Ashilda managed to climb higer into the tree, loosing only a handful of hair, but holding on to her bow without damaging it.
The queen really must be looking after her today!
So, there she was, high and dry, her back secure against the tree, her legs around a sturdy branch, a few paces beneath her the ground where the soldiers had reached the tree.
They saw her climb the tree, so there was no hope they would run past. They gathered and started to talk softly amongst themselves.
Icy Quest, part III: The Fate of Fronigtalle (Sam 22nd)
-
Hex da`Bergliin
- Warrior Priest
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2003 1:08 am
- Location: Frozen wastes of Trothgard
-
Hex da`Bergliin
- Warrior Priest
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2003 1:08 am
- Location: Frozen wastes of Trothgard
adrenalin surged through Hex's veins as the combatant's engaged and blood was drawn. That one will bleed out. Two were trying to circle her, stances low. Yes this was the right thing to do but Hex was a trained solider and she had been through drills like this before and she had had experience since.
Her mind was cool as the snow as she allowed them another step. Hex moved her Glaive blade end towards the opponent to her right, but instead of moving to attack here, Hex instead drove the heavy metal but into the face of the attacker to her left.
Quickly she had to maintain the advantage over the two. She was sure of her footing and fighting on this terrain. She moved back and to the left of the one on her left looking to keep the two in a line in front of her and at the distance of the reach of the weapon. She wanter to see if the but had made solid contact and distracted the solider, if it had she would try and spill his intestines into the snow.
"You fight bravely for those who are doomed to death."
Her mind was cool as the snow as she allowed them another step. Hex moved her Glaive blade end towards the opponent to her right, but instead of moving to attack here, Hex instead drove the heavy metal but into the face of the attacker to her left.
Quickly she had to maintain the advantage over the two. She was sure of her footing and fighting on this terrain. She moved back and to the left of the one on her left looking to keep the two in a line in front of her and at the distance of the reach of the weapon. She wanter to see if the but had made solid contact and distracted the solider, if it had she would try and spill his intestines into the snow.
"You fight bravely for those who are doomed to death."
~
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
-
Ashilda da'Svafa
Seeing the soldiers draw together to talk, Ashilda took advantage of the brief respite to check her equipment. Nothing was dropped or damaged, for which she gave a quick prayer of thanks to the Ice Queen, and she still had a few runed arrows left. Pleasure at this discovery turned to annoyance as she realised that she had one less runed arrow than there were men waiting below. She would have to act quickly and decisively to end this confrontation before they had time to come up with a plan.
She drew one of her runed arrows, moving carefully to avoid making too much noise. Before she fitted it to the string, she made sure that the remained runed arrows were able to be drawn quickly - speed would be of the essence once she made the first move. As she drew the bow and shifted to find a good position to shoot from, she felt a momentary twinge of consience at attacking without warning. Should I shout a challenge first? she asked herself. She shook her head and took aim at the closest of the soldiers. No, she told herself firmly. They've announced their intentions to defile this Valley, and they certainly wouldn't hesitate to strike any of us down. They've proven as much already. So it's up to me to make sure they don't get the chance.
Her plan was a simple one. She would shoot the nearest soldier with a runed arrow, turning him to ice. She would quickly draw a second runed arrow and try for the next soldier, and so on. She hoped to be able to take a few of them down before they had time to collect themselves and draw their own bows, but at least she could try and even the odds a little.
She drew one of her runed arrows, moving carefully to avoid making too much noise. Before she fitted it to the string, she made sure that the remained runed arrows were able to be drawn quickly - speed would be of the essence once she made the first move. As she drew the bow and shifted to find a good position to shoot from, she felt a momentary twinge of consience at attacking without warning. Should I shout a challenge first? she asked herself. She shook her head and took aim at the closest of the soldiers. No, she told herself firmly. They've announced their intentions to defile this Valley, and they certainly wouldn't hesitate to strike any of us down. They've proven as much already. So it's up to me to make sure they don't get the chance.
Her plan was a simple one. She would shoot the nearest soldier with a runed arrow, turning him to ice. She would quickly draw a second runed arrow and try for the next soldier, and so on. She hoped to be able to take a few of them down before they had time to collect themselves and draw their own bows, but at least she could try and even the odds a little.
Hex managed to stun the soldier whose face she hit, leaving him with a bleeding nose.
It was all she could do, her arm still feeling numb from the blow she took.
By keeping them within the range of her weapon, she was also in range of theirs, and the one with his face still intact attacked, trying to hit her arm once again.
The third lay bleeding in the snow, Hex was right, if he didn't tend to his wounds, he would bleed to death...
Ashilda fired her arrow, sitting on the branch of her tree.
She was unaccustomed with this position, so her first arrow missed target and stuck in a branch (which did freeze solidly)
This caught the attention of the soldiers, and they retreated a bit and drew their own bows, giving Ashilda one more chance at a clear shot, a chance she took full opportunity off.
One of them toppled slowly to the ground, like a statue falling from its pedestal leaving her with only one rune-scribed arrow......
It was all she could do, her arm still feeling numb from the blow she took.
By keeping them within the range of her weapon, she was also in range of theirs, and the one with his face still intact attacked, trying to hit her arm once again.
