quickly removed a broad sword from his cloak and thrust to the side running the man right through, he slowly pulled the blade out and let the man fall..still silent, he didn't make any more movement...

"You have spilled blood so blood must be payed." Almost to quick to see, Alez whipped two dart from his belt and threw them towards the hoods of the two flanking assassins. It dug into their face and they fell to the floor yelling and clutching their faces. "The blood is paid. Leave their corpses and you may pass."

The middle Assasin nodded slowly not even looking at the two men on the ground, he lowered his head to the Prince as he past by, the only man behind him aimed his crossbow at one of their commrades who lay still barely living and fired an arrow into his head...the man walked by Alez also lowering his head, once the two men were outside they dissapeared into the night.

Anna Maria was scared, she could hear all the shouting, see the flames, so badly she wanted to know Alez was alright and that he hadn't been killed...this was all her fault, she slowly lowered herself to the ground and tears came from her eyes.....

Alez walked over to one of the corpses and dipped a finger into the pool of blood and tasted it, overcome with temporary Void bloodlust. Then his eyes changed, and he picked up the Captain, supported him and began to walk towards the sounds of crying. He stopped a passing villager.
"Send word to my father. Osteia has raided our village." The villager nodded and ran towards a horse. He turned a corner and saw Anna.
"Anna! He propped the Captain up against a wall and ordered a villager to tend to him. He ran over to Anna , dropped to his knees next to her and embraced her.

Castle Locke

The lead Assasin stood in the throne room of King Locke, he gently pulled his hood off revealing his face. He was an older man, bald, dark eyes and a serious face...

"We have failed your highness"

Locke walked closer to the man with his arms crossed listening closely,

"When we arrived at the village our covers were blown and we had to use force, in the meantime your daughter slipped though our grasps..she was assisted by others besides the one responcible for her leaving"

Reginald did not show any signs of anger when speaking with this man, not like with the others he ruled, he was calm, relaxed and attentive..

"You know who is responcible then?" he asked quietly..

"Yes sire, Prince Alez and your daughter Princess Anna Maria have feelings for one another...my belief is that he put her up to this your majesty.."

The king sighed,

"Yes, Anna Maria would never leave home on her own.. CURSE THAT MAN!"

The Assasin stood there silently as Locke stood there deep in thought,

"I am sending word to King Kain I himself asking for him to send my daughter home, then we can all forget about this and put it behind us...i am willing to be sensible as long as my daughter returns home safely, if he does not see my way of thinking i will have my armys cross that border and CRUSH THEM TO DUST!"

The Assasin bowed slowly,

"You can go"

The man replied quietly,

"Your Majesty"

Locke walked to the window and looked out, the sun was just comming up on the horizon.



Karas, The Void

Anna Maria sat there on the ground sobbing but held Alez tightly when he returned to her,

"It's all my fault...my fault people have died and people are going to die, i don't want that to happen my love!"

She was glad to see him return safe but she was terribly upset at the moment, still she held him in her arms,

"Never leave me again.." She wispered..

Karas, the Void
Alez rested his forehead against hers and whispered, "I won't, my love, I won't."

Skorn, The Void
"A messenger? From King Locke? Let him in." The assassin entered the throne room and told Kain his story.
"...Princess Anna? Who's that?"
The messenger from Karas entered and whispered in the kings ear.
"...He loves a FOREIGNER?" The messenger whispered in his ear again. "...They burned a village?" He stood up out of his chair. "You!" He yelled while pointing at the Osteian. "Send word to your king that he will not get his pond-scum daughter back! Now get of here before I have you killed!"

She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and sat there in his arms,

"They will come back for me....where can we go? we can never live in peace now Alez, they will come again.."

Skorn, The Void

The Black Order Assasin nodded slowly to the king, he didn't argue just simply bowed and said,

"As you wish your Majesty, i will deliver your message to my king immeaditly"

The bald man turned and left the throne room. He knew that once he delivered this message to Locke he would flip out and mobilize his army, this had become very personal, first his daughter runs off with the Prince, then she is refered to as 'Pond Scum', the Assasin chuckled, how he disliked nobility and Royalty...but they paid better than anyone else.

