Mercakete

As the riders and Raemond's passenger got situated on their mounts, Beau resealed the secret room then, with Jasmine's assistance, rode passenger atop Illiam's saddle. Being the most familliar with the area, the young heir directed the small company to the southeastern section of the clearing, where a somewhat-overgrown road was mostly hidden. This was the presently-unkept entryway to the estate grounds, as he explained as they travelled along it. While they were liesurely travelling, there was the odd incident of a crocodile resting on the road with its eyes closed and jaws open. It was so still that it looked like a statue. Through instruction from Beau, however, Raemound was able to get it to move out of their path, though he was somewhat pale in the face durring and proceding the act. "Those usually stay in or near water. I suppose it was sunning its self," was Beau's explanation as to why the crocodile was on the road in the first place. The creatures did live in Bellmire profince, after all, seeing as the whole provence was wetlands and marshes. The crocodile wasn't the only wetleand creature evident along the road, however. In the reeds and in the trees -- which were growing sparcer as they travelled southeast -- were alive with the songs of marsh-dwelling birds such as the red-winged blackbird, accompanied by the chorus of unseen frogs. The squirrels in the trees squeaked, sounding very much like birds as well. It was relaxing to Beau since this was the land he'd grown up in. Though Raemond somewhat enjoyed it too, it was almost unnerving at the same time. He wasn't used to being in the midst of so much wildlife. When night came, the group was on the very edge of the provence, but could still hear the occasional hoot of an owl or the chittering or fluttering of the bats. And, of course, the frogsongs continued. The next day was less eventful as they continued on towards Jasmine's barracks. They were making good time, though. 5 days later (as per Kiryncalc) the travellers finally reached the capital. Though they'd stopped along the way at times, the barracks was a welcome sight.

Yes, of course I have. It was just kind of "and suddenly he has a bomb" though you did post (in that same post) the events leading up to it.

"Hey! Can someone ..." Bert rolled his eyes as the cry trailed off, flying over to where he heard the shout come from, landing right near Raquel. "Merz, Pinky, I can't carry everyone. Come on; we don't have time for you to be standing around," Bert huffed before pulling Raquel up behind him into Rizen's saddle and having the pegasus gallop back alongside the main group. He didn't want to risk flying now that he had three passengers again, though Raquel was probably lighter than Valter so it may not have been impossible. It was improbable enough, however, that he was not about to try it. He knew he couldn't very well defend the woman with the Fallen now, but there were plenty of others better-suited for that anyway.

Rizen leaped away from the fire as it rapidly expanded, her rider looking back on it with a bit of surprise. He shook that off fairly quickly as the various calls to retreat rose. His first responce: to urge Rizen to run away from the fire and Fallen. As he was riding, he saw Valter nearby. The horseman was indeed riding his own horse and seemed fine, so Bert's eyes scanned the ground for little Ranyin...who he lying on the ground and so rode by to scoop up the little mage before continuing the escape. He had the pegasus rise into the air then pulled back on the speed a little to fly near the woman who was retreating with the Fallen girl. She did say she needed cover, after all, and though he wasn't in the best of shape and was carrying a passenger, he could at least be some sort of wall if need-be.

Some of the people nearby were looking up and Rizen was beginning to get anxious. So, Norbert's gaze drifted to the sky...where a Fallen was flying, making some sort of dark storm.... He wasn't sure what it was, but it certainly was ominous enough that he figured it was bad for them.

Nika: I was wrong about you! You're so brave and smart! Axel: No, this is just something I must do...for the group... Nika: Wait! No, you don't have to do this! Please, don't die! Axel: It's too late, Veronika! You cannot stop me. This is my desicion. Nika: Oh, Axel! Axel: I want you to know... I always loved you. Nika: Oh, Axel! Axel: Veronika... I'm sorry.. Because I felt it should be posted here. Written by me in IRC about Snike making Axel into a grenade or whatever with a fire rune and a charge rune.

Norbert smiled at the procedings, letting Valter off and riding Rizen at a walk closer to the lance woman to get a closer lookat what was going on. This should be interesting. I wonder what they'll do.

