Dragon Age: Pony Origins (Private)

[Travelaway]

Cold tore through the waves of undead, leading the knights on a march through the waves of undead. The massive beast that his companions were battling had finally become enough of an issue that he could ignore it no longer. He growled and swiped through four undead with a sweep, "Keep pushing boys, I'm going to go help them end this beast so we can push them back once and for all!" The stallion charged at the massive beast, it was big, mean, and was swinging that massive greatsword straight at Grymrose. The best option at the time seemed to be taking down it's center of gravity, so he rushed at one of it's armored rear legs and swung with all of his might (Activated ability: Sunder Armor).

[SunlightHeart]

Despite her best efforts Grym failed to keep the revenant's kill-strike from landing, her strikes rending its armor but not truly harming it. It had even smacked Gossan aside as if he were a ragdoll. A cold breath escaped her nostrils, the desecrated blade inching closer and closer to Clover's frame. Had the warden have blink she would've missed the large weapon slip harmlessly through the mare's body as if she were nothing more than vapor. She didn't understand. What sort of power was it that allowed the mare to avoid damage like that? No words could explain what she had seen, and in the small span of time that the world went silence after the failed attack, Grym wondered if she could ever call such a power her own.

In an instant, the hell of battle returned in full force. Clover scurried away, smartly, from the beast while everyone else was taking up the effort to keep the army of walking corpses off of them. Flying threats were being handled nearly instantly and even Tune was somewhere behind her doing his part. The mare's head snapped towards the cry of Maleficar, snorting at the foolish stallion. Even though Grym didn't fully understand her own power and couldn't deny its similarity to blood magic, she'd seen actual mages of the accused craft and knew that she was not one of them. The knight made a big stink over what he'd seen and stupidly tried to force his way past the revenant and away from her. "Idiot," she mumbled, the knight becoming a red stain in the dirty beneath the undead's hoof.

Rushing air caught her attention just in time, but still much too late. Its massive weapon was on a direct course for her, hoping to separate her head from her body. Her eyes widened in horror. True horror, the type of fear that comes from being caught in a situation that one cannot even hope to control. Adrenaline fueled her reactions, giving her the speed and clarity needed to act. With as much telekinetic force that she could manage, the mare swung both of her blades at the incoming attack. She could never hope to stop it, only redirect it into the ground.

Their weapons met and Grym instantly knew that she'd made a mistake and this would likely be her end. Until both Gossan and Cold Iron entered the battle alongside her, distracting the beast enough for her driving its greatsword into the ground, barely inches away from her hooves.

[Cainiam]

NPC Post: Knights of Redcliffe

The knights that had somehow been doing the impossible hit their stumbling block. As they pushed further into the cliffside, a pulsing wall of black magic rose to meet them. On the other side stood tens of undead unicorns, their sickly horns spurting out a thick black magic that looked almost like tar. The undead seemed to be on the defensive, and although the knights couldn't go any further, no more undead could come out. The remaining beleaguered knights held their position, a mere tenth of those that fought surviving to this point. Although the flow of undead ponies had been stopped, some still had made it through the gaps in their line, and fought on against the Warden's group along with the remaining pegasi. A lone unicorn stood upon the ramparts of the castle, his horn glowing as he watched on with a scowl on his face. There would be tomorrows his eyes seemed to say.

NPC Post: Revenant

The beast swung its sword eagerly down at the pony, who had no time to dodge out of the way. The Revenant's blade was heavier than a Drake, and it had gravity on its side. Had it connected there would be no question that Grym would have been ground into paste, but she was able to throw up both of her blades with a crackle of energy, smashing into the sword and destroying its momentum. The creature snarled loudly from inside its helmet as a second hoof moved to clasp the blade, putting the entire pressure of his front behind the colossal sword. The pressure was enough to snap limbs, but Grym only had to hold for a second before relief came, in the form of the beast rearing back.

Gossan's axes stung horrendously as they tore through the armour and flesh as it slid underneath the demonic undead. The Revenant reared back in pain, hooves still on the sword, but then came a ferocious swing into one of his rear legs. It roared loudly in pain, his sword diverting into the ground as it tried to put more pressure on his rear legs. The sickening snap of a giant bone rang out as the armour around its leg was crushed apart. One of his hooves released the blade as it teetered trying his best to recover its stance, but he couldn't put enough pressure on his back leg. It fell to the side with a mighty smash, leaving Gossan to leap out of the way as the beast struggled to stand back up again.

Gossan:

Gossan was immensely pleased at his strike, but even more impressed by Cold's. The officer had seemed soft, but the fierce strike he inflicted on the beasts' leg was enough for some new-found respect. Gossan then noticed the beast was teetering towards him and he broke into a sudden run, diving out of the way at the last second and landing on his chest on the ground. Being much smaller he was quicker to recover than the beast and he charged forward, leaping onto the undead to put a bit more weight on it before clutching his waraxe in both paws and driving it into the beasts helmet with as much force as he could muster. There was a cacophonous ringing as the vibrations travelled up his arm, but the helmet dented wonderfully. The beast shrieking in pain. Gossan raised his axe to strike again when the head flew forward in a vicious headbutt that smashed Gossan right in the chest and sent him flying off of the undead once more, this time landing on his back painfully before slowly standing back up again.

