Glorious Battle And Release

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

((This sl took place well before I found my way to the Broken Dagger, but I wanted to share it! So enjoy, hopefully!))

Having put himself into a self imposed exile, after healing from his encounter with Ixius and the strange woman, Seth wandered far and wide with his companion and mount, Odyn. He sought out a way to release the self hatred building up within him, for failing so many that he cared for, before it consumed him completely.

After many weeks of travel he had found his way to the small kingdom of Drathmoore. A land he had been in and fought for several times in his long past. During a stay at an inn in a fairly well populated town he heard disturbing rumors of a gnollish army amassing near Drathmoore's borders. They seemed, oddly, well organized and armed for such a force of creatures.
A few days later, on his way to Drathmoore Castle, he came across a leaflet pinned to the door of a tavern.

~~ A Call To Arms
Lord Marius Corvaal requests that all able bodied men report to Castle Drathmoore. Any mercenary bands or sell swords are welcome as well, the Lord will pay well for your sword arms. ~~

Upon reading this, Seth resumed his journey to the castle, the rumors confirmed as truth, as far as he was concerened, by the leaflet.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

Seth brings Odyn to a stop atop a hill, brilliant blue eyes sweeping over the land before him, taking in the many tents set in the fields outside the walls of the small city that surrounds Drathmoore Castle. He watches the many men moving through the large encampment, a sure sign of the land's army being mustered.

After several moments he rides forward once more, making his way towards the city. He nods to a small group of men, obviously mercenaries, uttering a greeting and receiving one in turn. Leaving them behind, he continues on towards the city, nodding in greeting to the occaisional soldier or guardsman as he passes through a portion of the large military camp.
Seth comes to a halt once more, outside the city gates as one of the mailed guards walks up to him, eyeing Odyn curiously, not having seen a creature such as him before. The guard's gaze shifts up to Seth, "You're buisness here, sir?"

A light smile graces Seth's features, "I am here seeking to join the military forces gathering," gesturing towards the militart encampment with one hand, tilting his head to one side, "And I wish to speak to Lord Corvaal, if you send a runner letting him know Seth of the Clan Bloodmoon is here all will be well, continuing before the guard can say the lord is busy with other important matters, handing the man a signet ring to send with the runner.

The guard nods, eyeing Seth suspiciously for a moment before taking the ring and returning to the other guardhouse outside the gate. Moments later a young man exits the small building jogging off into the city towards the castle. Seth moves off to the side of the road, watching the encampment absently while being watched carefully by the guards, awaiting the return of the runner.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

A good hour passes uneventfully with Seth watching various travelers and warriors come and go as he waits atop Odyn. Finally a single man, wearing a suit of gleaming, platemail armor. rides up on a heavy warhorse the color of coal. The dark blonde haired man recieves sharp salutes from the guards, returning a simple nod to the men as his blue gaze falls upon Seth's mounted form, a slight grin tugging at the corner of the man's lips.

Seth's attention turns towards the arrival of the armored man, his own smile tugging at the edges of his lips, "Well Altures, it's been quite some time," nodding respectfully to the man.

Altures grins a bit more, "Aye, that it has been Seth, you always seem to have the most wonderful talent of arriving when your skills would be most useful. I hope the guardsmen treated you well?" glancing briefly to the guards as they deal with other arrivals then back to Seth.

Seth shrugs, laughing lightly, "They did their job, that would be all that matters," sweeping his brilliant blue gaze over the guardsmen absently as a light breeze tugs at his long, silvery hair.

Altures chuckles, "Well then I suppose they can keep their jobs for a bit longer then," nodding once for Seth to follow him inside the city walls, "Sorry it took so long to get you inside, I am sure you understand though. It may take longer to get your chance to speak with Lord Corvaal, but in the meantime I'll bring you up to date with matters," his tone becoming serious.

Seth nods, listening to his friend as he rides along side Altures, into the confines of the city's walls, both men making their way towards the castle, "I fully understand, my friend and I am fully at the disposal of Lord Corvaal."

Both fall into talking of past times bringing eachother up to date on their adventures since their last encounter as they continue on towards the castle, Altures recieving salutes from the various guard patrols they encounter.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

In due time, Seth and Altures pass through the main gate of Drathmoore Castle, after a brief exchange of words with the guardsmen. Once inside the courtyard Altures reins in his mount, Seth murmuring for Odyn to stop as well. Seth gazes over the grounds, taking in old, familiar sights as well as the new which had come along since his last visit to the place.

