Jellicle's Creed
Frozen Memories
Seqeunce 10
Memory 1 The Battle of Arendelle
28 May 2055
Arendelle
Arko District Shores
Sunrise
"Test of Metal: Nerves of Steel, Heart of Gold, Will of Iron, balls of Brass"
-Unknown comedian
Den defenses were supposed to be easy. Supposed to be easy, Ok so they were not complicated but not simple tasks. When noritity got high enough there were problems, lots of them, and the past three years had seen a rise in recent rebuilding across the kingdom and more districts had been liberated however. those liberations came at a very deadly cost. iSomeone/i was arming the Templars, and not just with drugs, but with guns, some even knew a few kenetic spells for area damage. But the more recent liberations proved costly on the Assassins. With only seven districts left to liberate, the Templars formed a plan and chose to attack Arko, their former major stronghold
But what they had on their side was the element of surprise to pull off the attack. Three years of planning, restructuring, and training had accounted up to this strike, If they could retake Arko District from the Assassins, it gave them an edge and they could strike at the castle easier. Unfortunately, they'd have to fight for the Den. Attacking the den was one thing, taking and holding it, defending it themselves when there were so few Templars left for this main strike.
Key templars from across the Northern Sceptre had begun arriving by ship to various districts. Using what they could to set up shop along the roads within the kingdom. The Duke had a plan and so did Prince Hans. the Duke, the current Grand Master of the Northern Sceptre stayed aboard his ship out in the waters of the fjord observing the battle. Thanks to technology; tyhe duke had a full realtime 3d map of the area for the battle, full mapping softeware developed by a firm years berfore in the south.
"This will not be an easy battle even with your men" A sultry, very dead, voice mused aloud.
"I agree. Which is why my forces will be reserves, Prince Hans will be handing the main attack" the Duke replied calmly
"And me ?" the Wolf Queen asked, as much as she wanted to rule Arendelle, she couldnt bear to be there at that moment
"You're here to watch. just like me. Grab some food or... whatever it is you eat, the party is going to begin soon" with that the Duke left the cabin and went to the cook to set up a meal upon the main deck to watch the party on shore within Arko District
Draco himself stood over the battlemap, his tailored military uniform bringing the level of light in the room down a few notches while the red of the trim and creases and detailings glowed with his eyes. He narrowed his eyes at the formations and let out a low, idle growl before scoffing. "Such simple formations. So few numbers..." Draco looked to the Duke with a stern gaze.
"You realise that if the first wave fails, so does the rest of your plan, yes?"
The Duke smiled as he sipped his tea "That is the plan, the first wave is the locals fighting to retake their home. Prince Hans will be waiting and making ready while the first wave attacks to swarm in from inside some of the buildings" The Duke replied from his seat at the table "Assassins set up fortifications along the streets, but never in the buildings that interconnect" He pointed out two such buildings, "Buildings liek these... On either side of the road, would provide perfect crossfire zones for all forms of fighters be they assassin or Templar."
"So the First wave is bait" Ingrid mused as she saw the Dukes plan, the first was was a distraction to allow Hans and his men to get to their position in order to really make things ugly. "Who are the enemy commanders ?"
"We only know of one. and I want her alive." the Duke said, apparently he still had a score to settle with Snowfeather
Draco narrowed his eyes again and looked over the field once more. He could sense something was off, he would need to leave, get his hands dirty, so to speak. He turned to the Wolf Queen for a moment. "I'm leaving." was all he growled out before his body sank to the floor in a puddle of black sludge, vanishing under the the Dukes seat while bubbling. He'd reappear somewhere else.
The Duke smirked as Draco left, he sure was a party pooper, but then he didnt really worry about the old guy. At least as yet. Hans himself had wanted certain things out of this deal, and one of them was to take over Arendelle, and by taking over Arko district was the best, possibly only shot to take the kingdom by force. However it was as soon as Draco had left when the Duke asked Ingrid "was it something I said ?" he took a sip of his tea, then grimaced, "No its the tea,, bleh, Harnigold!" The Duke stood from his seat and stalked out of the cabin
Arendelle
Castle, Elsa's private study
At that same moment
Elsa was pacing, Darrin the headservant under Kai stood waiting "You are sure that is the only thing missing ?" She asked him, the man nodded. With Mark standing in the doorway, when he should be getting ready for a den defense, Elsa needed his advise, Serena stood against a bookshelf unwrapping a item Elsa had her collect from a Templar filled district. a statuette. "Tell me about that night."
