Private - A razed Dawn | Page 2

Then the assault began seemingly out of nowhere as a second wave of the unknown enemy soldiers came charging at his position from the rooftops with bows, crossbows and even melee weapons, it looked like the archers were going to provide supporting fire while the melee fighters would jump into the barricade from what he could see. He grinned angry as he spat some blood from his mouth as he readied himself for the assault. From the left paths towards the main hall popped out the heads of a few archers who decided to fire off a volley into the barricades. Fortunately seeing the attack in time, he rose his Odachi in a
upperwards diagonal slash, using the strength he had, he parried the incoming arrows coming with his blade before spinning himself in one hundred eighty degrees. Using the momentum of the blade, his Odachi soared through the air in a vertical slash on one of the enemy melee fighters behind him who managed to jump past the barricades into the safe zone. Seto's blade forcibly split opened the man's head and his armor, killing him instantly. There wasn't any time to rest however as there others in their with him, luckily they were more focused on him than the villagers at the moment. Continuing the momentum of his blade, he swung his Odachi over his head before slashing at the other melee fighter horizontally, slicing his lower body off. Finishing the job, Seto raised his Orachi over his head before stabbing the man in the chest, seemingly killing him almost instantly.

The next four hours. he thought? Seto began to lose track as the enemy continued to fire on his position from range while the enemy melee fighters charged in. He killed many of them but the number of troops was staggering, they were endless he felt, was there no end? Killing so many left the Duke nearly exhausted, he was almost out of energy by the time dawn began to arise in the sky but that was the least of his issues. During the fight he wasn't able to stop the complete hair of volley fire fired at him, some grazed him while landed itself in his back. He would remove it but that would cause internal bleeding in his current state but it was only a flesh wound! He wasn't going to allow himself to die by such a lousy attempt of an attack! Some of the villagers managing the defenses managed to loot the dead of their armor and weapons and join the fighting as well, some of them died along with a few other villagers who were in the wrong spot at the wrong time but there wasn't anything he could do about it, some had quick deaths while some died instantly. This only angered him more, If he had more energy, he could save them or at least stabilize them from bleeding out.

At the break of dawn with the sun up, the enemy despite suffering heavy losses were still hell determined to kill him and gain the knowledge of his Codex he presumed, he wondered where Aalam was but he didn't have time to think about him since an attack could from any path and he had to stay alert. In his current state, he wondered If he was going to die today in this state he was in, it was fitting he thought to himself, there was only one regret he would have in this world, something Alia would never forgive him for. With drops of blood running from his mouth and down his chin, with his eyes closed, he still warmly smiled to himself and the others, his smile seemed to be enough for them to keep them going until Seto and the other villagers heard a stampede in the distance coming towards them. He rolled his eyes as he sighed, he swore If those were enemy reinforcements they would be finished otherwise, they would survive the assault.

 

Aalam continued his hunt there were still a few more of the enemy left he could feel it deep in his bones and if a person couldn’t trust his gut, then he couldn’t believe anything. So he crept through the shadows and the mist making sure each of his footsteps was placed in a way that insured that no one would hear him over the creaking of windows and the moaning of those that were wounded. He remember how the duke’s face did look when he had mentioned the codex there was a brief second of fear the played across his features’ it was the kind of fear that dwelled deep in the heart, the kind you buried in a dark hole cover it with shit then pray that it never see the light of day. He had never seen that type of fear on the duke’s face. That added with the fact that only person who should have known of the creation of his codex was a person that was supposed to be dead. This mess felt like a swamp it was going to miles of crawling through the mud until they reached dry land. Putting an arrow through one of the survivors catching him right in the leg as he tried to hobble away to avoid his death, it was kind of sad, but at least he would kill him quickly. He did just that sending an arrow through his throat cutting off his scream just as they had started.