[TheUsurper]

Archon growled as he watched events unfold. "Oh for goodness' sakes. Maybe I should have been a necromancer, at this rate." He switched targets rapidly, turning his gaze away from the approximate area in the crowd where his target had disappeared and watching out for new danger. Thankfully the new danger wasn't particularly difficult to spot: Fifteen undead pegasi flying directly at you wasn't something that could be easily missed.

"Get behind me." He growled to Clover, then fell to one knee as he began to track his new targets. He fired at one, spearing it through the throat, and he spun around as he reloaded and fired at another, catching it through the throat as well. "Okay, sorry, change of plans. We make a stand here. Got anything you can use to defend yourself?" He kept moving and firing, taking out more and more of the undead abominations, until at last they overwhelmed him: One got close enough to swipe away the silver bow from his grasp.

Quick as a flash, Archon drew out his katana from within his cloak and began fighting melee in earnest, though he wasn't good at it and he knew it too well. All the while he focussed on personal defense as opposed to trying to kill any more, taking more and more steps back.

[SunlightHeart]

Grym knew that their timely intervention was the only reason she still drew breath, but now wasn't the time for congratulations and pats on the back. Their foe was off balance and vulnerable, but the monster was already working to correct its position. Gossan had managed to get clear from the tumbling colossus, just in time and was already back in the fight the moment he had recovered. The Dog hammered away at armor, the heavy axe blades earning him cries of pain from the creature. Just as Gossan was about to make real head way though, the revenant bucked its head forward, delivering a mighty headbutt which sent him flying off.

Grym didn't bother following the arch of the flying fighter, he'd shrug this off. Instead, he focused on the still recovering and now more vulnerable foe in front of her. Darting forward, her lungs burning for air from the effort she put into blocking its previous strike, she manuevered herself to get a clear shot under its chin where it was mostly unarmored. Taking careful aim, her swords quivering mid air, the mare thrust forward with both of her blades, hoping to pierce straight through the base of this beast's jaw and sever it's brain stem. They needed to take this thing down and mope up the town so that they could get to the Arl and this thing was draining their stamina much to quickly.

[Travelaway]

The beast was in as vulnerable a position as such a monstrosity could be. Cold needed to end this now so he could get Grym and Gossan at the front lines with him, their added strength would be needed to push forward. He rushed forward and kicked off of the ground with his rear hooves, sending him into the air; Cold brought his sword swinging down as he fell, gravity aiding his powerful blow. The sword came down on the beasts armored helm, Cold prayed that the blow would be enough to break through the helmet or at least crush it.

[Hundashter]

Clover darted her eyes around frantically, spotting the pegasi seemingly coming straight for her. She quickly got behind Archon when he told her too, and shook her head when he asked if she had anything to defend herself with." N-no! I-I don't! I-I don't know h-how to fight with m-my hooves or horn! And m-my bow is j-just a stick now! "

Suddenly, and idea struck her. she glanced behind her at the long canyon behind them back to the town. She gulped and looked back up into the sky, watching the pegasi coming straight for them. She turned and began to run back towards the town. " F-forgive me! I'm no use i-in this state! I'll d-draw them away! " She called back to Archon, keeping her eyes on the pegasi to make sure they were following her and not him.

She gulped when they did indeed change course to come at her, and turned to look back to where she was going. Her heart hammered in her chest from fear and adrenaline and her hooves pounded on the ground as she ran as fast as she could. One of the pegasi managed to grab hold of her and they both fell, tumbling forwards onto the ground. She tucked into a ball to try and keep herself from harm, and scrambled to her hooves to keep running when she felt herself stop tumbling. She glanced back and saw that the pegasi, who's limbs were not so strong, what with it being dead and all, had snapped both its front legs and one wing, but was still crawling towards her.

She quickly stopped looking at it as she finally got within site of the windmill, and the cliff behind it. She gulped once more as she galloped towards that cliff, and the water far below it. Just before she got to the edge, she took a deep breath, then jumped off as far as she could go. She closed her eyes tight and vaguely recalled having read in a book that when falling from a great height into water, one must keep their hind legs straight and aimed towards it, while crossing the forlegs across their chest and bowing their head down so their chin touches their chest.

Or something like that anyway. Regardless, she assumed this position and squeezed her eyes tighter as she felt herself falling, barely keeping herself from screaming as she fell. She felt herself impact the water before being enveloped by its icy grasp, then all she could see was blackness.

