With how chaotic the town was, sneaking around was easily enough. After going through the tunnel in the fortress, the group of five made their way into Greenest. The fires had died out, and many buildings have collapsed. Yet, the raiders were distracted with destroying and looting the remaining buildings, allowing the group to move through the ruins unhindered. Robert, the native to the town, took point, with Fargrim right behind him. Zavier nestled himself between his dwarf with Skylar right behind him. Calder covered the rear, witnessing the aftermath of the destruction.
Calder was disgusted with the actions of the raiders. Such destruction and death all in the pursuit of wealth incurred the hunter's anger. He would see that all responsible for this attack paid for their sins. However, he reminded himself that there was more at stake than looting. His father wanted him to come to Greenest for a reason: to face the Cult of the Dragon. Perhaps it was possible that these raiders were aligned with the cult in someway. Only time would tell if that was the case.
At the rubble of one house, the group could see the church up ahead. A large group of raiders were trying to break down the front door. A few humans held onto a makeshift battering ram while the kobolds stood guard. A larger group of raiders, both humans and raiders, were circling around the group, acting as a patrol. An attack on the front gates of the church was out of question. Yet, while Robert was digging through the rubble to reveal a fallen soldier, Calder looked toward the skies, where smoke rose from behind the church.
"Poor York," Robert muttered. "He was a veteran of the guard. The raiders took him down before he could join the fray."
"At least his gear is intact," Fargrim commented, pulling a holster of javelins free. "He won't be needin' these, an' we'll be sure te bury him once th' attack is over."
"I know that we're supposed to be helping, but look at what we're dealing with," Zavier motioned at the number of raiders. "We should send for reinforcements."
"And by the time they arrive, it could be too late," Skylar argued. "We have to do something now."
"Robert, is there a back door to the church?" Calder quickly asked.
"Uh, I think so," Robert scratched the back of his head. "I'm not much of a man of faith myself, but I'm pretty sure there is."
"The raiders are also trying to break in through the back," Calder informed the group. "They're trying to burn their way through."
"Th' church looks more sturdy than most buildings in this town," Fargrim nodded, slinging the holster over his back. "They're goin' te be there fer a lon' time."
"There's probably not a lot of men back there," Skylar predicted.
"Stabbing them in the back, huh?" Zavier took a moment to think. "Might just work well enough for us."
"Lead the way, Robert," Calder instructed.
Robert nodded in response, and led the group. To be safe, they left in a wide span, walking in the same direction as the patrol circling the building. Once more, the raiders did not spot them, allowing them to slowly circle around to the back of the church. There was a cloud of thick smoke gathered around the wall, with Calder able to make out the silhouettes of raider and kobold alike. It was a small force, two humans and six kobolds. The ranger, along with his companions pulled out their ranged weaponry. Only Zavier remained armed with his rapier, a grin across his lips.
"Looks like we caught you with your trousers down!" Zavier taunted.
Calder was still unsure on why the bard gave away their position, although he did see one of the humans clutch his head, as if he was in pain. Calder was quick to follow on the attack, shooting down a kobold with ease. Fargrim, putting the javelins to good use, impaled a kobold by throwing one of his newfound weapons. Blue flames surrounded around Skylar's head as she chanted, unleashing three purple bolts of magic upon the other raider, who collapsed and remained motionless. Robert fired with his crossbow, but a thud signified it hit the wall.
The kobolds started to make their way out of the smoke, followed by the remaining raider. Zavier was quick to intercept them, cutting one down with his rapier. Calder shot down another kobold while Fargrim pulled out his greataxe, slamming it down against a charging kobold. Skylar lunged forward, grabbing the kobold with her hands, which crackled with electricity. The kobold squealed, but lived, lunging its dagger into her exposed gut. The sorceress screeched out in pain, and backed away from the monster.
Calder instinctively dropped his bow while pulling his shortsword free. He dashed forward, and without hesitation, cutdown the remaining kobold with one, clean shot. Skylar grasped onto her wound in pain, but offered a ranger a weak smile. He turned to face the remaining raider, who was in battle with Robert and Zavier. The soldier landed a clean blow, and raised his shield to block an incoming scimitar. Afterwards, Zavier finished off the defending man with a swift jab of his rapier towards his throat, slashing it out.
"The battle's over," Calder sighed in relief, glancing towards Skylar. "Are you alright? Do you need healing?"
"I'll live," Skylar tried to assure him, standing back up. "Let's be off now."
"Is anyone in there?" Robert slammed his fist on the partially burnt door loudly. "The raiders are dead!"
"Perhaps a more smoothing voice is needed to convince them," Zavier offered while Calder picked up his longbow.
"Or an axe?" Fargrim grinned, pulling his javelin free from the fallen kobold.
"I think I heard something on the other side," Robert informed everyone, followed by another slam. "Brother Falconmoon! Open up!"
"Just a moment, Robert!" a voice called out. "I need to clear out the barricades!"
There was shuffling at the door for a few good moments while the party gathered by the entrance. Calder kept his guard up in case the patrol showed up, not knowing how they would fare in battle against such a large force. Finally, the door opened, revealing Brother Falconmoon, a slim half elf with brown hair and white robes. He ushered the group in, gripping hands with Robert as a show of greeting. The two whispered to each other as they made their way inside.
