There are about 30 knights, 10 of them bear the insignia and colours to the regent, the others have no markings whatsoever and have black and blue as their colours.
Drak could use some rest, his energy running low as well. There is however so much to do.
Drak thinks on if he knows anything about those colors.
Drak does report back.
That's not something we can fight by ourselves. Not unless we have support of townsfolk who are more then farm-hands. Who exactly do we have from the town. Not with only a day to prepare. I think our best bet would be to make the losses not worth the effort. I'm a little drained but I could go muck up the camp some tonight. Anyone else want to and is capable of going on a stealth operation tonight?
Drak doesn't recognize their colours but he's got a sinking feeling that he should recognize them or that he has encountered them before. When he thinks about it his neck begins to hurt.
Malthu does not recognize the colours either but he does know for a fact that there are no allied knights that use blue and black as their colours. Something is not right with that 'allaince'.
Rybal from his previous peruse of the town can say that they can probably defend themselves and they have a dragon on their side. The problem of course is the knights are trained warriors whereas the townsfolk really aren't and might be afraid to fight if they break past the walls.
Mhmmmmmmmmmmm.
The elf mediates, resting and recovering his energies.
I'll oversee the fortifications. We secure the weapons and some central buildings. Make them come at us in a narrow approach, take away their mobility. We'll talk at first, see if they'll listen to reason. Hells, if they really are knights I'll challenge one to single combat if it comes to it. But I have a feeling we'll need Snow close by, if they don't see reason.
Well if we are sure that these are enemies then we do what we must.
Unless there is some confirmation that those who rest outside the camp are friendly Drak will do some infiltration and cause some chaos. Instead of going after men, he will go after the horses. If there is one that looks particularly mean he will leave it and go after others, going for quantity over quantity. Once an alarm gets sounded Drak will throw an Alchemist Fire, set something on fire to cause a distraction and then hopefully disappear without a trace .
The nearest outpost Malthu knows is at the foot of the hill halfway towards the village of Two sisters. Some of the Regent's knights guard the road from highwaymen.
Approaching the outpost it is a singular tower with a stable nearby. Two men with crossbows at the ready are patrolling around the front of the tower (,the back of the tower is against the mountainside). They are holding torches in one of their hands and have their light crossbows propped up with their other arm against their shoulder. When Malthu approaches one of them calls out. "Hail Traveller, what brings you to this outpost this eve.
Left with Variel, Snow and Korina they set out on a plan. Snow starts the discussion "So Rybal you've done some leg work on the area already. What do you think is best case for defence? I know the townsfolk will defend themselves when they see the attack coming but are we banking on that happening when they arrive or are we going to sound an early alarm or something similar?
Drak returns to the camp and looking at the horses most of them are tethered on sets of temporary posts. There is a single knight still full in armour that is pacing up and down tending to the horses. The horses seem rather stoic, none of them lean down to eat the grass at the feat and only seldom shake their head. Something is off putting about them but they do look like normal horses nonetheless. Maybe it is the training for war that has got these horses on edge.
The guard seems confused at first. "Force of knights? What are you talking about none have come up this road. The Regent has not sent anyone to relieve the ones post here." He ponders for a moment. "I have no reason to doubt a Paladin, so that means what you say is true, which begs the question as to why they would attack Chamarel, there is naught there. Wait here, I shall go wake the commanding knight."
The guard rushes off into the tower while the other one watches you, it doesn't look like he is surveying you out of worry but more out of duty.
About 10 minutes later a knight comes out bearing some lightly donned armour but it is at least showing his colours. Seeing you as a Paladin he greets you as an equal. "Hail chosen of Sarenrae, I am Sir Cerdic. Poldrian here tells me you suspect there is a knight force planning something upon Chamarel. What more information do you have on this?"
Drak will just watch and wait for awhile. He's not ready to kill a person, his personal code won't allow him to kill an innocent person, but taking out a few mounts that might be used to threaten is a different matter. Besides, taking on an full-armored knight seems like it might be folly given his current state after his exertions earlier this day.
They have a lot of heavy horse, Rybal says in response to Snow's question.
We will be cut down in the open field, unless you're willing to let your...true nature show, that is.
He smiles, and holds up a hand.
