The Last War

1. The Last War

   #281

   Smeed nodded, sitting down again and massaging his calves. Tumbles at his age were never good for the sinews - he felt like he'd run a marathon over a road covered in glass beads. "Aptly put. Still, I'd much rather we stuck together, instead of rushing off to Lord-knows-where every few minutes...." His gaze fell on the slumbering Rory. "How does he manage to do that?"
   
   Smeed had never in his life met someone as unconcerned as Rory seemed to be - nor yet anyone as energetic as Holly. Yet the two of them seemed somehow attracted. Perhaps the lodestone metaphor was more relevant than he thought - didn't lodestones' opposite ends attract as well? "Miss Holly seems ...rather attached to Rory - perhaps you noticed? If nothing else," he chuckled, "she didn't run him over like she nearly did us two..."

2. The Last War

   #282

   Grumple had faced fighting men before, and knew this one could do what he said. Now, one might argue whether being sliced open head to foot would be enough to save Dugal once Grumple got his hands around the man's neck, but neither prospect would be Grumple's first choice.
   
   Hands. Grumple's gnarly hands opened and closed, wanting the spear back in them. Grumple didn't know why. This had not happened before. Years ago, the Wizard had enchanted and cursed objects in the tower, but never let Grumple touch them. Of course. One doesn't hand a weapon to a child, especially when the child can snap necks with his bare hands.
   
   In a flash, Grumple checked all the trollish voices from within. His hands yearned to choke the life out of this arrogant man standing there. Check. The gangly but powerful legs were ready to propel Grumple forward, and could do it in a single second. Check. But Grumple's belly -- that central spot that powered all the others -- Grumple's belly howled that it didn't want that spear stuck through it again! Not again!
   
   No check.
   
   Last as usual, Grumple's brain checked in. With a headache. The thought of that terrible weapon cutting him once more was too much to bear. But leaving without the spear was too much to bear. Following the man and trying to steal it would probably not work, either. Thinking was hard work!
   
   Grumple grumbled in trollshaw under his breath, a sound like rocks in a crusher; if only a bit muffled. Grumple wished friend Tantus was here! He would help.
   
   Now that was an idea! Grumple turned back to his other friend, Holly. Holly might help. Grumple pulled her hand and looked up into her face, and tried so hard; so very, very hard to come up with words again. Human words. In Common.
   
   "Hol-lee... Help Grumple? Puh-leez! Grumple spear... lost, gone. Man got Grumple spear. Man give back? Give spear Grumple?"
   
   Now, getting all THAT out really gave Grumple a headache! The troll pulled the hood of his cloak back off his seriously overheated noggin. But Grumple continued to tug Holly's hand and point at the man with his spear, hopefully.
   
   
   OCC: Scrasamax, your concept of my troll is genius. I love it. It's great to bounce these ideas around. Also, have fun with Corporal Fox.

3. The Last War

   #283

   Rai stood up. In his meditative state he had heard every word that the troll had said. He spoke to Dugal, however Rai made sure to avoid saying the name Dugal aloud.
   
   "The spear may very well belong to...Grumple over there. I had just found the spear outside a tavern this very morning, unclaimed by any in the place. It could have been left by him. I say that we leave the spear here, and be gone from this place unless you wish to attract even more notice."
   
   He spoke the last rather quietly to avoid prying ears. He wanted to help this Dugal in the same way that he wished to avoid a fight between a troll and this man. He had heard stories about trolls, and while he had never met one, he knew that they could be very dangerous, even if this one was not fully grown.
   
   Rai did not know if Dugal was aware that the boy was really a troll, but he decided that if Dugal thought this a boy, that it would be for the better.

4. The Last War

   #284

   Mac entered the clearing where the rest were after an easy run. He looked at his cousin Dugal, hacked hair and all and a smile exploded across his face, reaching his eyes as well. “Dugal!� The big man got between Dugal and Grumple, seemingly by accident, grabbing his Dugal’s shoulder and speaking taking the spear from Dugal’s grasp. The move was so quick that Dugal realized the spear was gone too late to react.
   
   “Mac!� He protested.
   
   
   'Here hold on to this." Mac tossed the spear to Grumple. He spoke to Dugal using his hands in the way of the Deshii, it’s cursed you want no parts of it.
   
   Stunned Dugal didn’t even use the secretive method of hand communication perfected by the Deshii through the years but spoke plainly, “What do you mean?�
   
   Mac answered him verbally, “Makes you completely bloodthirsty or some such. I don' really understand. It seems not to affect the troll though.�
   
   “Troll?� Dugal asked. It made perfect sense. That’s why the child was so ugly. Mac was right though. He didn’t want to have to contend with a cursed spear. Besides, he was decent enough with a spear but fought better with a weapon in each hand.
   
   “Aye,� Mac answered. “Your brothers are here also.�
   
   Dugal smiled for the first time in weeks…

5. The Last War

   #285

   The Tooth spun gracefully through the air as if in slow motion to Grumple's eye. Returning to Grumple's eager, outstretched hands as if to an old friend, perhaps to find a welcome place in the little troll's heart.
   
   Place in his heart, indeed! With a fluid but impossible flip, the hungry spear suddenly changed direction from moving Crosswise toward Grumple, to moving Pointfirst toward Grumple!
   
   The astonished troll ducked instantly and threw up his long arms to block. The duck did nothing. The spear changed direction yet again and headed for Grumple's heart, but his hands got in the way. Jagged, razor sharp edges cut Grumple's palms to the bone as he knocked the bloodthirsty weapon to the ground, where it lay with shiny black goo congealing on the matte black blade.
   
   With a grunt of pain, Grumple fell to his knees and sucked the blood off each hand until they stopped bleeding, which for trolls, happens quickly. Then, with a toothy grin, he wrapped both hands around the spear shaft, sat back, satisfied. Things were fine now. For all Grumple knew, The Tooth was happy, too.