[Dabom444]

Broken was lost in her own little world once more. Sound was no longer registering in her mind, smells no longer singed her nose hairs and her sight was focused on nothing else but the gem in the stave before her and her determination to give a healing spell a go in offensive perspective.

She felt her mana draining rapidly and at this pace she would be dry of any mana at all.

Even with Midnight at her side she didnt even give a glance at her. And even though a forlorn arrow impaled into her side she didnt flinch. Then the gem began to sputter and pop, it was overloaded now. Broken widened her stance and fed the last of her mana into the gem till she nearly toppled.

When that was finnished she felt the pain, the smells, the sights before her. Death, decay, rot and blood lay everywhere. Scrunching her nose she tried her best not to gag. Her eyes saw Midnight, a small smile adorning her features at the sight of her friend. Alas she didnt drink the blood it seemed as her wounds were no better.

The mare turned her gaze back to her target, It was felled and nearly defeated, Grym, Cold and Gossan all working together to finnish it off. She would get her strike in.

Grabbing her staff with both hooves she yanked it out of the ground and aimed it straight for the beast's stomach. If it hit its intended target it would hopefully do major damage.

Her horn sparked and the last switch was triggered. The ember flowed up the length of the staff and to the gem. The stone glew bright yellow and a light blared forth. (Activated Skill Revival) The Healing light essence shot straight out in a wisp of light that sped with great speed. The gem glew again and the second spell that she had planted flew forth as well ( Activated skill Group heal) These wisps tore for her allies, seeking to bring their capabilities to a higher standard and heal wounds.

Then the staff sputtered and the gem fizzled. Broken didnt even get to see if her spells did the trick as her eyes dialated at the sight of her Staff as it smoked and sputtered. She broke it! The gem was nothing but coal! Something inside her died as she realized that she was way to brash and now her staff paid the price.

Her eyes peeled away to look at Midnight for just a moment, Faint tears in her eyes resided. Only the movement in the corner of her eye made her look. Clover had run off, she was leading the undead fliers away. Her eyes widened as she saw her running for the cliff.

"Clover!!!" She cried, Throwing her staff onto her back and tearing off after her. She galloped as hard as her legs could take her, her side yelping in pain at the imbedded arrow from before. The mare was heading for the windmill, She gasped as she saw the last flick of the mare jumping off. "CLOVER!!!" She yelled, her hooves nearly tripping over themselves.

As she reached the cliff she saw nothing but water down below. She gritted her teeth, She was dead, she had to be! But something in her mind told her otherwise, she could be alive couldnt she? It was only water!

With this in mind she shook her head, She couldnt just turn around and leave it, she couldnt. She promised she would keep everypony alive to the best of her ability! What would that make her if she turned around?

She readied herself to jump in after her, Her heart pounded hard against her chest. Then she remembered the fliers, One of them smacked into her side and she tumbled over the edge. "Son of a~!" She squeaked, the water was coming up fast and before she could fully straighten herself she had hit the water hard. She felt the telltale sting of a partial belly flop. Giving a small cry underwater she bit her tounge and forced what was left in her lungs down.

Swimming hard against the current she swam to shore while still under the surface. She finnaly made it and clinged onto a rock before hauling herself up and gasping for oxygen. Her soaking wet mane blocked her sight for only a moment till she brushed it away and frantically scanned the waters. Another stupid choice but she didnt care, She needed to try and find her, or at least her body.

"Clover!!!!" she called over the torrent, she perked her ears for a response. She prayed she was alright.

[Shadowbolt0]

Midnight had kept her fire up, taking out as many Pegasi as she could. It was firing, and she would probably pass out soon due to blood lose. The undead didn't give her much to feed from after all.

That's when she heard Broken yell Clovers name, catching her attention instantly. Spotting Broken headed for the cliff. What did she mean, Clover wasn't at the cliff so why... That's when Broken was knockedoff!! What in...Did, Clover jump off for some reason, and then Broken followed her? They were mad, that drop would almost certainty kill a pony!

She did what she had to, she also ran to the cliff, throwing her Crossbow onto the ground and looking out on the water. She could see the outline of Broken on the shore, what a stupid call! Why would she dive off the cliff? She turned her back to the battlefield, they looked like they would be fine. She wasn't doing much to help them anyway. She flared her wings, gasping as one of her injuries flared up. But she beat past it, gliding down until she was flying just above the water. She was looking in, trying to see something, anything! She had better view of the dark, but that water was something she couldn't pierce though, at least, not now. She flew to the shore, where Broken was looking for a responce. She landed her to her, and did the only thing that came to mind.

She slapped the unicorn, hard across the cheek.

"That, was stupid! You could have died from the fall, and that would leave Grym alone and my ass on a platter cause you died. Now, did you see where Clover landed? Cause she won't die, not yet. But i can't see anything. I don't want to dive headfirst in that water without knowing where to look, we can save her, i just need some light or directions, and i'll do what i can to save Clover. Please?"

