Retaking Buhr Marling: Melee in Marling\'s market

Barding Camp

A small encampment. Some stubby tents are erected here and there, and no sigil or house crest can be seen upon them still, though, they appear to be of quality design, beyond what a travelling merchant could own. Great horses can be seen destriers of the most remarkable breed, tall and mighty. Some are a shaggy brown, others a chestnut red. One, finer and more majestic than the rest, has a coat of glossy black, and fierce eyes. A camp fire has been made, within a circle of loose stones. A lone man sits at it, clothed in travelling leathers a great, bearskin cloak flows from his back, and the crest of Karath shimmers upon his breast. His dark eyes watch the road warily, a sword at his hip.

Millers Market

The center of Buhr Mahrling opens out into a large, open-air market. No matter what time of day it is, the smell of grains and fruit dominate the senses. A rim of wooden shops arc around the western edge of the market, the eastern side dominated by the flow of the river, and a massive water wheel, that dominates the town.

Farmers and growers abound with their goods strapped to the back of carts, or strewn out on the ground where merchants can make an easy selection. There is always the constant murmur of merchants haggling with each other, or bargains being yelled out.

Above all this, the water wheel keeps turning, grinding grain into flour, that is then sold in the market place.

Obvious exits:

West leads to Huskers Rise.

Wooden Steps leads to Water Wheel Mill.

Stables leads to Stables.

North West leads to Oak Barrel Avenue.

Oak Door leads to Red Water Tavern.

South East leads to Mauler Street.

=-=-=-= Dale-Lands Time and Weather Service =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Real Time: Tue Jun 28 15:11:18 2011 MST

Dale-Lands Time:

Sunday, midday on a clear spring\'s day, April 16 of 3053

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dale-Lands Time and Weather Service =-=-=-=

[Lorthrain(#23381)]

The hour is late o\'er the disputed town of Buhr Mahrling, though the sky is lit all the same by the fires of ill intent. The Millers Market has been held by the Barding forces for a week or so now, but tonight it may be that the warriors of Rhun will seek to change this state of affairs the fires are southward, and speak of a massing unseen as yet. Row upon row of the soldiers of Dale are lined up in readiness, each eye cast southward into the streets that run away from the marketplace, and with good reason: the roll of drums sounds close by, and already the whoops of savage glee can be heard beneath it.

But the Bardings stand fast, and Lorthrain of Girion is at their fore his armour repaird and his helm set squarely atop his dark features. With both sword and shield in hand, the sigil of the Royal House of King Brand revealed in the dim firelight upon its surface, this lieutenant of the King\'s Men seems to have steeled himself for battle. Brown eyes search the streets along with his fellows, and do not wait long for a glimpse of their foe.

For marching into view at length come the warriors of the East sallow, swarthy men with jagged blades and fearsome war-paint. Street after street begins to fill with the shadows of their approach, swiftly replaced by the men themselves as they march closer. No less than three hundreds of their fierce ilk can be made out, and doubtless many more lie behind their ranks to bolster their numbers further.

And among them, seemingly leading the advance, comes a strange party indeed. Thirty figures loom higher than all their brethren giant-sized or so the firelight seems to make them, and each of them bears a great axe or a hammer in bulging, muscled arms. Variags of Khand, they have been named before, and already their name is spoken with dread among the Bardings. Their bulky, burly physiques swagger forward, led by one brute in particular with a mighty steel helm upon his head.

It would seem the men of Dale are in for a rough night.

[Raynar(#31345)]     Not all the forces of Dale are in the market with the Girion Lieutenant. Whilst the Easterlings march to the market, there are warriors of Dale that have made their way, long and slow, into positions behind the enemy. One hundred and fifty in all, a mix of King\'s Men and a few Royal Wardens, they lie in wait to strike.

At the forefront of this number is Raynar of the Karath, Sergeant of the King\'s Men, armed and armoured. Having finally recovered fully from his earlier injuries, the man shifts from foot to foot as he waits, keeping his impatience in check for now as his eyes flick from back to back of the Easterling line.

