The campaign to reconquer Tresova had been a difficult one, marked by heavy casualties and a slow, forward grind of attrition. The Kennex army had withdrawn, losing one of their five ships with all hands aboard in the withdrawal, and effectively halving the force left to the Blackshores as they stared down the looming bastion of Bloodstone Keep. Losses to the Loyalist fleet at Redreef had ensured difficulties in supplying the army, and the waters around New Hope remain dominated by the Dagonite Greywalke navy, which- combined with the steep losses of the Tresovan campaign- had stirred up unrest at home. Of the eight hundred soldiers Aedric had landed with, barely four hundred were left able to fight.

All of this brought our heroes to this turning point: they had persevered and captured the walked city of Tresova, but to solidify that progress, must take the castle on the cliffs. Capture the fortress and prevail; be turned back and be forced to withdraw. After his offer to free his prisoners and allow Blackshore to withdraw unopposed had been refused, Caius Carideo had been true to his threat: every day at sunset, he had executed a prisoner atop the walls of Bloodstone, casting them into the black waters of the Veiled Harbor far below.

Meanwhile, from dawn to dusk, the last stone thrower left to Aedric had been concentrating fire at the round tower anchoring one side of the castle gate, having succeeded in ruining the battlements, but not yet opening a true breach. After dark, when the artillery stopped, the defenders scrambled to repair as much of the damage as they could. Many scaling ladders had been assembled, and there had been talk of building a rolling tower and a battering ram, but the steep ground leading up to the walls made a tower improbable, and a battering ram uncertain. Within the fortress, Caius Carideo waited with the best troops left to him.

Aedric Blackshore is a timid man. Though tall, like his brothers, he is pale and borderline sickly -- a far cry from being physically imposing or intimidating. Complicating this inapproachable presence further, the sailor, fairly reclusive, speaks only when he has something worth saying. This, it would seem, is one of those rare circumstances. He stands at the front of the line, where Black Vanguard and its volunteers have assembled to begin the final steps of their siege of the keep.

"Tonight, we are bearers of civilization's sacred flame. We carry the torch, and the steel, necessary to restore order where there is chaos, security where there is lawlessness, faith where there is heresy, and hope where there is despair. To abandon Tresova now, in the face of insurmountable odds, is to condemn her people to extinction." The baron does not raise his voice, and yet his words are no less impassioned. He continues down the ranks, walking slowly, helm held at his side. "These are the stakes, and why House Blackshore has not turned its back upon this island. We, hundreds of miles from the mainland, carry the weight of our laws and institutions -- are the faces of our gods, of our families, of prosperity, and all that stands between our subjects and a cruel fate at the hands of the Carideo rebellion." Another pause. He stops and turns to face his allies, cold cerulean gaze conveying a tiredness commonly seen in battle-weary commanders.

"You must make a choice. I have made mine. I choose to step again into the breach and stare down whatever these barbaric wretches have in store for us. But I ask you, in my darkest hour: will you follow me?"

Raven's green eyes are locked on Aedric. In this battle his words are her command so her gaze is alert and her ears sharp. She's found her way towards the front lines, knowing where an inelegant brute like her belongs. She doesn't answer the call, leaving it to Aedric's men but she shifts restlessly in anticipation of Murder.

Redreef doesn't have all that many soldiers to start with, and their defenses are...somewhat precarious at the moment. Nonetheless, the Loyalists shall stand together as allies or fall one by one alone. So it is that General Martinique Barlinnie has brought forces to aid in the assault on the castle at Tresova. It was a difficult passage simply to arrive, and the day looks to be more difficult still. Martinique joined her forces to those of Blackshore in waiting, and then promptly took a nap until it was closer to the time of actual attack.

What? In war you never know when you're going to get another chance to rest. Once she's arisen she looks over her Fury, giving small nods or tiny corrections to individual soldiers. "We are here because we stand as one. We stand for Prince Victus and for the Compact. We stand against thralldom, or slavery by another name--and we stand for our oaths. We will have victory, because we have our anger to fuel us. Our absolute rage at what these curs are seeking to do. I will not fail my Countess, and I know you will not either--so let us stand forth, and bring these rebels to heel!"

Vitalis has turned up, head bandaged, expression mild as he studies the walls of the keep. An assault like this is not the kind of operation he's usually involved in, and so he stands with the irregulars awaiting orders.

A glance up at the fortress that looms over the island, and then Kastelon's single eye returns to Aedric as the lord speaks. This is not his terrain, but he simply nods his assent when there's the call to follow into the breech. "For the Compact," answers the huntsman, bow at the ready.

Caspian listens to the speech, his eyes trailing over the other troops. he could tell some wavered..and who could blame them. this was nasty business. still, it needed to be done. as aedric finishes, he thumped a fist to his chest and with a bellowing voice called out "FOR BLACKSHORE! FOR THE COMPACT!" over and over he raised the cry, stamping his foot and thudding his chest as he answered the call.

Throughout the campaign to retake the city of Tresova, Romulius has remained largely separate from the primary element of the offensive. The prince is present not in his capacity as Thrax's Deputy Warlord, but rather two others - Commander of the Knights of East Light who have lent themselves to Blackshore's efforts to subdue rebels (under suspicion of occult influences), and as the Sword of New Hope. While he carries his greatsword rather than Lotan, the house weapon of Blackshore, he still manages to find himself standing beside his uncle. The relation is undeniable; while the Baron is a slighter man than his nephew, they share the cerulean gaze that acts as their bloodline's signature and even stand with identical posture, hands tucked between chests and breastplates as they regard their respective forces until Aedric parts to address the assembled.

The baron is offered a stern nod of acknowledgment that at least the Order of East Light will follow him in the assault before Romulius addresses his knights with a great deal less ceremony. "Remember your oaths, and know that our sacrifices here will pave the way for a brighter future." A pause, his eyes falling more squarely upon Jasher. "Bring the dawn."

Vitalis checks perception and investigation at hard. Vitalis fails.

Recently Pasquale chose to re-affirm his connections to the Isles Canines. It is that excuse, of being a Mercenary here, which resulted in him choosing to come here today to fight in support of Blackshore. He's brought a group of perhaps Nilanzan Corsairs with him. Each of whom has enough individuality in their dress to suggest they are an irregular force rather than an official army. His mouth quirks as he listens to the various speeches being voiced before following up with a few simple words for his own men. "After those words I dont need to add anything. You know what is at stake here today."

