Nano – Day 6
D6 Goal: 10000
Word Count: 10006
Woot!
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Decklan fell forward into Grey’s arms. Another arrow whizzed through the space Decklan had been standing moments before. Two orks emerged from the shadows, dropping their swords and drawing long, jagged swords as they let loose a loud cry. They were closing fast and both Outlanders had only moments to draw their weapons and prepare for the assault.
Grey let Decklan down to the ground as gently as possible while Burn moved to intercept the onrushing orks. Red hair trailing behind him like a flaming comet, the young outland ranger had drawn his two sabers and began weaving a defensive pattern. Orks were larger than the average Outland human. Strong and fierce, they relied on those elements to overpower their enemy, rarely relying on cunning and guile.
Burn moved between the two orks, his blades a blur as he blocked their attacks. His style relied on deflecting and redirecting an opponents attacks instead of matching strength and blocking directly. He had always been slight but agile. Drill Master Fewt had instructed him to use his speed and dexterity as an advantage.
Within seconds he had scored numerous hits on one of the orks and it seemed to slow down considerably. His focus split between his two opponents, he had misjudged and the other ork had managed to flank him and was preparing to strike at his exposed back when a dagger suddenly erupted from it’s shoulder. The ork screamed in pain.
Grey moved in behind his compatriot. He had drawn his sword and another dagger. Growing up in the seedier side of Verenen had left it’s mark on the veteran Trooper. His style reflected the dirty infighting styles of the dark allys and streets where he was raised. Dodging first one strike then the next, Grey darted inside the ork’s guard, sidestepped and drove his dagger deep into the orks abdomen.
Burn pressed the remaining ork back as he redoubled his attacks. The ork was staggered as Burn’s blades cut deep furrows into it’s chest. Roaring his frustration at fighting something that wouldn’t stand still, the ork grasped his sword over his head and attempted to deliver a devastating overhead strike. This was just the opening Burn was looking for. Burn spun and drove both of his saberes deep into the orks chest. The ork stood for a second before dropping his sword behind him. Burn yanked his swords out of the dying orks chest.
The sound of galloping horses made Burn and Grey turn. Their squad was running pell mell right toward the gate.
“Oh this can’t be good.”
In pairs and small groups, the remaining squad members filed through the gate of the camp. Burn directed them to set up a defensive perimeter just inside the gate since he didn’t know just how many orks remained inside the wooden ring. A few of the troopers trained as corpsmen and set about treating their fellow soldiers. Burn was relieved to see Decklan still alive although the lad looked extremely pale. Turning to the remaining troopers, he dispatched three to secure the watchtower and get some intelligence on what exactly was going on in the woods surrounding the camp. At last Talia, Granis and a wounded Meirien made it inside the safety of the camp.
“What the hells happened?”
“Orken ambush lad,” Granis hopped off his mount and turned to ensure that the gate was being closed behind them. He noticed the dead orks lying about the bailey and inclined his head towards them. “Looks to be that they were scouting this area as well, same as us. Sneaky buggers laying that ambush.”
“Then that may be good news.” Talia approached the other leaders of the group. “Meirien is down for a bit. He took a lung hit and it will be a while before we can get him on his feet. Until then you are in command Tamis.”
“What do you mean by good news Talia,” replied the startled human.
“Well, it means there probably aren’t going to be any orks inside these walls though I’d still double check. More importantly it means that the orks that ambushed us in the woods were an element of equal size. We should be able to hold them off.”
“That be good news indeed but remember lass; we are in the middle of Demi territory. They can call fer backup an’ we can’t.”
“Granis is right Talia we have to move soon. Granis, take charge of the defenses. We may be here for a bit and I don’t want anyone else sneaking up on us.” The duergar nodded and headed of, his voice cutting into general din of soldiers on the edge of panic.
Burn turned to the elf maid, “Talia, see to the wounded and let me know how soon we can move them.” The elf nodded and headed off towards the small group of soldiers lying and sitting on the ground near the gate.
Noticing Grey assisting Granis in forming the defense he motioned the pepper haired veteran over. “Grey, get over to the watchtower and get an update. I want to know what those Demi are up to. If you think it’s secure leave two there and report back here.” Grey waved his acknowledgment of the order with a wrygrin and headed off in the direction of the watchtower.
There were twelve troopers remaining out of the original sixteen. Four had fallen in the woods in the initial ambush. Talia had the three wounded troopers; Meirien, Decklan and Jarrin. Grey had three other troopers securing the watchtower and should be reporting back soon. Burn was doing a mental headcount as he looked around the base.