The paths were too limiting. However he needed to move and stay on the ground wasn’t going to help him, he needs to take his route so pulling himself up onto the roof. He started to use the path, and ways he was familiar with the befit was that it made it harder to see his arrows coming. He continued to pick off enemies from the roofs combined with his stealth abilities very few ever saw him, and those that did were quickly quieted. He would have continued to pick off one by one, but he heard something, something that sounded like it was coming from the encampment. That couldn’t be good his lord was still drained for his stun from before, and if they came at him in great force, then there was a chance that he could fall.

He had to return to the barricade quickly, making his way across the rooftops sprinting across the tiles. There were a few times that he slide across the roof jumping gaps that appeared as he crisscrosses the paths below. Making sure to put an arrow in the body of anyone that seemed to still have a bit of life in them. If they weren’t dead when he passed them the first time he ensured that they were killed the second. He saw the first crossbowman on the roof from a few feet away the arrow was already nocked and his bow drawn back, it was flying in the second after. His shot burst through the crossbowman’s head killing him. The second was nock as the first fell to the ground and he was frying, as fast as he could arrow after arrow towards the enemy. He had managed to reach back in time and take some pressure of his lord, but they were too entranced to for him to do much more than that. However he could still pick off a few every couple of minutes, He could see his lord down there holding the line at the entrance, and he was doing his best to try and take any pressure off, but it was just so many. For the first time in a long time, he was afraid that he might run of arrows.

He was tired it had been about four hours of almost nonstop fighting his drawstring cut into his palm there was blood dripping down the length of his string. But he couldn’t stop each time he pulled back the drawstring the blood gathered on his shafts. It was interesting to see a black arrow streaking with a line of marron blood streaking behind it killing a man. A few were able to fire back from he was able to kill them pulling arrows of limbs were some of the most painful things that he even had done, but he couldn’t stop. Seto his duke, his Lord was still fighting so he couldn’t stop, so he kept at it taking down as many as possible until they got wise to his position. Turn a third of the ranged fighter to his location he needed to move. In the light of the dawns sun, he dodges bolts shooting back when he could until a bolt went through his shoulder blade pinning him to a wall. Well, it seemed that he was the way he was going to die; he would have to apologize to his lord in the next time then. It was just then did he heard the marching the sound of people stepping in time. Pulling the shaft out of his shoulder turn over to see a legion, but no a legion of enemies these people wore different armor. Crawling off the rooftop to fall in front of the commander of the march the Duke’s crest was still visible on his chest. They saw him and called a stop to the march picking him up and bandaging him shoulder. It was then the commander spoke to him “You there that is a Duke’s crest where did you get it.”

Winching a little as he worked through the pain “I’m a ranger and beast mastery in my lord’s court that why I wear the crest, but we cannot talk he is under attack by those barricades he needs assistance if he and rest of the survivors are to survive.” The commander stared at him while he assessed his words motion to two more soldiers to assist him with walking, He waved them off, however, hid lord was under attack he would be at the head of this assault wound or not. Then ordering a forced march closing the distance in a short time, Aalam hoped that his lord would see him they were coming to help.

 

Through the rumbling of the forest, the armored Knights of Astorea and their Commander rushed down the cobblestone path at combat speed opon their war steeds, wanting to waste no time. As the burning wreckage of what remained of Dawngrave came into the view of the Commander and the Knights behind them, many of them became astonished by the sheer amount of destruction and bloodshed filled but seeing such death and destruction only motivated them even further to rescue the survivors and the Duke. Although emotionless and cold on the exterior, even the Commander was touched by such acts of war which motivated her as well. As they drew close to the enterance of the ruins of Dawngrave, out from the forest line came an entire unit of enemy pikemen whom within seconds formed an line formation covering the entire road with their pikes down aimed at the incoming Astorea Knights. As they drew close, the Astorea Knights formed up behind their Commander in a tight flying wedge formation, with their Kite shields in their land arms and Lances in their right arms up at the ready, The Commander imbued her white lance with holy magic and formed a holy barrier infront of her horse as a shield using her energy reserve.

unknown Astorea Knight Commander

With only a dozen feet left, The Knight Commander roared at the enemies infront of them and barked at their Knights behind them.

