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Post by Eren on Apr 8, 2015 13:56:15 GMT -6
"Ready? Shugo, let's move out!"
The Dragon Knight did a last minute check - Spears? Check. Tomahawk? Check. Time to strike out.
"Recon time."
Eren leaped onto Mika and the two ran out of the barn, Eren lowering his head to avoid the dripping rain, and calling out once to Shugo.
"Same signals as before, Shugo. Let's go!"
He waved the 'come' sign and then kept going, following the wyverns until they disappeared. As the buildings went by, Eren felt his breath match his mount's, and he felt the adrenaline of an engagement come over him. Mika's deep green scales would be nigh impossible to see in the dark, but he still didn't want to bring her too close... He'd have to cover the last bit of distance on foot.
"Right, girl. Once we get close, you wait and I'll scope it out... We're not battling yet, so you won't miss any of the fun."
Soon, the ruined fort came into view, and Eren flashed another sign to his companion: 'dismount.'
Silently dropping off of Mika, who hunkered down to form as small of a profile as possible, Eren drew a spear and began his advance to the fort. All was silent and still... Hopefully it would stay that way. The gap was beginning to close, but there were a few small hills between him and the fort. He'd have to crest them in order to get close enough to detect any fortifications or entrenched defenders... For now, they would conceal his approach.
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Shugo
Wyvern Rider
RETIRED
The world is a dark and lonely place. That is why it is our duty to bring some light to the world.
Posts: 271
Profession: Kid
Affinity: Fire
OoC Alias: Butorega
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Post by Shugo on Apr 8, 2015 20:24:52 GMT -6
"Alright lets move out", spoke Shugo as Luna rushed forward. The wyvern was eager to be off. Luna did not like hanging around all the other Wyverns. Maybe it was because she was a girl or she though they might try to eat Shugo. Luna was usually protective like that. She did however enjoy the company of Mika though, but then again they both were female.
"Understood", spoke Shugo to Eren's request. The two had been fighting for some time now so Shugo knew his signals well. As the two of them began to move forward Shugo could not help but worry for Luna. Sure Mika had dark green scales that could blend into the night, but Luna. She was as white as the clouds. If anything stood out in the dark it would be her. However at the same time Shugo could not imagine going into battle without her. Luna had been there for him during the most dangerous part of his life. She was his battle buddy, but Shugo could not risk her life. When Eran gave the signal to dismount Shugo was glad, but Luna was not. Shugo had to tell her three times to wait before she finally stood still.
Once dismounted however things moved in Shugo's favor. The short Wyvern rider blended in well with the ground. Shugo was small so seeing him in the dark was much harder than seeing anyone else to begin with. The only real threat that Shugo faced was his position being given off by his dragonspear and the young rider left that with Luna. At the moment it may seemed foolish for Shugo to leave his weapon behind, but not to the lad. For Shugo they were simply going to take a look and get back. If he was seen then he failed and they would kill him anyway even if he had his spear. It was better to be unarmed and quite than to be armed and loud.
As the duo approached the hill Shugo went up first. He was smaller and he knew it would be harder for anybody to seem him crawling up it. The young rider got down on his belly as he snaked over the top of the hill and stared at the enemy fortifications.
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Post by Ilheod on Apr 9, 2015 11:04:52 GMT -6
As the two Wyvern Rider's rode off on their mounts as if glorified Calvary, the four Nightwings; including Ilheod raced into the distance high within the air. The midnight curtain of black and darkened blue sky painted darker shades by the clouds which obscured the moon light, and twinkling stars made them near invisible. Their height negated the ability to hear the single occasional wing-beats which kept them high enough to maintain a swift glide. The chilled air smelled fresh of rain and occasionally a renegade droplet would trickle down; showing that the storms of nature did not yield easily. Ilheod kept his patch on for but a moment longer before he lifted an armored hand to flip the small patch upwards. His red pigment deprived eye was able to see more distinguished details within the night. Though his bangs often hid the red eye, it was one of the reasons he had been assigned to the night wings as a squire so many years ago. It was a rare thing, to have two eye colors; but if it ran in a family it was a higher likely hood of happening.
