Canton Shire (The Crusade continues)
Clever words cannot describe my rage at being attacked in a secure town. I know Acolat has a presence here and I can't help but wonder if Dams BlackMoor and The White Lady are behind these assalts? Anyway here goes.
Tonights story begins as many really good tales of Lyonesse start...in a Tavern. This Tavern is called 'The Kings Rest' the sign depicts a chubby king asleep on his throne, crown over his eyes. Inside the place is just as one would expect a Tavern in Lyonesse to be. Except the only people are Crusaders. In short /you/.
Taran is hard to mistake for *anything* but a Graal Knight. Armor that seems made of shell and mother-of-pearl gleams with a soft white sheen, and he tends to a white charger. His sword is not so...thematic, however. It is large, long, and the edges are finely honed. He readies his horse for battle with the quiet calm of a man performing a private ritual.
Pascal is a bit more ambiguous, in dark browns as he is, and seated by the entrance of the tavern as he watches his cousin get to work. He's tracing patterns on the tavern floor with the end of his staff.
Enzo sits atop a table, whistling circus music chipperly as he juggles a half a dozen whooshing daggers that seem composed entirely of flame, a lit cigarette dangling from his lips.
Harold is speaking with a Sergent about some matter or another, his heavy armor rattling as he walks. "See that we patrol, no group smaller then six men." "Yes Grand Master" barks the Sergent then hurries off "Sir Taran join me please." he then enters 'The Kings Rest' aka HQ.
Izett sits with a glass of wine beside her on the table. Her feet propped up on a nearby chair as she relaxes a little. She watches the juggling of Enzo smiling, "Very nice.."
Liam is with Pascal and Taran, and he can easily be mistaken for something that isn't a Graal Knight. But he is carrying a guitar and, more importantly, a sword, even in jeans and a sweatshirt hoodies. He hangs back a bit because he's mostly here just to observe and take notes.
Celeste is-for once-wearing armor, her horse, her gear, is all set. She ducks inside and spies Enzo, "Ah, good, I was hoping I'd find you." she looks drawn and a bit haggard but her motions and mien hold their usual energy and arrogance. She inclines her head, "Baroness."
Taran nods assent to the order, securing his horse's reins to a post before following Harold into the Tavern.
Winter arrived with Enzo at some point. She sits at the table watching him as he plays. She smiles at Celeste as she enters.
Melina stands near the entrance watching both cousin and brother with quiet contemplation
Pascal looks up at Harold as he enters, standing. "Battle plans ready?" he asks the Grandmaster.
Enzo beams a smile at Izette as he keeps the objects whirling, throwing in a few flashy hand-over-hand moves for good measure. "Why thank ye, yer ladyship. M' mother tried to sell me to a circus when I was wee. I was most disappointed when they wouldn't take me." He doffs a nod at Harold's entrance.
Liam mutters something to someone nearby about how Enzo can /still/ be sold to the circus at any time, any where. For a good price, even.
A large table serves as a Map table "It looks like there were landings here" he points "here" he points again "and Here." he taps the last. "We are here, Cold Mist beach" rubbing his chin "We need to expand out foothold" he taps a crossroad about a mile inland. "We need a listening post."
Celeste makes a pained face at Enzo's story and pinches the bridge of her nose briefly. She notes to
Enzo, "I don't know the requirements for your art but I'm wondering if being airborne would be of any use to you?" She pauses and looks to the drawing and makes a face, looking abruptly wry at the timing.
Izett laughs softly at Enzo, "With the way you wield those swords, I think we'll keep you for a time..at least." she jokes lightly, "Course after that..we might need to see how fair of a price you'd fetch now that you're older for the circus." laughter in her voice at the joking.
Pascal gives Liam a look that /tries/ to be stern. It fails, mind, by the light smile, before he turns to look at Harold's map. "And we know rather little of the enemy presence there?" he asks. "Do you have any plans for how the scouts would communicate?"
Winter giggles at Liam's comment even if it were not ment for her. She just sits back and listens for the time being. Her gaze moving over the other assembled. Some she is familiar with some she is not.
Taran just watches Harold, face expressionless. "Options exist. What is the situation, Grand Master?"
Liam flashes his bright smile at Winter. Perhaps it /was/ for her. One can never tell!
Celeste offers to Harold, "Since numb nuts here would rather daydream of the circus, I can provide transport for two via air though that clearly doesn't secure anything, but mounting up my pyromaniac cousin or even just being eyes and ears perhaps may grant you some advantage. Possibly." a shrug.
Enzo winks aside to Izett. "Yer too kind. I'm taking quite a shine to the place. An' I always knew I had a future in show business." He fixes Liam with a grin. "If you have to ask you can't afford me." As Harold starts his planning and Celeste addresses him, he stops juggling abruptly, and the daggers flicker out on their way to the ground like blown out matches. "You mean like, off the ground, then?" His brows lift dubiously at Celeste. "Erm..."
Harold hmmmmss at Pascal's question "either runners, or lanterns" he concludes "The landing could have been worse, we made land fall and cleared the field of the zombies, they seem our main foe" A nods is offered Celeste "We may do that, I think a more mundane back up is in order, we can't expect you to spend all your time in the air."
Celeste lifts an eye, "I've never dropped anyone, and..." she whispers softly in Enzo's ear. She then straitens and nods to Harold, "I defer to your requirements, Grand master."
Izett watches as Enzo grows more serious letting the juggling fade away she too moves to stand. Collecting her goblet she walks over toward the table and offers up softly, "There is stirrings in the mists. I am uncertain if they are ghosts or undead. There is too the concern that they may be controlled or influenced from beyond the curtain." she offers up before taking a sip of her wine.
Melina watches and listens as Harold lays the plans 'I have means of communication that could be of some use if i can somehow be kept fairly clear of the thick of the fight
Taran spreads his hands, a dismissing gesture. "Options exist," he repeats quietly. "A conduit, to observe from a distance. A person contactable by book or Trump. A string of runners, if such forms of contact are for whatever reason undesirable. But what is the situation? How urgent the need, what obstacles exist?"
Pascal nods. "This would be good to know first," he agrees before glancing to Melina. "And... I think, if we chose that option, you might do best back here as an informant, to pass on messages."
From out side the tavern a clamor arises. Men are shouting. "ATTACK!" their surprised cries can be heard all over the village.
Celeste snaps promptly to Enzo, "If you're hitching a ride, keep up!" long lets are already carrying her towards the door, though she nudges it open with a foot and peers out, rather than goes bursting out. Assuming she doesn't see any immediate hazard targeting the door, she prepares to step outside.