Don't worry, that's our last resort. I've started preparations to fortify a central building and stockpile weapons there. We don't want the raiders to burn the cane fields, so we want to conceal our plans for defense. If we can force them to come along one rode and cut off their mobility, we might be able to take a few out and make them rethink a drawn out battle. I will not fall until I have slain at least three riders--this I vow on my blade.
You don't see anyone else around, the knight seems to be only concerned with guarding this area. The horses seem to be fully rested as far as you can tell. That or they have a lot of stamina as you know they just arrived from afar.
There are no allied ranks that bear the colours black and blue. This is rather disturbing. I shall sound the alarm and send my men towards the town. Unless you have a better idea Malthu of Sarenrae."
How do you propose forcing them along one road? Snow asks "I can use my form to block some of the gates with ice, though I'm not sure if that'll prevent everything? At least make it more inhospitable
If we could set some wagons in a few alleys, crosswise to the street. Hide a few strong bodies who don't have much fighting experience. Once the riders go by, they could push the wagons across to block the road. As for your ice, save it for once battle starts. Use it to separate their numbers in half and gives us more of a chance.
The knight is slow but purposeful walking about the horses, only paying attention to his duty of guarding them. Every so often the knight's helmet seems to fall off and it rights the helmet before it falls off. Loose straps or something maybe, probably unimportant. Drak does feel sickly trying to remember the black and blue colours but he is unsure as to why.
Cerdic seeing no protest from the Paladin bashes against his armour, Malthu hears a crack. Suddenly Cedric's voice is booming loud. "Knights of the Realm, we ride to Chamarel!" In the tower behind Cedric Malthu can hear people rousing from their sleep. Even the horses in the stable seem ready and rearing to go in the blink of an eye.
Within about 20 minutes all the knights have donned their armour and are ready to depart. There are 8 knights in all and 10 man-at-arms.
"That seems like a good idea" Snow says.
Korina asks "Where should we hide those young and not strong enough to fight, in their homes?"
I don't see how we can protect everyone in town here, but there is someone who can. The halfling house with the glyph circles, can we activate them at the first sign of an attack to send the townsfolk through to our minotaur friends' icy realm? Send 'em through with a keg of strong liquor and have them say they're friends of Rybal's. They can wait out the attack there until we retrieve them. They'll need heavy blankets and winter clothing, and torches and oil if possible.
Drak will attempt a quick disguise. Muddy his skin with some dirt, change his hair, hide his weapons.
Should have thought of this earlier, but I need a better look Drak grumbles in his mind.
Drak will approach, trying to seem dirty, but harmless.
Korina says "That seems like an odd idea, but if these minotaurs are your friends then they no doubt will be able to keep them safe." Korina starts to get stuff to wrap herself up warm. "I shall begin to gather the necessary liquor, I know some of the rum merchants and they should be more than willing to part with some to keep the townsfolk safe."
Snow seems a bit lost, it looks like she wants to help but she isn't sure as to how.
The horse makes no movement to resist. As Malthu's hand approaches a light begins to shine from his palm. A brief moment passes at winged archon that makes up sarenrae's simple appears as a mark on the horses head. A bond is formed, the mark vanishes as the light fades. The horse seems quite happy it bucks its head playfully and taps it against Malthu's head.
The knight that is patrolling spots Drak quite easily since he's making himself known. The knight asks "Who goes there?!" It pauses with weapons drawn. ".. It is a marked one...? Why would such a lowlife like yourself be marked? Answer me!"
After Korina leaves to begin preparations, Rybal approaches Snow.
We will need to know when the invaders are approaching to see how much time we have to enact our plan. If you can travel far enough away from the town limits and take on your true form, could you patrol the skies high enough up to avoid detection? Maybe you can tether a horse there to ride back when you see the army coming--this should allow you to hold your humanoid form in town. These cowards will attack after dark, for sure. If you can get here before they do and stay up on top of the halfling house's roof with Variel, you can rain death on them while I block the door.
The horse doesn't respond much to the question just shaking his head and exhaling. Though it does seem eager to ride off.
"That's a good idea, I should be able to stay out of sight if I'm high enough. You'd be surprised at how many people don't look up!" Snow is about to depart "Anything else or shall we get ready for the worst?"
Rybal bids Snow farewell and goes in search of a hot meal and a strong drink before finalizing defensive preparations.
It's very possible I went about this the wrong way. Damnit. Damnit. Damnit.
