Post by Robert on Jun 13, 2014 12:19:16 GMT -5
(( Mild violence ))
In the distance, Robert could make out land.
Stormwind.
Stormwind: a glimmer of hope in these dark times. Long have we shed blood over those golden trimmed cobalt banners. Long have our people been plagued; plagued by war, famine, destruction. External and internal conflict that has shaken the very foundations of the capital. The Alliance urns for a response to the desecration of its kingdom. Too long has as the Lion been on the defensive in our own lands...
Too long.
Robert leaned back on the ship’s upper deck looking up at the blue sky. Letting the rocking of the waves take his mind away...
*One Month Ago*
Robert sat atop his Vicious War Steed, the heads of various slain Horde were tied off and dangled from the rear of the massive steed. He had a banner attached to the saddle, the banner of Stormwind. The banner of The Alliance. Robert's uniform matched the banner closely, his long royal blue robes draped to either side of the horse. The gold trim ran up his robes and quickly blended into his golden beard and hair, his eyes also had a golden glow to them as he looked intently across the field.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with a dozen men and women of The Kingdom, all riding Vicious War Steeds of their own. The Lion had sent its strongest to The Timeless Island, with reports of re-emerging interests from both Horde and Alliance of the Islands resources.
Gathering on the western beachhead of the Island just opposite the Lions, a small army of Horde. They grunted and barked at each other as they moved boxes of weapons and armor from large wagons to a forward camp they had hastily set up. They had several tents set up as well, the horde were creating some sort of base camp for their operations, and this is precisely why the Lion itself was sent here.
"There are so many.."
One of Robert's officers proclaimed with a hint of uneasiness in his voice. Robert kept focus on the Horde, almost in a daze looking across the beach.
"Sir?"
Robert moved his head slightly, still keeping focus on the Horde. He hesitated for only for a moment, briefly looking down at the white sand beneath his steed. Robert looked side to side at his Lions then moved forward breaking formation, turning and facing his men. He trotted up and down the line looking into the faces of the Lions one by one. Robert turned and looked over his shoulder at the growing group of Horde, and then turned back and smiled at his Lions before finally speaking.
"Lions! Hear me.
Aye, they are many to our few. Aye, this is true, and they know it.
Yet, make sure not to forget that Lions fear nothing in their great kingdom. Do not forget the banner you carry to battle. Do not forget your brothers and sisters who have perished defending that banner in the past..”
The Lions cheered.
“A month from now, I will be in Stormwind! At the Pig and Whistle drinking and screwing myself to death!"
Seeing his Lions smile Robert grew louder.
"Imagine where you will be, and it will happen.
Do not break formation! Stay with me at all times!
If you find yourself among the Naaru, riding in the green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in the spirit realm, and you're already dead!"
The Lions all laughed, drawing their weapons.
"Lions, what you do today will be sung about for years to come. Stories of our bravery will be told within the walls of Stormwind for centuries.
For the glory of Stormwind!
For the glory of The Alliance!
FOR THE GLORY OF THE KINGDOM!"
The small group of Lions erupted into a roar, letting out a harmonious battle cry that could be heard across the island. The horde gathering on the beachhead looked across to see a dozen Lions on heavy cavalry barreling down on them. Yelling in Orcish they quickly started to move into a defensive formation. Though at this point it was too little too late, and within second the Lions were upon them. The clash from the War Steeds crushing into the Horde infantry was strong, instantly killing some of the horde from the impact. Others died from simply being crushed under the great steed’s hooves. The Horde flailed as they tried to bring down the horses the Lions sat atop, this was in vain as the Vicious War Steeds were draped in Cobalt Steel. No simple blade nor spear could bring a Lion off of his horse.
The front line of the Horde had been shattered and the Lions circled like vicious predators with a blood scent. Still outnumbered the Lions had to continue with a strong offensive push, if the Horde was given any quarter they would surely be overwhelmed. Robert scanned the enemies scattered across the beach, his focus quickly moving to the Orcish officer in the enemy's rear.
The Orc was sitting atop a Vicious War Wolf barking commands in Orcish. The Orcs eyes glowed blue with Lich magic, this was no ordinary Orc knight, this was a Death Knight. They met eyes, the Orc smiled at Robert, seeing this Robert started to advance. Before Skillswap could gain any ground, the Orc waved and pointed forward, signaling another two dozen reinforcements to join the battle.
Robert scanned the beach, a few Alliance had joined the battle, but the waves of Horde seemed endless. Looking side to side his Lions were getting tired, he knew he had to do something or they would all be overwhelmed soon.
"Lions! Move south, head for the beach choke point!"
