laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

The horns of war echoed within the stone hallways and awoke the group. Adgertesse’ could feel a change in the air and knew that someone of great power had arrived and she quickly strapped on her weapons belt and followed most out the door to see dwarves racing to the front gate. No longer in neat columns, this was panic and it made her a bit nervous. As she followed Sir Arthur, Justyn and Kevin, they slowed as the entryway was full of dwarves in line formation fighting nadlac. The enemy had breached the gate. Orange eyes looked beyond the morass of flashing weapons, helmets and hair to see the large demon behind them. Both bull-like heads watched his army as the giant whose bronze skin reflected the torchlight to either side. Eyes glowed a hot fire as large hands flexed, each holding a large, double-bladed axe which befit his twelve foot frame of bulging muscles. Beside him hovered demons of black, waving cloaks who flung long spears at their enemy, skewering two and three at a time.

“Look out,” Allaster yelled as she turned to notice his demon sword leading the knight of Arhus by the hand. She pushed Justyn out of the path of the weapon as the shiny blade yearned for their enemy’s master. Tess also knew that it didn’t care how Allaster suffered to get it there as Lericanin, Lita and Sceva ran behind him. Following suit, she helped press a gap between the dwarves as they followed their unwilling friend into the fray.
Within no time, nadlac were swinging at the knight who charged between them as he did his best to shield bash those to either side. Adgertesse’ could sense the danger in this situation as she also attacked, stabbing and crushing with her weapons as they all tried to keep up with Allaster. Once the breach in their lines had been established, the dwarves filled the gap behind them virtually cutting the enemy’s line in two as soon, Allaster’s sword charged ahead, skewering two nadlac in the process. Arrows of light as well as firebolts hit the flying dangers to either side of the demon who fell to their death as chaos reigned around them. Keeping to the press, she dodged and ducked the warrior’s attacks to then exploit their openings and drop the enemy atop those falling to Lericanin’s hammer and Sceva’s sword.

Soon, she watched in horror as Allaster was yanked forward to charge the demon as Selyria launched icy missiles at him, catching him off guard as it belched out a roar that shook the foundations. Charging with their friend, they flanked the demon who swung wildly, trying to kill those now at his feet until soon a flurry of blades dropped him crashing to the stone. Now completed, she spun to see nadlac fighting to escape as dwarves and men attacked and chased them to the gates and beyond.

She turned to Allaster as the knight stood watching their allies charging, casting insults and cheers. “You alright?”

Brown eyes turned to her, tired from the adrenaline rush and nodded. “Yeah. You?”

Adgertesse’ grinned as she eyed their comrades standing nearby. “What a way to wake up, huh?”

“No kidding,” Sceva agreed as they eyed the fallen demon.

After celebrating and then cleaning up the new mess within the lower bailey, they headed to their room and cleaned up. After a short while, she followed everyone to the great hall for breakfast as the heraldry from a new group of dwarves sat at the far tables. White gauntleted fist held lightning bolts on a black field and were worn proudly by the reinforcements as she sat down beside Lericanin.

“Stormfist clan,” Sir Hanlen mentioned. “Nice to have them here finally.”

“Where are they from,” Justyn asked.

“From the northern part of the Black Mountains. They helped us in the last battle also.”

“I don’t see the king,” Lericanin mentioned, motioning to the royal table now standing empty. Perhaps he was in council with the king of the newly arrived army.

Allaster looked up from across the table to Sceva as they all ate. “I just remembered your vision about gaining allies. This could have led to us getting the help we needed.”

Sceva nodded. “Possibly. Be nice to have them assist in the Shadow Range. I know that problem’s been a thorn in their side also.”

Adgertesse’ finally realized what was being insinuated as a glimmer of hope for Kailee’s rescue finally looked feasible. Grey dwarves had been threatening the security of all of their neighbors, not just the barony of Carbost. With renewed vigor, she ate as they awaited word on the next course of action.
Soon, both kings and their entourage entered from a far door on the right and walked to the raised area where the royal table sat. With an upraised hand, King Ironhand gained the room’s attention.

“Brothers and allies, I’ve just been in council with King Bacauda and we’ve both agreed that since Idanac of the Shadow Range is now dead, we can finally rid ourselves of that blight in our homeland.” A pronouncement which garnered cheers from the whole room. “After a day of resupply and seeing to the wounded, we’ll march out of Venaselt at first light.” A continued celebration lifted the stone ceiling and soon died as all within the large mountain city got to work repairing the damaged gatehouse as well as packing for the long march south.

Adgertesse’ could barely hide her excitement as the group repaired armor and weapons, saw to their food supply as well as rested from the morning’s battle. As she sat near her backpack, Sir Hanlen approached with a bowl of soup and handed it to her. Surprised at the paladin’s gesture, she stared for a moment.

“Are you not hungry,” he asked.

“Ah, yeah,” she received the wooden bowl. “Thanks.”

He nodded politely as he straightened. “You really should get your rest, this march is going to be a long one.”

“You don’t understand, our friend is being held in Enkhuzen as we speak. This announcement to take that city is like a godsend,” she beamed. “We’re finally going to get her out of there.”

He crouched, concern in his face as Sceva, Marian and Alandria listened from their beds. “I didn’t know about this. How long has she been a captive?”

“Over two months now. I was just there trying to rescue her and was unsuccessful, but a friend and I were able to get a few others out.”

He nodded. “Then I promise you we’ll help in this endeavor.”

She remained leary of the knight of Arhus as her experience with those formally trained in that field were never polite to her before. “You should know that she’s... unique.”

“Like you?”

“Not exactly. Although, she’s much more polite and giving than I am. All I ask is that you not judge by her appearance when we get her out.”

Hanlen grinned and nodded. “You have my word.”