The Hire 131.

The Battle Of Almaic...

In the last trench before the north wall of the city of Almaic, to the west of the road and city gates.
Sir Percavelle Lé Dic sourly looks on as more soldiers and mercenaries in the armies of the robber barons Gergus and Solamard rush by on their way to the wall.
The heavily armoured knight, who has found himself a barrel, and is sitting on it, looks over at the cavalry commander Darid Parsen and scowls.
The cavalry officer who is also a member of the personal council of lord Farque sees this and ignores him.
He knows the nobleborn knight from the kingdom of Druvic is more than annoyed at the moment. Just the fact that the normally boisterous and opinionated former paladin is silent is a sign of how ticked off he is.
Darid Parsen, who is actually a hordes outrider by the name of Zubutai Timaginson, who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of the cavalry commander, and has done for the last fifteen months.
Looks back behind him when his second in command Kalleb says in the elven language "They're coming forward" followed by "The field commander must of given them permission to do so".
Darid aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman nods his head as he watches the robber barons Gergus and Solamard, along with their seconds and some of their senior officers, hurrying forward from the battleline that field commander Leivyn and her senior staff are watching the progress of the battle from this afternoon.
The two robber barons are heading straight for the trench that commander Parsen and his cavalry company are in.
"Keep an eye on those two when they get here" quietly says Darid Parsen the cavalry commander to the runner Lisell Maera as he nods his head to the two robber barons hurrying forward.
The member of lord Farque's personal council continues with "They won't go to the wall themselves, as the field commander won't let them" he then adds "But they could still give their men some dumb orders concerning the attack".
The attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury who is a runner, or messenger in the scout division of the Farqian mercenary army, nods her head that she will.
Then she, along with councilor Parsen, and the second in command Kalleb. Watch as the two robber barons jump into the trench, a bit further to the left from where they're standing in it.
While sir Percavelle Lé Dic ignores the robber barons and their men who have come forward to this trench. He couldn't care less about them. What he does care about is assaulting the north wall of the city of Almaic.
But he's unable to, as commander Parsen has ordered him to remain put. And that others, primarily in the armies of the robber barons Gergus and Solamard. Are attacking this half of the north wall of the city that's the capital of the duchy of Phelm.
"Seen Zaneff lately?" asks Darid aka Zubutai the son of Timagin, who hasn't seen the lead scout of his company since they got the message that prince Helbenthril Raendril left to go in search of a cleric who his powers of foresight revealed to him, must be found as he's now part of the overall plans of the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
"Not for a while" says Kalleb, who calls out to another of the scouts in the company "Varric, have you seen Zaneff?".
The scout Varric gestures at the city, and makes his way through the trench to where the cavalry commander and his second in command are standing.
Then as Varric tells them "He went to check on the enemy along the top of the wall". Lisell Maera makes her way in the other direction along the trench, to stand near where the two robber barons and their senior officers are standing.
"He did?" asks Kalleb, Varric replies with a nod of the head, then he says "Right down the entire length of the wall this side of the road" the scout looks at the cavalry commander and tells him "He said he wouldn't reveal himself or do anything".
The member of lord Farque's personal council nods as he knows the water elemental spouter who is the lead scout in the company, keeps his word. And will do everything he says.
"That's something i guess" says Kalleb, who looks at his commander who says "He'll be fine" followed by "At least we'll know for certain how many they've still got up on this half of the wall".
As the cavalry commander, his second in command, and the scout continue to discuss things, speaking in elven as they do so.
Lisell Maera stands near the robber barons and their senior officers, listening to what they're saying.
The attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, who is now a messenger in the mercenary army from the lands Farque.
Glances sideways at the robber baron Gergus who is nearest to her. And though the messenger, or runner as they're often referred to. Has kept her distance, and for the most part ever since they spent a night together romantically when they were separated from the rest of the army, earlier on in the campaign against duke Hargen of Phelm.
She can't keep herself from glancing at the robber baron every so often, like she finds herself doing now.
Gergus, the youngest of the robber barons is watching the assault upon the north wall of Almaic, listening to Solamard and their seconds talk about it. When he notices Lisell Maera standing off to one side here in the trench, which is part of the last battleline before the north wall of the city that's the provincial capital.
The youngest of the five robber barons from the unruled lands in the southern reaches of the Colevar Mountains, who have banded together to wage war upon duke Hargen and the duchy of Phelm, here in northern Nastell. Glances at the others from north of the border who are in the trench with him.
Then he steps away from them to stand beside the attractive young woman that he spent a night with not all that long ago.
"How are you?" quietly asks Gergus the robber baron "Fine" is the quiet reply of Lisell Maera, who is more commonly called Lis by those who know her well.
"And you?" quietly asks the runner in the Farqian mercenary army "The same" is the quiet reply of Gergus, who then adds "Fine".
The youngest of the robber barons whose armies are attacking the city of Almaic, the capital of the duchy of Phelm. Watches as a ladder that's been put up against the wall on this side of the road, is pushed off, with some of either his or Solamard's men still on it.
He winces as it falls to the ground, then the youngest, and easily the most charismatic of the five robber barons from north of the border, looks at the attractive young woman standing beside him, and is about to say something to her.
When she gets in first, when she quietly says "Have you thought about it anymore?" Lis slightly gestures all around as she quietly adds "What you'll do once this is all over?".
Gergus who knows exactly what she's referring to, as she has mentioned it once before already. Quickly darts a glance to his left to where the others are standing talking about the attack upon the city of Almaic.
He then looks the other way beyond the tall, young woman standing beside him. The person closest to them that way, is the large heavily armoured knight, who is a bit of a loud mouth in the opinion of the youngest of the robber barons.
Who he sees is sitting on a barrel, with the faceplate of his full helm open, clearly showing a scowl upon his face as he watches the battle for the north wall of the city that's the capital of the duchy of Phelm, the northern most duchy in the kingdom of Nastell.
"A bit" quietly says Gergus who steps even closer to the messenger, so that their arms are touching one another. He lightly clasps her hand, and is relieved that she doesn't let go".
"And?" quietly asks Lis "I'm not sure" is the quiet reply of the youngest of the five robber barons, who though is still under thirty years of age, is about a decade older than the attractive young woman who is originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury.
Gergus is silent for a moment as he watches an enemy catapult up on the top of the wall, fling a shot of rocks away to the right of the battleline he's in, then he quietly says "The other four are no doubt all thinking about it as well, considering it was mentioned before the battle got underway".
"Anyone declare for it yet?" asks the messenger in the Farqian mercenary army, Gergus shakes his head no, then looks over at his fellow robber baron Solamard, who is busy talking with some of their senior officers as they continue to watch the assault upon the north wall of Almaic this afternoon, on what's another clear and sunny, not to mention hot summer's day here in the north of the duchy of Phelm.
"One of them will though" quietly says the robber baron, who rules the part of the southern reaches in the Colevar Mountains furthest east compared to the other four robber barons who are waging a campaign against duke Hargen and the duchy of Phelm.
"You?" quietly asks the attractive young woman whose mother was a street prostitute in Brattonbury, and whose father, who she never knew, was a sailor.
After a few moments of silence, and a slight squeeze of Lisell's hand, Gergus quietly says "I'm not sure".
Infact, the youngest of the robber barons isn't all that certain once they're victorious over duke Hargen, that he'd want to be the next duke of Phelm.
"Well, whatever your decision is either way" quietly says Lis, who continues with "Make your decision quick" she nods her head towards the city under assault, and adds "Once the duke is defeated, our deal with the five of you is over, and it's pretty obvious what will happen next between you lot".
The messenger in the scouts division of the mercenary army from the lands Farque momentarily pauses, before she quietly says "Now if one of you were to rehire us". She leaves it that as the youngest of the five robber barons looks sharply at her, before he eventually nods, then glances over to where his fellow robber baron Solamard is standing in the trench.
Who before the battle began, when the five of them were last together. Was the one who mentioned what might happen once duke Hargen is defeated, and the duchy of Phelm is theirs.
And though he didn't come out and say that they'll all turn on one another. He definitely hinted at it. And it's definitely what all of them where thinking.
"We'll see" murmurs Gergus, who squeezes the runner's hand before letting it go, and moving away as his fellow robber baron Solamard looks around for him, after asking him a question.
As Gergus returns to the others from north of the border. Lis makes her way back to commander Parsen and his second in command Kalleb. Walking by sir Percavelle Lé Dic who has stood up from the barrel he's been sitting on, and is looking away to the east, to the otherside of the road, with a frown upon his face.
With the attractive young woman from the city-state of Brattonbury still keeping an eye on the robber barons and their senior officers. The lead scout Zaneff suddenly appears beside Darid aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, and his second in command, Kalleb.
As the water elemental spouter explains to the cavalry commander about the state of the enemy along the top of the north wall, well this half of it at least.
Lisell Maera frowns as she sees the former earl of Lé Dic, still with a frown upon his face, is looking intently away to the east half of the wall, to the otherside of the road that leads up to the city gates.
"Something's happened over there" says Lis as she interrupts what Zaneff is saying, the messenger in the Farqian mercenary army continues with "Something has caught Percy's attention, and he doesn't look pleased about it".
Commander Parsen along with his second Kalleb, and the scouts Zaneff and Varric look to where sir Percavelle Lé Dic is looking.
And as councilor Parsen says "Percy what is it?". The water elemental spouter Zaneff who has the eyesight by far, mutters "Oh hell" as he spots what it is.
Sir Percavelle Lé Dic looks over at Darid aka Zubutai Timaginson and with scowl upon his face he says in an outraged tone "That great big dirty green oaf is climbing to the top of the wall, that's what!" he then adds a muttered "Wot" . . . . . .

The Hire 130.

