The General and the Warchief ( Boudicca x Parker Lawson)

[Nykar]

Titus Iuris stood on the battlements of his new capitol. The look on his face one of pure, anger and worry. "I told you I want three times as much stone on this wall and I wanted it a month ago!" His quartermaster, a skinny man from the North. His blonde hair so thin he always looked bald. "Governor. With the barbarians not allowing us to quarry we are having to ship it from the Empire and it won't even be here for another week. Nevermind if I'll have the manpower to even use it." Titus huffed "I don't want excuses. I want results." With that he walked off, hands behind his back as he thought. He knew his quartermaster was doing his best but it wasn't good enough. With the walls only half covered in stone he was a sitting duck if that woman decided to burn them all out.

Titus was tall, at 6'5 and looked every bit the Roman general. His dark hair and eyes along with his muscular build made him look like something out a propaganda song. At 30 he was young to have so much responsibilities but he'd proven himself time and time again that he was capable of handling almost any problem. Though here he felt like he had bitten off more than he could chew. His predecessor, old fool that he is, killed a local chief in a petty dispute. Now his wife, who turned out to be a far more effective leader than her husband, had united her people for the first time in his lifetime. Already a few of her scouts had been either caught or spotted. One had even gotten to within spitting distance of his keep! It was enough to turn his dark hair gray, and he'd only been here 6 months!

He pulled off his helmet, running a hand through his thick hair. He sighed, and went to his war room, looking over maps and reports. He'd been so proud of himself in his first three months. He'd ended raiding into Imperial holdings in the region. Reestablished the forts and watchtowers that gave the empire security, and rebuilt the old roads and grain silos for the people and trade. If only his first 3 months had been as easy as his last three months. He fell into a chair, wondering how he could avoid a bloody and costly war.

 

[Boudicca]

RE: The General and the Warchief

Just as he had the thought about war, out appeared a man in the distance, simply walking towards the front gates. As he got closer it was revealed that the man wore little but a loincloth to cover his genitals, some fur boots and a rather large axe that would be of no threat from the distance he was standing. Was he lost? Was he crazy enough to raid an entire encampment on his own? These questions as of now were non-answerable. What became evident however was that he was one of the Beorei peoples, which was made clear by his blue face and body tattoos, further revealed by his almost-nude state.

The Beorei peoples were an ethnicity of barbarians to the North of the Empire, recently unified by an unnamed female ruler which they simply referred to as "The Wrathbringer" after uniting her peoples and bringing death and destruction to rivaling tribes and other ethnicities alike. With their newfound people the Beoreians did not only pose a threat to their neighbouring areas like a normal tribe would, but to the entirety of the Empire itself.

The settlement that Titus resided in had its fair share of scouts from these peoples, most likely due to the previous leader of it killing the husband of this "Wrathbringer". This man however was clearly somewhat separated from the rest of his kin, for he wasn't hiding around in some bush trying to listen into what they were saying. He had walked here, all by himself. He yelled at the walls, not particularly looking at one person within it but instead gazing at the walls themselves.

''I will speak to your leader, dwelling-scum!''

He yelled out in an aggressive manner, which wasn't surprising considering the fact that he was a Beorei. What was infinitely more surprising however was that this Beorei spoke in a very clear way to the guards in the language of the Empire despite a rather heavy accent. Such a feat coming from a barbarian was thought to be almost impossible by the people of the Empire.

The man didn't draw out his axe, but clenched his fists, gazing at the archers on the walls one by one, awaiting an answer.

 

[Nykar]

RE: The General and the Warchief

Titus had just sat down one a solider came running up to him. He told him about a savage at the gates demanding to speak to our..erm...leader. Titus sighed and stood up, several soldiers forming a guard behind him. "No, I want you to stay at the gates, and watch. If he came alone then I will meet him alone. I need to defuse this situation not look like some scared child." He calmly stood up, and walked out of his keep.

A small door within the gates opened up. Titus, dressed as a Roman General should be, clad in armor, had to bend down to go through the doorway. He saw the barbarian and sighed loudly. He had hoped to find someone who would be willing to talk. This man looked like he was ready for battle. Titus had no shield but kept his hand on the hilt of his blade. He strolled forward, as if he were talking a walk. Though his eyes scanned for other threats and he never let the man leave his sight. "I understand you wanted to speak to me. I am Governor Titus Iuris. What can I help you with today?" He said, sound more like a shop keeper than a solider.