"As much as I would like to remain in your company, Seth, I am afraid I must attend to other things. Your addled brain remembers how to get around here?" a slight grin tugging at Altures' lips as he lofts a golden brow, his blue eyes flashing slightly with his teasing words.

Seth grins broadly, rolling his eyes before narrowing them in a joking manner, "Aye, I believe my addled brain remembers the general layout of this old pile of stones. Be glad I am in good humor, or I might have to seek satisfaction for that accusation, honor and all, you know?" retorting with a good humored chuckle before extending his hand to grasp Altures' in friendship.

Altures laughs, giving Seth's hand a firm squeeze before releasing it, "Indeed, honor and all, afraid you would have to settle for a simple apology. For even if your mind is addled, I highly doubt it would affect your sword arm, my friend. Someone will find you when Lord Corvaal is available. By the way, it is good to have you around again, Seth, wish it were in better times though. We would have been able to get smashed, perhaps even had a good old fashion tavern brawl. Till we are able to talk next, Seth, stay out of trouble." He nods once before riding back out the main gates.

Seth chuckles lightly watching Altures depart, murmuring, "Indeed... it is ashame these are not better times..." quietly to himself, his thoughts turning briefly to why exactly he has actively sought out a possible war to fight in. Shaking off these thoughts he slides down off of Odyn, gazing about the courtyard again before settling his eyes upon the stone structure that is the castle's main building.
He returns his gaze to Odyn, meeting one of the beast's quicksilver eyes, "Do as you will old friend, but no maiming the locals or their livestock, got that?"

Odyn snorts in an annoyed manner, rolling his eyes in response to Seth's words. A moment later Odyn launches himself into the air, a trail of ice blue flames following the path of his hooves through the sky. Seth merely shakes his head before sighing and moving into the main building to seek a meal and perhaps a chance to wash up before he meets with Lord Corvaal.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

Seth paces in the guest room he had been given, several hours after parting ways with Altures. He had eaten a rather large meal and managed a bath during that time, now he was slightly impatient to meet with Lord Corvaal. He struggled to keep his mind on things revolving around this land's troubles, rather than his own, not wanting to end up in a dark mood before the meeting.

Another hour or so passes with Seth pacing his rooms before a summons arrives that Corvaal is ready to meet with him. He nods to the messenger and grabs his cloak, draping it over his shoulders as he passes of his rooms, following the young man that brought the summons. Seth's brilliant blue gaze sweeps over the familiar halls, taking in minor differances and murmuring greetings to a few familiar faces as he passes them.

As they arrive at the double doors leading into the war room, the mailed guards standing outside it turn and open the doors. The messenger pauses in the doorway, facing those within and bowing as he speaks, "Seth of the Clan Bloodmoon," in a formal tone before rising from the sweeping bow and departing on other errands.

Seth passes into the large room, the guards pushing the doors shut behind him. He bows low to those seated about the large table in the center of the room. He rises from the bow, lofting an inquiring brow ever so slightly in the direction of a well built man in his middle years with short cut, slightly greying, dark brown hair and intense brown eyes.

The man's care worn features lift in a slight smile as he nods to Seth, "It is good to have you here in this time of trouble, Seth. I know you did not expect to be summoned to the war room, at least this soon, but things have happened in the hours you awaited your chance to meet with me..." The man's eyes shift to the large map sprawled out over the table, various small, colored blocks of wood placed about it to represent the positions of various forces in the field.

The man's gaze comes to rest upon a small town near the border with three blocks colored in black positioned nearby, "A scout returned here two hours ago bearing news that Blackclaw is marching forces upon the town of Caarus," he pauses for a moment shifting his gaze to a single dark green block nearby Caarus on the map, "We have a mere one thousand footmen in the vicinity of Caarus which we intend to reinforce with a large contingent of medium cavalry from our forces here." His eyes shift towards Seth meaningfully, "I would like you to lead or at the least join the cavalry, your presence on the field of battle would be greatly appreciated."

Silence settles over the room as Seth closes his eyes, as if thinking the matter over, although he had already made up his mind. Finally his eyes slide back open and he bows his head a tiny bit, "Lord Corvaal, I would be honored to lead the reinfocements into battle. I will do all that I can to triumph on the field of battle," speaking in a reassured tone of voice.