The City Of Almaic. The Duchy Of Phelm...

Commander Berric reins in, and looks up at the top of the north wall of the city, where he sees the flash, then fire of an explosion on the otherside, as an enemy spell hits the wards that are still up.
The swordmaster who is the commander of duke Hargen's personal guard, looks over at the experienced guard Ludoc, who says "Commander, over there".
Berric, who hails from the northern city of Savariss, looks away to the right, where to the east of the main gates in the wall. There's a few spots of major damage along the top of the wall.
The swordmaster who figures the wards haven't always been successful throughout the day, nods in that direction.
"That way" says commander Berric, who turns his mount to the right, and those with him from his company, ride along that street that runs behind the north wall of Almaic.
Once they've by the gates, and are behind the eastern half of the wall. The commander of the duke's personal guard dismounts at the base of the nearest set of steps, that leads up to a section of the wall that doesn't have any damage on it.
The swordmaster hands the reins to one of the city guards at the base of the steps. And along with Ludoc, they lead members of the duke's personal guard company up to the top of the wall.
"Hell, they're making a full on push against the wall" says the experienced guard Ludoc once they're at the top of the wall, and they see what's happening.
The commander of the duke of Phelm's personal guard nods his head, then says to one of the nearby soldiers in the duke's army "Who commands along this part of the wall?".
"Commander" says the soldier, who like many a commoner, recognises the swordmaster who is the most important common born man in the duchy.
"That way it's captain Lelmasin" says the soldier, commander Berric nods as he knows of the knight, who is part of the southern nobility who didn't head north to help with the defense of the duchy up there.
The soldier points the other way, and says "A sorcerer has taken command that way, the one they call Dominic".
Once again, the famous swordmaster nods. As he knows of the sorcerer, who though common born. Is good friends with sir Yarrim the sorcerer.
If commander Berric understands it correctly, the father of Dominic the sorcerer taught both his son and sir Yarrim spellcraft when they were younger.
"This way" says the commander of duke Hargen's personal guard to his men, and he heads along the top of the wall, in the direction where the sorcerer Dominic is.
Even though the spellcaster is good friends with sir Yarrim. The knight, sir Lelmasin is a total ass in the opinion of the swordmaster from the city of Savariss. He's surprised the knight who is a captain in the duke's army, hasn't stepped off the back of the wall by accident. As commander Berric always thinks of the knight having a high opinion of himself. Who doesn't watch what he's doing, or where he's going.
The commander of duke Hargen's personal guard and those of his company with him, hurry behind one of the catapults here on top of the north wall of the city that's the capital of the duchy of Phelm.
While behind them, the soldier the swordmaster spoke to. And others with him, help to push an enemy scaling ladder off the wall, that's just been put up.
Swordmaster Berric and his men continue along the top of the wall. Walking quickly behind the defenders who are repelling the enemy, who are in the midst of their heaviest assault upon this side of the city that's the provincial capital.
The commander of duke Hargen's personal guard spots the sorcerer Dominic, who he's met and spoken with many a time over the years.
And although the swordmaster wouldn't call him a friend. He's on friendly terms with him. Even though the spellcaster is good friends with sir Yarrim.
"Sorcerer" says commander Berric, the spellcaster turns around and sees who has just addressed him "Swordmaster" says the sorcerer Dominic who immediately recognises the commander of the duke of Phelm's personal guard.
"The duke?" asks the sorcerer "Safe in the palace" is the answer from commander Berric, who then asks the sorcerer "How do things fare here?".
Fairly well in the opinion of Dominic, who tells the famous swordmaster "We're holding them out" he continues with "A small number of them were able to top the wall a little while ago, but we cleared them off the wall fairly quickly".
The commander nods his head, then gestures away to further along the wall, closer to where the gates are on this side of the city, and says "Some of their spells get through the wards?".
"They didn't" says the sorcerer who helped cast the fixed wards, and then maintain them throughout the day.
"Up and over them" explains the spellcaster, who then mutters "Damn mage".
Dominic then quickly tells the swordmaster what's been happening here recently along this part of the north wall of the city, to the east of the gates.
The commander of duke Hargen's personal guard eyebrows lift in surprise when he hears about the cleric Beldane, who disappeared through a magical gateway in the middle of a large explosion which damaged part of the top of the wall.
The swordmaster knows of the powerful cleric and the magical mace he wields. And though he doesn't know the fighting cleric in the church of Glaine well. Everybody who speaks of him, likes him even though he's quite a forthcoming and boisterous fellow.
And there's the fact that the powerful cleric gets on the nerves of sir Yarrim. Berric the swordmaster suspects there might be some jealousy on the part of the nobleborn spellcaster there. As the cleric is almost, or just as powerful at magic as the sorcerer Yarrim.
The commander who knows the sorcerer Dominic is good friends with both the cleric Beldane, and the sorcerer Yarrim, asks him "Think he'll return?".
"He will if he can" says Dominic, who knows his friend Beldane will return if he's able to.
The swordmaster nods, then glances down off the top of the wall, and looks for the goblins and the troll that the sorcerer mentioned when he was telling him what had been going on recently.
Commander Berric is certain they were mentioned in the battle along the border that he was part of.
Beside him, Ludoc looks down too, hoping to catch sight of them as well.
"Away to the left there" quietly says the accomplished swordmaster, who then adds "Near where those others are trying to put up a ladder".
Then the commander of the duke of Phelm's personal guard, and the experienced guard next to him, move back and duck down when the sorcerer Dominic gives a warning to get down, as a powerful spell is coming in, that he doesn't know if the wards will hold against.
Dorc da Orc looks up, and grunts as further along the wall, there's a large explosion of blue flame where a large energyball from one of the spellcasters hits the wards the enemy have up infront of the north wall of the city of Almaic.
The large ork then goes back to what he and his battalion of goblins are doing.
"Nah cunts, get a fucken other one" says Dorc da Orc to those in the robber baron Larimer's army who are putting up a scaling ladder, the ork warleader then adds "So you gots two of the fuckers close".
Then the big, burly ork who is from the southern polar region of the world, who is sweltering in the afternoon heat here on a hot, summer's day in the north of the kingdom of Nastell.
Grabs the scaling ladder, and lifts it up against the wall of the city by himself, then says "Get one more of these cunts, and put it next to this fucker". As he's unable to climb this ladder. But if there's one right next to it, side by side. He could very well climb both of them. With a foot on a rung of each one as he climbs.
As some of the goblin battalion help their general hold the scaling ladder against the north wall of the city that's the capital of the duchy of Phelm.
And some of the robber baron Larimer's men, both soldiers and mercenaries start climbing the ladder. A handful of others hurry off to the nearest lot who are attempting to bring a ladder up against the north wall of Almaic.
"Keep shooting up at them" orders Teabagger the goblin Cunt to the archers in the battalion as he stands next to the large ork in the rain poncho who is his general.
The small, bright green goblin who is the commander of the battalion of goblins in the mercenary army from the lands Farque. Sees that though his general is still a little bit unsteady on his feet. He's now got his wits about him. What little wits he has.
Which Teabagger doesn't think is necessarily a good thing. As the big, burly ork from the bottom of the world. Is bound to do something entirely stupid now. Something he wouldn't of done a little while ago, just after he regained consciousness.
Both the goblin commander and the ork general look up as they hear a catapult up on top of the wall. An instant later they see large rocks go flying from the top of the wall, headed towards those in the army led by field commander Drubine, who are attacking this half of the north wall of Almaic.
The ork weaponsmith sees that the soldiers and mercenaries in the armies of the robber barons Larimer and Almard. Are spreading out, and aren't bunched up as they assault the city wall.
Dorkindle grunts in approval at this, then the large ork who is part of the wolf tribe of orks, turns around when someone behind him says "Warleader".
The big, burly ork finds a trio of black clad soldiers in the Farqian mercenary army standing there, and he says to them "Hey cunts".
One of them, a sergeant at arms, who spoke, gestures further back to a scaling ladder being carried forward by those in the army of the robber baron Larimer, and he says "You wanted another one here in this spot?".
"Yeah cunt" says Dorc da Orc who never gets tired of being addressed as warleader, he continues on with "Right next to this fucken one" the large ork then mutters "So me can climb the fuckers to the top of the wall".
The sergeant at arms in the Farqian mercenary army immediately recognises what the ork general wants to do. And he calls out to those bringing the other ladder forward to hurry up.
While one of the men in robber baron Larimer's army climbing this ladder, falls from it near the top, and hits the ground to one side of where the ork weaponsmith is standing.
"He dead" says Dorkindle with a chuckle as he looks at the soldier in robber baron Larimer's army who just fell from the scaling ladder.
The weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks, who happens to be the son of the former matriarch of that particular tribe. Looks up as another of those climbing the ladder, gets near the top. He's stabbing his sword up at those on top of the wall. Who are using spears and polearms to try and push the scaling ladder away. They're having no luck, as the warleader of the ork race is one of those holding the ladder firmly up against the wall.
They have better luck, when one with a spear, stabs it into the face of the soldier in the robber baron Larimer's army who is near the top of the wall.
He screams and clasps at his face, and falls backwards off the ladder. Those on the ground beneath him, hurry out of the way, before he hits the ground with a thud.
"He dead as well" says a chuckling Dorc da Orc, who finds pleasure in seeing those on his own side getting killed, almost as much at seeing the enemy being killed.
The large ork who is lucky to be alive after being struck by a cleric's spell earlier in the afternoon, grunts when Teabagger says "Here it is general". As the other ladder reaches where they are. The sergeant at arms in the mercenary army from lands Farque takes charge of putting it, close to the other one, so that they're side by side.
The ork weaponsmith grunts in approval as that scaling ladder is lifted up, and placed right next to the one he's helping to hold firm against the north wall of the city that's the capital of the duchy of Phelm.
"You want us to go up them first general?" asks Teabagger the goblin Cunt "No" is the growled reply from the large ork. Who doesn't fancy goblins falling on top of him as he climbs the ladders. As that is bound to happen with some of them. Which would get annoying real quick in the opinion of big, burly feral looking ork, who the enemy think is a troll. A short and fat, not to mention an ugly looking troll. But nevertheless, that's what they think the large ork is.
"Warleader it's up" says the sergeant at arms in the Farqian mercenary army. Dorkindle grunts and though a few in the army of the robber baron Larimer scramble up the scaling ladders that are side by side.
The weaponsmith form the wolf tribe of orks, grabs them, and putting a foot on the bottom rung of each ladder. Dorc da Orc then says to Teabagger "You cunts follow your general up".
"Yes boss, er general" says the small, bright lurid green goblin commander, who watches as the large ork, use both scaling ladders, to climb up to the top of the north wall of Almaic, hoping that both of them can hold his rather considerable weight.
"Fucken get some" chuckles the ork warleader as he starts climbing the scaling ladders to the top of the city wall . . . . . .

