This is the final battle between Amber and Chaos, as happens at the end of 'The Courts of Chaos'.
Things turn out somewhat differently here to how they do in the original books.
Note that this page is not just made up of my posts but also includes parts of the GMs and other
players contributions which are necessary to turn this into a proper narrative.
The scene on the Plains of Turoth is tense. Multitudes of men, women, demons, and others are lined up waiting for the Courts of Chaos to attack. Julian and his men are in command of over six hundred and fifty thousand men, for different shadows. It is said the Benedict has even more men. Random is off to the left with over four hundred thousand men in his army. Many of the Lord's of Amber, Chantris, Dobrain, Bayle, and some other of the lesser-known lords have armies to the right.
In the middle is a large tent, inside is Random, Benedict, Julian, and Flora. They all stand in their respected armour in their clothes.
As the players enter the tent. Flora looks up at Simon and gives him a big smile. Benedict looks to Simon also and gives a slight grin of approval.
Julian looks towards Willhelm and gives a slight nod. He also sees Tobias and Jubal and gives knowing nods.
"Please Simon remember protocol. It seems introductions are in order." asks Flora as she looks at the multi-tentacled Ashira-thing and the mighty redheaded warrior.
Upon seeing Benedict, he stops, gives a slight bow then addresses all. "For those of you who don't know me, I am Simon, son of Flora. Some of the group have already introduced themselves, but let me continue. With a wave of his hand toward the respective person he is talking about at the time: Tobias, able warrior, Ashira, mysterious and a shape shifter I assume (also with a very slight grin in Ashria's direction).
The Ashira-thing shrugs broadly when Simon says this, then nods its top part in his direction.
Rayner, man of quick wit, Willhelm, huntsman and archer, Jubal, of the Amber Navy, Orm, warrior and I am told singer. We left one named Azaria, who was called a "computer wizard" to help Martin and Mandor deal with the machine which has turned Brand against his kin. There was a woman named Chance, who perished in the conflict, I surely hope her body has made it back home. Martin spoke of Brand having a Jewel which he will use in the coming battle, and that the forces of Chaos are also preparing to attack."
Random looks to Rayner, and a little smile comes to his face. He blurts out.
"So Rayner, with you being here, does that mean that Bleys is bringing his army in support? Or will he attack Amber while we are away?"
"We attack. Jubal you are with me. Rayner, with Random. Willhelm with Julian. Orm take over Lord Chantris' troops. Simon you can take over Flora's troops. Ashira? hmm. I am not sure of your skills. Best you just stay out of the way. Tobias, take over Lord Dobrain's troops.
The Ashira-thing rustles its branches in a slightly offended way. "Can fight," it signs, abruptly. "You have riflemen? Archers? Will fight with them."
The others seem amazed. Not of the facts that Benedict has presented them, but for the fact that Benedict has talked for more than five minutes...
Before leaving, Tobias turns to Ashira, "Be safe... you might want to change back to a slightly more human form before going out in a war against the Courts of Chaos... you might get hurt."
"Thank you," signs the Ashira-thing emphatically, "But think more chance of getting hurt as human than as this."
As everyone turns to leave, Random casts a considering looks towards the Ashira-thing, then at Rayner, then back at the Ashira-thing. "OK ... kid ... I'm assuming you can hear this."
He pauses briefly. The Ashira-thing nods towards him.
"So you want to help out, eh? Well, good. But you'll have trouble looking like that! So unless you want to change into more human?" - the Ashira thing shakes its top part from side to side - "you'll have to stay away from the others. Friendly fires a bitch, y'know?"
The Ashira-thing shrugs, and signs, "If it lets me assist, fine."
Random nods, "Fine. SERGEANT!" he shouts. A grizzled-looking man, apparently in his forties, walks quickly into the tent. Then sees the Ashira-thing and moves towards it, drawing his sword. "Wait!" shouts Random. "This one's on our side."
The sergeant stops and slides his sword back into its scabbard. "Sergeant ... Aximar, isn't it?" He nods. "This ... is Ashira. One of the Royal family, apparently. It wants to help out. Join the archers. Take it over there, get it what kit it needs. Stop anyone trying to kill it. Stay in the vicinity. That's all. Carry on." Random turns away.
Sergeant Aximar has been looking less and less thrilled as Random has been speaking, but salutes smartly at Random's back. "YES SIR!"
Aximar turns to Ashira. "Come on then ... Sir," he says coldly. He turns without waiting for a response and walks stiff-backed out of the tent, leaving the Ashira-thing to follow or be left behind. It follows. The crowded camp outside goes silent as the Ashira-thing emerges from the tent and draws up to its full 7' plus height. Swords start to pull from scabbards, and bows start to be drawn. The Ashira-thing tenses. "WAIT LADS!" shouts Aximar, not looking entirely happy to be doing so, "THIS ONES WITH US! PRINCE RANDOM'S ORDERS!"
Swords are slowly sheathed and bows slowly relaxed. There is much muttering and disgusted/hostile looks from the troops. "This way," says Aximar to the Ashira-thing, and again turns and stamps off.
After a few seconds, he turns again. "So, you're one of the royals are you?" He asks. The Ashira-thing nods. "How comes we never heard of you, then?" The Ashira-thing shrugs and signs something at him. Aximar looks blank. She repeats the signing. "Don't tell me, you don't speak?" He sounds disgusted. The Ashira-thing nods. Aximar raises his eyes to the turning sky, "Oh, for Unicorns sake! Just what I need!" he mutters under his breath.
And off they go, with Aximar shouting orders not to attack a few more times. He doesn't turn or say a word. After a short while, the pair reach a patch of high ground upon which the archers are based.
Aximar leads the Ashira-thing up to the Captain of the Archers. He explains things to the Captain. There is much muttering and hostile looks in Ashira's direction. The captain too raises his eyes to the sky. but gestures for the Ashira-thing to follow him. It does. Sergeant Aximar tags along behind.
A short walk brings them to the armoury tent.
"Well, pick out what you want ... sir," says the captain.
The Ashira-thing moves into the tent and tries several of the bows before picking up two of the biggest, and several quivers of arrows. The Captain looks sceptical at this, but doesn't argue. "Good luck ... sir," he says as the Ashira-thing leaves the tent.
