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A racoon is standing in front of me, the both of us just north of the settlements entrance, his regal-looking clothes covered by imposing plate with two stallions in heavy armor and two-handed war hammers with his carriage resting behind him. For me, Tamel and Kama stand with me

The racoon smirks "Whatever resistance you plan to do is futile, in the name of Lord Vaslov and Lady Amalsand Jakoba surrender and you will be spared, fight back and we will leave no one standing."

"I know Vaslov better then you think, these people will surrender into what, slavery, battle fodder...?" keeping my gaze on him.

The messenger gives a laugh "Whatever Vaslov and his mother demands."

Kama speaks up "We will do what we must to survive, but our kingdom will not kneel to the likes of you!"

The racoon gives a mocking yawn "Enough of this parley, I will give you unto sunrise to surrender and I assure you, I have more iron and powder then you do as well as blood and steel to match."

They get in their carriage and leave while we make our way back into Epinian, we've managed to set up choke points and barricades to try to slow them down, any vessel no matter how small is getting ready to set sail, we're taking cannons off of the smaller ships and fitting them into firing positions, this serves to lessen the ships to fit more supplies as we're going to need them for the future.

Danica comes over to us "We've just finished striping the last ship and loading is still underway, but we are a ways away from actually evacuating."

I sigh "Can it all get done by sunrise?"

The vixen shakes her head "Even if we had the crews putting the cannons and obstructions in place we can't do it."

I gaze over to those working on the ships "What are our options? Our enemy isn't exactly being cordial."

Danica glances to me "The other option is we can also ready wagons and make ground travel another choice, they'll be more at risk but the terrain gives them some cover and the wagons can be outfitted more quickly."

We enter the town house and we begin to go over the plan again, the issue is that the navel vessels would have cover from the larger ships, most notably the Normandy thanks to the larger cannons as well as the two schooners to protect the smaller fishing vessels and to put it more critically there is no waterway between here and Bruges that can accommodate the ships as the river goes through caves and mountains according to the locals. What's key though is that the land will bring us to Bruges while the sea will bring us to Avec-Bohte which is a port of the Avoirdupois which will bring about it's own issues... what I would give for something like a fleet of aircraft right now! Given that we don't know the full risks of either path we're going to send send caravans on the ground as well, given what that racoon said I have a feeling there's more then just fish going about in the water... I can only hope I'm wrong.

Tamel looks to the map "We are in for a trek no matter the option we choose, it'll especially be hard for those going to Avec-Bohte as they'll then have to go through those lands and cross the river to get to Bruges.", the mare looks to me "That also means we'll need to leave the Normandy behind with a skeleton crew."

I give a nod as I try to think, we need to get diplomacy rolling and fast as things are just gonna get harder, I also hate to break full silence but we need to get Rinaldi support if possible, I look to Danica "I'll head out in the fleets, we can't be too careful on the open water. But Danica I need you and Tamel to go with those on land and try open diplomatic relations between the Doloreaux and the Avoirdupois, we're going to need at least a temporary alliance to beat these guys down. Given the map details you'll get to Bruges before we do and bring anyone you think will help in trying to process it."

The vixen raises an eyebrow "Adam, like I said I am no diplomat, I have no experience."

The mare looks to her "Lady Danica, I may be of use as an advisor, Lalaine could also aid in this too."

"Danica, I understand politics isn't your field, it isn't really mine either, but you still bare a rank of the Rinaldi, it should count for something."

Kama looks between both of us "I will put the motion in that your words be heard, if the situation is this bad on our end, I can't imagine how terrible it is to the south-west."

Danica puts on a thinking expression, she gives a light nod "Very well, you can count on me."

With the wagons being prepared for their voyage, they'll carry the sick, the old and as much of the young as they can with the supplies they need, we'll get them on there way tonight at the darkest hour and that should give them enough time to get clear while we hold the enemies attention. Due to most of the ships losing their cannons we decide to put whatever firearms are available to equip them, mostly muskets and pistols with a few blunderbusses to deal with possible boarders, plus under my direction grenades, it's amazing what some black powder, a simple fuse, some nails or broken glass in a clay or iron pot or wooden box can do, of course we made sure we rigged Epinian to blow first. We work tirelessly to get everything in place and while late the caravan leaves and by the witching hour the last ship has lost it's cannons and supplies are being loaded onto it and getting it set up, also given how small the port actually is we'll need to break the fleet into three groups, the first schooner will lead this formation, the second will lead the next and the Normady will protect the rear while leading the third.

