Dan, with the group of refugees

Dan found himself alone and confused after the snake-men retreated. He had gone into a battle high he had not experienced for quite some time. It was almost akin to the berserker rage some Nords experienced when going into battle. A frenzied state where most of your feelings go numb and you feel neither pain nor exhaustion. After the state goes away though, it leaves you like a wreck with little thought about what you just did or who you just killed.

It was good as a thing of the moment yet in the long run it didn't suit Dan at all since he used to have to rest for prolonged periods after such a high. During the high however, he was a force to be reckoned with, despite his age.

For the moment, he focussed on finding the others. He didn't really have friends yet during the fighting in the Imperial City the Dunmer Rann won some respect in Dan's eyes. Rann seemed to be one of the few who did not judge Dan because of the fact he couldn't speak. Dan found fear as a sign of recognition in most people, yet Rann was oddly enough of the few people whom Dan had ever looked up to.

Soon enough, after passing through crowds of fearful people, he saw the group all gathered together except for the mysterious Imperial vampire. Dan did not call out for them telepathically since he feared that his call might be more powerful than he thought and that it might frighten and unnerve the refugees.

Thus, Dan made his way silently towards the group. Only when he was right next to them did he actually greet them.

"I am glad to see that we are reunited once more. The battle with the serpents from across the sea was tiring, yet I am ready to go to any lengths to protect my homeland. What would you ask of me, lords?" Dan said, looking to no one in particular. In his eyes, that motley crew made up the commanders of the last force willing to stand against the Akaviri, in Cyrodiil at least.

Flint Ironwood.

Flint jabbed a thumb in Rann's direction.
"See, told ya they'd be fine." He laughed. Rann came straight down to bussiness and asked what the plan was. Before anyone could formulate an answer, they were joined by Dan who sent a telepathic greeting.
"I don't think I'm really a lord. As for what we're going to do, that was just what we were talking about." He answered. By the way, it's good to see you."

The Breton sighed.
"Well, obviously our plan involves running to this temple Ian mentioned and hoping we don't all get slaughtered on the way. But as for how we avoid any further skirmishes, I've got no real idea. Dropping some trees might work to slow down pursuers, but making traps costs time in most cases and after protecting the rafts and the battle on the beach, probably every noteworthy mage capable of knocking over a tree or somesuch is practically empty. So we can't recruit a couple of telekinetic lumberjacks either."

Issac, the group

The altmer too a moment to study the others, noticing the ebbing adrenaline and/or exhaustion. "Ian's gone for now, and Karn is not among us either." Issac shrugged, "Knowing them and the Narza'Tai, they've all moved on to make the way ahead safer, if that answers you're concerns, Flint."

Then a man appeared and greeted them telepathically, Issac simply raised a bemused eyebrow. "There's no need for formalities here, sir. Even the few of us with aristocratic backgrounds don't qualify as nobility, not enough to make a difference anyway."
He gave the telepath an assuring grin and a nod. "With the Narza'Tai ahead of us, I think we should just try and keep up as best we can. Since their fast and mobile, not to mention assassins, they'll likely set up traps and ambushes themselves."

Voltar

Voltar pondered on the choices avaliable to them, as he did he thought out loud.

"Well, I assume the best candidate would be some proficient with magic as the spells they would provide would likely be helpful in protecting us as we would be sitting ducks if the Silhouette notices us. We should also consider who is loyal to us to willing protect us with their life as I figure that someone without that loyalty will abandon us should the going get tough... That leaves very few options," he mused.

"I can only really think of three candidates: Rann, Dalrus, and Amrita. Dalrus would be the most useful due to her infinite tap on magic, but her loyalty is a bit unknown. I fear she just follows Rann's loyalty to us and nothing else. Rann, would definitely help us if we asked him, but the question mark remains about his abilities. He might not be able to protect that much. Amrita falls somewhere in between Dalrus and Rann as she is certainly capable of protecting us and appears to be loyal to us. We must've forget her background though... It might be ridiculous to say so, but she could betray us..."

Voltar finished with that, waiting to see what Veric thought of his analysis.


Flogir

Flogir nodded a greeting to Dan as he joined the group. As commander of the forces right now, everyone was looking to him for plans. Flogir ran a grimy hand through his hair.

"This is what I'm thinking; we're going to split the army into two sections, a Vanguard and a Rearguard. The Vanguard is going to be much smaller since the enemy is currently behind us. The role of the Vanguard is simply to pick the path we'll travel to Cloud Ruler and Bruma and to make sure any threats are taken care of. The Rearguard will be the rest of our forces, minus a few scouts that will be off to check our various surroundings for potential attempts of the Akaviri trying to cut us off. The Rearguard's role will be to protect the refugees, who will be the centre of our procession," he paused to let the information sink.