Aximar, still looking pretty long-suffering, leads Ashira a little outside the Archers camp. The Ashira-thing moves to reasonable cover, then surveys the scene on the battlefield...
She picks a target from among the enemy, the closest probably, then raises the drawn bow in two tentacles, with her strangely changed pistol in another. With some trepidation, she pulls the trigger on the pistol...
The Ashira-thing squeezes the soft place on the grip of its altered gun. A beam of red energy shoots from the barrel, and burning holes in a few rocks as it, expecting some recoil, over-compensates for the guns having no recoil at all. Unfortunately, it peters out after only 50 yards or so, not nearly far enough to reach the Chaosite army. It brings the gun up briefly, then turns to bring the bow it is carrying to the fore. "Stop looking at it and fire!" mutters Aximar.
The Ashira-thing draws the bow, and fires. The Chaosite it was aiming at falls, spurting blood. It draws again, and fires. Another Chaosite falls. Aximar stops muttering. The Ashira-thing extends the tentacles carrying the second bow and a quiver of arrows towards him. He takes it and starts firing too, though he seems to have considerably more difficulty drawing the bow than the Ashira-thing does, and is less accurate.
The Ashira-thing continues to fire, methodically, accurately and without mercy. Chaosites fall here and there as it picks leaders where it can, either those who seem to be giving orders, or those leading charges. Of course, the Ashira-thing knows nothing of what tactics may be being planned by the Amber side, but is not intending to do harm to the Amber cause.
It's efforts help the Amber side a little, here and there, as charges are blunted and lines of command somewhat disrupted. But the army is so vast it's like pinpricks on a whale.
Unfortunately, before too long, the enemy start to notice the sniper on the knoll. Arrows rise from the Chaos army. Unexpectedly fast, from the Ashira-thing's point of view. Among the arrows, two find their mark, grazing a couple of tentacles. Aximar takes an arrow through the leg, too.
As the arrows rain down, the Ashira-thing has to pay more attention to avoid being skewered some more. It grabs Aximar with two good tentacles, scuttling away to a different set of cover on others, resting the injured ones and thanking the Gods that she has no vital organs in this form.
While it takes a little time to recover and heal, the Ashira-thing assists Aximar in putting a rough bandage on his leg. "They're good," grunts Aximar as the bandage tightens. "Better than you thought, I guess?" The Ashira-thing nods. "What now?" The Ashira-thing picks up its bow again. "Though so," comments Aximar. He nods seriously. "Well, let's get to it."
The Ashira-thing leads the way, sneaking from cover to cover as it and Aximar rain long-range death into the Chaos army. Having learnt the lesson that Chaos can really be quite good, the Ashira-thing and Aximar dodge from cover to cover, avoiding the retribution aimed at them. For a while.
Eventually, however, it seems that the Ashira-thing's irritation value has forced Chaos to attempt to scratch the itch it and Aximar are causing. A group of cavalry detaches from the Chaos lines and rides out in their direction. Thin, skeletal, spiked bruise-green and bone-grey troops, demons, mounted on dead-looking horses, about twenty in all, led by a tall, athletic-looking figure with red hair and corpse-coloured skin, wearing green-chased coppery armour under a black tabard with an upright silver sword design on it. The leader rides a horse that is almost skeletal, and looks mummified. [This person looks similar to Borel, whom Corwin kills in 'The Courts of Chaos'.]
As the cavalry approach, the Ashira-thing (and Aximar) unsurprisingly switch targets to them. Aximar fires methodically. The Ashira-thing with more speed than before. As the range continues to close, the Ashira-thing brings the tentacle holding her altered pistol to the fore and holds it up again. As it appears there is no obvious way of loading it, perhaps it doesn't need loading, it speculates. Worth a try, at least. It squeezes the softer spot again. Again, a beam of red energy shoots from the barrel, burning down one of the approaching cavalry. The Ashira-thing fires more shots, while Aximar just stops, and watches.
The leader, unfortunately, easily dodges blasts directed their way, but by the time the cavalry approaches, less than half of them are left. Even so, they spread out to approach and outflank the area where they seem to think the sniping is coming from.
Alas, they are correct. As they cavalry approach, the Ashira-thing and Aximar find themselves in an area of cover, with little to the sides and a bare upward slope behind. Not good.
They break for it, but are spotted and pursued. Aximar is already slowed from the arrow he took earlier, and takes another in the shoulder before the two of them reach more cover. As they ran the Ashira-thing was also able to blast down another cavalry demon.
The cavalry halts briefly as they see the Ashira-thing move from cover to cover. They seem surprised to be attacking a demon.
"Traitor!" shouts the leader when she sees the Ashira-thing. A woman's voice. "Come out traitor and face the justice of your peers." She draws the two long, thin swords she has sheathed at her hips.
Silence.
Aximar looks at the Ashira-thing. She shrugs. He raises his eyes to heaven, then shouts, "It's not one of yours, Chaosite. Ashira is on our side, a Royal!" The Ashira-thing does not appear overly thrilled when Aximar reveals this, but can't do much.
His words to produce a reaction among those on the other side, though. Watching from cover, but not in a position to get a shot in, the Ashira-thing sees the leader sit up straighter in the saddle as Aximar speaks. "One of the Amberite royal family? Truly the Serpent smiles on me today! You! Amberite! I am Lady Tanisla Hendrake, Daughter of Duke Borel Hendrake. I have long awaited the chance to fight an Amberite in honourable combat. Fight, Ashira! If you win, you have my word of honour that my troops will let you and your companion go free."
Silence again.
The Ashira-thing and Aximar sneak from their cover and attempt to crawl away without being seen. If it had only been the troops, they would have made it, but Lady Tanisla was too good. As they hear her shout behind them, the Ashira-thing and Aximar leap to their feet (or whatever) and run for the cover they were heading for. They dive behind it as Lady Tanisla shouts, in a taunting voice, "Come, Ashira, where is this Amberite prowess we hear so much about!?"
The pair sneak from cover again and make for another area of cover. Again they are spotted and have to run. This time, Lady Tanisla is ready and they reach the cover, only to be surrounded by the remaining cavalry. The speed of the cavalry just gives them too great an advantage.
"Now what?" whispers Aximar. "At this rate they'll have us in minutes anyway!"
