Completed Evil Ways (Orion, Septimus)

[Accolade]

Timestamp: 80th of Summer,513 AV, early morning

It had been raining for the last couple of days over Syliras, a large storm that had been passing through and was upon the city for a short cycle before finally moving on. It wasn't a big real to those in the city, and by the most, they wouldn't even know that it was raining unless they ventured out into the light of day. But for those living in the small village close to the Mithryn Outpost, the rain was a good sign. It freshened the crops, and when the sun returned it would keep them healthy and growing. So for the time, they would wait and spend their time in the village, conversing with the Knights stationed there and their friends and family.

All was well in the village through out the day, and upon the falling of night, when Syna's glow vanished and the world was left to Leth's nocturnal darkness, that was when it happened. There were screeches in the darkness, sharp claws raking and attacking flesh, and even venom was spewed. The Knights defended the outpost, and not a soldier fled in fear from the invaders they could barely see beyond the light of torches. The battle lasted long into the night, and the yells and cries continued to echoed as the fight drew to a close.

By the light of day, when Syna awoke and once again touched the world with her warmth and light, the village by the Mithryn Outpost was a mess. The bodies of 9 huge Balicani were found laying about the grass after being destroyed by the Knight. It had been a hard fought battle, and most of the soldiers made it away with only minor injuries. But there was one, one Knight that perished in the fight. He had been the first to sight the creatures, and without knowing how many and where they were coming from, he couldn't fight them all off.

The farmers by most, had been inside when it started and so they were spared. However, oddly enough there were three deaths amongst them as well. It seemed that even they felt the sting of the Balicani. Reinforcements were called to trade places with the injured and healers were sent down by the light of day. It was a tragic event, and while they were able to save most, death was still in the air...Or something worse.

OOCYou squires seem to find easy ways to appear all over the city, so I'll leave it to you to find a way and make it to the outpost

[Orion Michaels]

"I still can't believe it," Orion remarked, looking over at Septimus.

It was absurd. An attack like that on Mithryn? First there were all those petching Drykas raiding those who left themselves vulnerable, and now, with that threat dealt with, another had quickly risen to take its place. They lived in an unforgiving world. Mistakes were punished, and harshly. Yet, in truth, not a mistake had to be made in order for life to claim you back to the cycle.

"An attack on the outpost? By..what were they again? Balicani? I've never seen one, barely even heard of them." Whatever they were, the damage, while contained, was still more than acceptable. A knight killed. Others injured. Farmers dead. It was just so unexpected. "It's such a good thing they're sending the most heroic of Syliras to deal with it, right?"

Heroes was perhaps a grandiose way of putting it. Orion had medical training, and was one of the best physicians in Syliras. It was the purpose of his recruitment, after all. He'd packed all his medical supplies and set off. Septimus had come for her own reasons, and figuring they'd just end up arguing or something, he'd left it alone thus far. It didn't matter, they were both going to the outpost, and it was almost in view.

Orion glanced down to his mount, patting its neck gently. "Nearly there." He still wasn't confident on a horse, that much was apparent, but as long as they didn't have to ride full speed, he figured he'd be fine. Fingers tightened around the reins as he urged it onward. The sooner he could get there, the sooner he could be put to work. "Septimus, let's keep our eyes open, huh? We're pretty close, so there might be more of those things. If they show up, I'll hide behind you and let you take care of them while I watch your beauty at work, hmm?" He grinned, glancing over at her before turning his focus back to the road ahead. He could only hope that the two of them remained safe until they got there. He wasn't so keen on the idea of treating new injuries.

[Septimus]

Blood. The metallic, iron-tainted, crimson liquid coursing through almost every living creature's body was something that apparently needed to be shed to prove a point, get something done, or else. Sometimes, there didn't even have to be a motive. Some sick creatures just killed for the fun of it. However, sometimes there was consequences for such heinous acts. There would be consequences for this now.