As the Lions moved slowly south while still fending off the Horde, the enemy gave chase. They moved along the beachhead with the Lions and slowly approached southern choke point. As Robert helped fight he quickly glanced across the beach at their commander. He could see him laughing and moving forward behind his army, barking for his men to push harder.
Once the Lions got to the end of the choke point they quickly dismounted and turned lining up shoulder to shoulder. The first dozen Horde fell quickly to their blades. They were overzealous and thought they had already won, this hubris has been the downfall of many before them. Seeing the quick casualties his front line had taken, the Orcish officer roared in rage, yelling for more to push forward.
The chokepoint forced the Horde to attack the Lions only 10 at a time, with The Great Sea to the left and an enormous mountain to the right. Robert had them exactly where he wanted them. The Horde fell ten by ten, it wasn’t because the Horde were weak, no, The Kingdom was trained for this sort of hand to hand warfare. Strong formations, strength in unity, never give an inch; these are traditions instilled in a Lion from a young age.
The bodies started to pile up in front of the Lions and created a natural barrier, this forced the Horde to march over their fallen comrades as they pushed the front line. Not only demoralizing but also the uneasy footing created a weak push. As the Horde stumbled over the bodies of their own they were met with quick and relentless strikes from the Lions. Most fell before being able to land even one blow against the strong front of the Lions.
A horn blows across the beach. The Horde in front of the Lions quickly turn and start to retreat.
The Lions look across to see the Orcish officer signaling for a retreat and regroup. After losing a large portion of his forces he finally realized the folly of his command decision to pursue the Lions to the choke point.
Robert and his Lions stand tall, covered in blood and dirt, drenched in sweat. Robert stabs his blood covered sword into the now crimson sand, and brushes the dirt from his gloves. Looking side to side at his Lions Robert began to nod his head.
“Good.”
Robert turned and headed to the Alliance Base Camp. The Lions all started to congratulate each other as they turned and started to follow Robert.
*Present Time*
As the ship tied off to the Stormwind Harbor docks, the ship’s bells brought Robert out of his thoughts. Robert looked up at the great stone stairways leading to the inner city, forever under the watchful guard of the great lion statue.
Seagulls jetted across the harbor sky, the sun felt warm against his face as he watched them for a moment.
Robert took a deep breath through his nose and smiled. Stepping off the boat onto the dock.
He was home at last.
In the distance, Robert could make out land.
Stormwind.
Stormwind: a glimmer of hope in these dark times. Long have we shed blood over those golden trimmed cobalt banners. Long have our people been plagued; plagued by war, famine, destruction. External and internal conflict that has shaken the very foundations of the capital. The Alliance urns for a response to the desecration of its kingdom. Too long has as the Lion been on the defensive in our own lands...
Too long.
Robert leaned back on the ship’s upper deck looking up at the blue sky. Letting the rocking of the waves take his mind away...
*One Month Ago*
Robert sat atop his Vicious War Steed, the heads of various slain Horde were tied off and dangled from the rear of the massive steed. He had a banner attached to the saddle, the banner of Stormwind. The banner of The Alliance. Robert's uniform matched the banner closely, his long royal blue robes draped to either side of the horse. The gold trim ran up his robes and quickly blended into his golden beard and hair, his eyes also had a golden glow to them as he looked intently across the field.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with a dozen men and women of The Kingdom, all riding Vicious War Steeds of their own. The Lion had sent its strongest to The Timeless Island, with reports of re-emerging interests from both Horde and Alliance of the Islands resources.
Gathering on the western beachhead of the Island just opposite the Lions, a small army of Horde. They grunted and barked at each other as they moved boxes of weapons and armor from large wagons to a forward camp they had hastily set up. They had several tents set up as well, the horde were creating some sort of base camp for their operations, and this is precisely why the Lion itself was sent here.
"There are so many.."
One of Robert's officers proclaimed with a hint of uneasiness in his voice. Robert kept focus on the Horde, almost in a daze looking across the beach.
"Sir?"
Robert moved his head slightly, still keeping focus on the Horde. He hesitated for only for a moment, briefly looking down at the white sand beneath his steed. Robert looked side to side at his Lions then moved forward breaking formation, turning and facing his men. He trotted up and down the line looking into the faces of the Lions one by one. Robert turned and looked over his shoulder at the growing group of Horde, and then turned back and smiled at his Lions before finally speaking.
"Lions! Hear me.
Aye, they are many to our few. Aye, this is true, and they know it.
Yet, make sure not to forget that Lions fear nothing in their great kingdom. Do not forget the banner you carry to battle. Do not forget your brothers and sisters who have perished defending that banner in the past..”
