MOD PLOT ↠ NONE TO RETURN

[faderifting]

WHO: All characters signed up to participate in the Battle of Ghislain
WHAT: The Inquisition regroups and heads home
WHEN: Covers the period immediately post-battle (11.28) through the journey back to Kirkwall (11.29-12.1)
WHERE: North of Montfort, Orlais, and on the road to Val Chevin
NOTES: This is Post #2, covering the immediate aftermath of the battle and the journey back to Kirkwall. It's a free-for-all. Post #1 covers the battle itself. More info on the OOC post.

The Inquisition and Orlesian armies eventually limp to a halt along the Imperial Highway north of Montfort, where wide fields and gentle hills offer clear lines of sight and a sparsely equipped fortress provides some shelter and fortification. It's a soundly strategic location—if Ghislain is lost, Montfort is the last major city between the invaders and Val Royeaux—but among the rank and file there may be too much chaos to appreciate it.

For the remainder of the day and well into the night, the fortress and surrounding land are a frenzy of activity. The wounded who were not left on the field must be triaged and tended to with limited supplies, while many healers and surgeons out of commission themselves and the remainder worked to the bone. Scouts, soldiers, and even support staff in sturdy enough condition to keep working may be tasked with assembling camp from the few remaining supplies, taking reports on known casualties or acquired intelligence, or further fortifying the new location. The Orlesian army sends one of its battered cavalry units toward Ghislain to attempt to provide some warning, and from the Inquisition's number a few patrols are sent back toward the battlefield or toward Ghislain, with stern orders not to re-engage, only to watch for signs of pursuit, and to direct any stragglers.

Those who remain in the fortress are in for a long, miserable night, with meager rations and makeshift bedding, if any of either, while the wind shifts directions and grows colder. By morning a number of the wounded have died, but attempts to build a pyre are hampered by the sudden swell of a storm that starts with freezing rain and then transitions to early and unpredicted thick, heavy snow.

For a few hours that morning the two armies attempt business as normal, but it soon becomes clear that the storm is getting stronger, and they risk being snowed in with more people than they can feed. Many, including the Inquisition's Gallows contingent, are ordered to disperse. Many crowd into wagons, with any transportable wounded receiving further attention en route and neighbors hunching close to preserve heat whether they like one another or not, while those able to do so follow on foot or horseback over the rough, flash-frozen highway toward Montfort and then west toward Val Chevin. The storm doesn't abate until they've nearly reached the city, but once there they're able to stop, eat, and spend a few hours indoors thawing out before proceeding home.

Comments

[shri]

Lakshmi has no interest in letting her get away as she presents with chain. With it, she has a viable set of hands, and Lakshmi currently only has one set to boast of.

So she whistles, sharp one hand stroking along the front of the Elephant's trunk, keeping it calm with steadiness, slow words, despite the clatter of the war camp, the screams of the injured being brought back even now. Gestures her in closer. "It needs to go around it's front leg, to keep it from running off. There, you see the great metal cuff? Attach it through the loop."

On the front right leg, was what would seem to maybe be armor on the elephant's ankle, was more like a great brace for it's chain upon closer inspection. Fit with a huge loop to fit the chain through. Letting her take stock of it for one moment - then she adds helpfully: "Don't startle it. Don't move too fast. If you upset it, it will kill you."

not that kind of hail smh....

[notched]

Anna does not inform her that it is very unlikely that a stupid beast, even one of this size, would kill her. She is not very fond of this task, and is somewhat uncomfortable with anyone who shows communion with beasts. Maybe a dog or cat, common domestic things, but nothing that came with the warning of: it will kill you. Still, she holds her tongue.

She prefers nothing above being of use.

And it is not so hard to move with a calm easiness, still happily relaxed in the liquid sensations of blood. Her first vial of blood since coming here, her first real battle since coming here-- she's at home in it all. She wonders idly if the elephant can smell it on her, like the beasts in Yharnam could.

"Is this beast going to survive that wound?"

She means wouldn't it be faster to put the thing down and use it for parts.

[shri]

"Of course it will, with some care, as any other would."

If she was going to admit to any concern, it would be the cold that she worried on. But... she supposed they survived far north, all the way to Kashmir, no doubt they could survive here too, with all this incoming winter weather. Lakshmi took a slow breath and nodded.

"It would be a shame if it died, a great waste of a majestic creature." Her hands are plainly still affectionate, as she guides it. Coaxing it slowly.

[notched]

"Its bones would make a fine weapon."

She wonders if it could be arcanized, draw out some central power from its pieces and parts that would aid in battle. Perhaps a mighty stomp that would shake the ground. If nothing else, the flesh might make an interesting armor.

While Anna's words assuredly lack compassion, she continues to help steady the elephant with a staid calm. She doesn't wish it ill, but neither is she particularly charmed by it.

[shri]

That makes her side eye her. Her mouth pressing together a moment in what could be mistaken for thought on her words.

"They seldom want to go to war, seems a shame to turn even their bones into weapons."

Her hands stay steadying and at least the girl is calm. Gets the job done, slowly but surely. She guides the elephant to step as needed when Anna has to move, keeping it focused.

But once it's secured in place. She steps back, waving Anna over. "Well done, he ought to be secured now."