Ah, right.
Muttonhawk Member
Let Slip the Corgis of War
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Bio
Dear Mr Curly,
I have done little travelling lately because I have been so dreadfully weary. Can it be true as the old Ecclesiastes said; that all things lead to weariness? Surely not. Perhaps the opposite is true: that all nothings lead to weariness. I have a peculiar feeling, Curly, that I am worn out from something I haven't yet done and the more I don't do it, the more exhausted I become. How strange. Could it be something I haven't realised? Perhaps it's something I haven't said? Something I haven't finished! It must be very large and true whatever it is and a lively struggle in the doing but I look forward to it immensely. I know I need it. First, however, I must curl up in my chair and sleep deeply with the duck. Perhaps I'll dream of this thing and wake up refreshed and do it. My fond wishes to you Mr. Curly, and to all Curly Flat.
Yours sleepily,
Vasco Pyjama
xxx
P.S. Not having breakfast can make you weary. That's for sure!
Most Recent Posts
Did you need Sabine to be an adult for something?
Alrighty, sounds good. There's not really a need to describe cleaning up and repairing the place anyway.
As for Sabine? I think Sabine is fifteen years old, plus a few months.
As for Sabine? I think Sabine is fifteen years old, plus a few months.
Vera gave a nod to confirm that she had sent runners, then wiped her sword and slid it back into the scabbard on her belt. "I will see to it that the wounded are tended to. We will clear room in the dining chamber, it has tables enough for treatment, and will be close to the hot water we can boil on the fires. Everyone else can help clean up and eat in the main chamber." Vera stood up more straight now that she was less out of breath. "Oswall?"
"Right here, Vera." A low grumble sounded behind Vera. Oswall's white and grey-flecked beast form began to contract back into the size of a human in short order. He slumped slightly, exhausted by the fight.
"I was just mentioning to Meesei that you arrived just in time. This was a losing battle before you returned." Vera swallowed hard, her voice was rough from all of the shouting she had been doing, "I will ask to hear of what happened in your hunt later. For now, I need you to help gather the wounded to the dining hall and build barricades at the gate."
Oswall shook his head to try and get the last of the tingling from his recent transformation out of his face, then nodded. "Of course, but I have another concern. Where is Harriet?"
Without answers, both Oswall and Vera turned to Meesei. They observed as she threw the bodies off the living hunter.
The hunter was a tall Nordic woman in steel armour with warpaint across her eyes. Her helmet had been knocked off, revealing tightly braided blonde hair. She had a shield on one arm, and a dagger at her belt. If she had any wounds, they probably weren't worse than bruises. Her hand stilled when she was revealed and she kept her eyes closed. Even if she hadn't given herself away before, Meesei could smell her breath. Her attempt to play dead would not work.
"Right here, Vera." A low grumble sounded behind Vera. Oswall's white and grey-flecked beast form began to contract back into the size of a human in short order. He slumped slightly, exhausted by the fight.
"I was just mentioning to Meesei that you arrived just in time. This was a losing battle before you returned." Vera swallowed hard, her voice was rough from all of the shouting she had been doing, "I will ask to hear of what happened in your hunt later. For now, I need you to help gather the wounded to the dining hall and build barricades at the gate."
Oswall shook his head to try and get the last of the tingling from his recent transformation out of his face, then nodded. "Of course, but I have another concern. Where is Harriet?"
Without answers, both Oswall and Vera turned to Meesei. They observed as she threw the bodies off the living hunter.
The hunter was a tall Nordic woman in steel armour with warpaint across her eyes. Her helmet had been knocked off, revealing tightly braided blonde hair. She had a shield on one arm, and a dagger at her belt. If she had any wounds, they probably weren't worse than bruises. Her hand stilled when she was revealed and she kept her eyes closed. Even if she hadn't given herself away before, Meesei could smell her breath. Her attempt to play dead would not work.
