[Flashback Racing Time [solo]

[Robert Cithon]

80th Day of Summer 504AV Robert woke up late, again. This was the fourth time this week he had overslept. He quickly jumped out of his blanket. Scrambling for his clothes he had set out the night before. He was late to the field training and his neighboring soldiers found it amusing to let the “boss’s son” over sleep. They got a kick out of his the punishment his father would set him to. Robert couldn’t blame them for his faults though. He was a big fan of his sleep. In a rush he tried to force his leg through his breeches, the effort set him off balance and he went tumbling downward. “Ahh…son of a” He was interrupted by a shout from his tent flap “Robert!” It was his father voice, stern and commanding. “Just a minute!” He shouted back through the flap while reasserting himself upright. “Sir” He added in absently to avoid an further punishment. With a few more tugs and pulls, his clothing fell into the proper places. He quickly strapped his sword to his waist, clasping the leather tie o hold it into place and keep it from falling out. Robert rushed out of the tent and into the bright sunlight. The sudden change in lighting blinded him momentarily. He stumbled forward only to be stopped with a hand on each shoulder. Once his sight returned to him he could easily make out his fathers rough features. His father had stopped him from falling into him by placing a hand on each shoulder and firmly holding him in place. “Thank you” Robert breathed out silently. Robert did not want to look for a fool than he had already. “I apologize for overstepping myself again, Sir” Robert looked his father in the eye. Each was a proud man, and both admired each other in ways. The were a lot alike, Robert would undoubtedly call his father his role model. “What’s the rush son?” His father asked with a smile. A look of confusion came upon Robert’s face. But after a few seconds of thinking things through, it came to him. “There is no field training today” Robert said as if speaking to himself. His father never made the men run drills the day before or of battle. He believed the men performed better if given the chance to spend the last few days how they saw fit. And as long as they arrived battle ready when called upon, he did not question how they spent their personal time. “Correct. And tomorrow we ride into battle” The way his father said made it seem much more glamorous than it actually was. Tomorrow they faced off against a group of rag tag ex-slaves. Their numbers matched Roberts group, only in the 50+ range. But every man in his group had proven himself time and time again. It was supposed to be an easy day. Catch as many as possible, only kill if you must. Each one brought back into custody was a bonus in their pockets. “Yes it will be an excellent day to swell our pockets.” Robert replied sarcastically. His father laughed a bit at his remark. “I need a favor from you son” His father was down to business now. And Robert was a member of his military organization, now matter how small that group was at times. “Sir?” Robert was a professional. And when speaking to his superior, he acted as appropriate. His father reached into his coat, as over sized and old as it looked you would rarely catch him without it on. He pulled out a letter, it seemed to be a freshly crafted piece of parchment. The contents must be of some importance for the kind of delicacy his father was using while holding the letter. “I need you to deliver this to Nikoli. You remember where his camp was?” Robert answered as soon as the question was finished. “Yes father, over that hill and about a days ride there and back. Him and his men are down by the stream seeking voyage down stream where you have another job lined up.” As far as Robert could recall, his answer was correct. His father responded by handing the letter over, rather forcefully now. “Good. Your horse is already being saddled and I expect you to depart within the hour.” His father cutoff and began to walk away toward a group of men rolling dice. A few steps from where he previously stoop his father turned toward Robert and spoke again. “Hurry son. We need you back as soon as possible.” The look his father gave Robert was of sadness and remorse. Robert had no idea what to think. Instead he just headed toward the make shift stables for his mount.

[Robert Cithon]

