To both sides of the boulevard are numerous ruins - you're right, this is a perfect place for an ambush laid out by archers...
Slowly the elves accompanying Kabal and the others begin to become nervous
You think, they're alright? one of them asks cautiously.
Keep it together. They'll make the call when the trap is sprung. We have to trust Silsavar and the others know their work. We get ancy and make a move now and we blow this whole damn deal to hell...still, it has been too long...caution prevails...
he points at the two hunters.
You two. Give the perimeter a quick scout. Everyone else stay sharp.
Kabal had a deeper respect for ever sergeant and captain he'd worked under...well, except that bastard I had to cut from chin to belt... Being a soldier and actually doing something or just waiting on a command was much eeasier than having to be patient to make the call to go forward with the plan.
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Winter had remained silent for a long time but this seemed like the perfect time for a sermon...and to calm any fears brewing as well...
The tall man stood resolute with hands spread out before him.
Be easy friends. Kabal has the right of it. Erastil teaches us that it is folly to reap our crops before they are ripe for the picking lest the harvest be less abundant than it could've been. Many a farmer and hunter has forgotten this and came home empty handed when their meager haul fails to sell at market or their prey bolts because a hasty shot was taken. Patience is a virtue to be applied in all aspects of life...war included. Ease your worries and have faith in your fellows. Good will prevail this day.
Then suddenly, out of nowhere, you hear a high-pitched screech from behind - the elves whirl around and one of them whispers
Lizard riders!
Lizard Riders?!..son of a hairless goat...this aint good at all...Weapons out!
Kabal followed his own command and drew his sword and shield. He searched the area for any sign of these lizard riders.
Winter unlimbered his great sword and took up position on Kabal's flank.
Good idea, we skirt the boulevard on the southern side.
Like shadows, the elves quickly enter the field of ruins left of the large boulevard.
Kabal is the first to notice sounds of battle, not the vanguard group is under attack but the other group that was lying in wait.
They have surely ran into a patrol of drow returning to Celwynvian! one elf says and another one adds Do we help them or stay here to help the vanguard?
We stick with the plan. They should be able to handle a patrol and this is what we wanted,
Bree's hands clench and then relax every so often over the hilts of her daggers, her mind grows restless as she waits for the chance to free her brother... if he still lives.
Even though the elves nod and turn their attention back to the distant outline of the ruined city, you see the hint of fear and worry in their eyes...
It feels like aeons until you have crossed the first section of ruined buildings. You're now at a crossing of two large boulevards and in order to go further, you have to cross the once marvellous street...
The Brevian noticed the worried looks and couldnt that them pass unanswered.
Well?! Out with it. Whats so damn scary about lizard riders?
The elves look at each other and it takes a moment until one finally says
Massive beasts, very powerful and heavily armoured but still they possess a raptorial elegance and swiftness...I have seen them tear a man to bloody shreds in three heartbeats...and that is only the beasts, the riders are worse...elite warriors clad in black platemail armed with adamant-tipped lances and... the man falls silent as he realizes that his fear has made him praise his blood enemies...
As you sprint across the boulevard you trip by not noticing a pothole. Quickly two elves grab you and pull you to your feet, but in the corner of your eye, from the roof-terrace of an ancient palace, you see a cascade of black swirling energy or vaporous substance rise to the sky.
Gods damnit it all to the Nine bloody hells!...this could mess things up big time...
Kabal turned to the group.
I would hear council. Tell me your thoughts. Stick with the plan or take out these big damn lizards?
Silently but with great anticipation, the elves await the warleader's decision.
One of the elves who helped you up looks back and curses silently. They use these black fog cascades to give signals to each other - no doubt they know now that we're here.
Silsavar rushes back to you and points at a palace-like manor to your left
The building here looks mostly intact, what do you say, enter and barricade or rush to the black flag?
Kabal took each of his companion's view points in consideration and was reassured that it was a united front and along the same path he was intent on.
Very well. We stick with the plan. Hunker down and stay alert. When we get the call we move out fast and with purpose.
After a while the sounds of battle - the screeching of the lizards, the shouting of the dying and wounded ones, the clashing of swords against lances - ebb away.
One of the elves, a seasoned veteran with an impressive collection of scars, slowly shakes his head
Let's just hope they got none of our men or women alive. I have seen the remains of those they tortured to death...
Quickly Silsavar, Evianna and the others rush into the mansion. They keep the mighty front door a slit wide open, just in case you have to retreat.
You have positioned yourself next to the remains of a statue that stands in front of the mansion - only the feet are left of it and for a moment you wonder if the portrayed elf was male or female...then suddenly, a lone dark elf enters the forecourt of the imposing building. A warrior, no doubt. He moves slowly, but with total control and keeps his gaze always focused on you and the windows of the mansion simultaneously. He's clad in a perfectly crafted black platemail and a large executioner's sword is strapped to his back.
His turquoise eyes that remind you of the lower regions of an iceberg, are highly unnerving, as is his emotionless voice
Who are you and why have you entered a place from which you cannot expect to escape again? he asks in Elvish with a heavy drow accent.
The drow smiles and spits to the ground
Never will I understand why an inferior race mates with an even more inferior race...what good shall come from such a match, huh? Anyway...you are not alone, we've followed you since you left Celwynvian...tell me what your plan is and I won't let you suffer too long on the rack. the warrior says sardonically.
Kabal was getting impatient as the trap shouldve been sprung already but they hadnt heard the signal horn.