The Ashira-thing nods as it blasts another cavalry demon from its horse. As the cavalry closes in, Aximar shouts, "All right Lady! Ashira'll fight you!" The Ashira-thing steps out of cover, leaving its pistol behind with Aximar.
"Ah ha! Here is the famed Amberite backbone at last!" cries Lady Tanisla, almost joyfully. As the Ashira-thing moves away from the cover into an open space, Lady Tanisla signals her cavalry and they surround the area. She herself dismounts and readies her two long, thin swords.
The Ashira-thing moves forward, then stops and beckons Lady Tanisla forward with several tentacles, in a, 'come on then, if you think you've hard enough' manner. Lady Tanisla laughs briefly at this. "You have Amberite bravado, if nothing else, Ashira," she comments.
She comes forward and circles the Ashira-thing, who, as it could see in all directions anyway, didn't move, though her dagger-thorns extend as far as they will go.
Lady Tanisla leaps in. The Ashira-thing tries to dodge, but Lady Tanisla is just too fast and one of the Ashira-thing's tentacles takes a slash before it can dodge aside. The Ashira-thing's return strike misses Lady Tanisla quite widely. The demon cavalry stand impassively by as the fight goes on. A few more of Lady Tanisla's attacks and the Ashira-thing is bleeding from a number of slashes, some quite deep. None are life threatening, but overall they are debilitating. The Ashira-thing is not happy with this at all - it's never fought anyone faster than itself before.
"Why do you not speak, Amberite?" taunts Lady Tanisla. "Afraid you'll only beg for mercy?" As she ends the sentence she leaps in to another attack. The Ashira-thing takes another slash wound. "Come now, honour me. A moan. A gasp of pain. Anything!"
By this point, the Ashira-thing can see that if goes on, she's going to lose, and lose badly. Lady Tanisla's speed is just too great. She needs a new approach. On Lady Tanisla's next attack, the Ashira-thing follows her as she pulls back, pursuing her. "Ah ha! The coup de gras, at last!" crows Lady Tanisla. The Ashira-thing moves closer yet, taking several more cuts, some quite bad (thanking the gods again for its lack of vital organs in this form). But in doing so she gets a tentacle on Lady Tanisla, low down on her right leg. The Ashira-thing's dagger-thorns begin to feel for gaps in the armour. Closer yet. Another cut. But now the Ashira-thing has Lady Tanisla's left arm. It seems that she is much weaker than the Ashira-thing, and cannot get away. The Ashira-thing takes one more cut, and then she has all four of Lady Tanisla's limbs held in grip Lady Tanisla cannot break. She is helpless.
The Ashira-thing brings her in close, hugging her with many dagger-studded tentacles as Lady Tanisla struggles futilely. As the thorns find their way past and through Lady Tanisla's armour, she begins to bleed, first a little, then heavily.
The demon cavalry are looking a little concerned at this point, as blood starts to drip. But they follow Lady Tanisla's orders, and hang back. Lady Tanisla's swords drop to the ground with a clatter, and she starts to go limp as the dagger-thorns now strike deep into her body.
"I ... surrender," she whispers weakly, brokenly, so quietly no one else could hear. The Ashira-thing ignores her plea.
A tentacle wraps around the neck of Lady Tanisla as another pulls her head back to expose the neck. Dagger-thorns sink deep into Lady Tanisla's neck, and work back and forth. With a yank, Lady Tanisla's head is pulled from her now-lifeless body. Blue-purplish clotted blood spray from the neck, briefly, coating the Ashira-thing. The Ashira-thing flings the head and body of Lady Tanisla at the feet of the paralysed-seeming cavalry. For a moment the scene seems silent, even the noise of the battle muted.
A tentacle points away, back to the battle.
Slowly the cavalry moves off, casting hostile glances back at the Ashira-thing, leaving the body behind. As they go, the Ashira-thing retrieves her pistol from the somewhat pale Sergeant Aximar, then blasts the remaining seven cavalry demons into oblivion.
The Ashira-thing moves back to cover and points a tentacle away, at some other cover. "Yes," nods Aximar, who seems to be staying a little further from the Ashira-thing now than he was before. "Let's get out of here."
The two of them leave, moving slowly off for some way until cover is reached.
As they get there, the Ashira-thing and Aximar can't help noticing a group of large bat-winged creatures with riders drop from the sky to the sight of the duel. "Looks like we got away not a moment too soon, by the looks of things," mutters Aximar...
The Ashira-thing sits, and begins to concentrate upon healing itself.
Ashira's Thoughts Part 5, Battle on the Edge of the Abyss Part 1, happen here.
After a minute or two, Ashira notices the bat-things are engaged in battle. It seems a group of cavalry has met the demons upon the knoll. The exact number of cavalry is hard to tell, maybe 100 or so. Some of them seem to be using a horseman's bow. The bat-things and riders seem to be completely taken by surprise. The demons were expecting targets at the top of the knoll, not all around it. The Chaosites are not fairing well.
Simon would probably notice, however, that the bat-things landed on a broad front over the large knoll. The Ashira-thing had moved away from the main body of archers at the start and as it carried on firing, so it was probably several hundred yards away from the main body of archers by the end.
A few minutes ago, Simon was watching the battle. He was concerned over the fall of griffins, but had to trust in the ability of those forces once they hit the ground. The aerial attack had done it's job, and then the artillery its.
Simon's attention was drawn to a knoll, where it appeared a group of archers was stationed. Someone there was an excellent shot, and causing severe trouble for the enemy. Maybe more than the archers realised, for the arrows almost always hit their mark, and their mark seemed to be the leaders of the demons' forces! A small group of enemy cavalry had broken through the lines, and was heading for the knoll. Simon believed the archers could handle this force, it was what else was developing that bothered him.
The demons were breaking through on that side. It seemed they had managed to get past the troops their, and a number of them, possibly 300 were beginning to move toward the knoll behind the cavalry.
Simon yelled a command, and 10 groups of his light cavalry began the charge. Simon had broken Flora's men into groups of 10. All of them were light cavalry, designed for quick attacks from horseback upon the enemy. The perfect force for chasing down the few errant Chaosites who broke through the lines. They were also equipped with cavalry archers. A rare soldier indeed.