Amongst the main grouping of Kings Men and Karath stands one who is neither. Brev - or Brunni, the name he\'d generally give - is looking less than happy about the fact that his spear is in his hand and that he has been pushed into a gap in the ranks. There are too few who are hale for any man who still has his limbs and his wits to stand aside. His comrades look less than enthusiastic in their turn. Disciplined soldiers to a man, they have been taught to rely on each other in battle. Yet here stands one unknown and untrusted, who clearly knows nothing of their ways. The baleful looks have long since subsided and they simply ignore the cuckoo in their midst. There are, after all, other things to draw the attention. As the Variags come into view, the leader of that particular band of Dale-landers murmurs a few low-voiced words on the technique for dealing with axe-men. His men listen ... Brev simply scowls, mutters something under his breath about, \'Worse than bloody Carac\', and moves surreptitiously another step to the back.

[Erdena(#20421)] Among the soldiers that have gone behind the enemy line is Corporal Erdena, also of House Karath. She is standing near the forefront, her eyes are narrowed as she peers about herself, the grip on her sword tightening as the din of the enemy makes their way to the market. Lips move silently for a moment or two before holding still. The woman shifts from foot to foot, body poised as if a cat preparing to pounce on a mouse.

[Lorthrain(#23381)]

A roar comes from the front line of the Variags as they draw near the line of Bardings, and with leers and growls in some foul, guttural tongue of their own they bray out challenges and curses. The mighty man at their fore scans the rows of Dale-men with blazing eyes, and more than once his lips curl to a sneer as he surveys them. Easily seven feet tall, this brute has a special leer for Brev among the soldiers, perhaps noting the difference in the foreigner\'s apperance, but it is the sight of Lorthrain that draws his eye the most.

A mighty battle-azxe is his weapon, and pointing it out towards the Girion lord he spits a string of words on his own language, ere mangled Westron follows it to say: \"This one\'s skull I will use for my chamber-pot!\" Fierce, frenzied laughter risses frmo the ranks behind him, and he calls out a single word in the speech of Rhun aparently the signal for attack.

The Easterlings, led by their Variag allies charge then, bursting forward to join battle with the line of Dale-men, and the Variag cheiftain closes with Lorthrain in a trice to sweep his great wepon out in a strike that looks fit to cleave an ox in two. Behind him, as the men of Rhun charge on, they pass the hiding place of Raynar and Erdena\'s band, but seem too preoccupied to spot them. Jagged blades slice and spears thrust into the Barding line, and Brev may not have to chance to slip away so easily as the battle is joined.

[+LIGHT:#23381] Lorthrain lights fires.

Variag Warband close in on Lorthrain to do him harm.

Variag Warband\'s attack misses Lorthrain.

[Raynar(#31345)]     A feral grin comes onto Raynar\'s face as the Easterlings rush into battle, hand gripping his sword tighter. As soon as the last of them are past, he swings out from his concealment and follows after them as if this is the signal, the rest of the band begins to move too. The Sergeant keeps quiet, not shouting battle cries or making much noise, timing it so that he reaches the rear of the Easterling lines once those before them are properly involved in the fight.

It is then that Raynar positions his shield before taking a savage swing at the neck of one of the foe.

Raynar attacks Easterling Rear-guard with his Longsword and moderately wounds it!

[Khillaure(#15493)] Wave after wave crashes and breaks upon the hale warriors, the forces of the Easterlings seeming to never end. They are everywhere at once, their cries a cacophony that threatens to deafen and break the resolve of even the most stalwart defender.

Battle is joined! Straight sword and spear meet curved blade and axe, and the slip and slide of metal is joined by the first cries of men. Soon the neat, straight lines have disintegrated into a tangled melee.

Indeed, Brev is given little chance to retreat. Pressure from behind bears him up, he is wedged shoulder-to-shoulder on either side and can do little but wait. As the Easterling axe-men charge he drops to one knee, angling the spear so that its butt rests on the ground, a trick from the old days facing horsemen. With luck the first of the brutes will run himself on it before he knows what he\'s about.

COMBAT - Wielded: Spear

You attack Variag Warband with your Spear...

