To Lay a Trap

"On it!" Verana affirmed to Nekrom, directing her wyvern to fly up and hover. Once the three riders were focused on Nekrom, she had her own swoop in from the side, bowling over two of the Risen horses, lined up as they were, like dominoes. The riders were fairly unharmed, but the mercenary set her beast about fixing that while their weapons were pinned beneath them.

Sure it left her open, but the rider who'd gotten her attention most assuredly knew an opening when it was visible.

#
"Shut the fuck up!" Alaine angrily shouted at the oaf who'd just crushed two Risen archers, her stress getting the best of her tongue. "Not the time for goddamn heroics!" She grabbed the lance shaft that she'd parried, thrust at the Risen holding it and ripped her blade out of its neck before kicking the re-dying undead woman away. The mercenary saw and barely managed to duck a sword strike. She thrust her foot at the being responsible, knocking it back.

It was the armored Risen from before. He had come back now. The ice from her magic sword had grown in, rather unpleasantly. It was the last Risen, she thought, and as such, Alaine charged the bastard.

Its technical skill wielding its sword two-handed was nearly as good as her skill with the broadsword, and the two had an angry dance of blades until at last, after forcing him back a couple steps, Alaine knocked his sword wide and slashed his neck.

The encroaching ice had grown there, so that when she struck there wasn't even a cut. The base of his neck shattered, and his head rolled away, making a 'sploosh!' when it hit the water.

Alaine turned to look around, seeing if there was anything else that needed doing.

OOC:K, um, if anyone is keeping track and I got the count wrong, assume that Alaine and her one eye couldn't see.

That's right. I cannot feel any presence them at all... now think.

The surprised ambush almost got Lilithe, she drew her side sword while chanting her spell as she tried to focus on all the four targets. She knew was totally outnumbered. However, that was when the wyvern captain flighted in and attract the enemies' attention by slaying one of them, following by another rider who unbalanced two more horse deadknights. That left the spellcaster one target to go, and she did not hesitate to fire her spell at it.

Her newly made spell, compared to other spells, was much more straightforward. Instead of adding more effect into the spell, this thing was designed mainly for destruction. The orb of dark power was summoned a little while before it shot out a rapid black laser at the target. The targeted undead was shot at its head at first, then the orb shot a few more at its body, turning that one to dust.

Turning her focus to the two fell risen, that were about to stand up, the dark mistress muttered. "Not a chance."

Chanting another spell while she was free from enemy, Lilithe sat with one knee as she touched the ground before her spell was activated. The elemental ran through underground to the down horse-inhuman, and froze both of them that they couldn't get up to harm anybody.

Enemy Turn Summary~ (open) Enemy Turn Summary~ (close)

• Risen A [x]: Arm attacked by Alaine. Was harried by Verana; attempted to pin Villager after losing arm completely; destroyed by Lilithe
• Risen B [x]: Attempted to chase Villagers. Was engaged by Verana after Risen A's destruction. Head smashed by Nekirom.
• Risen C [x ]: Engaged in battle with Alaine. One arm frozen, useless; stomach and throat brittle. Dispatched by Alaine
• Risen D [x]: Attempted to swarm Alaine. Shot through skull by Baron.
• Risen E [x]: Attempted to swarm Alaine. Engaged by Emilia. Beheaded by Emilia.
• Risen F [x ]: Swarmed Alaine. Attacked Alaine with a Poison Iron Glaive. Beheaded by Alaine.
• Risen G[x]: Swarmed Alaine. Attacked Emilia with 2 Rending Glass Gladii. Headshanked by Emilia.
• Risen H[x]: Part of Seahorse Ambush. Horse killed by Nekirom. Trapped under horse.
• Risen I - K[x]: Part of Seahorse Ambush. Blocked from Lilithe and Baron by Nekirom and Verana. Stopped by Verana and Nekirom; finished by Lilithe.
• Risen L + M[x]: Part of Seahorse Ambush. Shooting at Baron with Dull Bronze Arrows. Cut down by Estevan.

BATTLE: COMPLETE

A tense quiet filled the coastal air as the last of the Risen fell. For a moment, Theios and the other Grimleal waited for any more Risen surprises to arise, unable to waste their magic, but willing to call out warning. The moment passed, however, and after another tense moment met with no Risen popping up from the darkness or emerging from the coastal depths, the acolytes relaxed and Theios stepped forward to demand attention.

"Well done, sellswords." There was reluctant respect dimly alit in his eyes, but respect nonetheless. "There appear to be no more Risen capable of threatening us. Villagers, get your boats ready; this distraction has cost enough time!"