Corvaal's smile returns to his features, the other men in the room nodding their approval of the occurance that had taken place. Corvaal sighs lightly before speaking once more, "It is indeed good tidings to know that your steel will be gleaming on the field of battle. Two days preperation time is all we can afford, unfortunatly, but I assure you that the men will be some of the best fighting men our land has at its disposal." With that spoken he waves Seth to sit in an empty seat at the table before the murmurings of battle plans commence further.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

The two days past swiftly, Seth choosing to spend his time among the men that he would be leading, rather than stay in the comforts of the castle. Many of the veterans he had known in times past, to those that he did not know he was known of at the very least by name.

Now Seth sat, mounted on Odyn, at of the head of the column of cavalry, three thousand strong, gathered outside of the small city that surrounded Castle Drathmoore. Grim silence had seemingly fallen over everything, though the sun shined brightly, gleaming off of arms and armor. The Lord Corvaal sat seated upon a heavy warhorse, of dark brown coloration, before them all.

Several more moments of grim silence lingered before Corvaal broke it, his voice carrying to all ears, strong and full of confindence, "The time for battle is finally at hand. Today you brave men leave to meet the enemy and reinforce what forces we have near the town of Caarus. You must travel swiftly to stem the tide of darkness before it sweeps over Caarus, we cannot let the gnollish bastards have a foothold into our lands! The slathering dogs must be stopped!" He pauses for a moment as cheers erupt from all around, chanting their victory before such is even at hand, their steel.

Seth remains silent, though a slight grin plays across his angular features, his eyes flashing in anticipation of battle. Inwardly though he remains dark and grim, wondering, perhaps hoping that he might die in battle soon. The years had weighed heavily upon him, too many mistakes made that could not be unmade. War was truly the only thing at which he excelled at in life.

Corvaal locks eyes with Seth for an instant, nodding once, raising his arms to bring about silence once more. He sweeps his gaze over the men gathered, "May your blades bathe in the black blood of the gnolls! Lord Bloodmoon shall lead you to victory no matter the odds! Trust in him and you shall soon tell tales of glory in the taverns! Now I must bid you safe and swift travel, go and help the gnolls meet their destiny!" with that he moves out of their path, nodding once more to Seth.

Seth nods once to Lord Corvaal, saluting him with Twilight Heart. He turns Odyn about in a circle before the column, raising his blade high into the air before calling out, "To victory and honor we ride! All shall fall before our steel!" The men cheer again all raising their swords into the air. Seth lowers Twilight heart, sliding it home in its sheath. He rides forth onto the road that shall take them to Caarus, three thousand hooves pounding behind him.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

Three days had passed since Seth had led his army of cavalry out of Castle Drathmoore. On the second day they had encountered several refugees making their way from Caarus. Seth had found out no real battle had taken place yet, but those unable to fight had left the town just in case. The able bodied men and even a few women had remained to bolster Captain Rythmun's footmen.

On the third day, near the early afternoon, a rider raced past the column of cavalry, riding hard towards the castle. He had paused only long enough to shout, "Caarus is under attack!"

Seth immediatly shouted orders, sending out scouts as he prepared the rest of the column for a forced march. Near dusk of the same day, as they rushed to reinforce those in Caarus, they could see a few pillars of smoke rising and twisting up into the air, confirming the rider's words. He allowed only three hours of rest that evening, no complaints were heard from his men, they knew their friends were in dire need of assistance. If the horses did not need rest they surely would have continued on without rest, however Seth would have forced them to rest, as exhausted men would be useless in battle.

It was now the fourth day, reports from the scouts were grim, saying that the defensive forces were being overwhelmed quickly and that half the town was burning. The column hastened their advance, eventually coming to the top of a large hill, the sounds of furious battle carrying to their ears. The cries of men mingling with the hyena like yips of the gnolls.

Seth grits his teeth at the sight down below, "We must flank the gnolls... I hate to take the time to do so.. but we must," growling the words before turning about and withdrawing from the hill top to issue orders. He did not like what he had seen, cavalry would not fair well in street to street combat, he had to assault the gnollish forces outside of the town and hope it would draw most of the attackers out into the field.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

Within an hour they had worked their way around to the rear flank of the gnollish army, listening to the sounds of battle. It had been very hard for the men not to rush down to aid their comrades, even harder for Seth himself.