Your attack against Variag Warband moderately wounds it!

[Lorthrain(#23381)]

And indeed, as two soldiers of Dale part to avoid the rush of one Easterling in particular, the spear of Brev is well placed. Run clean through in his abandon the hapless man of Rhun dangles in pain upon the haft to weigh down the foreigner\'s weapon, and so it may be that Brev is at a disadvantage when three more of the brutes come seeking vengeance. Out last a trio of whirling blades to seek the blood of the Dunlending traveller, even as the Barding soldiers fall upon these attackers in turn.

Variag Warband close in on Brev to do him harm.

...and you parry its attack with your Spear!

And Lorthrain for his part manages to evade the strike of the great axe seeking his blood nimbly darting back a pace. But swiftly enough does his own blade come lashing back in a bid to hack away one of the Variag chieftain\'s burly arms perhaps even the odds somewhat.

Lorthrain attacks Variag Warband with his Longsword, but he misses by a mile.

In the meantime, the charge of Raynar\'s men causes a stir indeed among the back lines, and with fierce cries of alarm three of their number go down in the first sally. A dozen more whirl about in panic to fight back, and a spear is launched as a javelin toward the Karaths lord\'s chest.

Easterling Rear-guard lashes at Raynar with their jagged swords.

Easterling Rear-guard\'s attack misses Raynar.

[Raynar(#31345)]     Raynar turns his body to avoid the thrown spear, though someone behind him is not so lucky. Feral grin still in place, the Karath Sergeant gets back into position before he sends a brutal hack at another Easterling the rest of the band moving forward to press the foe.

Raynar attacks Easterling Rear-guard with his Longsword and badly wounds it!

[Khillaure(#15493)] The clanging of metal on metal, the heavy thud of bodies falling, the wet sounds of of weapons hacking deep into flesh, and the cries of anguish and elation. Each side feels the brunt of the other, all eyes are wide and senses keen to the fact that death may be just a step away.

Brev grunts in satisfaction as his spear slides through armour and onward, even though the tip of his spear is now fouled. He tries shaking it free, though to little effect. As another mess of blades comes his way he shrugs and instead steps back, letting the dead or dying Easterling do the work of a shield. Handy, that - though it does mean he loses a chance to retaliate.

You forego your chance to attack.

[Lorthrain(#23381)]

In the meanwhile, the Variag chieftain is as nimble as Lorthrain, evading the strike of the Girion lord in turn, and grinning widely as his frenzied eyes meet with the Barding\'s own. Out sweeps his great axe once more, a snarl to guide it along, and this time he seems eager to behead the nobleman in one strike.

Variag Warband close in on Lorthrain to do him harm.

Variag Warband\'s attack misses Lorthrain.

The solders of Dale press forward to meet with the challenge of the Easterling line, and bodies behind Brev doubtless play a part in inching the foreigner closer to the battle. Indeed, as one of the noble King\'s Men is cut down in front of him, Brev is suddenly face to face with the savage charge.

[Corawyn(#30485)] The Easterling guard with the misfortune of meeting Raynar\'s sword falls flat with a gruesome gurgling sound, his blood blackening the dusty ground. It is enough to give the next in his wake pause, then a renewed anger as he brings his serrated sword to bear against the Karath\'s. As his fellows are beset by this unexpected force, the broad-shouldered soldier swings his blade as if to hit Raynar\'s shoulder.

Easterling Rear-guard lashes at Raynar with their jagged swords.

Easterling Rear-guard\'s attack misses Raynar.

[Raynar(#31345)]     The Karath Sergeant again twists out of the way of the Easterling\'s blade, laughing as he does so. Moving back into position and forward, shield still held before him, Raynar lashes at the soldier\'s head, no doubt hoping to take him out quick.

Raynar attacks Easterling Rear-guard with his Longsword, but he misses by a hair.

So fierce is the press that the soldiers of Dale have little awareness of the duel of might between their own lord and the Variag leader. The world of each man narrows to his own blade and those of his shield-brothers to left and right. Yet ever and anon the battle-trumpet sounds, directing the assault: strengthening the lines here, adjusting the position there ...