Skorn, The Void
The King roared at his advisors. "Mobilize our armies! Make for their country! Burn every village!" The horn of the Void sounded, and the entire nation heard its blast. All across the country, troops began to arm themselves.

Karas, The Void
"Perhaps... Perhaps we can get to the Isla Solei. It's a neutral island, neither of our fathers would be able to reach us there... We could live in peace..." He looked thoughtful for a minute then said, "No... Someone would catch us... Our best hope is to seek refuge in my father's Castle. We might not be happy, but he will respect my wishes."

I also have a suggestion we could go to my land I know of a old noble. He lives in a castle and i trust him with my life. We could go there Angaorian officials almost never go there and then from there. You all can make your decision as where you would like to go said Prince Iven

Osteia, close by The Void border..

It was nearly noon, the sun was getting higher in the sky and a cool breeze caused the tall green grass sway back and fourth, birds chirped, in the distance there was the sound of a small thunder storm that was nearing, suddenly a shape appeared on the horizon getting larger as it got closer. A farmer crossing the field suddenly seen an army approching the border, he sat and watched the Osteian banners flutter in the breeze...

General and Knight, Sir Alexander Wittmore sat mounted on his horse dressed in the fine armor of an Osteian Knight, a man rode beside him bearing his colours. To the rear of Sir Wittmore were 750 Osteian soldiers, 150 Longbowmen, 300 heavy cavalry, 300 infantry, plus artillary. Before Locke sent the Assasin as a diplomat he had ordered Wittmore to move towards the border and get into position incase things didn't go as he wanted. At Wittmores rear more forces were being put together. A scout approached from ahead riding up to Wittmore's side,

"M'lord! an army's banners were seen ahead..The Void's sir..

General Wittmore called out,

"Hold here, deploy the trébuchet's and ballista's! have our infantry form on our center, archers behind, cavalry divided on the flanks"

The Generals officers rode off to carry out their orders......

Karas

Anna Maria looked at Alez and replied,

"I will go where ever you go and will always be happy as long as we are together...."

Iven looked Alez and then said

Maybe i could talk to my father and he could ask for a meeting and maybe he could talk your father into letting you marry Anna said Prince Iven

Osteian Territories, near the Void Border
"Sir! Enemy banners ahead!" called the Pathfinder cavalrymen.
"Fall back! Form a square! Archers in the center, two squares of 250 pike men! Cavalry, fall back with the Swordsmen to the forests."

As the generals went about their orders, the commander rode to the Archer's leader and spoke to him.
"Use fire arrows and fire a volley. Try and hit their siege engines."

Iven looked Alez and then said

Maybe i could talk to my father and he could ask for a meeting and maybe he could talk your father into letting you marry Anna said Prince Iven

Alez shook his head.
"No need. My father will honor my wishes, but Anna's father doesn't wish us to marry." He took Anna over to the horses and saddled up. The militia captain rode over to them. "I am coming with you."

OCC: Do they know about the battle that taking place

Alright said Prince Iven

He walked over to his horse and got on preparing to ride

OCC: Do they know about the battle that taking place

"Alright", said Prince Iven.

He walked over to his horse and got on, preparing to ride.

(((OOC: They'll hear it and see the fire arrows as their near the border.)))

OCC: Ok cause i would eventually like to join another battle or war or something with my country army involved in it

Osteia, near The Void's border..

The Osteian artillary had been set up, the enemy had formed two squares, pikemen surrounding archers who of course intended to fire heated shot to destroy the siege weapons. Enemy cavalry and Infantry fled into the woods perhalps being held in reserve, the four trébuchet's were ready to fire, they had been prepared with heated shot, the six Bastilla were placed along the infantrys flanks beside the cavalry who waited for their commands in a wedge formation, the Osteian Longbowmen were in a loose formation prepared to fire upon the order.....

General Wittmore sat there quietly then drew his sword, calmly he said one word..

"Fire"

"FIRE!!" yelled commanders..

The four trébuchet's all fired their 100Kg burning projectiles which cruised through the air towards the enemy ranks, three of the shots landed close by the enemy squares but the fourth slammed into the ground on their left hand corner and exploded..

**BOOM**

"RELOAD!!" men yelled at their stations..