 

[Boudicca]

RE: The General and the Warchief

The area around him appeared to be relatively open, and there didn't appear to be a sign of anybody else being around at the present.

The scantily dressed man looked at the approaching Governor in a shocked and somewhat frustrated expression, his eyes arched and his eyes widened. He'd stomp the ground angrily, flailing his arms left and right.

"I DON'T WANT ANY GAMES, YOU FILTHY PUPPET! BRING OUT THE OLD MAN HERE RIGHT NOW OR YOUR ENTIRE TOWN WILL LIVE TO REGRET IT!''

He'd say even more aggressively this time, saliva dripping off of his mouth as he yelled.

 

[Nykar]

RE: The General and the Warchief

"The old man?" Titus asked, his face twisting in confusion. He then sighed, rubbing his face for a moment. "He is gone from here. He was recalled to the Capitol and I replaced him." Titus then suddenly got a creeping fear up his spine. They wanted the old Governor, but they couldn't have what wasn't here. "I could write a letter, asking for him to be brought here but I doubt he would. That old man has caused me nothing but problems." He hoped complaining about a mutual problem would create some goodwill, or at least give him time to find more information. Though he knew for a fact the emperor would never hand over any Roman official to barbarians. "perhaps we could talk, find a way to avoid any...pleasantness." He said, silently praying to the Gods this wouldn't end in war.

 

[Boudicca]

RE: The General and the Warchief

The warrior looked away into the sky for a second or two, before meeting his eyes again, failing his hands with his lips smashing into one another, seemingly wanting to speak but failing to do so. He'd shake his head violently, before knocking on it once or twice and cracking his neck, taking a good look at the man in front of him.

"Listen, Governor man! If this here is your town now, we will extend to you what we extend to every other ruler, so you better listen closely!"

He spoke in a relatively calmer manner than he had before, even though he was still clearly angry and aggressive.

''The great armies of the Wrathseeker await for glory, and they prey onto your little nest! Either you and your men get outside with your riches by nightfall, or live to see your little city burned and sacked with you and its people slaughtered!"

He'd then bob his head back and forth clenching his fists and looking at the ground.

''And I swear, if that Old Man is in there, you, AND ALL YOUR PEOPLE, ALONGSIDE ALL THE LIVING THINGS IN THIS LITTLE FLIMSY TOWN- will REGRET EVER being born.''

The Warrior lashed out in a moment of rage, letting go of his clenched fist and looking at the Governor for a response with his head still bobbing back and forth.

 

[Nykar]

RE: The General and the Warchief

Titus stood as still as stone as the man spoke about what was going to happen and what the Wrathseeker wanted. He listened very carefully and once the man finished he said "I was willing to listen, and talk this out, but I need to know, for your sake, and the sake of your people, are these terms final? Is there no other way we can avoid blood shed." He then slowly drew his sword, approaching the other man. "For you see I am not some doddering old man. I have been fighting wars since I was 14." He moved closer, his eyes darkening, as the man had causing an avalanche that was moving towards him. "I had lost track of how many people I'd killed by the age of 16. I have never lost a war, and fought ever single one from the front." His tone never changed, he never got louder. It was as even he were telling him facts, not even trying to threaten. "So I will give you a counter proposal. I will petition the Emperor to send the old man here where I will try and no doubt convict him. Then I will appoint the Wrathbringer as official executioner and giver him to her. Otherwise, ask your leader how many more of her loved ones she's willing to lose in a way with a man she is not prepared to fight. Ask yourself how many people your willing to lose. Now go, or else I will make my answer clear by taking your head."

 

[Boudicca]

RE: The General and the Warchief

For a few seconds the man would have the same shocked facial expression similar to the one he had when the Governor first came out. He'd then start laughing, going on and on and on with it, seemingly to no end. He'd wipe his cheeks for a quick while as tears would start dropping from his eyes.

''WHAT- WHAT ARROGANCE- AHAHAHhahHAHAhahadha~ YOU DWELLING PEOPLE CLEARLY HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT ANYTHING AHAHAHAHhaHAHAHAHAHA... I WILL ENJOY PUTTING YOUR HEAD ON A SPEAR'S END WITH THE REST OF MY BROTHERS!"

