Vorclaw, p.27
Vorclaw, page 27
She floated through the alleyways back towards her arch-goblins in the northern parts of the city. She noted opposition though, a team on mercenaries and soldiers banded together creating a pocket of resistance. Carts were laid out along a street that ran east to west in Chieftain Gutter’s part of the city. That part held several pubs and therefore several mercenaries. Her arch-goblins exchanged arrows and crossbow bolts back and forth. Her arch-goblins outnumbered the resistance nearly five to one but could not make progress into the road. Several arch-goblins of Chieftain Gutter clan lay dead at either end of the road.
She materialised into a dark corner, unseen. With stealth, she made her way up towards the eastern side of the resistance, snapping necks of some of the folk. After her third kill she was noticed by a young warrior, drunk he was but capable with his sword still. Her gaze took control of him quickly, as vampires’ capabilities can.
“You can have me, my love,” she imparted to him. “If you stab at those men,” she said.
The young soldier knew it was wrong and was shaken by the disturbing events of the present situation. Her hold on him was wavering, a sign of the recent events being dramatic, so she beckoned him into the shadows. She killed him quickly. Frustrated, she threw him with one hand from out of the shadows and into the backs of two of those shooting arrows at her arch-goblins. She pulled forth her wand and produced a lightning bolt that jolted the surprised men. There were ten of them shaken and in disarray. Another blast came from her, killing a male soldier and a mercenary female. One female, a wizard, recovered and cast a lightning bolt of her own back into the shadows but only hit the building, no one was there.
It was a tense moment for the remaining eight holding the eastern side of the street. The female launched another blast of lightning hitting only the buildings and lighting the darkness, revealing no one. After an uncomfortable silence, the overturned carts and barrels that made the makeshift barrier of the street exploded and went flying into the air, stunning several. The way was open for the arch-goblins to rush in, but none entered. Nor was there a fire or lightning that might cause the sudden explosion. Instead stood a beautiful black-haired elf, black knee-high boots, black corset armour and war paint of black across her eyes. Then she lunged for the female wizard, baring fangs as only vampires could. The wizard’s throat was ripped out, blood sprayed forth over Queen Ooktha.
“Delicious!” she announced. Some of the not-so-stunned folks ran away, others remained either too dazed or frozen with fear. Then the arch-goblins rushed in.
* * * * *
The fireworks ended early and many of the wizards made their way out of the harbour back towards the college. It was then the people noticed the bells ringing from places of worship and guard towers along the perimeter walls. Mass confusion began to erupt as rumours of an invasion began to spread?
When some wizards took flight through magical means, many of the citizens grew more concerned. Then the City Watch began to make their way out of the crowded wharfs toward the city centre. Panic started to set in among the masses as stories of the northern part of the city was overrun with arch-goblins and the wizard’s college has been compromised.
Boyd Draconian, Headmaster of Sedgedunum’s Wizard’s College, along with several other magic-users flew around their college. They saw a large hole in the southern wall of the tower, just above the towers base and it was getting bigger! Something internally was knocking out the wall and the hole started to wrap would the corner to the west of the tower.
“We have to get in there to stop this else it will bring down the whole tower upon the college,” shouted the head master to the other wizards.
Down the wizards went, three heading to the opening led by Boyd Draconian and four more headed towards the broken front doors. In the headmaster flew and was met by the enchanted mace of the iron-golem. Although Boyd reinforced his own protections, he was stunned by the power of the mace. The headmaster went flying backwards and landed upon one of the roof tops of the college buildings. Two other wizards made it into the tower though, the third changed his mind at entering the tower and went to check on the headmaster. Bolts of electricity wrecked upon he iron-golem. Attacks from the two wizards that flew in and a third reaching in through the rubble placed at the original entrance way. However, that only seemed to slow the movements of the creature.
