Teldrassil Sector
1050 Hours
Escort Duty
The two mages chattered away as they walked through the forests of Teldrassil on their way to the moonwell. Beside and behind them, the elf and human rangers trailed along, ever alert to threats in the wooded area. The day had been uneventful thus far, and after some argument Malandrae and Ilhedith had managed to convince their guardians that a trip into the forest to visit the moonwell and collect some water samples would not be an issue. The magic might even come in handy when determining how to deal with the satyr threat.
The group was walking down a wide dirt path in the forest towards their destination when the attack began. It started as nothing more than a glimmer in the air, but was something that both of the rangers instantly noticed and that drew the attention of the two mages as well. Magic swirled in a pattern at chest height, the spell widening until a portal began to open in the space that it occupied. Instantly the rangers brought their weapons up, even as the portal began to disgorge enemies.
The first figure had barely stepped from the portal before Belleri's rifle roared and a shot threw them to the ground dead. The second attacker had only a split second to orient themselves before an arrow took them and they fell beside the first. After that, a wave of attackers poured out, a few more shots and arrows slaying some of the combatants before they were even fully aware of their surroundings.
The enemies were unusual in appearance. The group consisted mostly of kaldorei elves who were entirely naked. Upon their bodies they had either carved, painted, or inscribed a variety of demonic runes and symbols until they had entirely covered their flesh with the markings. They looked savage, and many held rusted weapons or bows in their hands and had wild expressions on their faces as they bellowed warcries. Behind them, the portal widened a bit more and one final figure emerged, shouting encouragement to them. Taller than even the elves, the creature had hooves and horns and hair over much of it's lower body and was instantly recognizable as a satyr; likely one of their foe's greater minions.
The two rangers continued to fire, their barrage taking a devastating toll on the charging elves. Ilhedith gasped as she saw the horde of creatures pouring towards where she and Malandrae were standing. She whispered a spell and surrounded herself in a protective shield of magic. Seeing that Malandrae was staring in shock at the bellowing tide of enemies, she reached out and touched her friend, placing a second shield around the elf. It was not a moment too soon as arrows and darts arced towards them, slamming into the barriers and falling harmlessly to the ground.
Four more of the elves died, two shot in the heart and two with arrows sticking from their chests as Belleri and Erawyn efficiently fired their weapons. The surging group of enemies withered under the fire, and the attackers were forced to turn and face the rangers or risk being completely obliterated. Arrows arced towards the elf and human as the savage demon-worshipers returned fire. Two more of them fell even as they attempted to slay the rangers, the accuracy of the guardians far superior to the untrained and wild attacks of the satyr's assault force.
Belleri sighted down the length of her rifle as one of the kaldorei aimed a bow at her. She squeezed the trigger on her weapon just as her enemy fired. The elf flew back, the lead shot penetrating her heart even as her own arrow soared through the air and struck Belleri in the chest. The tip slid against Belleri's mail armor, piercing it but deflected upwards. The shaft snapped from the pressure as the arrowhead was driven far up into the human's shoulder.
Belleri felt herself falling backwards as the weapon impacted against her. She landed in the dirt of the path, her rifle thudding into the soft soil nearby, the barrel smoking slightly from the extensive use it had just had. The corners of her vision began to dim even as she heard the steady thrum of Erawyn's bow and the cries of the elves that she was slaying. She saw the sky above her through the branches of the tree limbs and then a shadow loomed over her and a heavy weight pressed down on her as the Satyr sat on her mid-section.
The creature looked down on her, its demonically twisted elven features smirking as it pressed a large, clawed hand against Belleri's wound. Despite herself she cried out slightly and the sound only made the creature laugh as it moved it's head in close to her, a rancid smell of death surrounding it.
"So fragile. So hurt," it hissed. "I'm going to kill you and your friends. I'm going to save you for last though. When you wake up, you'll have no arms and legs, but you'll live as I eat you bit by bit. Yes, I think that will be fun, don't you? I'll eat you alive little human."
