Daybreak:Volume 2 Chapter 17 - Revision history

Aorii at 23:46, 24 April 2022

2022-04-24T23:46:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:46, 24 April 2022
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	"We need to redeploy outside the city," Pascal insisted as he faced the assembled commanders of the Weichsen army in their morning gathering.		"We need to redeploy outside the city," Pascal insisted as he faced the assembled commanders of the Weichsen army in their morning gathering.

	Eight brigade commanders, plus a dozen more staff ~~officers or~~ tactical officers, met in the paved square just inside the city's northern gate. As the majority of the nearby buildings now lay in ruins, army personnel deployed a 'mobile command center' for the meeting instead. This was a large, single-room structure which had been expanded from its shrunken, crate-sized form. It featured an enchanted map table which they used to display the geography around Nordkreuz.		Eight brigade commanders, plus a dozen more staff and tactical officers, met in the paved square just inside the city's northern gate. As the majority of the nearby buildings now lay in ruins, army personnel deployed a 'mobile command center' for the meeting instead. This was a large, single-room structure which had been expanded from its shrunken, crate-sized form. It featured an enchanted map table which they used to display the geography around Nordkreuz.

	The map table back at Pascal's home -- with its links to Weichsel's 'Eye of the Dragon' -- would have been preferable for this meeting. However, while his cylindrical keep residence wasn't seriously damaged by the air assault, its foundations had been destabilized by the subsequent earthquake which had caused the structure to list dangerously. The building had been evacuated as a result, aside from two signal officers who stayed there to relay information from the map display.		The map table back at Pascal's home -- with its links to Weichsel's 'Eye of the Dragon' -- would have been preferable for this meeting. However, while his cylindrical keep residence wasn't seriously damaged by the air assault, its foundations had been destabilized by the subsequent earthquake which had caused the structure to list dangerously. The building had been evacuated as a result, aside from two signal officers who stayed there to relay information from the map display.
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	"However the intensity of the weather ''is'' decreasing," Pascal insisted, "and it will continue to do so, since the originator of this storm, Admiral Winter, has been killed in the air battle. Ground accumulation may slow us down, yet it also offers us an opportunity to prepare the battlefield. After all, Nordkreuz lays on a peninsula that juts out into the middle of Cross Lake. The enemy has no choice but to approach from one direction, which gives us an opportunity to prepare."		"However the intensity of the weather ''is'' decreasing," Pascal insisted, "and it will continue to do so, since the originator of this storm, Admiral Winter, has been killed in the air battle. Ground accumulation may slow us down, yet it also offers us an opportunity to prepare the battlefield. After all, Nordkreuz lays on a peninsula that juts out into the middle of Cross Lake. The enemy has no choice but to approach from one direction, which gives us an opportunity to prepare."

	"Trenches, slush pits, icicle stakes," one of the colonels, a brigade ~~staff officer~~, joined in support of Pascal this time. "We can rough up the ground so they can neither run nor ski across it effectively. That will buy us the time needed for successive volleys."		"Trenches, slush pits, icicle stakes," one of the colonels, a brigade deputy commander, joined in support of Pascal this time. "We can rough up the ground so they can neither run nor ski across it effectively. That will buy us the time needed for successive volleys."

	"Skagen's mages do prepare runes for dealing with problematic ground."		"Skagen's mages do prepare runes for dealing with problematic ground."

Aorii at 12:33, 23 April 2022

2022-04-23T12:33:12Z

Aorii at 17:02, 9 July 2021

2021-07-09T17:02:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:02, 9 July 2021
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	"My brother dines with the Stormlord in the Golden Halls now, because he died bravely in battle!" Eyvindur declared. "Our fleet may have been defeated in the skies, but Admiral Winter has done his duty ''first'' in guaranteeing our army a path forward! The fortifications of Nordkreuz lie in ruins, and the army of Weichsel was devastated when we laid waste to their city and camps!		"My brother dines with the Stormlord in the Golden Halls now, because he died bravely in battle!" Eyvindur declared. "Our fleet may have been defeated in the skies, but Admiral Winter has done his duty ''first'' in guaranteeing our army a path forward! The fortifications of Nordkreuz lie in ruins, and the army of Weichsel was devastated when we laid waste to their city and camps!

