KaiserFranz

Adventures of the Blood Rose Irregulars

Jehan de Challon

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A new group of orcs came then, before much else could be said. Jehan turned to face them and lowered his visor once again, readying himself. One axeman, though it was to be said it was no small axe. One halberdier and one spearman with a shield. All of them were better armoured and moved in a manner that suggested it was more of a unit then the earlier wave had been. The spearmen moved in front, supported on his right by the axeman and left by the halberdier. That meant, if someone could get in close on their left and deal with the halberdier, which would be easier if you got close, the other two would be easier to deal with.

"Focus on the halberdier, press him, get close kill him. Henri and I will keep the axeman and spearmen busy." Jehan said, as he rotated the poleaxe. The hammer would be far better for the armoured orcs that were coming at them now.

The orcs came at them together, seemingly having a similar plan as the spearmen and axeman attacked together, forcing Jehan and Henri back. Blows were delivered by both sides as the melee continued, but none of them caused any real harm. The axeman swung again, aiming at Jehan's head, but Jehan knocked it aside and swung his poleaxe, but changed target to the spearman as Henri forced the spearman to defend his legs. The poleaxe's hammer connected with the side of the orc's helmet, sending the orc sprawling. If not dead, knocked out or stunned. The axeman was already swinging his weapon again as Jehan turned to him and was barely able to raise his weapon in time to deflect the blows. But he was unable to recover as the orc simply kept coming, swing after swing and Henri's spear not doing anything to deter him.

Jehan tried to attack once again, knowing he could not defend forever, only for the orc's axe to hit his breastplate and send him staggering backwards. He recovered to find he had dropped his poleaxe, or perhaps the orc had grabbed it, he was not sure, it all happened so quickly. On instinct he drew his sword from its scabbard and saw how Henri swung a sword at the orc, only to have it do nothing as the orc brought his axe up and then down in one quick movement. Henri went down with a scream. He heard the orc laughing, as he raised his axe again.

Before the axe fell, Jehan was back into the melee, gripping the blade of his longsword with his left hand. He feinted a stab to the right before he buried the point of his sword in the orc's throat. Though it must only have been a superficial wound as the orc kept going, forcefully pushing him back and raising his axe again. Jehan gripped his sword tighter, knowing Henri was either dead or slowly bleeding out just next to him. He wanted to turn and save him, to drag him back from this loud, smelly and tiring business that was a melee. But no, he could not do anything, not yet at least.

Adventures of the Blood Rose Irregulars

Sorry I haven't been posting. I'll try to get a post up within a day or two.

Adventures of the Blood Rose Irregulars

A bit of a short extra post I guess, could have put it as the beginning of the next post for the next fight, but eh, almost the same result.
Then again, it does kill the last orc, which I suppose should be done too.

Anyhow, next few days I might be a bit busy, so I'll see how many posts I can get in.

Adventures of the Blood Rose Irregulars

Jehan de Challon

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Jehan breathed hard, but it was all hot bad air inside his helmet. He reached and opened his visor, welcoming the fresh air, even if it smelled of orc blood. At Jasper's words, he fought his way to his feet and approached the orc who was only now beginning to recover his wits. Jehan took a few gulps of air before he went down to one knee and plunged the dagger into the orc's eye, through the thin bone behind the eye and into the brain. The orc switched, but made no sound as it died. With the scrape of metal on bone he removed the dagger and wiped the blade on the orcs rough clothes. He stood, returned the dagger to its place.

"Well." he said to Amare, "I tried.". He shifted his eyes down to his armour, which was covered in a mix of orc blood and dirt. Behind Jehan, Henri made a face, knowing who would have to clean it.

"Thanks for the help" Jehan added, directed to Jasper and Amare, as Henri recovered the poleaxe and offered it to Jehan who took it with a thankful nod. "You too Henri. Good work." Then he returned his eyes to the orc lines to see what more would come at them. Hopefully another small group, foolish as it was.

Adventures of the Blood Rose Irregulars

@SirSqueakalot91

Aww. I was looking forward to our character interacting at some point, since I don't think they'll get along. Do good luck though, I hope everything works out.

Adventures of the Blood Rose Irregulars

@Cuddle Pot

To be fair, while you are correct I think some creative adding of things just because one can is a good thing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that is what I think Blubaron did.

That's my two cents.

As for other things, I should be able to write another reply later today/tomorrow.

Adventures of the Blood Rose Irregulars

@13org I'd say #1.

Adventures of the Blood Rose Irregulars

Jehan de Challon

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Jehan turned his head to the distant sound of a horn blaring. He swallowed, suddenly nervous. "The battle begins" he said softly to no-one in particular. As the orcs closed the distance and ended up in the range of the forward skirmish formation several arrows flew from his archers and those who had gone with them. It was to far away for Jehan to tell if there were any casualties but some wounded orcs were to be expected. As the orcs kept coming the archers turned and ran. At one point, a few archers turned to shoot a few additional arrows, but again they were forced to run as the orcs kept coming.

The skirmish formation retreated behind their lines, Vincent passing next to Jehan clearly tired from the running but with a fierce grin on his face. It took a special kind of crazy to advance before a formation, then run before they got too close. But they had done it. The orcs had stopped now however, and Vincent and the others took up a position behind the lines, knocking arrows.

Jehan could tell there were more then they had expected, which was problematic to say the least. They needed some heavy horse but they had none. In truth, there were many things they could need but did not have and in the end they had to make it with what they had. Three orcs came for their group and Jehan slammed down his visor and entered his combat stance. Henri stood to Jehan's right shoulder, spear at the ready.

The orcs came then, one with two axes, another with spear and shield and the one in front with a great sword. Jehan prepared himself, changing the grip on his poleaxe, any fear he had felt just before vanished as he was forced to either step through it, or freeze. He swung, hard and wide, forcing the first orc to take a step back. The orc moved in as he recovered and swung. Jehan was just able to deflect the blow as Henri buried his spear in the first orc's chest. Jehan pushed back the orc back with a shove and swung, a diagonal swing from his left side. It hit home with a meaty thud between the neck and shoulder of the orc. Jehan took a step back as an orc spear was jammed at his face, though it glanced of the helm, doing nothing except a loud clinging noise inside his bascinet. Henri prodded at the orc spearman with his longer spear, keeping it at bay.

The orc with axes attacked Jehan then, as the orc spearman tried to support him. The axeman slammed Henri's spear away with one axe which caused the orc spearman to surge forward. The other axe deflected Jehan's blow. Then the orc's bulky body smashed into Jehan, knocking him to the ground. Jehan drew his dagger and stabbed upwards, into whatever flesh he could find.

Adventures of the Blood Rose Irregulars

I'll try to get a reply out either tonight or tomorrow.

Adventures of the Blood Rose Irregulars

Sad news, I hope everything works out.