Spirits of the Earth

Hakon Kilandre's scimitar sliced through the fabric and flesh with a terrible scream of steel followed by the hiss of an artery being sliced open. The rogue mage's hand curled in agony, quickly flying to his split neck- blood gushing in red waves between his fingers as he fell back. Only to cower further as the massive Theocog turns round- finishing his master's brutal blow with a coup-de-grace of four hooves crushing the man's ribcage.

The forest clearing now fell silent, the runes that glowed with boiling blood in a demonic light now failing. Plunging the trees into the dim purple light given by the setting sun. Crumpled heaps of dark blue robes lay strewn about the clearing, other summoners who had attempted to stop the Major of Ansgar's Hand from ceasing their ritual.

Hakon slid off her helm, tossing it angrily toward the ruins just beyond the trees with a cry of anger. Purgatorio, the great silver Theocog tossed his massive head in surprise, snorting angrily. The young woman's armor shrieked as she slid and collapsed off of the great horse, dropping the blade into the soft soil, damp with gore.

Her armored gloves curling in her platinum locks as the Lady screamed- the sound a long, loud, mournful wail of agony and grief. The magic they had used twisted her mind, bringing back the faces of the hundreds dead by her blade, her family seeming to burst with pus and disease, the heat that burned through her that urged her to sin- all of it- all if it coming back in a torrent that blinded the young woman, causing her to hyperventilate and tremble upon the ground as the great warbeast stood nearby, snorting and whickering worriedly...

A second massive beast of a horse came to a stop close to Purgatorio, this one a stark black. The rider atop him gave Sleipnir a quick pat before he jammed a long glaive, dripping with blood, blade first into the blood soaked earth.

There was a clash of steel as Diz dismounted, his boots hitting heavily on the earth. A small amount of blood streamed from a small gash across his forehead, a narrow miss from a spike of earth hurled from a terramancer. With a couple steps, he reached his superior and kneeled next to her.

"Hakon, what's wrong? You need to get up, there's more coming from the ruins. Jyrryk and the others are still a ways back...it was hell to catch up to you. But it's just us two, My Lady, and they're going to try and unleash more hell upon us."

He stood then, and reaching over both shoulders, unsheathed both broadswords at his back, readying himself for his Major's defense if need be.

"If there's anything I can do for you, tell me now, before they come."

She managed to quiet herself long enough to suck in more breath, forcing herself up as tears threatened to blind her vision. The Major rolled her shoulder angrily, shaking her head like a mad dog and hissing curses at herself- forcing away the images, trying to gain control of her trembling body once more before snarling," We stopped their damnable blood ritual- that is all that matters!"

Looking toward Purgatorio, the massive horse trots over, waiting for Lady Hakon to mount as she readies herself for battle once more. She felt so dizzy that the forest pinwheeled about her," Into the Fell, retreat into the ruins- they will only follow us if they desire to become nothing but husks and beasts." She managed in a raw voice, spitting to the side, barely noticing the trail of blood that painted her lips," Come. Hurry- this is a battle won but to be finished another day!"

Disgaua moved at a pace as fast as his heavy armor would allow, and yanked his glaive from the earth again. "If I may, my Lady, I cannot help but think that if we leave them be, they may merely start again." Nonetheless, he used his glaive to push himself up just high enough to place one foot in the stirrup, and with a great show of strength threw all his weight into clamoring atop Sleipnir. The beast was (thank Ansgar) smart enough to lower himself slightly to make this endeavor easier.

After settling himself he placed the pole of his glaive in a leather ring he'd attached to Sleipnir's saddle, making it easier to carry while mounted.

"Your orders are my orders, though. Lead on, Major."

" If they do, we shall merely charge from the darkness and continue to sow souls-" she stopped abruptly as the war-like wails of the mages they had rudely interrupted rose from the distance. Quickly she squeezed Purgatorio's sides, the Theocog arching his massive neck briefly- rearing slightlt before moving forward at a slow lope. The armor scraping audibly as the Major moved toward the Ruins of the Fell.

She hated magic, and the Fell was not much different. They were only spared because they were not magical in and of themselves but- the air here was none the less corrupt. God- it would take centuries of a hundred priests chanting a continuous mantra to rid this place of its darkness that twisted souls so terribly...