".....FOR THE SOUTHERN DUCHY!...SMASH RIGHT THROUGH THEM!"

Acting like a spearhead of an army with the Knight Commander leading by example, The Knight Commander and their war steed smashed right into the enemy formation head on, taking the blunt of the attack. Thankfully her holy barrier took the damage, allowing the Knight Commander to come out unscathed. As a result of this, The Holy Warrior being alive began to cause mass panic and confusion just as the remaining knights behind the Commander charged into their line. Catching them off guard, the entire pikemen unit was destroyed with any survivors being routed into the forest line nearby. However almost instantly the Knights fell back into formation behind the Commander as they raced into the ruins of Dawgrave at full speed.

unknown Astorea Knight Commander

With only a dozen feet left, The Knight Commander roared at the enemies infront of them and barked at their Knights behind them.

"....FIND THEM!........KILL THEM ALL!....SHOW THEM NO REMORSE!......WE MUST LOCATE THE SURVIVORS AND THE DUKE!"

Once they arrived and the Commander yelled out their orders, they wasted no time Charging into the many paths of Dawngrave while splitting up into squads to gather more ground. The sudden apperence of armoured Knights charging into the alley way cought the enemy completely off guard which in return made them easy prey to their lances. Within minutes the situation became dire for the enemy as they quickly dwindled in numbers faster than they could handle. Charging through the thickest of fighting, with lance and shield in hand with the motivation of a zealot, the Commander by themselves smashed past the enemy's main line near the barricades and linked up with the survivors. After the Commmander's last strike, she and her white steed turned around once more to face the enemy, yet this time they did not charge but instead roared at the enemy.

unknown Astorea Knight Commander

"....TO ALL THOSE WHO STAND AGAINST THE LIONESS OF THE SOUTHERN DUCHY OF ASTOREA, FLEE NOW OR DIE NOW WEAKLINGS!.....YOUR CHOICE!.....I SPARE NO ONE ON THE BATTLEFIELD!"

Such a cold, calculating and merciless voice caused many of the surviving enemies to panic amongst themselves as soon as they heared the word "Lioness" which prompted them enough to flee with their lives which the Commander allowed due to the survivors took priority now. Even being on his knee's from overwhelming exhaustion, such a voice and her moronic ohoh laughter sent shivers down Seto's spine before he ended up face palming his face with his right hand. Why did she always do this? Of all people, of course she would come and make such an enterance than ruin it with that ridiculous laughter. Seto sighed nodding his head as she stared at him through the visor of her great helmet.

The Lioness

"....I have arrived my Duke........You can thank Lady Cessia......for my aid........You seem to.......love end up in these situations.....don't you?"

Her remarks of his situations only caused him to sigh once more, perhaps she was right but she wasn't any better! He knew she loved making such enterances, she could hide it all she wanted but it made it no difference to him. Still though she did come which he was thankful for otherwise there was a good chance He and the survivors could have died sometime today. Knowing he could finally relax, Seto dropped his Odachi on the ground and fell on his back, seemingly closing his eyes afterwards in an effort to get some sleep. The Lioness in response looked the other way, scanning for anymore possible enemies.