Jasher stands with the knights of the Order of East Light, his Knight Commander and cousin leading their forces full tilt into the heart of Tresova. They are here first and foremost to deny cultist activity from flourishing once more on this island's shores, though for many enlisted and assisting here, there is an unspoken ulterior motive which drives them. The Compact has simply bled far too much already, and Loyalists are struggling to maintain hold of their domains. And so Jasher's frown is deeper and more severe on this day as he returns Romulius's intense gaze and inclines his head in agreement. Wake's Edge is withdrawn from the scabbard hanging at his hip, preparing for the onslaught to come. "For Blackshore, and for The Compact," he adds thereafter, as though they are a natural extension of the Order's words.

Pasquale wields days of emerald hunting bow edged in pewter-blue hues.

Yuri stirred to life along the line of East Light knights that stood at the ready, drawing forth his weapon with all the resonance of a verbal response to the Baron Blackshore's words. His words echoed out those solemn word of the Order; "Bring the dawn." His helm-covered head nodded forth toward Romulius before his vision tapered off along to Jasher, stepping up ahead to join the van.

While Aedric may appear a timid man his Baroness is the opposite, a striking figure in been carnal hues that glimmer in the fiery destruction and carnage of her home. Scylla is firmly aware of the stakes, fierce silvery orbs flicker not on all those have gathered to aid Blackshore but on Bloodstone Keep itself with a deadly purpose, "I want my brother's head on a spike." Spoken aloud in voice that borders on a growl, raised for all to hear, shouted to carry aloft on the wind for Caius to catch a drift of that howl. The Omen clearly done with failed negotiations and talks of sibling affection that once was. Finally, attention diverts itself briefly towards allies willing to help see them through to whatever end.

Balefire is brandished, gauntlets a subtle creak as knuckles tighten about the hilt and head lowers like a she-wolf ready to dive in after prey, lupine in poise and grace. "Tell me when."

Aedric wields Atonement, the Blackshore heirloom diamondplate longsword.

Scylla checks perception and war at hard. Scylla is successful.

Visible at a distance, within maximum bowshot but past the point where arrows could be placed with any accuracy, an armored warrior briefly appeared at the ramparts near the gate, three red plumes visible and a cruel poleaxe in hand as Scylla makes her desire known for her brother's head on a spike. In a voice muffled by the helm, and marked by an unusually bouyant cadence for its deep timbre, Caius answers his sister: "That would be very painful.." adding to the defiant cheers of his rebels, "For you."

The storming of Bloodstone is commenced, thereafter.

Martinique checks command and war at hard. Martinique fails.

Pasquale checks command and leadership at hard. Pasquale marginally fails.

Romulius checks command and war at hard. Romulius is successful.

Aedric checks command and war at hard. Aedric fails.

Pasquale checks dexterity and archery at hard. Pasquale is successful.

Pasquale checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Critical Success! Pasquale is spectacularly successful.

Kastelon checks dexterity and archery at hard. Kastelon fails.

Kastelon checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Kastelon marginally fails.

Raven checks strength at hard. Raven is successful.

Raven checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Raven fails.

Caspian checks strength and athletics at daunting. Caspian fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Caspian is successful.

Vitalis checks strength and athletics at daunting. Vitalis fails.

Vitalis checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Vitalis marginally fails.

Scylla who has been moving along the lines with sights shifting with calculating purpose, a quick aside is given to those commanding, "They've got armored axeman along the walls stationed ten archers apart and as I'm sure you've seen the wisps of smoke - cauldrons are going to be ready to drop."

Raven checks strength at hard. Raven fails.

Aedric checks strength at hard. Botch! Aedric fails completely.

Raven checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Botch! Raven fails completely.

Martinique checks strength at hard. Martinique fails.

Yuri checks strength at hard. Yuri marginally fails.

Romulius checks strength at hard. Romulius is successful.

Jasher checks strength at hard. Critical Success! Jasher is spectacularly successful.

Jasher checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Jasher fails.

Romulius checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Romulius is successful.

Martinique checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Martinique fails.

Aedric checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Aedric marginally fails.

Yuri checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Yuri is successful.

Kastelon checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Critical Success! Kastelon is spectacularly successful.

Kastelon remains capable of fighting.

Vitalis puts hands on the base of a ladder and looks up. This couldn't BE further from the way he usually approaches matters. And on the heels of a less than stellar scouting foray, the Clement lord is off balance. Quite literally as he starts up the ladder, tipping and slipping, nearly falling off as he clings and makes dubious progress, rocks ricocheting off his helm and gauntlets. Lips skin back from teeth as imprecations tumble from his lips in a steady stream and a variety of dialects, the punchiest ones he can think of. Oathland shavs have a delightful turn of phrase in their swears. Much alliteration.

Caspian reverses the grip of his daggers as he rushes towards the ladders, stowing them on his belt. The shouts and screams from attacker and defender alike fill the air. "Come on! Free drinks and glory to everyone who gets to the top! It a day to carve our names in history!" Caspian twists to dodge an arrow flashing past, and grabs the ladder as he reaches the bottom of it. He hoists a borrowed metal shield, starting to climb up the ladder, with the shield raised. Rocks, arrows, spear and axes come hurling down at him, but they bounce off the heavy metal bulwark as he makes slow progress up toward the wall, men following behind him.

The Redreef soldiers roar with anger and follow Martinique as she moves with the Blackshore charge. In particular they are reinforcing the battering ram, placing their strength in hitting the gate, a new man replacing any of those who fall in working the ram. Martinique herself continues directing, though the chaos of the battlefield is always immense and sieges are worse than anything else. Redreef archers launch before ducking behind their pavisse shields, but their targets are distant and small and little damage is done. There are screams as the boiling seawater falls among them, including Martinique herself as a searing torrent pours past her shoulder. She hisses and recovers quickly, and resumes coordinating the assault, keeping half an eye on the archers above and below, and on the ladder-climbers risking it all at the ramparts.

Vitalis mutters, glimpsing Caspian, "Shoulda ... ... shield."

TWANG! Kastelon's bow is brought to the fore, and once more, the arrows fly in the direction of the fire that's raining down from the fortress above. If they can at least keep the attention of the archers up there on them, and not on those who are scaling the wall for now - this would be a good thing. The downside - Kastelon has but the one eye, that's trained on where he's shooting, and the eyepatch is somewhat inconvenient as a second eye for seeing the incoming fire as well. Catching an arrow himself, there's a hiss of pain when he's struck, but another arrow is nocked...

Aedric is a victim of his poor physical conditioning. A residual wound from being stabbed and thrown out of a window has grossly inhibited his strength. This is clearly demonstrated as he attempts to assist the battering ram in breaching the castle's gates. During the futile effort, boiling water is poured from on high. He grunts in pain, but for now persists.