The gun-shot-like blow of the heavy gooves making contact with the ancient stone struck these thoughts from her mind. The primal magic that caused her mind so much agony being stripped away so quickly that her temples throbbed and her very breath was torn asunder. They had crossed the border into the Fell. Immediately the dizziness increased, the Major slumping forward in the saddle- already her breathing growing shallow again from the sudden change, eyes fluttering shut.

Gawfy had been Lying in wait for About an hour with a suit made off moss covering him. He had been waiting On one of the ruins As the Mages prepared to summon somthing un holy. He was to wait and let them summon then came along some Military Types. Before he could react they had slaughtered all of the Dark priests. "Looks like there would be no summoning today" He thought as he watched on. Then a woman? Started screaming about some non sense. He stood up ever so slowly and watched on.

Disgaua gave Sleipnir's sides a light squeeze to spur him onward, and the beast loped forward after Hakon upon Purgatorio. His eyes remained forward, focusing intently upon the path ahead, eyes and ears straining for any sound beyond the thundering sound of hooves on stone. Behind them, the mages continued their warlike howling, voices echoing amongst the stones around them.

Crossing into the Fell was an experience, too, but not like Hakon's. His wounds were physical, and also superficial, and instead this experience came with an odd feeling of deja vu that gave his soldiers mind pause.

He only contemplated this for a moment before he noticed his superior slump forward, as if weakened or further injured. That woman is admirable, but she pushes herself far too hard... he thought, and he tapped Sleipnir's sides again to spur him forward a bit, the Theocog coming to trot beside his brethren.

He turned his head to look at Hakon, noting her shut eyes and her labored breathing.

"....My Lady, you mustn't push yourself so hard if you're hurt. Please, let us find a place to hole up for the moment and wait for the other's."

Forcing her eyes open to focus upon her Captain, shutting them again tightly when his image spun before her, she nodded slightly, exhaling carefully," Very well-" her voice rasped raw between her lips as she placed a hand against Purgatorio's thick, armored neck. The steed craning its head back worriedly with a sound deep in its chest.

She felt so weak, it was humiliating. It made her hate them all the more. Armored gloves curled into fists ad she thought... Dammit-

Alas, the howls soon died to a low, uncertain ambient droan as the mages reached the border of the Fell and the forest. They may be mad but none were willing to risk their accumulated power to become a mere beast just to pursue a quarry.

Diz nodded gratefully. "Take your rest, Hakon," he said, thin lipped and serious. "It seems we are safe for the moment, so long as whatever beasts from this place remain intelligent enough to leave us alone. Now we need only find a place to settle down for the moment."

Sleipnir's neck turned slightly to also look at Hakon, looking worriedly at his former caretaker. Disgaua smiled. "Worry not, my six-legged friend. I am sure the Lady is strong enough to make it through this, and probably drag the two of us behind her as well."

He turned to look back at Hakon, blue eyes peering from beneath his bloody scalp. "Do you want to blaze the trail, or shall I?"

" Lead on- I cannot guarntee my leadership will be helpful as of now," she adotted quietly, pushing herself up awkwardly by supporting herself upon the saddle horn. Her eyes flicker to her companion briefly," Watch for the afflicted, we do not know if the mages' cries have become a distress beacon."

Slinging her shield over her back and sheathing the scimitar, she nodded to him, offering a wry smile," Show me you can pay off your debt to me," she chuckles dryly. Humor clear in her tone- she would not let her dark thoughts weigh down her companion.

Diz gave a wry smile at that, nodding slightly at her before turning to face the trail.

"Of course. My debt to you runs deep - not only for Sleipnir, but also getting me out of those pointless patrols around the capital. I think I was ready to drink myself to death from the boredom." He gave a soft chuckle at that, shaking his head slightly.

"And as long as the afflicted remain in small numbers, I think we should be fine. If you've got the strength yet to poke fun at me, I think that sword of yours could still serve you a couple of swings," he said.

He looked about the ruins for a place for them to fortify momentarily, guiding Sleipnir down the odd trails and overgrown paths. It wasn't long before he found what appeared to be a building that looked at least partially intact. Single story, flat roof, ancient stonework. He dismounted Sleipnir with a rasp of steel.

