Chapter 8
“Hillshire Overrun”
10-8-2007 Written by Ian Shirm
10-15-2007 Edited by Chrisy Demaroney
11-4-2007 Edited by Ian Shirm
(Formerly Chapter 14)
Massacre of 1300 Goblins
Spring of 3255
With 1300 Goblins still on the field several thousand feet from the town, Draven had the Crimson Elven rangers set up a scouting schedule. Fifty per day would be spread out over ten miles of the surrounding countryside. As each elf came in he reported anything suspect. The Rangers were expert swordsmen and crack shots with a bow. They excelled in mapmaking and wilderness survival and each carried a map that they made themselves. At the end of each patrol the scouts would show the map to Virgil and he would make plans accordingly and edit the command map of the local area. A ways out of town there were hills where goblins were known to have an underground city and it was watched carefully.
The Avengers had set up training sessions with the local militia to teach them fighting techniques and turn them from civilians to trained civilians. The militia was taken out of active service and the 550 militia left went back to their lives as normal though the 550 were still required to attend training sessions. The Avengers taught the militia turned phalanx the Sword, The Bow, Knife fighting and most importantly use of the shield and spear. Out of the pile of armor and weapons in the center of town each member of the militia received a short bow and the Fletcher had to hire 4 new apprentices to keep up with arrow production ordered by Dekari. The rest of the weapons and armor in the pile were given out to the members of the militia until nothing remained.
The Crimson elves with their great hatred of blood elves were furious that about fifteen blood elves were allowed to set foot on town lands and convinced Talon then Dekari to let them launch an offensive. After Dekari approved 500 crimson elves left out of the western gate while 250 on horseback left the southern gate and another 250 on horseback left the northern gate. The Rangers North and South wings stayed to the wood and came around to flank the goblin army of near 1400.
The Blood Elves had been watching and knew that victory was not in sight. As they saw the approach of the 500 Crimson Elves (another 500 hidden) they fled and left the goblins and hobgoblins without a commander. The hobgoblins naturally ordered the goblins to attack the Crimson Elf force that was on foot. When the goblins were a mere 300 feet from the 500 rangers the south and north wings swung around and cut off their escape. From their flank with 500 rangers on horseback and from the front 500 on foot the two Crimson Elven wings converged to fight the goblins. With loses in the single digits the Crimson Elves butchered the goblins and hobgoblins.
After a swift and decisive victory the rangers came back inside the town walls.
Construction and Fortification
Dekari put the 1000 Palaxis hill dwarves to work building the wall. Dorflum of clan Syrkyst was commander of the Dwarves stationed there. He was a warlord of a clan in Palaxis, cousin of Torto and fourth in line to the crown of Palaxis under King Orlum. Dorflum had talked with Dekari and Torto and Dekari approved a plan. The 1000 Dwarves were to reinforce the current wall and make the outside 2 feet thick with stairways leading up to a walkway along the entire inside of the wall. The outside of the wall presently was 6-8 inch thick vertical trees with one end to a point facing skyward. The Dwarves were going to build a ring of 2 inch thick spikes, each 2 feet long, 10 feet up from the ground pointing down at a 45 degree angle to make it harder to use ladders on the walls. There were currently 18 small towers on the wall, this number would be increased to 5 per wall with a battlement on each corner. They were also going to build defensive positions for archers along the entire wall where there would be 6-8 inches of wall missing along the top followed by about a foot of wall so archers could shoot and still have some cover. The 4 gates which presently were substandard would be replaced by foot thick hardwood doors bound with iron. To the South and East of the town there was a small pond and the edge of a large forest. The town had been built next to a river. The Town wall would go out a little at the southeast corner and a dam would be built to raise the water level in the pond. All parts for the wall construction would be manufactured in Greendale.
Assassination Attempt
After a day of getting organized Dekari rose early one morning. The Del'goth Prince rose from his bed in a room at the dragonstooth and got dressed. He left his platemail in the closet and wore regular closes with 'Justice', his golden broadsword on his left hip and his shortsword on his right. He slowly walked down the hall in the second story of the tavern and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. When he opened them again he saw Appius and Lepidus walking down the hall coming towards him. 'must have a room here' Dekari thought to himself. Dekari stepped to the right side of the hall and continued walking. As the Serpentis brothers started to pass him Appius yelled "NOW!"