It was a small base but impressive in that there were a few rough wooden structures throughout the camp. A lot of effort was put into maintaining such a permanent structure this deep into Demimonde territory. Aside from the watchtower, there was a command building and thre other buildings situated side by side that were possibly barracks and a mess.
He noticed Grey approaching with another trooper in tow. He recognized the young lad as Aaron, one of Talia’s team members.
“Yer right to get someone up there,” Grey indicated the tower with a thumb over the shoulder, “Demi’re movin all about the woodline to the east and north of us. So far the south and west seem quiet. Ah left Gilnas and Mina up in the tower. Gil’s fey eyes’re best used seeking out trouble. He’ll shout if he sees anything that needs to be relayed urgently otherwise will send Mina running.”
“Good.”
“Anythin else then? Young Aaron here could use something ta do, e’s shakin’ like a leaf.”
“Alright Grey, Aaron, come with me. We need to search the buildings and try to discern what happened here. Captain Greyson had good reason to leave the safety of this fort.”
Burn turned to check on the the rest of the squad. Talia was over by the gate tending to the wounded and Granis was directing the remainder of the squad in the defense of the camp. Sloth and Jimmy were crouched next to the duergar as he drew out reaction plans to different types of attacks that the Demi might throw at them.
“Granis,” he called to the duergar who looked up from his instruction. “Make sure we hold this gate, it’s the weakest point. The tower is secure. Keep an ear out for an alarm. I’m taking Grey and Aaron here to check out the rest of the camp.”
Burn turned and led the other two troopers to the nearest building. They entered what was obviously the base mess area. Long tables and bench seats and a huge fireplace was built into the back wall. Normally there would be a cookfire going at all times to accomodate the soldiers shift routines. Burn reached into the inner hearth and shifted through the ashes. It was cold with not even a dying ember present. There hadn’t been a fire in the pit for days.
The group moved to the next building which was a little larger that the mess. There were rows of bunks lining the walls and chests strewn about haphazardly. While the chaos did indicate something was amiss it didn’t seem to indicate a general panic amonst the troop. The other building showed similar dissaray. It was in this building that Burn found a books in a chest containing robes that would have belonged to a priest of some order. Burn pocketed the book for Meirien since he was the only one besides Talia who knew how to read.
The last building was obviously the command building. Maps were posted in the walls indicating the location of known enemy patrol routes as well as possible Demimonde unit locations. To one side were sleeping accommodations while a nook in the corner held a desk and writing utensils. There was nothing else to be found. Burn hoped that the book he found contained something useful or else they would have to go back to Underspur empty handed. Gathering up Grey and Aaron, he headed back out to the bailey and the rest of the squad.
Meirien as up and and conferring with Granis much to Burn’s relief. He didn’t mind taking charge when necessary but prefered to have another to follow. Especially when life and death decisions were involed. The corporal turned and noticed the group walking towards them. He mentioned for Burn to join him.
“Right, I’m taking Aaron here and getting some grub down is gullet fore ‘e pops.” Grey towed his fellow troop after him. The adrenaline was starting to wear off and now Aaron starting to go pale.
“Burn, good. What did you find?”
“Just this book sir, it was in amonst some priest robes. There was nothing in the Ce-Oh’s quarters to indicate why this post was abandoned.” Burn handed the book to Meirien and fell silent to await further orders.
The book turned out to be a personal journal which would normally prove useless except for the last dozen or so entries. Meirien scanned them over quickly the called over his three team leaders.
“Listen up folks. I think I might have an idea about what happend and I want to make sure each of you agree.” Flipping the book to the middle few pages the corporal began reading.
8/9/1328
A patrol came back with news of a disturbing build up of Demi forces to the east. This would be the fourth report of this kind. It seems the Demi are moving and we need to know why. Captain Greyson has ordered a combat patrol out to determine the size and strength of the enemy unit. While I agree that we need to gather more intelligence I don’t think reducing our strength by a quarter is a good idea. I hope that our leadership has made the right decision. The squad left later this evening, sixteen souls strong. I’ll miss Corporal Mara while she is gone. Our theological discussions were quite stimulating.
8/17/1328
The combat patrol returned. What was left of it. Gerris galloped right up to the gate as if Ashra was giving chase. His horse was lathered he was very badly wounded. It took every bit of knowledge and skil I had to bring him back from the edge of death. It also looks like Gerris unfortunately led them right back to us. I can’t fault the man for wanting to survive but he has put our entire unit in jepardy. The Captain is having the watch doubled and has pulled in the remote observation posts.
