506-10-23 Shark In The Swamp

From Crossroads Wiki

The Sharks in the Swamp
RL Date	February 6, 2009
Players	Guidhael, Gwyneth, Niome, Eoin, Tezca, Altair, Phineas, Liam, Gavan
Location	Fen March - Guardian
Crossroads Time and Weather
IC Date	October 23, 506
Season	Autumn

Fen March - Dun Artan

Fen March has a striking variety of natural vegetation. About half of the lordship is forested. Bottomlands, are forested mainly with cypress and various softwoods longleaf and slash pine are rare in the area. A broad prairie region lies just south of the forests in the southwest. Swamps are found throughout Fen March. These areas support bald cypress and such plants as Spanish moss, vines, ferns, and water hyacinth. Along the coast are saltwater, freshwater, and brackish marshes. What forests do exist are better served serving more as storm breaks than for habitation. Wildlife is abundant in the numerous marshes and swamps that are still virtually undisturbed by man. Deer, bobcats, squirrels, nutrias, raccoons, and muskrats are common. Alligators, frogs, and various snakes are found in many areas. A great variety of fish, crustaceans, and birds thrive in Fen March's wetlands. The lordship is visited by numerous species of migratory birds, particularly waterfowl and wading birds, such as egrets and other herons. There are also wild horses here, mainly descendants of the first horses brought to Guardian.

In the town of Wynemarsh, the weather isn't all that great for going out and tracking, but with the recent discovery of Jamaliah Morien's body, a party was hastily assembled under the Lord Consort, who sent the letters up the chain to try to gather some further support. Walking along under a small partition which really doesn't protect him from the hail, Guidhael waits for the assembly of anyone that decides to come along besides his own small group of five hunters. The march won't be too long or ardious, he knows the area well enough.

Already here, and doing a little pacing back and forth to keep the baby Gaelan quiet, Gwyneth wanders up to her brother. "How far?" She's as subtle as ever, just plain out asking her question of him.

Niome arrived a few days before upon hearing the news of her family. With the discovery of Jamilah, it has already made the usually quiet woman even more sullen. She soon joins Guidhael, lacing her hands together and remaining quiet for the moment. At least the man receives a faint smile from the woman.

Who knows how Phineas Ashlan keeps an ear to the ground, but that ear apparently hears much, enough to have him showing up at the oddest corners of the empire. He and that behemoth dog arrived recently in Wynemarsh without escort, him on a horse with full saddlebags and Ivanhoe padding beside. The duke got the horse lodged and himself a hayloft to sleep in, and then went looking for the party forming up to do the searching. A medium pack is over his shoulder, a larger one on the dog that comes with.

A glance from the large warrior to Niome, and there's a tilt of his head as Guidhael turns that blind eye back out towards the woods. "Forty-five minutes to march." he says to his sister, answering her query as there's a raise of his brow in speculation and a bow of the tribal leader towards the arriving Duke. "Did not know you were coming." he says to Phineas.

Phineas shrugs at Guidhael casually. "Got in a spot of trouble, so decided to be scarce around Gateway for a bit," he explains. "Ya can feel free ta tell me ta just sit my ass here in the village or whatever, I just thought I'd come offer a hand."

Niome bows politely to the duke. She is at least familiar to the man. "I shall see to my bag and sword," she replies to Guidhael. Her voice cast low as not to intrude to his current conversation.

"Hunh." Gwyneth has to consider that a while and then wanders away again as she thinks. She really is torn, especially as Gaelan starts to fall asleep in her arms. She glances over to the duke, wandering vaguely in his direction as she rocks the sleepy baby in her arms. "Hour half. At least. Hunh. Much more. Likely."

Gavan is garbed as one might expect him to be on his home isle. He's armored. Spatha at his side, dagger at his hip, quiver near to that, he looks the picture of a grizzled veteran. He even forgot to shave in the day prior so his face bears a speckling of dark upon the tan of his skin. He half sits upon a water barrel while the weather beats down upon him with the clatter of hail on steel.

"Help always appreciated." Guidhael says with a solemn nod to Phineas as he looks towards his sister, concern lining his face for a moment. "Heir. Leave with tribal nurse, if you're coming." he says, a shake of his head. "Camiel and I came across only one creature, did this. Unknown what happened to others.. but." A gesture to a covered tarp where the mangled remains of a wereshark ravaged Jamaliah lie tells the tale far better than Guidhael could. One of the scouts comes up to him, and after a brief conversation, there is a nod of his head. "We are ready to leave." he says, apparently making the trek on foot as he gathers his long bow and fieldpack, slinging them into position.

Tezca has taken advantage of the chance to see another isle of the empire, the short sail from Gateway to Guardian leaving her less than pleased with the sea, but giving her enough time to recover before the hunt begins. Shadow is, as always, at her side, nose low as he slinks around the area in search of clues. The ambassador seems quite comfortable with the idea of a hunt, not does she seem horribly disturbed by...remains.

Niome bounds off, a quick hop to her step to see to the final items. She patently does not look in the direction to the remains of her cousin, intent. She has little to offer rather than her sword arm, or teachings. She looks to Gwyneth, and smiles faintly.

Gwyneth glances over to the tarp, considering it a few moments before she nods. They might be on their way out, but Gwyneth heads over to talk with some of the staff who have come to watch the group. There's a nanny there, she asked around as to who might watch Gaelan.. just in case. Not that anyone other than Gwyn thought there was really all that much doubt. She's as armed and armoured as ever, it's just her normal walking around ready to go killing things. A kiss for the sleeping infant, a glance back to the house and then she's turning back to join the group.

Phineas dips his head to Guidhael and falls in with the command, walking with an evenness of stride as he stretches out horse-sore muscles. Ivanhoe pads at his side, occasionally giving a growl or a whine. Eager.

A glance towards his sister, and if Guidhael is disapproving, it doesn't readily show - though his look does linger between Tezca and Niome for a moment. Get the distractions of cute ass in the party out of the way now, before he nods his head, and gestures. The scout group starts out first, consisting of two tribesmen and a hunter, and then the group starts out only thirty seconds behind.

