A Study In Peace |
Summary: | The knights and men of Stonebridge move against a band of renegade peasantry. |
Date: | 17/11/288 |
Related Logs: | No Place for Disobedience |
Players: |
Northern Flood Fields - Stonebridge |
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Through small foot paths north lead to flood fields, some rolling hills but treachours areas where the rivers filter in to create small marshes. The area is hard to navigate if one has not traveled it before. A few scrub trees mark the landscape but on the higher hills stands of majestic beeches and oak offer shade and canopies for weary travelers. |
17 November, 288 A.L. |
"A well-constituted state must direct the people in the art of war as an exercise, a subject of study in peace, and during the war as an object of necessity and an opportunity to gain fame"
<FS3> Riordan rolls Alertness: Good Success.
<FS3> Riordan rolls Stealth: Great Success.
The floodplains north of Stonebridge are rather dry in this season, the copses of hardwoods which top the low hills plentiful across the otherwise level terrain. It is beneath the shade of one such a copse of poplars that the Nayland knights have gathered to discuss the coming engagement. Just south of them, concealed by the thicket of trees, rest the levied pikemen.
Rygar stands afoot, his horse held by a nearby squire as the stern knight turns his eye from Bruce to regard his approaching cousin. Nearby are the two smallfolk serjeants of the levy, one of which is Einion. "Ser Riordan. What word," Rygar prompts of the other Nayland in inquiry.
Approaching at a steady, yet urgent, pace, Riordan approaches Rygar and Bruce with a stern gaze upon his face. "Ser Rygar." He gives a curt nod to his cousin. Offering a slight nod to Bruce he says, "Ser Bruce?" He makes the quick enquiry before setting on his report of the camp. "The camp is quite disorganized, I'd say. The camp is cluttered, with men and a few women and children scattered about. Most of the people that they've got do not appear well stocked. They've got sentries scattered about, but they don't appear to be well trained. They've got at least one knight who is wearing heavy armour, a couple of swordsmen in lighter armour who I believe to be sellswords, and there are approximately twenty-one small folk carrying an array of weapons from clubs to hatchets to knives."
"Ser Riordan. A pleasure." Bruce says, his voice muted as he kneels on the ground, his hand tracing in the dirt. "If there's a good amount of ground they can't say, I'd like to take the guard around the flank. Not too far from the main body of pike, if we need to fall back to more protection, since we're only a half dozen." He ponders for a moment. "After the levy attacks the camp, we can set up shop on the nearest hill top and shoot bolts at them until they either break, or we see an opening in the formation. Then we may form, and break it. People don't like being harassed with missiles. We're better trianed than them, but if they concentrate on us we'll simply melt back behind the pike. Ser Rygar, what say you?
Back in the ranks stands a veteran of the war, pike in hand. Einion Wycliffe clad in rough leathers (of his own tanning), and stands at the ready to receive orders. The tanner catches bits and pieces of the report, and at the mention of women and children, he has to work particularly hard at schooling his face.
Surely we won't go after them? Even armed, they're nothing…
Some of the others whisper, and Einion shakes his head, either in response to the words or in quiet warning not to speak of it.
Rygar nods once at Riordan's report. "You saw the knight, then." He nods once at the report, expression remaining fixed in an intent frown, as the severe Nayland speaks, looking betwee the commanders assembled. He hears out Bruce and muses a moment before answering, "I say that the Guard are of best use in support of the pike line. Eliminating aggressive enemies at range, and closing in where you judge them needed, Ser. I propose the following, gentlemen: we divide the pikes into two wings, in order to close off the rebels' retreat. The Guard will similarly be divded, with half in support of the advancing pikes under yourself, Ser Bruce, and the other half in support of the second wing. A hammer and anvil," he sums the strategem up, crisply. "Our objective in this to capture all of the enemy, Sers. The knight in particular I wish to see taken alive. I believe that a divided force, coordinated against the camp from opposite sides allows the best chance of this."
