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Post by kyri on Jan 24, 2020 8:04:16 GMT 1
Part 1
The market was hot and busy with people buying and selling, looking at an interesting item she felt a not so
gentle tap on her shoulder, turning she found a large glowering Nuruk staring down at her, she didn`t recognise
the man but he had the symbol of the Mayor on his shoulder.
"YOU are summoned" he stated sternly his hand on his sword, thinking back to the previous night she didn`t
recall anything that would get her in trouble, well.., no the beer balancing had been enjoyed by all and she
wasn`t the one who made the mess.
"Lead on!" she repied to the less than cheerful Nuruk, he made no move, but his eyebrows seemed to glower at
her even harder.
"I will follow you" he grunted, turning she walked quickly towards Town Hall, it was a large building most of
it taken up with a large meeting area, dents, spintered wooden posts and repairs showed where diplomacy had
failed, the eastern end of the building held rooms where the day to day running of the town took place, she
walked through to the Mayors office and knocked on the door.
"COME!" came a shout from inside that made the door rattle, she reached for the handle, the Nuruk moved over
to stand gaurd, she walked into the Mayors office, everything was stacked neatly on shelves and desks, a
huge desk dominated the end of the room, behind it sat the Mayor, large even among his tribe, Giantdad was an
apt name.
"You summoned me, I have come" she said, she was surprised to see worry on the mayors face, the Giant didn`t
normaly worry about much, she could see him struggle to put words to his thoughts, glad it wasn`t something she
had done, something was happening, she dropped into the speach of Giants, **"You need, I come"**
(**translated from Giant)
**"You walk far, I want know what you know of Firepeople!"** the Giant asked gruffly, she approached the large
desk, she could barely see the top of it, she pulled a chair back a little and climbed up and stood on the seat.
**"I walk everywhere never hear of Firepeople, what they?"**
**"trappers look for skeever hide, they find cave, they think why this cave here? why this cave glow? one he go
in, he come out right quick has arrows in him, Firepeople run out after put more arrows in him, trappers take
one look at their pincussion friend say bye and come run to me, I thinks they have too much grog"**, the Giant
stood and paced the room finaly stopping by the door, he opened it and yelled in the common tongue "Bring two
ales!, I have a guest", he then slammed shut the door and turns back too her, **"but I send a fierce warrior Giant
to go look, then I hear you are here is all I know"** The Mayor sat back down sullenly.
**"I sorry I no tell more, I seen weird things, but not Firepeople, maybe the Ancients know?"** a knock at
the door followed by a Norsk lad carrying in two huge mugs of ale, setting them on the desk with some dificulty
before leaving with a nod.
The Giant slid a mug to her, **"Drink, we wait scouts report, then maybe send to Ancients"**, with that they
drank, she had to use both hands to lift the mug and the size threatened to spill the contents down her chin,
the ale was good and thankfully not as strong as she had feared it would be, after a while there was a commotion.
The cheerful Nuruk came in, "The scout has returned Your Honor".
"Well then send him in!" the mayor bellowed.
"As you say", the Guard turned and left.
The Giant sent to scout the cave came in, a huge hulking brute, she recognised him and nodded in acknowledgment
there were many arrows sticking out of him, he shuffled painfully to the desk "Me found da cave!" he announced
proudly.
"And then what?" the Mayor asked patiently.
"Den me noticed glowing, den me sawd people all on fire!, Me tink Me go help but dey stick Me wit arrows an frow
fire at me"
"And then?" hoping for any helpful information.
"Den Me tink, you can burn! Me going home".
"Did you notice anything else?" the Mayor was starting to sound annoyed.
"Me noticed dey shot Me in da ass!" the scout sounded rather annoyed too.
Realizing that two annoyed Giants in the same room was a recipe for disaster Kyri acted quickly, **"I help"**,
looking at the arrows, **"these not deep"**, she gently pulled an arrow out, the Giant yelped a hurt expression
on his face as he looked down at her.