The Hire 129.

The Duchy Of Phelm...

Beldane the cleric finds himself waking up. The cleric in the church of Glaine opens his eyes, and sees the clear blue afternoon sky above him.
He blinks, then winces as his head slightly hurts from being knocked out.
The powerful cleric feels his mace in his right gauntleted hand. And figures the magical weapon must of saved him.
Because the last thing he remembers is being in the middle of an explosion created by a mageglobe. And being flung backwards off the top of the north wall of the city of Almaic.
The member of the church of Glaine turns his head to the left, and blinks again. Though this time in surprise.
"Damn" murmurs Beldane the cleric as he sees where he is.
That powerful cleric is on a small hill, overlooking the farming village of Duste. A village more than forty miles from the city of Almaic. To the south and east of the city that's the capital of the duchy of Phelm.
Beldane knows the village well, as he spent a couple of years here when he was first made a cleric. And had to go out and administer to the people of Phelm.
He was sent here by the church when he was just nineteen. And though fairly young, and from Almaic. He was quickly accepted by the people of Duste and the surrounding countryside.
The powerful cleric would often come up here to this very hill. And watch both the sunrise and sunset from up here. Something he would enjoy.
And something he rarely does nowadays, now that he's based in Almaic, the capital of the duchy.
Beldane sits up, and shakes his head to help clear it, then he faintly smiles and murmurs "Still remember it do you?" as he looks at his mace, which has brought him here to safety.
Still with the smile upon his face, the cleric in the church of Glaine returns his magical weapon to the loop on his belt.
And though he sits there for a little while, as he's a little stiff and sore after being blown up. Not to mention falling backwards through a gateway that his mace created. He's soon up on his feet and looking around.
He spots a number of field hands out across some of the farms on the otherside of the village of Duste.
Though not as many as their would normally be. Even at this time of the year, summer.
That powerful cleric figures quite a few of them would've joined the duke's army, in the war against the robber barons of the unruled lands in the Colevar Mountains. Who have invaded the duchy of Phelm.
The member of the church of Glaine takes a few deep breaths, glad to be alive. Then after a silent prayer of thanks to his god.
The powerful cleric makes his way down the hill to the village. To check on the people there, who he once  administered to.
After he does, he'll return to the city of Almaic as his mace will cast another gateway. One that'll reach the city that's the provincial capital.
Appearing on a hill, not bothering to blur himself at this moment. Helbe the elven thief as he looks away to the southeast, asks "Can you sense him yet?".
"Not yet" says Narladene the ground pixie, which causes the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel to slightly grimace.
As he knows the tiny winged creature standing upon his right shoulder can sense anything magical, including spellcasters, in excess of twenty miles. Though spells themselves, she can sense much further.
"You know, if you could teleport a bit further than you can, we'd probably be there by now" dryly says the naturally magical creature who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains.
The elven magic user, whose levels of power are distinctly average. Especially considering he's from a royal elven family. Not just any elven royals too. But the Raendril family of Laerel.
Some of the most powerful practitioners of magic, not just in elfdom. But in all the world of Volunell.
Especially his grandfather, Prince Raendril himself. Who is certainly the most powerful elven spellcaster in the entire world.
"Well, i can't exactly do anything about that" dryly says the elven princeling, who though isn't exactly powerful when it comes to magic. Makes up for it other ways. As he's extremely talented. Who though rather young for a royal elf. At just under two hundred and twenty years old. Which is the equivalent of a very young teen if he was human.
Has invented numerous new spells. When most practitioners of magic never create a brand new spell in their entire lifetime.
And he has the unique skill of being able to cast multiple spells at the same time. When most spellcasters struggle to have a pair of spells going at once. Three if they've got more skill than average.
While the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel has cast more than a dozen spells at once in the past. Making him a formidable opponent for other practitioners of magic.
Not to mention he has his unique power, which isn't magical in the normal sense of things. The power of foresight.
Which has led him to here, to this hill in the southeast of the duchy of Phelm. About fifteen miles from the city of Almaic. Which at this time is under attack by the armies of the robber barons of the unruled lands in the Colevar Mountains. Led by the Farqian mercenary army. Which prince Helbenthril Raendril is part of.
The elven masterthief who is a member of the personal council of the lord and ruler of the lands Farque is about to teleport again, when Narladene says to him "Have you thought of what you're going to tell him?".
"The cleric?" asks the elven magic user "Not him" dryly says the tiny winged creature, who then adds "I mean him".
The elven master assassin grimaces as he knows exactly who the ground pixie is referring to, and he says to her "Not exactly".
"Well, when you do tell him" says Narladene, who continues with "Best you tell him quickly, then leave even quicker" she briefly pauses before adding "Because he's not going to be happy about it, that's for sure".
"Understatement of the fucking century there" dryly murmurs prince Helbenthril Raendril in the royal elven language which the naturally magical creature doesn't understand.
Then switching back to the normal elven language, which he and Narladene usually converse in, the elven master archer says "He's not exactly the happiest of individuals to begin with" he then adds "It's going to put him in an even fouler mood than he's already in".
Narladene nods her tiny head in agreement with the young elven noble she's attached to. An attachment that began a dozen years ago in the city of Leeabra, the capital of the kingdom of Druvic.
The elven princeling from Laerel nods his hooded head as he sourly says "A cleric of all things" followed by "I couldn't of picked a worst person to join the group if I'd tried".
Helbe the elven thief then adds "By the forest gods, Mira doesn't like them either" he continues with "Admittedly for other reasons". Those reasons being professional differences. As the once powerful mage doesn't like the way in which clerics go about casting.
"Well, they'll have to find a way to get along" says Narladene, who after momentarily pausing, continues with "I mean Mira and this cleric, because lets face it, we all know the lord and the cleric will not get along at all".
Helbe the elven thief nods to that, then he disappears as he teleports away, with the naturally magical creature attached to him, clinging onto his right shoulder.
The member of lord Farque's personal council, reappears three miles further away to the east and south. On a farm, in a field. Just near the road that goes through this part of the duchy of Phelm.
The highly talented elven magic user is just about to ask the ground pixie if she can sense for the cleric named Beldane, who they're searching for. When Narladene tells him "Airship away to the east and north".
"It's not?" asks the councilor "It isn't the strikeship" replies the naturally magical creature.
Relieved at that, prince Helbenthril Raendril asks "One of ours, or one of theirs?".
"I'm not sure" says the tiny winged creature, who then adds "Whose ever it is, it's a warship, as i can sense spellcasters and magetubes onboard".
The elven master assassin nods, then shifts into the sky, to see if he can spot the airship that Narladene has sensed.
They both look in the direction the ground pixie has sensed the airship, and they spot the flying vessel about ten miles away to the north.
After looking at it for a few moments, the elven master assassin says "One of ours" as he recognises the warship.
"Most likely patrolling the area for any of the duke's other vessels" adds the elven magic user as he floats there a few hundred feet above the ground.
The naturally magical creature originally from the Sunreach Mountains nods her head, then says to the elven master archer "Maybe you could tell them, and they could pass it onto the strikeship and little Kai, er the lord".
Good idea, the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel thinks to himself, who is not looking forward to telling lord Farque about his latest revelation from his powers of foresight.
Narladene, who isn't looking forward to it either, it's why she's been suggesting other ways to tell the undead warlord about the cleric the two of them are searching for.
Senses away to the south and east, in the direction the gateway spell the cleric went through back in the city of Almaic, led to.
She briefly narrows her eyelids, then says to the elven masterthief "Drop back down to the ground" followed by "I think I've found him".
Helbe the elven thief shifts back to the ground, and the naturally magical creature drops off his right shoulder, and flutters down to the ground.
There she senses, not just magically. But also feeling through the ground. Where she can feel movement for miles all around.
After a few moments, she nods her tiny head, then makes her way back up to the right shoulder of the elven princeling she's attached to.
"Found him" says Narladene the ground pixie, who then explains to the elven magic user "Feels like he's in a small town or village".
The elven master archer nods his hooded head, and after glancing away to the north east, where one of the airships in lord Farque's fleet is flying, quietly says "Looks like I'll have to tell him myself".
The tiny winged creature nods to that, then she senses the young elven magic user is about to cast. And a couple of moments later they disappear as once again he teleports them away, heading south and east, to where the cleric they're searching for is located.
After meeting with some of the villagers who he knows. Who are all glad to see him again. And who all want to know about the war against the robber barons of the unruled lands in the Colevar Mountains, who have invaded their kingdom, and the duchy of Phelm.
With many of them wondering why the king himself hasn't sent any of his army north to help duke Hargen and the duchy Phelm.
And he has to tell them he doesn't know why that hasn't happened. Even though he actually does know. But lies for king and country. For the simple reason it's best not tell the locals. That their duchy of Phelm is seen as just a buffer between the rest of the kingdom of Nastell, and the unruled lands to the north of it.
And that whoever is upon the throne of the kingdom over the years has always thought like that. As they use the largest duchy in the kingdom as a shield for the rest of the nation.
Beldane the cleric who doesn't want to seem traitorous to the king, and speak ill of him. As he actually likes the current monarch, who happens to be a supporter of the church of Glaine. Who actually visited the duchy of Phelm and the city of Almaic a few years ago. The first visit by a current monarch of the kingdom to Phelm in over fifty years.
After speaking with some of the villagers, and looking at the small church and house attached to it, where he used to live and work. Where a priest in his church now administers to the villagers of Duste and surrounding countryside.
Makes his way out of the village, followed by a few of the locals who knew him best when he lived here.
"What will you do?" asks the blacksmith Delbor "Return to the capital" says Beldane the cleric who continues with "The battle is still going on there, and i must return to help those fighting against the invaders from north of the border".
The four with him, the blacksmith, along with the Marpel who owns the trading post in Duste. The old baker Smarn. And the widow Sarah. Who truth be told, if Beldane wasn't a member of the church. He'd romantically pursue. As she widowed young, and is around the same age as him. And though relationships are not discouraged by his church. Marriage of members with lay people is prohibited. And is outright disallowed for senior members of the church such as a fighting cleric like Beldane.
They head up the small hill to the east of Duste, and Delbor says "Well, at least you're keeping your armour in good knick" he then adds in a dry tone "Unlike when you lived here".
The cleric laughs, for when he was younger, he was rather forgetful in his upkeep of his equipment.
Beldane, who is still under thirty, and first came here nine years ago when he was nineteen, says "When the church made me a fighting cleric, i had to change my attitude" he then adds "For the better i hope".
"It has" quietly says the young window Sarah, the others fall silent, but they all agree with her. Whilst Beldane feels slightly embarrassed at that assessment from the young widow. Who he hasn't seen in seven years, who he still feels an attraction to.
They get to the top of the hill, and look in the direction of the capital which is just over forty miles away.
And as Beldane takes his mace from his belt loop, he says "It was good to see you all again".
They reply in kind, then old Smarn says "Glaine be with you father". "And with you my son" replies the powerful cleric, who adds "With all of you".
And with a smile for the young widow Sarah, Beldane steps back and goes to use his magical weapon to create a gateway back to the city of Almaic. Nothing happens.
He frowns and looks at his mace, and tries again. Once again nothing happens.
"Damn" mutters the fighting cleric under his breath, then he sighs after trying again with his mace to create a gateway, and nothing happens.
He sourly smiles as he looks at the magical weapon, which has a mind of it's own at times. And one of those times it seems is right now. As it won't create a gateway for him.
Looking at the four villagers watching him, the cleric Beldane says in a slightly dry tone "Looks like I'll be staying here for a bit" . . . . . .