​

 

He had tried to keep up with the other soldiers who were marching, but it wasn’t possible he was too wounded, that hole in his shoulder was blinding him with pain and even though it was bandaged it still was getting soaked with blood. He would have to change the wrapped when they had saved the Duke, but for right now he could only hobble on and try and keep up. The two soldiers that were assisting him with keeping up and this point had almost started to carry him, making sure that he wasn’t the cause that made them break formation. Being nestled between two more soldiers covers in plate armor was not the most comfortable in the world, but it was necessary. The order rang through the ranks when the order to form the flying wedge formation, they got tight and charged. It was like someone had shot one of his arrows form the biggest longbow possible. It was an arrow that would punch through all enemies line and deliver victory. Their battle cry was that of the proud lion protecting all of its territories from any and all enemies, and like that lion, it came to rip asunder any that threaten. And that they did they broke any rank that tried to stop them, that arrow drove its self-deep into the enemies line smashing them with the pure force of will that came with being a commander. The duke had an excellent knight in that one, Aalam was running near the back of the ranks his shoulder still wasn’t healed from what he had done earlier so the bow out of the option for now. However, it seemed that he did not need to get involved at all they commander was efficient and to an extent just as brutal as the enemy. The knight under their command spared no one everyone that had tried to threaten or kill the duke was put to death by the sword. Even the soldiers that were assigned to protect him got into cutting down every person that came near, making sure that everyone they passed was dead either by removing the head or a thrust through the heart. When they finally reached the duke every one enemy soldier in their path was killed.

They had managed to save everyone that was still alive in the village, it had been a trying task, but they were able to do, he thought of going over and thanking the commander. However, it seemed that they were busy with the Duke and formed the expression on the duke’s face whoever they were they were close. It could be that this lioness was …wait lioness like the one who was on the crest the one who was the duke’s wife? Damn, he needed to pay more attention to what is happening around him, he still didn’t bother them electing to check on the villages those women and children that held the barricades during all of this. They had donned the guard’s uniform and taken the equipment everyone was covered in blood it seemed that no one was spared, but they looked good. It is sad that the only way to take the measure of a man is to test them in the fire, and they had been tested and would be stronger for it and long as the memory of this day did not become too great. Making sure to give his lord amble time before limping over to the pair, it seemed as though he had passed out from exhaustion and his wife was standing watch. Kneel a good foot away from the commander for whatever reason she spooked him. “Sir is there anything else you need me here; your commander seemed to have everything well I hand.”

 

Although tired greatly, hearing Aalam's voice was a burdan taken from his heart which in return he was glad it was gone since he was glad his Ranger had survived the night. This was probably one of those few times, anyone could see him being more "human" than he was normally. With a hand gesture from his right hand, Seto sat up in an indian style and welcomed Aalam with one of his rare friendly smiles. He did see his wound to his shoulder but he didn't allow that to pester his mood since this was one moment he didn't want to ruin.

Seto

"Aalam my boy! It's good to see your still among the living! After disappearing for so long, I had thought that perhaps you have perished but I see you have proven me wrong.

I see you are wounded, you should have Christina take a look at you, she's the town healer.....She was the girl I rescued from the townhall, you know that brown long haired teenager? She's around here somewehere. She's been using her skill in white magic to heal the wounded. She's already attended to my back so no need to worry about me."

After Seto had finished speaking, he fell back to the ground on his back and look up at the orange sky. The survivors that guarded the barricades finally fell at ease, taking the long needed rest they deserved while a few other survivors began to dismantle the barricade so they could leave the safety of the spot they have stayed in for the last night. Many of the younger villagers along with Christina whom was now wearing rags to cover himself up with had been treating to the wounded for some time and cremating the corpses of those who had died in the battle from last night including the Mayor. Although his death sadden Seto whom he saw as a father of sorts to him, he was still reliefed the man would no longer be in pain anymore and could finally rest.

Althought Cold and firm on the exterior, on the inside, she was saddened to see such destruction and such loss of life. From within her mind, she began questioning why the enemy would do something so horrible but at the same time, she already knew the answer. From under her great helmet's visor, she sighed before she gently tapped the sides of her mare with the hilt of her boots, telling her mare to look at Seto and Aalam. She simple stared at the lot of them with her lance and shield in hand before speaking to them coldy with suspicion.

unknown Astorea Knight Commander

"...Who....is this?.....I do not...recognize him....Is he a survivor....or some lucky traveler....or perhaps worse?...The kind that....I need to purge? "

Hearing the lioness words, Seto was a little puzzled by her words, did she not read the report he had written up a short time ago? For someone who took their job as seriously as he did, he was surprised by her words.