"Basically, we're just continuing out fighting retreat."

Flint Ironwood.

Flint nodded.
"So the same thing we've been doing all the time, only this time without any convenient walls to prevent flanking." He replied, looking somewhat grim.
"If you don't mind, I volunteer for either scout duty or message relaying between the two groups. I may have lost some of my stealthiness with age, but I can still outjump a horse. If given a few minutes to recover first."

Dan

Dan observed carefully as the commander of the host formulated a plan. During his days as a mercenary, Dan had travelled throughout all the expanse of the Jerall Mountains so he knew the region they were heading into like the back of his hand. He had been on both merchant trails, used to avoid bandits and other perils, and bandit tracks, used to follow and ambush said merchant caravans.

Since Dan had lent his sword to both groups in exchange for coin, he knew the area as a whole quite well. He was in a dilemma however whether to join the vanguard and lead the advance to Bruma through the paths he knew best or join the rearguard and assure that their rear would be well guarded from any Akaviri attacks. After thinking heavily for a few moments, he made up his mind.

"Commander, allow me to volunteer to lead the vanguard as a scout. I have travelled past this broken land many times in the past twenty years thus I have a knowledge of the wilderness few could best, except perhaps the Nord trackers living in the high Jeralls. Please, allow me this honour." Dan said telepathically, ensuring that all others heard his message so there would be no questions about his intentions.

Flogir

Flogir turned to Flint. "If you choose to be a scout, you'll mainly be working with the assassins. I believe they'll be effective as scouts since they'll be able to quickly relay any dangerous we might come across. Are you okay with that?"

Flogir then nodded to Dan. "Of course you can be apart of the Vanguard. You're knowledge of this area will prove to be invaluable. You have that position. Go find the 21st regiment, for them and the 22nd will be apart of the Vanguard."

This post has been edited by The Metal Mallet: Feb 19 2008, 07:15 AM

OOC: Yup still active


Dalrus, Escaping

The mages had done what they came for, they had lost a score or so, however, the majority had made it out alive, though most were scathed in some way or another. They had succeeded in reinforcing the flotilla defenders enough for them to get away. Dalrus would make sure she was the last to leave.

"Azari, tell everyone to leave," she shouted to an Argonian mage who specialized in telepathy. The old argonian nodded quickly in reply and sent the message to all the mages. However, this short bit of concentration cost her everything. A large Tsaeci cut her down and decapitated her. Dalrus watched in horror but angrily replied with an enormous lightning bolt which completely fried the Tsaeci. She looked around her, hundreds lay dead, thousands within the city were dead, this was a bad day for the empire. The largest battle ever was ending, and Cyrodiil was not the victor. Dalrus saw a small girl dead on the ground and could not help but cry a little. She sent blasts of frost in every direction and knew they reached their targets by the yelps the goblins made.

Dalrus turned around and a blast of fire hit her in the chest. She was thrown back but strangly felt no heat. She looked down at her chest and saw the fire absorbing into her skin. She felt an increase of magic, an overflow, she felt a high of power. She fired at the mage and he blocked her magical attack. She fired again and he blocked it with a shield. She smiled and fired off a barage of elemental attacks at the Tsaeci sorceror. He continued to hold off the attacks and Dalrus noticed that he was wearing a Tsaeci general emblem. He screamed out in the horrible tongue of the Snake-men, he was calling someone. Dalrus widened her eyes but continued to fire off attacks, at a more rapid rate. If this general was calling someone, who was it?


OOC: I would have Veric and Voltar come pretty quick, the Silhouette is about to come.

Veric

"We'll make do with what's made available, since we do not know what the situation is back in the city. I fear we've lingered here too long."

With that said, he scanned the book one more time, just to make sure the spell was committed to his memory.

"The time is now," he said, preparing to open a portal back to the Imperial Palace.

Rann

It seemed that everyone was finding their niche in the upcoming events, and Rann felt that his was in the Rearguard. Especially since there was a good chance of the Plys'Iea making an appearance.

"I'll see if I can help the Rearguard," he announced, walking back the way he came.

OOC: I don't really know what the Silhouette's army is up to. Are they giving chase right now, or are they occupying the city for a while to plan their next move?

Savirien, on City Isle with the rest of the Tsaesci

The battle around him was drawing to a close. The main force of the Tamrielics was already retreating inland, through the forests to the North of the City, while a token force of mages was still holding back the brunt of the Akaviri forces on the Isle. They were skilled, Savirien gave them that, yet they were too few to truly change anything except for the lives the Akaviri spent trying to capture the Isle. It was an invaluable conquest however, as the main city of Tamriel was now mostly in the hands of the Akaviri forces.