Riordan bows his head in a nod to Bruce. "Likewise, I'm sure." Listening to both the gentlemen, he nods ever so slightly. "Certainly flanking from both sides is the best option." He takes a look at both men, his eyes intent. "I would very much like to see this knight captured alive. Not only would I care to know who he is, but I would care to know any important information he knows. We should make it clear amongst the ranks that should they be confronted with the knight, they should make an attempt to incapacitate but not kill him." After a short pause, he continue, "What are we to do women and children? I do not suggest killing them, for it may not be their fault that they are there."
Bruce looks over his shoulder and frowns, pressing a finger to his lips at Einion then motioning towards the ranks. His sleepy blue eyed gaze returns to the matter at hand. "I don't think that dividing the guard is a prudent idea, with only eight of us including myself and my squire, Ser Rygar, but if you're insistant upon it I won't argue. Though we'd be most useful concentrated. I agree with the point of capturing everyone, and it will work to our benefit to encourage the smallfolk to yield. If they run, then they should be shot. It's unfortunate but they've made their decision… if we can get them to yield, though, I think that would be for the best. What say you, Ser?" He looks pointedly at the older Nayland knight. The younger one gets a shrug. "The levies know not to rape and loot these folk. They're disciplined enough. There are recourses for those who aren't, but I'm not concerned."
Einion takes Ser Bruce's silent order and nods, his head hanging down as he turns on his heel to go and mix with the rest of the pike rank and file— making it look like the last minute 'pep instructions' from one who has seen combat to those who are still new and green. This will be an easy set, regardless of how they go in; this will determine their measure and mettle. A good call, as far as he's concerned, by Lord Rygar. The tanner moves around, keeping an ear out for orders to form up, and checks on those that he considers the 'weakest', making certain they truly understand what is expected of them.
"Let the levy strike at him to their best effect, Ser," Rygar voices plainly to riordan's talk of the knight. "His armor will protect him from the worst." He nods once to Bruce's latter comment on the discipline of the levies, before answering the former. "I wish at least your second-in-command and one other of the Guard anchoring the second wing of pikes, Ser Longbough. If it is your wish to keep the fourth of your men for the main action, I will assent." A deep breath is drawn before he speaks on. "Any of those we face who keep weapons are rebels and traitors. Those who offer armed resistance are to be killed. As the Captain has said: those who flee are to be shot. Those who escape arrows are to be ridden down. Those who yield are to be spared. If there are questions, let them be voiced now, Sers."
"I can consent to those conditions." Replies Riordan, looking between the other two. "I am prepared for the battle whenever the two of you are. I've got no more questions nor concerns of my own to voice to this. The sooner we strike, the sooner we get this done and over with. With the exception being that we not inform them of our presence before necessary, of course." He rests a hand on the pommel of his sword, tapping his finger against it lightly.
Rygar nods curtly once. "Then I shall allow one half hour for the second division to circle the hill. After that, we begin. Serjeant Wycliffe," he calls, crisply summoning the veteran before the commanders and speaking further instructions once he arrives. "Assemble the men, prepared to march."
There is no reason why the rank and file should be part of the plans, and that includes Einion. He, and they, will be told what they need to know when the time comes, and when they are in formation. Need to know is their lot, and it's something that a couple of the new pikemen chafe at, though they'll do as they're told. They swore to the Seven before Einion they would stay true.
At the Lord Rygar's command, Einion turns his head around and hops to, as far as he can anyway. With pike in hand, he offers deference to those gathered, and nods once. "Yes, my lord.." And that is all that is needed.
"That's what we'll do, then. Stefan!" Bruce motions for the second senior guard present, a grizzled looking man in his late twenties or early thirties, to move up. Once he's done, Bruce presses his own bugle into the man's hand. "Take Brendan and join the second force. You all know how to signal. Good luck, Gods keep you." With a grin and a wink, he pats the other soldier on the arm, who returns his expression and trots off with another soldier. Then Bruce rises, to approach the levies himself. "Men, gather in. Serjeants, gather them in. This will be quick and to the point."
Once they're gathered in, Bruce says, "Here, a hollow square around me." He waits again, then speaks. "For many of you, this is the first time you'll be tested. I'm not one for words, but I know the first time I was in your position, I was scared as all the hells. It is natural. But, I was trained, just as you lads are. Trust in your training, and remember it. Listen to your serjeants; they know what to do. You are well trained enough to know that together you are strength, and your strength means you will conquer. This is a dire situation and you are defending your homes, your wives, children and families. Fight well for them." He falls silent, hand on the pommel of his sword.