Enzo sniffs dubiously at a cup of something that hadn't started out as his, before sipping it with a shrug. After nodding his mute agreement to Celeste, he peers at the map over someones shoulder, and chuckles. "That one ridge is shaped kinda like a rabbit if you look at it from this..." But the call of alarm finds him slamming down his cup and heading for the door in abrupt sobriety. Unlike Celeste, he bursts out. Subtly isn't his thing.
Izett sets her goblet down as she hears the call of an attack. She too moves toward an exit, but not the front door. she's heading for the back door. Green eyes turning more serious and seeming to take on that oddness to them as she goes to get a better look about from a less obvious avenue of departing from the tavern.
Taran rises as the call of attack comes, settling his shield on his arm and lowering the visor of his helm. However, he makes no attempt to stop Enzo - rather, the Knight follows but more cautiously, evidently willing to let the lad play miner's canary.
Melina moves to follow izett
Harold slams his fist into the table "Damn them" he storms right out the front door shouting for his horse as he goes. "SQUIRE HORSE!" he barks as he drops the visor on his helm.
Liam is slow to exit behind the onrush of knights and armed men and Enzo and dragons. He is armed, but he doesn't need to directly involved -- yet. Everyone rushes out the door around him.
Pascal keeps near Taran as the call is raised, lifting his staff to be ready to bash in the enemies that are... presumably not within range of it at the moment.
Celeste is out the door and runs to clear horses and people running too and from before stopping and standing still. there's a sudden gruesome symphony as she begins to rapidly swell to several times her size. Her armor seems to absorb into her as she expands and falls to all fours-which are now roughly the same shape as her neck elongates and wings and tail abruptly manifest.
Winter rises from her seat as the alarm is sounded. She remains towards the back of the group with Liam. She too is armed but is cautious.
In the distance a mass of the shambling dead move toward the village. Zombies arm simple creatures, Frontal Assault, overwhelming numbers.
Enzo looks around him, outside, for the direction of the apparent disturbance, or greater disturbance, watching Harold and muttering something about wanting a squire, one day. Unlike most, he is unarmored, aside from that offered by reckless bravado and his worn leather clothing. He takes up a run in that direction, the flashing beacon of a flaming spear already forming in his hand. When he's near enough he takes aim, looking for masses of zombies and hoping to kindle multiples with a toss.
"That would be cheating," Pascal says, following Taran out into the fray. "Let's see what we can do without them first."
Winter looks to Liam "How are they against ice?" She takes Liam's words seriously but still sounds hopeful that she might of some use. The air around her grows colder and mist begins to form around her hand. A blade of ice is then visible in her grasp, looking as strong as any made of steel.
Harold swings into the saddle "Form ranks!" he snarls. "We couldn't stop cattle from entering. Lines!" he shouts. The Footman scramble to form a square. Their Bill's gleaming in the misty twilight.
Izett slips out the back door, whistling for her mount. Her own men at arms she motions toward Melina, "Protect her as if she were me.." before moving to ride off keeping only one of the three with her. Her odd gaze circling around the village seeming to take in the information of where they are coming from, making certain none are coming from another angle or direction. Her head tilting as though listening closely to the surrounding area riding toward the main front of it as viably as possible to be seen by the men acquired from Argent Meadows.
Liam says with the tone of completely and utterly fake authoritative, "I hear that if you can freeze a zombie, it will stop in its tracks! And then you can bash in its head! Then it will die. Messily. It might explode."
Celeste launches into the air with mighty flaps of large wings, kicking up dust and debris as she climbs into the air, circling as she gets a bird's eye view of the situation from above. Noting it is, more or less, your standard zombie attack she doesn't wait for orders to engage but rather swoops down with a mighty roar, talons extended as she seeks to mow down Zombies several at a time-until she begins to loose momentum before flapping mightily to regain altitude-no doubt to repeat.
Enzo calls back to Winter and Liam, between repeated casts of flaming missiles that trail rocket like wakes of smoke behind them, over his shoulder with a grin. "Zombies against ice? Less smelly, at least!" He doesn't join Harold's ranks, lingering back rather to buttress it, plug holes, or provide cover fire as needed.
RPG: Pascal challenges a difficulty of 9. Pascal chooses Wits and the gift SKL-WM. Pascal succeeds.
RPG: Celeste challenges a difficulty of 9. Celeste chooses Wits and the gifts DRG-BS and SKL-TD. Celeste succeeds.
RPG: Enzo challenges a difficulty of 9. Enzo chooses Force and the gifts FIR-WM, LIF-HH, and SKL-AR. Enzo succeeds.
RPG: Melina challenges a difficulty of 9. Melina chooses Wits. Melina almost succeeds.
RPG: Taran challenges a difficulty of 9. Taran chooses Resolve and the gifts GKN-KG and SKL-WM. Taran succeeds.
Taran makes an audible hissing sound as Izett rides past. "We follow her," he says to Pascal. "We cannot fight the tide as well as we might pull down the moon. These creatures have a master - let us find and destroy that one."
RPG: Winter challenges a difficulty of 9. Winter chooses Grace and the gifts ICE-WM and SKL-WM. Winter succeeds.
RPG: Liam challenges a difficulty of 9. Liam chooses Grace and the gift STY-SW. Liam succeeds.
RPG: Izett challenges a difficulty of 9. Izett chooses Wits and the gift SKL-WM. Izett almost succeeds.
Pascal nods his agreement. "A good plan," he agrees as he looks around. "Can you fit me on your horse with you?"
RPG: Harold challenges a difficulty of 9. Harold chooses Force and the gifts GKN-KG, PHY-ST, SKL-AR, SKL-MC, and STY-KN. Harold succeeds.
Celeste 's talons slice, rake, and pierce, sending rotting limbs falling and knocking zombies over like bowling pins, some trip other zombies, others are tramped as more press forward. Celeste regains altitude but surveys again rather than making another pass, looking out over her companions.
Enzo's missiles arc dazzlingly through the night, and where they fall, flaming zombie bit scatter through the air festively! He starts to mix it up. An Axe lobbed to explode through one into another, a hammer that explodes amidst a small group. He rolls his neck and shoulders to limber himself as he warms up, grinning to himself with apparent enjoyment. A careful observer might notice a giggle or two.
The Graal infantry marches forward again, their bootted feet squishing up mud. The Grand Master riding before them. As Celeste strikes Harold points his Axe "Charge!" He spurs Chessy her hooves churn up sod as she slams into the zombie mass, Iron clad hooves churning rotted meat and soggy bones to meal. Harold's Axe rises and falls as he hacks through the foe. The infantry slams in behind expanding the breech bills cleaving rotting appendages.