I glance to see the early signs of the sun rising, I look to a nearby captain "Get the first group moving!"

The captain gives a salute and runs off while I get to the front line, preparing my sword and shield with Forra, Serilda and Mavra taking position alongside me. The sun comes up enough to where we see a legion of armored troops coming our way with a....

"COVER!!!"

The cannon booms and smashes into a nearby rock and just obliterates it, I give the return fire and we reply with grapeshot and chain... the Battle of Epinian has begun!

...............................

Danica, Tamel and Lalaine are looking in the ports direction as the cannons begin to fire, thankfully they have more then enough distance to where it's not a concern.

Kama looks to them then to the possible carnage "I pray that our friends, our allies, our neighbors make it." glancing to the wagons floor.

Lalaine puts her hands together as she lowers her head 'Helloise, please shine the light unto them, to keep them safe and to see this through. Please protect our friends, the ones who are trying to protect us all from this madness.', those eyes of hers open towards the smoke as a few more cannons fire off in the distance 'Adam... you still have something to fulfill, I wish I could say it to you. If what is said is true, you are more then a warrior, more then a Rinaldi... you could be the next harbinger of what is to come.'

Danica puts her hand on the skunks shoulder "They'll be okay, they've been through far worse then this.", the skunk gives her a thankful nod before going back to praying, the vixen looks to Tamel and she looks to be praying herself, Danica looks back to the field 'Adam, no matter what happens you have proven that our great house still has some teeth, you have shown that we can rise to prominence from the ashes much like the bird on your armor. Even though you know this is a battle you can't win, even as you retreat, you'll still do the RInaldi proud as you go to fight another day. Like the Phoenix I know you will continue on... I hope you do.'

.................

The barricade explodes from a ten pounder firing on us, I send a fireball which hits the gun and crew, cooking off the powder nearby, I ready one of my pistols "Blast it all!"

Serilda dives next to me "Maeve is reporting the barricades are holding but it's only a matter of time before they push through.", a bullet lands near her which causes her to growl "The first group is almost clear also."

I fire a quick shot which goes through a weak point in one of the soldiers armor and he goes down, I look around "NO HEROICS!!! OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO HOLD THEM OFF AND RETREAT!!!", I put the spent weapon back in it's holster and ready my shield once more as one of them comes at me.

He swings his sword but I counter his with mine, delivering a decapitating blow in a single swing, another warrior fires a pistol which misses so he comes running at me, I swing and deliver a wounding strike, he gives me this glare and comes at me, I go at him again, he tries to counter but I deliver another strike, he puts on a panicked look and runs away but more guys are coming to replace him, I go to launch a fireball from Fireweaver but nothing comes so I get into a defensive stance. One-by-one I'm either striking them down or forcing them to run, but they just keep coming, I kill a fifth one and this big black bear with a two-handed hammer charges me with a loud roar.

I decide to try to cast my flames again and this time I get it off, he tries to dodge but the mass of fire catches his left arm and engulfs him as it explodes, he presses onward and with a great swing as he's right on top of me, I try to dodge but the hammer slams into me and sends me back, giving my chest plate one heck of a dent as I feel the wind knocked out of me. The bear roar as he steps my way, a loud boom sounds and he gets blown to bits, I look to see Mavra with a smoking six pounder, she runs over to me and helps me up.

The vixen goes "The second group is beginning to move, but the walls are starting to fail!"

"Get the rocks to fall, we're retreating to the second line!"

Mavra signals Serilda and the two cast air and water respectively, making the boulders collapse, Forra eaves her staff and vines suddenly wrap around the boulders, we retreat deeper to the second line which is close to the town square, Mavra flings a fireball into the sky to signal the other groups while Serilda and I pick up a couple of muskets. If we're lucky we get the third wave moving before they break through, but with how much firepower these guys have I don't really see it happening.

Mavra grabs a pistol "We are really backed against the wall here."

"I know the amount of fire power Vaslov must've gotten for these guys must've costed a fortune, I wouldn't be surprised if it cost everything to do all of this.", I hear some booms but I don't see any dust coming from the barricade, then it hits me "MORTARS!!!"