6. The Last War

   #286

   Captain Kraggis was not. Happy, that is. Things were not as he had wanted, at all. The Tooth had been so close. And that wretched little troll had gotten away with it like the bigger one had earlier. What was it with these accursed creatures? Kraggis yearned to wrap his hands around the spear's solid shaft once more, and plunge it deep into some living thing. It was becoming harder to focus on his job, as The Tooth tugged at his mind.
   
   "Kraggis!" came the hissed voice into his brain. "Get your men moving!" Voramis commanded. The captain moved up and down the formation and gave the order to move out to Halbad. The 20 heavy cavalry horses trudged off, with the 5 ballistas on their wagons following, with the 25 archers on whatever wagon they could manage.
   
   The 7 exhausted light cavalry men remained behind with the support troops who were finishing up the process of striking camp and loading the cook's wagons. The work crew packed, in silence. Cookie's body had neither been found in the darkness, nor by the light of morning.
   
   Every man in the Penkwe kept one eye on Voramis.

7. The Last War

   #287

   Corporal Fox had faced men in combat, ridden into battle with sword and lance, but he had never faced a hardened band of highwaymen. His sword flashed out if it's scabbard lightning quick, but the sling stone was faster, catching him just behind the eye and barely missing the thin bone near the temple of the skull. Like a sack of meat, he fell off of his horse and landed in an unconscious bundle.
   
   The men were quick, seizing the horse and disarming the corporal. The gnurley man lashed his hands and feet together, ensuring that the corporal wouldn't try to escape when he came too again. Jack scowled as he rummaged through the corporals gear. There was no store of coin, or other valuable aside from his light armor and quality sword. Jack took the sword as his prize and let the men divide the rest of the loot up among themselves.
   
   "He should be able to tell us what is going on with Palaten and Halbad." Tantus said, "If he is willing to talk."
   
   "I ken make hem telk." An older man with an overly large left eye said, wringing his hands together expectantly. "They elweys telk when I gets them."

8. The Last War

   #288

   Malik hated Wilders.
   
   The hate was born of jealousy. A conventional user of magik, a conjourer, he was limited in the scope of his magik by the beings and forces he could summon. In the beginning he was frustrated as his ambition outshone his ability. Frustration led to carelessness. Carelessness led to him attempting summonings beyond his power, and this lead to his enslavement at the hands of Lord Belzar.
   
   His ego would not let him admit this simple fact. He rationalized. He prospered. The sacrifice was minimal.
   
   The sacrifice was his soul.
   
   The Black Wind: a fell conjuration, one which would result in his death if not done properly, one which would result in the death of all of his enemies if properly cast.
   
   He could take no chances. He summoned Fenris, a being from his past, who could perform the deeds required.
   
   The imp appeared, drywashing his hands and bowing obsequiously. “Lord Malik, I live to serve.”
   
   Certain items were required to ensure the Black Wind would be successful. He explained what was required to his familiar.
   
   Fenris cackled gleefully as he flapped out of the window on leathery wings. His two foot tall frame nearly invisible to any onlookers below…

9. The Last War

   #289

   OOC: Um, there was a post in this space, but I have since removed it for later use. I will wait until dream moves the Army out of Palatan before posting it.
   
   In the mean time, I suggest we get that army moving. I think that we again need the time pressure on our heroes to keep moving.

10. The Last War

    #290

    Holly sighed, her head spun as she tried her hardest to understand everything that was happening. "so wait!" came her soft voice from out of the circle of men "this is Dugal right, the one you were planning on rescuing, and who is that?" she pointed a slender finger at the new man, just stood there not saying much "and why did Dugal have Grumples spear? and shouldn't we tell the others?" she stopped talking her mouth was dry and she didn't think that she could talk for much longer. Hollys face dropped as she remembered she had to go and see the king in what an hour. "well hurry up and finish what your doing and come on i do need to go back to the inn you know." She flicked her hair out of her face and walked back towards the gates.

11. The Last War

    #291

    OCC: I edited this post, to implement Nobody's suggestions. Thanks, No.
    
    IC: Jarmin Fisher stumbled into Palaten on horseback at evening after a long and exhausting ride. He had tried to forget about the ball of webs given him by the black wizard, and couldn't.
    
    Passing the guards at the gate, he approached the castle keep. The guards standing there blocked his path with their halberds. Private Fisher showed them the webs... they pulled back, obviously nervous, and waved him in.
    
    Not that he wanted to go in. Fisher was hoping someone would take this evil... thing... and let him go get some chow and a cot. But the iron-reinforced doors swung open before him into nearly total darkness. A darker voice said, "Enter."
    
    Fisher cautiously stepped into the keep. A dim torch on the far wall flickered, showing a man on the dais in silhouette. "Give me the message" intoned the voice of Belzar.
    
    Terrified, the private pulled the web ball out of his saddlebag and gave it to the figure on the throne. Fisher could barely make out squirming spiders that crawled up Lord Belzar's arm and onto his shadowed face.
    
    Belzar said. "Yes. Voramis calls for the main army. Tell Centurian Fellstrom to march immediately."
    
    To the private, that meant, "go." Which he did. As fast as he could run from that awful place.
    
    Tomorrow morning, 10 Cohorts of 500 men apiece would march. A full Legion. Only 200 soldiers would be left behind to keep the peace in the city, and keep the supplies flowing to the main force marching toward the next objective. Five days march from the tarnished city of Palaten to the grimy face of Halbad.
    
    
    --------------------
    
    Grumple looked at Holly, then back to the men, then Holly again. Which to follow? Which?
    