As Simon's force neared the enemy the demons didn't even notice their approach. The foul creatures were to focussed upon that knoll, and destroying whomever those archers were.
Simon's force struck hard and fast. Foul arms, heads, blood, and guts flew everywhere. The demons didn't even know what hit them. The demons had larger numbers, but surprise was on Simon's side, and surprise is the great equaliser.
After what only seemed like moments, the demon land force was crushed, and the cavalry continued on toward the knoll and the bat-things that were there.
The creatures seemed to be looking for something. At this Simon smiled. The archers had got away, and again his foes would not be expecting him. The bat-things fell as arrows came at them from all sides. The creatures screamed, some howls of pain, others of disgust. The hideous sounds only stirred on Simon's horseman, and with another volley, the creatures were down or retreating. Some had fled back behind the lines, but someone else would have to handle that.
Simon placed his men here, all that remained, for although the demons had been beaten, they had caused some damage. Some eighty-nine men remained. There job to protect this knoll, and be at the disposal of the commander of the archers should he return.
Simon then rode hard back to where his mother was. An inner voice was telling him this was not his place, not yet. This small battle had been won. The ground remained in the hands of Amber, the archers hopefully saved, but the war was continuing to rage, and he was to be with the bulk of his mother's forces.
Simon rode hard back to those forces, a lone rider upon the field must have looked strange indeed.
As the Ashira-thing concentrates on healing its wounds, they begin to shift and close. Aximar looks on, a little disgustedly, then with grudging admiration as the wounds begin to disappear. "I suppose maybe there is something to this shapeshifting thing after all," he says grudgingly, indicating the closing wounds.
The Ashira-thing has its wounds only about half closed when the rapidly approaching sounds of battle brought its concentration back to the battle. That and a shout from Sergeant Aximar.
A unit of the Amber military was in full retreat below, pursued by another unit of at least equal size, obviously Chaosites, made up of large demons, insect-like, armed with wickedly hooked and spiked halberds.
The Amber unit was in a bad way, disorganised, its banners and battle standards tattered and in disarray, what small percentage were visible at all.
"Who the hell are those losers?" muttered Aximar, peeking out from cover for a better look. "They're in the shit whoever they are - that'll be a rout any minute. Can't see any ranking officers down there to stop it."
The Ashira-thing nods. "So, what're we going to do your highness?"
The Ashira-thing gives the impression that if it could sigh and raise its eyes to heaven in this form, then it would. It surveys the scene, then points at Aximar, then the retreating troops, then itself and a bit of cover one side to the line of retreat, between the Amber and Chaos forces. It repeats this a couple of times until Aximar gets the idea.
"So I go and try to rally that sorry lot, and you divert 'em to give me time to do so, eh?" he asks with perhaps a hint of grudging admiration in his voice. The Ashira-thing nods.
"Well, good luck Ashira. You know, for a shapeshifter and a Royal, you're not too bad. Good luck." The Ashira-thing nods and points at Aximar, then gives a little wave and starts to sneak off, as quickly as possible in the direction of cover.
Aximar nods in return, then turns and starts sprinting for the retreating Amber unit.
The Ashira-thing moves as fast as possible for its bit of cover and, upon reaching it, begins firing at the Chaosite pursuers, first arrows then, as they approach both the Amberite unit and the bit of cover it's in, seeking the sniper, bolts of red energy from the its altered pistol.
As the Chaosites approach its cover, the Ashira-thing moves out and sprints for the Amber unit at top speed, dodging a few arrows as it goes. Aximar's voice is faintly audible as the Ashira-thing gets closer, haranguing the troops into action.
But then it's too late to listen to Aximar. Instead it's time to act. The point demons from the Chaos unit are almost upon it. One last bolt from the pistol knocks a Chaos lord from its steed, then the insectoid troops are there, in tentacle reach.
The Ashira-thing has the edge in speed and so can keep from being surrounded, but there are so many. One goes down, the Ashira-thing's dagger-thorns ripping it open from hip to shoulder, then another. A sword slip past the Ashira-thing's guard and slams into its central body, not quite knocking it over, but almost severing a tentacle. Reflexively, it skewers the demon responsible through the chest with a spike-tipped tentacle, then with the aid of other tentacles using its corpse as a shield for its wounded side.
Another demon falls, but the wound and using the demon as a shield are slowing it a little so that another couple of slashing wounds are inflicted on its tentacles even as it kills those responsible.
More cuts and slashes. More dead demons. But the Ashira-thing is slowing, slowly, but surely. This is not good. As this becomes more and more a hindrance, the Ashira-thing stops attacking other than when it can do so easily and goes almost entirely on the defensive, backing up and trying to disengage from combat.
It hasn't done so, and indeed is not sure it will, or can, when from away from the Chaos forces comes a sight the Ashira-thing never thought it would be pleased to see - being in the middle of two armies about to clash.
From away from the battle as a whole comes the Amber force, turned from near-rout to aggressor, a fairly neat wedge formation of troops closing in to cries of "AMBER!", and even a few of "ASHIRA!" Near the front is Aximar, his sword in his hand and a maniacal grin on his face.
The Amber wedge slams into the Chaos lines close to the Ashira-thing and suddenly the pressure is off the Ashira-thing as the Chaosites turn to defend themselves from this new threat. Amberites are cut down, but so are Chaosites as the Amber wedge burrows into their lines. the Ashira-thing moves up to the wedge, cutting down a couple more Chaosites on the way, and is let in through the Amber lines without hesitation, dripping blood and ichor, a lot of it its own.
After taking a moment to recover, the Ashira-thing moves towards the point of the wedge, living with its wounds for now as there just isn't time to spare the concentration to heal them. It begins to use its pistol again, burning down Chaosites left and right, and reinforcing the line in its occasional moments of weakness here and there down its length. And all around are cries of "AMBER!" and "ASHIRA!" At one of these Aximar turns and briefly grins an even more maniacal grin at the Ashira-thing than he was grinning at the enemy.
Then suddenly the pressure was off the wedge. The Chaosite force was falling back, disengaging from the Amber forces in retreating in fairly good order with the Amberites in pursuit.
Aximar shouts orders and the wedge pauses to reform and rearrange itself.