[Cainiam]

Boss Post: Revenant

The massive creature tried to rise once more after butting off the troublesome Diamond Dog, but Cold was there straight away. The beast noticed the pony launch up to meet him and tried to raise its shield, when Broken's spell impacted its dented chestplate. Volumes of dark energy seemed to burst from the cracks in the armour, distracting the creature with the pain long enough for Cold to act. The soldier arced over the lowered shield, gravity aiding his blade as it smashed against the already weakened helmet, cleaving it open cleanly and burying into the Revenant's skull. The abomination unleashed an horrendous shriek at the blow, the creature dazed and confused for a moment. And that moment was all Grym needed. Her two blades sung through the air, driven by the strength of hatred straight into the creature's chin and soaring all the way through. The blades coming out the other end, inches from where Cold's was buried. The creature howled again, but this time the howl petered off, slowly growing fainter until the creature's head smashed into the ground beside it, the beast completely still.

Gossan:

Gossan lowered his weapons as he saw the other two finish off the creature. The monster dying like any normal pony. He smiled for a moment before a hoof smacked him in the back of the head and he fell face-down. He looked back up, grabbing his axe to see a pack of undead pegasi flying low, chasing a unicorn on the run. His eyes told him it was Clover. He also noticed Midnight and Broken rush off to assist however, leaving the pack to them. He turned back as another undead smashed into the ground before him, looking up to see it was Tune holding a tiny dagger. He gave the pony a smile before shoving a gore coated axe into the pegasus's hoof. "Use a real weapon, Tune," he said with a laugh. "No cheese knives." The dog brushed himself off as he raised to his paws, looking over to see the distant line of knights reach the end of the horde. To his left the griffon was stood upon a pile of corpses. In the distance the light of a new sun started to breach the horizon. "We did it," he said with a grin.

NPC Post: Undead Horde

The pegasi targeting Clover were in for a rude awakening as a volley of arrows flew at them. They didn't even try to dodge them, and four fell before they even got close, the archer proving a real dead-eye. They closed in closer and closer, Archon becoming desperate as they knocked the bow from his claws and he grabbed his sword, slicing open the first undead to get close. Most of the others however flew right over him, following Clover as she turned and fled, leaving the griffon standing there to fight off the lingering three as the others followed the unicorn's weaving path. Archon's mad sloppy strikes actually seemed to be working. He got one quickly enough. The next only took a few swipes to stall and take down, but the last managed to get him onto the ground with a flying tackle. Archon's stomach was smashed against as the undead battered downwards with its hooves, crushing a rib or two before Archon could angle his katana to cleanly remove the undead's skull, leaving him panting in a shower of gore.

The seven that followed Clover hounded her doggedly. Whenever they would get close they would beat at her, but she fought back, buying the time she needed to make it to the cliff and jump off. With no self preservation instinct, the pegasi all followed, tearing through the air and right into the sea, impacting like stones... and then sinking like them into the depths of the lake.

NPC Post: Knights of Redcliffe:

The Knights saw the distant raising of the sun and they cheered in victory, catching a last glimpse of the black unicorn before he vanished in a puff of smoke. The shield vanished under the sun's touch, the last few undead bailing to fall back across the drawbridge, which raised just in time for the knight's thunderous charge to leave them short. A collective curse was on every knight's muzzles as they stared down into the gap between where they were stood, and the fortifications, a clear cliff dividing them. They turned and waited for the others to approach. Ser Pennant standing ahead of the others as Perth's second.

[Travelaway]

Cold smiled as the sun shone upon his face and the undead hordes retreated to the castle, though they couldn't chase them across the drawbridge as the fiends crossed, but there would be time for that later. Cold turned to look at his companions, nodding to them before heading off towards the direction of the knights. Sir Pennant stood just ahead of everyone, so Cold approached him, "Hard fought sir, and there is a harder fight ahead of us."

[TheUsurper]

Final slice. The undead battered its way into his torso, but with a final slash of rage and desperation Archon managed to divorce its head from its neck. As he stood panting, triumphant, over the bodies of his enemies, the adrenaline began to wear off, and quickly too. He dropped to his knees, breathing in heavily amidst the pain of a shattered rib, or two. Maybe three. It may as well have been all of them for how much it hurt.

Archon fell flat on the ground and rolled over, coughing up blood. Some of it got into his eye, which he tried to raise a hand to get rid of but decided it was too much effort. He clambered slowly to his feet and stumbled over to his bow, retrieving it from among the carcasses that surrounded him. He bit his lip to fight back the pain as he hobbled over to the cliff. Every step was a new stab of agony, but somehow he managed to make it to the edge and peer over. "Here... to help... if you need any..." He rasped, coughing up a globule of blood that dripped from his mouth and fell into the water below.

