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War:
In the Valley of Peace
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Despite their obvious exhaustion, soldiers
all across the field quickly get moving to follow orders.
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The white haired guard says to anyone who cares to listen, "The name's
Aruna. Paid to guard this caravan. Never thought I'd shoot at ants. Hrrrmph.
A complete waste of good arrows." He puts up his bow and carefully puts
away the arrows he has gathered from the field. He exercises unusual caution
in putting the arrowheads into a small sack. When he finishes he helps the
other guards.
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Feldemaan and Xedel look up only briefly when the commanders bark their orders.
Then promptly ignore them to continue their little chat.
Feldemaan asks, "My friend, are you so set on hunting those dragons? Perhaps you will find them... then what?"
"When I find them we are going to have a nice pleasant conversation as I study them. If however they should get difficult...” Xedel shrugs his shoulders and brushes the comment off as if it were of no consequence.
Surprised at his apparent lack of concern, Feldemaan continues, "I am not sure that such a meeting would end favorably to you. Perhaps you may want to consider joining us all the way to the tower? Just a thought, mind you. But one that perhaps you may wish to consider."
Xedel gives him a sly look, "AH HA! You're just as curious as I am! We both know that's where the creatures are heading. They're looking for a mage. But not just any mage, if I judge their motives right, they are looking for one particular mage who is easily recognizable from a distance. Him, I also want to meet."
Xedel looks a bit miffed, "Though
I don't see what is wrong with ME."
Realizing that this old man has little
concern for his own safety or even that of others, Feldemaan begins to worry
a little. When he looks around he notices the growing tension between the two
priests he leaves the old man to his own musings and moves to the two priest
of the elements.
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"Damion, come on. This is the easy part." Ulqik gestures to the soldier
with a mace. Damion for his part seems to be glad to be away from the two priests.
"That water priest guy looks pretty tough, but then again I've seen Pyros fight...” As Damion realizes he said that out aloud, he looks alarmed and quickly turns moves quickly away from the two priests, embarrassed.
He need not have bothered for neither priest took any notice of their words or retreat.
Feldemaan comes between the two priests. He pauses as he feels an almost electric like current passing between the two, "My lord Pyros, my lord Stash, would the two of you be so kind as to hold a few words with me?"
The two priests are silent for a moment then almost as if of one mind they turn away from each other and look at the one who has addressed them and speak at the same time.
"Ah, yes little droplet, you have come to bathe in wisdom of the mighty Solutious?"
"Little spark I see you are here to be illuminated by the light of Enerius."
A little taken aback, Feldemaan pauses then continues, "As you by now both know, I am a weaver of tales. As it turns out, I am in the process of weaving quite an epic one about this very group and it's exploits. I would only like to point out that this would be an excellent way for either one of you to spread the word of your gods to many ears. How pleased would your deities be to have you spread the glory to so many?" The Elf pauses here to let the prospects of his words sink in before continuing. Pyros eyes seem to glow, with an inner light as his face contorts with glee. Stash just seems slightly amused. "With that in mind, I ask you a simple question. What can you both do to make this tale shine a more favorable light on your God? Would it send a better message to always be fighting amongst yourselves?"
As one the two priests respond, "I am merely trying to protect others from his...” As they realize they are saying the same thing they fall quiet. Their gazes lock again.
Feldemaan continues, "Or would your Gods glory be better spread if I could tell of how their humble priests put aside their own disputes to further the cause? I shall leave you both to consider this." As he walks away, the two are right back where they started, but he hopes that he has given them something to think about.
The muscular human that was driving the one-horse wagon secures the horse and jumps down. He looks back at the elf that Stash first healed. The elf nods and the human walks over and smacks the water priest in the back of the head as he walks past, "Come on, he isn't worth it and we got work to do."
Stash rubs his head looks at the man as he walks past gives one final glance to Pyros then joins the human. "What did you do that for Crow?"
Without looking back Crow says, "You were acting like one of them." He mumbles quietly, "I don't know what's gotten into you lately."
Pyros watches victoriously as Stash and Crow go to help with the burials. He nearly jumps out of his skin as Sergeant Voreas shouts, "Pyros! Help with the burials!"
Pyros looks sheepish for about two
seconds then arrogantly strides toward the opposite side of the caravan and
begins giving orders on where the bodies should be buried and how the graves
should be dug.
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Cors turns to Asura of House Heavenstar as she approaches and says, "Well
met to you as well m'lady. I am called Cors Flamestrike, and the wilderness
is more my home than any town ever could be. Join us, please."
Zraxin also greets her, "Well met fair lady, we seem to meet in the strangest of places. I can see now that another grand adventure is in the making. I just hope it doesn't turn out like our last one." He laughs nervously. "My home, I would like to say is the great and wide expanse of the Green Forest, but I seem to have only explored a small portion of it and every time I stick my head out of it I get in trouble.” He looks a little awkward for a moment before Cors speaks again.
Cors turns back to his companion Zraxin and says, "No, I was not a part of this caravan. Actually, I had just been wandering around for a bit when I heard the cries of battle."
Zraxin nods, "I think perhaps
those flying creatures were a sign of more ill luck to come. I have no idea
who they are looking for but I think that they should not find him.
He is obviously not here or they would have tried to catch or kill him. And
if he is powerful enough that they are worried about him, then he must be protected
indeed."
"Quite indeed", Cors agrees.
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With the tension between the priests gone for the moment, Asura feels it safe
to move back over toward the one-horse wagon with two elves guarding it.