	"With their forces reduced and their morale in tatters, we ~~now~~ have a better chance now than at any moment in the past century!" He continued. "We can raze this heathen settlement and stop their excursions into our lands! And you want to ''retreat!?''"		"With their forces reduced and their morale in tatters, we have a better chance now than at any moment in the past century!" He continued. "We can raze this heathen settlement and stop their excursions into our lands! And you want to ''retreat!?''"

	The Jarl swung his muscular arm around and pointed at a half-dozen young women who carried swords and shields upon their backs. They stood in a ritual circle around a rune-coated obelisk mounted on a sled. A squad of drummers walked in a ring around them, their beating and chanting uninterrupted by the nobles' arguments.		The Jarl swung his muscular arm around and pointed at a half-dozen young women who carried swords and shields upon their backs. They stood in a ritual circle around a rune-coated obelisk mounted on a sled. A squad of drummers walked in a ring around them, their beating and chanting uninterrupted by the nobles' arguments.
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	The problem was that Kaede had never faced a scenario where everything felt overwhelming. Sure, she had taken part in the rooftop fight against Mantis Blade assassins back at the academy. But raising her weapon against a few men was... a big difference from marching into a deluge of spells and arrows on a battlefield.		The problem was that Kaede had never faced a scenario where everything felt overwhelming. Sure, she had taken part in the rooftop fight against Mantis Blade assassins back at the academy. But raising her weapon against a few men was... a big difference from marching into a deluge of spells and arrows on a battlefield.

	Kaede watched as the Northmen shield wall advanced in company-sized blocks. Their mages had inscribed anti-projectile ''Repulsion Field'' wards onto their shields, which made missiles change vector at the last second and 'bounce off'. Weichsel's officers responded with a steady stream of ''Dispel'' spells, each time creating an opening for a new arbalest volley to penetrate and kill.		Kaede watched as the Northmen shield wall advanced in company-sized blocks. Their mages had inscribed anti-projectile ''Repulsion Field'' wards onto their shields, which made lightweight missiles change vector at the last second and 'bounce off'. Weichsel's officers responded with a steady stream of ''Dispel'' spells, each time creating an opening for a new arbalest volley to penetrate and kill.

	Noticing movement in the distance, Kaede swung her binocular further north. A group of horses had pulled five sleds up to a distance of five hundred paces away. As the crew detached the horses and led them away, Kaede noticed that two of the sleds had ballistae mounted on them, while the other three featured the throwing arms of catapults.		Noticing movement in the distance, Kaede swung her binocular further north. A group of horses had pulled five sleds up to a distance of five hundred paces away. As the crew detached the horses and led them away, Kaede noticed that two of the sleds had ballistae mounted on them, while the other three featured the throwing arms of catapults.
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	The first ten rays flew across five hundred paces of open terrain and scattered into the upwind air like leafy veins. They left no visible effect, except for a faint clash of mana against some shield bubble from a defending mage.		The first ten rays flew across five hundred paces of open terrain and scattered into the upwind air like leafy veins. They left no visible effect, except for a faint clash of mana against some shield bubble from a defending mage.

	Kaede's keen ~~earing~~ then picked up shouts that she didn't understand. A pitched cry soon trailed behind them -- which apparently meant 'run'.		Kaede's keen hearing then picked up shouts that she didn't understand. A pitched cry soon trailed behind them -- which apparently meant 'run'.

	They barely had enough time for more than a few steps...		They barely had enough time for more than a few steps...

Aorii at 20:37, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T20:37:25Z

Aorii at 22:22, 20 March 2021

2021-03-20T22:22:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:22, 20 March 2021
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	It was especially bad in the center, where only Kaede, the Major, and twenty or so others held their ground in the middle of a huge gap.		It was especially bad in the center, where only Kaede, the Major, and twenty or so others held their ground in the middle of a huge gap.

