You have done well, my son. I had hoped to arrive at Greenest before the siege, but already, you and your new friends have proven yourself to be quite the team. Yet, this is only the start of a greater threat. To that end, I shall unlock the power that rested within you, the power that was passed down from me. Use it well.
"They've broken through the sally port!" the voice of Escobert the Red echoed throughout the keep. "To arms! Someone cut off their reinforcements at the sally port!"
Calder snapped his eyes open at the sound of the call for action. Immediately, he shot up from his bedroll, fortunate enough to have rested in his leather armor. He reached for his longbow and quiver, and rushed down the hallway. The ranger was glad to have had some rest before the raiders attacked. He was fully rested and ready for the battles held today.
While running through the halls, he saw the militia and guard facing off against the raiders, holding their own. Yet, if the sally port was taken and not fixed, the raiders would eventually overwhelm the defenders. Calder was soon joined by his companions as he neared the sally port. Fargrim quickly outpaced him, surprisingly not hindered by his sustained injuries the night before, with Skylar by his side, loading her crossbow. Zavier was right behind the trio, trying to slip into his leather army while keeping up with the others.
Fargrim kicked open that door, revealing the broken sally port, the metal bars twisted and bent. Sunlight illuminated the room, revealing four kobolds, a single raider, and a strange beast. It was on four legs with thick, brown scales and sharp claws. In the corner of the room was a young guard with bright red hair and goatee with fairfair skin. He wore heavy, silver armor with a sword and shield sheathed behind his back. He messed with his loaded crossbow as the raiders advanced, his green eyes showing fear.
Calder was the first to act, an arrow in hand that he quickly fired to strike a kobold in the chest, ending its life. While Fargrim made his way towards the strange creature and Skylar took aim, Zavier sprinted past them, positioning himself between the kobolds and the guards. The ranger saw his lips move with a silent whisper, his arms held over his chest. He brought his fists forward, which was followed by a large boom of thunder. Lightning blasted out towards the raiders, with the kobolds and raider collapsing, only twitching. The monster lived, yet was pinned down by a strike from Fargrim's greataxe. It screeched out in pain before it was silenced by Skylar, who shot the beast straight in the throat.
"Good work," Zavier grinned, looking at the fallen enemies. "They didn't even know what hit them."
"Are you alright?" Skylar rushed over to the guard.
"Aye, I am," the guard spoke, holstering his crossbow. "They couldn't get through my armor. Wait, you're the dragonslayer and his companions! No wonder you were able to bring down that beast!"
"Not a dragon," Fargrim spat on the fallen beast. "Ambush drake, clear as day."
"Regardless, it is draconic in nature," Zavier told him. "I am Zavier Blackwood, and with me is my student, Fargrim, and my companions, Calder and Skylar."
"Sergeant Robert Markguth," the soldier saluted.
"Sergeant?" Calder raised his eyebrow at the man.
"A low ranking commander," Skylar informed him.
"Yer a sergeant?" Fargrim questioned. "Are ye even trained? Ye looked afraid."
"Well, I was recently promoted to my position, as in, last night," Robert told them.
"Promoted from what?" Calder asked.
"Well, uh, I wasn't even part of the guard until yesterday," Robert shrugged slowly. "I'm not experienced, but that's not why I was afraid. My crossbow jammed and-"
"More are coming," Calder announced, hearing the marching. "How fast can we get the sally port fixed?"
"I think I have a spell to fix it," Skylar looked towards the sally port. "I'll need a few minutes, and I cannot be bothered during that time
"Work on getting the sally port repaired," Calder commanded, looking at Fargrim and Zavier. "The three of us will hold the line."
"Aye," Fargrim grinned.
"Is it too late to send for reinforcements?" Zavier asked, trying his best to hide his nervousness. "Where are the guards?"
"Right here," Robert unsheathed his sword and shield. "I look forward to fighting with the slayer of dragons!"
"Your aid is more than welcomed, Sergeant Markguth," Calder nodded. "Let us be off then."
Stepping through the sally port was easy enough with the four defenders finding themselves on an open grass field outside of the stronghold. Just as Calder predicted, more of the raiders were coming. Four kobolds and four men, with three of them wielding scimitars and one wielding a sword and shield. They stood side-by-side while the raiders grew closer. They were outnumbered, but at least half of their force have proven their worth time again.
Hunter's Mark
For a moment, Calder realized he had lost control of his body. His hand stretched out towards the raider with the shield, two fingers pointed out towards him. Afterwards, his body was his to control once more. For some reason, he realized that he was more focused on the raider he just pointed at. He shook his head, not having the time to question it. While Fargrim and Robert charged charged forward, the ranger pulled an arrow from his quiver and fired at the raider he just pointed at. Despite his belief that it would hit, it soared past his head and onto the ground behind him.
The raiders and kobolds were quick to surround and face off against Robert and Fargrim respectively. The soldier was focused on the guard with the shield, swinging his sword down against his shield. The raider in turn slashed at the sergeant, but his sword only bounced off of his sturdy armor. The remaining fighters tried to attack the man while he was distracted in his duel, but his armor held out against the onslaught of attacks.