Izett rides with obvious skill on a very well trained horse. That dagger though remains at her side for the moment seeming to be searching for something as she moves into the mass of attacking zombies. Her horse darting, turning, leaping to avoid attacks and blows from the zombies. Her actions seeming to be primarily defensive and dodging. A cluster of zombies shambling to intercept her causing her to draw her dagger. One thing her horse apparently wasn't trained to deal with though is that of a dragon. At a critical moment when Izett is forced to have to strike with her dagger, the horse spooks at the flying of zombies being tossed about by the dragon. Her dagger drawn, the horse turned quickly for the strike rears seeing the dragon and zombies bowling toward it. The small woman sent air borne off the animal's back with a loud whiny and snort from the animal sending her tumbling with a hard landing into that cluster of zombies that was shambling toward her.
Liam is far in the back of the fighting, stepping just out of the tavern while everyone else charges. He stabs the lone zombie who has made it back this far in the head where it drops and then watches Izett get thrown from her horse. He yells out: "IZETT!" but he's too far away to be effectual -- other than yelling. He's good at yelling.
Taran pushes Pascal toward his horse. "Take the horse!" he says in a commanding tone, and ...charges in. Shield at the ready. blade flashing in the setting light, he just starts *cutting* his way toward Izett. "Ride support, Pascal!" he calls, as he hacks his way toward the lady to stand in her defense - and try to keep her horse from fleeing or panicking.
Winter seems to follow Enzo's example and places herself in a position to fill in gaps and take on any zombies that might make it through Harold's ranks. The air around her cold as she. She turns the blade in her hand and sends it flying into the mists of the zombies, ice glittering in the wake of Enzo's flame. It impales an oncoming zombie through the chest before exploding in a hail of splinters and sharp implements. Another blade appears in her hand and she prepares to take on any further zombies that make it through the ranks.
Pascal nods, hopping up onto the horse as Taran orders, and giving it a firm spur. "Hyah!" he calls out as he rides for the horde around Izett, balancing by holding on tight with his legs, leaving his hands free to swipe his staff at zombies as he goes.
Celeste spies IZett's predicament and veers that way, forgoing the roaring least she spook the horses, but she swoops and more selectively plucks and flings Zombies away into the throng, apparently aiming to assist Taran, PAscal and Izett, wings churning rapidly in short bursts to keep herself hovering near protectively.
Enzo, positioned as he is behind the ranks, has no vantage to see the plights of those who'd charged ahead. He dutifully holds up his fire, conjuring a double headed axe of immense proportions that hacks through one shambling form after another as he helps support the line, enjoying his work with characteristic unwholesome glee. "I got you... AND you... oh, and you want some too!? Here, eat this... I said EAT IT!"
The men cheer as Dragon and Knights do their work. Inspired by the heroic nobles. Harold cleaves his foes hacking with axe, bashing with shield, his armor as does Chessy's drip with rotted flesh and cold blood. The billmen keep pushing fighting to keep their Knight from being engulfed by the hordes of the dead.
Liam looks to his left and his right, and sees the stragglers from inside the Tavern who were left out of the battle. So he steps back a few steps and starts whipping them up into a battle chant -- pots and pans, beating hands on fist, basic beat of stomped feet and chanted words of courage in a fight against the undead that mix with the sounds of fighting and death.
Winter wrinkles her nose at the smell of rotting burning flesh but never the less engages a zombie that has broken through. She spins and dances as she beheads the creature and it's body away with her booted foot. She grins at Enzo and laughs. Splat! her ice blade enters the cranium of another zombie and she rips the ice away with a sickening sound.
Izett rolls to her feet as she hears her name called. In her hand a rather lady like looking dagger, held in a not so delicate fashion. As undead claw at her, she moves trying to dodge. Her horse on the verge of panic with the undeed shambling in to surround her. Those green eyes searching, darting from one to the next as she tries to dodge. Her clothing marred with mud, and streaks of blood from scratches and cuts unchecked. By the time Taran arrives she's rather relieved able to focus on collecting her horse, waving a hand to let her men see she is alright trying to get back up onto her horse.
Taran fights off the zombies until Izett can find her feet, and back onto her horse, taking every ounce of aid that Pascal can give him. Once she's on her horse again, he calls, "We will guard, let us cut the head from this snake!" And then....then he picks up Liam's distant battle chant, calling it back out as he fights, a fierce battle-joy. "Axes flash, broadsword swing,
Shining Armour's piercing ring! Horses run with polished shield, Fight Those Bastards till They Yield!"
Celeste remains protectively near Izett, Taran, and Pascal, but allows herself to regain altitude for another mowing sweep of the foe, which causes a ripple effect-slowing many down even if some get back up.
The Infantry breaks the assault, splitting the dead into two groups Harold shouts order trying to reform his infantry who are setting into pomp up mode.
Liam has discovered that the cook has a delightful bass, and he now has the kitchen staff chanting and stomping a battle chant in three part harmony against a backdrop of undead and carnage.
Izett settles up onto her mount, nodding to Taran, "I'm looking for it.." her dagger sweeping toward a wayward hand, she doesn't hit anything but its hard to say if that is her intent or simply she isn't truly focusing on damaging only deflecting attacks. Glancing toward the air she spots Celeste and then looks out over the hordes of zombies. Her green eyes still holding that odd look to them as she moves her horse picking the best avenue to take off in once more on her search.
Pascal crows as he charges through the zombies around Izett, trampling them under his horse's hooves and crushing other skulls with his staff. He shifts his grip on it ever now and then, to allow better reach. As he does so, he starts chanting alongside Taran, bringing forth his family's gifts a.s he rides up next to Izett
Celeste notes Izett's looking, "Need me to clear a path, baroness?" she rumbles, her voice carrying easily down over the noise of battle.
Chessy rears up her Iron clad hooves flashing . "Where is the necromancer!" he snarls his tone muffled.
Taran keeps up his fierce battle chant as he and Pascal keep Izett's path clear of the undead. Letting her lead, hunting the head of the snake.
Izett surveys the battle field looking rather ticked off, "Woods!" she calls up to Celeste shifting on her horse. Dagger remaining in hand as her mount takes off at a charge, there is a determination about the way she rides, clearly searching for something as she once more takes on that path of dodging, riding around rather than through clusters to give Celeste a chance to clear her a path.
The infantry begin to sweep the remaining Zombies from the Frey. A company marching toward Izett, Taran and Pascal, but seem more then a little freighted of Celeste.