As it pauses, a horse, followed by a couple of concerned-looking gentlemen, pushes its way through the troops to where the Ashira-thing and Aximar are. In the saddle is a youngish man, in his 20's at a glance, who appears essentially bandaged into his saddle, blood showing through the bandages in places. Under the bandages can be seen the remains of plate armour. He's pale, his skin almost grey, sweating profusely and gives the impression of staying conscious through sheer force of will alone.
He looks blankly down at the Ashira-thing and Aximar for a moment, then his eyes focus on the Ashira-thing. "Your ... highness," he whispers slowly, speaking in bursts, "you have ... the gratitude ... of ... myself, Duke Harmid Rikatsu, and all ... of House Rikatsu ... for your actions ... this day, your highness... We ... shall not forget..."
He opens his mouth, obviously to say more, but then his eyes roll back into his head and he slumps in the saddle.
"MEDIC!" shouts Aximar. The concerned-looking gentlemen who were following Harmid as he rode up, shoulder their way forward (though they don't try that with the Ashira-thing) through the troops to the Duke's horse.
They gently cut the bandages holding the Duke to his saddle. "He made us tie him in there, to help inspire the troops," says one, shaking his head. With great care they lower the Duke from the saddle and onto a stretcher and carry him off away from this, the front line, or soon to be, shaking their heads the while.
As they move back Aximar glances at the Ashira-thing then waves his sword in the air. "FORWARD!" he shouts.
And the Amber force moves on towards the Chaos lines.
Ashira's Thoughts Part 6, Battle on the Edge of the Abyss Part 2, happen here.
Had Simon's plan succeeded? Were the demons now cut in half, easy pickings for Bleys and his troops.
How much longer until help or the end...
The combined force begins to hack its way into the enemy. With the two units together, the Chaosite forces begin to be forced back more quickly...
As they hack their way into the Chaos lines, the combined Amber forces can't help but notice Simon's cavalry plough their way into and through the rear of the Chaos army, opposite the lines to the Chaos force they're attacking, and a good distance to the side. Ashira, with the higher vantage point her demon form and tentacles give her, sees the charge peter not to far from the front lines as the Chaosites react to their attack.
Sergeant Aximar shakes his head, "GOOD EFFORT WHOEVER THAT WAS!" he shouts over the din of battle, "WE SHOULD BACK 'EM UP! TRY TO SPLIT THEIR LINES!"
The Ashira-thing nods to this, and as Aximar starts shouting orders to the troops, surveys the scene and burns down several Chaos demons. It jerks slightly in surprise, and taps Aximar on the shoulder. He spins, sword ready, then relaxes a little. "WHAT?!" The Ashira-thing points. He looks that way, but his vantage point is too low. "WHAT?!!" he shouts again.
The Ashira-thing shrugs very briefly, then two tentacles wrap around Aximar, lifting above the throng, while another tentacle points. Aximar whistles, long and low, in admiration as he makes out what the Ashira-thing has seen - the lone figure fighting on in the midst of a sea of demons. "BLOODY HELL!!" he shouts. "ONE OF YOUR LOT?" he asks the Ashira thing in a tone of disbelieving near-admiration. It nods in return, while lowering him back to the ground (having moved him about a little while holding him, to avoid some arrows).
"THAT WAY, MEN!" he shouts to the troops, pointing in the direction of the lone figure. "QUICK AS YOU LIKE!"
The Amber forces, now in a wedge formation, begin to fight their way to the lone figure, still battle in the midst of a sea of demons, hacking their way through the Chaos forces as fast as they can before the gap in the Chaos line is closed. The Ashira-thing moves from slightly behind the front line to the point, using its strength, speed and toughness to tear a gap for the rest of the forces to widen and fill, which they do, though at a high cost. Many bodies are left behind. The Ashira-thing takes a number of additional minor wounds through its armour as they hack towards the lone figure, and a couple of more serious ones as the cumulative effect of its wounds begins to hamper its movements. But on they go to cries of "AMBER! AMBER!".
As Simon fights yet another demon, there is a burst of red light from behind him, and the demon falls, a neat hole burnt right through its torso.
And before too long, the Amber forces hack their way through to the lone figure, absorbing him into their lines (assuming Simon is OK with that) as the remaining Amber troops spread out to form a worryingly thin line facing out towards the Chaosites on both sides, trying to keep open the gap Simon's forces made. How they will be able to s not entirely clear.
Once the troops are deployed, the Ashira-thing returns to the point in the lines where Simon is, and although it has no obvious eyes, there is a definite sense of it looking him up and down. The Ashira-thing itself looks pretty beaten up, with a number of serious-looking wounds about its tentacles, and a host of minor cuts and scrapes. It is covered in blood and ichor, and its dagger-thorns especially drip with gore.
It raises a finger tipped tentacle in a brief wave at Simon, then moves towards the lines to hack down a demon...
Simon nods back at Ashira. He would have to thank it for probably saving his life. How much longer could he have lasted? A question best left for another time. He was tired, hurt, and worried about his mother, but the forces he was searching for had found him. The new troops, mixed with his cavalry were holding the Chaos army in two distinct groups. The line was tenuous at best, and if reinforcements didn't come soon, then he may have to contemplate his destiny once again.
There is the sound of a horn from the right flank, and with little more warning than that, a massive force, looking entirely fresh, or at least, not covered in blood and wounds, smashes into the main body of the Chaos force on the right of the thin line of Simon and the Ashira-thing's forces. This does not appear to please the Chaosite troops, already tired and battered.
They surge forward towards the new arrivals, but slow the charge only slightly. When the Chaos forces grind to halt, not long after, it is not long before they begin to retreat. Then retreat faster. Then turn and run.
Many of the fleeing Chaosites are cut down from behind as they flee, until there is the sound of another horn, blowing a different signal this time, and the Amber forces stop their pursuit. The new forces reform into a square, and that square moves towards Simon and the Ashira-thing's forces who, now that the pressure has been taken off on their right, are falling back to buy themselves some time and space to regroup.
The square of the new forces meet Simon and the Ashira-thing's (rather thin) line, and merge with it. Before too long the two bodies of troops are fairly well integrated, and they begin to move forward towards the left hand body of Chaos troops.