The encumbrance on Brev\'s spear is freed by dint of the hacking and slashing of the Easterling trio. Grinning a little, the Dunlending ducks aside and lets the steppe warriors\' own momentum carry them onward. Perhaps he had hoped then to be well-placed for a stab in the back - yet alas, he is given no time. At the sight of one of the massive axe-men bearing down on him with crushing blade held high, Brev utters an oath and turns to face this new foe as his feet dance nimbly aside, the spear-tip is sent swift as a striking adder to prick toward the exposed armpit, wherein lies a weakness in almost every hauberk.

You attack Variag Warband with your Spear...

Your attack against Variag Warband moderately wounds it!

[Lorthrain(#23381)]

The spear of Brev strikes well, parting flesh and bone eagerly and earning the Dun-man a howl of pain in addition. Down goes the brute before him, skewered and lifeless as he falls, though two more of his bretheren are ready to step into his place. Twin hammers lash out towards Brev\'s head and hip seperately, as the Variags seek vengeance for their fallen comrade.

Variag Warband close in on Brev to do him harm.

...and it misses!

And Lorthrain is forced into a wild dive to escape the bite of the war-chief\'s axe, tumbling to the side to let the vicious blade whistle over his head. As the Girion lord rolls his armous weighs him down, and it is only to one knee that he riases ere the Variag leader is upon him again. The Barding lieutenant\'s sword stabs upward, seeking to spill this giant\'s bowels quickly and grant himself a moment\'s breathing room.

Lorthrain attacks Variag Warband with his Longsword, but he misses by a hair.

[Corawyn(#30485)] But by now, several of the rear-guard have fallen to the surprise attack, and those who have not are now well aware of their foes. Raynar\'s blade finds only air where his target\'s head once was, as the Easterling strafes to the side with a cruel sneer upon his lips. He wastes no further time in aiming a perilous strike at the Karath\'s midsection.

Easterling Rear-guard lashes at Raynar with their jagged swords.

Easterling Rear-guard\'s attack misses Raynar.

[Raynar(#31345)]     Raynar takes a quick step back into some available space, an amused grunt escaping him before the Sergeant lunges forward, blade aimed at the Easterling\'s torso in turn.

Some have fallen amongst the Dalemen\'s surprise attack, but they continue to press the foe.

Raynar attacks Easterling Rear-guard with his Longsword and moderately wounds it!

[Erdena(#20421)] Woe betide those on the receiving end of Karath\'s fury! After what seems like inmeasurable moments, Erdena jumps into the fray once the surprise attack force gets on the move. She raises her sword high, swinging it into a circle before charging forward onto a foe, her teeth bared in menace.

Erdena attacks Easterling Rear-guard with her Longsword, but she misses by a handspan.

[Khillaure(#15493)] Though outnumbered, the gallant band stays strong and fights with resolute fortitude, undaunted by the audaciousness of their enemies!

It would be unwise in the extreme to stay in one place with battle raging all about. The hammers seeking to temper Brev\'s swarthy-hued flesh find naught but air, for the man has already ducked low to escape the swing, seen out of the corner of his eye. From his crouched position he lets the spear seek out the nearest Variag-looking knee, already preparing to roll out of the way if he can.

You attack Variag Warband with your Spear...

Your attack against Variag Warband moderately wounds it!

[Corawyn(#30485)] Raynar\'s blade finds purchase, carving a gash in his Easterling foe\'s armor that is large enough to find flesh beneath. The man snarls now, his next strike coming more furiously, as do those of his kinsmen as they dig in their heels to defend the rear of the column.

A short and stout Easterling man, built like a brawler and armored in black studded leather, meets Erdena\'s charge with a wilde-eyed sneer, dodging her attack at the last possible second to bring his curved, broad blade in a faster arc toward her side.

Easterling Rear-guard lashes at Erdena with their jagged swords.

Easterling Rear-guard\'s attack misses Erdena.

