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    fellowknight

    The Devil In The Details
    Barnan slightly tensed up when Ulfric shifted his attention from Marek. Here we go... He thought, as the 'High King' spoke. "I've heard tales of you Barnan. I have heard of you are hunted by your own order and yet you evade them at every turn, as well as the elves. Such resourcefulness is hard to come by. Know however that you are no mer. Bretons are more human than elf and many see themselves as men. I called many friends during the Great War. Every member of your people has a choice of which of their ancestors to follow and you Barnan have made the right choice, the honorable choice." This left Barnan with only a few seconds o give a slack-jawed gaze at the man. How the hell does he know about.... Barnan thought, before he quickly answered himself. Ulfric was the High King of Skyrim. There was little about the people in Skyrim he didn't know. Suddenly, Galmar's voice invaded his thoughts.

    "As honorable as you can get for a Breton prissy." Galmar interjected. "Understand Barnan, I don't consider you an enemy solely on your race, but your people have a...less than honorable history. I hope you can prove to be an exception." Barnan looked sharply at Galmer with a gaze as sharp as steel. Oh i will, Galmar.... He thought as the commander moved on and, of course, insulted the rest of the squad. But to the naked, normal eye that's what itlooked like. What Galmar was really doing was testing them. Testing their emotional strengths and weaknesses. Their tongues and attitudes. He was testing them to find out any traitors, betrayers, or anything of the sort. And while he was doing this, he was also studying them. Sizing them up. Seeing if they were truly ready for combat and hard, bloody battle. That or he really was the blunt, mouse-brained, half-wit people saw him as. But that was something Barnan strongly doubted.

    The commander finished up with his 'studying' as Ulfric called him back. Then he spoke to the whole squad in general. "I recognize you all as true sons and daughters of Skyrim. Be proud of your mission, for you have been selected to be our vanguard into the Empire and onward to the Dominion itself! You will train like Imperial Legionnaires, eat their food, wear their armor, fight as they do. You will know all their tactics and strategies so that when the time for battle comes, all their advantages will be taken from them! Then their Empire will answer for its crimes and the crimes of their witch elf puppet masters! Today is your first test, a trial by fire. Bring honor to your king and your people and fight for the glory of Skyrim! Simus! Lead the way!" He finished, shortly before Simus shouted orders.

    "Guards! Open the gates! Squad, form a line and move out! Alice, run like the wind!" As soon as the gates opened, Alice shot through them and ran like a deer down the hill leading to the second gate. She was heading straight toward the now open outer gate in the direction of Fort Greymoor. "Catch up with my daughter and keep up with her until we reach the fort three miles away! Anyone who flags or falls behind takes care of all our chamber pots for the next week! Go! Go!"

    As the squad moved out, running only like trained individuals could, Barnan broke not into a run, but a walk. A slow, steady stroll, letting all the other squad members pass him. He was taught, from his violent past, to conserve his stamina. First you walk, then you jog, then you run. He moved steadily out of the gates, passing Ulfric on the way, whom was looking over the squad members intensely and conversing with Galmar. As he passed the so-called-king and his aggressive companion, he gave them a small, simple nod, with a smirk of course. Oh don't worry, we'll be seeing each other very soon... He thought.

    Then he broke into a jog. By now, Soldin and Dabiene were high ahead of him, with Simus Barking and ordering him to get a move on. By the time he was caught up with Dabiene and Soldin, Fort Greymoor was within sight. He closed in with a strong run, passing Dabiene and Soldin, and stopping with the others that were ahead of them and resting. Barnan was fairly tired form the sprint, but was combat-ready none the less. He wouldn't be able to fight as swiftly as he usually would be able to, considering it's weight and combined mass. No wonder why he fell behind. He could just 'suck it up' and fight with it anyways. Or..... He thought, as he reached up and unstrapped the chest piece, catching it before it hit the ground. He didn't want any unwanted attention. Not yet anyway. He then took off his gauntlets and laid them in the grass and retrieved his weapons, before looking around at the others.

    Everyone was fairly distracted. Alice was talking with the vampire, Aliah. Simus was further back, dealing with a stray follower. Dabiene and Soldin seemed to be engaged in deep conversation. Marek and...Padfoot was it? Were conversing, likely about the fort and how the squad should proceed. Barnan could tell Marek was a hard-ass most of the time; a blind beggar could see that. But he wasn't afraid to take charge, apparently, and was at what looked like an impass with the Bosmer. Barnan seized the chance to fill in the gaps. He'd heard their conversation from afar and knew what each of them had planned. He silently walked over, dropped into a crouch and listened. No. He didn't have a plan. He, instead planning, would see how others planned and preformed, before showing his own skill and knowledge of combat and planning. Got to start somewhere.... He thought, as Marek turned back to speak.
     

    Dabiene Caristiana

    Your friendly neighborhood weirdo
    Meanwhile Soldin and Dabiene were extremely relived the two Nord dictators didn't notice them back in Whiterun. Soldin almost wanted to punch out Galmar's teeth, while Dabiene wanted to roast both Ulfric and Galmar alive. Although not for a nice werewolf snack mind you.

    'They probably taste like skeever dung..' she smirked.

    As the rest of their squad crouched they noticed a few of them were already paired off and talking to each other, and making plans. Soldin seemed to have the same though.

    "So, what do you think?" The man whispered.

    "I think..." She looked over at Marek and saw he was pointing and talking to the Bosmer and then to the vampire Aliah who no doubt was run down. Dabiene already respected her, for despite the sun the woman pushed through to get something done. "Soldin, how many do you see or rather... Sense?"

    "Uh..." He crouched low in a predatory manner and crawled on his four legs, hardly making a sound. He was careful to not hit any rocks or stray debris that would rattle his armor. After about one hundred feet he was crouched low into the tall wild grass and would have looked like a living statue to the others if it weren't for his head moving slightly ever so often.

    Soldin sniffed the air and grumbled quietly. He couldn't get any closer than now or things would get mucked up. And then Simus and no doubt Marek would have his head. He could sense at least 10 from the side they were facing. He didn't know how many were inside or on the other side of the fort. 'Why in Stendarr's name is the fort so guarded? Eh...'

    He looked at the road which was barely visible from his position. 'Ah... Trade routs. Huh, I knew that. But if there is that many just on one side, that means this is one big bandit group. Which also means...' He slowly crept back up toward the group, scanning the area and making sure he stayed low and didn't bump into anything. Bandits tended to be paranoid and any sound made even over two hundred to three hundred feet away spooked them.

    Soldin finally came back to the group.

    "Well? How many?"

    The Nord noticed a few were looking at him. Some were annoyed most likely because he risked himself being spotted. The wood elf already did recon a while ago but it always helped to do a little extra. Which made him love being moon born. Easy spotting.

    "Well... About 10 on one side, our side. But maybe less. Some of the scents were stronger than the others. I couldn't make it out. I'm guessing about the same number on the other side. Dabs, I haven't seen this many bandits in a fort all at once. Well, except for a few. I know it's close to one of the main roads but still this is odd."

    "Probably did some heavy recruiting recently." He continued. He turned to Marek. "If you can get inside, that would be great. Like all bandits they're probably stupid enough to leave the gaping hole in the back unguarded. From your vantage point you can scare the living daylights out of them while we charge them head on."

    It made sense. If Marek could pluck the inner guards off inside everyone else would go into panic attack and thinking an invasion was going on, which there was in a way, then most likely do one of three things.

    "They'll probably group up in a bunch and search that way, making the main attacking force easy for them to get boxed up, two they'll probably run into the main area with their leader, or three they'll scatter in panic. But judging from the look of it, I'd say it's either the former two."

    Dabiene raised a brow. Those observations were clear and obvious. Soldin though had done this for a while now, leading raids with the Dawnguard against Daedra or vampire dens. And those were very closed off areas.

    "Well that being said with all those numbers approximately, Aliah? Would you want to be paired with Soldin given the state you're in? I imagine you would still want to go into the fray."

