"This is the reward traitors receive, my commanders!" General Visla
roared at the four assembled commanders, his mad gray eyes gesturing at the
corpse of Cirath, slit from gut to throat, hanging by his throat from a
large tree branch, the gray weasel's bloodied broadsword slicing through
the air to illustrate his already brutal point. "None of you are above
execution! Do you understand me, Mahk? Do you, Sariss? Taren?"
The commanders in question nodded. Cirath had arrived, bringing news of his defeat and the death of Jethorin and capture of Meras, an enraged Visla had ordered Cirath's execution on the spot, gathering the Death Watch from their camp to witness the brutal slaying. The lesson of the General wasn't lost on any of the four commanders; even Geras's carefree air had faded into one of deadly seriousness. Visla needed a small excuse, a break in posture alone, to order a higher officer executed and hammer in the lesson further to the hardened killers.
"Our attack begins immediately! We've waited too long already! We've given the Calpathions too much time to prepare!"
Visla's fangs were shown in a savage grin as he growled to the assembly, "Sariss leads the first attack within, Geras will back her. Taren and Mahk will take care of any stragglers...I want this settlement crushed completely! Those who don't surrender die!"
Taren privately doubted Visla's current sanity but kept such opinions to himself. Voicing such issues was a surefire way to join the unlucky Cirath, dancing by your neck while Visla leisurely slit you open, it didn't bear thinking of currently.
Taren made eye contact with Sariss, giving her a reassuring smile and nod which she returned, Geras dared a smirk while Mahk remained impassive as always.
Visla grinned. "Reports from our spy-recently returned to the Calpathions-indicate the Calpathions have residence by or inside the settlement...this makes destroying them all the easier...burn them if you have to, but kill them all!"
Geras's face broke into a wide grin, Sariss and Taren wore distasteful expressions, both wondering why Visla was risking such an assault on a fortified woodlander settlement without even telling them the reason for the attack.
The settlement rested a mere hundred feet from an elevated area, a large cliff overlooking a waterfall. An absolutely beautiful sight to the observer...not to those who were making plans to attack the place.
Visla nodded. "We attack in exactly an hour. Dismissed! Somebeast cut that thing down and cut it up for the crows!" He roared, pointing at Cirath's mutilated body with his broadsword, his scarred features radiating contempt.
Taren shuddered slightly as he stepped alongside Sariss, the two retreating to the relative privacy of the woods as she smiled at him. "Taren, I'll be fine...you worry too much..."
Taren smiled and touched her cheek gently. "You may be right...its just...I can't get over this fear."
She laughed slightly, her emerald eyes glinting. "Taren, there's nothing to worry about...we'll be fine..."
Taren smiled, "You better be right..."
She grinned as him and slipped an arm around his neck, "You know I am..."
Taren kissed her, wrapping an arm around her waist, the kiss made all the more passionate by the knowledge they'd be separated soon, even if only for a short while.
Reluctantly they separated, both adjusting their armor, Sariss ran a paw gently over his arm and walked off to her squadron, Taren sighed and did the same, unable to erase the fear he felt in his heart.
The red fox steeled himself and drew his sword, the attack would go through, Sariss would be fine.
So why did he still feel afraid?
***
Kalis Deiran had made many deals with the officials of the woodlander settlement to set up the Calpathions inside the walled town. Kerin of Jald's sword brigade had been granted command of the east entrance and was awaiting any action.
"Nothing yet...not after three bloody days..." Kerin growled; the stoat pacing irritably as he stared at the large wall.
The settlement was rather large and surrounded by a walled perimeter that would keep most enemies out, the arrangement being something of a small village. Located by a river and the waterfall made it interesting indeed, but the Calpathions weren't interested in that. Kerin was one of the Manticore's swordsbeasts, he wanted battle.
The battle came to him quickly enough.
Sariss had divided her forces around the perimeter, her forces working tirelessly on the gates. Individually they were nothing, less then nothing against the fortified walls, but after hours of work, in cover of darkness, once one found a weakness, he exploited it...making way for the scores who came with him...
Kerin didn't note them until the scream of a Calpathion, pierced the night's air.
The helpless of the settlement had been moved into the secure Calpathion camp and given guard, well out of the Death Watch's way. The warriors of the settlement stayed behind, to help their mercenary allies.
Kerin swore, drawing his sword. How did they get in?! It didn't make sense...all that mattered now was the alarm raised...