Enzo now has musical accompaniment as he assists chipperly in the mopping, a zombie torso exploding in a fiery blades erupting impalement, and decapitating another. As the ranks of the undead thin out he actively goes about hunting the remaining ones down with a greedy delight for the destruction. "Uh..." he calls in answer to Harold. "What does it look like?"
Winter hurls another blade and it explodes in the face of one of the undead, sending pieces of it's head scattering across the ground. She spins and dodges an attack from her left side and another blade finds it's mark, splat! Some nastiness finds its way spattered into Winter's white hair and a few scratches mar her skin. She doesn't have a lot of flare but she's holding her own.
Pascal grunts, riding off after Izett as she heads for the woods, never staying too far behind.
Taran is left to...run after a charger, in full armor, through a battlefield. At least he's not complaining about it. Perhaps he's just saving his breath for the task at hand.
Celeste lands on several Zombies with sickening crunching of bones and smooching of rotting flesh. Once Landed Celeste takes up directly infront of Izett and begins to simply rend and steamroll forward, flinging, knocking and using her tail and talons to steamroll a path for the baroness, completely offensive and letting her scales protect her from any attempt the Zombies might make to harm her.
The woods are silent, no sign of anyone or any thing. No sign of the Zombies controller.
Liam is whipping up his new chorus into a second refrain. A very enthusiastic second refrain.
Mean while a cheer goes up as the last of the Zombies fall. Now the task of burning these corpses begin. The Bodies and bits are heaped into mounds.
Izett dismounts when she gets to the woods, tossing the reigns back as she gives a soft command to her horse. Not taking any chances with the strange woods injuring her horse. Her horse backing away from the woods as she starts to move into them. Leaving the noise of the battle behind her as she goes in search of the necromancer within the woods.
Pascal frowns, stopping by the edge of the woods. He hops off of his horse and follows Izett in not willing to let the Baroness go alone. "She's likely escaped by now," he says as he nears. "Finding the necromancer in the middle of an attack seems unlikely."
Enzo rests one foot atop a growing heap of zombie remains, drawing his pack of cigarettes and lighting one as he waits to torch the mounds after the infantry do the collecting. "Dead buggers didn't know who they were messing with," he murmurs with satisfaction, cigarette bouncing with the words. He notes that Winter is as gore splattered as he, and helpfully pulls a kerchief from beneath his jack to offer to her. "You, ah, got zombie bits on you."
At least the path is clear, and as a Knight Taran has some training in running around in armor. Even so it takes him a bit to catch up, and he's breathing rather heavily by the time he does. "And...just what...do you think you will be doing with a necromancer that can raise a whole army of corpses, by yourself?" he manages. Then sees Celeste, and...well, shuts up. He does flip her a gauntleted salute.
Harold rides over to Enzo and Winter raising his visor. He picks a bit of brains from his breast plate and flicks them into the fire.
Winter wrinkles her nose again, "Oh ck!" She takes the offered kerchief thankfully, wiping a bit of it from her face. "Thanks." She says to Enzo. The air around her has warmed up again. She looks up at Harold as he approaches, trying to get a bit of the muck out of her hair and failing miserably.
Just mist and trees, not even birds are here. The is no sign of a necromancer.
Liam winds up his little improvisational band on a high note of flowing harmony.
Celeste stalks away from her company and shakes and commences rolling and scooting across the ground, grunting and wiggling as she tries to clean up, apparently.
Izett glances toward Pascal making a 'shushing' motion as she tries to listen. The clanking of Taran's armor marking his arrival as she listens to him start to scold her. A slight smile plays over her features. She doesn't say a word simply looks toward the....Dragon....The Graal Knight..His Cousin..then shakes her head and moves into the woods. Those green eyes still holding that odd look to them as she tilts her head trying to listen studying the lay of the land before her.
Pascal glances to Taran with a wry expression. "very little," he says.
Harold leans forward in the saddle "I am getting damed sick of these attacks" he seethes, then adds as he looks at Winter "Welcome to the Albion Crusade."
Taran raises the visor of his helm, and this time restricts his commentary to a quiet murmur to Pascal before following Izett.
Liam has a beer now. So do the people who work the inn. Now he's leading them on a series of toast-and-gulps of the Brave Knights of the Graal. Hurrah Knights! *drink* We love the Knights! *drink*
Pascal murmurs something to Taran before turning to head back to the tavern.
Enzo is helpfully assisting with a few pats to remove the undead debris from winter, looking abruptly startled. "Oh, yeah! Sorry. Meant to do that before, but... y'know. Zombies." He clears his throat. "Grand Master, Lady Winter. Lady Winter, Grand Master Harold of the Graal Knights."
Winter smiles at Harold "Thank you Grand Master... I hope my presence here isn't a disruption. My aim is to assist where I might. Though what that might be remains to be seen I suppose. How often to these attacks take place?"
Izett moves further into the woods, seeming to be listening and looking for something. She makes a bit of a face as though seeing something offensive even sickening as her skin grows pale. Still she presses on looking for something specific or more to the point listening. Softly she sighs, "Nothing.." she frowns, "Grand Master isn't going to like this.." she states simply.
Taran shakes his head, pausing when she does. "There is nothing to like about the entire mess. But if the trail is cold, we had best return, clean up, dine, and rest. There will be more attacks until the one who sends the dead is dealt with."
Celeste rises and lops after Taran and Izett, surprisingly stealthy for a creature her size.
Izett looks toward Taran, "/That/ is what I was listening for." she huffs softly. Nodding toward Pascal as he is heading back considering for a moment before asking something softly of Taran.
Harold shakes his head "We are glad to have you, and here I thought you only listened to storys in taverns, here you are a part of one."
Izett ndos her head a bit to Taran, "I see. Take my horse..I'll catch a ride with one of my men." she offers motioning to the animal she left by the forest edge. "And thank you.." she glances to both Taran and Celeste, "Both of you. Got a little worried there for a minute."
Winter seems to have met the Grand Master already as they converse, though she does smiles at Enzo as he introduces her anyway. "Hopefully that will be a good thing."
Taran shakes his head. "I will walk; fair consequence of my choices. Perhaps Lady Celeste will walk with me, unless she feels a need to stretch her wings. The night sky is likely far more pleasant with a dearth of zombies below."
Celeste's long neck twists and her head twists around, "Certainly. should I get down to size, Sir Taran?"
Enzo reaches out to flick a bit of zombie guts off Harold's armor. He seems chuffed enough to have rremembered the introductions, even if they were unnecessary. "Well, if ye'll both excuse, I'm off for a bath and some alcohol to get the zombie stench out of my nose. Good fighting with you again, Sir Harold. I'll talk to you, soon, Winter."