It was more sensitive to light, but also perceived in the dark easier. The riders flew above the fort like wraiths sailing upon the currents of wind with muted formations. Ilheod could see it all from the sky. The other two riders dismounting and approaching, the distance between the fort where a few thinner looking men patrolled. Swords sheathed upon their backs. It was within the fort however that he felt a slight knot. Along the ruined wall, crouching and hidden by rubble and gazing through what he imagined were probably small look out peep-holes carved into the rock were atleast ten archers. However their bows were far larger, they must have been devastating marksmen to be able to draw arrows on such bows. Armored men carrying lances patrolled stairways and a few men moved about with tower shields that had their weapons sheathed within; some swords and some ax's.
He noticed a few men wearing ornate robes striding about holding tomes and...though it was hard to make out it looked like conversing. From outside of the fort he noticed a few of the surviving brigands from before patrolling around. It was a cleaver ruse. Looking like normal bandits from without...but this was certainly the job of no brigand. Nor the place of operation. A chill ran down his spine as he imagined what truly must have been going on. Their ruse must not continue too heavily into the night however because he saw a few heavily armed men carrying large ax's striding into the building one after another. The Warriors alone looked fearsome. From outside, standing near the gate he noticed a few more men with the large bows leaning about or sitting about. The place was truly a veritable fortress. They had to figure out some form of weakness though. They couldn't assault a place so heavily manned in their small band. It would have been a slaughter.
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Post by Eren on Apr 13, 2015 9:08:04 GMT -6
Eren smiled as he came over the top of the hill, sliding up beside Shugo. This job looked like it would be a piece of cake. The exterior of the fortress seemed unprotected save a few swordsmen… Myrmidons, perhaps, or if not that, then regular mercenaries. It seemed to be a bandit company that had taken refuge. And that worried him slightly. If they had given Ilheod such trouble, they couldn't simply be bandits. But that is what the appeared to be. Hm. ”Shugo… This seems to me to be some sort of trap. Let’s figure out what the trap is and then spring it. These guys look too run-of-the-mill to have given Ilheod trouble…” Perhaps he could draw their attention somehow and engage them… It just seemed too easy. ”Shugo. What if we use our mounts to draw attention? I don’t see what these guys are up to, but if we can get those grunts to fight us, we’ll have a better sense of what we’re up against… I just don’t know. It seems far to simple to me for this group to be a bunch of myrmidons patrolling a ruined shack. Who’s inside? Why didn't they run farther? There’s something that doesn't fit, and I intend to figure it out.” The Dragon Knight slid back behind the hill’s crest, fingering his axe blade and shaking his head. He couldn't pinpoint what made him so worried, but he was very uneasy. What on earth could be going on here?
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Shugo
Wyvern Rider
RETIRED
The world is a dark and lonely place. That is why it is our duty to bring some light to the world.
Posts: 271
Profession: Kid
Affinity: Fire
OoC Alias: Butorega
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Post by Shugo on Apr 13, 2015 15:15:02 GMT -6
The moment Shugo looked over the hill he could tell that something was wrong. The enemy had swordsmen patrolling and lightly armored swordsmen at that. Shugo had been fighting now for two years now and he knew that swordsmen were weak against Wyvern riders. The bandits knew that they were fighting against riders. Shoot they even retreated from them. Why would they put such easy prey up for them to pick off. It did not make sense. Sure bandits were stupid, but they were not that stupid. What was going on thought Shugo.
"It is a trap", spoke Eren as he crossed the hill. Shugo had already came to that conclusion. The very fact that they set up a trap for them made Shugo a bit uneasy. Bandits were not this clever. A minute ago Shugo had stated that they were not stupid, but they were also not this cleaver. If it was regular bandits they would have put some beef cake axe men up there to prevent the Wvyerns from coming in. Sure it would not have given them any tactical advantage, but it would be enough to stop them in there tracks. However to place swordsmen, this was clear bait. It was like hanging a piece of chicken fat in front of a bass in a stream. If they bit, they were dead. That was clear to Shugo.
"I don't know Eren", spoke Shugo as he began to nudge his way back down the hill. "If we spring the trap we might not be in a good place to defend ourselves. Also using our mounts as a distractions seems like a easy way to get them hurt. I understand if your are willing to risk your own Wyvern, but ... Luna all I have", spoke Shugo.
