Before I begin, I need to say something.
Three days ago, my father died from what was likely a heart attack. I came home that afternoon having been out all day, only to see him shaking and vomiting on the back patio. I had to call the ambulance, try my best to look after him while they got to my house, help the paramedics in various ways, inform my stepmother of what was happening and then comfort her and stepbrother when she arrived. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, the paramedics could not save his life in time. I've had to tell my own brother as well as my extended family.
It's been rough for me, and while I am managing to cope with it right now, I can't say for the future. Chapters might stop coming for a bit, or maybe they will stay consistent, I have no clue.
As for this chapter, I don't know if quality will be lessened or if it's about on par with the normal, but all I am asking is that you please excuse me if my writing is a bit off/over the place.
A loud, frightened gasp came from Emery, her hands covering her lower face and terror reigned supreme across her features.
Arahan noticed Brandan's grip tighten on his sword handle. She placed an hand on his arm and shook her head when he looked over. Arahan looked over at her sister, who's eyes were narrowed and flying all over the terrain, looking for sentries and spotters most likely. Naestra noticed her look and shook her head in confirmation.
"Sister, spot us a route through the horde please, we cannot aid these humans without delaying our mission significantly." Arahan said commandingly. Naestra sadly frowned slightly but started to look around the edges of the sieging Greenskin army. Brandan gave her a betrayed look.
"What?! Surely we can't abandon the people of Montfort to the beasts!?" Brandan exclaimed. Arahan sighed while Naestra smile changed to one of self-disappointment. Brandan scoffed in disbelief, "You can't be serious, Lady Arahan? Even you, Lady Naestra? We simply can't, it's outright betrayal and cowardliness!" Naestra looked down at the ground below her while Arahan looked directly into the Questing Knight's eyes with dark and serious eyes.
"Brandan, three warriors, even of our calibre, will not be able to break this siege. Sure, we could help, and once Naestra and I resupply ourselves, we could perhaps assassinate the Greenskin leader or commit some other action that would severely weaken the Greenskins, but we have a mission that we must attend to, and this could carry on for weeks. Besides, with this human girl, we probably wouldn't be able to make a break to the gates of Montfort, she is has no armour, no shields and on a pack mule. Even if we had her ride with one of us, she lacks our dodging ability or your durability." Arahan finished warily.
Brandan growled viciously while Emery watched the two fearfully.
"Well, um, if y-y-you need, you could a-a-a-a-abandon me here to get there. I c-c-could ride for P-P-Parravon to get help t-there?" Emery stuttered out frightfully. Arahan merely chuckled darkly.
"Please, girl, you would soon get killed by a roaming Greenskin then make it to Parravon." Arahan said with a deadpan look.
Brandan muttered angerly in Bretonnian and drew his longsword swiftly.
"Lady Arahan, I made my oath to accompany you, but I refuse to sit by and let Castle Montfort fall to violent beasts that seek to slaughter and devour my people! Take Miss Emery with you, I shall rush to aid the defenders then find you sometime after we drive the Greenskins back to Massif Orcal!" Brandan declared with finality.
Arahan groan in annoyance, "Really? REALLY?! Do you honestly think your little castle will be able to beat back the Greenskins by itself?! They are doom! One knight will change nothing, you hear me? Nothing!" Arahan shouted angrily, glaring at the determined knight. The two edged forwards slightly, faces closing as Arahan's hand slowly started to stray to her hip.
"STOP FIGHTING YOU...YOU...FUCKING IDIOTS!" The two cringed visibly at Emery's bellowing screaming as tears started falling down her face, as did Naestra, who looked back at the trio and eyes widened at the state of her companions.
Emery covered her face and started sobbing devastatingly. Naestra scowled at the two and urged her horse over to the poor girl, wrapping an arm around her in comfort.
Arahan took a deep breath and exhaled while Brandan raised a hand and started massaging his temple.
She looked at the knight with a hard but sympathetic look.