General Wittmore spoke again,

"Longbowmen, loose..."

"LOOSE!" ordered commanders..

150 Longbow arrows were fired at both formations, 100 at one and 50 at the other...

Alez shook his head.
"No need. My father will honor my wishes, but Anna's father doesn't wish us to marry." He took Anna over to the horses and saddled up. The militia captain rode over to them. "I am coming with you."

Anna Maria looked at Iven and spoke to him,

"I wish my father was as understanding, he don't care about what i want...he will never treat me as an adult.."

She walked over to the horses with Alez, the Militia Captian rode up and said he was going with them, then all of a sudden loud booms could be heard close by...

"What is that?"

"Swordsmen! Form ranks! Tortoise!" The swordsmen quickly linked together and put their shields to their top, front sides and rear. The arrows were deflected off the shields as the swordsmen neared the cover of the woods. The cavalry were hit worst, and 15 of them were killed.

The flaming stone smashed into the square and killed the majority of the pikemen on the outer square. The arrows dug into the sqaure and the entire outer square, along with a part of the inner, was killed. The commander drew his sword. "LOOSE!" The archers launched their flaming arrows towards the enemy trebuchets and archers. 1000 burning lights whistled through the air.

Alez grimaced and said, "Siege engines." He turned to look at Anna. "We must hurry!"

I cant lets this going on anymore im eventually going to have to go to my father i need to know where you are going so i can meet back up with you said Prince iven

The Osteian siege weapons tore at the enemy formations, their arrows rained death upon the Pikemen but were stopped by the swordsmen in the woods, enemy cavalry formations could not be seen so therefore the Osteian's couldn't see their effect. Lord Wittmore watched as the enemy took losses,

"Infantry two ranks, advance slow"

The order was passed on and the Infantry moved forward at a slow place while forming in two long ranks,

"Archers prepare to loose"

Suddenly the enemy archers let their own volley loose directed at the Osteian siege weapons and archers,

"Arrows!! cover!!"

The siege crews ducked for cover as the arrows rained down at their positions, a dozen men were hit instantly, many of the arrows struck the wooden beams of the weapons lighting little fires up and down them. The Osteian archers were hit hard, 35-40 of them dropped instantly from the volley, two Bastilla crews were hit aswell causing more to man the weapon...

"FIRE!" Yelled Wittmore..

The four trébuchet's all fired one after another sending their payload at the enemy once more, one was directed for the middle of their archer ranks, one went flying towards the trees where the enemy infantry waited, and two were shot at the pikemen. The Osteian infantry continued to advance at a slow pace...

"Loose!"

The Osteian longbows fired once more aiming for the enemy archers...

Anna Maria became more upset,

"My fathers? they are attacking! can they get through?"

She looked at Iven,

"What will your father do?"

The rocks from the catapult smashed into the archers tightly packed square, killing a full 200 of them. The following arrows killed another hundred. The pike men were completely wiped out.
"Back to the woods!" yelled the commander. He and his archers launched one more volley of burning arrows, put average arrows in their bow, then ran for the cover of the forest.

The rocks fired into the forest knocked over trees, killed 100 swordsmen and effectivly blocking their path.
"Our path is blocked!" called the leading horseman. "Out of the woods! Charge the enemy!" The cavalry and infantry came charging out of the woods.

i hope he will at least try to stop them from fighting but if that doesnt work my empire's army will be dragged into the war as it becomes more and more dangerous said Prince Iven

The Osteian siege weapons crushed the enemy ranks to dust, Wittmore watched as the remaining enemy cavalry and infantry charged at his line,

"Ballista fire"

The six post-mounted crossbow Artillery pieces fired at the charging enemy soldiers one after the other, the trébuchet's fired one last volley at the archers who returned another volley of fire arrows in their direction the effect dropped half of the Osteian remaining archers and killed and wounded two siege weapons crews also disabling one of the weapons...

The Osteian Cavalry on the flanks was ordered to move forward in their wedge formations, the galloped faster towards The Voids border, General Wittmore watched from the hilltop as the moments before the charging enemy hit his lines passed, his heart raced and he could not take his eyes from the field as his own infantry broke into a jog swords and sheilds held high...

karas

Anna Maria wanted to see what was going on, she quickly moved towards the gates of the village and stopped dead in her tracks....