**"Stop wailing!, you Giant and Warrior!"** the Mayor snapped.
Working deftly she sewed up each wound as the Mayor slowly got descriptions of the Firepeople, when the last
arrow was pulled out she murmmered a few healing spells, the Giant looked himself over amazed, "Ya mus be one
o dem healers at da temple!"
The Mayor dismissed the scout, he was looking realy worried now using the common tongue he asked, "They sound
like Leafborn, but I never heard of Leafborn using fire".
"I`ve never heard anything like it, must be a new Tribe" she thought hard but there were no memmories, silently
cursing the Sleep the Ancients had used to bring them to this land.
He drained his mug and set it down, he reached for something in his desk, "I`ll have to see the Ancients".
Picking up a few of the arrows she had pulled out of the scout she handed them to the mayor, "You should take
these to show them, I will be in the Inn, if you have need of me, I`ll be happy to help against this threat
from beneath the ground"
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Post by kyri on Jan 27, 2020 8:01:33 GMT 1
Part 2
Many hours later Kyri was in conversation with an old Norsk hunter when she noticed the glowering Nuruk enter
the Inn, he looked around the room slowly before making his way over, "I am sorry but I think I`ll have to go,
I`ll take your advice next time I head to the ice fields, Thankyou" she looked up as the Nuruk arrived.
"The Mayor requests you", the guard leaned down and said quietly "it is to be War".
She nodded and stood up, "Fair weather and Safe Pathes my friend" she said to the old hunter and headed for the
door, easily slipping through the crowd and leaving the Nuruk behind, she was at the Town Hall as the Nuruk left
the Inn, smirking she entered and joined a small gathering of people in the main Hall.
"...still think this is a Fellowship trap" A heavily armed Norsk was saying as she entered.
Giantdad looked up and waved her over, "They have their own problems, Welcome Kyri!"
"What is She doing here?" the Norsk demanded.
"I sent for her, we may have need of a healer this night", the Giant said ending any futher comment, he turned
and looked down at her, "A second cave has been found, a few of us will go to each cave and I will decide on the
best way to defend our town", the Giant turned back to the group, "Exodus is our home and we will defend it!" a
chorus of agreement followed by Giantdad appointing a few of the gathered group to stay in the town to raise
defenders, they could not hide the disapointment on their faces but nodded and left.
Giantdad turned to those that remained, "We will go to the Southern cave first", with the Mayor leading the group
made its way silently through the night and up into the mountains, slowly aproaching the cave, a glow came from
within, very carefully they circled around, Kyri realised there were sentries watching the cave ready to report
any new activity back to the Mayor, he spoke to one of them before leading them away northward, when they were
back on the road he spoke.
"The sentries report it has been quiet but that the glow from inside the cave is getting brighter, we will go to
the North now" north of the road the mountains rose steeply, they had to go at a slow pace avoiding deep ravines,
a narrow iron framed bridge spanned one deep crevice, she patiently waited her turn to cross as a chill wind blew
down from the snow covered peaks, she crossed quickly and silently, when everyone was across they moved on.
Before they reached the cave entrance a sentry stepped out of the darkness again conversing with the Giant, she
waited while they talked, her hand slipped into a pouch filled with small darts a blowpipe in her other hand, the
sentry moved away and Giantdad signaled to a Norsk and a Kiith to go over to him, they conversed quietly before
the two moved off westward into the darkness, Giantdad moved back to and motioned them in close, "We are going to
the cave, We will go to the mouth and inside if neccessary, I want to see one of them but be ready to fight and
if I say run, run east".
The group checked weapons and armour and moved forward, when the cave entrance came in sight they again stopped,
surveying the best route of attack and if needed escape, they moved forward toward the cave, it glowed like the
previous one but looking closer the glow was caused by veins of fire, in places it looked like writing in others
it seemed random and paternless, the fire seemed to crawl over the walls, shimmering and moving, she realised
part of the wall was moving drawing back an arm to loose and arrow, she marvelled at the camaflage as she fired
a dart into this strange foe, more emerged as the an arrow shot towards the group.