The dreadful weather only makes the parlor of the swamps that much darker, casting a grey haze over everything as the hail continues to fall, pelting people as if trying to tell them not to go into the swamps. Otherwise, the walk to where the carriage that housed the nobles is not too far away, and already the swamp is attempting to claim it as it's own as green vines grow over the wrecked wheels and the brown wood panels are starting to show molted splotches of green algae. A pressed down area of grass not too far from the site marks where a horse fell, and the belongings of the Lady of Trickling Dart and Baronial couple are scattered about - clothing, dresses, personal effects and the like.

Shadow does show some interest in Ivanhoe at first, padding closer to the dog to catch his scent. Since Tezca doesn't seem concerned about it, it seems unlikely that the cat is interested in eating the dog. "Very strange," the ambassador murmurs, making her way toward where things are strewn around.

Niome's nerves have not settled, and she has long schooled her emotions into that bland expression. Much better than the dread that rests in her heart while journeying with the others. Those closest may catch the quiet mantra that is little more of an exhalation, wishing to find the couple whole. Not that she believes this the case any more. Her hand tightens to her satchel, holding it like a shield. "That is their carriage. The were-shark travels to land," she asks of Guidhael and the others. This seems a little unsettling to the woman.

"Who takes a wagon into a swamp..." Gavan gives a mild shake of his head. He has his bow with him now though its held casually in his left rather than at the ready. The Toleki ambassador has drawn a few glances from him during the trek but he's not spoken to her. In fact, he's spoken no words until just that moment.

Gwyneth shakes her arms out a bit, getting back into the thoughts of being aware of things other than where Gaelan is. She too is silent on the trip out to where the carriage fell, the things scattered around. She pads quietly around the edge of the area, looking to options of in and out of the area. There's a soft snort at Gavan's comment.

Phineas takes a pace near Tezca after a bit, letting the animals work out their own differences. "Fancy seein' you here," he says to her after a while, under his breath. Or at least mostly under his breath. "Ain't ya freezin' yer ass off?"

"Always," Tezca answers Phineas with a brief, wry smirk for the duke. "But in the last few years, I think I am getting used to the weather in your empire." Her footsteps are light on the ground, leaving little mark behind herself. Indeed, her passage leaves less note than Shadow's. While Shadow sniffs at the detritus of the attack, Tezca turns her gaze to the borders of the clearing, searching for paths.

"Someone who isn't expecting it to get off track," supplies Niome to Gavan. She smiles faintly, letting some of the tension go while advancing on the coach as well. She moves to see if she can approach, if not also get a glance into the windows.

Somewhere behind them comes a lone rider, clad in scale mail, leather and simple clothing. Eoin looks quite an imposing figure when the Guardian isn't dressed in foppish velvet but in armor, a straight sword at his side and a sack tossed over his shoulder. There's a conic helm worn on his head as well, and he's pushing his horse to catch up with the rather slow moving group. Not quite there, but soon!

Ivanhoe sniffs at the goods scattered about, and starts towards one of the paths, pointing at it and looking at his master. Shadow does the same and is looking at a shop in the same vague direction. There are a lot of other paths around that will lead out, as Guidhael frowns darkly. "There is a village that way. Not far from here."

Phineas shrugs slightly, walking over to Ivanhoe and humming under his breath. "Scent, too. May be trouble fer people there." He reaches a hand up to scritch the ears of the horse-sized dog.

The gathering of searchers, dogs, horses, dogs the size of horses and what have you. Off in his own part of the gathering stands a sibling to the missing Baroness. Make no mistake, Liam's lop sided gait isn't much suited to marshes and swamps but it wouldn't be the first time he's trudged through. As the dogs catch their directions, he stands off on his own, arms crossed over his chest and leaning against his crutch, watching the animals intently, no levity found in his expression.

"If ambushed. Injured. Or just wet. Miserable. Fop. Of Baron. Head for. Village." Gwyneth speculates at the mention of a village nearby. "Not picture. Jenoch. Wanting. Stay in. Wilderness." She paces a bit, giving a wheel of the wagon a little nudge with her foot, as she paces back in that direction.

Tezca's lips twitch slightly at Gwyneth's description of the baron, the barest touch of amusement crossing the ambassador's features before she sets a hand on Shadow's shoulders to send him ahead. "Your trees here," she observes to whomever is nearest her. "They do not make it easy to traverse along their limbs. It is an unfamiliar difficulty."

Gwyneth, and anyone else in the back, would see Eoin quite clearly as he brings his horse closer to the party. He slows down once he sees them, quickly dismounting with obvious experience in the saddle. He seems a little wary, not finding anyone he immediately recognizes.. and does not see Gwyneth just yet.

Niome looks to Gwyneth sharply. Her eyes narrowing to the broken tongue. "You feel that he's alive," she questions softly and looking away from the carriage at the mention of a trail. "He is not one to hide, well... not easily." An ideology of her cousin, or merely truth. She smiles sheepishly to Gavan at the comment and moves to join the duke and others once more.

Guidhael looks between Niome and Gwyneth. "We can bicker later." he says, drawing his war club. "Near where Camiel and I attacked." he says, the white eye glaring down the path. "Ready." he says, starting forth with the scouts, and checking to see if anyone follows him.

Altair is a quiet warrior, dark and brooding as he hovers over Lady Niome's shoulder. He stays close to her, sometimes looking tempted to even step in front of her, to be her shield. As Guidhael draws that club, Altair draws his claymore, looking to Niome for direction.

"Not bickering. Just stating. Think. Alive. After accident. Think like. Then. Retrace. Path." Gwyneth gives a shrug and as her brother draws his club, she draws out her axe. Just in case. Especially at that metnion of it being near where he was attacked. It also means she's armed when she catches a glimpse of the horse, and looks up as who joins the group. "Eoin." There's a note of surprise in her voice.

Liam can only chuckle ruefully under his breath at Gwyneth's take on the Baron, hiding none of that somewhat unkind amusement as it flickers only momentarily. Again letting fall that expressionless mask as there is some actual stirring going on. He's silent for now, pulling his crutch up from whatever muck it's no doubt sank into with his weight leveled on it. Let the trackers do their part, he stays out of their way.

