[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/gNM6ZQm.png[/img][/center]
[center][h2]Chapter Four: Linchpin of the Hinge[/h2]
[sup]INTERACTING: Arnaud [YummyYummy][/sup][sup][/sup][/center][center][sup]EVENT: Defense of Relouse || LOCATION: Relouse Beach/Front Lines[/sup][/center][hr][hr]

The defense on the beach had not gone as planned. Which, in reality, Maerec expected. Nothing ever went exactly according to plan–especially in war. When the big threats came onto the playing field, he could feel the morale shift. Parrench men had left their stations, and Maerec had yelled out with Arnaud to hold their ground. And while Arnaud took to attacking the Eskandr elites head on, Maerec chose to assist those that were left behind. They needed someone to keep them in line, to support them during this chaos. And that’s exactly what he did.

Time escaped the knight as he helped fight off the fodder, zipping all along the front lines. The storm that Arnaud had conjured had done wonders for Maerec. With all of the energy he put into it, he was able to regain it quickly. And with so much movement, Maerec had an endless amount of force that fueled his agility. It was a blessing, at least. 

But Maerec wasn’t fast enough to assist Arnaud with Olaf. Not like Arnaud would have accepted the first place, but he watched as the Executioner dropped and fell onto his back. Several soldiers made their way to defend Arnaud, and the knight thanked Oraphe-Sept for what he found when he neared. Arnaud was alive. Beaten, but alive. And for that, a smile broke on Maerec’s face.

[color=#887188]“No time to sleep, friend.”[/color] He called as he replaced a soldier who was one of few attempting to drag Arnaud to a safer distance. Feet dug into the sand and with one burst of kinetic energy, Maerec was able to drag the unconscious executioner several feet on his own. 

He managed to get Arnaud behind the front lines to somewhere where he could check on the man’s wounds. It was in rough shape, but still alive. [color=#887188]“Come on now…”[/color] Maerec huffed as he knelt beside him. A quick couple pats to the cheek didn’t seem to do much. One of the Parrench men was so frantic to ensure Arnaud woke that he grabbed the man by his armor and began to shake him. Still, Arnaud didn’t wake. The knight carefully placed the man to the side and leaned further over Arnaud. [color=#887188]“Wake up.”[/color] He commanded, tone more stern and strangely less caring as he raised back his hand and brought it quick and strong against the side of the executioner’s face.

It was surprising, but not unexpected that retaliation would come Maerec’s way. He did not pull away, and instead placed a hand on Arnaud’s wrist to stop him in case instinct told him not to stop. Once he let go, Maerec leaned back, sitting on the ground near the now conscious executioner.

He couldn’t help but smirk for a moment, but it faded as Arnaud mentioned the Eskandr. [color=#887188]“The one you were fighting fell back to recover from your assault.”[/color] He took a glance back towards the beach. They were far enough away from the fighting to be safe, but the battle echoed on. [color=#887188]“What a trick they pulled on us.”[/color] A slight scowl met the knight's face, then he turned his focus to the Aheri. 

[color=7F4C20]”Il reviendra.”[/color] Arnaud had replied. They both believed it. Olaf would be back soon enough to continue their fight. Who else would be there to join them?

[color=#887188]“Can you stand?”[/color] Maerec pushed himself up. For a knight, he had rather light armor that allowed him more mobility and range of movement. He easily got up and held out a hand to assist Arnaud. His smirk grew as Arnaud was presented his axe, and refused the helping hand. 

[color=7F4C20]”I can stand. I can stand my ground, as we should. Trickery or not.”[/color] 

He retracted it with no resenting feelings. He understood wholly and even if it hadn't been because of the executioner's size, he could not deny the man his pride.

It was at that moment that the horn sounded thrice. Retreat? Maerec looked around, trying to discern what was happening. [color=7F4C20]”The city!”[/color]


It was very alarming to see fire blazing from one side, thunder striking within the city, and even still, the King was fighting on his own. There was a pull at Maerec's heart. Which way to go? The first image that crossed his mind was the city, and the cathedral. He needed to protect them. But the King...

