Thread: Stranger things.....(Razgriz x Lady Bloody Ava)

Many had mourned the passing of Sir Lucius Beauregard II, a man of seemingly infinite wisdom and a role model for the more 'scholarly' type of people. Abel had attended his funeral, along with Trystram and the other Knights of the Inner Circle though he was no real influence on Abel's life, the young boy was still saddened by his passing. He didn't understand if this man had tried to negotiate peace, why would they intentionally provoke a war? From what Abel had heard, he and the Elven emissary had slain each other at the same time, as their bodies were found with the dagger of the other in their heart. When he asked his master of what was going to happen next, the response was simple and to the point War. Abel, for one of the few times of his life, grew afraid not for his own life, but the life of Trystram, the man who had taken him in from the dirty streets and made him into the boy he was today. Abel and Trystram stepped up their training with how desperate Trystram imagined the war becoming, he wanted his Squire to be as ready as he could possibly be. After all, most Squires followed their masters into the heat of battle, playing a vital support role of bringing them equipment and watching for enemies coming from their flanks. Besides, there was only so much being lectured at and fights with wooden blades could actually teach a young mind in this respect, the humans were not unlike the Orcs. Their training for the right to be called a warrior was not quite as rigorous as that of the Orcs, but it was most certainly a brutal trial, both physically and mentally. After a particularly trying session of swordplay and technique, Trystram and his young charge sat down, both breathing heavily. Young Abel was getting better all the time, but he still needed much training in order to become a true master of the sword. He was only just under a year into his period as a Squire, there was no possible way Abel was ready for the horrors ad tribulations of war. Trystram allowed himself to catch his breath, then said, Abel...... The young boy looked at his master, wondering what was going through his mind. Abel, as I'm sure you're aware, war is upon us. There is a good chance we will get called into service, for we - the Knights of the Inner Circle - are the last line of defense for this Kingdom. Above all else, our duty is to protect these people. Abel nodded and replied, Sir, I understand and should that time come, I will do what I must to ensure our victory. Trystram shook his head, No, Abel, you will not. You are not ready yet for this. He then grabbed the boy's hand and said, Should I fall in battle, Abel, I want you to run. Run as fast as you can and don't look back Abel was speechless after all this talk of honor and dignity, now his master was telling him to abandon it? To say the poor boy was confused was an understatement. Richard meanwhile, met with Samael and Ulthane Black, his messengers having acquired the assistance of several mages to be escorted not only here, but to other towns as well the weapon originally meant to deal with Orc marauders would now be re-purposed to aid the humans in the fight against their enemy. Richard asked to see the completed tool Samael, the youngest of the Black Brothers, un-slung a gigantic tube - nearly four feet in length, possessing a glowing ruby on one end, over which hung a weirdly placed hook, and a handle grip towards the opposite - from his back and laid it on the table before the King. Samael's green-gray hues looked at the King as Richard examined the strange weapon with much curiosity just what was this supposed to do? Ulthane let out a hearty chuckle as he replied, clapping a heavy hand on young Samael's shoulder, Yeah, ya can thank meh younger brother here for the idea. I might be a fair swing with tha hammer, but he....he's got the right stuff in that oversized mead jug of his. Hahahaha. Samael flushed he often did when his older sibling put the praise on him too thickly. He knew he was nothing like Ulthane standing at just over five feet, his body resembled one that was severely malnourished. Which wasn't true he ate plenty, but he never really put on any weight. This was evidenced by the lack of characteristic eyeshadows and sunken sockets his hair black as a raven's feathers, shone with much brilliance against firelight, yet more evidence of its health and virility. Richard just shook his head and replied, I'm sorry, but what is this supposed to do? Ulthane then turned to Samael, each looking at the other with slight bewilderment, before both then burst out laughing. Richard's fists clenched how dare they mock him! If they weren't the ones supplying his army with what they needed, he'd have both strung up in the racks for this outrageous behaviour. Oh, come now, Yer Majesty! Ya can't be that thick in the head, can ya? the red-haired giant then said, wiping a tear of laughter from his right eye with a thick digit. I'm a