Niome nods in agreement. "I'm sorry," she asides to Gwyneth. "He is one of the last of my family." It is the closest she comes to explaining and reaches to draw her sword as well.

Phineas holds his peace at this point, content to follow the direction of those more familiar with the territory. One hand remains on the back of his dog, the other fingering a pouch that he idly takes off of his belt.

"What are you doing?" Eoin's demanding words are the first to leave his mouth as soon as he sees Gwyneth. He more or less rushes up to her, sword in hand once he sees the axe in her own. "What is happening? Why are you here, and why did you leave Gaelan? I come back tae find Gaelan left in some maid's hands an' you said you'd never leave him tae someone like that. Why are you here?" Not quite accusing, just.. asking, while upset. It's different, really.

There's a rustling in the woods at the side of the group, the faintest sound of Shadow's passage. Those not familiar with traveling with the companionship of a jaguar may be surprised, but something about Tezca suggests that she knows exactly where the creature is at any time, as if she's hearing with its ears as well as her own. Indeed, the ambassador almost seems to be walking on auto-pilot, her gaze not quite focused.

As the party continues into the glade, the path narrows - it's a small road, used by the village on occasion to travel to and from the lordship estate, or other trade. Up ahead, there's a rickety bridge that crosses over one of the tributaries that feeds into the seas to the south. The air is thick with the scent of humidity and stagnant thickness. The slosh of boots on the ground announce that the road is muddied, and those with good eyes will note that the path is starting to become overgrown with thick grass, attempting to reclaim it.

"Tracking." Gwyneth answers Eoin simply enough, looking up at him as the pair ends up a little further behind the group as they indulge in some personal conversation while walking through swamp. "Debated. Decided. Go with. Hunting. Gaelan. Okay. With nurse. Not gone. Days. Just. Little while. Not fond. Still Baron. /My/ Baron."

Altair stays close to Niome after receiving her gesture, arching a brow as he sloshes along with the mud. "The path less traveled," he comments quietly to Niome. "Always interesting where such a path leads, and to what..."

Niome follows after Guidhael. She tightens her hold on the sword, putting some distance to the couple to allow them to speak without curious ears. She draws to a halt at the sight of the bridge. She smiles slightly to Altair. "Isn't there an old saying to such," she replies. "He's going to be mad." The secondary may be an allusion to an earlier comment.

Phineas is impartial to the mud, walking in it without the trackless grace of Tezca, but also without much bother by it. It's the grass that claims his attention with a frown. He lifts a hand to rub his chin, asking an idle, "Guidhael, man, ain't this area goin' ta a village s'posed ta be... ya know.. busy?"

"Well, I'll just stick tae the party right here then," Eoin offers with a grumble. "And you should too. We should nae go off when there are those here who can do this job." He seems quite adamant on that, at least for now. "But maybe you are right, it might be a good idea to stay in the area, as you say. Your baron, after all." He runs a hand through his sweaty hair now that he removed his helmet and tries to get some bearings of their surroundings... and to catch up to some of them.

"Agreed. No traffic. No people. Too quiet." Guidhael says to Phineas as he looks at the bridge, and then back to Phineas. The tribal leader considers for a moment, and then starts to pick up his pace just a little. Someone cares about the people here as he looks towards the scouts as they start for the bridge first.

The trackless one gets a glance in her direction as the tribal leader makes a small snort, not really paying attention to what's going on in the back of the party between the lovebirds.

Altair smiles back to Niome briefly, a hand leaving his sword for a moment to touch her shoulder. "It is an old saying. Much like another old adage, 'Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.'" He looks back to Guidhael, noticing the quickening pace, with a glance back to Phineas. "This can't be good," he says, to no one in particular.

Niome is not too shy to follow along. Concern flickers through her gaze for someone more than the missing members. "Seems there is a bit of true to that," she comments in a soft growl. She may be growing angry at the missing Jenoch after all.

Following near the back of the pack, eyes open and gaze scouring across the path while the others decide on the course to take, Liam holds to himself. Really, he is part of the background for now, in his own little world but for the blind following of the group. Trying to ignore the squishing and pop sound that his crutch makes as it sinks into the mud. I'm most serious when I say the conway-turned-forester is very much background noise until something catches his eye.

Gwyneth grunts softly to Eoin. "Keep up. Those can do job. Yes." She gestures at the group ahead of them, that they're catching up with and tracking along behind. "All. Reasons. Now. Tracking." She's attentive, looking around at the path they're on, a frown for Phineas' comment. "Only path? To village?"

Eoin is so out of his element. He just sticks close to Gwyneth, heavily armed and armored as he is, and tries to do things with as much calm as he can muster. Some looks in her direction suggests that he isn't very happy about being here.. at all, and he grunts some displeased words at the terrain that surrounds them on all sides.

Tezca grimaces at Phineas' comment, glancing briefly to where Shadow walks beside them. "Everyone here is armed, I assume?" the ambassador asks, drawing a bow from her shoulder and checking where her daggers sit at her waist.

Gwyneth reaches out, absently, to touch Eoin's arm. Not in a lovebird kinda way, but in a stop moving forward kinda way. "Stop. Water. Something. Moving. Big." Her voice lifts only enough to carry to the front of the group, and she's certainly armed. Her and her axe rarely are apart, although not usually to hand as it is right now. "Up by. Bridge. Shadow. Fish. Bigger. Caution."

Altair blinks a moment as he glances back to Gwyneth, hearing her words. It's at that point that he takes just a couple steps ahead of Niome, putting himself in front, a gentle hand briefly on her shoulder. "Shhh. If she's right, we have trouble a foot."

Niome moves to her blade to the side, giving Altair a curious look. She looks back to the others, allowing the man to step in front of her and wets her lips. The bag is tucked off to her side, waiting should it be needed.

Armed. It must be one of his command words. For Liam's answer to it was to roll back one broad shoulder against the harness he wears. His weapons of choice sheathed for the time being and hand resting on the short blade at his hip. Fen March. How I love thee. Gwyneth's call draws the man's attention her way with a snap. Right. Processed.