As the thankful villagers scrambled to complete their task, Theios gestured back towards the group of Grimleal he lead. Within seconds, over half of the Grimleal acolytes had spread out over the battlefield, kneeling by fallen Risen and chanting under their breaths. Another three separated and moved to the three groups of mercenaries, each offering healing from staves as well as vulneraries and bandages.

---

Nekirom's wyvern had been unsettled and had nearly thrown him off the moment that mage's dark magic had surged past them and eaten into the Risen. The following volleys of that off-setting magic hadn't improved the beast's temper, but by then, Nekirom had managed to bring it back under his heel. The control, firm and useful though it was, did nothing to ease his own tenseness, however; wretched Risen creatures just having happened to be attacking the very boats they needed for this mission? After they'd been told that they were 'testing the waters,' so to speak, for the rest of their respective groups?

"Hmph, I'm fine, move on, Grimleal." Nekirom scowled and waved off the approaching mage. He glared at the robed man for a moment and stewed on his suspicions and how badly he wanted to do things the Valmese way. Eventually, he scoffed and kicked his wyvern to move on, nodding at the other rider as he passed. "Good job, soldier; keep alert."

Nekirom marched his wyvern over to the Grimleal that hadn't been sent out to play with the Risen bodies and stopped in front of the woman from earlier. He dismounted, keeping a hand on his wyvern's reins and muzzle, and directed a sullen look at her.

"Woman." He waited for her attention, same as last time. "I wouldn't suppose you're aware of what your fellows are doing with those corpses?"

GM note~ (open) GM note~ (close)

Time to relax, get healed if you need it, and ~socialize~, people. We'll be moving on in about 10 in-'RP' minutes.

Baron and most other hired hands had been approached by clerics for when they would continue their journey. Baron abstained from being healed by the clerics, mostly because there was no injuries he had. However, he chose to accept a vulenary and some bandages in case of an emergency later. "Nice warmup," Baron addressed to the mercenaries. "When's the real killing going to begin?" The sun started to peak its head over Ylisse, and the rays that shined on Plegia had begun to beat down on Baron. He had to shield his eyes slightly when looking in the direction of the water, knowing that he would be a little more blind when the sun started to reflect off of the water. He was never really used to dealing with jobs outside of Regna Ferox; the climate was more agreeable with him there. It was always so cold and snow constantly fell from the sky that the sun never showed its face much, and the only problem with heat was getting enough to last the night.

Whatever it was, he kept himself out of the way from the mercenaries and instead waited for their departure.

Alaine took out a cloth, gingerly wiping the blade of her magical sword on a coat-tail while her wounds were seen to. Once done, she sheathed it, the slight cold from its blade vanishing. The mercenary looked up in time to see another familiar face. She walked over to Verana, who had just been complimented by the larger wyvern rider. Smirk adorning her mouth, she put her arm on the girl's thigh and said, "Forgotten Torvald already?"

"Ah!" Verana squeaked, looking down to face her boss from atop her wyvern. "Ah, um... no...," she said, face beginning to go red.

"Ha ha ha," Alaine laughed, "Ah, you really do have a terrible taste in males. He's worse than the priest, trust me. If you're looking for his approval in your training, that's fine, but I wouldn't suggest more than that."

Verana's face turned darker and she looked down at her saddle. Alaine walked past the wyvern's head, scratching an ear as she passed, causing it to growl in approval, almost like some sort of reptilian purr. She continued walking, coming up to the man. "Heya, Nekirom. Been a while, eh?"

"Hm?" Nekirom turned halfway to see which of the mercenaries actually knew his name, curious as to the semi-friendly tone that accompanied it. A spark of memory crossed through his eyes when red hair and a saucy face matched with a name from a recent job, dealing with border lines and less than scrupulous solutions. He stopped in place enough to keep the magic woman in his sight, but directed a small, upward twitch of his lips at the newcomer.

"Small nation, Alaine. I wager you and your rider, there—" Nekirom looked over Alaine's head at Verana, smirked, then returned to Alaine. "—were 'invited' for this, same as mine? And if you're here, that would make that brooding bastard—" He tilted his head at their cloaked compatriot off to the side. "—dear, old Baron?"

"Indeed it would," Alaine smirked, setting her right hand on her hip. "All we're missing is Maggie and... that merchant fellow. What was his name again?" Alaine searched her mind for his name. "Caulier?" The mercenary shook her head. "Anyway, just need him and the group's back together again." Alaine thought back to the man with white hair and red eyes. Another thrill of unease, an echo of the first, shot down her spine.

She stepped forward, lowering her voice so no one else would hear. "Hey, what did you think of that guy with the red eyes?"