The Serpentis prince's yell startled Dekari and being only feet apart it snapped Dekari into full alertness. From under his forest green cloak Lepidus lifted a medium crossbow and fired from the hip, the crossbow bolt hitting Dekari in the shoulder. At the same time Appius drew a shortsword and with all his strength threw a swing of his blade towards Dekaris face.
Lepidus dropped his crossbow and with both hands grabbed onto the golden sword Justice. Before Lepidus could pull the sword fr0om Dekaris belt, Dekari drew his shortsword and stuck it hilt deep into Lepidus's chest killing him. Dekari then ducked, narrowly missing Appius's slash. Dekari took three quick steps down the hall and switched hands putting the shortsword in his left and drew Justice.
Unable to run with 3000 men in town under Dekari's command and knowing from the start that this was a quiet assassination Appius regretted yelling loud enough for the bar patrons to hear. Behind him Appius could hear men rushing up the stairs. With the only way out through Dekari, Appius Serpentis rushed him. Dekari parried several lightning slashes by Appius and took several steps back because of them. With a swing of the golden broadsword Justice and the strength of Draxis's blood behind it, Dekari cleaved the Hellgoth Prince nearly in half.
Dredskif, Draven and Aiken reached the top of the stairs and looked at the two dead hell'goth princes.
"What happened? Aiken asked.
"The two of them tried to kill me on my way to breakfast." Dekari said
"I know Otic's a good cook but his meals arn’t to die for." Draven said jokingly.
Dekari laughed before he remembered that a crossbow bolt was sticking from his shoulder. The adrenaline pumping made him forget the pain until he laughed, his laughter cut off by immense pain.
"You need to get that looked at." Aiken said "They wound you anywhere else?"
"Nope." Dekari said.
"Go to a healer. I'll have Otic fix you up a good meal." Aiken said
"Ok." Dekari replied
Aiken led his brother out of the tavern and to the temple of Palaxis. The God of harvest's clerics had healing abilities, they were the most specialized in healing from the temples in town. The God of War and the god of the Hunt specialized in making people look for healers. Dekari was helped by Draven and Aiken to the temple. Once there Dekari saw two battle-dwarves guarding the entrance. When they saw Dekari wounded one ran clumsily inside the temple. By the time Dekari reached the entrance a healer was already outside the front doors.
"Took a bolt a little bit ago." Dekari said
"I'll tend to it." The cleric said
The cleric placed his left hand around the bolt and his right around the wound and pulled the bolt out. Dekari screamed in pain. He placed a hand on the wound. With a quick prayer to Palaxis blue and white light surrounded Dekari’s shoulder. When the healer removed his hands Dekari was left with only a scar.
"Thank you." Dekari said
"It was an honor" The cleric said.
Inspecting his shoulder Dekari smiled, gave the cleric a nod and started walking back through town to the Dragonstooth. Along the way Dekari came across the Labor guild. Dekari entered to see an old Dwarf who had helped Bruce with a loan and labor many times while his father had spent his retirement as a rancher.
"Hi there." The old dwarf said to Dekari.
"Hows it going Thraic?” Dekari said to the short, but muscular Hill Dwarf.
"Buisness is good and for me that means life is good." The cheerful dwarf said. I’ve made many trips to Palaxis in the time I’ve worked here, and with 1000 Palaxis hill dwarves in town i get to see a lot of familiar faces. I’m distantly related to Torto the Hill Dwarf mercenary and we’ve been friends for a while with him working in town as a mercenary and all. I’m also distantly related to Dorflum. I’m about 20th in line for the throne of Palaxis. I’m about 20th in line for the throne of Palaxis but it would never happen. There are 3 Syrkyst Houses in Palaxis and the rule will stay with one of those houses for a long time. There are also 2 Syrkyst kings, 1 Hurwarf king and a Torkrest king in Palaxis.
"Good to hear" Dekari said "How many laborers do you have that are currently looking for work?"
"Near 150." Thraic said
"I'll hire all 150." Dekari said.