"I'll check it out. Can you keep a watch for a moment, my Lady? Give a shout and I'll come running, otherwise this should take but a moment."

He leaned his glaive against the open doorway, and headed inside.

Murmuring her consent, she looked toward Sleipnie, trusting all her Theocog enough to know je would not run off of his own accord. Her gaze flickers across the ruins. Listening to the deafening silence as she caught her breath, wiping some cold sweat from her brow as she did so.

The Fell was always dead quiet, and always it was unnerving, not even the birds dared to fly within the sky above this ruined country. Her gaze flickered across the hulking black stones of collapsed buildings that may have once dared to touch the sky- now simply the corpses of stony giants. Briefly she thought she saw a humanoid-like shape crouched against the ground, covered in moss near the edge of the forest but dismissed this as her exhausted mind playing tricks.

Jack after being banished from most places as a monster men hunted him and soon he gave into the shadow man in him. The small fairy man and transformed into a beast made of shadow. He traveled into the Fell it was a sanctuary for him since most avoided it. Anyone that was foolish enough he killed with a strike from the swords and anything the shadows would do for him. But this day he had been like this for almost a year. The shadow had become even more a part of his life than usual he stood almost 6 foot tall as a shadow by in normal form he was only around 3 and a half feet. He had been roaming the ruins when he saw a man and woman in military clothing in his territory. Most did not venture here for most had seen his marks on the land. Trees he had split and ditches he dug in his spare time. As these two were in his territory he watched them followed them and often was going to attack but held back because the woman has something about her... She seemed to be crazed like him. You could never kill and I need the dieings face unless you went insane. Jack had already slaughtered almost a hundred men strong and healthy probably some of the best hunters.

But as he realized the two were also heading into his home. A small cave in a collapsed building. He had been conducting rituals to grow in power and strength. Dead bodies late outside and around the area to mark his presences but they probably would not care... He had to get there before they found it.

Gawfy stood up completely now, Still covered in moss he turned his head around looking for the way he came in. He took a few steps around seeming uncaring of the Beast and its rider. His ears pined as he heard more Hoofs clakkering. Seems you brought more than your Beast with you here The living moss stated in the direction of the girl

The inside of the building was much the same as the outside - ancient, musty, and nondescript. The doorway opened straight into a hallway that lead to the left. The room it opened into made up most of the building - a decent sized common room, furnished only by a dilapidated dining table and two broken chairs. In one corner, under a hole broken in the roof, some previous wayfarer had built a small fire pit, with a small collection of logs and scrap wood. In the opposite corner, no more than ten feet away, there was a pile of straw with an old but surprisingly thick blanket thrown over it.

Leading off of the common room seemed to be the remains of a research area of sorts, most of its furnishings dismantled, perhaps to serve as firewood. Nothing of use in there, save for a fairly large sheet nailed to the rooms only window frame.

Just a moment after he went inside, Diz came out again. He retrieved his glaive and stepped over to Sleipnir, patting his neck. "I'm afraid there's not much in the way of creature comforts, but it'll do. There's a bed for you to rest on, and a fire pit. If you want, I'll stand guard outside, and wait for the others." He turned to look at Hakon, and spoke more directly. "You need at least a moments rest, preferably a long nap. These two and I can handle things out here, I'm sure."

The Major seemed rather rapt with the silent landscape as her companion spoke. Focusing upon the moss covered man who seemed to have stood and begun speaking- but due to him being im the forest nearly a half-mile away, it was impossible to know what he said. Perhaps it was a conjuration of the Mages. Hakon's skin prickled as she felt another instinctive sensation of being watched. Turning slightly toward Diz, she murmured," I cannot rest yet, my Captain, we have company in the shape of beast or man."

Tilting her head slightly, she tried to locate the other watcher, vaguely seeing the silhouette f a shadow in the distance but dismissing it again as a hallucination of fatigue. Turning slightly, she murmurs," Keep vigilant, my friend. I need to rest, as you say- but I would rather not leave you here with Purgatorio and Sleipnir as your only reinforcement despite their capablities."

At that, the great white Theocog snorted rather proudly, tossing his armored head haughtily though the ears angled toward Jack, as if it could scent or hear him rather then see him.