It appeared that Estevan's bold proclamation, despite the abusive jeering it garnered in response, must have had some sort of effect, as the mercenaries mopped up the remnants of the Risen force. But while their efficiency had assured a decisive victory, the wyvern rider remained wary. These freelancers would have to be kept on a tight leash, valuable asset or not. They obviously had no respect for a man in uniform, judging by the insults thrown at him!

As if sensing her master's unease, the Sunset Princess snarled and strained against her reins, clearly irritated by the unfamiliar wyverns some of the mercenaries had brought. Her need to establish dominance threatened to awaken her infamous temper, prompting Estevan to quickly curb that line of though with a sharp tug. He was disciplined enough to know that suspicion and distaste were not adequate cause to start a brawl.

"Hush, Princess." Estevan whispered to his wyvern as she let out a frustrated growl. "Depending on how long this war lasts, you might still have your chance." Admittedly, a prolonged conflict was the last thing he wanted, but it would be naïve to deny the possibility. For now, he would attend to his duties as a soldier of Plegia.

While he waited for the rest of the main force to catch up, Estevan tended to the needs of the Grimleal, ferrying supplies between them. One in particular, a dark-haired woman, caught his interest, but she seemed preoccupied, so he refrained from bothering her.

"Mm. Laurent, yes." Nekirom muttered, gauntlet holding his jaw at he mused over the question. In all honesty, he wasn't sure what to think about the enigmatic man. Clearly charismatic and powerful, made all the more evident by his commanding ease with both the Grimleal and the Plegian military. Until being trapped in the presence of that white-haired man, Nekirom had wondered the true purpose behind Excellus forcing this mission on him.

Now, though...

"At the least, he was..." Nekirom paused, glancing at the Grimleal woman at his side, then at the military boy that brought supplies. Loyal soldiers, insane mercenaries and possibly fanatic mages. "...truly remarkable, to succeed in uniting a motley group such as this for his so-called 'important' objectives."

---
With their mysterious clean-up of the Risen complete, the Grimleal return to Theios, who bids the fishermen to ready their boats. Indeed, the Grimleal's task was performed meticulously, as not a trace of the fallen Risen could be found. Together, the Plegian forces and their mercenary escorts proceeded across the waters in a trip that would take until mid-afternoon in order to avoid any Ylissean patrols.

Our adventure resumes after the boatsmen have dropped us off on Ylissean shores, sailing away quietly as we make sure our supplies are set, our arms and ready, and our wyverns have made the trip in good health.

Theios is impatiently eager to get moving, aiming to reach the borders of Southtown before nightfall.

---

Vel note (open) Vel note (close)

Alrighty, folks; think of this as the first checkpoint; get a post in stretching your legs, checking on things, or even finishing a conversation you were having with somebody on the boat. Just making sure everybody's still here, and we'll be moving on shortly.

Feel free to ask to chat with people in the discussion thread, or just through PMs/Conversations/IM. Never hurts to try~

Alaine stretched her legs and her arms, walking around on the surface of the ship. There had once been a point in her life when being on a ship caused her seasickness and she'd lose entire meals to the rocking of the sea. But that was long ago, back when she was younger and more brash than even today.

Alaine looked over to Nekirom and thought of their conversation. "At the least, he was... ...truly remarkable, to succeed in uniting a motley group such as this for his so-called 'important' objectives." The wyvern rider knew just as she did, though perhaps it was because she could read that choice of wording. "Dangerous," she muttered, "Like nothing I've ever seen..."

She checked her swords, made sure they'd be quick and easy to draw when she needed them.

What if...

The question from the wyvern mercenary brought up an idea in Lilithe's mind. It was true that those risen kept appearing everywhere lately, but to think that a group of them had to show up at the start of this important secret mission, on the vessel that will take the militants to the battlefield. She glanced at Theios a little bit, wondering what if the undead were summoned here just to test the overall strength of this quick round-up army. She wouldn't dare to believe so.

"My apology for spacing out, sir." The dark mistress turned her attention back to the questioning man, and shook her head one bit then said. "No, of course not. No matter how much of an accident it was, i wouldn't dare thinking the walking dead were here on purpose."

She paused, pretending as if she was pondering about the matter, and not trying to tell lie.

"It is just unthinkable that someone is controlling them. Anyhow, please get ready to resume the mission."

That should be all she needed to say. She bowed to the man a bit to excuse herself back to the station, just for investigation. Even among the grimleal, no one appeared to know how those undead made their appearance in the right place at the right time. Everything just directed her to the dark master and his close followers, though doing that would be a suicide for her.



Not long after that, everything was back to normal. Lilithe found herself boarding one the ship, separated from her black steed now. Her magic tome was with her, as well as the secondary sword at her belt. All set for the time being.