After the battle, the castle courtyard is a ruin, strewn with Oathkeeper and soldiers' bodies, some dead horses, and the bodies of some dead castle servants, men, women and children. The Vorghol lurk within, gathering for another attack.
As Kane dismounts, chatter goes up among the people in the Keep. Smeared with blood, drenched with wet snow, chill with the winter's wind,Kane is a fearsome sight. He staggers up to where Thragga is being healed and says, "How is he?", then he stumbles to one knee and then sits down where he is.
Khom-Bei says, "He'll live, but he's going to be sore in the morning."
Kane looks grim and nods.
A voice challenges the last riders to enter. "Who has lost my castle?" King Garrovic demands, now awake from his stupor and furious. His eyes are red, his hair a tangle, his breath reeking of wine. He has seen none of the battle this night. "My fortress! Heads will roll. And we will start with those! They should never have been let within!"
He draws his blade and points at where Kane and Khom-Bei tend to Thragga. "Death to the Nedri!"
Thragga sits up and mutters to Khom-Bei, disgusted, "Are we going to be killed again?"
Khom-Bei says, "I don't know, Thragga, but I'm tired of this drunken fool."
There is general dismay among the Ress warriors. The King slept through the battle and here he is, late. Joric, the King's nephew, who battled by Kane's side in the courtyard scant moments ago, steps between the King and the Nedri warriors. "No, your Grace." he says, arms folded. "We shall not."
The King advances, menacing Kane with his blade. He purples with rage.
Khom-Bei steps into the Kings line of travel and raises his hand, "Stop!"
Kane rolls his bloody splattered head up to look te King in the eye. "So much for the valor of Ress. Strike me then, when I an sorely wounded in defense of these very walls. I for one have had enough of this farce."
Garrovic is halted by Khom-Bei's command. He goggles at Kane, furious, but stilled. "You dare?" But no man lifts a blade to help him.
Kane looks the King up and down once then turns his attention away for him as if dismissing him. "The Powers have written down in their great books the day I will die. If this is the day, then so be it."
Joric hisses, "See reason, your Grace. These men are our allies, no less! I saw them on the wall, we all did. Without their aid, without their warning, we would now be prisoners of the Vorghol. Or worse!" The Oathkeepers and soldiers nod, affirming the truth of these words.
Khom-Bei sneers at the King, "If any of us live to see the dawn, perhaps you'll be sober enough to see what is before your face. Until then, leave the fighting to the warriors."
Thragga rises, unsteadily, and stands beside his friends.
Garrovic hurls his weapon from him, where it clangs against the stone wall of the chamber. He turns away, tearing a tapestry from the wall and roaring in rage.He spits, "This is not done, Nedri!" Then he storms from the chamber, raging.
The steely tension in the room relents. Garvin sets a bloodstained hand on Khom-Bei's shoulder. "Ye spoke what we all think, lad..."
Khom-Bei snorts, "And this man is of the blood that flowed through the veins of Leonic?"
Joric nods respectfully to Kane and Khom-Bei, then follows his uncle from the room.
Kane says, "Enough Khom-bei, peace. Kings are just men with crowns after all. None of us are perfect."
Garvin shrugs. "Blood can be thinned by wine, it'd seem." He waves off a Castle healer's attentions, directing the man to labor at Kane's wound's instead.
Khom-Bei nods, his head bowed by his labors, "You're right, Kane, I'm simply tired of leaders who cannot see the fight when it is in front of them."
Kane turns to Garvin and says, "Garvin, you must see to your defences. This battle is far from over."
Garvin says, glancing at a tall, unglazed window nearby, through which fat wet snowflakes drift, "Y'spoke of the dawn, Khom-Bei." He seems to have just realized something. "The sun should be soon over the hills, and force the Vorghol to seek cover. But still 'tis as dark as midnight outside."
The Castle healer sets out an array of bandages and poultices for Kane's care.
Rhyan and his lancers enter the chamber, still wearing armor and spurs. "Well fought, warriors," says the tall man. "Well fought indeed. We are safe here, perhaps for a long time. We have food and drink aplenty, and they shall not take a castle of the Westwall so easily. So what think you of the Beast's next move?"
Kane says, "My guess is they will try to attack again soon to push their way through. I don't think they want a long seige."
Garvin nods. "I concur. They hardly brought enough troops to hold all the Castle. Surely this is th'vanguard of a larger force on its way t'us."
Kane says, ""If there was a larger force on its way, wouldn't you expect the Beast to be leading it? Their kind rarely shows much patience. They have probably figured out that you have reinforcements on the way."