"It is as we reported Madam, someone knocked out Davis in the hall, we did not spot anything amiss within this room after careful searcing, Princess Anna had us search carefully all night long, with us was Diana of the Assasins until she took her leave after assigning Lady Georgina to keep watch." Darrin detailed the night, with Serena providing a few details What was more, there was nothing, inothing/i disterubed enough to even account for a Vision replay no matter how Mark tried to figure out how the thief got in, which was obvious, by stealing Davis key after knocking him out. the poor man had a broken jaw upon waking up. But it was the note of pale eyes that made everyone wonder and think on who could have gotten in, without any of the Assassin's spotting them, and then, stealing only one thing
The one thing that was possible more important than Elsa herself
After three years of searching and trying to figure out what was taken
Someone had stolen the Shroud
The question was. Who ?
Mark's mind went over the details. Three years. Three years since it happened and they haven't figured it out. What could be so important that someone would sneak in and ste- "The Shroud." Mark said flatly, looking up from the ground as he moved, moving away from his leaning position in the door frame with his arms crossed. "They were after the Shroud...and they found it." he said again.
In the last three years, he'd had a lot of time to practice. Mentally, he was much sharper, with Kaldakava helping him think and percieve the world around him as a Dragon would, physically, and magically, he was on par with a base-level Blackmane, though he would never really know how powerful his aunt could be. But perhaps more importantly, was his finally getting over his fear of Den Defenses. He still hated them, but he no longer had a panic attack upon watching or practicing them.
"But why would they want the Shroud?"
"I think the main question is how did they know it was even here ?" Elsa replied still pacing. "That thing was in a plain white oak box, blended in with my desk, everything, At times I even forgot we even had it."
"We had the Shroud of Eden ? In this room ?" Serena asked as she studied the statue she'd picked up from the Noah District. It looked kinda like a key by its base alone, like a gear cog or something.
"We did, someone sent it with an Assassin from London." Elsa replied. Elsa turned to the servant then "Darrin, send for Davis, I wish to speak to him personally about that night, soon as we're done I want every District Captain on alert, somethings happening in Arko again and we need to finish it once and for all if we can" It was good that Elsa was indeed finally taking charge with her sister and actually getting stuff done in the kingdom rather than issuing orders that never got filled.
As Mark, or was it Serenity ? Who said it, Sanctions and words never got stuff done.
Serena nodded, fingering the statue of Elsas grandmother Ingrid the Second. its base looked indeed like a key, and there was one left in the kingdom somewhere. "Funky base wont have the statue stand upright." Serena mumbled, Elsa didnt exactly know what Serena really was, other than Marks older sister by a year, and elder twin of Serenity by a minute. Elsa had no idea the woman was a Bengal Tiger by birth alone. Serena stood up from where she sat and set the statue on its back on the desk.
Then she saw it. "Mark, curtainrod, makeshift backpack, How big was the Shroud box ?" Serena asked in their childhood dialect going to the window, the bare curtain rod everyone had missed until she drew her brothers attention to it. the light velvet cloth of the other window curtain was missing its own twin. So find that...
"Not big. Something you'd carry a few loafs of bread in." He looked to the curtain rod, and patted his sister's shoulder. "Keep an eye out for it's twin. Send a messenger bird if you find it." he said. In the three years, Mark had connections to almost every bird in the main city of the Kingdom. And while he wouldn't know exactly what each bird was saying, he'd know what each bird meant, especially if sent by an ally.
"As for the statue, take it to a Stone-Mason, they'll have a sander to help it fit better." he added before his sister left. He cleared his throat and approached Elsa, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder to stop her pacing.
"We'll find the Shroud, don't worry. You should give the Assassins a little speech before something happens in Arko, give them something to fight for." He smiled, his voice gentle and soft.
Elsa turned to the statue as Serena spoke to her brother. Looking over it carefully she resumed her pacing briefly before stopping at Marks touch. "Grandmothers statuette" She mused thoughtfully as Serena spoke to Mark.