The two elves are talking amongst themselves, "Gwydeon, ummm, boss. Does this count as more training?" One elf sighs, "You've got more experience in this than I do. We're all going generally in the same direction, but the question is, is it safe to travel with this many people? I mean sure there is safety in numbers from like those monsters like the hydra and giant snakes and I don't think Navarok is coming out this way, but then again with this many people, some monsters like those giant birds might just think of it as a buffet and stuff. So what do we do we stay and help or do we take off and take our chances with out own little group? I mean the only people here I know who can fight are that girl, Asura and us. And I think I've seen that Ulqik fellow before. Wasn't he part of that group of elves who brought an army up because their leaders daughter wanted to be a warrior?"
He falls silent as Asura moves near. She sits nearby smiling a greeting. Gwydeon and Gedai return the silent greeting. Gwydeon stands musing over his companions’ words, but says nothing yet. “I had plans for our traveling and yet it’s been a while since we have traveled with any others outside of a quest. The change of pace might do them some good.”
Asura takes out her glowing two-handed
sword and holds it straight up in front of her face. Those that are watching
are surprised at how she can lift such a heavy sword with such ease. Keeping
the blade in front of her face, she turns her head side to side for a moment
before putting the tip of the sword into the ground and holding it before her
and she bows her head.
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Asura uses the newly discovered power of the sword to check out the area around
the caravan to make sure there are no other surprises waiting. She spots no
other creatures nearby the caravan, but a few times she is confused when she
sees herds of animals and other people up close only to be told by Mizar that
they are leagues away.
"Mizar what can you tell me about these people?"
Asura finds herself back in Mizar's
laboratory. The gentle ogre turns from his work and looks at her for a moment
then rolls his eyes and turns away, "What do I look like a psychic?"
These primitive morons are your people, you should be able to read them better
than I. I'm still trying to figure you out!" He mutters to himself,
"Why I agreed to this I will never know."
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Wren stands slightly confused as Keegan and Flint laugh at him. To distract
them Wismerhil draws the conversation back to an earlier topic, "I know
what you mean guys. I just engaged myself as a guard because I was traveling
in that same direction and I don't know those lands at all. I even thought
it would be an easy journey. Have you ever been around that tower Captain Hammerfist
is talking about?”
The laughter drops down to the occasional chuckle as Keegan shakes his head, "No, we've never been to any tower. But ask Bormann over there. According to him, his ancestors really got around, maybe he knows!" The laughter starts up again louder than ever.
Confused, but not really caring, Wren goes looking to help with several of the bodies. He examines each one carefully before hauling it away to the gravesite.
"I didn't think I would have to
do this so soon!” says the young warrior as he looks for tools to dig a
grave. He joins a group of soldiers burying several bodies under the not-so-tender
instructions of Pyros.
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The blonde youth turns to the dwarf Bormann, "Greetings. My name is Tristan.
I see you and your caravan were attacked by those blasted insects as well!
Ah, but that is the life of a guard. I done a little bit of that myself.
Are the hours are still long and the pay very cheap?" He laughs. “Ah
well, it’s good to meet ya Bormann! I was just on my way to talk to the
good Kerinan. Maybe I'll get lucky and still walk away with a few coins!"
He laughs heartily "We'll, I'll talk to ya later, maybe you got some good
stories to tell me and I can share a few with you! "
With that the young Tristan head over to the carriage that the merchant vanished in and knocks on the door.
He is summoned within and vanishes
from view.
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As Tristan walks away, Bormann turns to Pheras, "Orc plot, eh? Maybe. But
that flying thing seemed pretty thoughtful. Like it wasn't sure if it was going
to get involved or not. I would expect any creature involved with an orc plot
to just cause as much trouble as possible without hesitation. Just kind of strikes
me as the orc-ish thing to do. But if this is an orc plot, I wouldn't mind trying
my pick on a few orc heads. That is, if you don't mind my company. That flying
creature went in the direction of Torana's Tower and I have a mind to find out
what it is."
Pheras looks over at Xedel and says
"I think we will be chasing those flying creatures soon. Xedel has been
itching to go after them ever since he saw them. I don't think much of anything
will stop him for long. We've only delayed him this long because lives were
in danger and he can't really leave his little sister. He hasn't quite figured
out that she can take care of herself better than he can.”
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Tristan says "Ahh, good merchant. It's been quite a day, hasn't!"
"Yes, yes, it has! A very stressful one at that! How can I help you good sir."
"Seeing as were safe for the moment. Would you care to show me what you have for sale? Perhaps something will strike my eye. Besides a little haggling is better than watching those two priests bicker."
Kerinan laughs, "That much is true! I don't much but if you could tell me what you are looking for perhaps I could help you out."
"Maybe you have some armor or weapons?" Tristan inquires.
"I would like to get some supplies if it's at all possible?"
"Ah, well I can tell from you're armor that you are a man of style and distinction! You command a presence on the battlefield and it shows! While I do have armor, none could shine so brightly as what you have one, except well there is once piece, but I don't know if you would want that! You wouldn't look quite as stunning as you do now, but I think it would afford better protection, from those too foolish to know not to challenge such a brave warrior like yourself."
"It's called plate mail and if properly kept could almost shine! Few would attack a man so obviously well armored. Let me show you."
Tristan and Kerinan exit the carriage and move on to one of the other carriages in the caravan. Lifting up a cover, Kerinan calls two guards aside to remove several covered boxes on pallets. The clang of metal is heard as the pallets hits the ground and Kerinan chews the guards out for being so clumsy.