The Hire 128.

The Battle For The City Of Almaic...

"You okay boss?" asks Teabagger the goblin Cunt "Ugh" is the grunted reply from Dorc da Orc.
Who would be fair to say, is more than a little groggy at the moment.
The large ork feels like he's drunk a wagon load of alcohol. Without the fun of actually drinking it.
The ork warleader feels absolutely terrible as he sits at the base of the north wall of the city of Almaic. Not all that far from the gates of the city.
The big, burly ork who hails from the southern polar region of the world, who is surrounded by a number of the goblins in the battalion he's the general of.
While others with bows and crossbows, are shooting up at the enemy on the top of the wall, who might get it in their heads to drop something down on the ork weaponsmith.
Blinks as he looks around, then with a thick feeling tongue, Dorkindle growls "What the fuck did you gob-a-lin cunts do to me?".
"Wasn't us boss" says Teabagger, who continues with "It was his highness, the elven prince who healed you".
"Fucken pointy eared cunt" mutters the warleader of the ork race, who then says "What the fuck did he heal me with?" followed by "A fucken hammer?" Dorc da Orc then adds "Cause that's what it fucken feels like".
"He used one of the potions you had in your belt there boss" says the small, bright green goblin who is the commander of the battalion of goblins in the Farqian mercenary army. "And you let the cunt?" asks the ork weaponsmith in disgust.
Teabagger just shrugs his shoulders, and doesn't mention that the councillor, prince Helbenthril Raendril also slapped the large ork across the face when he healed him, just because he wanted to.
"Ugh" mutters Dorc da Orc again, who then groans as he sits up straighter with his back against the wall behind him. As it feels like he's be trampled by a bunch of mountain giants.
"Some fucker got me good" mutters the large ork in his native language. Who all that he remembers, is going to shoot the magetube at the city gates. Then the next moment he's lying on the ground waking up, surrounded by some of the goblins in the battalion.
The big, burly ork who hails from the frozen bottom of the world, can't remember anything from when he was unconscious. Which isn't too surprising, considering he hardly remembers anything whilst knocked out. And he's been knocked out a lot during his life.
"You alright boss?" asks the goblin commander again in concern "Yeah me fucken fine" mutters the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks, who then growls "And stop calling me boss, it's fucken general 'member".
"Yes fucking general" murmurs Teabagger in the goblin language, which causes a few of the others who heard him, to snigger.
"As you say boss general, er i mean general" says the goblin commander as the groggy looking ork general glares at him, and the others who sniggered.
Dorkindle leans his head back against the wall behind him, then closes his eyes. The large ork eyes snap open as he remembers something, least of which is that he's still in the middle of a battle.
The weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks, looks to the nearby road. And he spots the magetube he had a little while ago, lying on the open ground on the otherside of that road.
The ork general of a battalion of goblin fighters in the mercenary army from the lands Farque, grunts then says "The fucken boom boom" and nods to where the magetube is as he adds "Better fucken get it".
"Er" says the goblin commander in a reluctant tone of voice, who continues with "That might not be a good idea general".
The small bright green goblin, who is originally from the southern kingdom of Melaurn, nods to beyond the heavily massive magical weapon and adds "There on the ground" Teabagger then says "Some others have already tried to get it".
Dorc da Orc grunts as he spots the charred remains of what looks to be humans. From the army led by field commander Leivyn, which is on the otherside of the road.
"Fucken ours?" ask the ork warleader referring to the Farqian mercenary army, he then adds "Or them fucken barons cunts?".
"Some of the barons men" says Teabagger, who continues with "From the robber baron Solamard's army i think". The robber baron along with robber baron Gergus, whose armies are over on the otherside of the road, under the command of field commander Leivyn.
The large ork, who is the son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks, grunts as he contemplates what to do next.
He could try for the nearby magetube on the otherside of the road. Knowing that an enemy spellcaster is likely to fry him if he does.
Or he can try something else. What? He's not exactly sure yet. Which is pretty much how he goes through life anyway.
The ork weaponsmith looks over at the magetube again, then he looks straight up above him to the top of the north wall of Almaic, and mutters in the ork language "Fucken magicky cuntbag". At whoever it was that struck him down with a spell.
He sighs, then looks away to his right, to see a scaling ladder being put up by some of the soldiers and mercenaries in the armies of either the robber baron Almard or the robber baron Larimer.
Who are on this side of the road that leads to the gates in the north wall of the city that's the provincial capital.
Dorkindle knows that he's too heavy to climb up the scaling ladder. And he looks at the goblins around him. A fair few of whom, will fall off a ladder as they climbed to the top of the wall.
The big, burly ork who was forced into exile from the Ork Range in the southern polar region of the world. For killing his mother, the then matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks.
It was only fair, after all she was doing her best to kill him at the time.
Though originally he was going to be killed for doing that. But thanks to the intervention of two of his friends. The blacksmith No Legs Munga and Onka Donka the shaman. Along with Dorc's mentor, the weaponmaster Kull. He was sent into exile instead.
Sees another of the scaling ladders a bit further away, slide down the face of the wall, and fall close to the ladder that's nearer.
The eyelids of the ork warleader slightly close as he thinks of something, then he murmurs in his native language "Not one, but maybe two of those fuckers might work".
Then after grunting, the large ork, who still happens to be the largest ork in his tribe, says in the common language "Come on cunts, help your fucken general up".
With the help of about a dozen of the goblins, Dorkindle gets to his feet. He's more than a little wobbly as he leans against the city wall for support, while rolling down the rain poncho he's wearing, as it was hiked up to his chest.
Once it's down, the big burly ork from the frozen bottom of the world, grunts and nods away to the nearest scaling ladder that's up, and says "That way cunts".
"Is that a good idea general?" asks Teabagger the goblin Cunt "Fucken nope" says a grinning Dorc da Orc, who then adds with shrug "We gots to do fucken something".
The small, bright lurid green goblin who commands the battalion, nods to that. And without to much of a sigh, he orders the battalion to make their way to the nearby scaling ladders.
While he and the others who are closest, help their general to walk that way. As the large ork stumbles as he puts one foot infront of the other, while leaning against the north wall of Almaic. As he heads towards the closest of the scaling ladders. Which the defenders up on the top of the wall, are pushing away at the moment.
"Dorc's finally back on his feet" says Mira Reinholt the mage, next to him on the archers platform in the enemy fortification they're in. Tamric Drubine looks to near the gates, here on the north side of Almaic. And spots the large ork amongst some of the goblins in his battalion. Leaning against the wall as he slowly walks away from the gates. And away from the magetube that's lying on the otherside of the road.
"He looks knackered" says Tamric Drubine the field commander, who then adds "That spell that hit him must of been something".
"Anyone else not protected by magic would of been killed if they got hit by that" says the once powerful mage who hails from the city-state of Vexil, who then adds in a dry tone "That fat green lump is made of tough stuff, that's for fucking sure".
Next to the mage Reinholt, the young field commander grins and nods in agreement with the spellcaster who is a member of the personal council of lord Farque.
Then Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by those who know him well, says "Hell, that cleric who hit him is going to join us" he briefly pauses before he adds "That's if his highness finds him".
"Better not tell Dorc it was him that struck him down" dryly says the exiled Vexilian mage, who after a couple of moments of silence, continues with "And like you said, that's if the royal thief is able to find him".
Their conversation is interrupted by one of the spotters who says "Commander we've topped the wall".
"Where?" asks the young field commander who is originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin.
"Away to the left, about halfway along our half of the wall" explains the lookout who is on the archers platform to the left of the one field commander Drubine and councilor Reinholt are on with a couple of others.
They look that way, and it's the mage Reinholt who spots them and says "I see them" followed by "Looks like some of Larimer's men are up there".
Tam sees them too, then says "They need to get a few more up there to take that section of the wall".
He turns to his subcommander Waiamin and tells him "Have Larimer push more against that part of the wall".
The subcommander nods, and passes the order onto one of the nearby spellcasters, who in turn will use mindspeech to get in contact with one of the spellcasters with the two robber barons.
Who are with their senior officers, in the battleline that's closest to the city of Almaic. While field commander Drubine and his senior staff, along with councilor Reinholt, are in the next battleline back. Essentially at the rear of the army, now that there's a full on assault on the north wall of the city that's the capital of the duchy of Phelm.
"Can you help them out?" quietly asks the young field commander with a glance at the mage Reinholt beside him, as they see another of the robber baron Larimer's men get struck down as he fights upon the top of the city wall.
"Probably not without killing them too" replies the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, the mage whose family owns one of the largest and most wealthy trading companies in all the Southlands, continues with "Though with the way it's going up there, hardly any of them will be alive anyway".
As they see another, then another of the soldiers from the unruled lands in the Colevar Mountains, fall to the enemy upon that section of the wall.
Another is cut down, though he grabs one of the defenders, and takes him over the top of the wall, and falls out of view behind the wall.
The spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands. Who was on course to be the next battlemage in the Southlands, or for that matter anywhere in the world of Volunell.
Creates a mageglobe as another in the robber baron Larimer's army, this one a mercenary. Get shoved off the top of the wall, after a sword is plunged into his guts.
Mira Reinholt flings the mageglobe away, and the living piece of magic shoots straight up into the sky as it makes its way above the wards the enemy have along the north wall of Almaic.
"Damn" murmurs the young field commander who leads the army attacking this half of the wall, when he sees the last soldier to gain the top of the wall, struck down by the enemy. Then his body picked up, and thrown off the top of the wall.
While others use polearms and spears to push the scaling ladder away, as a trio of robber baron Larimer's men are climbing it.
As that scaling ladder is slowly pushed away from the face of the wall, and a fireball splashes across the wards close to it.
Commander Drubine shakes his head, and quietly says "They'll have to try harder".
"Should we send ours up?" quietly asks subcommander Waiamin, the nobleborn field commander shakes his head, and says "No" followed by "They can continue to wait". For the simple reason a lot of them, especially the advanced elements of the Farqian mercenary army under the command of Tamric Drubine fought all morning to clear the enemy from all the battlelines they had dug here to the north of the city.
Whilst the armies of the robber barons followed at a distance.
"Larimer and Almard's men will continue with the assault upon the wall itself" says the young field commander who was the heir to a previous knight of castle Drubine in northern Sarcrin, who continues with "Our forces will advance to the top of the wall on my order only".
The mage Reinholt who is pretty sure he has just spotted his latest mageglobe up in the clear afternoon sky, coming back down, on the otherside of the enemy wards, says in a slightly dry tone "Well, apart from there".
"Huh?" says Tamric Drubine, who looks at the exiled Vexilian mage, who points to where he means.
There they see Dorc da Orc, talking in an animated fashion with some of robber baron Almard's soldiers who are putting up a scaling ladder again. While some of the goblin battalion, and others in the robber baron's army, bring over another scaling ladder which had been shoved off the wall.
"Hell, it'll be a miracle if he could get his fat ass up one of those ladders" says Mira Reinholt, who has seen the big, burly ork climb scaling ladders before. Though they were much stronger, heavier and sturdier than ones they have here.
As his mageglobe comes down and hits the top of the wall, that section that some of the attackers were briefly on, and it explodes in a spectacular and fiery fashion.
The once powerful mage quietly says "Though if he did get up to the top, we'd have a secure section of the wall" he briefly pauses before adding "No way the enemy could clear him and those fanatical goblins of his off the wall" . . . . . .