It emphasized its words by pressing harder on her wound, and Belleri fought against the blackness that threatened to overwhelm her vision. She couldn't move her left arm at all, and the pain was intense as she shifted her body, finding her right arm still fully functional. It slide against her side, her hand grasping desparately as she glared up at the satyr.
The creature leaned down further, pressing its weight against her wound and grinning. It's grin was cut short a second later as Belleri's still-working arm came up, the muzzle of her pistol pressed so hard against its chin that it was forced to tilt it's head back.
"Eat this you bastard," she said in a deadly calm voice as she squeezed the trigger.
The satyr's head exploded as the weapon discharged at point blank range, and the weight lifted from Belleri as its dead body was hurled away. On the path beyond her, what was left of the attacking elves cried out in terror as their leader was slain. Erawyn took full advantage of the moment, efficiently drawing and firing her bow over and over again. Three more attackers fell dead, arrows sticking from their corpses, before the entire group broke and began to run.
Erawyn didn't stop, her face totally focused as she drew more arrows and let them fly. Now she was hitting the elves in their backs as they fled, cutting them down before they could reach the safety of the forest beyond. One by one they died, their last cries carried into the undergrowth around them. The last elf paused, seeing her companions dead. She turned to face Erawyn, her hands raised in surrender. The ranger calmly brought her bow up and fired it again, her arrow taking the surrendering enemy in the heart. The forest fell silent as her body tumbled into the bushes, Malandrae's gasp the only sound.
"S-she was surrendering!" the Highborne cried out.
Erawyn completed a visual scan of the forest around them before turning to face Malandrae and Ilhedith. "Ranger Giano is a casualty. As such, I am in charge of this mission until she has been seen to. I cannot protect you, tend to Ranger Giano, AND control a prisoner at the same time. The elf was a demon-worshiper and she was well aware of the potential consequences of her actions."
Erawyn paused, placing her bow on her back and moving towards the pair, "I need you to follow my instructions precisely. Miss Knox, please face to the west and Miss Moonwhisper face to the east. Please keep your protective spells active and watch for signs of additional attackers while I tend to Ranger Giano."
After seeing the two nod numbly at her and move into position, Erawyn moved to where Belleri had fallen and kneeled beside her. She snapped her fingers a few times until the woman's glassy eyes focused on her. "Ranger Giano, can you hear me? Do you know where you are?"
She received no answer and began to frown. She reached to her belt and pulled out a canteen, using a bit of the cold water on Belleri's face. Her voice softened just slightly, more emotion than Ilhedith or Malandrae had heard her use before, "Damn it Bell, pay attention."
The cold water seemed to work as Belleri focused on Erawyn's face, "H-here. I'm here."
Erawyn nodded once, leaning forward to examine the wound. "Ranger Giano, you have an arrowhead lodged in your shoulder. The shaft snapped and I cannot push it through. I have to remove it in case its poisoned. Do you understand?"
Belleri nodded once before croaking out, "J-just do it."
Erawyn nodded again, immediately setting to work. She took out a combat knife, using it to cut away one side of the straps that held the halter of Belleri's armor in place. She carefully folded the leather strap several times before slipping it into Belleri's mouth. "Bite down."
The human did as she was instructed and Erawyn moved the knife up to her shoulder. With precise, careful movements she began to cut away the flesh that concealed the arrowhead. Belleri's entire body shuddered and her back arched as she clamped down on the excruciating pain, her tan flesh going pale and breaking out in sweat. She thought back to her training, using it to guide her.
In the north, we do not cry out, as it will call the undead upon us and they will feast on us while still alive. We do not cry out, as we will draw allies to us and place them in danger. When you fall in battle, when you fail in your mission, you do not cry out. You pass without a sound, the way a ranger aught to die.