"Look, Brandan, I hate just leaving the Greenskins to sack and pillage to their foul heart's content just as much as you do, but like I said, we probably won't be able to make enough of a difference to save this place and even if we did, my sister and I simply can't afford to lift a siege when we are needed for something else." Araha said tiredly. The knight nodded his head in understanding.
"I understand, Lady Arahan, I apologise for my rudeness, however, I must aid them, as a knight of Bretonnia and undertaking the Questing Vow." Brandan responded definitively. Arahan merely shrugged and waved him forward.
"If you must, then consider your promise to me satisfied until you can re-join us at a later date." Arahan announced with reluctance. Before Brandan could respond, Naestra suddenly pulled Emery from the pack mule and placed the girl in front of her. A loud howl echoed behind them.
"Wolf Riders! We must ride for the Castle, we have no choice!" Naestra yelled while spurring her horse forward, Emery screamed with terror while desperately gripping on to whatever she could hold. Arahan and Brandan sprang into action, riding hard after Naestra. Arahan briefly looked behind them as a large pack of wolves came running out from where they had been arguing. Goblins yelled excitedly from their backs as they wildly swung shoddy weapons around.
Raising her hand to her mouth, Arahan gave a piercing whistle that echoed around them. A few of the wolves paused and ran away, much to their riders' confusion. A few more suddenly lunged at the riders of other wolves, tearing them apart with savage fury only to be killed by vengeful goblins. Unfortunately, there was still far too many wolves that did not react to Arahan's whistle, much to the elf's displeasure.
A few stray arrows flew at the fleeing trio, but fortunately the winding mountainside path prevented the goblins from accurately aiming at them. They slowly drew closer and closer to horde's edge, Arahan noticed a minute part of the horde started to move towards where the mountain path ended as if to cut them off from reaching the Castle.
"Sister! Brandan! We need to get through these Greenskins! Ideas?!" Naestra shouted back at the two. The knight looked but shook his head. Arahan looked towards the thinning gap between the main horde and the small group cutting them off.
"Keep to the path! When we are but a few hundred metres away, break towards the main horde and through the gap!" Arahan instructed with a shout. An arrow flew past her head, far too close for comfort. "Don't ride in a straight line, the path is straightening out, the goblins' aim will get better!" Arahan watched as Emery looked at her from over Naestra's shoulder. "And keep your head down, girl!" Arahan added with a snarl.
As they raced down the path, the Greenskins reached the end of the path far before they reached it, cutting them off from riding directly to Castle Montfort. Luckily for Arahan's idea, there was plenty of room for them to manoeuvre around, and the Greenskin lines were indeed left thinned, though Arahan started to doubt if they could make it through the Greenskin horde unharmed.
Greenskins roared in excitement as they drew closer and closer. Naestra and Arahan shared a quick glance at each other before pulling to the left and around the foul beasts, the Questing Knight following in suit.
The Greenskins were shouting at them in rage and ran back towards the main horde, desperately trying to cut them off again. The thinned lines in front of them, however, turned around and began charging at them with a loud waaagh. Arahan scowled and drew her spear before looking over at Brandan, who nodded his head in confirmation. The two pulled ahead of Naestra, who pulled back behind them and drew her sword, keeping a solid grip on a terrified Emery with her other arm.
Arahan directed the trio towards a large battalion of goblins, mostly armed with small blades and a few odd spears. Small pockets of orcs stood in the group, keeping the smaller Greenskins in line with brutal force. Arahan started spinning her spear in her hand with grim eagerness.
Their horses crashed into the Greenskins, trampling the small creatures under their hoofs while their riders swung their weapons wildly around them, carving a path through the goblins. A spear flew at Arahan and sliced through her arm painfully. Across from her, a goblin jumped at Brandan, latching on to the knight and clawing viciously at him. The Questing Knight grabbed the goblin and threw it at a passing orc, making the larger Greenskin pause in amused surprise.