He'd then stop in a very sudden way, eyeing the town behind him and looking back at the Governor before cracking his neck again, and would spit onto the ground next to him.

"You have until the nightfall to prepare your defenses. The Wrathbringer highly disapproves of those who don't bring a challenge, so don't disappoint.''

He turned his back on the governor after doing so, walking away slowly step by step as if nothing had happened. He'd spit on the ground one more time as he did.

 

[Nykar]

RE: The General and the Warchief

Titus almost took his head off then and there to prove a point, but it would've been petty. Either he was going to win what came next or he wasn't. "You delivered your message. Leave here now or else you pick the ground you die on." With that he sheathed his sword and began walking towards the town. His mind already working on how in the hell he was going to defend this place. This wasn't about the Empire, or feuds anymore, but about staying alive.

Titus ordered the entire town place on high alert and began pouring over maps. How could she attack the city by nightfall?! She would have to have taken the fort to his east. If she didn't she risked being attacked while storming city. She scratched his chin, wondering if she was crazy enough to do just that. He took the maps, looking at the region. If...if she moved fast and hit him hard she could pull it off. Then she could take out the smaller forts in the region at her leisure. He frowned, not liking the sound of it. He looked at the walls, there were too many weak points. There was no way he was keeping out a determined and large army. Looking at the map though he realized he might be able to lure them into a trap. The city was designed to be in a grid. If he could channel them into two sections along his northern wall he could then he could fight with his back to the keep and only worry about one direction. If that happened the odds would be even at least. No army had ever matching the Romans in combat when they were able to use their tight infantry formations.

Titus spent the rest of the day calling up forces and ordering everyone to prepare of an attack. He then rigged his own walls to fall on the enemy positions when they attacked. It would destroy what little stone walls he had, but it would inflict loses. He also ordered all forces within 8 hours of his location to fall back to the city. Everyone else was to prepare to be attacked. He was about to lose a lot of ground...but he'd need every advantage against an army this size! As some of his recalled forces arrived he began doing some basic math. If his scouts were right he was about to be outnumbered 10-1. He grimaced. He'd beaten those odds before, but he'd had time to prepare. As night began to fall, the cities was ablaze with lights, archers covering the walls and his trap ready. He only hoped it would be enough.

 

[Boudicca]

RE: The General and the Warchief

As soon as the sun went down the ground would start shaking as if there was an earthquake. A huge army could be seen over the horizon, walking towards the fort instead of charging. They all seemed to wear little to no armour, however they all seemed to carry reinforced tower shields, at least that's what they all looked like from the distance. The figure in front of the army stopped and raised her sword, which looked strangely Chelish in design. This figure revealed itself to be that of a female as she did, for she stood out in front of an army full of men.

As her sword was raised suddenly the whole army came into a halt, displaying an enormous amount of discipline from barbaric peoples from the get go, especially from the Beorei kind. Her and her army were positioned to be further from the average shooting distance, but they were still hittable.

The army stood in parallel with the town in front of it, stretching wide across. The end of the army was lost behind the horizon, and chances were that there were even more of them from where the eye couldn't see. There had to be hundreds and thousands of them, all mobilized to assault this town. What was perhaps even more shocking than their terrifying numbers however was the fact that they seemed to have 25 Ballistas with them, all appeared to be of the latest Chelish design, those that weren't implemented due to a lack of resources. The Ballistas were all covered in tower shields similar to those that the army was wearing, they made it extremely difficult to even see to the Ballista itself.

The woman in front of the army started shouting in a foreign language-

"Ahn phail mor a cyuwfed! Mor a ywn! Mor a fywn!"

Her voice was extremely loud as it echoed all across the area, most likely being somewhat shocking due to her lacking in size in comparison to the rest of the army of muscled brutes. When she yelled she sounded fierce an extremely enraged. Her sword was still up in the air.

''Mor a fywn!''

Her army replied in an extremely loud manner. It was in fact so loud that someone in the town would most likely feel as if someone standing next to them was shouting. Right after they all yelled however would they cover their bodies with their tower shields, the entire army suddenly looking like a bunch of traditional Borei paintings, those of which were painted on their shields. Each and every one of them. After a few seconds of pause, the female voice could be heard again, her yells echoing.