As he looked on around him, he could spot one particular mage who seemed to lead the others, urging them on as the ring of Serpent warriors closed tighter and tighter around them.

That one is skilled, I admit, yet will she stand up to our leader? I've sated my appetite today however, let others slay the remaining mages. I've had enough of this damned city. After we conquer it, the Silhouette should raise a monument in honour of the fallen. They deserve that least.

Savirien however soon considered that his requests would fall on deaf ears. He did not know the Silhouette for his kindness and consideration. Still, this would have been a purely political matter pertaining to the discipline and morale of their troops. Knowing a monument would be raised in their memory if they themselves fell would make the warriors fight harder, at least in Savirien's opinion. It was something worthy of mentioning to the Silhouette. After the battle was over however.

OCC: For now they aren't pursuing, but the Sil won't be about for much longer. Is it alright that the Plys'Iea wounds Voltar or Altair/Veric? Just a moment to late to stop them; them surviving would add a sense of personal loathing besides the fact they "killed" the Silhoutte on his watch?

Plys'Iea

The hunter had begun forming a new helmet, flexing an alien alloy after rendering it malleable seemingly with his own breath. As far as he was concerned his part in capturing the city was well over, having infiltrated it and soaking the Tamrielics with horror and paved the way for the invasion.

His large middle-fingers shaved a gap for his head in the cowl-like helmet. He paused halfway through the fifth stroke, feeling an intangible danger-sense. The hunter growled, rising from his crouch, placing his unfinished project on his waist.
He began patroling silenetly, convinced there was a greater threat than simple mages. His grip on his staff tightened in anxiety.

Issac

"I'll go with the civilians," Issac answered. "Having defenders beside them will help their morale." As a habit, he lightly stroked the hilt of his katana.

This post has been edited by Lord Revan: Feb 20 2008, 11:41 PM

Flogir

Flogir nodded to Issac and Rann. "Be off then. We shouldn't tarry." He looked to the rest of the group. "Any other requests, or shall I start assigning positions?"

Voltar

Voltar stood beside Veric, in his hand he held a grand soul gem, ready for instant use once their altercation with the Silhouette began. A faint smile crossed his lips. He felt quite certain that the Silhouette wasn't going to suspect this.

Veric

For appearance's sake, he transported himself and Voltar back to the Imperial Palace. As they emerged, it became obvious that the retreat had already begun and was for the most part, complete. They made their way past Akaviri patrols undetected until they came in sight of Dalrus, who was bravely covering her mage companions' exit. They stayed hidden, watching on while a high-ranking Akaviri soldier seemed to be calling someone. Or something. Veric could only hope that it was the Silhouette.

"Dalrus can be that help we needed," he said to Voltar, glad to have been so fortunate, "Just be ready when something happens."

He made himself visible then, and stood beside Dalrus in support.

"I can't tell you how glad I am that you're here," he said to her ignoring the tscaeci general standing in front of them, "It seems that everything is falling into place..."

Dalrus, City

"I could say the same thing about you," she said as she fired off more bolts of electricity, fire and frost. She looked over and saw Rann's friend Altair standing by her. Finally Dalrus stopped her bombardment and her hands turned a light blue, energy seemed to be sucked into her hand and finally she let out a scream, not of pain, but of concentration and a huge lightning bolt ripped through the Tsaeci shield and fried the general, who gave one last look of sheer disbelief before collapsing.



The Silhouette, Isle/Tower

All his opponents had either been slaughtered or retreated, he was master of the Empire all but some resistance in Bruma. The Colovian Highlands would fall in a weeks time to his massive army. Some of his generals were currently expressing their concern for a lack of men.

"My lord, we have lost too many men to take Skyrim, Hammerfell, High Rock, Morrowind, Elswyr, Valenwood and The Summerset Isles. With the state we are in now, we can only hold Cyrodiil and Blackmarsh, possibly another province." a high ranking Reaver said as he bowed low.

"My lord, he is right, we have an enormous army, but not enough to take the continent." A tsaeci commander shouted.

"Silencess," the Silhouette hissed from the shadows. Only his purple eyes were visible in the shadows and the room fell silent at his voice. "Another Akaviri army can be called upon, they are in the black marsh, waiting for my command" he said slyly. "Casualtiesss would not have been sso bad had our men fought better" he said with obvious superciliousness. "Fear not, it is only a matter of time until I personally kill all the leaders of this pathetic continent" he said as he stepped out from the shadows. Some of the men wree more wary now. He was at least seven feet tall and surrounded by black shadow substance which whisped around his body. No light could pierce the darkness and still his glowing purple eyes were visible through his hood.

