Open Battle of the Wilds

[Sevris]

80th Day of Spring 513 A.V This was it. The moment he had been waiting for ever since he became a Soldier of Ebonstryfe. Mission after mission he had completed for had been minor in worth to his resume. However as he was in the barracks practicing with his newly acquired blade. They received word that a large platoon would be reporting for a briefing later today. Interesting. Perhaps he would be able to put to work his deadly arsenal. They all piled in as instructed and was treated to inside gossip at what was expected at this meeting. Sevris had a feeling at what was going on. He had contact with the very person who was running the operation. A person who had led him when he killed the Dire wolf. Ty Guss. Now promoted to Paladin. He was forever changed as he received the second mark from Rhysol. He had instinctively came to Ty Guss before the briefing began and said, "You should give me my own unit." "You are a Soldier. You cannot command." "I've proven I can lead. I will keep you in mind when my father is looking for a new marshall." The idea didn't souns half bad. The Lazarin did however have ties within the Ebonstryfe so it wasn't too far-fetched. But he still looked him squarely in the eyes and said, " I''ll give you something small, but you'd better not mess this up. Because you take the heat for this one. " Sevris looked back and said,"I take full responsibility." Ty nodded and replied, "Good, now sit down and wait for the briefing. This is need to know basis." Sevris did as he was told and sat down. There Paladin Ty Guss came out to start the meeting. He wore a black officer uniform, and sported a low haircut with little sprouts of brown hair showed. "Today we have received reports of something menacing growing within the wildness beyond the waters." "We are now sure what it is, but they are taking greater caution in thinking that they are Yukman, sending us to exterminate them. These creatures seem to be humanoid and they are known that if unchecked can turn into quite a Gestation. They may look like use, but they are not human. They have an ability to mimic other people. So be careful that they do not learn how to wield a sword because of you. They should be dead before they get the chance."

[Sevris]

"We do not yet know how large their numbers are but we won't be taking any chances with them. That's where I come in. Report to the water gliders in 5 chimes, grab all your gear as well. This is serious business." There were hushed tones of the usual banter of soldiers as they filed out. Sevris however was flagged down by Ty, as he stopped in front of him he said, "You get a unit of Apprentices. This isn't a game, so you'll lead them and hold the rear got it." "Yes sir." ------ Later at the Docks All in all there was a total of 50 soldiers, and the squad of Apprentices associated with other units and the one Sevris led with. He was under the command of a Commander who's name he had a hard time remembering but he was aware of his sub-lieutenant Sevris. He discussed with him not to impede on his command less something happened to him. Sevris nodded and joined everyone else in boarding the water gliders. The vast size of the company would be take quite a bit of time for all the troops to be moved all the way across the lake. Sevris was one of the first to take the Water Gliders along with his small Apprentice unit of ten. They were a quick means of transportation to the lakeshore, a favorite when you needed to get somewhere in a hurry. So the young Lazarin led the sail on. He had been clad in all black Ebonstryfe armor. His silk cloak tied behind has back and flowed elegantly in the wind that push the glider. He hovered his hand over the longsword Liandra had given him during his Crucible. He had not put it to work, now it would earn its first kill. On his back however was his primary weapon, a Double-Bladed sword. But it was made of elegant ivory and a serrated blade. Making it a very deadly weapon, especially in his hands. He thought he looked like he was finally apart of the grander scheme of things. Or so he thought...

[Sevris]

Ravok Lakeshore It took a better part of the day to move the entire company over to lakeshore. Sevris had met with the informant who had gave the area where the creatures might be. By the time they reached it was already the afternoon Ty Guss had issued for there to be two units and Sevris's unit sent ahead and march the enemy first. They would gauge there numbers and await for reinforcements to be sent to the right places. So he means to attack immediately. Sevris thought as he and the two other units led by two other commanders. Sevris took a look at the 10 Apprentices behind him as they held back cover their rear as the main company moved from behind them. They were armed but with hand me down swords and leather armor. As they drew nearer in the woods, Sevris made mental note of where they were. Noticing his surrounding might come in handy. It was dead quiet. They marched at a steady pace looking for any signs of the creatures. The terrain had leveled off and rose in uneven spots all over and it was hard to see past much. This limited their view of the surroundings. One of the commanders ordered its unit too move along with him and Sevris was to watch the rear. He unsheathed his Longsword from its well crafted ornate guard. They came into a clearing where one of the other soldiers picked up on it and said aloud, "Do you guys hear that?" Then they attacked.

