10th Moonstone
Apprentices were running about the Barracks, pulling on armor and fumbling for their weapons. The night watch of Hawkfrost and Vabok had sounded the invasion signal and now the civilians were streaming inside to hide while the Apprentices headed outside to the gates where Hawkfrost stood waiting.
"They seem to be running low on fighters. They only sent one squad this time." Hawkfrost said. "They're moving along the road but have gotten hung up in our cages. Thats where you'll fight." she continued as Vabok opened the gates and the Apprentices headed into the night.
*************
The cages had already claimed two of the Undead before the fight began. Several fell to Toltot's spear while the Hatchets fired into the skeletal creatures, Argonnek's strange bolts proving quite effective.
The fighting turned against Flamebanner though when several Axemen and Wrestlers broke through the melee lines and charged the Crossbowdwarves. Though they fought back the crossbows were useless against the thick armor of the skeleton warriors.
Mamgoz was the first to fall, buried under a pair of Wrestlers and clutching his mangled right arm. Volal's daggers claimed a third Wrestler before he could join the fight.
Sakrith smashed her crossbow into the head of a guard, and turned away from the stunned enemy. Glancing quickly around her eyes fell on young Argonnek, fending off a Wrestler. Sakrith saw the trick though as a skeleton with a giant axe crept up behind the Apprentice.
Letting out a warcry she charged across the battlefield, leaping the last few feet and shoving Argonnek out of the way as the axe fell...onto her weapon arm. Teeth clenched against the pain she turned to look at Argonnek who had already gotten to his feet. Nodding his thanks the Apprentice rushed back into the battle.
************
Volal Togal slammed his shield into the legs of the Axeman before him, sending his opponent staggering backwards.
Regaining its balance the creatures empty sockets fixed on the pest before him and began glowing an eerie red. At the sight of this Volal took a step back, drawing a second dagger from his side and swinging his shield onto his back.
The glow had spread from the eyes to the bones as the Undead warrior charged Volal, swinging his axe for a decapitation. Volal was ready though and ducked under the swing, stabbing at the helmet that his the skeleton's face. His daggers scraped across the metal, leaving scratches as he was thrown backwards by a hit from the handle of the axe.
Hitting the ground drove the breath from the Dwarf and he quickly searched for his daggers which he spotted at the feet of his enemy. Worry crossed his face for a moment but vanished as he brought his shield forward and grabbed a severed arm from the ground. It was hardly a good weapon but it was better then the throwing daggers that remained on his belt.
Running to meet his foe Volal swung the arm, which met the axe...and shattered, bone dust drifting down to the ground. Deflecting another blow with his shield tried to wrestle the weapon from its bony owner.
Smacking the annoying Dwarf with his shield the Axeman swung his weapon around and brought it down, slicing through the leather and chain mail to cut deep into Volal's chest.
Gasping, Volal staggered forward, intent on taking his killer with him. The wound was too great though and the loss of blood had taken its toll. He fell to his hands and knees but kept crawling slowly toward his enemy until the Blood God claimed him.
***********
The morale of the troops was in tatters as the fight turned against the Dwarves of Flamebanner. The blind Warrior Giken had fallen to a halberd to the stomach and Mamgoz had limped away, bleeding to collapse somewhere in the brush. Sakrith was holding up surprisingly well considering she was down to a single arm. She still had a shield though and was happily beating a skeleton in the face with it.
Argonnek breathed a sigh of relief as Warriors of Bubbles squad arrived and shattered the final Undead soldiers.
Bubbles appeared at Sakrith's side. "Nil wants you to fall back to the fortress, Probably a good idea since it looks like Argonnek there is the only one still in decent fighting shape." Helping the one-armed Marksdwarf up the survivors collected their fallen and limped back to safety.
*************
Vabok was up on the tower, surveying the territory. Suddenly his gaze locked on a movement to the North. Pulling a spyglass from under his shirt he peered through it at the fire-ravaged forest. All he could see were bushes and ash, he started to lower the spyglass when he saw it. A flash of moonlight bouncing off metal and a glimpse of white.
"Undead to the North!" He called out as he leapt down the stairs to meet Sir Nil.
"At least two squads sir, with about a half dozen crossbows and alot of pikes." Vabok reported. "They've left the hills and are closing on the fortress."
"The Southern squad was meant as a diversion." Nil grumbled. "It weakened our forces and gave their main force time to get in range. If we hadn't gotten the walls up we'd be swamped by now."
"What are your orders sir?" Vabok asked.
"We'll take the Shields and meet them before they can reach the East Gate. Make sure everyone is ready." Sir Nil replied.
With a nod the senior Warrior ran inside...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 more dead Warriors as well as a baby. The crossbow squad is all but destroyed with Argonnek being the only one still capable of fighting.
Nekik has assumed command of Volal's squad and Sakrith has taken over for Giken.
The other Undead squads snuck up on me. They've never really moved from their entry points before and with the landscape burned they were tough to see at a glance. The Pike squad is nearly at the walls and the Crossbow squad is coming over the hill...and I'm not sure if a 3rd group is there as well...There are still alot of Undead in the Unit list.
We caught 3 skeletons in cages and they will be tossed into the prison for the time being.
I may be recruiting more Warrior Apprentices after this is over (If we survive) so nows the time if anyone wants another Dwarf
Author
Topic: Flamebanner: The Battle of Flamebanner! (Read 131680 times)