The Wandering Path: Heated Battles

*I think this'll set the stage nicely*

Yagyu briefly engaged Fenris before falling back to help Felora, who was being mobbed by the plaguehound pack. Fenris began after Yagyu when Vord stepped up, backed by Draknora. Fenris turned to Vord and smiled, bringing his runeblade on guard. "You don't know how long I've been waiting for this." he said, twirling the blade once. "I've beaten you before Fenris." Fenris laughed derisively. "That was long ago, you've lost that power. All you have now is your swords and a little orc girl at your side." Draknora charged at this, eyes filled with rage. Fenris parried her axe blow, and quickly slashed at her, landing long blows. Draknora cried out in pain and fell to the ground as Vord got in an offensive stance. "You'll pay for that." he said, already taking in the surroundings and Fenris' stance. Fenris laughed again, "Then come, show me the might of the Grin, and we'll test it against that of the Scourge!"

Any other day Shadiel would have simply frozen his many opponents to the ground and then cast Blizzard to slow their movements while the frozen shards would destroy them in a nice neat cluster. The Mage however knew that due to the strange powers of the Death Knight in front of them, the arcane power of frost would do little to slow the canines attacking them. Shadiel had meditated and relearned the spells he would need for this event, he prayed that he had trained enough.

Eyes glowing with a fury of fiery rage Shadiel steps forth out of the protection of the flank directly into the oncoming beasts path. He waits till they are just a breadth away and he begins to unleash magic that he had thought once worthless in the situations that Grin were accustomed to fighting in.

"This one is called Blast Wave my little mutts." The spell is released and immediately a circle of flame surrounds the mage scorching everything in it's path.

"My favorite however is this." Another spell is cast and this time an image of a fiery dragon comes forth and spews flame on the still incoming beasts. The flame damages and dazes them. The mage steps back into formation on the flank and gives a nod to Sinderion the Ranger beside him. As he starts channeling for another cast.

To the side of all the action, a warrior and a fledgling death knight faced off. Sul'thraze sang as it slid out of it's scabbard, the warrior walking forward. Kaylish raised her eyebrows at the sight of the weapon, stifling the doubt that fluttered in her chest. Smiling slightly, Kaylish drew her runeblade, "Legendary sword or not, it won't be able to stop me." The warrior simply smiled, "Aren't you the confident one today? What, forget about the trouncing you received last time?" the hum turned into a screech as Xylien brought her sword down upon Kaylish's guard, driving her back a few steps, "tell you what, I'll remind you, shall I?"

The blades clashed again and again as the two fought. After the first two attacks, Xylien fell back, using her superior reach to keep Kaylish at bay. Kaylish pursued relentlessly, the desire to kill flooding through her veins. Yet Kay noticed that, even as she was being pushed back, the warrior was smiling. Something's wrong, she thought, then her eyes widened, damn, she's pulled me into her rhythm! Kaylish immediately jerked back, narrowly avoiding having her head taken off by Xylien's humming blade. Xylien leaned on the weapon as Kaylish stumbled away, "So you're quick enough to cover your mistakes," she said, a lazy smile running across her undead features, "but you still make them, and that will get you killed again."

Xylien wished she was half as confident as she sounded, she was leaning not out of contempt, but because she had been hard pressed even when she only had to follow a pattern, This isn't going to be easy, she thought. It never is, came the response. "No one asked you," Xylien said, gritting her teeth and gripping the hilt of her sword, "you do your job when the time comes, and I'll hold up my end of the bargain, ok?" You got it, boss.

Kaylish frowned, "Are you insane?" she asked incredulously. Xylien nodded sagely, "Most probably, comes with getting married. Men, they'll drive you crazy." Kaylish growled, "Get serious!" she yelled, thrusting her hand out. A line of ice shot out and hit Sul'thraze, rooting it to the ground, "Now die already!" Kaylish rushed forward, blade seeking Xylien's heart. All of a sudden, time seemed to slow. Xylien yanked her weapon free of the ice as if it wasn't there and parried Kaylish's strike. "You over-committed," she heard, and then pain blossomed in her side as the tip of the vibrating blade slashed through her armor. Kaylish turned with the pain, minimizing the damage, and staggered away.

"Serious? Fine," Xylien set herself, "My turn."

Drak'nora lay still, bleeding from her wounds. She faced Vord, and through slanted eyes could see him and the shadow of Fenris. "If anything the hunters have taught me, it is how to play dead." she thought, wryly. She slowly moved her hand down to her pouch and took a sip of the fortification flask she kept there. She saw the swift movement of swords around her as Vord and Fenris fought, before she closed her eyes and slipped into unconsciousness.

Vord saw the slight movements she made, while relief and fury coursed through him. He narrowed his eyes and concentrated on the fight in front of him.