The third lay bleeding in the snow, Hex was right, if he didn't tend to his wounds, he would bleed to death...
Ashilda fired her arrow, sitting on the branch of her tree.
She was unaccustomed with this position, so her first arrow missed target and stuck in a branch (which did freeze solidly)
This caught the attention of the soldiers, and they retreated a bit and drew their own bows, giving Ashilda one more chance at a clear shot, a chance she took full opportunity off.
One of them toppled slowly to the ground, like a statue falling from its pedestal leaving her with only one rune-scribed arrow......
Last edited by saskia on Wed Jan 18, 2006 6:17 am, edited 1 time in total.
[size=100][color=red] It takes a red-headed woman, to get a dirty job done[/size][/color]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
-
Ashilda da'Svafa
It was difficult to keep from cursing as she watched her first arrow miss its mark, but she wasted no time in following it up with a second shot. This one did hit, but it left her with only one arrow that would ensure an instant kill. What was more, they had now taken hold of their own bows once more. She didn't have a great deal of trust for Ortus, but between his descriptions of the power of those bows and the carnage she had seen on the other side of the ridge, she knew for certain that she did not want them shooting at her.
I need to distract them she thought wildly. But the only way I can think of is just as likely to make them mad as it is to make them go away... She frowned for a flicker, then let out the breath she had been holding in a long sigh. The Queen had been with her so far this day. She would have to trust to that a little longer. Her fingers brushed the double-runed amulet at her throat, a formless prayer to the Ice Queen floating through her mind. Then she lifted her voice to reach the remaining soldiers.
"Do you still believe that your One is protecting you? Do you still believe that you can win against the Ice Queen on her own ground? This land is sacred, and for all your spilling of blood and your devotion to your god, you cannot change that. If you cease this mindless violence, you can walk away from this with your lives and your honour. If not, I will call on the power of my Queen to freeze you as it froze your companion! As it froze your leaders! As it froze the priest who came with you, and destroyed the vessel that brought you! I do not ask that you give up your loyalty to your One, only that you lower your weapons and take this fight no further!"
Her voice rang with passion and conviction; her eyes were aflame with it. There was no room in her for fear now, there was only the driving need to make these men leave the sacred valley in peace.
I need to distract them she thought wildly. But the only way I can think of is just as likely to make them mad as it is to make them go away... She frowned for a flicker, then let out the breath she had been holding in a long sigh. The Queen had been with her so far this day. She would have to trust to that a little longer. Her fingers brushed the double-runed amulet at her throat, a formless prayer to the Ice Queen floating through her mind. Then she lifted her voice to reach the remaining soldiers.
"Do you still believe that your One is protecting you? Do you still believe that you can win against the Ice Queen on her own ground? This land is sacred, and for all your spilling of blood and your devotion to your god, you cannot change that. If you cease this mindless violence, you can walk away from this with your lives and your honour. If not, I will call on the power of my Queen to freeze you as it froze your companion! As it froze your leaders! As it froze the priest who came with you, and destroyed the vessel that brought you! I do not ask that you give up your loyalty to your One, only that you lower your weapons and take this fight no further!"
Her voice rang with passion and conviction; her eyes were aflame with it. There was no room in her for fear now, there was only the driving need to make these men leave the sacred valley in peace.
-
Hex da`Bergliin
- Warrior Priest
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2003 1:08 am
- Location: Frozen wastes of Trothgard
Hex had learned a few nasty tricks in her time and this was one of them. For her, combat was not a thing of honor or grace, it was cold hard and brutal and the point was to win at any cost. An ugly win was still a win and this fight was about to get ugly.
Her arm was in pain, it had been a good hit and she needed to drop the odds here a bit more in her favor. The but to the face worked and broke the nose and stunned the solider, the other advanced. Hex took that moment to do a quick step back and to the side using her full body weight to bring the full length of the blade into the stomach of the stunned solider. Hex knew that he would be busy with his intestines at any moment now.
Every moment counted now and as Hex felt the impact of the pole-arm she gave it a twist as it dug deep to ensure as much damage as possible. She stepped back and drew her daggers to face the advancing soldier.
"Quick or slow dead man? Forget it, you I want slow so that the valley hears your screams as I slowly burn you alive."
Her arm was in pain, it had been a good hit and she needed to drop the odds here a bit more in her favor. The but to the face worked and broke the nose and stunned the solider, the other advanced. Hex took that moment to do a quick step back and to the side using her full body weight to bring the full length of the blade into the stomach of the stunned solider. Hex knew that he would be busy with his intestines at any moment now.
Every moment counted now and as Hex felt the impact of the pole-arm she gave it a twist as it dug deep to ensure as much damage as possible. She stepped back and drew her daggers to face the advancing soldier.
"Quick or slow dead man? Forget it, you I want slow so that the valley hears your screams as I slowly burn you alive."
~
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
Hex still could not use her right arm properly, so she missed the belly of the soldier she was attacking, but she did manage to hurt his arm.
The other recovered, and managed to come into her, swinging his sword wildely, he almost missed, but scratched her cheeck, leaving his guard down and him off balance again.