	Only a dozen siphoneers remained standing. Some of them skied straight through their porous line, burning everything as they moved past. Yet ~~that matter littled~~ as ~~Kaede~~ now looked upon a mass charge by ''hundreds'' of Skagen ski infantry.		Only a dozen siphoneers remained standing. Some of them skied straight through their porous line, burning everything as they moved past the shallow trench. Yet this did little to quiet her apprehension, as the familiar now looked upon a mass charge by ''hundreds'' of Skagen ski infantry.

	It felt like an unstoppable avalanche of death had rolled across the lake and onto their shores, led by bear-like men holding overgrown foe-chopping swords...		It felt like an unstoppable avalanche of death had rolled across the lake and onto their shores, led by bear-like men holding overgrown foe-chopping swords.

			Kaede couldn't help but notice that her arms were trembling. Cold shivers travelled up her spine as she felt almost paralyzed by fear. Her body screamed at her to turn and flee but her eyes couldn't peel themselves away from the approaching death.

			It was just like last night, except her situation now was exponentially worse than simply meeting a fire-breathing monster. She faced a tide of Northmen bent on killing everyone here in cold blood. And Kaede couldn't imagine a single scenario where she could make it out of this alive.

	''What other choice do we have? Run? We'll be butchered!''		''What other choice do we have? Run? We'll be butchered!''

	~~Kaede couldn~~'t ~~help but notice that~~ her ~~arms were trembling~~. ~~Cold shivers travelled up her spine~~ as she ~~felt almost paralyzed by fear~~. ~~It seemed just like last night, except~~ her ~~situation now~~ was ~~far worse~~...		No. Pascal wouldn't simply abandon her like this. He must be sending reinforcement even as she stood here, which meant that if they stood and fought, they might at least have a chance!

			--Yet, to claim this logically was one thing. To overcome her natural inclinations was another matter entirely. Kaede felt sick in her stomach as her legs wobbled like jelly. She needed to pass on Pascal's orders but her voice cracked the moment she tried to speak.

			''I have to do this!''

	~~Then~~, in an instant, ~~the white-haired familiar~~ felt as though her emotions had been disconnected. Without even bothering to reply to Pascal, she turned to the redhead Major and voiced through hollowed tones completely devoid of humanity:		The familiar was still struggling to control her own fears when, in an instant, she felt as though her emotions had been disconnected. Without even bothering to reply to Pascal, she turned to the redhead Major and voiced through hollowed tones completely devoid of humanity:

	"Our orders are to fight to the last."		"Our orders are to fight to the last."

Aorii at 18:21, 20 March 2021

2021-03-20T18:21:58Z

Show changes

Aorii: REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

2021-03-20T18:20:02Z

REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

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Aorii at 23:42, 30 January 2016

2016-01-30T23:42:49Z

Show changes

Aorii at 13:30, 3 April 2015

2015-04-03T13:30:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:30, 3 April 2015
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	"So it is," Pascal shrugged it off with ease. "I am human. Have to at least sin a ''little''."		"So it is," Pascal shrugged it off with ease. "I am human. Have to at least sin a ''little''."

	She almost ~~chuckled~~ at that. Almost...		She almost scoffed at that. Almost...

	The concept of 'transgress now, repent later' had taken deep roots within the Trinitian faith. It was a growing disease that sapped the morals of its followers, made only worse among the upper class by the abuse of indulgences.		The concept of 'transgress now, repent later' had taken deep roots within the Trinitian faith. It was a growing disease that sapped the morals of its followers, made only worse among the upper class by the abuse of indulgences.

	But ~~after some of her own moral failings, she could hardly cast~~ the ~~first stone without being a hypocrite~~.		"The Holy Father might dispense clemency to those who lament a moment's carelessness," Sylviane frowned back with a stern reply. "But that is not the same as purposeful wrongdoing."

	"You know what is one of the things last night taught me?~~" Pascal stated as he straightened his posture. "~~People say revenge leads nowhere. But it felt good, and it felt ''right'' to see justice dealt. To see one of my father's murderers receive what he deserved -- nothing could better restore my faith that no matter how ~~dark circumstance~~ may be, the ~~right~~ will ultimately triumph."		"And war is murder, politics is deceit. Yet knowing that, do we not still perform them out of necessity?" Pascal stated as he straightened his posture.

