(RP) SFR: La Guerre de Cent Ans: Redux

Lord Anchorage

The mercenary was quicker in her attacks this time around, aiming for his collarbone to the right. Although he did stumble back from that hilt strike. He knew better than to leave too much of an opening. As soon as she made her move, Anchorage ducked down slightly so that she would have to swing further, then lunged forward to grab the woman's hand. Once Anchorage had the girl in her grasp, he would then move to twist the girls wrist and make her drop her sword.

"Mercenaries have no place on the battlefield, especially those that are frail and inexperienced like you." Anchorage said sternly raising his own sword up in the air. "May the Lord have mercy on you for I will not." Anchorage then moved to bring his blade down, aiming for the neck.
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Jean de Montfort

Jean had to admit that Alessa's swordsmanship is nothing short of astounding. It truly was a shame they had to meet under such circumstances. Jean saw her make a thrusting motion aiming for his chest. He sidestepped, but was too slow in the movement, leading to him wincing in pain as the black obsidian blade stabbed at the man's wrist. Moving backwards a bit, he clutched him now bleeding right arm, his armor now soaking in his own blood. "Heh, that was a nice maneuver you pulled there Alessa. I'm impressed." Because of his injury, he would now have to use one hand on his sword, thus decreasing his effective attack strength.
 
Theodora Sevensheep

Desperate Measures


One second of inattention was all it took for Theodora to get snagged. The general's vice like grip tightened on her thin wrist and even through her gauntlet, Theodora could tell that she wasn't going to be wiggling out of this one easily. Her window of opportunity was closing as Anchorage began to get a better grip on her wrist, but her resistance was futile. He had good purchase on her and immediately twisted his hand in an attempt to disarm her. Unfortunately for Anchorage, Theodora was in her Concentration mode and many times more resiliant than her appearance. She did not yield her sword, nor did she utter a cry despite feeling the bones straining her at her wrist.

"Mercenaries have no place on the battlefield, especially those that are frail and inexperienced like you."

Theodora could see the general raise his sword in an attempt to cut her down. Desperate times called for desperate measures and Theodora launched the firebullets in her left had straight at her wrist. Upon impact, the explosion ripped her free from Anchorage's grip before she quickly side rolled away from the strike to the right. She had dodged the strike cleanly. It was that or that there was so much adrenaline pumping through her veins that she couldn't tell whether she was missing an arm or had a massive gash on her chest. Regardless, Theodora back pedalled several steps away from the smoke of the explosion. Things did not look good. Even with the white magic heal spell on her wrist, Theodora would be hard pressed to continue going toe to toe with Anchorage. Instead of settling into another stance, she launched three more fireballs into the midst of the smoke, causing more dust before performin a tactical withdrawal. Live to fight another day. Theodora took the chance to gain distance and was about to fall back towards the tunnel when she sighted Montefort. A feeling of guilt welled up, knowing that Anchorage would go for him should she leave. Steeling ehrself, Theodora put all her remaining mana into forming firebullets, aiming to keep Anchorage back with barrages should he come towards them.
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The wound she managed to inflict emboldened her. She was now one step closer to the victory that she desired. Smiling at the Paladin's remarks, she replied,"You're not bad yourself." She meant it more as a sympathetic response out of habit. Those who cannot defeat her have no right to comment on her swordplay. This is her personal code, and she had thought the Paladin would outplay her.

With one hand weakened, he now has weaker attack strength. However, he still retained his speed and experience. Alessa decides that she would tread carefully anyway. After all, there was still the other two on the other side. The Anchorage appeared to be having problems with the mercenary - which, itself, alluded to the mercenary's abilities.

Gripping her blade, she decides to await the Paladin's attack and counter accordingly - with a parrying maneuver before a real slash, hopefully this time ending his life.
 
Lord Anchorage

Just when he thought that things were about to look up, the mercenary used her mana to blow off his grip. The injury wounding the knight greatly.