Hex had to choose, they both would recover in an instant and would be ready to attact again. But by now, the feelingi n her arm began to return, and she felt she did have enough strength for a thrust again..
the attackers were not at all impressed with Ashilda's threats. although they had seen the damage the Ice Queen could do, their faith in their strange god was still much stronger than their fear.
they fit arrows to their bows, and crept back to the tree to tkae a clear shot at Ashilda.
The other recovered, and managed to come into her, swinging his sword wildely, he almost missed, but scratched her cheeck, leaving his guard down and him off balance again.
Hex had to choose, they both would recover in an instant and would be ready to attact again. But by now, the feelingi n her arm began to return, and she felt she did have enough strength for a thrust again..
the attackers were not at all impressed with Ashilda's threats. although they had seen the damage the Ice Queen could do, their faith in their strange god was still much stronger than their fear.
they fit arrows to their bows, and crept back to the tree to tkae a clear shot at Ashilda.
[size=100][color=red] It takes a red-headed woman, to get a dirty job done[/size][/color]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
-
Hex da`Bergliin
- Warrior Priest
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2003 1:08 am
- Location: Frozen wastes of Trothgard
hex snarled as she missed her target. Years of training were coming to her aid as her arm started to recover from the earlier blow. Hex paused her thought of dropping the pole-arm for her daggers as she felt her reserve kick in.
Blood dripped from the end of the blade as Hex brought it in line with the unscathed attacker. He came in swinging wildly and opened himself up for attack, and Hex took it.
Hex stepped into the hit with all of her body weight in an attempt to skewer the hapless man.
Blood dripped from the end of the blade as Hex brought it in line with the unscathed attacker. He came in swinging wildly and opened himself up for attack, and Hex took it.
Hex stepped into the hit with all of her body weight in an attempt to skewer the hapless man.
~
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
-
Ashilda da'Svafa
Ashilda grimaced as the men began walking towards her with their strange bows. Didn't they understand what she had said to them? Or did they truly think their god would protect them here? She raised the bow again to line up the shot. She had to shoot before they reached her and had a chance to get a clear shot at her through the branches of the tree she sheltered in - while they were at a distance the concealing wood and foliage gave her the advantage, but that would be lost if they could shoot at her from below. If she were lucky, she might even startle the remaining soldier into shooting early and trust to the Queen's grace to protect her. Those bows looked complicated, and she was willing that she could fit another arrow to her string much faster than he could.
As always, a moving traget was harder to hit than a stationary one, but they weren't moving that quickly. She took careful aim, knowling that she had to have this arrow hit home, held her breath, and released the arrow. Even as she watched its graceful flight towards its target, a fervent prayer to the Ice Queen spilling through her mind, she was pulling another arrow from the quiver and putting it to the string. She may not be able to assure an instant kill with her next shot, but she could at least make sure that the soldier didn't have the leisure to aim at her in comfort.
As always, a moving traget was harder to hit than a stationary one, but they weren't moving that quickly. She took careful aim, knowling that she had to have this arrow hit home, held her breath, and released the arrow. Even as she watched its graceful flight towards its target, a fervent prayer to the Ice Queen spilling through her mind, she was pulling another arrow from the quiver and putting it to the string. She may not be able to assure an instant kill with her next shot, but she could at least make sure that the soldier didn't have the leisure to aim at her in comfort.
Hex choose the nearest attacker, and killed him with one swift blow, his blood red and hot in the white, but trampled snow.
This left her other side open to the last attacker, and as he knew this would be his last chance, he took it, and came in with all his strength. His sword-blow did not pierce her chainmail, but slid off and hit her left thigh.
He did not manage to cut any major artery, or cut through her muscle. But she did bleed, and she could heel her leg stiffen up quickly, although her rage would be able to block the pain for now, she would be slow, and tomorrow would be even worse! She needed to take care of the wound very soon.
Ashilda managed to shoot one of the attackers before their bows were ready.
As she fit another arrow to her bow, the one soldier left also fired a lucky shot: The arrow grazed her left arm, leaving her with a painful arm, and dripping blood in a slow rhythm into the white snow below the tree...
This left her other side open to the last attacker, and as he knew this would be his last chance, he took it, and came in with all his strength. His sword-blow did not pierce her chainmail, but slid off and hit her left thigh.
He did not manage to cut any major artery, or cut through her muscle. But she did bleed, and she could heel her leg stiffen up quickly, although her rage would be able to block the pain for now, she would be slow, and tomorrow would be even worse! She needed to take care of the wound very soon.
Ashilda managed to shoot one of the attackers before their bows were ready.
As she fit another arrow to her bow, the one soldier left also fired a lucky shot: The arrow grazed her left arm, leaving her with a painful arm, and dripping blood in a slow rhythm into the white snow below the tree...
[size=100][color=red] It takes a red-headed woman, to get a dirty job done[/size][/color]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
-
Ashilda da'Svafa
Ashilda smiled with grim satisfaction as her last runed arrow hit home and turned one of the soldiers to a statue of ice. She was drawing another arrow and praying that she could at least disable the remaining man with a single shot, when her bow arm blazed white hot and something thunked into the trunk at her back. Looking at the remaining soldier, she saw that he had his own bow raised and empty.
