Post by Andared on Apr 17, 2014 21:26:32 GMT -8
This will be my entry into the restricted category of the Seventh Global Challenge hosted by the Lands of Roawia roleplay. It is also the continuation of Andared's journey.
Although I tried to make it readable as a standalone installment, if you have not already read the chapter from "A Watchful Guardian" you may have a hard time keeping up with this one.
Reclaiming Stonewald: Infiltration
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Andared kept his head low against the cool breeze of the Everlyn's Tears lake. It was not the wind that concerned him; however, it was the sentries on the wall. Andared and Elanor were on a small boat that was floating among dozens of logs being ferried toward Stonewald. In spite of this, anything more than a passing glance would easily distinguish the small raft from the lumber around it. He said nothing, but he could not help but think that this plan would only end with an arrow through his chest...
* * [Earlier that morning...] * *
Elanor had a difficult time containing her excitement as she put down the letter from the Black Dragons. At last, they would rebel and liberate themselves from Queen Galainir's iron grip. It had been a painful struggle for her to sit idly by and watch as the outlaws took over the majestic realm of Lenfald.
Although she was excited to receive this call to action, the task itself would be a difficult one to complete. The Black Dragons intended to start the rebellion by retaking Stonewald, the capital of Lenfald. Their strategy for accomplishing this was a sound one. A small strike force would break into the city, free the imprisoned Lenfel soldiers from the jail (for even the Black Dragons could not hope to successfully and safely retake the city alone), and open the main gates for the rest of the assaulting Dragons.
The problem was that the "strike force" would only be composed of Andared and herself. She had no doubt in her own abilities, but she was not so sure about Andared. Regardless of this, she had a mission, and would see it completed. If she could only think of a way into the city...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Keep your head low," Elanor whispered to Andared, who was hunched behind her in the small raft. "We're almost there."
"It won't make any difference if the sentries do their job," Andared hissed. "Do you even know if it's possible to access the sewer system from the lake?"
Elanor grimaced and did not reply. She did not, in fact, know if it was possible to enter the city sewers from the lake. However, this was their best chance at entering the city unseen. As they slowly drifted closer to the walls of Stonewald, Elanor searched for any openings for channels of water. After a minute, she spotted one. It could not be wider than six feet, but they would fit. The problem was that it was nearly one hundred feet to their right, and their raft was being directed by the logs into a much larger collection bay.
"I see an opening, but we're going to have to paddle, Andared," Elanor said.
"Are you mad?" Andared replied in disbelief. "The sentries will surely spot us. We shall do no good to the rest of the Black Dragons as pincushions for her majesty's archers."
"It's our only chance, do it." Elanor spoke in no uncertain terms this time. The window of opportunity was closing fast.
They both paddled as quickly as they could, doing their best to disturb the water and the flow of the logs as little as possible. Slowly, but surely, they reached the entrance. As they floated through the narrow, stone tunnel, a foul stench began to pervade the air. It was nauseating for Andared and Elanor, but they could not turn back now.
After what seemed like an eternity of drifting through the sewer tunnel, they emerged into a small, dark room. Three of the Queen's guards were busy unloading barrels of waste into the stream when they noticed the newcomers. Elanor jumped off the boat first, cutting down one of the guards before he even drew his sword. Andared jumped off only a second later, but that was all the time the second guard had needed to draw both sword and shield. In spite of this, the guard was still hopelessly outmatched by Andared, and the ensuing battle was short.
Andared and Elanor hastily threw the bodies into the water, then made their way up the staircase.
"I will go to the jail and free the prisoners, Andared. You open up the gates and have the rest of the Black Dragons meet myself and the soldiers at the town square. From there, we can retake the city street by street."
Andared nodded, and ran up the steps. The hour of rebellion was at hand...
================================================================================================================
This was definitely a long installment, but I needed to fill in a lot of backstory, and I simply didn't have time to do that in another freebuild. My unrestricted entry should come in about a week or so. Thanks for viewing!
Although I tried to make it readable as a standalone installment, if you have not already read the chapter from "A Watchful Guardian" you may have a hard time keeping up with this one.
Reclaiming Stonewald: Infiltration
================================================================================================================
Andared kept his head low against the cool breeze of the Everlyn's Tears lake. It was not the wind that concerned him; however, it was the sentries on the wall. Andared and Elanor were on a small boat that was floating among dozens of logs being ferried toward Stonewald. In spite of this, anything more than a passing glance would easily distinguish the small raft from the lumber around it. He said nothing, but he could not help but think that this plan would only end with an arrow through his chest...
* * [Earlier that morning...] * *
Elanor had a difficult time containing her excitement as she put down the letter from the Black Dragons. At last, they would rebel and liberate themselves from Queen Galainir's iron grip. It had been a painful struggle for her to sit idly by and watch as the outlaws took over the majestic realm of Lenfald.
Although she was excited to receive this call to action, the task itself would be a difficult one to complete. The Black Dragons intended to start the rebellion by retaking Stonewald, the capital of Lenfald. Their strategy for accomplishing this was a sound one. A small strike force would break into the city, free the imprisoned Lenfel soldiers from the jail (for even the Black Dragons could not hope to successfully and safely retake the city alone), and open the main gates for the rest of the assaulting Dragons.
The problem was that the "strike force" would only be composed of Andared and herself. She had no doubt in her own abilities, but she was not so sure about Andared. Regardless of this, she had a mission, and would see it completed. If she could only think of a way into the city...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Keep your head low," Elanor whispered to Andared, who was hunched behind her in the small raft. "We're almost there."
"It won't make any difference if the sentries do their job," Andared hissed. "Do you even know if it's possible to access the sewer system from the lake?"
Elanor grimaced and did not reply. She did not, in fact, know if it was possible to enter the city sewers from the lake. However, this was their best chance at entering the city unseen. As they slowly drifted closer to the walls of Stonewald, Elanor searched for any openings for channels of water. After a minute, she spotted one. It could not be wider than six feet, but they would fit. The problem was that it was nearly one hundred feet to their right, and their raft was being directed by the logs into a much larger collection bay.
"I see an opening, but we're going to have to paddle, Andared," Elanor said.
"Are you mad?" Andared replied in disbelief. "The sentries will surely spot us. We shall do no good to the rest of the Black Dragons as pincushions for her majesty's archers."
"It's our only chance, do it." Elanor spoke in no uncertain terms this time. The window of opportunity was closing fast.
They both paddled as quickly as they could, doing their best to disturb the water and the flow of the logs as little as possible. Slowly, but surely, they reached the entrance. As they floated through the narrow, stone tunnel, a foul stench began to pervade the air. It was nauseating for Andared and Elanor, but they could not turn back now.
After what seemed like an eternity of drifting through the sewer tunnel, they emerged into a small, dark room. Three of the Queen's guards were busy unloading barrels of waste into the stream when they noticed the newcomers. Elanor jumped off the boat first, cutting down one of the guards before he even drew his sword. Andared jumped off only a second later, but that was all the time the second guard had needed to draw both sword and shield. In spite of this, the guard was still hopelessly outmatched by Andared, and the ensuing battle was short.
Andared and Elanor hastily threw the bodies into the water, then made their way up the staircase.
"I will go to the jail and free the prisoners, Andared. You open up the gates and have the rest of the Black Dragons meet myself and the soldiers at the town square. From there, we can retake the city street by street."
Andared nodded, and ran up the steps. The hour of rebellion was at hand...
================================================================================================================
This was definitely a long installment, but I needed to fill in a lot of backstory, and I simply didn't have time to do that in another freebuild. My unrestricted entry should come in about a week or so. Thanks for viewing!
-Wanderer of Roawia-