"Our thief didnt come with anything to carry their desired item out in, so they stole a curtain off the rod, and used it as a makeshift backpackroll of a sort." Serenity and Serenas clothing came with a refelctive material cloak that they sometimes used as a makeshift backpack by taking it off, then using the middle of it to store stuff, them rapidly spinning the ends of the thing into slender ropes of a sort to sling over the shoulders.
"So the thief stole two items, not one" Elsa said as Serena left without ansewering but with a nod from her brother. Elsa knew exactly what to do with the statuette of her grandmother. All that was left was her own mothers statuette out of the eight, holding the stateu in one hand Elsa said softly "Any word from Serenity and Diana ?" She'd sent them to the Tolkien District to find her mothers statuette, "They should be back by now" She nodded at mention of the den defense. She'd taken part in a few practise runs. But her first real den defense...
Mark let his hand fall off of Elsa's Shoulder as he moved to lean against the desk, sitting on the edge of it casually as she spoke "I wouldn' t worry too much about Serenity and Diana...they're smart and capable Assassins, if they aren't back by the end of the day I'll go looking for them myself." he assured her with a small smile.
In the three years that had past, Mark had seemingly finally learned to relax around Elsa, he now frequently let his hood down, and was a lot more affectionate as well, frequently hugging and even kissing her when given an opportunity, and she likewise was more affectionate as well. He then looked back to Elsa as she nodded in mention of the den defense. "Are you ready? Your men need their Queen."
A pep talk, that was what was now needed, "The men are waiting, we are waiting for your sister and Diana to return, and the Shroud is missing" Elsa mused as she set the statuette of her grandmother on the desk gently using a cloth to lay on without damage. the satuette looked to be made, like the other statuettes, of the same materials as the Apple on the desk.
Elsa set her knuckles on the desk as she tried t othink on what to do. They'd just finished breakfast before making plans in the study when they found what was stolen three years before. Why did it take so long ? No it wasnt t obe worried about. Elsa had never fully took part in a den defense before. And the men after all, were waiting for her and Mark.
By then the Kingdom as a whole knew about Mark and how close they were, but not many people knew exactly how close they were, Anna was still engaged to the ice Master, Kristoff, which thanks to Elsa's promise, as soon as Arendelle was clean of Templar influence, they could marry. Anna had thrown herself into helping clear out the Templars, going so far as to helping rebuild damaged homes with the workmen. Sometimes Elsa did too
Finally Elsa nodded "Where's your command center ?" She asked Mark, sliding her arm into his as they left the study, letting Mark escort her. If she was to give a speech, they'd have to be ready somewhere
"The Arko Main Den." Mark answered, closing his arm around hers and entwining his fingers with hers to hold her hand while they walked. Arko, as it was the main living area of Arendelle, was one of the biggest districts, as such, one Den wasn't enough to fully be able to delegate and protect the district from Templar Attacks. Knowing this, the Assassin's had built two more sub-dens to support the main one, which lie closest to the Palace and it's own district. The Sub dens lay on the border, and half-way between the former and Main Den respectively.
Moving through the Palace, Mark went over some of the intricacies of Den Defense that he'd picked up over the last three years, since he was now able to stomach them without breaking down, he was able to fully understand what it meant to defend a district and it's den. Because Arko was so large and close to the palace, it was a key striking point, or defending point, depending on who ever held it. It's sheer size made it difficult to attack, as one had to control all three dens to do so, and all three were surrounded by fortifications for the upcoming battle. The Assassin's knew the Templar Target was Arko specifically, and were prepared to defend it to the last man.
As they rounded the corner to the staircase leading to the main hall where they would exit the palace to head towards Arko, Mark planted a kiss on Elsa's cheek, a quick, playful one just to lift her spirits a bit. "Would you rather we walk? Or take a Transport array?" he asked. Walking would be more romantic, but Transport Array would obviously be fastest.
Transport arrays were faster yes, but Arko wasnt that far to begin with either. "Lets walk. Besides it will lift the spirits of the men if they see us walking the roads rather than just showing up inside the den." Elsa said. The two left the palace and headed through the courtyard, the ice glittered brightly in the morning sunlight. Three years of removing a stain her mother couldnt defend against. If only her mother was there to see it. Of course Mark never told her that her mother was indeed alive. Yet. But she never bothered him about it.
