The Battle Begins

The front-line of the Duke Gawain charged forward. The clanging and clashing of weapons fill the air. Lady Ann directed her heavy infantry to focus on the honor guard of the duke. The numerous battle-maidens were trained in speed and agility, only a handful were equipped with heavy weapons. Thankfully before the complete line of infantry crashed into them, the arcanists had already begun their incantations. Fire balls were flung out sizzling any of those unlucky enough to be caught. A couple volleys would land before they exhausted their stamina. As blood covered the stones and grass below, cries of pain drove the moon out of sight. As dawn had begun to approach.

Lady Ann had laid out her shadow, her eyes burning a bright yellow. The creature was a large, misshapen shadowy monster. She focused her attacks alongside her templars, who were struggling against the honor guard. The monster slowly tore at the breastplate of a knight. Clawing deeper and deeper until finding an opening. His chest was torn to shreds, and this monster would maintain its strength as long as Lady Ann stayed focused. Her infantry would protect her, forming an extra layer of defense just for this reason.

The arcanist threw volley after volley, and the small number of ranged bow-maidens pelted the enemies in arrows. The enemy had little range to counter due to their loss at the siege. Those that fought at this battle were simply melted by the incoming volleys of fireballs. No arcanist stood in the enemy's ranks, as all other religious orders had elected to stay neutral. With one resigning support upon hearing word that the Coven of the Martyred Lady was joining the Archduke.

The left and right flank saw little action until what remained of the enemy's cavalry charged the left side. Deacon Ceclia spotted the incoming charge and directed the arcanists to fire on them. While the fireballs flew through the air, Knight Soliatus brought up his men to counter. The fighting turned into close range, as the enemy militiamen following the calvary joined the fight as well. Count Randion was caught by a fireball, dismounting his horse, he stood in front of King Soliatus.

On the right flank, Lady Elizabeth sent seas of blue fire at approaching honor guardsmen. This melted through them as they fell to the ground in pain. She had brought some battle-maidens alongside her. They alternated between long incantations and close combat, a delicate balance requiring extreme skill.

Iris throughout all this was standing besides her maidens, her blade was drawn, yet was clean. Three soldiers charged at her. Sidestepping and dodging, she gracefully tired them out. As they slowed down her maidens simply picked them off one by one.

Iris shouts out to her Deacon, “Focus on finding the mercenaries with roses on their robes.”

“What my lady!” Deacon Senas shouts moving closer to Iris.

“Roses look for the soldiers with roses.”

Iris dances around a couple more strikes from enemies, waiting for the roses to appear. She is surprised to see her maidens fighting with such grace, although lacking in angelic elegance, it still made her pause for a moment.

Lady Senas came rushing back over. “My lady, they were spotted taking position on the left side!”

Iris ordered all her maidens to reinforce the right, as well as to not engage with the enemy angel. Lady Senas nodded, she waved her hands and shouted out to the others. As she relayed the orders, Iris looked at her sword. She cited an incantation under her breath and the blade began to dully glow. She looked at the rising sun. It was now dawn, and the light had caused her to strain her sight. She took note of its position, as it rose behind them. It would be of annoyance to the rebels' vision.

The blade had waves of liquid flow off of it. Something between both fire and water. It flickered and then faded after a few seconds, but she was once again captivated by its beauty. She could see the cloaks of the Order of the Rose waving back and forth. It was finally time to join the fight.