The healer pulls needle and thread from his kit and commences to sewing on a long, jagged wound in Kane's midsection.
Khom-Bei stands and stares out the window into the darkness, "This bodes ill for us, Kane. It is as if the Shroud has moved over us here."
Thragga shrugs near Khom-Bei. He's glad the sun is not coming up; it's rough on his eyes. "What, a little darkness, Northerling?"
Kane thanks the healer for his service, then turns to Khom-bei and says, "As you can create daylight for short periods of time... could this not be something similar that they are doing with darkness?
Rhyan says, thoughtfully, "The Shroud? Here?"
Khom-Bei says, "I can push back the darkness for a few moments during battle, but to hold the dawn in check?"
Kane says, "Are there not clouds in the sky? It would be a dark day, anyway...Would this not help in the working of their magic?"
Thragga glowers.
Khom-Bei shakes his head, "Whatever the weather would be today, there are powerful magicks at work here. The Beasts' foul construct, the lingering darkness, and..." Khom-bei breaks off, glancing at the Castellan.
Rhyan demands, "And what?"
Khom-Bei frowns, "I would tell you of your sisters' fate at another time, Castellan."
A runner pushes into the chamber. "Castellan, the Beast demands parley before the walls, with the King! But the King is not to be found!"
Kane says, "There is no bargaining with Vorghol, you must not except. The King in his condition might be vunerable to them."
Khom-Bei says, "He is right, Castellan. The Dark Ones prey on weakened minds.""
Rhyan stares at Khom-Bei a long moment, then Kane, before responding to the messenger. "Locate him. I will treat with the Beast until he is found."
The Castellan nods, then indicates you should all accompany him to the parapet of the Keep.
Kane says, "Rhyan, these people do not bargain. You would do better to spend the time planning your counterattack."
Khom-Bei glances at his companions and frowns, "There can be no good from meeting with the Beast."
Garvin says, "Take their rede, Castellan. These men know of what they speak."
Rhyan says, "The King of Ress cannot be seen to hide from this Vorghol. Someone must speak for him."
Khom-Bei says, "Tell them that the King will not speak to murderers and cowards in shadow, but do not bargain with them."
Kane stands and faces Rhyan, "If you must then I will go with you."
Thragga stands by Kane's shoulder. "And me. "
Moments later, you stand atop the wet parapet of the Keep, overlooking the large courtyard beneath. Fat snowflakes still fall from a midnight-dark, moonsless sky. No trace of dawn is seen in the east. Rhyan is there, with Kane, Khom-Bei, Thragga, Garvin, and some other knights standing near. Archers and crossbowmen, many wounded, stand ready to cover any treachery.
In the courtyard forty feet below, the bloated Beast waits, on his white horse, with his mounted bodyguards and others nearby. There are nearly four score Vorghol warriors arrayed in ranks, weapons drawn, a restless mass of predators. The colossus is not to be seen. The Beast is burly, huge even at this remove, a muscular figure with a permanent smirk and a shock of red hair. He looks up as the Castellan enters.
"Greetings!" Baron Thumgath, called the Beast roars, his voice deep and resonant, and used to cruelty and mockery. "Yours is not the face on the coinage of Ress, and so you are not His Grace, hm?"
Rhyan scowls. "His Grace does not treat with murderers and cowards, Vorghol."
The Beast chuckles. A laugh of someone who has killed countless over the centuries, and grown to enjoy it. His multiple chins waggle as he laughs, and his warriors join in. "We are all murderers, little Reith. Even you. And as for cowards, who dared attack your mighty castle?"
Thragga mutters, "I could take that bastard..."
Khom-Bei chuckles softly, "You may get your chance, Thragga."
Kane whispers, "Hold your tongues, Rhyan speaks here."
Rhyan responds, "Your taunts bore me, Baron! Speak your piece. The King has no time for Vorghol trash."
The Beast says, with a fanged grin. "To business, then! Your walls are taken. Your reinforcements are waylaid by mine own, which approach even now. The sun will not rise this night until I command it. You cannot hold out. Another attack from my colossus and you will all die. Surrender, and I promise a merciful end to your current lives. To the most valorous, I promise the beginning to a new one!"
Kane whispers to Rhyan, "He bluffs."
Rhyan nods to Kane's comment. "Think you so?"
Khom-Bei snorts softly and mutters, "A merciful death? I prefer one that is worthwhile."
Kane says, "He would attack with his colossus now if he could.""