Behind them, Emery screamed as an orc swung a large polearm at her and Naestra. The elf managed to parry it aside but an arrow suddenly appeared in her stomach, narrowly missing Emery. Naestra grimaced but rode on in pain.
There was still at least a few hundred metres before they would manage to escape the goblin line, but as Arahan narrowly dodged a spear aimed at her eye, she couldn't help but despair. They weren't going to make it. Brandan's armour was being rented and torn and Naestra was bleeding badly from her arrow wound, face paling as Emery desperately tried to stop the blood. Arahan had dozens of cuts across her, and started to feel weaker as they rode on.
Looking around, she could see many of the Greenskins from the main horde starting to relocate around, moving over towards them, probably thinking they would be in for a good fight.
Slicing off a trio of goblin's head's, Arahan eyed the damned castle with furious disdain. Was this to be her final death? For some pathetic humans and their stupid castle?
Emery tore a sleeve from her blouse with her teeth, tears flowing down her face as she held tightly to Naestra. She desperately tried to wrap the sleeve around the arrow wound. It soaked red with blood, but it wasn't working good enough, it wasn't working!
She hugged the elf tightly.
"Sigmar, see us through this and help Naestra..." she said tearfully. The elf briefly looked down at her with an faint smile. An blade flew passed them and Emery cried out. Naestra swung and stabbed through the offending creature in retaliation.
"We'll make it, Emery." Naestra said painfully.
As they reach about halfway through the evil creatures, Emery heard a loud horn behind her, coming from the direction of the Castle. She braved a look behind her.
From the massive gates of Castle Montfort, dozens and dozens of knights charged forth, followed by hundreds of marching soldiers. Flaming arrows flew from the walls as large rocks soared over them into the horde. An ear-shattering waaaagh came the horde as the knights slammed into the them.
Emery's eyes widened in awe and fear.
A number of knights looped around towards them. They slammed into the rear of the small green monsters and tore them apart with ease. Lances pierced through multiple of them while swords and maces rose and fell onto the beasts.
"Naestra! We're gonna make it!" Emery shouted with relief. Naestra pulled her tightly against her as they raced towards the knights. Emery watched Arahan look back at them with concern, probably for Naestra more than her. A pair of knights looped around them and rode next to them, leading them towards the castle gates. One of the knights looked over at them and pointed at the gates in confirmation.
They soon reached the lines of men-at-arms that let them through to the castle. Looking out at the battle, Emery watched as a horn sounded and the Bretonnians retreated back to the gates. Many of the creatures tried to rush towards the gates, but the knights and soldiers reached it far before they could, and the gates slammed shut as archers continued to fire down from the walls. They were directed up through multiple layers of the castle, along with a large number of knights that came around them. A tall man in ornate armour rode towards the four of them. He was covered in blood and was directing many of the knights around them. As he reached them and their two knight escorts, he said something Bretonnian to the two knights.
They fell in line with him and he looked over at them, eyes hidden under a knightly great helm.
"I would ask you company me to my keep. Now." said the knight with authority. Emery nodded at the knight while the other three did something to resemble a nod. Naestra took a shuddering breath and leaned down into Emery.
They quickly arrived at the keep and a number of people came out into the courtyard. A older man in fine clothes walked over to the leading knight and spoke with him in Bretonnian. The knight pointed over at them as he dismounted his horse, which was taken away by a stablehand and another man started checking the knight for injuries. The knight walked over to them with the older man, pulling off his helmet. He had cropped dark hair and an intense look, but he seemed very concerned for them, and Emery couldn't deny, he was quite attractive. He looked over them before waving the healer towards them.
Brandan stumbled off his horse, and collapsed to the ground, taking deep, painful breaths as dozens and dozens of cuts and stabs covered his body. Meanwhile, Arahan managed to get off her horse with far more composure, but was still limping from a large cut on her right leg.
Naestra groaned painfully as she tried to dismount her horse, but ended up falling off with a groan, accidently pulling Emery off with her.
She got up with a moan but quickly turned to Naestra with panic.