Taran blinks at Celeste. "I believe you should be comfortable, my lady," he says simply, as if surprised she would ask.
Harold raises a hand in salute to Enzo.
Tonights story begins as many really good tales of Lyonesse start...in a Tavern. This Tavern is called 'The Kings Rest' the sign depicts a chubby king asleep on his throne, crown over his eyes. Inside the place is just as one would expect a Tavern in Lyonesse to be. Except the only people are Crusaders. In short /you/.
Taran is hard to mistake for *anything* but a Graal Knight. Armor that seems made of shell and mother-of-pearl gleams with a soft white sheen, and he tends to a white charger. His sword is not so...thematic, however. It is large, long, and the edges are finely honed. He readies his horse for battle with the quiet calm of a man performing a private ritual.
Pascal is a bit more ambiguous, in dark browns as he is, and seated by the entrance of the tavern as he watches his cousin get to work. He's tracing patterns on the tavern floor with the end of his staff.
Enzo sits atop a table, whistling circus music chipperly as he juggles a half a dozen whooshing daggers that seem composed entirely of flame, a lit cigarette dangling from his lips.
Harold is speaking with a Sergent about some matter or another, his heavy armor rattling as he walks. "See that we patrol, no group smaller then six men." "Yes Grand Master" barks the Sergent then hurries off "Sir Taran join me please." he then enters 'The Kings Rest' aka HQ.
Izett sits with a glass of wine beside her on the table. Her feet propped up on a nearby chair as she relaxes a little. She watches the juggling of Enzo smiling, "Very nice.."
Liam is with Pascal and Taran, and he can easily be mistaken for something that isn't a Graal Knight. But he is carrying a guitar and, more importantly, a sword, even in jeans and a sweatshirt hoodies. He hangs back a bit because he's mostly here just to observe and take notes.
Celeste is-for once-wearing armor, her horse, her gear, is all set. She ducks inside and spies Enzo, "Ah, good, I was hoping I'd find you." she looks drawn and a bit haggard but her motions and mien hold their usual energy and arrogance. She inclines her head, "Baroness."
Taran nods assent to the order, securing his horse's reins to a post before following Harold into the Tavern.
Winter arrived with Enzo at some point. She sits at the table watching him as he plays. She smiles at Celeste as she enters.
Melina stands near the entrance watching both cousin and brother with quiet contemplation
Pascal looks up at Harold as he enters, standing. "Battle plans ready?" he asks the Grandmaster.
Enzo beams a smile at Izette as he keeps the objects whirling, throwing in a few flashy hand-over-hand moves for good measure. "Why thank ye, yer ladyship. M' mother tried to sell me to a circus when I was wee. I was most disappointed when they wouldn't take me." He doffs a nod at Harold's entrance.
Liam mutters something to someone nearby about how Enzo can /still/ be sold to the circus at any time, any where. For a good price, even.
A large table serves as a Map table "It looks like there were landings here" he points "here" he points again "and Here." he taps the last. "We are here, Cold Mist beach" rubbing his chin "We need to expand out foothold" he taps a crossroad about a mile inland. "We need a listening post."
Celeste makes a pained face at Enzo's story and pinches the bridge of her nose briefly. She notes to
Enzo, "I don't know the requirements for your art but I'm wondering if being airborne would be of any use to you?" She pauses and looks to the drawing and makes a face, looking abruptly wry at the timing.
Izett laughs softly at Enzo, "With the way you wield those swords, I think we'll keep you for a time..at least." she jokes lightly, "Course after that..we might need to see how fair of a price you'd fetch now that you're older for the circus." laughter in her voice at the joking.
Pascal gives Liam a look that /tries/ to be stern. It fails, mind, by the light smile, before he turns to look at Harold's map. "And we know rather little of the enemy presence there?" he asks. "Do you have any plans for how the scouts would communicate?"
Winter giggles at Liam's comment even if it were not ment for her. She just sits back and listens for the time being. Her gaze moving over the other assembled. Some she is familiar with some she is not.
Taran just watches Harold, face expressionless. "Options exist. What is the situation, Grand Master?"
Liam flashes his bright smile at Winter. Perhaps it /was/ for her. One can never tell!
Celeste offers to Harold, "Since numb nuts here would rather daydream of the circus, I can provide transport for two via air though that clearly doesn't secure anything, but mounting up my pyromaniac cousin or even just being eyes and ears perhaps may grant you some advantage. Possibly." a shrug.
Enzo winks aside to Izett. "Yer too kind. I'm taking quite a shine to the place. An' I always knew I had a future in show business." He fixes Liam with a grin. "If you have to ask you can't afford me." As Harold starts his planning and Celeste addresses him, he stops juggling abruptly, and the daggers flicker out on their way to the ground like blown out matches. "You mean like, off the ground, then?" His brows lift dubiously at Celeste. "Erm..."
Harold hmmmmss at Pascal's question "either runners, or lanterns" he concludes "The landing could have been worse, we made land fall and cleared the field of the zombies, they seem our main foe" A nods is offered Celeste "We may do that, I think a more mundane back up is in order, we can't expect you to spend all your time in the air."
Celeste lifts an eye, "I've never dropped anyone, and..." she whispers softly in Enzo's ear. She then straitens and nods to Harold, "I defer to your requirements, Grand master."
Izett watches as Enzo grows more serious letting the juggling fade away she too moves to stand. Collecting her goblet she walks over toward the table and offers up softly, "There is stirrings in the mists. I am uncertain if they are ghosts or undead. There is too the concern that they may be controlled or influenced from beyond the curtain." she offers up before taking a sip of her wine.
Melina watches and listens as Harold lays the plans 'I have means of communication that could be of some use if i can somehow be kept fairly clear of the thick of the fight
Taran spreads his hands, a dismissing gesture. "Options exist," he repeats quietly. "A conduit, to observe from a distance. A person contactable by book or Trump. A string of runners, if such forms of contact are for whatever reason undesirable. But what is the situation? How urgent the need, what obstacles exist?"
Pascal nods. "This would be good to know first," he agrees before glancing to Melina. "And... I think, if we chose that option, you might do best back here as an informant, to pass on messages."
From out side the tavern a clamor arises. Men are shouting. "ATTACK!" their surprised cries can be heard all over the village.
Celeste snaps promptly to Enzo, "If you're hitching a ride, keep up!" long lets are already carrying her towards the door, though she nudges it open with a foot and peers out, rather than goes bursting out. Assuming she doesn't see any immediate hazard targeting the door, she prepares to step outside.