Norbert levels up! level 2 --> level 3 +1 str, +1 skl, +1 def Level: 3 points remaining: 36 Stats: HP: 5 STR: 5 MAG: 0 SKL: 4 SPD: 5 LCK: 1 DEF: 3 RES: 3 Simplified Stats: HP:15 MT: 5 HIT: 4 AVO: 6 DEF: 3(+1) RES: 3 AS: 5(-1)

As he rode, one of the hounds was charging right for the pegasus. Rizen lowered her head instrinctively, speeding up rather than slowing down. The dog jumped, however, and slammed into Bert, clawing at him before the rider could get free of the hound and litterally throw it off. He wasn't doing so well now. He was getting quite tired and the bleeding scratches which arrayed around his body weren't exactly good for his health either. “Alright, Bert, circle around the demon there, the one that just attacked us,” came the voice of Valter behind him. Without a word, he did so, riding at one of the remaining harpies. The arrow whistled by and struck true, causing the winged creature to fall from the sky. A smile spread across Norbert's face and he actually, quicetly began to laugh a little. His frustration was leaving and the laughter was more a sign of that than anything else. He couldn't believe it. One demon after another fell around them and Bert let Rizen gradually slow until they were at a full stop. A woman from the significantly smaller group of mercenaries came over to their midst and the Fallen ahead seemed liek they were about to make another stand. "There comes a point," Norbert mused aloud, "when death doesn't seem so frightful. It's not something you wish for...but it isn't something you're worried about either." It was a strange confidance he was feeling at the moment. He was completely relaxed. Whatever happened, he'd work through it.

Rizen reared in fear and fanned her wings as the wind swirled about her. The wind was just not being normal today. The blades composed of wind, however, never touched her, instead cutting into her passengers. "Blasted bird-women... These creatures' attacks sting..." Bert grumbled to himself as he shifted his weight to tell Rizen to get all four hooves back on the ground and continue her gallop, this time circling around towards the enemies. "Alright, Valter, we can't be running away from the fight, so we'll just have to hope your horse decides to come back to help you. Until then, you can ride with me. Lets close in a bit more so you can have a closer target. I'll have my axe ready just in case, but it looks like we'll be relying on your arrows," Norbert told his teammate as he charged.

"They're sick, too," Esphyr replied. She didn't like talking about it that much, but she'd gotten used to the fact. It'd been a long time, after all. "I'm sure they're probably asleep right now. Otherwise, they're supportive." (No use worrying a kid like this about my folks.)

"Thanks," Bert mentioned to the healer while Rizen brayed a quiet equine giggle at Luca's displeasure. Though a bit of weight had been taken from her back, she was still carrying 2 grown men. She wasn't complaining, though. "Alright, Valter, let's get you back to your horse," Norbert told his remaining passenger as he directed Rizen to run in the direction of the much-closer-than-before, earthbound mare. Norbert defends Valter! +3pts to Ranyin, Valter and Norbert for the previous successful defend

"So am I," Esphyr somewhat idly replied, "I should visit my parents if we'll be near them. It's been a while since I've seen them too."

(Vaorin?) Yep. Staying at the breakfast table had been the right call. Apparently, they were to head off for Vaorin next after a stop at a local church. It was fairly good news to Esphyr.

"Hah; I guess so," Bert somewhat laughed in reply to Nadya's coment. The healer had rode her horse up alongside the galloping pegasus -- not too hard given that said pegasus had 3 passengers -- and applied her healing magic to Norbert, healing the clawmarks completely. He didn't want to think about his tunic at the moment. For now, Norbert was just glad to be healed and that his passengers were safe. ... Well, ranyin was still in something of a bad condition... "By the way, could you take one of my passengers? He's not in very good shape," he asked, indicating Ranyin with a jerk of his head.

Hearing snarls and barks from behind him, Bert stopped Rizen and turned her to see the dog that he knew was gaining on them. He did so just as the dog jumped and scratched at him with it's catlike claws, raking across his back and chest as it leaped. "Agh!!" urging Rizen into another burst of speed, he tried to ignore the stinging pain. He didn't think Valter had been hurt, but he wanted to check to make sure. "Hey, Valter, are you okay?" he half-grunted over his shoulder to his teammate.

"STOP BEING FAST AND HURTING MY FRIENDS!!!" Bert yelled at the demon army as a whole after the attack on Valter. "Gaugh... Riz, don't hate me," the pegasus rider murmurred to his mount as he rode her over to Valter and scooped him up, guiding the man's weight so he landed in the saddle behind him. Okay, no way Riz can take off now, but luckily Ranyin's light... Not like this will last for a long time either... "Valter, I'll try to get you back over to your horse. Attack as you will, but let me know when you do. I'll protect you," Bert told his newest passenger as he rode after the spooked Phylis. Bert defends Valter!

I play easy mode almost exclusively since I don't play for the challenge. I play for the story and easy mode makes that easier. I've never tried -- nor do I ever intend to try -- hard mode. However, I am playing through a normal mode run of FE9 so I can transfer my data to FE10. I also attempted a normal mode run of FE10. ... That...didn't get past part 1. Gave up on that file, started an easy mode run, never looked back. Edit: curse you, typos.