"Alez, Iven!!"

The archers took losses from the enemy bombardment. 100 archers twisted and fell. When the cavalry got on flat ground in firing range, the archers turned around and fired barbed arrows at the horsemen.

The horsemen thundered into the enemy flank, attacking the archers and ballista crews while the swordsmen charged at the Osteian heavy infantry.

The Osteian heavy infantry clashed with the enemy swordsman, Cavalry on the right flank turned inwards, lowered thier long sharp lances and charged at the enemy infantrys left flank dead on. The Cavalry on the left flank rode full speed towards the enemy archers lances lowered into attack positions, they seen the enemy forces preparing to fire at them and the commander of the cavalry units lead them into a loose formation as they closed the gap, the enemy fired barbed arrows dropping the charging Osteians all through their formation but it did not break their attack, they roared war cries then smashed into the archers lines....

General Wittmore signaled his bodyguard of sixty men,

"CHARGE!!"

The knight and his heavy escorts charged towards the enemy Cavalry who were quickly eliminating the Ballista crews and remaining archers who didn't stand a chance and were getting entirely wiped out...

Anna Maria watched from Karas in horror...

The archers drew their swords and began to hack at the enemy horsemen. They had lost at least 100 in their charge, but they still outnumbered the horsemen.

The light cavalry saw the enemy knights coming and shot downwards. They could outrun the heavier armored knights, but couldn't outfight them. The charged straight through the throng of enemy infantry and out, towards enemy archers.

Inside the hamlet, Alez kissed Anna and told her to get out. "Go out the rear entrance with the captain and Iven. Go to Skorn and wait for me there." He put on Militiaman armor and got a bow. He and 2 other militia soldiers climbed into the watchtower and began firing arrows towards the enemy archers.

The Osteian wedge formation on the right flank who charged into the enemy infantrys left flank trampled right through and almost broke to the other side of the mess, Osteian heavy infantry faught fericely against Void swordsman, the Cavalry had dropped their lances after the charge and drew their swords fighting from horseback in the mob of men fighting for their lives. The Osteian archer ranks were broken and they began to fall back trying to escape the enemy forces, General Wittmore and his escort could not catch the group of light cavalry and decided to aid their commrades who battled with the enemy archers who still hung on.

The remaining artillery crews abaondoned their weapons, drew their swords and charged towards the battle in the middle of the field where Osteian infantry and heavy cavalry faught Void swordsmen, the battle would soon be determined.

General Wittmore held his sword straight out and galloped faster towards the fight with the enemy archers who outnumbered his men but their skills were not up to par in hand to hand with heavy horsemen,

"OSTEIAAAA!!!" Yelled the General..

The personal bodyguard behind him slowly lowered their lances into position and slammed into the enemy...

"Alez! no! i won't leave you! they are comming!"

He ignored her plees and rushed to the watch tower and she ran after him,

"ALEZ!"

Iven chased her close behind trying to discourage her..

Alez closed his eyes and sniffed. The smell of blood hung in the air. His eyes changed. They were almost feral. He put three arrows in his bow, and fired them towards the enemy general.

General Wittmore looked to his side to see arrows comming right at him, at the last second he raised his sheild catching one of them while the other two were a hit, he grunted in pain as he fell sideways off his horse into the mob of fighting men. His bodyguards sliced and diced their way into the fight staying at their wounded leaders side, one knelt down,

"M'lord! your wounded!"

General Wittmore sat up, one arrow stuck in his lower arm and the other in his shoulder,

"break them off Captian! NOW!"

The soldier leaned in and broke one of them off, Wittmore cryed out in pain, he breathed heavily,

"Wait, wait..."

He pushed the Captians hand away from the second arrow,

"Alright! now.."

He let out another cry of pain as the officer broke the other shaft,

"Come...we win this damn thing"

General Wittmore grabbed a random sword he found beside him because he lost his in the fall,

"PUSH ON!" He yelled at the tops of his lungs..

General Wittmore stabbed at enemy archers with skill, he faught well even with his wounds none could match his skill with a sword..