Septimus' blood was boiling over the ordeal, but she was remaining calm. She was happy they had picked her to help out, but she was pissed that they had even had to. Septimus didn't say much on the way, as she was deep in thought. She did not think twice to respond to Orion, however. Good thing he wasn't holding anything from the Pit against her.

"Affirmative. I've never heard of them until today." Her sapphire eyes spotted their destination not too far away then she smiled. "Heroic?" Septimus chuckled "Sure, if that's what you wanna call it. Determined and angry may be the best of terms, perhaps."

Septimus sighed then picked up the pace as she saw Orion urging his horse on, announcing they were almost there. She didn't particularly feel it was a right to ride a horse. It just seemed strange that a horse would be riding a horse. All she would have to do was shift and that took a second. That's why she was walking/jogging now. She was wearing full armor and she had been building on her endurance and had been controlling her breathing.

Septimus was beginning to feel anxious. She didn't know what was next and she didn't know precisely what she was getting herself into. Perhaps that was just what she was anxious about; the unknown. If you didn't know, how were you to prepare properly for what was to come?

He spoke of performance and Septimus cocked an eyebrow up in his direction. "Make me a deal, you keep me from dying and that might can happen, eh?" She saw him glance at her with a smile and she shook her head and sighed, a smirk growing slightly. "Oh dear Gods, please be on our side."

"Talk"

[Accolade]

As the two rode into the outpost, they would see Knights riding against them and heading back to the city. There were also carts coming in behind them to gather the bodies of the dead, as well as help clean up the huge Balicani. There were tents set up where the injured Knights were resting away from the fuss of the morning. The scene was secure, and there were Knights standing around to just in case more Balicani showed up, as well as keeping people away who weren't supposed to be there.

They were cautious in their jobs, and eyed everyone who came near or rode by. It was an odd sight to see a blonde woman jogging along side a horse. And a few of the Knights had to blink or rub their eyes to make sure that what they were seeing was real. A moment later and the two new comers were greeted by to fully armed Knights that escorted them in, after they realized that they were squires. One of them was a fresh faced Knight and the other had a few years under his belt.

"What are you here for, medic or shift change?"

The men were in a serious mood and wanted to keep traffic going and coming as fast as possible to keep the situation contained. The men didn't mean to seem rude and they were glad for the fast help that arrived, but they did need answers and actions done quickly. As the two stepped further inside the smell of blood grew thicker even to Orion's human nose. But for Septimus, the air wreaked of it, and while she could see where most of it came from, there was something else...something further back..inside and beyond.

"If you are a medic these men in the tents could use your help, and if you're here for shift change find a post and exchange with who ever is stationed there."

[Orion Michaels]

This horrific attack had given Orion some respite from the struggles of his own life, though he hated to even have those thoughts. An unexpected appearance of his daughter had nearly derailed everything. The appearce of Emily had indeed changed all. But with everything which was occurring, there was nothing for him to do except give everything he could to those at the outpost. Dinah had surprisingly offered to watch the young girl while he was out, and it seemed that was that.

At least for now he could push it from his mind.

"Sounds like a plan, Septimus." They'd all have to work together in occasions like this. When it was someone's time to go, there was little you could do, but Orion felt like there were times when people teetered on the brink, where it could go either way. Those were the times he could make his difference.

The ferocity of the attack only became more apparent as they arrived at the outpost. Carts with bodies of the fallen rolled by. Scarier yet was the body of the beast itself. Orion couldn't avoid double taking when he first laid eyes on the Balicani. "I-It's horrible," he muttered, paying no mind to the approaching knights until they were nearly upon them. When they asked who they were, Orion introduced himself.

"Orion Michaels, Squire of Captain Knight Dinah Lorene. I'm here to offer my medical skills." Orion nodded a quick goodbye to Septimus. With different skill sets, they'd be off to help the recovery of the farms and the outpost in their own ways. After dismounting, Orion would make his way into the tent, his medical equipment in hand, but not before taking a deep breath to steady himself for what he was about to see.