King, Ulthane, not a blacksmith. I don't have the prowess that you and your brother possess. Samael too managed to calm down himself and added, Apologies, Your Highness, but we often forget that little truth. Essentially, it's a downsized cannon, but none of the firepower is sacrificed. The King slapped his hand on the table, Impossible! A cannon is an unwieldy device, requiring several men or a team of horses to drag into position! One cannot simply downsize it! Ulthane then let out a heavy sigh, saying to Samael, I told ya he wouldn't listen, ya dolt. Now we gotta waste a shot showing him the truth. Richard let that one slide, despite the blatantly insulting nature of his comment he dared not anger the giant, knowing full well of Ulthane's strength and ferocity when provoked. Agh....Follow us, Yer Majesty Ulthane then said grumpily as he led the King and his guard detail outside after a short travel, they arrived at the testing ground, where a large granite boulder sat in the field of grass. Here, brother, ye fire it. It's a bit....dainty for me Ulthane commented as he handed Samael an iron ball though what Richard noticed was that the ball was tapered to a point on one end and flattened to a smooth surface on the other. Just what was it this strange contraption did? Samael slid some loose black-and-red powder, then inserted the flat end of the strangely-shaped projectile into the opening nearest the muzzle grip. He cocked a hidden lever nearest the underside of the barrel, then rested the weapon on his shoulder. You might want to cover your ears, Your Highness. This thing can be quite the ruckus-maker Samael then warned however, before anyone could do anything, Samael's finger pulled another smaller lever under the muzzle grip. The hook smashed into the ruby, transmitting the stored energy into the ruby-black powder beneath the shell. This caused an explosion inside the tube, a fireball erupting from inside as the iron projectile was hurtled towards the boulder at unimaginable speed. The collision of the projectile caused the boulder to explode into dust all of this occurred faster than one could even blink. Richard and his men all recoiled from the shock at the sheer power this weapon had the King was speechless, staring open-jawed and stupefied at what just happened. His mind though was racing with thoughts, one after the other, a near-endless flow of images and scenes where this weapon would decimate all who stood before it. This was fantastic! This weapon could be a vital component to crushing those damned Elves and sending them back to the forests where they belonged! Ulthane, on the other hand, was laughing like crazy, and young Samael was standing there, a pleased smile stretching across his face. He and his brother made a good team, they did. Meanwhile, a large number of Knights were readying to leave, fresh suits of armor covering their vital parts and swords slung at the ready. A small battalion of archers had already been deployed and send to pre-designated spots where they could easily pick off any Elf foolish enough to wander into their line of sight. Most would have to go on foot, as there weren't enough horses for everyone however, the most experienced cavalry riders would tow the other knights by flat-bed carriage towards their points of deployment. Many knights from the surrounding human kingdoms had sent reinforcements to outlying colonies they realized that this would be a massive conflict where no one was safe and did their part to help reinforce humanity's hold on the lands they'd had since the beginning. A single Knight, one General Curtis Cul de Louf, dressed in armour befitting his status as such stood before the large group of men, the point of his ornate blade driven into the ground as he spoke. Men, today is the day our fight begins. This day, we begin our fight to continue living! Not just for the atrocity committed recently, but of the atrocities and utter lack of disregard for our survival as a species those damned Elves had displayed and committed! Despite all their talk of peace and understanding, it is they who have so mercilessly butchered our kindred! If they want blood, then I say, let's give them THEIR OWN! A roar of approval was heard as the General mounted his own horse, his head turned towards his men as he continued, Today, my friends, my allies in battle, we will show those pointy-eared bastards the true, indomitable will of the Human race! We will show them that when you tread on one of us, you tread on ALL OF US! Another collective roar of approval sounded, applause from the crowd surrounding those about to leave reaching utterly high volumes. Now, my men, let us ride! All at once, a seemingly endless horde poured from the three gates of Evugid, horses and carriages alike thundering from the walled city towards the field of battle. Hehehe, medieval recoil-less rifle for the win . Funny though, since cannons of any sort weren't largely used by Anglo-Saxons until the middle of the 13th century XD