[Lorthrain(#23381)]

The nimbleness of the Dunlending pays dividends indeed, for another of the massive brutes goes down to his spear a cheer of encouragement rising from the ranks of the Bardings as they witness Brev\'s success. While some of their number yet fall, a knot of defience is beginning to emerge around the foreigner, and the zeal of the King\'s Men that flank him becomes terrible for the folk of Rhun to behold. A few of the smaller Easterlings behind the Variags shove their fellows forward into Brev\'s path as they seek easier prey elsewhere along the line, and a phalanx of Barding resolve is allowed to take shape.

All the while, the Variag chieftain is proving a formidable adversary for Lorthrain, and as the hulk of a man batters away the Girion\'s strike with the haft of his axe, the spike is sent in a vicious punch towards the nobleman\'s throat where his armour is weakest.

Variag Warband close in on Lorthrain to do him harm.

Variag Warband\'s attack misses Lorthrain.

[Raynar(#31345)]     The Karath lord\'s luck still seems to stay with him, bringing his blade back and raising his shield to take any return strikes. Raynar grins, letting out a low chuckle before whiping his blade in an arc, aimed at the Easterling\'s neck and a quick end.

Raynar attacks Easterling Rear-guard with his Longsword, but he misses by a handspan.

[Erdena(#20421)] Though the Easterling\'s sword was quick, the providence of Dale wins this round as Erdena manages to wiggle out of the way, sparks flying as the blade meets armor. The woman remains silent, though her expression is grim as her sword comes back down in a swoop, hoping to catch her enemy across the back.

Erdena attacks Easterling Rear-guard with her Longsword and mildly wounds it!

[Corawyn(#30485)] The duel between Karath and Rhun heightens further, and the raucous clang of steel on steel wears on. Erdena\'s foe finds a swatch carved from his armor and a new breeze upon his back with the warrioress\' successful strike. He quickly turns to meet it with another of is own. A few short steps away, another of the rear-guard fights on against Raynar, whose miss brings a cocky smirk to the man\'s face that lingers on as, with a quick turn of his wrist, the soldier stabs toward the Karath\'s sword-arm shoulder.

Easterling Rear-guard lashes at Raynar with their jagged swords.

Easterling Rear-guard\'s attack misses Raynar.

Within the melee there is little sign as yet as to which side might have the upper hand. Only the blood, and the spears, and the carpet of bodies one must tread, praying that each is foe and not friend. In an engagement like this, crippled is as good as dead ...

Brev rolls into a clear space and regains his footing, gaze flicking warily around him. It cannot be denied that so far he has passed unscathed - yet it also cannot be denied that in this battle he has acted alone and not in concert. The knot of men forming round him almost seems to hamper his efforts - the shield gallantly thrust forward to take a blow that would surely have spilled his guts is greeted by an ungracious mutter of \"Don\'t crowd me.\" A moment later, out of the side of his mouth, \"Think we could edge them back toward the river? I\'ll be right behind y- damn.\" Words break off as the spear is brought up to block a sword-thrust, then pulled back for a jab toward an Eastron\'s belly.

You attack Variag Warband with your Spear...

Your attack against Variag Warband moderately wounds it!

[Raynar(#31345)]     Twisting away from the seeking Easterling blade, scowl upon his face, the Karath Sergeant sends a brutal slash back at the Easterling, aiming for the foe\'s chest and stomach.

Raynar attacks Easterling Rear-guard with his Longsword and terribly wounds it!

[Lorthrain(#23381)]

Another fine strike from Brev, another Variag is skewered and quickly his success is becoming even more of a rallying point for the Dale-men. With more and more of their most fearsome vanguard falling to this renewed defense, the Easterling line is beginning to waver, and a few whistles are sent back through their ranks. But there the Rhunese warriors find that already their rear is beset by the task-force of Raynar and Erdena, and the success of the Karath duo is disrupting their forces wholesale.

All the same, the Variags themselves seem to have little fear of death, and indeed, one of their number looks to Brev with a growl of respect perhaps seeing this spear-wielder as a worthy challenge. Forth he strides, a two-handed sledge in hand, and the spiked head hurtles through the air as he swipe at the Dun-man\'s bare head.