[Septimus]

Septimus' eyes turned ice cold when the sight of blood and gore reached her sapphire orbs. Her equine mind found it repulsive and the smell infiltrating her flaring nostrils didn't help in the slightest. What her equine instincts were telling her was absolutely not what a Knight should have been made of and Septimus' human mind shuddered in disgust at the thoughts of its counterpart.

Her human form was trying to stay up to the standards that her occupation had required her to be at. Her human form was becoming more hardened and more molded to the shape it was supposed to be getting at while her horse side's thoughts and actions were being slowly driven to where they were supposed to be getting at. Slowly but steadily.

Trying to mend the two together was like trying to separate the water from a pool of mud by hand, however. They were so conflicted against one another which left a big gap right down the center with Septimus' actions having to leap across it every time. What used to be hesitation within that jump was now a slight flinch and that was another thing she was working on. In layman's terms, the way her whole body moved, thought and acted was dictated by one conscience split in half by two internal drives and instincts.

Nevertheless, she was a petching War Horse and she was a damn Knight. Whether it be the death of her or the light that guided her through every victory and to lastly glory, she would follow through with it and she would be satisfied with the outcome. That's why whenever she found herself lost in though and lost in the sight and smell of the crimson fluid pouring from bodies, expired to the breathing, she quickly whipped and cracked herself back into the shape she was expected to assume, mentally and physically.

Her stature was straight on, broadened shoulders moving accordingly with the rest of her body completely in sync. Her legs flexed with every movement and step she took and her arms flexed and hardened in quite the same fashion. Overall, she carried herself with the grace and elegance yet same muscular stride that reflected the equine deep within.

The smell of a different kind of blood quickly entered her sensitive nose and Septimus swallowed hard for the body of the Balicani was a horrific sight and reality hit her like a rushing horse. This is what she would be facing. Her cobalt irises darted back and forth over the creature much like a speeding boomerang that refused to stop and continued to relentlessly spin faster and not hit a target. She swallowed hard and muttered something along the lines of 'Let the heavens help us.'

Two broad figures stepped forward and the armored Septimus nodded with an apparent fake and forced smile to them both and presented herself along with her name quickly after Orion. "Septimus, Squire of Knight Xalet. Here to exchange places."The would be parting ways here and the Kelvic sighed with another hard swallow, Septimus returned the nod with a soft "Good luck." Audible or not, Septimus didn't really care for her mindset wasn't in a particular sociable mood.

She found it quite entertaining that a female would be sent to protect while as a male was being sent as a medic. Funny how things turned out and honorable how they both had defied the stereotypes.

With a blur of dirty, blonde hair Septimus was quick to follow orders swiftly and efficiently. Picking a post quickly with a man who appeared extremely tired and weary, Septimus nodded at him and he scrambled off. Septimus took in how he appeared extremely sweaty and extremely cautious, his eyes were darting at everything. Septimus drew her sword and with a sigh, she cleared her mind and instantly her personality switched to her cautious, alert, and deadly self.

"Talk"

[Accolade]

For Orion

Inside the first tent he would step into, there only two men laying down on bedding. Their were only half dressed and their armor rested on the floor beside them. The wore small bandages from the minor wounds that they suffered, but beyond that they appeared to be sleeping peacefully. Should Orion decide to come in and speak with then, or check their bandages, possibly even learn who did them, his questions would be answered.

After leaving the tent, the next stop would be just as fast, or twice as long depending on what Orion decided. Once he reached the tent flap, he would hear a moan, and upon interesting he would witness a female farmer tenting to a wounded Knight. Should Orion decide to stay, or ask questions was completely up to him.

Upon reaching the third and largest tent, he would be met with a completely different sight. There was blood all over the floor, and bits of armor laying here and there, as if the pieces were thrown off instead of simply removed. Three men lay on bedding, two with wounds to their arms and shoulders, though these were minor, and one with a cut just above the neck and to the other on his leg.