    Let's see: Holly was Grumple's friend. She had kissed Grumple. Grumple imagined whether he would follow the men if they kissed Grumple...
    
    ...That did it. Grumple would follow Holly!!
    
    Even a troll has to have some standards.
    
    Grumple decided to be his usual, discrete self. He wrapped a strip of cloth around the spear head to disguise it and pulled up his hood over his head and face. Grumple tried to look as natural as possible to re-enter the city. Of course, "natural" meant looking like a crippled drunken teenager with knobby gray-green feet dragging a 6 foot wooden pole on the ground behind him. Natural enough for Grumple!
    
    Grumple didn't know if the guards had made it back to their posts at the gates by now, after the riots last night.

12. The Last War

    #292

    "You are familiar with these people" he said to Dugal.
    
    Rai's Calm words seemed to shatter the commotion like an illuminator's firecracker interrupting the dead of night.
    
    He walked up to Holly and held out his Hand. "Allow me to assist you" he said pulling her to her feet. His hands were calloused like that of a fighter, but he carried no weapon. He seemed to barely move as he pulled her up. "My name is Rai Dou-Sang, however you may call me simply Rai if you wish to. I had found the spear earlier. It must have been left behind by this... Grumple."
    
    Despite his outward calm, which was quite convincing, Rai was a little nervous. Here was a Troll; who stories had placed as ferocious, unrestrained animals of bloodlust; a Troll who looked like had had been about to rip off Dugal's head; a Troll who was holding a spear which, if Rai had heard right, was cursed in such a way that would cause the wielder to become even more aggressive; and all sitting just a few feet away.
    
    If one was both observant and close enough to see, they would have noticed the pulse in Rai's neck beating ever so slightly faster than normal...it was the only clue that would give away that he was not utterly calm and relaxed, and even his pulse beated barely faster.
    
    To Holly, if she noticed at all, it might even seem that it was Rai's contact with her that caused his heart to beat ever so slightly faster. It would not have been the first time that the touch of Holly's, paradoxically calloused hands, had raised the heart-rate of her patrons.
    
    With one last look into Holly's eyes, Rai headed back towards Dugal. "What do you wish to do"...

13. The Last War

    #293

    OOC: Oops. Yes I had neglected the fact that the rest of the army had yet to move on from Palatan. I will get rid of my post above, and instead, save it until the army in Palatan has decided to move on. Either that or we could assume that it has already moved on. The choice is yours Dream.

14. The Last War

    #294

    Had Dugal not been hell bent on revenge for the deaths of his men he would have been quite smitten the first time he noticed Holly. As things stood he noticed how attractive she was and had trouble looking away. But he quickly focused at the business at hand as Rai’s question caught his attention. "There is a man in the city, a healer. We need to reach him. He…acquires many different items as payment for his services. He owes me a favor and I can get a proper pair of swords from him. But first we need to find Rory and Win. Let’s go, and we’ll stagger the group through the gate so as not to arouse the suspicion of the guards."
    
    The group walked towards the main gate of the city. Security was lax due to the commotion and fire of the previous night and by breaking into smaller groups they got through without incident. They regrouped and were a few streets away from the Blcaksmith’s shoes when they noticed a group of people scattered about the cobblestone road. They appeared to be street people at first as they were dressed in homespun rags.
    
    It became quickly obvious that they were no mere street people when one of them doffed their hood and pulled out a gleaming sword, and stepped forward, the tunic with its NightWatch insignia peeping out from beneath the rags.
    
    His voice rang out strong in the chill of the morning air, “Black Dugal! We have you!” They were the last words he uttered. Mac’s knife spun end over end and caught the man blade first in the throat. The man clawed at the blade as he crumpled to the ground.
    
    Mac jumped into a defensive position in front of Dugal as the remaining nineteen men drew weapons with the menacing rasp of freed steel and surged forward…

15. The Last War

    #295

    By instinct Rai reached into his coat to draw something, but stopped. It was truly hard to pull his hand out empty in the middle of a battle, but what was the point of going through the period of atonement, if he was unable to hold to his vows.
    
    Instead he sat down and went into meditation. At no time before or after the charge did he look upset or alarmed, just relaxed. Until now it had all been a guise. His heart had been racing just moments before, but now, even in the first instance of his meditation, his heart rate was slowing.
    
    Now, in the midst of anything, he was truly calm. Again, he did not look like he was meditating. He looked like he was asleep sitting up. Of course he was not. In fact, he was more alert now than ever. His mind was able to catch details that weren't there before. His senses picked up things he would not have known.
    
    He could tell things. For example, the man in the dirty blue-brown jacket had recently taken a wound to his left wrist, and three of the night watch men, the ones who were wearing shoes, and not sandals, were not only higher up in authority, but were also wearing chain mail shirts underneath their beggars garnments.
    
    Rai could pick out which three had burned themselves yesterday, and where the burns were, and he could do so with his eyes closed. He spoke as much out loud, but only Dugal and maybe Mac would have heard, and he still sat calmly in the center of the group prepared to be up and away in a moment if that was the way to help others.

16. The Last War

    #296

    Grumple might have been surprised -- possibly even hurt -- to be called a "ferocious, unrestrained animal of bloodlust". A being that could "rip off a head, or become even more aggressive"... After all, Grumple considered himself to be fairly good-natured.
    
    Of course, Grumple had done all those things. Lots of times, actually... But that didn't mean Grumple wasn't lovable.
    
    And just because Grumple swung around with his spear and skewered one of the bad men who attacked Holly and her new friends, then jumped on the dying guard and ripped his arm off, then beat another man into unconsciousness with the bloody appendage... shouldn't be taken as an indication that Grumple wasn't basically an easy-going sort of chap.
    
    Of course, when a third attacker threw a handful of sand into Grumple's eyes and then hacked into the troll's thigh with a sword...
    