"Woa manaw yns myswoa! Yns a mor fywn! Mor syeach!"

It wouldn't take a second for the army to respond by yelling

"Mor syeach!"

Before the ballistas suddenly fired up into the air, but not giant arrows like one might've projected. They started launching corpses. Dead generals, soldiers, citizens, all of the Chelish kind would rain over the city, most of their bodies further shattering up in the air. Blood would splatter all across the corners of the town. Guts strewn. Some of the dead long gone, some fresh from the battle. The leader would repeat her chant, and everytime she did her army would respond with the same line, and everytime they did they'd launch another wave of the corpses.

 

[Nykar]

RE: The General and the Warchief

If Titus had lived a hundred years he would not have believed his eyes. How...how by all the Gods above and below had she created an army of this size in 6 months!? He watched as they got into position but for the life of him he had no idea why they weren't charging. They could take they city by storm in an hour...2 at most. Why in the hell hadn't he know it was this big. Titus had never hated himself more in this moment of his life. He felt as if the world had pulled a rug out from under him. He turned and yelled "Leave! Now! run as fast and as far as you can!" He ordered the southern gates opened and watched as panicked villagers ran as fast as they could.

He then paused...an hour or two...if he could hold the city with that many maybe the slaughter wouldn't be complete. Maybe at least someone would survive this. "alright, men listen up!" He called out to the remaining defenders. As he spoke, body parts began reigning down on the city. As one they lifted their shields and began protecting themselves. Titus turned his nose up at the tactic. "Barbarians!" He roared. "we are going to die, there is no way that changes, not now. But we get to choose how we die. Every moment we force that army to focus on us we buy someone their life."

With that they moved to take positions on the walls. His trebuchets ready to fire their flaming ammo as soon as her forces moved into position. His archers ready to fire volley after volley. Titus himself took the most dangerous position. He gathered up what cavalry he could, only a hundred and raced out with the townspeople. Titus wished he could tell himself he was brave, but the truth was he wanted to die. Partially for the calamity he'd lead these people to and partially because he didn't want to be a trophy for their bitch of a Queen. He drew his sword, charging out of the town, moving to launch hit and run attacks against a far larger army. If he was lucky, or good he'd last 5 minutes. If he was both he'd last 10.

 

[Boudicca]

RE: The General and the Warchief

The arrows coming off of the archers would be deflected at ease with the shields of the warriors, however the trebuches would do some damage, killing at least about 20 people per hit. Not the the army budged at all. The female in front of the army would look in shock, almost as if she was offended towards the walls of the city after cutting off the arrows that had pierced into her shield, clearly indicating that in a way, she wasn't expecting any resistance at all.

As the cavalry charged into the army with hit and run tactics, the Beorei army would only hit them when they got too close with swords that weren't exactly very efficient towards cavalry units. The leader looked even more shocked than before, as she had fully ceased chanting and ordering her people to launch corpses over the city as she observed the cavalries, not saying anything, instead just watching. After a few seconds of doing so she'd suddenly yell a different phrase.

"Gyrwa a borwa!"

And clicking noises would start coming off of the Ballistas.

The woman herself would look rather clean unlike the rest of her army, not wearing much else other than a fur shoulderpiece that covered most of the upper part of her body, and some leather wraps here and there that looked rather strewn together than artfully crafted. Alongside her shield and sword would be a bow that she hadn't drawn as of yet. With her red hair and pale skin, she would instantly fit into the Empire's archetypal description of a Beorei savage.

As that expression of shock coming off of her slowly dissolved into anger, the leading woman raised her sword and pointed it towards the town as she faced it back again whilst yelling out

"Grywa nehbflaith, hywa! As pwyerd!"

She yelled,

"As pwyerd!"

Her people replied as they started charging, with the woman leading the charge. As they were moving quickly towards the walls the Ballistas would fire straight at the defenses, cutting through the walls with ease and creating holes for the armies to squeeze trough. As for the cavalries the very armies that they were toying with a few seconds ago would suddenly get a move on them, catching one or two of the horsemen off guard as the legs of their horses were cut, and they'd simply get lost in the crowds as they fell.