If they had been of a more intelligent race, the gnolls may have noticed the cavalry that had suddenly appeared behind them, but they hadn't, so intent were they on slaughtering those directly before them. Seth rides up and down the front of his army as the ranks form up, ice blue flames trailing from Odyn's hooves, the beast's mane and tail of the same flickering flames. Seth's silver hair whips about behind him as he wheels Odyn around for another pass, drawing Twilight Heart from its sheath and raising it high into the air, his midnight blue cloak billowing out from the rush of air.

Seth raises his voice for all amongst his men to hear, "Today we finally wet our steel with the blood of our enemy! Today we drive the flea ridden dogs into the ground and the carrion birds shall feast on their flesh! They dare to attack your lands and now they shall know your wrath! Fallen friends shall be avenged tenfold! You shall taste victory, now ride forth with me and show these bastards the true meaning of death!" his brilliant blue eyes flashing with violence. He wheels Odyn about to face their enemy as his men shout out battle cries. He lowers his sword in one swift motion, shouting, "Victory and honor!" three thousand voices strong joining his.

Hooves thunder across the plains towards the mass of the enemy still outside of Caarus, arms and armor glttering in the sunlight. Many of the hyena-like humanoids gawk openly as if just now noticing their new foe, seeing at the head of the charge a silver haired elf upon a nightmare-like beast with ice blue flames whipping about it. Barked commands echo through the din of battle, many of the more alert and less surprised gnolls forming up to meet the new threat, actually charging towards the advancing cavalry screaming their own warcries in their own tounge.

The collision of the two forces was violent, Seth scythed through the front lines of the gnolls that had rushed to oppose their charge, severing limbs and cleaving heads with Twilight Heart. His men suffered a few loses in the initial clash but utterly decimated the gnolls, riding them down, the sound of steel meeting steel and bone filling the air, mingling with cries of battle and death. Within seconds they cleared the first wave of gnolls, leaving few still breathing behind them, the charge unbroken.

Several of the gnolls, lacking any amount of actual courage, break and flee, throwing down their weapons in their haste. Many more, however, prepare to meet the charge, setting their wicked looking pikes and spears. At the last moment before meeting the wall of spears and pikes, Seth rises into the air with Odyn, many of the gnolls looking upwards, not expecting that to happen. They only get a second or so of gawking before the cavalry slams into them, several horses and men dying on gnollish spears or pikes, but not nearly as many as there would have been without the moment of confusion when Seth took flight.

Now the battle was truly joined, the charge slowed to a mere melee due to the large number of gnolls before them. Seth leaps off of Odyn to the ground below becoming a veritable whirlwind of carnage, his blade bringing death with every stroke, his elven features set in a grim expression that offers no mercy to those that fight against him

Gnolls filterd out of the town, harried from behind by its defenders, to meet the new foe. The tide of the battle had quickly turned with the arrival of Seth's army. In a matter of minutes at least half of the gnollish army had fallen while Seth's forces had lost, at the very most, two hundred men. Seth had cleaved his way through their leader's bodyguards and was now locked in combat with him.

It was a brief fight, Seth remaining unscathed in the end as the gnoll lay on the ground coughing up blood, his belly pierced by Twilight Heart. Oddly enough the beast managed a gurgling laugh as it glared up at Seth. Then it spoke in the tongue of the humans, "Fool... you... have not won...!" Before Seth could say anything in response the creature's eyes glazed over and its body stilled in death.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

Within moments after their leader's fall the remaining gnolls began to scatter, their thoughts only of survival. Seth stared down at the dead gnoll, furrowing his brow as an odd sense of foreboding washed over him, cheers of victory filling the air. Odyn lands beside Seth, gazing about the battlefield and pawing the ground almost nervously with a fiery hoof, snorting once.

Then it happened... a great crackling rift opened right where Seth's army had formed up for battle. Through it came several balls of fire, sailing through the air to explode amongst the victors. The sounds of men and horses screaming filling the air. All hell had broken loose, suddenly, Seth swung himself onto Odyn's back shouting orders to those about him as several more fireballs came hurtling out of the rift causing more devastation.

As order was being restored, Seth took the forefront once more, chanting under his breath, using his free hand to weave intricate patterns in the air. This time, when more fireballs came arcing out of the rift, they deflected off of a large, shimmering barrier of lightning, brought into existance by Seth's weaving of magicks. After this, all went silent for several tense minutes.