Eoin is already holding his sword since earlier, the buckler that's attached to his left arm lifted into a ready position. From the look of it, he's intent on protecting Gwyneth but knowing the tribal woman, one must wonder who's protecting who in that pair. Of course, Eoin hardly looks incompetent but still..

Duke Phineas grimly considers Guidhael's agreement, moving up to pace closer behind him and glancing over the group that moves toward greater alertness. He proffers words in an undertone to the man. He mutters to Guidhael, "... probably goin' ta be pissed at... sayin' it, but... let... ya... ya... just... me fer..."

Guidhael nods towards his sister, and him and the set of guards pause and he looks at Phineas. "Understand. Makes sense." the tribal leader says to the Duke and then.. they start across the bridge with all due caution, looking down into the water, just in case something is waiting to jump out at them.

Tezca moves toward the back of the group as they start over the bridge, Shadow staying at her side. "We'll watch while you cross," she calls softly toward Guidhael and Phineas as the front. Vigilant, she stands with bow at the ready while Shadow keeps watch on what she can't see.

"Wait, me? I ain't crossin'," Phineas says swiftly, getting the hell out of the way. "I look nuts to you?"

Altair will continue forward if Niome wants him to, bringing the pair closer to the bridge. And apparently closer to Phineas as he backs away.

Gwyneth grumbles softly as she pays little attention to the concept of being protected. That's not really part of her thoughts, and she moves forward, apparently /she/ is going to go find out what the hell it was that she saw in the water. "Could be. Just fish." She sounds unconvinced of such things, but she's moving up closer to the bridge and the water and whatever was in that water.

"Did you nae say that you were going tae let them do that?" Eoin says to Gwyn when she starts off again and the young lord puts on his helm again. Might as well get ready for whatever monster fish might be out there waiting for them. He does not look pleased but tries to keep himself alert and staying close to the Tel Girade lady.

Niome nudges Altair, looking to follow along with the party. She holds her sword tighter, stepping out of the way of Gwyneth if she is crossing as well. Not a word spared yet for Altair. Maybe answer enough.

Liam keeps his station near the back of the pack where the gimps belong. The bridge earns a narrowing of his eyes, then glance over to Phineas, then Tezca and the impressive animal with her. He mutters under his breath to Gwyneth's words, "Sure. Fish. Or a lizard. A man-eating squid. A mer-lizard with a man-eating squid on his back..." Slowing to a halt as he hits the foot of the bridge. "Anyone's guess..."

Altair nods once as he is nudged, moving up near the front. He reaches Phineas, nodding once to him before looking to the bridge. "We're going to have to cross at some point," he says, looking to Gwyneth and Guidhael as they take the lead, or so it seems.

"Oh, I intend ta, just sayin' I ain't no Guardian fighter. I know my place. I'm an old bastard lingerin' with the young 'uns," drawls Phineas with honeyed, rolling accent.

The group starts across the bridge, Guidhael first as he looks towards his sister. Then back forward as the bridge creaks and groans from disuse. The group stays to the middle of the bridge and makes their way across it finally. There doesn't seem to be anything going against them at the moment.

Guidhael frowns as he looks towards the village and then back to the group. "Seems safe. We'll keep guard on this side, come across."

Tezca keeps a close eye on the water as the front of the group crosses, then looks back to Phineas when Guidhael calls them across. "Are you ready, your grace?" she asks with an arch of her brow, not /quite/ challenging as she lowers her bow and moves toward the bridge.

Niome first checks to see if Gwyneth wishes to cross. She nods to Altair's warning and nods at Guidhael. It isn't clear if he can see her affirmation, but should her guard be ready, she heads for the bridge to cross.

Gwyneth watches the water, waiting until everyone else has crossed. "Go ahead. Cross eventually. Better than. In water." She eyes Eoin a moment, as if daring him to protest crossing before she does.

Phineas stays toward the back, not taking any rise from Tezca's words. "Sure, more'r less," he agrees, finally moving his butt across.

Altair glances to Niome and nods once, keeping the lead ahead of her as the go across together. He keeps his eyes on the water and the periphery as the move along, following Guidhael's path. "Careful where you step," he says gently, almost warmly to Niome.

Liam isn't quite so bashful about crossing. With a sideways mutter sounding a bit like 'cannon fodder onward'. Once some of the first people move across, he's on his way too, the heavy lean of his crutch tapping across the bridge as his dead leg tenses at the ankle, scrapping boot across wood.

Well, Eoin is right after Gwyneth but probably falls behind a little when everyone else are trying to cross. He provides rear guard, for now, his buckler raised in a wary stance.

After everyone is across the bridge, Guidhael continues on the path towards the village, now very much on alert as a new smell enters the air. The smell of smoke mixes with a sweeter smell, like meat in the air. The tribesman pauses, sniffing at the air, pretty much as both animals start to go on alert as well. "We're getting closer to the village."

Altair just gives his head a good shake as a horrific idea pops into mind. "Please let that be the sweet smell of hamhocks and sauce, or something similar..." He makes sure that Niome stays close, but behind him. He's being very protective of her.

Tezca readies her bow again as the group draws closer to the village, sending Shadow ranging ahead to scout the area. Silent, the jaguar keeps his senses open for anything unusual. Tezca falls silent as well, staying to one side of the group.

For once, Gwyneth is glad to be wrong about having spotted something. She keeps a wary eye upon the water until everyone's well past the bridge, including herself and Eoin. She sniffs the air, watching the scouts do.. well.. scouting. They can go find the burning village, or ideally, the burning garbage or some such.

Niome takes a step to Altair's side. She seems to want to make sure nothing gets in the way of her blade, her nose crinkling to the aroma. She flicks a sidelong glance to Altair and nods before looking back to the others. A mental counter, or on her guard to the processional.

Phineas moves as part of the organism of fighters, a bit before the tail end of the troop. One pouch remains weighed in hand, and his attention is more upon Ivanhoe's responses than his own senses.

Liam is along for the ride again. After crossing, his slower gait falls him behind, bringing up the rear again. With the occasional glance behind and on alert, the gimp remains vigilantly on guard as his hand settles on the hilt of that short blade.