Seto

"Didn't you read the report I written up a short time ago? I know I sent a copy do you, I am sure of it.

The Lioness drew her attention from Aalam to Seto completely yet she didn't speak at first. Like usual, she waited a few moments before speaking coldly to him in that voice that could easily irritate a person or people quickly.

unknown Astorea Knight Commander

"...No"

Upon hearing her "no" Seto rolled his eyes in dissapointment, he couldn't really say he was completely surprised by her word. One of these dam days he was going to have to force her to do her administrative duties or at least take them far more seriously. He couldn't exactly blame her, he himself hated doing his administrative duties himself but he still did them anyway since he couldn't ignore such important work.

Seto

"Sigh...of course you didn't..." Seto said quietly under his breath

"No matter, this young man you see before you is Aalam Abungu, a Ranger who is sworn under House Kurama. He shall serve until otherwise stated, you should remember who serves the house, I would prefer If you don't kill such skilled servants and warriors under my command unless I give it. Finding such people are incredible difficult after all."

What came next was yet again that famous moronic laughter from the Lioness. He swore no matter how many times he heard that damm laughter, it would hunt him for more reasons than he like to admit, especially his spine always being cold.

unknown Astorea Knight Commander

"...Oh?.....Like that little blue haired....maid girl you have?....What.....was her name again?.....oh right...Emmeline.........I know......what you really......do with her...."

From her playful demeanor, it suddenly changed to her cold and serious tone once more a few moments later.

"....We need to move NOW!..........Falderen reinforcements will be here soon, I shall explain on the way the situation you have gotten yourselve into my Duke."

Such words prompted from the Lioness almost caused to draw his blade on her! She knew how easily Seto was senstive when it came to Emmeline but what she said wasn't true. He did care for her greatly as much as he did Aalam but what the Lioness was proposing was herectical, he would never!......he thought at least. What fires she ignited in his eyes soon disppeared when she told him Falderen reinforcements were enroute to their position. He wanted to ask her why but he knew better than to ask about it right now, instead he needed to focus on getting these people preparing to leave. He knew they would want to stay but considering Dawngrave was almost completely destroyed now between the inital razing and the innerfighting, there was no point. Picking himself and sheathing his Odachi into it's Saya on his back, he turned to face the survivors within the barricades. Raising his voice, he greeted them with the gestures of his hands before speaking up to get his attention.

Seto

"People of Dawngrave,

It has came to my attention that while the battle has ended and you are now safe, it is only for the moment as I have just been informed that your King has decided to betry you or leave you out to die to get to me, therfore.....we must all leave this place......I know this will not be easy on the heart, many have lost their families and many have lost everything they had in this world......I may have not been born here or lived here my entire life but I have always considered Dawngrave my home while in this land and I have always came to it's defense and do what I could for this place. I still remember long ago when I came to Dawngrave almost dead, starving and wearing nothing but rags covering me.

The people here including the Mayor himself took me in as one of their own and in a way raised me into what I am now. For owing such a debt to the people of this town, it is only proper I do what I can to aid you in your greatest time of need. Dawngrave may have been destroyed here last night however as the Black Duke alongside with the Fierce Lioness of Astorea, I promise to aid you in the rebuilding of Dawngrave within my land. I can promise you this will never happen again while under my watchful eyes."