			"You know what is one of the things last night taught me? People say revenge leads nowhere. But it felt good, and it felt ''right'' to see justice dealt. To see one of my father's murderers receive what he deserved -- nothing could better restore my faith that no matter how pitch black the night may grow, the light of day will ultimately triumph."

	His voice was neither hateful nor malicious, but a thorough sense of satisfaction backed by firm intent -- a strong will tempered by raging flames.		His voice was neither hateful nor malicious, but a thorough sense of satisfaction backed by firm intent -- a strong will tempered by raging flames.

	"We are not all saints," he sat up to face her with a steely gaze. "We need that something to keep us going through difficult times, even if it is not entirely virtuous."		"We are not all saints, nor do we live in an utopia," he sat up to face her with a steely gaze. "We need that something to keep us going through difficult times, even if it is not entirely virtuous."

			Sylviane knew, that in many ways, this was Pascal's ego speaking. Before the eyes of the Holy Father, it would serve as little more than an excuse.

	~~Sylviane knew, that in many ways, this was Pascal's ego speaking.~~ But that same self-justified belief was also what made him a confident, decisive leader.		But that same self-justified belief was also what made him a confident, decisive leader.

	...The same qualities that she had always craved.		...The same qualities that she had always craved.

Aorii at 18:04, 29 March 2015

2015-03-29T18:04:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:04, 29 March 2015
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	There was no room for him to be here; no need for his self-righteous pity. Yet how could she force his departure without revealing her shameful state? Or perhaps, as a tiny voice rode against waves of staunch denial: was his absence what she truly desired at all?		There was no room for him to be here; no need for his self-righteous pity. Yet how could she force his departure without revealing her shameful state? Or perhaps, as a tiny voice rode against waves of staunch denial: was his absence what she truly desired at all?

	The awkward silence ~~hanged~~ over Sylviane's clouded thoughts for nearly a minute before Pascal broke it again:		The awkward silence hung over Sylviane's clouded thoughts for nearly a minute before Pascal broke it again:

	"Where is Hauteclaire?"		"Where is Hauteclaire?"
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	''No,'' Sylviane wanted to agree. ''That wouldn't make any sense.''		''No,'' Sylviane wanted to agree. ''That wouldn't make any sense.''

	But...		But... if it was contrary to his will, why would the Holy Father simply stand by and watch it happen?

	"Since when do you claim to be an expert on the Holy Scriptures?" she objected. "You're not a priest."		"Since when do you claim to be an expert on the Holy Scriptures?" she objected. "You're not a priest."
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	"Must I be a priest to have faith in our Lord and Savior?" Pascal countered with a gentle smile before he turned to the empty air:		"Must I be a priest to have faith in our Lord and Savior?" Pascal countered with a gentle smile before he turned to the empty air:

	"Faith is not just accepting what you are told~~; it~~ is about believing that the Holy Father, in his omnipotent goodness, will always be right and virtuous."		"Faith is not just accepting what you are told. It is about believing that the Holy Father, in his omnipotent goodness, will always be right and virtuous -- Even if his mysterious ways are not immediately apparent to our limited view."

	"That sounds like your pride is judging the Holy Father," Sylviane retorted.		"That sounds like your pride is judging the Holy Father," Sylviane retorted.
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	"So it is," Pascal shrugged it off with ease. "I am human. Have to at least sin a ''little''."		"So it is," Pascal shrugged it off with ease. "I am human. Have to at least sin a ''little''."

	She almost chuckled at that.		She almost chuckled at that. Almost...

			The concept of 'transgress now, repent later' had taken deep roots within the Trinitian faith. It was a growing disease that sapped the morals of its followers, made only worse among the upper class by the abuse of indulgences.

			But after some of her own moral failings, she could hardly cast the first stone without being a hypocrite.