In retaliation, on came the golem’s powerful mace. It was directed at the two wizards who just flew into the melee. The two wizards, surprised the creature was aware of their presence, dodged the attack by jumping behind and through the rubble of the original entry way. One of the wizards regained enough sense to run through the large hole he just flew in from. The other felt the force of the enchanted mace and became a bloody stain upon the floor.
* * * * *
Chieftain Blist, the giant arch-goblin who ruled the underground city of Skulls-thorpe relished in what was transpiring before him. He walked casually along the streets. Many of the wealthy homes in his captured section were empty, save a few servants or elderly. Wealth of different sorts were pouring into the streets. Metal in all shapes, sizes and kinds were plucked form homes by his invading hordes and deposited in the streets for elderly arch-goblins and lizard-goblins to cart off back from which his warriors came.
“A fine cache of metal works to be made into weapons or sold in the Skagsnest market,” he said to his bodyguards as much as to himself. He received reports from lizard-goblins who acted as runners for communication purposes. The lizard-goblin runners told him of the confrontations that Chieftain Gutter was experiencing and a request for support was received. However, Chieftain Blist cared little of the reports and ignored the request, killing the lizard-goblin who brought the news. He was becoming wealthy with each passing moment and wanted to enjoy the scene for the moment. It was then he saw a female house servant, a half-orc tied with rope, with other captured citizens.
“Bring her to me,” he said pointing. The Chieftain had cruel intentions with her. An elderly arch-goblin untied her and brought her to his chieftain. The Chieftain grabbed her by the hair and strolled to the nearest residence to have his evil way with her. Fortunately for the half-orc female a black smoke appeared before them both. It took shape into the form of a beautiful female dressed in all black, she had white skin that was almost blue and black war paint across her eyes.
“What news have you for me cousin,” stated Queen Ooktha.
Chieftain Blist released the female half orc who went running wild but was chased down by arch-goblins and lizard-goblins. “Thus far, my queen, we have secured four main streets and have been collecting precious metals, slaves and many other spoils with little resistance.”
“Chieftain Gutter does not fare as well as you,” she responded. “Pockets of resistance and developed among his district and you have found none it seems. Send him some support,” she said bluntly.
Chieftain Blist was not pleased at that request, demand. The Chieftain actually almost stammered in defiance and Queen Ooktha caught the agitation in the arch-goblins body language. It was almost comical. Still, Queen Ooktha was a vampire after all and could kill him quickly, or slowly or anyway she liked he realised. Therefore, the chieftain responded, “As you wish, my queen.” But the Chieftain’s body language showed a clear sign of agitation.
“I know it pains you, my friend,” she announced as he began to walk away, “to have to aid Chieftain Gutter after you have claimed so much in spoils. But if his minions are pushed back too quickly, we will all suffer for it.”
“I understand, my queen,” he responded.
“And Chieftain Blist,” she said. “There is a reason why you sit next to me at Skulls-thorpe and not any other chieftain. It is because I can rely upon you to get things done!”
* * * * *
The retired Sergeant Major Magnus Foehammer was mustering every able body with a weapon. His wife Disa was already organising a make-shift recovery centre for the wounded coming from the northern quarters. Like so many other folk, they too were trapped along piers at the Festival of the Seas.
“I am told by the casualty’s coming in that the north-east quarter and possibly the northwest quarter of the city is being overrun by arch-goblins,” shouted Magnus over the noise of the battle waging in the wizard’s college. It was being heard even among the crowds on docks. “Everyone with a weapon and willing to save our loved ones from being pushed into the sea, follow me!” shouted Magnus. “The rest of you use carts and boxes or whatever you can find to put up a defensive wall and perimeter.”
Magnus kissed Disa farewell but she halted him and said, “I am going with you this time.”
“No, my dear, stay here and take care of the injured, I will send them to you,” he replied.
“Magnus, I worry I will not see you again, I am coming!”
“Please, my love, stay here at least until I come back with more news as to what is transpiring,” he responded.