Raven grabs the battering ram to try to help but she doesn't even bother to dodge, trusting her various layers of armor to do it's job but when the screams of pain sound and she realizes scalding liquid-too late. She gives a pained stream of curses as her backside is splattered with boiling hot liquid but she just readjusts her grip and keeps at it.

"East Light, to the gates. Let the curs face their judgement head on." There is no easy way to besiege a castle. Romulius at least acknowledges it through his actions, a kite shield handed to the prince before he makes for the battering ram. The shield is held overhead in an effort to ward off the projectiles raining down from above. It proves to be a prudent maneuver, a pair of arrows breaking off on the barrier before it's discarded so that his strength can be lended to the effort to break through the gates. It precludes any further words of inspiration or command, replaced with grunts of exertion that accompany each hammering of the ram into the gates.

Yuri immediately took a firm position at the head of the battering ram, settling into a driving wedge toward the left side of the ram and assisting in the initial guidance of the siege weapon. He maintained a steady pace, hauling his section of the ram with as much fortitude as the rest of the knights that had taken to a hole on the battering ram. His sword was shifted to his non-dominant hand, ready at a moment's notice for battle.

It quickly becomes obvious that the group of Nilanzan mercenaries that Pasquale brought with him are not ideally suited to this phase of the battle. They move in staggered lines, taking it in turns to fire off small crossbows and then scuttling forward to protect the next rank with their shields. Pasquale glances to them regularly and twice gives minor instructions that close up the holes in the group made by the arrows pouring down from the castle. Pasquale too begins with a crossbow tucked under his arm but unlike his troops he is saving his shot and hasn't fired a single bolt in the time it takes Martinique to find her way into the line of fire of a particularly plucky oil-pouring defender. That is when Pasquale takes his crossbow, sets it into position, and fires the precious bolt up towards the defenders. It strikes the oil wielding defender in the shoulder and he falls away buying precious moments for Martinique before his friend manages to muscle the pot up into position. The bolt spent Pasquale merely tosses the crossbow away and draws a selfbow instead.

Wake's Edge is held firmly within Jasher's grasp, though when Romulius orders the knights to the gate, he sheathes it and runs up to assist. The combination of his added strength and raw determination help drive the ram forward into the gate with that much more force than would be otherwise expected. As he possesses no shield of his own, and would not sacrifice his arm for it anyway, a cascade of boiling water splashes off his pauldron and scalds the left side of his face left exposed. He releases hold of the ram upon impact and takes a staggered step away from the wall to assess the damage. The heat has left vibrant crimson burn marks on his face that are sure to sting with pain the rest of the night; a distraction that will surely cost him focus.

Caspian hunkers on the ladder a moment, as a fresh volley of rocks and other implements of doom smash into the shield stalling his progress. the man behind him grumble and shove at him, eager to be atop. Through gritted teeth, caspian grumbles right back "this.. isn't.. as easy... as it looks!"

Scaling ladders against defended ramparts is a difficult proposition, intended mostly to force the defenders to spread out and answer dozens of attacks rather than concentrate on one. None have yet gained the ramparts, and some few have been struck mortally, falling with uneven screams. At the gate, even the steep ground in not enough to wholly thwart the impact of the battering ram, which thuds into the reinforced timber gate with a shuddering slam. Damage is done, led by Prince Jasher, as arrows and stones rain down from above. A muffled voice orders, "Give them a drink!" and steaming cauldrons of boiled seawater atop the gate are overturned, gushing in horrible scalding fours out over the attackers.

With fortune, the worst will be behind after that, for no army can absorb such punishment for long.

Martinique checks command and war at hard. Martinique is successful.

Romulius checks command and war at hard. Romulius is successful.

Pasquale checks command and leadership at hard. Pasquale is successful.

Scylla checks command and war at hard. Scylla is successful.

Pasquale checks dexterity and archery at hard. Pasquale marginally fails.

Pasquale checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Pasquale is successful.

Kastelon checks dexterity and archery at hard. Kastelon is successful.

Kastelon checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Kastelon is successful.

Caspian checks strength and athletics at daunting. Caspian is successful.

Vitalis checks strength and athletics at daunting. Vitalis fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Caspian is successful.

Vitalis checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Vitalis marginally fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Caspian is successful.

Aedric checks strength at hard. Aedric fails.

Martinique checks strength at hard. Martinique marginally fails.

Martinique checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Martinique marginally fails.

Aedric checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Aedric is successful.

Romulius checks strength at hard. Romulius is successful.

Jasher checks strength at hard. Jasher is successful.

Yuri checks strength at hard. Yuri fails.

Jasher checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Jasher marginally fails.

Yuri checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Yuri fails.

Raven checks strength at hard. Botch! Raven fails completely.

Romulius checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Romulius is successful.

Raven checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Botch! Raven fails completely.

Raven checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Raven marginally fails.

Scylla checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Scylla marginally fails.

There's a roar of anger from the Redreef troops as the fighting continues, and they redouble their efforts, almost like they can smell the blood in the water and want to swarm like the alligators they are frequently compared to. Arrows continue to fly, and to fall upon the attackers. Martinique takes one across the thigh that leaves a burning red line she will have to ignore as she continues to advance, putting all her strength into the ram even as the pathway is rapidly made slick from the poured seawater.

Raven's weak arm slips and there's a sharp cry as and faceplants against the back of the soldier infront of her when her grip slips and she lurches suddenly forward. Aaaand then more scalding liquid, "That is starting to SERIOUSLY piss me off, you fuckers!!" she looks up with one arm lifted to protect her face as she peers up to see how things above are going.

Another around of arrows exchanged between the two sides, but this time, Kastelon's managed to find a spot closer to the walls from which to fire, from which to loose an arrow or two before ducking behind some cover. The sounds of those arrows raining down come to his ears, before he's hazarding a look up at the walls. "I know wasps that do a better job of stinging than you!" He shouts up at the battlements. "May you get a blister on your draw fingers!"

Pasquale starts to smile as the combined forces begin to move with intent. A few words to his nilanzans and they put their crossbows aside, draw cutlasses in the Nilanzan style' and surge forward to reinforce the Redreef flank. Pasquale strides along a little behind them. Firing regularly now.

Caspian gives a roar and shoves his way through sheer force of will and muscle up the ladder and goes barreling into the defenders. the shield sis dropped and caspian leaps up, chain blades flashing out in wide arks, slashing a few unsuspecting folks but more helping to create an easier times for the others. He looks around for vitalis, then begins to carve his way along the wall to the area the man was scaling, "Lets get the rest of us up here! we got a wall to take and a city to claim!"

