[M] Battle of Baylet

[Tolvo]

The Imperials fell one after another to the warrior Elf. His carnage began to inspire fear in them as they turned and ran from him. They ran directly into the way of Iskar who steamed through cleaving them each in half with his mighty axe. A whip slipped through the dance and found its way to Iskar's arm. At first the woman tugged on him but he merely grabbed the whip and pulled on it dragging her across the ground until she let go of it. Now she was on the ground scrambling to her feet.

[Evening Rain]

Áedán darted forward to finish the job, blades tasting the air as his eyes burned with the glow of battle. He leaped toward the woman and drove his boot into her chest, forcing her toward the ground as his blades swept down... and then halted. The dance of death faded, and he felt his body weakening. The elf attempted to simply pin her good arm under his boot, and he looked to the barbarian king.

[Tolvo]

Iskar heaved his mighty axe and leaped over those between them. On the ground the Imperial woman raised her blade in defense but it was struck from her hand as he landed. His weapon planted in the ground beside her and cut off the side of her cheek and part of her hair. Her hand shot to her face in response and with Iskar and Aedan standing over her she was pinned and unable to move. Planted in the ground behind Aedan was the sword of hers. Iskar picked her up while letting Aedan off of her and held her by the shoulder with his axe blade at her neck. "Listen up Imperials!" He bellowed over the fighting, so loud was he in fact that it startled many around them. "Surrender now or face death, we have your leader, your center, this land is ours now! The question is whether you wish to die on your feet now or as elders later in life!" In Iskar's hands Zylinius was still. There was a look of hatred on her face and her eyes were upon her sword. Her other hand let go of the whip and let it dangle from Iskar's axe. Much of the fighting slowed down as Imperials threw down their arms. Barbarians held weapons to them, but only struck down those who continued fighting.

[Evening Rain]

Áedán briskly moved away from the King and his prisoner. The battle was as good as won, and the Fadewalker made his way toward David Wood and the prisoners, who had been stopped by barbarians.

The elf scanned the group, and found the barbarian who seemed to be in charge of things. Áedán approached them and sternly asked "what will befall these captives?" He was skeptical of the intentions of men, and although he believed they were capable of great good - he knew that they could succumb to great evil too. War turned everyone into monsters.

[Tolvo]

The lead Barbarian was a man with a thick beard and a thicker helmet that showed only his jaw below it. "What?" At first he was confused by the question but then poked David with a spear. Thankfully it did nothing against his armor. David had dropped his sword on the ground and it had been kicked to the Barbarians. "This one here's a crusader. Iskar will decide his fate. Probably ransom, or execution if he's killed enough of our clans people." The crusader was silent with his fists balled in his gauntlets. The civilians looked very terrified. Each was clutching one another shaking in fear as large Barbarian warriors walked around them with weapons drawn. The thick bearded one spoke. "These others possibly slaves, maybe forced into a clan. It all depends how Iskar is feeling today. He seemed right pissed."

[Evening Rain]

Áedán's mouth curled into a frown, and he let his eyes roam the terrified faces of civilians who had done nothing wrong other than being unfortunate enough to have the Empire for overlords. This was not their war. Not their price to pay. The Fadewalker turned his gaze to the streets, recognising several other elven soldiers scattered throughout the town.

"Then I shall speak to your king." Áedán doubted these men would take heed of his words, or recognise him with much authority. He might have some influence with Iskar, though, after the blood he spilled by the man's side.

"In the meantime, no harm should come to any of these innocents."

The elf returned to Iskar, seeking an audience.

[Tolvo]

The Elves near to the Barbarians stood with the civilians. There was a look of unease across everyone but things stayed peaceful. When Aedan approached Iskar again he was overlooking the church which was having its monuments smashed and pulled down. He let out a hearty laugh, people were being rounded up and Imperials were being disarmed. Their armor and weaponry was being set upon carts as the Barbarians looted whatever they wished. The chieftain Iskar had the woman from before wrapped in ropes with her face in dirt between the church and the road. He wasn't showing much interest in her but did hold her sword. As the Elf approached he heaved the blade and tossed it to him in an underhand way. "Take it. Your share of the plunder."

[Evening Rain]

Áedán did not share the barbarian king's mirth. He accepted the blade out of courtesy, but knew that he'd be hard-pressed to find any mortal weapons that could match the fae-touched blades of Dagnir and Arwen. "Iskar." He began firmly. "I wish to take the defeated crusader David Wood into my custody, as well as all those he escorted from the church, all under my protection. For this simple act, I and my people will be most grateful. This battle was well-fought on all sides." The elf gazed at the barbarian king with respect, but without deference. In their own ways, they were equals. In prowess if not in power.

[Tolvo]

Iskar rubbed his chin for a moment while he stood resting his torso against the back of the haft of his axe. its head was planted firmly on but not within the stone beneath him. "You want them eh?" He gave a dull look to the side then back to Aedan. "Fine. I don't know what you plan for them, but alright. You're a fine warrior, and your people are battle kin. The request is reasonable. Take them if you will." The chieftain laughed and held out an arm. "Act more chipper! We won, the battle is ours, as shall be this entire damn Empire!" With that Aedan found little else to be gained on the battlefield, other than what loot there was. The fires took time to put out and soon enough the Barbarians and Elves together got to work on setting up their own defenses. They wouldn't lose this as easily as the Western Empire had, their grip had to be firmer.

**