 

[Nykar]

RE: The General and the Warchief

It had been 30 minutes since Titus had started harassing her forces. He honestly didn't know how he was still alive. He stopped, long enough to see the last of the villagers round a hill and fall out of site. He had done what he could, and watched as several of his men fell, as the Beorei started to adapt to fighting cavalry...or were getting lucky. Either way they had done their job. "Men, follow the rest of our people. Keep them safe!" He then road back into the city, and into his doom.

The cavalry suddenly broke off against the enemy army, heading along the road and away from the main force. As Titus entered the city though he was facing a worst nightmare situation. His trap would've worked perfect against an army of a few thousand but against this it didn't matter. He watched as several traps were sprung and men crushed under falling wall, only for more to swarm through. He counted 7 breaches in just the 40 minutes and double that many would soon occur. He ordered his forces to retreat into the keep, rallying them as best he could, and making sure to save a few trebuchets, destroying as many as he could as his forces pulled back into the keep. Doing a quick head count he realized he barely had enough to defend it and watched as the barbarian army took the city he had such grand hopes for.

The keep had stone walls 20 feet high on all sides and was an impressive castle in it's own right. It had grain, fresh water and could hold for a time, but it was easily isolated now that the city had fallen and Titus realized that if she took the castle she'd loose...maybe...maybe a few hundred men, but she could also starve them out and use the city as a camp. He stood behind a murder hole, trying to figure out what, if any move he could make at this point.

 

[Boudicca]

RE: The General and the Warchief

As the armies made their way into the city, a good chunk of the offensive force would get crushed under the traps that were set up for them, but it wouldn't matter, as more and more would pour inside by the second, killing whoever that dare stand in their way. At least five of the Beorei would get killed to one of the Chelish, but they'd get overrun almost immediately afterwards, so none of it would really matter.

The Beorei armies would flow inside the city, slaughtering every single armed individual inside. The burned and sacked some buildings straight out whilst some were untouched after a few of the men wandering inside and barking some orders to the rest, presumably to not touch the said house for reasons unknown. Perhaps to some surprise they wouldn't simply stab or slash the throats of those that were unarmed, they'd simply beat them with their bare fists before they lay unconscious, and leave them there afterwards. Men, women, children, it didn't matter, away they punched.

Out of all the chaos the figure of the leading woman reappeared at the centre of the town square, her sword and shield bloodied from battle. All around her were different people engaging in battle against one another, and most of her warriors appeared to be winning. Rather than helping them in their combat she looked around the contents of the city, possibly trying to make out her armies next move. Regardless of whatever was going through her head however, she stood isolated, simply looking around with her weapons drawn.

 

[Nykar]

RE: The General and the Warchief

Titus had lost this battle, it was only a matter of time and he'd saved who he could. The screams of the the children would haunt him most though...that wold be with him for a long long time. He looked around the keep, wondering how long it would take for the Beorei to figure out the keep was defended.

It was as he was surveying the final deference that he saw her...that damn woman! He growled at the very sight of her and said "You are in command" To the last Centurion he had left. He then placed his helmet on, holding his massive tower shield in one hand and his short sword in the other he marched out, moving through the streets and cutting down any Beorei foolish enough to get in his way. When he found the woman he roared out "Wrathbringer!" Charging her with everything he had. His shield protecting him while he tried to barrel right over her, his sword ready to cut her if she dodged. If he was going to die, he was going to take her with him. At least then he would die with some honor, and not as the fool who didn't run when he had the chance.

 

[Boudicca]

RE: The General and the Warchief

Some warriors tried to attack him as he charged but would be put down due to a somewhat notable lack of knowledge on how to properly utilize their weaponry. As the Wrathbringer was taunted she simply glimpsed at the man charging, not even showing an immediate defensive reaction. As he got closer she simply raised her shield which well covered over her somewhat tiny frame and rammed herself into the shield of the other man charging at him with quite a lot of force. Titus could hear his shield cracking as she did. Could such a thing be possible? To have a barbarian, a Beorei nonetheless to have a superior shield then that of an Emperor's Governor.

She took a few steps back as she hit him with her shield, pushing him back with some force. She lowered it for a split second to shoot an uninspired gaze at the man. It looked as if she even pitied him to a degree. She'd then stop looking at him as she lowered her shield, gazing at the rest of the city as she had done previously. There was some initial confusion to why she had done so, but it all became way too clear as a Beorei man appeared from Titus's back, ready to stab him right there and end his life.