    ...you might be be willing to forgive the generally gracious Grumple for being less than, you know, Really Swell.
    
    Why, I know I would.

17. The Last War

    #297

    OOC: Dream you crack me up :D
    
    IC:
    Mac’s footwork was light and sure. Dodging a wild swing from a NightWatch guardsman he lunged forward with a powerful thrust of his legs, propelling the crown of his bald head into the unbalanced mans nose. There was a loud snapping sound as cartilage cracked. The man’s head snapped backwards his nose smashed against the side of his face. This exposed his throat to the long knife in Mac’s hand that the big man wielded with deadly efficiency. Teary eyed the man attempted to draw breath as Mac cut him open ear to ear. Mac kicked the body away as Dugal grabbed the man’s sword from limp fingers. Four men rushed in to take the fallen one’s place…

18. The Last War

    #298

    Grumple's leg gave way. He went down with a roar that startled the man who had stabbed him. Kicking out blindly, Grumple caught the fellow between the legs, causing him to crumple up in pain. Grumple clawed at his eyes. The sand scraped and burned! Another member of the NightWatch dodged in between Grumple's flailing hands and feet, took aim, and swung a mace at the Troll's head.
    
    Now, as you may know, a mace is cheaply made as weapons go (unlike a good sword), but is nonetheless a formidable weapon against armoured opponents. A direct hit to the head usually results in two things:
    1) a crushed helmet or skull, or
    2) an enemy whose brains are momentarily scrambled --with no defense against a killing blow.
    
    Of course, a head shot on a troll was not quite the same thing as on a man. When God in His Infinite Wisdom created Grumple, He may well have been running a bit low on brains, but He certainly made up for the shortage with generous layers of bony skull!
    
    As a result, heavy blows to Grumple's head usually resulted in one of two things:
    1) Nothing, or
    2) Nothing.
    
    The soldier looked at his broken mace in amazement, and turned to run. Too late. Grumple figured out where he was and landed on the man in a flash, twisting his head around in a full circle. Still blind, Grumple dropped the soldier's lifeless body and felt around hoping to locate his spear. Grumple grabbed the soldier's mace-handle instead and tried to run away with his eyes shut.
    
    Wrong move. He fell headlong over Rai (who was apparently sleeping sitting up), and went sprawling into a mud puddle. Grumple got to his knees and blurted out loudly,
    "GratzzenFrattt!Grawrl!Spat!Beltch!!"
    
    Loosely translated from Trollshaw (and edited to protect the tender sensitivities of our mixed audience) it meant,
    
    "You!!! Get Up! Help!"

19. The Last War

    #299

    An army escorted Ambrosia out of Palaten. The smell of smoke lay thick in the air, and black the color of charred wood billowed upwards towards the sky behind her. She was home here. Home among death.
    
    However, Ambrosia was not able to stay. She had work to do. Work of the tireless, the restless. She was haunted by the urge to continue. Day and night. She did not sleep, just continued tirelessly onward with those in her command.
    
    Ambrosia was not with the army that had laid waste here. She had defeated the remainder of the forces that they dared to leave behind. Two hundred men had met their fate as Ambrosia passed through with her escort, and those five hundred were to be just the beginning.
    
    In fact, that army was exactly why she was travelling onward. Humanity was corrupt. It was an evil plague spread upon the earth that consumed and destroyed everything around it. Humanity thought it ruled the world in its arrogance and self indulgance.
    
    Ambrosia would change all that. She would bring humility back to the humanoid races. All of them. She was the only person who could do it, the only person who could cleanse the filth from this planet.
    
    She only followed the trail of the army before her for now. She would destroy them, and all others. According to her map, they headed towards Halbad. She would destroy this army, and Halbad also. They all had to sleep sometime, and night was when she and her army was strongest.

20. The Last War

    #300

    Rai sprawled across the dirt road from the Troll's impact. He pushed himself upright, his whole right side now covered in dirt, and a large three clawed foot print on his left. The troll's roar was frightening. Even having just been meditating, Rai's heart skipped a beat. But what could be done.
    
    If he stood, surely one of the guards would see him as a danger and attack him. As it was now, he might be passed by in the fray. Still, it only took one guard to decide that he might be dangerous. Second thoughts often never came in time to save those who would do no harm.
    
    If he could get out of the fray, he could perhaps do something useful, and he would then be out of the way enough that his safety would be assured. But that was at the risk of being considered dangerous by the guards.
    
    It was a toss up either way. These thoughts passed through his head in a split second, and his hand twitched just slightly, knowing the danger around him.
    
    Rai decided to stand. Apparently, luck was not on his side. As the man came at him, his hand reached inside his coat. Rai never pulled out what he was reaching for. The mace let out a sickening crack as Rai took the blow to his head.
    
    Rai was not aware of the moment when he was clubbed. He was not aware of himself as he fell to the ground with a dull thud. He was not aware that there was a battle going on around him. He was not aware that he was lying face first on the ground, and he was not aware that massive amounts of blood was pouring from his head onto the ground around him...

21. The Last War

    #301

    Holly pulled two daggers out of holsters on both sides of her legs. She stepped forward and sliced one of the men who came running at her, leaving a deep gash in his face. Holly dodged to the side as another of the Nightwatch made a running leap at her. With a quick, fluid motion She pulled out her sword and cut across the man's stomach. He screamed in pain as the blade cut a deep line. With a quick downstroke, Holly cleanly severed another man's head from behind, sending it spiraling to the ground with a wet thump. Next thing she knew someone was holding her arms behind her back, forcing her too the ground. Holly leant forward hoisting the man onto her back and then pulling her arms over her head, he smacked head first into the ground. Her shoulders made a loud click as she moved them around and stood in a defensive stance just incase any one else was to have a go.