Failure, at this moment, was unacceptable. Wounded but not yet discouraged nor incapable of fighting, Aedric redoubles his efforts at the ram, fingers gripped firmly upon the mechanism used to propel the war machine forward and back.

Yuri buckled against the immediate burn that cascaded and splashed down over the wall; the knight's immediate section of the ram was not yet to the very surface of the door but ground was being made. Still, he did not waver when the liquid settled over plate and mail. He prepared for another brace and impact, lining up with the others manning the siege ram.

Vitalis catches a ricocheting rock right up under his chin and bites his tongue hard enough to bleed. He claws progress slowly from the defenders, making his way up the ladder by pure gods damned spite. He bares his teeth at Caspian when the man yells and his blood-smeared ...is it a smile, really? is a horrible thing to behold. Still his lips move with steady imprecations, blood and spit bubbling as he ascends rung by fucking hard won rung.

Jasher continues to assist with the battering ram in spite of excruciating pain radiating from the left side of his face. He's wincing throughout, and upon throwing all of his strength and now /rage/ into the ram, it begins to make purchase some with the heavy gate standing in their way to victory. After the second round of rattling his body endures from the blunt force impact, a rock thrown at him from above - no larger than a fist, but still heavy, thanks to gravity - slams into his chest with enough force to throw him off balance. All of this is really, /really/ starting to piss him off.

Scylla checks perception and war at hard. Scylla marginally fails.

The worst of the defenses have already been loosed upon the attackers, and the initial wave of wounds subsides, but does not abate. It is for good reason that the first line of troops attacking a fortification are often called the Forlorn Hope. The second push makes more progress, and Caspian Wild becomes the first Loyalist to set foot atop the curtain walls of Bloodstone. At first coming to blows with an unarmored woodsman, the champion quickly attracts the attention of multiple does, seeking to prevent a breakthrough. Behind the shaking gates, the rattle of armor and raised voices can be heard, as the heaviest rebel warriors mass behind the gate, in case it gives way.

Romulius checks command and war at hard. Romulius is successful.

Martinique checks command and war at hard. Martinique is successful.

Scylla checks command and war at hard. Scylla is successful.

Pasquale checks command and leadership at hard. Pasquale is successful.

Scylla checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Scylla fails.

Kastelon checks dexterity and archery at hard. Kastelon marginally fails.

Pasquale checks dexterity and archery at hard. Pasquale is successful.

Pasquale checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Pasquale fails.

Kastelon checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Kastelon marginally fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Caspian is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Caspian is successful.

Vitalis checks strength and athletics at normal. Vitalis fails.

Vitalis checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Vitalis marginally fails.

Jasher checks strength at hard. Jasher fails.

Romulius checks strength at hard. Romulius fails.

Martinique checks strength at hard. Martinique is successful.

Jasher checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Jasher is successful.

Yuri checks strength at hard. Yuri is successful.

Aedric checks strength at hard. Aedric fails.

Romulius checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Romulius fails.

Yuri checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Botch! Yuri fails completely.

Martinique checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Martinique marginally fails.

Aedric checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Aedric marginally fails.

Raven checks strength at hard. Raven is successful.

Raven checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Raven fails.

Kastelon checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Kastelon fails.

Kastelon is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Pasquale checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Pasquale fails.

Pasquale has suffered a serious wound!

Pasquale checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Pasquale is successful.

Pasquale remains capable of fighting.

Yuri checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Yuri is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Yuri does not take a permanent wound.

Yuri checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Critical Success! Yuri is spectacularly successful.

Yuri remains capable of fighting.

Caspian is in the midst of a chaos on the wall. Weapons and shouting, stabbing and dodging. Miraculously, Caspian slashes and parries his way through the mess towards the ladders. Screaming at the top of his lungs, trying to draw attention to the fact that the walls were already breeched and the defenders should pay no attention to the fighters on the ladders, he pushes forward. "The wall is taken! the wall is taken! You're all dead you just havent realized it yet!"

It's all feast and famine. Unfortunately, for Kastelon, famine seems to be the name of the game in the Mourning Isles - even as he's loosing another shot towards the archers at the top of the wall, he takes another one to the shoulder that sends him spinning back and falling over... and this time, the Keaton huntsman is not getting up from where he's tumbled, as if perhaps he's hit his head in the tumble.

The combination of being scalded with hot salt water and pelted with rocks has finally produced the desired effect of distracting Jasher from his goal. He fails to apply his full strength to the battering ram this time around, though that does not stop it from reaching its goal thanks to the few, the brave, the muscly and undistracted allies that throw their backs into it. He attempts to recover his senses before returning to the fray and making yet another attempt.

Assessing the lay of the siege from the line waiting to barrel through, the moment the wall shakes from well timed battering ram strikes, Scylla turns towards it which draws attention from the stray arrows that keep flying out with the hope of catching those of Blackshore unawares - well, an arrow flies true and a distracted Baroness is caught square in the shoulder causing her to release a teeth gritting groan.

The ram is still pounding away. Martinique commands her archers to fire again; after the first volley they've been more coordinated and have done more damage to prevent harm to the ramming troops. The Fury meanwhile are swarming at the gate, aiding the ram and shouting a lot of really naughty words at the defenders. Another arrow strikes and buries itself mildly in her bicep. Marti irritably drags it out; it may bleed more but she doesn't need the inconvenience right now. Not when the gate is splintering! Not when the ladder lads are over the top!

Raven digs in and swings the battering ram. She's may be small but she is stronger than she looks and NOW she's fueled with rage. Her whole body rocks back and forth to add a little extra oophh. The mixed blessing of deep burns is at one point you loose some of the ability to feel MORE pain than you already feel-but that doesn't stop the damage they do.

The elder Blackshore does his best to ignore the mounting pain and continue his motions, relying entirely upon muscle memory to fuel each laborious push and pull of the ram

Yuri was in the middle of a wind-up from the battering ram, along with the rest of the knights, before a loud ringing resounded in his ears. It was far too late when he realized that there had been another bombardment in the immediate area. He felt himself struggling for air, inhaling sharply and failing to do so. His helm was ripped off of his head in an attempt to regain his composure and center. Already there was grime and blood marred about him. His own? Probably so, but there was no time to take stock of personal injury. He retained his position on the battering ram, willing himself to continue.