Khom-Bei says, "Perhaps he cannot maintain the abomination and hold back the dawn?"
Kane says, "We must undo this unholy darkness, that is the key to our success.""
Rhyan turns back to the wall and spits. "Vorghol filth. If you look for new servants, seek elsewhere. Every Ressi stands tall against you."
Kane shouts, "We guard!"
The Beast smirks. "Of course. Defiance. These warriors here, each one was defiant before they were Turned. Now...every one of them serves me." He puts a fat hand on his armored chest. He tilts his head. "You there...who is that on the wall? A Nedri?" His nostrils flare with the scent. "I know you, Nedri. Surely...we have met. Long ago, in Dolgur?"
Rhyan glances sidelong at Kane as the Beast addresses him.
Kane says, "Perhaps, Vorghol. But be sure of this, next time we meet, my blade will cure what ails you. No man cheats death forever.""
The Beast laughs at this. "It has been long since I was a man, sir! But no matter. How say you, Oathkeeper? Simply open the Keep door, and we will have an end to this night. I assure you, in an hour, you will be glad you did. Isn't that right, my lovelies?" he asks his warriors. They all simper and preen and cheer as their Baron grins and laughs.
Kane whispers to Rhyan, "What does he take you for, a fool?"
Rhyan is silent a long moment, then calls, "My answer is this: come and take us. If you can."
At Rhyan's word, the Beast signals to his men. Another small party of warriors rides into the courtyard, through the broken gate, led by a tall hooded man with a staff. They have three roped Ress prisoners on foot, two men and a woman taken when the Castle fell. It must have been quite an effort to keep the ravenous Vorghol from feeding on them. Battered and bloodied, the prisoners are pathetic.
The hooded rider comes alongside the Beast, as if he is the Baron's equal. No other Vorghol seems so presumptuous.
Kane whispers to Rhyan, "Quickly, have your archers take those prisoners down."
Khom-Bei leans forward, "Thragga, ready your bow. Better an Urag arrow than a Vorghols' foul breath.
The Beast easily seizes the woman, who gives a brief shriek. One of Thragga's black-feathered Urag arrows sinks into her throat before the Beast can take her lifesblood. She kicks once and is still. Crossbow bolts from the wall strike down the other Ress prisoners. The Beast looks up, impressed at the willpower, and drops the lifeless corpse at his horse's feet.
Kane again whispers, "Have your archers open fire on the Vorgol. Aim mainly for the Beast and that hooded figure."
The Beast laughs, his voice echoing across the stillness. The rider beside him hardly moves. "Are they not delicious, necromancer? I will so enjoy feasting on them. Ress, aided by Nedri and an Urag in the mix. Who would have expected this?"
At the Beast's words, the necromancer's head swivels to regard the figures on the wall.
Rhyan shakes his head. "We are under flag of parley, Kane, sacred to Inglorian."
Kane says, "Would he have not slain your comrades before your truce flag?"
Garvin says, "We're Oathkeepers, lad. What y'suggest would make us vile in the Warrior's sight, regardless of what the Coldies do."
Khom-Bei says, "Let it go, Kane. They aren't Hunters."
The necromancer pushes back his hood. A once-familiar figure grins up at you, but a figure under a transformation. It's as if he has aged years in only a short space of time. His face is scarred and lined, his eyes cloudy, his hair gone speckled with gray. You once battled alongside him in the distant tunnels of the Sunken Tower, and smiles and jests came easy to him. Now, there is no jest in this figure'figure's face. Only hate and the sight of things beyond imagining.
Thragga breathes, "Sharif..."
Khom-Bei glances at Thragga questioningly, "You know this man?"
Thragga nods, agape.
Kane says, "By the Powers, you are right Thragga, but what has happened to him? It is if the staff of Xoth has over taken him completely!"
Khom-bei's head snaps around to look at Kane, "And you as well?"
Sharif stares up at you. His eyes seem blinded, as if he is using some other sight beside his eyes. "My old friends...." he says. But there is no friendship in his voice.
The Beast seems as surprised as Khom-Bei as he stares at his ally.
The Beast says, "Such allies you've fallen in with, Castellan of Ress! Does your King know who you stand by?" His laughter is mocking, contemptuous, and peals out like a horse's bray.
Kane says, "Rhyan, that mage is known to Thragga and myself...in fact at one time we had called him friend. He carries the staff of Xoth, a powerful necromancer, and I'm afraid the evil magic in the staff has taken control of him."