"ARRRGGGGHHHHH, YOU WHORE, I WILL MAKE YOU PAY FOR THAT!!!" Anchorage screamed out, clutching his hand dripping in blood. But further attempts of carrying out that threat were made in vain as the mercenary continued pelting her fireballs around the Duke, creating smoke and chaos that would only serve to anger the claimant to the Raineri throne. He was dazed, but but the man was determined to end her personally, walking forward in hope that he would see her.

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Jean de Montfort

"I see that your commander is having a hard time. A shame really." Jean said, holding his blade up with his left arm. "If it would've been me at this position I would not get frustrated over the situation...no matter."

Jean moved forward, launching a thrusting attack that aimed for Alessa's neck. If she parried he could then move in for a backhand attack with his wounded arm. It would hurt himself in the process but could serve to injure Alessa in the process.
 
Commander or not, the Anchorage mattered little to her. It was more important to secure the victory as a trophy of her undying loyalty. Nevertheless, Alessa decided to play it safe. Watching Jean warily, she responded with a brief," I suppose."

Just as she utters those words, the Paladin lunged for an attack. Alessa, despite her caution, was caught unawares at the daring move and puts up a pathetic defense which had the blade end up in her right shoulder. The pain was excruciating; Alessa was grimacing, but producing no sound as she plucked herself off the blade and counterattacked with a slash attack to his wounded hand.
 
As Lord Anchorage walked out the smoke, he saw two figures in the distance. It was the son of the claimant, Prince Jean de Montfort fighting Alessa. It appeared as they were both injured in combat. Watching the man get his arm injured again with a swing from Alessa's enchanted sword. He decided to make his move on the knight.

"You're dead, Montfort!" Anchorage said as he raised his sword. Montfort, with his blade in the right hand, swung at the claimant's face. The blade hit it's mark, leaving a scar right across the bridge of his nose. "Tch...idiot." Montfort said to himself before raising his blade between both Alessa and Anchorage, slowly backing out. In a few moments s signal will be made and they would have to withdraw. Anchorage reeled back in pain, holding his face as he cursed at Montfort, half-glaring at the man.
 
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Theodora Sevensheep

Might as well


Of course, Anchorage would have went straight for Montfort. The Paladin was a much bigger prize than some small mercenary girl. From a mercenary perspective, this situationw as actually relatively good. She had finished her contract, with the contractor saying that her job is done, the main threat's attention has been drawn away from her, meaning she can escape a lot easier, particularly with her messed up hand. But... in the end, Theodora was too much of a softy to abandon someone so easily. As a few mercenary archers began to flee down the tunnel behind her, Theodora's hand shot out and grabbed one of them by the collar.

You men! Stand your ground for a second! Get your bows and launch a volley towards Montfort's enemies. We just need to distract and occupy rthem for a few moments!

A good deal of the archers spat in disdain and continued to run, but six of them stood their ground and notched their bow. Angling high, their arrows arched above Montfort and landed scattered around the Generals. Of course, with such a shot, it was slow and easy to dodge, but if they were preoccupied with a fight already, it was enough to draw some attention from the general. Theo, in response, attacked any footmen that tried to interrupt the archers. It was the best she can do in this situation. If any of the archers died, it was going to be on her conscience.
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Alessa cursed under her breath as she noticed the Anchorage charging in their direction. This battle had been honorable thus far. She hadn't even started to use her other skills and was thinking she wouldn't have to - due in part to the present situation. Yet now the situation was changing - in her favor - but not the way she likes it.

Her blade hits home and while she returns to her ready stance, she does not make a move. Staring at the Anchorage in disdain as he attempted to claim victory, she had to fight back the urge to back stab the man and claim the Paladin killed him.

Nevertheless, he failed in his attempt, leaving a even more badly wounded Paladin edging away from the two.

"Sorry for his rude intrusion, Paladin. I'd wished for a more honorable duel, but I guess not everyone values honor."

