The Element of Surprise - The First Battle

[James de Valois-Burgundy]

The time was upon us. My scouts had returned with the news that the Skaldi still were not aware of our planned attack, and I knew that we had to strike soon, before it was too late and we lost the element of surprise. I talked at length with Marcel, Coretta, and Landis, and the date and hour was decided - we attacked at dawn.

Throughout the night, the different units moved into position, surrounding the clan of this man who fancied himself a leader among Skaldics. He was the true danger, the mastermind behind everything, and if we could take him out, we might be able to end this war with one battle.

I did not join a particular unit, riding between several in key places, and I would throw my sword arm into the fray when it was needed. As dawn crept over the horizon, I crouched behind a boulder atop a low rise overlooking this man Eirik's holding. I'd given orders to avoid women and children, and I knew that it would not take long for the men of the clan to meet us in battle and then the point would be moot.

When the time was right, I blew the horn I carried, the signal for the men to charge, and for a few moments, I simply watched this army we'd gathered stream into the breach, for honor, for glory, for Terre d'Ange.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

As I’d waited for the sounding of the horn, I had concentrated on soothing my mount. He tossed his head restlessly, but I’d used bits of cloth to muffle his bridle for the whole process was eerily silent.

There was a ripple that wormed through the units, no word yet, but a feeling that the time was soon. My hand went to my hip, touching my sword and I took a deep breath.

Then the note of the horn split the air and my unit surged forth, my sword coming free as my voice joined the cry of the men around me.

[Quinn du Paras]

As we prepared to wage the first attack in this war, I looked across at Lucien and grinned. Somehow, the prospect of battle had made me feel alive. Perhaps it was the anger I had carried with me Joie had been attacked; I was finally going to get to give vent to it.

The horn sound and I surged forward with the rest of my unit. I left my crossed swords in their sheaths for now, waiting until I was closer to the enemy before I drew them.

With the small part of my mind not focused on the pending fight, I sent a prayer to keep Joie safe with the other healers.

[Cateline de Bouclier]

When I heard the sound of the horn, it was singing sweetly to the beat of my heart. I ran forward with my sword unsheathed and in the air. My booted feet moved swiftly over the ground and I could feel the fabric of my uniform pressing against my skin. My hair had been pulled back tightly, so as to not interfere with the battle. I could feel my breathing rising and heat flooding my limbs. My adrenaline was steadily increasing the closer and closer we came to to the Skaldi camp.

The time for discussion is at an end, there is only action. One must push forward in order to protect one's country and people. Don't slow down, don't think. Move forward and hit your way through, I spoke encouraging words to myself as I came across my first Skaldi soldier.

I watched him lift his heavy axe in attempt to dislodge my head from my shoulders. I didn't think, I moved my sword up, swiftly chopping the man's arm that was holding the axe. The man was in shock as he saw his arm on the ground. I took advantage of his surprise and ran my sword through his chest. I kicked at his torso and he fell to the ground.

Before I could recover, a sword was coming at me, and I had to turn and block it with my sword. Soon the sounds of clanging swords were in my ear and ringing in my soul. I kept my eyes and wits about me as I dodged and fought as hard as I could.

[Chantal mab Morwen]

I was with the archery unit, stationed behind the bulk of the army at a vantage point. My bow was ready, one larger than my usual one, to achieve a greater distance, the arrow nocked in readiness for when we would begin in earnest.

Patience. I'd learned it all my life. We had the element of surprise for now. The Skaldi would react to our blow, first with disbelief, then they would quickly muster themselves. From what I heard they were an aggressive lot, they probably wouldn't take as long as we like to get their act together.

And so I waited, alert, for when they would come into range.

[Armand de Louis]

At last, the time had come. I'd waited and waited and waited, and finally, finally, we were going to war. When our general had run through, calling our courage forth, I'd cheered, ager for battle, eager to finally test my mettle.