Altair glances about him, remaining alert as they head towards the village. He also glances towards Niome a moment, grinning and giving her more space, while still staying close.

As the group rounds the bend, they come across the gruesome sight of a body half-splayed on the ground, ripped apart. And the screams of a few remaining villagers as they are in a battle with what seems to be a swarm. At least a dozen or so of them. The village is aflame, and there's screams and just. It's a real mess.

Apparently it is a revolt, considering that the villagers are in tattered clothes, and rounded up in the middle of the village square, where they are trying their best to fight with what few weapons they have, makeshift or otherwise. In the middle of the battle is Baron Trebachas, his shoulder and arm ripped and shorn clean off, yelling out orders, even as the position is terribly close to being overrun.

That's not burning garbage, although indirectly it sort of is. Ignoring the mind numbing thought of Jenoch actually /fighting/, Gwyneth is not interested in letting her baron, no matter how little she's fond of the man, get eaten by a wereshark. There's a moment or two as she considers the swarm before she's lifting her axe, hollering something that's probably a battle cry and charging the nearest wereshark. Those skilled warriors that are with the group, well ideally they'll come join her and not just leave her to get eaten by weresharks. Ideally.

Here we go. In goes the lord of Soaring Skies, even if Eoin does not seem to have more than a moment to reflect over this fact. Armored and with his sword in hand, he goes after Gwyneth but at a more defensive pace - running with his buckler first, ready to crush, slam or stab any of those were sharks that come after them. Which will most likely be all of them in a few moments.

Phineas gives a swift look over the village, shock sinking in and being swept aside before he gives a short command to Ivanhoe. Hunt. For his own part, the pouch in hand is tucked away and his pack is unslung. He makes no move to get closer to the terrible events transpiring while he digs something out of his pack.

The first sounds of those screams as they round over has Liam's attention perked. Breathing out as the hiss of metal sings, withdrawing the short sword from his hip, "Sio..." Picking up the pace with that might be comical suction as his crutch digs into the ground at the more hasty 'run'. "You're kidding me. You're fucking kidding me..." comes the growl under his breath, plunging in head first.

That...is not natural. Sharks are not supposed to be standing on legs or fighting, and Tezca...clearly does not approve of this stage of evolution. Her jaw sets at the sight, and she draws her bow even as Shadow moves to one side of the attackers to attack himself. There's some strategy to it; with Shadow attacking one side of the sharks and Tezca firing at the other, the goal seems to be to push the sharks together.

Altair rushes forward with Niome, the not about to let her go out there alone. His sword drawn, he almost growls with a fury as he moves to try and dispatch the wereshark Niome attacks!

The sight of her cousin is enough for Niome to bound forward. She shrieks with rage to strike at the nearest creature. It may be all well and good for Altair to come along because she's quite upset.

As Guidhael gets involved in the attack, he takes a heavy swing at the first shark he comes across, attempting to knock it aside. The mace slams against the hide of the shark, which growls, turning and smacks the large mountain of a man aside as Guidhael stumbles against the wall of a building and grunts in pain.

Gwyneth's axe slams true, cutting into the wereshark she's on, and the massive creature snarls and twists around, his teeth arching out to bite at the Lady of Tel Girade and serrate her skin and muscle if they get a good hold.

The claymore swing from Eoin cuts through the air, cleaving cleanly into the arm of the were-shark he's attacking. The molted creature tries to turn to attack but there's not just enough reach for it to snap down, but those teeth come dangerously close, gashing and crushing.

The arrow from Tezca glances off the hide of one of the creatures, just enough for it to turn it's attention away from the attack for Shadow to rip into it's side, just as Shadow gets smacked aside in turn by the were-shark, the claws reaching out to get a good hold on the cat. In Soviet Guardian, Fish Eat Cat.

Altair's attack rings true, which really is the only reason why Niome isn't ripped apart as the guard yanks the woman aside from the furious swipe the creature does at the woman. The wereshark snarls and throws aside the body it was working on.. a woman with red hair. Siobhan, who heaves out a painful breath, weak, nearly lifeless, but hanging in there.

Phineas.. ain't doing nothing. But Ivanhoe tries to attack, and gets close, but he has the fortune of a not so smart shark, who trips over the large dog and falls forward.

In the meantime, the attack on the helpless villagers starts to slacken as the sharks realize that there are tougher targets in the area that need to be dealt with.

Liam's attack falls on the shark that just scraped by on Niome and Altair, as the creature gets a new target and launches in on the crippled man, close as he is to his sister. He may not get any closer as his sword catches the creature in the side.

Tezca cries out wordlessly as the wereshark grabs onto Shadow, her shoulders tensing and teeth gritting as if she too was locked in that battle. Strategy be damned; she turns her aim to the shark that troubles her partner, even as Shadow uses all four feet to claw at the shark that has hold of him, trying to fight his way free.

Niome stares for a moment in horror at the redhead. She doesn't seem to think Altair takes notice, but there is a whispered prayer to Providence at his quick thinking. Not that she's one to back away from a fight.

Of course, the monster dog is still about its business, but with a shout from Phineas, Ivanhoe bounds to the center area and works to defend those in the clump, rather than focus on sharks dumb enough to fall down. Priorities.

The duke uncaps a tube in his pack and draws out a glass sphere. He weighs a moment before lobbing it at a wereshark as far from other people as possible. It's clear intent on keeping others from getting harmed, should his aim be bad.

Altair watches as Liam takes on the wereshark that almost got Niome, nodding once before he moves onto the closest wereshark that has decided to shift their attention this way. Another mock-growl ensues as he thrusts at the beast!

Eoin keeps getting in the way of Gwyneth actually taking too much in the worst of the blows, he has armour and she does not.. it does make a twisted sort of sense. The pair of them get a little separated from the group, the nature of combat pulling them away, and prompting the pair to find a more defensible location in the doorway of a still standing shop. It used to be the butcher's shop, but now the pair of them are trying to make it the fishmonger, serving only wereshark.