Enzo sniffs dubiously at a cup of something that hadn't started out as his, before sipping it with a shrug. After nodding his mute agreement to Celeste, he peers at the map over someones shoulder, and chuckles. "That one ridge is shaped kinda like a rabbit if you look at it from this..." But the call of alarm finds him slamming down his cup and heading for the door in abrupt sobriety. Unlike Celeste, he bursts out. Subtly isn't his thing.
Izett sets her goblet down as she hears the call of an attack. She too moves toward an exit, but not the front door. she's heading for the back door. Green eyes turning more serious and seeming to take on that oddness to them as she goes to get a better look about from a less obvious avenue of departing from the tavern.
Taran rises as the call of attack comes, settling his shield on his arm and lowering the visor of his helm. However, he makes no attempt to stop Enzo - rather, the Knight follows but more cautiously, evidently willing to let the lad play miner's canary.
Melina moves to follow izett
Harold slams his fist into the table "Damn them" he storms right out the front door shouting for his horse as he goes. "SQUIRE HORSE!" he barks as he drops the visor on his helm.
Liam is slow to exit behind the onrush of knights and armed men and Enzo and dragons. He is armed, but he doesn't need to directly involved -- yet. Everyone rushes out the door around him.
Pascal keeps near Taran as the call is raised, lifting his staff to be ready to bash in the enemies that are... presumably not within range of it at the moment.
Celeste is out the door and runs to clear horses and people running too and from before stopping and standing still. there's a sudden gruesome symphony as she begins to rapidly swell to several times her size. Her armor seems to absorb into her as she expands and falls to all fours-which are now roughly the same shape as her neck elongates and wings and tail abruptly manifest.
Winter rises from her seat as the alarm is sounded. She remains towards the back of the group with Liam. She too is armed but is cautious.
In the distance a mass of the shambling dead move toward the village. Zombies arm simple creatures, Frontal Assault, overwhelming numbers.
Enzo looks around him, outside, for the direction of the apparent disturbance, or greater disturbance, watching Harold and muttering something about wanting a squire, one day. Unlike most, he is unarmored, aside from that offered by reckless bravado and his worn leather clothing. He takes up a run in that direction, the flashing beacon of a flaming spear already forming in his hand. When he's near enough he takes aim, looking for masses of zombies and hoping to kindle multiples with a toss.
"That would be cheating," Pascal says, following Taran out into the fray. "Let's see what we can do without them first."
Winter looks to Liam "How are they against ice?" She takes Liam's words seriously but still sounds hopeful that she might of some use. The air around her grows colder and mist begins to form around her hand. A blade of ice is then visible in her grasp, looking as strong as any made of steel.
Harold swings into the saddle "Form ranks!" he snarls. "We couldn't stop cattle from entering. Lines!" he shouts. The Footman scramble to form a square. Their Bill's gleaming in the misty twilight.
Izett slips out the back door, whistling for her mount. Her own men at arms she motions toward Melina, "Protect her as if she were me.." before moving to ride off keeping only one of the three with her. Her odd gaze circling around the village seeming to take in the information of where they are coming from, making certain none are coming from another angle or direction. Her head tilting as though listening closely to the surrounding area riding toward the main front of it as viably as possible to be seen by the men acquired from Argent Meadows.
Liam says with the tone of completely and utterly fake authoritative, "I hear that if you can freeze a zombie, it will stop in its tracks! And then you can bash in its head! Then it will die. Messily. It might explode."
Celeste launches into the air with mighty flaps of large wings, kicking up dust and debris as she climbs into the air, circling as she gets a bird's eye view of the situation from above. Noting it is, more or less, your standard zombie attack she doesn't wait for orders to engage but rather swoops down with a mighty roar, talons extended as she seeks to mow down Zombies several at a time-until she begins to loose momentum before flapping mightily to regain altitude-no doubt to repeat.
Enzo calls back to Winter and Liam, between repeated casts of flaming missiles that trail rocket like wakes of smoke behind them, over his shoulder with a grin. "Zombies against ice? Less smelly, at least!" He doesn't join Harold's ranks, lingering back rather to buttress it, plug holes, or provide cover fire as needed.
RPG: Pascal challenges a difficulty of 9. Pascal chooses Wits and the gift SKL-WM. Pascal succeeds.
RPG: Celeste challenges a difficulty of 9. Celeste chooses Wits and the gifts DRG-BS and SKL-TD. Celeste succeeds.
RPG: Enzo challenges a difficulty of 9. Enzo chooses Force and the gifts FIR-WM, LIF-HH, and SKL-AR. Enzo succeeds.
RPG: Melina challenges a difficulty of 9. Melina chooses Wits. Melina almost succeeds.
RPG: Taran challenges a difficulty of 9. Taran chooses Resolve and the gifts GKN-KG and SKL-WM. Taran succeeds.
Taran makes an audible hissing sound as Izett rides past. "We follow her," he says to Pascal. "We cannot fight the tide as well as we might pull down the moon. These creatures have a master - let us find and destroy that one."
RPG: Winter challenges a difficulty of 9. Winter chooses Grace and the gifts ICE-WM and SKL-WM. Winter succeeds.
RPG: Liam challenges a difficulty of 9. Liam chooses Grace and the gift STY-SW. Liam succeeds.
RPG: Izett challenges a difficulty of 9. Izett chooses Wits and the gift SKL-WM. Izett almost succeeds.
Pascal nods his agreement. "A good plan," he agrees as he looks around. "Can you fit me on your horse with you?"
RPG: Harold challenges a difficulty of 9. Harold chooses Force and the gifts GKN-KG, PHY-ST, SKL-AR, SKL-MC, and STY-KN. Harold succeeds.
Celeste 's talons slice, rake, and pierce, sending rotting limbs falling and knocking zombies over like bowling pins, some trip other zombies, others are tramped as more press forward. Celeste regains altitude but surveys again rather than making another pass, looking out over her companions.
Enzo's missiles arc dazzlingly through the night, and where they fall, flaming zombie bit scatter through the air festively! He starts to mix it up. An Axe lobbed to explode through one into another, a hammer that explodes amidst a small group. He rolls his neck and shoulders to limber himself as he warms up, grinning to himself with apparent enjoyment. A careful observer might notice a giggle or two.
The Graal infantry marches forward again, their bootted feet squishing up mud. The Grand Master riding before them. As Celeste strikes Harold points his Axe "Charge!" He spurs Chessy her hooves churn up sod as she slams into the zombie mass, Iron clad hooves churning rotted meat and soggy bones to meal. Harold's Axe rises and falls as he hacks through the foe. The infantry slams in behind expanding the breech bills cleaving rotting appendages.