"Looks like my day just got better." Thraic said. "Thats a good chunck of change you know?"
"Im aware, how much for the 150 for one month to start?" Dekari asked
"I'll give you service of the entire guild for a payment of 600 gold." Thraic said
"Agreed." Dekari said.
Dekari reached out his hand and shook Thraics hand.
"I'll have Torto relay your orders to my laborers whatever you need done tell him and he'll see to it the 150 men do the job." Thraic said.
"Ok." Dekari replied
"Take it easy." Dekari said
"Gonna be easy to do that now with 600 gold burning a whole in my pocket." Thraic said.
Dekari went to the guild in a bad mood from trying to be assassinated and left in a good mood.
As Dekari walked outside he passed Numa walking in.
"Hi there stranger." Dekari said
"Hello there young master Ironfist." Numa said
"How ya been?" Dekari said
"Better than you id wager. One of the laborers I hired I had coming to town about every day for supplies and he told me about the fighting. Glad to see your still alive. Would be a bigger loss for the town to lose 2 Ironfists."
"How’s the ranch?"
"There are 35 Farmers there now, We killed 4 head of cattle, salted the meat and ate them. Only one brave farmer has been coming to town for supplies the rest were scared off by stories of a goblin army attacking Greendale. Quite impressive now that Im here. That pile of burned corpses looks like it numbers about 3000 dead goblins. Last i came to town there was no city wall now Theres a garrison of 3000. Bad idea for anyone to attack a town your in eh?" Numa said.
Dekari merely smiled.
"Both granaries have been finished. Its only spring yet and we expect to have more food than the granaries will hold come the end of fall before the first frost." Numa said.
"Whatever you cant store your welcome to eat." Dekari reached in a pouch of coin on his waist and pulled out a handful of gold coins. Dekari counted out 50 gold and handed it to Numa.
"Whats this for?" Numa asked
"10 gold is your wage for watching after the property for the last 2 weeks or so and the other 40 id like you to put into the property in the way of sheep, pigs and chickens."
"Thanks a lot" Numa said with a huge happy smile. "Not often i get to hold this much. Most of the time if i get this far ahead, which is rare, i have farm expenses.”
"I have matters to attend to, please keep up the good work." Dekari said.
"Will do." Numa said and walked into the labor guild.
News of Goblins in Hillshire
Dekari walked along the path through the marketplace where there were dozens of wagons set up with people hawking their goods and towards the town hall. 1/2 way through the market a scout on horseback rode over to him and dismounted. The Scout gave Dekari a salute.
"Sir there is a town, Hillshire about 10 miles west from here that is being taken by a blood elf led force of several thousand goblins." I was in town getting something to eat and reading their local maps when a force of near 5000 goblins swarmed the town. The force also has several hundred Hobgoblin officers.
"Take a message to Virgil, captain of the Avengers here and take a message to Talon captain of the Crimson Elves. We mobilize and leave in 1 hour." Dekari said.
The scout gave another salute then pulled himself up onto his quarter-horse and rode away. Dekari climbed the stair to the inside walkway of the wall and saw a dozen avengers and a dozen Crimson elves drilling with a force of 300 militia. Dekari left the wall and went to the Dragonstooth. After arriving there he went to his room, washed the sweat from his face and his long black hair then put on his armor. With his broadsword Justice at his left hip, his shortsword at his right, a Warhammer hanging from a loop on his belt and his medium crossbow dangling from a strap over his shoulder. Dekari put the tack on his horse. Standing over 6 and a half feet and being 270 lbs of solid muscle Dekari looked imposing with his painted white full platemail, Great helm, light blue cloak and large bronze round-shield. Dekari took his spare broadsword and tucked the sheath in the blanket under his horses saddle. While Dekari readied he saw 1000 of his Avengers and 1000 crimson elves ready. The Avengers under captain Virgil Calpurnus Paulus of Raccoon formed a column 6 men wide of 1000 and Talon Ironfist, Dekari and Aikens uncle, formed a collumn 6 men wide of 1000 Crimson elves.
Once ready Dekari told Firatri, Ancus and Henry to stay and protect the town with the 1000 dwarves staying for the sake of speed as well as they were a strong addition to the garrison of the town and they could continue construction in Dekari’s absence. Dekari rode out of the west gate to meet with his commanders.