Pasquale continues to fire as he tracks his unit forward. Strong and confident. That confidence falters when a rock clangs off his helmet and smashes into a hand that was in the process of plucking an arrow from its quiver. The arrow tumbles to the ground and Pasquale stumbles to the point where it seems he just might end up on his knees before finding iron from somewhere deep again and drawing himself back up to his full height. His expression suspiciously stoic as he carefully flexes his fingers and looks around to measure the exact amount of trouble he might be in.

While he avoided the boiling water, and a host of other projectiles, fortune's favor eventually escapes Romulius. Like his fellows, a rock thrown from the battlements finally strikes true and hammers into the Knight Commander's shoulder, wrenching away his grip on the battering ram and sending him staggering with a hiss of pain that was surely a barely-choked back expletive. Blood that drips from a badly bitten tongue is spat out, though his bevor ensures it's little more than a red mess on the interior of diamondplate.

Another Blackshore soldier gains the wall several ladders down from Caspian the Distraction, and holds firm against the effort to shove him off. The man behind Caspian has also climbed up and wades into the Carideo rebels with the spite born of nearly being roasted in his armor.

At the gate, a first plank is split and splintered; another such run ought be enough to crack the gates open and at last bring the besiegers to grips with their tormentors...

As Kastelon falls, Scylla sheathes her blade and quickly hastens over and precedes to move the Keaton out of harms way, "What do they feed you..." Is grunted, blood beginning to trickle out of the shoulder wound sustained. He may have a few more scrapes given the dragging method and soon a couple more soldiers break to help their Baroness get the man to safety.

Romulius checks command and war at hard. Romulius fails.

Pasquale checks command and leadership at hard. Pasquale marginally fails.

Martinique checks command and war at hard. Martinique fails.

Scylla checks command and war at hard. Scylla fails.

Vitalis would close his eyes if he could, and in truth, he lived the better part of two years in darkness - so maybe... yes. Trusting to the vortex of Caspian's blade and that - at this point - if the ladder gets shoved off, having his eyes open would scarcely help. Vitalis closes his eyes. Wood creaks under the weight of climbers. Screams of men and women tumbling from the wall rip through the air, cut off with lurid crunching thumps. Acrid smoke burns his nose. And the resonant BOOM of the battering ram, under it all, a soft rain of mortar and grit. One rung. Two. The ring and report of a stone panging off of his helm. Three rungs. Four. He can hear Caspian's exhortations. Closer. Closer.

Pasquale checks dexterity and archery at hard. Pasquale marginally fails.

Pasquale checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Pasquale fails.

Scylla checks dexterity and dodge at normal. Botch! Scylla fails completely.

Pasquale checks mana at hard. Pasquale fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Caspian marginally fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Caspian is successful.

Vitalis checks strength and athletics at normal. Vitalis is successful.

Vitalis checks dexterity and archery at hard. Vitalis fails.

Vitalis checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Botch! Vitalis fails completely.

Yuri checks strength at hard. Yuri is successful.

Aedric checks strength at hard. Aedric fails.

Martinique checks strength at hard. Martinique marginally fails.

Yuri checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Yuri is successful.

Jasher checks strength at hard. Jasher is successful.

Martinique checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Martinique fails.

Jasher checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Jasher is successful.

Aedric checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Aedric marginally fails.

Raven checks strength at hard. Raven is successful.

Raven checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Raven is successful.

Romulius checks strength at hard. Romulius is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Romulius marginally fails.

Jasher checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Jasher fails.

Yuri checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Yuri fails.

Aedric checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Aedric is successful.

Martinique checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Martinique is successful.

Jasher checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Jasher is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at hard. Romulius is successful.

Raven checks dexterity and medium wpn at hard. Raven is successful.

Martinique checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Critical Success! Martinique is spectacularly successful.

Martinique remains capable of fighting.

Pasquale checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Pasquale is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Pasquale does not take a permanent wound.

Pasquale checks 'unconsciousness save' at hard. Pasquale marginally fails.

Pasquale is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Scylla checks 'death save' at normal. Scylla is successful.

Scylla remains alive, but close to death.

Scylla is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Scylla checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Scylla is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Scylla does not take a permanent wound.

Vitalis checks 'death save' at easy. Vitalis is successful.

Vitalis remains alive, but close to death.

Vitalis is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Vitalis checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Vitalis is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Vitalis does not take a permanent wound.

Raven draws her sword and charges, "Finally!" She lifts her chin, "Free Second smiles and open guts for everyone!" normally she might have more care for her brethen but her nerves are screaming in pain and she finally has the chance to exact some revenge-the fact that every motion is agony does little to curb her lust for blood.

The gate is splintered. The Fury ROARS. Martinique with them. "FORWARD!" Yes, there are annoying rebel nobles and heavy infantry in the way but these are mere obstacles to the tide that is Redreef in its full fury. Martinique will lead the charge. She will take a stab along the way but she barely feels it--she'll be pretty annoyed at the mess of her armor later, but right now, she is busy driving her dagger into a man's eye and screaming at his buddy that he's next while her soldiers swarm around her.

Romulius is soon back on the battering ram, and with the combined effort of those others working it, the gates finally splinter. It's a moment later that a gauntleted hand rises up and over his shoulder, alaricite flashing with a hiss as Bainteoir clears its inky black sheathe. The prince is amongst the first forward, an axe swung towards him though the blow is largely glancing. His retort is swift, a thundering blow that arcs downward into the rebel who delivered it, the greatsword finding its first taste of blood as the melee is begun in earnest.

Caspian twists away from an arrow and a strike, shoving a hapless man off the wall and into the courtyard below as he did, he worked to clear the area around the ladders for more men to come. That was when he saw. the Dove. he gritted his teeth and bellowed. "Ah THERE you are! you still owe me a dance! maybe we will see if you can fly like your name implies!" he slashes around him, more clearing space than doing damage as he waited for more to make it up the wall.

A loud, thunderous crack resounds as the gate crashes open at last! Now that the infantrymen on the far side of the wall are visible, Jasher releases his hold on the battering ram, wields his longsword, and charges forward with an excess of fury. His first swing against one of the red-blumed combatants misses, though he's also able to dodge the return thrust. It's a stalemate, but the will to succeed for his allies drowns out all else, and he continues to apply pressure on the enemy line.

As soon as the gate has been forced open, Aedric follows the first of the Black Vanguard through, engaging the nearest combatants regardless of their numbers or weapon. Fortunately, his blade strikes true.