The last of the three was in much worse shape. He had been one of the first to arrive and had suffered the wraith of the Balicani as he tried to save the first of the Knights to fall. He had lost a helmet, and with it an eye. Some how the creatures had dig into his ribs, puncturing him and the wound was now being held by bandages and cloth.

The doctor has his work cut out for him.


For Septimus

The outpost might seen chaotic to Septimus, there was much needed to be done, and while the Knights had contained the threat there was still something else. Some of the farmers were friends with the Knights, others family, even lovers. It was a hard blow to them as well and they expressed their sadness openly. Septimus was new to the camp, and with fresh faces came new hope. The other Knights, for their own reasons, hadn't been as kind and supportive of those in mourning.

They were busy trying to keep order and to get the outpost back on track. For the time, it seemed to be the Knights on one side and the farmers consoling each other a part. Septimus was fine as she was, and unless she decided to step over and hear the farmers cries of lost, she would be left to stand as she was. A few ticks passed, and sudden purr would catch her kelvic ears. It was a small brown cat, nothing out of the ordinary besides the patches of red fur upon it's back.

Closer inspection would tell her that it is blood on the cat and fresh as well. Further inspection would allow her to see that the cat had just appeared from behind the building that she had just passed as she entered the outpost. A sudden scream would catch her attention and draw her back to the small group in front of her. Two of the farmers were about to fight, and for the moment no other Knight saw them.

[Orion Michaels]

After biding adieu to Septimus, Orion dismounted and gave his horse to another knight to be stabled. He needed to get to work immediately. He was lead to the infirmity tents where they would set him lose to put his skills to the test.

The first tent didn't seem that bad. The knights were spaced out well and were in a surprisingly clean area. Care had been taken to ensure there was room to work and room for as many wounded as could be comfortably tended to within the space provided. He had plenty to work with between the supplies he'd brought and what was available, and for that he was grateful. He wouldn't have to worry about anything but the patient before him.

Whoever had treated the first set of men had his thanks. The injuries they'd suffered were superficial, and it seemed to the former doctor they'd been treated well. The two men were sleeping, so he was careful not to wake them while checking on their wounds. They'd been cleaned and bandaged, though the bandages were a little more lose than Orion would have liked. Expert fingers slid into the bandages, pulling them tighter to add additional pressure to the lacerations. The knights moaned as he finished up his work, but thankfully they remained asleep. He didn't want to disturb them anymore than he needed to. He had questions, but with his patients being the only people he could ask, he decided that he'd done all he could do. The bandages would have to be changed later in the day, but they were fresh enough for the time being.

Taking his bag in hand Orion made his way quickly from the first tent to the second. Pushing the flap aside he stepped inside and immediately began to assess the situation. "Hail," Orion called, getting the attention of the farm woman. He offered a gently smile before joining her beside the injured knight. "I'm Orion, a physician. I'm here to help you care for the wounded." Clearly relieved the woman motioned to her patient, her voice tired and weak. "His arm is really bad, ser. I cleaned it up as much as I could, but I only know about treat scrapes and cuts. Nothing like this." Orion sat his bags down and shifted around the cot to look at the man's mangled right arm. It was twisted unnaturally and horribly discolored. He'd seen this before, and he knew the answer all too well.

"This man's career as a knight is over. I've got to amputate that arm. It's already turning gangrenous."

"Amputate, Ser?"

Orion simply nodded. It had been several years since he'd had to perform an amputation, but it felt like it was only yesterday. He'd have to clamp the artery so he didn't bleed out while he worked. Obviously he'd have clean the fresh injury, making sure he cut above all the infected tissue. Then he'd tie off the artery and in this case, leave the wound open. It would have to be watched carefully, but he needed to make sure there wasn't more tissue which needed removed, or someone would have to, at least. Orion wasn't sure how long they would keep him out here, but he would continue treating the man if he was still about.

