Asheryn, a Gyrfalcon arrives, following Rickard.

The Gray Forest stretches for miles in every direction. The small barony of Highstone took severe losses, and these lands have been afflicted by raiders as a result. On the way here, whether they've arrived by sea and then by land, or overland and by river, the Crimson Blades would have passed by areas of devastated and blighted forest, and small isolated settlements and homes, many of them abandoned, some of them looted and burned.

The hamlet of Three Stones itself is a small thing, a few clustered houses, most of them wooden, atop a very gentle, rocky hill, at the center of a wide clearing in the woods. The cleared area is mostly occupied by farmland, with a few houses scattered away from the fields and nearer the forest. To the south, the hill falls abruptly to a wooded valley, and the treeline is very close to the homes.

The reports vary, but there have been isolated homes raided nearby, and troops have been sighted in the woods. Shavs or bandits or both, no one's quite sure. Some people speak of a 'horde' but more reasonable reports suggest at group of at most a hundred displaced tribals and fugitives turned to banditry. It's hard to say.

The village itself is undefended, there's a militia of a little over a couple of dozen stout villagers with farming implements. One has an actual spear and a leather helmet. Another has a crude iron-shod club that he calls a mace. That's about it.

Tobias checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 24 higher.

Tobias checked command + teaching at difficulty 20, rolling 3 higher.

Tobias checked command + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

The young Lady arrives a short while after the procession of mercenaries. Although she was here to present herself to the leader of the Crimson Blades, when she dismounted Ari took her time. Speaking with some of the Blades and striking up small talk, encouraging them to keep up their hard work and promising drinks after. Wandering through the area in polished thigh high boots, black form fitting leather pants, an onyx colored silk blouse, elegant looking leather gloves and a navy blue captains coat with gold trim - the young woman struck up quite the figure. After being given the location of the Crimson Blades leader she saunters over to him. Clearing her throat and waiting for him to finish him business. "Tobias is it? Lady Arianna, here to inquire about your band of mercenaries and whether there might be room for one more?"

With the Compact rebuilding and people just starting to stabilize their domains, it was only a matter of time before the Crimson Blades were hired to handle protection in one of the more devastated regions. So it was that Three Stones was given over to their protection.

A company of fifty heavy infantry and light infantry scouts was hired at an urgent pace, and sent ahead with some Engineers to handle initial work. Tobias was only a few days late after that, and upon arrival promptly took command. Watchtowers, patrols and watches, and a steady training regime for the few militia volunteers is established in short order. A clearing is made for the command camp, with Tobias spending most of his time in the command tent at the war tent, when he's not handling drills for the town militia.

All is going smoothly, for the most part, when Arriana is escorted into the hamlet and over to the command tent. Clad in his blood red armor and with a flowing crimson cape with Blades sigil on the back of it, his left hand idles on the scabbarded sword hilt at his waist. "Lord General Tobias Telmar. Lord General for short, My Lady." Tobias narrows his eyes slightly at her, and looks her over in appraisal. "Room for one more... are you looking to join the defense of this hamlet, or are you talking about our organization?"

Violet is out on patrol with some of the other Crimson Blades, and she is just doing what she can to make sure there's nothing to be concerned about. She has her bow with her and wears her normal armor.

"Forgive me Lord General, I will not make the same mistake twice. As for my intentions well both. I would like to help defend this hamlet and I would also be interested in joining your organization. There is opportunity for adventure and I am very much a fan of martial pursuits. Despite my slender physique I assure you I am quite capable of taking care of myself." Her smile is a slow one, though her eyes seem to convey a sense of cold determination. "My House is fully aware of the details and I have no qualms from the head of house being the Voice and all. I truly am blessed to forge my own path."

Violet checked perception + war at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

The placement of the towers is carefully chosen to get a good view of the ample clearing and the woods just beyond, though the trees grow too dense to get a good view. It would be possible for the enemy to creep very close to the hamlet without being spotted, particularly on the southern side. Though from that angle they'd have an uphill battle to get to the hamlet proper.