Kerin ran down the wall, reaching the ground in moments, grabbing the nearest fighter on his side-an otter, woodlander obviously- he growled, "Get to the town square! Find Kalis Deiran and warn him that the Death Watch is inside! Get going!"
The otter nodded and ran off, heading in direction where their main forces were entrenched, Kerin swung his blade, slicing into the neck of the nearest Death Watcher, Kerin, one of the most experienced of Jald's swordsbeasts made his stand ***
A stray stone hit Sariss in the shoulder, hurling her to the ground with a surprised cry, digging her sword into the ground, the ferret pushed herself to her feet as he troops moved around her. Her bodyguard looked to her sharply, "Are you alright, Commander Sariss?"
She nodded. "I'm fine, Halis..." The rat nodded, slashing at the nearest Calpathion, a stoat.
The stoat skillfully blocked Halis's blade, countering with such speed for a creature so large.
Halis cried out as the blade bit into his side, his lifeblood spilling to the ground. A blow from the stoat threw him to the ground where he was instantly dispatched by the stoat's companions.
Sariss readied her blade, her face hardening as she faced Kerin. The stoat looked up her lithe body and beautiful features before grinning. "You're a pretty one," The giant hissed, "Surrender and I promise to be very nice with you..."
"I promise to be nice too..." Sariss retorted, "I promise to give you a quick death...unless you'd prefer to surrender?"
Kerin laughed and swung at her, the stroke slow, intended to wound. He wasn't taking her seriously...his mistake.
Sariss leaped nimbly back, coming in with a sudden thrust to the stoat's arm. Kerim cried out in shock as her blade bit deep, his eyes flaring red with rage. "You...damned..."
Sariss gave him a cold look, her emerald eyes hardening as she struck at his throat. Kerin dodged to the side, raising his blade and bringing it down at her head.
Sariss's lightning reflexes saved her again, dodging to the side, raising her longsword defensively.
"You dance well, my lady!" Kerim jeered.
Sariss did not respond, instead she rolled toward him, surprising him and coming under his guard. Her roll ended in a kneeling position from which she thrust her blade into Kerin's chest just below the ribs. He let out a cry of pain and shock.
"I'll cut...you...to little...pieces!" He gasped.
Eyes flooded with crimson, nostrils flaring, Kerin brought his sword down as hard as he could, putting his weight into the final swing.
Sariss threw herself forward. Her blade buried deep in Kerin's stomach.
Kerin tumbled backward. The weapon fell from his grasp, striking the ashy ground in an instant before he fell, also dead.
A thick cloud of dust rose. Coughing, Sariss prodded the massive form with her sword tip, but Kerin didn't stir.
"One down..." She muttered, her gaze moving to survey the fighting that was now reaching across the entire settlement. "One down, too many left." ***
Mahk and Visla had joined Taren's forces near the city square against the forces of Eroket Nightblade and General Kalis Deiran, neither side gaining ground.
Visla was fighting savagely, his gray eyes illuminated by the crimson lust, broadsword weaving across the field in an unceasing symphony of death.
A blade met his, steel ringing on steel. Visla's eyes widened as he saw his opponent. "Kalis..."
The weasel's eyes went wide as they locked on his brother. "Visla..."
Visla grinned savagely, swinging at Kalis's head, the blow parried by Kalis's broadsword, the younger of the Deiran brother's springing back, pushing one of Visla's soldiers at the weasel.
Visla dispatched the other Death Watcher with a quick swing, surveying the area for his hated brother, "KALIS!!!!"
Kalis was nowhere to be found, the weasel had apparently called a damned retreat!
Visla growled, and shouted at Geras, "Find Sariss! I want your forces to go with me! We'll take Kalis's head here and now!"
Geras grinned, not even wanting to argue. "Yes, General!"
The ferret darted off, signaling his forces to find Sariss, desperate to find Kalis, desperate for glory to be his.
The Calpathions were left mystified as to their enemies' sudden retreat, only Eroket and Sarhein releasing the truth, the scarred fox's eyes wide.
"They're after Kalis, Ero..."
The ermine nodded. "We need to get to him!"
Sarhein nodded. "I'll try to get to Kalis and at least delay Visla! You finish this battle!"
Eroket nodded, the ermine's amber eyes glinting as his sword opened the throat of a Death Watch rat. "Good luck..."
Sarhein smiled. "Thanks..."
The fox was gone, darting off in the direction Kalis had taken,
Jald's forces were with Deran's, on the other side of the place, hopefully arriving to reinforce Ero's forces shortly...the ermine could only hope.