With Kaleeth's last loss of control, Vera's advice to her was directly contradicted and she found herself with enemies all around her. Not only was she surrounded, but these hunters were panicked and had nowhere to run. They knew their only hope, however false, was to cut their way out, and they went for the biggest target. They didn't have room to cast nets, they couldn't get the space to pin Kaleeth properly, but enough blades burrowed shallowly into her flesh that she was overcome. The hunters may have bypassed the magical shielding around her body and outright kill her if they had the time or the space.
Quickly enough, however, the hunters that were trapped and surrounded in corners began to fall to the last man. Lorag's push through the corridor was enough to allow the warband through and attack the remaining forces. Indeed, the invigorated defenders let their own formations relax to allow through their frenzied brothers and sisters. The sheer numbers and aggression of them supplanted the need for order to win the day now.
Such was the storm of death around the enemy that it was an impossibility to pluck one of them out to safety without somehow parting the warband that was tearing them asunder. There was a cry of victory from all of the defenders, quickly joined by a deafening choir of howls from those that had transformed.
By the time the last fighter fell, there was a new coat of red on the nearby walls. Pools of blood made the ancient stonework slick and reflective. The smell was a raw mix of blood and insides to reflect the aftermath. Very few bodies were identifiable and complete. Even those that were still intact had suffered gruesome wounds. Werewolves feasted on the bodies to sate themselves and calm their rage, but everyone else was simply relieved by the end of the fighting.
Vera did not allow the relaxation, however. The work was not done. She immediately ordered groups of defenders to look for wounded allies and treat them, as well as sending a couple of runners to the unexplored ruins to collect everyone. Nevertheless, the rush of battle hit some people hard. There were defenders that collapsed against walls in exhaustions, others that were younger and not used to battle even ran for spaces to vomit due to the sheer abundance of gore flooding their senses. Vera, through all of the commands, found time to approach Meesei for a quick comment. "You and the rest could not have come sooner, Champion. We would have been done for." She glanced around the room while she caught her breath and her eyes landed on Kaleeth. She pointed her sword lazily at the wounded beast. "You should rally your pack. Ahnasha, Sabine, and the child are with the non-combatants, Kaleeth looks like she lost control."
In Kaleeth's direction, the werecrocodile was not the only point of interest that caught Meesei's eye. In the nearest corner, the last few hunters were piled up as they were slaughtered in the fight, but beneath two thoroughly dead bodies, there was one gauntlet-clad pale hand sticking out from the pile that seemed to be reaching for something.
It was then that Janius strode through the corridor, still in beast form. "Meesei, Fendros is in the next room," He announced, "He was wounded, but he'll live." His hands and forearms were covered with cuts to the point that he was holding them to his chest. His ears were flat because of the pain. He looked around for Kaleeth and quickly approached to help her.
Quickly enough, however, the hunters that were trapped and surrounded in corners began to fall to the last man. Lorag's push through the corridor was enough to allow the warband through and attack the remaining forces. Indeed, the invigorated defenders let their own formations relax to allow through their frenzied brothers and sisters. The sheer numbers and aggression of them supplanted the need for order to win the day now.
Such was the storm of death around the enemy that it was an impossibility to pluck one of them out to safety without somehow parting the warband that was tearing them asunder. There was a cry of victory from all of the defenders, quickly joined by a deafening choir of howls from those that had transformed.
By the time the last fighter fell, there was a new coat of red on the nearby walls. Pools of blood made the ancient stonework slick and reflective. The smell was a raw mix of blood and insides to reflect the aftermath. Very few bodies were identifiable and complete. Even those that were still intact had suffered gruesome wounds. Werewolves feasted on the bodies to sate themselves and calm their rage, but everyone else was simply relieved by the end of the fighting.