The trip to Nikoli’s camp was relatively uneventful. Robert kept a steady pace, staying as near the worn roadways as much as possible. A lone figure like him, made for an easy target in the untamed Wildlands of Mizahar. So the little trails that his fathers men had made helped his trip take less time than he expected. The trip to Nikolis camp had only taken four hours of slow riding. Instead of half a days as expected. He arrived to a friendly greeting, most new him by name. Robert was tempted to stay longer then expected and share a few stories with old comrades he had not seen in months. His father liked to keep men on a rotation, he felt it kept them from growing bored of the same situation. In truth he was probably right. The more one repeated the same activity, the less one noticed things out of the norm. Instead of lounging around and killing the few hours he gained from his early arrival. Robert headed straight for Nikoli’s tent. It was in the center of the scattered tents, there was not much organization in his encampment. You rarely needed a ready defense out here, most the danger one faced was while traveling through the dense forest or rolling hills. A pitched battle was an uncommon thing around these parts, and obviously Nikoli allowed his men to slack for that reason. Robert entered Nikoli’s tent, the darkness leaving him blinded for a few moments. Before his vision could return Nikoli’s voice greeted him “Aye there! What brings you to these parts Robert? And how is your father Aslo fairing?” Robert smiled, his visionfinally allowing him see the shaggy man in front of him. Nikoli kept his face like he kept his camp, scraggly and messy. He was never one who believed in a clean shaven face. His dark eyes also resembled a man who quit caring a long time ago. They always seemed distant and unfocused, like he saw tings other men didn’t. Many believed him to be more on the mad side then sane, Robert did not care. He was a trusted friend of his fathers therefore Robert thought highly of the man. Robert cleared his throat and searched his pockets for the letter. “I am here to bring you this. My father seemed very eager to pass it along to you.” Robert spoke slowly as he prodded for the parchment, he found it where he originally stored it. “Ahh, here we go” He said as he handed Nikoli the letter. Nikoli took the letter and looked it over, he placed it on the table and questioned Robert further about him and his father. An old friend curious about his companions. Robert was about to turn and leave, there conversation finished. But Nikoli stopped him short of the flap. “Hold up son, let me read the letter over and see if I need to send you back with a reply.” Nikoli rushed to the opposite side of the desk, where he had placed the letter. He quickly broke the seal and tore the letter open. Robert watched the man as his eyes scanned over the letter. He noticed a sour look growing on his face. “What is it Nikoli?” Robert asked when Nikoli placed the letter on the table and let his head sag between his shoulders looking at his own feet. Nikoli said nothing, instead he shoved the letter in Roberts direction. Robert took the motion as an invitation to read the contents. He began at the top, Dear Nikoli, I am sending Robert as a messenger for his safety. I fear we are all in danger here. My scouts have not returned in two days now. And neither have the two parties I sent out searching for them. I fear we are slowly being surrounded, by whom I cannot say. I am sending you this as a request. We are in serious need of your armsmen, I fear we shall be outnumbered and dispatched easily enough without your support. Please respond with all urgency, for yours and my sake. PS. Do not let Robert ride back alone. If he made it to you without trouble, then have him guide your men the way he came. I had faith in him finding safe passage, he was always a lucky one. Roberts face grew cold. His family and fiends were in a dire situation. And he had thougth to delay for a few stories! He was so ashamed of himself. “We move now Nikoli.” Robert spoke flatly. He had no right in commanding the man, but Nikoli just nodded. “I can have twenty five men ready in half an hour. The rest will have to stay and brake down camp, then we will all be on our way. I will lead the second half, we should only be a few hours behind you.” Nikoli smiled, a dull and ugly thing on his face. “Yes Robert, I just gave you a promotion. Now go. I’ll give word to my best to ride with you in half an hours time.” Robert just nodded. Half an hour was to long, he needed to be back at his camp now. Every minute was now to precious to waste.

[Robert Cithon]

