Post by Erathor Pridenar on Apr 25, 2014 22:12:37 GMT -8
This is my entry to the Vignette category of the GCVII, and is part of a story collaboration with Sir Aidan of Loreos.
LoR - Unexpected Revelations by Erathor Pridenar of Loreos, on Flickr
Story:
In one day, everything would be back to normal. Erathor's army had marched for two days now, heading back to Sarenhold, and in less than a day's time they would arrive there, weary in body yet joyful in spirit. Galainir's Dragon army that had assailed them, effectively holding them prisoner, was defeated, and their threat no more. Every last man was dead in the dust of the Knife-Road Pass.
Whilst the men ate in the evening, Erathor headed out for a little while, to have some time to himself. He walked along a rocky shelf only a couple of metres high, still armed in case of attack, as bandits frequented this land. He had not gone far before he heard voices from the track below. Ducking behind a bush, he peeped out to catch a glimpse of the passing men. They were Outlaws. The man who was evidently their leader walked a short way in front, and was wearing a heavy black cloak. Looking again, Erathor saw that there were only four armed men with him, but the weapons they carried were not of the highest quality. One carried a shield bearing Galainir's dragon sigil. Suddenly, the company stopped, right in front of the thicket.
"Not far now, men!" said the man in black. "Soon, Ithil will be ours, and those that hold it will be destroyed." Erathor listened to this in horror. Sir Aidan, the brave Loreesi knight who had occupied Ithil, had not been seen in months, and now the town would be overthrown by the Queen's forces. If the leader could be dealt with, there would be a chance that the men wouldn't stick together anymore. That seemed to be the way with Outlaws. At any rate, he was sure that the other four men wouldn't pose too much of a threat to him.
Readying his sword, Erathor crouched behind the bush, and sprang forward, leaping down the rock face. He brought his sword down on the cloaked man's shield, hoping to force him to the ground and render him helpless, but he was stronger than expected. Erathor resumed his assault with a certain ferocity.
"FOR THE GLORY OF LOREOS!" he yelled, raising Shard.
"Erathor? Erathor!" The Loreesi stopped abruptly. "It's me, Aidan! Aidan of Ithil!"
"Aidan! Forgive me, old friend, I did not recognise you, and I presumed that you headed to Ithil as members of Galainir's army, and not to retake it! I did not know that it was in the Queen's hands! For the record, don't carry the Queen's shields with you." He winked.
"Unfortunately, that is so - it has been overthrown. I have been living in the swamps for the past few months, but when I heard rumours of the rebellion I marched north, gathering men as I went and attacking the Dragons covertly." He started in sudden remembrance. "What of Nessa? Where is she?"
"Erathor smiled. "Don't worry, Aidan. Last I heard, she was heading to Lenfald to stay with her family there. I'm sure she's safe. Now, something else. As you plan on retaking Ithil, I will help you as best I can. My army is camped not far from here, and I would be happy to lend some men to assist in the assault. I will send them right away."
It was Aidan's turn to smile. "Thank you, friend, I appreciate it. I have more men waiting closer to Ithil, and I must go to them now."
"Alright, Aidan. When this is over, we shall speak of all your adventures in front of a roaring fire, with a goblet of wine in our hands. Farewell!"
"Farewell, friend." Aidan ordered his men onwards, and they disappeared round the corner.
For the Glory of Loreos!
LoR - Unexpected Revelations by Erathor Pridenar of Loreos, on Flickr
Story:
In one day, everything would be back to normal. Erathor's army had marched for two days now, heading back to Sarenhold, and in less than a day's time they would arrive there, weary in body yet joyful in spirit. Galainir's Dragon army that had assailed them, effectively holding them prisoner, was defeated, and their threat no more. Every last man was dead in the dust of the Knife-Road Pass.
Whilst the men ate in the evening, Erathor headed out for a little while, to have some time to himself. He walked along a rocky shelf only a couple of metres high, still armed in case of attack, as bandits frequented this land. He had not gone far before he heard voices from the track below. Ducking behind a bush, he peeped out to catch a glimpse of the passing men. They were Outlaws. The man who was evidently their leader walked a short way in front, and was wearing a heavy black cloak. Looking again, Erathor saw that there were only four armed men with him, but the weapons they carried were not of the highest quality. One carried a shield bearing Galainir's dragon sigil. Suddenly, the company stopped, right in front of the thicket.
"Not far now, men!" said the man in black. "Soon, Ithil will be ours, and those that hold it will be destroyed." Erathor listened to this in horror. Sir Aidan, the brave Loreesi knight who had occupied Ithil, had not been seen in months, and now the town would be overthrown by the Queen's forces. If the leader could be dealt with, there would be a chance that the men wouldn't stick together anymore. That seemed to be the way with Outlaws. At any rate, he was sure that the other four men wouldn't pose too much of a threat to him.
Readying his sword, Erathor crouched behind the bush, and sprang forward, leaping down the rock face. He brought his sword down on the cloaked man's shield, hoping to force him to the ground and render him helpless, but he was stronger than expected. Erathor resumed his assault with a certain ferocity.
"FOR THE GLORY OF LOREOS!" he yelled, raising Shard.
"Erathor? Erathor!" The Loreesi stopped abruptly. "It's me, Aidan! Aidan of Ithil!"
"Aidan! Forgive me, old friend, I did not recognise you, and I presumed that you headed to Ithil as members of Galainir's army, and not to retake it! I did not know that it was in the Queen's hands! For the record, don't carry the Queen's shields with you." He winked.
"Unfortunately, that is so - it has been overthrown. I have been living in the swamps for the past few months, but when I heard rumours of the rebellion I marched north, gathering men as I went and attacking the Dragons covertly." He started in sudden remembrance. "What of Nessa? Where is she?"
"Erathor smiled. "Don't worry, Aidan. Last I heard, she was heading to Lenfald to stay with her family there. I'm sure she's safe. Now, something else. As you plan on retaking Ithil, I will help you as best I can. My army is camped not far from here, and I would be happy to lend some men to assist in the assault. I will send them right away."
It was Aidan's turn to smile. "Thank you, friend, I appreciate it. I have more men waiting closer to Ithil, and I must go to them now."
"Alright, Aidan. When this is over, we shall speak of all your adventures in front of a roaring fire, with a goblet of wine in our hands. Farewell!"
"Farewell, friend." Aidan ordered his men onwards, and they disappeared round the corner.
For the Glory of Loreos!