Keeping his shield up, Padraic stabs out at the wolf beside him(E11), as hard as he can, keeping his shield between him and the wolf in front.
After he stabbed at the Wolf he slipped forward and closer to Fintan carefully, putting him beside the wolf that had been harrying his front(G10).
Fintan grits his teeth and roars out in defiance as the wolves sink their teeth into his legs. As Brave stumbles back, Fintan takes his lance and jabs viciously at the wolf he'd ridden forth to slay (I9).
Aoife shouted.
Damn it all! If he gets surrounded...
"Stay away from combat." She told the brother before she bolted for Fintan. Slashing at the wolf before her.
No Action: 5' Step to E19
Move Action: Draw Short Bow
Free Action: Draw Arrow
Standard Action: Fire Arrow at Wolf at E11
Padraic hits hard, and moves. The beast snarls.
Reeling from the vicious attacks of the wolves but still mounted against all odds, Fintan maneuvers and skewers the one before him. It drops to the ground, lifeless.
Aoife charges, and strikes hard. The animal yelps, gnashing.
Braedan steps forth and draws his bow, but his arrow flies far left of his target.
The priest does not move from his position. He instead utters a short prayer over Fintan to help strengthen his resolve.
One wolf is dead, and two more are heavily wounded. Still, they continue their relentless attack.
The wolves facing Padraic circle and move to attack from both flanks.
Padraic successfully keeps the wolf that circled uphill at bay, but suffers the bite of the other. The wolf drags Padraic to the ground.
Enraged, the wolf facing Fintan pounces.
Brave, Fintan's noble steed, tramples the beast with its hooves. The wolf is crushed.
The fifth wolf attacks Aoife.
Aoife steps back, skillfully avoiding the snarling wolf's maw, and prepares her next attack.
Aoife saw Padraic go down and swore under her breath.
Worry about the one in front of you before you worry about someone else.
With that her full attention turned to the wolf before her.
Braedan sees the Ranger go down and charges down the path and into the fray screaming an ancient Gaelic Battle cry....
"Faugh an Beallach"
"PADRAIC!" shouts Fintan at the top of his lungs before urging brave away from the wolf corpses near him. Brave moves forward to attack one wolf while Fintan stabs at the other.
[dice=Attack (Brave, hoof)]1d20+3
[dice=Damage]1d4+3
[dice=Attack (Brave, hoof)]1d20+3
[dice=Damage]1d4+3
The priest offers up a restorative prayer for all his allies.
Aoife swings her blades and Braedan rushes in, but the wolves are too quick.
However, Fintan strikes true , and fells another beast. God be praised.
Padraic glares before standing slowly, praying to God that his armour and shield protects him, before he howls loudly and lashed out at the wolf that downed him.
Padraic kicks the beast away and stands swiftly. The wolf snaps and snarls. Padraic strikes true, and the wild beast falls.
Only one wolf remains.
It pounces on Aoife. She pivots, and avoids the wolf's sharp teeth.
"Be damned! Stay still!" Aoife hissed at the wolf. "I don't want to but more then necessary holes in your pelt." She stated.
I can put their furs on Fintan and Braedan's cloaks, they're do for an upgrade... maybe work on Padraic's and the Brothers if they allow me.
Padraic grits his teeth before he reverses his grip on the spear before advancing and stabbing down at its back, seeking to end it.
The wolf staggers, covered in blood. It cries, and collapses.
Padraic straightens slowly, reaching to his belt and pulling a cloth, beginning to wipe the haft and blade clean on his spear, before looking around.
"Everyone alive? Brother, please see to Fintans wounds."
The wind carries Brandan's song uphill into the Marble Arch Caves. A ghostly, eerie moan answers...
"Yes, Brother. If you could please look at their wou-" Aoife stopped half way and looked to the Caves. "Oooh... That didn't sound good... We sure we want to head in there?" Aoife asked as she started to collect the dead wolves and looked to see if their pelts where still good of if there where too many holes from combat.
Braedan looks alarmed momentarily but ignores the eerie noises for now and goes quickly to Fintan's side and make a fuss about the blood. He will attempt to aid Brother O'Maille on dressing the wound on Padraic as well.
Once the Bard knows that no one is in danger of bleed'n ta death, he starts in on Fintan and Padraic like a mother hen...
"Ya know my lords, ye could wait a moment for your friend n blood brother to get things ready a fore ye go chargin off in the dark.
My sing'n can inspire ya all ta great feats but I can only do so much. Perhaps, stick together a wee bit, eh? Make a plan, eh?
They sent me off for all those years for what? To watch you both charge off in the dark? Did either of ya even know what you were chas'n?
For the love of Peet...hold back next time until we know what we're facin'...ha?...you daft dolts yer lucky to be alive. What if there were twice as many wolves out there?
After his tirade, he calms down and goes about looking at the bodies of the wolves a bit closer.....
Before the fires burn out, he will walk back and recover his bow as well as his arrow if he can.
