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[Shihan Reckoning]

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Arriving at the request of the Duchess, Shihan found himself outside the House of the Gauntlet headquarters waiting on the Duke. Duke Will Kaldhel had gone on a reconnaissance mission upon hearing reports of an expansion of the Ophidian’s base of operations in several cities had reached the Royal Court of Light late the day before.

The Duchess Molly Kaldhel was rallying the troops for an assault on the snake creatures and she wanted the latest information possible as to where to send her forces that she was building. Contacting other alliance and RCL member guilds she found several already engaged in the fight around the kingdom.

The duke arrived with his gathered information on the expansion of the fighting going on in Vesper, Skara Brae, and Serpents Hold by the ever expanding horde of snake creatures.

Looking over the new reconnaissance and current war plans made by other guilds the choice was made to try to help a fellow Royal Court of Light guild and move on Skara Brae from the Britain moongate side.

The war party gathered and moved into the outskirts and farming area of Skara Brae after transiting to the area. Almost before they had gotten into the area they were jumped even farther away from the city than they had expected. An Ophidian mage recruit jumped out at them from behind a farmer’s house attacking the scout that had been sent ahead. Retreating back to the party and bringing the snake behind it the creature never stood a chance. The party leaders realized though that the situation was fare worse than they had imagined. Setting up fighting ranks and moving into the fields more tentatively the fight soon became fully involved. Orders were given, people moved quickly, healers, fighters, mages, tamers all working in a swift front dispatching the creatures as they came at them wave after wave.

The recruits thrown at them by the Ophidians were no match. This seemed to enrage the foe so he started using heavier troops the farther they moved into the battle. Lieutenants, berserkers, GENERALS, started coming in the ever increasing wave of slithering opponents. The battle was heated. The mage’s summoning creatures to distract the opponent and keep the direct attack to a minimum. The warrior’s and tamer’s fighting and slaying the largest creatures as they came through the line of magically summoned creatures. The battle ebbed and flowed as the lines ebbed and surged. Orders to move forward, to take and hold positions, to cover flanks were given and followed. It was all working so well.

Murphy is this guy Shihan met one day. He was a strange fellow with an absolutely appalling sense of timing and the ability to “FUBAR” any good thing that happened. The gentlemen must have been on the battle field helping them this night.

Duke Kaldhel was fighting off a attack from the rear and was fighting the creature one on one. The duchess recognized the gravity of the situation and turned her Hiyru to assist the in his fight. The large creature was an Ophidian General and was not going to die so easily. It realized that the duchess was now unprotected and left its fight with the duke and turned itself away from the giant bird that had been sent to kill it and went after the duchess herself. She was no match for the creature coming at her. Duke Kaldhel jumped at the creature coming down on its back trying to hold it off. His beloved was now a target and he was not going to allow the overgrown snake from attacking her. The Hiyru attacked and bit a large bite out of its arm but the creature continued it progress. Will took a huge hit but it worked. The creature finally turned back on him but it now had the upper hand. The Duke was now fighting for his life. The duchess screamed for help and with her nerves already shaken she cast a healing spell on her husband with the last of her strength. It must have been enough because between the birds attack and summoned creature the duke was now watching the snake general die. He turned to smile at his wife and was suddenly stricken with grief. The duchess had gone down down. She was not under attack, but she fell just the same. The Duke was beside her was in a flurry of movement. Shihan had been overlooking the front of the fight and summoning creatures suddenly realized that the duchess go down. “Circle, guard the Duchess he ordered.” He watched as the duke picked her up and carried her to a nearby tree. She was not moving and the duke was attending her. “House Gauntlet we make a stand her.” Ordered duke Kaldhel and Shihan gathered the troops to defend the position.

Minutes seemed like hours as an attempt was made to revive the stricken duchess. The fight intensified, and they found themselves surrounded not being able to move from position to position. People were reduced to one on one fighting. Protecting the backs of others as the battle raged. Here and there the line would break and someone would fill in as they could. The smell of flesh as flame strikes and energy bolts blackened the foes. Weapons swung till arms were weak and still they fought. They thought about moving the stricken woman but the duke insisted that they stand till they could bring her around. He did not want to chance hurting their unborn child if it was not necessary. Galvanized to protect there liege lords, the troops fought on with valor, cunning, and vigor.

Moaning the duchess came about as suddenly as she had passed out. She was weak and at first disoriented but soon was able to stand. “Fall back to the north.” Order Shihan as soon as he realized they could move again. The running battle as they fell back was not much of a fight. The Ophidians seemed happy to let them leave as they drew down the road and only gave a minimal chase. Bloody and sweaty they took a quick account of the troops when they were far enough behind the lines. It was amazing that there was so little damage. It seemed that most of the gore was not really theirs. Tired? Yes. The group started slapping each other on the backs and counting the kills.

The duchess was feeling much better when they opened a gate for the troops to return to the guild headquarters. She was saying she had not been feeling as spry as she wished since she realized she was pregnant. “Well not the most gracious way to return from a fight and we never did meet up with the other group, but I would say we did very well tonight in the fight against the vile snakes.”

“Yes mam, we did better than I would have expected considering the problems that arose.” Shihan said.

“Ok Shihan, Please put together a after action report for the records and have it for me in morning.”

“Yes mam’



Royal Court of Light

After Action Report

Date: 13 August 06

From: Shihan Reckoning
To: Grand Duke and Duchess Kaldhel

SUBJ: SKARA BRAE SKIRMISH

Ref: a) reconnaissance reports of 13 August 06

1. Mission to Skara Brae by House Gauntlet forces against the Ophidian assault on the town was successful. Forces were able to take and hold ground including the protection of a farmer’s house on the outskirts of Skara Brae. Action and intelligence gathered filled with ref a.
2. Noted for honorary service were the actions of LLH and Alyas for superb gallantry in action.
3. Only minor casualties were taken during the battle.
4. Body count for battle is incomplete but it seems that we were quite successful with their leadership. Numbers are only on confirmed not possible.
Ophidian Generals killed: 5 Confirmed
Ophidian Lieutenants Killed: 7 Confirmed


Sincerely,

Shihan Reckoning

Enclosure:
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