Vord struck and parried in a frenzy, Fenris wasn't just trying to kill him, he was doing everything he could, and he advanced to the point that he could make reckless moves and cover himself before the counter came. 'I need to get away, I can't take him by myself.' Vord concluded. He glanced around to see where the others were; Yagyu, Ashenrock and Felora had five plaguehounds each, those that had escaped the scorching and executions by Shadiel and Sinderion, who were finishing up the last of their ten. Vord parried again, and turned briefly to see Kaylish take the blow from Xylien. A flood of emotions came up at this, and it nearly cost him his life. Vord barely managed to jump away from Fenris' strike, and caught Sinderions and Shadiel eyes, trying to get some backup. Fenris looked 'round and saw what the two elves had done.

"So," he said with a small grin to Shadiel, "You're rather talented. What do you say we play for a time?" Fenris closed his eyes in concentration, pouring his will into those he was raising. The ground cracked and broke, the risen dead clawing their way out. Fenris looked at the six fallen Crusaders, "The Ranger, I want him in pieces." The dead turned, one of them cracking his skull and neck back into place, started after Sinderion as Fenris sheathed his runeblade, walking towards Shadiel, bringing up frost armor.

Vord took a couple steps at a good pace, and slid over to Drak'nora, picked her up, and carried her out of the immediate fight. He looked over her wounds, treating those that were in his skill and modesty. As he stopped the bleeding he wondered why after all his time treating the wound he could, why she was so different. That thought was pushed from his mind when he saw her stir, her eyes opening briefly, before the sounds of Sinderion's bow snapping arrow into the undead brought him back to the battle. He stood back up and took a few steps as he felt the air around him grow cold. He could not see it, but his eyes had turned black again, pupils glacier blue. "Never again." he said aloud, "Never again will I allow this."

"In a group it isn't always about being the one to win young Mage, sometimes it is about holding them for a time till you have gathered your own. Joke, dance, flirt, or do anything you can to keep their attention on you. Once their focus is taken off of the rest the fight becomes a game of buying time so the rest can strike at his flank. In War the game isn't about who is most powerful but who has the sharper mind."

Shadiel could hear Sylvos Windrunner's voice in the back of his head while Fenris stepped towards him. The icy blue glare of the Death Knights Frost Armor caught the Mage off guard. Novice mages often tried to use this armor when fighting a mage class. They didn't realize that one that had mastery over flames would bypass this particular magicked armor set. Frost Armor was good against Melee and it was a wonder to Shadiel how this Death Knight could be so ignorant.

Donning his own magicked set of Frost Armor Shadiel readies himself. "If I didn't know any better Fenris I would say you just wanted me all alone for yourself. I hate to bust your bubble but I have someone at home that apparently has me already claimed."

Testing the space between them Shadiel casts scorch a few times and sees the spells singe and burn the Death Knight. The Blood elf pokes at Fenris with these small spells again and again while playing the same game that he did with Azuregos and blinking away when the Death Knight was close enough to hit him with his blade. Every once in a while he would cast a Fire blast that did a little more damage. When Fenris was able to get a hit in Shadiel's mana shield was up to take most of the blow and a particular ability called Blazing speed allowed the mage to run to a safer distance to pester the Death Knight without worries.

"I don't have to win, I just have to stall him for now." Shadiel kept pelting the Knight with his scorch waiting for the time when he could unleash the big boom.

Xylien and Kaylish were a blur a spinning metal as they danced across the field. Their blades rang with each clash, a noise sometimes punctuated by the sound of blade biting into steel plated armor. The metal protecting the combatants ran red with blood, running from a dozen minor cuts.

Xylien spun away from Kaylish's sword, which quickly filled the space her heart had just vacated. Falling back, Xylien's heel caught on a rock, and she stumbled. The warrior heard more than saw Kaylish's advance, and thew herself to the side. She felt an impact, and looked down to see the runeblade sticking out of her chest. Weak... always weak....

Kaylish withdrew the sword and walked around the kneeling Xylien, to check on the damage. "A valiant effort, but I will win my freedom," a mad light came into the Death Knight's eyes, "and you will die!" The runeblade streaked down, but halted as Kaylish stared at the sight of Vord treating Draknora's wounds. Watching his cold fury as he stood and turned back to Fenris. "Vord..."

"I think... not." Xylien panted, Now.

Sul'thraze shown, splitting and reforming into the two blades it was formed from. In the same instant, Xylien surged forward.

Sinderion drew an arrow, firing it in the head of a charging ghoul. He whirled around to fire an arrow at another one of the fowl creatures, but the rotting beast bashed the bow aside, causing Sinderion to drop it.

He for the hilt of his axe he sweeped the ground with his foot and then extended the axe in front of the ghoul. As the ghoul was knocked down from the sweep, his spine fell on the axe, severing the beast in two. Sinderion then crushed the ghoul's rotting skull with his boot and rolled out of the way of a second, charging ghoul, picking up his bow as he did so.

Drawing an arrow he easily feathered the creature with a shot through it's skull. Sinderion then let forth a very sharp whistle, the loud cry of his companion, Talos, rang out like a war drum as the massive raven descended upon the battlefield.

Talos ripped the head from a ghoul with his talons, throwing the creatures dismembered head at a ghoul advancing toward Shadiel, causing the advancing ghoul's body to bend backwards and snap.