Rygar's own voice is cold and precise, raised to give crisp orders that stir the limbs, not to stir the heart. "Serjeants Wycliffe and Farrier. The order of battle is to be single file, flanked by the guard. Order pikes!" he barks sharply, prompting the first of many well rehearsed motions, that will more easily enable the movement of men in formation. As simply as that, the levies turn to their serjeants, and Rygar turns to his knights. "Ser Bruce, you shall have command of the Line. Ser Riordan, let us to our steeds."
Looking at the soldiers before them, Riordan gazes at the men that they have mustered together to fight for them. A glance is given to Rygar, as well as a nod. "To our steeds it is. To our steeds and to battle." He smiles ever so slightly. Why? Only the Gods truly know. He moves quickly toward his horse, jumping on with an ease that comes only with much practice practice.
Bruce sneers at Ser Riordan's words, but offers none of his own in reply. The six remaining guard, four of them armed with crossbows, fall in at the flanks of the file of pikeman. They push out ten or so yards from the main line to watch outwards. Bruce, his squire Amos with the standard spear and another guardsman with a crossbow ready at the right flank. The former Blackwood and Tully knight unbuckles his tower shield and readies a javelin.
"Aye, my lord." At the command given by Rygar for the pikes, Einion, styled 'Sergeant Wycliffe' calls to the line, "Pikes, single file.. form up!" He, too, moves quickly and sharply, coming into formation. The line of pikes comes into place, moving from the blob of milling around to a levy that has trained with their comrades. He's noted the differences— the pep talk of Ser Bruce to the simple commanded authority of Lord Rygar.. and the minutes that are in their not-so-distant future will tell how their words were greeted.
The designated time passes, given for the second wing of pikes to get into position, before the call to advance is given, and the orderly ranks of pikemen start forward, in step toward the cluster of trees, and the camp of rebellious peasantry within.
Riordan's estimation of the camp's defenses is accurate, the pikes are nearly within sight of the camp before a panicked shout of alarm is raised. The odd number of peasantry, the two rough looking swordsmen in leather jerkins (sellswords if ever there were a pair) are clearly visible, nearby a figure out of some storybook: a knight in full plate, tarnished only slightly by the elements, who is about to step into the saddle of a large warhorse.
Weapon at the ready, Riordan has no qualms about what is about to happen next. Once his sight has locked in on the knight, he barely looks about at the others in the area. If the knight expects to fight on his horse, he'll get a fight from another man on a horse. Glancing about at the rest of the contingent that has stayed on this side of the camp, he can only hope that they're truly prepared. He another look over to where Rygar sits on his horse, as if to say, let's do this.
A single file of men is ideal for quick movement, but certainly not for battle. As such, once the main group comes upon the camp, Bruce nods at his squire. "Pikes! Halt!" Amos calls a quick halt on the bugle. "Pikes! Close formation, form!" This bugle call is a bit longer, to signal the men to form into two ranks. "Pikes! Front rank, port pikes! Remainder, order, pikes!" Bruce's voice and bugle call out for the first rank of pikemen to hold their weapons at 45 degrees forward, while the others keep theirs upright. The heavy infantry, on the other hand, move to the side of the formation so they can skirmish.
"Smallfolk," Rygar's cold voice is raised to address the huddled peasantry through a raised visor. "You are assembled under arms, in defiance of the King's Law. Those who throw down arms will be spared. For those who keep to defiance, the penalty of treason is death. Pikes! Ad-VANCE!"
"It is the duty of every good man to defy a tyrant, Nayland! comes a voice muffled only slightly for being shouted through a full helm, ornamented with feathered wings spreading from the temples. "Freemen of the Cape! Sons of the Warrior! To arms for your liberty! Death to the tyrant!" shouts the knight, brandishing a broadsword, and urging his band on to the attack. A few bolder voices among those assembled are raised to echo him, but faced for the first time in their lives with troops in formation, weapons levelled upon them, many among the band are visibly shaken.