Robert was nearly back to his fathers camp now. He was riding as fast as his horse would go. He dipped through trees and sprinted over the hills. He had not seen any danger lurking around them yet, but he was not paying much mind. Robert only occasionally glanced over his should to make sure that his men were following. His men…now that was a thought. H had never been given an opportunity to lead, and now his first attempt was leading an expedition save his father. They rode as fast as possible, whilst still being safe about it. His men never spoke a word against the way he pushed, Nikoli had debriefed them on the situation. And they all knew his father personally. They would have run him over if he tried to slow them down. That was not a worry though, he had no intention of slowing until he was within sight of camp. The hours raced by. Time always worked like that, when you needed it most. It flew by without notice. But when you were lacking anything of note to do, it passed at turtles pace. He estimated them to be within ten minutes of the camp now though. And no signs of distress had been spotted. No scattering forces melting into the trees for safety, and no bodies being drug away from a massacred battle field. It was not enough to ease Robert’s desire to be inside his father’s camp though. So he sprinted onward. A few short few minutes later his men broke into a field. The field was a the last thing that stood in the way of him and his fathers camp. The camp was just on the others side of the clearing, a good three hundreds yards away. He could barely make out the tent peaks from his location. “Double line!” Robert rang out of his tired lungs. The men promptly executed the order. Filing into two lines side by side. His slowed the pace now, the tent was in sight and his pulse seemed to be relaxing. Though slowed the soldiers were still moving faster than a normal march. The topped another hill, this one gave a full view of the spectacle below. To everyone’s surprise they were misled. The camp was in distress, fighting was taking place everywhere. Massive beasts were laying waste to humans left and right. The men atop the hill could hear the faint screams of and pain and those screaming for help. It was a massacre. Panic filled Robert’s thoughts. His family and friends were becoming lunch! And they were so far away still. They would never reach them in time, it would be a suicide mission. The beasts, Yukmen from what he could make out. Outnumbered the mercenaries four to one. And the longer they hesitated the greater gap in the odds grew. Robert acted quickly. He strode forward a few paces atop his horse. “Follow me if you dare” His voice was dry and raspy. “My father and friends re dying this very moment. And I for one am not going to stand by and watch it happen. Greet death by my side if you feel worthy!” The last part was a challenge to his men. He knew they would all accept gladly. With that being said, he sprinted forward. At a full sprint he turned and looked back. A lone figure sat atop the hill still. “Coward” He said under his breath. “Single file attack line!” He commanded. Yelling over the sounds of hoofs on the soft soil. The men spread out, each dropping a little further back then the one next to him. They formed a open triangle, the formation was designed to penetrate enemy lines. The beat noticed the approaching warriors. Majority of them began to run into the oncoming horde of horsemen, the bravest and furthest in front met death first. The man quickly hacked down whatever beast stepped in front of them. Now only te paces away from camp the met the beasts in full numbers. Man and horse alike smashed into the wall of raging Yukmen. Men slicing and stabbing with longswords and axes. The Yukmen slashing and ripping limbs of with there powerful arms and claws. It was a gruesome sight to watch. Robert and his horse led the charge, he smashed into a massive Yukmen. It fell with ease as the horse trampled it over. Another horsemen on his tail finished the job with a long spear. Screams of pain echoed in his eyes. A Yukmen ran toward Robert, he spun his horse defensively. His axe slammed into the neck of the Yukmen, it was an easy target while atop a horse. He ripped his axe free, turned his horse and sprinted forward. Further into the midst of battle. He couldn’t find another human anywhere, other then the men who followed him. They cut a path through the camp. His numbers dwindling the entire time. The Yukmen seemed to be growing hesitant of his men. The attacks were less violent outbursts, more and the planned and safe side. He must’ve made an impression. He would not be sopped until he found his father. A pair of Yukmen stepped out from behind a nearby tent, the roaring attack sent his horse rearing into the air. He barely managed to hold on. He threw his axe at one of the beast, it hit it’s mark. Splitting the chest wide open, entrails spilling onto the ground. The creature fell over dying in agonizing pain. Robert reached for his sword at his hip, he withdrew it just in time to defensively strike at a massive arm reach for him. The blade severed the fingers rendering the arm and hand useless. Robert jabbed the Yukmen in the throat, his blade feeling little resistance. With a twist and aggressive pull, he withdrew his blade and continued onward. Rober was nearing the center of the camp, and the attacks were growing more and more frequent. He could seeing many more Yukmen in the surrounding tents, but they seemed to be hesitant abut attacking. His numbers were down to fifteen. Each man had downed a dozen or so Yukmen, but the efforts were apparent on everyone’s face. They were exhausted. “They are tiring us down…”He said softly. They were forcing them to fight and continue to exhaust themselves. Yukmen were supposed to be senseless beast, not thinking soldiers. A soft noise caught Robert’s ears. He could faintly make out a hard voice yelling commands in the distance. He turned his horse in the general direction of the voice, the closer he got, the more the Yukmen become apparent. “To me!” Robert bellowed out. His father was alive! There were others fighting the horde still. It was not as a hopeless mission as he thought. Robert and his followers showed a new found strength. The group was tighter, making defending the trotting party easier. The men more on edge and quicker to defend a surprised attack then before. Hope was in their eyes The pace quickened, the closer they got to the voices. After a few minutes and another ten down Yukmen, they arrived on scene. His father, being the tactical genius that he was had devised a quick plan of action. The men he had witnessed being slaughtered were those to slow to react to his orders. Around twenty men formed tight circle. Easily defendable in the clearing where his fathers tents used to be. Half a dozen or so horses had been gathered before the onslaught began. They were centered in the group, once surviving any longer seemed impossible they would have mounted and made a mad dash for the trees. His father had not given