    The Nord man raised a brow. It wasn't because she was a vampire that he was surprised. It was that she didn't look like she needed help. "If you'd rather not I understand. You look like you can hold up your own. I can pair with you ma'am if you want to." He then turned to Alice. "Unless you're going with your father. If so, I guess I'll go with Dabiene then. Unless, Aliah if you use magic, you and Dabiene would make a great pair, using wards and fighting back to back. I think you'd be able to clear out a few before we even get close without even being in any danger."

    "It is better to be paired up, adopting the Companion's fighting style. And perhaps..."

    "...Maybe it would be best if we fought on three fronts, one pair on each side of the walls, main force at the gate, Marek taking out some of them on the inside." It was odd, the two thought as one sometimes. And they just met! "Whatever you wanna do, we're with ya. You and your father are in charge after all. Don't mean to pry or take charge, just using experience."

    The werewolves looked back at the fort with determination. Dabiene could probably roast or incinerate half of them without too much worry. Whatever Alice and her father decided, they were with them.

    (OOC: Been a while eh? I read the latest posts but if there are any mistakes made I'm flexable. Sorry for the hold up, I've been busy as hell, along with being sick and that doesn't make things easy. Stupid senior project.)
     

    TheShadedOne

    The Angry One
    Shadari pulled a pair of steel daggers from her belt. They weren't as lightweight as she was used to, but she'd make due. Her sharp ears picked up one of the werewolves telling his mage friend that there were at least ten bandits on each side of the fort, which she guessed didn't include those in the courtyard. 'I just want to get this over with, so I can continue with something that actually matters. Killing Blackstone.'

    Walking past the mage and warrior werewolves, she made sure to curl her lip in a Khajiiti sneer. "What's the matter, doggies? Afraid of a little bloodshed?" She noticed that the merc, Marek, was pointing to the wall, and talking with the irritation wood elf. She decided to follow him in, and cause as much mayhem as possible. The rest of the group could do whatever they liked. Shadari had never been a team player, and she wasn't about to start now.
     

    Aethalia

    Well-Known Member
    "How are you holding up Aliah?" She asked in a low concerned voice. "I can't believe that dad an I completely overlooked the fact that you're a vampire and we're out on a sunny day, or that no one seemed to question it. You're obviously not burning to ash but are you okay? Are you strong enough to fight? I can find you some shade and let you sit this out if you're not. Dad'll understand." The sun was burning into her exposed flesh like thousands of tiny needles, but she shook her head. "I've had worse" she said shortly. Before she could examined the fort, both werewolves started speaking to her.

    Aliah? Would you want to be paired with Soldin given the state you're in? I imagine you would still want to go into the fray." Aliah glanced at her, and then at the warrior. Then she shook her head. "Neither of you are accustomed to my fighting style. Attempting to learn in combat is foolish. I can handle myself"
     

    Gunnbjorn

    Formerly known as Arillious
    Arillious remained crouched down behind one of the boulders, his shield was already off his back and his sword was unsheathed.

    He had heard everything Marek and Padfoot were planning, and noticed others beginning to get a little determined, though he wasn't going to give out any names, even in his mind.

    "I think it's best if we let Marek and Padfoot do the initial infiltrating." he said, doing a quick look-around to check and see if his words were being heard. "We all know we can get this job done, at this point it's a matter of making it look professional for Ulfric. Sending everyone into the sides just looks mindless and chaotic, not to mention these guards are quite a distance away from each other, there's less of a chance of detection if there's less people, period."

    His casual voice turned into more a stern, encouraging one. "Let's all just position ourselves by the Front Gate, remaining unseen, until Marek and Padfoot have cleared the walls and the outside courtyard. When the Gate is open, we can all run like maniacs into the Fort itself, entering in groups in every entrance, and we can mindlessly slaughter every person in there, sound fun?"
     

    Simus

    An Excellent Site Member
    Alice stood back from the group and listened carefully to each of their plans. After they were all done talking she sat down in the grass, took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She let the world around her fade away and pulled herself into Aetherius, reaching out to the strands of the future and following as many as she could. Those trained to look for such things would be able to see an aura of blue magic surrounding her and pulsing into the sky as she sent and received otherworldly data. The mists of space and time retreated from her mind as she searched the limitless possibilities of the soon to come and focused on each plan of her squadmates and how likely the outcome would be. Every outcome was true until one actually happened but some were more probable than others. One particular strand which had Arillious trip on his ax and crack his head open on a wall for example probably wouldn't happen. Nor would Dabiene lighting Aliah on fire and her eviscerating Marek in the process be any more likely. Years of practice had taught Alice how to sift and sort through these strands and after several minutes of contemplation she was able to find the best strand, understand it and see the sequence of events that would bring it about. The future was always changing so there was no guarantee that she had ALL the answers, but she had found enough of them.

    Ulfric and Simus were several yards behind the squad talking with each other and pointing at this man and that. They were to observe and study today, not charge into battle. Simus had learned that being a good commander wasn't the same thing as being a good soldier. You had to understand that you often couldn't charge into battle with your men. You had to plan things out as best you could, then stay back and let them handle it so you could clearly see anything that went wrong and act on it. It was a hard lesson to learn and he didn't always follow it but today was especially important. He was testing not just the squad's ability to fight, work together and solve problems but also how well Alice led them. She was their commanding officer and she needed to be able to lead men and women older and more experienced than her. That meant gaining their respect and trust. She knew she was being tested and she wouldn't fail her father but he needed to see what she could really do. He wouldn't be around forever and she needed to be able to take care of herself. As hard as it was for him to accept it his little faerie was an adult now.

    Galmar was on alert for anything suspicious, looking over the squad for anyone who thought they were acting funny. He thought he recognized some members of the squad that Ulfric didn't talk to and now he was sure of it. The Imperial boy was none other than Arillious Decimus Pellius, the same who escaped Solitude with General Tulllius' sword and had defied Ulfric in the worst possible way for it. Galmar loved the boy's loyalty to his general but he was an enemy in their midst and he had to be ended. It wasn't safe for Ulfric, or Simus. Then there was Dabiene Caristiana, that stinking she-wolf bitch from Solitude who refused Ulfric's gracious proposal at court. His Chosen should have killed her so how was she still alive? He recognized the white haired Nord as Soldin Snowknight, a well-known member of the Dawnguard and the Companions. Galmar had heard nothing but good things about the boy but if he was helping that insufferable witch then he would have to be removed.

    "Ulfric. We may have a problem." He pointed out the three people of interest. "Do you recognize those three?"

    "Yes." Ulfric said stroking his beard. "Now that you point them out to me I do. You have some dangerous criminals in this group Simus. People who's actions toward me have been insulting. Even insolent. That worries me my friend."

    "Don't let it Ulfric." Simus said reassuringly. "I understand that some of my recruits have bad histories in Skyrim. In fact, that's exactly why I picked them. People like Arillious and Dabiene are some of the best at what they do and killing them would be unforgivably wasteful. I'm not afraid to spend them but I never waste men. When I came to them I gave them a choice: be hunted down by the Stormcloaks and die or come work under me and survive. Most of them want vengeance on the Thalmor and they understand that we'll have to go through the Empire to get there. They've decided that they can live with that. Alice and I had to make that same choice if you remember correctly."

    "That you did Simus, and it was hard for both of you. And the rest of your family. You've made a good case for leading these people but you must know their histories. Dabiene is especially dangerous and Arillious' patriotism may lead him to betray us. I simply don't feel comfortable having our enemies so close."

    "Do you trust me Galmar?"

    "You and I are Shield-Brothers Simus. I would trust you with my life, and the lives of my men."

    "Then trust me when I say I know what I'm doing. If I can reform some of the worst criminals Skyrim faces, then that will show the rest of Tamriel that everyone is welcome here. Not just Nords, as the Emprie portrays us."

    "Your cunning is only outstripped by your honor Simus. If you say this is for the best then I believe you."

    "Thank you brother." Simus said, and he and Galmar hugged.

    Alice got up and walked towards her squad with a confidant smile. She knew exactly how to win this battle.