	"You know what is one of the things last night taught me?" Pascal stated as he straightened his posture. "People say revenge leads nowhere. But it felt good, and it felt ''right'' to see justice dealt. To see one of my father's murderers receive what he deserved -- nothing could better restore my faith that no matter how dark circumstance may be, the right will ultimately triumph."		"You know what is one of the things last night taught me?" Pascal stated as he straightened his posture. "People say revenge leads nowhere. But it felt good, and it felt ''right'' to see justice dealt. To see one of my father's murderers receive what he deserved -- nothing could better restore my faith that no matter how dark circumstance may be, the right will ultimately triumph."
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	\|-		\|-
	\| Back to [[Daybreak:~~Volume_2_Chapter_15~~\|Chapter 15]]		\| Back to [[Daybreak:Volume_2_Chapter_16\|Chapter 16]]
	\| Return to [[Daybreak_on_Hyperion\|Main Page]]		\| Return to [[Daybreak_on_Hyperion\|Main Page]]
	\| Forward to [[Daybreak:Volume_2_Author_Notes\|Author Notes]]		\| Forward to [[Daybreak:Volume_2_Author_Notes\|Author's Notes]]
	\|-		\|-
	\|}		\|}
	</noinclude>		</noinclude>

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:33, 23 April 2022
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	Eight brigade commanders, plus a dozen more staff officers or tactical officers, met in the paved square just inside the city's northern gate. As the majority of the nearby buildings now lay in ruins, army personnel deployed a 'mobile command center' for the meeting instead. This was a large, single-room structure which had been expanded from its shrunken, crate-sized form. It featured an enchanted map table which they used to display the geography around Nordkreuz.		Eight brigade commanders, plus a dozen more staff officers or tactical officers, met in the paved square just inside the city's northern gate. As the majority of the nearby buildings now lay in ruins, army personnel deployed a 'mobile command center' for the meeting instead. This was a large, single-room structure which had been expanded from its shrunken, crate-sized form. It featured an enchanted map table which they used to display the geography around Nordkreuz.

	The map table back at Pascal's home --with its links to Weichsel's 'Eye of the Dragon'-- would have been preferable for this meeting. However, while his cylindrical keep residence wasn't seriously damaged by the air assault, its foundations had been destabilized by the subsequent earthquake which had caused the structure to list dangerously. The building had been evacuated as a result, aside from two signal officers who stayed there to relay information from the map display.		The map table back at Pascal's home -- with its links to Weichsel's 'Eye of the Dragon' -- would have been preferable for this meeting. However, while his cylindrical keep residence wasn't seriously damaged by the air assault, its foundations had been destabilized by the subsequent earthquake which had caused the structure to list dangerously. The building had been evacuated as a result, aside from two signal officers who stayed there to relay information from the map display.

	In addition, the air attack that devastated the city had also claimed the lives of two brigadiers and seriously wounded General Wiktor von Falkenhausen -- who had been entrusted with the overall command of the forces assembled at Nordkreuz since the King and General Neithard's departure. Per Weichsel regulations for a defensive battle on home territory, command now fell to the next highest ranking officer, with priority given to the local garrison commander.		In addition, the air attack that devastated the city had also claimed the lives of two brigadiers and seriously wounded General Wiktor von Falkenhausen -- who had been entrusted with the overall command of the forces assembled at Nordkreuz since the King and General Neithard's departure. Per Weichsel regulations for a defensive battle on home territory, command now fell to the next highest ranking officer, with priority given to the local garrison commander.
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	"You and your brother must bear personal responsibility for the calamity that has befallen our skywhales!"		"You and your brother must bear personal responsibility for the calamity that has befallen our skywhales!"

	Jarl Eyvindur Sigmundsen of Kattegen narrowed his eyes as he gazed upon the dozen rowdy nobles gathered before him. Many of them were already threatening to leave with their retinue and levy. The only reason they ~~have~~ not done so was because nobody wanted to be the first to break ranks and thus be accused of cowardice.		Jarl Eyvindur Sigmundsen of Kattegen narrowed his eyes as he gazed upon the dozen rowdy nobles gathered before him. Many of them were already threatening to leave with their retinue and levy. The only reason they had not done so was because nobody wanted to be the first to break ranks and thus be accused of cowardice.