All was not a loss. Corporal Mara, gods rest her soul and speed her to the havens, was able to compile their observations.
8/18/1328
Garris was able to recover well enough to tell his tale. Everything was going well the first day or two. The patrol had found an unusually large body of Demi mond and shadowed their movement westward for three days. Every half day or so the band would be joined by smaller groups of Demi which were integrated into unit. Apparently the patrol misjudged the enemy movement and stumbled into a huge mixed horde of ork, kobolds and an Ogre or two that were joining the main body. Within minutes all but Gerris had fallen.
Garris explained that he was one of the first to fall after initial contact and that it was Mara that got him back onto his horse and ordered him to return with the patrols findings. She had stuffed the notes into his jerkin and smacked the rump of his mount with the flat of her blade. In his condition he was barely able to hang on. The last sound he heard was Mara’s battle cry as she charged back into the frey
.
Meirien look around to his junior leaders to see if they were following. Their recent losses reinforced the idea that their position was very tenuous. Burn nodded for him to continue.
8/19/1328
The alarm was raised early this morning as a large force of Demimonde was spotted moving into the woodline. By mid-morning our little fortress in the sea of evil was totally surrounded. I can’t tell you how little are chances are for survival. I said a service this morning asking that the gods protects us from the trials that were to follow.
8/28/1328
It’s been over a week since the Demimonde had surrounded our encampment. They have launched several attacks against us to test our defenses. Our supplies are now critically low. We will have to go down to half rations and that will only let us survive another two weeks at the most. The Captain has called for a meeting of his remaining squad and team leaders this evening. He asked me to attend as well though I’ve no idea what he would want with a lowly acolyte.
8/29/1328
It seems the Captain means to attempt a break through the Demimonde lines. It seems folly but I agree there seems little else we can do other than starve to death. The Demi know they have us surrounded and just have to wait us out. They could easily overwhelm us but choose to lay seige instead. This action is very strange and, coupled with Corporal Mara’s notes, seems to indicate a strategically minded intelligence behind this particular band of Demimonde. This has all of us concerned. Someone is guiding the Demi and that someone is doing a pretty good job of controlling this chaotic mass.
The plan is for the Troop to charge out en masse. No one is to stay behind. Once into the clearing we are going to form a flying wedge and try to breach the southern end of the Demi line. The main force will then turn west while three smaller groups will break away from the center and head in separate directions. These smaller groups will carry copies of Mara’s notes in the hopes that one of the groups will make it to Underspur. It is hoped that the larger group will draw the main Demimonde force after them and that the smaller groups would be ignored. I have my reservations about the plan but since I could not come up with anything better I will endeavor to make this one work. It seems the reason I was included in the planning is that they deem my healing would grant at least one of the groups a greater chance of survival. I also have a pretty good memory so I am to memorize Mara’s notes in case I have to burn the written copy I will be carrying.
8/30/1328
We will be attempting the breakout tonight during the gloaming. My group will consist of myself, Corporal Bellis and Vikir. Vikir is one of our best trackers and Bellis is one hell of a fighter. In fact he has no peer in the Troop. While I fear for the rest of my fellow soldiers I am somewhat relieved to have two of our most fierce and determined troopers in my group. Our chances are pretty good if the Troop can indeed effect a breach of the surrounding enemy ring. That is the weakest part of the plan in my opinion. The Demi are pretty thick but the southern end of the ring does seem the weakest. The raven and crescent standard I’ve seen from the watchtower is pretty intimidating. There are no other standards present. It’s almost as if they were a real army. This thought sends chills up my spine like no other.
This is to be my last entry. It is my hope that if we do not make it back to Underspur that this record survives and at least lets others know of our ordeal. If other members of the Outland Forces are reading this please pray for my comrades and I for we have most likely gone on to the Havens ahead of you.
Mara, I love you and hope to see you soon.
If it is Demimonde who read this know that you will burn in the Hells for all eternity. So say I.
Signed,
Rathebourne Sallis, Acolyte of Macha
This is my favorite line: “you will burn in the Hells for all eternity.” I imagine the Hells to be a sort of Disneyworld where you have to go to a different section each day and be accosted by themed creatures and events with irritating music and glaring lights.
Also, I vow to forevermore refer to them as “the Hells.” Next time you drag me into church I am going to ask the priest about the Hells. Also I am having a day from the Hells, right now.
It’s a life-changer, really.
Jaedyn
November 8, 2010 at 4:25 pm