The War of Lilacs

[SpringNixie]

The Lady of the Plains thought about this for a moment.
"Do you believe that directing Knight Collins' forces through Gotha [9] and into Ilm-Kres [11] would ensure your victory should a battle break out in that area?"

 

[Pattern-Weld]

"I can't ensure anything, but its a definite better chance for taking the city than any other movement. The other options are me taking the path of least resistance, or Ilm-Kreis [21] by myself in a mad dash to get to Suhl in time to meet with Collin before he is possibly attacked by the enemy forces. This would leave me wipe open to get attacked by myself, and likely die or lose the battle, letting the enemies go into Suhl [20] uninterupted. Now I could avoid Ilm-Kreis [21] and go around to get to Suhl [20] but by the time I got there it could be too late, and Collins forces will have engaged without me." Stray explained. "My plan gives us the largest likelyhood to win a battle if it occurs, and if it doesn't it will force the enemy to go around, allowing us to take Suhl[20] anyway during the next day."

 

[SpringNixie]

Lady Bresee considered the wolf-man's words before sighing and nodding.
"Theodore... Belay my original orders and make your way to Ilm-Kreis [21] so as to provide Stray-Hound with the support he requires. Tear Marcotte, you shall continue to move down the eastern edge of Thuringia with the intent of securing those territories should Stray and the Knight of Spring fall. I wish you all luck." With this, the Lady of the Plains sets the radio down to consider their grand strategy once more.

((END TURN 3))

 

[Theo Collins]

"Not a problem, My Lady," Theo would respond into the radio. "This just means I get to go into combat early. Hopefully, this will strike a large blow against the Court of Lilacs."

Theo would turn to face his comrades. "Small change in plans! We head for the battlefront!"

 

[Inkwell]

A bit slow on the uptake, Jules would have nodded at the plans of him holding Sommerda [6]. No specialist on fae, he would not have known exactly what to expect from the plains fae. Normally explaining his work as being that of a glorified meatshield, having to do the job of a wall, to keep the Court of Lilacs from travelling through the Northern forests seemed less of a stretch. Though any part of a plan that sounded like he wouldn't be able to stick closer to Avery would be met with a serious frown.

He looked around to try and find someone that could explain to him a bit about Sommerda or the plains fae.

 

[Pattern-Weld]

Stray would ring in on the comms. "Lets move that extra water fae batallion here into Erfurt[11]. Things up there are looking messy. Can't be too safe." The wolfish man said, looking at his other water enhanced allies. He had already started the effort of getting them to build up the towns defenses, keeping the civilians in as safe conditions as possible. "Things are going well here.

 

[Velvet Silk]

Elisha simply follows the advice given, responding to avery. 'Following that direction, then. Vaguely. I seem to have lost my map. Should be there within a few hours, though.' [6->11]

 

[Pattern-Weld]

Meanwhile Nick was back at camp directing a large group of council operatives bringing in some cases. "We want them over here, near the blacksmith and armory." He pointed, making sure there was enough space. "Put that one there.....and that one......right here!" He gave them the all clear. "Thanks for your help guys." The blue berets nodded, going off on their business. Nick opened the two big boxes, one filled with MK-0 grenades for training, the other with MK-1 bombs for the combat to come. "Everything looks in order.....now lets see if these are all I cracked them up to be."

 

[Viyola Marcotte]

Viyola still walked the plains of the region. As she reached the center of the Unstrut-Hainich [4] region, she radioed in. "How are you all looking? I'll be in Gotha [9] soon. I can come east to Erfurt [11] with Stray and anyone else, though it sounds like there'll be a lot of you -- or I can just stay in the towns here [10], wherever you think you'll need me more."

 

[Inkwell]

Having arrived at Sommerda [6] Jules sets about to figure out just exactly what is going on and what he himself can do to keep the Court of Lilacs to pass into the Northern forests.

As he have said himself many times before, he was not a great strategist.

However, his experience from previous battles had given him a solid background in how you lead people, once the battle plan turns from plan and into the true chaos that a real battle is. And knowing where his own weaknesses would be, he set out to find out more about the Fae stationed with him, hoping to spot at least one or two of them who knew the area and the troops well enough to give him a hand with the per-planning and logistics of the whole operation.

 

[SpringNixie]

"Allie and I have made it to Erfurt," Avery announced over the radio close to sunset. "We are working the aquatic fae already stationed here so as to come up with a definite strategy for when the Court of Lilacs ultimately decides to move in. I think we shall set up our base within the cathedral here. It has ample space and seems to be very solidly built. I'll be in contact later to update you all."

Lady Bresee's voice then took to the radio. "Tear Marcotte, I would like you to continue making your way into the south following the path Knight Collins has laid before you [4-->9] in case he and Stray-Hound encounter resistance in Ilm-Kreis [21] so as to provide them with potential reinforcements. If a battle does not begin in that area, then I would like you to head into the central town of Gotha [10] so as to secure it before those troops traveling alongside Miss Elisha arrive to provide assistance." She pauses. "Elisha, I would recommend that you make your way to stand with Jules in Sommerda [6] as that land is critical to our defense at the moment. If they were to attack and find that area weak... They would have a straight shot at our main camp. We have also received a new shipment of what Sir Vandask calls Bingo-Bombs to help us with the more... grotesque and monstrous enemies. Our newest troops and couriers shall carry them to your positions." She nods and concludes the briefing with her typical oath to honor, glory, and to a swift victory before signing off.

The troops with Jules seem to be composed of a mixture of those new to war and those who knew war all too well. The veterans were all grim in their determination, knowing the land well enough to understand that taking the high ground upon the surrounding hills would be crucial to surviving whatever attack may come for them. They suggested raining a volley of arrows from their archers down upon the enemy to thin their ranks before charging downhill into battle once they came into range. That would provide them with the upper hand.