These archers were tough and would not go out without a fight, by now Osteian Cavalry who battled Void swordsman had broken off and came to aid the men fighting the archers leaving some of their commrades to continue assisting the heavy infantry, the enemy was weakening...

The captain had gathered the townspeople and given them all bows and a breif instruction on how to use them. There were few archers remaining so this would not pain him to do. Alez fired a fire arrow into the fray and the 100 townsmen readied to fire...

The captain of the archers was one of the few left. He wildly lashed out with his sword, and stabbed one horse in the neck. The battle between the swordsmen was still going on, the Carvers holding out.

Wait anna dont go said Prince Iven chasing after her

The battle between the Archers and the horsemen was nearing an end, a Cavalry officers horse was stabbed through the neck and the rider fell off hitting the ground hard, other dismounted Cavalry men mobbed the remaining enemy archer captian stabbling furiously, the battle with the archers had ended moments ago...General Wittmore turned and seenn Karas in the distance, his numbers shrank but this was the chance to take the town..NOW and it could be done but would be costly...

Captian Adams from the Generals elite bodyguard approached,

"Sir, your in bad shape...hang back, we will take Karas by nightfall!"

Wittmore rested on the Captians shoulder and replied,

"Reel around and crush those remaining swordsman from the rear, we DO NOT take Karas yet, it will have to wait..GO!"

"M'lord"

Wittmore lowered himself to one knee and was assisted by two of his men. Forty of the heavy cavalry mounted horses, drew their swords and rushed towards the enemy in one last attack.....

Wait anna dont go said Prince Iven chasing after her

Anna Maria ignored Ivens call and stood in the main gates to the town,

"Iven!! the Voids, they are finished!"

Towns people rushed around to get into firing positions, they had been givne bows to defend the town,

"Why don't they retreat, all these people will die because of their pride!"

She screamed, tears came out of her eyes...

"Send a rider to St. Sanguine! Get the garrison there to come down here and aid us!" the captain told a villager. He then pointed a a group of militia men. "Dig holes in the ground outside the gate. Make them in a long square so that our archers can fit in there. Place pikes into the holes." The soldiers nodded and gathered a few more villagers to help them.

The swordsmen had defeated the majority of the enemy swordsmen. Hooting with joy, they turned to the hamlet... To see armored knights charging at them. The soldiers broke ranks and ran for the forest.

This is bad we need to get the townspeople at of here their going to be slaughter they are just too strong the cavalry will crush them they need to
retreat and reform and gather more strength said Prince Iven

The captain growled and kicked Iven over.
"We ain't leaving, boy. The ain't getting first blood." He threw a sword beside him. "Arm up. You'll need it."

Captain send a message to Oured to my father tell him he needs to meet with me and the other kings and its urgent and be smart about it luck is not on your side right now said Prince Iven

Prince Iven picked up the sword

"Send a rider to St. Sanguine! Get the garrison there to come down here and aid us!" the captain told a villager. He then pointed a a group of militia men. "Dig holes in the ground outside the gate. Make them in a long square so that our archers can fit in there. Place pikes into the holes." The soldiers nodded and gathered a few more villagers to help them.

The swordsmen had defeated the majority of the enemy swordsmen. Hooting with joy, they turned to the hamlet... To see armored knights charging at them. The soldiers broke ranks and ran for the forest.

The Osteian knights chased the retreating men down and slaughtered them where they stood showing no mercy, the battle in the feild was over and the Osteians gained a foothold on Void territory, a stratigic victory for General Wittmore. Casualties had yet to be counted, Wittmore had lost more men then he thought in the hand to hand fighting, tomorrow much needed reinforcements and supplys for arrive and they would take Karas.

Camp was completed, the two disabled trébuchet's were being repaired while the other two were being fired using heated shot at the town of Kara's as the original plan was to lay siege to the town and by that time reinfocements would have arrived but they were delayed. Night had fallen, the sound of projectiles flying through the air was heard every few minutes, the burning ammunition lit up the area as it was flung towards the target that had been being pounded for three hours now.

General Wittmore had his wounds treated and stood outside watching the bombardment from beside his command tent, he disliked causing civilian death but these people did not know when to give up so they had to be shown no mercy.