The alarm given within the camp only serves to harden the pikemen in Einion's group. The camp threatens to scatter, even with the knight taking to his saddle. If the knight charges, he can easily hear the order to 'set' on the rush. But, it's not to be—
"Ad-VANCE!" The order is repeated, and unlike the rabble, the pikemen are in a good and tight formation, using each other as their defense.. and offense. Einion and his men do exactly as they're told..
"Guardsmen!" Ser Bruce Longbough calls out to those heavy infantry near him. "To your foes, three bolts, LOOSE!" Unlike the other Guardsmen, Bruce doesn't have a crossbow with him. He does, however, have a javelin, and is by no means a bad thrower. He hucks his javelin in the general direction of the sellswords.
For now, the Guardsmen are content to stay a bound or so behind where they assume the main fighting will take place, to loose their crossbows and observe for any opportunities to exploit close in.
Waiting behind the pikemen, Riordan waits for a good moment or two before even considering moving forward. Once he does, he guides his horse ahead at a gentle trot at first. His lance facing forward, he's prepared to attack.
<COMBAT> Peasant 03 attacks Bruce with Hunting Bow and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Guard 04 attacks Sellsword 02 with Crossbow - Moderate wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Guard 04's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Guard 02 attacks Peasant 15 with Crossbow - Critical wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Guard 02's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Guard 01 attacks Peasant 03 with Crossbow - Moderate wound to Abdomen.
<COMBAT> Guard 01's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Peasant 15 attacks Rygar with Hunting Bow but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Guard 03 attacks Sellsword 01 with Crossbow - Light wound to Left Arm (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Guard 03's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Bruce attacks Sellsword 01 with Thrown Spear - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Sellsword 01 has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Sellsword 02 has been KO'd!
Rygar remains seated atop his charger behind the advancing pike line, one gauntleted hand cooly raised to lower his own visor as the crossbow volley tears into the more defiant among the rebel mob. As an arrow sails past him, the stern knight nods curtly once upon seeing a few among the enemy surge to the attack, and guides his horse around the end of the pike line to intercept those who would seek to flee.
Riordan peers through his own helmet, now lowered as well, gazing about through the people. Who will fight? Who will run? Who will surrender? Now is the time that really tells them what they need to know. He keeps his eyes and ears open. This could go bad very fast, and he wants to make sure that whatever happens, it ends in their favour.
"Forward, forward!" the knight in the avian helm incites, spurring his horse at the enemy with a shouted, "HAH!" No veteran to battle, the bold cavalier's horse is wiser than himself, refusing to dash into the pike line, headlong, rearing up with a start. The rebel knight sees Riordan and Rygar coming around the corner of the line, and instead turns his attention to the Naylands.
Behind him, the peasantry are divided, a few of the bolder ones do follow their captain's mad dash forward, but others balk when faced with the intimidating array of pikes.
An arrow whizzes by Bruce, though he scarcely notes it. He scowls when his first javelin doesn't completely flatten the sellsword. Still, the man falls to the ground and Bruce isn't going to waste time chucking his second javelin at him. Instead, he aims for the less severely wounded peasant with a bow, chucking his second and last javelin at the man. His sword is pulled from its scabbard and his shield raised over his body. The Guardsman Knight begins to move forward a few steps and is followed by the rest of the men, to keep pace with the formation and keep close to it.
"Guards! One more bolt, loose!" The Guardsmen shoot off a second bolt. Bruce yells gruffly, "Guards! Close formation, march! Draw swords!" It's obvious that they are well drilled. After this second bolt was shot off, the men were getting their swords and shields out before being ordered to. They pack together in two close ranks and advance forward.
The tanner turned Serjeant of the pikes casts a glance out for incoming arrows, but remarkably doesn't see any that would cause any great consternation shot in their direction. Then, if they don't have a distance weapon, what is it they do have? From his position out front on the first line of the first group, now that they've reformed, he can see who is putting up a fight and who seems to be having those second thoughts… and still, the pikes advance, deadly tips pointed towards their foe.
Wading into the fray now, he searches and makes his pick as to who will see the end of his pike should no mercy be asked— a spearman!
<COMBAT> Levy 09 attacks Eagle Knight with Pike but Eagle Knight DODGES!