22. The Last War

    #302

    Dugal sliced one of the men’s faces open from jaw to hair line in a move that appeared nonchalant. Mac charged forward with a lowered shoulder at one of the group wearing the chain mail shirt. He had heard the monk’s warning. The man staggered backwards and he smashed the hilt of a short sword into his temple. The man’s eyes rolled up in his head as he tumbled to the ground like a fallen tree.
    
    “Gates!” Mac swore, “I just wanted to knock him out.”
    
    Dugal ran another of the four through, his sword thrusting through the torso and ripping the back of his opponent’s tunic. He ripped it out and blocked an over head swing from behind moving his feet quickly to nimbly jump over the first man Mac had killed. He squatted and picked up another sword with his left hand, just as Rai got hit in the head with the mace.
    
    “NO!”
    
    Dugal’s swords flew out simultaneously towards the man who was pressing the attack on him. The man parried the blow towards his face just in time for the second sword to slice through the tendon and cartilage of his left knee. The man opened his mouth to scream in agony at the same time the first sword slithered like a snake leaving a red trail of blood across his throat. Dugal leapt past him and hit the mace wielder who had hit Rai three times before his last opponent hit the ground. Another NightWatch guardsman swung at the back of Dugal’s head with the spiked ball of a morning star attached to the handle he held by a length of black chain.
    
    Mac’s strong arm intercepted the chain as he shouted a warning to his cousin. Dugal spun and ducked raising his swords. The ball flew to the apex of its path then started to return towards Mac’s head. He ducked with quickness that belied his size as he ripped upward savagely with wooden handle attached to three metal claws. The business end of the claws were buried in his opponents groin and Mac got splattered with blood as one of Dugal’s sword whistled over his head and buried itself in the man’s jaw. The other sword found a seam in the man’s armor and discovered his heart. Mac and Dugal both kicked the dead man away and spun to face their other adversaries who were quickly running away, wanting no parts of the powerful group.
    
    Breathing hard, Dugal picked up two scabbards for the swords he had appropriated. Meanwhile Mac tried to unsuccessfully staunch the flow of blood coming from Rai’s injured head, “Hell’s bells!! It’s all mucked up this one. Last rights it is.”
    
    Ignoring Mac’s bedside manner Dugal yelled at his cousin to pick the monk up and follow him. Dugal then ran through the maze like warren of the city streets for about a half mile. Mac followed him carrying the lighter form of the injured monk like a child. The run took them to a nondescript door in a dank cobblestoned alley adorned with piles of refuse and painted with dark shadow.
    
    Mac breathing hard after the run asked, “Dugal what’s this place?”
    
    “It’s Arthur’s house. You don’t know him but he’s a healer who’s in my debt. If anyone in Halbad can save Rai, it’ll be him” He knocked on the door three times…

23. The Last War

    #303

    Grumple had managed to find a rain barrel, and plunged his lumpy greenish head in it up to the neck. Aaaah! This got the sand out of his eyes. Most of it anyway. Helped with the headache, too.
    
    Grumple pulled his head out and whirled around to see what had happened while he had been blinded. Oops. The tall man sitting on the ground. The one Grumple had yelled at to "get up and help". Apparently the man's idea of "help" was getting hit on the head. Grumple felt bad. Grumple felt a little guilty. The tall man might have been Holly's friend. Grumple didn't know.
    
    Grumple looked further. He saw Holly. The bad men had left in a hurry. And there was some little brat sneaking around between the bodies on the street reaching out for Grumple's spear!
    
    Grumple curled back his thick, mottled lips and growled at the kid... who froze for a moment, then bolted for home. Good. Grumple limped over on his gimpy leg and pulled the awful black weapon out of the dead man's body. Good. Grumple's spear. Good.
    
    Using the spear to support his weight, Grumple went over to Holly, hobbling as he went.

24. The Last War

    #304

    OOC: Oh I forgot to mention when I last posted. If for the sake of continuity Grumple and Holly want to be with Mac and Dugal, that works.
    
    IC: Fenris reverted back to his demonic form as he turned the corner, dropping the guise of the child. He had nearly gotten the spear. Black Dugal was his target but the more possesions he could get from the party the better chance the Black Wind would have of being successful. He spit on the wall of the building he passed. The acid spittle crackled and smoked as it ate through the wood, "Damn Troll!" The imp flapped his wings and leapt to the rooftops where it could keep a better eye on the group...

25. The Last War

    #305

    Arthur awoke suddenly to the knock on the door. He got up, not bothering to change out of his night-robe and walked down the stairs to the door. As he opened the door, a cold breeze blew in, making him shiver.
    
    “What do you want at this time of…” he paused as he saw the man that Mac was holding. He was a mess. There was blood all over him, and it was pouring out of his head and down Mac’s arm.
    
    “Oh my lord, What happened here!” he said as he reached out to take the man. Then he looked up. “Oh, I see.” He looked at Mac, then glanced at Dugal, then at Mac, and finally at the man. He didn’t seem to recognize Dugal, but Mac he definitely remembered. The conflict was clear on his face.
    
    After all, he had told Mac that he would regret what he had done, and this would definitely qualify, but this was a little extreme. This was not a broken limb ora small wound. This was a critical injury. This man needed attention within the next 30 seconds or he would die. The man was still alive, Arthure could sense his aura, but it was extremely weak.
    
    Compassion won.
    
    “Follow me quickly” He said, taking the man from Mac and briskly but gently putting him down on the bed. He grabbed a bandage from the night table, and quickly went to work.
    
    “I need two red flasks a yellow flask a blue flask, a red bottle, a red and orange can and that tray over there” His voice was command. Mac and Dugal found themselves doing everything he had said before they even knew it.
    