In the split second before battle commenced she noted the enemy was tall, slender with very angular features, as
if they had been stretched and fire danced over their bodies, then the clash of weapons and the general confusion
of the fight and while each of her new comrades fought she fired darts where she could and kept a close eye for
injuries, an enemies hunting knife sliced down across a leg, quick as a flash she cast a spell to stop the blood
and seal the wound, she stepped back again, most of the enemy had fallen, Giantdad reached down and picked some
glowing thing up andplaced it in a pouch, another enemy fell, Giantdad looked round and called for a retreat she
thought it strange but moved to leave imediately, Giantdad gave a final blow and turned and ran, she kept ahead
ready with a spell if neccessary, the escape route chosen was an old stream bed wide and flat it sloped steeply
downward.
"Halt!, Shield wall" the Mayor barked out and he turned as the enemy crested the slope, the Giant brought his
weapon up, the the others quickly formed up creating a wall with their shields, arrows flew downward into the
shield wall, she was about to fire darts back but the Giant held up his hand to stop her, nets flew from the dark
either side of the archers above, they struggled to free themselves, one fell rolling down the slope to Giantdads
feet, the fire sybols flamed brightly, a quick punch across the jaw rendered the man unconsious, the second was
putting up more of a fight but he too was brought down, though far more seriously wounded, quickly they were bound
and gagged.
"Back to Exodus, and well deserved refreshments for all" the prisoners were picked up and the group returned to
Exodus without incident, they walked past the Town Hall, to the gaol, a sturdy stone building with small barred
windows set very high in the walls, the thick wooden door was crisscrossed with metal bands, it opened to reveal
two Ancient ones.
"Wait for me in the Hall", the prisoners and the Mayor entered and the door shut, leaving them in the darkness.
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Post by kyri on Jan 30, 2020 21:47:51 GMT 1
Part 3
Kyri waited in the hall with the others offering healing to those that needed such, drinks were brought in and
soon thirsts were quenched, tales of exploits at the cave were told, she remained silent and waited for the Mayor
to return, she was well into a second refill when he finaly came in.
"My friends, thanks to The Ancients we have a name for our new foes, The Xarnak! and they are preparing to attack,
the threat is indeed grave they have fire magic, but our greatest and most feared warriors have answered the call
to arms!".. he paused as a loud cheer went up, when the noise abated he continued, .." and it swells my heart that
the least of our warriors answered even quicker!".. a greater cheer shook the windows.
"The plan then is simple we shall form two groups splitting equaly between the two caves and take turns trying to
draw out the enemy, by staying close to the entances we ensure that they can only attack a few at a time, and our
sentries and guards will patrol the mountains to make sure there are no new entrances, there are quotas a rich
reward is available for those who manage to meet it!, I, myself will take lead of the north camp, the word has
been spread, the Ancients will send emisaries to collect any magic artifact you find for study, they said you will
be well rewarded for your efforts, make yourselves ready! We march within the hour".
Everyone drank up talking over the news and then started to leave to prepare for the seige, a large hand fell on
her shoulder, she turned a large muscular Mythos warrior stared down, "You go to the north camp, use your healing
but pay attention to our Mayor".
"I will try my best" she promised and turned to leave, Giantdad waved her over, quickly she made her way over to
the Giant.
"I was told a timely healing meant one of our number was able run at the appointed time..", a familiar smell on
the Giants breath told her he had taken an intelligence potion and a strong one, "..he sends his thanks, which
camp will you go to?".
"I think I will head to the north, it is a wider opening so may allow larger groups out, more risk of injures",
though it was true the cave mouth was bigger, it was also at an angle that limited the amount of attacking space
leaving both caves of equal threat.
"I will see you are welcomed" the giant turned and walked toward his chambers.
She left to gather her things, a large pack contained healing potions and ointments along with sutures, vials of
various uses and provisions were held there also, double checking her padded armour and a final sharpen of her
sword and she was ready to go, joining in with a small group heading to the north cave made the journey quickly
pass, they were soon at the site, excitement started to build others were arriving and soon there were twenty or
more warriors eager for the battle to start.
They did not have to wait long.