There are no reports yet from the scouts on the fringes of the hamlet, no sign of an enemy presence yet. It is still warm here, but a cool breeze rustles the trees and the fields, and a few birds sing as they flit around.

The villagers are hard at work in their training, without much success. Not that there's anything wrong with the training, but these are farmers, so it might take a while to drill them into anything resembling a fighting force. Still, by now they manage to hold their weapons, more or less properly, even if they can't actually swing them yet. One or two seem to be naturals at it, and there's a village elder who seems to command the respect of her peers, even if she can't fight very well.

There's no way any of the hamlet goers could train to be on the level of any of the Crimson Blades within a reasonable timeframe, so Tobias isn't expecting miracles. Content with the current schedule of matters, Tobias gives Arianna a nod, before he gestures to one of the seats near the map table, "I don't mind a decent warrior for the defense of this hamlet, but keep in mind we have our own tactics and strategies. I'd consider you an auxillary for now. If you want to get involved with us... it's a large commitment of time, energy, and loyalty, and you'll be required to pass an initiation to see if you have what it takes to start the training process. We can handle that once the initial raids are dealt with here." Tobias raises a brow, "Is that acceptable?"

Violet looks around here and there. She turns her head at the sound of some birds singing, but she doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary. Everything looks just fine to her.

Suddenly, a couple of small figures appear out of the treeline, running towards the area Violet's patrolling. One appears to be a man, the other, much smaller, a child. They are wearing coarse clothes, and the older man a crude fur vest of sorts, looking more like a wild tribal than one of the local farmers. The man has a spear in hand, but he doesn't seem to be wielding it as a weapon. It could be a ruse, but it seems more of a walking stick.

The young woman taps her lips as if she is in thought, then a sheepish grin adorns her delicate features. "Well of course, this is the very definition of acceptable Lord General." Without further ado, she gives him a respectful dip of her head and will take one of the seats near the map table. Gracefully sitting down and crossing her legs, ever so lightly kicking her feet up and down. Peering over to what she could see her inquisitive little nature told her to try and make sense of it. No doubt the markings and such were for coordinating the defense of the hamlet. Leaning back in her seat she covers her mouth and lets out a soft sigh.

Without another word, Tobias turns back to the war table, moves a piece, then starts to walk out of the command tent. "Then you may consider yourself a guest. I'd recommend staying in our defense perimeter for now." Tobias heads for Oak, his War Horse, hops on, and starts a full sweep on the hamlet with his retinue of six bodyguards on horseback behind him.

Violet is surprised to see the child and man appear. She lifts her bow slightly without pointing right at them. She glances around to make sure there's no one else. She watches to see what they'll do.

It seems that Violet is the nearest person between the hamlet and the stretch of woods they ran out of, so the pair continues to run straight towards her, more or less, weaving left and light as the terrain demands it, to go around a small ditch here and a cluster of boulders a little further along. They're not running very fast, with the other man setting the pace, hand in hand to tug the child along. He's got a solid grip on his spear, but appears to limp very slightly, which may explain its use as a staff.

Coming closer, both are furs in leather and coarse cloth, and appear rather dirty and haggard, their stride faltering slightly in exhaustion as they wander close. "There's a band! They caught us. They caught us - they're coming for the village!" the man calls out.

Had begun to grow bored at the Command tent so out she went. With a flurry of motion she was hastily making her way around the camp. Not without taking notice, of course, of all the faces. The men and women of the Crimson Blades seemed a determinant type, and that meant well for this hamlet. When she hears the distant ruckus, her eyes light up with excitement. "Joy, something is happening and I do hope it's interesting. Oh surely it is, come now Ari." Talking to herself in a low tone she will hop on her horse and look for whomever was yelling, the high back of the horse offering an excellent vantage point.

Violet holds her bow with one hand while she uses the other to signal the others nearby with her horn. She still watches the man and his spear and then gets her bow ready. "We'll do what we can. Everyone get ready."