[color=7F4C20]”La Plage is still the priority!”[/color] Arnaud spoke up, and Maerec glanced back at him. It was true, Arcel was still top priority. If he fell, then everything else would be quick to crumble. Arnaud's words did make the knight look even more intensely out towards the field. The Aeresvaktr were advancing, and the King was outnumbered. But something--call it intuition-- was pulling the knight towards the city. He needed to go, as much as it pained him to think about leaving his King on the battlefield.

His eyes returned to Arnaud when he spoke again. [i]Do what you think is right.[/i] It was almost as if that in itself gave Maerec permission to accept what call he was feeling inside. He gave a nod and clapped a hand on the Aheri's shoulder. [color=#887188]"You have mine as well. I will make sure the city is safe."[/color] Fingers curled under a piece of Arnaud's armor to give him a tug. [color=#887188]"Next time I see you, hopefully it won't be flat on your back, hm? I'd rather see you drunk in a chair."[/color] With his teasing assurance that they would see each other alive, he released Arnaud and gave him a quick sign of Oraphe.[color=#887188]"I have faith!"[/color] He called as he took a running start towards the city.

[color=7F4C20]”And if I find you not nearly as bloodied as me, you'll be drinking the piss of Asier's horse, as an honour!”[/color] was the last thing he heard from the Aseri as he sped off.


[color=#887188]“Clear the way!”[/color] He called out as he dashed with remarkable speed towards the wall. Those guarding the ramparts looked down just in time to see Maerec leaping up against the wall and using his momentum to scale it. The moment the ball of his foot pressed against the side of the wall, what kinetic energy he had stored there pushed himself forward. He used one hand to guide himself upward, and the other reached up to grab the edge of the wall. As he hoisted himself up, he nearly floated a good several feet above, warranting abrupt shouts from the men standing there that hadn’t expected it. There was nothing like the feeling of free falling and then catching oneself before they completely fell. It was liberating almost. But the knight wasn’t able to revel in the feeling for very long–a quick glance out to the city showed that the cathedral was still under attack. Lightning struck again with a force, reverberating throughout the city. He knew that the innocents of the city were hiding in the cathedral, and he knew just by how the lightning struck, that was not by any natural means. Whoever it was was purposely attacking the cathedral. Attacking innocents. He couldn’t let this stand.

Maerec manipulated his body in midair, changing the direction he faced so he could bolt down the other side of the wall and into the city. He had to make it to the cathedral. It was one matter to attack the fighting Parrench, it was another to attack the innocent and defenseless. A vicious fire burned within the knight and he vowed to himself that he would stop whoever it was that cast down lightning upon the cathedral.

Another strike of lightning made Maerec feel on edge as he neared the cathedral. Its intensity was strong, meaning the caster should have been around somewhere… Were they just outside the gate? Had the Eskandr made their way from the woods to the wall? He had to check and see. Maerec changed his destination and instead, headed for the northwestern gate.

[center][hr][h3]Battle For Relouse: Queen Eleanor, Maerec de Solenne, Nettle vs. Sweyn Thunderspear[/h3]
[sup]INTERACTING: Queen Eleanor/Sweyn Thunderspear [Force and Fury] / Nettle [A Lowly Wretch][/sup][sup][/sup][/center][center][sup]EVENT: Defeat Sweyn Thunderspear || LOCATION: Windmills just outside Northwestern Gate, Relouse[/sup][/center][hr][hr]

As soon as he slipped through the gate, he could feel the electrical energy buzz through in the air around him. The first person that caught his vision was the Queen herself. She cast off one attack and dodged a second. Maerec had neared just enough to see Queen Eleanor get struck by an arcane spear through her thigh. As she screamed and dropped down to her knees, Maerec took no time to react.

The Queen would not cower to such a wound, and as Maerec caught that she was attempting to pull the now visible Sweyn Thunderspear towards the ground. The knight of Solenne took advantage of this and ran full speed before pushing himself off of the ground with enough force to soar up and above the hovering warlock. Nearly ten feet higher, Maerec let gravity take him as he delivered a crescent swing of his sword, attempting to strike Sweyn.