"Is there anything I can do ta help?"

"I'll need you to hold him down for one thing. He'll likely object to me removing his arm, but it's the only chance he has. Even then, I'm not sure how far the infection has spread."

Orion opened his surgeon's equipment and began laying out his supplies on a table set up next to the cot. Needles and animal gut threads for sutures. A bone saw for the amputation. Bandages to help control the bleeding during the process. Tweezers to help remove the shattered bits of bone. A file to smooth and even the bone. He didn't want a part of the bone sticking out further than was needed. It could cause more injury and complicate things. He'd also need to get a hot iron going so he could cauterize as required. It was going to be an intense procedure.

"His elbow is complete shattered, so that would be what I'd blame for this. It cut off the blood flow and without it getting the oxygen it needed, the tissue began to die. There's no reversal at this point." He sounded like his father, but he was talking to himself as a reminder, regardless of how he sounded. "Sorry, don't mean to be giving you a medical lesson here. Just helps me to talk through things I haven't done in awhile."

The woman gave a somewhat nervous smile to the squire, awaiting his instruction. Orion sighed, turning his attention to the healer's kit he'd brought along. "Do you know anything about herbs?"

"Only which ones to use in my cooking, Ser."

He'd never wanted a true assistant as much as he did in that moment. While he usually yelled at them for their incompetence, an incompetent assistant would be better than her. Still, she was doing her best and was eager to do her part.

"No worries. We'll just have to mix up something to make sure no infection occurs from the amputation. Stay calm, we'll get him taken of in no time. You're doing great."

Orion turned his focus back to the man, trying not to show the frown that fought to touch his lips. He was in really bad shape. The tissue in his forearm had began to die quickly. Those working in the camp had clearly been busy, but they hadn't taken care of this man correctly. If they'd identified the lack of blood flow, maybe they could have saved his arm. Now he'd have to spend the rest of his life dealing with the loss of what was likely his sword arm.

Amateurs, the lot of them.

Orion touched the handle of his bone saw as he prepared himself mentally for an operation that was always tough to do. There was nothing pleasant about it.

"It's pretty straightforward. I'm going to cut through the tissue about halfway up his upper arm, suture and cauterize the vessels as needed, both before and after the cut, and finally I'll actually get to the bone. I'll need you to hand me the various tools as I call for them, okay?"

She nodded, uncertainty in her expression. This was more than a farmer was supposed to have to deal with, but in such a dangerous and desperate situation, she would have to do her best to aid the knights. It was up to her and Orion to save the man's life.

[Septimus]

[[My apologies for the wait on this. ]]

Dark cerulean eyes swept across the chaos and the crying farmers... She wanted to comfort them and tell them it would all be just fine and that the Knights were working on it; partially fueled by maternal instinct and a simple drive to comfort those hurt and those that belonged to the very home she shared with them called Syliras.

With a sigh and a heave of her shoulders, her conflicted views of the situation subsided and she made a decision. She would leave them to their own devices... after she, of course, comforted a crying pair of women that slowly passed by her. She put a heavy, yet feminine, hand on the woman's arm and the two weeping women paused their cries and looked at Septimus with muffled babbles and tears still pouring.

Septimus looked at both of them for a second, paused then allowed her warm voice to pour into the tense atmosphere "Everything will be okay. We're going to do everything in our power to stop whatever the..." she stopped herself "We're going to do anything and everything within our power to stop something like this from happening again. You have my word."

With shifty eyes darting back and forth between them both, Septimus sheathed her sword and gave them a brief yet awkward hug (her height made it hard) before letting them go with a quick nod. "In the mean time, you need to be strong for family and friends... strangers even." One of the women gave a short and brief 'thank you' and they continued to walk off, consoling one another but considerably piped down.