    "You've all proposed good pieces of a plan. Now let's bring it all together." She said calmly. "Marek, I want you and Padfoot to exploit the breach in the wall and take out the guards patrolling it. Be as quiet as possible. Make your way toward the front gate and get it open. The rest of us will charge in and storm the courtyard, killing everyone inside. Once the fort is secure we can move inside it. Everyone is in pairs, no one goes anywhere alone. Marek and Padfoot, Aliah and Soldin, Barnan and Shadari. Dabine, Arillious, you come with me. Any questions?"
     

    Andre Marek

    You can run, but you'll only die tired...
    Marek glanced back at the Generals daughter as she gave her orders. The scout huh? Lets hope he knows how to use that bow. He would rather have not been paired to anybody if he had his way. He disliked working in tandem. Two people had a tendency to make more noise than one as far as he was concerned but if that was the way the girl wanted it done, then he may as well do it. It wasn't like they were storming a fort garrisoned by the most elite of the imperial legion. He doubted any of the bandits would pose much of a threat anyway, at least not individually. Sighing, Marek shuffled over to Padfoot and muttered, "Looks like the decisions been made for us. Lets get it done then shall we."

    Moving around the cluster of rocks the squad hid behind, Marek ran in a low crouch towards the fort, taking care to make as little noise as possible. He slowed as he got within a few yards of the stone wall and crept along its perimeter until he came the spot where the wall had crumbled and fallen outwards, leaving a jumble of rocks and mortar strewn across the grass between the fort and the road. The bandits had attempted to barricade the breach with a wooden palisade, but they had done a poor job of it, leaving a couple places where a man or two could easily slip inside. Marek turned to look back at Padfoot before slowly moving through the gap, eyes scanning. Before he had even made it completely through, a single bandit walked around the corner of a small shack not ten feet away. The man was mumbling to himself, something about a rigged game of cards from what Marek heard, and failed to notice the two intruders right away. Without stopping, Marek crossed the distance between himself and the bandit in three long strides. The man looked up, his eyes widening as he reached for his sword and opened his mouth at the same time. He was a second to late however, as Marek drove his fist into the his trachea, silencing him immediately. As the man gasped and stumbled back a step, Marek grabbed him by the collar and roughly pulled him into the cover that the shack provided, so that none of his comrades would notice them. Shifting his hold from the bandits collar to his upper throat, Marek lifted the scrawny man up slightly off the ground with one arm and pressed him against the wall of the shack making him reach for Mareks arms as the strain on his neck grew. With his other hand Marek grabbed the mans sword arm and kept it pinned to the wall as well. With a quick jerk of his wrist Marek snapped the mans neck.

    The Bandit slid to the ground as Marek released his grip. He then pulled the corpse back over to the gap in the palisade and then pushed it just outside the walls into the grass where no one would see it. Going back inside, Marek looked at Padfoot, "Your turn." He threw his thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the far wall, where a couple of the bandits were doing their rounds. "You wanna take out those guys while I make for the gate? That way we can take out the sentries at the same time and avoid alerting their counterparts. There are to many in the courtyard proper for us to take out discretely so we had best get the gate open for the others as soon as possible."
     

    fellowknight

    The Devil In The Details
    As Marek and Padfoot exchanged ideas and plans, Barnan's eyes drifted off to the rest of the squad. Soldin and Dabiene had huddled up, likely discussing and studying the fort. Shadari strolled by them casually and offered a vague insult. Barnan's past aggressions stirred. Here stood a deliberately obnoxious, cocky khajiit, exposed, insulting her squad mates. It drove Barnan to the point of which he almost shot up and yelled in her face. But that would, in all cases, give away their position. From experience as a past commander, Barnan's instincts would have drove him to his feet and threw him right into her. But then Arillious spoke.

    "I think it's best if we let Marek and Padfoot do the initial infiltrating." he said, doing a quick look-around to check and see if his words were being heard. "We all know we can get this job done, at this point it's a matter of making it look professional for Ulfric. Sending everyone into the sides just looks mindless and chaotic, not to mention these guards are quite a distance away from each other, there's less of a chance of detection if there's less people, period." His casual voice turned into more a stern, encouraging one. "Let's all just position ourselves by the Front Gate, remaining unseen, until Marek and Padfoot have cleared the walls and the outside courtyard. When the Gate is open, we can all run like maniacs into the Fort itself, entering in groups in every entrance, and we can mindlessly slaughter every person in there, sound fun?" He finished, looking around at the others. Could use some polishing, but that's the basic idea, yea... Barnan thought, before letting his mind take over, and tried to play the battle out in his head.

    Starting off, the future is....unpredictable, to say the least. It can change in half the millisecond of the blink of an eye. And even the smallest change could throw the tide of the battle violently. They could do his, of that Barnan had no doubts. But as Arillious said, it was just a matter of making it look professional for Ulfric. They had to convincingly masquerade extreme prowess and ferocity in combat, and a few 'For Skyrim!' here and a 'For the High King!' wouldn't go unnoticed. The battle, what little scraps his mind could form at least, went well. Their chances were fair and they could win this. Now, it was time to look good.

    Barnan leaned forward and got on one knee, feeling his left and right sides. Feeling for his weapons. Two sharpened iron daggers, one iron longsword, one bow, and a handful of arrows. Better make it count. Then Alice spoke up, giving the squad orders. "You've all proposed good pieces of a plan. Now let's bring it all together." She said calmly. "Marek, I want you and Padfoot to exploit the breach in the wall and take out the guards patrolling it. Be as quiet as possible. Make your way toward the front gate and get it open. The rest of us will charge in and storm the courtyard, killing everyone inside. Once the fort is secure we can move inside it. Everyone is in pairs, no one goes anywhere alone. Marek and Padfoot, Aliah and Soldin, Barnan and Shadari. Dabine, Arillious, you come with me. Any questions?"

    The words 'Barnan and Shadari' forced the ranger's eyebrows to drop low as his head turned and met Shadari's gaze. Oh, for the love of Mara... He thought, as the khajiit narrowed her eyes. He didn't encourage the thought of working with others, though he didn't mind it. But he never relished the thought of work with.....aggressive ones. Cocky people like the woman he'd been paired with. People who, for some deep reason, felt a need to harass and insult any others around them. He was sure she had good reasons for her aggressive attitude, but he still felt it was unnecessary for her to harass others for it. But still, being a ranger, fugitive, and past commander, he'd learn to deal with it. He endured worse, after all.

    Sighing and cursing quietly to himself, Barnan stood, after Marek and Padfoot were in the fort. He approached Shadari, who looked like she was hiding something in her sleeve, and spoke. "We should wait a few minutes or so, until the gate opens. Or..." He said looking towards the fort. "You could be a mindless brute and charge in there, arms raised and ready. But i never figured you for that kind of person any way." He turned and walked a few steps, crouching behind a thick patch of Tall-grass, examining the fort and watching the gate closely. Not long now....
     

    T. Rakinson

    A Brute among Beasts
    -as quiet as possible. Make your way toward the front gate and get it open. The rest of us will charge in and storm the courtyard, killing everyone inside. Once the fort is secure we can move inside it. Everyone is in pairs, no one goes anywhere alone. Marek and Padfoot, Aliah and Soldin, Barnan and Shadari. Dabine, Arillious, you come with me. Any questions?"
    The most surprising thing about that speech was the one saying it. The girl who had rushed past earlier had a stronger voice than he might of thought; in a way she resembled a slightly more mature version of his daughter.
    Now the attack formation had been issued, Cyrus was starting to link names to faces. A large Nord who he had tagged as Marek was paired up with an elven scout who went by the name of Padfoot, who judging by his skin colour and attire was a Bosmer. The couple that had a wild look to them were Dabiene and Soldin had been split up, the woman going to work with the girl giving orders and a tall imperial fellow, who Cyrus was presuming was Arillious.
    Soldin had been sent to work with a fellow altmer, who he designated Aliah. She seemed to be wincing in pain at something, and after a few moments of thought he guessed she waas some kind of night spawn. Remind me to stay away from her, dont want to catch something he silently chuckled, but then stopped. The amount of racism that had been thrown at him during his journey here had been almost unbearable, and he wasnt going to do the same to another. Ever.
    That left Barnan and Shadari, and it took less than a second to see who was who. The khajjit had a evil glint on her face that was being aimed at the ranger, and his look wasnt too pretty as well. They seemed to be having a heated discussion about the attack, but Cyrus's vision had already moved on.