Several shells land around us, hitting several structures but thankfully doesn't cause the powder to cook off. We are in a kill zone and they know it, they know they have the advantage and we lack any capability to fight back. We have no choice, we gotta switch the plan up...

I look to everyone "LISTEN UP! WE'RE DEAD IF WE STAY HERE! EVERYONE GET TO THE SHIPS NOW!"

We all begin to run as Mavra sends another signal up, we regroup with the others and board the Normandy.

I look to Elie "What's the situation?"

Elie sighs "We are set ta sail, but we need to wait for the second group ta fully get away."

I grab a nearby spyglass and see they are making short work of the barricades, I look to Elie "We don't have time for that, with the amount of artillery they have we'll be reduced to splinters in no time. Fire the signal cannon and let's get out of here."

Elie gives a nod "Aye aye." and runs over to grab one of the signal cannons.

The ships of the third group begins to lower the sails and raise anchor, making best speed to catch up with the second group, looking it over they aren't relying on their foot troops at all but the unwieldy cannons to carry the day, a fearsome weapon sure but once it has no powder or shot it's effectively a paperweight and I doubt that enough was given to maintain any of the cannons or mortars... so they are using shock and awe to degree when it comes to attacking but all the stuff they are lugging is extremely heavy and moving it is a chore. You can kind of get away with a light enough mortar on a carriage which is what we did against the undead, but these guys are using cannons far more then mortars which is weird as this terrain screams to use indirect fire... something else is going on. We eventually set sail and with a fireball I light the fuse that'll seal this places final fate until it is properly rebuilt by the people who once called this place home. Thankfully we get far enough away before they can get their cannons set up as I can see them and then this cluster of explosions happens, fires break out in the local woods as Epinian becomes torn apart by the sheer explosive force, the mine collapses in a violent plumb of smoke as the buildings become little more then splinters of wood and shattered iron, the dock which is the last place to be destroyed erupts in a cacophony of destruction as it is effectively leveled.

Forra approaches me as I lower the spyglass "We can rebuild, our Mother will help see us through."

I give a sigh "I know, if we had gotten here sooner then we could have negated this."

The boar stands beside me "It is possible, but now we have to deal with the situation as it stands.", those eyes of hers focus on the destruction "We are born from nature and when it is time she'll take it back and reborn anew. These sellswords will make their coin, but it matters not if such a thing can't be exchanged."

I look to her "I agree, the victory they have claimed here is hollow. What matters is if we strike the final blow.", I pull out a small map "Now we need to move around the broken coast, which means we're going to have to watch the coastal rocks and the sand barriers, but we'll still need to move fast. I have a feeling we aren't the only thing floating out here.", I look over at the crew "All hands!!! Red Alert to battlestations!!!"

We eventually make it to more open water with the dusk hours slowly creeping in with our rag-tag fleet of fishing and trading ships making it's merry way along the water, but I've kept the fleet on high alert the entire time, I won't relax until we are near Avec-Bohte.

Maeve lands next to me "We've got somethin ta port!"

I quickly pull out my spyglass and look as the crew come over and what I see scares me half to death.

Serilda moves forward "What is out there?"

"We've got two corvettes, two flutes and leading them is a first rate warship.", I lower the spyglass "That's why they needed the port, to resupply and create a blockade."

Wovka comes over "Can we fight em?"

"They'll destroy us before we can even get close, the Normandy is just a frigate, it can't go toe-to-toe with a capital ship, our only saving grace is that it's slow."

..............................

Lystragones is standing on the deck of the first rate, putting his spy glass away "Send the corvettes after them, I want the blue ship destroyed."

A nearby soldier salutes "Yes sir!" and walks away.

The otter gives a quiet sigh 'Danica, you showed such promise, if only you allowed Amalsand's plan to succeed, now you will join your father and older brother. I take no delight in this, but it's either your hide or mine.'

................................

On a hunch I've had the Normandy steer a little away from the fleet as a few hours ago it seemed the corvettes have broken from the fleet, that suspicion has been confirmed as they are indeed chasing us and they will catch up with us sooner or later, a corvette is a sixth rate while a frigate is a fifth so they have some speed at the expense of guns and armor to a degree, but since there is two that disadvantage doesn't matter.

Mavra looks to me "Orders?"

"They are going to catch up to us no matter what so we need to be ready, if we have some crates of those grenades, rig them with a combined fuse and we'll use them as mines, surround the explosives with scrap iron and that should tear through wood enough to allow water access."