As the horn is blown, Tobias looks in that direction, before he goes into a gallope towards the barracks tent, "1st infantry, form a phalanx in that direction. Archers, to position behind. 3rd squad scouts, spread out and set a perimeter. If you see anything coming from another direction, signal." Tobias then turns his horse and heads for the edge of the hill Violet and her squad was patrolling around, watching his people get to work.

"They let us go." the older man says as he comes nearer to Violet's patrol, looking a little wary of the strangers. The boy is held close to his side as he grips the spear. "They said you have to leave. You have to leave and the village has got to pay up. They want food for the winter and all the silver they have, or else they'll burn the village." he coughs out. Seeing the soldiers come out of the village, he frowns and shakes his head, "They don't want to fight you, they just want you to leave." he insists.

Arriving shortly after the conversation between the Lord General, Lt. Violet and this man in furs - she stands by in silence. Dismounting her horse and patting the black mare on it's side. Giving it a smirk and saying a few hushed words in Northlands Shav, she will move closer to the Lord General. Prepared to lend her aid in any way possible. Though of course, not without his explicit approval as the young lady did not want to anger him for interfering.

"If they want food and silver from citizens of the Compact, they can swear fealty and join as Prodigals. As it is, we have no obligation to give Abandoned anything but our spears if they press the issue." Tobias states in ni uncertain terms. "This hamlet is protected by the Crimson Blades. I wish them luck in getting through our defense." Tobias pulls out Requiem, his alaricite longsword, as he talks. "Do they have a representative nearby we can talk to, or are they planning to just rush us?"

Violet lets Tobias talk with the man, but she doesn't seem like she'll be leaving. She keeps her bow ready for if she needs it.

The older man turns his craggy face to Tobias and grimaces, "M'Lord, they just told me to tell you to leave. They've been watching. You - you have to leave, m'Lord, please. They have my other son and my daughter and, they have others too, from outside the village! They'll kill them, m'Lord, and all they want's some food." he pleads with Tobias, head shaking as he looks back over his shoulder. "They've got a chief but I don't know if they'll talk to you. Ask - ask the village folk if they'll pay. They know me. They know my sons. They know Old Gelmund, too. They got him."

"Our contract is to protect this hamlet. If the hamlet residents themselves decide to pay ransoms, that's their decision." Tobias gives to the man, before he looks to Violet, "Violet, go and tell Cleva that I'm requesting her presence at this location." Tobias then looks to the old man, "The Crimson Blades will not leave. If the hamlet goers themselves don't pay for your children, the Baron may be interested in a rescue contract."

Violet nods to Tobias and heads off to find Cleva and tell her that she's requested.

The young Lady clearly had her own thoughts but said nothing. Staring at the man and the young boy with little to no empathy on her beautiful visage. Circumstances like this were commonplace and if these people hadn't learned how to protect themselves. They were sheep, and sheep were led to the slaughter. Removing one of her leather gloves she checks her nail polish, blowing off some lint which had made it's way into her glove. Sliding the thing back on she rocks back on her heels and whistles a jaunty little tune.

Cleva's in the village, a tall gray-haired woman full of vim and vigor, in a simple peasant dress with the skirt gathered up and the sleeves rolled to the elbows while she practices. She's currently trying to stab a practice bale of hay with a pitchfork as part of her combat drills perhaps. But once Violet tells her she's being summoned, she quickly agrees to come.

Meanwhile, the old man frowns as he hears Tobias's response. There's a glimmer of hope in his eyes, but he remains troubled, leaning heavily on his spear as he rubs a hand across his face. "I don't know if that's enough, m'Lord. Maybe it is? They said you had to leave. I think they're afraid you'll attack them when they come fetch the ransom."

"We're here to protect the hamlet. As long as they have respect and are clearly not hostile, I'll allow a representative near with no weapons and no warriors following them. I have zero patience for raiders." Tobias states firmly.

Violet returns back to the others with Cleva. She shows little emotion as she returns. She's just here to do her job.

"I'm just telling what they told me to say, m'Lord." the older man lowers his eyes, speaking in a quiet voice, and squeezes the shoulder of the boy at his side. "That you are to go away or else." he repeats.