The Hire 127.

Almaic. Phelm. Nastell...

"We'll go out and have another look" says Berric the commander of duke Hargen's personal guard.
"From every report we've received, the city is still holding" continues the commander, who then adds "So that's something".
The commander of the duke's personal guard company, who also happens to be a swordmaster. Hasn't checked on the battle himself, since he and some of his men watched it earlier this morning.
It's now mid afternoon, and the swordmaster wants to see what's happening. Especially now since earlier in the afternoon. The enemy encountered a setback along the east side of Almaic.
The commander of the guard, along with the veteran guard Ludoc, and a handful of others are making their way out of the main building of the ducal palace.
Swordmaster Berric has left captain Ardel in charge of the duke's safety here in the palace as he and the others go and check on the battle that's been raging all day.
As they cross the marshalling yard infront of the main building of the palace. The veteran guard Ludoc asks "Back to the old tower at the church of Glaine?" as that's where they observed the battle from earlier in the morning.
The commander of duke Hargen's personal guard shakes his head no, and says "Not this time" followed by "We'll go to the north wall itself since the latest report the duke got from there is that the enemy are attacking it in force".
The guard commander and those with him, are making their way to where others in their company are at the gates with some mounts for them.
The swordmaster and the others are looking forward to riding through the city, compared to walking as they did earlier in the morning.
The experienced guard Ludoc is just mentioning something along those lines as he says "Taking a horse beats walking all the way". When he's interrupted by one of the men behind him and the swordmaster, who quietly says "Commander, away to the right".
Berric, who hails from the northern city of Savariss, which fell to the enemy just four nights ago.
Slightly nods his head, after looking that way, and sees sir Yarrim the sorcerer and two of his personal household guards, cutting across the marshalling yard, heading to the main building here in the palace.
The commander of duke Hargen's personal guard doesn't particularly care for the nobleborn spellcaster. As he knows sir Yarrim, for all that he does in the defence of duchy. Has his eyes on the ducal seat.
And now that his lady love, the lady Elaine, is the new heir to her older brother, duke Hargen.
The powerful sorcerer from the southern border region of the duchy of Phelm, is now one step closer to holding the ducal seat.
For all that, the commander of the duke's personal guard gives a friendly wave to the second most important nobleman in the duchy, and calls out to the sorcerer "Well done sir Yarrim!" followed by "We heard that it's you we should be thanking for the defeat of the enemy along the east side of the city!".
"Thank you swordmaster!" calls back sir Yarrim, who in turn, doesn't particularly like the commander of duke Hargen's personal guard. For the simple reason he's a commoner. A commoner who is more important than many of the nobility in the duchy, in the eyes of many. Mostly the common folk themselves. As no commoner has even held such an influential position at court as commander Berric does now.
"But it was the crew of his lord's frigate who deserve as much praise!" adds the nobleborn spellcaster.
Having heard that the twin masted warship in question, went down somewhere to the east of the Mareb river.
The commander of duke Hargen's personal guard calls out "How are the crew?".
"Back here in the city!" replies sir Yarrim, who continues with "Infact here in the palace, in the yards behind your headquarters, with the other ship there!"
"That's good to hear!" calls back the swordmaster Berric, who along with his men, having reached the others with their mounts, calls out to the powerful sorcerer "We're off, we'll catch up when my men and i return!".
The commander of duke Hargen's personal guard hops up into the saddle, and after giving another friendly wave to the nobleborn sorcerer, who waves back in return.
He along with those men coming with him, ride out of the main gates here on the north side of the dual palace.
"Wonder where they're off to?" quietly says one sir Yarrim's personal household guards "Who cares" says the powerful sorcerer in a dismissive tone, who then adds "Come on let's go" and continues on towards the main building of the ducal palace.
As the nobleborn spellcaster from the southern border region of the duchy, senses the fixed wards he has around the palace grounds. To make sure they haven't been breached again by the enemy. Like they were this morning. By all things, a mageglobe. Not a powerful one, but nevertheless, it was a mageglobe.
His two personal guards walking behind him, glance at one another after hearing the dismissive tone towards commander Berric, after one of them asked where he thought the commander and some of his men were off to.
They know that their lord, doesn't particularly care for the famous swordmaster, because he's a commoner like they are. And though they usually believe everything their lord believes. They can't take it to heart, and totally dislike the commander of the duke's personal guards.
And true, there's some rivalry between all the personal household guards of many of the nobility in Phelm. And the duke's personal guards.
They would never put the safety of either the duke or the duchy itself, at risk in any rivalry they may have.
The same goes for the sorcerer Yarrim too. Though to a point. For though he'd never admit it to anyone. He wouldn't exactly be crestfallen if the duke went and got himself killed during the battle for the city.
And though he wouldn't wish any harm upon duke Hargen. He also wouldn't shed any tears if he was to lose his life in some way.
Well not any meaningful tears. As he'd put on show of mourning if the duke was killed. Especially infront of his lady love, the lady Elaine. Who is the younger sister of the duke. And who the duke late yesterday afternoon, named as his new heir.
The nobleborn spellcaster and his two personal guards enter the main building of the palace. And spots the chamberlain sir Lamard speaking with a couple of officers, and a messenger.
Sir Yarrim briefly interrupts them, and asks the chamberlain where he can find sir Alfred. The powerful sorcerer briefly pauses when sir Lamard informs him that sir Alfred has gone to help out with the defence on the west side of the city.
The nobleborn spellcaster thanks the chamberlain. And continues on to the chamber where the duke has been most of the day since the battle began.
Sir Yarrim wonders why his ally, sir Alfred. Who happens to be the former lover of the lady Elaine. Has gone and got himself involved with the defence along the west side of the city.
As he wanted him with the duke at all times. To counter the presence of commander Berric, who only arrived here in Almaic yesterday afternoon, having escaped from the city of Savariss, that fell to the enemy.
Sir Yarrim slightly shrugs his shoulders, then he along with his two personal guards, enter the chamber where the duke and many of his advisors, and others here at court, have been throughout the day, as the battle for the city of Almaic continues to rage.
On the city streets, heading north through the capital of the duchy of Phelm. Commander Berric reins in when he gets to a wide street. That when you look eastwards along it. Gives you a view all the way to the long boulevard that runs down the east side of the city, and the river Mareb that flows southwards along that side of Almaic.
"Can't make out much" says the highly accomplished swordmaster to the experienced guard Ludoc "It seems things are quiet that way" adds the commander of duke Hargen's personal guard.
"Looks like it" says Ludoc as he peers to the east down the long street, the longest in the city, that's over a mile in length in total.
The experienced guard is about to add something, when swordmaster Berric says "Look who we have here" he grins and adds "Seems they're still alive and in one piece".
From a side street a group of people have made their way onto the long street. A group who both the commander and the experienced guard know well. As they fled south with them from the city of Savariss.
"Barron!" calls out the commander of duke Hargen's personal guard to the leader of the small squad in the duke's army, who survived one of the battles up on the northern border of Phelm, then the battle for the city of Savariss. Now they find themselves in the battle for the city of Almaic, the capital of the duchy of Phelm.
Barron and his small squad, which includes a trio of nonhuman mercenaries. An elven ranger, and a pair of dwarven warriors to be precise. Turn and make their way to where the commander and a number of his company are on their mounts.
"I see you lot are still alive" says the commander of duke Hargen's personal guard "We sure are swordmaster" says the young squad leader Barron "Aye, the bastards haven't got us yet" adds the slightly older, and slightly taller of the two dwarven warriors, Shawtus McQuade.
Both commander Berric and Ludoc grin when they hear that, then the highly accomplished swordmaster who along with his younger brother Gallene, are the two most well known swordmasters, and commoners in the entire duchy, asks the young squad leader "Where did they send you?".
"To the boulevard along the east side of the city" replies Barron "You see them being pushed back there?" asks the commander of the duke's personal guard "Some" says the squad leader, who then adds in a slightly dry tone "It was fairly smoky over there when they attacked, didn't exactly see a hell of a lot".
The swordmaster from the northern city of Savariss nods, then he asks the young squad leader who hails from further south in the duchy "What are you doing now?".
"Looking for the enemy" says Barron, who then explains to the guard commander, that some of the enemy who got across the Mareb river, fought their way through those defending along the riverfront, and were able to enter the city itself.
"How many?" asks commander Berric who looks around "Not many" is the answer from Berric, who continues with "Under a hundred" he then adds "Fifty to sixty at most i guess". He glances at the elven mercenary Dalin, who nods in agreement at that assessment from the young squad leader. "There's quite a few of us who were along the riverfront boulevard searching for them" says Barron.
"That's good to know" says the swordmaster who along with his men are looking in both directions of the long street, which is fairly empty. Trying to spot any of the enemy who were able to enter the city after crossing the Mareb river, after it was briefly halted in some way by the enemy on that side of Almaic.
"We must be off" says the common born commander of the duke's personal guard "But it was good to see you lot, and to see that your all in one piece" adds the swordmaster Berric. Who rightly attributes the small squad still being whole, to the skills and experience of the trio of nonhumans in their ranks.
As he knows the small squad of just twelve, survived a battle along the northern border of the duchy, then the battle for Savariss, now here in the battle for Almaic. Complete, without a single loss to their numbers.
"Good to see you as well swordmaster" says the young squad leader Barron, who waves in reply to the wave from commander Berric, who along with the others in his company, continue on their way northwards through the city of Almaic. Riding to the north wall of  the city that's under attack from the robber barons of the unruled lands in the Colevar Mountains, who have banded together, and come south to wage war upon duke Hargen and the duchy of Phelm, here in northern Nastell.
As they ride through the city streets, which for the main part, are empty, as they have been all day.
Commander Berric says to the experienced guard Ludoc, who is riding beside him "That lot are extremely lucky to be in one piece after all they've gone through".
"Hopefully some of that luck rubs off on us" says Ludoc, who continues with "After all, we did travel with them for a few days".
"That we did" says the swordmaster from the northern city of Savariss, which fell to the enemy less than a week ago "And hopefully some of it does" adds commander Berric in reference to the luck the small army squad, he and Ludoc, and a few others in the duke's personal guard company traveled with to get to Almaic.
The commander of duke Hargen's personal guard and those with him, continue northwards through the streets of Almaic, as they make their way to the north wall of the city as the battle continues to rage, on this hot and sunny, summer's day here in the north of the kingdom of Nastell . . . . . .

The Hire 126.

In And Around The City Of Almaic...