    The problem was serious. The bone in the skull had not just cracked, but had been shattered. Debri like shards of bone filled the area, some sticking to the brain itself, and some even splintering ito it. The head was trying to swell up, but without much use, and everything could go bad at any time.
    
    If anybody could have seen, he had started the weaving long before he had put the man down. Complex weaves combining a dozen intricate patterns and flows of magic, of a nature that most thought impossible.
    
    He drew upon all of the power that he had. There was none he could spare. Sweet essence and life filled him as magic coursed through him into a form of spell casting that had not been used for millennia. He knew the dangers in what he did. There was no barrier to stop him from overdrawing. From burning himself out, and even from death. But in fact, only the unique way in which wilder spell casting took place, could correctly form the weaves required for healing spells.
    
    He worked quickly and efficiently, mending the bone, healing the damage, and even replacing some of the blood, a task that was utterly complex, but in this case, extremely necessary. Dugal and Mac were there to see the whole process, but even if they had been spellcasters, they would not have known what was going on. The process was far too complex.
    
    Everything, including bandaging, had only taken two and a half minutes, but to Arthur, it seemed like hours, days even. As he released the magic, the weight of the world came crashing back down on him like the ocean falling on a frog. He collapsed to the floor, barely holding himself up with his hands, Panting from his effort.
    
    “He should be fine. We will discuss payment later.” And then, he went to sleep. Right there on the floor, with opened bottles lying about, and blood all over.

26. The Last War

    #306

    Holly stood and pushed her hair out of her face. She watched as the other's took the monk and ran off down the road. she turned to face Grumple as he limped towards her "did they hurt you Grumple?" she asked kneeling down to look at his leg. She smiled. one of her sweet intoxicating smiles. "come on we have to go and tell Rory and Baldwin that Dugal isn't in prison anymore, and then i shall have a look at your leg for you. I'm not a healer, but then you probably won't need healing will you?" she smiled again and walked slowly towards the Inn.

27. The Last War

    #307

    Footing on the roof was difficult at best, and Tantus had never before voyaged through a town by way of the skyline. He was hesitant at first, feeling the roof timbers and split wood planks give slightly under his weight. Jack and the rest of the Crows were as nimble as their avian namesakes, flitting from crest to gable. They spied into the town, looking for his associates. The commotion around the burned ruins of the bar as well as the melee in the street provided the townsfolk with plenty to look at besides the sky.
    
    "They hardly ever crane their eyes up." Jack said, fixing a good grip by setting the point of his dagger in the mortar of a blacksmith's chimney. "To busy slaving away for their high and mighty lords and ladies." There was a good deal of contempt in his voice.
    
    "I think many people would mistake that for an ugly child..." Tantus said.
    
    "Except that I know a bandy-legged troll when I see one." Jack finished. "Your friend Grumple? I've heard the name before but I don't know where. Something like the name of some old fart's guarddog or something like that."
    
    Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a winged creature, thin of body, but possessing the leathery pinions of a bat. Tantus recoiled, here was a smell that registered as foul in his nose. It was the acrid stink of brimstone and spoiled milk, the disheartening aroma of old death and dried blood. Being a creature of action, though restrained by many years of monastic training, Tantus did the first thing that came into his mind.
    
    He swung his walking staff, the hammered brass cap coming down hard against the wing and shoulder of the creature. He uttered a word of praise to St. Duncan the Exorcist and St. Logan the Cunning.

28. The Last War

    #308

    Sparks flew from the impact where the brass cap of the staff hit the imp. Electrical energy flared as bones in Fenris’ shoulder snapped. He dropped to the roof, claws penetrating and gripping roofing tiles. Fenris let forth a keening wail that froze the band of highwaymen in their tracks. Tantus was unaffected by the sonic assault. The imp ripped the roofing tiles up and threw them at the cleric with feet as dexterous as hands. Eyes burning with hatred for the holy man before him the imp made a coughing sound and spewed phlegm at the cleric’s face. The spittle was pure acid. One of the Crows, nearly paralyzed with fear, chopped downward across the Imp’s tail. The blade, although keen, could not cleave demonic flesh…

29. The Last War

    #309

    “The lout tried to pinch Holly’s sword.” Mac said over he was shoulder. He sliced up more onions and tossed them into the pan. “Win and I had to give him a talking to.”
    
    Dugal sat at the table in Arthur’s kitchen. After moving the unconscious healer to a bed, they had made themselves at home. Dugal ate the venison and beans on his plate with relish. He swore Mac was such a good cook he could make old boots taste good. “Arthur’s just got pluck is all. You’ve pinched a thing or two in your day and so have I so now you’re the town watch all of the sudden? And besides we met a couple of months ago when he was on the business end of some blades for doing just the thing you accuse him of with another group.” Dugal took a bite of the tender venison as Mac rummaged through Arthur’s cupboards looking for mushrooms. “The group he stole from were NightWatch” Dugal said with a wicked grin, “So I was happy to help Arthur out.” He looked at the other room where the exhausted healer slept. “He’s got a good heart that one does.”
    
    Mac chopped a mushroom into paper thin slices with a sharp knife as Dugal took a sip of ale, “We need people with good hearts on our side in this”…

30. The Last War

    #310

    OCC: Huh?? Wha?? Grumple chased away Fenris, the demon??? That wasn't a child? POG, you are a sneaky so & so. (That's good! That's good!) :lol:
    
    And Tantus is back in... Outstanding!
    
    I can't stand it sometimes. This group of players is magic. I can't wait to see what you all will come up with next!
    
    By the way, Nobody, did Ambrosia kill off Belzar? Along with the 200 soldiers in Palaten? I wouldn't complain one way or another, but it's sort of a loose end. He was a sorcerer (or at least I thought he should be) and not without some power. And, did she kill off the survivors/ citizens/ slaves in the city? You said she was not fond of humans. Whenever you get a chance. Thanks.
    