It was as those words left her lips that she realized the irony. She herself was a proponent of underhanded means - of the saying 'all's fair in a war' - and here she was uttering those words. The thought barely left her mind as arrows began landing around them. Turning to face the direction of the arrows, Alessa noticed a few archers in the distance, and the mercenary that the Anchorage was fighting with.

"Creep."

She muttered as she left the two, ambling towards the mercenary and the group of archers cautiously, deflecting any incoming arrows and daring attempts to attack her.
 
"Sorry for his rude intrusion, Paladin. I'd wished for a more honorable duel, but I guess not everyone values honor."

Jean still held his blade at the pretender. "Be fortunate I'm not here to kill you just yet, Anchorage, lest you wish to humiliate yourself further."

"You bastard!" Anchorage yelled out, blood in his hands from the cut on his nose. Which only served to increase his anger. Raising his sword, the Count of Anchorage charged towards the Paladin, who was now walking away. Turning around, he used his shield and shouted out words in a tongue that Anchorage did not understand. A bright light shot out of the shield and blinded all within the vicinity while the Paladin ran off to link up with the archers and the mercenary.

"It's time we withdrew. All units, fall back!" Montfort said as he sheathed his sword and ran out for the exit.
 
Theodora Sevensheep

Alright. Time to cut your loss.


"It's time we withdrew. All units, fall back!"

That was the signal. The Paladin was now falling back towards them and the archers now let loose with a barrage of fast arrows to the side of their retreating employer. Also approaching them was the female general of the opposition and from Theodora's eyes, more dangerous than Anchorage since she seems quite able to fight with a level head. Cowardly or not, Theodora was not going to fall at the last second of the battle. Whipping out two sizey round objects from her pack and into her hand, she struck the two protruding metal tips on the ground and with the wick next to it catching alight from the sparks, Theodora hurled them inbetween herself and the charging general. As the two balls righted themselves, they detonated in a loud bang and flash. Not even waiting to see if it had worked or not, Theodora turned and fled down the tunnel, tapping on the shoulders of the archers to fall back as well.

Phew..... that was close.....
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OOC: This will be only for Jean, my next post will come once Monarch posts

IC:
Jean de Montfort

Phew..... that was close.....

Jean heard the mercenary breath a sigh of relief, "Perhaps, we managed to escape with our lives. That should have bought Lord Father enough time to prepare defenses along the coast." As the troops reorganized themselves while continuing their flight from the fortress to the Dreux Crossing, he asked of himself. "Lady Sevensheep, If I recall correctly, your service was to Lord Father, not myself. May I inquire as to why you tried to save me back at Saint-Barthelmany?"
 
Theodora Sevensheep

Really, why?

"Perhaps, we managed to escape with our lives. That should have bought Lord Father enough time to prepare defenses along the coast.

As a front line mercenary, Theodora had no idea, nor ability to comprehend grand battle schemes beyong that of her battle. What the Lord had said only meant to her is that they ahd bought another army enough time to do something that would hurt the opposition. Abesntmindedly, she nodded slightly at the words, her hands behind her head and strutting in a carefree manner. With the tension down, Thedora was losing her serious edge and the way she carried herself right now appeared completely inapporpriate for someone retreating

Lady Sevensheep, If I recall correctly, your service was to Lord Father, not myself. May I inquire as to why you tried to save me back at Saint-Barthelmany?"

Theodora paused for only a split second, her eyes wandering up in slight thought. She was a simple person. There was no need to dig too deep for any reason for why she does anything.

Well... i guess that's because i was there. There is no need for another reason to help someone else that is in need.

A giant childish grin is plastered across Theodora's face.

Well... providing it doesn't fight with my contract. My parents had told me that my contracts are priority, but i have trouble remembering that.

She continued walking for a few more seconds before the colours drained from her face. Did she perhaps violate on of her contract agreements? Was she going to be reprimanded for it? Will this be another page in Theodora's ablbum of failed jobs?

Urm.... i didn't mess up my contract again did i?