[SunlightHeart]

Sliding her blades out of the creatures neck, Grym let all of the adrenaline drain from her body. She shivered lightly, suddenly fatigued now that the excitement of battle had died down. With just a thought, she used her telekinesis to flick the darkened ichor off of her swords. Her weapons were nowhere spotless, but her impromptu cleaning would have to do for now. During the fighting the warden had heard calls pointing out another foe separate the ranks of the undead, a summoner perhaps. Whoever it was they'd managed to avoid her eyes, thus they'd get to live for a while longer. Her goal was still to get into the castle and bail the Arl out of whatever trouble he was in as well as rescue the blacksmith's daughter.

Her swords smoothly entered their sheathes as Grym tiredly trotted away from battle, her body yelling for her rest. Several new cuts and bruises marred her body from the ordeal that they'd just endured; if the mare ware truly worn out, she didn't show it in her gait. A quick sweep of the battlefield showed the knights and militia mopping up a few straggling zombies, but there was no sign of Broken or Midnight anywhere. Grym didn't understand why, but she trusted Midnight to watch out for the other warden. She could only hope that Broken made it through all of this alive. Walking passed Tune, Gossan, and Archon, she gave them each a respectful nod, each having shown that they could handle themselves adequately.

The mare's wandering brought her to to the ground of knights. Every stallion was winding down from the fight and doing a check of the dead. Neither concerned her at the moment. Grym managed to spot Cold and Pennant. Snorting, she stormed towards them, purpose filling her stride. It didn't take her long to reach the two stallions. She let Cold give them a word of praise before speaking her piece.

"Where's Teagan?" she demanded dryly.

[Dabom444]

Broken held her cheek when Midnight slapped her. She gave a small whimper as her wound from the arrow in her side yelped at her. She pointed off into the water. "Sh...she is in there...its all...i know..." she squeaked. She stood shakily and stared at the water. "Dam...." She growled before pushing Midnight aside and diving into the water herself. She swam and swam through the cold waters. She held her breath as long as she could, She needed to find Clover.

Swimming deeper and deeper she felt her endurance faulter. She groaned and pushed on. "I wont leave this dark water till Clover is out of it...." Her mind sealed.

[Cainiam]

NPC Post: Ser Pennant

Ser Pennant nodded at Cold's words. "Hard fought indeed. Most of us are surprised we made it. Had you not been here, Sir Cold... well, I don't think it would have played out the same. We owe you a great debt," Ser Pennant said as he bowed his head to Cold. He then turned to the blood soaked griffon who was approaching, recognising Hemlock's merc. "You too, Sir. I had my doubts when Hemlock said he'd hired a mercenary, but I am glad to see they were unfounded. You performed admirably," Pennant said to the griffon, bowing his head to him as well. "I wish I could offer you some medical aid, but our medic is yours, and she seems to have run off," Pennant said with a frown. He had injured knights of his own who needed some quick healing. He turned to face the Warden as she approached, demanding to know where the Bann is. "He should still be back at the chantry. We need to recuperate for a moment. Go out and seek him if you're well enough," Pennant said to her.

[Travelaway]

Cold gave Pennant a return bow as he prepared to leave, but stopped as he noticed Grym. He stopped her with a hoof, "I believe I owe you something for that display out there..." With that said, Cold roughly punched her across the face, taking care not to swing too hard; before she could object, the soldier pulled the mare into a kiss. His tongue dove into her mouth as soon as their lips met, he knew she wouldn't allow such a thing for very long, so he tried to make the most of it. Finally after a few moments he pulled his lips from here, a strand of saliva still lingering for but a second before falling away, "Odd...you smell like raspberries."

[SunlightHeart]

Grym nodded curtly, saying nothing to Pennant as she prepared to trot off in search of Teagan. Just as she raised her leg to leave, a hoof on her chest barred her progress. The mare sneered. What did Cold want? Was he going to B1tch about her dispassionate interactions with the soldiers, maybe he'd jump on her about the way she treated Perth and the old dead soldiers during the battle. Grym's mind was already working out ways to brush off his tirade on morality. She opening her mouth, preparing to tell him to leave him be, but before any words could leave her mouth she was hit with a surprise hook to the jaw. It wasn't hard enough to do any damage and carried with it an odd sort of softness.

Grym didn't get to curse or growl or protest in any manner. His hooves pulled her in close, allowing the stallion to dive in for a kiss. She whimpered in surprised, still mostly dazed from Cold's actions to properly react to the situation. The meeting of their lips briefly reminded her of better times; flashes of Onyx and his kin fought for supremacy in her mind while the rational side of her tried to remind her body of what was happening back in reality. A shiver ran through Grym's body when she felt his tongue breached her lips and explored the inside of her mouth. She moaned into the kiss, but the moment it felt the the right thing to do was the moment that reality chose to make itself know with all the subtly of a firebomb. Cold Iron was kissing her, and she was kissing him. She reached out to shove the stallion away, but he was already pulling away making it look as if she were reaching for him. Not the message that she wanted to send.