[Sevris]

It happened quite faster than they expected. Almost instantly after the man had mentioned it. There was a resounding sound of many feet moving very fast hitting the ground. There approach had been hidden slightly by a hill. They came pouring from a top of them. Sevris caught his breath. These were not humans alright. They had dirty cracked like skin that showed over their entire body. They wore no clothing and were all bald, but they differed in ugliness to Sevris. Oversized heads on most, and some even had larger arms and legs that were not proportional to the body. They were also shorter then usual giving them a ghoulish like look with their insufferable crippled walking. However the most immediate detail he noticed was that...they were fast. The drove of Yukmen had caught one the units who were supposed to be guarding other rear of the lead. They ran into them with no mercy. As they battled the rest of the units began to converge on the large amount of Yukmen the were coming up from under the hill. Sevris probably guessed they were outnumbered 2-1. In seconds they were almost routed. As the furthest from the combat. He had means to save them. He turned around quickly and grabbed the nearest Apprentice, "Go get reinforcements the company. We're being overrun!" The Apprentice nodded nervously being a little relieved at not having to fight incoming horde and took off to send the message. With just nine of them left he yelled to the rest of the group, "Stick together! And kill those bastards!" He felt this was the right thing to say as he hoisted his blade in the air and charged forward. The horde had already made its way around the unit and had started fighting the entire vanguard. A group charged its way at Sevris's unit. One of them just as ugly as the rest made a beeline for him directly. It didn't seem to be very smart. Sevris stepped to the side and swung hard with both hands towards the Yukman's neck. The Chaon felt the blade slide with ease through its neck as he decapitated it. "Attack!" The men around him darted forward and tried their best to fight off the fast Yukmen. They were relentless in their charge and strangely strong. As they eventually happened to kill most of the initial unit with their bare hands. The Lazarin found himself before another Yukman who wasted no time in attacking him. He tried to swing upwards but it caught him in a hard tackle to the ground. The air went out of him as he landed on his back. The Yukman chose this time to wrap its large cracked fingers around his neck and began to choke the life out of him. He quickly began to beat his hands into the Yukmans face as he fought the embrace.

[Sevris]

Fortunately one of the Apprentices noticed he was pinned down and came by sweeping with an iron mace. The mace connected with the Yukman's face as Sevris noticed the crushing sound of it screeching, "Yuk-Yuk-Yuk." It fell to the ground with its face smashed in, the Apprentice gave him a helping hand up. He gave his thanks and added to all who could hear, "Everyone pull in and protect the rear!" The rest of Sevris's squad quickly moved towards the commanders unit. The charging Yukmen had been swarming them from the front but had been so many that they swept through the defenses. Sevris's group clashed with the Yukmen branching out surrounding them. The wave stamped towads them from all side but they pushed each others back against one another diminishing room to be overrun. The Lazarin held his longsword high as he swung it down on the Yukamn who tried to charge him. Though inexperienced with a single blade, it didn't take much to kill some of the Yukman who didn't know better to dodge. Also his attacks cleaved entire arms off with a well placed blow. Something he wasn't sure he could do so early. Whenever he swung his blade it cut through the flesh much easier than usual, leaving the Yukmen usually beheaded or dismembered. As he pierced the last Yukmen in the wave and it fell to the ground littered with its kin, he marveled at the blacksmiths skill. This blade is superb. He thought to himself. However their seemed to be no end to the upcoming Yukmen. All he could hear was the "Yuk, yuk, yuk." Almost in all directions.