I'd pushed to be at the front of the line, with others willing to die first, and I grinned, a touch manically, my buckler ready and my sword high.

“Hold fast, brothers!” I screamed to those around me. “And let us show those savages that Terre d'Ange will not come down, comrades!”

[Renard de Valliers]

I stood beside Chantal in the archery unit, looking straight ahead. My eyes sought out the sight of the Skaldi camp and I could feel hatred rush into my chest. I wanted each one to pay for the hurt and damage they have done to my country. I would be aiming for heads, focusing on making every shot one of death.

I whispered the Camael's battle cry, "Those men rode out so brave and tall. Their voices raised in Camael's battle cry.
One day the people would recall. They fought their foes with courage high. And warriors raced to win the brawl..."

I was quite patient to wait for when we could pull our strings, but until we were called, I would happily watch the infantry take the Skaldi down.

[Ansel Roux]

This was the moment that we had been waiting for! I joined my archery unit, longbow at the ready, crossbow close beside me. I looked to me left and noticed a very pretty woman and I gave her a nod, figuring that a smile would be inappropriate. I then turned my face towards the oncoming hoard and bent my bow, ready and willing to inflict pain ... and if need be death upon those who would try to harm that which we had in Terre D'Ange. I took a deep breath, eliminating any final nerves and when they were in range let fly my first arrow of war. The Scorpion had stung.

[Landis de Verreuil]

Once again it was back to battle, the way it had been in Akkad though in much more lush, picturesque surroundings for the most part. Rather than seeping into sand or stone whatever blood was shed today would soak into the Skaldic soil, or if it went badly the d'Angeline soil as we retreated. I was in charge of my own unit and I made sure they were as ready as possible, keeping my nerves steady by reminding myself that this was for the greater good. I'd helped to plan all of this, used my experience and intelligence to try and help make this as sure of success as possible; the best way to save lives was to bring the war to its end quickly and decisively with no chance of retribution.

The horn sounded and I watched as the soldiers started into battle, mine among them, my horse keeping me just ahead of my soldiers. The Skaldi were meant to be taken by surprise but that didn't make them more than slightly less dangerous. Already swings were being exchanged and people were falling, but it was far too early to tell which side was going to come out ahead. My height from horseback gave me a momentary advantage and I swung my sword to clear a path, slicing one of the Skaldi across the chest before I jumped down and slapped my horse's rump to send it away.

Blood flew and I swung again, fighting with all of the training I'd achieved and the experience of the last war behind me. Only time would tell if it would serve me well enough.

[Guy de Mereliot (R)]

The horn had sounded and I yearned to charge the way that a horse strains at his bridle. I wanted to be out there doing all that I could. Instead however I had been placed at the back of the line where I could see my fellow soldiers fighting and could do nothing about it. They said I was too valuable to be placed in the battles heat. So I waited, shield at the ready to block any arrows that flew in my direction. We moved forward and I marched as the ambush seemed to be working.

[Niamh mac Igrainne]

It was time. I was so keyed up that I could hardly wait for the battle to start, and I had my sword out, forswearing a shield in favor of a spear in my left hand. I had Oisin, who was all the shield I required. I had the protection I had bought from Necthan, and I could only hope that Decimus and Caelum carried theirs as well. Where were they, my boys? Decimus was in my unit and I spotted him easily, maneuvering my way near him, so I could watch his back if need be. Caelum, however, I did not see, not yet, and I sent a prayer off for him, to whatever Gods might be listening.

When the horn sounded, the order was given, and we flowed down the hill en masse, sure to startle the Skaldi, who had not known we were coming. I whirled past a screaming woman and crying child, burying my spear in the neck of a Skaldi man, her husband? Blood spurted from the wound and I knew he was dead and it was time for the next man, and the ones that were sure to come after.

[Yves Chevalier]

War was upon us, and though I had managed to avoid my brother thus far, the specter of him continued to loom over me. I tried not to think on it too much, especially now, because the time for battle was at hand.