Wittmore was not a murderer, any surrendering soldiers would be given full quarter...but he didn't expect too many prisoners, it was like they didn't even understand a tactical retreat..live to fight another day just wasn't an option, or so it seemed..they just held their ground and died there, it was either extremely insane or very brave.

General Wittmore respected his enemy after todays savage battle.

Karas..

Anna Maria was shocked when Alez pushed Iven over but she also seen where Alez was comming from....

Anna Maria watched the Osteians set up camp in the field, the sky was turning black and the moon was visible but covered by clouds, the young girl looked out at the field covered in bodys from the days battle...all these men died because of her.....

Suddenly she heard a

**Woosh**

Sound that came from the Osteian en-campment, then a second one followed and there in the night sky two burining objects sailed through the air towards the town, she was terrifyed and could not move...her body froze in fear..

right before iven was going to say something a burning object came down pushed and tackle anna out the way then said

Anna you have to convince him right now or this whole town will be destory or i can go back home try to convince my father to come to try to make peace with blood or i can go and get my army bring it down and we can fight for peace! said Prince Iven

Anna you have to convince him right now or this whole town will be destory or i can go back home try to convince my father to come to try to make peace with blood or i can go and get my army bring it down and we can fight for peace! said Prince Iven

The girl snapped out of her trance and turned to see Iven, the fireballs struck near the rear of the town and exploded, Anna sat up unhurt by the fall..

" I can't convince him of anything Iven, he does not listen to me when it comes to this....i don't want this war to continue Iven, i am scared...i also ask you to please wait on getting your country involved, i don't want harm to come to my countrymen, yours or Alez's...war is terrible...the reason for this war is crazy!"

Anna Maria was greatful Iven had been there to make sure she didn't get hurt, she wanted to smile but she could not find it in herself at this time...

We must hurry we got to find a safe place for you that was to close and plus the city will be overan in know time Said Prince Iven

The captain roared "Pile the gunpowder in the village center!" The soldiers obeyed. Soon, barrels of gunpowder were piled in the hamlet. If the enemy tried to take this place... They would 'asplode', as the Captain cheerfully put it.

The next morning, a horn blew from the forest and a trumpet was heard. An elephant smashed out of the forest.
"A Sanguinian forerunner!" cheered Alez.

Prince Iven ran towards alez and said

what horn is that said Prince Iven

The Osteians packed up their encampment when the first signs of daylight were visible. The artillery blasted away at karas through the night, the town was smoking and a large portion of it had been reduced to rubble. General Wittmore watched as his troops fell into formation to march on the city when his thoughts were interupted,

"Mlord!"

He turned to see a light rider behind him,

"What is it?"

"Commander Ares is nearing our position, with him he brings 8,000 infantry, 800 heavy cavalry, 1100 archers and a full artillery regiment!"

Wittmore was glad to hear the news of reinforcement but he wanted this victory to himself, he had 165 infantry left, 200 heavy cavalry and 60 heavy elite bodyguard...his archers had perished in the battle the day before, it was risky but his superior troops could take the town before Ares arrived,

"Have our infantry form, cavalry divided on the flanks till i decide to move them"

"M'lord!"

Suddenly a horn echoed through the air, Wittmore spun around to see an elephant crash through the trees on the other side of the field near the town,

"Man the Ballista"

The trébuchet's were turned aswell in the direction of the enemy war beast, they had been already loaded and were good to go....

The elephant gave a roar and charged for the enemy lines. Meanwhile, in the town, the captain took Alez and Anna aside.
"Look, sir, everyone here will die. Everyone, except you can't. You have to live. So while this elephant attacks, we're gonna open the back gate. You and your lady get out of here."

Prince Iven looked as he heared another horn this wasnt good reinforcements they were sure to take the town

Alez i need you to do me a favor i need you and anna to come with me to deliever a message to oured to tell my father to moblize his army i know you dont want to see your countrymen die but right now the city on fire and pretty soon we want be able to escape said Prince Iven

Anna Maria was covered in dirt from the bombardment of the night, there were lines on her face where tears washed away the black, many were dead or dying, this was terrible. Anna listened to the Militia Captian as he spoke to Alez, she was egar to get out of here before her and Alez ended up like so many others...a second horn sounded in the distance, it was Osteian,

"Alez! what will we do!"