Visla's madness had forced him to make a huge error: Leading two large groups of his forces outside the main battle...Eroket hoped he could end the battle swiftly.
He just hoped he wouldn't have to rely on lady luck...the two of them just weren't on speaking terms these days.
The commanders in question nodded. Cirath had arrived, bringing news of his defeat and the death of Jethorin and capture of Meras, an enraged Visla had ordered Cirath's execution on the spot, gathering the Death Watch from their camp to witness the brutal slaying. The lesson of the General wasn't lost on any of the four commanders; even Geras's carefree air had faded into one of deadly seriousness. Visla needed a small excuse, a break in posture alone, to order a higher officer executed and hammer in the lesson further to the hardened killers.
"Our attack begins immediately! We've waited too long already! We've given the Calpathions too much time to prepare!"
Visla's fangs were shown in a savage grin as he growled to the assembly, "Sariss leads the first attack within, Geras will back her. Taren and Mahk will take care of any stragglers...I want this settlement crushed completely! Those who don't surrender die!"
Taren privately doubted Visla's current sanity but kept such opinions to himself. Voicing such issues was a surefire way to join the unlucky Cirath, dancing by your neck while Visla leisurely slit you open, it didn't bear thinking of currently.
Taren made eye contact with Sariss, giving her a reassuring smile and nod which she returned, Geras dared a smirk while Mahk remained impassive as always.
Visla grinned. "Reports from our spy-recently returned to the Calpathions-indicate the Calpathions have residence by or inside the settlement...this makes destroying them all the easier...burn them if you have to, but kill them all!"
Geras's face broke into a wide grin, Sariss and Taren wore distasteful expressions, both wondering why Visla was risking such an assault on a fortified woodlander settlement without even telling them the reason for the attack.
The settlement rested a mere hundred feet from an elevated area, a large cliff overlooking a waterfall. An absolutely beautiful sight to the observer...not to those who were making plans to attack the place.
Visla nodded. "We attack in exactly an hour. Dismissed! Somebeast cut that thing down and cut it up for the crows!" He roared, pointing at Cirath's mutilated body with his broadsword, his scarred features radiating contempt.
Taren shuddered slightly as he stepped alongside Sariss, the two retreating to the relative privacy of the woods as she smiled at him. "Taren, I'll be fine...you worry too much..."
Taren smiled and touched her cheek gently. "You may be right...its just...I can't get over this fear."
She laughed slightly, her emerald eyes glinting. "Taren, there's nothing to worry about...we'll be fine..."
Taren smiled, "You better be right..."
She grinned as him and slipped an arm around his neck, "You know I am..."
Taren kissed her, wrapping an arm around her waist, the kiss made all the more passionate by the knowledge they'd be separated soon, even if only for a short while.
Reluctantly they separated, both adjusting their armor, Sariss ran a paw gently over his arm and walked off to her squadron, Taren sighed and did the same, unable to erase the fear he felt in his heart.
The red fox steeled himself and drew his sword, the attack would go through, Sariss would be fine.
So why did he still feel afraid?
***
Kalis Deiran had made many deals with the officials of the woodlander settlement to set up the Calpathions inside the walled town. Kerin of Jald's sword brigade had been granted command of the east entrance and was awaiting any action.
"Nothing yet...not after three bloody days..." Kerin growled; the stoat pacing irritably as he stared at the large wall.
The settlement was rather large and surrounded by a walled perimeter that would keep most enemies out, the arrangement being something of a small village. Located by a river and the waterfall made it interesting indeed, but the Calpathions weren't interested in that. Kerin was one of the Manticore's swordsbeasts, he wanted battle.
The battle came to him quickly enough.
Sariss had divided her forces around the perimeter, her forces working tirelessly on the gates. Individually they were nothing, less then nothing against the fortified walls, but after hours of work, in cover of darkness, once one found a weakness, he exploited it...making way for the scores who came with him...
Kerin didn't note them until the scream of a Calpathion, pierced the night's air.
The helpless of the settlement had been moved into the secure Calpathion camp and given guard, well out of the Death Watch's way. The warriors of the settlement stayed behind, to help their mercenary allies.
Kerin swore, drawing his sword. How did they get in?! It didn't make sense...all that mattered now was the alarm raised...
Kerin ran down the wall, reaching the ground in moments, grabbing the nearest fighter on his side-an otter, woodlander obviously- he growled, "Get to the town square! Find Kalis Deiran and warn him that the Death Watch is inside! Get going!"