The pain in her arm died down quickly to a painful throb, but she guessed that she wouldn't be able to take many more shots before it became too difficult to hold the bow steady. Without further thought, she nocked the arrow, drew, and fired. It wasn't as carefully aimed as she would have liked - she wasn't sure if her arm would stand up to keep the bow drawn for too long at a time - but even as it flew she was fitting another arrow to the string. The soldier was getting closer, and she had the advantage of height, so she hoped that a few arrows fired in swift succession would mean that at least one of them should hit home.
As she fired, she decided that as soon as she felt she could no longer keep the bow steady when drawn, she would drop to the ground and run back towards her companions. It was risky, but so was staying in the tree once the soldier reached her and she was no longer able to defend herself. If should couldn't kill him, or at least stop him, her best chance of survival lay in keeping well away from him.
The pain in her arm died down quickly to a painful throb, but she guessed that she wouldn't be able to take many more shots before it became too difficult to hold the bow steady. Without further thought, she nocked the arrow, drew, and fired. It wasn't as carefully aimed as she would have liked - she wasn't sure if her arm would stand up to keep the bow drawn for too long at a time - but even as it flew she was fitting another arrow to the string. The soldier was getting closer, and she had the advantage of height, so she hoped that a few arrows fired in swift succession would mean that at least one of them should hit home.
As she fired, she decided that as soon as she felt she could no longer keep the bow steady when drawn, she would drop to the ground and run back towards her companions. It was risky, but so was staying in the tree once the soldier reached her and she was no longer able to defend herself. If should couldn't kill him, or at least stop him, her best chance of survival lay in keeping well away from him.
-
Hex da`Bergliin
- Warrior Priest
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2003 1:08 am
- Location: Frozen wastes of Trothgard
Hex grunted in pain as the sword cut into her flesh. Fighting the group was always a hard thing and all of her training aside, it was the real event that would be the best teacher and this would be a painful lesson. Hex had but a clue about healing, and that leg was going to need attention.
The solder that came in and struck her leg had come in hard with everything he had. He was the one now in a position off balance and open to attack. Hex simply dropped her glaive in the snow and using her martial arts locked his sword arm in hers and with her free hand she pulled her dagger.
The last thing this man was going to see was the crazed look in her eyes, the grin on her face and his blood being splattered all over it. Viciously Hex took to smashing with her gauntlet, cutting and stabbing with her dagger.
Hex snarled in the face of the young man, "Youth death is foretold, die and give your blood to the land."
The solder that came in and struck her leg had come in hard with everything he had. He was the one now in a position off balance and open to attack. Hex simply dropped her glaive in the snow and using her martial arts locked his sword arm in hers and with her free hand she pulled her dagger.
The last thing this man was going to see was the crazed look in her eyes, the grin on her face and his blood being splattered all over it. Viciously Hex took to smashing with her gauntlet, cutting and stabbing with her dagger.
Hex snarled in the face of the young man, "Youth death is foretold, die and give your blood to the land."
~
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
Ashilda's arrow crossed her opponent's mid-air, both missing their target.
Ashilda's stuck into the snow below, a few paces from the foreign soldier, while his stuck in a branch below her.
She would have time for one more shot before her aim would be too much off as a result from her bleeding arm, but that would give the soldier the time to reach the tree...
Hex hoped to immobilize her last opponent for a swift kill, but her wounded leg slowed her down, so she did not get a good grip.
Her manoeuver left the two of them grappling for each other and their knives..
Ashilda's stuck into the snow below, a few paces from the foreign soldier, while his stuck in a branch below her.
She would have time for one more shot before her aim would be too much off as a result from her bleeding arm, but that would give the soldier the time to reach the tree...
Hex hoped to immobilize her last opponent for a swift kill, but her wounded leg slowed her down, so she did not get a good grip.
Her manoeuver left the two of them grappling for each other and their knives..
[size=100][color=red] It takes a red-headed woman, to get a dirty job done[/size][/color]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
-
Hex da`Bergliin
- Warrior Priest
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2003 1:08 am
- Location: Frozen wastes of Trothgard
"Are all men this stubborn?" Hex grunted as the two fell into a grapple each with their knives. Hex sought every advantage she had or rather felt she had at one time. She could feel the blood oozing down her leg inside of her clothes and with each movement of the leg her muscle burned in anger. Had she been in top shape she would have delivered knees to the groin, head buts and used her gauntlets to smash his face to pulp.
But she was not at her best, in fact she knew that she needed to kill this man soon. The missed opportunity to lock his arm was a reminder of how bad her condition was getting. What should have been a routine move was now not even a move she could trust. She had to go back to brutal basics and use what she had to finish this fight.
She was in shape, that she had going for her. This was a ill equipped for the climate man who was most likely tiered, hungry and cold. She was well fed and dressed for the occasion. She knew that her wounds would get the better of her in the end but he may or may not know that. After all this was no tropical island and she was no pagan woman to be led to the slaughter. That after all was her job, to lead the slaughter.
Hex became angrier as the two tussled and soon Hex thought to seek the power once again to freeze the flesh of the grappled man.
Hatred gleaned in her eye as she looked forward to seeing his face tune to ice before her eyes but she remembered the sickness that overwhelmed her the last time. No, this time it would be with a knife and a fist that she would kill this man.