In the sanctuary, around three dozen citizens were gathered around. Families were together, holding each other close, with some individuals on their knees in prayer. A few individuals were terrified, some pacing around and some laying on the many benches. The front gates were barred shut, but the raiders continued battering against them. It was only a matter of time until they broke through. Robert frowned when Brother Falconmoon turned to face the gathered adventurers.
"We need to leave, Brother Falconmoon," Calder told him.
"I know," Brother Falconmoon sighed. "I cannot ask this enough of you, but if we are all to leave, we need someone to distract those cultists."
"Another problem is the patrol," Skylar noted. "If my calculations are correct, they'll be nearing the back door within the minute."
"We need to split up," Calder decided. "Robert, I want you to lead the evacuation. With Skylar and Zavier, you may be able to defeat the cultists, especially if you get the jump on them."
"Sounds fair to me," Robert nodded in agreement.
"What a great idea," Zavier sighed in relief. "Better to fight out there than in here. That way, I can protect the people, of course!"
"Stay safe, Calder," Skylar glanced towards her friend. "Make it back to the keep."
"I'll do my best," Calder told her. "Fargrim, you're with me."
"Two o' us against a lot o' raiders," Fargrim stroked his beard, grinning. "This is gonna be great!"
"We're leaving!" Robert announced to the gathered people. "This way!"
Robert led Skylar, Zavier, Brother Falconmoon, and the townsfolk out of the church. Calder hoped that his friends and the people would be safe on their way back to the stronghold. He and Fargrim took position at the farthest wall away from the door, taking aim with their longbow and javelin respectively. Once the raiders broke through the door, they would be taken by surprise. The battle would be rough and the duo would need any advantage they would get. The door continued to bend inward with each strike, until finally, the door broke open.
Calder let loose his arrow while Fargrim hurled his javelin forward, the two weapons embedding themselves into a kobold each. Four remaining kobolds and three men barged into the room. While two of the men were garbed in brown leather, the one in the center, the leader, wore dark, heavy armor. To make matters worse, he wore a mask that resembled some sort of serpent. Any doubts the hunter had about the raiders being unrelated to the Cult of the Dragon were gone. Fargrim snarled, taking down another kobold while Calder joined in, limiting the kobolds to two living. The remaining attackers start to descend on the duo.
"Ye keep firin' yer arrows," Fargrim told Calder, pulling out his greataxe. "I'll keep 'em back as lon' as I can!"
Before Calder could protest against it, Fargrim let out a wild roar, charging into the fray directly. The kobold in his way was swept aside with a greataxe swing, while the surviving monster tried to sneak around him to attack the archer. The ranger took the final kobold down with a well placed headshot. The masked raider struck at Fargrim twice, although only one blow landed. Another cultist tried to land a blow on the dwarf, but did little to slow him down. The ruthless warrior tried to retaliate against his attackers, although his target backed away from the deadly blade.
Calder had his target in mind, and marked the masked warrior with two fingers, focusing his aim on him. Afterwards, he took a quick shot at him, the arrow piercing his shoulder. This only agitates the raider, who strikes Fargrim once in the gut while he fended off the other two. The dwarf was bleeding badly but stood tall, missing once more as the raiders backed away from his wide arc. Calder tried to give his companion covering fire but his arrow soared wide. The masked warrior battered his blade across Fargrim's shoulders twice, driving him back a foot or two. He blocks one of the raider's attacks with his axe, but the other delivered a shark kick to send him down to the ground, out cold.
Now, it was just Calder against three armed and dangerous men.
Calder pointed two fingers at the raider who struck Fargrim down and now prepared to finish off the downed dwarf. Without hesitation, he let the arrow fly, and it struck right between his eyes. The ranger backed up into a corner while the remaining two foes advanced on him. He loaded another arrow onto his bow, and marked the mask warrior once more. Yet, instead of firing at him, he fired at the raider to his side. It sunk deep into his throat, ending his life. With nowhere left to run, the half-elf pulled out his shortsword and dropped his bow, ready to engage his final opponent.
Calder was swift enough to block the first blow, but the second slid across his arm, drawing blood. He grunted, and lashed out furiously at the masked warrior. His opponent was experienced, and took a step avoid the blow. Afterwards, he slashed twice at the half-elf's exposed gut. He screamed out in pain, but kept his concentration. He needed to end his opponent now. Taking a deep breath, he swung his sword, breaking through his foe's defense and slashing across his throat. It did not decapitate him, but it was enough to end his life and send him crashing to the ground.
After a moment of rest, Calder sheathed his blade, and holstered his longbow. There was no time to gather his thoughts on the battle. Fargrim was on the ground, close to bleeding out. For now, he had to worry about getting his comrade back to the stronghold to be treated for his injuries. The half-elf limped forward, slowly lifting the dwarf over his shoulders. He made his way out of the church, glad to see no resistance in his way. He only hoped that it was not too late for his friend.
A/N: Thanks to help of Calder and his companions, many of the people of Greenest are safe.
Isada: I am glad that you continue to enjoy the action. Just you wait though. I already got a few epic scenes in mind for the future.
Until next time.