Rushing to his home Jack worried that they had already went in. But if they do not check the back room they would not find it. The dead bodies... had they not seen them? Oh well. He slid through small cracks and drifted over the ground. No apparent shape could be told. A Dragon, a man, or some other beast could be seen every now and then if he held still by I shifted through them. Jack reached the back of the house they were in and drifted through a crack. He was in the room with the straw one of his beds. If she lays he filthy he's on it he would cut it off. The other man will be slaughtered. When it came down to it Jack wanted to be left alone away from hunters. These ones must be the kings men. As he reached the door he melted into the shadows around it unnoticible. Whispering through her mind the majors mind his voice slithered. "You are a murderer aren't You? You see their faces like I do? But why did you not turn back I made the warnings left the bodies of hunters just look behind the house I left a few there." He said all of this only to her to anyone else they would not hear them inside their heads. But he waited and lurked to the other side of shadows and watched through a crack outside.

Gawfy walked in the direction they fled and soon came upon her company. After Sneaking past them he was soon in front of what seemed like a house in a middle of a cave. He could hear commotion on the inside and sat down next to the door and listened in

Diz reaffirmed his grip on the pole of his glaive, stepped over to stand beside Hakon and, with blue eyes suddenly gone hard and cold, scanned their environs. All trace of his earlier humor evaporated, leaving behind the professional soldier he was so well known to be.

"....Perhaps we should-"

He suddenly stopped, heading the sounds of trotting hooves nearby. He glanced at Hakon, and relaxed slightly.

The sounds of hooves and steel grew closer, and four large chargers of varying shades bearing riders in various states of health came around the bend.

"...I see Jyrryk, Aldemar, Maek, and Veisen. Jyrryk! Where is the rest of the company?"

The four, noting the voice of their Captain, spurred their horses forward, coming to stop in front of Hakon and Disgaua.

"Major, Captain...it is only us four. The others, they....we ran into a group of those blasted mages just outside the boundary of the Fell. We were ambushed..."

Disgaua's eyes widened slightly, and he cursed. "We regroup here, then. Fortify what you can, and two of you help me stand guard. I don't care who. You other two, go with the Major and rest. We'll change guard every two hours."

He turned to look at Hakon, smirking but oblivious to the voice speaking to her mind. "Well, I'm not alone now. What do you say?"

Hakon exhaled quietly, just nodding wordlessly to her companion as she listened to the voice dully- far too tired to put up mich of a fight as she murmured noncommitedly," Captain, check behind the house. Keep all the men within eyeshot- I need to just..." she trailed off and shook her head, offering a tiny smile to her men before disappearing into the ruins of the house, knowing Purgatorio would be safe.

The Major rested her hand upon the hilt of her scimitar, looking about the empty rooms before choosing one where she could rest and simply wait for the voice to make itself visible. She sunk into a ragged cot from many moons past, her full armor squeaking slightly as she rested her back against the stone wall and simply waited- steadying her breathing in hopes that the throbbing headache would soon pass. If any magical being dared to pass within a 10 foot radius of her, it would instantly find itself unable to use magival abilities- thus was the blessing of Adhairism.

Jack watched as she enters his home. She late on his bed! His... I'll kill her. He looked back out the hole at the soldier coming but chose to go after the woman. He had set a trap to slam onto the ground near the body. It would impose the man once he entered a magical ring. No one had survived it and even if they did Jack had put rotting meat on it to give disease. He slowly crept into the room turn into the Dragon shape. By as he neared her a strange feeling overcame him and it was horrible agony after. He could feel thw shadows ripped from him. It was as if someone was peeling his skin off very slowly.

He screamed at this extremely loud but he sank to the ground and was soon his short stark blue haired fairy. "Aghhh what did you do to me!!!" He slipped down to the ground tears streaming down his face. "I can't feel him what did you do to him you witch?" He sipped at the years and grabbed a bone from between some of the floor boards. "Give him back to me Ill... Ill..." He had never killed without being a shadow. As the spell peeled the last bit of shadow off he passed out from the pain.