Sure Luna has risked herself in battle before, but always Shugo was right by her side. He did not like the idea of Luna acting as bait while he moved safely. The two were in it together. Still these bandits needed to be eliminated and they needed to figure out what kind of plan they had for them.
"If you think it is wise I will fall back to your logic", spoke Shugo suddenly. The young boy did not like it, but that seemed to be the way things had to go. "Just let me pull back and get my dragonspear form Luna", spoke Shugo as he moved back through the grass to return were his mount was. The young boy still did not like the idea.
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Post by Ilheod on Apr 14, 2015 8:06:42 GMT -6
He didn't like this. In the slightest. They had to get back to inform Eren and Shugo. Gliding through the night's sky the unit moved in broad slow turning arcs as they moved silently within the air. They could have simply made a sharp turn and moved in for a swift dive to the others, but that was sure to give away their position. Despite their wyverns blending in in to the sky from their armor and scale colors, sudden movements were far more likely to give away their position than if they were to stay in the air longer but move more naturally. If the brigands, or mercenaries or who ever it was down below truly there figured out they'd been spotted; the information gathered would be useless. They could change up locations, positions or reallocating forces without any of them being the wiser. Not to mention it would put them on alert for them. They'd be looking for them. It'd take a few moments but eventually Ilheod and the small four man wing unit would get back around to the other two.
As they did, a slight stirr at the gate of the ruined fort transpired.
Between the swordsman, two men in ornate robes came striding out. Lavish looking light blue tomes resting in each man's left arm respectively and tucked within their arms as if they cradled a child by how they held it. Both wore red robes, that dangled near their feet; with either of them having small tatoos inked into the sides of their faces to show wing like insignia's. One stepped a few feet from the other to signal one of the mercenaries with the blade over his shoulder who had been patrolling. As he did he hoisted his Fimbulvetr, the sage speaking abruptly to the man.
"Boss says were moving out in the morning. Make sure everything's packed up, looks like something's goin on; were gunna be heading back to Bern. Make sure your boys know so when we leave you lot don't slow us down."
Though their voices would have been undistinguished, the appearance of the two robed men with the light blue anima tomes would have been visible if either of the two wyvern riders on the ground took another gaze over the hill.
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Post by Eren on Apr 16, 2015 18:08:51 GMT -6
"Wait. Look."
The sound of murmuring voices came to Eren's ears, and the Dragon Knight peered back over the crest of the hill. There were two men... Wearing mages' robes, and carrying books. Blue. His military training told him that it was called "Fimbulvetr," and was the magic of ice. It could freeze a wyvern's wings if the caster was strong enough, or create clouds of ice crystals to obscure the air. It was one of the more dangerous magical tomes a wyvern-riding soldier could come across... Along with the magic of air, "Excalibur," and the magic of lightning, "Thoron."
"That's a Fimbulvetr, and those men are what appear to me to be of the magician sort. I would assume they are proficient in the Anima magics, and possibly light magic as well, if my training and memory serves. If I recall correctly, Sages such as these are not something to be lightly approached. The fact that they are here does not make me feel any easier. Perhaps our comrade Ilheod was right on this one; with my lack of experience with fighting these men, I appear to have gravely underestimated their preparedness and power. Shugo, we had better fall back. I assume Ilheod and his men will have already seen this threat... Shugo! Fall back, my comrade!"
Eren turned and beat a hasty retreat to Mika, getting on his mount and awaiting Shugo so the two could head back to 'base.' This wasn't looking too promising... Even with the Nightwings. This could be a real massacre.
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Shugo
Wyvern Rider
RETIRED
The world is a dark and lonely place. That is why it is our duty to bring some light to the world.
Posts: 271
Profession: Kid
Affinity: Fire
OoC Alias: Butorega
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Post by Shugo on Apr 17, 2015 8:35:42 GMT -6
"Magic", spoke Shugo with amazement. The young man had never really seen magic. It was always something he heard about or maybe saw from a distance. However he had never seen it up closer or in battle. Fighting against these sages would prove to be even more dangerous than the bandits, but that was not what was running though Shugo's mind. His mind began to filter through all the dreams and ideas he had as a young boy. He always imagined magic as this thing that swirled around you. It was alive, but not alive, had form, but no shape. Shugo truly wanted to see there wondrous powers. For a moment he simply watched hopping the Sages would just magic out of nowhere. You know just for the point of it. He had lost touch with reality till Eren called to him for them to retreat.