...she started to collect the dead wolves and looked to see if their pelts where still good of if there where too many holes from combat.
The five pelts all seem in good shape, and are of exceptional quality.
Aoife pulled her dagger back out and began to skin the wolves. "These pelts are in good shape. I can stitch these on your cloaks back home, or use them on some new ones. I think you two might need new cloaks anyways." Aoife said with a smile for once. "And there is enough here that I could use it for Padraic and
Brother Ó Máille's cloaks as well" She said before she quickly remembered how Braeden had acted and just as swiftly added "If you'll let me."
Braedan looks long at the Wolves and glances up the hill occasionally and then over at Brother O'Maille as he tends to the wounded.
Only after a few moments does he realize that Aoife is speaking to him. A soft gentle look returns to his eyes and he says simply
"Of course, my dear. Load them in Fintan's saddle bags once you're done. Hopefully, we can be home before they spoil so you can prepare them properly...."
His gaze drifts off again up the hill and the eerie voices that he heard earlier.
"Let's not take too long everyone. Something about those wolves tells me that they were'nt totally natural. Neither is this place. I don't want to linger here longer than necessary.
Brother O'Malle do you think Fintan can continue or do we need to return to Largay?"
Padraic lays a hand on Aoifes shoulder before she starts to skin the wolves. "Hold Aoife, hold. These are no normal wolves. There is something not quite right about them. Lets go slow, I will aid you!"
With that he crouches opposite her and pulls out his knife, setting about helping her harvest the skins.
Aoife looked over to Braedan, pausing her task, giving him an odd look. As if that wasn't the tone she expected from him. "As you say." She told him before she turned back to her work at hand.
Aoife sent a smile to Padraic as she gave him a grateful nod. "I welcome the aid Padraic. My thanks." She told him.
Brother Ó Máille shakes his head, answering Braedan. "It has to be tonight. That's the moon... It's the moon that I saw in my vision."
Braedan adopts his sympathetic, diplomatic tone...
"Brother, we all know how important this is to you and how necessary you believe this pilgrimage to be. All I'm asking is...do you think Fintan is ok to make it the rest of the way or does he need urgent help from a ...how shall I say it... more experienced practitioner of the healing arts? What good is it to gain spiritual virtue if we lose the kings son unnecessarily?"
As others discuss his wounds, Fintan slowly lowers himself from his horse. He stumbles a little, his knee almost giving out beneath him; it seems his leg is very bloody. He lets out a pained moan. And then...
"I'm okay," says the big man. "I'm okay. God is good. God wants us to go forward. We go forward."
Hefting up his long weapon, he gestures toward Aoife and Padraic. "You go in front," he tells them. "I'll stay behind you. I have my spear. I'm okay."
As soon as the last wolf falls, the priest rushes over to Fintan and helps him off his horse. He focuses on the man's knee and whispers a prayer.
Ó Máille looks down at the torn parts of Fintan's armor and the clean, undamaged flesh underneath. He stands and faces Braedan. "God will give us the strength to persevere." He smiles, hope filling his eyes. "Have faith."
Ó Máille then walks to Padraic and lays a hand on his shoulder. His voice and body language display sympathy and a tinge of shame. "Thank you, brother." Lord, if it is your will, protect your children here and shield them from death.
Before the man can cast his spell, Padraic stops him, hand over his. "Hold. It is only a scratch brother. I am fine. Keep your magic till it is life and death!"
"Will you two just take the man's help." Aoife said with a sigh as she finished up another wolf. "You heard that noice just as I did, I don't even like his faith and I'd take it if I was in your condition." She told them as she cleaned the pelt before rolling it up and setting it to the side.
"Fintan, you sure? I don't mind staying in the back. Of we get surrounded I'm the better choice. You need to make it back alive more then I do." She told him as she went back to working.
Braedan was keeping a number of his thoughts about warfare in his head but now, he chose to share his knowledge...
"I'm no warrior but I know warfare. I've studied all the great battles, I've seen the Danes at work, so please listen for a moment and take my words to heart.
Padraic, that spear, had it been set down and supported would have skewered those wolves as they charged you. It's a normal tactic of footment against charging enemies...especially calvary. Just like Fintan's Lance but in reverse...He could have used it the same way had he not been mounted.
If we stand together...you three trained in combat up front, side by side. The brother and I behind in support. Each of you would have only had one foe attacking you instead of three...Fintan my heart!
The Danes have what they call shield brothers. When they all stand together, none are going to break their defense. Brother O'Maille and I can aid you all in many ways but you have to give us a chance. We got lucky this time but in the future, please take heed to my words. In Roman days, four men with locked tower shields could defend a doorway for days. Let's use our heads instead of our muscles eh?
Padraic, you decide whether you want to Brother O'Maille to tend your wounds but keep in mind he may not have time later.
If you all have any questions about organized fighting, please as me. I've got plenty of stories and examples but now isn't the time. But, please stick together and don't go running off."
"I cannot force God's mercy upon you. I will respect your decision." The priest backs away from Padraic and listens thoughtfully to Braedan's lecture. "Thank you, Braedan."