The merchant begins showing Tristan
some of his wares.
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Graves were dug on each side of the caravan on one side Pyros directed the others
to dig. On the other side Stash helped out with digging the graves. Now the
two priests seemed resolved to ignore the other as they begin two separate ceremonies
to honor the dead. They are both predictably long and drawn out.
Pyros' ceremony seems more energetic as he asks Lord Enerius to take the 'extinguished sparks' breathe new life into them and allow them to join the eternal flame. He moves around a lot and gestures often and dramatically.
Stashs' ceremony seems more in keeping
with mourning as he sprinkles water over the graves and asks Lord Solutious
to accept the 'lost drops' back into the great ocean of forever.
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In a jovial mood, Wismerhil finds himself near the Captain, while cleaning the
blood off of his shirt he says, "Should we make some fire to keep us warm
for the night? I believe all the creatures around already know we are here,
that should not be a big risk anymore?"
The Captain looks sidelong at the rough looking guard and says, "That's and excellent idea! Soldier!"
A nearby soldier comes over and says, "Sir!"
The Captain says, "You and him” He points over to Wismerhil, "are in charge of getting the cook fires going. I want half a dozen fires going now! Move it soldiers!"
With that taken care of Stamm decides it would be an opportune time to pull a surprise check on the soldiers who are keeping watch. "I have to make sure they aren't slacking off." He mutters to no one in particular, "This place has suddenly become unusually dangerous."
***************
During the burial services, Xedel sneaks
off into the night. The only ones who pay him any real attention are Sindel,
who watches him suspiciously and Pheras who shudders as he realizes what the
old man is up to.
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Aruna, the white haired guard, sighs at all this havoc and blabbering going
on.
While the burial starts, he bows his
head for a few seconds, in honor of the fallen, before going to climb atop one
of the carriages from which he can keep a good view on what is going on around
more to escape the crowds than to protect the caravan.
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Wismerhill and the guard start off with the happy duty of creating fires around
the camp. At first, it's made a bit difficult by the fact that the only material
the have that their allowed to burn is the tall meadow grasses. After a while
the driver takes pity on them and quietly mentions to them where the merchant
keeps his supply of wood. With a little help from Pyros, who is more than happy
“to light the fires in honor of his god”, they soon have several wondrous
cook fires burning.
At the comment, Crow gives a sharp look at Stash who gives no sign that he even heard he fire priest exhortations. The two humans sit around their own fire, next to Gwydeon and Gedai.
Gwydeon says, "Don't pay him any mind Stash, like Crow said, he isn't worth it." He turns to Gedai, "I've been thinking, we've spent the last few weeks in one harried battle after another with only a few of us fending off the hordes of monsters. First Navarok and his troll and kobold horde then that little mission for Lord Solutious. Mind you, some of these people could use a little training, but I think we might be a little safer here. Besides we still have our original mission."
"Mission?" Gedai frowns for a moment, then brightens, "Oh yea." He tries to look sly and casually leans back to observe the others.
Asura joins them at the fire and checks her equipment for damage, finding no damage beyond a few scrapes. "Gwydeon, Gedai, what are your impressions of these newcomers?"
Gedai shrugs trying to look nonchalant as he looks around, "Hard to tell at this point, the merchants guards took a hard hit as did the soldiers we came to help. So I guess we're just going to have to cover their butts for a while."
Aruna grumbles, "Thanks for nothing. Do we look hard hit?"
"Well then, I would like to offer
my help to keep an eye on things around here", Asura says. The group readily
accepts her offer.
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Pheras wanders over to Sindel and the driver, "Tell me he isn't up to what
I think he is up to."
Sindel just shrugs and says, "You should know by know what he is up to. I knew it the minute that mage started telling him the story."
The driver looks puzzles between the two, "What exactly are you talking about. It isn't something dangerous is it?"
Sindel smiles sweetly at the driver and says, "Nothing to worry about, just steer clear of him for a while, he's coming up with a new surprise and there is no telling if he is going to wait until actual combat to test it or pick a unwilling victim."
The driver pales slightly as the words
sink in and he remembers her brothers’ words from before.
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Once the first fire is set Bormann gets up, "Ah, food. It's about time."
He checks with the driver and finds where the merchant has hidden the food stores and supplies and appoints himself chief cook and begins to cook dinner. He gathers most the ingredients he needs, making due with a lack of one particular ingredient he was looking for and begins to work on two cook fires.
Flint and Keegan keep Wismerhil company,
as the pair talk about different adventures both in the mead hall and without.
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Feldemaan walks to the wagons and moves behind one of them. He reappears several
moments later in a set of plain clothes, but still wearing the plumed hat.
He re-joins the others finding a good spot to lay his backpack down and drops
the hat down on top of it. He heads over to the commanders fire to ask where
he could be of help and is put to work helping set up the camp.
Once the fires are set and ready and the only thing left to do is to help fix the carriages. It is a long arduous task to lift the fallen carriage and re-align the two parts of the caravan.
The driver gets to work as he begins rebuilding the bolts and shaft that sheered off. At some point during the long evening Sindel brings him a bowl of hot stew, which he gratefully accepts and gulps down hungrily.
Most find the stew very appetizing. While a little lean on the meat, some find it to be the best meal that they've had in several weeks. A lucky few even get small slabs of bread with theirs. A few soldiers complement the dwarf. One mentions that he is glad he they finally got someone who could cook.