The procedure was mercifully short under Erawyn's skilled hands, and soon enough flesh had been cut away to free the weapon. She pulled it out, checking the broken bit of shaft to ensure that no pieces had splintered off into the wound before taking bandages from her field kit and wrapping them tight to staunch the bloodflow. "The wound is clean. You are hereby ordered to receive medical treatment in the Temple of the Moon Ranger Giano."
Belleri nodded once, her free hand removing the tooth-mark ridden leather from her mouth. "Help me up. I'll walk."
Nearby, Malandrae (who had NOT been on watch as she was instructed!) gasped and shook her head, "N-no! We'll use magic to carry her, or get guards. She's been HURT!"
Erawyn turned and leveled what was almost a glare at the Highborne. Her voice was tinged with the slightest hint of anger and she used no formal form of address when replying, "She said she'll walk."
Behind Malandrae, Ilhedith placed a hand on her apprentice's shoulder and shook her head softly, "No Malandrae, it is between them I think. The wounded do not place a burden on their unwounded comrades. At the same time, you don't leave a wounded comrade behind for the undead to find. Isn't that right?"
Erawyn nodded again once, "Just so." She rose, walking around to Belleri's good side and extending a hand. The human grasped it, and with a gasp managed to drag herself to her feet, leaning heavily on her elven companion. Together the two began a slow walk back towards Darnassus and the help of the Temple of the Moon.
"Wait!" Malandrae cried out, running up behind them. "You forgot your thingees!"
To Ilhedith's horror, Malandrae was holding Belleri's rifle and pistol in each hand. Quickly she darted forward, snatching them from the elf's hands and forestalling a disaster, "I'll be taking those Malandrae. Thank you. We'll return them to her after she's been healed."
Shaking her head, Malandrae fell in behind Ilhedith as the two followed the rangers back to the relative safety of Darnassus. Behind them in the clearing, the bodies of elves who had dedicated themselves to fel powers were left to rot in a forest that would eventually reclaim its wayward children.
1050 Hours
Escort Duty
The two mages chattered away as they walked through the forests of Teldrassil on their way to the moonwell. Beside and behind them, the elf and human rangers trailed along, ever alert to threats in the wooded area. The day had been uneventful thus far, and after some argument Malandrae and Ilhedith had managed to convince their guardians that a trip into the forest to visit the moonwell and collect some water samples would not be an issue. The magic might even come in handy when determining how to deal with the satyr threat.
The group was walking down a wide dirt path in the forest towards their destination when the attack began. It started as nothing more than a glimmer in the air, but was something that both of the rangers instantly noticed and that drew the attention of the two mages as well. Magic swirled in a pattern at chest height, the spell widening until a portal began to open in the space that it occupied. Instantly the rangers brought their weapons up, even as the portal began to disgorge enemies.
The first figure had barely stepped from the portal before Belleri's rifle roared and a shot threw them to the ground dead. The second attacker had only a split second to orient themselves before an arrow took them and they fell beside the first. After that, a wave of attackers poured out, a few more shots and arrows slaying some of the combatants before they were even fully aware of their surroundings.
The enemies were unusual in appearance. The group consisted mostly of kaldorei elves who were entirely naked. Upon their bodies they had either carved, painted, or inscribed a variety of demonic runes and symbols until they had entirely covered their flesh with the markings. They looked savage, and many held rusted weapons or bows in their hands and had wild expressions on their faces as they bellowed warcries. Behind them, the portal widened a bit more and one final figure emerged, shouting encouragement to them. Taller than even the elves, the creature had hooves and horns and hair over much of it's lower body and was instantly recognizable as a satyr; likely one of their foe's greater minions.
The two rangers continued to fire, their barrage taking a devastating toll on the charging elves. Ilhedith gasped as she saw the horde of creatures pouring towards where she and Malandrae were standing. She whispered a spell and surrounded herself in a protective shield of magic. Seeing that Malandrae was staring in shock at the bellowing tide of enemies, she reached out and touched her friend, placing a second shield around the elf. It was not a moment too soon as arrows and darts arced towards them, slamming into the barriers and falling harmlessly to the ground.