A large group of Xarnak warriors charged out of the cave throwing themselves at the defenders, so sudden was the
attack that they almost broke through, they almost broke one of the defenders as well!, blades rang out on armour
wounded cries went up and Xarnak warriors fell and then there was silence, quickly the defenders formed the line
anew, wounded were seen to as they waited for the next attack the Xarnak bodies were taken away, the task was
delegated to workers of the land as there was little for them to do in winter, they dragged them down the old
stream bed.
The next group charged out, some straight into the melee some firing arrows, the result was the same and so more
bodies were dragged away, keeping an eye on Giantdad proved somewhat dificult as the Giant was determined to get
into the thick of the action but fortunately didn`t seem to be getting injured, she contented herself to watch as
best she could but it was some of the fresher warriors who took the brunt of the enemies blows, the Giant noticed
too and moved to better defend them making her job of watching out for him all the easier.
After about an hour the attacks became less frequent so they started using the Mayors devised tactic, they took
turns in baiting the Xarnaks, this proved to be far more successful than anticipated as it played to a flaw in
the Xarnak character..Pride!.. the Xarnak it seemed couldn`t let a challenge go unanswered, they couldn`t help
but attack, when they did they inflicted some terrible wounds and a steady flow to and from the town healers
developed, without them the bait and run tactic would never have worked.
As the day wore on she talked with some of the young warriors, fearing they might fall in battle soon they talked
freely as the fighting allowed, some of the old fighters joined in bolstering spirits, it was the young that were
most at risk though, both inexperience and lesser armour and the Xarnak seemed to target them.
Word from the southern cave came that they too were holding fast, battle after battle raged, small bits of magic
that came to be known as embers dropped from time to time, each was careful to collect their full due, the "Ember
Trader", as the emisary of the Ancients became known, arrived and set up a stall trading rare goods for the small
piles of magics gathered.
During a lull in the fighting Kyri took her small pile of embers to trade for an item that had caught her eye
earlier, "Excuse me the price has changed?"
The trader looked down at her, "Child, it is supply and demand, take it or leave it", comming fresh from battle
and with her blood still pumping hot in her veins, vicious injuries and terrible wounds fresh in her mind, the
fool in front of her didn`t have the sense to stop grinning at her.
"You sactimonious smug sack of shit", full battle rage swept over her, his grin disappeared as her foot connected
with his unprotected groin, doubled over he was now was low enough she could yell in his ear, "I`ll throw You in
the damn cave! you can get your own bloody embers!".
Strong hands grabbed her and dragged her away before she could make good on her threat, still swearing at the man,
"Save it for the Xarnak" growled a burly Norsk warrior who held on to her left arm.
"You leave her be, she ain`t done nothing they rest of us ain`t thought to do" the Nuruk answered from her hold on
the Kyri`s right arm.
"Aye, He wont be the sire of children this month for sure!", the Norsk looked back over his shoulder, the trader
had sunk down onto his knees, the Norsk suddenly let go of her arm and burst out laughing, "His eyes.. Haha are..
Harha..still bulging..Wahaha..".
Stopping the young Nuruk lass looked back, "Yes, He`ll be feeling it for weeks, but thats no reason to mock the
poor man", the Norsk laughed louder still, the Nuruk shook her head.
Kyri looking from the trader to the Norsk and felt her anger fade, "I am calm now", the Nuruk women released her
arm and they turned to walk back to the line at the cave.
"We..hehehe..ks!" the Norsk spluttered next to her, Kyri couldn`t hide a smirk as they waited for the next wave
of Xarnak to attack.
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Post by kyri on Feb 15, 2020 14:12:55 GMT 1
Part 4
The Xarnak kept comming.
Wave after wave, some of the younger warriors had to be carried away by the temple healers, but kept returning to
the fray, many were running low on healing surplies for minor wounds, the Nuruk woman she had met a few days ago
was hunting for some, Kyri passed a suture roll to her.