Some of the newcomers share some of
their rations with others.
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After lots of hard work, Feldemaan moves near one of the cook fires and pulls
out a large book and begins reading it.
Not too much later a man in a heavy gray cloak with a blue robe on underneath appears out of the second carriage he looks around and spots the Feldemaan reading his book. He briefly looks down at the book in his arms, before walking over next to the mage.
He sits down and opens his book and
begins reading as well.
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Tristan eventually rejoins his comrades with a bottle of ale, which he shares
with those around his fire.
The night passes without incident and in the morning the commanders gather their men and spread them out and around the caravan.
Scouts are sent out in pairs and they hit the edge of the Green Forest quickly and without incident. Zraxin, Cors, Ulqik and Damion are out on scouting duty.
Gwyden and Crow follow the caravan, while Gedai, Asura, & Stash performs a rearguard action.
Pyros, as usual, is out in front letting everyone know how he feels. "The forest is alive with energy! Every tree, every bush, every blade of grass has a little bit of energy granted to it by Lord Enerius! It is a glorious celebration of his power! Without it there would be no life! It is wonderful. Now should any monsters out there be so ungrateful as to attack one of his followers I would be happy to grant them an audience with my Lord himself!" His twin flaming swords twirl back and forth in the air in a complex weave, leaving trails of fire in the air.
Kerinan directs the driver to a not so well traveled route into the green forest that nonetheless seems to easily accommodate the caravan. It is obviously a route that only he knew about. He can be heard snickering to himself that this route would save several days off the normal trip.
Unfortunately the route makes it easier for others as well. Ulqik and Damion, who were sent ahead, retreat back quickly with half a dozen creatures after them.
The creatures are extremely tall humanoids that look like giant goblins covered with dark hair. Wielding various clubs and spears. Leading them however are what could only be described as giant lizards. Nearly as long as these monsters are tall they have pebble covered-olive skin and white spines on their back.
The creatures seem to be driving the scouts back rather than overtaking them.
The woods to either side come alive as the guards shout warning of an attack and a cry comes from Zraxin and Cors as similar creatures appear from behind.
***************
North Side
Damion and Ulqik run back toward the caravan with the strange creatures hot on their trail. While Ulqik could easily out run them he matches his pace to the slower Damion so as not to leave the man behind.
Voreas urges his horse, Zephyrous, forward. "Damion, Ulqik are you wounded?"
Ulqik signs that they are okay.
Stamm shouts his orders, "Sergeant take the left flank and rear I'll take the right flank and front. Wren! Pyros! Ulqik! Damion! Form a defensive line! Pol! Find a good spot and take out as many as you can from a distance. Flank them if you can and take out more than one! Sindel! Make sure that no one gets through to the Merchant. Xedel... do something!"
Wren takes out two daggers and sizes up the distance to the nearest creature.
Sindel jumps down off the carriage and draws her sword. She seems a little miffed that she is left behind the front line.
True to form, Pyros doesn't really much pay attention to orders. His flaming swords are out and he takes the battle to the lizards! He reaches the lizard to the far left and charges in. The creature makes an initial attempt to snap at him. After getting half of its tongue cut off and the other half singed it thinks better of it and slowly starts to retreat. Pyros presses his attack at an almost full charge easily overtaking the backpedaling lizard. "By Lord Enerius' command, DIE!" The creature eventually manages to get turned around and bolts in full retreat, burned and cut over half of its body. A final tail swipe causes Pyros to jump back at which point instead of chasing after the lizard he finds he has other guests as two of the tall hairy goblin-like creatures move to attack. Pyros’ only response is, "More unfaithful who come to hear, see, and feel the power of the Elemental Church!"
Xedel climbs on top of the carriage behind the driver and the merchant and starts digging into his pack.
The merchant looks at him nervously and says, "Do something! They're gonna kill us and eat us! You're a mage right! Do something!"
Xedel ignores him and continues looking through his pack!
The merchant however suddenly has an idea. "Mage! Mage! I know where to find one!" He half-stumbles half-falls out of his seat, and heads back to the second carriage, heedless of the battle nearby. He begins pounding frantically on the carriage door.
Wren lets first one dagger then the other fly. The first misses its target the second hits the arm of one of the goblin like creatures. He draws his sword as the lizards reach the line and two of them attack. He is forced back as the lizards move steadily forward snapping at him.
Sindel quickly comes to his aid bringing the lizards charge to a halt. They dance back and forth trying to injure the creature while not getting caught in the snapping jaws.
Damion readies his mace as the lizard-creature charges him. Damion looks down at his mace and up at the creature, "Oh man was this a bad choice." He aims a blow at the creatures’ head as it leaps in, changing his attack to a dodge over to the right he just barely stays out of the creatures’ maw and on his feet. However, the creature continues its attack as it turns back toward the soldier. Damion aims a sideways blow that connects with the creatures' side, and cracks a few of the pebbles on the creatures' hide. Ulqik comes to his aid his twin swords slice at the creatures tail. The lizard quickly swings about so that it has its front to the two.
"Flank it" Ulqik shouts. The creature is snaps back and forth as the two men move to either side of it and attack.
Pol Crane quickly heads northeast and gets himself a clear view of the battlefield. Seeing that most of the lizards have already joined battle he begins aiming at the goblin-like creatures. He takes aim at the one closest to him to the north and fires. The arrow blasts forward, leaving a sonic boom trailing in its wake. The arrow catches the creatures in the arm nearly shearing it off, and spinning the creature around.