"Oh right", spoke Shugo as he pulled off the hill. The young man was a bit upset that he did not see the power in the tomes, but he was sure he would see it sometime during the upcoming battle. Even if they had magic Shugo was not going to forgive them. They hurt people and killed just as quickly. It is because of men like them that Shugo does not have his parents. If evil men stopping being evil then the world would be a much better place. However evil never stops being evil and bandits are always going to be bandits. There was never any room for change for there lot. They always took and stole. The always kill and rob. There was no coming back for them. The only way you can help a bandit is by putting him down. That way he does not make any more orphans in the world.
"Luna", whispered Shugo as he approached his White Wyvern. The young rider hopped on her back and the duo crossed the field from the ground. It was a bit odd riding on Luna's back at the moment. He was so use to the sky that the ride on the ground just seemed odd.
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Post by Ilheod on Apr 20, 2015 13:17:20 GMT -6
The unit had flown through the night's sky unnoticed, and as they circled around the Wyvern Lord caught sight over the hill side of the small boy's white wyvern running along the ground. First Ilheod motioned a descent, then guided Astraeus lower once they were beyond the first hill. Swiftly dropping in altitude the other riders followed him moments later. Low enough that they were gliding only a few feet above the ground as they raced past the two riding their wyverns on foot; the hill now shielding their movements from the brigand fort. Being air born the four riders found the wall of the village and touched down lightly near the rest of Ilheod's unit. Astraeus extended his wings to their full length for a moment before tucking them in a bit; Ilheod slowly slipping the eye-patch back upon his crimson eye as his bangs fell back in place to obscure it. He shifted his grip over the silver spear and slid off Astraeus to stand up straight.
Leaning slightly against the Wyvern, he closed his other eye and waited for the other two; knowing that perhaps if they crossed reports they could figure out what was truly going on. He lifted his head and turned to gaze at his unit as he heard a small bit of chatter; cutting it quiet with a stern tone. "Quiet. Wait for the others." It might have seemed needless, but there was a chance to escalate tensions by the others who had flown with him spreading information prematurely to the wing. Until they could give a single simultaneous debriefing he was keen to wait tight. Kill two birds with one stone. It also gave him time to figure out what in the hells they were supposed to do. It was ostia for hells sake, they were too far out for help; and any further into the territory was likely to be swarming with hellspawn.
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Post by Eren on Apr 22, 2015 10:18:31 GMT -6
Eren and Shugo raced back, their mounts crossing the terrain quickly, even though to the Dragon Knight the short trip seemed to last an eternity. What on earth… What was that? A group of well-trained bandits… Well-equipped and disciplined… Or something entirely different? Could other forces be at work? What would bring a group of paramilitaries here…? What on earth was going on? Soon enough, the Nightwings sprang into view, and Eren leaped off Mika, hitting the ground without flinching and walking up to Ilheod, his eyes hard and his face grim. ”I don’t know what the hell’s going on. But it’s not pretty… And if the rest of their crew’s like what Shugo and I saw, this is going to be a bloody mess. I don’t know what you and your boys saw up top, Ilheod, but from the ground, it looks like they’ve got a front put up and some strong magicians hiding behind the scenes. I don’t know what they are. It smells paramilitary or a power-hungry guild. These are no ordinary brigands, that much I know.” The Dragon Knight shook his head worriedly. ”Two sages at least, both with Fimbulvetr. Makes it challenging to do any aerial dives or strikes, since they’ll drop you like a rock if you get too close. Damned ice magic. Add on the men on the ground, and whatever they have in reserve… Yikes.” Eren waited to hear just how bad the news was. He was very worried… He doubted that they had enough strength to take on a paramilitary group, if it was paramilitary. He didn’t trust their front. This was a giant trap waiting to clamp down on them.
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Shugo
Wyvern Rider
RETIRED
The world is a dark and lonely place. That is why it is our duty to bring some light to the world.
