Forest Raiders
The idea of organisation of the "self-defence club" was finally taken. It took almost fuul month for adults to agree. There was not a single day when someone, who could accelerate its creation were not wisited by a delegation, trying to convince them. Main points were constant youms' attacs and increasing number of marauders around the city. At first adult were against the wery thought of children leaning to fight, saying they can hurt themselves. But then temporary garrison, sent to protect the city from the attacs of troops of Dark Kingdom, was called back, to join other battles, the decision was made.
Main troop formed even before the official opening of the club. That was them who annoyed adults to begin with. After opening of the club some others joined to them - some left, some stayed, but all of them tryed to do for club as much as possible.
For their training-place they choose a small old house not far from the city walls. Thow, the wall falled long ago and now was replaced with its ruins and deep trench, which made passage completely impossible. This area was considered completely inaccessible, and enemies' troops never came from this side so there was no guard. House was separated from the other town with a big field, which was a perfect place for training. But noone ever knew the real face of the club. Daily trainings were a smallest part of work. "Theoretical lessons" were dedicated for weapon making. Descriptions were found in books from remainders of town library. Truthfuly, there was no descriptions of suitable bows and descriptions of daggers and swords was of no use - it was impossible to make them secretly. But fighting lesssons were a greate help. Bows and crossbow became their only weapons for now, and they practised hard in evenings when noone could see them. Later, when they got daggers, house became training ground again. Deserted field was also used for "night actions" practice.
This secret actions started in less then two weeks of training. They made their first weapon: three bows and a crossbow with 50 arrows. Arrows, crossbow and two of the bows were found on the battlefield and slightly rebild. Third bow they made, but it took too long and it was desidet to find easyer way to get new weapon. It was when a small troop of youmas caught their attention. Also rumours were that their commander was youma. (Everyone understood that the very first action against even the weakest demon would be the last.) Still too weak for an open battle, they took it in the simpliest way, setting a trap. Choice of place wasn't a problem. Everyone, but Kat and Taily, knew forest and paths well. For a duck blind was chosen a timber thicket, where a narrow path let to walk no more then four people in row. Thick kronas of trees created ideal protection for bowmen. Moreover, there were some unpleasant surprises.
On the strongest branches were mounted some lassoes and thick logs, which could work like rams. Noone have such an experience before and could say whether it would work properly. Way of retreat also was studied carefully as nobody wanted to get caught because of his own foolishness. The only thing they could not affect at all was the choice of enemyes. If they knew this way to be so good for duck blind, than it was logical to expect, that commander of youmas knew this too. Therefore, remained a big possibility that troops would not go to likely_to_be_trap old way, but try to cut a new safe way.
But theyr fears was wrong. Troops came there in simple formation and even not cared to prepare their weapons. They were allowed to pass half the passage, where main traps were placed. Then last rows have begun to be shooted from bows. All immediately ran under such a reliable protection of trees. Chaos increased, when officer and several first youmas suddenly rised into the air, praised with loops of lassoes. Their sudden "flyght" some considered as appearance of unknown enemy and started to shoot. The fact that now youmas were left without commander and absence of enemy in sight lead to immediate panic, and arrows which fly from nowere made it worse. Youmas tryed to fight back, shouting Youmas tryed to fight back shooting in the direction from where arrows fly but bowmen moved all the time so this tactics brought no results. Now and then lassoes found new victims, and swunging back and forth logs knocked down everyone, trying to organize defence. It seemed that the vey forest helped attackers, as there were many roots on the road on which and the thick foliage on trees hid bowmen.
Battle was finished less than in hour. Several youmas managed to escape, rest remained on a narrow road between trees. Having collected theit own arrows, winners forced themselves to examine the weapon of dead enemies. Most of it they wouldn't be able to use, even after it being redesigned, so they took only bows with arrows and daggers, light and surprisingly well lain in hand.
Late it become that mentioned "easy" way to get variose weapon. They got even more than they needed. But it wasn't weapon what was most valuable for them, it was the experience and that little they could do to help to protect their borders.
Adults weren't particularly interested in what happened in group: children are occupied, not get in the way and do not get themselves introubles. But mainly it was simply impossible to keep eye on everyone. Army of Earth lose, the number of enemy troops in county and unexpected attacs increased. Noone dared to leave wall of the town unguarded.