Cerienburg Castle

After making sure Cerridwyn was safe and that the forces were fully assembled, Vidkun joined the front ranks thinking to himself he had some sort of connection to the rank and file man. Shield raised he followed the other lads, many of whom were going to their deaths. Once they were close he charged forward with the others to push a ladder up which was then mounted and climbed. It was by sheer luck that whilst climbing it he wasn't killed by the prepared defences. 

Up top he joined the melee too; he didn't instantly go for savage slices and dismemberment, instead he did his best to push the enemy back with his shield by bashing or just ramming them. He wanted to make some breathing space for his comrades so that they would not climb up right to their deaths, even if well armed and armoured. When done distance was made he would start pushing more aggressively; bashing with an edge of his shield to break bones and make injuries where he could will also making more distance and protecting himself. 

"Hng!"

"Ach!"

"Ngh!"

Helmut's crossbows picked off a number of the defenders, forcing them to crouch down and evade the bolts. For his assistance the men were able to safely get their ladder up and assault the walls. Across the ways Vidkun was also clearing out ample room for the besieging force. Their success was further helped with the complete eradication of the archers on the top of the keep, thanks to Murat.

The pagans fought with zeal and fury, but a combined assault on the northern and western walls was to much for them. One by one they were cut down. Those who were not killed instantly were trampled under foot and suffered an agonizing death. All of the pain they had dealt to the Vessian colonists was in turn inflicted upon them. Heads rolled, shoulders split, and knees buckled backward as the rage of battle descended into the central courtyard. Murat's Pegasus Knights would have had a harder time clearing out the keep. Those men were better armored and equipped with better weapons, not to mention more desperate.

Brother Helman, who was fighting on the walls, spied his allies proximity to the gate mechanisms. He quickly drew his horn and blew into it. Within moments he heard the sweet sound of horse hooves.

They thundered from across the empty field, cloaked in the dense fog. They converged and came together in a column formation, pennants fluttering wildly as they closed the distance. At the forefront was Hochmeister Adrian himself, lowering his lance.

A terrible sound occupied the air as men's bodies were skewered with the Brothers' lances. Man flesh met horse flesh, bones cracked, the wounded cried out, and a host of warhorses occupied the central courtyard. After the initial charge the Knight-Brothers drew axes, swords, maces, and flails - turning about and caving in the heads of their opponents, or cracking their skills. Blood sprayed into the air, covering the walls and ground with the red substance. A broken mess of flesh and bone littered the earth. It was truly horrifying, but all of the men involved roared and fought on.

When it became apparent the pagans had lost, they threw down their weapons and backed away. They had surrendered. A few overzealous fighters did not get notice this at first and cut down a few defenseless pagans.

"Enough!" Adrian roared over the chaos. "Enough!" He ripped his helmet from his head and held his hands up, standing up in his stirrups. The deafening sound of battle ceased. The sound of woman's cries came from within, mixed with that of children. The wounded tried to cry out for help as well.

The Hochmeister looked around, victorious but also regretful. "Bind the survivors; lock them up and keep them under guard here in the courtyard. Escort the women and children back to our camp under guard."

As the Brothers started to move about Adrian had some of his men find Murat, Akagi, Helmut, Vidkun, and Kaine; they were to gather on the top floor of the keep, where a makeshift table and chairs were made.

Hoga's Wave Warriors made it to the walls relatively unscathed (a statement that would be vehemently disagreed with by those bleeding out on the beach), and swung their grappling hooks onto the walls. Most connected on the first or second try, the veteran Warriors used to such maneuvers thanks to long years spent fighting from ship to ship in the waters around Tawakoshi. Hoga was the first over, his blade crashing down on the defender and nearly splitting him in twain. Seconds later, the rest of the Wave Warriors came crashing over, katana crashing on shield, and the fight devolved into a brawl that was hard-won by the forces of the Daimyo, thanks to his timely arrival.