His comment was lost on her. "I... Wha... you... huh?!" she stammered, falling on her rump. Her brain couldn't, no it wouldn't process what just happened. She stared at him for a moment, gently rubbing the cheek he'd struck. Grym snorted, trying to find anger. It was there, but there was so much confusion weighing it down that she failed to dredge it up. "Ugh!" Grym pointed a hoof a Cold. "You, k-keep your d@mn hooves off of m-me!" She yelled, standing up and marching away from the two ponies.

Even plastering the deepest frown she could manage on her face couldn't hide the rose colored tint visible through the fur on her cheeks.

By the time the heat in her face faded, Grym had made it to the Chantry. The sight of a unicorn entering a holy place turned a few heads both inside and outside of the building. Any problems they had, however, were quashed with a firm look from the Warden. It wasn't too difficult to find the Bann among the throng of ponies. He was currently instructing them to double check the barriers and fortifications to the building, already preparing for the next time. Grym walked throw the relieved ponies, weaving and shoving past any who got in her way. Stepping out of the crowd, she cleared her throat, getting the Bann's attention. "It's done, Teagan."

[Walker]

Tune had more or less spent the rest of his night dancing around the hoard of undead, a small stab here, a quick twist of his blade there and the actually fell quite easily, but for a bard, who spent most of his life not bothering with the brutish style of fighting that a lot of ponies had decided was the norm, by the time the call had sounded from the group of defenders announcing their victory, he was more then ready to never see another sharp implement for the rest of his life. He ran his hoof over his face, coming back streaked with blood from a small gash that had clipped his mane and scarred the side of his face. The pegasus sighed, remembering the time he was thankful that he would always have his looks. His body was heavy, and it only got worse when Gossan approached him, thrusting the large weapon into his hoof. His body, however, couldn’t hold it upright and it crashed to the ground, making him yelp and dart backwards from it. He panted softly, stretching his sore wings for a moment before shaking his head. “Well then, Gossan. I’ll have you know this little ‘cheese knife’ as you put it has more functions in its handle then your entire weapon combined. And it also let me kill at least seven of the creatures.” He puffed out his chest for a moment, before it deflated almost instantly. “Though… I’m sure you and the others have much more tallied up then that.” He mumbled.

[TheUsurper]

Archon frowned slightly, cocking his head a little to the side as he stared at Pennant. "Of course I performed 'admirably', as you put it. That's what I was paid for. But more importantly right now... I want the casualty list, as soon as you finish compiling it. Preferably full names. I'm sorry if it's too much..." He winced, feeling a sharp stab of pain travel through his body. "... too much to ask. I'm willing to pay for it, if I must. But I want it, and I want it before I leave this town." He glanced back towards the ravine, spreading his injured wings with a loud pomf noise. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to try and stop that list from growing any longer. Wherever our dear medic is, she's needed back here."

He leapt off the edge of the cliff, allowing himself to plummet downwards a certain distance with the wind whipping against his feathered appendages before starting his sustained flight. Even flapping his wings gently sent tendrils of pain through his nerves, but at least he could still fly. He descended slowly to where Midnight was and stopped, hovering on the spot.

"If my memory serves me well," he began, "we have two ponies to fish out of the water. Do you have any idea where they might be?"

[Hundashter]

Clover's eyes opened to a world of blackness. She furrowed her brow, not understanding why she could not see, nor why she felt so heavy, and at the same time weightless. Then, it all came back to her in a rush, and she opened her mouth under the water for only a second, letting out a panicked bubble of air before clamping it shut tight to conserve what little she still had.

First, she needed to figure out which way was up. She thrashed about, trying to see any sign of the surface, to no avail. Then, the most curious thing floated past her. It floated out across from her by an indeterminate distance, and at an angle that confused her already oxygen deprived brain. It was one of the zombified pegasi, and it looked as though ti was floating upwards from her right hip to her left shoulder.

it finally connected in her mind that it wasn't floating up, it was sinking, and she was upside down. Quickly, she righted herself and began paddling towards the surface as best she could. Having never actually swam before, it was more of a panicked flailing that slowly brought her closer to what she feverishly hoped was the surface of the pitch black lake.

She was fighting a loosing battle to keep her eyes open and her mouth shut as the finally breached the surface, coughing and gasping for the precious air she had so recently been lacking. She fought to keep her head above water as she fearfully looked around her, trying to see where the closest land was to her. The sun was shining up over redclif and over the lake, but not across its entirety, hence why Clover hadn't been able to see in the murky water before. But, she could tell that she was much farther out than she thought she'd be, and it looked like there were some figures moving closer to the town and cliff edge she'd jumped from. She began flailing her forelegs and tried to call out to them, but only managed to suberge herself beneath the icy waters again and get a mouthful of the foul liquid, which she promptly spit up when she surfaced again, then proceeded to couch some more.

She settled for using only one limb to wave at them, and concentrated on using her other three to keep herself afloat.

