The Storm: Part 3

[Korbel]

After crossing the river, the group heads south walking on foot, hoping for a safe travel to rejoin with the main forces of the Polish - Lithuanian Alliance. But the distance to cross was nontrivial, Aleksy estimated they need several hours to reach their goal.

Meanwhile, a gruop of armed riders two dozens strong arrived to village, the very village which one of the headhunters spared by Aleksy and Izajasz run to. The unit was lead by a Teuton knight on a warhorse.

"I'm Albrecht von Schwarzburg, commander of the Christborg castle, currently serving the Grand Master in his Rynnbanner. In the name of the God, tell me, what happened here?"

If Adrian was there, he could recognize the man without a problem. This round bearded face and this deep voice, this is how he remembers the officer who was leading a raiding party which terrorized Adrian's village...

"We were preparing to sail down the river, when... when a group of armed men ambushed us and took our boat!"

"Who were they? Where did they go?"

"I don't know, my lord, they dispatched our group and then I run for my life! But I think they were going south."

The knight turns to his men, ordering them to split up. Some of the men at arms are sent down the river, the rest follow Albrecht south, with their crossbows and swords ready, to search for the polish soldiers...

And only the villagers were left in awe, but grateful, for this time they didn't need to provide food. Or else.

[taelor]

Aleksy leads the way south, making haste, as the party has much valuable information to report to their superiors.

Suddenly, a mounted crossbowman emerges from a small patch of forest 50 paces away. Aleksy and the Teuton spot each other at the same moment. Both raise their weapons to shoot. Aleksy's aim is true, and a bolt lacerates the enemy's bicep. The man grimaces in pain and lets his bolt fly, but it passes harmlessly over Aleksy's shoulder.

[Korbel]

The assailant turns his tail, not entirely interested in exchanging further shots. And he would escape, if not Izajasz and Adrian...
"Come and face me you Teutonic Traitor! Or will you run like the rest of your ill-begotten ilk just like the cowards you all are?!"
Encouraging the opponent to fight this way, Adrian was dashing across the grassy clearing, with Izajasz running by his side. And to everyone's wonder, the Teuton scout actually stopped, trying to repay Adrian in kind! But the bolt he let loose just barely missed Adrian's leg and burrowed deep in to the ground. Ale there was no time to reload the crossbow again...
Izajasz dragged him off the horse before he could run away, and put an end to his struggle with a powerful punch to his neck, nearly causing him to suffocate. And as quickly as the fight began, as quickly it was over, with the Teuton soldier still struggling to breath and awaiting his destiny.

[Adronio]

As Izajasz and Adrian starts to drag the rider of his horse, he stops struggling against their grip. With his comrade holding their assailant in a headlock, Adrian pulls a knife out of his belt. "You think it's funny shooting at people pal? Well, I didn't feel it was funny, and I don't think a simple sorry will make up for it..."

[Korbel]

Trapped in Isaiah's arms, the man would probably reply, but all he was able to produce was a squawk. His eyes opened wide in terror and the muscles tensed, but in vain.

[Adronio]

"Don't want to talk, huh? What a shame", Adrian said, his knife moving closer to the unfortunate mans face. "Not to worry, I can definitly help with that. Which one of your eyes do you think you need less?"

[Adronio]

The knife plunges into his left eyesocket, piercing his brain and making him go limp in Izajasz' grip.

[taelor]

Aleksy looks from the dead Teuton to Adrian. "Unfortunate", he says, cooly. "We could have extracted valuable information from him."

[Adronio]

Adrian shakes his head. "Nah, Izajasz managed to shut him up for good with that punch to the throat", he says while looking sideways at Izajasz. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."

[David Mogendo]

Izajasz smirks when Adrian threatens the teuton, held firmly by the neck. A brief look of shock covers his features when Adrian actually follows up on his threats, and kills the man. Izajasz stands up, letting the body drop to the ground. He picks up the man's crossbow and tests its weight, sighing to himself. "This, I think I can use." He takes the goat's foot and hands it to Adrian, "I don't think I'll be needing this though." He also looks at the horse, walking over and gently patting its nose.
When Adrian speaks about Izajasz, he replies "Or I, yours," remembering the dead man.

[taelor]

While the others banter, Aleksy scans the horizon, weary of more Teuton soldier who may be in the area. Out of the corner of his eye, he spots a shadowy man on horseback at the edge of the woods 200 yards away. Realizing that he had been seen, the rider turns his horse and disappears into the shadows.

Aleksy calls out to the others, pointing in the direction of the rider. "There are more Teutons about. We must proceed carefully."

[David Mogendo]

"More of them?" Izajasz frowns, while inspects the dead man's bolt quiver. His pace increases, as he pats the man down, removing a water skin, hard rations, and the helmet. He looks to Adrian, and hands the man's dagger to him. "It seems like you know how to use a knife." He glances at the man's wound, "I'd prefer these anyways..." clenching his fists in the cestus. He looks up at the nobleman of their group, asking, "What's our move, Sir Tarnowski?"

[Korbel]

Another rider appeared, and then another... Soon it became clear, they had a dozen of Teutons lead by Albrecht himself on their heels. A chase ensued, and crossbows were spanned, eager to shoot, and swords were waiting to be drawn, demanding blood, and we don't know how this would have ended, if Benedykt and his men didn't stumble upon an unexpected congregation...
A white haired knight with a half of a cross on his gray coat, accompanied by a servant in opulent clothing, was talking with yet another knight, in blackened armor and with thick, black beard. And Benedykt recognized this second knight almost instantly, as he was one of the most famous knights in the kingdom - Zawisza the Black from Garbov.
"Ruthard, wait. There's someone coming." Zawisza cut the conversation and placed his hand on the sword. "Who are you? What's going on?" he shouted at Benedykt, his voice powerful, rising above the galloping horses.

[Benedict]

Benedykt approaches the riders and rises his visor.

"Greetings and well met Lord Zawisza. I am Benedykt Tarnovius, commanding officer of this scouting party."

He also salutes the other rider.

"Alas I am not acquainted with your companion. Greetings and well met sir."

[Korbel]

"No time for pleasantries and introductions I presume! What's going on?" Zawisza spotted the Teuton pursuers and drew his sword.