Cleva arrives, looking confused, bright eyes staring at Tobias then at the man. "Frayne? What are you doing there, then? And the boy? What happened?"

To which the old man quickly replies, "They want ransom, Cleva. And silver. They've got my elder and my Erline. They say they'll burn the village if these folk don't leave."

"My answer stands." Tobias then looks to Cleva. "We were hired to protect this hamlet, and that's exactly what we're going to do. I requested your presence here so you can talk it over with the rest of the people here. If your people want to pay ransoms to raiding Abandoned for this, nothing in my contract prevents me from allowing that, so that's your decision... but my recommendation is to talk to the Baron about hiring us for an assault contract for a rescue, instead, if these raiders won't become prodigals."

Leta GM Roll checked wits(3) at difficulty 1, rolling 16 higher.

"You know we can't, Frayne! What'll we eat?" Cleva sighs, giving the old man a sympathetic look, "You know the crops weren't good this year, with all the young folk off to war. We can't spare it, not for raiders. Not without asking the Baron, and how long will that take?"

Frayne, as Cleva called him, hangs his head and lifts his eyes to Tobias. "They're watching, m'Lord. A rescue? Everyone'll be dead. Everyone. And they have Old Gelmund, too..." he tries to convince Cleva, and while the woman clearly feels for the man, her head just shakes.

Arianna had ceased her whistling shortly before Cleva arrived. Standing there with her hands behind her back, thise sky blue orbs bored into the woman. Picking apart her every move, trying to understand her motivations and whether she would back down from this obvious bit of extortion. Hard decisions to be had no doubt but there were leaders here who had to do the tough bit o' work at this point and time. Arianna would do what she was told, but in her heart of hearts she hoped things would resolve amicably - well...profitably.

Arianna checked wits at difficulty 1, rolling 29 higher.

Violet checked wits at difficulty 1, rolling 13 higher.

Tobias checked wits at difficulty 1, rolling 11 higher.

As they're told they're being watched, Tobias turns to Arianna. "Yell this out for me, if you're a diplomat; I know you're watching. If you want me to take you seriously, send an unarmed representative over here to discuss the matter. You can have a small retinue of people if you'd like, and you'll have our promise you won't he harmed as long as you are clearly not hostile." Tobias waits a beat, "Say that in our language and theirs. Let's see what happens."

Arianna checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 22, rolling 36 higher.

When the others were talking Arianna's eyes were on the man with the spear. There was a tenseness in his posture, the way his knuckles were tightening on the spear. While they had been talking her eyes darted around suspiciously. Once she realized he was going to strike, in a single quick stride she unsheathes Ysgramor and slashes the wrist holding the spear. The redsteel dagger rips into his flesh and severs the tendon in one clean slash. "Lord General, he was going to strike!" Her eyes had grown cold and her expression was a grim one. Spinning the dagger in her palm so that the blade pointed down for better leverage she waited for the onslaught that might ensue.

Without wasting a moment, Tobias points to the man with the spear with his sword. "Drop it, or my archers will turn you into an arrow pincushion." Tobias growls out.

It was a sudden flurry of motion, Arianna just acted first. By the time she actually strikes, it's obvious the man was starting to raise his spear, so the move seems slightly less of an unjustified strike. The attack, whatever it was, is immediately aborted by the cut, and he yells out. By the time Tobias yells, the spear's already droping to the ground, and Frayne is clutching at his wrist. Released, the boy at his side screams in surprise and starts running off, apparently for the village.

Without wasting a moment, Tobias points to the man with the spear with his sword. "On your knees, or my archers turn you into a pincushion." Tobias growls out. Then the boy runs, and Tobias sighs.

Arianna checked luck + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Violet checked luck + dodge at difficulty 10, rolling 2 higher.

Tobias checked luck + dodge at difficulty 10, rolling 2 higher.

Arrows suddenly streak the sky, coming from the edge of the woods, to land among the line of gathered troops and the small group around Tobias. There aren't that many, though. One or two of the Crimson Blades lined up on the field are injured by stray arrows, but it seems the enemy doesn't have a lot of archers with enough range to really wreak havoc. It seems no one will be fighting in the shade today.