"My lord," an argonian ran up to the council," there are three enemies outside, they won't leave and they are taking down some of the men. They killed Egandle" he sounded horrified. The Silhouette rolled his eyes and dissappeared in a whisp. He reappeared in the Green Emperor way, facing three mages who were surrounded by enemies. He smiled, this would be a fun kill.

OOC: It should be quite the fight, like all three of them fighting him, don't do the spell just yet, they want him to be completely occupied with her, plus I plan on doing considerable damage to the tower.

Brianna

She noticed the vampire-girl dumping the potion she had gicen her, and sighed to herself. the girl didn't trust her, that was obvious and she didn't know how to convince her that she should.

"You don't trust me...yet, but I assure you you can! You'll see! I'll be there for you...and now I'll leave you alone until you decide to turn to me"

She touched Aerona's arm while thinking that, hoping the girl would got the message.

Without a word she took Rahvin's hend and squeezed it...



Satyana

"Yes! Let's go, I'll stand by you, you know...til the bitter end...I'd like to get on speaking terms with Rannie" sh added

Flint Ironwood.

Flint sighed.
"The assassins, eh? I honestly don't feel comfortable around them." he shrugged.
"But I'll manage."

Dan, taking position

With a short nod to both the commander-in-chief and everyone else, Dan departed to look for the regiments he had just been assigned to lead. Dan had been in this position before, yet he had advanced in his station greatly. At first, he only had lowly mercenaries and poorly-trained bandits under his command yet, with time, Dan trained and led both forces according to his needs, and in relation to what group paid the most. If at first he served the merchants Dan, as any skilled mercenary should, soon changed sides and started selling his services to the bandits seeking to plunder said merchant caravans.

Thus, being familiar with both sides in this little-known conflict which raged across all of Cyrodiil, under the very noses of the Imperial Watch and the Legion, Dan earned a thorough knowledge of many areas, the Jerall Mountains among them.

Finally, something I can truly feel proud of. You've truly gone a long way Dan, from a lowly sellsword to an officer in a force fighting for the freedom of a whole province. The first step has been achieved, yet now come the real trials. Will I achieve success with my newly assigned troops? Or will I be merely one of the many little-known 'war-heroes' who sacrificed their lives for their country? Knowing myself, it will be all or nothing. With steadfast companions, of which I have many, and brave men under my command however, any outcome is possible.

With those inner meditations complete, Dan resumed his task of finding the two regiments among the disorderly mass of soldiers and refugees.

-Karn-

More than half any hour passed before the sensei reached the rally point. Many assassins had already arrived, resting briefly from the break-neck march.

Karn nodded to many who glanced up at him, a silent" as you were." He climbed to the top of the embankment.
From the vantage point, the dunmer spotted more squads approaching.

With a *crack*, a sorceress appeared beaide him. "Sensei, the army and refugees are beginning their march." She reported.

"Just now? They're certainly procrastinating." Karn muttered, "We rest for fifteen minutes before pressing on to Bruma."

Veric

Veric moved a bit closer to Dalrus and whispered in her ear, "Voltar and I have discovered a way to banish the Silhouette, but it's a complicated process. We need your abilities to keep him occupied while we prepare the spell."

As the Silhouette appeared, Veric scanned the shadowy figure from top to bottom. It truly was a unique creature; Veric almost felt a twinge of guilt for what he was about to do. All of that power was about to be wasted in the bleak plane of Oblivion.



Aerona

Brianna's gesture did make Aerona realize her good intentions, but it didn't change her opinions in the least. She still refused to feed on blood and disgrace Arkay and the other Divines any further.

An approaching figure caught her attention then, and she pointed it out to Rahvin and Brianna, "Isn't that Rann?"

Rann

As Rann made his way back to the rear of the group of escapees, he noticed a group of familiar faces. When he finally came close enough to them, a smile was visible on his face. He was relieved to find how many of his friends were indeed still alive. The only ones he had not accounted for were Dalrus, Satyana, and Issac. While Dalrus had saved him recently, that had been back on the City Isle. He prayed to any god that would listen for her safety.

Satyana

She smiled at him....
"C'mon then" she whispered...



Brianna

"Yes....ehh oh yes it must be him" Brianna smiled at Aerona. "Come. let's go over there" She just took Aerona's hand and approached her son

"Rann! Thank all Divines..you're safe and....sound"

I wonder.....the girls..where are they?

Brianna turned and gave Rahvin a big smile..

What if we could be a family at last?