<COMBAT> Peasant 11 attacks Guard 02 with Dagger and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Levy 08 attacks Peasant 14 with Pike - Light wound to Left Arm.
<COMBAT> Levy 05 attacks Peasant 12 with Pike - Moderate wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Guard 02 attacks Peasant 07 with Crossbow - Moderate wound to Neck.
<COMBAT> Guard 02's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Peasant 10 attacks Guard 02 with Bludgeon and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Peasant 08 attacks Levy 11 with Spear but Levy 11 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Peasant 06 passes.
<COMBAT> Peasant 04 passes.
<COMBAT> Peasant 03 passes.
<COMBAT> Peasant 02 passes.
<COMBAT> Levy 12 attacks Peasant 06 with Pike - Critical wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Levy 11 attacks Peasant 01 with Pike but Peasant 01 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Levy 06 attacks Peasant 10 with Pike - Light wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Levy 04 attacks Peasant 01 with Pike but Peasant 01 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Levy 03 attacks Peasant 01 with Pike - Serious wound to Abdomen.
<COMBAT> Levy 02 attacks Peasant 06 with Pike and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Levy 01 attacks Peasant 12 with Pike - Light wound to Neck.
<COMBAT> Guard 04 attacks Peasant 08 with Crossbow but MISSES!
<COMBAT> Guard 04's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Guard 03 attacks Peasant 08 with Crossbow - Light wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Guard 03's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Peasant 14 attacks Riordan with Bludgeon - Moderate wound to Abdomen (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Peasant 13 attacks Bruce with Hunting Bow and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Peasant 12 attacks Levy 02 with Dagger and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Peasant 09 attacks Guard 04 with Bludgeon but Guard 04 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Peasant 07 attacks Guard 03 with Spear and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Levy 10 attacks Peasant 06 with Pike - Critical wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Levy 07 attacks Peasant 03 with Pike but Peasant 03 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Guard 01 attacks Peasant 07 with Crossbow - Light wound to Abdomen.
<COMBAT> Guard 01's weapon clicks empty.
<COMBAT> Rygar attacks Eagle Knight with Bludgeon & Shield but Eagle Knight DODGES!
<COMBAT> Riordan attacks Peasant 09 with Spear & Shield - Light wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Einion attacks Peasant 08 with Pike but Peasant 08 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Eagle Knight attacks Rygar with Sword & Shield - ARMOR on Head stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Bruce attacks Peasant 13 with Thrown Spear - Serious wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Peasant 01 has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Peasant 06 has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Peasant 07 has been KO'd!
The bold eight who had answered the call to charge rushed in pell-mell at the line of pikes. Nearly half that number take a spear point to something vital, and blood begins flowing freely. Even those who avoided being struck down were unable to penetrate ther formation deep enough to land a blow of their own, and the short lived rush falters, with many of those behind abandoning the fight, dropping weapons and fleeing.
As Riordan wades into the fray, the young knight takes a solid blow to his armored belly from one of the smallfolk, some small measure of defiance achieved. Meanwhile two knights ahorse trade blows, wordlessly. A sword skates off of Rygar's helm, but the Nayland knight is unhurt, dropping his shield to put both hands upon his mace.
The assembled smallfolk are not warriors, nor are most of them even properly armed. As their fellows start to fall, the survivors begin to break, half of those blooded (even lightly) turn to flee, unaware that the route behind them is blocked.
Riordan cringes slightly as he's hit in the stomach, the wind knocked out of him for a moment. He recovers soon enough, however, and he turns his horse around. He looks around at foray.
As the battle is joined, the Guarsmen are charged by a few peasants. They've slung their crossbows now and are in a tight shield wall formation, swords held out - except for the signaller Amos, who wields a shield and the standard spear. Bruce says something that is inaudible to anyone but those closest to him, but the signaller next to him calls out on his bugle - it is the call for the pike to charge spear. There is a second bugle call to try and signal the men over the hill to join the battle. Lastly, squire Amos slings his bugle as Bruce yells, "GUARDS! CHARGE!" The Guardsmen lean in to dash forth, keeping in tight formation while they attempt to smash the remaining enemies. Bruce keeps his large shield up, holding his sword over it and stabbing down at one of the bolder peasants in front of him.