​

 

Making his way to his feet wincing a bit as the wound on his shoulder ache him but he was alive, and that was better than he could say for some of the other villagers. It had been incredibly touching and went for those few final minutes before the dawn; it was in those light twilight second that he thought his death we going to come. It was so close if that reinforcement had arrived just a few seconds later them it was a reasonable expectation that he would have died. Well at least his lord was ok it seemed that the girl Christina had already looked at the wound the duke had received earlier, it looked like she had repaired most of the damage. It might leave a scar but seeing as he was neither the duke’s wife nor girlfriend those things did matter to Aalam. At least the man was alive; Seto was a crazy lord taking a risk like this. He would never stay that to the duke’s face, but they had come this close to him dying. However, he needed to see the healer by the way his bandages where getting soaked with his blood, it was a good chance that he would bleed out if there weren't medical attention to close the wound.

He was about to leave, but it seemed at the moment his legs finally gave out dropping out from under him. He landed on the floor sending up a little cloud of dust, checking his energy level it seems that he barely had over five percent. Well, that was unsurprising he had spent most of the day either shooting arrows until his hands bleed or running across the top of rooftop until his hands and feet bleed. He was a mess in those second, and when it seemed that the commander turned to address him, he couldn’t even stand up. It seemed that his legs need a bit more time to rest before they would work properly. It seemed that she wasn’t aware who he was, that was a bit unexpected, but then again he recently entered into the duke’s service. He was just a lowly ranger, after all, a knight might have garnered her attention but then still he didn’t mind when people didn’t pay much attention to him made his work and his life more comfortable. He did give a small nod when he referred to him as skilled however it would have been wrong to turn it down, the second bit of interesting tidbit was that the duke had a maid consort, that was a player and his wife knew. Well, that was one thing he wasn’t getting in the middle of.

However, that was something he wasn’t going to tackle on any other day, but they were moving it seemed that the duke was taking the surviving population into his borders. It was a smart move especially after an attack like this. Pulling himself to his feet, and tracking down the healer Christina and getting his shoulder fixed. She was covered in rags and still shaky there was a fear in her eyes, one the chilled him to the bone, but she was able to close the hole. However, they need to move so he rallied anyone who could move getting troops to carry those. It took them a bit, but he was able to get everyone up and moving. They would follow the commander to the whatever location the duke decided, and he would bring up the rear with a small squad. Calling out to the front "On your command my lord."

 

With a serious grin on her look, she looked up to see a young man in need of treatment, she was initially in fear of seeing yet another man despite knowing nothing would happen to her, especially with the Duke around. She did feel somewhat safe with this man around since she believed this man to be Aalam was it? one of those people who served the Duke or Seto or at least associated themselves with him. Knowing that was more than enough for her at the moment but she still couldn't stop fear in her eyes after what had happened to her in the last night. Upon seeing that wide open of a wound, she would have normally skeezed at it despite being a healer but now, she was a different person than she was the day before, she was no longer scared of blood or hard to look at wounds, something just seemed to snapped in her. Shrugging her shoulders, Christina sighed as she placed her arms over his wounds, calling upon Iedi from within her mind, white energies soon overtook her hands with a white like aura taking form. After a few moments, Christina's white magic slowly closed any interior bleeding while regrowing any skin tissue or interior body parts damaged or lost entirely. Being an expert now at healing, it only took a brief moment before she was finally done healing Aalam.

Christina

"I did what I could for you, your wound is closed as far I know but don't know anything crazy to reopen it again. You need to be more careful ok? I don't think Seto....ergghh I mean Lord Kurama would be happy If you died now on him."

As soon as she was finished patching Aalam up, her eyes lit up like fire when she heard the speech Seto had made to everyone in the town, they were moving? But why? Why was she asking that? She already knew the answer, it was right in front of her......Dawngrave....her home and her entire life since the day she was born sat almost completely destroyed. She would miss her home dearly and she would never forget the good, the ok and the horrible memories she had here but If it was time to move on then so be it she supposed. Seto believed in them just as much she believed in him, she knew he would do the right thing and she wanted to support him in this endeavor. With hope entering her mind, she pumped her right arm into the air and yelled out.

Christina

"YEAH LETS DO IT! LETS GO BUILD A BETTER DAWNGRAVE EVERYONE! WOOHOO!"