The one-legged wonder heaves the short sword with a short, close blow, forcing his weight behind it to try to shove it a fair distance away from Niome and her protector. Holding it there for a split second, Liam glances Altair's way with a firm nod. Back to the wereshark at hand. "Get off my sword you damn entree!" yanking to dislodge his sword and come down again on it to finish the creature off.

Niome doesn't dawdle for long before she's launching herself after the one that Altair has moved off to fight. The bag bounces to her hip, but she seems more intent on taking down the beast before he can feast on another.

As Guidhael and the wereshark he's battling become tangled up in their attacks, it seems that neither of them are getting the advantage on the other as the tribesman tries to push his way away from the wall.

Eoin and Gwyneth retreat into that shop, and the sounds of battle are punctuated by the scream of the tribeswoman as she's bitten into. The battle seems to be in the dark, as the two have disappeared.

Liam's sword slices through the shark, and it collapses forward, missing the Conway turned Forester completely as it crashes into the mud, dead, as Liam draws first blood for the party, the creature's death thrash lashing into Liam's side.

Which is quickly followed by Forester turned Ashlan as that ball breaks on a were-shark. It flails for a moment and then howls inhumanely as it thrashes, the liquid literally eating away at the flesh and bone on the creature itself.

Speaking of being eaten, though, one of the sharks grabs a hold of the side of the massive dog and bites into it with a snarl of anger.

Tezca's arrow strikes into the eye of the were-shark ripping into Shadow and the creature growls in pain, flinging the cat aside at the woman as it stumbles about, clutching at it's impaled eye.

Altair and Niome strike the shark in unison, the creature trying to strike before he falls back towards the ground, attempting to clear the way for the two to get closer to the attack.

And that's just when Jenoch starts to step aside to protect a young woman, just as the claws of a hand plunge through his back, and poke out of the front of his chest. The Baron cries out in pain, and hisses in his last breath. "...Trebachas.." and with that, he passes onto Providence.

Ivanhoe eat fish, fish no eat Ivanhoe!! The giant Avannese dog gives a baying howl of agony and twists in the grip of the wereshark, his own powerful jaws seeking to return the trouble.

Phineas stands there a moment looking smug at the one wereshark getting devoured by acidy stuff, but then the yelp of his dog and the death of Jenoch draw his attention. He grimaces at the end that Jenoch meets while digging out another sphere. "Arrogant obsessive fuck Jenoch, that's what ya get. Next time don't fuckin' betray every side ya stand on. There's some justice," he says in a quiet snarl, really to himself more than anyone else. He weighs the next sphere, trying to determine if there are any sharkies in a good spot to be thrown at. If so? THROW! If not? Hold on and just enjoy the chaos.

Shadow tumbles when he's thrown back, letting out a roar pain and anger. He starts to lunge forward, back to the fray, when he seems to be jerked short by something. Whatever transpires, the cat instead lopes stiffly to the nearest tree to Tezca, laboring his way up out of the reach of weresharks. After seeing what they can do, the ambassador has no intention of risking her bondmate to their teeth and claws. She scans the battle for those in need of aid, and this time aims for the shark attacking Gwyneth.

Altair just begins to think that maybe they're getting an upper hand on all this, when he sees Jenoch get hit. "Damn it!!" he growls as he shoves the wereshark off his sword, pressing the attack, trying to get closer to Jenoch and the remaining survivors and provide them an avenue of escape.

Liam stands over the first fallen wereshark, spatting on it with a curse as he looks up again. Hearing someone call out Trebachas, Liam's head jumps up, watching Jenoch go down. "You Don't Deserve To /Fucking/ Say That Name You Pompass..." Liam turns to the next nearest Target, damn near forgetting his crutch behind as he slashes into another beast nearest by. "Arrogant. Unworthy..." still going off on his tirade as he fights.

It isn't anything more than the man's name cried out by the woman. "Jenoch!" shrieks Niome at seeing nearly the last of her line meet such an end. There's something unsettling at watching your life, or at least one of the last members of such, to die in such a manner.

Ivanhoe and the wereshark seem to be in a tangle of fur and scales and teeth as the two gnash away nastily at each other, neither of them seeming to find the advantage on the other, though the shark's second bite on the dog is weaker.

Liam's sword cuts cleanly into the were-shark, which snarls in pain, and turns, slamming his claws straight down towards the woodworker's limp side, attempting to rend flesh from bone.

Guidhael's grip slips for a moment in that attempt to hold off the attack of the wereshark, and the shark slams down hard on the man's blinded side, ripping into shoulder and flesh, hauling the large warrior off the ground as he howls in angry pain, as the creature starts to flail him around.

The arrow from Tezca slams into the back of the wereshark's head, causing the creature to fall backwards, freeing up Gwyneth and Eoin, but she doesn't seem to be exiting the building, wounded as she is.

Altair's creature is missed completely by the joint attacks, before the creature itself lashes out hard at Altair, attempting to open the man in a can and get to the soft flesh inside. You ever seen Jaws, man, they can eat the bumpers off 69 caddies.

As shadow falls over Phineas.. remember back at the bridge, those bubbles? It's another wereshark, the unobservant guard, now trying to make up for his attack by closing in on the Duke of Green Fields.

Some of the sharks are starting to realize that the odds are falling from their favor and starting to look for ways to flees, back towards the river.

You know, Phineas doesn't want to be between weresharks and the river. Nor does he want the wereshark at his back. He gives a shout, some sort of ambiguous warning, and bolts forward a few fast steps before he turns and hurls the second sphere he's pulled out from his pack at the wereshark coming up behind him.

Ivanhoe breaks away from the fishie he's fighting with and begins to track back toward the duke.

There are...lots of people in need of help now. For just a moment, Tezca hesitates, trying to choose the best target. Thankfully, Shadow is able to relay positions from his vantage in the tree, and no arrow is wasted in defense of Phineas. Instead, the ambassador fires at the shark munching down on Guidhael, since he's mostly unarmed and fighting alone.