The two goblin-like creatures near him turn toward and look at their companion stunned. When a second arrow pierces his side they look toward Pol and charge.
Stamm urges his horse, Forge, to the west and looks at the field there. "Feldemann! Retreat and come see if you can come up with something spectacular for the front line. You dwarves take care of those trolls, soldiers and Wismerhil support them! You”, he points to the nearest soldier, “To the front with me!"
***************
West Side
Seeing that the scouts are okay and receiving his orders, Seargent Voreas turns Zephyrous around to the west side of the caravan and heads back rallying the troops to form a defensive line. “Archers to the rear, soldiers to the front!”
Tristan and Pheras charge westward as the creatures emerge from the forest on that side of the caravan.
Tristan throws a dagger at the closest goblin-like creature. The dagger hits the ground far off to the side. He draws his sword and raises it over his head screaming, "Arrgggggghhh!!"
The creatures’ bone club easily blocks his overhead swing. It flicks the sword up and away leaving Tristan momentarily wide open. But it also leaves the creature wide open and Pheras slides his sword right through the creatures' ribcage. It stumbles backward pulling itself off of the sword. Tristan recovers and swings again nearly loping of the creatures' right arm. From there it is goes down hill for the unlucky creature. With no way to defend itself and already mortally wounded it is only a matter of as the pair completely dismantle it.
Two archers attempt to shoot the creatures as they emerge from the forest, but the other monsters close too quickly and the arrows land well behind them. A second volley catches one of the creatures in the shoulder the other in the foot. After that the creatures are at the defensive line and the archers dare not risk firing again.
A soldier armed with a long pike uses his weapons length to keep the creature at bay.
Another soldier armed with a long sword and one of the caravan guards keep a second creature at bay.
However, one lone guard left at the southern end of the left flank, is almost borne under by the severity of the attack of the creatures. He is quickly forced to one knee by and kicked away by the creatures' savage attack. The only thing that saves his life is the quick action of the archer behind him who sends an arrow straight into the chest of the creature, while the guard is sprawled on the ground. Unfortunately, it hits at angle dealing onlya glancing blow and the breaks on contact.
***************
East Side
On the eastern side of the caravan, as Stamm and the soldier head north to strengthen the front line...
The men spring into action. Well actually the dwarves had already sprung into action. At the first sign of trouble, Bormann, Flint and Keegan charged into battle with Wismerhil only a few steps behind.
The two soldiers, moving slightly more cautiously, are behind them.
The two archers begin firing blindly into the trees until the creatures emerge.
With a clear field of view the northern most archer puts up a murderous stream of arrows alternating between two targets. Unfortunately most of the arrows either just miss or are deflected by the shield that one of the creatures has. The steady stream of arrows does slow them down quite a bit.
Borman Grimm and Flint Bloodrock attack one of the hairy creatures. With such a great difference in size one would think that there was a great disadvantage here. That is so in this case. The giant hairy creature has a hard time dealing with the quick short stout dwarves dodging between his legs. Within a few moments the creature has its knees broken and is hamstringed. It flails about on the ground attempting to strike at the dwarves. The dwarves gladly oblige the creatures as they take a few hits charging in to finish the creature off.
Keegan and Wismerhil join battle with one of the creatures attacking with a vengeance, this one is a little tougher than its companion and as Keegan charges in the creature leaps on top of him. Keegan goes down, crushed under the creatures' weight, but the creature doesn't land neatly and injures itself. It moves back off of Keegan as Wismerhil enters the fray. It manages to keep the rough looking guard away from it and get it in a few hits in the bargain. Still, it slowly retreats favoring its right leg.
Tyrion Hightower sits in his carriage heavily engrossed in his spell book, the sounds of battle and the merchant's frantic banging on his carriage door seem so far away as to be in another world.
***************
South Side
At the rear of the caravan, Aruna climbs up on top of the last wagon and as he takes aim shouts, "Poison these evil ones!" He begins shooting the creatures to the south. His first arrow flies through the air slamming into the leg of one of the tall goblin-like creatures. The creature cries out and slows down but continues its charge.
Cors reaches for an arrow out of his quiver and looks towards the closest of the lizard like creatures trying to figure out what it is. "Who are you, and what is your business with us?" He shouts at it, his only reply is the creatures continued charge.
Zraxin reaches for his short bow, but does not hesitate to shoot. He aims not for the giant lizard creatures, but for the nearest of the hairy goblin like giants that drive them. His arrow slices the air just to the right of the creatures' head. The only thing that saved its life was that the arrow shot from Arunas' bow had slowed it down.
But Zraxin doesn't make that mistake a second time as his next shot hits the creatures left arm causing it cry out in pain.
Aruna's next shot is aimed at a one of the lizard like creatures, but the arrow flies over the length of its body to smash harmlessly into the ground.
Asura appears between Zrain and Cors her glowing sword ready to meet the charge.
Gwydeon stand up in his seat turns and runs over the length of the wagon leaping out the back. "Crow, watch the wagon and make sure none of these things gets the horses! Gedai, Stash with me, let show these guys how to fight!"
The three of them charge off to the southwest where the attack charge seems heaviest.
Seeing that talking is not an option Cors pulls his bow back, takes aim and shoots. The arrow leaps out of the bow and bursts into flames. It leaves a trail of fire as it slams into the side of the lizard that is charging him. He prepares another arrow but is forced to give ground as the creature is almost on top of him.