Draven, Virgil, Talon, Aiken, Kane, Dredskif, and Dekari rode on thier own horses at the head of the colum. In-between the avengers and rangers Dorlum Buhrodar, Torto Syrkyst and two of Torto's hill dwarf relatives, Bolin Syrkyst and Duric Syrkyst drove the 4 heavy wagons filled with supplies. The small army 2000 strong rode west towards Hillshire.
"Its only ten miles, shouldnt take long to get there." Dredskif said
"With 2000 men on foot instead of 2000 cavalry we will probably be getting there mid afternoon, the sun only just came up." Dekari said.
"Your the Prince of Del'goth, tell the men its a forced march and lets try to make better time." Draven said
"Your right. Its only 10 miles and who knows what the goblins are doing to the people of Hillshire."
"Virgil, Talon have your men march at a faster pace."
"Yes sir." Virgil said and Talon gave a nod.
"Were going to be traveling through recently established enemy territory. There is an underground goblin city in our path to Hillshire. Keep alert Virgil and Talon and keep your men informed."
"Understood, Young master Ironfist" Virgil said and again Talon gave a nod.
"How long have you been an avenger Virgil?" Aiken asked.
"Since around the time you were born. I joined the northern Del'goth army when i was 17, when i was 25 i became an Avenger so 2 decades. I’m 45 now." Virgil said as he scratched an itch on his head, covered with thick black hair with several grays mixed in.
"I’ve lived in Kulan all my life, and know very little about the order of the Avenger. I was primarily trained as a thief and a cleric." Aiken said
"Interested in hearing what it takes to be an Avenger?" Virgil asked
"Yes." Aiken said.
"I heard Lord Marcus say that you will become head of the avengers. Do you intend to go that route?" Virgil asked as he rode beside Aiken and Dekari at a slow walk to keep the infantry from falling back.
"Yes." Aiken said
"You interested in knowing of the Avengers as well Dekari?" Virgil asked.
"Yea, I’m interested in all Del'goth history, as it stands I only know what my parents told me and travelers who have been there." Dekari said
"A few hundred years ago Marcus, who is an idealist and an excellent field commander wanted to create a core in his large army to be the right hand of Paial, the patron Diety of the Avengers similarly to the Paladin. Avengers hold no stock with the laws of man, instead they are guided by Paial the god of Justice, Oaths, Hospitality as well as Feldan the god of the hunt. Originally Marcus used the Avengers as a way for him to dispense justice in Del'goth. If there were evil men in his country he would use the avengers to hunt them down. Avengers didn’t pray to Feldan to hunt deer or caribou, they prayed to Feldan to help them find people who were guilty of evil. The ideology of the Avengers is to kill evil wherever it is found. The D'hellzaben equivalent of this is a Paladin." Virgil said
"Avengers are sounding exactly like Paladins so far based on what my father taught me of the order of the Paladin." Dekari said
"And they are very similar. When D'hellzaben fell to Del'goth the paladins there were put under command of Bruce for a time. The differance is Paladins try to take the conservative method to dispensing justice while i wouldn’t put it past an Avenger to torture someone or kill their family if they angered Marcus."
"Damn, sounds a little harsh." Dekari said
"Sounds like my kind of justice!" Aiken said "with tactics like those people are bound to follow the law to the letter."
"And they do." Virgil said "Another difference between the Paladin and the Avenger is Paladins fight style is made for a brute strength offensive, while the Avengers fight-style is more agility based. Avengers and Germanic Paladins are built the same strength wise but to put that renown Germanic upper-body strength into a sword-art-form of agility makes them lethal. Avengers carry a steel one-handed longsword, 2 shortswords with the handles made from human thigh bones, a heavy recurve and war-hammers. Many Avengers also carry several other weapons which they obtained personally." Virgil said.
