Any day like today would be considered an unusual day, a day when so many conflicting parties would band together, setting aside petty rivalries and conflicting interests, to unite with a common goal. Survival. Let no man tell you there was love lost between these uneasy allies, for on any other day they would be tearing at each other’s throats like a pack of wild dogs. Yet here stood the combined forces of the Mirtanna Manor, thirteen warriors willing to go above and beyond, to sacrifice everything, and nothing, to protect nothing more than a simple homestead on a lake. They fought not for wealth, not for power, not for conquest, they fought for an ideal, for the land that harbored them, for the Manor.
Although they fought the same fight, they did not fight together, some rivalries and conflicts had been driven too deep, for far too long to change that. The trio of bounty hunters sat together, discussing their plans for the upcoming fight, while the dark ones gathered in the shade of a large oak tree, their hoods drawn forward and spells of shielding protecting them from the light. Another three, the Bach twins and their close friend Tao prepared their weaponry, the Bachs checking the fletching of their arrows, and testing the pull of their bows. Tao recited ancient words of power, and cast spells of protection and enhancement on her allies. Lord and Lady Summerset lounged on an array of summoned pillows, eating fruits and talking in hushed tones. Their relaxed nature belied their combat prowess, as these two were among the most dangerous people in the known world.
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Alone stood the last two participants in this game, standing on the crest of the hill, they watched as the enemies entered the bottleneck. An eerie silence hung in the air about these two men, nay, there were greater then men, they were titans, giants in a world of gnats. Kane held his helmet in the crook of one arm, the other pushing his hair back behind his ears. His armor made soft metallic shifting sounds as he lifted the helmet and pulled it down over his head, flicking the visor up as he did so. Turning his head, Sarge looked at Kane and nodded, a weary smile crossing his face as he slapped him on the back, “Finally we get to see who the greater fighter is, eh old friend?”
Kane stared straight ahead; lips pursed tight, his arms crossing over his chest, his tail slid from side to side methodically. The half dwarf sighed and turned his gaze back to the oncoming army, his hands reaching down to touch the runes carved into the heads of his war hammers, his mind anything but at ease. “Kane me boy, how did ye ever fight wars? Ye’ve told me the tales, before ye became what’cha’re now… goin’ ta war as nuthin’ more than a man… How could’ja do it? Knowin’ good and well that yer family was waitin’ fer ya back at home…”
Shifting again, the dragoon spat to the side, the words came from his mouth weakly, “A man has to fight to protect his family, to protect his home, in hopes that his children can grow up in safe in their homes, and that they will never have to fight to protect their family, and their homes. I’ve fought for many things Sarge, some I had to, and others I didn’t, standing here now, I look back and I would trade those moments for just one more day with them, one more hour, just to see one last smile, one last touch…” Having faded to an inaudible whisper, Kane lowered his head and closed his eyes.
“I understand… today I’ll fight for them, and after today, I shall fight no more.” Sarge watched as the last of the troops filed into the valley, the ranks shifting at the command of the officers. With a quick motion, he pulled the hammers from his hips and took hold of the grip near the heads. Lifting his head, with a look of grim determination, Kane’s voice had returned, full and strong, “ ’Tis easier said than done friend…”
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Far above, a crimson shape streaked downwards towards the assembled Manorites. Raising their heads, the Bach twins’ keen Elven ears and eyes forewarned them of the incoming shape. As the space between the Manorites and the shape closed, more details became visable, draconic wings, glimmering red armor, snow white feathers, a shock of blond hair, this was truly an unusual sight. Something stirred within Kane, and he knew who was coming, yet he did not move. Closer now, the Hans yelled to alert the others, who moved to prepare to intercept this possible new threat. Sarge turned and bellowed orders, which were obeyed for the most part. The lord and lady Summerset seemed to operate of their own accord, ignoring the fiasco entirely. Nocking arrows, the twins trained their shots on the figure. Tao readied spells of ice, the bounty hunters drew their weapons, Chaz and Claire clearly waiting for Alexa’s order before following Sarge’s. Necratice, the Vampiress Fallon and the apostle Vainya marked the newcomer, but did not move from the darkness, as the light was deadly to them.
With a flash of red, and a flutter of ivory feathers, the being was upon them. Staying their hands, the group stared in curiosity, this…man…. Shared a striking physical resemblance to Kane, his wings had angelic feathers, yet were shaped like dragon wings. He had the shape of a man, yet the aura of something greater; his brilliantly blonde hair cut short and wild. Scanning the assembly, his eyes stopped on Sarge, “I’m here…”
“You didn’t have to come.” Sarge had cut him off before he could finish, “I know what happened between you an yer father, ya did’nae have ta come.” Shaking his head, Fenix replied, “The Manor has been as much a home to me as it has to any of you. You aren’t in any position to refuse me, so I’m here to stay.”
By this point, the group had returned to their previous positions, leaving Sarge and Fenix alone. “Right then, would I be right in guessin’ that ya wanna speak to yer father?” Sarge questioned, holding his hammers idly at his sides. The young man nodded and moved in the direction that Sarge pointed, “Don’t be startin’ a fight now, ya hear, we need all the power we can muster fer this one laddie!”
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”Leave, now. This isn’t your fight.”
Kane’s voice was as cold and solid as steel. He wasn’t to be toyed with, not right now, not by his own son.
“Look, ‘dad’, I didn’t come here to fight with you, or to get into a pissing match. I’m here for the Manor. I’m old enough to take care of myself, and I’m old enough to make my own decisions. I’m pretty sure I already made that painfully clear. So, you can either throw down with me again, or you can just leave me to my business.”
“I don’t care how old you are, you’re my son and you will listen to me, and you will obey. Go home, now.”
“No. I’m staying god damnit, and that’s final. Mom would’ve…”
With a tone sharp enough to cut the tension in the air, Kane interrupted him, “If you’re so damn big, then why do you still act like a child.” An air of silence fell upon them, and Fenix lowered his head. Turning, he walked off to a clear section of the knoll and knelt by himself to pray.
Coming up beside Kane, Sarge set his hand on the bigger man’s shoulder. “I tried ta warn him off …but….” Realizing his words were having no effect, Sarge let his hand fall free and drift to the neck of his mail hauberk. Reaching down, he drew a locket from under his armor and flicked it open, staring at the picture inside.
“Lord allowin’, I’ll live to return to my family again…”
Kane reached up towards his visor, “Find solace in the knowledge that you have a family to return home to…” with a flick he snapped the visor down and began down towards the enemy. Sarge stared for a second before turning and rallying the rest of the group.
“Together now, let’s show them what the Manor is made of!” with a might yell, he raised his hammer and was met with several stares, and a handful of ‘Aye!’s. Waving them forward, the bounty hunters and Fenix falling in behind, the Summersets following a short ways behind on a pair of gigantic white tigers. “I swear to god, if one of those cretins lays a hand on me I will simply die” Lady Summerset proclaimed as the tiger crossed the crest of the hill.