Chronicles of Espiria Season 2
Episode 4 – Checkpoint Durri
Written by the Dude
Banner Image by Stormrider
Brutus and Skriath stood at the lip of a canyon, watching a Hypogean invasion force trudge through the canyon. Like many of the other invasion forces before, these Hypogeans underestimated the harshness of the Scorched Expanse; the troops were exhausted and parched by the unforgiving sun and the burning wind that blew course sand into every crevice of their bodies. Seeking respite from the elements, they took shelter in the shade of this canyon, not thinking that it made them easy prey for the Paragon.
"I could destroy this entire army with less effort than it took us to travel here, Grand Chieftain."
"I have no doubt," Skriath answered, "especially in their weakened condition. But then you would miss out on the spectacle shortly to take place."
The Hypogeans approached a portion of the canyon partially blocked by a pile of stones. It was not enough to impede their progress, but it was perfectly adequate to conceal a Durri for a time. Before they could pass the pile, Vurk jumped out from behind the pile brandishing his crossbow, a clever smile on his face. He straightened himself up and puffed out his chest in an effort to make himself look bigger than he was, then began the epic speech he had prepared in his most dramatic voice.
"This far thou comest and no further, ye scourge of..."
Without warning, and only a few words into his speech, Vurk fell into a fit of coughing and gagging. The Hypogeans looked at each other with confusion in their eyes, desperately trying to guess what this thing had planned. After a few moments, Vurk coughed up a small bug, which flew off to one side of the canyon.
"Hey, get back here!" Vurk shouted at the bug. "I just caught you!"
Vurk proceeded to chase the bug from one side of the canyon to the other, only adding to the confusion of the Hypogean invaders. Brutus couldn't help but crack a smile as he watched the proud Dragonslayer being outwitted by an insect.
"You were right, Grand Chieftain," Brutus commented, "this is amusing."
Finally, the bug flew beyond Vurk's ability to give chase. As he watched the bug escape, he fell to his knees and let out a mournful wail of lament. Soon, his fury overtook him and he kicked one of the rocks that he had been hiding behind; because he wore no shoes, he injured his toe, leading him to grasp his foot in pain as he hopped in place. The Hypogean commander, feeling that he had seen enough, ordered his troops to ignore the rodent and move on.
Before anyone could react, Vurk dropped into a roll; when he righted himself, his crossbow was leveled at the Hypogean commander. The single bolt he fired struck the commander just above the heart.
"Now!" Vurk shouted.
Seemingly from nowhere, hundreds of crossbow bolts and tiny spears came hurtling down on the Hypogean forces. Most of the injuries suffered were nonfatal in themselves, but this mattered little; each of the projectiles had their tips coated in Arachin venom, ensuring that each monster struck would not last more than a few minutes. The effects of the venom were noticed within seconds as the struck Hypogeans began to convulse slightly, the convulsions growing more severe with each passing second. Vurk smiled; this was his moment.
"Charge!"
Hundreds of Durri, each armed with a spear tipped with more venom, emerged from nooks and crannies in the canyon walls and descended on the helpless Hypogeans. Too ill to fight back, all the monsters could do was accept their fate as they were overrun by Durri warriors. The few that escaped being shot in the first wave attempted to flee the way they came; these only served to prove Vurk's skills as a marksman with his crossbow. In the end, no Hypogeans survived the attack, while the only loss to the Durri was the escape of Vurk's small bug. The Durri rushed Vurk and lifted him up with cheers of victory and admiration, carrying him back to their warrens for a celebration.
"That was an entertaining performance, Grand Chieftain," Brutus said to Skriath after the Durri were gone. "But why did I travel all this way from the Steelthorn Peaks to view it?"
"Because, my Paragon, it is important to me that you understand that the Scorched Expanse is well defended. You need not worry as much as you do about the Hypogeans."
"I do not worry about these unworthy monsters!" Brutus bellowed.
"Of course you do." Skriath objected. "You do not worry about your ability to defeat them in battle, of course; there are few in all of Espiria who could pose a challenge to you. But the kinder side of you worries about the brave Maulers who we command; you fear that they may not be strong enough. I seek only to allay your apprehensions. Your people are strong; even the lowly Durri can defend themselves under the right leadership."
Brutus looked back into the canyon at the mass of Hypogean corpses, which would likely remain where they were to serve as a warning to other Hypogeans.
"Your point is made." Brutus finally said with a sigh. "Still, I would like to inspect the other defense posts personally. If they are as well defended as this one, I will let my mind be at ease."
"As you wish, my Paragon." Skriath answered with a smile. "The nearest post from here is found on the border of Bear and Centaur land, as the falcon flies."
Brutus and Skriath turned and began their journey to the territory of the Bears. Unnoticed by them, the small bug that escaped from Vurk flew behind a rock on the other side of the canyon, where a small group of four Sphinx, one male and three female, huddled out of sight of the Grand Chieftain and the Paragon. The small bug landed on the shoulder of the leader of these Sphinx, Safiya, to indicate that it was safe for them to emerge. Safiya and her two handmaidens, Amunet and Zalika, gazed over the edge of the canyon to more closely examine the aftermath of the battle that Safiya had observed magically through the eyes of the bug. As they made their observations, the male, who lacked a name, dutifully fanned his queen, being careful to keep his eyes averted from her.
"I don't know, my queen," Amunet said to Safiya, "Vurk was able to destroy every last Hypogean without a single Durri casualty. And these are rodents we're talking about!"
"That is because the Hypogeans are imbeciles." Safiya answered, an air of disgust in her voice as she thought about the children of Annih. "They are strong, but they lack the intelligence to pose any sort of threat to someone with half a brain like Vurk. No, that rat needs a real challenge, someone with the intellect to test the limits of his deviousness. And who better than the rightful queen of the Sphinx?"
"So you still intend to try to catch him?" Zalika asked.
"Of course. I have given my word to Queen Ankhira, and the word of a queen of the Sphinx is law. This arrogant thief who stole the royal venom from the very royal chambers of the Arachin will be brought before their queen to face Arachin justice. But I also find the brute strength of the Hypogeans fascinating. From what I've heard, the battles with the Hypogeans have been hard on everyone, even the Paragon. I must wonder if we might be able to use these creatures to achieve our goals."
"I would not recommend it, my queen." Amunet warned. "Their might is known far and wide, but it is also known they are only interested in death and destruction. Even with your brilliant mind, I do not believe that they can be tamed."
"Someone managed it. Despite their animal intelligence, they walk as an army. Someone taught them to do that; perhaps..."
Safiya lost her train of thought as she sensed a single bead of sweat form on her forehead.
"Male! Fan harder! I am getting hot!"
"Sorry, my..."
Safiya slapped the male across the face with the back of her hand. "You do not speak in my presence!" she shouted.
The male fell silent and began to fan harder. As he nervously averted his eyes, Safiya noticed a trickle of blood where her ring slashed his cheek. She sighed in disappointment.
"And now he is damaged!" she thought to herself. "Is this what the rightful queen of the Sphinx is reduced to? Sleeping in tents on used pillows, foraging for meat, being served by blemished males?! I must regain my throne before I am forced any further into a peasant's life!"