Altair practically roars as the wereshark hits its mark, tossing the warrior back and rending his leather cuirass to uselessness. It falls to pieces about him. "When I get back, I'm investing in metal," he says before he stands up. Apparently the cuirass isn't all he got, the black shirt underneath also clawed through, trickles of blood coming from his pale skin. "No more mister nice guy!" he growls as he takes one last lick at that shark, unless the thing is fleeing. He's not about to go after a retreating wereshark, even if he did just ruin his best armor.

"Land Thieving. Elistist..." Liam continues on his rant to the dead ex-Baron as he plunges his blade into the next fish man. Who's a little more lucky and gets the spin on him. Claws flash up and dig severely into his side. With a growl just as loud as those insults he's spitting down on Jenoch, the former Lord of said land wrenches to the side reactively. Dropping his crutch and grabbing the blade with both hands, trying to yank it upward and gut/skin/fillet the fish man. "Step Counting..." huff puff, "Triple Checking...Shady..."

Niome looks to Guidhael at the cry. She looks from Altair to the other man. She tries to give one last lunge to push the creature back before barreling after Guidhael to try and pull is bacon out of the fire. Oh the best laid plans.

At least when Tezca misses, she misses big. The shot aimed at the shark glances off the armored hide of Guidhael's shoulder, squeaking over his shoulder and brushes his cheek. The tribal leader snarls, grabbing the creature's jaw and forces it open, just as Niome slices into it, and Guidhael is able to force it on it's side for Niome to finish off.

Phineas's bottle smashes into the rear guard shark, and again, it starts to melt away, and it charges towards the water, and right over Liam in the process, hopefully none of the Epithath flaked flesh will splash on Liam as well as the creatures.. what few are left, are starting to try to flee - none of which seem very good at it.

Right, well. She'll apologize to Guidhael when he's not in the middle of a fight. Tezca turns her bow on the sharks who /aren't/ engaged with allies instead, firing at the furthest along of the retreating sharks.

Phineas really is just staying out of the path of those heading toward the river. That's it for now. At least, until he sees one down. Then he's headed for it, taking out a knife. Them's good components.

Niome is thankful she missed the arrow, and takes a moment to look over Guidhael. "I will bandage that later," she promises before she's off and running again. She's do everything in her power not to look at her fallen cousin.

Altair was about to swing at the beast, but as the thing starts running off, he shakes his head and runs towards Niome instead. "Are you all right?" he asks, looking over her to make sure everything is where it should be.

Liam, without his crutch now and on one leg, the Guardian born Forester is at a bit of a loss as the melting creature runs him clean over. Bracing himself doesn't help too much as he's knocked off, sword stuck in some creature. "/OH/ what the hell..." he mutters with an oof as he falls on his back, trying to grab the melting fishman and reach for one of the small hatchets strapped to his back at the same time. Fish wrestling. Arrr.

Liam's hatchet lops into melting flesh and the creature falls into the mud, dead, as Tezca's arrow takes down another. There's plenty of dead sharks now.. but a disproportionate number of dead men and women and children, including Jenoch, and once bodies are checked, Lady Fen March, Vivane Triloch will be found well. Baroness Trebachas lies in the mud, comatose and near death, and her chances of making it out alive fading by the moment as her blood flows back into the land.

Guidhael lies on the ground, nearly unconscious himself as he closes his eyes, wincing in pain as the last of the sharks pass into the water.

Phineas does the cutting and gutting, gathering a few things with deft efficiency from the wereshark; they are not new creatures to him. He glances around to see who is hurt worst. "Who is the healer? I got some wound glue."

Niome tosses her sword aside, dropping to her knees beside Guidhael. She tugs the satchel off and flips it open quickly. "Sir, talking to me," she entreats softly to the tribal leader and gives a quick nod to Altair. "Check to see who is wounded, and who is dead. I will see to everyone that I can." She lets her gaze return back to Guidhael and seeing if she can help him before moving to Liam.

Altair nods once, quickly, before looking this way and that. That's when he sees Siobhan. "Dear Providence..." he says, rushing to her side and looking over her wounds. He starts tearing off pieces of what is left of his shirt, trying to tourniquet what he can and apply pressure where he can't. "Damn it! she's lost a lot of blood..." he says, looking for assistance.

Liam licks his lips after he's done wrestling the melted fishman, rubbing his cheek on his shoulder, just now noting the blood down his side with a wince, dislodging his hatchet and attempting to sit up. He doesn't seem too intent on responding to his own hurts just yet, hand clasped to his side. "Sio!" He shouts out on the off chance his sister answers. "C'mon, don't get pissy at me now..." wiping off and sheathing his hatchet and leaving his sword stuck into the wereshark, there's a grunt as Liam grabs his crutch again, bleeding from that side pretty good at this point. Those claws are sharp, wobbling up to his feet. When Niome comes to him, he barely notices. "I'm fine, thank you. It can wait. Gotta find Sio." He shouts again "Anyone see Sio?" Noting Altair's rush, but not commenting on it right off when he doesn't call.

Phineas glances about as he rises, wiping bloodied hands on his clothes. He takes his pack and heads for Guidhael. "Didn't duck, did ya?" he asks as he settles down next to him. "Got some wound glue, should help. Hopefully that gal will come back and we can get ya set."

It's immediately apparent that Siobhan's wounds are far too grevious. She's not long for this world and will be off to join her husband, it seems. Guidhael is an easier case to deal with, as he struggles to move. "Fine.. just a bite." he mutters, moving to sit up against the wall. "Fuck." he says. "Didn't save anyone." Which isn't true.. there are a few survivors now wandering into the group of saviors. "Didn't duck. Sister okay? Just had baby."

Niome clicks her tongue against her teeth and looks down to meet Guidhael's gaze. "Give me a few moments," she states and sees about a quick bandage before launching to her feet and tugging the bag along to kick against her legs before sliding to the ground at Liam's side. She doesn't comment to his cries for his sister. "My lord, you have to let me help you," she states with the authority that only a healer can muster. "Too much blood and you will be joining the former baron." She moves to try and still him long enough to see to a bandage as well.