The two stepped onto the bridge, leading from the castle gates to the Arko district itself. It was literally that close to the castle District alone. A dozen or so steps from the castle gates to the entry of Arko. A few dozen steps more and they passed the first sub den; Elsa saw the many fortifications. But it made her nervous, three dens inside Arko, but only one signal tower in trhe entire district
Arriving at what had to be the core of the district Elsa saw the strongest foritifcations were there. The other two dens she'd surmised were to fall back if ground was lost, to the main den. The rooftops were well secured and patrolled constantly by Assassins above them. The core of the district was the most defended. Assassins were everywhere she looked. Many of them recruited from her own soldiers. Seeing her and mark the men and women turned their way, bowing in greeting.
But no matter how often Esla looked for Georgina, she couldnt find her. Anywhere, it was as if she had completely disappeared three years ago after giving birth to a baby boy. Of course Elsa hadnt been exactly notified about the birth only that Georgina requested matrity leave. Which Elsa had quickly granted, after which the Princess from China had pretty much disappeared completely thanks to a certain Light Dragon or three.
The two were brought up short however as two people entered their field of view, after three yeasrs Serenity's scars had finally faded away to nothing; allowing her to be a tiger at will again when she liked, with her was the ever masked Assassin, now a level 1 Assassin, with five more levels to go, Diana. Mark never pressured the young woman to reveal her face concerning where she was from and her traditions to keeping her face covered, but try as he might he never could figure out what she was when he tried using his Vision on her, just a plume of white light
"See? Told you they'd be fine." Mark whispered to Elsa as Diana and Serenity came into view. He returned each bow with his now signature salute, learned through Kalda's Memories of his right fist over his heart, and a smile. He currently wasn't wearing his armor, which was good, as the claws would be scratching Elsa's hand as he held it.
They moved towards the Den, the door being held open by a lower ranking Assassin, and Mark lead Elsa up stairs to another door, leading to a balcony. Here he stopped, and turned to face her. "Alright, you've done plenty of rousing speeches before. Think about what we're fighting for, what it means if we lose. Give them hope. You got this." He smiled, leaning in to kiss her softly on the lips before patting her shoulders and winking. He raised his hood, and his armor came to him, forming on his body digitally like it always did.
He opened the balcony door, and nodded his hooded head. "Your audience awaits."
Elsa saw that Serenity carried the package, normally her cloack was waving crazily whipped around by a breeze but this time ti was used more or less as a makeshift backpack. with Diana also there it made her smile, she motioned for them to follow her and Mark, she had a speech to make. Mark was right, she had done rousing speeches before, But this was one that she'd be making men and women both either fight and die for, or just die for, or make the enemy die for it
She thought rapidly as Mark briefly kissed her, her mind racing, so many things going on at once before she focused. defending their home, the castle. The loss of Arko paved the way to that prize, the Castle, her home... It could do. Stepping onto the baslcony the men and women in the courtyard looked up as the door opened, briefly seeing her conversing with Mark, most if not all the Assassins within Arendelle knew of the friendship the two shared. But none of them dwelled on it or even speculated on it.
To be fare the entire kingdom saw them kiss on the dancefloor on the queens own birthday three years before. But compared to that, this was something entirely different, Over the last there years Elsa's dress had taken on a darker shade of sparkly red. Even in red or her beautiful ice gown Elsa was pretty. Mark standing beside her with his elder sister Serenity, and another Assassin whose face was covered made Elsa all the more pretty and imposing.
Everyone cheered when Elsa stepped onto the balcony and went to the rail. But they soon quieted when she started speaking,. Causing many to wonder at first what she meant before they knew exactly what she was talking about. "Theives... That is what the Templars are, if they win this fight, they steal from us the only means to get to the Castle from any other district, If they steal Arko from us, they have a path to steal further, it will only embolden them to steal not just districts, but objects within those districts" Wait, A Templar stole something and it wasnt a District ? Elsa of course had no idea that the perspon who stole the Shroud was in fact directed by Light to do so and was actually a high ranking member of the Assassins before Mark was even born
Mark now stepped forward, sensing a lapse in Elsa's thought process, and picking it up before the energy died down. "And that is why we must fight! Not simply for the Palace, not simply for our way to the Palace, but for our homes! For your neighbors, wives, daughters, brothers, sisters, husbands, sons, and at the very least yourselves! The Templars have plans to steal away your very will to live, and we stand here to look them in the eye, and say "NO!" So pick up your swords, your guns, your blades. Don your cloaks and armor, take up your positions! For Arendelle!" He lifted his arm up, the armor glowing brightly in the morning light, and the crowds below cheered out, loud enough to rumble the windows and foundation of some of the older houses.