Talos raised altitude and looked around, spotting a lone carrion maggot, he dived down to build speed, swooping down and grabbing the very suprised plagued-beast.

Soaring about swooped down, throwing the overgrown maggot at the Death Knight Fernis.

Meanwhile, with a lul in attacks on him, Sinderion began to channel the magical energies that charged from his shoulder-pads. The energy gathered in his bow, making it glow bright white. As he strung an arrow it two began to sparkle with mystical energies. Pulling it back with all his strength and channeling the magic his armor had collected.

As he let the string go, the sound of thunder seemed to roar overhead as the bright white arrow sped toward Fernis at a speed no mortal could track. A trail of fading white aether in the arrow's wake the onlything visible.

Yagyu steeled himself for the initial rush as he watched the glowing runeblade in Fenris’ hands. Knowing there was no way to escape the blow Yag decided his best counter would be to launch himself straight at the Death Knight. Lowing his head Yagyu charged straight at the crazed Fenris and they rebounded off of each other as their armor clanged. The force of the collision knocked Yagyu’s helm clean off and he shook his head as he clambered to his feet to ready himself for Fenris’ next attack.
That was when he noticed the plaguehounds. They were rushing straight for Felora. In her weakened state he knew they could easily overwhelm her defenses. He heard Ashenrock’s warcry as the tauren Chieftan lept to her aid but Yagyu knew their numbers were too great. As he brought his mace up ready to parry Fenris’ blow, Yag saw Vord from the corner of his eye. The two orc’s eyes met and Vord had that look again, but this time there seemed to be something different. In that split second Vord’s eyes seemed to say to Yagyu, “This is my fight boss. Let me stand against him and prove myself.” Yagyu made his decision. He charged headlong into the pack as Vord took his place to challenge Fenris.

It was not a moment too soon for the plaguehounds were upon Felora ripping and tearing at the druid. She was rooting them hitting them with her full force but Yagyu could see she was beginning to tire. The recent stresses were weighing heavily upon her already weakened frame. Ashenrock was doing his level best as five of the demented dogs piled upon him but it was not enough as he saw Felora drop to one knee as a hound tore at her leg. Seeing his friend fall sent the orc into a rage and he howled from the pit of his stomach. The ungodly sound made the hounds stop for a moment in their tracks. Two turned away from the tauren and tried to run smashing their heads together in confusion as they did so. It was the opening the orc needed as he waded into them. Arching his back, his sinewy arms brought the mighty mace down with all the force he could muster and it split the skull of a plaguehound with a sickening thud. Rotting decay and blackened blood spattered the orc’s face and his rage grew. He was in full killing mode now and he became a blur of blinding movement as his mace tore a path through the hounds. Bones cracked and chunks of rotted flesh stuck to the blackened mace as the Warlord made his way through to Felora. Reaching the druid he slipped an arm under hers as he lifted her up. She grimaced in pain but did not cry out as the orc heaved her to her feet. His strength bolstered her and she seemed to calm herself and began to chant a spell. The rhythmic sound of her low voice had an effect on the orc as well as he knew he had reached her in time. A hound snapped at his leg but a sharp kick of his plated boot crushed its nose and sent cracked fangs spinning into the dirt.

They were far from safe however and Yagyu soon found himself hacking at the demented creatures that seemed to continue fighting to their last breath. He barely had time to think as he crushed the leg of another mutt who leapt for Felora’s throat. He could only hope that Vord was prepared for whatever else Fenris had in store.

Shadiels movements and taunting only made Fenris even more agitated. "When I catch you, you'll beg that your death takes but an hour. I'll make sure that whomever you have a quarrel with at home gets his pieces thought." Shadiel smiled, "Then let's see you catch me." as he blinked behind Fenris to hit him again. Fenris closed his eyes briefly, going into his enhanced state, and looks around, trying to find Shadiel, but instead sees Sinderion, ready to launch his glowing missile. He thinks quickly, trying to find a solution, when he sees Sinderion fire, instinctively raising his runeblade in an effort to block the arrow with the flat of the blade. The arrow connects, and Fenris feels the raw energy of the impact, the power almost knocking him off his feet. Fenris turns his blade over to look at it, inspecting it for any damage. A small mark is left from the where the arrow hit, and he looks back to a surprised Sinderion.

Fenris focuses, and howl emanates from the north, and Fenris thrusts a palm at Shadiel, blasting him with freezing wind. Stunned by the sudden blast, Shadiel tries to shake off the effects of it as Sinderion closes, Talos diving out of the sky at Fenris. the Death Knight closes his eyes, concentrating hard, and waits for Sinderion to close fully, almost completing swinging his axe around, when Fenris releases his stored energy, purging all heat in the small area around him. Sinderion stumbles, caught off guard, and falls to his knee, and watches as his breath starts to fog and ice grows on his armor. Talos quickly breaks off, but the ice on his wings causes him to fall to the ground, and become encased in the ice near Sinderion. Fenris turns to see Shadiel shaking the effects of the howling blast off, and grins, while activating his anti-magic shell. Shadiel stands his ground against the advancing Death Knight, throwing fire spell after fire spell, all being slowed or absorbed by the shell. Shadiel starts his incantations, gathering and focusing energies, and unleashes a mighty pyroblast upon Fenris, finally breaking the shell, but unable to stop the Knight's momentum. Shadiel turns to blink away, but is caught by Fenris' blade, a long gash stretching diagonally across his hamstring.