"Here take these, there are fifty sutures inside", the Nuruk woman was still staring at the object, "unroll it, I
found it easier to carry the sutures that way, they dont get tangled", the suture roll was a simple hide square
scraped to delicate thinness, top and bottom the leather was folded over a cloth strip and stitched, the needles
were pushed into the cloth and threads laid out straight, then the whole thing was rolled up and tied.
"Thankyou", the Nuruk woman sat and moved to untie the roll.
"Save them for later", she cast a healing spell, "I am Kyri".
"Everyone knows who you are, I am Ingg, have you found many embers? I bet the trader loves to see you", Ingg said
with a grin.
"I take mine to town, in the interests of diplomacy", she looked over at the trader until the man looked decidedly
uncomfortable, "How about you find many?".
"Not as many as I`d like!, struggling to meet the quota too", Ingg looked around at the battleground.
"I`ve completed mine but in the chaos of battle its just down to luck, any blow could be the killing one, but it
doesn`t look like the Xarnak are going to stop anytime soon!", the Leafborn looked at the red trail of the old
stream bed, dried and fresh blood coated the rocks and in between, soon the stream would flow again.
They got back in the battle line, the Xarnak kept comming.
Kyri wondered how huge must the caverns beneath them be, there seemed to be no end to these firepeople, she stood
and watched the lastest bodies being dragged away, her thoughts were interupted as another wave charged from the
cave led by one of their champions his fire sigils blindingly bright, bursting into flame he charged the ranks
inflicting terrible wounds until he fell under the blows of the defenders, his fellow warriors fell soon after.
There were groans of disappointment as many like her were seeking a killing blow on a champion, but someone was
already trying to bait more Xarnak to attack, she stepped away from the line to offer a healing spell to someone,
the champion and his minions were being dragged away beside her, she saw an ember drop a worker picked it up, she
saw the fight on his face he should give it the defenders but desired to have even this small token, deftly she
caught his wrist and folded his fingers over the it, "for your work, now put it away before any other sees it", a
look of gratitude on the mans face thanked her more than words could, this would become a light to his family that
he had at least been here and had been of service, he returned to his body dragging.
The wounded fighter had gone so she returned to the line to join the fighting, soon enough her thoughts went back
to what must lie beneath the mountians, night fall brought slight relief from the fighting and she was glad when
Stratophere`s familiar bat came to her hanging on a branch close to her head, she made a fuss of the tiny creature
it crawled onto her hand, she brought it up and they touched forehead to tiny forehead, these tiny creatures made
perfect messengers, they could fly day or night and were so fast nothing could catch them in the air, they were
easy to train and best of all they communicated telepathicly, it imparted its message to her and she gave a reply,
the tiny creature chittered at her and flew away.
She mulled over the news New Haven too was under attack, she marvelled at the length of the tunnels, whether two
communities of Xarnaks had coordinated their attacks or even more frightening it was a huge underground labyrinth
stretching the breath of Agonia remained unknown.
The days of fighting stretched on the Xarnak continuied pouring from the caves, the faces amoung the ranks of the
defenders changed, the old stream bed now ran or rather oozed with blood, what the hell they were doing with the
bodies at the bottom was one question she didn`t feel the need to find an answer to, someone nearby shouted out,
the strange spidery writting on the cave walls was fading, slowly the brightness diminished, retreating back into
the cave, there was a crash within the cave and blast of hot air from the entrance nearly took those closest off
their feet, the mountain shook and the cave was sealed shut.
News came from the southern cave the same had happened there, a cheer went up, not the most enthusiastic cheer it
was true, everyone was too tired, too exhausted but it was a cheer, one by one the triumphant defenders left, Kyri
made her way thoughtfully down the mountain intending to bathe and sleep, she stopped on a high cliff and looked
out over the wastes below, others stopped too movement below caught her attention, together watched as a figues
moved to the mountain of bodies that had been tipped over the cliff to the north of them, jet of Xarnak fire lept
from the figure, an Ancient she guessed, into the heap, flowing up and over the pile, more like water flowing than
fire, untill the whole side of the mountain seem to glow, then it faded leaving only ash.
The Xarnak crisis was over.
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