Posts: 271
Profession: Kid
Affinity: Fire
OoC Alias: Butorega
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Post by Shugo on May 10, 2015 19:10:49 GMT -6
As the duo got back things started to heat up. Eren gave his report on the situation and shugo simply sat back and listen. The young rider's mind shuffled through all the information and positions and began to make him wonder how in the world were these people bandits. It made no sense. Shugo had seen plenty of bandits on his travels, he had slain quite a few of them as well. Bandits were never this organize. Shoot, Shugo had not seen any guards this organize. Who or what were they dealing with.
"What in the world is going on", spoke Shugo aloud, but to himself. The young boy began to push the thought out of his mind. It was not important why or who. What was important was taking out the enemy. Shugo was going to need the full focus of his mind if he wanted to pull it off. The enemy seemed both well trained and well organized. Not only that they also knew the perfect target for Wyvern riders. When shugo and Eren did there little scouting the enemy put out the perfect bait. If Shugo would have bit it he would be dead by now. The though however caused Shugo to pause for a moment. The young boy never really thought about his actions till now. He would just charge in head first and think about the consequences later. Death was permanent, but Shugo quickly through it out of his mind. He did not have time to think about what could have been or what might happen. He needed to focus on what they need to do.
"So does anybody have any ideas on how to take these guys down?" Shugo asked as he turned and looked at Ilheod and Eren. The young boy did not have any ideas he wondered if the two experienced riders did.
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Post by Ilheod on May 22, 2015 7:52:08 GMT -6
Ilheod had seen the sages. The tomes he hadn't been able to discern but he had recognized the tomes themselves. However it was far worse than they knew. Ilheod spoke up quickly as the remainder of his unit gathered together around them slowly. "I saw at-least a dozen or more marksmen. Not just archers, their bows were too ornate and large. Snipers likely. Men toting tower shields with blades in them, and a few swordsmen that looked almost Sacaen. There is definitely more going on here than we'd have expected. "
Eren was right there. His men weren't enough to take this. An entire wyvern unit maybe. Not fifteen riders. Ilheod turned his gaze towards the ruined fort with a sour expression as he folded his arms over his chest. He had a few ideas but none ended well. He spoke to Eren primarily when he spoke up, the other man the only other one to have likely as much experience as him in combat. "You think the town guard would be interested helping? I'm highly skeptical to it, but something would have to be done. We go in alone we'd get mowed down. Otherwise I can't really think of a short term solution given that were limited on men and they have a very easily defensible hold. " Ilheod was unsure..but after a moment he paused. He thought he'd heard something. Perhaps..a trick of the ear? He was about to dismiss it when he heard another sound. It was akin to a wolf howling..but it was tortured sounding. As if a wounded creature. Then more joined in. The same unsettling pained tone of howl. Until Dozens of them were sounding out. Ilheod sharply turned around to scan the hill side only to see nothing. The constant howls remained however..and increased in multitude and volume.
Ilheod looked to them sharply with a concerned expression. "What in the hells could make that sound? That's no wolf I've ever heard..."
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Post by Eren on May 23, 2015 20:03:40 GMT -6
A dozen or so marksmen? Snipers? And... Heroes? Swordmasters?
What the hell was this? What kind of bandit group was made up of so many strong and experienced fighters? This sounded like a paramilitary strike force. And here, in Ostia... That was worrisome. The Brigadier General shook his head slowly, whistling as he considered the odds.
"That would be an utter massacre. The town guard wouldn't be able to hold their own in a snowball fight, much less a bloody, hectic battle against a clearly well-organized and well-staffed group. They seem almost like paramilitaries. Could it be that some other nation is actively trying to sabotage Lycia? This seems very worrisome, Ilheod. I don't like that idea at all, but I don't know how any bandit group could amass such strength."
Suddenly, he heard a noise... A chilling sound he'd heard once before. It was not a pleasant memory. It was a very bad memory, in fact. Eren instantly drew his Tomahawk and assumed a battle stance, his eyes flickering back and forth as he scanned the area.
"What makes that sound? Ilheod... That is the call of the undead. That is the sound of Revenants and Entombed. Undead corpses, walking towards us... They're on the hunt for flesh and blood, with claws that can rend armor. You kill them by chopping off their heads. Remember that. Aim for the head. They won't fall otherwise. It's as if they feel no pain... Only a desire to feed on flesh. It's eerie. Be on guard."
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Shugo
Wyvern Rider
RETIRED
The world is a dark and lonely place. That is why it is our duty to bring some light to the world.