Izett rides with obvious skill on a very well trained horse. That dagger though remains at her side for the moment seeming to be searching for something as she moves into the mass of attacking zombies. Her horse darting, turning, leaping to avoid attacks and blows from the zombies. Her actions seeming to be primarily defensive and dodging. A cluster of zombies shambling to intercept her causing her to draw her dagger. One thing her horse apparently wasn't trained to deal with though is that of a dragon. At a critical moment when Izett is forced to have to strike with her dagger, the horse spooks at the flying of zombies being tossed about by the dragon. Her dagger drawn, the horse turned quickly for the strike rears seeing the dragon and zombies bowling toward it. The small woman sent air borne off the animal's back with a loud whiny and snort from the animal sending her tumbling with a hard landing into that cluster of zombies that was shambling toward her.
Liam is far in the back of the fighting, stepping just out of the tavern while everyone else charges. He stabs the lone zombie who has made it back this far in the head where it drops and then watches Izett get thrown from her horse. He yells out: "IZETT!" but he's too far away to be effectual -- other than yelling. He's good at yelling.
Taran pushes Pascal toward his horse. "Take the horse!" he says in a commanding tone, and ...charges in. Shield at the ready. blade flashing in the setting light, he just starts *cutting* his way toward Izett. "Ride support, Pascal!" he calls, as he hacks his way toward the lady to stand in her defense - and try to keep her horse from fleeing or panicking.
Winter seems to follow Enzo's example and places herself in a position to fill in gaps and take on any zombies that might make it through Harold's ranks. The air around her cold as she. She turns the blade in her hand and sends it flying into the mists of the zombies, ice glittering in the wake of Enzo's flame. It impales an oncoming zombie through the chest before exploding in a hail of splinters and sharp implements. Another blade appears in her hand and she prepares to take on any further zombies that make it through the ranks.
Pascal nods, hopping up onto the horse as Taran orders, and giving it a firm spur. "Hyah!" he calls out as he rides for the horde around Izett, balancing by holding on tight with his legs, leaving his hands free to swipe his staff at zombies as he goes.
Celeste spies IZett's predicament and veers that way, forgoing the roaring least she spook the horses, but she swoops and more selectively plucks and flings Zombies away into the throng, apparently aiming to assist Taran, PAscal and Izett, wings churning rapidly in short bursts to keep herself hovering near protectively.
Enzo, positioned as he is behind the ranks, has no vantage to see the plights of those who'd charged ahead. He dutifully holds up his fire, conjuring a double headed axe of immense proportions that hacks through one shambling form after another as he helps support the line, enjoying his work with characteristic unwholesome glee. "I got you... AND you... oh, and you want some too!? Here, eat this... I said EAT IT!"
The men cheer as Dragon and Knights do their work. Inspired by the heroic nobles. Harold cleaves his foes hacking with axe, bashing with shield, his armor as does Chessy's drip with rotted flesh and cold blood. The billmen keep pushing fighting to keep their Knight from being engulfed by the hordes of the dead.
Liam looks to his left and his right, and sees the stragglers from inside the Tavern who were left out of the battle. So he steps back a few steps and starts whipping them up into a battle chant -- pots and pans, beating hands on fist, basic beat of stomped feet and chanted words of courage in a fight against the undead that mix with the sounds of fighting and death.
Winter wrinkles her nose at the smell of rotting burning flesh but never the less engages a zombie that has broken through. She spins and dances as she beheads the creature and it's body away with her booted foot. She grins at Enzo and laughs. Splat! her ice blade enters the cranium of another zombie and she rips the ice away with a sickening sound.
Izett rolls to her feet as she hears her name called. In her hand a rather lady like looking dagger, held in a not so delicate fashion. As undead claw at her, she moves trying to dodge. Her horse on the verge of panic with the undeed shambling in to surround her. Those green eyes searching, darting from one to the next as she tries to dodge. Her clothing marred with mud, and streaks of blood from scratches and cuts unchecked. By the time Taran arrives she's rather relieved able to focus on collecting her horse, waving a hand to let her men see she is alright trying to get back up onto her horse.
Taran fights off the zombies until Izett can find her feet, and back onto her horse, taking every ounce of aid that Pascal can give him. Once she's on her horse again, he calls, "We will guard, let us cut the head from this snake!" And then....then he picks up Liam's distant battle chant, calling it back out as he fights, a fierce battle-joy. "Axes flash, broadsword swing,
Shining Armour's piercing ring! Horses run with polished shield, Fight Those Bastards till They Yield!"
Celeste remains protectively near Izett, Taran, and Pascal, but allows herself to regain altitude for another mowing sweep of the foe, which causes a ripple effect-slowing many down even if some get back up.
The Infantry breaks the assault, splitting the dead into two groups Harold shouts order trying to reform his infantry who are setting into pomp up mode.
Liam has discovered that the cook has a delightful bass, and he now has the kitchen staff chanting and stomping a battle chant in three part harmony against a backdrop of undead and carnage.
Izett settles up onto her mount, nodding to Taran, "I'm looking for it.." her dagger sweeping toward a wayward hand, she doesn't hit anything but its hard to say if that is her intent or simply she isn't truly focusing on damaging only deflecting attacks. Glancing toward the air she spots Celeste and then looks out over the hordes of zombies. Her green eyes still holding that odd look to them as she moves her horse picking the best avenue to take off in once more on her search.
Pascal crows as he charges through the zombies around Izett, trampling them under his horse's hooves and crushing other skulls with his staff. He shifts his grip on it ever now and then, to allow better reach. As he does so, he starts chanting alongside Taran, bringing forth his family's gifts a.s he rides up next to Izett
Celeste notes Izett's looking, "Need me to clear a path, baroness?" she rumbles, her voice carrying easily down over the noise of battle.
Chessy rears up her Iron clad hooves flashing . "Where is the necromancer!" he snarls his tone muffled.
Taran keeps up his fierce battle chant as he and Pascal keep Izett's path clear of the undead. Letting her lead, hunting the head of the snake.
Izett surveys the battle field looking rather ticked off, "Woods!" she calls up to Celeste shifting on her horse. Dagger remaining in hand as her mount takes off at a charge, there is a determination about the way she rides, clearly searching for something as she once more takes on that path of dodging, riding around rather than through clusters to give Celeste a chance to clear her a path.
The infantry begin to sweep the remaining Zombies from the Frey. A company marching toward Izett, Taran and Pascal, but seem more then a little freighted of Celeste.
Enzo now has musical accompaniment as he assists chipperly in the mopping, a zombie torso exploding in a fiery blades erupting impalement, and decapitating another. As the ranks of the undead thin out he actively goes about hunting the remaining ones down with a greedy delight for the destruction. "Uh..." he calls in answer to Harold. "What does it look like?"