At the nod from her brother Serentiy spoke up, "Get to your posts, be ready for anything!" As she spoke she had to smile, Elsa set her hands on the balcony rail, this was going to be a heck of a fight if the Templars brought in the heavy weapons, siege engines, heavy flamers or machinegun emplacements were normally the worst to come across, in Egypt what they had gone against were mostly electronic controlled barriers, hackers, and technology, Arendelle didnt have that stuff, yet
Amid the crowd of Assassin's and Arendelle soldiers alike stood two women, one of them with long silver and white hair, the other with dark brown hair. "He speaks well doesnt he ?" The silver haired woman said simply. In the time the Eagle Princess had been in Arendelle for the last three years Elsas magic had grown by leaps and bounds, more recently was certain events that took everyones attention every year during the Great Summer Winterfesticval when Elsa made it snow for a day in order for everyone to enjoy themselves and take a break from the extreme heat that recently began in the last two or so years
"He does" The second woman said, dressed in purple and dark pink, Asaca stood a half head taler than most of the soldiers and Assassin's present. The Eagle Princess stood next to her in equal height. "He is still adapting. How are the medics ?"
"They are ready in the courtyard last I heard" Fang replied. It was true, a soon as Mark and Elsa passed through the courtyard a swarm of white doves landed pretty much, a dozen or more women in white and silver robes where ready to tend to the wounded. "Wexzaki is leading them, she's a good combat medic... to a point She almost did not pass her final exams if it werent for the battle that broke out that day"
"So I heard. Will she be present ?"
"If you want something broken, yes"
"She got that parrots poison out of you easy enough"
"Dont remind me of that. The parrot told us nothing of this plot"
"But he did lead us to his leader, who had details on the plot"
"True. We have to thank them both for that"
"Even though they lied about your arranged marraige ?"
A feather appeared at Asaca's neck "Do not bring that up, it was a coverstory set up by my father in order to lure out our enemies" Fang hissed before letting go of the feather, it flickered briefly before returning to part of her hair
"And now the plan ?"
"Defend this district." With that Fang turned and went into a nearby building before taking to the air. Their plan was simple, Fang was scouting, and the moment her silver feather lodge itself in the balcony rail, the fight was on.
On the ship in harbor
At that same moment
The stateroom door opened "Yes ?" The Duke said
"Sir, they've got a bird flying and the men are ready"
"Begin the attack, wave one is a go, they give no quarter, that should brighten Captain Calis' day" the Duke said sipping a tea after dropping two sugars into it
"Yes sir" The mate left the room and the battle was on
Arko District
Core Den
At that same moment
Fang saw it begin, dozens upon dozens of Templars swarmed down a street being joined by others, moving swiftly towards the northern subden defenses. She flicked about, launching a feather of silver like a throwing knife. It slammed into the table Mark had set up to plan his defenses with, stabbing perfectly into the north subden's location. Signalling the attack had begun there. Two seconds later another feather lodged in the south subdens location. The Templars were trying to cut them in two, devide their numbers before going for the heart
"Classic divide and conquer..." Mark said. "Very well." He opened the radio channels, provided by Car Key, and spoke. "Snipers to your positions. Forces divide to the Sub Dens. Groups 5, 6, 7, and 8 to the Northern Sub-Den. Groups 1,2,3, and 4 to the South. Groups 9 and 10 stay in the center, prepare for anything." he barked. "Elsa, it's time to lead your people. You head to the North, I'll cover down South. Ulnaus will help you, use iall/i your senses, not what you see alone. The Templars will be trying to kill you. If you can beat me in hand-to-hand combat, you'll be fine. Guns however are a different playing field, conjure some armor, anything. Good luck." He looked to Asaca. "Go with Elsa, keep her safe." He said, giving a curt nod before a transport array appeared for them and for him. He stepped through his, and appeared at the southern Sub Den, armor conjured, sword Drawn, and Desert Eagle in its holster at his thigh.