    
    IC: Grumple stood stunned. Not from the hit on the head, either. No, the shining blonde lady had spoken to him in a nice way again! Only Grumple's other friend, Tantus, had cared if Grumple was hurt or not. Oh, and long ago, the little girl had cared... long ago when the bad men beat up Grumple so bad and took her. Grumple had failed, then. Tried so hard, but failed to protect her.
    
    Grumple missed the little girl. What was her name? Elwina. That was her name.
    
    But this was "Holly". Hol-lee. Grumple sort of quietly rolled the name around in his mouth as it rolled around in his head. Grumple would go with his friend Holly and protect her -- if Holly wanted Grumple around. This time he would not fail.
    
    Grumple stumped along after her carrying the spear carefully, so it wouldn't poke Holly (or Grumple) by accident. Or on purpose.

31. The Last War

    #311

    Arthur woke up. He felt like he had just been tarred and feathered, then dropped in a bed of cactus quills, had every muscle on his body beaten with cudgels till he was ready to be cooked, and then struck by lightening...twice.
    
    His head hurt. His muscles were sore. His side ached. His gut was telling him that he had not eaten in days. He had a cramp in just about five different places, and then there was the painful parts.
    
    He fumbled around in his medicine cabinet before he produced several bottles and flask, taking the contents of several. The whole process took painfully long. he hobbled to the kitchen to get something to eat.
    
    That was when memory rushed back to him.
    
    "Oh right. You." he said addressing Mac. "Did you do that to him, or did you just bring him in to your little group of miscreants? I don't know why I even ask. It is no doubt something much worse. It doesn't matter now though does it. What does matter is the matter of my payment for services rendered. I dare say that you do not have near enough of the four Silver Crowns that I require as payment. I suppose you can work it off. Maybe you can be a hired guard for me for a while.
    
    "You would need a shave and a shower if you were to be seen around me, but you are big enough. Or are you going to pay" he said looking at Dugal.
    
    "Laughable at best. Oh wait, now I recognize you. You are that man who killed those men a while back. I suppose that you expect that little show of yours to cover my expenses here. Well fine. I suppose that I could wave the price under the condition that I don't have to worry about you anymore, although four silver crowns had better make us even. I won't be having you coming back here in the middle of the night with"
    
    "No." Rai's voice came from the other room.
    
    Arthur turned as Rai staggered around the corner, using the wall as a brace. He was a complete mess. Dirt covered his front and side, and was only outdone by the dried blood that covered him up and down.
    
    "I will pay the fee."
    
    "Four Copper Crowns? Really?"
    
    "I think that this should suffice" he said as he reached into his purse and pulled out four Gold Marks and placed them in Arthur's hand. Arthur stopped a beat, looking down at the gold, and then up at the man. Where did this man get such wealth? It was a small fortune in gold.
    
    "Well it seems that I still owe you a favor. In the mean time, I suggest that you move aside so that I can get something to eat."

32. The Last War

    #312

    Dugal passed a heaping plate of food to Arthur and bade him sit at the table across from him. Mac continued to move about in the background, as at ease in the kitchen as if it was his own.
    
    Dugal looked into Arthur’s eyes measuring the man behind the bravado. Sensing that perhaps the money received for saving Rai’s life was small reward compared to the intrinsic reward that comes from saving the life of another. Dugal wondered why Arthur assumed the affectation of being overly concerned with exorbitant prices for his healing.
    
    Baldwin had the gift of seeing tactics, Rory had the gift of seeing relationships and using nature’s law, and Dugal had the gift of sensing the true nature of people. Dugal felt this was a boon and a curse.
    
    He spoke softly as Arthur ate. “Thank you for saving Rai. But I require more of you.” He paused before continuing, “I wish to hire you. I have no money. I will not threaten you or make grand promises. I will only say that I need your help in accomplishing something that needs to be done. That something is stamping out the evil that grows in this town.”
    
    He looked to see that he had Arthur’s full attention, “The evil lives and breathes in the form of Malik. You heard me correctly, the Baron’s son and nephew to the King himself. This business between us, is war. I ask you to be on my side, but when the battle is joined, I ask you not to fight with blade or magik but to do what you were born to.” He glanced at Rai, who was making an attempt to eat the vegetables Mac had provided while shunning the meat.
    
    “Of course the skills you have honed in other areas,” He looked about the room at the valuable items stored there, most likely taken from the recipients of his healing without their knowledge, “will likely come in handy as well.”
    
    “I’ll only ask you once though. I’m no bully. There will be no hard feelings. The debt from our earlier encounter with the NightWatch has been fulfilled with the healing you have done today. What do you say?”…

33. Re: The Last War

    #313

    Holly moved slowly, smiling back at grumple. She pushed the door ajar and slipped her slim body into the darkening room. Holly waited for a moment to see if anyone would notice her, before speaking aloud. "Dugal is safe, he has managed to get out of the prison, how i do not know but he has managed it. He and mac have taken a man somewhere, but they shouldn't be long and hopefully they will get back without harm." Holly watched as the people in the room began to turn there heads.

34. Re: The Last War

    #314

    Rory woke up instantly, looking as if his strength had returned as he saw Holly.  He smiled at seeing her and her news.  If that's the case, he said looking at Baldwin and Smeed.  I guess we need to go see the King then."  Baldwin nodded his approval as he gathered his tunic and strapped his weapons in place...

35. Re: The Last War

    #315

    Back at the inn, Grumple's leg hurt.  So did eyes, head, and various other parts.
    
    So, while no one was looking, Grumple had downed a pie, two loaves of bread and a large jug of cider... You know, for medicinal purposes...
    