the command because to many men would have been left behind horseless and been left to slaughter. Robert and his men darted into the clearing, pushing the horses as fast as they could run. They covered the distance easily, archers covered their run for safety. A few men opened up a gap and allowed the men to enter the circle. “Father!” Robert yelled as he leaped out of his saddle onto the ground. Unstable legs nearly sent him toppling over. His father grabbed hold of his shoulders once again saving him from falling. “You made it!” His father said thankfully. They embraced another in a quick hug. “Yes, only half our number remain though. We had no idea there were any of you left alive, we rushed in anyways.” He spoke fast, the words rushing out of his mouth. “ Nikoli and the other will be here in near an hour. We must signal them somehow though.” His father laughed a bit and pointed to the spot where a few men were attempting to build a small fire. A sigh of relief passed over Robert. “How have you survived so long?” He asked curiously. His father spoke quietly, exhaustion evident in his words. “We hold our lines, rotate men in and out to save energy. And the beast come in waves, a dozen or so at a time. But I fear we cant hold much longer. I suspect they will make a final charge soon enough. And I fear we cant match the numbers they have left.” His face grew somber. He knew the end was coming. Robert stod there surveying the scene. The men barely able to stand in the circle, the beast just on the outskirt of the tent line. An archer would take aim and down an overly eager every so often. It was a hopeless situation. But then again, so was his initial charge. ”nothings is hopeless.” The words were under his breath and barely audible. Robert stood with a renewed strength. He would see his men out alive. “Sir, we must act before they charge. You had a plan to ride out in a last survival attempt. We can do the same. Have a man mount each horse, a swift and knowledgeable rider. Once they are ready, leave the less skilled in horse riding on foot. They will hold the circle as long as possible. Make a brake in the line, each man that rush’s out of the circle on horseback must grab another and throw him on the back f his own horse. That way he have a skilled rider leading the horse, and a good fighting watching and defending the others back.” he paused surveying the hills. “We must act fast though” He pointed at the horde mobilizing in the distance. “Like now!” He said with impatience. Robert stood and watched the approaching beasts moved ever so slowly into sight. As if savoring the last kill. His father was relaying the orders getting the men organized and ready to run for their lives. It was a desperate attempt. Only made possible by the extras horses Robert had brought with his men. His father yelled the orders and the ordeal began. He volunteered to stay on foot. His father volunteered to be the last rider out of the group, there would no one left but Robert on foot once his father moved to leave. The strategy worked as planned and within moments Robert was being slung on horseback, barely catching himself before falling back off the animal. The men knew to head for the hills. They would gain a little ground on the beasts in an open sprint on rolling hills. Plus the archers could take more out along the way. It was relatively easy to break through the thin line of beasts that stood in the way of the hills and freedom. The mercenaries killed with a vengeance now. Going a little out of the way to get close enough to a beast and let the warrior on the back slash it’s throat or chest open. Men will be men. Robert thought silently as e managed to open the underarm of an attacking Yukmen. The blood sprayed in the faces of both him and his father. “A little to close for comfort there father” Robert said jokingly on the horses back. His father said nothing. Worry rushed over Robert as he noticed his father’s pace slowing. He shook the man and felt the warmth of freshly spilled blood. He panicked and managed to lean forward enough to see a gaping wound in his father’s throat. Robert took hold of the reins, barely managing it with his father in the way. He forced the horse to run faster. The Yukmen were not pursing them, but they could not stop yet. They had to gain more distance ad safety before they halted the horses. Robert used one hand to hold the reins, while using the other to apply pressure to his fathers wound. An attempt to stop the sever bleeding. The Yukmen did get to close, close enough to slash his fathers throat. A few minute later and Robert couldn’t ride any longer. “Halt” He yelled, his voice crackling with sadness. Robert quickly dismounted and drug his fathers body to the ground as gently as he could manage. He tore a piece of his father’s sleeve off and tried to stop the bleeding with it. A circle was quickly forming around him, men watching him uselessly try and save his father. They knew he was dead already. Robert refused to admit as much. A few men walked away guiltily. Others watched with sadness, grief filling everyone’s eyes. More horse’s approached from the opposite direction. It was Nikoli and his men, arriving earlier then expected. But to late nonetheless. Nikoli broke through the line of watching men. “Robert” He said softly, hand gripping his shoulder. “He’s gone boy” He tried to pull him away. Robert shook his attempt off. Nikoli began to yell at the men watching, many placed their swords and weapon in the ground as a tribute. A lot of good men had died that day, none known better then Robert’s very own father. “Robert” Nikoli said more bluntly. “Come with me son.” He forced Robert to his feet this time. Robert’s strength left him, he could not have resisted had he wanted to. “Im sorry. We all loved him.” Nikoli’s words were not comforting, but they were the last he would remember of that day. Robert sat down, exhaustion and grief over taking him. He laid back slowly, and darkness shrouded his vision within moments. His father, friends, and comrades massacred by Yukmen. Te beasts that had no purpose in life but to kill. He would find a way to exact his vengeance one day. One day…sleep came abruptly and Nikoli let him lie. Sitting beside him as a guard and friend. He would protect the boy from any further pain this day.

[Seth]

Robert: +2 Riding XP +2 Leadership XP +1 Axe XP +1 Longsword XP Lores: Yukmen (What they Are), Basics of Commanding a Small Militia, When to Make a Tactical Retreat, How It Feels to See Your Father Die. The Method behind my Madness : You got both a point in Axe and Longsword for using them both in battle. You did a lot of Riding, so you get two points in it. I was also impressed by how Robert took command in some situations, so you get two points for that! I enjoyed learning a little more about Robert today! I think you should use that lone figure who stayed on the hill as a future plot device. That seemed suspicious!

[Robert Cithon]

The lone figure might end up as a future plot. Mostly the reason I did it. But thanks for the grade!