Brandishing the pike before him, Einion lays his eyes upon his target— a spearman. There aren't many who are actually standing and fighting; they're looking as if perhaps they may not enter the fray, and some are even turning around and running. Bringing the tip up, Einion maintains his hold on the shaft, but his target is a little out of his line and manages to avoid being hit by the shaft's blade. That doesn't mean his comrades in formation doesn't have better luck, however… and the combat untested men get their first taste of blood.
<COMBAT> Peasant 04 attacks Guard 01 with Bludgeon and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Peasant 03 attacks Bruce with Bludgeon but Bruce DODGES!
<COMBAT> Levy 02 attacks Peasant 01 with Pike - Serious wound to Head.
<COMBAT> Guard 02 attacks Peasant 04 with Sword & Shield - Moderate wound to Left Arm.
<COMBAT> Peasant 02 attacks Levy 01 with Dagger - Serious wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Peasant 08 attacks Einion with Dagger and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Levy 01 attacks Peasant 08 with Pike and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Guard 01 attacks Peasant 08 with Sword & Shield - Serious wound to Right Hand.
<COMBAT> Rygar attacks Eagle Knight with Polearm - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Riordan attacks Peasant 03 with Spear & Shield - Moderate wound to Abdomen.
<COMBAT> Einion attacks Peasant 08 with Pike - Moderate wound to Left Arm.
<COMBAT> Eagle Knight attacks Rygar with Unarmed - ARMOR on Abdomen stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Bruce attacks Peasant 04 with Sword & Shield but Peasant 04 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Peasant 08 has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Peasant 03 has been KO'd!
The steady stream of smallfolk fleeing the carnage at the front continues, as only the most devoted and most desperate continue to assault the formation of pikes. One of these- clutching a dagger has managed to get underneath the points of a pike, and draws first blood from the pikemen, with a harsh scream. One of the peasants, taking a bloodly blow to the scalp from a guardman's broadsword, falls to the ground, clutching at his head and screaming for mercy.
Rygar and the rebel knight continue to trade blows to little effect, horses butting shoulder to shoulder as the battle devolves into a rout around them. Bruce's bugle is answered by a uniform shout from the second wing of pikemen, who have begun herding the smallfolk back into the center of camp, at pike-point.
Making his way through the crowd, while on his horse, Riordan notices Rygar and the knight going at it. Figuring he could use the knight's distracted nature to his advantage, he starts making his way over, aiming his weapon.
In the front rank, one of the Guardsman dismembers a peasant facing him, slicing his hand clean from his body. The second Guardsman, having slashed open his opponent's scalp, signals forward and steps over him instead of finishing him off. The formation of Guardsmen follow, leaving the surrendered peasant on the ground. For all his training and experience, Ser Bruce doesn't do as well - the peasant facing him swings a club at him and misses, but so does the Stonebridge Captain of the Guard's sword thrust. He yells, "Yield, you fool!" His words do not match his actions as he continues to advance, and attempts to stab the man again.
The peasant that manages to make it under the pikes no longer has luck, or any of the Seven, on his side. As the scream comes and he goes down, he is given mercy insofar as Einion's line isn't going to run him through with their pikes as they pass to their next target.
Another daggered peasant is noted, and as a whole formation, the pikes bear down on the single peasant, making it obvious that there is no quarter unless it's asked.
<COMBAT> Levy 02 attacks Peasant 02 with Pike but Peasant 02 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Peasant 02 attacks Levy 01 with Dagger - Moderate wound to Right Hand.
<COMBAT> Peasant 04 attacks Guard 01 with Bludgeon - ARMOR on Chest stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Guard 01 attacks Peasant 02 with Sword & Shield and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Levy 01 attacks Peasant 02 with Pike and MISSES!
<COMBAT> Guard 02 attacks Peasant 04 with Sword & Shield - Moderate wound to Right Arm.
<COMBAT> Rygar attacks Eagle Knight with Polearm - ARMOR on Right Hand stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Riordan attacks Eagle Knight with Spear & Shield - ARMOR on Right Hand stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Einion attacks Peasant 02 with Pike but Peasant 02 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Eagle Knight attacks Rygar with Sword & Shield - ARMOR on Right Leg stops the attack!