She needed to get the advantage here, or rather get the weight off her leg. Hex brought what skill she had in martial combat to bring this grapple to the ground. There in the cold snow she would regain some of her advantage. She mostly used her bad arm to lock with his, her dagger in her free hand. She wanter to try and roll him into a position that would pin one of his arms so that she could seek that moment to go in for the kill.
But she was not at her best, in fact she knew that she needed to kill this man soon. The missed opportunity to lock his arm was a reminder of how bad her condition was getting. What should have been a routine move was now not even a move she could trust. She had to go back to brutal basics and use what she had to finish this fight.
She was in shape, that she had going for her. This was a ill equipped for the climate man who was most likely tiered, hungry and cold. She was well fed and dressed for the occasion. She knew that her wounds would get the better of her in the end but he may or may not know that. After all this was no tropical island and she was no pagan woman to be led to the slaughter. That after all was her job, to lead the slaughter.
Hex became angrier as the two tussled and soon Hex thought to seek the power once again to freeze the flesh of the grappled man.
Hatred gleaned in her eye as she looked forward to seeing his face tune to ice before her eyes but she remembered the sickness that overwhelmed her the last time. No, this time it would be with a knife and a fist that she would kill this man.
She needed to get the advantage here, or rather get the weight off her leg. Hex brought what skill she had in martial combat to bring this grapple to the ground. There in the cold snow she would regain some of her advantage. She mostly used her bad arm to lock with his, her dagger in her free hand. She wanter to try and roll him into a position that would pin one of his arms so that she could seek that moment to go in for the kill.
Last edited by Hex da`Bergliin on Wed Feb 01, 2006 2:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
~
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
-
Ashilda da'Svafa
Ashilda hissed in annoyance as her arrow missed its target. Even as she reached for another, though, she was weighing up her chances of both firing another shot and still managing to get away. Deciding that it was too risky, she left the arrow in the quiver and swung her leg over the branch. She would drop on the far side from the approaching soldier, giving her the opportunity to put the tree between them as she gathered her balance and set off.
She set her teeth, knowing that the jolt of the fall was probably going to awaken new pain in her arm. Not as much as if that damn soldier catches you! she reminded herself. Holding her bow slightly raised so that it wouldn't hit the ground when she did and crack, she took a deep breath and let herself drop from the tree. She knew enough to keep her legs loose and let them flex to absorb the impact, but the shock rising up through the soles of her boots still brought an involuntary cry of pain to her lips.
Knowing that she couldn't afford to linger, she steadied herself against the tree for a mere flicker before pushing off and forcing her aching muscles to carry her at a run back towards her companions. Every step made the slash in her arm throb, but fear of the pain she would suffer if he caught her kept her going.
She set her teeth, knowing that the jolt of the fall was probably going to awaken new pain in her arm. Not as much as if that damn soldier catches you! she reminded herself. Holding her bow slightly raised so that it wouldn't hit the ground when she did and crack, she took a deep breath and let herself drop from the tree. She knew enough to keep her legs loose and let them flex to absorb the impact, but the shock rising up through the soles of her boots still brought an involuntary cry of pain to her lips.
Knowing that she couldn't afford to linger, she steadied herself against the tree for a mere flicker before pushing off and forcing her aching muscles to carry her at a run back towards her companions. Every step made the slash in her arm throb, but fear of the pain she would suffer if he caught her kept her going.
For a while Hex and the oneist soldier grunted and wrestled in the snow. The sun shone brightly on them now, making every move stand out very clear.
Suddenly she saw an opening in his defence and without thinking her knife followed her eyes and mind.
The soldier looked surprised as her knife hit him, and his eyes went upwards, as to question his god. Then he sighed one last time and fell into the snow. For Hex this battle was over an won, although victory had not come easy. She would be bruised and sore tomorrow, and her leg needed attention soon.
Ashilda landed in a mount of snow gathered against the tree and managed to run away quick enough.
She could see Hex dealing with the last of her opponents as she ran towards her.
The last soldier standing hesitated only a moment, he knew he had to kill both women to survive, running away now would not help him, even if he wanted to.
So after just a flicker, he reached for his arrows again and strung his bow, aiming for Ashilda's running back...
Suddenly she saw an opening in his defence and without thinking her knife followed her eyes and mind.
The soldier looked surprised as her knife hit him, and his eyes went upwards, as to question his god. Then he sighed one last time and fell into the snow. For Hex this battle was over an won, although victory had not come easy. She would be bruised and sore tomorrow, and her leg needed attention soon.
Ashilda landed in a mount of snow gathered against the tree and managed to run away quick enough.
She could see Hex dealing with the last of her opponents as she ran towards her.
The last soldier standing hesitated only a moment, he knew he had to kill both women to survive, running away now would not help him, even if he wanted to.
So after just a flicker, he reached for his arrows again and strung his bow, aiming for Ashilda's running back...
[size=100][color=red] It takes a red-headed woman, to get a dirty job done[/size][/color]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
-
Hex da`Bergliin
- Warrior Priest
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2003 1:08 am
- Location: Frozen wastes of Trothgard
Hex untangled herself from the dead soldier and rolled over in the snow. Her breath was rushing from her lungs in short rasps. With the release of her adrenalin it brought the pain, and it hurt. She lay for a moment in the snow letting the world come back into focus. Clear skys, frosty breath...was that a snow flake?