As they begin to move forward, the Ashira-thing spots Bleys riding through the troops towards them. Bleys looks quite impressed, and has on a big grin. "Good work, Ashira, Simon!" He calls. The Ashira-thing shrugs and points a tentacle towards Sergeant Aximar. Bleys nods. "Glad to see you're pretty much OK, though you both look like you've been through a meat grinder! I think I'll take over here now, though - you two should get back to the command tent, and maybe have a little lie down! One of my men will lead you there."
The Ashira-thing nods, and moves back through the lines away from the front, radiating relief. As she goes a mounted Sergeant rides up. "Lady Ashira," he says a little sceptically. A nod. "Prince Bleys has told me to escort you back to the command tent. Is that correct?" Another nod. "Do you want a horse?" The Ashira-thing shakes its top part. He shrugs. "Follow me then."
The sergeant leads the Ashira-thing out of the main body of Bleys' troops, off towards the edge of the Abyss where a tent is visible. The Ashira-thing jogs tiredly alongside the sergeant's horse. Off to one side a column of wounded can be seen making its way off out of Bleys', Simon's and the Ashira-thing's combined forces. One of the stretchers has more people about it than others - Duke Rikatsu, perhaps?
And after a short while, they find themselves at Benedict's camp, near the Abyss, where there seems a great deal going on...
Benedict smiled.
Well it was closer to a smirk, but his men saw it. For he was truly inspired by Bleys. Sure a little flashy and a show-off, but he did arrive just in time.
With Bleys added troops, the battle was an easy one. The forces begin to push the armies of Chaos further and further back. All the way to the edge of the abyss.
Corwin had joined Benedict and help drive the forces away. Benedict's camp was set up near the abyss. There Fiona, Random, Julian, Flora and set up quarters and waited for Corwin to arrive.
"I have heard that the King Swayvill has declared a retreat, I suggest we send a diplomatic party with our terms." said Fiona as she greeted Corwin as he dismounted.
"Benedict and Bleys is cleaning up the minor skirmishes that are still being fought," said Random as he too greeted Corwin. Corwin smiled at both of his siblings with a warm greeting.
"Good, who are all these nobles around here?" asked Corwin as he looked at the strangers.
"Well," said Random," These are the children of some of our brothers and sisters. It seems I wasn't the only one to have a child. Merlin, your son, is over there with his mother. Dara."
"Dara?!" said Corwin acting a bit confused.
It was then that a cry came from the edge. A cry of pain and anguish. It seems that Brand had Deirdre in front of him and a knife at her throat.
The others rushed to the scene.
"Do not come any closer." said Brand as he showed the knife coming close to the neck of Deirdre. "Corwin, I control the situation here. Me, Brand King of the Universe." he laughed as he pricked Deirdre neck and blood begin to slowly ooze out.
"I have the Jewel of Judgement. It is mine time to lead. I will begin anew." said Brand as he laughed
"Fuck you" said Random. "Do not think I will not kill my sister, to get to you. You shall die today." said Random as he raised his bow and aimed at Brand. Random arm begin to tense up. He could not shoot.
"My mind is stronger you little shit." said Brand as he eyes begin to glow. " I am a God."
With that he begin to laugh even more.
"Brand, you must stop this at once. The Wave of Primal Chaos is coming and it will annihilate all of us." said Fiona as she slower came closer. "If you do not help us stop it, it will kill all of us, you also."
"I know, I will use the Jewel to protect all of us. So you can see me redraw the pattern in my image. You will all bow down to me. And I shall be King." said Brand as he looked at his brothers and sisters.
"Bitch, get out of my mind." said Brand as he looked towards Fiona. "For I am stronger than you."
Then Brand begin to scream as he begin to flay back and forth. Deirdre seeing her chance elbow him in the stomach just as two arrow came, one hitting Brand in the chest, the other in his neck. Falling backward he tried to reach out and grab Deirdre but she was too far away. Brand then fell into the abyss. His screams were so loud.
The others rushed forward to help Deirdre and to look as Brand fell slowly. Around his neck they could see the Jewel of Judgement. Brand fell slower and slower. He notice the others looking down at him, it was then that he noticed the Jewel of Judgement.
He begin to laugh...
Without hesitation, Tobias grabbed his dagger, and flung it at Brand full force, aiming for his chest.
Simon had received first aid once Ashira, Wil, and he had left the battle field. He was grateful for their help, and his opinion of Bleys had not changed. Bleys had an army, and for whatever reason had waited until "just the right moment". Simon questioned his loyalty to Amber and his motives. As Brand appeared, and moments later was falling into the abyss Simon rushed forward. A dagger flew by him, its target none other than Brand. Simon looked as though he might jump after Brand...
After leaving the field of battle and seeing the others get first aid and such as they required, waving off medics who try to aid it (after having its escorts wave off soldiers who wanted to shoot it), it briefly concentrated on healing its worst wounds. Again its healing was interrupted by events and with everyone else, it rushed for the events at the edge of the Abyss.
And as the events there unfolded, it hung back, and simply watched, not currently getting involved one way or another...
As Brand appeared, and moments later was falling into the abyss Simon rushed forward. A dagger flew by him, its target none other than Brand. Simon looked as though he might jump after Brand...
Sprinting to the edge of the Abyss only a step or two behind Flora's son, Rayner skids to a halt, his gaze following Brand down into infinity.
"Well, crap." The twinge of motion beside him gives him an idea of Simon's intent.
Placing a hand on his cousin's shoulder, he speaks with unusual calm and seriousness, "Don't. Even if you did catch up with him and even if you did get the Jewel back, you'd never be able to get back out of the Abyss with it. Too many have died today...don't throw your life away too."
He points across the Abyss to the Courts of Chaos floating serenely amongst the swirling void, "Our only hope's to push on into the Courts and take refuge there...and for that we'll need your help."
Simon stops at the sound of Rayner's words. He looks at Rayner, and with a seriousness that can't be denied says, "Then let's go to these Courts and stop this madman once and for all! Do you know the way, cousin?"
Rayner stares down at his mad uncle, before answering Simon.
"Follow the Black Road across the Abyss, I'd wager....you know what? The son of a bitch ain't falling. Damn."
He nods at Simon, "My apologies, you might have the right idea after all. Still..." Looking down, Rayner gauges how fast Tobias' dagger is falling to see if it might be worthwhile to hurl his blade or anything else at the slowly descending Brand...