Tobias checked command + war at difficulty 20, rolling 23 higher.

Arianna checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 30, rolling 4 lower.

Violet checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 16 higher.

Violet looks toward the trees and notices some movement. With some of the archers spotted she aims her bow toward one of them and shoots. It's a fairly good shot as she seems to hit her target. She quickly grabs another arrow.

Leta GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + archery(2) at difficulty 26, rolling 6 higher.

If anyone could be considered a professional, it would be Tobias. The man doesn't flinch from the arrows, bringing his shield up to shield himself instead. "Archers, fire at will! 1st infantry, move up in phalanx formation and flush them out of the forest! Crimson Blades, time to do your job!" The old man and Cleva get a look, "Get to cover, we'll handle this."

Arianna dashes off to the right side of the arrow fire. Trying to flank the enemy she crouches down low and tries to duck behind tree cover when she can. Although admittedly she was fast and graceful about it, the young lady was making quite a bit of ruckus. Tradeoffs. Believing that her enemy was wholly occupied with their attempted reloading, she may have come out of cover too quickly. Peering through the treeline from her new position, she tried to scope out routes between the trees.

The Crimson Blades form up and are able to advance in good order behind their shields across the fields. They are being pelted by a few arrows, but nothing that seems to slow them down. There just aren't enough enemy archers, it seems, though the closer they get to the trees, the more arrows rain on them. Behind them, on Tobias's orders, the archers send a rain of arrows into the forest. One raider falls from the branches of his tree with a yell, Violet's arrow buried in his chest, but otherwise all seems relatively quiet.

Cleva is already running after the boy, trying to catch him and herd him across the village. Frayne, however, has fallen to his knees, and doesn't seem to want to get up. "They're dead. They're dead. Tannar, Erline..." he sobs, and bleeds.

Tobias checked luck + dodge at difficulty 9, rolling 16 higher.

Arianna checked luck + dodge at difficulty 14, rolling 6 higher.

Tobias checked command + war at difficulty 20, rolling 51 higher.

Violet checked luck + dodge at difficulty 9, rolling 22 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 28 higher.

As the movement in the forest starts to turn chaotic, Tobias seems to have no careful maintaining careful control of the situation and turning it back into order. As the phalanx of infantry presses into the forest and starts to force archers out of their hiding positions, Tobias points in the direction of the exposed archer with his sword from horseback, "Archers, fire." More are flushed out, "Fire." As another set of archers try to flank around the Phalanx, "1st infantry, turn to your left and push the hostiles towards us. Archers, once they're in the open, fire."

Violet dodges any arrows that come her way and keeps her eyes on the archers in the trees. She aims yet again at another archer and lets her arrow fly. Without hesitation she grabs another arrow and sends an arrow toward the next archer she sees.

Arianna checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

The Crimson Blades manage to march in perfect formation across the field under Tobias's direction, until they reach the shadow of the trees. It becomes obvious some of the archers are up on the branches (two less as Violet's arrows strike true), while others are scattered along the treeline, on the forest floor. They really don't seem to want to engage the mercenaries in hand to hand combat, and most start to run off back into the woods. A few appear to be trying to circle around the clearing, but Tobias has his archers rain arrows on these, and they seem to scatter as well.

A horn sounds from the village. The scouts placed along the perimeter warn of an apparently small group on foot approaching from the south, climbing the hill towards the hamlet.

"All you people need to do is swear yourself to the Compact and you could avoid all of this. Instead, you're being picked off one by one." Tobias yells out, then.. "1st Infantry, pull back and secure the perimeter. 1st Archers section one, you're with me. Section two, stay here and support 1st infantry." Tobias starts to gallop Oak over to the barracks, "2nd Infantry, to the southern perimeter and shield wall. Archers, take position and fire when you have a clear shot." Tobias orders as he heads for the southern perimeter himself.

Tobias checked luck + dodge at difficulty 5, rolling 19 higher.