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Alessa was cursing under her breath at the Anchorage's distinct lack of a code of honor. She may not have been a real proponent of an honorable battle, but she was wrought with disdain for such underhanded means, more so if it fails. It was still rather contradicting, she realized, considering how she never thinks the same way when she herself use such means.

Nevertheless, she calmed herself before approaching the Anchorage. Her wounded shoulder was still aching, but the bleeding had subsided somewhat.

Staring at the Anchorage with as little emotion as she could manage, she said," Are you well enough to continue?"

All the while, she was struggling with a desire to cut him down where he stood. Unfortunately for the warrior, there was no apparent value from the act of backstabbing.
 
Jean de Montfort

Well... i guess that's because i was there. There is no need for another reason to help someone else that is in need. Well... providing it doesn't fight with my contract. My parents had told me that my contracts are priority, but i have trouble remembering that.

A slight smile crawled upon Jean's face "Heh...fair enough." They continued walking before another question was brought up. Urm.... i didn't mess up my contract again did I?

The Elvean knight chuckled at that comment. "No. In fact you've done exactly as you were requested. Consider it a mission success. Now come on, our commanders will lead the soldiers to the capital, we will head up along the coast. There we will begin planning for future operations. I will need an escort there."
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Lord Anchorage

"Are you well enough to continue?"

"Hmph, I'm fine." Anchorage said with disdain in his voice as he stood up and stormed off in a fit. He was joined by several of his advisers who tried to console the pretender to the Raineri throne. "That was not very wise, Lord Francois. You risk alienating your lords in Erusea."

"Hmph..." Anchorage grunted as he continued his walk. His adviser continued "I'm sure that if you requested King Valentin, we could expect more Erusean-"

"To hell with Erusea!" Anchorage yelled, "Do you really think that that blow hard would ever support me?"

"But sir-"

"Once I claim the throne, I am breaking off from Erusea, there are other brighter pastures than either Emmeria or Erusea, and I plan on playing my part in the world."
 
If anything, it was a mistake to openly express dislike for an ally, more so if that same ally is close by. Alessa had not planned to eavesdrop, but the Anchorage's exclamation was hard to miss. The female warrior held back an urge to cut him where he stood, opting to stay still and let the medic patch her up.

She was starting to have her own reservations about letting this wayward ally continue living.
 
Theodora Sevensheep

Another Day, Another Coin

"No. In fact you've done exactly as you were requested. Consider it a mission success. Now come on, our commanders will lead the soldiers to the capital, we will head up along the coast. There we will begin planning for future operations. I will need an escort there."

And escort you there i will. I will make sure you get there, or they'll have to walk over my dead body....... though i prefer if they didnt.

Theo gave a cheeky grin before she bowed to the Elvean Knight. They were amongst their own troops now and was rather safe for the time being, so Theo was a bit more comfortable with leaving her new client. Taking her sword in her arm, Theo skipped off towards the mercenaries. The other shock knights weren't too far off, so after reporting in, Theo planned to hitch a ride on someone's horse or cart to save herself the march


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Jean de Montfort

And escort you there i will. I will make sure you get there, or they'll have to walk over my dead body....... though i prefer if they didnt.

Watching the young mercenary skip off the Elvean chuckled, "Hmph, the kid has talent, perhaps she would see a future in this conflict after all..."
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Chapter 3: Bowmen of Pothieu

Voiced-Over: http://vocaroo.com/i/s0dmQpIIsX32

Theme-Conquistador

The Anchoragean victory ensured that much of Rainer would be brought into Erusean control, but the loyalty of Francois de Anchorage had come into question. Despite many witnesses, including the trust of a loyal officer, Roan Alessa of Erusea’s Death Knight Corps, the King decided to feign ignorance for now, only telling Roan and a select few advisors of his intention to eventually eliminate him once he has outlived his usefulness. Despite several skirmishes in Rainer, the decade was relatively peaceful, as the Emmerian economy had struggled and not enough troops were sent to Erusea.