<COMBAT> Bruce attacks Peasant 04 with Sword & Shield - Serious wound to Left Hand.
<COMBAT> Levy 01 has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Peasant 04 has been KO'd!
The 'Sons of the Warrior' who remain on their feet are desperate past the point of folly. One peasant continues to swing his hatchet at one of the Stonebridge guardsmen, unable to pierce the man-at-arms' armor, having his own hand lopped off by Bruce for his efforts.
The other, circled by pikes, lunges desperately at the man he'd wounded, managing to carry the militiaman to the ground, his dagger tearing into the palm that the militiaman raised in his own defense.
The knight of the feathered helm grunts with exertion as he and his Nayland foe continue to war. As Riordan rides to Rygar's assistance, the knight curses from behind his eagle's helm, "Another day, you thrice-damned cur!" and seeks to disengage with one last violent cut.
Still silent, apart from the impacts of weapons on armor, Rygar continues to strike at the winged knight, until the other looks to disengage, at which point he lunges in the saddle after the fleeing foe.
It's apparent to Ser Bruce that the main pike formation has the situation well in hand, with just one more straggler to deal with. "Guards! Second rank, fall out to clean up!" Once he's given that order, the Guardsmen split off, front rank turning. Bruce points at the Eagle Knight and takes off sprinting towards him as fast as he can with sword and shield in hand, with some of the heavy infantryman following and others staying behind. This is where the battle fitness training will hopefully come in - all the hours of sprinting in battle kit may have prepared the three men to catch up to the Eagle Knight, if he's delayed by bad ground or obstacles. Maybe.
Einion calls out, "Pikes!" to make sure there's no need to reform their formation. There's always bound to be men that are taken down— it's why there are so many pikemen. Enough to fill in the gaps. "Fill in!" He's not happy in the least that one's gone down, and at a dagger's pull, too. The peasant is missed the first time around by their weapons, by footing or by luck, but Einion has nothing but taking the daggerman down on his mind.
<COMBAT> Levy 02 attacks Peasant 02 with Pike - Moderate wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Peasant 02 attacks Einion with Dagger - Moderate wound to Left Arm.
<COMBAT> Guard 02 attacks Peasant 02 with Sword & Shield - Moderate wound to Left Hand.
<COMBAT> Guard 01 attacks Peasant 02 with Sword & Shield but Peasant 02 DODGES!
<COMBAT> Rygar subdues Eagle Knight!
<COMBAT> Riordan attacks Eagle Knight with Spear & Shield - Light wound to Chest (Reduced by Armor).
<COMBAT> Einion attacks Peasant 02 with Pike - Light wound to Chest.
<COMBAT> Eagle Knight passes.
<COMBAT> Bruce attempts to subdue Eagle Knight but finds them already subdued.
<COMBAT> Einion has been KO'd!
<COMBAT> Peasant 02 has been KO'd!
The last of the armed resistance throws himself next at Einion as the Serjeant brings his unwieldy weapon to bear, but the sheer numbers are too much, and just as his knight seeks to escape the field, the last of the rebels is transfixed by three pikes.
The winged knight is only slightly more successful: Riordan's lance finds the crease between breastplate and pauldron, pricking through the mail, as Rygar's unorthodox gambit manages to haul him out of the saddle.
Rygar grits his teeth behind his visor as the stern knight catches hold of his fleeing opponent and hauls with all his wieght back. He falls from his own saddle as surely as does the man he keeps hold on, but in a nasty twist, Rygar lands atop his foe, pinning the other to the bloodied grass. "Ser Bruce! Still him," the Nayland grings out.
Even with being able to prick the knight, and even with Rygar being able to get a firm grasp on the knight, Riordan is still weary. He makes an attempt to help keep the knight subdued.
Ser Bruce, his squire the signaller Amos and the third Guardsman arrive after a short sprint across the field. Their training's paid off; they're breathing heavy but are not winded. At finding the Eagle Knight on the ground and at Rygar's request, Ser Bruce does something no self-respecting knight would ever - he lifts his heavy leather boot up and attempts to bring it crashing down on the Eagle Knight's crotch.