Variag Warband close in on Brev to do him harm.

...and it hits! Ouch!

And Lorthrain for his part is no longer to be found where the Variag captain strike his Girion\'s shield held high to keep safe his throat from further attacked. Regaining his feet he stabs out his blade from behind his shield\'s guard, hoping it seems to spill the bowels of this fearless giant of a man.

Lorthrain attacks Variag Warband with his Longsword, but he misses by a mile.

[Corawyn(#30485)] Raynar\'s Karath blade draws a bloody gash down his foe\'s torso, black armor hewn and falling away from the mortal wound as the Easterling falls backward with empty eyes, leaving his kinsmen to take up the cause against the Sergeant.

Meanwhile, the stout Easterling guardsman further down the embattled line levels a frightful blow toward Erdena\'s neck, having yet to found her flesh with a blade yet hungry with the blood of her fellow Dalemen.

Easterling Rear-guard lashes at Erdena with their jagged swords.

Easterling Rear-guard badly wounds her!

Brev lets the pressure of those to his left and right direct his movements, and if his spear meets with more success than many, at least they\'re not looking to him give orders.

Lips pressed tight and features taut and focused, he thrusts, sidesteps, thrusts again. Still he is unbloodied ...

But no luck lasts forever. The tall Variag\'s maul is dodged with a growl, but Brev\'s foot slips on the blood-soaked ground and the hammer strikes him a glancing blow ... /Can/ a sledgehammer be glancing? His arm is still attached to his body, but his left hand has fallen away from the spear and his lips are pulled back from his teeth in a soundless snarl. The one-handed spear-thrust that follows is aimed far lower than the head. Should it strike home, that particular Variag will never have to worry about providing for any heirs.

You attack Variag Warband with your Spear...

Your attack against Variag Warband badly wounds it!

[Erdena(#20421)] This time, the Easterling\'s blade hits true, cutting a deep gash along her neck. A hiss escapes her lips as she knocks the offending limb up with her shield arm, stabbing at the exposed ribcage with the tip of her sword, thrusting her weight into the blow.

Erdena attacks Easterling Rear-guard with her Longsword and badly wounds it!

[Raynar(#31345)]     With a snort, Raynar quickly seeks out his next Easterling target, mouth curling back in a feral grin once more as he swings his sword in another brutal arc at an exposed neck.

The Dalemen of the surprise assault continue their attack, more having joined their comrades on the ground due to the fierce combat between the two groups.

Raynar attacks Easterling Rear-guard with his Longsword, but he misses by a mile.

[Lorthrain(#23381)]

For once, Brev\'s spear-tip does not finish his foe in one strike, for rather than his loins the brutish adversary\'s thigh is opened instead, and the man snarls out in pain as he sinks to one knee. Wasting little time, one of the Barding sergeants hews away his head cleanly with his sword, and a cry of hope and command issues frmo his lips. \"Press them, men! The night will be ours! Already they waver!\"

And with that the sergeant looks Brev over briefly, squinting in search of injury. \"If you can yet move freely, Master Brev, then our Lord Girion needs aid. His foe seems fierce indeed!\"

And no soonder have these words been said then the Variag chieftain is brushing aside the stab of Lorthrain\'s sword, and up swings his axe in a bid to cleave the kinsman of Brand in two at the sternum. Whatever the outcome, Lorthrain is indeed up against it, and his breath now comes laboured from the exertion.

Variag Warband close in on Lorthrain to do him harm.

Variag Warband attacks Lorthrain, but Lorthrain parries the attack with his Longsword!

[Corawyn(#30485)] Here the tide turns against Erdena\'s opponent, and even as he roars triumph at the blood his blade has drawn, hers slips quietly between his ribcage to turn his roar into a halting gasp for air. He stumbles to his knees, slowly drowning in his own lifeblood as the Karath force begins to push the rear-guard further back.

Yet the Easterling soldier who faces Raynar not only lives, but fights harder still, his blade a bright blur of steel as he seeks to carve a line across the mans belly.