Shadiel appears a few yards away and drops to the grown in agony, as Vord runs in to combat Fenris. Fenris stops, looking Vord over again and nods at Vord, smiling. "Now we'll see who's truly the better." The two charged each other, oblivious to the others and the world, concentrating only on their opponent. Fenris locks blades with Vord, occupying his hands, and reaches out with his right palm, striking Vord in the chest with his death coil. Vord drops to the ground, screaming in agony, as Fenris raises his blade, his face overjoyed with the realization of his obsession. "I'm the better, remember that when when you sit in your corner of Hell."

Felora's face was determined as she watched the hounds close in. Ashenrock turned to face the pack. There was no way in hell he would let them harm her. He roared at them with a tone that suceeded in drawing their attention. He quickly assumed his Moonkin form and called forth his treent minions to aid him. They grew seedlings to adults in seconds, quickly disorienting the hounds. Ashenrock knew that it would only buy him a minute or two. He started balsting the hounds with moonfire, and weaking them with his faerie fire.

In a flash, though, his minions were cut down not having stopped a single one of them. They descended on Rock quickly and overwhelmed him. He knew there was no way he could fend them all off but he wouldn't let them reach Felora.

They enveloped him and brought him to the floor quickly. They pulled at his feathers and scrapped at his skin. Felora was doing what she could to keep wounds from opening, but that only enraged one of the hounds. Rock grabbed at it's tail too late and it bit Felora's leg. Just when Rock thought he was going to lose the fight he heard a mighty roar and knew that all was not lost.

The hounds tried to run, but in their confusion they slammed their heads into each other. That's when Yag made his move.

Ashenrock lied there as he watched the Warrior build himself into a frenzy. Blood and flesh were flying everywhere as Yagyu completed his assault. It was both graceful and horrifying.

Finally Yagyu made it to Felora and Rock was able to breathe a sigh of relief. He watched as one of the surviving hounds found the bottom of Yagyu's boot. Quickly the tauren jumped to his feet and found the remaining hound. No spell would finish the thing off in time. Rock assumed his tauren form and quickly pulled the blade from his belt. He lept to intercept the hound, driving the dagger deep into the hound's side and finding it's heart. It was dead before they both came to rest.

Yagyu looked down at the Warchief and nodded his approval.

Now he would see what he could do for Vord and Shadiel.

He turned to see Vord falling to his knees and Fenris slowly raising his blade above his head.

No. This was not going to happen.

Rock quickly took his cat form, stealthed, and moved behind the bastard. This fight was for Vord, but Rock wouldn't let Fenris get the upper hand.

"I'm the better, remember that when when you sit in your corner of Hell."

He emerged from the shadows with a violent roar, pouncing on Fenris and sending him off balance. Fenris slammed into the ground head first. Fenris tried to kneel but was obviously in a daze.

Rock prayed that this would give Vord the opening he needed.

With a surge of strength, Sinderion snapped some of the ice around him and gripped his now frozen over-medallion. It flashed with light and a whirling vortex of magic swirled around him, Sinderion himself glowed with a healing light as he stood up, the ice all but evaporated.

Sinderion narrowed his eyes at Fernis and scoffed,

"Interesting parlor trick, Death Knight, perhaps when I sever your head I'll see if you have any rabbits stuffed in your helm as well." hissed Sinderion, running toward the Death Knight.

He cut down the legs of an uncomming ghoul, and leap onto the creature's shoulders as it fell, using it as leverage to leap once more. Whirling as he went through the air he threw his two-handed axe down upon Fernis, and drew his bow upon landing, instantly unleashing a hail of arrows upon the Death Knight.

A skilled marksman, his arrows struck at every crack, every hole, the slightest chinks in the armor where obvious weakpoints to this seasoned ranger.

As Talos broke out of his frosty prision, Sinderion let forth two whistles as he continued his barrage. The bird took off into the sky and begain to soar around, as if looking fo something.

Within seconds Talos flew by, impaling the ground with a torch near Sinderion. Nodding at the bird Sinderion drew from another secluded area of his quiver, these arrows appeaing to be much less finely crafted then the magical aether arrows in which he had used before. Standard shot for inchs away from the tip, which appeared to be wapped in runecloth or neatherweave.

Sinderion dipped the arrows in the flame, and begain to unleash these new batchs of arrows at the Death Knight, Fernis. Actually aiming for the armor.

As the arrowheads stuck themselves into the plate, the flamming cloth begain to hiss, and shortly thereafter explode, spraying flame onto it's target (not to mention the area nearby).

Sinderion kicked out snake and explosive traps to ghouls who'd work to stop his barrage, Talos aiding in keeping unwanted interuption of Sinderion's barrage from happening as well.