"I heard a legend as a child of an Avenger who was captured because he tracked a Del'goth fugitive far south into Kulan and executed him. This being against Kulan law he was arrested and jailed. When the sentence of death was brought against him he killed 2 guards with his bare hands, stole their two gladiuses and fought his way to his equiptment. The legend goes that he killed the guard and took all his own equiptment. It is furthar said that someone raised the alarm and he fought his way out of the jail killing near 30 guards who tried to stop him. It was said that with a shortword in each hand, with a double edged steel blade and a human thigh bone handle each he fought his way out and fought through the city trying to escape until he got pinned down by 20 archers and took several arrows in the back and in his legs." Aiken said.
"There are many legends of feats such as that. When engaged in battle it is also common for Avengers to use large round bronze shields, when wielding both shortswords they have no defensive capability just full offense which doesn’t work against missile weapons." Virgil said
Dekari looked behind him to see the 1000 Avengers carrying large round shields made of bronze, great helms with a strip of Horse hair dyed red and red cloaks.
"Virgil, i would like you to take Aiken under your wing and train him in everything Avenger. I’m working on becoming a Paladin and I was granted Knighthood by Firatri. My future involves being general of the Southern Army and Aikens involves him being commander of the entire 100,000 core of Avengers. Before he takes command of them i would like him trained every hour of the day in what he is about to lead." Dekari said.
"Very-well, a wise decision. In the past Generals from the regular army have taken command of the Avengers and without respect from them there is usually a part of the core with an unfavorable attitude towards the commander. Marcus's own grandson leading the Avengers would be treated better than someone unrelated of similar age and experience." Virgil said
Virgil appraised Aiken. Aiken wore his suit of band-mail over his torso, and weapon wise had a longsword, his gladius Retribution, throwing knives, a hunting knife and a heavy recurve.
"Aiken." Virgil said.
"Avengers are made to be versitile.
"The first part of your training will involve you growing accustomed to the weapons of this core." Virgil said. There are several pack mules at the rear of the Avengers, Find Bernard, he’s quartermaster. Go to the Bernard and get two shortswords, a Katana and a large bronze round-shield. You already have one shortsword and a heavy recurve. The Katana is a longsword of much finer craftsmanship. These are the weapons of the Avenger.
Aiken rode his horse back to the pack mules and asked around until he found Bernard. Bernard directed Aiken to the wagon being driven by Duric Syrkyst.
"Duric?" Aiken said as he rode his horse over to one of the 3 wagons driven by a hill dwarf.
"Aye." A stocky hill dwarf said.
"I need a katana, and two ivory handled short-swords, " Aiken said
Duric tied the reigns off on the railing of the wagon and retrieved the items Aiken requested. Duric handed the 3 items to Aiken.
"Want me to take your old weapons off your hands Master Ironfist?" Duric asked, taking a swill off a jug of ale and spilling some into his thick red beard.
"You can have my longsword, I‘ll keep gladus." Aiken said
"Nice name for your gladius." Doric said with a smile.
Aiken fitted the katana, and one of the ivory-handled shortswords on his left hip, the other ivory shortsword on his back with the handle in easy reach of his right hand and his enchanted gladius, ‘Retribution‘, on his right hip. Aiken fitted a quarrel of flight arrows upon his back, over his red cloak and fitted his heavy recurve upon his back. With his bronze round-shield hanging losely partially over his left side and partially over the left side of his back. Aiken thanked Doric and rode back up to the front of the 2000 man column.
"How much farthar to Hillshire?" Talon asked.
"About 2 miles." Dekari said
"Strategicly whats the town like?" Virgil asked
"No town wall, and men can enter the town from any direction. Its in this valley with woods surrounding it." Aiken added
"How big is the town?" Talon asked
"Before it was occupied by goblins around 3000. Now who knows." Dekari said
Draven, Virgil, Talon, Aiken, Kane, Dredskif, and Dekari all rode horses at a very slow pace, to not get to far in-front of the infantry.
"Beautiful countryside." Kane remarked. "I’ve done most of my mercenary work in Mohawk. That far south its all plains. Its a lot nicer up here with thick forests, rolling hills, rivers and lakes."
"The hills on our left and right will continue past the town." Dekari said. "It sits in the valley surrounded by forest."