A Vorghol warrior races to the Beast's side and speaks hurriedly to his lord. The Beast's face drops. "Army? What army?" As he speaks, black feathered arrows fly from the dark space beyond the broken castle gates, striking down his white horse. The fat Baron rolls to his feet with the spectral agility of a Vorghol as more arrows fly.
The Vorghol below you are under attack by something outside the Castle. The warriors turn to face this new foe, the Beast barking out commands and drawing his immense sword.
Kane says, "Reinforcements, I presume? Drop the truce-- it is time to attack!"
Khom-Bei says, "He has bared steel, the parley is finished."
The Beast looks back over his shoulder. His warriors will be crushed by this new force and the Ress counterattack. His position here is untenable and he knows it. More black-feathered arrows rain down on the Vorghol, and clouds of dust rise up as Vorghol die.
Then a warcry that every Vorghol has learned to fear: "Kai Yaragaiiiiii!"
Rhyan wastes no time. "On them! Loose the cavalry!" He tells Kane, "We must talk more. But now...let us end this Beast and his ally." He draws his sword and gives orders.
Khom-Bei raises his arms and calls out into the night, "Coldwind!"
Urag and Northclanner warriors pour through the open castle gates, and fall on the Beast's soldiers. The Beast and his men are hard pressed to break through, and now seek to escape the trap.
Thragga screams incoherent rage.
Khom-Bei steps forward to the edge of the wall and calls on the Great Father once more, "Chase these creatures of the darkness from this place."
Garvin says, "Where in His Name did they all come from?"
Holy light lances from Khom-Bei's fingers and slices down into the mass of Vorghol warriors. Vorghol warriors scream as they die.
Rhyan snaps, "Kane, Khom-Bei, Garvin, the rest of you, to me. I don't know what is happening, but there is no time to waste. We attack now!" He races down the steps nearby.
Kane follows close on Rhyan's heels.
Khom-Bei chases behind Kane and the others.
Steel strikes on steel. Urag and Northerlings die as the Vorghol rally. Sharif presses forward into the melee with the skill of a born horseman, waves his staff, and opens a gap in the Urag line. Vorghol pour into it, the Beast and his bodyguards widening the gap, desperate now. They are the blade, the Urag and Northerlings the anvil, and the hammer is about to fall on them.
Rhyan leaps astride his horse, Garvin alongside. An empty horse is ready each for Kane and Khom-Bei. Oathkeepers mount quickly, fluidly. Horns blare. Drums rattle. The Keep gate falls open, spanning the inner moat.
Khom-Bei leaps astride a horse and wheels it into line behind the Castellan with an ease close to that of the Oathkeepers.
Rhyan snaps down his visor and draws his sword. "No room for lances. This is close-in work."
Kane draws Light Bringer and raises it above his head.
Outside, Northerling warriors ululate wildly in the manner of the savage plainsmen. Clan names are called. "Redclaw! Gray Fox! Swift River!"
Khom-Bei raises his hands again, "Great Father, grant us your favor in this fight."
Thragga stands beside Kane. "Enough talk! We fight!"
Kane in reply howls out "Let the hunt begin!" He kicks his horse into a gallop and charges into the Vorghol.
Rhyan yells, "Sons of Grimyr! Strike now!" Grimyr is the ancient folk hero of Ress, who freed them from slavery. He spurs his horse forward under the portcullis and through the Keep gate into the courtyard.
Khom-Bei kicks his horse into motion after the Castellan, "Coldwind!"
The Ress warriors, with the Hunters, pour into the courtyard. The scene is one of chaos. Urag and Northerling fight alongside one another, as the Vorghol fight to widen the gap that will allow them to escape.
Sharif and the Beast are at the front of the Vorghol wedge, near the Castle gates, farthest from you. The Ress and Hunters fall on their rear flank, Vorghol warriors racing to meet their charge.
Kane, Thragga and Khom-Bei are each confronted by two desperate sword-wielding Vorghol, rushed and clearly terrified. They are unmounted.
As the Hunters ride into the fray, Khom-bei guides his horse with his knees as holy energy dances from his raised hands.
Thragga gives a savage yell and hacks at his foes. He almost takes off the leg of his enemy and spins to strike again.
Kane charges down on a Vorghol warrior and attacks with Light Bringer.
As the Vorghol before Khom-Bei and Thragga flame, scream and die by holy fire, Dai-thon, Jenn-Dai's son, spots him across the gap, and waves. Then a Vorghol blade catches the young warrior in the back and he falls.
One Vorghol each remains before Kane and Thragga, the others devoured by the light of the Great Father.
The Vorghol blade catches Kane under the armpit and he falls back.