Septimus resumed her position with new thoughts in mind and drew her sword once more. It wasn't more than a few seconds did she realize that this was something that would distract her if she didn't clear her mind of all supererogatory thoughts. It could be a simply thought like that that could be her demise. She was coming to terms that this was the real thing and this was what she was to put up with. She needed to cross this bridge now and not while it was falling. Otherwise, she wouldn't live to fight another day.

Sensitive ears belonging to the Kelvic picked up on the sound that resembled thunder but on a much, much smaller scale. Her large yet stocky frame moved with refined finesse as she pinpointed the source. Soon, the smell of blood also proceeded to fill her nostrils and her eyes followed suit. They landed on a feline with splotches of glossy red upon it's back and the light's rays glinted off to give it the wet appearance instantly leading Septimus to the idea of blood.

She took a step forward, sword in hand with a tight grip and ready to see just what exactly it was that was behind that damned building.

However, before she could ask of another Knight to watch her position for a split second, another commotion filled her ears and with it, Septimus' head instantly jerked in that direction. Her tall body moved swiftly over to the two farmers who were at each other's necks. Metal clanking, sword sheathed, Septimus grabbed the two men "Get ahold of yourselves! You're two grown men who need to set a damn example! We have worse matters at hand now separate yourselves before you do something you regret!"

With an abrupt and brute shove, Septimus pushed the two testosterone-raging men apart which they both appeared to take to decently. The look on Septimus' face rarely appeared and it spoke of one that was a warning to the two that could definitely escalate to something more with the flick of a risk. Septimus was on edge right now and she certainly wasn't going to put up with foolishness. They stepped down and looked at each other then backed off.

Septimus rushed over and back to her post where she collected her thoughts. Then realized what she was doing prior to the interruption. Perhaps I shouldn't. Probably just a damn cat caught in the mix of stuff. She couldn't abandon her post.

"Talk"

[Accolade]

Orion and his helper would continue their hard work, but they had a long way to go before they could call it a day. There were more wounded than there were doctors. A call had been put in and the healers were already on their way, but for the moment Orion and the farm woman would have to keep the people alive until then.

Suddenly a man rushed into the tent yelling as loud as he could for everyone to hear. His clothing was covered in blood and in his arms he held a young child, a boy around the same age as Orion's daughter. The boy was trembling, his body racked with so much pain that it kept him from speaking. His nails dug into the shirt of the man who held him and it would take able hands to remove it.

"Help! Please..someone! This boy has been attacked!"

It would hard to see how bad the boy's wounds were through his clothing, the layer of cloth was completely soaked with blood and clung to his flesh almost as if it were melted. Orion was a doctor and in his time he had seen many things, but this would stump him. Of all the wounds he had seen on this day, these were the most different, but the squire's keen eyes would show him that this wasn't done by an animal.

Septimus was just as busy with no short amount of people needing assistance physical and emotional. She was able to settle a dispute, comfort the grievers and moved back to her post. But what would happen next would test her resolve as a squire. Shouting started again and at first she would think it was the same men until she noticed them both standing by looking in the same direction.

Two men had stumbled out of the doors into one of the farm houses, and one, an average size man wit dark hair held the other to his knees with an ax to his throat. He yelled and cursed at him, tearing pouring from his eyes. The man on his knees had noticeably pale blonde hair, and was also of average size but beyond that his features were hidden.

"You have the wrong man. You have the wrong man I tell you!" the blonde man yelled back. But the ax wielder wouldn't hear of it. "Lies! You sick coward! How could you do this to your own people? I'll make you pay for this!" The active Knights in the area, moved into range and drew their blades as they ordered the man to put his ax on the ground.

"Don't hurt him! He's not a bad man, he's just hurting..and confused!" A voice called out from the most unlikely source. The blonde man raised his head, his features now revealed for all to see. He was a younger man, though his face bared the sighs of one that had lived a rough life and the pale shading of his hair was another sign.

"Please..don't kill him. We have suffered enough today!" His grey eyes searched the crowd of people gathering around, he hoped that someone would step forward and stop the blood shed.