Across on the otherside of the Mareb river. To the southeast of the city of Almaic. Sir Yarrim the sorcerer looks behind the downed frigate. And spots his fellow sorcerer Marx, a lieutenant in the duke's fleet is looking this way.
"Ready!" calls out sir Yarrim the sorcerer who doesn't want to use mindspeech as an enemy spellcaster might sense his fellow sorcerer Marx.
"Soon!" is the reply from Marx the sorcerer, who points up to the deck of the twin masted frigate, where a few of the crew are still climbing down off the crippled vessel.
There comes the loud thud and boom of one of the magetubes firing onboard the frigate, sending a shot towards the enemy.
The crew left onboard who just fired the heavy magical weapon. Cut the straps and ropes that was holding the magetube up, so it could fire down at the enemy as the crashed airship is on a lean to starboard.
The magetube smashes down through the decking and falls into the cargo hold below.
While those crew who just fired it, and cut it loose. Hurry up on deck, so that they can climb down off the starboard side, and join the rest of the crew who survived the crash, which was most of them, down on the ground.
The sorcerer Marx looks over at his fellow sorcerer, sir Yarrim who is behind a pile of rocks about thirty yards from the stern of the frigate, and nods his head.
"Get ready" says the nobleborn sorcerer to his two personal household guards "It'll be up to us to eventually hold them off" adds sir Yarrim.
And though his two guards both dread the prospect of that. They don't complain, and just nod to the noblebman whose estates along the southern border of the duchy of Phelm, they're from.
The powerful sorcerer watches his fellow spellcaster who is a lieutenant in the duke's fleet, who gives the signal.
The next moment sir Yarrim senses the sorcerer Marx casting a rift. The nobleborn sorcerer who is crouching behind the pile of rocks, stands up, steps to the side, and casts a firewave spell at the enemy. Who once again rush the port side of the downed frigate.
In the distance sir Yarrim spots more of the enemy rushing in this direction. They'll get to the crashed airship fairly quickly.
Ducking back down behind the pile of rocks, the powerful sorcerer who is the second most influential noble in the duchy of Phelm, behind only duke Hargen himself, says to his two personal household guards "Once they're all through, run that way".
Sir Yarrim points away to the southwest towards the Mareb river, then he adds "Keep as close to me as possible, i won't be able to protect you if you're too far from me".
"Yes sir" reply the guards in unison, then one adds "Sir, through what exactly?".
"That" says the sorcerer Yarrim who nods to behind the downed frigate, where a rift has just appeared next to lieutenant Marx, the otherside of which is in the city of Almaic.
Sir Yarrim stands once more, steps to one side, and sends a fireball flying off towards the enemy, towards a spellcaster he can sense amongst them. As they all scramble to get clear of his firewave which is nearly a hundred and twenty feet in length.
Ducking back down behind the pile of rocks, and looking back at the downed warship. The sorcerer Yarrim sees those of the crew with bows and crossbows. Standing at the stern and presumably at the bow. Shooting at the enemy who are trying to approach the twin masted frigate that crashed when an enemy spellcaster got particularly lucky, and got through its wards, and hit the magical keel, which keeps an airship in the sky.
While others in the crew who survived the crash landing, make their way into the rift that the sorcerer Marx has created.
Sir Yarrim sees a gaping hole in the starboard side of the downed frigate, and slightly nods, and murmurs "In there".
"Sir?" asks one of his personal household guards "Just thinking out loud" says the nobleborn spellcaster who is in a relationship with lady Elaine, who is the younger sister of duke Hargen. Who the duke, just yesterday, named as his new heir. After he had his younger cousin, sir Tanvar. Executed for criminal activity during a time of war.
His other personal guard has popped his head around the other end of the pile of rocks, then says "Hell, there's an awful lot of them heading this way alright".
Sir Yarrim just nods his head, and doesn't look that way. Instead he continues to watch the crew of the downed frigate go through the rift his fellow sorcerer, lieutenant Marx has cast.
Once the crew members with crossbows and bows start running to the rift one at a time, and enter it as the sorcerer Marx keeps an eye on everyone going through his rift.
Sir Yarrim quietly says to his two personal household guards "Get ready".
One who like the powerful sorcerer, is watching the crew of the downed warship go through the rift just behind it, nods his head.
As does the other who is peeking around one end of the rock pile, who also winces as he's sees how many of the enemy are rushing this way.
The nobleborn sorcerer watches as the last two archers, who were standing at the prow of the crippled frigate. Hurry to the rift, and enter it one at a time. Once they're through, lieutenant Marx, without looking in the direction of his fellow sorcerer, is the last one through the rift.
"Now!" shouts sir Yarrim, his two personal household guards are up and running.
And as the rift cast by the sorcerer Marx vanishes as he drops the spell after going through the otherside, which is in the city of Almaic.
The sorcerer Yarrim casts an energyball, the most powerful energyball he can cast. Infact it's the most powerful one he's ever cast.
After doing so, he turns and runs after his pair of guards. While the energyball, over fifteen feet wide. Looking like a shot from a magetube. Heads right to the downed airship. To be precise, the large chunk missing in the starboard side hull.
Sir Yarrim doesn't look back, he just runs as fast as he can. And though he's in red armour, most of which is hardened leather. With the exception of his breastplate, pouldrons, bracers and greeves. All of which are a red coloured steel.
He soon catches up to his personal household guards. Who are attired in similar armour, just not red. But more heavy steel than their lord.
Once he's close to his personal household guards, and after flinching as he senses, then feels and hears his energyball go into the downed airship and explode.
Sir Yarrim who is looking towards the city of Almaic across on the otherside of the Mareb river, disappears with his two guards as he teleports them away to safety.
Not so safe, are those in the army led by general Halvane from the lands Farque. Who have got to the downed airship. After avoiding the firewave and fireball cast by the powerful sorcerer who hails from the southern border region of the duchy of Phelm.
They're all killed when the energyball cast by sir Yarrim enters the downed airship and explodes in spectacular fashion.
The crippled frigate is blasted to bits. The entire ship is blown apart. With wood shattering into untold pieces. And though large chunks of the crippled vessel go flying away in all directions. There's no saving the twin masted warship, which is well and truly destroyed.
Only the magetubes onboard survive more or less intact. Though they go flying off in all directions as the explosion is that powerful.