Hoga took command of the Wave Warriors as the Daimyo ascended the Keep to meet with the Hochmeister.

Kaine would be at the meeting with the hochmeister first, as he had accompanied him through the fight along with the rest of the second wave. He would take a seat along with the others and wait for what his employer would say. All in all Kaine was pleased with how things went, the assault had gone very well and he had been hoping for an easy paycheck since he had first saw the recruiting poster.

Adrian paced back and forth at the opposite end of the room. As the others entered he would cast a quick glance and nod. The deaths of the men below did not bother him, it was all of the mothers, wives, and daughters who had lost sons, husbands, and brothers. The guilt weighed heavily on him, and he protested with himself on his actions; ultimately he decided it was for the greater good.

Finally, as the last of the party arrived, Adrian sighed heavily and sat down in his own chair. "I must commend all of you," he said, trying to sound joyous. "This was a victory hard-earned victory, and it is the first of many. Not only will we avenge our kin, but we will bring civilization to this barbaric haven." He pointed out Murat, Akagi, and Kaine: "You will get a substantial payment for your services," he assured them, "as well as any supplies necessary to transport your fallen, so they may be buried in their homelands. And most of all, you have earned the lasting gratitude of the Most Holy, the Divine One; may he guide you in your troubles to come. If there is anything more you need, please let me know. If you would like to winter here until the next offensive you may, but the ships are ready to transport you back home at any moment."

Should the hired mercenaries and guest crusaders depart, they would be paid a handsome amount of gold, plus a little more extra than promised. The Order was well-endowed and could afford it, especially since the Brothers themselves swore oaths of poverty and did not receive payment. Otherwise they could remain here, at the fort, until the Brothers decided what to do next.

The Hochmeister turned his attention to Helmut. "Your services are appreciated, Witch-Hunter. While the Brothers are capable of handling the clean-up, you are more than welcome to assist. Otherwise you may find suitable quarters here in the fort. Soon enough we will scout the area for resources and secure points of interest. Speaking of which, if you happen to run across Vidkun, let him know I have an assignment ready."



Cerri, unfortunately, would not be approached by the mother. Rather, the man who had approached her earlier reappeared a few minutes later. He looked solemn, and the frown on his face foreshadowed bad news. "I.... I don't know how to say this..." He seemed to shiver and avoided making eye contact; something was wrong. "Dana... she's... dead..." The man looked down and closed his eyes, tears streaming out. "We found her body nearby... she hung herself..." As if the little child in her arms could tell what was wrong, it screamed and cried, sobbing and clutching Cerri's clothing.

The remainder of the non-combatants would be finished unloading their supplies shortly, and before long everyone could make their own towards the newly-captured hillfort.

(Cerridwyn von Heschburg | Helmut van der Minnenstein | Kaine Aislinn | Daimyo Akagi Zuikaku | Commandant Murat Lafayette)

The Daimyo bowed in acknowledgment of the victory and the Hochmeister's words.

"We shall return home before the onset of winter, I have several important things I must deal with at home. It was an honor to fight alongside you, and I invite you all to the City of Quying following the conclusion of your crusade."

After being summoned by the Hunter, Vidkun ascended some flights of stairs and after eventually finding Adrian approached him, his weapons far away and the man himself merely in a white cloak. "Yes High-master? Something needs doing?" he asked.

After Adrian and the others had finished stating their intentions Kaine would approach Adrian and hand him a small talisman that seemed to lightly hum with energy. "I will leave as well after I have received my payment however if you require me again simply break this trinket and I will make my way back here again to assist you, I wish you the best of luck". After this Kaine would find his equipment that he had stowed away and head down to the ships that were waiting to take him back.

Vidkun timidly took the offered seat and sat, lifting his visor to make the talk more personal but not lowering the chainmail he had as a face covering. He nodded at Adrian's first words and then listened to the question, nodding once more. "Lord, I promise to do so until requested otherwise, or until the Reaper finds me."