"Aye, he may not have time later, but later it might be worse and it might mean life or death. Now it is just a discomfort. Also we have no Tower shields, we are not any of these people. I rushed forward to draw the ire of the wolves that were waitin in the dark so yer brother weren't over run and torn to pieces. I can not fight like ya suggest Braedan, I need ta move, to keep loose on my feet. That is my style, that is how I fight and only know how to fight!"
He smiled at the Priest. "Nay brother, ya know I will always accept your healing, but I dont wish ta tire you so early. Save it for if I go down or one of the others needs it more."
Aoife, with Padraic's help, finished up with the pelts and made sure they where packed properly in Fintan's saddle bags. She looked to Braedan and gave him a nod when he finished speaking to let him know that understood what he wanted from them.
How is that really going to work with Fintan on Brave?... Well maybe if we put them in between Padraic and myself that may work...
Aoife seemed lost in thought as she went about cleaning her dagger.
Fintan listens quietly as Braedan, Padraic, and O Maille speak. He nods here and there, then leans on his spear and speaks.
"Padraic is smart," Fintan says, and seems to believe that's a good answer to the discussion at hand. He then adds gently, "So is Braedan, but we are not Danes. We are Irish. Aoife and me, we'll be in front." And with that, he lets Brave stay near the trees and grass and starts walking toward the cave. He knows better than to try and bring a horse into a cave.
He does not say it, but a part of the big man worries they'll be caught if they don't hurry. He mutters a prayer to God as they proceed.
"No Fintan, Padriac is not smart and history has shown that neither are you. You've both been extremely lucky. If you think fighting means running off into the dark against a foe you cannot see...well...I may not be a warrior, and contrary to Aoife, I'm no fool. So don't treat me like one. If I hadn't spotted those wolves and provided light, I can guarantee you <pointing at Padraic> and then at Fintan for sure would both be stone cold dead by now and probably the rest of us. If you want to survive, I suggest we learn to work as a team and adapt. I never said 'fight this way' or 'fight that way' I'm telling you that there is a better way. It's called working together as a team not as a bunch of individuals. If you want to go charge off alone at the first sign of trouble against an enemy you can't see without support then I have no reason to stay. I'm no coward but I'll not throw my life away or stand by while you do."
Braedan will hear no more and begins walking up the hill alone as an illustration...
He shouts back over his shoulder...
"He're I'll just do this myself and see how far I get."
Aoife let out a long sigh as Braedan started walking. "We don't.... Fintan, Padraic, please. Do me this favor, stay with the group. I know it isn't really my place to ask it, but I am doing my best to ensure we all get back alive, and I can do that with greater ease if we're all in the same area." Aoife said softly. "Now.. I'm going to try and go calm Braedan down..." She muttered as she walked off after Braedan.
This is the worst idea I've ever had... Well no, I've had worst, just this one isn't wise either...
Aoife quickly caught up to Braedan and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Please, try not to be too cross with them." She requested in a quiet tone. "I know you're no fool master Braedan, you're the smartest one here." Aoife bit the inside of her cheek, trying to force herself to speak the last of it, before finally stating "I called you a fool as a jest, figuring I could jest with you as I would with Fintan while away from home as we are... Now I know I cannot. You see me as your mother does, just another slave. This is to be expected...and if I may, I am just thankful you are not a cruel."
We're not going to get anywhere if we keep at each other's throats... Or even at small odds...
Braedan stops and turns to Aoife with a stern look but his whispered words are filled with compassion....
"Enough arse kissing slave, let's get moving" he shouts, as he continues trudging up the hill.
You make your way up the hill, and soon come upon the mouth of the cave. The Marble Arch is not in fact marble, but limestone that has been carved by millennia. Water pours from the cliff above, and then flows into the cave.
”This is the place,” Brother O’Máille confirms.
The eerie wail echoes from the entrails of the mountain, filling you with dread, fear, and doubt.
The muddy slope that leads down to the mouth of the cave seems treacherous, and the darkness inside is thick.
Aoife gave Braedan a slightly confused look. She had grown up alongside Fintan and Braedan and her mother had been their nanny so she did see them a bit like kin. But she didn't think it would go so far as calling one a true sibling.
I must be over thinking this...
"As you say." Aoife said as she waited for the others to rejoin them and then followed after Braedan to the mouth of the cave. She stopped and gazed into the opening that lead into the earth, her legs frozen where she stood. "We're suppose to go down there?" She asked, doing her best to keep her voice from breaking. "Are we sure about this?"
Ó Máille responds to Aoife, simply repeating himself. "This is the place." His face shows a mix of determination and placidity. As he turns to the mouth of the cave, the priest begins to recite a Psalm under his breath. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me..."
Aoife took a deep breath and gave a nod. "Right, I'll head in first then. If I see anything right away I'll let you all know." She told them before she slowly began to descend into the cave. She figured Fintan and Padraic would be right behind her after she gave the all clear.