It wasn’t the most stealthiest of attacks, and Sweyn easily dodged. As Maerec began to fall past him, Sweyn took his attack against the knight, outstretching his hand to cast lightning at him. Maerec saw this coming through, and narrowed himself to the winds, cutting through it and descending at such a great speed that the lightning arced and connected with one of the windmills nearby. 

He dropped further down, manipulating himself enough to cushion his descent and allowed himself to touch ground safely. He quickly turned so that he was facing the warlock, though took a few steps back when he saw something curious. Queen Eleanor stood, the wound to her leg closing up as she did. Someone was healing her. Maerec looked around, only to see Sweyn had his attention focused on one of the windows of the nearest windmill. Did they have an ally hidden inside? It seemed so. He was being drawn down towards the ground again, but managed to break free of it. 

The Queen was quick to act while Sweyn was distracted though. Casting four arcane spikes around the warlock, she pierced him with a secret fifth spike right through the abdomen. He managed to retreat into the winmill and the three Parrench began to advance on the Aeresvaktr. 

They couldn’t give him time to heal. He needed to be dealt with swiftly now. But as Maerec neared the structure, he could feel something off. He was drawing energy. Maerec was constantly drawing a small amount of kinetic energy to keep up his endurance and mobility–it was almost a passive ability at this point. But what was strange was that if Sweyn had just retreated to heal then the knight wouldn’t be drawing so much energy from the windmill. No, he was up to something else. 

[color=#887188]“Stay on guard!”[/color] He called to the Queen and the little witch, though his words might have fallen on deaf ears with how much sound was coming from the creaking and moaning windmill.

[b][i]"I. AM. UNLEASHED!"[/i][/b]

The windmill exploded with an unrivaled force, and Maerec was forced to use his arms to shield himself from the flying debris. The sky darkened, then, as if the Esdkandr gods decided to reveal themselves to the Parrench, the skies brightened. It was all very disorientating for a moment, and then very very threatening the next.

Beams of light fell from the sky, piercing whatever lay in their path. Maerec felt overwhelmed with the amount of energy around him, and there was a moment where he felt like his senses were all ablaze. He was locked in place and helpless to the beam of light that came down to strike him. He braced, but was forcefully pushed out of the way. It all happened so quickly, the knight barely had time to register it. But as tried to push himself back up from landing on the ground, he saw Queen Eleanor take the bolt, scream and fall. 

[color=#887188]“My Queen!”[/color] Maerec screamed, frantic to get back to his feet to go to the fallen queen. Piercing eyes landed on the warlock as he spoke.

[b][i]"You peons! You dare place your power up against mine!? You dare draw blood from a God!?"[/i][/b] Sweyn roared. 

Maerec gripped his sword tightly. He had the choice of going to the Queen immediately, or at least taking a jab at Sweyn. Overcome with rage, he chose the latter, digging his feet in before nearly disappearing and reappearing before Sweyn. The world seemed to grow darker around the knight. And unknowingly to him at first, it really was. He made a swipe at Sweyn with his sword, but found it ineffective at that moment.

The darkness became all consuming for a moment, to where the only thing visible was the brightly shining Sweyn. Maerec felt uncertain what was to come as he fell back towards the ground. As soon as he touched, he made his way back to Eleanor to guard her. She was alive at least, and looked to be healing herself. Thank Oraphe-Sept… But they weren’t anywhere close to being done with this battle. The darkness wavered as the source of it became a target once again. It was the witch woman. She was a brave woman, Maerec admitted to himself and knew if they got out of this alive, he would have to commend her for it.

Near the Queen, he could feel the energy radiating off of her. She was healing. Praise be that she was alive and able enough to do even that. Maerec stood back to her as he watched the power struggle between Nettle and Sweyn. It was short lived though, and the knight felt completely useless against the lightning that arced over him and once again meant to hit the Queen. He grit his teeth, looking back at Eleanor, seeing that she was able to defer most of the attack. Seeing that look of desperation, that gaze seeing aid, he understood what she wanted of him. He gave a nod and turned back towards Sweyn.