Fargrim was not as fortunate when the kobolds surrounded him. He was able to dodge two of their dagger thrusts, but the remaining two kobolds managed to score a hit at his shoulder and side. The dwarf let out a wild roar, and Calder quickly realized that it was not one of pain, but of anger. One of the kobolds that injured him took a step back after hearing the roar, with the warrior turning his glare towards it. Without hesitation, he brought his greataxe down upon the kobold, leaving behind only a pile of his bloody remains.
"We're about to see Fargrim's rage up close," Zavier smiled, standing in front of the sally port. "I have only seen it a few times myself, but when he becomes enraged, he is stronger and less likely to feel pain."
"Shouldn't you join him in battle?" Calder asked, pulling out another arrow.
"We need someone to be our final line of defense for the sally port," Zavier told him.
Calder sighed, knocking his arrow upon his bow and pulling it back to aim at the shielded warrior once more. Knowing that it would be a tough shot to make with Robert in the way, the ranger ran to the sides, giving him a more clearer view. He took the shot, but the raider was able to deflect the arrow with his shield. In doing so only left him vulnerable for Robert, who slashed his sword across his exposed arm and drawing blood. The soldier then defended himself from the remaining three cultists, using his sword to block one attack, his shield to stop another, and his armor blocking the final one.
Another kobold fell to Fargrim's greataxe, the remaining two looking fearful at the superior combatant. Calder turned back to the battle, once more taking up an arrow and taking aim at the lead raider. The four raiders were attacking Robert at once, still failing to get past his impressive defenses. The half-elf took a deep breath in as he took aim, and let loose the arrow. He cursed when the raider moved forward, bringing his sword upon the sergeant's blade, causing the arrow to miss. At this rate, he was as useful as Zavier was.
"Zavier, do something already!" Calder called out
"Fine," Zavier sighed. "Fargrim, keep up the great work! You'll make for a great dragon slayer!"
"Do something helpful!" Calder corrected himself.
"You'll be surprised at how encouraging my words can be."
Once more, Calder found himself sighing at Zavier, taking aim at the guard once more. Robert let out a scream of pain with one of the raiders slashing his scimitar across his bare face, but otherwise was able to defend himself from the rest of the attacks. The raider with the shield was the most experienced of the group, and if he did not go down, the sergeant would be overwhelmed. He took a deep breath once more, calculating where the arrow would fly. He closed his eyes, and let loose.
When Calder opened his eyes, he grinned, seeing the raider collapse onto the ground with a wooden shaft through his skull. Instinctively, he pointed with two fingers towards another raider, declaring him to be his new target. The remaining attackers were shocked to see one of their own go down, leading to Robert slashing his longsword across one of their chests, taking advantage of their surprise. Zavier finally joined in on the battle, running behind one of the kobolds to impale him upon his rapier. Fargrim, blooded but determined, swung his greataxe to decapitate the final kobold. The tides of battle were turning to their favor.
It was more easier to strike at the raider Calder targeted, his arrow striking his shoulder. Robert impaled his sword upon his newfound target, ending his life. The remaining two attackers pressed on, yet found no weak spot in the soldier's armor. Zavier and Fargrim joined in on the fray, with the former striking down the injured cultist with his rapier while the latter jumped up and slammed his greataxe into the remaining raider, putting an end to the fight.
"Good work, everyone," Zavier encouraged. "The battle is won."
"Aye," Fargrim panted, leaning on his greataxe tiredly. "I think I sprained my shoulder with that last strike."
"You held yourself well, Sergeant Markguth," Calder complemented. "You proved yourself as a capable fighter today."
"I didn't do anything too impressive," Robert rubbed the back of his head. "I just have really thick armor to keep me safe, that's it."
"Enough chit chat," Zavier sheathed his rapier. "Let's head back inside the keep."
The group of defenders made their way back into the sally gate, which was partially repaired thanks to Skylar. They climbed in while she held onto the bars, concentrating with blue flames flickering. The metal bent and slowly closed while she continued her work. Other guards had swarmed into the room, with the familiar face of Escobert soon greeting them. The sorceress finished repairing the sally port, and joined her comrades quickly.
"Ye did good work, all o' ye," Escobert told them with a grin. "Th' remainin' raiders inside have been driven off. We're safe fer th' moment. If it doesn't hinder ye at all, Governor Nighthill has another task te ask o' ye."
"What has he asked us to do?" Calder asked.
"A good amount o' citizens are trapped in th' church, an' the raiders are just about ready te break in," Escobert informed the group. "If ye can git th' chance te evacuate th' group, that'll be great fer Greenest."
"It'll be done," Calder nodded. "Fargrim, do you need to rest at all? You took plenty of attacks during that fight."
"I'll hold myself just fine, lad," Fargrim shook his head. "Let's git goin'."
"Sir, permission to accompany the adventurers to the church?" Robert asked dutifully. "They will need someone to lead them there."
"Permission granted, Sergeant," Escobert nodded. "Go swiftly. If ye wait any longer, th' people will be long dead."
A/N: I wasn't sure how I was going to explain Calder's spells once he leveled up. I hope this is a decent enough explanation.
Until next time.