Yuri seemed to throw all of his weight and whatever adrenaline he had been running upon thus far into that final charge of the ram. He exhaled heavily, righting the hold on his sword once the gates had splintered and trudged in after a contingent of knights that had broken off as soon as the ram had breached its target.

A familiar face is at last revealed among the defenders, as the Black Dove can be seen by some leaning out a tall narrow window in one tower to loose an arrow with deadly accuracy at high value targets among the assailing army. Startled by Vitalis' arrow striking the stone near her, from an unexpected direction. Ducking out of sight for the moment needed to draw and nock another arrow, she pops back out with another shot for the bold Vitalis. The fight atop the walls is bloody, but uncertain as more and more attackers join Caspian.

At the sundered gate, the defenders raise a shout of "TRESOVA," as they strike their axes in steely greeting. The attackers are diminished and hard pressed, but they still have fury and the weight of numbers.. if they can crack the iron line, the bailey and curtain walls can be flooded with Loyalist troops.. But central in the defending line stands a man taller and broader than his fellows, with the distinctive three plumes marking his helm.

Pasquale hesitates for just a moment before deciding that his need to stay with his men is bigger than his desire to stop using his hand. He nods to one of the Nilanzans, gives a few extra instructions, and then starts moving again. He's still drawing and shooting but now his smile is more of a grimace. The unit stalls and Pasquale moves to try and stop a particularly troublesome defender from taking down another of his men. Unfortunately, in the process of doing so, one of the gate guards spots an opportunity and throws something his. Whilst Pasquale attempts to dance out of the way he's limited by the difficult terrain around them and the item impacts his chest, rending the fabric there, and pushing him back and down onto the ground. And he doesn't get back up. Not even after a pair of the corsairs pause to pull him out the way.

Romulius checks command and war at hard. Romulius is successful.

Aedric checks command and war at hard. Aedric is successful.

Martinique checks command and war at hard. Martinique is successful.

Vitalis checks willpower at daunting. Vitalis marginally fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Caspian is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Caspian is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Caspian is successful.

Finally. Finally on top of this gods damned wall. Vitalis grimaces, spilling onto the battlements at Caspian's feet. He collects himself and pushes to his feet, grunting. Face bloodied, armor dusty and marred. He looks where Caspian has directed his attention and spots her: the Black Dove. He stills and ducks under his pack, readying his bow - so mistreated, it's a sturdy thing. He draws and fires, misses. Damn. The Dove returns fire and the shaft buries deep in Vitalis' chest.

Vitalis blinks, confused a moment, and suddenly the whole entirety of the castle up and turns ninety degrees and smacks him in the head. Wait. No. He fell over. A shout of 'TRESOVA' goes up somewhere else. It's tinny in his ears. Tresova. Burning ships. Mist. Pit traps. Siege ladders. Godsdamned archers. "Hnngh. I-" He paws feebly at the shaft in his chest and can't quite make his fingers wrap around the arrow's shaft. "-hate Tresss..." Vitalis passes smooth out.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at daunting. Romulius marginally fails.

Jasher checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Jasher is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Romulius is successful.

Aedric checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Botch! Aedric fails completely.

Martinique checks dexterity and small wpn at daunting. Martinique is successful.

Jasher checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Jasher is successful.

Aedric checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Aedric marginally fails.

Raven checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Raven fails.

Yuri checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Yuri fails.

Martinique checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Martinique fails.

Raven checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Raven is successful.

Yuri checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Critical Success! Yuri is spectacularly successful.

Vitalis is overheard praising Caspian.

Martinique checks 'unconsciousness save' at daunting. Martinique fails.

Martinique is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Caspian grins as Vitalis clambers over the wall. "Welcome! got a surprise for you! look its our lovely bird friend!" *THUNK* the arrow that caught vitalis whistled past. He watched as the man fell back, caught by the shaft. He stared but a moment before grabbing a nearby loyalist, "Get Lord Vitalis out of here! down the ladder and to safety! move it!" he spun, sheathing his daggers and grabbing a pair of shields from fallen men. he held them in front like the ram on a ship and charged toward the tower. his legs pumped as he barreled forward driven by adrenaline and anger. he shoved his way through man, loyalist and tressovan alike until he reached the door of the tower. he tossed the shields, and flung open the doors. The arrow that whistled out NEARLY caught him in the shoulder. nearly. but this time he was ready, and his own chain dagger flashed out in reply, catching the dove and before being yanked back, blade soaked in red. "did you miss me? oh wait.. you did." Caspian shut the door with his foot, "didn't think i'd keep you waiting long did you?" with a feral grin, he rushed after the Dove.

Raven shoves blade fodder out of the way and goes charging after one of the officers. Her thrust is parried but she manages to avoid any FURTHER damage as she navigates through the chaos and seeks an opening.

Seeing an opportunity to bring a swift end to the rebellion, Aedric levels his sword and strikes. Unfortunately, Caius is limber and dexterous. In an incredible display of agility, he parries the baron's blow and knocks the blade from his hand -- lacerating tissue in the process.

The three plumes that jut from Caius's helmet are a siren's call to Romulius Thrax, the prince possessed of a lifelong proclivity for pursuing the most dangerous threat in any battlefield that he finds himself in. Fighting through the melee, he joins the efforts to strike down the rebellion at its head, though the brother of Tresova's rightful ruler manages to avoid his blade for the time being.

Adrenaline bid Yuri across the first traces of the gate's shattered at breakneck speed, cutting through the air like a wolf having caught scent of its prey. His steps led him on a main trajectory toward where Baron Aedric Blackshore had made contact with the rebellion's leader. The knight's path was almost instinctual; seeing two of Caius's immediate vanguard looking to bear down on Aedric. Yuri spoke not a word; hooking himself toward the baron's back as blades were parried off with a sickening level of agility that rattled the would-be assailants of the baron.

There's a dude here who needs a stab like, way more than the other dudes. Martinique aims for him--jabs a knife between his armor even, as that's kind of her specialty, knifing people. Of course, duder has a sword of his own and manages a good stab as Marti jumps--and she falls back off it to the ground, unable to rise again despite her best desires.

Jasher does not waste time dancing with either the poorly armed peasants or trained soldiers; instead, he aims to cut off the head of the snake: Caius himself. The three crimson plumes in his helmet ensure he's easy to spot within the chaos of battle taking place in the courtyard. His dexterous movements allow him to dodge the swings of weaponry in his direction, and then he runs up and engages the man before he even knows the prince is there and bearing down upon him. The first swing of Wake's End makes purchase with the false leader's armor, and because he has his wits about him at this moment in time, Jasher dances effortlessly out of the way of a retaliating blow.