Maerec was fast, but Sweyn was faster. He knew this, but he certainly had to try. For not only Queen Eleanor’s sake, but for the small witch that also sacrificed herself to buy the Queen more time. He crouched, pressing the ball of his foot into the ground and using fingertips of one hand to steady himself before dashing off with incredible speed towards Sweyn.

His chances of striking, even if he did use the darkness to assist, were slim. It proved to be true, as Maerec’s spinning strike with his sword missed the deftly moving warlock. By sidestepping, Sweyn saw his opening against the knight and took it. A dagger imbued with a powerful charge came straight towards Maerec, which he only just barely avoided a vital strike. His momentum allowed him to transfer energy to the place where the dagger struck his armor, forcing it to glance off. However, due to the nature of Maerec’s armor, the dagger scraped along and was able to dig deep into his side.

Even through the searing pain, Maerec didn’t disengage. He stayed within Sweyn’s circle in an attempt to keep his focus on the knight. Though, with the beacon that the Queen was, it was hard to keep Sweyn’s attention. Eleanor leapt, bringing down her hammer upon Sweyn’s head, only for him to send out a shockwave of energy to reflect it. Maerec was forced to defend or be thrown back as well. He dug his feet in, healing the Queen land some yards behind. The darkness around them dispersed in an explosive display, and Maerec wasn’t sure if this was intentional, or if Sweyn had broken the veil.

Where frustration filled the knight, it was slowly replaced with hope. It was a warm feeling that made him feel he could continue on. Eleanor was guiding them with her essence. They could do this! They had to!

Maerec started to move forward for another flurry of attacks on Sweyn when he noticed Nettle in the corner of his eye. She was charging up for something, and it looked very powerful. Now behind the Queen, Nettle was in prime position to land a heavy blow so long that Sweyn didn’t move. He had to make sure of that! Just before charging forward to engage with Sweyn again, Maerec drew and cast out kinetic energy to help Nettle secure herself and keep her sure footed. The last thing they needed was her to blow away from her own attack. With that, he charged towards Sweyn.

Soon, soon. He only needed to stall for a little bit more time! As he got close enough to swing at Sweyn, he ensured that he became the immediate threat. The attacks weren’t meant to land, but were enough to be forced to defend. The focused light behind him became even brighter and Maerec took this as his moment to spin out of the way. He could see in Sweyn’s eyes the surprise as the light pierced through him.

Just for a moment, everything seemed to fall silent as Sweyn fell to the ground. It felt almost unreal that he actually stayed down and wasn’t moving. Was this truly the end of him? The silence was interrupted by the nearing steps of the Queen.

[color=f49ac2]"I have no words of respect for you, Go to your false gods or rot in the dirt."[/color] It was a malice that Maerec never thought possible from Eleanor. 

Even with the battles and bloodshed so far, nothing chilled him to the bone as much as hearing those words come from his Queen, and seeing her incinerate the man before her. He said a small mental prayer to himself before glancing back at Eleanor and Nettle. [color=#887188]“If I may, my Queen, I believe we should collect ourselves within the city walls briefly to tend to our wounds, then we can see where we are needed next.”[/color]

He made his way towards Nettle, greeting her with a tired smile, and extended a hand out to her to help her up or to steady herself. [color=#887188]“You were an amazing asset in this victory. Thank you for being here.”[/color]

It was a battle indeed. She stood, hanging on her crook as though the wind could knock her over if it weren’t in the way. One of the others who fought this enemy with her extended a hand, uttering words she could not understand like many of the others here. Reaching out she accepted the stabilization, offering an affirmative grunt in lieu of understanding.

No response? Hm… She could have been one of those that had been recruited from somewhere else. He looked her over, wracking his brain for a moment on how to communicate with her. But then it came across his mind… language barrier? He decided to switch it up. Maerec, his father, had taught him very little Drudgunzean, but it had been enough to convey a message to other local merchants that hadn’t been native to Solenne. [color=#887188][i]”Your name…?”[/i][/color] He asked curiously, then motioned to himself. [color=#887188][i]“Maerec.”[/i][/color]

The light of recognition flashed in her eyes as she comprehended his rough Drudgunzean. Her’s was not particularly good either but significantly more serviceable than her Parrancian.
[color=green]“Hh… Nettle.”[/color] Her strange, wispy voice was strained from the hollowness in her chest. For all the effort she had put into that spell she felt as though she had her insides scooped out. For the time being she was only standing thanks to her spellcasting tool and oftentimes walking stick.