    This old clump of rock was sharp to lye on, but Cyrus didnt move. Ulfric and that Flea - bitten, drill- sergeant of a bodyguard were scanning through the assembled group, and not all their looks aimed at the squadron were of approval. Cyrus slightly hoped that he could get a shot at Ulfric, but even if he could target the man at this distance, which he most certainly couldent, the odds would not be in his favour in terms of escape. Deciding to not reveal his presence to the group just yet, the elf cast a brief mufle enchantment on himself before beginning his descent.
    Starting to make his way down the watchtower, he was forced to leap into the shadows as a guard went past, and for a moment Cyrus thought that he'd been caught out. But the man just stared into the darkness of the room briefly before continuing his patrol, and Cyrus made it downstairs without any more hassle. There was no point jumping in and revealing his presence, and so after he renewed his muffle spell and casting a brief invisibility spell, he waited for the assault. THEN he would an appearance.
     

    Padfoot

    Professional Thief, Hunter, and Explorer
    Padfoot was right on top of Marek as he led the way to the broken down part of the wall on the side of the Fort. The Elf's bow was drawn and aimed high just in case any Guards randomly decided to have a look around. The Bosmer had been sneaking around all his life, it was easier than breathing to him. His line of work requires it, and he's never ever failed a job. Detection was out of the question, but whether or not Marek knows how to move in those boots is the question, and it's for that reason he has his bow knocked and ready, just in case - but he has faith.

    He watched as Marek encountered a close call as he slid his way through the opening and into the Fort, though the potential threat was immediately eliminated by the aggressiveness and lethality that the Bounty Hunter possessed in his method of killing. The man threw up a thumb to indicate the direction of the next targets, he had the kill order just right, Padfoot didn't feel as though he needed to suggest anything - the man knew exactly what he was doing.

    With a quick nod, Padfoot was off. With quick, subtle movements, he pinned his body up against the back wall of the shack, directly across the courtyard he could see the two Guards the Bounty Hunter pointed out, peaking his head out he looked to the front of the fort, and up on the wall. The two sentries still remained in position, still standing directly above the Front Gate, their eyes still keeping watch over the grounds outside the Fort, completely ignorant to the swift infiltration.

    The two Guards across the courtyard had stopped, one was up against the wall, looking at the other one as he spoke. The other remained standing, arms cross and adjacent to the Guard and the wall he was leaning on. They were standing by a table with six chairs, on the table was a single iron dagger, a pouch of coins and a deck of cards spread all over the table.

    Calculations, Angles, Wind-speed and level of Subletly shot through Padfoot's mind as he planned his move, and after a few quick seconds he knew how to go about it. He took one last glance up at the Sentries on the wall, still they stood, their bodies facing the outside of the Fort. He looked around to see if any other targets were outside, but there were none. Not even on the second platform.

    It was safe. He took out another arrow from his quiver, resting it in his mouth alongside the other one. Raising his bow and drawing back, he listened to the soothing sound of the bowstring extending, he watched as the bow-shaft curved back into an even steeper arc than normal. Without a moment's hesitation he shot, the arrow flying across the courtyard, and with great speed made impact with the wall of the courtyard opposite the Bosmer. Padfoot trained his ears to listen for that sound, that thud. It was on impact, it was the sound of that very thud of the arrow hitting the wall that would initiate Padfoot's whole world to go into slow motion. It hit not 3 feet away from the standing Guard. The Bosmer watched in slow motion as he slowly turned around to face the origin of the sound, his face was pale and his expression shocked, like any person who thought they encountered a near-death experience. What the Guard didn't know was that this was completely planned. Padfoot watched as the Guard that was leaning up against the wall jolted to a standing position, eyes wide with his hand at his sword handle, his mouth opened wide as to let out a yell, but the second arrow had been fired seconds ago, and as it drove through the Guards neck the only sound that was emitted was a slight hiss, probably due to the blood that filled the Guards throat combined with the Guard's attempt at yelling. The other Guard, still in shock. Stood and watched in awe at the first arrow that still was firmly nestled into the wall of the fort. With another quick drawback Padfoot let fly the third and final arrow. It glided upward through the air and stopped at the opposite side of the Guards skull.

    At this point the Bosmer leaped into a full-out sprint across the courtyard, all without making a sound. He took out two more arrows from his quiver, knocking one on his bow and putting the other in his mouth. He pinned himself up against the wall, right in between the two dead Guards he killed near the card table. He raised his bow and aimed up at the two sentries who still don't know that the three Guards behind them are dead. He was in the shade, the wall was protecting the Bosmer away from the sun, the first Guard's neck was pinned up against the wall by Padfoot's arrow, Padfoot positioned himself so as to use his body as minor coverage, if either Guard ever were to look around, they would clearly see Padfoot and these two dead Guards, but only seconds would pass before the last thing they'd see is the ebony tip of an arrow flying to their face.

    The main reason for Padfoot's positioning was to have eyes on Marek if he decided to creep his way up the stairs to eliminate the nearest Sentry, this gave the Bosmer time to figure out when it was appropriate to shoot the second Sentry, both of them dying simultaneously would leave Padfoot with joy in his stomach. He loved when things were so neat and structured.

    At this point, he kept his bow aimed toward the two Sentries, it was Marek's move.
     

    Dabiene Caristiana

    Your friendly neighborhood weirdo
    Soldin looked at the vampire with interest, "You have a point there. Sometime though we might as well get use to each other's fighting style... Even if it is painful..." He took one glance at Shadari and Marek, the loners. He didn't blame them, because sometimes it was just best to go at it alone. But as of now, teaming up was just as important as it could get. Even if they were going up against unprofessional, lowly bandits.

    'This'll be a breeze.' he thought.

    Dabiene glanced over at Alice with shock. She of course masked it well but just barely. The Breton stared in wonder at the girl meditated and seemingly 'reached out'. Dabiene could see the magic aura coming from her as she did this and she stared in wonderment.

    "Dabs? You alright?"

    The woman looked on as the girl was in deep concentration.

    "Dabs? Hey Dabs, action is over here." The Nord snapped his fingers in front of her face.

    "My, my... Full of surprises aren't you Dear?" she muttered quietly. She slowly turned her head back around and growled at the boy, "Yes, yes, I heard you the first time!" The woman then lightly slapped his hand away from her face.

    Just then she spotted Galmar at the corner of her eye talking in urgent tones. Although wolf hearing was a blessing now was one of those times where she loathed it.

    "...recognize those three?"

    "Yes." She heard Ulfric reply in a worried tone, "Now that you point them out to me I do. You have some dangerous criminals in this group Simus. People who's actions toward me have been insulting. Even insolent. That worries me my friend."

    'Oh and don't you forget it pretender. There is more where that came from.' the beast howled in agreement inside her mind.

    "Don't let it Ulfric." Simus said reassuringly. "I understand that some of my recruits have bad histories in Skyrim. In fact, that's exactly why I picked them. People like Arillious and Dabiene are some of the best at what they do and killing them would be unforgivably wasteful. I'm not afraid to spend them but I never waste men. When I came to them I gave them a choice: be hunted down by the Stormcloaks and die or come work under me and survive. Most of them want vengeance on the Thalmor and they understand that we'll have to go through the Empire to get there. They've decided that they can live with that. Alice and I had to make that same choice if you remember correctly."

    'He certainly has a way with words..' It was true though. One reason she joined up in any military group, namely the Legion, was the Thalmor. When she was young she always thought those stuck up elves stole her parents affection from her. She grew up alone, save for helping the servants in the kitchen before being caught by her mother.

    "Don't help those... People. You are of noble blood, not some peasant girl." And every time her mother dragged her away she would look back at her servant friends with regret, them always smiling back with understanding.

    Now however she just found them annoying, like those small ankle bitters in Oblivion.