Easterling Rear-guard lashes at Raynar with their jagged swords.

Easterling Rear-guard\'s attack misses Raynar.

[Raynar(#31345)]     Though the press of soldiers is close, the Karath Sergeant avoids the Easterling\'s return strike as he pulls his blade back. Raynar pauses only a moment before he sends his sword back out, a slash aimed at chest and stomach of the foe.

Raynar attacks Easterling Rear-guard with his Longsword, but he misses by a handspan.

Brev shoots the sergeant a dark glance. The leather jerkin at his shoulder still holds, though heavily marked, but the arm beneath hangs limply at his side. \"Still got two legs to walk on,\" he mutters after a moment. \"And the other\'s none of your business.\" As the tireless Men of Dale around him press on, he takes the time to work his left hand through his belt as a makeshift support, only then looking up to mark the progress of the Girion Lord\'s duel. Indeed, the press of battle had carried him close, though he had not marked it. He waits his moment until the mighty Variag\'s axe is upraised and starting to fall only then does he dart forward, spear jabbing toward the back of the giant\'s knee in an attempt to hamstring.

You attack Variag Warband with your Spear...

Your attack against Variag Warband severely wounds it!

[Lorthrain(#23381)]

And perhaps just in time, for even as the axe falls, Lorthrain\'s sword rises to meet it the nobleman is forced back another pace by the brute strength of his foe. But then comes the spear-tip of Breveg Giantbane slicing open his calf, and finally a long, low whine of pain leaves the Variag cheiftain\'s lips. Paused in place as a statue, the great brute\'s eyes scrunch tight, and his axe slowly lowers.

And Lorthrain wastes no time, racing forth as best his wearied limbs will allow, stabbing out his blade in search of the man\'s savage heart.

Lorthrain attacks Variag Warband with his Longsword and badly wounds it!

[Erdena(#20421)] This is a triumph.... But not one celebrated quite yet as the corporal doesn\'t spend more than a glance at her felled foe before continuing on. Blood trickles down from her wound as she glances about her, aiming her sword at another possibly ill fated member of the rearguard. With her shield raised just so, she jabs her sword forward, attempting to poke holes into her enemy.

Erdena attacks Easterling Rear-guard with her Longsword and severely wounds it!

[Corawyn(#30485)] The Easterling guard springs back a half-step, letting the point of Raynar\'s longsword pass harmless before him. Where the Karath may spend a moment to bring his sword arm back around, the cruel man resets his stance and seeks to catch his breath as the battle rages on around him.

No sooner than another of the Eastron soldiers advances on Erdena does the man meet an untimely end on her sword. The next to rise against her wastes no time in charging forward with a fearful cry and a toothed blade aimed at her belly.

Easterling Rear-guard lashes at Erdena with their jagged swords.

Easterling Rear-guard badly wounds her!

As the spear-tip sinks into flesh the tight grimace upon Brev\'s swarthy features lessens a little. He does not wait to see Lorthrain\'s stabbing thrust sink home: even as the Girion\'s longsword is flashing forward the spear-tip follows the contours of the Variag\'s muscled leg and hip in order to jab viciously toward the warrior\'s kidneys.

You attack Variag Warband with your Spear...

You have defeated Variag Warband!

Your attack against Variag Warband fatally wounds and defeats it!

Variag Warband writhes around in pain, before expiring. Brev has won the day.

[Raynar(#31345)]     With a scowl as he brings his weapon arm back into position, Raynar pauses only amoment before he lunges forward, sword aimed at the Easterling\'s stomach. \"Die already,\" he mutters, eyes narrowed.

Easterling Rear-guard collapses to the ground, defeated by Raynar!

The warriors of Rhun are finally conquered, slain by Raynar

Erdena exclaims, \"The stomach, again?!?\" as, yet again, the enemy\'s sword cuts deep into her midsection. Her eyes close for a moment, a shuddering breath before she raises her own arm up in retaliation, hoping to cut through and cause payback for her wound.