Sable, my friend; we need eyes in the sky. Can you send Korax up to see what is going on?
The drow snarls and draws his massive sword...you are a bit surprised to notice the easiness with which he handles the massive weapon.
This moment of focussing on the man and his weapon nearly costs you your life - from the right you see a shadow jump up between two boulders, too late you can make out the form of a crossbow in his hands and shocked you realize that you have put your weight on the wrong foot already and you won't manage to dodge the bolt. While your mind races with thoughts about drow torture, the shadow suddenly falls back, hit by at least three arrows, but his final scream is drowned by the sound of the horn...
The moment Kabal wonders about the vanguard's fate, you all hear the sound of the hunting horn from deep inside the city...
Winter looks to the edge of his blade, as though waking slowly from hibernation, and then looks to the direction of the horn...
Relief flooded through the large man and an eagerness to get on with their task.
Theres the signal. Lets move with weapons out and ready. Any dark skinned bastards we see die as soon as we see them. No mercy whats so ever.
Kabal took his own order to mind and drew sword and shield before motioning for the hunters to lead the way.
At Kabal's words, a rather demented smile spreads across Bree's lips. She checks each of her blades once more before adjusting her grip on the two in her hands and moving off silently after the others.
The dark elf snarls again, backs away some steps and glares at you...now that you have a moment of breathing, you quickly look around and spot at least three other dark elves creeping closer...remaining here in the open could be pretty suicidal...
Jumping over boulders and ruined remains of walls and buildings, you hurry to get into the city proper and to the place from which you heard the horn. The knowledge that somewhere to your right - threatening you with a flanking maneuver - the drow cavalry is, does not lift your spirits...Suddenly one of the two guides stops and grabs the other's arm - a silent conversation ensuses. They can't decide whether the sound was coming from the northwest or northeast...
Whats the problem with you two huh?
Bree bounces back and forth on the balls of her feet, aggravated at being stopped in her pursuit of rescuing her brother but understanding the necessity of group collaboration, she holds her tongue. She looks around at each member of her group before her eyes settle on their war leader, waiting for his direction.
Sebastian looks confused too, he whispers, "...did we pass it?..."
Wis
Winters mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of Elven politics, and how things will likely turn out once the city is liberated. Likewise, he is also wondering whether there will need to be a challenge put out to clear the air between himself and the Elven warrior who has taken such a dislike to him.
"Which way are we headed?"
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The drow champion shrugs, he's too experienced to fall for the mocking-trick.
With impressive elegance he climbs on a large boulder and points at you and the house's large double door
This will become your coffin...a nice one I admit, but still, you will rot in this testimonial of elven demise! How fitting, sins't it?!
From everywhere, now drow soldiers swarm to the house, crossbows loaded and aimed at you...
Winter, Sebastian, Kabal, the elves - they are all somewhat confused and not sure which way to take, only Bree has the stalwart determination to find Brandon and like a bloodhound she literally feels which way is the correct one to reach Cat and the vanguard.
After she has explained the hunters from where she heard the signal, you are all running again. It's a bit sad that you haven't got any time to pause and marvel at the derelict but still beautiful buildings to your right and left...from time to time you even imagine elves in flowing costumes of white and gold moving in the alabaster-paved streets with their golden marquetries.
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Winter continues his march, following Bree to their destiny.
She kept a steady gaze upon the drow champion... and waited for the soft thunk of crossbow bolts flying... or the cadence of booted feat upon the charge.
Even though the drow are the rather hot-hearted cousins of the elves, they are clever enough not to fall for the trap. None of them attacks head over heels, they slowly crawl forward and for a moment it looks like a black flood washes over a white beach...
The deeper you move into Celwynvian the more vivid your imagination grows...but suddenly you realize that this can't be imagination alone - the looks on the faces of your companions are as puzzled as yours...how can a group of individuals share the same imaginations and day dreams?
You're wrenched from of your thoughts by the startled cry of one of the elf guides, the poor man has ran right into a patrol of Celwynvian city guards?!
In front of you, in the middle of the street, a group of twenty elves blocks the way. They wear old-fashioned platemails and high helms ornated with golden leaves. They're armed with long spears and longbows and even though they are not hostile, you can sense that they're cautious and a bit surprised by your presence.
Stop! their commander, a tall elf with haughty demeanour and ice-blue eyes commands Who are you?
Kabal had no idea what was going on. it seemd like...the plan has gone sour as goats milk... and he couldnt tell where they were. When they ran into a patrol of regular elves he damn near lost it. He kept his cool enough to not reach for his sword but it was close.
We're the gods damned people here to liberate this city and its prisoners from the dirty, stinking drow! What in the hells are you doing here?
"Twilight and evening bell
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell
When I embark"
The elven lieutenant looks at Kabal as if he was totally demented
You're here for...what? Liberate us? Does this look like we need liberation? he makes a sweeping gesture and as you look around, you realize that you are surrounded by a large crowd of curious elves wearing archaic clothes.
Even the buildings are suddenly restored to their former glory, all cracks have vanished, the rubble and debris is gone and in the empty ruin that was only momements before to your left, now a class of elven school children learn how to differentiate all sorts of leaves - well, actually the kids have just stopped doing that and now stare at you.
Suddenly someone grabs you by the shoulder and turns you around - it's Silsavar and he seems utterly shocked
Upstairs! Upstairs, the owners have turned up! The patriarch, a certain Gilgenil wants to know what we are doing in his house?!