Tobias checked command + war at difficulty 30, rolling 1 lower.

Violet checked luck + dodge at difficulty 5, rolling 26 higher.

Violet checked perception + archery at difficulty 15, rolling 41 higher.

Arianna checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Most of the archers that had been harrassing the Crimson Blades appear to have scattered into the woods, some fleeing, some possibly trying to relocate themselves to assist the attack from the south.

They are climbing up the hill, a good few dozen warriors on foot for now, mostly in light Shav leathers and furs, though a few seem to be wearing heavier pieces of armor possibly looted from Compact soldiers. There's no real discipline there at the moment, but they are fierce, and launch themselves towards the outskirts of the village with loud battle cries and weapons loudly banging against their shields to strike fear into the heart of the defenders.

The Crimson Blades follow their orders from Tobias, though there's some poor cordination at some point, and the infantry above does not immediately occupy the higher ground, giving the opponents enough time to reach the edge of the village before the archers are all in place. Violet, however, in the meanwhile, finds the perfect spot to rain arrows on the assailants below.

Tobias checked command + leadership at difficulty 21, rolling 19 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Tobias checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 39 higher.

Arianna checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 35 higher.

Leta GM Roll checked command(4) + leadership(3) at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Violet makes her way with some of the archers toward the hamlet when she notices some large rocks. She walks toward them and finds a good one to shoot from. She can easily see the enemy below her and she gets her arrow ready before letting it go at the right moment.

Orders have been given, now it'll take time for the shield wall to get into place... so Tobias hops off his horse with a loud *CLANK*, as the blood red rubicund suit slams into the ground. The wind behind to flow around the crimson cape Tobias wears as his alaricite blade is flouished, and his shield situated. The heavily armored behemoth that is Tobias clanks his way into melee range, and starts to wordlessly start to lay into the invaders, "If you value your lives, run. Right now. I have no patience for you children playing at war."

The young woman watches the enemy archers begin to flee. While they were retreating she was a firm believer in kicking the enemy while he was down. You don't want them to come back, no no no. You want them to remember how much they had to pay so they don't ever want to cross you again. At the end of the day it was an important lesson to impart and she would do so. The problem with fleeing is your back is exposed to your enemy, at least this guy. Grabbing him by the hair, twisting and running her blade along his neck Arianna steps past him as he falls. Sidestepping the mess she begins looking for her next foe.

Tobias wields Requiem - an elegant, alaricite longsword with a spiral guard.

The band of raiders continues to charge up the hill, and upon reaching the small hamlet, roaring, they start attacking some of the mercenaries they find watching the outskirts before these have time to retreat behind the infantry, spilling some Crimson blood with their own blades.

There are more bandits pouring out of the woods, but they're being decimated by the arrows raining down from above, particularly from Violet's perch, cutting down the reinforcements as they struggle uphill. Yet they are urged onward by a particularly large axe-wielding warrior in a steel cuirass and leathers, perhaps their war leader, who manages to keep the attack going even under fire, and directs a number of attackers towards Tobias, though that alaricite sword easily slices through their light armor as though it was little more than cloth.

In the woods further away from the hamlet, one enemy scout is cut down by Arianna's blade, the death going unnoticed for now. There are more, some still fleeing, some moving to join the others on the attack against the hamlet.

Meanwhile, a small handful of the ragtag village militia, embolded by their training, has taken up pitchforks and threshing flails and a sword pilfered from the Blades, and have decided to join the defense, since the infantry shield isn't there yet! "Chaaaaaaaarge!" says the only villager with a helmet.

Tobias checked command + intimidation at difficulty 25, rolling 18 higher.

Whatever Tobias is yelling seems to shake the enemies slightly, but they only hesitate a little. The bloodlust and the roaring of their comrades and their leader behind them keeps them coming for now.

Tobias checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 19 higher.

Arianna checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 22 higher.

Tobias checked command + leadership at difficulty 21, rolling 8 higher.

Leta GM Roll checked command(4) + leadership(3) at difficulty 25, rolling 34 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 4 higher.