After hearing some Ruckus in the house Gawfy stood up next to one of the Guards quickly. He grabbed the Guard by the helm and threw him into the other. After a hit like that they shouldn't get back up for a while. He then Opened the Door and was met by a man with a spear. You in charge here? The almost moss man asked

Diz stood outside the door, glaive ready to spear the camouflaged man whom had just knocked out two of his men. Cold eyes stared forward, and one could tell: he was pissed. And rightfully so.

"In charge? No. The one in charge is inside. And you are out here. And after knocking out two of my men, here is where you will stay."

They would have screamed and attacked me before i could change, Besides i could have killed them but didn't He put up his arms up stretching them Could you move Solder boy I just have a few questions for your officer About the people you slaughtered today.

"The major is currently indisposed, and our orders are none of your concern." Those ice blue eyes narrowed even further, and he continued, "And what do you mean, change? I am a Mordecai, as is everyone with me. You'd do well not to try anything."

That glaive lowered with a flash, level with the man's face. "....I can either detain you or kill you. Your choice. You committed a crime by attacking two corporals of Ansgar's Hand, and you will face punishment."

Even in her fatigued haze, the Major cracked a wry smile at the screaming creature, pushing herself up before advancing quickly on the small fairy, quicklly kicking it onto its back before slamming her boot into its thin chest, looking down on its with a stony frown," Stupid beast.." she muttered, unsheathing her scimitar," Why do you dare to ambush my men and myself? Have you not been taught to fear Ansgar?"

She leaned down over the small man she pinned, frowning deeply- her thin lips pursing slightly," Tell me what you want with us. Or I shall break your ribs one by one. Your beast cannot save you."

"You stupid bitch. I want you out of my territory I spent my time making sure locals knew it and you come in acting like your something. Just give it back and I'll let you stay for the night. He'll I'll even protect you. How about it?" He squirmed under her boot he was dizzy and frustrated with his current form. "I haven't been this small in almost a year... I kind of miss being regular..."

I mean you can try to detain me, But where would that get us?He said as he finished up stretching. Gawfy then tore off the moss suit he had gotten reveling his weapon and armor. His Chest plate and helmet still a shade of green. So what is it going to be? Can we talk like People or are we going to have to tear each other apart like animals?

Actually....he had a good point. What would they do with him, even if he came quietly? The Major was hurt, he now had two unconscious corporals on his hands, and he still had to take note of the dead and (hopefully) find the survivors.

Fuck.

"....all right, talk. But you talk to me. And until I know you're not going to hurt anyone else, this thing stays pointed at your eye."

Tsking quietly, the young woman leaned closer to the rather rude sprite, her platinum locks hanging down on either side of her face like a white veil," You are in no position to be making offers, little monster," she spoke coldly, her gravely voice no longer heavy with fatigue but rather annoyance," We shall be staying here regardless of your opinion. You will tell us of any traps you may have laid about this area or any beasts we should be wary of and in the morning... We peacefully shall part ways. Understand this-"

Leaning closer, she whispers in his ear," You are not in a position to refuse such a generous offer."

See i knew you had some sense about you. He Then Brought up his left arm he had been pointing at the man. His helmet Then Retreated Back into his Chest armor like Liquid in an unnerving  fashion. He then Pulled A scroll from his Bag. Hot to the touch he Unraveled the Skin like material to reveal a red rune.  Tell me solder boy does this Rune look familar to you? He said as the Rune Hissed Demonically 

"Alright" He hissed to the woman. "I have traps at every dead body and they are all poisoned so as to kill you even if you survive. Just let me have it back please!" He moaned and later there motionless. He would no use it while she was here though for the feeling of it being ripped from him was terrible. "There are no beasts in the area I have either killed or scared them away. Only things coming here are hunters." He looked at the armor but did not recognize who it was from... "What land are you from? I don't believe I have been there. The Fell has been my home for a while and this little cottage was my solitude. But it also helped to keep the voices and faces of the dead away I know you see them as well. That is the only reason I made contact with you."

Diz eatched the transformation with disgust, and looked upon the scroll, one eyebrow raised quizzically. He had no knowledge of the arcane, and learning was forbidden, naturally. He honestly had no idea.

This man was well within range of his Mordecai aura, so his transformation couldn't be magical in nature, which made it natural...or as natural as something could be.

"I can't say that I do. But I have a question for you. What are you?"