"Most people who go to Hillshire come through Greendale first. Its a little more isolated up here. There are a few potato farms right before you get into town but other than that agriculture is a non-existent industry. The hills around Hillshire have iron-ore and coal. Mining and blacksmithing are the two most dominant industries in Hillshire." Aiken said
"Hillshire and Greendale are trading partners. Both little towns on the western side of Central Kulan. Hillshire gives us iron and coal and we give them Corn and wheat. Greendale also trades heavily with Mohawk and the goods then go from Greendale merchants to Hillshire." Dekari said.
After a time Dekari said "Its around this bend and down about a quarter mile. Talon why dont you split your force in half. Kane leads one, you lead the other. One take the town from the west one take it from the east."
"Ok." Talon said.
Dekari gave the order to Halt and the 2000 infantry stopped.
"Talon take 500 Crimson elves and get the goblins to charge you in the woods west of town. Kane do the same, get the goblins to charge you in the east. With the two 500 elf forces kill them off slowly and make them leave town to the west and east and engage your two forces. Virgil and I will take the 1000 Avengers and attack them from the south. Let them see you and do not engage until both groups of 500 elves are in place. Understood?” Dekari asked.
"Yes." Talon said
"Understood." Kane said
“Also, if they don’t leave town to engage your two forces of Elves then attack them once both in place. They might have blood Elf commanders and if that’s the case they will be fodder none the less but they will be more effective fodder under blood elven command instead of hobgoblin command.” Dekari said
"Aiken, Dredskif, and Draven come with me, the 1000 Avengers and the wagons. My Goal is to make them fight on three fronts and Crimson Elven rangers are better in the woods. I'll take the main road North and attack the village last drawing all the goblins to me. Once my force of 1000 has engaged the enemy then attack from the sides. This is primarily a rescue mission to save the people of Hillshire. Hillshire has long been the closest town to Greendale. I’m sure many of the locals from Greendale have friends or even family in Hillshire. Draven, Dredskif and Kane all started as mercenaries under Aikens charge and i would wager they’ve all been to Hillshire." Dekari said
"Primary objective to rescue the people and protect them, secondary objective to retake the town, and the third objective which the crimson elves among us will like, is to kill all their blood elf officers." Dekari said
"Saved the best for last?" Kane said. A sentiment also shared by all the crimson elves among them. Talon was fighting to remain stoic and losing, letting out a histerical laugh.
Talon split his 1000 elf ranger force in 1/2 and took 500 of them into the woods left of the road and Kane took the remaining 500 to the woods right of the road. Wagons took this road to deliver goods to Greendale then to Mohawk from Hillshire and wagons took it coming from the other direction. This being the only road going north to the town it saw plenty of wagon travel the 4 wagons with them having an easy time of it. Dekari led his 1000 Avengers around the bend and could see the town.
Dekari lowered his weight from his horse, as did Virgil, Aiken, Dredskif and Draven.
"Two Rows, 250 Men per Row!" Dekari yelled.
The 4 dwarves drove their 4 wagons up behind Dekaris 4 rows.
"Draven please stay on horseback and stay near me, if i need to relay orders to another commander, Kane or Talon i need a horseman close by. Virgil also please remain on horseback to better relay messages to the avenger force."
"Looks like the goblins are amassing" Draven said.
In town there had been a large fenced in area for horses to pull wagons and work in the mines. The bodies of the horses could all be seen, striped clean of meat and flesh and eaten raw. In the pen there were now almost 2000 people in a town that had a population of near 3000 before. 5000 goblins had been eating the locals and the local livestock had all already been eaten. The town, made for a much smaller population was overrun with Goblins, Hobgoblins yet no bloodelves could be seen. Several goblin horns sounded and about 4000 goblins formed uneven lines across the small field from Dekari.
"Hold Lines! Hold Formation!" Dekari yelled, his order passed down along the line by the officers.
A Moment later 50 Blood elves took the field behind the Goblins, having been in a large longhouse. After yelling some orders the goblins charged down the field leaving 1000 to guard the prisoners.
"Bows!" Dekari yelled. The 1000 Avengers all strung their heavy recurves and knocked a flight arrow.
"Hold!" Dekari yelled.
1000 Avengers with heavy recurves pointed skyward they patiently waited.
"Loose Arrows!" Dekari yelled. Instantly as one the thousand fired. Arrows rained down upon the mass of 4000 charging Goblins.