Violet wields Red Bow.

For anyone else, it might be a dance... but Tobias is simply brutally efficient with his movements and attacks. There is no showing off, no flash. He clanks up to each invader in turn, let's the armor take the bigger hits as he waits for an opening, and runs the offending party through like a hot knife through butter.

For now, he doesn't tell the militia to stop. Instead, Tobias simply makes sure they're kept alive.

The young Lady has broken off on her attack, fleeing men were fun to take down sure. Though the ones moving to reposition were tactically more of an issue. Engaging a small group of three she spins low, cutting the acheles tendon of the first man. Rising quickly after and bringing her blade down between neck and collarbone. It slid through his heart quickly and she deftly stepped after the next man. Each of her kills was fast and clean, Arianna didn't want to expend anymore of her precious little stamina than she had to. Not a warrior but more of skirmisher, her redsteel flashed out again and again until it was stained with ichor.

Violet turns her attention to the one who appears to be the leader. She aims her bow toward him and shoots toward him. She watches to see if she hits him. It does hit him but not enough to take him down.

By now, the infantry reserves have managed to maneuver themselves into position. The terrain of the village isn't ideal for shield wall tactics, so they have to push back the raiders before they are able to form up at the top of the hill. Tobias's presence nearby keeps them steely under pressure, and they manage to hold back the foe, though they are forced to spend some of their numbers just to protect the militia. The militia holds. Just barely, but they hold, particularly with the Crimson Blades nearby to take the brunt of the enemy's assault.

The apparent leader takes an arrow to the arm and roars, falling back a step and clutching his arm, but he continues to urge the forces onward and up the hill. At least now they seem to have stalled. They can't advance against the Crimson Blades, but they aren't being pushed back yet.

A few straggler archers were joining the fray, placing themselves on the flank shoot arrows at the defenders. But Arianna's killed a few, and they've noticed. A couple decide to chase after the Lady killing their comrades, but the rest flee, and provide no assistance to the attackers.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 12 higher.

Arianna has rolled a critical success!
Arianna checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 35, rolling 26 higher.

Tobias checked command + war at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Leta GM Roll checked command(4) + leadership(3) at difficulty 50, rolling 6 higher.

Tobias checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

Violet stays focused on her goal. She shoots yet another arrow toward the leader. She seems satisfied as another arrow hits him.

The infantry wall is in place, so the pressure is off a bit. Now that a line of chainmailed mercenaries is holding the position, Tobias gestures to the archers, "Those archers in range, support the Lady Arianna. The rest of you, keep firing." Tobias then walks over to the shield wall, and starts to direct their movement and spear thrusts. Three paces, thrust, three paces, thrust. it's a slow, deliberate pace designed to force the enemy back from a position. While they push, Tobias continues to cut down stragglers that aren't contained.

Lady Arianna saw the other attackers take note of their fallen comrades. Slowing down her brisk jog to a slight trot, the young woman counted the enemy. A slow smirk touched her lips as she twirled the dagger in her fingers. "Oh really? You lot, coming to deal with little ole me? That /is/ something." Winking at the first guy she ducked under a swing, sidestepped another slash and threw her dagger. It buried itself in one of her attackers eyes. Rolling past the other attack she grabs her dagger from the dead mans orbital socket in time to parry an incoming blow meant to take her head off.

Another arrow finds the leader of the raiders, Violet's bow speeding a shaft that avoids that steel cuirass and finds a chink at its edge. The point splits links of chain mail and leather to sink deep into the large soldier's shoulder. He staggers, and is forced to hold on to his great axe with both hands, but continues to bellow out orders of encouragement. They just sound weaker now, as if he's struggling to breathe, and don't quite carry as far across the battlefield.

However, the enemy's starting to falter. They haven't broken yet. Their chief is still standing there, surviving all these arrows. Some are inspired by this. Some are starting to see the tide of battle turn against them. They aren't fleeing, but the attack against the shield wall has slowed down, and the tide of warriors that was rolling up the hill has begun to ebb. There are no more warriors coming out of the woods by now, on the contrary.