Orm stares down at his father falling to his doom, or is he? He recognises the laughter to well. Should he do something to make sure this madman is stopped once and for all? In his hand rests an hand axe. Brand was making a nice target. One hurl and the madman would be stopped. He hesitated, this was his father after all. A son had no business killing his father, how mad he seemed to be, or how little they had actually met.
No, he was no kin killer. He would not make the greatest sin of all, killing your own sire. Then he felt the banner in his left hand, the banner of the brave man of Chantris. Had they died in vain? Would he betray them by letting this man live? Should he betray himself and everything he believed in? His hand holding the throwing axe trembled.
Orm stood on the edge, still unable to decide.
Brand slowly falls and begins to spin around and around. His constant laughter subsides for a moment. and he looks at the Jewel of Judgement.
A dagger flies past him, narrowly missing his head.
The Jewel of Judgement begins to glow with a pulsing rhythm. It seems that Brand is beginning to spin faster and faster, but he is still falling at a slow rate.
His laughter changes to fear, as he begins to spin faster and faster. Brand screams out.
"No Father, I will not let it go....."
And Brand and the Jewel of Judgement disappear.
Back on the Edge of the Abyss, one hears Random mutter.
"We're screwed!"
Off in the distance a Storm comes, lighting and thunder.
Orm is not sure what to feel, sadness, anger but above all there is confusion. What had just happened here. Did his father die or did he escape, his plans only momentarily thwarted? The chaos army looked beaten. To bad that his aunt had to fall too, Deirdre wasn't that her name? Who had taken the shots at his father? Why is it storming and above all: What is going on here. It seemed to be a good time to ask some questions.
"Erm, not to be rude or something. But could anybody tell me what's going on?"
Simon cursed Brand's name out loud. "Damn that psychopath!" Simon then glanced at Orm and stopped his cursing.
Orm grimaced at the sound. "It is a sad day indeed when you find that your father has been cursed by Loki, god of madness."
"I am unsure, cousin. Some of our elders could give us a clue. Since they seem to be silent, I say we take Rayner's suggestion, and use the Black Road to get to the Courts of Chaos and find your father. I do know, I will do everything in my power to stop him. What do the rest of you think?
"Maybe that would be for the best, cousin. But how do you follow a man who seems to be able to use his magics to go in an instant wherever he wants to go? By the time we reach his current location he will be gone."
Then Random talks and Fiona starts doing things. "Maybe we better wait a little longer"
Simon responds quickly to Orm, "Very well, but I will not wait forever. The longer we wait, the longer Brand has to escape, and that storm coming upsets me. Does anyone have another idea, or is Rayner's plan it?" Simon looks at those closest to him. Tobias, Rayner, and Orm. He also looks in the direction of the elders and the rest of his cousins waiting for an answer.
"It better, or this all has been for naught" replies Orm. Making use of the time to bandage some minor cuts and bruises. "Does anyone know who the archer was?"
"Sometimes it is better to wait and see," says Orm. "This redheaded female, she is called Fiona I believe? seems to have an idea of what to do. On the other hand, there is nothing with two or more attempts trying to save the universe. The problem is that I doubt our ability to catch Brand. It seems that he can use his magicks or the jewel to teleport at will. He could be everywhere by now. There is also the small matter of us not being very welcome in the demonspawned hells of chaos. Let's first hear the plan of this Fiona before we start rushing off."
Rayner nods slowly, "Gotta say Orm, you're catching on pretty damn fast. I agree, we ought to at least hear Fiona out...." He smiles grimly, and raises his bloodied sword, "But I wouldn't worry about Chaos welcoming us...I'm sure we can bring them around to our point of view." He makes a sudden chopping motion with his blade to accent his words.
Simon, listening to what Rayner has said, and paying special attention to Fiona speaks to no one in particular, "I hope this works." His words seem to be much calmer, and the expression of seriousness on his face has been replaced by the usual calmness there.
Fiona reaches into a shimmering rainbow and pulls forth a young fair-haired woman. She is slight in frame with white coloured hair and very pale complexion. She doesn't look sickly pale, it looks to be a natural colour for her. Fiona looks to the others and declares.
"This is my daughter, Crystal. Introductions shall come later, if we survive." "Oberon told me on the day before we launched this invasion, that there was a powerful artefact. Some say almost as powerful as the Jewel of Judgement. Its seems this gem can calm or reverse the effects of Chaos. Sort of an anti-chaos stone. It is called the Tobru Garzx. or translated into Thari, The Eye of the Storm. With this and a little support from all of us, we shall end the Chaos storm."
Fiona walks over to Crystal and says "Give me the gem." Crystal pulls a large diamond like stone out of a bag. The Tobru Garzx, looked to be a milky white stone about the size of one's fist.
"All of us must concentrate, with our minds try and push the storm away. It shall take all of us to do this." says Fiona as she sticks her hand up in the air and begins to look into the stone.
Simon closes his eyes. He begins to concentrate, focusing his mind on the storm. He easily slips into meditation as he so often does. His thoughts focusing on only one thing to the exclusion of all others. Simon thinks of the storm being pushed away, slowly at first, then more forcefully, until it is gone. He visualises this in his mind, using all the powers of his will to succeed.
Jubal stands with his feet spread wide as if standing on the deck of a ship in a raging storm and attempts to gather and focus his will. He summons the level of concentration used to shift shadow and intensifies it. Jubal then attempts to follow Fiona's instructions and thinks about naught but pushing the coming storm away.
The Ashira-thing shrugs many tentacles in a 'what the hell' sort of manner, then, although it's quite hard to tell, as it has no obvious eyes, concentrates on the Tobru Garzx, thinking as strongly as possible, right from the start, about the coming storm being forced away...
Rayner sighed softly as he thought to himself, yup, definitely should have paid more attention to the magic stuff.
Focusing on the stone, he concentrated on the storm, trying to push it back. It was a lacklustre effort, and he knew it.
What's the point, he thought grimly. Brand's dead, Mirabelle's dead, Gallador's destroyed. No one to kill, no one to love, no where to go. What's the point? He looked around with his eyes. Everyone else was focusing all their might, he could feel...almost see the raw power being channelled into the stone. He watched a bead of sweat drip down Fiona's face, saw the strain on Random's face, and realised with a shock, that even his father was trying with all his might.