Norbert clenched his teeth as he fought the urge to tear appart any winged demon remaining. Valter was right. The pegasus rider jumped off Rizen's back and picked the unconcious mage up before remounting his pegasus and looking around for a healer. Darn; most of them are busy... I'll just have to look after him until this fight's over. Blast it... "Riz, I don't care how vain you are, the odds of you getting a bit bloody are high. Don't you dare complain; I'll wash the blood off your coat when I get the chance," Bert warned the winged horse. She knew the basics of what he was saying. Her coat wasn't going to stay clean for every long. In responce, Rizen was frusterated, but if it was for the best, she'd endure a dirty coat for a little while...but he was soooo cleaning the blood off later. That stuff was sticky. I won't let the same thing happen to Valter. He guided Rizen near the horseman and kept a wary eye out. If anything tried to hurt his other friend, their bones wouldn't be intact for very long. Or, failing that, Bert could just take the blow himself. Edit: Miscount; nonbattlepost.

"Yes, that sounds refreshing," Raemond agreed. This was very good news. They'd get to freshen up better, there was bound to be stablehands to take proper care of Lantos and perhaps this would help Jasmine to relax. She seemed quite uptight most of the time, after all. At least from what he'd seen and given the circumstances, it was probably warrented.

I will not be here on thusday (tomorrow)! I keep forgetting to say this and I appologize! >_< Correction: I will maybe be back later on. Like, past 9 PST or something. But that's basicly the day anyway.

+3pts for Bert, Ranyin and Valter for a successful defend More blood -- though not a whole lot -- splashed onto Bert as a harpy swooped down and knocked Ranyin right out of Rizen's saddle, right in front of Bert. He immediately lashed out with a hand, trying to grab the creature's leg, but it was just quick enough to rise into the air again. Then it dove and attacked Ranin again, this time knocking him out. Norbert's anger swiftly escalated. I should have been watching him more closely! Darn it!! Before he could even get Rizen into the air again, dark energy pummelled the birdlike creature and destroyed it. He was glad it was dead. He wasn't glad that he hadn't been able to tear its spine out and crush its skull like a hard-shelled insect with the sole of his heel. His eyes locked onto another of the bird creatures. This one was his target now. OoC: Roy, Valter stopping Bert from acting on his anger is encouraged.

"Yes, that is a very good idea. I can rely on you to make the introductions, can't I? You are, after all, the most qualified, being both one of my protectors and one of the military," Beau asked Jasmine as Raemond finally emerged from the passageway with Lantos in tow. He'd given the horse a quick grooming. A bit confused, he asked Tiria, "Was there some development while I wasn't around?"

The battle was starting almost quicker than Bert could regain his wits. Sure, growing up he'd heard stories about dragons from his sisters and Nigel's assistants, but he hadn't heard about these monsters. Bird-women who looked much different from the seemingly more intelligent Fallen, dogs that seemed to be suffering from an unnatural disease, cougars with long fangs and bulky, muscular builds... A call from Valter got his attention. Immediately, the pegasus flew towards the horseman. They were almost there when Rizen suddenly reared mid-air and whinnied shrilly in alarm, prompting a cry of surprise from her rider. "Whoa! What's wrong?" He was so surprised that he didn't notice the spray of blood that had landed on him and his passenger until a moment later. By then, Rizen's wings were flapping franticly, then she landed, refusing to go up into the air again. "... Ranyin," Bert sighed, "You cast a wind spell, didn't you? That shift in the air scared Riz. ... Looks like we'll be fighting from the ground for a while..." With that, he directed Rizen to run the rest of the way to Valter. "We had a run-in with a monster, but we're here now. Do you need help with anything?" he asked his bow-wielding teammate. Bert defends Valter!

Tiria was the first to emerge. Shortly after her came Jasmine. Jasmine's request was surprisingly good news to Beau. "What sort of facilities does your barrcks hold?" he questioned, a plan formulating in the back of his mind, "Does if have baths? If it does, we might as well get properly washed as well. Of course we'll stop there for your sake alone, but if this proves a turn of good fortune, I would gather all of it's fruit before it withers." Raemond, meanwhile, had found formalware in his size that he rather liked. It wasn't anything too frivilous -- quite respectable, really. There was some low-tone color to it here and there via bloodstone accessory, but for the mostpart it was a simple, black suit with a white neckcloth, white gloves, a white, short cape and black, leather boots which stopped a little below his knees. After he'd dressed, he was surprised to see how good he looked in one of the mirrors. "... I never thought I could look like a noble. ... Maybe I should grow a mustache," he murmurred to himself with satisfaction.