Thragga blocks his foe's attack with his axe handle. He spins his axe and lops his foe's neck clean through. A puff of dust explodes in his face.
Kane rears his horse around to attack his foe once more.
As Dai-thon falls, Khom-bei kicks his horse forward and calls out, "Redclaw! Dai-thon!" Fire leaps from his fingers to the boy's killer.
Kane's blade pierces the Vorghol's unbeating heart and the foe dies in a fetid cloud of dust.
Dai-thon rolls onto his back as the Vorghol around him flame and die. He still lives.
On the far side of the courtyard, the Urag and Northerlings fight valiantly, and Jenn-Dai sends her own holy fire into the Vorghol ranks. But Sharif waves his staff. Six of Yarga's warriors give horrid shrieks of pure terror and collapse into pools of flame.
Rhyan's met are not sure who to fight. The Urag have always been their foes. Confusion sets in among the Ress and the charge loses momentum. Dozens of Urag and Northerling warriors swirl and stream about the courtyard, and face off against the Ress cavalry line.
Rhyan tries to rally his men. "Form on me!"
Khom-Bei says, "Castellan, Yarga's men are with the Redclaws. Kill the Vorghol!"
Jenn-Dai orders her clansmen, "Hold, kinsmen! These are allies!"
Thragga bellows at the Urag warriors, "Slay the Vorghol, fools!"
Sharif nimbly steps his horse over the flaming bodies, the Beast more clumsily behind him on another horse, and the remaining Vorghol behind him pour though, nothing between them and escape into the unnatural night. They can move swiftly when they need to. Their ranks are sorely depleted.
Noticing the hesitation in Rhyan's men, Kane stands in his reins and calls out "Send the Vorghol back to hell where they belong. Today we all stand together to give the devil his due!"
Yarga roars at his men in Urag-ta, cursing them to not battle the Ress, just this once!
The Northerlings and Urag confront the Ress across the courtyard, each side uncertain of the others, as the main foe flees into the dark moonsless night.
Garvin looks to Khom-Bei. "Lad! Speak to them afore we all come t'grief!"
Khom-Bei says, "Yarga! Castellan! Stand down your men, our enemy is Vorghol."
Rhyan says, "Who summoned these Urag?"
Garvin shakes his head. "By th'Warrior, Urag and Northerlings in the Castle. The King's gonna shite himself a kidney."
Khom-Bei says, "They were not summoned, Castellan. They fight together against a common enemy."
Kane replies, "The Urag and the Northlings have aligned themselves against the Vorghol at our urging. They came to your defense. They came to drive the Vorghol from these lands."
The Vorghol have fled into the dark. Kane's charge is an attempt to rally, but the Beast's rearguard strikes off the pursuit, which is stillborn in the confusion of the Castle.
Yarga says, "We saw the flames of your beacon, Ressi. And followed the path of this lot here." He indicates the Hunters.
Jenn-Dai bows to Rhyan and the Hunters. "And would have taken the Vorghol too, were it not for the noisy Urag." says the shaman.
Kane returns his horse to where Rhyan is. "These times call for new alliances. The Vorghol will not stay in Tol Nerda any longer. They will not be happy until the whole world is under their dominion. They must be stopped and they must be stopped now."
Khom-Bei bows deeply, "Jenn-dai, there is much to tell. Kane and Thragga know of the necromancer who rides with the Beast."
Rhyan says, "Destiny is indeed at work if you can unite the Urag and Northerlings, Kane."
Yarga demands, "Know him? Know him how? Tell me or I will put out your eyes."
Kane says, "It is the Vorghol, not I that unites them. Both peoples have suffered much at the hands of the Vorghol, as have your own people.""
Jenn-Dai rolls her eyes. "Yarga must remember, we are among allies now."
Yarga nods, blowing out his cheeks. "Very well. Yarga proposes a war council, Ressi. You may ally with him to crush the Vorghol."
Garvin snickers.
Khom-Bei winks at Rhyan, "See, Castellan, another ally in the fight."
Rhyan orders his men to stand down. "The foe are loose in my woods, and they will probably seek to join up with their main force, which comes this way. We must stop them. Who rides with me?"
A cheer goes up from the Ress warriors. The Northerlings join in. And even the Urag outlaws add their voices to the cheer.
Kane says, "I will ride with you Rhyan."
Thragga roars, shaking his axe in the air.
Garvin says to Khom-Bei, "This night is full o'wonders, lad."
Khom-Bei says, "Warfare makes strange tentmates, eh, Garvin?"