The Lions cheered.
“A month from now, I will be in Stormwind! At the Pig and Whistle drinking and screwing myself to death!"
Seeing his Lions smile Robert grew louder.
"Imagine where you will be, and it will happen.
Do not break formation! Stay with me at all times!
If you find yourself among the Naaru, riding in the green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in the spirit realm, and you're already dead!"
The Lions all laughed, drawing their weapons.
"Lions, what you do today will be sung about for years to come. Stories of our bravery will be told within the walls of Stormwind for centuries.
For the glory of Stormwind!
For the glory of The Alliance!
FOR THE GLORY OF THE KINGDOM!"
The small group of Lions erupted into a roar, letting out a harmonious battle cry that could be heard across the island. The horde gathering on the beachhead looked across to see a dozen Lions on heavy cavalry barreling down on them. Yelling in Orcish they quickly started to move into a defensive formation. Though at this point it was too little too late, and within second the Lions were upon them. The clash from the War Steeds crushing into the Horde infantry was strong, instantly killing some of the horde from the impact. Others died from simply being crushed under the great steed’s hooves. The Horde flailed as they tried to bring down the horses the Lions sat atop, this was in vain as the Vicious War Steeds were draped in Cobalt Steel. No simple blade nor spear could bring a Lion off of his horse.
The front line of the Horde had been shattered and the Lions circled like vicious predators with a blood scent. Still outnumbered the Lions had to continue with a strong offensive push, if the Horde was given any quarter they would surely be overwhelmed. Robert scanned the enemies scattered across the beach, his focus quickly moving to the Orcish officer in the enemy's rear.
The Orc was sitting atop a Vicious War Wolf barking commands in Orcish. The Orcs eyes glowed blue with Lich magic, this was no ordinary Orc knight, this was a Death Knight. They met eyes, the Orc smiled at Robert, seeing this Robert started to advance. Before Skillswap could gain any ground, the Orc waved and pointed forward, signaling another two dozen reinforcements to join the battle.
Robert scanned the beach, a few Alliance had joined the battle, but the waves of Horde seemed endless. Looking side to side his Lions were getting tired, he knew he had to do something or they would all be overwhelmed soon.
"Lions! Move south, head for the beach choke point!"
As the Lions moved slowly south while still fending off the Horde, the enemy gave chase. They moved along the beachhead with the Lions and slowly approached southern choke point. As Robert helped fight he quickly glanced across the beach at their commander. He could see him laughing and moving forward behind his army, barking for his men to push harder.
Once the Lions got to the end of the choke point they quickly dismounted and turned lining up shoulder to shoulder. The first dozen Horde fell quickly to their blades. They were overzealous and thought they had already won, this hubris has been the downfall of many before them. Seeing the quick casualties his front line had taken, the Orcish officer roared in rage, yelling for more to push forward.
The chokepoint forced the Horde to attack the Lions only 10 at a time, with The Great Sea to the left and an enormous mountain to the right. Robert had them exactly where he wanted them. The Horde fell ten by ten, it wasn’t because the Horde were weak, no, The Kingdom was trained for this sort of hand to hand warfare. Strong formations, strength in unity, never give an inch; these are traditions instilled in a Lion from a young age.
The bodies started to pile up in front of the Lions and created a natural barrier, this forced the Horde to march over their fallen comrades as they pushed the front line. Not only demoralizing but also the uneasy footing created a weak push. As the Horde stumbled over the bodies of their own they were met with quick and relentless strikes from the Lions. Most fell before being able to land even one blow against the strong front of the Lions.
A horn blows across the beach. The Horde in front of the Lions quickly turn and start to retreat.
The Lions look across to see the Orcish officer signaling for a retreat and regroup. After losing a large portion of his forces he finally realized the folly of his command decision to pursue the Lions to the choke point.
Robert and his Lions stand tall, covered in blood and dirt, drenched in sweat. Robert stabs his blood covered sword into the now crimson sand, and brushes the dirt from his gloves. Looking side to side at his Lions Robert began to nod his head.
“Good.”
Robert turned and headed to the Alliance Base Camp. The Lions all started to congratulate each other as they turned and started to follow Robert.
*Present Time*
As the ship tied off to the Stormwind Harbor docks, the ship’s bells brought Robert out of his thoughts. Robert looked up at the great stone stairways leading to the inner city, forever under the watchful guard of the great lion statue.
Seagulls jetted across the harbor sky, the sun felt warm against his face as he watched them for a moment.
Robert took a deep breath through his nose and smiled. Stepping off the boat onto the dock.
He was home at last.