She tugged on his clothing attempting to get his attention, she could tell he was tired, angerd and almost ready to stay and end the fight here...that couldn't happen,

"If you die here Alez what is all we have done for? i need you!"

The Elephant charged at the Osteian lines, the infantry held their position and the Ballista was aimed, the siege weapons fired one after another flinging their payload at the beast...two shots landed near and two missed completely, Wittmore was getting nervous at this point as he watched the Elephant get closer and closer suddenly the Ballista all fired striking their target, the beast cryed out and reared up on it's hind legs, the artillary was quickly being reloaded....

The elephant reared and roared in pain. It began blindly charging around, stomping anything in it's way.

Alez's eyes changed back to normal and he slowly nodded.
"Yes... Iven, Anna, come with me. Captain...." he shook the captain's hand. "You are a good man. Try to get out as well." The small back postern gate opened, and the 3 rode out, heading for St. Sanguine. A few minutes later, the civilians left too, heading for St. Alean.

how many men is in the St Sanguine garrison said Prince Iven

how many men is in the St Sanguine garrison said Prince Iven

"Well, theres the Animal Corps, The Men of the East and the Kolotec Archers... About 8000 men there. Its an important city."

I just hope that enough to stop the Osteian Army said Prince Iven

The Osteian infantry lines broke as the men tryed desperately to escape the elephants rage, men were trampled to the left and the right trying to escape, they yelled in terror...

Then all of a sudden,

hundreds of arrows wizzed over Wittmores head towards the elephant who just trampled one of the Ballista and three members of it's crew, Wittmore watched as the arrows seemed to move in slow motion towards their target.......

Commander Ares had arrived.

Anna Maria noticed Alez's eyes changed back, he was the man she loved once again..not the ferice warrior who showed no fear, she knew plenty of those back home...Alez was different from them, he was special and she belonged to HIM. She watched him bid the Captian fairwell, she waved to him with a smile on her face then her, Alez and Iven rode off through the back gate.

The Osteian infantry lines broke as the men tryed desperately to escape the elephants rage, men were trampled to the left and the right trying to escape, they yelled in terror...

Then all of a sudden,

hundreds of arrows wizzed over Wittmores head towards the elephant who just trampled one of the Ballista and three members of it's crew, Wittmore watched as the arrows seemed to move in slow motion towards their target.......


The arrows pierced the side of the elephant who roared in pain, staggered drunkenly and collapsed on a trebuchet. The archer on the back jumped down the corpse of the elephant, drew a scimitar and began slashing at anyone who came towards him.

The militiaman climbed into the watchtower, blew a horn and held up a white flag. The captain sat in the village center with a lit torch, sitting next to the barrels of gunpowder, humming a battle-hymn.

Iven rode beside Alez and said Anna Alez this were i must depart you both im going to ride home i seen enough bloodspill here on this day in time i will find you both said Prince Iven

Iven rode beside Alez and said Anna Alez this were i must depart you both im going to ride home i seen enough bloodspill here on this day i time i will find you both said Prince Iven

Alez gave a salute and said, "Fair travel, friend."

farewell alez and anna shall be back in two days said Prince Iven he gave a salute and rode towards the north

Iven rode hard once he enter Angaor he was in the province of Reikland on one of the small dirt road that led to a larger main trade road to oured as came on of reik forest he could see Imperial Mounted Sergants about 200 of them as they came close they stop and so did Prince Iven The Captain yelled

get out of my way commoner im on offical orders from the Emperor said Captain

Prince Iven let down his hood and said

Im no commoner said Prince Iven

His Imperial Majesty Im sorry said Captain

its alright what kind of orders are you on said Prince Iven

we are looking for you your highness the Emperor was scared that you got into the battle that was going down at the border said Captain

how do you know about that said Prince Iven

a Couple of Void Critizens came this way and told us about it said Captain

what Army are you apart of said Prince Iven

where apart of General Sigmar said Captain

how many men does he have said Prince Iven

right now 15,000 said Captain

can you take me to him said Prince Iven

Alright said Captain

foward said the Captain

bump