It still seemed some of her old self was still ever present within her. Her optimism seemed to lighten the mood and boost everyone's mood as everyone started to laugh, even Seto started to chuckle at her outburst.

Seto

"Couldn't said it better myself Christina."

Seto said out loud warmly to Christina, her mood decided to stay in high gear once he told her that, a little optimism was once in awhile right? He was still human too after all so it was good after a long hard fought battle but he still had to remain serious for everyone's sake including his own or else 'SHE" would kill him later for it. Once again he joined his hands together in a clap to get eveyone's attention before he chose to speak again.

Seto

"Everyone I know this will not be easy but we need to move soon so get things underway, I want you all to return home If.....you still have one and gather you're most treasured and useful belongs. Those who do not have one, I'd ask to either burn or bury your loved ones as quickly as possible, gather tools, materials etc for the upcoming journey and reconstruction ahead of us. luckily for us the horse farm was spared from being razed to the ground since it was well hidden in the forest near the beach, I want a group of people to gather all the horses, cows, ox's etc and link them up to a wagon which we will use to transport people and the items we will need for the future. I know this isn't easy but we must work together for the greater good, there is......almost no time left........I am sorry.

We will be departing in thirty minutes."

Seto was astonished by how quickly the villagers dispersed from where they were only minutes ago, some ran off while some hurried off quickly walking in multiple directions most likely to their houses. Others started burning or burying the corpses that hadn't been burned already from eariler while a dozen or so disappeared into the woods nearby and came back almost ten miutes later with an entire herd of horses....well a small one but there was still a dozen horses and they had four wagons...and a carriage? Wait when did they get a carriage? Seto couldn't remember a time when they got a carriage but he wasn't going to question it now since they needed it. When they arrived in the main drag or the main road of Dawngrave, almost immediately they began filling the last wagons with countless tools equipment and any good quality materials still around, Seto wanted to help as well but they all told him the same thing, to sit and relax since he earned it.....Even still he didn't like sitting around doing anything.

The Lioness was still on her white mare, seemingly ignoring all the ruckus everyone was making, she contiuned her everlasting watch for danger or at until Seto decided to walk over to her, she was startled since she hadn't been expecting him to get so close but she refused to show it being the pride Lioness of Astorea.

Seto

"I appreciate you coming all this way for me Oliva, it means alot. I wasn't sure how this event was going to turn out."

​

 

Seto expressed he was genuinly thankful she had arrived when she died otherwise he wasn't too sure what would have happened. He would most likely survive of course but for the townspeople that would have been a different story, especially If he was forced to use Dark Ascension than there would have been a real good chance he could destroyed everything and killed everyone that was still alive. Hearing his words, her mind urged her greatly to dismantle, her cold personality screamed at her not to but the urge was too great for Oliva to say no to. Carefully dismantling from her white mare, with her right hand she removed her great helmet, revealing a young woman with long, cury blonde hair and blue eyes. With a shrug of her bangs to the side of her shoulder, she gave Seto her completel attention. Blushing slightly from his stare that seemed to stared into her soul, she instinctively wrapped her arms around Seto's body tightly as she laid her head on his shoulder, Seto in response did as well before Oliva pulled away slightly to look back up at her Duke.

Oliva Ruvelia, The Lioness of Astorea

"Of...of course I would Seto, You my Duke! Besides am the Lioness of Astorea! It is my sworn duty to look after and protect everyone, especially you Seto!"

Seto

Seto initially blushed after he heard Oliva's words, making him speechless for nealy a minute before he responded.

"Right....well thanks Oliva, it means alot to me I have a guardian angel such as you watching over me. Anyway it is almost time to move out, can you gather your Knights and take the front of the escort?"