Vera did not allow the relaxation, however. The work was not done. She immediately ordered groups of defenders to look for wounded allies and treat them, as well as sending a couple of runners to the unexplored ruins to collect everyone. Nevertheless, the rush of battle hit some people hard. There were defenders that collapsed against walls in exhaustions, others that were younger and not used to battle even ran for spaces to vomit due to the sheer abundance of gore flooding their senses. Vera, through all of the commands, found time to approach Meesei for a quick comment. "You and the rest could not have come sooner, Champion. We would have been done for." She glanced around the room while she caught her breath and her eyes landed on Kaleeth. She pointed her sword lazily at the wounded beast. "You should rally your pack. Ahnasha, Sabine, and the child are with the non-combatants, Kaleeth looks like she lost control."
In Kaleeth's direction, the werecrocodile was not the only point of interest that caught Meesei's eye. In the nearest corner, the last few hunters were piled up as they were slaughtered in the fight, but beneath two thoroughly dead bodies, there was one gauntlet-clad pale hand sticking out from the pile that seemed to be reaching for something.
It was then that Janius strode through the corridor, still in beast form. "Meesei, Fendros is in the next room," He announced, "He was wounded, but he'll live." His hands and forearms were covered with cuts to the point that he was holding them to his chest. His ears were flat because of the pain. He looked around for Kaleeth and quickly approached to help her.
The battle will finish in my next post, barring anything that'll stop the warband.
At first, Kaleeth's presence put the enemy on the front line in a position of backing down. Even for a werebeast, the way that Kaleeth crushed the armour and shields of the others like paper was discouraging to say the least. Of course, the leader of the assault knew better. Orders from the enemy assault kicked a reserve of discipline into the soldiers at the front. This was a risk that the defenders were making. If Kaleeth was killed, defence would be compromised.
The mercenaries took a new formation and tried to push either side of Kaleeth in an attempt to surround her. They seemed confident that Kaleeth would not back away while enraged. The initial push seemed successful enough that an enemy mage was ordered to stun Kaleeth. A green bolt of magic struck the werecrocodile and she found that she could not move. Spears were being reared to strike her, but quite another thing happened.
Meesei suddenly appeared amongst a stream of bright blue light and noise. The hunters recoiled and were shocked by gaunt fingers of lightning flashing forth from her form. The entire defence looked up and seemed to feel a surge of confidence when they saw Meesei. The advance that they had made around Kaleeth was retaken in time for Kaleeth to recover from her paralysis. Vera shouted for them all to keep up the pressure, but the enemy simply had no more room to retreat. The fight started to stagnate on the front end, but at least the defenders were not losing. On the other side, hunters were continuing to melt away. The resistance was so packed and the warband so relentless that the ground they gained was being coated in blood and bodies.
While all others were focussed on killing, Fendros had fought his way to the corridor itself. His single-minded objective of getting to the other side meant that he was now surrounded and was not fighting cautiously. He tried to defend himself while pushing his enemies back towards the defenders, but he could not win forever. He was struck deeply in the back of the leg by a spear, then in one arm, and then the other shoulder. The three spears forced him down to the floor and kept him pinned.
One hunter tried to finish Fendros off with a sword while others held him, but he underestimated how long his colleagues would last. Seemingly out of nowhere, Janius jumped forward and swiped the hunter off Fendros. In mere seconds, Fendros' crazed advance had effectively split the mercenaries into two groups in their chamber. Those resisting were killed so quickly and efficiently that the warband's front lines had reached the corridor behind Fendros in little time at all. After dispatching Fendros' assailants, Janius continued to cut a swathe down the corridor, though more carefully than Fendros. He had his own reason to get to the other side.
The mercenary force were defending themselves madly at this point. They had lost almost all of their discipline and cohesion. They were trying to survive without any hope left.
Janius eventually gained so many reciprocal cuts to his arms in the corridor fight that he was forced to back away and let another ally leap over him to continue the fight. On his way back, he saw Fendros struggling to get up. Janius dragged him back until he was out of the warband's way, though Fendros tried to resist. Before Janius was done dragging him, Fendros passed out due to his wounds. This battle would have to finish soon, both for Fendros and Kaleeth's sakes.
