The Winged Knight

As the Liberation Army moved down the road that led to the southern route of Cornelian Empire, formerly Aether land, to get to the wandering woods and swamp lands. The quest to trench through such unforgiving lands and to avoid detection of the larger army of Cornelia.

The army made a visit enroute at the Fort Mainteneaut, which was a fort protecting the region where they already defeated the enemy forces. However, the scouts have brought word of an angel flying about the town to the north of the fortress.

Ranger Jeod was astonished at the report of the scouts. He turned to Prince Elias and said, "Come, we have someone to meet."

With that the 2 of them went to the outskirts of the little town, and Jeod pointed in the direction. Elias looked and hummed with curiosity, "Hm?" as he saw a human with wings, flying high up in the air.

Jeod elaborated, "Judging by the crest emblazoned on her shield. I expect she is an angel of the Arcadia Orthodoxy."

Suddenly the angel made a turn and started flying directly toward them, Elias was a little anxious and swallowed his saliva. As the flying angel came down to the level where Jeod and Elias were standing. They greeted each other. Elias first to speak, said. "An angel, here in Aether? I daresay that's a rare sight." and Jeod said, "The orthodoxy reveres them as an extension of the heavenly Father himself, my prince. Do try to keep your composure."

The undisclosed angel came up while flapping her wings, it sounds strong as the feathered wings flapped and air could be heard being pushed with each flap. She said, "What manner of men stand before me?"

Jeod replied by identifying himself. "I am the Ranger Jeod, faithful retainer of the royal house of Aether and servant of the High Council. Beside me is the very commander of the Liberation Army non but the great Prince Elias."

The angel gasped and replied, "The Liberation, you say? And I am well aware of you, Ser Jeod. Word of your exploits has long since reached my homeland." and the angel set her feet on the ground to identify herself. "My name is Zyphariel, Heavenswing Knight of the Arcadia Orthodoxy.
Swords of the Liberation. I would request a kindness from you. If you can spare the time."

Jeod and Elias looked at one another and looked at the angel and nodded for her to continue. Zyphariel said, "By the order of His Holiness Pontifex Maximus. I've been tasked with amassing luminous gemstones known commonly as Dius Shards. Those that I've unearthed. I entrusted to an old friend. A safe pair of hands who works as a cleric for the orthodoxy.
At least it was safe. The church she shepherds Rondmort, has been seized by a pack of brigands called the Red Drakes." then the angel got furious and started to vehemently complain, "I turn my gaze for one ungodly moment and look what happens!" then the angel took a deep breath to cool down.

Zyphariel then followed up, "Apologies. Such a profane outburst ill befits one of my angelic stature. Regrettably, myself alone is far lacking the number I'd need to mount an adequate rescue."

Elias replied, "So the Red Drake continue their treachery, even without Gren among them to chart the course. It seems this cleric is damned without our aid. We should help however we're able."

Zyphariel was pleased and said, "My countless thanks, Prince Elias. It's as though the Father Himself delivered you to me."

Elias gave a nod to Jeod and signaled for the Liberation to take the field and prepare for battle with the Red Drake bandits. Zyphariel addressed the inner circle of the Liberation, "Rondmort Church lies east of here. Simply follow the riverbank to find it."

Elias replied, "Once we secure the church and the Dius Shards, We will negotiate a deal for supplies from the Orthodoxy. As you please."

Then we view the church which is being scavenged by the bandits. One of the scouts came to report to the leader that was frolicking as he watched his men follow his orders to search the church. The scout bandit said, "Storm's brewin', boss. That lot they call the liberation's a step and half from knockin' on our door. What say we cut outta here before the Father sends us straight to hell? Doesn't feel right, raidin' a church."

The bandit leader name is Morgan, he had red-hair and was an archer. He mocked the nervous scout, "We go when I say we go. Now get back to work. Those crystals aren't gonna find themselves."

The bandit scout replied, "Aye, boss, but what if the angel comes back?" which made Morgan scoff, "And what if she does? Bird or broad, my arrows 'll bring 'em down all the same."