	"SIIILEEENCE!" The tall, burly jarl bellowed out in a roar. It seized not only the nobles' attention, but also turned the heads of several hundreds more, as men continued to ski past the impromptu assembly of lords.		"SIIILEEENCE!" The tall, burly jarl bellowed out in a roar. It seized not only the nobles' attention, but also turned the heads of several hundreds more, as men continued to ski past the impromptu assembly of lords.
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	"Are you all ''children!?''" Eyvindur snarled with disdain as he looked upon the nobles before his gaze. "One setback and you call it quits!? If that is the extent of your determination then I will not stop you from fleeing back to your homes! Better to let the cowards go now then have others catch their weak-minded disease!"		"Are you all ''children!?''" Eyvindur snarled with disdain as he looked upon the nobles before his gaze. "One setback and you call it quits!? If that is the extent of your determination then I will not stop you from fleeing back to your homes! Better to let the cowards go now then have others catch their weak-minded disease!"

	Several of the lords' faces grew red with anger as Eyvindur's retort struck where it hurt. In Hyperborean culture only the brave ~~may~~ be rewarded in the afterlife, cowardice was seen as an unforgivable sin.		Several of the lords' faces grew red with anger as Eyvindur's retort struck where it hurt. In Hyperborean culture only the brave would be rewarded in the afterlife, cowardice was seen as an unforgivable sin.

	"My brother dines with the Stormlord in the Golden Halls now, because he died bravely in battle!" Eyvindur declared. "Our fleet may have been defeated in the skies, but Admiral Winter has done his duty ''first'' in guaranteeing our army a path forward! The fortifications of Nordkreuz lie in ruins, and the army of Weichsel was devastated when we laid waste to their city and camps!		"My brother dines with the Stormlord in the Golden Halls now, because he died bravely in battle!" Eyvindur declared. "Our fleet may have been defeated in the skies, but Admiral Winter has done his duty ''first'' in guaranteeing our army a path forward! The fortifications of Nordkreuz lie in ruins, and the army of Weichsel was devastated when we laid waste to their city and camps!
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	Eyvindur was a veteran of multiple conflicts between the Hyperboreans and the Trinitians. He understood that Weichsel's greatest strength lay in the command and leadership of its officer corp. They had a tradition of setting up headquarters near the front lines, which not only bolstered the soldiers' morale but also improved battlefield communication and comprehension.		Eyvindur was a veteran of multiple conflicts between the Hyperboreans and the Trinitians. He understood that Weichsel's greatest strength lay in the command and leadership of its officer corp. They had a tradition of setting up headquarters near the front lines, which not only bolstered the soldiers' morale but also improved battlefield communication and comprehension.

	Therefore the moment he heard that the Weichsel army had sallied out from the city, he gathered his best Völva --female mages who specialized in divination and scrying-- to find out where the Wickers were establishing their new headquarters. The deployable command centers those heathens used would be protected by both illusions and wards. But there was no such thing as a foolproof defense.		Therefore the moment he heard that the Weichsel army had sallied out from the city, he gathered his best Völva -- female mages who specialized in divination and scrying -- to find out where the Wickers were establishing their new headquarters. The deployable command centers those heathens used would be protected by both illusions and wards. But there was no such thing as a foolproof defense.

	"How can you be certain?" Eyvindur asked, more for the benefit of others than his own doubts.		"How can you be certain?" Eyvindur asked, more for the benefit of others than his own doubts.
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	"L-l-lieutenant, command from HQ," the familiar stammered out before taking another breath to steady herself. She pointed a finger towards the snowy distance. "Eliminate that artillery battery. Firemist combo."		"L-l-lieutenant, command from HQ," the familiar stammered out before taking another breath to steady herself. She pointed a finger towards the snowy distance. "Eliminate that artillery battery. Firemist combo."

	The lieutenant was a young nobleman who appeared to be in his late 'twenties'. His binoculars were already directed towards the enemy when he nodded: "~~understood~~."		The lieutenant was a young nobleman who appeared to be in his late 'twenties'. His binoculars were already directed towards the enemy when he nodded: "Understood."