The mercenaries took a new formation and tried to push either side of Kaleeth in an attempt to surround her. They seemed confident that Kaleeth would not back away while enraged. The initial push seemed successful enough that an enemy mage was ordered to stun Kaleeth. A green bolt of magic struck the werecrocodile and she found that she could not move. Spears were being reared to strike her, but quite another thing happened.
Meesei suddenly appeared amongst a stream of bright blue light and noise. The hunters recoiled and were shocked by gaunt fingers of lightning flashing forth from her form. The entire defence looked up and seemed to feel a surge of confidence when they saw Meesei. The advance that they had made around Kaleeth was retaken in time for Kaleeth to recover from her paralysis. Vera shouted for them all to keep up the pressure, but the enemy simply had no more room to retreat. The fight started to stagnate on the front end, but at least the defenders were not losing. On the other side, hunters were continuing to melt away. The resistance was so packed and the warband so relentless that the ground they gained was being coated in blood and bodies.
While all others were focussed on killing, Fendros had fought his way to the corridor itself. His single-minded objective of getting to the other side meant that he was now surrounded and was not fighting cautiously. He tried to defend himself while pushing his enemies back towards the defenders, but he could not win forever. He was struck deeply in the back of the leg by a spear, then in one arm, and then the other shoulder. The three spears forced him down to the floor and kept him pinned.
One hunter tried to finish Fendros off with a sword while others held him, but he underestimated how long his colleagues would last. Seemingly out of nowhere, Janius jumped forward and swiped the hunter off Fendros. In mere seconds, Fendros' crazed advance had effectively split the mercenaries into two groups in their chamber. Those resisting were killed so quickly and efficiently that the warband's front lines had reached the corridor behind Fendros in little time at all. After dispatching Fendros' assailants, Janius continued to cut a swathe down the corridor, though more carefully than Fendros. He had his own reason to get to the other side.
The mercenary force were defending themselves madly at this point. They had lost almost all of their discipline and cohesion. They were trying to survive without any hope left.
Janius eventually gained so many reciprocal cuts to his arms in the corridor fight that he was forced to back away and let another ally leap over him to continue the fight. On his way back, he saw Fendros struggling to get up. Janius dragged him back until he was out of the warband's way, though Fendros tried to resist. Before Janius was done dragging him, Fendros passed out due to his wounds. This battle would have to finish soon, both for Fendros and Kaleeth's sakes.
Well, it'll help to cover one another's bases, that's for sure.
For a moment, Vera's regular persona peeked through as she curled her lips in a mix of worry and frustration. She glanced away for a split second, not wanting to be too distracted. It appeared that the lines were reforming, and most of those who had got through were being contained or killed, but the defenders were being pushed back again. If there ever was a moment to try and sway Kaleeth's situation to anything better, it was now.
Vera placed her hands on Kaleeth's shoulders with her sword and shield still in them. Some still warm blood dripped onto Kaleeth's shoulder as she was held firmly in place. "Kaleeth, hear my voice, know my voice," Vera had her head angled forward and was starting right into Kaleeth's eyes. She was speaking as quickly and as firmly as she could. "You are afraid, but your beast is more afraid. You cannot stop it attacking the enemy. Your best hope is to make sure it doesn't put you both in danger. Don't let them surround you! Now go, you have my permission. We'll try to protect you."
Then, Vera stepped back and gave Kaleeth some space. She barked out an order for others to give her a wide berth as well, but to cover her from enemy spears. Werebeasts were not creatures that worked best with a formation of soldiers, but throwing a berserking werecrocodile in the mix might just let them recover from the recent assault.
Following their noses and the signs of battle made catching up with the enemy force a swift affair. No orders were needed as the warband sprinted through the gate, or clambered straight over if there was no room. Most followed Lorag and Meesei, but some broke off to follow other scent trails through the ruins. Evidently some scouts had been sent out to look out those hiding or planning an ambush. Little did any of them know just where it would come from and with what magnitude.