Winter hurls another blade and it explodes in the face of one of the undead, sending pieces of it's head scattering across the ground. She spins and dodges an attack from her left side and another blade finds it's mark, splat! Some nastiness finds its way spattered into Winter's white hair and a few scratches mar her skin. She doesn't have a lot of flare but she's holding her own.
Pascal grunts, riding off after Izett as she heads for the woods, never staying too far behind.
Taran is left to...run after a charger, in full armor, through a battlefield. At least he's not complaining about it. Perhaps he's just saving his breath for the task at hand.
Celeste lands on several Zombies with sickening crunching of bones and smooching of rotting flesh. Once Landed Celeste takes up directly infront of Izett and begins to simply rend and steamroll forward, flinging, knocking and using her tail and talons to steamroll a path for the baroness, completely offensive and letting her scales protect her from any attempt the Zombies might make to harm her.
The woods are silent, no sign of anyone or any thing. No sign of the Zombies controller.
Liam is whipping up his new chorus into a second refrain. A very enthusiastic second refrain.
Mean while a cheer goes up as the last of the Zombies fall. Now the task of burning these corpses begin. The Bodies and bits are heaped into mounds.
Izett dismounts when she gets to the woods, tossing the reigns back as she gives a soft command to her horse. Not taking any chances with the strange woods injuring her horse. Her horse backing away from the woods as she starts to move into them. Leaving the noise of the battle behind her as she goes in search of the necromancer within the woods.
Pascal frowns, stopping by the edge of the woods. He hops off of his horse and follows Izett in not willing to let the Baroness go alone. "She's likely escaped by now," he says as he nears. "Finding the necromancer in the middle of an attack seems unlikely."
Enzo rests one foot atop a growing heap of zombie remains, drawing his pack of cigarettes and lighting one as he waits to torch the mounds after the infantry do the collecting. "Dead buggers didn't know who they were messing with," he murmurs with satisfaction, cigarette bouncing with the words. He notes that Winter is as gore splattered as he, and helpfully pulls a kerchief from beneath his jack to offer to her. "You, ah, got zombie bits on you."
At least the path is clear, and as a Knight Taran has some training in running around in armor. Even so it takes him a bit to catch up, and he's breathing rather heavily by the time he does. "And...just what...do you think you will be doing with a necromancer that can raise a whole army of corpses, by yourself?" he manages. Then sees Celeste, and...well, shuts up. He does flip her a gauntleted salute.
Harold rides over to Enzo and Winter raising his visor. He picks a bit of brains from his breast plate and flicks them into the fire.
Winter wrinkles her nose again, "Oh ck!" She takes the offered kerchief thankfully, wiping a bit of it from her face. "Thanks." She says to Enzo. The air around her has warmed up again. She looks up at Harold as he approaches, trying to get a bit of the muck out of her hair and failing miserably.
Just mist and trees, not even birds are here. The is no sign of a necromancer.
Liam winds up his little improvisational band on a high note of flowing harmony.
Celeste stalks away from her company and shakes and commences rolling and scooting across the ground, grunting and wiggling as she tries to clean up, apparently.
Izett glances toward Pascal making a 'shushing' motion as she tries to listen. The clanking of Taran's armor marking his arrival as she listens to him start to scold her. A slight smile plays over her features. She doesn't say a word simply looks toward the....Dragon....The Graal Knight..His Cousin..then shakes her head and moves into the woods. Those green eyes still holding that odd look to them as she tilts her head trying to listen studying the lay of the land before her.
Pascal glances to Taran with a wry expression. "very little," he says.
Harold leans forward in the saddle "I am getting damed sick of these attacks" he seethes, then adds as he looks at Winter "Welcome to the Albion Crusade."
Taran raises the visor of his helm, and this time restricts his commentary to a quiet murmur to Pascal before following Izett.
Liam has a beer now. So do the people who work the inn. Now he's leading them on a series of toast-and-gulps of the Brave Knights of the Graal. Hurrah Knights! *drink* We love the Knights! *drink*
Pascal murmurs something to Taran before turning to head back to the tavern.
Enzo is helpfully assisting with a few pats to remove the undead debris from winter, looking abruptly startled. "Oh, yeah! Sorry. Meant to do that before, but... y'know. Zombies." He clears his throat. "Grand Master, Lady Winter. Lady Winter, Grand Master Harold of the Graal Knights."
Winter smiles at Harold "Thank you Grand Master... I hope my presence here isn't a disruption. My aim is to assist where I might. Though what that might be remains to be seen I suppose. How often to these attacks take place?"
Izett moves further into the woods, seeming to be listening and looking for something. She makes a bit of a face as though seeing something offensive even sickening as her skin grows pale. Still she presses on looking for something specific or more to the point listening. Softly she sighs, "Nothing.." she frowns, "Grand Master isn't going to like this.." she states simply.
Taran shakes his head, pausing when she does. "There is nothing to like about the entire mess. But if the trail is cold, we had best return, clean up, dine, and rest. There will be more attacks until the one who sends the dead is dealt with."
Celeste rises and lops after Taran and Izett, surprisingly stealthy for a creature her size.
Izett looks toward Taran, "/That/ is what I was listening for." she huffs softly. Nodding toward Pascal as he is heading back considering for a moment before asking something softly of Taran.
Harold shakes his head "We are glad to have you, and here I thought you only listened to storys in taverns, here you are a part of one."
Izett ndos her head a bit to Taran, "I see. Take my horse..I'll catch a ride with one of my men." she offers motioning to the animal she left by the forest edge. "And thank you.." she glances to both Taran and Celeste, "Both of you. Got a little worried there for a minute."
Winter seems to have met the Grand Master already as they converse, though she does smiles at Enzo as he introduces her anyway. "Hopefully that will be a good thing."
Taran shakes his head. "I will walk; fair consequence of my choices. Perhaps Lady Celeste will walk with me, unless she feels a need to stretch her wings. The night sky is likely far more pleasant with a dearth of zombies below."
Celeste's long neck twists and her head twists around, "Certainly. should I get down to size, Sir Taran?"
Enzo reaches out to flick a bit of zombie guts off Harold's armor. He seems chuffed enough to have rremembered the introductions, even if they were unnecessary. "Well, if ye'll both excuse, I'm off for a bath and some alcohol to get the zombie stench out of my nose. Good fighting with you again, Sir Harold. I'll talk to you, soon, Winter."
Taran blinks at Celeste. "I believe you should be comfortable, my lady," he says simply, as if surprised she would ask.
Harold raises a hand in salute to Enzo.