"Knock Arrows!" Dekari yelled then about 5 seconds later he yelled "Loose Arrows!" the enemy closer now took loses from the volley but most of those who took arrows were only wounded.
After a third volley with more success due to range Dekari yelled "Swords!"
The entire thousand Avengers put their bows on their backs and drew katanas and slung their large round bronze shields down from their backs. Only a few dozen feet away at closest the Avengers, all large in stature interlocked their shields and waited as a solid wall. A moment later the goblin front lines crashed into the thick line of Avengers.
The Del‘Gothians, were in most cases over 6 feet tall, while the goblins were only near 5 feet. The better trained, larger, better equipped Avengers were walking the front line across the battlefield towards town and killing every goblin who came near. Dekari rode with Dredskif to his right and Draven to his left. The three rode slightly in-front of the first line.
“Second Row! Ready a volley!” Dekari yelled.
As the first row of Avengers fought heavily with shield and sword the second line sheathed swords and readied their bows.
“Second Row! Loose Arrows!” Dekari yelled, several of his officers relaying the command so all in the line would hear.
The second row, 500 men strong, sent a volley into the goblin force killing scores.
“Second Row! Fire at will!” Dekari yelled.
Each man in the group of avengers stood at least 4 feet from the man on his left and right. The Avengers using shields and katanas instead of shields and spears needed more space for their type of combat. With slashes from their swords the avengers required more space to fight effectively where-as the phalanx battle formation required the men in line to be much closer for full shield coverage and spear thrusts.
Across the field back in town a horn sounded and all the goblins began a full retreat back to the town. With the goblin retreat horn call lasting 8 seconds the third time it sounded it was cut short 3 seconds into the call. An arrow sticking from the goblins throat he dropped dead. In town from both sides the crimson elves rushed through town killing every goblin in sight and in most cases deviating their course to engage blood elves. The pen of 2000 prisoners surrounded by 1000 goblins cheered the rescue force. The east wing led by Kane, though only 500 strong was killing every goblin around the pen with both arrow fire and swordplay, both of which Crimson elves had excelled in, especially rangers. The 50 blood elves attempted at first to leave town west but met an oncomming force of 300 crimson elves and deviated their path north, the only exit from town.
As the 50 Blood elves made it to the stables and upon mounts headed north they were met by a force of 200 Rangers who Talon sent there as both a reserve force as well as a force to cut off the only option of retreat. The drastically reduced force of 4000 goblins saw the Crimson Elven rangers taking the town in-front of them, on their retreat and behind them 1000 Avengers advanced.
Once the blood elves saw that their northern retreat route was blocked they cut back to the center of town. From West, North, and East the Crimson Elf Rangers took more and more of the town. In the end the Blood elves rode hard south and tried to slip past their elven cousins onto the open field to the south where their goblins were being massacred. From there the Avengers were too far away from the southern entrance to the town to cut off the escape of the Blood Elves. The west and eastern forces of Rangers fired bow shots at will and raced to close off every avenue of retreat. The crimson elves still on the outside of town cut south and removed the only route of escape. The Blood Elven commanders being cut off in all directions the Crimson elves had their day and slaughtered the Blood Elves then swept south killing every goblin in site until the Crimson elves had the town and the avengers had the field.
The field where the Hillshire civilians were wasnt ment to keep people in, it was made to keep livestock in. Slowly they started leaving the pen. Dekai rode over to the prisoner yard.
"Hello." Dekari said to the roughly 2000 people. "Where’s the rest of the towns people?" Dekari asked.
"When the goblins came most of the men of fighting age took up weapons against them. They slaughtered and ate our militia." An elderly man said. "Its mostly women and children now.
"People. Please hear me out." Dekari said and the 2000 Hillshire folk gathered in a group infront of Dekari. "Goblins attacked my hometown of Greendale. We have been builting fortifications and we have beaten them back with every engagement. My name is Sir Dekari Augustus Del'goth Ironfist. My grandfather Marcus Ironfist is king of all of Del'goth. Right now an army of 400,000 Del'goth infantry march to Greendale and 100,000 Del'goth Elite Heavy Infantry march to Greendale as well. I only have 1000 avengers, 1000 crimson elven rangers and 1000 dwarves. I can not protect both towns. I offer all of you a place to stay, eat and live until i have my army down here. If you come with me to Greendale I will protect you all. I can not split my force in half. I can also offer to give work to any who seek it as my Grandfather has left me with quite a bit of coin."
