Didn't actually see Derek's fight through to the end. I was slightly distracted by the other battle.
10th Granite Continued
Roaring in fury Derek charged the armor clad skeleton, swords sending up sparks as the scraped against the armor. The Axe Lord was forced backwards under the rain of sword blows. Backing the invader into the trees proved helpful as the multitude of branches prevented any big sweeps of the great axe but allowed a pair of short swords the same ease of use they had on the open field.
At such a disadvantage the skeleton could do little more then block a blow here and there with its shield as the furious attacks turned the armor into a dented and broken mess that soon contained the dust of a broken and shattered skeleton.
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Digging his spear into the ground, Firetower used the leverage to vault over the Spearmaster's head as the skeleton hit the trip wire and was snared by the cage that fell from the trees. Glancing down the line of hidden traps he saw the pair of Macemen he had already tricked into the cages were still contained.
Another Warrior smashed into Doldinn, knocking him aside as a spear flew overhead, burying itself deep in the trunk of a tree rather then in Firetower's body.
Rolling to his feet he gave the battlefield a quick glance and settled on charging the Macelord, who laughed as the spear passed between the bones without doing any actual damage. A mace blow stunned him momentarily and a kick send the Dwarf flying into one of the pools that dotted the landscape as a Wrestler leapt in after him.
A skull floated to the surface, followed slowly by a few other assorted bones. Then Firetower broke the surface, not even gasping as he swam to the side of the pool and hauled himself out.
A second charge faltered as a wave of pain ran through the Leader's right leg and he stumbled to the ground. The Macelord strode over with the few remaining members of his squad as the Thunderclan Leader was overcome by the pain and blacked out.
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"The cowards fled!" Zoden reported to Kanet as the Deputy reached the gates. Though bruised and bloody he and Argonnek had managed to destroy their enemies with the help of Sable and her squad.
"So the Northern border is clear?" Kanet asked, wanting to be sure before he allowed clean-up to begin. "Yes, my men shattered the stragglers."
"Alright then. Tell the civilians that they can start the clean-up." Kanet said before heading inside to the Barracks with Argonnek.
"Derek, how'd it go?" Argonnek asked as she poured herself a drink from the barrel of wine Gumar had borrowed from the storeroom.
"We lost Tamunshin, and Tharnas is in the Infirmary with a mangled leg." Derek reported.
Before any of the trio could say more the sounds of a trumpet filled the air. Recognizing the notes that announced a death they joined the river of bearded bodies that were following the sound.
Reaching the gates of the outer wall the sea of beards parted to let a pair of Dwarves through, bearing a body on a litter between them. Kanet recognized Gumar and Keshan and with a start realized the body they carried was that of Doldinn Firetower.
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"There is no doubt in the matter." Mothwing was saying to the half dozen Dwarves assembled in her office. "He lost all his remaining lives, he is with the ancestors and Armok now."
"So...I'm Leader now?" Kanet asked, though he knew what the answer would be. "Yes, that is the way of Thunderclan. Though first we must entomb Doldinn."
"I'll make the arrangements. The Engravers and Metalworkers will be busy for a little while." Kanet replied, leaving to give the orders to Sarek and Barbarossa.
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Firetower is dead, leaving Kanet to take over as Thunderclan's new Leader.
I figure some of you Dwarfed people may have things to say in journal entries so while I work out the ceremony you guys feel free to put down the thoughts of your Dwarves