 

[Nykar]

RE: The General and the Warchief

Titus was stunned he didn't simply barrel right over her. It made no sense, none of this did. She had better weapons, weapons that were too good for her people. He growled as she pushed back, not giving an inch. It was however the wrong thing to do. His shield cracked loudly, turning into slag on his arm. He growled when she shot him a pitting look. Someone who destroyed a city over a husband wasn't capable of that kind of feeling, not after the slaughter of children! He felt a blade crash behind him, dinging his armor, even cracking it.

"What in the hell is this?" He roared, tumbling underneath another swing, his armor falling apart as he did so. Now all he wore was his armored pants, his chest bare from the blow. He took his sword, aiming it at one of the warriors throats and slamming into it, with his now free hand he twisted, taking his strange sword into his hands. He sliced with it, killing the second man that came for him. He growled, charging her again, wanting to slam this sword into her shield, wanting to cut her head off for her crimes. "Die you animal!" He screamed, chasing her even as more of her soldiers moved in to cut him down.

 

[Boudicca]

RE: The General and the Warchief

As she heard his men screaming in pain as they were slaughtered by the Governor, she turned back towards the direction of the man, her shield not raised yet. As she looked over him she'd have the same expression of confusion and frustration similar to that of which she's had at the gates. She seemed utterly flabbergasted. She however quickly realized that he was in an enraged frenzy, her eyes flashed for a quick second as she quickly raised her shield arm to first hit him in the head once to throw him off for a second to then quickly engage the sword of the dazzled man before locking it and turning it around to twist his hand, forcing him to let go and as he did she'd launch her opponents sword away to the side. As she did so she did a three-sixty spin and before he knew it her bloodied sword was directly facing the General's throat. She looked at him straight in the eyes, taking a deep breath, she spoke in his native tongue, almost like a native speaker herself.

"Tell me something, warrior, why do you fight?"

She'd ask in the same flabbergasted tone, yet she'd also sound calm, which would perhaps make sense given her general lack of care towards his offences.

 

[Nykar]

RE: The General and the Warchief

The blow landed on Titus's head, hard. he could feel blood already coming from the back of his head, but he didn't care and he would deal with the pain latter. The hit didn't throw him off, and he didn't change direction. She was only able to push his sword to the side as he plowed into her like a bull hitting a matador. He wanted to beat her! To turn her face into blood pudding with his bare hands! He tried to pin her with his legs, blood oozing down his face, his eyes wide and full of rage. "Why?! Because you attacked me you crazy witch! This was supposed to be my fresh start and you burned it to ash! I don't know where you got this army or your magic swords and weapons but I promise you, you'll never live long enough to use them!"

With that he tried his best to place his legs over her shoulders, and slam his fists into her face. He was strong, and clearly well trained, though he was suffering blood lose and had already been fight for the last hour and half. He could feel how badly his muscles ached, how he was only running on adrenaline. His eyes were almost glassy at this point. "Why are you so fucking confused I'd fight defend my home?!" He roared!

 

[Boudicca]

RE: The General and the Warchief

She seemed to be shocked to see this man able to bring her down the way he did. His blow would cause her to accidentally drop away her weapon. As she was on the ground her shoulders would get pinned and would get initially struck once or twice, her left cheek turning purple. However after those hits she'd manage to squeeze her shoulders through with remarkable agility, and in a nick of time would un-do her shield and squeeze the other arm out. She'd then raise her them in order to protect her face, assuming a defensive position as the man hammered her with his fists. Her arms were remarkably strong and resilient against the blows despite the woman being the size that she was.

"I didn't doom your people- your leader- did!"

She'd manage to speak out, sounding far more frustrated and worried whilst she was getting pummeled, her hands protecting her from most of the assault.

 

[Nykar]

RE: The General and the Warchief

"And so did you!" Titus screamed, wanting to kill her, angry she had escaped his pin, trying to pull her arms away from her face. "You god damn monster! You ruined everything!" He screamed, it was then another warrior came behind him, grabbing him and starting to pull him off. He pushed him aside and tried to hit her again, but it loosened his hold of her even more so. Before he knew it was swarmed by soldiers, pulling him off of their queen. One said to her "you want to kill him yourself?" he asked in their tongue, surprised a city dweller could fight so well and with so much rage.