" Then I suppose you would be kind enough to disarm all your traps under my supervision, of course," The Major shifted her weight off of the fairy but immedly grasped one of his small arms, hauling herself and the sprit up," Connlaoth, you're speaking to Lady Hakon Kilandre of Ansgar's Hand."

As he spoke about the faces of the dead, of the voices, she shot him a glare but said nothing but," We are at war with magic, little man- do not test me." Emerging outside with her Captain and the stranger facing each other, thankfully looking rather casual but for the two unconcious guards nearby. Sighing audibly, the fatigue hitting her in a wave for the second or third time that night, she shook her head," What is this?"

He groaned as she picked him up. "Alright so I may die. We have to cut the cords or trigger the spell on the traps. I can walk on my own. Can't really fly away without your stupid magic holding me down." He tried to shake off her hands."Well I'm not to sure ma'am it seems to me two of your men at unconscious and your soldier there may be commuting insubordination with the man that knocks them out!" Jack was being sarcastic at first by turned serious in the end. He wanted to spike her maybe he could push one of them into a trap hopefully her so he could have the shadows to himself. "But you know people can be bribed."

"Oh, bloody hell. Another one?" Diz looked between Hakon and her detainee, and the one he was talking to. "...this one, this...man...said he wanted to speak to you, my Lady. This day is becoming more odd by the minute."

He gestured with his glaive at yhe scroll in the man's hand.

"Major, what do you make of that? If you're not too busy with...whatever you have there."

Name is Gawfy. He said as he gestured . Im A hunter of sorts. I had been waiting for those people to summon what ever Demonic entity then kill said Demon. He then crossed his arms. But i guess some people where impatient and killed the Summoners before they could complete their Ritual. He cleared his throat Im also a mercenary of sorts when im not hunting.   

Gawfy watched as the woman he saw earlier was carrying another man who wasn't all that human. As the woman got closer it hissed louder. Annoyed by the noise Gawfy put it away. What is this?
He asked himself as he uncrossed his arms. I guess from your Perspective A heathen attacked two of your Men and is now asking about demons

Roughly slapping the fairy upside the head before tilting her head slightly at the symbol, vaguely recalling it from an encounter many moons ago but saying nothing regarding her recognition of it," In my perspective, my men and I are in a warzone and we have far too many visitors-" still harshly grasping the little man by the arm, shemurmured to Disgaua," Captain, this little man will be disarming his traps set up around the area, make sure he does not leave the radius of your aura... He likely wishes to set them off to catch us unaware."

Turning toward Gawfy, she simply frowned," We have been pursuing these mages for many days, if you refused to strike before we did, the entity you would enjoy seeing rise would have been stopped regardless. I refuse to let true heathens practice their unholy blasphemies."
Narrowing her eyes, the Major spoke quietly, her gravely tone curt and somewhat annoyed," Is that all, Gawfy?"

No that isnt all Gawfy said looking annoyed. see girly the problem with demons is that if you Kill their supporters and not the demons them selfs they Just trick other assholes into summoning them instead, Now if you let them summon said demon then hack it to bits then it wont come back. I am also a mercenary. Gawfy looked out the window Now it seems to me like your forces are scattered maybe even Routed. I'm a mercenary y as well For a small fee you can hire me, Seems to me like you could use all the help you can get

"Hey no need to hit me haha. Not saying I dont like it hahahaha." The fairy started to laugh a lot but soon died down. He didn't struggle anymore. "I have a demon in me. But it isn't what you've seen before haha for we of the Shadow men are the only that possess it." He peered at one of the traps. A small rock near a skeleton of an Orc. If stepped on the rock would fall apart having a spike plunged into your foot. "If you left me go I'll show you one of my traps. It uses magic. And if I am right your people hate magic haha." He pulled at her hands with one of his run hands. "And I have a name... Jack Napier."

Disgaua followed Hakon's order with a smirk. "Don't worry, I'll stay right with him."

He looked down at the small man-ish creature still in her grasp, and noted his eyes moving to a small stone, near an old skeleton tangled in the undergrowth. "He'll have a hard time surprising us with them if he keeps looking at them, though."