Einion is ready to take out the crazy peasant wielding the dagger, and lunges forward to spear him. He does manage to get a good, central shot to the chest, but as the peasant begins to go down, the extension of the tanner's arms makes them a target for the peasant.. and the dagger takes the opportunity. With a deep slice to Einion's left arm and the blood beginning to flow, the peasant falls, but at the same time, the strength leaves the arm and as much as Einion would like to keep hold of the pike, it is unwieldy. He simply can't hold it.. and it drops.
In a weakening voice, but still one that he expects will be heard, he calls.. "Pikes! Fill in!" He's not going to be the reason the line falls, his making the hole..
Soon enough, the blood loss causes the tanner to stagger and lose consciousness.
<COMBAT> Rygar continues to subdue Eagle Knight.
<COMBAT> Riordan passes.
<COMBAT> Eagle Knight attempts to escape from Rygar but fails!
<COMBAT> Bruce attacks Eagle Knight with Unarmed but Eagle Knight DODGES!
The pinned knight can't manage to escape from under Rygar, growling through his visor, "This isnt how we should end this, Nayland- let me up and we'll finish this like knights!" even as he thrashes about to seek an escape from his predicament, neatly fouling Bruce's effort at a foul in the process.
Rygar has released his hold on the haft of his polearm, in order to better maintain his pin of the foeman. In cold answer to the fallen man's challenge, he intones, "This is no field of tournament, Ser. No game of sport. Here, you yield or die."
Riordan jumps off his horse and plants his lance in the ground. Looking down at the presently subdued knight, he takes off his helmet, throws it to the side and kneels down. "Now, now. No need to be so brash. Knights, true knights, obey the Kings Law. I'm afraid one of us here just hasn't been doing that very well, have we?" He tilts his head to the side. "Let us see who 'we' are, shall we?" He says softly, lifting up the visor of the mysterious knight's helm.
"Listen here, you stupid bastard! You don't come on to /our/ land, ferment insurrection and then get treated like an honourable soldier!" Bruce screams at the Eagle Knight, sneering. He ignores the two friendly Nayland knights, and attempts to kick the Eagle Knight in the groin again.
The 'stupid bastard' Bruce upbraides is struck soundly by the common-born Captain's boot as he lies, pinned by the hated Naylands. A gasp and coughing groan result, and as Riordan hauls off his helmet, the face of the downed warrior is a familiar one, albeit confused by several days growth of stubble, dirt, and present agony.
Rygar gives a short, stern look aside to Bruce at the blow, but says only, "Bind him. Ser Riordan- see to the survivors."
"Aye." Bruce replies to Ser Rygar, sheathing his sword and slinging his shield. "Amos, rope." From a pouch on his belt, Bruce's squire-cum-signaller produces a short length of hempen rope. Pushing Jaremy Terrick over, he ties his hand in a very tight and uncomfortable knot. "Makes me wonder how you won your spurs, you prat."
"Well now, isn't this just a coincidence. You know, I think people are looking for you." Riordan smirks down at the man. Stand up, he looks at Rygar and nods. "Yes. Right. Survivors. Wounds tended to and assurances that our people have done well." With a glance back and the fallen knight, he starts off to check on everyone else.
The foe-turned-prisoner has opted for a stoic silence in response to the baiting he is given, offering only sullenness and wounded pride as his resistance from that point forward.
Rygar releases the once-Terrick when the guardsmen step in to see him bound. A short pass of his eyes about the field is concluded with a short nod. "Ser Longbough," he addresses the Captain of the Guard. "In returning to Tordane Tower, I will send half the pikes before the prisoners and half after. Your Guardsmen will secure our flanks. Prepare a burial detail for the rebels. If you would instruct your squire to bind the prisoner to my saddle horn, I would thank you." It would be improper to order another knight's squire around, after all.
"Aye, that we shall, same as before, Ser Rygar. Amos, do as Ser Rygar says until he's got no more need of you, then come and join me, lad." Says Bruce, expression neutral, before he breaks out in a big grin and gives his squire an affectionate pat on the cheek. "Ya did good today, lad. You've made yourself and your family proud. Keep it up." He winks, and walks off to organize some of the pikemen into prisoner escort, and others into a burial party.