Altair takes another look over the wounds, shaking his head slowly as he examines the extent of the damage. "She's not long for this world..." he says, before he hears Liam. "My Lord!" he yells, waving Liam over, probably to Niome's consternation. "Niome, fix him over here! My Lord, quickly! Sio is alive, but not long for this world."

Phineas lends what help he can to Niome, then considers Guidhael. "Well now, there's women and kiddoes over there who will say that they were goin' ta be dead shortly, if ya didn't get here when ya did. Maybe ya didn't protect everyone, but don't be blind ta what ya did." He whistles, and Ivanhoe comes over and lays down, so that Phineas can begin checking the bite on his dawg.

"Is dog okay?" Guidhael asks, then nods. "..was going to resign as Lord Consort." he blows out a breath. "Not sure what to do now." he admits as he holds his arm close, allowing the bandages and glue to do their work.

Liam shakes his head faintly as Niome insists. "So be it, fodder for the cannon." though really, saying no to a healer is usually a bad idea, Liam's in one of those stubborn, pigheaded sort of moods, even as he has trouble getting to his feet and managing his crutch. As Altair pipes up, his eyes focus in that direction, flared wide. "I'm coming, man...I'm coming. Sio?" face fixed into some deep mask of concern, relief, panic and eventually, as he stumbles nearer, heartbreak when he sees his younger sister. Jaw tightening, he just drops next to the body of his fading sibling and Altair, likely further troubling his wounds. "Oh, no..."

Niome glides to her feet. If he's not going to listen, she makes a better crutch than the stick. "Come, I will help you," she states and gives Phineas a thankful smile. She will be getting ahold of Liam the second he stays still long enough for her to get her way.

"He'll survive," Phineas says of his big dog, though the worry is there in his voice. "But I'll get him taken care of by a healer shortly. Tough boy." He considers Guidhael for a bit. "Were ya now? Might not be the time ta make that decision. I 'spect that their Graces will have a lot of shit on their hands." He glances over to where the call comes about Siobhan, nearly expressionless. Nearly. It is good he is not the focus of anyone, right then.

"Suppose not. Help to feet, long walk back to city, should lead survivors there." Guidhael responds. "Gather all that can walk. If they cannot, get teams for litter bearers. If dead.. we will come back for in morning. Do not want to give time for regroup."

Altair shakes his head as he looks to Siobhan, looking up as Liam settles next to him. "Her wounds are just too severe, My Lord. I wish there was better news. She lives still, and I may have bought her a few moments with the tourniquets, but the damage is already done. Spend what time you can with her, tell her what you need to before she begins her journey to Providence." He then stands slowly, reaching over to place a gentle hand on Niome's shoulder. "Take care of him," he says softly, meaning both physically and emotionally, before he starts walking towards Phineas and Guidhael. Once his face is out of sight of Niome, he winces, looking down at the claw tracks that continue to ooze across his chest. He shakes it off. "Your Grace," he says to Phineas, lowering his head. "Any further orders, or should I continue to assist in the cleanup?"

Crutch. Niome. Dead Wereshark. Meh, a walking aid is a walking aid as long as it gets him to where he's going long enough to let him drop down again. "Stupid girl." First things out of his mouth in some quasi affectionate term as the rest of the survivors gather themselves up and get on with their lives. Not a bad idea, really, if you're not being a fool like Liam and more concerned over your mostly dead kin. Passing a very focused gaze to Altair as he passes on those words, Liam nods firmly, jaw still set tightly but managing a terse, but sincere, "Thank you" before he's off. It didn't matter what happened next, Liam would sit there as long as he could, all those stupid useless things people do when watching a loved one slip away. Combing blood stained hair out of her face and talking to her in low tones, clasping her forearm and hand. A sitting sentry beside his younger sister, oblivious to the workings around them as the village tries to recover.

Niome nods to Altair and lingers at Liam's side. Her tears flow freely, but she doesn't seek to find the remains of her family. Rather to share in a stranger's pain to analyze your own. It is only when Guidhael and Phineas organize their return that she lowers to see about providing what strength she has to Liam. "Come. We will need to go now. She is with Providence, now and will feel no more pain," she replies gently to the man, perhaps evening urging him to come with her.

Phineas offers a hand toward Guidhael, offering that assistance up with his own feet braced to aid the burlier man. "If ya want a bit of an edge of energy despite the wounds, I've got a few things ya can take that'd help. Enough ta share." He looks over to Altair as the man steps near, tipping his head. "Hey there. Now, I ain't one ta be tryin' ta mess with stuff on another man's isle. Guidhael here is the one callin' the shots."

Accepting the hand up, Guidhael clutches that wrist against his for a moment then stands up slowly. "We're getting the survivors out. Come back later for dead. Long clean up." he says finally.

Altair nods to Phineas, then to Guidhael. "Of course. I'll see about organizing the healthy to assist the wounded." At that, he starts going around and helping out.

Phineas looks toward where Liam mourns Siobhan. "Well now, I s'pose my brother by marriage is goin' ta be havin' a hard time. Hard hard thing, losin' a sibling." He sounds as if he knows. He looks to Guidhael to see if the man needs anything particular, or if he's on to working on dog a bit more and heading to Liam.

"Take care of family." Guidhael says. In fact, that's what he's doing, after tending to the convoy of wounded and healthy, he goes to find his own sister in all of this.

"Lord Guidhael, I would like to remain until my services are no longer needed," Niome states while seeing to at least Liam. She looks over Phineas with a practiced eye. "I can send word back to the city until the wounded are tended." She's not looking forward to returning alone.

Liam bends down as Niome urges him on when Sio finally passes on, some crooked, twitch of a smile lifts up, then flinches downward again. Pressing a firm kiss onto his sister's forehead and murmuring something soft again, holding that bent position for a few breaths. When he sits up again, there are a couple little rivers against his cheeks that he doesn't bother to brush away, no more threatening at that very moment. A breath taken, his jaw set and firm, muscles working around subtly just under the skin. "Yeah..." He says with a hallowed ring to it. "Have to ready the family vaults." At least kind of listening to Niome.

Phineas moves to a spot somewhere near Liam. It is neither looming nor distant, just there at the edge of personal space to be a solid shadow while the younger Forester bears his grief.