He slid his hands down the pole of his glaive, holding the end in both hands. With the bladed end, he poked and prodded at the skeleton, and followed that with a swift and hard poke at the stone. Abruptly it split, revealing a small spike. He smirked at his own powers of observation.

"So, Jack, just how many of these do you have spread around here?"

Waiting patiently for her Captain to take the obnoxious demon, the Major focused upon the mercenary once more," Yes, the demon lives but not in this realm. That is all that matters. As for your services, your disrespect makes it highly unlikely I would bother wishing you upon my side for anything other then being used as a human shield- even then I would be unlikely to bother paying."

Kneeling quickly beside the fallen men, she took their pulses by pushing her fingers beneath their helms- noting steady heartbeast as she pulled them both into sitting positions leaning against the wall of the ruined shack," Address me as Major rather then as one of your whores. Maybe then I would consider even deeming you worthy of anything more then a blade through your neck."

Jack sneered at her. "You'll miss me eventually I can show you even not power than what to have... Ohhh Major." He pulled his arms out. "Maybe I didn't want that one to kill you with that one. I would much prefer something messy. I have one on every dead body around my home so yeah." He went to the broken rock and broke the spine. "This was made out of a piece of ribcage." He turned around and stalked towards the back of the house. "It takes both of us to trigger this one over here." He pointed towards the spike wall trap. He walked and stood next to the dead body. "Be prepared to jump out of the way. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Alright alright "Major" He said as he held his hands up You know every problem cant be solved with threats Gawfy stated as he followed her outside. So Why does connlaoth Have solders posted in the Fell? He asked as he watched her Put her solders up. Also did you train these guys yourself

After springing the spike trap, Diz took (moved towards?) Jack, keeping his promise to stay near him and overtake his magic with his aura. On his way over, he answered the question directed toward Hakon, at least for himself, "She didn't. All of us were trained in large groups for the basics. Smaller ones, afterward, for specialized combat."

He then glanced at Hakon with a small smile. "Ansgar's Hand is made up of some of the best, led by the Lady here, herself. We are His Light that shines when there is none."

He stopped at the spot indicated by Jack. "Well, then. How do we spring this one?" he asked, ready to jump aside should the need arise.

(Disregard)

Hakon nods gently to Diz, crossing her arms over her chest," I assume you were going to use their being unconcious as an excuse to point out my failures- alas, even you would be in their position if taken by surprise." Slowly standing, she rolled her shiulder, looking over the massive beasts that made up the heavy cavalry's steeds- smiling ever so slightly.

The Major focuses back on Gawfy, speaking quietly, her voice as neutral as one could be," I would appreciate if you would leave us. As you are being a hinderance to our operation and recovery at this time." She glanced briefly at the fairy, but seem far too fatigued to even crack a smile at this moment though- it was ever so slightly amusing.

"Simple how about we just..." He stepped a little to the left. Away from the other man and lifted up the arm of the dead man his other one being ripped off. The wall came falling down Jack slipped out of the way hoping to kill the other man. But it war unlikely. After that he pointed towards another rock. "That is a spike. We'll Miss Harkon what do you plan on doing to me after this? I could brew you some tee or something? Haha and maybe I could have my own bed with you?" He began to laugh again at her. He was just having a little fun since the last humans he saw he killed. It had been about a year since his interaction with people. "I am messing with you. You wouldn't believe what a year of solitude is like."

Gawfy began laughing out loud. So let me get this straight. I spend Coin on camouflage and food, Hike a for a few days, Camp another for you to come along and chase off my prey, And after that you want me to just quietly leave you?He Shook his head Besides you dont look you are in the position to turn down help.

With a flash, Diz swung his glaive in an upward arc, the flat end of the blade wedging in between the spikes. Planting the other end on the ground and holding it fast, he whirled on Jack, eyes hard and angry.

"Little man, I wouldn't suggest trying that again. There's more than one way I can think of to make you regret this."

With a sharp tug, the glaive sliced through the wooden beams supporting the spikes, and the contraption fell to pieces.

"You try something like that again, it'll be the last thing you do. I'll leave you pinned to the wall as a warning, I swear it. Next one. Now." Disgaua was well and truly pissed, but halted any further outburst, at least until the rest of the traps were dealt with.