	He then turned towards his squad of dismounted Noble Reiters:		He then turned towards his squad of dismounted Noble Reiters:
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	Behind them followed at least a hundred huskarls, the professional retinue troops of the northern lords. Each of them was clad in wooly, chainmail-and-hide armor and holding a massive zweihander sword that looked capable of cleaving a horse in half.		Behind them followed at least a hundred huskarls, the professional retinue troops of the northern lords. Each of them was clad in wooly, chainmail-and-hide armor and holding a massive zweihander sword that looked capable of cleaving a horse in half.

	A banner that flew among them caught Kaede's attention. it was the red dragon flag of the Kingdom of Vastergotland.		A banner that flew among them caught Kaede's attention. It was the red dragon flag of the Kingdom of Vastergotland.

	Kaede forced her gaze away from their deadly greatswords before nailing her sight to a siphoneer. With the aid of ''Mental Clarity'' sharpening her mind, she drew another rune-inscribed arrow and transfixed all attention onto her target.		Kaede forced her gaze away from their deadly greatswords before nailing her sight to a siphoneer. With the aid of ''Mental Clarity'' sharpening her mind, she drew another rune-inscribed arrow and transfixed all attention onto her target.
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	It was even worse than that, as rimefire ate through mana like fuel. Wards such as ''Resistance'' which had protected them from the elemental bombardment earlier did less than nothing, as they combusted like paper to feed the flames.		It was even worse than that, as rimefire ate through mana like fuel. Wards such as ''Resistance'' which had protected them from the elemental bombardment earlier did less than nothing, as they combusted like paper to feed the flames.

	One of the siphoneers had pumped an entire burst onto the bastion that Kaede once stood on. Now, she watched in horror as screaming men --including the young lieutenant whom she had spoken to moments ago-- leaped off the structure like human torches. They flailed about in the snow with painful cries. However nothing they did could quench the burning rimefire that consumed them alive.		One of the siphoneers had pumped an entire burst onto the bastion that Kaede once stood on. Now, she watched in horror as screaming men -- including the young lieutenant whom she had spoken to moments ago -- leaped off the structure like human torches. They flailed about in the snow with painful cries. However nothing they did could quench the burning rimefire that consumed them alive.

	Then, as Kaede thought things could not grow any worse, hell's herald arrived in the form of a new battlecry. The noise came from far behind her this time, along the main line where a fresh Skagen attack of thousands pressed forward into a charge.		Then, as Kaede thought things could not grow any worse, hell's herald arrived in the form of a new battlecry. The noise came from far behind her this time, along the main line where a fresh Skagen attack of thousands pressed forward into a charge.
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← Older revision		Revision as of 20:37, 10 April 2021
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	"With their forces reduced and their morale in tatters, we now have a better chance now than at any moment in the past century!" He continued. "We can raze this heathen settlement and stop their excursions into our lands! And you want to ''retreat!?''"		"With their forces reduced and their morale in tatters, we now have a better chance now than at any moment in the past century!" He continued. "We can raze this heathen settlement and stop their excursions into our lands! And you want to ''retreat!?''"

	The ~~jarl~~ swung his muscular arm around and pointed at a half-dozen young women who carried swords and shields upon their backs. They stood in a ritual circle around a rune-coated obelisk mounted on a sled. A squad of drummers walked in a ring around them, their beating and chanting uninterrupted by the nobles' arguments.		The Jarl swung his muscular arm around and pointed at a half-dozen young women who carried swords and shields upon their backs. They stood in a ritual circle around a rune-coated obelisk mounted on a sled. A squad of drummers walked in a ring around them, their beating and chanting uninterrupted by the nobles' arguments.

	"Even my seventeen-years-old ''granddaughter'' has more balls than the lot of you!" He cried out.		"Even my seventeen-years-old ''granddaughter'' has more balls than the lot of you!" He cried out.
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	The problem was that Kaede had never faced a scenario where everything felt overwhelming. Sure, she had taken part in the rooftop fight against Mantis Blade assassins back at the academy. But raising her weapon against a few men was... a big difference from marching into a deluge of spells and arrows on a battlefield.		The problem was that Kaede had never faced a scenario where everything felt overwhelming. Sure, she had taken part in the rooftop fight against Mantis Blade assassins back at the academy. But raising her weapon against a few men was... a big difference from marching into a deluge of spells and arrows on a battlefield.