Above, there are some losses among the militia, and some losses among the Crimson Blades, but they do not falter, and the shield wall dutifully follows their orders, advancing methodically on Tobias's command.

A few scouts are dispatched below, rushing with bow in hand to join Arianna in cleansing the edge of the woods of the remaining raider bowmen, and freeing the defenders from the threat of arrows from that flank.

Arianna checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 35 higher.

Tobias checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 35 higher.

Tobias checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

Violet checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 4 higher.

Step step step, thrust. Step step step, thrust. Slow, methodical, smooth. Tobias keeps the pace as he both keeps watch on the flanks of the shield wall, and deals with any attackers that refuse to back down and try to get through the wall. "Get the fuck off of this hill. NOW." Tobias bellows after a few more seconds.

Violet stays focused as she shoots yet another arrow the leader's way.

The men were really killing themselves, they made it easy. They lacked discipline and couldn't coordinate their assault. It was easy enough to make them collide with one another and take advantage of other openings. Slashing a throat here, impaling someone in the heart there. Ysgramor drank deeply today and Arianna was delighted. A slow smile creeped upon her visage while she worked. Every man felled seeming to cause her more excitement, until of course they turned to flee yet again. Sighing, the young Lady stands there and watches them go. Pacing while she slowly caught her breath. If any were foolish to come within reach, she would make sure to show him the door to the next life.

Violet's third arrow does it. It hits the leader's unprotected thigh, and he falters, legs starting to bend under him. He stumbles and begins to fall, and the bandits around him have to try to support him to keep him from hitting the ground. He's not quite dead, but he's definitely incapacitated. The axe has fallen from his hand, and another warrior has to pick it up and carry it.

Seeing their leader down, a horn sounds, rising above the hamlet and the forest, and the band begins to retreat. A few flee, running into the woods in disarray, particularly those who were fighting closer to Tobias, running as he yells at them and seems to maneuver that deadly, terrifying alaricite with such ease. Even for those that might not understand the words, that sword is scary enough.

As Tobias's shield wall continues its measured advance, the bulk of the enemy forces, however, manage to remain together and help some of their wounded along as they retreat into the safety of the woods. At least it's not a rout. Of those few who fled in terror, part ends at the tip of Arianna's dagger in the shadows of the forest, aided by the Crimson Blades archers.

Arianna checked luck + dodge at difficulty 10, rolling 2 lower.

Tobias checked luck + dodge at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Violet checked luck + dodge at difficulty 10, rolling 21 higher.

Leta has rolled a critical success!
Leta checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Arianna takes an arrow to the shoulder, thankfully some of her armor aborbs the shot.

Arianna takes serious damage.

As the enemy retreats, they are still coordinated enough to attempt to cover their departure with a scattered rain of arrows.

As the enemy retreats, Tobias brings up a rag from a satchel, unhooks his shield, and begins to wipe off the alaricite blade... and sheathes it. He looks then to the archers, "Crimson Blades, stand down. Archers, make sure they don't get near the hill again." Tobias looks to the Major assigned to this company as the second in command under him in the shield wall. "Major, I want a full damage and casualty assessment for both us and Three Stones by tomorrow. I also want any of our property the villagers salvaged returned to our camp depot." Tobias gives a nod to the militia, "Some of your training helped there, but don't do that again for a while. We'll work on getting you taught the basics." With that, Tobias gets onto Oak, and starts to head over to the command tent.

Not to be overwhelmed by the arrow, she groaned and laughed. Taking a deep breath and snapping the shaft of the arrow. Looking down at the wound without saying anything else, she tugs her coat closed some more to hide the injury. The blood that hits the ground gets a look before she kicks some dirt over it. Turning to look at the men with a smirk,"It was nothing eh? Not an engagement until someone takes a proper injury now eh?" Slapping one of the men on the cheek she turns to stride off towards the others. Once she has regrouped she finishes cleaning off her redsteel blade and will speak to the Lord General about that initiation.