Suddenly several warcries issued forth from the rift, and they came pouring out like a tide of darkness. Thousands of gnolls, much differantly armed than the ones that had been assualting Caarus. They actually wore what could be considered platemail armor and were armed with claymores and other vicious weapons of war, not just spears and the usual swords. Leading them was a massive gnoll, standing a good eight feet tall, adorned in pitch black armor and wielding a claymore who's blade was engulfed in a sickly green flame.

Fear washed over Seth's forces and the town's remaining defenders, but none broke and fled. Seth extended Twilight Heart, chanting a few acane words, the blade of his sword crackled with energy for several moments before a massive bolt of lightning arced forth from the tip. It arced towards the gnolls apparent leader but never touched him, seeming to part around him. It did, however, tear into the ranks of his soldiers causing mass devastation.

Seth launched another bolt of lighting before whiping about to those gathered behind him, "Send a rider back to the castle! NOW! The rest of you with me! We must hold them for as long as we can!" wheeling about he charged towards the enemy, his remaining cavalry following right behind, shouting out their battlecries.

More fireballs rained down upon them, deflected by the barrier Seth had put up and he unleashed more bolts of lightning into the midst of the gnolls, their leader not bothering to defend them from the magickal assualts. Seth did not drop his barrier until both sides clashed in an explosion of violence. Screams of pain mingled with the clashing of steel and the death cry of horses. Men and gnolls hacked into eachother without mercy and blood flowed like a river.

Seth hacked his way through the gnolls, his eyes locked on their leader and he had no doubt in his mind that it was Blackclaw. The massive gnoll impaled a man, unhorsing him and lifting him on his flaming blade then whiping it forward, sending the dying man sailing through the air to crash in a broken heap upon the ground. The grim, foreboding feeling washed over Seth once more as he drew ever closer, still unscathed.

[Seth_Bloodmoon]

Seth hacked through the last few gnolls standing in his way, charging on Odyn and raising Twilight Heart high in both hands, "Die Blackclaw! Your doom has come!" roaring the words in fury, his brilliant blue eyes flaring with violence.

Blackclaw turns to face Seth, a twisted grin playing over his hyena-like features, "Foolish Bloodmoon! You are the one who shall fall for daring to stand in my way!" the words coming out in clear ilarian elven, red eyes flaring with equal violence.

A moment of hesitation washes over Seth, caught off guard by Blackclaw's using ilarian elven and knowing his clan name. That could only mean one thing... it was an ilarian elf in the form of a gnoll. Blackclaw took advantage of the moment of hesitation, thrusting his sword forward, slamming it home in Odyn's chest. A horrific cry of agony tears from the beast as his forlegs collapse, sending Seth careening to the ground. Odyn collapses completely, shuddering as blood pours from the gaping wound, within moments his form flickers and vanishes in a flare of icey blue flame.

Seth rolls to his feet, shaking as he sees Odyn vanish, managing to murmur, "No... Odyn..." In an instant anger overtakes him, his silver hair fluttering in an unfelt breeze, his eyes crackling with rage as he fends off a sudden attack by Blackclaw. He speaks in a cold, flat voice as their blades lock, "You will pay... I don't know who you truly are... but I am going to end your life..." he shoves Blackclaw back with his sword, blue streaks of lightning beginning to crackle about his form. Silence seems to settle around the two, though the battle rages around them.

Blackclaw merely laughs rushing Seth once more, breaking into a series of vicious slashes which Seth parries, not launching his own attack, speaking again in the deadly voice, "All of you will die... I am going to kill every last one of your little pets..." His words recieve only a growl from Blackclaw who renews his assault tenfold. He scores several minor cuts upon Seth before Seth launches his own furious assault. Lightning crackles with a life of its own about him as he feels Twilight Heart gore into Blackclaw's shoulder.

Blackclaw staggers back, struggling to keep his flaming blade aloft to fend off Seth. Seth, however, does not pursue, lofting Twilight Heart high above his head, a brilliant flare of brightness engulfing the entirity of the battlefield. Loud thunder overwhelms all sounds then fades. Suddenly death cries fill the air, not of humans but of gnolls, deadly lightning seeking them out.

The horrible sounds last for what seems an eternity to the humans that are still alive. Then it suddenly all stops. Laying in the center of the carnage is Blackclaw's body, charred and definatly no longer that of a gnoll, but of an elf, his head nearly severed. No sign of Seth remains, save for Twilight Heart, laying on the ground, dull and lackluster as if somehow dead, and his tattered cloak covered in blood.