In the Tower, the Black Dove shrieks in pain, interrupting whatever repartee she might otherwise have attempted. She discards her bow and draws a long thin dagger with one hand, while trying to unlatch the door behind her with the other. "I'm not a patient woman, I've moved on without you, let it go," she manages attempting to cover the pain with a grin.

At the gate, not all swords seek Caius Carideo, but many do. The self proclaimed Defender of the Burning Mountain is skilled at arms and heavily armored, placing himself there was likely deliberate, as with the best of Arvani heroes fixed upon him, the troops make little headway breaking the ring of his heavy infantry. "A fine spirit-" he comments Martinique when the Redreef general wounds him, answering each blow sent at him with a broad sweep of the axe, or a bludgeoning blow of the iron shod butt of the polearm. "You ought have left, brother," he voices to Aedric, with an almost merry cadence to the muffled words. Yet once Martinique is struck down and Aedric disarmed, the Tresovan warlord focuses his attention on the princes Thrax.. A grunt of pain, but he does not yet falter.

Aedric checks command and war at hard. Aedric fails.

Romulius checks command and war at hard. Romulius is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Caspian is successful.

Caspian checks strength and athletics at hard. Caspian is successful.

Yuri checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Yuri fails.

Yuri checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Yuri is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at daunting. Romulius fails.

Jasher checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Jasher marginally fails.

Romulius checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Romulius marginally fails.

Jasher checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Jasher is successful.

Raven checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Raven fails.

Raven checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Raven is successful.

Aedric checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Aedric fails.

Aedric checks dexterity and dodge at daunting. Aedric fails.

Jasher checks 'unconsciousness save' at easy. Jasher is successful.

Jasher remains capable of fighting.

Aedric checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Aedric is successful.

Aedric remains capable of fighting.

Caius proves, if nothing else, to be a fierce combatant and worthy of the attentions that the loyalist forces have put upon him. Romulius fails to find an opening in which he can punish the traitor's guard, especially harried by other Tresovans, though even with his aggressive swings little in the way of decisive strikes can make their way past his own. He's needled and dinged, and one blow in particular elicits a grunt of pain. The offensive continues, though, and the Sword of New Hope is undaunted in the face of the man who leads an open rebellion against the house of his birth.

Jasher is locked in battle with Caius when others flank him and start to engage. Somehow, some way, the usurper manages to evade his swing, and the swings of others, in large part because they are harried by other attackers on all sides. In turn, the prince takes a hit to the left arm, though that does not slow him down much. The mounting pressure applied to them for their singular focus only makes the prince that much more determined to strike Caius with his next swing.

In what is ultimately a foolish attempt to gain the advantage, Aedric collects his longsword from the floor, raises it, and is promptly rebuked by a neighboring Carideo loyalist. The blow is powerful enough to knock the air from the baron's lungs and send him reeling, cuirass punctured and scarlet pouring freely from beneath.

Yuri moved fresh off the heels from Aedric, thrusting himself into the melee with Caius and those that surrounded their commander to defend any and all strikes pinned against him. Where one strike sought out the commander, another was parried as the immediate group around the knight seemed to be at odds.

Raven snarls as she cuts and misses by a far margin with a cry of pain as scalded skin is tested by such spirited movements. She leaps back out of the way of the retort and casts a quick glance over her shoulder to check on her people in arms.

Caspian snorts, "oh.. my poor ego! you wound me!" his eyes blazed even as he taunted back." though as soon as he saw her going for the door he took off like a shot. He was fast for his size, covering the distance in a blink. he twisted past the attack she made, grabbing her arm and half tossing half yanking her towards the stairs up and away from either door. "Oh no no no! not this time! you fled my advances before.. no longer." he turned, "now you have to stay hear and listen to my horrid poetry." he twirled his daggers and smirked as he stalked toward her, moving up the stairs. "Oh dove, sweet dove. your arrows strike to true. For dove, flighty dove, it was your aim brought me to you. Oh dove, foolish dove. You should have never tried to run. Because dove, Black Dove. Now its time we have some fun."

Around the desperate melee at the sundered gate, the battle is not going well. The full weight of Arvani numbers are now committed, without yet having achieved a breakthrough. The battle and larger siege teeter on a knife's edge. On one side a costly victory.. on the other disaster. "I wonder.." Caius taunts between blows, "Do you yet wish you had taken my bargain?"

In the tower, Caspian can hear the first of the scaling ladders being pushed off its landing and landing with a crack on the ground below. The walls remain contested, but the window for retreat is shrinking.

Raven wields Blackheart Halfmoon Blade.

Romulius checks command and war at hard. Romulius fails.

Aedric checks command and war at hard. Aedric fails.

Caspian checks dexterity and small wpn at hard. Caspian is successful.

Caspian checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Caspian is successful.

Jasher checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Jasher is successful.

Romulius checks dexterity and huge wpn at daunting. Botch! Romulius fails completely.

Yuri checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Yuri fails.

Yuri checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Yuri fails.

Romulius checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Critical Success! Romulius is spectacularly successful.

Aedric checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Aedric fails.

Jasher checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Jasher fails.

Raven checks dexterity and medium wpn at daunting. Critical Success! Raven is spectacularly successful.

Aedric checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Aedric marginally fails.

Raven checks dexterity and dodge at hard. Raven marginally fails.

Aedric checks 'unconsciousness save' at hard. Aedric marginally fails.

Aedric is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Raven checks 'unconsciousness save' at normal. Raven is successful.

Raven remains capable of fighting.

Yuri checks 'unconsciousness save' at daunting. Yuri fails.

Yuri is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Jasher checks 'permanent wound save' at hard. Jasher is successful.

Despite the terrible damage, Jasher does not take a permanent wound.

Jasher checks 'unconsciousness save' at hard. Jasher is successful.

Jasher remains capable of fighting.

Aggressiveness serves Romulius well in nearly all walks of life, and is largely responsible for the various titles that he holds now. Of course, it's similarly responsible for a number of scars and brushes with death that he has faced over the years. Today, it leads him to attempt a devastating blow against the commander of Tresova's rebel forces - and it's knocked aside by another traitor. It sends the Sword off balance, though it's sheer fortune that he sees a pair of their adversaries making for Yuri. A single hand leaves the star-iron grip of Bainteoir to stay one of their blows in an effort to preserve his knight's life. Of course, Romulius is now in an entirely unenviable situation, ripe for punishment.

Another failed swing. Another merciless riposte. The baron of Blackshore, fatigued and bloodied, collapses beneath his own weight.