[Shadowbolt0]

Midnight was shocked when Broken dived into the water! She was crazy! She didn't follow, in her state, if she went in blind, she'd die. And that wasn't high on her list of 'things' to do. She tracked the mage in the water, until the darkness made it impossible do so. She considered jumping in, and stoping Broken from drowning, but Clover had been missing for longer and she was the priority.

That's when Achron arrived. She nodded her head to his question.

"Broken and Clover. Broken just dived in, the stupid mare. She should be about there" she pointed just to the left of the shore "Can...".

Midnight stopped, spotting something breach the water a while out. It then went under, before something popped out and started..waving? It had to be Clover! That or another pony that fell in.

"Achron, hope you don't mind getting your feathers wet. Dive in and get Broken. She's there, and if you come out without her, I don't care where you go. Nothing will let you escape my wraith, got it? Not even deaths embrace will save you, I will bring you back alive, and make you wish you'd remain dead" While excessive, if Broken died, then she doubted there was a place in this world she'd go without Grym on her case.

With that, she took flight, hovering just above the water to where a pony was splashing like a foal. She felt her body slowly dying, her cuts hadn't healed, but she'd feed later. She reached Clover, and let out a sigh of relief. She was alive after that dangerous dive.

She reached her hoof towards her, offering her to grab on. While Midnight doubted she could lift Clover out of the water, but she could pull her to the shore.

"You are one lucky mare Clover, now grab on. I'll get you to the shore, and, never do that again..." Despite the situation, Midnight had to stiffle her laughter.

[Dabom444]

The water was icy cold and the depths only made it colder and colder as she swam around. Her horn lit up and gave her some sight in the murky brown liquid as the current stirred up the underlaying sediments and rocks below. Where they heck was Clover? Could she even hope of finding her in here? That was a question that was soon looking Grim as she felt her lungs start to pang for air.

She swam further and further out. feeling the water rush past her legs with each kick. Dang it where was she!?

Swinging her legs to push on more she felt the arrow in her side tug on her as she swam deeper. She gave a pained squeak, letting the air bubbles float out of her mouth and upwards to the surface. Her eyes moved to the arrow to find it caught on a piece of foliage that stretched down deeper to the bottom where it grew from.

With pain lacing from the deeply imbedded arrow she grabbed the plant and tore it away. The added struggle had depleted the last of her air and now she was feeling the burn of Air deprivation. Her mind started to pulse "To the surface." Her subconcious cried with each beat.

Her eyes scanned the waters one last time before she gave up. She hoped that Clover managed to surface or find sweet sleep in the cold waters. With this she swam to the surface, Her legs kicking hard to bring her the air she so desperately needed now.

A few seconds passed and the surface came into view, the faint light of dawn licked the water as she got closer and closer. Finnaly she broke the surface. Coughing up water and gasping for the oxygen she craved so badly. Heaving and gasping she shook her long wet mane out of her eyes so she could see. Broken was a strong swimmer she staying afloat wasnt hard for her. Her legs and muscles moaned for her to stop with the constant movement but she was able to keep herself aloft.

Peering around she saw the shore and began to paddle her way back. Slowly but surely she made it, hitting her legs on rocks as she tried to find the grip onto the land. She shivered as the air hit her soaking coat. Looking to her right she saw the griffon from before but no Midnight. She narrowed her eyes and scanned the water. Her eyes coming to the batpony as she lended a hoof to Clover out in the distance.

She was happy Clover was alright and thanked the maker gently under her breath. However she couldnt feel a little dumb that she had swam so blindly out to find her. The chances were mediocre to say the least.

Scrambling on the wet rocks she slipped and felt the arrow and her skinned knees scream at her. Gritting her teeth once more she let loose a few curses. She managed to drag herself to a safe spot among the shore and sat down on the wet stone. Breathing heavily she let her head hang, She breathed in deeply and slowed her breaths to a normal level. Her armor was soaked and heavy on her form, her muscles were fatigued beyond bearable measure and her eyelids were so heavy she felt she could drop.

A minute or two passed. Broken was able to stand now, her eyes confirming that Midnight and Clover were fine. She began to scan the shore for the best possable route back up to the village. Clicking her tounge she started to ascend, finding a fisherpony's path and following it up slowly but surely. Wincing as the arrow shifted in her side.

Her job wasnt done, she needed to attend to any survivors wounds, and retrieve her broken staff from the battlefield.

[Cainiam]

NPC Post: Ser Pennant

Ser Pennant gave Cold a respectful nod as he bowed, acknowledging it with the importance it deserved. What happened next though was a real surprise. He was stunned as the Soldier kissed the Warden, many of the knights cheering what they assumed a blooming romance between the two, in their eyes, heroes. Grym's response though brought a bunch of confused looks and some laughter. Ser Pennant merely shook his head, before giving the griffon the attention he deserved. Pennant nodded solemnly. "There will be no charge. If you wish to honour those that died beside you in whatever way you can, then I will do my best to get the list into your talons. We would be very happy to receive your medic if you were to find her. Her aid would indeed be most welcome." Pennant nodded again as the Griffon turned to leave, before returning to his own men.