With a serious grin of her face, Oliva nodded in silent before she donned her great helmet and saddled up on her white mare. With a kick to the side with the hilt of her boot, Oliva and her mare ran off into the distance to gather her Knights before linking back up. After a few minute of aimlessy walking, Seto found himself back at the group of wagons led by horses, he was surprised how quickly they stock up everything they needed into two wagons before putting themselves in the other two wagons, some of the men who manned the barricades from earlier were now on horses still wearing the armor and weapons they captured, they took to the sides on top of a few horses and within a few more minutes Oliva and her Knights were ahead of the escort some fifty feet away, they had already began to move ahead to secure the roads since she and her unit were act as the vanguards. It seemed it was time to head out he supposed, taking one more look at Dawngrave or what reamined, he would never forget this place for this place marked the beginning and end of a chapter within his life and so did it for others.

Saddling up on a chestnut red stallion given to him by one of the armored men, he kicked the side of the horse, telling the horse to move, he looked for Aalam until he saw his face pop on in his sight.

Seto

"Aalam take it easy for now, you earned that much my Ranger, there's no need to die on me but If you must have something to do, look after Christina, that girl that healed you from earlier, she is the only healer here besides the Lioness herself but considering she's being the vanguard, that will prove difficult.

I have to return now to my duties, a true leader must lead by example after all."

With that, Seto took his leave from Aalam and moved to the front of the escort consisting of wagon drawn by horses and now horsemen. As soon as he was in front of the escort, with a gesture of his hand, the escort of wagons began moving after Seto on top of his horse.​

THREAD EXIT--->​

 

Aalam was still near enough to hear when the healer no that wasn’t right Lord Seto cared enough to save her personally he should use her name. He was close enough to hear when Christina shouted out to the rest of the villagers it seemed that no matter what had happened to here she was still able to fell happiness. It brought a small grin to his face he wasn’t as cold as the duke, but even in his reserved stage of emotions, that act brought him a significant bit of happiness. The child could still smile even after all that had to happen to here she was still able to smile. That made every wound every bit of pain and fear that he had suffered throughout the entire thing worth it. Even as he helps the other villages get to get in gear to move salvaging every possible to make the situation easier, it wasn’t as slow going as he thought. Packing as much into wagons and carts as possible, he had to help a few people a just how much things they wanted to carry in their packs. It would do to have someone pass out on the way to their new home.

Tragic could be a good motivator it seemed, that was still a bit cruel of him, but they were moving as they collected the last of the salvageable materials, he walked around looking for his arrows. There were a few that he could salvage; they just had to be cut out. It might have been a little gross, but he would rather have a supply only in case anything happened gross or not. Before he left he made sure to stop by the funeral pyre there was something that he had to do, religious or not one must always pay respects to the dead. Mumbling under his breath no one needed to hear what he said. “I kept my promise to you; I have fulfilled the obligations of my contract. May you rest in the courts of your Gods at peace.” He had done what he had promised taking three arrows and tossing them into the pyre. He could offer little else, but maybe they would help to keep him safe up there.

Jumping on the back of one of the carriages just as it was about to take off but then the thing came to a sudden stop. Peering down the side to see what could have caused the carriage to stop it seemed that they had stopped for the duke. Jumping down the side to stand in front of him, it seemed he wanted him to take it easy, after all, they went through that wouldn’t be a problem. He did ask him to look over that girl Christina, her being the only healer. So after he left to rejoin the front of the caravan, he went to her carriage. She was still wearing the same collection of rags in was in a tucked in a corner, taking off his coat and covering the girl with it. She still seemed hurt and scared there was a brave face on, but he could see it. The place she chooses in the back near the flaps if she needed to get away quickly. The way she was bunched up keeping to herself, whatever happens in the hall was terrible. If nothing else he could see that much.

So he said nothing just taking a seat on the side of her plucking hit string of his bow, feeling the carriage rock slightly as the Duke lead them to a new place. A place that would be filled with hope and not fear a place where something like this would never happen again. So they rode bathed in the light of a new dawn to a place of new hope.

---Exit Thread---