"What small band does thou speak of? Ahhh... You do not see us all. Well, I shall illuminate the setting. Perhaps then you'll understand what 'small band' is here." But the Paladin did nothing, Ralithian watched with disinterest. That man could do nothing to impress him. He was a mere annoyance.
"Stipo ignis. Damnum sibitmet." His fingers were twisting inbetween one-and-other, dancing with such speed that they could barely be scene except for the blurs. Magically energy began to gather towards his hands, clumping into a glowing red ball. Flames shot up from it, even before the spell was finished. Without warning, he stopped and it flew towards the paladin.
Bracing himself behind a huge metallic shield, the fire collided with it and disolved into nothingness. The shield-bearer stood up and looked straight at Ralithian. He dropped his head in shame and then pulled his sword out.
"So be it... If you choose to die, then that is your choice. And any who stand in my way, shall pay the same price." He pointed his sword forward, as Ralithian stood swung his staff at the air in front of him. Both shouted out, rallying their own troops.
"ATTACK!" Within seconds, the two sides errupted into a frenzy of preparation. On Ralithian's side, undead sprung from seemingly nowhere. Flesh dripped from their bloody bones and a stench of death roamed the area. Weapons were tossed into their hands and they lumbered forward.
Lifeless elementals sprung up from both sides. All of the elements were represented. Fire, earth, air and water. Each looking deadly and ready to do their masters bidding. Daggers sprung into their hands as magicians brought forth more summoning magic.
The forest itself was helping Ralithian's enemy. The druids were calling upon nature to assist them. Some trees bent down, changing their form to those of wood elves. This battle would be one to be remembered.
All of this happened within seconds of the battle cry. The two sides charged at each other, ready to die for their cause. The eradication of the other, or death...
The bards began to sing about their glorious leader. Their voices as one, louder then even the most horrid screams. The song brought even the most scared to battle, bringing bravery to their souls.
"His mithril armor burnished bright,
One gauntlet black, the other white.
His helm alive with brilliant light,
His longsword danced with flame."
"This hero faced his greatest test;
This battle would complete his quest.
The shield he carried bore his crest;
Sir Osis was his name."
"For courage and for strength he prayed,
To Pelor, the god whom he obeyed.
His trust and faith would give him aid;
He would not fight alone."
Ralithian stood still, watching carefully. If this battle was to be won, he would have to become a tactical leader. The front lines were filled with fighters, both living and dead. It would be a long time before victory was achieved, if it was at all. "Have the wizards all attacking the rear. Our dead will hold off long enough for us to crush their retreat force. NOW!" The dark elf boy who stood beside him was off running, he was a messenger boy. He would be dead before the day was done, but Ralithian didn't have to worry about that until much later.
"For honor, and for Marr!", he roared,
And leapt to battle for his lord.
Opposing that unholy sword,
He charged to match his own."
"And locked in battle, toe to toe,
He stood against his mortal foe,
Exchanging blow for deadly blow,
A small and savage war."
"The damage done by each was vast;
He knew his health was failing fast.
The next exchange might be the last;
He could not stand much more."
"Aspicio adeo dirunitas." His fingers flickered over his eyes, focusing the green mana strings. They slowly dragged into his pupils, just before he closed his eyes and the spell was cast.
"And yet he vowed he would not yield.
He stood his ground, and raised his shield,
To win or die upon this field;
The fateful moment neared.'
"And in his rival, there was doubt.
Afraid that he might lose this bout,
The man of evil's nerve gave out;
The coward disappeared."
"His masquerade of honor gone,
With craven guile, this evil spawn
Did soon return, to battle on;
Most foully did he fight."
Opening his eyes again, his vision was bettered, ten fold. He could see the beads of sweat drip off those who were hundreds of feet away. He watched as the skeletons crumpled to the ground, returning to the earth that they crawled out of. There was a troll, struggling to hold off at least a dozen halflings. Soon he would be killed, if something wasn't done. His threw his sword down, grabbing the small men and throwing them as far as he could. Blood was pooling around.
Quickly, Ralithian set off a Shadow Step. His body disappeared from where it was and reappeared right next to the troll. Without thinking, another spell touched his lips. "Abeo. Inviso occulto." His hand touched the troll's rather large arm, with a bit more then a whisper to him. Particules from the sky, as it seemed, dropped right over top of Ralithian and through his hand into the green figure. It flickered for a moment, then disappeared entirely. The hobbits were still on him, but he wasn't there. At least visably. He was invisible, which just confused the small attackers. They jumped off, and turned to the wizard.
He would have spat on them, but before he could they were on him. They jumped onto his body, forcing him to the ground. They bit, they kicked and they stabbed. But as quickly as it had happened, it was over. Ralithian lay on the ground, beaten within an inch of his life.
"But at our hero's side now stood
The valiant Flaming Fools, who would,
United on the side of good,
Prove steadfast in their might.
"Courageously, they joined the fray,
And only Phillip ran away.
At last the party won the day,
And killed the wicked beast.
"Remember well, and heed this tale;
The noble hearted will not fail.
For in the end, the good prevail,
And evil will be greased."