Many of the magetubes, though still in one piece. Are damaged in some way or another. Either cracked, which makes them useless. Or warped in someway, which renders them nearly useless.
It'll take a while to work out which ones can still be used. They have to be found first. As some of them are flung up to a couple hundred feet from where the downed airship was.
Even then, specially built cradles will be needed to be made. If and when, someone wants to fire them.
Though it won't be anyone who was climbing up onboard the crippled frigate. Or who were within a hundred feet of it when it exploded. As they're all killed in the explosion. And many of those further back, are badly wounded by the flying debris. One of the magetubes that was flung through the air, goes flying over a hundred feet through the air. Not all that high off the ground. Before it smashes into a handful of those in general Halvane's army who were rushing towards the downed airship, killing them instantly.
In total, nearly two hundred are killed in the explosion that destroys the downed frigate. And half that number, who were further back. Are injured, many of them badly. From the explosion from sir Yarrim's energyball, when it went into the crippled twin masted airship, and exploded.
Standing on the roof of one of the towers on the long boulevard, behind some of the docks on the city side of the river Mareb.
Sir Yarrim, along with his two personal household guards look back in the direction the nobleborn sorcerer just teleported them from.
And in the distance across in the countryside on the otherside of the Mareb river. They see the cloud of debris and smoke, mushroom up and rise up into the afternoon sky from the explosion that has destroyed the frigate that's part of duke Hargen's fleet.
It was just one of two in duke Hargen's small fleet that he had here in the city of Almaic. The rest of his warships are out and about protecting transporters and cargo ships here in the duchy of Phelm. Or elsewhere in the kingdom of Nastell. Making their way to the duchy, that's the largest and the most northern duchy in the kingdom.
Watching the after effects of his energyball exploding, sir Yarrim quietly says to his pair of personal household guards "Even if they get their hands on any of the magetubes that were onboard, I'll doubt many will be fully intact to use".
The powerful sorcerer continues with "And the fact they'll need firing cradles to actually use one if it's not" damaged" the nobleborn spellcaster then shakes his head, and adds "It's not as though you can pick one up and use it".
Both of his personal guards nod in agreement with that assessment from the noble whose estates are on the southern border of the duchy of Phelm.
There's a handful of city guards and soldiers in the duke's army upon the roof of the tower too, and sir Yarrim turns to them and asks "Have they made another attempt to cross the river?".
"No sir" replies one of the lookouts, a soldier in the duke's army, who points and adds "They've just spread out along the riverbank over there a bit more".
Sir Yarrim nods as he sees, thanks to there being hardly any smoke along the river now, that the enemy have done that. And have moved up and down the opposite bank of the river, more than they were previously.
With the exception of those who went southeast to the downed frigate.
The nobleborn spellcaster looks away in that direction again, and sees some of them coming back towards the river Mareb. While others are searching for survivors, as well as magetubes as the last of the debris of the destroyed frigate rains down upon that area.
The sorcerer who is the second most influential noble in the duchy, only behind duke Hargen himself, slightly nods his head, then looks up the long boulevard, as the tower he's on, is towards the southern end of this side of the city.
"Any more fighting going along up there?" asks sir Yarrim "Not for a little while sir" is the answer from the lookout who spoke previously.
The powerful sorcerer slightly nods as there doesn't seem to be anymore fighting going on along the city's riverfront.
He turns to the lookout who tells him "We're been told to keep an eye out for any of them who might of got into the city sir" he continues with "One of the squads between this tower, and the next one north, have gone into the city, to search for any of them who might of got through us, and entered this side of the city".
"Good" says the sorcerer Yarrim who suspects that squads up and down the long boulevard that runs alongside the city, have made their way into Almaic to search out any of the enemy who were able to enter the city.
The nobleborn spellcaster who spots the top of one of the towers further north along the riverfront is missing, presumably after getting hit by an enemy spell.
Quietly says to his two personal household guards "I don't think they'll attempt to cross the river again anytime soon" he continues with "The attack upon this side of the city has been halted for now".
His two guards nod to that, then one says "They'll concentrate all their efforts upon the othersides they're attacking now since they've failed here" he gestures first to the north, then to the west, and adds "Along the north wall, and around on the west side of the city".
Sir Yarrim nods to that, then says "We'll go and check on them" the nobleman whose estates are along the southern border of the duchy of Phelm, continues with "But first it's back to the duke's palace, to see what reports have come in this afternoon before we actually see for ourselves".
As the nobleborn sorcerer wants to see if there's any recurring patterns amongst the attack from the enemy, as they tend to do whilst attacking a fixed position such as a city.
Sir Yarrim might not of experienced a lot of warfare in his lifetime. But he has read an awful lot about it from history books.
And one thing he's read over and over again about battles for castles and cities. Is that those who are laying siege, and attacking the castle or city. Are quite predictable, and one can see the recurring patterns in their assault upon the castle or city.
Apart from when they have completely overwhelming numbers, like ten to one. It's when they're totally unpredictable that they're truly dangerous.
As the enemy here were, when they stopped the flow of the Mareb river, and crossed over to the city that's the capital of the duchy of Phelm.
The powerful sorcerer knows that they got extremely lucky in spotting what the enemy were up to on this side of Almaic. And that he quickly thought of a way to counter them.
If not, he knows that if the enemy from the unruled lands in the Colevar Mountains, who have invaded the duchy of Phelm. Were able to cross the river in large numbers. They would of easily defeated those defending this side of Almaic. And once they did, they would've been able to freely enter the city itself. And more than likely take it with ease. As the rest of those defending Almaic, are too busy fighting along the north and west sides of the city to do anything to stop them.
But stop them we have, and i intend to stop them completely, and send them packing, back across the border, sir Yarrim thinks to himself, who then says to his two personal household guards "Back to the palace".
A moment later the three of them disappear as the powerful sorcerer teleports them away . . . . . .

The Hire 125.

Almaic...

