District 1: Actions

Celdiur frowned.

"Aye. Alas, you speak the truth Varys. A man of my position however must always hope that the best in all men will overcome their wicked impulses. Jalal has shown himself willing to aid me before, and thus my trust is placed in him until he proves undeserving of it".

Celdiur moved towards the dining table at the centre of the room and pulled out a chair. He removed the holy symbol of the Goddess that hung around his neck and grasped it firmly in his hands.

"We best prepare ourselves for what comes next. This coming battle will not be easy. Each of us must be an army in his own right if the day is to be ours. As soon as Alain arrives with his party, we descend into the depths".

With that, Celdiur inclined his head towards his clenched hands and began a silent prayer for strength to Astraea.

"Wait." Varys said.

He quickly got out a piece of paper and scrawled something on it quickly. Going outside, he whistles an odd tune. After a short wait, a raven glides onto his shoulder. He gives his paper to the raven, and whispers something into it's ear. The raven motions familarly, almost like a nod, and it's eyes gleam. It's eyes were of a peculiar color, seemingly red. It flies off into the night, cawing once.

Varys walks back inside, and says, "That was a message to Lord Azlanek. I needed to inform him of our progress."

With that said and done, he sat down, and waited for Celdiur to finish praying, silently thinking about the goddess.

Varys turned to Celdiur and whispered,

"I believe we need a distraction at the front. We can go up the side tunnel where I killed the man for the captain. We can then attack and overwhelm the men with a quick surprise attack, which will be another diversion. Some of us can then go look for the priest or the Captain. What do you think?"

Celdiur pondered on his words for a few seconds before nodding.

"Aye. A sound plan Varys. I would suggest that you take Rocorad, Haruch, Jalal and the three squires up the side tunnel to launch your surprise attack. Jalal and the squires wear far lighter armour than we, and thus will be harder to detect as you approach"

He mounted his shield upon his arm and drew his sword in preperation.

"I will lead the frontal attack with seven of our brother knights. Alain will take the remaining three and search for the captive preacher, if he indeed still lives. Once the battle is done we will seek out the rescue party and aid them to finish this once and for all. Though if you have any better input then now is the time to voice your ideas"

He frowned before adding his final piece of input.

"If its possible, Brothers, I would ask that we take as many as we can alive. I promised the people justice. They will have it first hand if I can help it"

Celdiur then raised his dark blade to his lips and kissed the flat gently. He whispered,

"Father, guide my blade this day as you once did"

Varys nodded.

After they had gone their respective ways, he crawled up the side tunnel to place where he had first seen the men. He then waited for Celdiur's main attack.

Celdiur formed his party up on front of the tunnel entrance in preperation of the assault. He began to give his final orders before they made their move.

"I have no fancy words or inspiring speeches to mind for this occasion Brothers. We know the danger we face this day, and we know our duty as defenders of the light. We take the torch of justice into the den of evil this day, and if we fall, we fall in service to our Goddess and our beliefs, to be welcomed warmly into Astraea's welcoming embrace in the high heavens. Shields braced to the front as we approach so as to deflect incoming missiles. Begin our advance slowly and build the momentum of our charge as we near our quarry. To battle, Knights of the Eventide, for the Goddess, and for Singal".

And with that the advance upon the bandit hideout began.

Varys waited with hushed breath and listened for the sound of conflict.

Celdiur and his men stormed into the vault, shields raised and ready to immediately engage in combat, but their charge came to a sudden stop when they realised there was nobody in the vault. Slightly dumbfounded they looked around, some of the knights even checked that nobody was hiding under or behind the scarce furniture. Confused looks on their faces the men finally turned to Celdiur, awaiting further orders.

Meanwhile in the side tunnel, Haruch suddenly approached Varys, whispering into his ear.

I can hear people approaching this position.

Varys swore under his breath.

Varys motioned at Celdiur, hoping that Celdiur saw him.

"Jalal, once the fighting begins, light a torch and throw it towards them."

Varys then commanded his men to take defensive positions in the tunnel, and they crouched in the darkness, waiting.

Luckily, Celdiur did notice the gesture of Varys. Just as the other knights looked to Celdiur in confusion, so to did Celdiur look to Varys in the same manner. However, still confused as he was as to the whereabouts of his quarry, Celdiur knew not what Varys had signalled him for. Curious, and also slightly apprehensive, Celdiur raised his shield arm into the air to signal all members of his party to cease all movement.

In the flickering light of the torchlit vault, Celdiur listened to the eerie echoes of the sewers, intent upon understanding Varys's signal without betraying his own position.

Varys noticed Celdiur's halt, and swore under his breath.

What is he doing? He thought angrily.

He stood still, trying not to betray his position.

Nothing. Celdiur heard nothing. So why in Astraea's name was Varys so riled? He looked around the vault that his party stood in, reassuring himself that his foe was not to be found here before turning to his fellow knights. In a hushed tone he spoke.

"Come Brothers, there is little reason for us to remain here as of now. Ive no idea what Varys wants but I intend to find out as soon as possible. Move up to meet him, but remain vigilant"

"Defensive formation, Brothers!" Celdiur bellowed above the warcries of their assailants, "Form up, back to back, shields braced! Let them come! LA IRA DE ASTRAEA CAIGA SOBRE VOSOTROS, PECADORES!

Varys glanced out and saw the group of men heading his way. He crouched down, and whispered to his men "Prepare for a surprise attack."

He waited for the men to reach striking distance.

Realising the danger that they were now in from the archers above, Celdiur knew that he would have to make a harsh decision. Death from above or death by the sword? Break ranks, get in among them, at least the archers wont have a clear line of site. If we are to die then better that we do so looking into the eyes of our enemies! He made his decision.

"On my command Brothers! Surge forward with your shields and fall upon them with righteous wrath! PUSH!"

With that Celdiur and his comrades pushed forward hard with their shields before moving to engage their assailants, Celdiur's sword raised high ready to swing downwards upon his nearest foe.

Varys gathered his men, and told them to get ready to move.

Varys whisepred, " Stick to the shadows, and try to sneak up on the archers. If we cannot, then we shall have an all out charge."

Varys nodded toward Haruch, and he whispered to his men, "Take them by surprise."

Varys nodded, and said "That should buy them some time."

He told his men to follow him, and he began to search for the missing priest.

Celdiur watched another foe fall before his blade with grim satisfaction, another corpse to litter the ever more bloody cobblestones of the sewers. He was aware that a few among his company had fallen, but this did nothing to break his resolve. Only strengthen his desire to smite down all evil-doers before him with the righteous wrath that so often overcame him in the heat of battle.

"Stand your ground Knights of Astraea! The foul will fall before the blades of the righteous!"

Another assailant charged Celdiur. He allowed him to close the distance between them before swinging out hard with his shield, aiming to send his opponent crashing to the ground in a bloody heap.