(Aevum, not sure who Hakon's first comment was directed towards, sorry if it was to Diz ^_^;; )

The Lady Kilandre stared at ther mercenary with such contempt, such coldness that even the strongest of men would feel their hearts freeze. Her next words no leas icy," I am ina position to turn down whoever I wish. You are unworthy to even Pluck the wings off a fly. So depart from my presence. Immediately."

The Major turned back to the men, standing slowly as she got behind one, wrapping her arms beneath the man's shoulders and hauling him up toward the door. The man with his armor had to be over 300 pounds with her own adding at least another hundred. Admirable, to say the least.

"I did tell you that you would need to jump... Did I not?" He moved on disarming various traps some more bloody than the rest. All of them very violent deaths. As he finished cutting the last line he stood and looked at how Miss Hakon was carrying the men inside. "Hey boy why don't you do the manual labor instead of your officer?"

Now why the hell would you pluck the wings off of a fly? He asked sarcastically But i can see im not wanted so Ill leave you to play commander. He turned out and walked out the door. A word of advice to you. Triumphant Pride Precipitates a dizzying fall, you would do well to remember that. Gawfy started on his way out

Diz mumbled something under his breath about the 'boy' comment, something about being seven years her senior.

"Before I take my eyes off you to move Maek, I want you inside where the other two can keep an eye on you. I don't trust you until I'm told to trust you." His eyes narrowed, and he reached forward to grab Jack's arm in a tight grip, gauntleted fingers pressing into his flesh.

He half drug him towards the door. "Move."

Simply ignoring the Mercenary's threats, she settled the first man within the building carefully before retrieving the other. Looking toward the forest in the distance befpre she returned- why was it men found it so important to look down upon her as an authority? This had been the case many times before, but had she been a man, she doubted he would have looked down upon her orders with such disdainful arrogance. Sighing inwardly, continuing to drag the second man inside but being assisted by one of her soldiers- she murmured her thanks, watching as the others began to set up within.

After making sure her small unit was well fortified, she allowed exhaustion to drag her feet until she reached the small room once more- nearly collapsing upon the cot but lowering herself rather shakily, stripping off the armor methodically and carefully until she could curl up beneath her cloak in just the tunic. Hakon found her eyes closed but still remained just out of reach of sleep- occupying herself by listening to the low bubble of Ansgar's Hand.
She confidently knew they had not been routed,Ansgar's hand could not so easily be felled- more then likely the other Captain was already finishing the mages and returning to base camp.

Whispering to the man. "I may not know you well but I know you do not like her being your superior. Obviously since you are her senior... I can show you power over an army if you let me go." He half walked half stumbled to the house. "Can I make you something to drink? You can watch if you want but my throat is terribly dry." He yanked on his arm trying to free himself from the gauntlet grip. "We could be friends you know right?"

"I may be older than her, but my respect for her goes far deeper than mere rank and orders. I owe her much, and I swore an oath to serve her so long as she sees me fit to do so." He shoved the small man into the open doorway. "And I want nothing to do with whatever fell power you might promise."

He looked to the Major, and saw that she was asleep, or at least trying to make her way there. His gaze slid to the other two soldiers sill conscious.

"Watch him. Let him make his drink, and take nothing offered by him. Once he's finished, bind him and settle him near the door. One of you keep an eye on him, one of you rest - I'll take first watch just outside. Rotate every two hours - keep the Major and the other two outside outside of the rotation."

During his talk, he stripped the heavy plate armor off, organizing it in a spartanesque arrangement on the stone floor, leaving on his gambeson and chainmail. He took again strapped his two broadswords to his back, ensuring they were firmly in their leather sheaths, and took up his glaive, stepping towards the door.

Once outside, he stepped over to Sleipnir and Purgatorio, patting each of them in turn. He then stepped into the open area away from the two Theocog, and began swinging his glaive, his practice also meditation, in part.

The shining, silvery blade seemed to trace lines of light, reflecting what little could be gotten from the sky above. Each swing, fluid and moving directly into the next, made gentle sounds as the air parted to make way. Faster and faster that polearm swung, until it was naught more than a silver blur.

His mind was silent, his body was preoccupied, but his senses kept watch on his surroundings. Diz listened to the faint breeze, ears strained to listen for any unnatural sounds.