In the eastern quarter of the city of Almaic, standing upon a low rooftop, and looking down into a lane.
Dalinvardél Tanith the elven spy quietly says in his native language "You lot head south, you're being hunted".
The trio of soldiers in the Farqian mercenary army in the lane, look back and up at him, and he gives the hand signal to identify who he is.
The most experienced of the trio who made it across the Mareb river and into the city. Nods his head in understanding. And the three of them hurry down the rest of the lane. Then turn left. To the south.
The elven spy in the mercenary army from the lands Farque who has infiltrated duke Hargen's army, hops down off the roof. And makes his way back up the street.
Dalinvardél Tanith who is more commonly called by the name of Dalin by those who know him well. It's also the name he's using whilst ensconced in the army of duke Hargen of Phelm.
Makes his way around a corner at the top of the street, and waits for the rest of his squad who are coming down this particular street.
"Locate any of them?" asks the squad leader Barron once the rest of the squad join up with the elven spy who they think is a mercenary ranger from the principality of Alínlae.
"None" replies Dalin as he falls in beside Barron and the McQuade cousins.
"Hell we'll spend the rest of the day, then the night searching for them, and probably not find any of them" says the young squad leader who hails from further south in the duchy of Phelm.
The McQuade cousins Shawtus and Smawfri grunt in agreement, while the spy Tanith nods his hooded head.
They've been sent with other squads into the city proper to hunt down those of the enemy who got across the Mareb when the flow of the river briefly stopped. And made their way into the city that's the provincial capital.
And though less than five hundred of the enemy got across the river, and fought the defenders of Almaic on the docks and the long boulevard that's down the east side of Almaic. Even fewer of them were able to get through, and enter the city itself.
So far, the elven spy who once served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland Alínlae. Has run across three small groups of those in the army led by the Farqian general Halvane, who have made it into the city of Almaic.
He's sent them south, where they'll be least expected. As it's near the centre of the city where those defending the capital city of the duchy of Phelm. Would expect them to go to. After all, that's where the ducal palace and other important places are located.
Dalin has just been glad that of those three small groups he's found. They've all had someone from his own army in them. As he knows it'll be difficult to send only soldiers and mercenaries in the armies of the robber barons to where he wants them to go. They might try to kill him first and ask questions later.
After all, he is playing himself off as a mercenary for hire, who has joined duke Hargen's army.
"Who was that you were talking to?" asks Shawtus McQuade, who along with his cousin Smawfri, heard the spy Tanith speaking in elven, even though they were two streets away.
The elven spy who infiltrated duke Hargen's army at the very start of Summer, when he joined up the exact same day as the McQuade cousins did, says "Speaking to the owners of the shop up here on the left".
Dalinvardél Tanith points at the shop in question, which is owned by an elven family who have lived in Almaic for the last three centuries. They're one of only a handful of elven merchants here in Almaic.
As they're more likely to be found further south in the kingdom. As the southern border of the kingdom of Nastell. Is less than two hundred miles from the northern border of the elven principality of Alínlae. The closest ruled nation to the kingdom of Nastell.
"To see if they had seen any of them go by" adds the spy Tanith, who gestures around them on the street, and says in a slightly dry tone of voice "The city streets aren't exactly teeming with people at the moment".
Shawtus McQuade grunts at that, and the young squad leader Barron nods. As the local citizens, well those who aren't involved in the defence of Almaic. Have kept themselves indoors all day since the battle for the city began around dawn.
The only time people have come out onto the streets for any extended amount of time. Is if they've gone to get something they need, like food and such.
The street they're on is empty, and the next one they turn onto. Which heads west, deeper into the city that's the provincial capital. Only has a couple of people on it. Who are leading a horse drawn cart towards a yard next to some buildings.
They occasionally spot people up on rooftops, trying to see what's happening in the battle. Which is predominantly on the north and west sides of Almaic. As on the east, the attack from the enemy, for now has been halted.
Though it's really only those on the rooftops of the taller buildings who can actually see what's going on during the battle for their city.
"Armed men coming this way" quietly says Dalinvardél Tanith "Aye, a bunch of them" says Shawtus McQuade who also hears them, as does Smawfri McQuade, who grunts in agreement with his cousin, and the elven spy.
"About twenty of them" says the spy Tanith, who continues with "Probably others searching for the enemy" he then adds "They're moving freely about, and it sounds like they're in the middle of a street".
Both of the dwarven warriors, who are originally from the Sunreach Mountains, where their clanhold is located. Nod in agreement with the elven spy who hails from the principality of Alínlae, who is now part of the armies of Farque.
As they turn onto the next street, and look away to their right. That's what it turns out to be. More soldiers in duke Hargen's army, who are coming down this long street. Searching for any of the enemy who were able to cross the Mareb river when it wasn't flowing. Then fight their way through the defenders on the east side of Almaic. Before entering the city itself.
The two squads, the smaller one led by young Barron. And the larger one led by a grizzled veteran from here in the city of Almaic. Stop, and briefly confer about what they've found. Or more specifically, not found.
"There's some about alright, but the hell if i know where they are" says the grizzled veteran who leads the other squad, who were also on the long boulevard down the east side of the city, as the squad led by young Barron was earlier.
"We thought we were chasing a small group of maybe half a dozen of them a little while ago" says the leader of the other squad, who continues with "But they got away".
They got away thanks to Dalinvardél Tanith, who spotted the half a dozen in question a little earlier. They were the second lot he has found since young Barron's squad were ordered into the city proper, to hunt down any of the enemy who might of entered Almaic.
The spy Tanith, sent them, just like the last trio. And the first group of four. Further south into the city. Either to cause mischief down there, or to escape the city. To join the others who are fighting to the west and to the north of the city that's the capital of the duchy of Phelm.
The elven spy hopes they get up to no good in the south of Almaic. Setting buildings on fire, and attacking the towers of the city guards down there.
For if they do that, they'll draw more and more defenders away from elsewhere in the city.
"We haven't run across any of them yet" says the young squad leader Barron who continues with "The city is big, and there's not exactly a lot of us searching for them".
The grizzled veteran grunts in agreement to that, then he says "Still, we've got to do the best that we can". He then wishes Barron and his squad luck in finding the enemy. And the young squad leader wishes him the same.
Then the two squads continue on their way, as they resume their search for any of the enemy who have made their way into Almaic after crossing the Mareb when the river was briefly halted in its flow.
Dalin, who is the scout more than anything else in the small squad led by Barron. Moves out infront of the others after telling the McQuade cousins to listen out for his call.
The spy Tanith hears and spots a few people on the streets in this area of the city, but thankfully no one in the army led by general Halvane who were able to get into Almaic.
The elven spy from the principality of Alínlae, heads up to the roof of a four storey building. Probably the tallest in this area of eastern Almaic.
Up on the roof are a few locals, and he asks them if they've seen any sign of the enemy in the city.
After they reply in the negative, the elven spy who has infiltrated duke Hargen's army, looks away to the east. Where he gets a pretty clear view in that direction.
Dalinvardél Tanith who sees that a lot if not most of the smoke that was obscuring the river Mareb has dispersed or drifted away.
Gets a good view of the countryside to the east of the city that's the provincial capital. And what remains of general Halvane's army over there.
The spy Tanith who figures at least a quarter of the Farqian general's army was wiped out when the river Mareb resumed its course.
Quickly glances down and spots the rest of the small squad led by Barron in a nearby street.
"Up here!" calls out Dalin, who is heard, then spotted by the McQuade cousins, who lead the way to the building the elven spy is on the roof of.
The small squad who number a dozen including the spy Tanith, make their way up the four storey building, and onto the roof to join the elven spy who has infiltrated duke Hargen's army.
"Anything?" asks Barron "Nothing" replies Dalinvardél Tanith, who continues with "But this is a good place as any to spot any of them who might be in the area".
The young squad leader nods to that, and tells the rest of the group to spread out around the rooftop to see if they can spot any of the enemy who were able to enter the city of Almaic, after crossing the Mareb river.
The elven spy who is close to Barron and the McQuade cousins on the east side of the rooftop, gestures away to the countryside to the east of the city of Almaic, on the otherside of the Mareb river.
"Bit of action going on over there" says Dalin, who then tells Barron who won't be able to see it as clearly as he and the dwarven warriors are able to "A bit further away to the southeast" the spy Tanith then adds "That airship that went down over there".
The young squad leader nods as he's just able to make out the downed frigate in the distance "I see it" says Barron, who continues with "Just" he then asks "What's happening over there?".
"They're fighting over it" is the reply of the elven spy in the Farqian mercenary army who has infiltrated duke Hargen's army.
"I thought i heard magetubes firing away over there" murmurs the young squad leader as he, along with Dalinvardél Tanith and the McQuade cousins look away to the southeast of the city.
Across the Mareb river, where the downed airship lies over a mile and half from the bulk of the enemy army.
One of the personal guards of sir Yarrim, grabs the sorcerer, and yanks him down behind the rocks they're taking shelter behind. Just then a few arrows and bolts hit the front of the pile of rocks.
"Thanks" says sir Yarrim the sorcerer, who when he isn't casting, is holding his power within himself, so he won't give away his position to any enemy spellcaster.
The other personal household guard of the powerful sorcerer glances around the rocks, which have been gathered from the field the frigate has crashed in to by the farmers during winter before planting season.
Says to the nobleborn spellcaster "If more of them start heading this way, we're going to be in it pretty thick sir".
The sorcerer, who is the second most influential noble in the duchy of Phelm, behind only duke Hargen himself, nods his head then says "Not even i could hold a lot of them off for any extended amount of time".
Sir Yarrim pauses as one of the magetubes onboard the downed frigate, which is able to fire at the enemy, shoots at them again as some of them rush towards the crippled airship.
"One of the crew is coming over" says one of the personal household guards from the powerful sorcerer's estates along the southern border of the duchy.
A crew member rushes from behind the stern, to the pile of rocks thirty yards behind the aft section of the downed twin masted frigate.
"Sir Yarrim" says the crewman, who continues with "The captain has ordered that all the magetube cradles that haven't already been damaged to be smashed" he continues with "And the two spellcasters are draining them as we speak".
The nobleborn spellcaster nods in understating, then he slightly grimaces as the crewman adds "Through his eyepiece, the captain sees that more of the enemy are approaching to join this lot already here".
"How much more?" asks sorcerer Yarrim "A lot more sir" replies the crew member, who slightly pauses, then adds "About five hundred or so".
"Hell" mutters sir Yarrim, while both of his personal household guards wince.
"We can't stay here then" says the nobleborn spellcaster, who looks over at the downed airship, and after a moment says "The ship will have to be destroyed" the powerful sorcerer then silently adds, that'll make it even more difficult for them to get a hold of the magetubes.
"So the captain agrees" says the crewman, who continues with "If you could see to it, he'd appreciate it" the air sailor in the duke's fleet then says "The lieutenant will cast a rift back to the city for us to escape".
Sir Yarrim nods, then says "Very well, tell the captain I'll destroy his ship" he follows that with "Me and my men will find our own way back across the river to the city".
The crewman nods, then after peeking around the side of the pile of rocks. He runs back to the downed frigate. Narrowly avoiding getting shot by enemy archers and crossbowmen.
Not so one of the crew up on the deck of the crashed frigate, which is tilted to starboard. As he's up on the poop deck shooting arrows at the enemy. When he's hit by an arrow to the face. And he ends up sliding down off the deck, going through where part of the rail once was. And falls overboard.
Sir Yarrim sighs, then looks at his two personal guards and tells them in a slightly dry tone of voice "This should be interesting" as he prepares to destroy the downed frigate . . . . . .