Hex shook off her gauntlets and pulled her dagger out of the soldier, wiping it on his tunic. Hex rolled to her side and pushed herself into a sitting position, trying to keep her leg still, she knew she needed attention. Cutting the tunic from the dead man she started to cut it into strips. Her prep done and her hands wiped clean in the snow, she gingerly cut open her leggings to look at her wound, it did not look good. Thats going to take a stick and scar nicely.. Shaking her head she packed a heavy bandage to it and tied it on. She applied a loose tourniquet above the wound but did not tie it off to tight. Back in the show she lay back once again and cleaned off her hands. Time to see how the others are girl....
grimacing Hex pulled herself to her feet,put away her daggers and hobbled over to her pole arm. Using it as a staff to take weight off her leg, Hex began to make her way towards Ortus, Irmgard and Ashilda. Checking on the Guardian would have to wait.
Hobbled, Hex tried to make the best of her time and worked the now very sore muscles as she slowly made her way. Sweat had gathered on her brow and if none had seen hatred and anger on her face before, they would see it now. Crippled old men move faster than this![/b]
Hex threw her head back and howled like a wolf to release her frustration.
[i]If there is still a fight I might as well bring it to me, I am in no condition to run after anyone... Hex paused to adjust her tourniquet in case there was a fight coming her way.
Hex shook off her gauntlets and pulled her dagger out of the soldier, wiping it on his tunic. Hex rolled to her side and pushed herself into a sitting position, trying to keep her leg still, she knew she needed attention. Cutting the tunic from the dead man she started to cut it into strips. Her prep done and her hands wiped clean in the snow, she gingerly cut open her leggings to look at her wound, it did not look good. Thats going to take a stick and scar nicely.. Shaking her head she packed a heavy bandage to it and tied it on. She applied a loose tourniquet above the wound but did not tie it off to tight. Back in the show she lay back once again and cleaned off her hands. Time to see how the others are girl....
grimacing Hex pulled herself to her feet,put away her daggers and hobbled over to her pole arm. Using it as a staff to take weight off her leg, Hex began to make her way towards Ortus, Irmgard and Ashilda. Checking on the Guardian would have to wait.
Hobbled, Hex tried to make the best of her time and worked the now very sore muscles as she slowly made her way. Sweat had gathered on her brow and if none had seen hatred and anger on her face before, they would see it now. Crippled old men move faster than this![/b]
Hex threw her head back and howled like a wolf to release her frustration.
[i]If there is still a fight I might as well bring it to me, I am in no condition to run after anyone... Hex paused to adjust her tourniquet in case there was a fight coming her way.
Last edited by Hex da`Bergliin on Sun Feb 12, 2006 4:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
~
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
-
Ashilda da'Svafa
Even as she ran, Ashilda felt that something was out of place. It didn't take more than a flicker to figure out what: there was no sound of pursuit. She felt the skin of her back prickle as she realised what that must mean. I'm not going to present an easy target to him! she decided.
With an abrupt change of direction, she ducked behind the nearest tree and pulled an arrow from the quiver. She would take a moment to try and make him waste the shot, which would give her the time to run a little further. Having watched him fit an arrow to his weapon as he approached her before, she had a rough idea of how long it took. Longer than she needed, at any rate, and possibly even long enough to get her back to her companions.
She didn't spend too long behind the tree - that would only give him the time to move towards her. Far better if he kept his distance and relied on the power in his little bow to reach her. Besides, her arm was throbbing painfully after all the jolting. The sooner she could manage to find somewhere to sit quietly and bind it, the better. As it was, she wasn't sure how well she would be able to shoot. I don't need to hit him, though. she reminded herself. Just startle him and hope that he's ready enough to shoot the he'll shoot without a clear target. And she certainly didn't intend to present him a clear target.
The plan, such as it was, was simple: she would spring out from behind the tree and shoot at the soldier, then duck and swerve behind the next tree so that if he did fire she was less likely to take a hit. Things got a little less definite after that. She rather felt that the prudent thing to do would be to run again, but this time make sure that she ducked and dodged around as many trees as possible. Straight lines were a bad idea when there was someone with a bow behind you. Besides, fighting back was becomming less and less of an option.
At that moment, a long howl rang out through the forest. It raised the hairs on the back of her neck. That wasn't the sled dogs! she thought with alarm. She was slightly comforted by the thought that anything is this valley was nominally on her side, but that wasn't saying much. The fact that it came from the direction she was headed was worrying, too. Does it have something to do with Hex? she wondered. While she knew the warrior woman was capable of taking care of herself, there had been quite a few soldiers. Suddenly she was afraid for her friend.
Knowing that she needed to move quickly, she drew the bow and jumped out from her concealment. A flicker to reorient herself on the direction that she'd come, and the arrow was released. Then she was moving again, bent almost double, in the direction of the next nearest tree. It was time to start running again.
With an abrupt change of direction, she ducked behind the nearest tree and pulled an arrow from the quiver. She would take a moment to try and make him waste the shot, which would give her the time to run a little further. Having watched him fit an arrow to his weapon as he approached her before, she had a rough idea of how long it took. Longer than she needed, at any rate, and possibly even long enough to get her back to her companions.