 

[Pattern-Weld]

Stray meanwhile, had already left towards [21], and Nick had sent a few of the experimental weapons up to Erfurt with the new fae battalion.

 

[Viyola Marcotte]

Viyola waits for the usual report to end, then radios Theo. "Hey, it's Viyola. Like Lady Bresee said, I'll be moving into Gotha [9] soon. However, I'm a day or two behind you all, so I can't guarantee I'll make it on time to help you if you end up in battle. If it's too much trouble, advise as to what I should do -- I need to avoid exhausting myself or, worse, getting caught. Again."

She then follows up with a similar message for Stray, adding at the end, "Maybe we'll finally get that quality time."

 

[Theo Collins]

Theodore made haste as to meet up with stray in [21] as soon as possible. He was prepared for a fight, though he was hoping that it could be avoided. Once he arrives, he would reconvene with Stray Hound and make further plans then.

Theo reaches for the radio in his pocket. "We should probably get more plains fae out here too. It'll help balance out our troops and it would help protect [6]."

 

[sam4books]

Just then, a swirling green and blue portal ofchaos and quantum magic appeared in the camp near Nickoli's workplace. An old looking man with grey hair and bright green eyes, wearing an old Illuminati field uniform, stepped out...with another man following behind. He grumbled something to himself as he did so, taking with him a pair of pistols, an elementalism charm, and what appeared to be a quantum bracelet.

"Sorry for the hold up. Couldn't fucking find this thing. Turns out I left it in one of my homes in Maine. Thought I had spares...but I'm dealing with 3rd age bullshit. Plus, I had to pick this asshole up before he could restrain his sister. What the hell has been going on twitter by the way? People keep poking me to check it but I just don't have the time nor patience for that sort of thing." He said after approaching Nick, glancing this way and that at all of the fae. "Also, where the hell is Avery and Stray and the others?" he would then ask.

 

[Achlad]

The man who stepped out behind Charles was dressed in British Army style military fatigues, suitable for woodland combat. On a quick glance, he had an M16 slung across his back, a Colt 1911 pistol in a holster on his hip, and a puukko knife by his side as well. His brown eyes darted across the area, quickly taking account of the camp from what he could see directly around him. His lips twisted into a slight smirk of amusement as he saw the organization that had gone on in the camp and in its arrangement.

It's certainly not a professional military job Avery, but you've done well.

Discreetly, Thom tapped something on his leg, sending the signal to his fellow Hounds that Blood had arrived. He then joined Charles in the approach to Nick, remaining silent as Charles asked his question. "I was wondering that as well. Avery is in charge of this operation, and I'd like to know how she'd see best to use me."

 

[Pattern-Weld]

Nick was a bit surprised at the showy entrance, but relaxed when he saw who it was. "Most of the others already began the march Charles. Avery too. I can see if we can get you guys on the radio with her though." He gave a glance to the large central tent. "You will have to speak with the Fae....queen. I think. Commander maybe? Something like that." He gave a shrug. "Politics isn't my strong suit. You should be able to hail her on the radio though."

Meanwhile, Stray was listening to his radio. "If Viyola is going to be late for the combat anyway....maybe she should go around, through the forest. We could get a better idea for the conditions in those territories that way. A bit of preemptive scouting. Up to her and you Lady Bresee. Have to agree with Theo, getting some more plainsfolk would be a good idea as well."

 

[SpringNixie]

((END OF TURN 4))

 

[sam4books]

Charles stood outside Lady Bresee's tent with a bag full of fresh rations and building material, the quantum brace attached to his wrist. He was wondering what to do now that he had arrived to this place. War. It wasn't something he was used to. Wasn't something he was attuned to. And indeed, something he feared.

It was why he had such ill thoughts about the cold war. About the Soviets. About communism in general. Such things such as the Red Scare, were a reality to him.

"My Lady?" he asked....treating the occasion as formally as possible. It had been months since he last did business with the courts, and he did not wish to offend.

 

[SpringNixie]

The powerful Lady of the Plains looks to Charles and bows her head in recognition of him but currently seems lost in a conversation taking place over the radio. Avery's melodic voice, somewhat weak from either pain or exhaustion, was speaking at the other end.

"We overcame the enemy but a small portion of our troops were wounded gravely during the battle. Despite those few losses we have suffered, however, we should still be able to mount a full defense in case the enemy decides to strike once more." There is a pause as the Courier of Spring coughs and groans with discomfort. "We are still in the process of purifying the cathedral here but, My Lady, I think it would be wise to pull Allie and I back to camp whilst I attempt to recover from my injuries. We can hold the city until reinforcements arrive to take our place but... I lost my arm in battle. I do not think I could be of much use to us as I am now and will likely need a replacement of some kind if I were to reenter the fray."

Lady Bresee nods as she paces back and forth. "I am sorry to hear of your injury, Courier, but it may be some time before I can send any of our troops in to replace you or your loved one. The best I can do at the moment is offer you my congratulations on your victory and wish you a speedy recovery. I shall send whatever aid I can to assist or relieve you."

"Thank you, Lady Bresee," Avery replies sincerely. "We shall do our best to hold Erfurt. Over and out."

The radio grows silent again and Lady Bresee now turns to face Charles with a grateful expression. "You are Sir Charles Price, correct? I have heard much about your exploits from the Fae of My Court." She bows down slightly so as to greet him honorably. "The Court of Spring welcomes one such as yourself to our humble camp, Portal Keeper. We do not have much here but please feel free to make yourself at home."