"This is our home. We need to stay and clean it up" One member of the militia said as he was one of the few who survived."
"War has come to the west coast of Kulan. There will be armies marching over this land numbering over a million. Those who choose to come with us back to Greendale will be fed, clothed and protected. As I said my name is Dekari, my grandfather Marcus has made me general of his southern army and he has given my twin brother Aiken command of the Del'goth Avengers. I will protect this town once my army arrives but as it stands now i only have 3000 men and 1000 are building a city wall around Greendale which is coming along nicely. We leave in an hour, any who wish to come meet outside of town out of the south gate. There are a few hundred pounds of food in the wagons we brought. Any of you who are hungry are welcome to eat your fill." Dekari said.
An hour later almost all of the 2000 gathered in a large crowd on the field south of town. The crowd was mostly women, children and the elderly. Dekari rode at the head of the column with Draven, Virgil, Talon, Aiken, Kane, and Dredskif. The rangers followed the officers then the 2000 civilians, then the Avengers.
At dusk the large group came into Greendale. Dekari set up a few hundred tables south of town and held a festival to Victor for aiding them in their victories. He paid the local taverns and restaurants to cater to the festival and feed the 2000 refugees and the 2000 civilians of Greendale.
The Festival was a much needed escape from the turmoil of the region of late. The Dragonstooth tavern was closed for the night and Otic set up near a dozen tables for the banquet. Henry had 20 of his militia work for Otic for the festival. They helped with cooking and wheeling barrels of ale out from the store room of the Tavern. Henry also had another 20 of his militia work for the Eagle-eye restaurant for the night. The Eagle-eye was another tavern in town that was more family oriented. While the Dragonstooth was frequented more by mercenaries, drifters and rogues the Eagle-eye cost more but was more family oriented with no whores and served a classier element of society.
The Eagleeye restaurant had near 30 tables set up. There were 7 cooks working in the kitchen that put several of the militia to work prep-cooking and carrying out food and wheeling out barrels of Ale.
The Food and Ale for the festival were free as Dekari and Aiken had decided to spend a small fortune sponsoring the festival. Before the people started eating and drinking ale the clergy of the towns Temple to Victor said prayers to the deity. Though the festival was a nice change of pace for the 4000 civilians in Greendale there was still a fear of invasion and a sorrow for those lost.
Draven, Aiken, Dredskif and Dekari
Virgil: South Wing
Talon: West Wing
Kane: East Wing
Wagons: Dorlum, Torto, Bolin Syrkyst and Duric Syrkyst
Dorlum: (Mountain Dwarf) clan of Buhrodar
Torto: (Hill Dwarf) Clan of Syrkyst: Empire of Palaxis (Drifter/Mercenary)
Bolin Syrkyst
Duric Syrkyst
Dekari
Aiken
Ancus: Monks: 5
Firatri: Paladins: 10
Talon Ironfist Crimson Elves: 1010
Virgil Calpurnus Paulus: Avengers: 1031
Draven, Dredskif, Kane
Henry: 550 (not in active service)
Tiberius, 25 mercs
Dekari: Human Fighter (Bear)
Aiken: Human Thief-Mage (Bear)
Firatri: Human Paladin Rockport 10 Paladins
Ancus: Human Monk Rockport 5 Monks
Dorlum: (Mountain Dwarf) clan of Buhrodar: Empire of Haraxis (Drifter/Mercenary)
Torto: (Hill Dwarf) Clan of Syrkyst: Empire of Palaxis (Drifter/Mercenary)
Dredskif: (Minotaur) the Clan of Warlord Bolthorpe (Drifter/Mercenary)
Kane: Crimson Elf Ranger (Bear/Qualistay) Aikens friend
20 Crimson Elf Rangers
Draven: Human Fighter (Hellgoth) Drifter/Mercenary
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