We begin to do just that, taking several grenades with what large peices of iron we can find that we couldn't use make ready for deploying them to the aft, Mavra lights the fuse and Maeve flies them down to plant them in the water, we allow some distance between each explosive and we spread them so that they would float over a wide area, after about half an hour of deploying our mine field with the darkness providing cover we finish and now we wait. Soon a few of the mines detonate for both ships, none of us can tell the extent of the damage but a few moments another cluster explodes and the left corvette explodes in flame as it catches, we cheer as the burning vessel goes to it's starboard only for a few more water charges to explode as a few of it's guns explode like large bombs. The other corvette gets hit on it's prow a few times and through my spyglass I see another explosion happen and it rips through the prow and splitting the craft all the way to the deck, the water rushes into the ship and now they are finished, I give the order to regroup with the other ships and before long we see the crew of the corvette abandon their ship while the one on fire is falling apart to pieces. I give the all clear and we all begin to relax a little, but now we are way off course, regrouping alone is going to take weeks at least and what's driving me nuts is that we won't know how the talks are going to be until we get there.

To take my mind off things Queco is helping me translate the book, we have uncovered some interesting things in the chapter we are on, the talk of a battle written as a short epic poem, detailing a duel of a hero facing off from what I can tell based on the description a hydra and reminds me a little of the classics from Earth like the Odyssey and Beowulf, two of my favorites alongside Dante's epic poem Inferno. The section reveals something even more interesting with even some diagrams, I look more closer and it looks like a drawn version of the weapon we are after, it is definitely a sword with mention of some kind of magic channeling built throughout it... that explains the connections and fittings that it has. There is also talk of the swords cutting power, mentioning the edge cutting clean through stone and steel with ease as it also mentions the weapons name, the Trinity of Light, described as one of the civilizations most powerful tools of war... Vaslov, I will make sure this weapon will never be yours, if need be I'll destroy it myself.

...........................

Danica is looking out at the stars as the wagons keep going, a shooting star zooms through the night sky as the moon gives it's glow. She thinks back to when she and Adam had first met, this human who looked eager to find a place for him to belong, wanting to prove himself to our land. She remembers the first time he had managed to lock her up in a mock fight, seeing that fire in his eyes burn spoke to her, not because he was also studying fire magic, she sensed his determination and willpower... she remembers when Vaslov cleaved into him and she thought he was finished right then and there, all it did was make him stronger and reinforced his willpower. And now that same human she practically grinded to dust in training was now on a quest that many dreamed of undertaking, one where he was at the helm, one where rallied those who would listen and brought the light of flame itself to illuminate the darkness trying to ensnare the island. She wishes her master were here, she imagines the two would have gotten along perfectly fine as he would have admired the humans willpower and loyalty.

Lalaine is laying on a bunk, her eyes fixated on the ceiling as she thinks back to her conversation with Father Coniglio and this prophecy they had discussed. The human regardless if he was to bring a new age or not, she found him to be a good friend, one who was always willing to lend an ear and someone who often knew what the stakes were, but more importantly she remembers when she and him first met when she was tasked in giving him the book of S'Allumer, how he didn't look afraid of her because she was a skunk and how he was always happy to talk to her like the others. But most importantly, that he protected her when Vaslov threatened to kill her, she could never repay him for such a thing and all that mattered to him was that she was okay, he didn't seem to care if he survived or not. How the human a struck a cord withe everyone for better or worse, how he fearlessly tackled a paladin in single combat and sought to protect Triskellian from the bandits.

The two ladies have watched the human grow, how he was willing to see this through as they journeyed all over the island, how he wanted to learn the culture of those he came across while freely giving a humans perspective while learning from those that call this plane home and vice versa. They do worry though, with the fact he's putting his all into seeing this path through, will that cost him just that? Will this crusade end up being his last? He's come close a few times to death, between Vaslov and the battle occurring before acquiring the Normandy to fighting the undead, any one of those could have dealt the final blow and yet he powered through it with a combination of zeal, tactics and foresight. But now he was facing against a large war machine bent on crushing a great house, something Adam has never faced, yet he was willing to aid this power in it's time of need no questions asked... a good move and chaotic at the same time.

Danica and Lalaine give their prayers and soon reside to slumber, hoping the trail to Bruges will be the easier part of all this along with diplomacy.

To be continued...