Kithayn - 02 Connu the Brave

Connu had not been the Warden for long. Tinau, the previous Warden, had been a fat, jolly, lazy man who had allowed the defences of the Wardenhome - its main reason for existence - to fall into disrepair. Connu's first step on taking up the Wardenship had been to repair the palisade and the wisdom of his decision was now there for all to see.

The palisade's gate was closed and at the base of the Wardenhome's rise, 5 Varou milled about, obviously confused and uncertain what to do - they must not have expected the palisade ...

As they yipped to each other in their strange language, Kithayn saw Connu risk a look over the palisade from the fighting platform inside the palisade next to the gate. As she watched, one of the Varou seeing Connu, launched one of their war-darts at him, but Connu had disappeared long before the missile had reached the palisade.

Uncertain how to proceed, Kithayn climbed a stout tree and looked over the area, assessing her options ...

Gather Information - 6,3 : 2 + 3 wits; MISS; Pay the Price: Stressful -2 spirit (3)

It looked hopeless ... she couldn't single-handedly defeat 5 Varou .. how could she possibly get through to Connu?

Endure Stress - 7,4 : 6 + 2 spirit; STRONG; Shake it off, -1 momentum (4), +1 spirit (4)

But as Kithayn despaired, it dawned upon her that the Varou at the gate were probably all that were left of the group that had left Northbridge for the Wardenhome ... which meant she could reach the palisade on the other side unobserved.

Backing away a piece, Kithayn circled around the Wardenhome and found that its other side did, indeed, have no Varou. She quickly scribbled a note and tied it to one of her war-darts. Checking yet again that there were no Varou visible, Kithayn swiftly ran up to the palisade and lobbed the war-dart over it sideways - the last thing she wanted was for someone to be hurt by it!

Her plan proposed, Kithayn waited for it to come to fruition ...

Secure an Advantage - 3,1 : 5 + 3 wits; STRONG; Prepare, +2 momentum (6)
Milestone - Warn Warden Connu - 8/10

As she waited, Kithayn prepared herself and before long the palisade gate opened and Connu rode out on a horse! Kithayn was nearly as surprised as the Varou, Connu must be very favoured by Lady Caelia to have a horse! Dismissing the distraction, Kithayn launched a ward-dart at the closest of the Varou, as Connu thundered toward them ...

Enter the Fray - Ambushing 5 Varou = Formidable
  6,2 : 6 + 1 shadow; STRONG; +2 momentum (8), +INIT
Strike - 7,7 : 6 + 2 edge; STRONG; 2 harm + 1 harm [STR], +INIT
Progress - Ambushing 5 Varou - 3/10

As Connu burst through the Varou, a downswing from his sword killed one of them outright, while Kithayn's war-dart struck her target in the thigh knocking it down. Now through the Varou, Connu wheeled his horse and charged back through the stunned Varou as Kithayn threw her last dart

Strike - 10,6 : 2 + 2 edge; MISS, BURN (8 -> 2), WEAK; 2 harm, -INIT
Progress - Ambushing 5 Varou - 5/10

This time, Connu wounded his foe and Kithayn killed hers - her dart lodging in the manbeast's throat.

But now, the Varou recovered their wits and the 2 of them that were uninjured chased down Connu, while the wounded one stumbled toward Kithayn. Her war-darts all gone, Kithayn ran towards a downed tree between her and the approaching Varou. As she approached the tree, she leapt on to it, turning the Varou slightly as it followed her movement, and pushed off the tree straight at her foe

Secure an Advantage - 9,4 : 3 + 2 edge; WEAK; +1 momentum (3)
Clash - 10,3 : 5 + 2 iron; WEAK; 2 harm, -INIT, Pay the Price: 3 harm (2)
Endure Harm - 3,2 : 6 + 2 iron; STRONG; Shake it off, -1 momentum (2), +1 health (3), +1 momentum [ironclad] (3)
Progress - Ambushing 5 Varou - 7/10

Kithayn followed her axe into her foe, bowling it over as she killed it, but even as it died the Varou managed to strike Kithayn in the hip. As she struggled to her feet, Kithayn saw the last 2 Varou pulling Connu off his horse. Even so, Connu managed to wound one with his sword, but the other stabbed the brave Warden in the back.

Kithayn charged the remaining Varou, screaming incoherently as she did trying to draw their attention from Connu.

Secure an Advantage - 6,3 : 3 + 3 wits; WEAK; +1 momentum (4)
Clash - 10,1 : 2 + 2 iron; WEAK; 2 harm, -INIT, Pay the Price: 3 harm (0)
Progress - Ambushing 5 Varou - 9/10
Endure Harm - 6,3 : 5 + 2 iron; STRONG; Shake it off, -1 momentum (3), +1 health (1), +1 momentum [ironclad] (4)

Kithayn's axe struck down the last unwounded Varou and brave Connu slew the last, even as he collapsed himself.

Turn the Tide - +INIT
Strike - 5,4 : 6 + 2 iron; STRONG; 2 harm, +1 harm [STR], +1 momentum (5)
Progress - Ambushing 5 Varou - 10/10
End the Fight - 8,5 : 10 progress; STRONG

Milestone - Iron Vow - Warn Warden Connu - 10/10
Fulfil Your Vow - Warn Warden Connu - 9,2 : 10 progress; STRONG; 2xp

Kithayn dropped her axe and bent over Connu wanting to help desperately, while the gate in the palisade swung wide and Connu's household came running to help their master ...