This all changed in 46 SC, as 15,000 Emmerian soldiers, directly led by Aurelius III himself arrived in the southern coastlines of Erusea. His soldiers landed in the Duchy of Manche, capturing a local count in the Battle of Saint-Poilles on July 26. Rather than moving directly for the capital however, Aurelius turned eastward, aiming to acquire the port of Orleans on the southern side of Erusea. Emmeria would score a second victory along the Manche-Picardian provincial border on August 24. With Emmeria now poised to launch their strike in Picardia, Erusea turned to find allies.

For Erusea, it came from Osea in the form of Queen Elizabeth, who was the Queen of Veria and Countess of Azuerette. Elizabeth was a close friend of Valentin VI, and had contacts with some of the various Monarchs of the Sapiniard Kingdoms, of which both Pieu and Biscaria, as well as Liguria sent knights to assist Elizabeth and Valentin.

For Emmeria on the other hand, they began to petition support from the one power capable of ensuring they achieve their wishes. The Holy Belkan Emperor, Duke Albert IV of Ivrea-Glatisant publicly did not want to support the Emmerians in their conquest, but in secret, Albert as well as many Belkan Princes, Bishops and Margraves sent their knights in to support Emmeria. In reality, the Emperor allowed this because of Erusea’s past support for the papacy in Centrum against the Emperor in years past. In addition, a second army led by the Black Prince, Aurelius of Felinsulia began marching unopposed from Vasconia and began heading south to confront the Eruseans there.

As the Emmerians converged on Orleans, Valentin VI, Elizabeth of Veria and various Erusean nobles marched to the misty village of Ponthieu to oppose them.

Emmerian Victory Conditions: Defeat the armies of Erusea and their allies and make for the Port of Orleans

Erusean Victory Condition: Defeat the Emmerian Army and drive them out of the Southern areas.


(Since this takes us back to the main battle lines, the Anchoragean and Montfort battle lines in Rainer will be talked about in the background until Chapter 8. Some of the characters who have taken part there can take part in this battle (Roan is excusable because she's an Erusean knight, and Theodora because she's...well a mercenary.)
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Aurelius III of Emmeria

Aurelius was seen with the Black Mages of the Emmerian Army. They were discussing the final battle strategy along with the head archers of each regiment. Many of Emmeria's knights, and even more of them bowmen and men-at-arms looked at their king, a brief relief in their march to Orleans.

"So the Eruseans have brought in allies from Osea, have they...Probably in response to our numbers being bolstered by Belkan Knights."

"Your liege, do you have a strategy for taking them on?" One of the Black Mages asked the king.

"We will meet them here, and devastate them once more with our archers. We will need to take the port city of Orleans if we are to split the Eruseans down and make it easier to launch further attacks."

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Valentin VI and Elizabeth of Veria

Valentin's soldiers continued marching through the sloggy fields of Picardia, the rain having delayed their advance from Orleans to meet the enemy on the field. Thanks to spies in Emmeria's ranks, they were able to keep tracking their movements. To Valentin, he hoped that sheer numbers would win him victory. His army numbered at least 50,000 soldiers compared to the 10,000 of Emmeria, the largest army seen in Erusea since the days of the Centrum Empire. Walking with him was the Verian queen Elizabeth, who was seen in a battle armor and a patch on her left eye, a result of disease that left her blind in that eye. Both of them were on horseback, along with many of the other noble knights.

"You seem pretty quiet, Sir Valentin. It doesn't suit you well, old friend." Elizabeth spoke

Valentin sighed, "The conflict is slowly turning against us. Our vassals in Fato, and our allies in Khesed were confirmed to be wiped out by Emmeria. Had it not been for the Duke of Lambert and the Count of Rodez, we would've been defending Farbanti, not here in Orleans."

"True, and you should count yourself lucky for that too."

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Aurelius of Felinsulia and Mary Waltham

(to be continued)
 
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