    "That you did Simus, and it was hard for both of you. And the rest of your family. You've made a good case for leading these people but you must know their histories. Dabiene is especially dangerous and Arillious' patriotism may lead him to betray us. I simply don't feel comfortable having our enemies so close."

    "And don't you forget it, simpleton." she cursed the man under her breath. She heard Soldin beside her holding back a sI'm a racist asshole who doesn't understand boundaries, respect, or basic human decency and I need help.

    "Do you trust me Galmar?"

    "You and I are Shield-Brothers Simus. I would trust you with my life, and the lives of my men."

    "Then trust me when I say I know what I'm doing. If I can reform some of the worst criminals Skyrim faces, then that will show the rest of Tamriel that everyone is welcome here. Not just Nords, as the Emprie portrays us."

    "Your cunning is only outstripped by your honor Simus. If you say this is for the best then I believe you."

    "Thank you brother." Simus said, and he and Galmar hugged. 'You poor unfortunate soul.. I'll have to repay for him saving my hide later... I always pay my debts in full.' The woman made a mental note to perhaps find a way to thank him. However she was to do that. The man was a General for Julianos' sake!

    Alice then got up and walked towards her squad with a confidant smile. She knew exactly how to win this battle.

    "You've all proposed good pieces of a plan. Now let's bring it all together." She said calmly. "Marek, I want you and Padfoot to exploit the breach in the wall and take out the guards patrolling it. Be as quiet as possible. Make your way toward the front gate and get it open. The rest of us will charge in and storm the courtyard, killing everyone inside. Once the fort is secure we can move inside it. Everyone is in pairs, no one goes anywhere alone. Marek and Padfoot, Aliah and Soldin, Barnan and Shadari. Dabine, Arillious, you come with me. Any questions?"

    "I guess that settles it then. Good luck."

    "And to you as well."

    Dabiene crept over next to Alice as Arillious did the same. Soldin however hesitated before moving next to Aliah but in a wary state. He didn't hate vampires, in fact he actually had to pull a few strings to help a few of them that actually made an effort not to harm civilians. Somehow Isran hadn't found out. Nor the locations of the places he sent them off to.

    "No worries, I'll just stay out of your way if need be. However, nothing will stop me if you come into a bad spot. Whatever your thoughts are about me or my kin it doesn't matter. Just yell if you need me at your side." Although Aliah probably thought the statement flowery or whatever she thought regarding his protectiveness of her, he was serious. He was partnered with her to help her and if she didn't give him the same respect that was her problem. In his eyes it didn't matter. He was given a task and he would fulfill it.

    'Loyal Pup.' Soldin could practically hear Dabiene both praise him and chide him in his head. The Nord smirked at the thought and waited for the command.

    "Ready when you are Commander." Dabiene addressed Alice softly.
     

    Simus

    An Excellent Site Member
    Alice overheard Soldin's declaration of loyalty to Aliah and smiled. It had too many niceties for what he needed to say but she liked it. Soldin was an honorable man, an honorable werewolf, who was willing to work with a vampire and he took time to stress that. He reminded Alice a lot of her brother Titus. He was a member of the Circle and had become a valued and popular member of the Companions. He and their father had sharply disagreed on his decision to take the wolf blood and join the Circle and Titus ended up doing it simply out of spite. Their father was furious when he found out and Titus started to regret the decision as he learned about the beast that constantly tugged at you. However, Simus accepted it with time, Titus learned how to control his beast with the help of Skjor, Kodlack and the others and most importantly father and son still loved each other.

    He may even know Soldin and Dabiene considering they both at least associated with the Companions. Alice would have to ask them about it.

    "Ready when you are Commander." Dabiene addressed Alice softly, refocusing Alice. Thinking about Titus made it hard to focus. He was the only combat ready member of their family who had stayed out of the last war and the only one currently not committed to the rebellion. He felt honorbound to help because they were going up against a tyrant rather than getting involved in a petty power struggle but the Companions had stayed neutral on the matter. Simus hadn't been able to convince Kodlack to help as of yet and no one would go against him. Especially not Titus. Right now he was stuck trying to honor his family and his battle brothers and not really able to do either.

    "How could we have put him in this position?" Alice muttered, forgetting that Dabiene could hear her.
     

    Gunnbjorn

    Formerly known as Arillious
    As Marek and Padfoot began their quiet assault on Fort Greymoor, Arillious glanced back at Simus, but the sight of the three of them standing together - Ulfric, Simus, and Galmar, caused the young Imperial to fluster, and his quick gaze turned into a stare. They were speaking as they watched the group. It made him uneasy, he didn't know if Ulfric and Galmar knew who he was, and he didn't know how they'd react to it. He immediately grew anxious thinking of the events that lie afterward - did they see him as a threat? Should he prepare himself?

    The nerves that gave him needles and butterflies in his stomach quickly turned to boiling hot anger, causing Arillious to enrage - his hatred for these two men burned hotter and hotter each day they still stood, and the only thought crossing his mind at this very moment was to draw his sword and charge them, to silence these men before they become historically known for corrupting and destroying a whole nation was boys new life dream. A single sweat formed simply from the pure hatred the soldier possessed began to make it's way down the side of his face. His teeth gritted and his fist clenched around his sword handle. Then his mind switched, as fast as distinguishing a lantern.

    Drawing his sword, Arillious started to creep away from the boulder he initially positioned himself, and began making his way to the front gate, he stopped at a distance up against a wall, a position that still gave him coverage from the eyes of the two sentry-men that stood guard over the Fort, but close enough so that he would be the first to run through those gates when Marek and Padfoot gave the signal to do so. The thoughts of Ulfric and Galmar quickly vanished from the young man's mind when he was reminded he was supposed to be readying himself for combat.
     

    Andre Marek

    You can run, but you'll only die tired...
    Marek watched Padfoot lure the two sentries on the far wall to their deaths and slowly nodded his head in appreciation. Looks like he does know how to use it. Looking up at the wall that overshadowed him, Marek could hear the soft scuffing of a bandits leather boots as he passed right over his position. He huddled in between the wall and the shack until the man was past him and then stood, placed one foot against the wall of the shack and the other on the stone wall itself and began shuffling one foot then the other in a chimney technique. Once the top of the wall was within arms reach he found a crevasse in the masonry just below the walkway and grabbed hold with both hands, placing both feet against the wall at the same time. Then he waited for the sentry to return on his rounds. The bandit would likely only be watching the plains outside the fort and would remain oblivious to Marek hanging below him until it was too late.

    After only about fifteen seconds Marek could hear the foot steps once again. Using his legs to propel himself upwards when the sentry was directly above him, Marek let go with his right hand and drove his palm into the mans right knee just as he placed all his weight on it which produced a muffled crunch as his knee popped out of place. The sentries face went white and he opened his mouth in a wordless scream as he toppled over onto his side. He landed heavily with his head just inches away from Mareks own, and he briefly made eye contact with the bounty hunter before Marek grabbed around his chin and twisted hard. Marek then pulled his body off the top of the wall with his free hand. He then dropped down beside the corpse and looked around to see if anybody had noticed. He was just in time to see the lifeless body of a sentry on the opposite wall fall to the ground, an arrow protruding from his eye.



    Glancing back up to the wall, Marek could just see the final sentry on this side of the fort. He was leaning on the crenellations above the gate, gazing out at the mountains that edged the plains to the south. His back was to Marek, Padfoot, and the rest of the fort. Turning, Marek surveyed the courtyard proper. He spotted at least three bandits standing near a covered forge not far from Padfoots position on the wall. They were completely unaware of his presence or their dead comrades. They were engrossed in their work completely. A couple more men stood leaning against the keeps wall close to the heavy wooden door chatting. And still, another two were busy with a game of cards not far from the shack Marek hid behind. The man he had killed when Padfoot and himself entered the fort had probably been playing with them and would no doubt soon be missed. He had to get that gate open soon. Their was a problem though. He doubted he would be able to cross the yard and get to the stairs leading up behind the gate without being spotted by someone. Nor did he think he could climb the wall and traverse the walkway unnoticed either.