With that, Magnus with just his trusted bastardsword, regular clothing, no armour, the brave ‘retired’ soldier led two dozen men into the northeast section of the city.
The explosions and damage being done to the Sedgedunum’s Wizard’s College made the apprehensive journey even more frightening. Sudden flashes of light coming from the wizards casting at whoever or whatever enemy they were fighting in the college. Magnus paused as he watched what looked like Headmaster Boyd Draconian being batted out from the college to land somewhere onto one of the roofs of a college building. Wounded and scared people who were fleeing that section were also passing useful information.
“We’ll break into two teams,” he said. “Half take the road up the right, I will take the other half up the left sight of Sedgedunum’s Wizard’s College. I want to know what is happening there as well.”
Six men who appeared as sailors and all seemed to know one another decided to go with Magnus. They seemed well armed surprisingly! The six all had either a cutlass or sabres. The remaining posy had normal swords.
Magnus now went northward with his elven-person motley crew, keeping to the right of the avenue, so he could glimpse the battle unfold in the college tower on his left. Some of the men with him saw people in the streets, in homes and in shops. They relayed to the citizens to lock their doors and close their windows or head to the docks for safety. With the wizard tower now somewhat behind them, they started to make out the sounds of battle, screaming and of course the grunts and deep growls of arch-goblins.
However, when Magnus cautiously peered around the corner, what he mostly saw was lizard-goblins. About twenty lizard-goblins and only six arch-goblins tying up prisoners. Most were non-combatant women and some young children who were sobbing. Two adult males were lying dead in the street.
“I hate lizard-goblins,” said Magnus. Magnus told the rest of the men the numbers. “Wait for me to make some noise first then come charging in.”
Not certain of what this large man was planning but he seemed to be the de facto leader and agreed. With that, Magnus silently turned the corner. He creeped up behind an unsuspecting lizard-goblin and swatted the small creature from behind with an upward swipe of his bastard sword. The poor creature went flying apart, covering several arch-goblins and lizard-goblins in blood. Magnus then quickly kicked another into the air with his large boot and cleave another lizard-goblin. Magnus’s voice erupted in a large shout as he hacked away at two more lizard-goblins who tried to get out of the way of the large ginger-haired man. As soon as the arch-goblins began to step towards Magnus in defence, the rest of the Magus’s motley crew came running into the melee, the six buccaneers leading the way.
Magnus then put an overhead swing of his sword to the nearest arch-goblin who put up his spear with both hands to catch the sword. The spear cracked easily enough, allowing the sward to split the skull of the arch-goblin. The rest of the lizard-goblins were in full retreat as were the rest of the arch-goblins. Some lizard-goblins tried to get through locked doors of buildings only to be cleaved by the crew.
“Well, Mr Magnus, you killed four lizard-goblins before we even got to you,” said one of the sailors. “My name is Ruko,” said the young black-haired swashbuckler. “How far do you want to press?”
Magnus was at first confused as he did not remember telling this man his name but assumed he heard it when talking to Disa and let it be. “Until we are stalemated or turned back,” replied Magnus, examining the dead arch-goblin. “I do not recognise these markings so this clan is not from the mountains,” he said aloud referring to the armour and clothing worn by the now dead arch-goblins.
Ruko’s men untied the prisoners, some of whom fell over the fallen male family members in tears. After several moments, Ruko said, “Be gone from here, ladies, back to the docks, it is safer there then in the streets.” Magnus moved the dead bodies off to the side of the street.
“What else have you seen?” asked Magnus. However, not much more was gained from the rescued prisoners and bade them to make for the harbour as the rest of his motley crew returned from their kills. Ten lizard-goblins and another arch-goblin in total, dead.
“You know, sir, they are probably waiting for us now, down the road,” said Ruko to Magnus.
Another explosion rocked the wizard’s tower just then. Magnus had an idea then. “I know this city better than any of them. Let us slip down the alley to the west and flank them.”