Asura comes to his aid as the creature nears. Her blazing sword slices through the air in front of the creature. The creature leaps forward attempting to take a bite out of the Elvin woman, but seems to be able to do little other than knock her down.
At the same instant two arrows hit the creature on opposite sides. One shot from Aruna the other a flaming one from Cors. Neither seems to distract it from trying to try and get past Asuras' armor.
The giant lizard in the far east portion of the battlefield comes around at Cors from another side.
Gedai and Stash each take one of the lizards while Gwydeon slips in between. Swinging both of his swords around he plunges one in the sides of each of the creatures. The swords are promptly ripped from his grasp as the two lizards turn sideways trying to keep from getting hit in the side again and keeping an eye on their original targets.
Their new stance provides Zraxin with the target he needs. He drops his bow and draws a fine looking long sword and plunges it straight into the creatures other side.
By the time Voreas comes around to check on the situation, the giant goblin-like creatures had also gotten much much closer.
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Chapter 14: Illusionary Creature
North Side
Stamm rides back to the front line with a soldier and Feldemaan in tow. He pauses for a moment before drawing a large two-handed sword and spuring his horse into a charge. The sword bursts into flames as he charges one of the huge goblin-like monsters.
As the monster charges at him, he expertly angles the horse slightly away from it and charges past, his flaming sword cutting deep into the creatures body. The monster lets out a screech of pain cuts. It stumbles back from the blow while Stamm slows Forge down and turns for another pass.
Feldemaan takes a long look around, studying the battlefield planning his strategy.
Wren gets some much needed help as the soldier that came back with Stamm armed with a long sword appears at the lizards side and drives his sword into the creatures soft underbelly. The creature turns itself away quickly and the sword, firmly in the hands of the soldier, rips a jagged cut along the creatures' side. It turns and snaps at the soldier who is too close to dodge the attack. The soldier screams as the lizard crunches his arm. Wren uses the distraction to thrust forward scoring a hit into the creatures’ eye. He drives the sword in until the creature stops writhing. The soldier removes his arm from the creatures' maw and it is obvious where the lizard bit down. As it is completely crushed just above the elbow and he arm below the crushed point is slowly started to change colors as it darkens ominously.
Sindel however is having a much better time of it as she chooses to adopt a punishing defensive strategy. Luring a creature in and then dodging out of the way slicing into the creature when it opens it mouth. Soon the creature is having fits because every time it tries to take a bite out of her, she dodges away, finally it tries to bite at her sword and she lets it. In fact, she let it have all that it can handle as she shoves the point of the sword straight into the roof of the creatures’ mouth. Instinctively the creature closes its mouth on the sword and pulls away, taking the sword with it. Now it is having a hard time dislodging the sword and trying not to get speared by her other sword, which she keeps for just such emergencies.
Damion and Ulqik have launched upon a brave plan. By flanking the lizard on either side they attempt to distract it, teasing it but not committing to an attack. Finally Ulqik attacks savagly and the creature turns to defending against him. Damion leaps on its back and raises his mace into the air. It comes down with a sickening crunch and it slams into the skull of the lizard one, twice, and a third time. By that time the creature is thrashing severely and Damion is tossed off. Ulqik takes advantage of the creatures’ diverted attention to launch an attack of his own. His twin swords come down almost together on the creatures' back cutting through scale, bone, and flesh. The assault is more than the creature can take as it finally quits moving.
"Ha ha ha ha! Ooof!" Pyros mad laugh is cut off as the creatures land yet another blow on the once agile priest. Pyros has not been getting the best of this battle as the two goblin-like creatures flank him again. Though it didn't start out that way as the two creatures initially charged into the priests' flaming swords and were badly burned. They started to run in fright. Then almost as if they were possessed they turned and started to use their superior numbers tactically. They no longer acknowledged their wounds and began taking the priest apart. Pyros vents his frustration again by fanning the flames of his sword to their highest. The priest seems to be almost engulfed in flames and the creatures step back a moment, then they move forward into the flames trying to reach the priest. This proves to be a fatal mistake, as it seems he was waiting for this. The swords flash outward and the creatures' arms are seared off. Pyros pushes forward and holds the swords straight out. The swords touch the creatures and set their hair aflame along the length of their front. This seems to break whatever trance they were in as they start screaming and running around before flopping over onto the ground kicking wildly into the air. As the two creatures movements slow, Pyros stands watching them, "Two little sparks about to join the great fire accept its cleansing judgment!"
On the other side of the northern portion of the battlefield, Pol launches arrow after arrow in an attempt to slow down the creatures bearing down upon him. He splits his arrows between the three creatures attacking him and but only one seems to be hurt enough that it is lagging behind the others.
Whatever Xedel was doing, he has finished as the old man slowly climbs down from the carriage and walks up to the battle between Sindel and the lizard. Sindel spares her brother only a snort and a glance. She turns back and prepares for the lizards next attack. She is surprised when something shoots past her and into the lizards’ maw. Familiar with her brothers' tricks Sindel turns and begins a full retreat ignoring the fact that the lizard could now probably capture and kill her. A moment later the lizard belches fire and smoke in an impressive display as Sindel dives to the ground. But it is also the last thing that it does as the creatures’ falls silent. The inside of its mouth held open by Sindels soot covered sword reveals a completely burned inside.
Sindel looks up to see Xedel wandering causally over toward Pol. He waves at Feldemaan as he goes by.
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West Side
As the goblin-like creature takes it's last breath, Tristan spins around to face Pheras. A quick nod of thanks is exchanged between the two as they turn to see how the battle as gone.