She didn't spend too long behind the tree - that would only give him the time to move towards her. Far better if he kept his distance and relied on the power in his little bow to reach her. Besides, her arm was throbbing painfully after all the jolting. The sooner she could manage to find somewhere to sit quietly and bind it, the better. As it was, she wasn't sure how well she would be able to shoot. I don't need to hit him, though. she reminded herself. Just startle him and hope that he's ready enough to shoot the he'll shoot without a clear target. And she certainly didn't intend to present him a clear target.
The plan, such as it was, was simple: she would spring out from behind the tree and shoot at the soldier, then duck and swerve behind the next tree so that if he did fire she was less likely to take a hit. Things got a little less definite after that. She rather felt that the prudent thing to do would be to run again, but this time make sure that she ducked and dodged around as many trees as possible. Straight lines were a bad idea when there was someone with a bow behind you. Besides, fighting back was becomming less and less of an option.
At that moment, a long howl rang out through the forest. It raised the hairs on the back of her neck. That wasn't the sled dogs! she thought with alarm. She was slightly comforted by the thought that anything is this valley was nominally on her side, but that wasn't saying much. The fact that it came from the direction she was headed was worrying, too. Does it have something to do with Hex? she wondered. While she knew the warrior woman was capable of taking care of herself, there had been quite a few soldiers. Suddenly she was afraid for her friend.
Knowing that she needed to move quickly, she drew the bow and jumped out from her concealment. A flicker to reorient herself on the direction that she'd come, and the arrow was released. Then she was moving again, bent almost double, in the direction of the next nearest tree. It was time to start running again.
For a while, all Hex could do was catch her breath, and nurse her leg. The tourniquet stopped the bleeding, and some of the pain. She knew she needed stitches, if she wanted her leg to heal properly, but that was for later.
For now, she could see Ashilda, darting behind trees, and moving in her direction, followed by the last of the invaders, who tried to shoot her with his bow.
until now, he had only managed to put arrows in trees and branches, but it was only a matter of time before one of his shots would reach his target: Ashilda's back...
For now, she could see Ashilda, darting behind trees, and moving in her direction, followed by the last of the invaders, who tried to shoot her with his bow.
until now, he had only managed to put arrows in trees and branches, but it was only a matter of time before one of his shots would reach his target: Ashilda's back...
[size=100][color=red] It takes a red-headed woman, to get a dirty job done[/size][/color]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
-
Ashilda da'Svafa
It was a mindless flight. Ashilda could hear (and occasionally feel) the arrows whistle past her and thud into the ground or trees. Sometimes it was sheer intuition or luck that sent her jerking to one side just in time for some to miss her arm or side. All the time, the panic was rising in her along with the thought: I'm not going to make it! He only needs to get lucky once, but I need to be lucky all the time!
Looking further ahead, she could make out Hex. The woman was covered in blood, but it was difficult to see for such a distance how much of it was her own. Certainly, the ground around her suggested that much of it belonged to the soldiers she had fought. Ashilda was gasping for breath, but somehow she managed a wordless call - nothing more than an attempt to attract attention. The last thing she wanted was for her friend to remain standing in the open to take an arrow in her stead.
Knowing that she had support, at least, gave the young woman the strength for one final burst of energy. Just ahead was the thicket where she had seen her cousin disappear. Her arm throbbing, lungs near to bursting, she sprinted towards it and whatever safety the tangle of trees and bushes would offer. At the very least, she hoped to be able to catch her breath and maybe even tie her arm up tightly enough that she could take another shot or two.
Looking further ahead, she could make out Hex. The woman was covered in blood, but it was difficult to see for such a distance how much of it was her own. Certainly, the ground around her suggested that much of it belonged to the soldiers she had fought. Ashilda was gasping for breath, but somehow she managed a wordless call - nothing more than an attempt to attract attention. The last thing she wanted was for her friend to remain standing in the open to take an arrow in her stead.
Knowing that she had support, at least, gave the young woman the strength for one final burst of energy. Just ahead was the thicket where she had seen her cousin disappear. Her arm throbbing, lungs near to bursting, she sprinted towards it and whatever safety the tangle of trees and bushes would offer. At the very least, she hoped to be able to catch her breath and maybe even tie her arm up tightly enough that she could take another shot or two.
-
Hex da`Bergliin
- Warrior Priest
- Posts: 742
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2003 1:08 am
- Location: Frozen wastes of Trothgard
Hex stopped and leaned on her polearm. She could see her friend darting between trees avoiding the solider. Hex was in little position to help her but she had to try. Hex stepped back and leaned against a tree for support, her leg now burning sending pain through her body. She let the pain wash over her and then brought herself into focus, into calm and reached out for the power.
Her intent was small, she wanted to freeze his hands. She would freeze him solid if she could but she did not know if she had the strength and his hands would do.
She gathered her little snow flakes and sought the cold waiting to see what would happen so she could call out to Ashilda to finish the kill.
Her intent was small, she wanted to freeze his hands. She would freeze him solid if she could but she did not know if she had the strength and his hands would do.
She gathered her little snow flakes and sought the cold waiting to see what would happen so she could call out to Ashilda to finish the kill.
