As the two woodcutters crested the ramp their hearts dropped within them briefly, before spurring them on to greater speeds. A second group of goblins had begun pouring through the upper gate to the east and was nearly upon them as well. They cleared the ramp to the gate mere feet in front of the first of the creatures who were howling after their blood and running after them. Kolok was the first to clear the corner of the building and for a second his heart leaped within him. About a dozen dwarves were coming towards him from where he was running. Another second later a heavy dread filled both him and Oddom who now saw what he did. Their kin, unarmed, unarmored and untrained had begun pouring from the gates to see the spectacles of battle, not knowing that the soldiers of Dorenemal had yet to issue forth.
Oddom growled a curse before spitting and turning to Kolok as they ran.
"Bloody civilians. Yer in no shape to fight, get yerself in and take them blasted peasants with ye. I'll hold here 'til the guard shows."
There was little Kolok could do about the situation. Blood poured freely down his arm leaving a trail of red droplets in the snow, which steamed for a few seconds after he passed. The others walking towards them with gaiety didn't understand the situation until the first of the goblins rounded the corner, causing mass consternation and panic.
"Ah... goblins!" was the cry, as those in the front saw the danger and panicked, trying with little success to press against those coming from behind who could not see the danger. It nearly escalated to a mass-panic but Urvad's clear voice cut through the confusion like a sword.
"Make way for the fighters or be struck down where ye stand!"
Sazir from her patrol was well ahead of her, as was Mafol from Fath's squad and the pair slipped deftly through the throng, while Urvad did her best to take charge of the situation. The other commanders were below, asleep or in meetings which left her as the ranking dwarf. She called back to another from her squad calling for Kuli and his to get up here and cover the west ramp should they be attacked from there as well, before plowing into the thick of the pressing masses.
Oddom was surrounded by three of the goblins already by the time Sazir and Mafol reached him. But the fighting broke out then in earnest, as the rest of the goblins rounded the corner to greet them.
The silver street of Dorenemal ran red again that day. Sazir and Mafol clove into their enemies with abandon, carving their way to Oddom's side and pressing on into the enemy. In minutes the goblin patrol had broken, fleeing to the east from whence they came, the pair in hot pursuit of stragglers. Many of the civilians had stayed to watch the battle, and to clean up afterwards, but again, their presumption of beginning before the end of the siege was ill-favored.
The patrol that Kolok and Oddom had initially encountered had finally gained the heights of the middle cliff, having confirmed the death of their squadmates. Anger simmered in their eyes as they saw a knot of dwarves, unarmed, cleaning up after the carnage of the small battle. Orders were barked in their gutteral toungue and the goblins pressed forward, eagerly. A child spotted them approaching first and called out in alarm. Soon consternation reigned again among the civilians. Their soldiers were still in pursuit of the first group, or back at the ramp to the west.
It was either bravery or stubbornness that caused Mafol, the miner and one of the founders to step forward to confront them. At his side out of the crowd stepped Medtob, his lover and the pair, wielding their steel picks faced down the dozen goblins threatening their kin.
The goblins approached, howling and shouting curses, in contrast to the dwarves who stood silent and immovable in the swirling snow. A quick squeeze of each other's hands was all that passed between the lovers as they faced the murderous goblins.
As the goblins came within striking distance the dwarves exploded into action, smashing out left and right with the sharpened picks. The goblins, for their part, exploded in gore and blood, lungs punctured, skulls pierced, limbs rendered useless, their splintered bones causing agony. What were a mere dozen goblins to the pair of hardened miners? They'd carved stone down to the bones of the mountains, as deep as reasonably possible while still having clean air to breathe. They'd hauled tons of rock, and carved much much more than that. A small little goblin weighed nothing to them, even impaled upon their picks. Mafol slaughtered four before they even thought to run. Medtob managed three, and then even when the goblins fled in terror they each ran down another planting their picks into the earth through the backs of the goblins as they ran.
The siege ended not long after. Kuli's squad decimated a third goblin platoon on the west, catching the frontrunners in the traps before chasing the others down. A few got away. Most died within feet of the gate.
The heroes of the siege were feted that evening. Kolok, who had slain two. Oddom who had slain two as well, but died in defense of his home and would be interred in honor. Mafol of Fath's squad, now known as Mafol Isanlitast Tosidarzes Tustem or Mafol Stilltorch the Armored Knight of Courtesy who slew five. Sazir of Urvad's squad who slew three. Eral, of Fath's squad, now known as Eral Zagodmosus Kirargotom Mishar or Eral Griproom the Righteous Cavity of Deities who slew three. And last but not least the miners Mafol Egastiden now known with Govosgomath Iklist or Mafol Clenchpaddle the Leafy Legend of Whispering for his uncanny silence while fighting, who slew five. And Medtob, his lover, now known as Medtob Daseliden Buketngarak Irid or Medtob Heavenpaddle the Quick Beetle, who slew four.
The siege ended on the 25th of Granite, not long after it began. Oddom, may he rest entombed in stone undisturbed, was the only loss. Kolok, though wounded recovers as I write. Nearly fourty goblins were sent this day to meet their gods, may they take mercy on them for their stupidity in attacking Dorenemal.
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Topic: Geshud Osod, the Fortress of Bones (Community/Story in Legendary Lands) (Read 101504 times)