As each shot let off an explosion, Sinderion reached into both finally reached into both parts of his quiver, pulling back on his string two arrows, one of them begining to glow with the mystical energy from before, and the other an abnormally large explosive wrap on them.

His bow begain to glow from the magical essence as he let his bow-string go, the arrows flying at high velocity at the Death Knight, ready to deliver him the deadly cocktail of goblin ingenuity and elven craftmanship.

Fenris was wearing out. He had been forced to use his most powerful abilities and they didn't succeed in slowing them down the way he had hoped. As the elf's arrows impacted and exploded, he summoned the rest of his runic power, barely bringing his bone shield up in time to take the blow from the exploding arrow, but only deflecting the other missile towards his arm. The infused arrow tore through Fenris' armor, burying itself in his flesh, stopping at the bone after severing a nerve. Fenris felt his arm go numb, trying to think as the smoke from the resulting explosion cleared. He tried in vain to restore his arm through necromancy, but only succeeded in reconnecting the nerve rather than mending the injury, causing pain to shoot through his arm again, staying with him as he tried to think. He took a deep breath, trying to visualize where the arrogant elf was standing. He coiled, bringing all his training as a swordsman up from the depths of his mind. He sprung forward unholy speed, his runeblade readied at his side. Sinderion sprung back, the blade slicing through the recently vacated spot. An arrow hissed from behind the elf and buried itself in the ground. The two fighters turned to see skeletal archers moving up, reinforcements Fenris had placed there in the event he was delayed. Sinderion spotted the necromancers pulling the strings behind the archers, and quickly moved to cover to where he could start eliminating the new threat. Fenris knew that the elf had the upper hand in this fight, and had no problems letting the necromancers die while he dealt with the elfs support.

Fenris turned back to see Vord shakily rising to his feet, the effects of the death coil persisting. Fenris walked over to the kneeling hunter, and dealt a quick roundhouse kick to the side of the orcs head. "Come now Vord, surely this isn't the extent of your strength. Show me the power of the Blacktooth Grin you spoke so highly of." Vord started to rise again, and Fenris delivered an instep kick to his face, breaking Vord's nose. "STOP! If yew want ta see the might of the Grin, then yew've found yer orc." Fenris turned to see Yagyu advancing, Ashenrock having taken Felora from him. Fenris turned and grinned. "Then maybe you'll give me a proper challenge." Fenris readied himself as best he could, adjusting something on his wrist before gripping his blade as Yagyu brought his mace up and began to charge.

Time seemed to slow down for the Warlord. He saw Fenris kick Vord and watched the blood begin to pour from the Raider’s nose. He shouted at Fenris hoping the distraction would buy Vord a few precious seconds to recover. The Grin needed to rally and Yagyu knew the only way was for him to buy them time. As the Death Knight turned his attention to Yag, he knew that he had his chance. Charging Fenris he raised his mace high knowing that Fenris would focus on the most immediate threat. He was proved right as they two collided with a deafening clang on steel on steel. But there was another sound as well…a cracking was heard and Yagyu felt the lightness in his hands and he knew before his eyes saw what had happened. The wood in the mace’s shaft had splintered against the Death Knight’s runeblade. It’s structural integrity compromised, it would soon be useless. Now was the moment if the fight was to be won.

Leaping out of the way of vicious swing of the runeblade Yagyu bellowed, “GRIN!! FORM ON ME!!”

Xylien spun, cut, and spun away, her blades spinning through her hands and slicing through armor and flesh as they wove their deadly pattern. Kaylish fell to her knees, unable to move. She knew exactly how close to death she had come. I... lost? The thought ran oddly clearly in her pain filled mind.

Xylien's maneuver had moved her with their backs to each other. The forsaken didn't even bother looking behind her. "Second verse, same as the first." Without another word, Xylien stalked forward to join the battle.

Xylien held no pity, no sympathy. Kaylish let out an ear piercing screech of rage, frustration, and despair. Xylien kept on walking.

I didn't think you were so heartless... no talk, no trying to win her over, instead, you leave her wallowing in her defeat. The voice said, and Xylien couldn't tell if it was awe or concern she heard. "She has two choices," she said, "She either waits until it's all over so she can go back and lick her wounds, or she can stand up and attack." Do you think she'll manage that?

Xylien smiled, "She already has, you felt her expend all her remaining energy, didn't you?" Kaylish's sword lashed out, lifting Xylien's helm off of her head. Xylien was not in it. She had turned into the blow and down. The blade in her right hand opened a gash in the middle of Kaylish's chest, and the left blade pierced it, Emerging out of Kaylish's back.

Kaylish closed her eyes as she fell back, summoning every ounce of energy she had. Xylien was withing range. KILL HER! came the command. but I'll die. she thought. DO AS I COMMAND! Kaylish reached a hand out, and saw Xylien looking at her expectantly. Odd... the thought hushed the voice commanding her to kill. Kaylish reached up to her helmet, pulling it off as she hit the ground. No.