Four more of the elves died, two shot in the heart and two with arrows sticking from their chests as Belleri and Erawyn efficiently fired their weapons. The surging group of enemies withered under the fire, and the attackers were forced to turn and face the rangers or risk being completely obliterated. Arrows arced towards the elf and human as the savage demon-worshipers returned fire. Two more of them fell even as they attempted to slay the rangers, the accuracy of the guardians far superior to the untrained and wild attacks of the satyr's assault force.
Belleri sighted down the length of her rifle as one of the kaldorei aimed a bow at her. She squeezed the trigger on her weapon just as her enemy fired. The elf flew back, the lead shot penetrating her heart even as her own arrow soared through the air and struck Belleri in the chest. The tip slid against Belleri's mail armor, piercing it but deflected upwards. The shaft snapped from the pressure as the arrowhead was driven far up into the human's shoulder.
Belleri felt herself falling backwards as the weapon impacted against her. She landed in the dirt of the path, her rifle thudding into the soft soil nearby, the barrel smoking slightly from the extensive use it had just had. The corners of her vision began to dim even as she heard the steady thrum of Erawyn's bow and the cries of the elves that she was slaying. She saw the sky above her through the branches of the tree limbs and then a shadow loomed over her and a heavy weight pressed down on her as the Satyr sat on her mid-section.
The creature looked down on her, its demonically twisted elven features smirking as it pressed a large, clawed hand against Belleri's wound. Despite herself she cried out slightly and the sound only made the creature laugh as it moved it's head in close to her, a rancid smell of death surrounding it.
"So fragile. So hurt," it hissed. "I'm going to kill you and your friends. I'm going to save you for last though. When you wake up, you'll have no arms and legs, but you'll live as I eat you bit by bit. Yes, I think that will be fun, don't you? I'll eat you alive little human."
It emphasized its words by pressing harder on her wound, and Belleri fought against the blackness that threatened to overwhelm her vision. She couldn't move her left arm at all, and the pain was intense as she shifted her body, finding her right arm still fully functional. It slide against her side, her hand grasping desparately as she glared up at the satyr.
The creature leaned down further, pressing its weight against her wound and grinning. It's grin was cut short a second later as Belleri's still-working arm came up, the muzzle of her pistol pressed so hard against its chin that it was forced to tilt it's head back.
"Eat this you bastard," she said in a deadly calm voice as she squeezed the trigger.
The satyr's head exploded as the weapon discharged at point blank range, and the weight lifted from Belleri as its dead body was hurled away. On the path beyond her, what was left of the attacking elves cried out in terror as their leader was slain. Erawyn took full advantage of the moment, efficiently drawing and firing her bow over and over again. Three more attackers fell dead, arrows sticking from their corpses, before the entire group broke and began to run.
Erawyn didn't stop, her face totally focused as she drew more arrows and let them fly. Now she was hitting the elves in their backs as they fled, cutting them down before they could reach the safety of the forest beyond. One by one they died, their last cries carried into the undergrowth around them. The last elf paused, seeing her companions dead. She turned to face Erawyn, her hands raised in surrender. The ranger calmly brought her bow up and fired it again, her arrow taking the surrendering enemy in the heart. The forest fell silent as her body tumbled into the bushes, Malandrae's gasp the only sound.
"S-she was surrendering!" the Highborne cried out.
Erawyn completed a visual scan of the forest around them before turning to face Malandrae and Ilhedith. "Ranger Giano is a casualty. As such, I am in charge of this mission until she has been seen to. I cannot protect you, tend to Ranger Giano, AND control a prisoner at the same time. The elf was a demon-worshiper and she was well aware of the potential consequences of her actions."