The otter nodded and ran off, heading in direction where their main forces were entrenched, Kerin swung his blade, slicing into the neck of the nearest Death Watcher, Kerin, one of the most experienced of Jald's swordsbeasts made his stand ***
A stray stone hit Sariss in the shoulder, hurling her to the ground with a surprised cry, digging her sword into the ground, the ferret pushed herself to her feet as he troops moved around her. Her bodyguard looked to her sharply, "Are you alright, Commander Sariss?"
She nodded. "I'm fine, Halis..." The rat nodded, slashing at the nearest Calpathion, a stoat.
The stoat skillfully blocked Halis's blade, countering with such speed for a creature so large.
Halis cried out as the blade bit into his side, his lifeblood spilling to the ground. A blow from the stoat threw him to the ground where he was instantly dispatched by the stoat's companions.
Sariss readied her blade, her face hardening as she faced Kerin. The stoat looked up her lithe body and beautiful features before grinning. "You're a pretty one," The giant hissed, "Surrender and I promise to be very nice with you..."
"I promise to be nice too..." Sariss retorted, "I promise to give you a quick death...unless you'd prefer to surrender?"
Kerin laughed and swung at her, the stroke slow, intended to wound. He wasn't taking her seriously...his mistake.
Sariss leaped nimbly back, coming in with a sudden thrust to the stoat's arm. Kerim cried out in shock as her blade bit deep, his eyes flaring red with rage. "You...damned..."
Sariss gave him a cold look, her emerald eyes hardening as she struck at his throat. Kerin dodged to the side, raising his blade and bringing it down at her head.
Sariss's lightning reflexes saved her again, dodging to the side, raising her longsword defensively.
"You dance well, my lady!" Kerim jeered.
Sariss did not respond, instead she rolled toward him, surprising him and coming under his guard. Her roll ended in a kneeling position from which she thrust her blade into Kerin's chest just below the ribs. He let out a cry of pain and shock.
"I'll cut...you...to little...pieces!" He gasped.
Eyes flooded with crimson, nostrils flaring, Kerin brought his sword down as hard as he could, putting his weight into the final swing.
Sariss threw herself forward. Her blade buried deep in Kerin's stomach.
Kerin tumbled backward. The weapon fell from his grasp, striking the ashy ground in an instant before he fell, also dead.
A thick cloud of dust rose. Coughing, Sariss prodded the massive form with her sword tip, but Kerin didn't stir.
"One down..." She muttered, her gaze moving to survey the fighting that was now reaching across the entire settlement. "One down, too many left." ***
Mahk and Visla had joined Taren's forces near the city square against the forces of Eroket Nightblade and General Kalis Deiran, neither side gaining ground.
Visla was fighting savagely, his gray eyes illuminated by the crimson lust, broadsword weaving across the field in an unceasing symphony of death.
A blade met his, steel ringing on steel. Visla's eyes widened as he saw his opponent. "Kalis..."
The weasel's eyes went wide as they locked on his brother. "Visla..."
Visla grinned savagely, swinging at Kalis's head, the blow parried by Kalis's broadsword, the younger of the Deiran brother's springing back, pushing one of Visla's soldiers at the weasel.
Visla dispatched the other Death Watcher with a quick swing, surveying the area for his hated brother, "KALIS!!!!"
Kalis was nowhere to be found, the weasel had apparently called a damned retreat!
Visla growled, and shouted at Geras, "Find Sariss! I want your forces to go with me! We'll take Kalis's head here and now!"
Geras grinned, not even wanting to argue. "Yes, General!"
The ferret darted off, signaling his forces to find Sariss, desperate to find Kalis, desperate for glory to be his.
The Calpathions were left mystified as to their enemies' sudden retreat, only Eroket and Sarhein releasing the truth, the scarred fox's eyes wide.
"They're after Kalis, Ero..."
The ermine nodded. "We need to get to him!"
Sarhein nodded. "I'll try to get to Kalis and at least delay Visla! You finish this battle!"
Eroket nodded, the ermine's amber eyes glinting as his sword opened the throat of a Death Watch rat. "Good luck..."
Sarhein smiled. "Thanks..."
The fox was gone, darting off in the direction Kalis had taken,
Jald's forces were with Deran's, on the other side of the place, hopefully arriving to reinforce Ero's forces shortly...the ermine could only hope.
Visla's madness had forced him to make a huge error: Leading two large groups of his forces outside the main battle...Eroket hoped he could end the battle swiftly.
He just hoped he wouldn't have to rely on lady luck...the two of them just weren't on speaking terms these days.