Yuri faltered at the blade wall that had been erected around Caius, managing through blow after blow until his body could physically no longer handle the abuse it had been taking. The knight's vision was cloudy as he could make out two figures bearing down upon him; dispatched away from his view before the knight hit the floor, mid-lunge upon the rebel leader until his sword-arm fell limp and still.

Raven snarls furiously, "Enough. Of." She ducks low and pivots into a swing carrying her full not inconsiderably strength behind it, "SHIT! Yield or I will HAVE YOUR TONGUE and your damned eyes too!" She's badly hurt and starting to flag but the hunger for murder burns bright as ever in those crazy, crazy green eyes.

Jasher manages to land that hit he so desperately swings for, and then is simultaneously struck by the sharp edge of Caius' weapon in turn. He staggers backward in shock, realizing now that his armor has been sundered and blood is pouring forth from the wound sustained to his left pectoral. It is only inches away from vitals, in truth, though instead of retreating, the prince's grip on his blade tightens and he attempts to jump back into the fray once more with teeth gritted tightly together and a grunt born of unbelievable pain to boot.

Caspian may not be much use with a bow.. but in close combat he was pretty damn good. as he unleashed a flurry of blows, parrying her counters and landing strike after strike, it was quick to see the woman was outmatched in this exchange. As she drops her weapons, surrendering caspian pauses, blade raised. "Its over. doesnt matter how this day goes.. more will come. You can't win against the compact, and the traditionalists have their own plans. you aren't a concern for them. The only thing you have are your lives, your way of life. Your people look up to you.. do whats best for them. Save them. tell them to surrender. There is no freedom to be won here, just a slow road to death." he pointed to the door to the roof of the tower. "Come with me.. save their lives while you still can."

"Jasher." In the heat of the melee, even a man possessed of Romulius's pride is capable of seeing a losing effort - though it's a virtual certainty that he will remain until either he or Caius are struck dead. "Begin the withdrawal, and see that my uncle and Yuri are a part of it."

Remiss as he is to abandon this course of action, Jasher is loyal and obeys his Knight Commander without question. Instead of hefting his weapon in retaliation against Caius, he pivots and attempts to slip out without taking another serious wound.

Caspian looks earnestly at the woman under his knife "I was born a thrall and was one most of my life. I know the pain and hatred. but so long as you live, even if you just join the compact, the future holds chances for you and every young man and woman out there. don't throw that away, not in a doomed fight"

Caius Carideo is wounded sore, but as is his wont, the Pretender of Tresova takes bloody vengeance for each. Visibly bloodied, his fine armor dripping blood at the left elbow from a dire wound of Raven's blade struck at the shoulder. Aedric falls, motionless. Yuri falls nearby. The iron ring at the Tresovan gate is holding, some attackers on the walls have been forced back down the ladders, and despite their near success, the bodies of Tresovan rebels lie thick atop the battlements.

Caspian's appeal to the Black Dove - an unremarkable and rather plain faced young woman who would easily blend into any peasant village if Caspian hadn't seen how deadly her aim was, drops her knife a d yields. When Caspian prompts her to bid her people surrendee, have gives a small, sad, pained laugh. "They'll execute the lot of us, and you know it. The Compact wants to erase outlet way of life, not save it." Still, she doesn't resist when he directs her into the roof, where Caspian is treated to a grand view of the brutal battle, and the half circle of steel where the last of the Carideo elites hold back the last standing heroes of the Compact, around their bloodied, but still defiant chieftain.

And she is seen.

As Romulius orders the withdrawal, Caius sees Caspian atop the tower with his plain faced brown haired captive archer. Slowly, he rumbles through the barbute to Romulius, "I've died enough times that once more is but a small misery. And I see you do not fear death.. At least not your own." The plumed barbute tilts in expressionless consideration of the knight in diamondplate. "Strike me down if you can and my people will massacre yours. Your army is beaten, your kinsman sore wounded, perhaps dead. I give you the choice of not your life.. but theirs." He gestures to the fallen. "Take your leave, take your fallen, release your prisoners.. And I will send my last prisoners out with you. And I give you my word of blood and oath: you will be permitted to sail with the beacons lit, and without more bloodshed." Ab audible smile warms his next words. "Or shall we both kill each other, knight?"

"You mistake me, Caius." Still, Romulius does not yet make to deliver another blow in the direction of the rebel leader. "Your death here would be not a misery, but a mercy. You deserve naught but the cross." Cerulean burns with a cold fury, fixed upon the man before him. "I find no worth in your words, but we will withdraw and release our prisoners. You will do the same, and hide here upon this wretched island. I promise you this - the next time that I step foot here, you will be presented to the sea."

Raven blink-blink-blinks and double-takes at Romulius. There's a flare of nostrils and ill tempered sneer at her foes but after an eye-tick where it's not entirely clear orders outweigh her own need to spill blood she turns and moves to scoop up one of the fallen, Martinique if she's not been fetched otherwise the first some comes across in need of help retreating. To be fair this maybe should have been a higher priority

Seeing as how Jasher began to limp out of the keep's courtyard, voice raised to order the knights of the Order of East Light, many have already begun to fall back to the ships. Before he returns to the docks, he arranges the retrieval of a number of wounded and incapacitated allies strewn across the battlefield. Were he in better shape, the prince may have helped them back personally. Alas, he only just makes it back himself, still standing, but having lost a great deal of blood. The return journey will be spent unconscious, no doubt.

"Until that day, knight," Caius answers Romulius, his deadly amusement a mirror to Romulius ' righteous rage. The badly wounded Pretender raises his gore splattered pole axe in salute, and the Tresovans draw a few steps back.

The battle is over.

In the hours that follow, the last 18 survivors of the Black Vanguard's Tresovan garrison are delivered, and true to their leader's word, the lighthouses are re-lit, and no further violence plagues the people of the Compact in their voyages home. Only the memories still plague them.

Caspian looks down over the battlefield, his stomach turning into a ball of dread at the sight. he spies the small group of heroes.. valiantly fighting, but being surrounded. his breath comes quickly, his grip tensing on his daggers. then he sees the blades lowered. he exhales slowly and looks to the Dove. "you may have just done more good than all the arrows you shot before." he lets go of the grip he had on her, his own knives sheathing. "Whatever the outcome, remember that old ways arent always the best. Change can be good.. and its usually not worth dying for." he would offer to help her down the stairs. "Caspian Wild by the way. not as fancy as the Black dove.. but its what i got."

Raven pauses and calls over her shoulder, "STOP FLIRTING and help evacuate before I pass out!" to Caspian.