When the horn was blown, I raced forward, mounted on a great beast that I had purchased with my savings. The rest of the money I'd left with Auri to care for the girls, and I sent another prayer winging back toward them as I charged into the fray ... which admittedly wasn't much of one - yet.

[Emeric Deveroix]

Finally, the time I'd been waiting for. Sure I'd had a lot of fun in camp, what with people to meet, fights to get into and women to ogle in their makeshift hospital but this was what I had signed on to experience- the battle. I'd come through Skaldia a few times on my travels as a hired mercenary, the Flatlands too, and I knew how rough these men could be with their ruthless cunning, brute strength and the sheer force they put behind their weapons. I was better though. After all who had managed to take me down so far? No one.

The horn sounded and I raced into the fray with enthusiasm, my sword slicing and stabbing wherever it found an enemy body to attack. Avoid their swings and swipes, try not to hit the people on your side which was more difficult in this setting, but nothing wrong with a little challenge. Blades, screams, blood, excitement, all of it went hand in hand and it brought me a rush of something akin to power. This I knew, better than all of that City prancing and family drama. This I could handle.

[Raen Shahrizai]

I wasn't really planning on coming back from this war. I hadn't given it a conscious thought, not at first, but the more I thought about the aching hole in my heart where Lei had been, the more I could not stand my new life. Asarhia was like a weight that dragged me under, made me feel as if I were drowning, and if it were not for the babe in her belly, I likely would have set her aside or sent her away. My grandfather would be furious, of course, but I was past caring.

The war had come along and given me an out, and I had taken it, rushing to sign up and leaving my tearful wife with hardly more than a perfunctory kiss. If I died, my child would inherit, and my grandfather would be pleased. All would be well and what was one less Shahrizai in the world?

When the horn sounded, I raced forward, afoot, because it was more dangerous. I swung my sword at whatever man I saw, even a toothless old man, because this was war, and in war, there are no innocents, despite what our King had said about women and children. I stayed my blade from them only because it was ordered, and for my part, I preferred the challenge of a true warrior anyway.

[Arianna Corelli]

All hell broke loose, there was screaming and pandemonium, the people of the steading frantically running about in preparation for...what? I left my place by the childrens' side and walked outside to see what the noise was about.

"What, what happen?" I asked in broken Skaldic.

One of the younger serving girls, Helga, glanced at me and I scowled, trying to figure out what she was saying. I caught the words ambush, war and D'Angeline and felt my heart skip a beat, when one of the raiders came up to me.

"Aryana," he said gruffly in butchered D'Angeline. "You. Come with me. You calm horses."

I hadn't really understood what he meant until he brought me out, and by then it was too late. I rode with their soldiers, further afield to where I was abducted, a battle taking place before my very eyes. I was shoved forward, as he gestured to the frenzied animals that had been spooked by the attack.

"Soothe them!" he ordered, before heading into the melee himself. I stood frozen for a second. I'd be damned if I were to help them any further. Taking my chances, I headed into the direction of the battle, careless of whether I lived. I would rather die than continue in Skaldic servitude.

[Prince Pierre de Somerville]

My archery unit was ready for battle, staunchly prepared. I watched, waiting for a signal from the general, for our turn, and prayed that our arrows found sure targets. I prayed for Isra too, who was surely among the fray tending to the wounded, and hoped that none of us would come to harm.

[Heribert Reiterin]

I had been sleeping when I heard faint cries in the distance. It took a moment before I woke up, but when I did I could clearly hear the sound of men yelling, and groaning in pain. I stood up from my pelts. I quickly dressed and then poked my head out of my tent. There was chaos before me, women and children screaming. I heard them speak out in Skaldi that the D'Angelines were attacking.

I made my way back into my tent and slid on my armor. I gathered my shield and sword and made my way back at the tent. As I moved through the village, I could see that someone needed to take control and bring order to what was happening.