What was the point? Ray looked from face to face, even examining the visages of the small horde of cousins he'd only recently met, all of them pushing to battle the storm.
Hey, a small voice inside him cried out, they're you family you idiot! And suddenly, he realised. As messed up, screwed up, occasionally bitter, and always complicated as things were...these people were his family and more, he was surprised to discover, he cared about them! And they needed his help.
That was the point. And having with this revelation came the will, seemingly lost in the Abyss with his mad uncle, to fight again. Focusing as hard as he could imagine, and then a bit more, Rayner fully joined in at last to try and thwart the storm...
Looks a bit in dubiously at the crystal. Thinking about a stone and the storm will go away? That's the high and mighty plan? It did sound like silly mage trickery to him. What's next, bending spoons with the might of my will. Or might this be an attempt at humour, Bleys had warned him that the other elders had sometimes strange ideas about what is funny. He looked around, expecting smiling faces, but to his surprise everybody seemed to focus on the crystal instead.
Orm saw Fiona staring at him, with a look saying: what are you waiting for. Then he to concentrated on the gem. With a sigh Orm started studying the crystal, how does one do things like this he wondered. But upon close study the crystal seemed to glow, throb with power and he felt himself pulled in. Into the maelstrom of power. It felt like a wind was pulling at him, preparing to sweep him away. That would not happen, he braced himself, against the force of the wind. He would not be conquered by the chaoswind, he had faced worse storms, and this one he too would ride down. With all his will he concentrated on the wind, making it disappear.
With her hand clutched to the gem, Fiona thrusts her hand straight up. All of the Amberites gathered younger and older concentrate at ridding the Storm of Chaos.
"We need more thought, concentrate harder." she yells as the storms begins to close in on them.
Then a bright yellowish light begins to glimmer inside the gem. It's glow begins to increase brighter and brighter.
Then light is emitted from the Eye, it shoots out in a multitude of directions. One of the beam of light hits an area of the storm.
The storm crackles with lighting, but soon begins to fade, the smell of energy is all around. The hair on Fiona begins to stand up, and her eyes begin to roll back into her head.
But the storms are slowly beginning to disappear. In a few moments the storms have stopped. Fiona drops to the ground, unconscious. Everyone else seems to have a headache.
Bleys and Corwin rush to Fiona's side.
"We have won." she whispers....
In time the army of Benedict begins to round up the small factions of loyal Chaosites who still tried to vainly fight.
"What should we do now?" asks Random as he looks to Corwin.
Corwin gets up from Fiona's side.
" Hell, I don't know." he says.
"Well," Orm says with a wide grin: "if you excuse me for interrupting you, it is customary that after a major battle, people are having a great feast. Drink a lot, eat, chase woman, get to know each other, start new feuds and share tales of what happened. Thus we all can learn what great things has happened and give credit to those who deserves it. Maybe it is even possible to discuss small matters like who is going to be in charge of amber for the next millennium or so."
As an afterthought he continues: "I for one can't wait to learn more about the epic events that have happened. There might be some great songs in it too."
Simon responds, "What about Brand and the Jewel? Shouldn't we go after them?"
Tobias looks over at Simon and shrugs, "How do you think we should do that? Did he fall into the Abyss? Did he get to Trump out, or whatever it is he was able to do?" Shaking his head he looked around at the others, "I have no idea, and for one, I'm exhausted." Looking over at Corwin, "Well, Uncle. What next?"
The Ashira-thing nods. "Yes," it signs to no-one in particular. "Could use a drink, too."
Crystal ran to her mother's side, calling her name out in a panic. She tried to pull Fiona away from Corwin...tried to cradle her mother's head in her lap, all the time looking wildly at these strangers around her. What had they won? What was going on?
"Damn you all! A victory Party? My mother might be hurt!"
Reaching into her sleeve pouch, she drew out a spellstone, willing it to cast a 'seeing' on her dazed mother...
Simon approached the young women. He didn't want to interrupt what she was doing, but wanted to lend his aid, even if it was just moral support. He remembered what it was like being thrust into a new place and new environment, and this girl had her mother to worry about to boot. Simon spoke to Crystal, with a gentleness in his voice, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Crystal turned quickly to regard the young man who had spoken. Although her initial expression was angered, his gentle voice and demeanour seemed to calm her quickly...
Sheathing his sword and striding over like Simon's shadow, Rayner knelt on one knee beside his stricken aunt and distraught cousin, with just the slightest hint of his usual humour, he says, "Hey there, Crys. Nice to see you again, though I wish it was under better circumstances."
He nods towards the other young Amberites, "You'll have to forgive them, we did just save the universe." He points out toward the receding storm, "That thing would have killed us, and your arrival pretty much saved us all."
Placing a couple fingers gingerly against Fiona's neck, he felt for a pulse, then realised Crystal was casting, "Whoa, sorry, didn't mean to distract you. Let me know if there's anything I can do, I'm a decent field medic, but I'm sure there are better doctors, or sorcerers, handy."
"I am trying to ascertain if she was badly hurt. Could you...could you support her head while I do so?"
In her hand, the spellstone began to glow a warm blue...
Simon responded with kindness in his voice, "Of course."
He gently took Fiona's head in his arms while he knelt down to be beside her. He hoped his aunt was well. He hoped her daughter would be able to help her. If not, he could ask his mother. After all, it was Fiona who had taught Simon about the Pattern, at Flora's request. Surely Flora, and for that matter the rest of the elders, would help her.
Backing up a step, Rayner looked up at Corwin and Random, "Hey, I hate to be the one to have to bring this up, but does anyone know if King Oberon survived trying to fix the Pattern? 'Cause if he didn't, someone ought to be thinking about the succession right about now, and the sooner we get a stable King....or Queen....the better. Whoever that unlucky person is has a lot of rebuilding to supervise, the Unicorn help 'em."
Looking at the others just standing around, Simon looked over at his assorted Uncles and Aunts. "So... now what. Did we even win?" Turning he strode over to the edge, and looked at the battlefield they had so recently left, and in a quiet voice, "Do you call this any but stupidity. We had to fight to save the Universe, but it's a shame that it had to be like this." Giving a smile sigh, he continued to gaze over the destruction and the corpses.
On to Ashira's Thoughts Part 7 - After the Battle Part 1.