Xylien watched as Kaylish fell into a recuperative coma, "I see Vord's faith in her was justified after all," she said. Xylien rushed across the field, crossing the short distance between where Kaylish lay and where Yagyu was quickly retreating in her direction. She hurled the Left handed blade at the two, "YAG! Catch! It will be able to hold up against the rune blade!" hiding in the shadow of the sword flew the kunai Vord had given her. Weather it did damage or even hit, it would buy Yag enough time to catch the sword and defend himself. Which would let her close the distance even more.

((this thread has a new name: Paragraphocalypse))

Ashenrock gingerly set Felora down.

"I'm not much of a healer these days, but this should help." He closed his eyes and cast a rejuvination spell on Felora. Felora gave him a sheepish look of thanks ans said "Yagyu's weapon just broke."

"GRIN FORM ON ME" Yagyu bellowed as he avoided a vicious swing.

As Fenris readied himself for another swing, Rock wasted no time. As Yagyu was reaching for a weapon throen to him, Rock assumed his ursine form and charged hard at the death knight, once again sending Fenris sprawling as the bear's head caught him in his side, under his arm. Ashenrock then took his Tauren form and settled in to Yagyu's right side.

"Ready when you are, Warlord." Ashenrock assumed his Moonkin form and nodded at Yagyu, all the while conjuring as much of the natural energy around him as possible. His feathery wings formed a continually growing green ball of pure natural energy...he waited to unleash it.

Fenris rolled off the blow as best he could and stood up, looking at the tauren, realizing who it was. "I know who you are...You're just as Demonstrike said. Lucky, but also determined. Telling him I was the one to end your lives is going to be fun. I wonder what he'll do, toast a drink to your deaths, or lash out for not being the one to do it himself." Ashenrock, although in his moonkin form, seemed shocked. Fenris turned to look at Xylien, who had just gotten to the rest. "Oh, and to you, girl." he held up the kunai, "Try hiding it better." With that he threw it back at Xylien, forcing her to take a few steps back, and out of range to help the others immediately. Fenris focused again, having regained a small amount of power to cast a weak anti-magic shell again, and charged Ashenrock and Yagyu, focusing more on the latter.

Yagyu gave an eye over the scene; Felora was steadily getting back on her feet, but was in no condition to deal with a fight, Shadiel was mending his leg as best he could and Sinderion was returning fire with the skeletal arches, the exploding skulls issuing a "BOOOOOM!" when he found his mark. A necromancer screamed in horror shortly before detonating, leaving only three left. Xylien had positioned herself to the rear, while Ashenrock stood to the side, holding his fire until Fenris' shell lost it's charge. Grimnir was working his way to Shadiel, having been occupied by several undead that had been attracted by the sounds of battle. Yagyu brought his blade up, and began an intricate dance between the two, spinning, swinging, blocking, parrying, it seemed to go on for an eternity for the two. At first, Yagyu had some difficulty keeping up with Fenris, but as the fight went on, Yagyu proved to be the victor of the stamina contest. Fenris looked his options over, his shell was ready to give any moment, and the orc was tireless. Fenris watched Yagyu for a few turns, and saw a pattern. A complicated pattern with very few openings, but it was a start. Wincing as Yagyu landed a couple glancing blows on the lightly armored areas, fenris switched the his blade hand, putting it on the same side as Yagyu's, then quickly locking blades and trapping it. Fenris crowed in triumph as he swung round with his other hand, stretching his palm out, a flash of steel was visible before making contact with Yagyu's chest. A horrible crunching sound followed, mettle giving way and bone breaking as a bone protruded from Fenris' upper arm. Though he still smiled, as Yagyu stared for a moment, blood trickling from his lower right ribs.

Yag felt the pain before he actually realized the full extent of what had happened. He saw the flashing hand a moment too late to parry the palm strike and remembered Vord and his fights in Stonard too late to avoid the deadly blade. He felt the cold steel sink in between his ribs and then the sticky wetness of the blood as it dripped down his armor. He saw Fenris smile even though his arm was broken. It was a mocking smile that made Yagyu’s rage boil over again. It was fortunate for the orc because it masked some of the pain from the handblade.

“I ain’t….impressed.” He was pinned to Fenris’ blade but as long as it was so was Fenris pinned to him. Dropping the sword Yagyu grabbed Fenris bladehand and pulled it tighter into his ribs, preventing the Death Knight from releasing. Yagyu winced as he reached with his free hand to his belt drawing his own kunai that Vord had given him back in Stonard. Yag stared defiantly into the Death Knight’s eyes.

“Fear the Grin, rotter.” He sneered at Fenris as he drove the kunai as hard as he could into the Death Knight’s side.

((I'm not one for controlling other people's characters, but it's the only way I can see to get this off in time before the situation changes too much. Be sure to yell at me if you don't like it and I'll change it. :D))

Xylien barely caught the kunai by turning with the momentum. The maneuver worked, but it took her out of the fight for crucial seconds. She watched in awe as Fenris and Yagyu fought, the intricate patterns woven by each blade around them almost mesmerizing. impressive, but it meant that Ashenrock didn't have a clean shot. "Warchief," she said as she ran past him, "Target me! now!" She saw Rock hesitate, and hoped he trusted her as much as she was trusting him.