~
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
[i]The [b]Kona[/b] is dead, long live the [b]Witches[/b][/i]
OOC: Sorry about the delay, Brechje had a stomachflu thingy, with lots of puking (and she is only about 8 kgs underweight already...)
IC:
It seemed the whole world, or at least the world around them, held its breath, in what seemed to be the final clash of invaders against defenders, or maybe just the puppets of two angry gods...
Relieved, Ashilda dived behind the thicket, the last arrow of the last soldier whistling through the branches.
Actually, this arrow really was his last, but how could she be sure about this?
The soldier was out of breath too, the strange environment and the cold getting to him, wearing him down. She could hear his gasping breath a large bow-shot behind her. She might just have enough time to catch her breath and try for another shot, or she could stay ahead and run for it...
Hex watched the scene, and try to do her magick. It was hard to get a grip on it, she could feel her concentration whirl like a snowstorm, the snowflakes dancing in front of her eyes.
She managed to grab hold of a few handfuls of whirling snow, creating a small dancing cloud of snow, the size of a small animal.
She felt she could control this for a while, make it shift and move, but not for very long. The cold crept up her injured leg, draining the life from it, if she would hold her spell for too long it would freeze her, literally...
IC:
It seemed the whole world, or at least the world around them, held its breath, in what seemed to be the final clash of invaders against defenders, or maybe just the puppets of two angry gods...
Relieved, Ashilda dived behind the thicket, the last arrow of the last soldier whistling through the branches.
Actually, this arrow really was his last, but how could she be sure about this?
The soldier was out of breath too, the strange environment and the cold getting to him, wearing him down. She could hear his gasping breath a large bow-shot behind her. She might just have enough time to catch her breath and try for another shot, or she could stay ahead and run for it...
Hex watched the scene, and try to do her magick. It was hard to get a grip on it, she could feel her concentration whirl like a snowstorm, the snowflakes dancing in front of her eyes.
She managed to grab hold of a few handfuls of whirling snow, creating a small dancing cloud of snow, the size of a small animal.
She felt she could control this for a while, make it shift and move, but not for very long. The cold crept up her injured leg, draining the life from it, if she would hold her spell for too long it would freeze her, literally...
[size=100][color=red] It takes a red-headed woman, to get a dirty job done[/size][/color]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
[size=84]Bruce Springsteen[/size]
[size=75]http://www.dreslough.com[/size]
-
Ashilda da'Svafa
The arrow whistling through the banches above her dislodged a small shower of snow onto Ashilda. Shaking it irritably from her hair, she reflected on this disturbing aspect of the whole situation. She could not remember ever hearing of a time when the hippogryphs' valley had been overcome by snow - it was supposed to be a lush, warm place that could support the Queen's creatures. She wasn't sure what the presence of snow here meant, but she was willing to bet that it wasn't good.
Keeping her body low, she wriggled carefully around to be able to look out of the thicket without disturbing the branches enough to betray her location. She could hear the harsh breathing of the soldier behind her, and a fleeting smile crossed her lips. She may be concerned about the weather in the Valley, but at least she was used to it. She wasn't even wearing her heavy cloak, which had been left with the sleds. By parting the branches carefully, she could see him standing there gasping. He didn't seem to be making any move to restring his bow, which puzzled her, and she squirmed around to see her companion.
Hex appeared to be just standing there leaning on her weapon for support. Why doesn't she attack? she wondered. Maybe most of that blood is hers after all, and she's too badly hurt? It was a disquieting thought, since the young woman had been counting on her warrior friend to provide the main fighting power. Annoyed at her own fears, she told herself, You may not be trained as a warrior, but you killed most of the ones who followed you! If you're going to be saved, you need to do it yourself! With that self-encouragement, she drew another arrow from her quiver and fitted it to the string. She couldn't fire from her current position and hope for any chance of hitting her mark, so she began to move to one side to find a place where the bushes crowded less thickly and she could stand and fire before ducking back down again. Even if he didn't seem to be preparing to fire back just yet, she preferred not to take the chance.
Keeping her body low, she wriggled carefully around to be able to look out of the thicket without disturbing the branches enough to betray her location. She could hear the harsh breathing of the soldier behind her, and a fleeting smile crossed her lips. She may be concerned about the weather in the Valley, but at least she was used to it. She wasn't even wearing her heavy cloak, which had been left with the sleds. By parting the branches carefully, she could see him standing there gasping. He didn't seem to be making any move to restring his bow, which puzzled her, and she squirmed around to see her companion.
Hex appeared to be just standing there leaning on her weapon for support. Why doesn't she attack? she wondered. Maybe most of that blood is hers after all, and she's too badly hurt? It was a disquieting thought, since the young woman had been counting on her warrior friend to provide the main fighting power. Annoyed at her own fears, she told herself, You may not be trained as a warrior, but you killed most of the ones who followed you! If you're going to be saved, you need to do it yourself! With that self-encouragement, she drew another arrow from her quiver and fitted it to the string. She couldn't fire from her current position and hope for any chance of hitting her mark, so she began to move to one side to find a place where the bushes crowded less thickly and she could stand and fire before ducking back down again. Even if he didn't seem to be preparing to fire back just yet, she preferred not to take the chance.