Posts: 271
Profession: Kid
Affinity: Fire
OoC Alias: Butorega
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Post by Shugo on May 27, 2015 20:56:04 GMT -6
Shugo kept most of his thoughts to himself as the two began to talk about the group. It was insane to think these brigands had such a force. However Shugo had seen knights turn rouge and bandits as organized as a battalion. The group that burned his home town into ash was just as organize and just as powerful. It was a surprise to see a group like that here, but it was not surprising to see bandits at this level. Everyone was always improving, even evil.
"Actually I think the guards could help", spoke Shugo add his own words into the conversation. The young soldier knew it would not mean much coming from his mouth, but he was going to share like everyone else. "The guards may not have as much experiences or skill as these men, but they do know the area. Not to mention it could provide us with the openings we need to swoop in and strike at the more dangerous, but softer targets. If the guards were to take a solid formation then", spoke Shugo as he was cut off by the sound of howling. The other two seemed very uneasy and worried about it. Shoot everyone was now on edge. The chilling howl was frightening enough to melt the courage of the bravest men. However Shugo stayed strong and instead of letting fear take over his heart he began to focus on trying to determine what the sound was. Knowing your enemy was half the battle.
"Demon Wolves", spoke Shugo as he pondered the source of the sound. Shugo had meet such creatures before on his journey and it even was in Lycia. The land was known for having a monster problem and being plagued by the beasts. It should not come to surprise that they were here, though the number of them was the true fright. Still Shugo had no real idea what he was hearing really was. He and the others could only guess as they did not have any visual. Without another word Shugo jumped onto the back of Luna and ordered the maiden beast to take to the sky. Shugo flew off to find out what in the world it was. There was only one type of monster that was a threat to a wyvern in the sky and Shugo was sure they were not around. Gargoyles were beastly creatures, but the were still big. Shugo was sure if there were a few flying in the sky he would have spotted them by now.
On white wings Shugo flew tword the sound trying to get a visual.
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Post by Ilheod on Jun 16, 2015 13:02:22 GMT -6
Ilheod listened to the explanation that Eren offered. Though he could only take his word on the matter, the imagery he received when he heard the tone and splitting silence of the howls was not one that lined up with the notion of zombified husks of a previously mortal man. Ilheod briefly tilted his gaze to observe the fort in the distance, where the heavily armed individuals had been operating out of. Unease crept into his core, parting his lips to speak, but closed them as the chain series of howls rippled through the night. Ilheod saw Shugo take to the sky, and was about to shout out for him to employ caution, when he saw a sudden burst of intense light splinter through the night sky. A colossal bolt of lightning flashed outwards, the night sky vanishing for a brief moment at the intensity of it. As the shroud of darkness sought to reclaim the landscape, a reddish glow began to blot the hill side from the location of the fort.
It grew as a blighted stain before growing more intense as a sure sign that various fires had cropped up. The faint sound of shouts could be head over the stretch of silence. Another chain of rippling howls called out, and this time Ilheod knew that it was best to take action. What ever it was, that enclosed fort was the only obstacle between the source of such nightmarish sounds and the village behind them. Ilheod's sharp whistle to his lads as he hurdled into Astraeus'es saddle signaled for them to follow in suit. One hand lashed the reigns around his forearm while the other lifted his silver spear into the air. The pressure from his heels urged Astraeus to take to the skies, as the colossal wyvern's wings beat twice to send them sailing into the sky. The entire unit took to the sky and climbed higher in moments.
The sight within the fort was one of chaos. Hordes of moderately sized hounds were swarming about in a frenzy. Hellish red fur tufts between patches of tainted flesh moved in blurs. The heavily armed occupants of the fortress fought with a savagery and ferocity which would have easily overwhelmed the wyvern unit had they been directed to them entirely. With this foe however...things were different. For every one hound a warrior cut down, two lunged at him. From the ramparts snipers tried furiously to pick off as many as possible. Despite this, it seemed almost fruitless given the sheer size of the Mauthe Hound pack.
Ilheod realized that as grim an opportunity as this seemed...it might be their best. Lifting his spear, he motioned for an all out offense before steering Astraeus into a dive. If they could route the snipers first..the'd be able to pick off occupants of the combat with relative ease.
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