She felt the cast more that saw, and turning mid-stride, she caught the attack on the flat of her blade. Sorry about that, she thought. The impact sent her spinning through the air, knocking the sword out of her hand, straight to where Yagyu and Fenris were locked. "HEY FENRIS!" She yelled, the death knight yanked away as hard as he could, but Yagyu grabbed him and kept him rooted to the spot. Xylien twisted in the air and drove the kunai right between Fenris' eyes with both hands. "Thanks for the weapon."

The impact ripped the weapon from her hands, and she bounced and rolled when she crashed into the ground, where she lay still.

((You know, considering what he is, that wouldn't necessarily kill him, would it?))

The force of the impact ripped Fenris out of Yagyu's grip, knocking him to the ground where he tried to stand up, his right arm hanging limp and his right leg shaking, barely holding weight. He reached up and pulled the kunai out of his head and dropped to his knees, having damaged his brain. He looked at the Grin who were starting to surround him; Grimnir supporting Shadiel who couldn't move his leg fully yet, with Sinderion walking up, having just dispatched the last of his foes. Vord walked over slowly and grabbed the runeblade the Fenris had dropped. He looked at the Grin who had been hurt, stopping at Drak'nora who was just regaining consciousness, then down on the heavily wounded Death Knight and grabbed him by the neck. Do it, said the voice, After what he's done, does he not deserve to die? Vord's face grew dark, eyes even more so as he readied the blade and put the tip to Fenris' throat. "You might be better than me, that I won't deny. But we're better than you, and we'll keep beating anyone who threatens us again." Fenris reached with his good hand, grabbing Vord's arm. "You might've won this time, but the true King will come to claim what's his. I might have fallen today, but you cannot defeat us, only join us." Vord's face grew cold and emotionless as he reached his decision. "Burn." and he thrust the blade through, silencing the knight for good.

Vord stepped over the body and away from Yagyu, not wanting to show his face, and walked to Xylien to check her. He kneeled down, looking to see if she was alright, when she stirred slightly, slowly regaining consciousness. He reached into his wristguard where Fenris had grabbed him and pulled the slip of paper out. He gave it a quick look then put it deep in a bag at his belt, and picked Xylien up, moving her to where the others were.

The battle was over. One smooth stroke from the Death Knight’s own runeblade made sure of that. Yagyu watched as Vord pulled the blade free and then stalked off, purposely avoiding his gaze. He considered stopping him but decided against it. It was better to leave the orc to himself for the moment. He had been through a lot and he had earned his privacy.

Yagyu surveyed the straggling remains of their group. As usual, the Grin remained, battered and bruised though they might be. He looked down at the prostrate form of Fenris, his kunai protruding from his side. Yagyu grimaced in pain from Fenris’ palm-strike as he bent to retrieve the kunai. Wiping the blood from the blade he carefully replaced it back in its sheath and turned to help the wounded.

"I am fine Fel...I have had much worse" Shadiel's leg wound was already healing fast thanks to Grimnir and Felora's abilities. Healers sometimes tended to overdo the need to see their charges recovered. Another time Shadiel would have just allowed the inspection to occur but after this particular fight the mage though outwardly composed the officers that had served with him knew there was something in his eyes that spoke of another thing altogether.

Shadiel nods at Yagyu who was inspecting the damage that this battle had done. They had taken on relatively few numbers and yet it had taken all of them to win. The Grin would live, but what if next time there were more Death Knights against them? This collection of Grin fighters had been among their best, officers most of them, and yet Victory had been hard won. The mage walks alone trying to suppress something he hadn't felt in a long time. It was an emotion that he tried to control the most and did so with a grace that came from years of studies towards accumulating power. This day his fear would not be repressed. These opponents were the most formidable Shadiel had ever seen. Perhaps not as gifted as he in the Arcane, but they made up for it in this bizarre twist of necromancy and unholy power.

Shadiel collects his things allows the ever persistent Felora to once again check his wound, and waits for the rest of the Grin to start with him on their way home.

"She was angry with me when I left, she shall be even more angry when I return. I will have to explain things and hope to the gods she listens." Eyes staring outward attempting to find strategies to battles they couldn't possibly win, Shadiel ponders what to do next.