Much to their surprise they realize the other creatures have gotten behind them. Tristan and Pheras rush back to help the others.
Tristan heads over to help the pike man. He cautiously approaches the creature from behind and nearly gets his head sheared off as the creature half turns and swipes back at him. The pike man takes this opening to spear the creature in the side. It howls in pain and jumps back watching the pair of them. It tries to keep the pair of them in view but it favors its right side where the pike pierced its skin. The two men attempt to dance around the creature trying to get behind it or under its guard. Tristan tries to force it into the soldiers' pike many times but the creature seems to unable to. While the creatures' claws do not penetrate the armor, they still do significant damage, as armor cannot protect them from the force of the creatures' blows. The pike man and Tristan do however score many hits upon the creature and eventually wear it down and it finally collapses in a pool of its own blood.
The two of them get a surprise when they hear hoofbeats and look up expecting Voreas to be coming back. Instead what they see is a creature unlike anything they have ever seen before. A strange looking creature passes by. It travels on all fours like a horse, but where it's head should be, is the torso and head of a human. Armed with a bow and his eyes fixed on something in the woods he charges by letting first one then another arrow fly further on into the woods.
Pheras continues on past Tristan to help the lone guard who is being brutally savaged by one of the monsters. A nearby archer is trying desperately to help and the creatures’ looks like a pincushion but still it doesn't seem to want to fall. As Pheras nears, the creature turns toward him and charges. Pheras swings wildly and just barely seems to hit it, but that is enough as the creature stumbles forward and falls. Pheras knocks the creature away before it could bear him down and holds his sword at the ready, expecting it to get back up. But after several breaths it is obvious that this creature shall never stir again. He moves over to check upon the guard who is just barely conscious. He tries desperately to make the man comfortable even though it is quite obvious his wounds are fatal.
The half-man/half horse charges forward into the woods and a moment later a strong wind blows out of them as something takes off. Within moments the two flying creatures appear above the treetops. One shouts to the other, "Get out of there! I know you've never seen a live centaur before, but don't stick around to gawk! It was probably sent by him!"
They fly north and it seems that one of them is having trouble staying airborne.
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East Side
The merchant finally regains enough of his wits to realize that he can open the door himself. Unfortunately he is still in a panic when he does open the door.
Kerinan opens the door and stumbles in accosting the man inside, "Help! You must help! We are under attack! Monsters everywhere!"
Tyrion Hightower sits studying his runes the world around him a distant memory. But them memories have a way of intruding upon the present. To his horror the rune vanishes before him as his book is knocked away. He looks dazed at the book in the corner where it fell and he sees the rune fading before his very eyes, he senses that the memory of something very important, something he spent time nurturing and learning, something precious is fading from him. He was robbed of some great prize because his book was thrust away. "Who could have done this?!" He thinks "Why? Why?" First depression hits, then anger as he realizes it was done deliberately, stolen from him by someone. "Who?" He turns and spots a gibbering fat man before him and the world turns red before his very eyes.
Kerinan is still blubbering as Tyrion looks at him, "You must help me please! You...must..help.." Kerinan voice falters as he watches the expression on the magus’ face change from one of stupefaction to anger. At the last, the merchants' voice cracks and some part of him registers just what he has done. The merchant easily weights three times as much as the magus, but he might as well have been a rag doll as he is thrown bodily out of the carriage with such force that he doesn't hit the ground for several feet, before rolling along to the stop.
Tyrion Hightower storms out of the carriage runs up and delivers a savage kick to the side of the rotund merchant. Kerinan whimpers in pain and screams out again as one of the goblin-like creatures hits him with its shield.
The creature looks up as it hears a rune and looks to see a furious Tyrion whose fist is surrounded by flames. "Back off he's mine!" This is emphasized as the flames shoot out from one hand engulfing the creature. It retreats away, dropping its shield trying to put out its burning skin.
Showing tremendous strength Tyrion picks up the merchant and says, "BUGBEARS! You interrupt me for stupid bugbears! You've got an army out here and you dare to bother me! If I didn't need you to get me where I'm going I'd roast your fat arse!"
Tyrion completely ignores the archer next to him who is steadily retreating saying, "A little help here please. A little help here please!" The creature advancing upon the archer begins moving a little wide of the angered magus.
Flint kicks the corpse, “The bigger they are the better targets they make." He glances back at the merchant wildly pummeling the carriage door. "Pathetic. These things aren't that tough." He watches as soon the merchant finds out first hand why you don't interrupt a mage while he is studying. As Tyrion flames the goblin-creature and kicks at the merchant, Flint can only laugh and mutter, "You could see it coming."
Bormann glances over to Flint, "Goblinoids. Finally! This is my kind of fight!" He spins to his left to see what Flint finds so funny and rushes over to stop the retreat of the flaming monster. Bormann runs after the humanoid and yells "For Dernhelm Glory!" As he buries his pick in its side. He is immediately smacked by a burning claw and knocked away. The monster however is still thrashing wildly about. It is doubtful as to whether he notices that in addition to being on fire he also has a weapon sticking out of his side.
Keegan and Wismerhil begin working on the creature and it isn't long before it is obvious that somewhere along the line Keegan was seriously hurt and this battle is only aggravating his injuries. He uses his small size to slip under the creatures' hands and when its attention is diverted, Wismerhil slips in and cutting hunks out of its skin. As it tries to get away, Keegan makes sure it no longer has any legs to stand on. But soon he is forced to retreat. Of course by that time the creature has been pretty much battered and beaten and isn't much of a threat.