Erawyn paused, placing her bow on her back and moving towards the pair, "I need you to follow my instructions precisely. Miss Knox, please face to the west and Miss Moonwhisper face to the east. Please keep your protective spells active and watch for signs of additional attackers while I tend to Ranger Giano."
After seeing the two nod numbly at her and move into position, Erawyn moved to where Belleri had fallen and kneeled beside her. She snapped her fingers a few times until the woman's glassy eyes focused on her. "Ranger Giano, can you hear me? Do you know where you are?"
She received no answer and began to frown. She reached to her belt and pulled out a canteen, using a bit of the cold water on Belleri's face. Her voice softened just slightly, more emotion than Ilhedith or Malandrae had heard her use before, "Damn it Bell, pay attention."
The cold water seemed to work as Belleri focused on Erawyn's face, "H-here. I'm here."
Erawyn nodded once, leaning forward to examine the wound. "Ranger Giano, you have an arrowhead lodged in your shoulder. The shaft snapped and I cannot push it through. I have to remove it in case its poisoned. Do you understand?"
Belleri nodded once before croaking out, "J-just do it."
Erawyn nodded again, immediately setting to work. She took out a combat knife, using it to cut away one side of the straps that held the halter of Belleri's armor in place. She carefully folded the leather strap several times before slipping it into Belleri's mouth. "Bite down."
The human did as she was instructed and Erawyn moved the knife up to her shoulder. With precise, careful movements she began to cut away the flesh that concealed the arrowhead. Belleri's entire body shuddered and her back arched as she clamped down on the excruciating pain, her tan flesh going pale and breaking out in sweat. She thought back to her training, using it to guide her.
In the north, we do not cry out, as it will call the undead upon us and they will feast on us while still alive. We do not cry out, as we will draw allies to us and place them in danger. When you fall in battle, when you fail in your mission, you do not cry out. You pass without a sound, the way a ranger aught to die.
The procedure was mercifully short under Erawyn's skilled hands, and soon enough flesh had been cut away to free the weapon. She pulled it out, checking the broken bit of shaft to ensure that no pieces had splintered off into the wound before taking bandages from her field kit and wrapping them tight to staunch the bloodflow. "The wound is clean. You are hereby ordered to receive medical treatment in the Temple of the Moon Ranger Giano."
Belleri nodded once, her free hand removing the tooth-mark ridden leather from her mouth. "Help me up. I'll walk."
Nearby, Malandrae (who had NOT been on watch as she was instructed!) gasped and shook her head, "N-no! We'll use magic to carry her, or get guards. She's been HURT!"
Erawyn turned and leveled what was almost a glare at the Highborne. Her voice was tinged with the slightest hint of anger and she used no formal form of address when replying, "She said she'll walk."
Behind Malandrae, Ilhedith placed a hand on her apprentice's shoulder and shook her head softly, "No Malandrae, it is between them I think. The wounded do not place a burden on their unwounded comrades. At the same time, you don't leave a wounded comrade behind for the undead to find. Isn't that right?"
Erawyn nodded again once, "Just so." She rose, walking around to Belleri's good side and extending a hand. The human grasped it, and with a gasp managed to drag herself to her feet, leaning heavily on her elven companion. Together the two began a slow walk back towards Darnassus and the help of the Temple of the Moon.
"Wait!" Malandrae cried out, running up behind them. "You forgot your thingees!"
To Ilhedith's horror, Malandrae was holding Belleri's rifle and pistol in each hand. Quickly she darted forward, snatching them from the elf's hands and forestalling a disaster, "I'll be taking those Malandrae. Thank you. We'll return them to her after she's been healed."
Shaking her head, Malandrae fell in behind Ilhedith as the two followed the rangers back to the relative safety of Darnassus. Behind them in the clearing, the bodies of elves who had dedicated themselves to fel powers were left to rot in a forest that would eventually reclaim its wayward children.
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