Walled City of Barbosso

As the dead were taken away to buried. The church still did not quiet down after the battle. However, there was a woman calling out beyond Elias could make out. The tussle of the army and church compatriots stayed bristling and energetic.

Then the woman's voice came closer, close enough to make out the enunciation, "Lady Zyphariel!" and the angel left her spot next to Elias and called out to the woman, "My dear Esuna!" as they hugged in their greeting. As they went through much strife before this moment.

The cleric woman that was prisoner to the bandits had medium length silver hair and youthful radiant face of an innocent healer. Esuna then said, "The good sers of the Liberation told me everything. I hear you sought their patronage in the hopes of ensuring my safety." and the cleric released the hug and said, "You needn't worry, Lady Zyphariel. The shards you confided here remain untouched.

Zyphariel shook her head with regret, "The shards be damned. I placed you firmly in danger's path, without but a thought for your wellbeing. I am deeply sorry."

Esuna very appreciated, but she was more worried about her friend then herself, saying, "Please, you needn't apologize. On the contrary, this matter has cleared the doubts from my mind as thought they were morning fog.
Spending my days here in prayer will do naught to rid this world of the conflict which plagues it.
Indeed, if I truly wish glory upon the Creator's lands. I must see it made manifest through my own actions."

Hearing her friend convey her feelings only made Zyphariel feel more blessed to know Esuna. She replied, "If such is the journey you wish to walk, I will raise no objection."

Then Esuna walked up to Elias and asked, "The decision rests with you, kind prince. Might you grant me the gift of joining the Liberation?" which Zyphariel added, "I assure you, Elias, there are few finer healers the land over. She would prove a valuable asset, and a reliable friend."

Prince Elias did not hesitate, and said, "Skilled healers such as yourself are ever in high demand. We would gladly count you among our numbers." and gave a nod of approval. With the Elias recruiting her, Esuna said, "Oh, what joy! Such a benevolent show of trust will not go unmet. You have it on my word as a servant to the Creator." and she put her hand to cover her mouth as she giggled in joy.

With day passing and the cleanup complete. Zyphariel came to the prince and said, "Have you come across any Dius Shards on your travels, Elias?"

Elias replied, "Ah, right. You seek them on behalf of the Orthodoxy, yes?"

Zyphariel confirmed and said, "Indeed... and to speak the truth, I intend to leave the Heavenswing Knights entirely once I've completed my task. My blade seeks to free those who suffer under Cornelia's reign, and there could be no better place to do so than with the Liberation. So, should you ever happen upon any Dius Shards, I would appreciate if you'd let me have them."

Elias said, "I'd be glad to help." and the angel was pleased, "Very well then."

Elias had his men march east to a walled city, and the Ranger Jeod explained "Your Highness, this is the walled city of Barbosso. Not as big as our destination Jeseb. Yet, it is similarly defended. The scouts report the Iron Helm Mercenaries are station there defending it. We must get through them to get access to the swamps and Wander Woods of Fae."

Inside the walls of Barbosso at the local tavern, sat and old gray haired fat man. Drinking out of a tankard the old man asked his messenger, "What news do you bring? Out with it, lad?."

The messenger of the of the Iron Helm Mercenaries replied "It seems that Fort Soligie has fallen, ser." and the old man retorted, "And here I thought scorpions could sting. Who was it that did them in?"

The messenger reported, "A faction calling themselves the Liberation, from what I understand."

The old man said, "Suppose there's no pulling the weeds of rebellion." and then his attention was taken to elsewhere inside the tavern. "Hm?"

A town girl spoke, "Ser George, may I have a word?" and the George stood up and replied, "You may have as many as you need. Just give us a moment, would you?" and the town girl confirmed, "Of course, my lord." and the woman walked away.

The messenger said, "Again, ser?" with worry in his voice. George said, "Is that defiance I hear?" and he then sat down and said, "It's none of your business, beside."

Taking another swing of his drink in the tankard, said, "To the matter at hand, though. I'd rather not have self-righteous fools raising the devil in my town. Alert the watch at once. If these pups come scratching at our gates, you're to see them repelled. Teach them the pain of war, if you must."

The messenger replied, "Consider it done, ser." and he ran out to issue the orders. Leaving the old man George to drink more out of his tankard.

The Liberation army came about the western wall of the Barbosso. They only had enough men to face one of the walls of this city.

The inner council of Liberation gathered and listened to the reports. Prescott said, "If we hope to proceed past this point, we must first lay low the occupiers in this city. We would be wise to ready an adequate force before undertaking such a venture."

Jeod went over the scouting, "Take care, Your Highness. The main gate appears to be guarded by heavily armored combatants. Warriors such as them are nigh impervious to physical attacks."

Elias thought and said, "Hm... And we lack the magic ability to sidestep their defenses."

Piper said, "We can certainly try to confront them head-on, Your Majesty, but it may come at a heavy cost. Retreat is always an option, if you think the battle is unwinnable."

At the front gates, George heard the horns of a call to arms. He looked out and saw the Banner of Longshanks and many soldiers arranged in siege formation. George said "Huh. Looks like you weren't kidding about those rebel pups. Right when I'm in the middle of fixing the gate, too. Not much we can do about it now though. Get out there and deal with them."

As the 2 armies clashes, the Iron Helm Mercenaries were clearly equiped to dig in and trench fight. Being less mobile heavy shielded vanguard defending the walls of Barbosso.

The Liberation Army tried with all efforts to break through and get inside the walled city. However the day came to an end as the sun started setting low and dusk came about. The entrenched enemies did not budge. It was Ranger Jeod that called off the attack and signaled for the army to regroup.

It was later at night, the insiders of the liberation gathered in their daily meetings. Prescott, slammed his large fist on the make-shift table. "We can beat them, we just need time."

Ranger Joad ever the classy suave knight replied, "Time is not on our side. If we spend too much time in one area, we will face the main Cornelian army, which is far too massive for us right now."

Loid was unable to hold back and verbally unvented his thoughts. The young man interrupted, "Elias, didn't you use to play in this region as a child. You described the swamp area as being vast. Can't we just go around the walled city."

Elias brightened up, the new idea came to him. "That is right, we had that area to the south by the mines." and Jeod understood and said, "Show me where? We can move our Liberation army away or even flank the city of Barbosso."

Elias pointed on the map, "Right there, beyond this is the Wander Woods of Fae." That brought an immediate hush to the group. The nervousness is due to nature of the woods. People try to trek through it and are never to be seen again.

Ranger Jeod thought deeply, "Your Highness. We are best off to make our way through this. Let's make haste. Trust me and I will make sure we get through the wandering woods."