Elsa nodded, the north was hers. Hand to hand she could handle pretty well, after all the last three years she had, with the aid of Mark and others like his twin sisters, as well as Snowfeather and Blackmane, managed to nearly completely retaking Arendelle from the Templars, If only her mother could see it now. She leaned close to him before he could leave, and kissed him lightly on the cheek "Stay safe. If things go bad, come back here at the very least, in one piece" With that she nodded and left the building, twin swords of ice forming in her hands as she headed off with some of the groups of men and women.
Asaca half smiled, go with the queen... Well, the Queen had more than enough help. "I have other orders... iKaal/i" Asaca said softly before diving into his transport array before it could fade away, all but tackling Mark on the other side "And I do not plan to abandon them. Espeically when they were given me by the Princess of Arendelle" OK so, Anna wanted Asaca to follow one simple order, and that was to ensure what Elsa said to Mark happened, in this case, make it back to the core den safely in one piece
Infact, Anna's word posibly supersceded Mark's word, but not Elsa's word. And everyone knew how stubbern Anna could be. She had agreed with Elsa concerning the wedding between her and Kristoff. And even though Elsa said they had to clear out the Templars and get Arendelle 'back on its feet' money wise, even though it had already been three years since. It was in fact worth it now that the kingdom was making money again. Which meant that more and more often Anna went out and also aided in the liberations of districts. Much to Elsas dismay
Heaven help Anna when Elsa found out she went to the Brothel looking for Tiri and ended up finding Elsa and Mark; and also the Whitesparrow that was currently getting crewed at that exact moment in order to attack a certain ship in harbor should the fight spread to the water. Or worse, fire into the district itself
Mark grunted as he was tackled, practically into a wall, by the woman who was well over a foot taller than him. Putting a hand on her shoulder, he pushed her away, his face having been buried in her chest and he huffed. "I appreciate the gesture, but you aren't my type." He said. He patted her shoulder and started walking to the barrier as she spoke, following him. "Lemme guess...keep me alive, right? Look, you knew me as Kalda...the things we're about to face, nothing like he faced. This armor is unbreakable, and I'm too stupid to get shot in the head. Protect Elsa; this Kingdom needs her, not me." he said to Asaca as he scaled the road-block, the other Assassins he sent here opening fire with their rifles and cross bows on the Templars below.
Reaching over with his sword, Mark casually tipped over a swinging bucket of hot oil onto the road in front of the center of the barricade, where the only door was built. He then tapped the bucket, catching the attention of a flame-bearer, who shot a flaming arrow into the oil, just as a Templar stepped into it, while another one burst into flames from having the oil dumped on him. The screams were...something else, Mark inhaled. "Crispy..." he growned before whislting, two arrows put those templars out of their misery before the fighting continued.
"You're too short anyway... " For a dragon at least Asaca mumbled in reply, Mark had almost gotten out of her voice range so she went quiet and thought he rest of it. She cast a glance to the sky above when a shriek of birds rang clear as she watched Princess Fang dive Bbmb into a massive mob of something out of eyesight and a dozen streets to the north before Asaca jumped the barricade to fight along side mark "Elsa has help! It is you that needs it" Mark had sent pretty much all reserves to the North subden, taking a reserve or two with him to the south, and keeping the rest at the core
What was Mark thinking ? Not even Kalda did something that undermanned when she worked with him ages before! "Mind your eyes!" Asaca said in draconic, sure Kalda knew exactly what that meant as harps sounded out of nowhere as beautiful golden energy pulsed like a flow of water on the ground and at the inital wave of Templars. Ashing the first row or two while turning the stone pavement into sheer golden rock
Mark chuckled at her response to her not being his type. Despite appearing undermanned, he was calm. "The Assassins have always been under-manned. The only non-Arendellian's here are those of us in command. Blackmane, Snowfeather. The rest of us have to be recruited as we liberate districts. Templars have quantity, we have quality. The weakest among us is worth at least two Templars. The strongest worth five Templar Captains." Mark moved his head to the side, dodging an arrow narrowly.