"Naestra?! Naestra are you ok?!" Emery shouted panickily, checking her wound. Her makeshift bandage with completely soaked and the wound was leaking a disgusting green substance. Emery pulled her hand away from the wound as the healer kneeled next to her.
"Please move, girl, she needs my aid." he said loudly and clearly, cutting through her panic. Arahan stumbled behind her and pulled Emery back by her shoulder.
"Come here girl, Naestra is a tough woman, she'll be fine." Arahan said through clenched teeth. Emery got up with a growl, but did as she was asked. The knight was talking to Brandan, who was leaning against a nearby wall in pain.
The two reached them quickly and the knight turned to face them.
"I am Duke Folcard, Lord of Montfort. I have spoken with your companion, but I want to speak to you myself. Who are you and why are you here?" Duke Folcard demanded.
Emery shuddered slightly as Arahan spoke up.
"Travelling through to Bordeleaux. Only reason we are here is because we got pushed into fleeing here by goblin wolf riders." Arahan explained.
The Duke nodded in understanding, "I see. Sir Brandan mentioned you were discussing whether to aid us or not. I do not fault you for not wishing to aid us, elf, I can understand your reluctance. Regardless, while I pray your other companion recovers and even if it wasn't your intent, your surprise arrival gave me a chance to deliver a strong blow to the Greenskin's artillery. With that gone, we have a far greater chance of success."
Arahan rolled her eyes and nodded and Emery bowed politely. A trio of servants came over to them as Duke Folcard continued.
"Have these two taken to the healer's rooms." He gestured to Arahan and Brandan before turning to Emery. "Are you injured, miss?" Emery shook her head. "Then I bid you come with me." Folcard began walking towards the keep entrance as the servants walked the two to a set of buildings. Emery quickly followed after the lord.
"D-Did you need something from me, sir?" Emery said with an embarrassing stutter. The Duke pulled the gauntlets from his hands and handed them to the finely dress man that was still quietly following them.
"Yes, according to Sir Brandan, you were at the village of Mordeau when it was sacked by Greenskins. I am terribly sorry I couldn't send aid." Folcard said sadly. Emery had heard he cared for his people, but she didn't expect genuine sorrow about the loss of a village.
Emery coughed briefly, "Well, um, considering the circumstances, I'm sure they would understand why." she said neutrally. She didn't live there, for all she knew they were cursing his name. Folcard nodded as they entered a great hall. Emery looked around the room with awe. It was massive, with fine art lining the walls and a massive table stretching the length of the room while a fine throne made from carved stone stood in the distant end of the hall on a dais.
While she could imagine this room being used by the lords and ladies of Bretonnia for a grand feast, currently it was being used as a command centre. Numerous knights were stood around the table, loudly discussing all kinds of matters. She overheard one talking about their food supplies, another about housing refugees and yet another discussing repairing militia gear.
"Emery, I need to ask." Folcard started as they neared the end of the table, "About these two elves. Do you think they are up to something nefarious? While I trust the honour of a Questing Knight, for all I know, he was lied to himself."
Emery paused for a moment to think.
"Well, um, I've only known them for about a day now. I have no idea sir. Besides, I'm from the Empire, why trust what I say anyway?" Emery said curiously.
"We may not be from the same nation, or worship the same god, but we are both human." Folcard explained simply. "Regardless, even if you don't know much of their goals or wants, do you think having them here is a risk to Montfort?"
Emery hummed thoughtfully before responding, "They saved my life sir and took me with them when they didn't have to. I doubt they mean any harm. The white haired lady? Arahan? She just wanted to avoid getting involved entirely and Naestra is really kind, I doubt she would seek to harm anything unless she had to."
Folcard sighed tiredly and nodded. "I'll take your word, for now." He turned to the older man, "Take her to her companions, she should stay with them. If they need anything inform me and I will permit it." The man nodded and gestured for her to follow.
Emery quickly followed after the man, but as they left, she thought she saw a slight movement by a nearby window.