[Lorthrain(#23381)]

And with that the brute of a war-chief falls at last, spit through the chest by Lorthrain\'s sword and then ruptured in his kidney by the spear of Brev. Down the beast of a an falls, and at his passing a horn blows loud and triumphant from within the Barding ranks. A cheer rises from the Dale-men, fists pumped into the air as they see the leader of the Easterling charge slain, and finally too is the wavering resolve of the warriors of Rhun broken for true. Routed, they turn tail and flee as best they can into the streets whence they came, leaving behind their dead and wounded.

No few King\'s Men have fallen beside them, and as Lorthrain striggles back to his feet he glances about unharmed by heavily fatigued within his armour. The marketplace is awash with blood and gore, and a moment of grim tally is taken behind his brown eyes. But then, hearing the cries of his soldiers, he to raises his sword in victory, and calls out loudly for no fellow to give chase.

It is then that the Girion lord lokos at last to Brev, and his helmed head dips slowly in salute. \"I believe I owe you my life, Master Breveg, for I had not the strength to withstand him any longer. If any man has won the day here, it is you.\"

[Corawyn(#30485)] As tired as the duel has left him, the Easterling guard is left without support from his fallen men, and little energy to meet Raynar\'s blow and so it proves to be the last, opening his belly and bringing him to the ground, even as Erdena defeats his last remaining compatriot.

And so the Easterling rear-guard falls with the Variag warband, leaving the remaining men of Rhun to fall before the might of the Dale-lands army.

Brev pulls back his spear, looking for something else to stab when nothing is immediately apparent, he spares the time to glance at the Girion Lord. \"Hardly. I owe my life to at least a dozen men - doubt I\'d recognize even the one. That\'s war for you.\" He shrugs, then scowls. \"And I told you, it\'s Brunn-\" He gives up, watching the Easterlings flee his spear-hand twitches. \"Why no chase? I grant you, they likely have boltholes to run to we\'d not wisely enter, but the ones we /can/ get at, should drive them into the river and have done with it.\"

[Lorthrain(#23381)]

\"A rat in a corner bites twice as hard,\" replies Lorthrain gravely, \"or so my old general used to say. Far better to meet him on your own terms, ready for anything, than to chase him blindly and bare your foot to his teeth. We have the mastery here, and I would guess with this victory their forces are all but spent. Let us press slowly, and with care, to lose no more men if we might help it.\"

He steps closer then, looking eye to eye with the Dunlending, ere a grim smile touches his features blood-stained from the death of the war-chief. \"To think I once worried for your scruples, Master Brunni. If an apology is not too long over-due, then I offer it now to you. And you need fear nothing for the use of your name, though you have more than earned the right to bear any you choose I would honour it all the same for your deeds here today, whatever an Elf from the West might mutter.\"

Erdena takes in another deep breath, tossing her shield down on the ground as she grumbles. \"Phfaw!\" She holds her belly wound closed as she makes her way back towards the market square, attempting to navigate the fallen all the while. \"Bloody stupid things.\" Once again, the Karath woman is practically stumbling to the places of healing.

[Raynar(#31345)]     As the Easterlings break and run, Raynar mutters something or another under his breath, shaking blood off his sword (which is followed by wiping it off on some cloth from a dead Easterling) before sliding it home in its scabbard. Slinging his shield over his back, he raises his voice to the force with him. \"Find the wounded and get them to the healers\' tents immediately, if you please. Make sure the Easterlings are dead we don\'t want them to intruduce us to steel, we don\'t.\" That said, the Sergeant heads off towards the market proper.

Fate decrees that only now, with Brev\'s left arm hanging limp and useless so that he cannot lift it to brush the traitorous tic away, should Lorthrain choose to mention Elves and the west. The Dunlending twitches, then tries to pretend he has not, stating airily to the Girion Lord, \"That sounds like an interesting tale. I must hear it sometime. But not now, when there\'s other things to be done - no, not like that, damn you!\" He breaks off to snap at the young soldier kneeling and trying to lift a fallen comrade. \"If his lung goes he\'s dead for sure. Here, let me look ...\" With no more than that he turns away from Lorthrain. Likely noble and foreigner will have to address their issues later for now, it can wait.