    He was picking the crunchier pieces of jug out of his teeth, when the order given by Rory sank in...
    
    "Huh?? Wha??," Grumple sputtered through a mouthful of wet bread and remnants of the pie pan.  "Wha man say?"
    
    "I guess we need to go see the King, then" echoed in Grumple's mind for a moment. 
    
    That did not sound good.  Kings meant guards.  Guards don't like trolls.  Guards meant lumps and bumps.  Going to see the King could hurt.
    
    But Grumple wasn't like other trolls (in case you hadn't heard).  Oh, no.  Grumple could be counted on.  Holly was Grumple's friend, and might need help.
    
    Grumple swallowed, twice to be sure he got it all down, looked at Rory, then up at Holly, and tugged her sleeve. 
    
    "UH, Grumple go you?  Grumple stay? Wha?"
    

36. Re: The Last War

    #316

    The afternoon was wearing on.  Each man in the Legion marching in formation to Halbad carried not only his weapons and armour, but also a post, a railing, a strap, a shovel; whatever was needed for building a secure encampment.  The Legion was formidable enough on the attack, even more so on the defense. 
    
    Soon, the day's march would end, and they would make camp for the night.  No one would eat a bite or sleep a wink until the walls were up, the openings blocked with wagons, and the sentries in place.  The discipline and purpose were awesome to behold.  Terrifying to those who had to face them in battle.

37. Re: The Last War

    #317

    Rai could not remember exactly what had happened within the last several hours. In fact, he could not remember what had happened over the last several days. Rai did his best to eat the vegetables and other non-meat items from among the food offered. He was definately not strong, but mostly, he drank water. He drank allof the water that had been brought from the well that morning, and not a drop escaped.
    
    Food was only second. He really did try to avoid the meats. They smelled very good. Rai was not against eating animals. It was only natural. After all, everything needed to eat, and Rai believed that if Humans were made to eat animals, then there could be nothing wrong with eating them. Surely humans would not have been made with desires and impulses that were morally and ethically wrong in their most basic sense. Warped, yes. But not intrinsically wrong.
    
    However, Rai was in his state of atonement. Because of this, he did not eat meat. Rai stopped eating a moment to ask a question to Dugal.
    
    
    "What has this Malik done that was so bad. Why is he such an evil man that you hate him so."
    
    Although Rai did not know it, Arthur was wondering about that very question. Arthur was not an altruist. He did not want to bring world peace. But the question did remain, why was Malik so evil, and was Malik's evil going to hurt Arthur in the forseeable future.

38. Re: The Last War

    #318

    As evening approached over Halbad, so did the Riders of the Black Hand.  Captain Kraggis was in the lead, surrounded by several heavily armoured knights on their equally well-armoured horses.  The hooves made a sound like quiet thunder as they pressed onward like a fluid shadow moving out of the forest and down the hill; approaching the bridge one mile outside of the city.
    
    Kraggis held up his fist in its gauntlet of black leather and steel.  The lead group stopped short of the bridge.  Kraggis was a captain, not a fool.  Many a trap was laid beneath such structures.
    
    He motioned silently.  Three horsemen fanned out to either side to recon the area around the bridge.  One, which was lightly armoured, moved under the bridge, inspected under it, then urged his horse to swim over to the other side.  A few minutes later the man was back before Kraggis, obviously stunned.
    
    "Cap... Captain Kraggis, Kraggis, sir... Ramar Broadbone is there... was there... he's dead, sir!"
    
    The captain was surprised at this cavalryman's fearful behavior.  He was a combat veteran.  "Get a grip, soldier!!  What did you see!?"
    
    "Uh, sir, Broadbone is drained.  Uh, Flat.  He's gone, gone, but his armor and clothes are still there.  So is his horse, sir."
    
    Kraggis was about to say something more, but Voramis rode up from further back.  "Kraggis" he hissed.  "What's the holdup?"
    
    "We've found the missing cavalryman, Kras-Minion."
    
    "Ignore that fool." said the dark mage.  "Move your forces up and cut off the city from either side.  Dig trenches.  Post your ballistas to cover the gates on either end.  No one gets in or out of Halbad until the Legion gets here.  That should be three days."
    
    The cavalrymen exchanged dark glances, then rode over the bridge and began to array themselves in defensive positions outside the city.

39. Re: The Last War

    #319

    "A good question."  Dugal replied.  "Look around you.  The answer is there.  The abject poverty faced by the masses while Malik and the ruling class live in the lap of luxury.  If that's not enough look to the people who have been killed who've raised their voices out against him.  Of course there are the personal issues I have with him."
    
    Mac yelled from where he was cooking enough food to feed an army,  " An wot about the fact that he's in league with demons and he's got a very wee..."
    
    Dugal interrupted his cousin, "You know I don't really have proof that he's aligned with demons but, I know that he conducts business with shadowy figures of unknown origin and dubious motives."
    
    "Dubious my arse!"  Yelled Mac.  "It's little known that there's an army headed this way.  Big army and pleanty tough, they've sacked Palaten and mean to do the same here.  Malik's in league with that lot an' we aim to stop him and them."
    
    Dugal nodded.  "Mac speaks the truth.  Our chances are small and I'm sure death and destruction will walk freely among the people of this city.  Many will die.  I may die.  That is not important.  By slaying Malik we will give the people of the city a fighting chance."
    
    "Listen to my cousin," Mac chortled, "He don't lose.  An you don't want to be on the losing side.
    
    Dugal smiled a weary smile as he looked at Rai, and considered the enormity of the task before him...

40. Re: The Last War

    #320

    OOC:  Calsita it's night already you might wanna get a move on with that meeting with the king.  I'm sure it'll have an impact on the reception Kraggis and his boys are gonna recieve

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