As Asaca used her Breathweapon, he turned his head, Kalda translating for him internally. "Any way to make that gold more shiny? If we could blind the Templars that'd be great." Mark said to her, again, calmly. While he hated Den Defenses, he'd gotten used to them, and covered up his hatred for them with a unnerving calmness. He sheathed his sword, and grabbed his DEagle, racking it before taking aim, shooting into groups of Templars, watching them fall together as the bullet travelled through three bodies, sending them flying with their comrades, which were then picked off by the snipers and other Assassins. Whenever the Templars got too close, which Mark deemed to be the golden Brick line that Asaca had just made, he let out a sharp whistle, and specially trained Shock Assassins jumped into the fray to disrupt Enemy Lines for a few seconds before another volley of arrows took them out.
It was effective, if not brutally so.
Asaca easily caught the arrow as it missed Mark, flicking her wrist she sent it blisteringly fast back where it came, lodged in the eye of the Templar that fired it, the man fell out of the window he'd been hidden in. "Not even Kalda, The Silver I trained to adapt was this braindead!" Asaca said before catching and forcing Marks gun up and out of her face. "And if you are him, then you must remember some of his training too." She aimed his wrist, the pistol fired, taking dowm three more templars
Mark paused, pulling the trigger once more, another group of Templars falling. "You are both right and wrong. You are right in the sense that I remember what you taught Kalda, but you are wrong in assuming that it automatically makes me Kalda. I am Mark Wolfe of Arendelle, and I am an Assassin." He said sternly to her. He squeezed the trigger, and five Templar heads turned to pink mist.
"Templars are stupid; they're not like what Kalda faught. Besides, are you too dull to realize that this is only the first wave? I do believe it was you who taught Kalda to not waste all his resources and energy in one swift blow? Particularly when dealing with older opponents?" he turned to look the woman dead in the eye. Kalda's old snarkiness was certainly showing, but so was Mark's own brand. The man was right, he wasn't Kalda, but he did remember the teachings. "Besides, I can't adapt if there's nothing to adapt to yet. Templars will be Templars, and that means charging down a street like brain dead chickens." he shrugged, finger off his gun's trigger before he holstered it.
"Then at least remember to keep moving and dont make yourself a target like I taught you, OK ?" Asaca said simply. "You are more than an Assassin, you are more than a Man, You were once Her Champion. The Fifth Son," Asaca explained "I taught Kalda for two hundred years" A swarm of Templars mobbed them, the two briefly went back to back in a circle, slicing down Templars for a span of a good mionute or so before having a brief breather. "At the very least, Try to use some of those skills." Another arrow was fired, it easily bounced off the purple scales that covered Asaca's slender yet tall form.
A lower ranking assassin came to him, and handed him a Rifle; an old M1 Carbine. Older than dirt at this point, but still brutally effective against softly armored targets like these. Round after round, magazine after magazine, and body after body fell to the ground as Mark and the Assassin's held this side of the District with ease.
When the first wave was done, Mark clapped his hands. "Build a barricade out of their bodies! They have numbers, but they are not as mentally strong as us! They will falter when it comes to this!" Mark called out, and work began immediately. Just in front of the golden bricks a barrier of dead Templar Bodies was built, with a narrow gap in the middle to funnel them into a bottleneck, ripe for the sniping and picking. They wouldn't be getting through it in one peice.
Asaca for once, smiled. with an approving nod she saew it happening before her. Mark, like she had taught Kalda. Was starting to adapt to his enviroment. With a flick of the wrist her magic activated, and the golden stonework cracked and groaned, swiftly turning to sand as the stone was removed of the gold. Which soon formed bracepoints and also reformed the damaged fountain of the south subden. But there was always thr chance that seeing their dead comrades used in such a way could only boost the Templars morale
Arendelle
Unknown District
At that same moment
Normally they were in their fathers study, but at that moment they were on the back deck, a screened porch so to speak with a shadowy map of the Arko District between them, four children, all of them adults actually, were listening intently to their father as he detailed the Dukes plan, and its many flaws. However there was some good of it, according to the real time information on the shadowmap of the battle and the remaining Templars attacking two smaller dens within the district in an effort to divide and conqure the attacks also divided Elsa from her bodyguard. Which meant orders given. Orders in as much that two were to attack the North subden with a legion of Shadows, and two to attack the south subden with a legion of Shadows.