    Looking down, Marek stared at the bandit lying by his feet and then to the fur cloak and hood he wore. After a moments indecision he reached down and unfastened the garment and threw it over himself, covering his Legion gear fairly well. Pulling up the hood to cover his head, Marek stepped out from behind the shack and walked across the yard. He had to fight to keep himself moving at a sedate pace. He didn't want anybody suspecting him of anything if they happened to glance his way. He needed to come off as one of them, from a distance at least. Marek reached the stairs and glanced over his shoulder at the bandits in the yard but none of them seamed to have noticed him. Perfect.

    Marek quietly padded up the stairs and along the wall towards the oblivious sentry. When he was just a few feet from the man, and in full view of the waiting squad, the bandit started and began to turn his head toward Marek. Before he could see that the man approaching him wasn't a friend, Marek kicked the back of his knee, forcing the man to fall forward against the crenellations. He then promptly grabbed the back of the bandits head and slammed his forehead into the masonry. Grabbing the back of the mans jerkin, Marek pulled him up and shoved him over the wall, sending him tumbling to the path below. Looking up and directly at the place where the squad was waiting, Marek nodded once and made a subtle gesture, motioning that they could begin advancing. Turning away from the plains, he let himself drop down from the wall and land heavily in front of the arch that housed the gate. He didn't bother to see if anybody had noticed him this time, it didn't matter much anymore with the entire squad about to break in. Instead he simply walked up to the gate and lifted the heavy oak bar that prevented it from swinging open. Pushing open the oversized double doors, Marek found himself almost face to face with the young soldier, Arillious.

    "Time to go to work boy." He said before shedding his borrowed cloak and waving to the rest of the squad.
     

    Simus

    An Excellent Site Member
    As the two most visible gate guards were taken down and Marek pushed open the gates to Fort Greymoor, Alice knew it was time to move. She got up from the rock she was crouching under, much to the delight of here bare knees, and moved in front of the squad. She didn't really like this Legion armor. It was heavier than her usual dress and bodysuit and it left her exposed in too many places. Her knees and some of her thighs were exposed and the skirt went only about halfway down them and it was ordinary leather and cloth. Not much protection. Her boots were good and she was used to the knee-high style but like the skirt they were too thin to offer much protection. Her lady parts also felt exposed without something under her skirt to cover them up. There was also nothing covering her arms either besides the short cloth sleeves of her armor and her leather bracers. And no gloves. She wasn't used to holding a sword without gloves and that was uncomfortable. She wouldn't complain though. Many of the others did but she was in a command position and needed to keep a stiff upper lip for her squad. Plus she didn't want to come off as a spoiled daddy's girl. She was just as capable a soldier as her father and she was about to prove it. She signaled Arillious to hold and then turned to face the squad.

    "That's our cue, it's time to move! Remember, stay with your partner, cover each other's backs and do not get overconfident! Soldin! Dabiene! with me! Barnan, Shadari, Aliah, bring up the rear! Everyone else in the middle! Let's go kill some bandits!"

    Alice draw her sword with her right hand, summoned a crackling sparks spell in her left and charged up the hill like a deer. By now the bandits had become alert of Marek and Padfoot's presence. There were still five bandits patrolling the fort and they were all converging on the front gate. A sixth, a huge orc, started beating on a massive pair of drums in one of the fort's towers with a pair of axes. The beat of the drums radiated across the fort and another six bandits charged out from inside the fort with their weapons ready. When they saw the squad they charged. Three bandits were bearing down on Marek by the time Alice charged through the gates. Just before colliding with the first she gave a high pitched wail that caused her eyes to glow purple and the air in front of her to ripple. Anyone outside the ripple would hear a deafening scream that would make their heads rattle painfully for a few seconds. Those inside the cone would hear a scream so loud and so painful it would feel as if their heads would explode. They would experience a feeling of pure terror and bleed from their nose and mouth while most likely begging for the wailing to stop. Alice excelled at Illusion magic, particularly fear magic. This particular spell she wrote herself and based it off of the cry of a banshee. It had little effect on the undead but was devastating against the morale of the living.

    The first bandit, a large Nord with an iron warhammer, fell to his knees clutching his ears and begging for the noise to stop. The second, another Nord, started screaming as he clutched his head, feeling as if it were about to split open. The third, an orange tabby Khajiit, simply dropped his two iron daggers and ran to the barricade Marek and Padfoot had entered. Alice stabbed the first bandit through the stomach, then grabbed him by the hair and released her shock spell. The man's eyes literally fell out of his head as lightning surged through his body and fried his brain, abruptly stopping his begging. He fell to her side but before she could retrieve her sword she saw the Khajiit running. Reflexively she drew her legion bow and knocked a steel arrow. With the grace of the young woman she was and the skill of an old veteran she loosed her arrow and it found its way into the Khajiit's neck. it landed just below the back of his head and severed his brainstem, killing him instantly. The last bandit of the three looked up from his screaming and Alice the killer stared back. Her usually kind and bubbly personality was gone and her youthful innocent face was a cold mask of indifference. Her eyes were rings of ice that stared into the bandit's soul. He got up and ran away as fast as he could. Alice drew her steel dagger and threw it into the small of his back, leaving him wounded and dying for another squad member to finish off.

    The battle had been joined.
     

    Aethalia

    Well-Known Member
    Aliah shook her head as the young commander charged in through the gates. She hadn't understood why human leaders insisted at being the first to charge into almost every battle, and the last to retreat. In a Dominion battle formation, the commander, usually a lord or lady, would remain at the back of the army, using a spell of scrying to watch the battle, and co-ordinate the fighting from there. Sighing, she drew both of the steel shortswords she'd removed from the armoury, snarled for her werewolf companion to follow, and charged into the fray.

    She was already in a bad mood from running in the sun, and being paired with a werewolf, who's wet-dog-musk-stench stuck in her nostrils. Having someone to take it out on helped. The first bandit she encountered was an orc, wielding a greatsword. The weapons point was lowered at her midsection, as if the bandit intended to spear her with the weapon. "Idiot." She snorted. Aliah couldn't go into a full blade dance, not without taking off her 'partners' head. Which, she reflected, might not be such a bad thing. However, she doubted a blade dance was even necessary. To the others, the bandits might have seemed organized.

    But, to someone with the speed and strength of a vampire, they simply looked like livestock, waiting to be butchered. Stepping to the side, she slashed downwards, cutting through muscle and seperating vertebrae. And, taking the Orcs head from his body. The corpses momentum carried it to just in front of her werewolf partner, where the headless body deposited itself in a heap. "Watch out" ,she warned, " wouldn't want you to trip"

    She didn't wait for his response. Instead, she turned, looking her next target. She found him in moments. Swarming with bandits as the courtyard was, targets were not a rarity. She stepped towards the bandit, a female Imperial with a war axe in one hand, and an iron shield in the other. Aliah approached, her blades at her sides, pointing downwards. Probably, in the Imperials eyes, not an ideal position to defend or attack. Which urged the woman into an attack.

    The vampiress' first blade, in her right hand flicked up, drawing a thin, non-lethal cut along the womans' cheek. The bandit grunted, and stepped back, bringing her shield into a blocking position. Aliah stepped forwards, both of her blades hammering on the rim of the shield in rapid succession. Of course, that left her pretty much open to attack from behind, but that was what her partner was supposed to be there for. The Imperial woman grunted under the onslaught, and her shield fell from her numbed and bruised arm. Which was the opening the Altmer vampiress needed. Her first sword punched through her opponents heart, the second blade knocking aside a weak swing from the dying womans' axe.
     

    fellowknight

    The Devil In The Details
    "That's our cue, it's time to move. Remember, stay with your partner, cover each other's backs, and do not get overconfident! Soldin! Dabiene! With me! Barnan, Shadari, Aliah, bring up the rear! Everyone else in the middle! Let's go kill some bandits!" Alice yelled, before drawing her sword, conjuring a lightning spell in her left hand, and charging up the hill towards the fort with the same grace she used to lead the march earlier. Barnan was ready to follow suit, sword in one hand, drawn bow in other, when he noticed Shadari hadn't moved a muscle. She wore that same 'i don't give a skeever's behind' look as she had the day before and she turned her glare to Barnan. He sighed and reared around, speaking as quickly, quietly, and clearly as possible. "Look, i don't like this temporary partnership any more than you do. I actually might like it less. But if you want to get revenge on Galmar, or Ulfric, or one of his mages, then we HAVE to work together. Do you understand? If not, i promise you will never touch any of those men in your life. Now then, that nonsense aside, let's go slaughter these civilians-turned-bandits so Ulfric will think we love him and his cause and he can go back to his palace in Solitude and sleep in peace, thinking he has skilled, devoted followers for his 'New Empire'. Ok?" He finished with a pant, before turning on his heel and preparing to make for the fort, when he heard Shadari's defying retort.