Thank goodness there was a common language! He smiled at her again and bowed his head to her. [color=#887188][i]“We… rest in city?”[/i][/color] He asked, taking his time to choose his words. [color=#887188][i]“Can you walk?”[/i][/color] She looked like she was pretty beat up. He had to give her kudos for even standing right now. It almost made him feel guilty, seeing how severe Nettle and Eleanor had taken damage compared to himself. Though his own injuries were no laughing matter either. An idea struck him, and he bent his knees a little and patted the back of his shoulder. [color=#887188][i]“Can carry.”[/i][/color]

She seemed to be following along… At least until the last part. She’d never seen anyone carry another before, the idea sounded strange. She seemed tense, like a new rider next to a large fearsome horse. [color=green]“Ch… C-hharry?”[/color]

Maerec laughed a little. It was probably strange for her. It probably would have been for anyone—to be offered to be carried. He motioned for her to come closer and then patted his shoulder again. [color=#887188][i]“Carry to city.”[/i][/color] At least once they were behind city walls they could rest. [color=#887188][i]“Carry to safe place.”[/i][/color]

With tentative curiosity she gently reached out and set a hand on his shoulder, not entirely sure how this’ll work. She does put some of her weight forward on him if mostly just to keep herself from falling at this moment given how much effort she’s expended thus far.

Once Nettle was close enough and leaning against him, he reached back to grab hold of her so he could stand. As he did, he helped guide her so she could securely latch into him. Though, it seemed that adrenaline was wearing down. A wrong movement sent pain coursing through the wound to his side. He tensed, but tried brushing it off otherwise. Once Nettle was secured, he began to walk to the northwestern gate. [color=#887188][i]“Thank you, Nettle.”[/i][/color] He finally said, remembering what he’d originally tried to convey to her.

Though her hand tensed up at his own taking hers she nonetheless allowed him to guide her limbs into a grip around his shoulders. It seemed that in this way she’d hang off his back like a cape of some sort. After a bit more guiding it seemed she finally was able to get the right position for carrying.

[color=green]“Hhthank hyou… Too.”[/color] She answered, nervously clutched to his back as they began upon their way to a place he claimed was ‘safe’.


[hider=TL;DR Summary][sub]Talking Color: [color=#887188][b]#887188[/b][/color] - Changed for better readability.[/sub]
• Maerec assists other Parrenchmen on the beach and front lines, but stops to help bring Arnaud to a safer area to revive him.
• Unable to wake Arnaud fast enough, Maerec slaps the executioner across the face. They exchange some words as Arnaud gains his bearings.
• The two hear the horns to retreat and assess their next move. Arnaud spots King Arcel on the battlefield and states that he's going to stay and fight.
• Maerec decides to check on the cathedral that is under attack and the two men part ways for now.
• Maerec heads through the city but deduces the assailant must be close by. He goes through the northwestern gate to see what is out there.
• He encounters Queen Eleanor already initiating combat with Sweyn Thunderspear and he joins her.
• Nettle reveals that she snuck into one of the windmills and is assisting in combat.
• It's rough for the Parrench aligned, and all three suffer damages (none too catastrophic, but pretty close to). Nettle and Eleanor are landing heavy blows, and in kind, Sweyn is also landing heavy blows.
• Nettle basically harpoon shoots an arcane lance through Sweyn, bringing him down. Enfuriated beyond reason, Queen Eleanor lands the killing blow on Sweyn.
• (unbeknownst to Maerec, Sweyn is still alive and they only killed an illusion of Sweyn. He was consealing his energy some-odd distance away and ran).
• Maerec suggests going back into the city to recoup and interacts with Nettle. He finds that they can both roughly speak Drudgunzean and uses what he knows of the language to communicate with her, resulting in her riding on his back while he carries her through the northwestern gates.[/hider]