Two soldiers sneak past the angered mage and attack the bugbear chasing the archer. The battle is neither long nor fevered, as the archer had already done most of the work. The creature looked more like a giant porcupine with all the arrows sticking out of it.
The bushes to the side explode outward as a strange creature part man, part horse erupts from them. It passes between Bormann and Flint. With his back turned, Bormann doesn't even notice him at first. The creature leaps between carriages and disappears on the other side of the caravan.
Later the two flying monsters from before appear in the sky flying northward. One seems to be having trouble flying.
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South Side
Aruna continues to pick and choose his targets, sparing no more than what seems one arrow per target growling something about "killing the foul beasts."
Having covered the lizards he begins aiming for each of the bugbears behind them. The skilled archer has little trouble hitting such large targets. Each creature pauses only to break the shaft of the arrow and continue to close in at an unusually slow pace.
For some reason as the lizard attempts to rip through Asura's armor it's movements begin to get slower and slower. Cors takes a moment to adjust his aim and fires an arrow that pierces its armor just behind the shoulder blade. And the poor creatures day goes from bad to horrible as one moment it's trying to take a bite out of lunch, the next moment it's watching the treetops get smaller and smaller.
Stuck under the lizard, Asura grasps Mizar and concentrates. The light from the sword flares up and a protective half-sphere of light appears around her, pushing the dazed lizard upward at an incredible rate of speed. Within moments the creature is watching the landscape get smaller and smaller. Luckily for it, the creature has already expired when it starts falling back to the ground where it lands in the meadows some distance to the south with a tremendous impact.
The shield of light takes the ranger Cors by surprise as it envelopes him, but ultimately saves his skin as he is blindsided by creature that instead slams into the shield of light. The force of the impact sends the pair careening westward where they slam into a surprised Zraxin and sending the glowing sphere of light straight into the sky.
As the sphere of light hits Zraxin he is forced onto the hilt of his own sword. The impact alone cracks several ribs and as the light sphere bounces off of him. There is a glow from a ring on Zraxin's finger. A moment later Zraxin breathes normally.
Stash levels a bone-crushing blow at head of the lizard, but it merely bounces off the side of the creatures' head. A second blow glances off the other side. Luckily for the water priest the creature is horribly dazed, and the repeated blows to the head don't help much. A third blow hits the creature dead center of its skull crushing it slightly. With the sound of cracking bone as its skull is bashed in the lizard stops struggling and collapses on the ground.
Gwydeon attempts to retrieve his swords when he hears a sound behind him. He turns to see two of the eight feet tall hairy goblin-like monsters at almost arms length. He brings his arms up in front of him and slams them together. The silver bracelets on his arm suddenly come alive with colors and his arms are momentarily lost in a brilliant multi-colored glow. A moment later a rainbow springs forth from the glow engulfing the bugbears. The rainbow lasts only a second, but when it is gone the two bugbears are several yards away flat on their backs not moving an inch.
While the others are having some success, poor Gedai seems to be having none at all. The lizard thrashes about with a sword in its side and an arrow in its back. Frustrated he levels and overhand slash at the creature that buries the point of his sword in the ground. The creature thrashes again and its head slams into the unlucky elf knocking him several yards to the side and knocking his sword away. Flat on his back he takes a moment to recover. As he looks up he realizes that one of the monsters is within a few steps of him. Instincts take over and quicker than the blink of an eye he has a dagger in hand and sends it flying up toward the creature. It hits the monster square in the stomach and the bugbear doubles over his hands clasped around the dagger. It goes down on one knee and pulls the dagger out with one hand and holds his wound closed with the other.
As the monster looks up it sees Gedai holding three sharp daggers. The only thing it can do is hold its hand up protectively as the elf lets the daggers fly. All three daggers hit their mark and the monster bellows in pain. It wildly pulls the daggers out of the wounds and stumbles back away from the battlefield in pain.
Voreas looks up in surprise as Asura and Cors go flying up into the sky. His horse neighs bringing him back around. Seeing two bugbears converging upon Zraxin he spurs Zhephyrous into a charge. The monster spots the charging soldier and aims a swipe at the horse, and its claws cut into the horses beautiful skin. But it is the last thing the creature does as Voreas beheads the creature. The monsters body falls to the ground long before the head hits the ground and stops rolling.
Aruna pauses as he realizes that he has hit all the monsters here with a single arrow. Seeing the lizard that sent Asura and Cors flying is stunned by the impact, he decides that is as good a target as any as starts to concentrate his fire upon it. By the time the second arrow strikes, the creature has recovered and charges the carriage the archer is on.
Crow standing by with the horse watches all sides of the battlefield. As one of the lizards’ attempts to blindside Cors, he makes his decision. He leads the horses forward and ties them to the last carriage. He pulls out a wicked looking footman's mace and charges the lizard almost as the same time it charges in his general direction. The difference is the lizards’ attention is on Aruna not the burly human charging it. It is a difference that will cost the lizard dearly as Crow levels a mighty blow to the creatures head that sends its head to an almost 90 degree angle with its body. The impact is so great that the creature is again stunned. Between Aruna's concentrated fire and Crows crushing blows, it never has a chance to regain its senses as it quickly destroyed.
Aruna turns as he hears noise behind him and sees the two flying creatures from before take off from the forest. Asura and Cors also have a clear view as the creatures fly north. It seems one of them is having trouble staying in the air, but manages somehow.
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