    "Say what you like, breton. Your words won't make me-" She was interrupted however, by Barnan running right up to her face, close enough that their noses were inches apart. He was far beyond the edge of dealing with her and her constant 'lone wolf, do it myself' attitude. He couldn't stand the Thalmor as it was and now she just made it worse. He leaned forward and to the right, whispering in her ear harshly.

    "Do you not get the concept that if you can't impress those men over there, you will never touch Blackstone?! Hm?! You won't lay a finger on him and you're going to die old and alone all because you refused to work with others! Do you know what that's called?! Team! Work! Get used to it! And you know what, he was right. If you keep treating people like crap and using them, it's all going to catch up with you, i sincerely promise that! And when you're down and out and you need help, who's going to answer?! No one! And...."

    He stopped short when he realized three things. One, he had ranted so long, as to give Alice and the rest of the squad time to move up to the gates. Two, Ulfric and Galmar were a few yards back, staring the odd pair down. And three, he felt the slight sting of Shadari's dagger on his stomach, inching its way towards a vital artery. He briefly gazed at Ulfric and Galmar, before backing away from Shadari. "Another time, then..." He mumbled, before turning and charging up the hill.

    No sooner than he'd arrived, a deafening, ear splitting shriek pierced his eardrums sharply. He looked ahead in time to see the air in front of Alice wavering and a bandit falling to his knees, blood draining from his ears and mouth. Barnan winced slightly at the small headache that appeared after the sound stopped. By the gods, that girl is strong....though that shriek sounded familiar.... He thought, as the sounds of battle surfaced. A bandit was coming up on his left, expecting to get an easy kill. Time to move. He ducked for the swing of his Iron Sword, rolling to the left, behind him. In two quick, fluid moments, he dropped his sword, swung his free left hand up, pulled the bowstring back, and released. The arrow dug into the bandit's lower right back, severing an artery and causing the man a great deal of pain. He stumbled forwards, dropping his sword and screaming into the air, before a dagger cut his agony short. Shadari had arrived. Barnan nodded to her, in response she rolled her eyes, and ran up the courtyard. He sheathed his bow along the way, and raised his sword.

    His mind slipped into analyzing mode, and his tactical instincts kicked in. Five men ahead of him, all fairly spaced out, fairly angry, and fairly easy to kill. His mind sent forth an invisible spectral of himself as it preformed the exact moves necessary to kill the five men in style and soldier-like-manners. His world sped up as he neared the bandits, falling into a slide and slicing deep into the ankle of the first bandit, a large Khajiit, who fell forward on his face. He stood from the slide, bringing up his blade to narrowly block the stroke of the second, a thinly-framed Argonian. He then rammed his boot into the man's crotch causing him to bend down in pain, where his face met with Barnan's knee.

    Barnan then turned to his rear, catching the shaft of an Iron Warhammer with his blade, their weapons locking. He used all his strength to push the hammer to the right, leaving the Nord bandit momentarily open. Barnan slashed up the man's chest, summer-warm blood spraying across his face and bare-chest. He finished the man by following up that slash with a horizontal slice on the man's throat, once again spraying blood on his comrades. He raised his boot and kicked the man's severed chest, flailing him onto his back. The next bandit, a large Nord, sung his mace angrily at Barnan's cheek. Barnan almost immediately dropped into a roll, stopping and slicing into the back of the man's knee. As the bandit threw his head back in a pain cry, Barnan turned to the left, slicing into the man's waist. And finally, as the man doubled over in pain, Barnan flipped back to the right and rammed his sword directly into the bandit's back.

    He pushed the man off his sword, before half-flipping around to slice across the fifth bandit's eyes, causing him to instantly drop his weapon and cover his eyes and scream in excruciating, brain splitting pain. Now it was time to clean up. He steadily walked towards the second bandit, a downed Khajiit grasping his crotch in pain, and staked him to the earth. His senses kicked in, a scuffle noise behind him alerting that the first bandit had recovered. Almost without thinking, Barnan flipped around, grabbed the handle of his single iron dagger, and let it fly into the feline's lower neck. As he gripped his neck in immediate pain, Barnan slowly trudged past him, pulling the dagger from his throat and allowing him to fall forward. Barnan took only a split second of rest, before charging to assist Soldin in handling a deadly looking Orc bandit.
     

    T. Rakinson

    A Brute among Beasts
    One look at the bandits idea of sanitation was enough to repel an army, never mind a squadron. The amount of human waste, rotten food and... well, Cyrus wasnt one to be too descriptive. Simply put, Cyrus could see why a stealth attack was impossible from this angle; those who didnt get mauled by skeevers or suffocate would end up dying from exposure to some horrible disease.
    Still, it was the only way in without being seen by the squad, and after several tests when he was younger he had discovered that flesh spells also worked as a infection-repellent. His spell would be like a candle in a marshland, but all the things he had heard the stormcloaks do, not to mention the stuff he hadnt heard about, were enough to convince himself to push on. Wrapping his cloak around himself to keep it clean from the sludge, he pushed back the wooden hatch and forced himself inside the forts sewage system, ignoring his nostril's desperate plea's.
    ***​
    The room he emerged into was not too bad, considering it was occupied by bandits. He seemed to be facing a large room with a few tables, chairs and food littering the place. An old women, who looked surprisingly content considering the bandits were likely holding her as a slave, had just finished cleaning the room and had just left. Cyrus also heard a snoring noise, and after another brief search of the room he saw a bandit snoozing in a chair.​
    Then he looked down at his robes.​
    Oh dear.... Cyrus was shuddering, for he had just seen the things that had stuck to his robes. As he released his magical armour, the numerous bits and pieces stuck to him flew off in all directions, some hitting walls, others hitting priceless artifacts the bandits had plundered, and unfortunatly for the victim, one particularily gruesome piece struck the snoring bandit right in the back of the head.​
    'Oh damn' Cyrus muttered. He quickly began another invisibility spell, but the damage was done.​
    'Intruder in the sewer!' The dung-bombed bandit shouted, simultaneously grabbing a spoon to knock the waste off the back of his skull. As bandits in the nearby rooms began rushing to help their partner in crime and his new friend drew an axe, Cyrus ran through his options. Face at least a dozen thugish bandits who killed and raided for a living or Turn around.​
    He needed a third option.​
    'Stand down, ye scumbags! Im not here to hurt you!' Cyrus shouted in his best rough voice. Quickly thinking of another bandit hideout, he came up with a new story.​
    'We saw the troops from over at River Watch. knew you lazy buggers wouldent stand a chance. Hajvaar sent me to help, but im not one to feed the underdogs'.
    The bandit was naturally suspicious. 'Hajvaar dont give one 'bout us. thinks he's better than 'hus, just 'cause hes got some bloomin iron armour. If really your really as ass-tough as you say, why you climbing up sewers and not fighting?'
    The man had Cyrus stumped on that, and with more armed brutes arriving on the scene he was beginning to stutter like earlier. This time a burly nord spoke.​
    'I bet he aint got slack! probably some poor sod after a stolen purse!' the oaf jeered. Judging from the way the others looked at him he held some position of power; not a chief, but something.
    'I say we lock him up in the cellar, and if he tries anything funny then cut off an arm!'.
    This was met with a rowdy chant of agreement, from their perspective this could well be their last day in Nirn, and whilst some of the wimpier ones were forced to go up and face the intruders the burlier ones pushed and kicked him down some stairs, shoving him into a cellar.​
    As all but the burly nord made their way back up the staircase, Cyrus groaned.​
    So long for being the hero.
    (OOC: now that i think about it, did i mess up anybodies description of the interior? Ill change it if so...)​
     

    Dabiene Caristiana

    Your friendly neighborhood weirdo
    Soldin stared at the vampire woman, the aggressiveness was astounding.