Lowlife? You dare call me a lowlife when I keep watch on our enemies. Because I choose not to wear colors that would give me away unless I wish to be seen? You are a fool, and it's no wonder you have been assigned to tending the horses. You call me a lowlife then dare draw your weapon against me! You have one chance to leave my presence before I take offense.
The knight is confused at first, then is unsure of it's own accusation. "You are marked for the hunt, though that was a possible mistake. I shall go check on this wait here." The knight falters a bit, then leaves you with the horses.
The knight goes off to one of the tents, presumably to ask someone.
Well that sounds pleasant. Not enough time to kill the horses. Guess I'll settle for scaring them off.
The outpost has plenty of lances to take. They keep well stocked, they haven't seen a battle in a while so the stock seems bountiful.
Around the area there is plenty of shrubbery and twigs about that could be set alight. The way that the knight sauntered off seems like he might be a little while. Time is still of the essence of course, unless Drak feels the need to explain his predicament to another knight.
When Drak lights the fire and cuts the ropes he spooks the horses. They start darting around the place. Drak makes his get away, he hears several of the knights begin to panic trying to grab their horses as they run off along the mountainside. The knights calling out the names of their horses as a few flee.
Drak is able to at least see that several of the horses are beyond the worth of the knights to go grab them, especially this late at night.
In the early morning, before the sun rises the group is readying to defend the town. Knights of the Regent on the march with Malthu. Drak, Rybal and Variel resting, worried for what might be coming.
The group hear the sound of hooves on the stone path, approaching the town. The crackle of fire of torches. Over the horizon several knights appear on horseback with others on foot following closely behind. All with their dark colours, blue and black.
When getting ready an old wound of Drak's starts to flare up, a certain mark that cursed him. Something is causing it to feel worse than normal.
Cedric leans over to Malthu who is mounted on Redflame. "That is the contingent of knights of which you spoke?"
Snow wakes up any of the group in Chamarel still sleeping well before the knights get anywhere in sight due to her scouting ahead per Rybal's instructions. She warns some of the townsfolk who confirm their approach, those unwilling to fight take to the tunnels as a retreat strategy. Left behind are about 15 villagers who are willing to help.
Though in addition to them, to the groups' surprise are old friends. Diaz, Ali and Ingrid are there. Chara stands with them ready to fight. Misha and Flint have come out of hiding to join the fight. Brice having recovered from his butchering by the siren stands ready, something changed within him but he's more than ready to take the fight to those knights.
When the knights get to about 200 feet from the front of the town the group sees the ones left on foot to march infront of the horses with crossbows drawn. They begin to light up the front of their bolts with fire. They let them fly setting the cane on fire as predicted trying to smoke out the town. Though with such few people left, with all of them ready and hiding their initial plan doesn't work. The knights begin to walk towards the town with the barricades dealt with, burnt beyond usefulness. Villagers are ready behind the carts set up.
Variel, Rybal and Drak in town ready to be dispatched around with their friends. Cedric with the knights of the realm and Malthu stand on the edge of town ready to march in when needed.
I think one of the commanders may be headless. Drak grumbles to Rybal and Variel.
You remember the Dullahan that marked me? I think her 'sister' is out there and a little upset that I still have a good head on my shoulders.
If you see me fighting her... you come and you rescue me. Drak half jokes.
Headless, huh? That's ok--the body is a bigger target anyway. Rybal grunts, mildly impressed. Then he raises his voice so the remaining defenders can hear him.
The crops can be replanted, and buildings can be rebuilt. Don't let their coward's tactics give you pause! We stand our ground! Let them ride to their destruction, we hold it in our hands for them. If you wish for more sport, aim for their horses! Then they can crawl to meet us. We have already done our part--the weak and young are safe. Now we give them just cause to honor our memory. Do not fear death--the gods hold high in their esteem warriors such as us. We welcome death, and hope that this enemy is strong enough to send us to it. Strike true, and I will stay here with you 'til the last...
Rybal swigs a last sip of spirits, and smashes the bottle furiously to the ground. He tests the blade of his weapon with his thumb, nods approvingly, and levels it towards the direction of the riders.
The knights approach the ready warriors, seeing them defiant to the last. One of the knights that has armour emblazoned with more regalia than the rest of them calls out. "We will give you one chance to surrender, this town is of no more use to us. Though I promise we can keep you alive if you give up now!"