Several gnolls were bullying a group of human slaves into dragging a massive block of stone over some logs. Every ten feet or so, the two at the back would pick up their log, and run to the front to place it under the block again. In this way, they made slow, but steady progress to the north. It was obvious that the humans were underfed and barely clothed. By the sound of the occasional whip, it was obvious the gnolls were getting a kick out of “motivating” them. Bard made a silent vow to pay back each and every strike that was inflicted while he was helpless to prevent them. He swore this on every cry of pain.
Anaya slowly dragged the nearly comatose body of the goblin guard over the slight rise and into the midst of the group. Here she silently motioned for Paleon to join her as she quietly scanned the area for more hapless “guards” that kept slipping away from the group to loot the surrounding village. A muffled clink of armor told her Paleon was beside her adjusting his battle-ax. Both couldn’t wait for the chance to undo this suffering. She said a quiet prayer to her God for forgiveness of her lethal desire and watched him mouth a similar one to his.
Ebon muttered a soft incantation as the body rolled over. A lightly glowing mark lit up the goblin’s chest. Ebon whispered to the goblin in it’s own language, “if you move, this arcane mark will suck your soul from your body.” Though it was yet paralyzed, Ebon new his words had the result he wanted. Inwardly he smiled at his ruse. That mark was but a glorified cantrip. If the creature actually had any courage to run, it would only serve to light his way for a few minutes at most. As his mentor had once said, “the greatest power of magic is in the eyes of the ignorant.” Truly, the gnolls would soon discover, however, that not all magic was illusion.
“Just a few feet more.” It was a litany repeated by Josie several times in the last half hour. Though it really was getting on her nerves, Raven had to admit that the elf was almost as good as she when it came to stealth. Her studded armor, though stronger than Raven’s own leather, was almost as quiet. And unlike her, Josie was dragging two swords and a longbow. Not a mean feat by any means. Still, she wouldn’t admit it to her face. “We gonna just keep goin’ till we can kissem? That thah plan?” Raven loved to try to get a rise out of her friend, but as usual, she was very focused on what she was doing. “Here”, said Josie. They were behind the tree, and she was slowly getting into a one-knee position and notching an arrow to her six-foot bow. Amazingly, she was holding her bow horizontally, forcing the halfling to stay under it while she loaded her light crossbow. The timing here would have to be perfect. But, she thought, if it weren’t after a year of teamwork, it never would be. Raven allowed herself a slight chuckle at that, and was rewarded with a curious look. “Ah, finally noticed I was here?” Josie just replied, “Get ready.” I hope you get fleas, Raven thought. She almost meant it too.
At a signal from Bard, the others made their preparations. With a quick prayer to her god, Anaya and her nearest friends felt a blessing pass over them. She then pulled out her shield and heavy mace and gritted her teeth for the battle to come. Paleon closed his eyes and felt the divine favor of his God engulf him as he braced his shield and tightened his grip on his battle-ax. Ebon smiled a quick smile and pulled a wand from his pack. Bard slowly pulled his kama and siangham from his belt and prepared to run.
At a whistle from Josie, her hawk swooped down into the face of the seven-foot tall gnoll with the barbed whip. He lashed out wildly as she flew away, but stopped mid step as an arrow from Josie lodged in his throat. The goblin beside him fell off a wagon with a crossbow bolt embedded in his chest. Raven smiled as all chaos broke loose. Gnolls immediately pointed at the small copse of trees and a dozen goblins ran that way. They were halted when the very grass and roots around them suddenly grew massively and wrapped the whole group up in a plant web spanning forty feet. The distraction was in place.
A third of the enemy force was incapacitated or distracted when Bard flew into action. His first two opponents never knew they faced an enemy. His next two almost reacted. By the time anyone noticed he was near the slaves, he had six goblins dead or dying. He never stopped moving because he knew they would have enough to keep them busy very soon. He buried his siangham into the gut of one of the prisoner’s guards, and his kama into the neck of another. Luckily, he had plenty of weapons left.
In the center of the enemy formation were the gnoll leaders. Nine strong, minus the overlord, they were seven feet tall, powerfully muscled, and ferocious in combat. Eager to fight an enemy toe to toe, they growled and sneered at the company approaching them. So, of course, that is exactly where Paleon had to be. He actually felt guilty at their surprised reaction when he formally saluted them before attacking. They always regretted laughing. His first opponent seemed young. Probably trying to prove himself, thought Paleon. Two seconds later he was without his right arm and dying on the ground. He had to give them credit. They weren’t stupid twice. Three of them immediately moved to flank him and the battle was joined in earnest.
Anaya sighed audibly when the first gnoll charged her. With a small chant and a simple gesture his eyes flew open wide as his muscles gave out and he collapsed in a heap of paralysis. The second seemed to think she was “just a cleric”. After several seconds of being bashed by her heavy mace, he was just about ready to run for his life. She didn’t intend to give him the chance.
Ebon was upset. “Why do they think a guy in a robe is always such a wonderful target for shooting?” He watched disdainfully as the arrows impacted on his protections and shattered. “You’d think that after the first volley they’d give it up”. Pointing his wand at a group of seven goblin archers, Ebon said “vas flam”. A ball of flame leapt from his wand and quickly turned seven archers into so much kindling. “Always here to help dilute the gene pool.” Preparing his next spell, Ebon absentmindedly pointed at some fleeing troops, and impaled five of them on missiles of magic. No one had said they could leave.
As Raven was happily picking off goblin archers and soldiers, a handful to her right broke through the enveloping plant mass. “Mistake!” she shouted. As the goblins charged the apparently defenseless “archers”, a white bolt suddenly buried two of them. Josie smiled as her wolf companion protected her once again. Standing up too slowly to be in any real danger, she calmly drew two blades. The long sword had a faint glow to it, and its companion short sword was just as deadly. Despite herself, Josie had a wicked grin. Few things did she enjoy more than destroying evil. The few that actually got to her seemed relieved to be facing an elven woman. It wouldn’t be the last time she was underestimated. She loved it. Ten seconds later there were five corpses at her feet and the one that ran soon had Raven’s bolt in his back. Her wolf looked at her with nearly pleading eyes. “Go on and play, but be careful.” She said. The wolf bounded off into the fray, happily destroying those that would harm her mistress. Raven remarked, “Last time she was that happy, we were hunting kobolds in that ogre’s grove.” Then she grimaced. “You two have issues.” Josie smiled and regained her bow. It was already almost over. Time to finish it. Purposely she strode towards the prisoners with Raven close behind.