    'I guess I'll have to remind myself not to tick her off..'

    After a sarcastic remark on him not wanting to get himself tripped, he shook himself out of a daze and looked over at Dabiene. The whole thing happened so fast...

    ----------------------------------------------------------

    "Ready when you are commander." The Breton uttered softly. Their commander, Alice seemed lost in thought but quickly refocused.

    "How could we have put him in this position?" The young woman whispered after a short while.

    Dabiene raised a brow in confusion but did not question the young squad leader. Dabiene looked over at the young soldier, Arillious, noticing him becoming tense. Anger came off of him in waves, also glancing over at Ulfric and Galmar a few times. She understood completely.

    Bastards.

    Soldin whistled low and the woman looked over. He pointed toward the fort using two fingers and she looked ahead. The two that were sent into the fort made the signal, which Alice then gave the orders.

    "That's our cue, it's time to move! Remember, stay with your partner, cover each other's backs and do not get overconfident! Soldin! Dabiene! with me! Barnan, Shadari, Aliah, bring up the rear! Everyone else in the middle! Let's go kill some bandits!"

    Soldin and Dabiene flanked Alice on each side, with Soldin being directly in line up ahead with Aliah. After a few seconds, things went a little crazy. The vampire soon felled quite a few bandits with Soldin only felling one, staring on as his partner sliced and diced the poor souls. Shaking her head the Breton werewolf stuck close to Alice.

    She had casted Ebony Flesh upon herself, just in case that if something were to go wrong, in which her armor was torn off or scraped she would have something to protect herself. Looking over she saw Alice taking down a few of the outlaws with ease.

    'Definitely need to keep an eye on her...' Dabiene made a mental note to ask Soldin to spar with her. She had seen him in action when fighting the Chosen.

    Dabiene dropped her sword and the spell in her left hand went out, both hands clamping down on her ears. Looking over Soldin was grimacing in pain but he held up even though the pitch was very high.

    The shriek that was at a high pitch was coming from none other than Alice. Some bandits had fled back into the fort while others became weary. Others were just plain angry and charged at their group. Dabiene picked up her sword, head throbbing and sheathed it. Charging up her hands with deadly electricity she sent bolts toward a deadly archer on a wall that was aiming at Soldin's head.

    The Nord looked over and saw the archer flying off the wall screaming in pain before glancing at his friend, "Thanks, but are you sure you don't have a fetish for making people fly off walls?" He flashed a cheeky grin her way, the woman rolling her eyes and smiling in response.

    "Soldin look out!"

    The Nord spun around and saw half a figure a few feet from him. The being was wearing fur garb and nothing much else.

    The white haired werewolf slowly tilted his head up slowly and his eyes widened when it turned out the figure was a big, burly orc.

    "Oh boy.."

    "Rrrrggg. I'm gunna tear you to pieces, doggy!" The lumbering oorc grounded out, "Any last words?"

    "A few, but first, did your parents happen to be a giant and a grotesque orc because boy... You are one ugly duck.."

    Soldin strafed to the right as the giant swung his axe down in anger, "You'll pay for that, filth!"

    "I think we have a disagreement on who is filthy and who really needs a bath, or a make over. Woah!" Soldin dodged again when he opponent swung sideways, almost having his head lopped off. Dabiene meanwhile was sending stunning spells all the while keeping an eye on Alice.

    Losing his footing he brought up his claymore just as the axe came down, 'Damn... I'm going to be sore tomorrow. Hope Simus gets me hot bath made up later.' He hoped that maybe Tilma at the Companions could help with that.

    "Uh, a little help here!" He threw the orc off balance by shoving him back. Looking around he saw the nearby forge with a bucket close by. Taking his chances he dashed toward it.

    Roaring with frustration, the large bandit charged at his fleeing opponent, "Ha! You call yourself a Nord? You disgrace yourself, puny weakling!" Just as he raised his axe to lop off Soldin's head, He was blinded by searing hot pain, dropping his axe and howling in pain while he covered his face with his hands.

    Soldin had thrown a bucket of hot coals into the monster's face. Although that would be something he would regret.

    Taking a few steps back the orc uncovered his face. It was a black and bloody mess.

    ".. Now you're gonna pay!" Soldin watched as the axe was picked up.

    "Maybe I shouldn't have done that." He dived to the side as the axe came down, smashing the nearby wooden working table in half. Finally he saw someone coming to his aid, it was the ranger.

    Meanwhile Dabiene was keeping tabs on Alice and the other squad members, frequently taking out the archers on the wall. She saw Soldin dueling or rather, dodging and running for his life against a giant behemoth of an orc. Shooting off frequent shock and paralysis toward Soldin's attacker while keeping an eye on Alice was becoming taxing after the shriek she emitted.

    The Breton mage saw the ranger coming to her friend's aid so she turned her full attention on guarding Alice and nearby teammates.

    (OOC: Now on to Fading Hope. Sorry if the action was meh. I'm not experienced much on action scenes.)
     

    TheShadedOne

    The Angry One
    Shadari glared daggers at the Bretons' retreating back. As usual, she'd been read entirely the wrong way. Which was probably for the best. While it was true that she needed the rebels in order to get to Blackstone, but she was not looking to make friends. Like her weapons and armour, they were tools. Once they stormed whatever hide-hole Ulfric and Blackstone had chosen, she'd use them as distractions, while she hunted the mage.

    Once she had his head, she'd get out of Skyrim, and leave the rebels and Ulfric to their little war. Then, it was never that simple. She'd learned that the hard way in Cyrodiil, when she'd walked into one of Blackstones' ambushes with her eyes wide open. She'd become much more cautious, and had gained a measure of respect for her quarry after that. But in the end, he would still die. Even if it cost Shadari her life, the mage would end up dead.

    But in the meantime, she'd have to stay alive long enough to get to Blackstone. The ranger, had made it abundantly clear that she didn't have any friends in Simus's little rebellion. Which was fine by her. Friends, loved ones, were a distraction. And distractions would get her killed. No, she was better off alone. That way nothing could be used against her.

    Snarling an irritated curse, she sprinted off after the Breton. She didn't really feel like being yelled at by the general or his annoying little daughter for 'disobeying orders'. She followed, drawing the legion shortsword, and a steel dagger, wishing strongly that she had her proper gear back. Due to the daggers greater weight, she only carried three in her belt, and sent one into a wounded bandits' neck.

    She noticed the ranger nod at her, and rolled her eyes. 'If he thinks I'm trying to help him out, he's got another think coming'. Her second dagger struck a charging, poorly armoured Nord in the stomach. The man grunted, and the assassin closed the distance, lifting her sword. The weapon wasn't as versatile as her falchion, but it was still sharp. She severed the mans' carotid artery with a swift blow, and left him bleeding out in the dirt.

    She heard a third bandit before she saw him. He was roaring at the top of his lungs, and hauling a warhammer that looked orcish. She glanced dubiously at her sword, then at the weapon. Trying to block the hammer would probably break the sword. Or her arm. Instead, she dropped to her knees,letting the mans' overpowered swing miss her by a good half-metre. The man, Shadari guessed he was a Nord, by all the swearing and bellowing he was doing, kicked at her, but she rolled out of the way.

    The hammer came down, sending up dust and stone, and the assassin sprang to her feet. Her opponent brought his hammer up, over his head, and Shadari sprang forwards. She didn't bother stabbing or slashing at the mans' steel armour. Instead, she stopped close enough to kiss, and rammed her final dagger up, through the bottom of the mans mouth, into his brain. The bandit dropped the hammer behind him, shuddered, and collapsed in a heap. The Khajiit flashed the corpse a smile, and knelt to remove her dagger.
     

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