Vord carried Xy over to her mount as show slowly came to. By the tim he got there, she could sit in the saddle and grasp the reins. Vord turned to look at the others; Sinderion was studying Fenris while Felora was treating Yagyu, trying to get him to hold still so she could knit the wound. Shadiel was gathering his gear, clearly focusing on something that was troubling him, and Grimnir and Ashenrock were discussing this new threat, the latter talking much more seriously. Vord looked to see Drak'nora slowly rising to her feet and rushed over, having her lean on his shoulder, helping her to her worg. He lifts her up into the saddle and hands her the reins, and looks around one last time. He saw Kaylish lying there, still trying to recover from Xyliens blow. He walked over slowly, compelled on a more basic thought. He wouldn't leave her to the mindless undead or the hungering maggots, he couldn't. He picked her up as well, and carried her over to where the others were. Yagyu saw him first, and gave him a wary look, while the others were in disbelief. Vord turned to Yagyu, "Sir, please, I've known her since before this. She'd broken the link, let her have a better life..." Yagyu looked at the raider and sighed. "It ain't up ta me, the Chief has the final say." Ashenrock studied them for a moment, and Vord saw something glimmer in the taurens eye, compassion? Mercy? The Warchief snorted, as if conceding, the nodded. "However, if she poses any threat at all, she will be dealt with." Vord nodded, knowing what was all was at stake. The Grin mounted up, Kaylish strapped into Sorens, Vord's old skeletal warhorse, saddle, and rode off.

Later that day, they stopped and made a small camp to rest for the night. Felora went around checking the injuries again and again, finally settling down after being bided by Ashenrock. One by one, each of the Grin fell to sleep, resting after their perspective battles, all save Vord. Vord sat against a tree and looked at the note again in the dimming firelight. He noted everything of worth and threw the paper into the fire and watched in curl into flames. He sighed, trying to relax, and pulled his bow out, picking up an old habit from when he was on his own. He carefully knocked an arrow and leaned against the tree, bringing his feet in closer as to more easily jump up in case of an attack. He sat there for some time, looking off into the darkness, and not sensing any danger, slowly drifted off into a light and uneasy sleep, gripping the bow and arrow firmly.

Ashenrock reflected on the battle. Everyone had done well and no one lost their life...except for Fenris, of course.

He worried about Yagyu...the Warlord had taken a good shot and was bleeding. Felora and Grimnir tended to him. The Orc had displayed the true tenacity and l aggression that a Grin leader should. He shook off the thoughts as Vord began to make an appeal to Yagyu...not to him.

"Sir, please, I've known her since before this. She'd broken the link, let her have a better life..." Yagyu looked at the raider and sighed. "It ain't up ta me, the Chief has the final say."

Rock looked at Vord...and then at Kaylish. Rock couldn't let another life go senselessly. His compassion was all that he had these days. He let out a heavy sigh that concluded with a snort and then he nodded.

"However, if she poses any threat at all, she will be dealt with."

Soon after they made camp to rest for the evening. Rock studied Felora as she tended to the Grin's wounds. He had pleaded with her to stay behind and rest. Her ordeal with the Keepers had taken much out of her. She, of course, refused his wishes. She wouldn't let the Grin go without her. He could no longer deny the fact that he was quite taken by her...and soon he would tell her how he felt.

Finally his thoughts turned to his brother. Fenris mentioned that he had spoken with him. Rock suddenly felt a little better as this proved that Demonaro was, indeed, alive. This was information that he would share with his father once he returned to Reventusk.

The party came back to Stonard and while the officers were accepted back with more fanfare than the others, Vord was happy to blend back in. He deposited Kaylish in a bunk where he could keep watch and saw Drak'nora walking to her quarters holding her side, Signe right behind her with a load of bandages. A pang of guilt ran through Vord when he saw her and quickly lowered his gaze. Why this particular female interested him was something he couldn't wrap his mind around. Yes, he had feeling for Kaylish, but the circumstances were different, and he had never been one to chase after females for petty ends. He sighed and stood up, and looked at Drak'noras door.

Days passed at apart from a brief time where she had skirmish with Kaylish, Drak'nora had been in her room trying to recover from the battle. Her absence had not been lost on Vord who, while trying to keep Kaylish from falling back to Arthas, had been trying to overcome the feeling of something missing. He refused to believe that someone had this much sway over him. Hadn't he spent 18 years on his own, avenging his family? But it persisted, and he reexamined his life, and while he had no regrets, he would soon be 28, still without a mate. 'A lone wolf finds a pack eventually, and I've found mine, but I still have no purpose. It just been a road from one conflict to another.' his thoughts were interrupted but a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see his old friend Urja standing there, his face serious as always. "Dey be growin' impatient. Ah cannot keep dem back anay longah." Vord nodded and watched Drak'nora's door. "Spread the word...before we do anything I need to know where to start looking. Inform Dusteye he'll have travelers to guide." Urja nodded. "An what of de ones to da north?" Vord sat quietly, thinking for a minute before being pressed again by Urja. "Tell them I need more time, they'll understand. Tell them you will bring word when I am ready." Urja nodded again and faded back into the shadows.

Vord's gaze returned to Drak'nora's door again, and he found himself compelled to check on her. He walked slowly at first, then picked up the pace as he went. He stood there for a moment, the breath before the plunge, then knocked. "Come in, Sig" the voice answered.

((This is the end of my part, but feel free to wrap up your own parts here.))

((((ooc. Whoa! Standing O on the fight! So that's what you meant Vord when you tried to explain how to do this to Psy and me before.

But now I'm skeered. If it really takes WarChief, Warlords, Sythegars, Raiders all combined and throwing their best at one Deathknight, the Grin might be in for a spot of bother in Northrend)))))