NPC Post: Bann Teagan:

Teagan was overseeing preparations in the Chantry, when he saw the Warden mare breaking through the crowd, the other ponies giving her a wide berth out of respect. The Bann looked back to her then turned back to the pony by his side, clasping him on the shoulder and nodding before turning back to the Warden and taking a step back. He smiled at her. "So I've noticed by the fact that these Chantry wall's yet hold. You and your companions have done a fantastic job. I just spoke with Hemlock, he thanked the Maker you got their equipment repaired, when the undead started climbing out the lake they had to get stuck in and he's credited many a survivor to your efforts. I'm eager to speak with Ser Perth on the matter of how you handled the main approach. Let us travel together," he said cordially, before stepping over to her, giving her a nod then heading out of the Chantry.

The air quickly arrived to the battlefield and Teagan grimaced, taking in the grisly sight of dead from both sides, but mostly the enemies. "The fighting her certainly seems thickest. You must have had your work cut out for you warden," he said, inspecting a mound of corpses, before turning around to face Grim again. "The town thanks you deeply for your efforts. I will show you the short cut shortly, but gather your companions, warden. I have some information they may all wish to hear." He turned away an began to walk towards the knights. Ser Pennant met Teagan with a nod, and the two got to talking about the state of the battle.

Gossan:

The Diamond Dog laughed to himself as Tune tried to heft up his weapon, the pegasus lacking the upper body strength of the dog. He stepped forwards and patted him on the shoulder. "Some day," he said with fake reassurance as he gave the pegasus a grin. At the pegasus's "sharp" response Gossan burst out laughing. "Axe cleaved many skulls today. More than cheese knife all month," he said, before laughing again. "Maybe more functional. Less good for killing. Would pick axe every time." With that said he patted the pegasus on the shoulder again and nodded. "Seven kills. Good job, Tune. One day maybe you'll be a warrior too," there was sincerity in the Dog's voice as he gave the pegasus a smile. He then looked to Grim and the Bann as they returned. "Come," he said simply then started to walk towards the warden.

[Dabom444]

Broken managed to scamper to the top of the cliff. Fatigued, wet and sore she limped slowly to redcliffe.

She made her way to her staff where she had dropped it in her dash after Flora. Taking it in her hooves she watched the gem as it smoked. Further inspection would dictate weather the magi piece would need to be replaced. Placing it on her back she peeked back at her arrow wound. The projectile was firmly embedded in her side and would need more help from somepony else to help remove.

Cringing she shuffled amongst the bodies of both undead and Knight alike. She had failed so many of them....they were dead because of her...her false courage that she shoved down their throats and when they believed her they choked.

Taking the liberty upon herself she closed any eyes that were open. Closing jaws of frozen fear and respite.

She then sat down and huffed to herself, she needed to rest. The sun was beginning to rise and the sky was painted a lovely hue.

She decided to stare at it for a while, to take in its beauty.

A few moments passed, a hoof tapped her on the shoulder to which she turned. A small filly stood before her with a flower in her jaws. She leaned up and offered it to her. Broken blinked, she didnt know what to say. She took the small weed in her magical grasp and held it up to the light.

"Thank you miss!" the filly squeaked softly.

Broken looked at her. "For...for what?" She whispered.

"Daddy is okay because your fwiends helped his fwiends! You are all so nice." She said softly.

Broken couldnt help but smile. "We did what we could....." she said warmly looking back to the sun. She sighed and watched it a little longer. She turned back to the filly but was surprised to see she was gone. Broken took a double check of the area, How could she bolt off so quickly? Peeking back at the flower she held. A small smile peeked on her face, She placed it on a part of her armor before standing. The bodies couldnt just stay out here, She began to move them one by one for if the soldiers came to pick them up.

The blood sadly couldnt be washed from the soil it tarnished below. Even magic couldnt make it pure anymore.

[Travelaway]

Cold tried desperately not to laugh at all as Grymrose stammered and walked away, but he couldn't hold back a snicker at her embarrassment. He assumed she and the Bann would most likely come this way soon, so in the meantime he mingled and joked with the knights and Ser Pennant, many of them of course asking about the odd situation that had just occurred, but he thought it would be more humorous to remain coy about it. They had suffered some losses in the battle, truly sad indeed, but Cold couldn't help but feel invigorated. After the crushing defeat at Ostagar, he had begun to think that perhaps he was no longer fit to be a warrior, but beating back that army of undead had put the spark back in him, and now he knew he was the stallion for this job.

Cold turned and looked to see Teagan and Grym approaching the group, and gave a respectful bow to the Bann as they neared. "Ah Bann Teagan, good day to you, I'm afraid we're missing a few of our own."