I held my hands up, "Women and children need to be put into a secure place. Gather up, and I will lead you to a more secure place." I called out to one of my comrades to move up ahead and bring the women and children together. Then I began moving from tent to tent to tell the others what happened and to have the women and children join me. I entered one tent and saw that it was filled with children. I called for them to follow me. I looked around to see where the D'Angelines were coming from and then I began leading them in the other direction.

[Eirik Reyksol]

I slept the sleep of the dead these days, bone tired from trying to do what did not come naturally to me: rule over men. More and more had come to join their clans to mine, and while it was gratifying to imagine Skaldia as a united nation, and flattering that people seemed to see me as a leader, I was uncomfortable with the legacy of Waldemar Selig. Who was I to lead these men?

I was jolted from my dreamless sleep by the sound of a scream. Then another one. I shoved the two women in the bed with me aside as I leapt up and grabbed a pair of breeches, slipping into them as I ran outside, pausing only to grab my sword. Who would be audacious enough to raid me?

I saw that someone was already getting the women and children away, and I shouted a few orders to that effect, namely that the D'angeline prisoners be guarded well - we would need the hostages. That the D'angelines were attacking should not have surprised me, after that stunt they had pulled leaving the bodies of Skaldics on the border, though those men had been none of mine and one a foreigner in skins, and I cursed myself for a fool for not seeing this possibility and preparing for it.

I shouted more orders to my men and quickly we formed up, swords drawn as we crashed into the fray.

[King Marcel de la Courcel]

I'd never planned to ride into battle again. I almost did not on this day either, because people kept insisting that as the King, I should hang back, or even not take to the field at all. I shoved aside that ridiculous notion - if I were going to sit on the sidelines I could have stayed in the City.

So it was that I rode out, if not at the forefront of the army, still in the thick of it. I felt the familiar adrenaline in my blood as I met my first Skaldi and I shifted my perception of him from "man" to "enemy," killing him easily, as he was unprepared. They were rallying though, I could see that, and I knew this battle was about to get more difficult.

[Thereza de Soigneux]

Already the battle was raging around me, men and a few women entering the fight. Such frays were almost always somewhat crowded, though the element of surprise had changed things slightly. Nevertheless I still trusted the advantage of speed my short sword and knife gave me and entered the battle, my ring-mail armor making me virtually genderless as well as providing extra protection against the enemy's blades. I understood Skaldi, something that I wasn't sure many of those others with me could say, and that told me what they were doing. The women and children were being moved out, and likely whatever hostages they had would do the same. It made a sort of sense.

Bringing my thoughts back I blocked a blow of an ax with my knife and stabbed the attacker through the chest before spinning and kicking the legs out from another approaching fighter. There was going to be casualties, I knew that, but I had no intention of being one of them, or of not making a good accounting of myself. Whatever the reason for this battle at this time wasn't something I knew or could think on at this point. There were some familiar faces nearby, as well as those soldiers in my unit, and they deserved my attention far more. I would help as many of them get out of here alive as I could.

[Johanna Reyksol]

I wasn't asleep when the chaos began, only because one of my brother's children was sick. He had taken no wives, but he had taken some women to bed, and one of them had gone and gotten herself killed, leaving behind a daughter that we all took care of. She was with me this day, and ill, feverish and vomiting, and I was just placing a wet cloth at her brow when I heard the first shouts. I leapt up and ran to the door, peering out to see the first wave of D'angelines already bloodying their swords on the men caught unawares. Terror flashed through me as I ran back in to scoop up Ygritte, then running out the back.

I was in time to see Heribert gathering up the women and children to lead them to safety, and I joined the group, though more than anything I wanted to go and fight beside my brother. I had to trust that Falki would watch his back, because I was no warrior maid, though for Eirik I would have been. Still, I knew my duty was here, protecting the women and children as I could.