There was a woman being held under guard, but able to hear the bandit leader of the Red Drakes ramble on about shooting down the angel with his arrows. She gasped at the idea, and she cried out, "You'd dare draw your bowstring at Lady Zyphariel? THe Father's angels are akin to his very hands!"

Morgan the Red Drake leader chuckled and said, "Well, I'm sure he won't mind missing a finger or two. But why don't you give him one of your little prayers if you're that worried?"

The view of the battle as it starts from the fort as the Liberation moves out to take down the bandits.

Keima the young knight points out the towers on the other side of the river. "The archers on the opposite shore will likely pose quite the nuisance." and Elias turned to the angel and requested, "Might you mind dispatching them for us, Zyphariel?

Zyphariel replied, "Not at all. Simply say the word and it shall be done." and then she spoke in low tone to herself, "And Theresa... I'll have you freed soon enough. As the Liberation Army marched on enemy forces, along the river. A team lead by Zyphariel took out the archers in the battle tower across river.

The fortress was suddenly attacked by thieves from the mountain side that were not part of the Red Drake, they just took advantage of the battle to score a big haul. One thief said, "Heh, Last I heard, the Red Drakes were the toughest gang in all o' Aether, but look. Some no-name army's out here givin' them a real fight." and another thief said, "Fine by me. Gives us plenty o' time to pick off a few coins while no one's lookin'."

A signal was sent out by the prince. And Liberation army began to stir, and a small party which was led by Loid was moving fast to face the thieves that were unaffliated. It seems as if the Ranger Jeod spotted them and requested able bodies to stop them.

Elias knew Loid very well, and he was sent for a reason. Loid came about the thieves and began to provoke them with mockery. Loid said, "Look at these little weaklings, they can't be thieves their hand are so small, they unable to grasp one coin let alone loot an army."

With that, the thieves were so upset at being mocked for the hands and equipment size. They charged headfirst at the redhead Loid. Which Piper and Grayson were lying in wait to ambush them. With spear and arrows, they made short work of the thieves.

There was no leniency for the thieves, as the lives at risk would prefer dead criminals then wicked men sitting in jails for a set period of time.

The main army marched on and stormed up to the church with strength of strong warriors led by the Ranger Jeod. The Liberation entered the church and Morgan was there with his best bandit warriors waiting. He said, "Anyone who's after an early death, step right up, I got more than enough arrows to go around."

The Ranger made his move; he swept through the church and took out many bandits before Morgan notched an arrow. Then Elias moved right at the distracted bandit leader and stabbed his arms forcing the bow to fall.

Which prompted Morgan to say, "Kids're stronger than they look."

As the bandit were arrested and the angel held the sword to the neck of Morgan. He begged for his life. "Mercy, please. What would the Father do?"

Zyphariel replied, "You presume to invoke our Creator's name after pillaging a place of his worship?"

Morgan continued to beg, "Listen, it's my buddy's sister. Girl's barely holding on and he's a lifetime short on the coin a healer'll cost. But then this old coot come along saying he fork up a hefty price for some of them divine crystals whatsits. Wasn't long after that we caught wind of the motherlode they got stashed away here, and well... no ignoring that temptation."

Elias heard the sister mentioned and said, "Money for an ailing sister, hm? That sounds familiar." and Zyphariel said, "Hmph. A brazen lie, spun to spare his heretical neck! Allow me to pass righteous judgement upon this sinner."

Elias decided easily, the man begging for his life did not allow others to beg and live. The prince said, "I don't envy your predicament... but no amount of misfortune can excuse the arrant barbarism. Remove his head from his shoulders."

Zyphariel replied, "A just sentence. With the Father's blessing at my wings, this sacred blade shall administer his will."

Morgan's last words were "Damn the lot of you..." as the angel's sword swung and slice through the arrogant bandit. With that Elias walked off to see to the hostages of the Red Drake bandits.