"Jr, you're going for the Queen, Taris, her boyfriend." Draco said. He looked to the twins, Sutri and Nasty. "Nasty you want your revenge for your ammateur chest surgery, so you will go after her Bodyguard with Taris. Sutri, the Queen." Draco sat back into his chair, and took from the side-table beside him a glass of wine, taking a drink. "Kill them, and their whole plan, and Kingdom, fall apart. Do this, and you will all be greatly rewarded. Fail, and it is a week in the pits. For all of you." he said sternly.
"Am I understood?"
The four stood straight before bowing, a resounding "Yes Father," ringing out in unison. There was a knock at the door, and it opened, the smell of Drunk wafted in.
"Brutus."
"Father." the eldest son wheeled in about five crates of Draconian Whiskey, and another four of Draconian Wine; Draco's favorite beverages as of late. "Your shipment." he turned to look at the map, pulling out a flask from his pocket and taking a swig. "Looks gross." he said as he looked over the plan. He blinked slowly and shrugged. "I'd say just send the runts to the center and have the defending line collapse on itself. But what do I know, I'm just a drunk." he said, shrugging. He gave a curt bow. "Father. Runts." he turned and left with that.
Jr's fist balled tight, and Draco snapped his fingers. "Do that and you'll end up in the pits for a month after he's done with you. He idid/i hatch first. He is the biggest of all of you. He's also surprisingly smart." Jr growled in discontent. "Keep that up and I'll name him Jr and you Brutus." Draco barked, his expression unchanging as he took another drink of wine.
"Go over the plan amongst yourselves. Get it done." he then melted into Shadow, taking his wine with him. A Kobold took the crates of alcohol and took them to the cellar for safe storage.
As their father, and their older brother left, Nasty smirked; already carefully taking in her fathers words and going over things carefully, the Dukes movements divied up the queen from her bodyguard, the same man who had hurt her. Thankfully her fathers magic and her own shadows had rebuilt what the Silver had torn away, but it still left bleeding scars across her chest and neck. Crossing her arms the younger purple eyed twin carefully plotting out an attack pattern, but it was Taris that spoke to calm her brother
"Father is right. Brutus may be drunk. but he is stronger," Taris said thoughtfully, trust the runt of the entire litter, -the first one of the five to make her OWN Shadowling ontop of that because she overheard their fathers shadowlings debating on who to tell him the news of where their mother was, And then Jr got his own Kobold Guard unit A few days later- to actually talk sense and be treated as an equal. "Brutus hatched first, it makes him the oldest"
"And you the youngest" Nasty said simply, Taris didnt care what her siblings thought about her anymore, she had her own Shadowlings now, that was all that mattered. Finally Nasty nodded. "Alright, Taris and I take the south area. You guys get the north. Papa is counting on us to get this done, and for once done correctly. We may be his children, but it wont stop him from punishing us if we fail. Besides, I want to get back at the idiot for his... attempt at body remodeling"
"So we take the bodyguard. Wonderful" Taris started mapping out the battlefield. The fastest way to target and move, fast, if the need came to it. But her sister already had a plan. They each had a section of their fathers Legion at their command for this fight, they werent going to fail.
"And we get the Queen. This will not be easy." Sutri said, looking over the map. At Jr's confused, over-confident look, she continued. "She's practically mastered her magic, she's had combat training from her self-same body-guard, and rumor has it she can beat him in said combat. Without her Magic." Her eyes narrowed.
"So we focus her, the two of us, our Legions focus the regular lackies?" Jr leaned forward, furrowing his eyebrows.
"That's my thought process, unless you've got a better plan." At the shake of Jr's head, she smiled and nodded. "Alright. Our plans are set. It's time to execute them. Do remember the punishment for failure." she said. The other three nodded and vanished into the shadows.
As the four faded into their respective shadows to begin their assault, the map of Arko also faded into nothing ever so slowly and it also showed a ship floating into the harbor, a truly massive ship. What its purpose was none knew... yet. But it made the commander of the other ship rather nervous...