I encouraged the frightened, held back the bold, carried several children as necessary, praying to the gods that we found safety and that my brother beat back the D'angelines ... the alternative was too terrifying to entertain.

[Alain de Mauvais (D)]

Surprise had been ours for long enough for us to reach the settlement, but these were not a people to be overrun without resistance.

Conflict waged all around me as I battled a Skaldi who seemed to have risen from bed and grabbed the closest things he could find for a weapon; a log for the fire. He swung the log at my mount, seeming to try and take it out from beneath me, but I had chosen a stallion trained for war and he lashed out his front legs, hooves striking the log and sending it splintering to the ground. The Skaldi then threw himself at me and I plated my boot in his face, the blow landing with a satisfying crunch and squish of burst bone and flesh. The Skaldi slumped to the ground, twitching.

I spun my mount around as I heard the roar of another approaching warrior, this one armed with a long spear. Knowing the danger the weapon posed to my mount, I jumped free, sword at the ready. My stallion stayed behind me, trained to protect my flank until I sent him away. the warrior lunged and I held still until the last moment, dodging the spear point and using my sword to knock it down to the ground before spinning and thrusting my sword deep into the Skaldi’s belly.

[Quinn du Paras]

I’d wondered how different it would be, battling someone whose intention was to kill you instead of just win the skirmish. I found that the real difference was that I had no time to think, everything was instinct and muscle memory. My body reacted on its own and there was a brutal freedom in it that made my blood sing.

The Skaldi before me had never fought someone using two swords, that was obvious from the first surprised look on his face when I’d pulled them both free. He tried to use his superior size and the reach of his axe to disarm me of both weapons, but it only left his guard down.

I slipped inside the reach of his axe and drove my swords into his knees, one for each. I tried to tuck into a roll to get out his way as he went down, but my left sword hung up on a tangle of cartilage and the butt of the axe came down on my left shoulder. Pain exploded through my arm and my hand went numb, losing the grip on my sword. I managed to scramble free, but just barely as he went down.

[Caelum mab Halcyone]

It had not been all that long since my last battle, and I was eager to go once more into the fray, swinging my sword and bashing people with my shield. I kept an eye out for my brother and for Niamh, and though I did not see Decimus, I thought I spied Oisin, which meant Niamh was nearby. I saw a flash of red hair and I smiled to myself as I dispatched a a man in his smallclothes.

I had to pay more attention however, because an axe grazed my arm, sending a fiery lance of pain shooting over it, almost making me drop my sword. I was better trained than that, however, and I retaliated with a kick and a smash to the face with my shield. The way the battle was becoming more heated, I'd say the Skaldi were ready for us now, and the advantage of surprise had passed. Let's just hope it had been enough.

[Chantal mab Morwen]

They were more efficient than I'd given them credit for, already herding women and children to safety, sending the men out, coming forward. The general, I did not know his name, roared an order, and I raised my bow and took aim.

I didn't kill, not like the eager men on either side of me. But it was different for them, Terre d'Ange was their country, I did not arbitrarily kill unless I needed to. Still, I was out to do serious damage. I aimed for specific parts of the body; a particular point on the spinal cord, blood vessels on the arms that would be like to let them bleed to unconsciousness. I sought to paralyse or disable; the D'Angelines could finish them off if they wished.

I picked the Skaldi off, one by one, watching them as they fell. Some were immediately dispatched by a nearby D'Angeline soldier, others were taken up by comrades, rendered useless for the rest of their life, but alive to warn others of what befell those who tried to take what was not theirs.

I noticed a man with dark hair, his fighting style typically Alban and a blur of blue woad markings, then recognised it as Caelum. A Skaldi swiped his shoulder with an axe and he dropped his sword. I tutted inwardly. He was unfocused, like he was when we were hunting. He managed to smash the face of his opponent in though, and for good measure I shot an arrow into each of the Skaldi's arms and torso before turning my attention back to defending other D'Angelines.