“Are you sure you want to get that close to the havoc that is taking place among the wizard’s college?” asked Ruko, seeing the crew’s growing concerned looks.
“I am sure everyone is fleeing from that which is why it might be a safer way north,” replied Magnus.
On they went then turned west. They came to the centre road that split the city in half. They did not emerge though. Instead they remained in the side alleyway to view the battle waging in the wizard’s college before moving northward. From there they could see the college on fire from the battle. Bolts of lightning, mage’s darts and other spells were ringing off something inside the tower of the college. A stone block from the tower exploded from the west wall.
“Well, I must say, it looks like a good battle is waging in there,” stated Ruko.
“Let me see, please,” asked one of the members of the crew, a young man in fine clothing and was very capable with his rapier. “Curious?” he said. “I do not see spells emanating from the tower, only going in?” All gathered a bit closer to the alleyways edge. “Do you know if those wizards flying around the tower are friend or foe?” he asked.
“You bring up an excellent observa—” stated Ruko but was cut short when a flurry of crossbow bolts peppered the party. One of Ruko’s men and the young man in fine clothes had several crossbow bolts sticking out of them.
“Back! Hurry!” shouted Magnus. He saw that these arch-goblins were well armoured, they outnumbered them by at least ten and were led by a very large arch-goblin. Magnus carried the young man who would likely be dead soon and Ruko’s other men carried their sailor who might not live either. Ruko pulled out a bunch of caltrops from a hidden bag he carried and dropped them as they fled. Small explosions followed by echoes of pain came from back down the alleyway; the caltrops bought them some time to escape.
“It is not as bad as it sounds, the explosions are minor, but it is the sleep potions inside the caltrops that are the real value.”
They were back to where they freed the prisoners earlier. They ran into more lizard-goblins, a dozen of them and quickly dispatched them, killing eight. Magnus, covered in blood from the now dead young man, set the man down next to the other fallen men from earlier.
“Do you have any more tricks in that bag of yours to cover our tracks?” asked Magnus.
“I do, but it just puts them to sleep or makes them dreary,” Ruko replied.
“Then let us cover our retreat and try and link up with the other party that we broke from earlier. Perhaps they are having better success than us,” stated Magnus.
“Um, yes we can do that,” stated Ruko reluctantly.
“Captain, perhaps it is time for our retreat?” asked one of the sailors of Ruko, pointing to the others of the party now heading back to the docks. Magnus, Ruko and four sailors remained.
“We are done good sir, for now,” stated one of the men retuning to the docs. “We are not armoured for this and undermanned. I will, however, try and get more people to join us and let them know where you are headed.” Magnus nodded to the man without another word.
“What say you, Magnus?” asked Ruko.
“Return if you must with them,” replied Magnus. “However, we might do the city more justice freeing more people or acting as deterrent to the arch-goblins and lizard-goblins until more of the city musters the courage to press forward.” Ruko admired this man’s determination.
Magnus and his reduced motley crew backtracked to where he split the original party from the docks and made their way northward again. This time further east into the section of the city.
* * * * *
Boyd Draconian, Headmaster of Sedgedunum’s Wizard’s College was badly bruised and dazed from being batted out of the college by the iron-golem’s mace. However, the man was well warded regardless of the day or situation and was able to regain his composure. With his spell of flying exhausted, the man began to run up the roof of the college to grasp the situation.
A huge quarter of the tower was knocked out, bricks scatter over the college roof and put many holes through the tops making the roof he was on, unstable. From the sounds of it, a great magical barrage was taking place inside the tower. If it not for the sounds of explosions, a bystander might thing a magical lightshow was emanating from within the lower part of the tower.
Boyd drew forth a large staff from an enchanted bag he kept hidden beneath his orange and black garments. He tapped the large wooden staff on his foot once, activating another spell of flying. The man flew up before the large hole in the wall; the room was on fire!