	Kaede watched as the Northmen shield wall advanced in ~~platoon~~-sized blocks. Their mages had inscribed anti-projectile ''Repulsion Field'' wards onto their shields, which made missiles change vector at the last second and 'bounce off'. Weichsel's officers responded with a steady stream of ''Dispel'' spells, each time creating an opening for a new arbalest volley to penetrate and kill.		Kaede watched as the Northmen shield wall advanced in company-sized blocks. Their mages had inscribed anti-projectile ''Repulsion Field'' wards onto their shields, which made missiles change vector at the last second and 'bounce off'. Weichsel's officers responded with a steady stream of ''Dispel'' spells, each time creating an opening for a new arbalest volley to penetrate and kill.

	Noticing movement in the distance, Kaede swung her binocular further north. A group of horses had pulled five sleds up to a distance of five hundred paces away. As the crew detached the horses and led them away, Kaede noticed that two of the sleds had ballistae mounted on them, while the other three featured the throwing arms of catapults.		Noticing movement in the distance, Kaede swung her binocular further north. A group of horses had pulled five sleds up to a distance of five hundred paces away. As the crew detached the horses and led them away, Kaede noticed that two of the sleds had ballistae mounted on them, while the other three featured the throwing arms of catapults.
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	It felt like an unstoppable avalanche of death had rolled across the lake and onto their shores, led by bear-like men holding overgrown foe-chopping swords.		It felt like an unstoppable avalanche of death had rolled across the lake and onto their shores, led by bear-like men holding overgrown foe-chopping swords.

	Kaede couldn't help but notice that her arms were trembling. Cold shivers travelled up her spine as she felt almost paralyzed by fear. Her body screamed at her to turn and flee but her eyes couldn't peel themselves away from the approaching death.		Kaede couldn't help but notice that her arms were trembling. Cold shivers travelled up her spine as she felt almost paralyzed by fear. Her body screamed at her to turn and flee but her eyes couldn't peel themselves away from the approaching wave of death.

	It was just like last night, except her situation now was exponentially worse than ~~simply~~ meeting a fire-breathing monster. She faced a tide of Northmen bent on killing everyone here ~~in cold blood~~. And ~~Kaede~~ couldn't imagine a single scenario where she could make it out of this alive.		It was just like last night, except her situation now was exponentially worse than merely meeting a fire-breathing monster. She faced a tide of Northmen bent on killing everyone here. And she couldn't imagine a single scenario where she could make it out of this alive.

	''What other choice do we have? Run? We'll be butchered!''		''What other choice do we have? Run? We'll be butchered!''

	No. Pascal wouldn't simply abandon her like this. He must be sending reinforcement even ~~as she stood here~~, which meant that if they stood and fought, they might at least have a chance!		No. Pascal wouldn't simply abandon her like this. He must be sending reinforcement even now, which meant that if they stood and fought, they might at least have a chance!

	--Yet, to claim this logically was one thing. To overcome her natural inclinations was another matter entirely. Kaede felt sick in her stomach as her legs ~~wobbled~~ like jelly. She needed to pass on Pascal's orders but her voice cracked the moment she tried to speak.		--Yet, to claim this logically was one thing. To overcome her natural inclinations was another matter entirely. Kaede felt sick in her stomach as her legs quivered like jelly. She needed to pass on Pascal's orders but her voice cracked the moment she tried to speak.

	''I have to do this!''		''I have to do this!''

	The familiar was still struggling to ~~control~~ her ~~own~~ fears when, in an instant, she felt as though her emotions had been disconnected. Without ~~even bothering to reply to Pascal~~, she turned to the redhead Major and voiced through hollowed tones completely devoid of humanity:		The familiar was still struggling to reign in her fears when, in an instant, she felt as though her emotions had been disconnected. Without any more resistance, she turned to the redhead Major and voiced through hollowed tones completely devoid of humanity:

	"Our orders are to fight to the last."		"Our orders are to fight to the last."