The main force was gathered in various affairs around a narrow corridor through which many were trying to get into. There were more wounded out of the way, some archers looking around tensely with not much to do, and what looked like a circle of commanders gathered around a scroll of paper. One of the commanders looked out of place, as he was dressed in regal furs instead of armour. All eyes shot to the lycans charging at their unprepared back lines. Lorag managed to get stuck in before any of the mercenaries were able to lower their spear points. Fendros charged in a similar manner, but seemed more focussed on carving a swathe through the very centre to somehow get through. Harriet was killing indiscriminately, the silver weapons landing on her body may as well have been feathers for all the heed she was giving them in spite of the obvious damage. Meesei's jumping bolt of power managed to drop five mercenaries almost instantly.
Any killed by Meesei's spells had inadvertently received a mercy compared to all that the others saw behind the initial vanguard. A stream of black, dark grey, brown, and silver came pouring forth in a cacophonous chorus of barks, growls, and gnashing teeth. The previously fearsome phalanx that the hunters put down to repel it was successful for a split second before it was overwhelmed by the living landslide of angry werewolves. Lycans that were halted by friends in front of them leaped over to crash into the next rank, breaking up the formation and destroying the strength of the enemy.
From both sides of the hunters, it was observed how suddenly compressed they were as each retreating force pressed into one another. They had nowhere to go and were running out of space with which to defend themselves.
Vera placed her hands on Kaleeth's shoulders with her sword and shield still in them. Some still warm blood dripped onto Kaleeth's shoulder as she was held firmly in place. "Kaleeth, hear my voice, know my voice," Vera had her head angled forward and was starting right into Kaleeth's eyes. She was speaking as quickly and as firmly as she could. "You are afraid, but your beast is more afraid. You cannot stop it attacking the enemy. Your best hope is to make sure it doesn't put you both in danger. Don't let them surround you! Now go, you have my permission. We'll try to protect you."
Then, Vera stepped back and gave Kaleeth some space. She barked out an order for others to give her a wide berth as well, but to cover her from enemy spears. Werebeasts were not creatures that worked best with a formation of soldiers, but throwing a berserking werecrocodile in the mix might just let them recover from the recent assault.
Following their noses and the signs of battle made catching up with the enemy force a swift affair. No orders were needed as the warband sprinted through the gate, or clambered straight over if there was no room. Most followed Lorag and Meesei, but some broke off to follow other scent trails through the ruins. Evidently some scouts had been sent out to look out those hiding or planning an ambush. Little did any of them know just where it would come from and with what magnitude.
The main force was gathered in various affairs around a narrow corridor through which many were trying to get into. There were more wounded out of the way, some archers looking around tensely with not much to do, and what looked like a circle of commanders gathered around a scroll of paper. One of the commanders looked out of place, as he was dressed in regal furs instead of armour. All eyes shot to the lycans charging at their unprepared back lines. Lorag managed to get stuck in before any of the mercenaries were able to lower their spear points. Fendros charged in a similar manner, but seemed more focussed on carving a swathe through the very centre to somehow get through. Harriet was killing indiscriminately, the silver weapons landing on her body may as well have been feathers for all the heed she was giving them in spite of the obvious damage. Meesei's jumping bolt of power managed to drop five mercenaries almost instantly.
Any killed by Meesei's spells had inadvertently received a mercy compared to all that the others saw behind the initial vanguard. A stream of black, dark grey, brown, and silver came pouring forth in a cacophonous chorus of barks, growls, and gnashing teeth. The previously fearsome phalanx that the hunters put down to repel it was successful for a split second before it was overwhelmed by the living landslide of angry werewolves. Lycans that were halted by friends in front of them leaped over to crash into the next rank, breaking up the formation and destroying the strength of the enemy.
From both sides of the hunters, it was observed how suddenly compressed they were as each retreating force pressed into one another. They had nowhere to go and were running out of space with which to defend themselves.
The cavalry has arrived, the timelines are now synchronised. Have fun!
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