[James de Valois-Burgundy]

It was going better than I had expected, and while the Skaldi were rallying, scores of them already lay dead on the field. A few of their tents and hovels had begun to burn - how did fires always seem to break out in battle? - and their women and children had run into the low hills beyond. After we mopped these up, perhaps we would have a chance to get to them, because Skaldic hostages could be invaluable.

I wondered which of these men was their leader, and if it was possible that we had killed him already, but no, I saw someone shouting orders left and right, and I wagered that that was him, and the men showed no signs of a diminishing morale. I fought my way as best I could to the archers, to the lead, Prince Pierre de Somerville and shouted over the din, indicating the man I thought might be their leader.

"Take him out if you can!" I shouted, before diving back into the fray, the adrenaline rush of being on the field like nothing else.

[Renard de Valliers]

When we were told to began shooting, I began loaded my arrow up and began looking for the right targets. I saw one man who was surrounded by three Skaldi. I aimed and hit one in the head, and when he fell, he landed on the other Skaldi. I watched as another Skaldi attempted to sneak up on one of our men, I sent a arrow straight at his back and he fell forward at the man's feet. I continually loaded my arrow, and focusing on a new target every time. If I missed, I would simply load that much faster.

[Armand de Louis]

Before I knew much of what was happening, the charge was sounded – the horn blew, and soldiers around me thrashed with axes and swords at each other. An angry barbarian rushed at me, dispatched with some excitement on my part, and I screamed with satisfaction when I heard the crack of bones under my sword.

There was mayhem, after that. I dodged and parried, and thrust forward, too, sometimes confused about the party attacking, always pushing forward.

Through it all, I screamed encouragements, when I could, or just war cries, made random by how confusing the mayhem was. The smell of blood and split gut was rising about, and it was both nauseating and intoxicating.

A scream beckoned my attention, and I had just enough time to bring down my sword, blocking an axe as it was about to fall on a wounded and unarmed man.

“Not on my watch, Skaldi scum,” I quipped at the raging barbarian. I pressed back, then shifted to get enough momentum so that I could kick him in the gut, then press back with my blade.

A moment later, there was a gurgling sound and more gut spilled about, and I groaned the soon-to-be dead man slid off my sword.

“One down, so many to go,” I groaned as I went to my wounded brother-in-arms.

_{[OOC: Going to lend Quinn a hand!]}

[Heribert Reiterin]

I began leading a group of women and children away from our village and into the small hills, far from the fighting. I knew of a hidden cave that I had found while exploring the landscape. It would be difficult for one to find it since it was hidden into the base of a hill. I made my way inside first, making sure that it was a vacant living space. At this time of the year, it was highly unlikely, but I wanted to be sure anyway. It took me a few moments to explore the inside for evidence of animals. When I saw none, I gestured for them to get inside.

I turned to Johanna, "I will bring down some of the vines to further hide the entrance of the cave. Keep the children quiet and away from the entrance. I will go and see if we can spare any men to block off the end of the village, so that they will never get to you."

I pulled a whistle out that hung from my neck, "If you hear this sound----" I blew a well known Skaldi tune through the instrument, "It will be a warning that the D'Angeline are coming and you need to find another hidding place. Do you understand?" I could feel adrenaline pumping through my veins as I spoke to her.

[Cateline de Bouclier]

The fighting was in full force. I could smell the heat from the village, the sounds of groans and shouts, and the whistling sound of arrows raining down on the Skaldi. I jumped when I felt a thump behind me. A Skaldi was flat on his front with an arrow in his back. I rammed my sword down into his head and then placed my foot on his head to move my blade out. Then I turned forward just in time to be knocked to the ground with the back of a axe. I could feel my body getting disoriented, but I forced myself to stand on my feet. I swung my sword wide toward his abdomen, but he was quick to block me. His axe pressed so hard against my sword that it knocked me off my feet. He let out a wide grin as he held his axe over his head, ready to ram it through my D'Angeline body....