[Kyodaija]

Kyo was out hunting in the wilds trying to find a stay horse or something. He had not gotten many opportunities to eat a large meal since he came to the city of Ravok. He was travelling around in his Dahni form. Carrying nothing but his Cold Iron Wolf's Teeth Club since his armor did not fit his gigantic Dahni form.

It had been a rather uneventful day. Having only seen a deer once, which had noticed his presence and scampered away to quickly for the slower than average Dahni to catch.

He came near to a place he knew had a clearing likely to have some animals grazing on grass or such... When he smelled the stench of a strange creature in the air, perhaps far more than 1. Also hearing the sound of battle near the clearing he was looking for. This had perked his curiosity causing him to make great haste in the direction of the clearing. He was very much so interested in possible battle in the province.

He slithered hastily along until he finally broke way into the clearing. Where he saw a rather large pitched battle breaking out between what appeared to be some Ravokian soldiers. And a large group of strange small human looking creatures. They sported nasty claws and teeth with cracked disgusting skin. They did not look delicious at all...

He did however find interest in the large band of Ravokian soldiers. Perhaps aiding them would put him in better standings with the city? He decided to go ahead and wing it. Charging into the line of oppressing creatures. Batting the first one to the side with a dull thud of his destructive weapon.

Being that he was 4 times the strength of a human in this form he didn't even have to bother and see that it was dead.

He proceeded to wack away at more of the ugly things as he made his way to the mass of soldiers.

[Sevris]

It took him a minute to realize a few things. As he observed the battlefield that was seemingly overrun. Sevris could now see that most of the troops were falling in battle, strangled and trampled to death. Out of the side of his eyes he could clearly see a lone Yukman on top of the hill they were charging from. Slightly larger than the rest. Look directly at the untimely death of one of the Ebonstryfe Soldiers. Its head leaned slightly to the side as if in curiosity. It bent down and grabbed the shortsword that lay next to the fallen. It brandished it in its large ugly cracked hands. Looked at it and started to wave it like a pendulum. Gradually swinging it faster and faster. As if a sudden ripple, a majority of the Yukmen stopped in their tracks and mimicked the same movement to some of the fallen soldiers. So that's a mimicry. Sevris thought as he was noticing their situation clearer and clearer. In the rough circle that they formed, they held their position. He sheathed his longsword. While it was exemplary against single foes, he was not used to it. He released his Double-blade from his back and performed a kata with it. He looked at the Yukman on top of the hill. He figured that hideous thing must be controlling them in some form. Getting to it however was near impossible by himself. He would be trampled immediately on that slope. He must make them come to them. And that was the best way to hold out till reinforcements came. Something surprised the Lazarin though. As he struck his double-blade forward into the yuking jaws of a Yukmen who wielded a mace, he noticed someone coming from the clearing. Rather a large man was attempting to fight his way to them. He was fighting his way through but they began to take notice of another enemy amongst them. Sevris would have to break formation or he would be quickly overrun. There seemed to be about 12 left not including the other warrior. The two commanders and four of the Apprentices with him, the rest soldiers. That was insane. Sheer numbers overwhelmed them despite the scores they had already killed. From what the Soldier could roughly guess their might have been twice that many Yukmen rushing them. So he took a chance. "You and you come with me." He pointed to two different Apprentices and beckoned them to follow him. Thinking they were about to leave the area, followed with haste. But they noticed he was going about 10 yards away from the group towards a large number of Yukmen attempting to rush the man in armor. They hesitated, but Sevris did not, taking off at full speed. He could see three Yukmen coming from his rear as he was bashing the head of the earth spawned creature. The Soldier jumped and twirled in the air. His blade rotated with his body, it was angled so as it tore the air the edge caught the side of the Yukman's face. His right foot caught the the side of the other Yukman's head. Using his left he pivoted to bring the front side of the double blade down. Cutting the right leg off of the third Yukmen. He quickly brought his blade up and plunged it into the head of the Yukmen. Sevris pulled it out and performed the same stabbing motion to the dazed Yukman. Killing it instantly. The Apprentices saw this feat, and became invigorated. They rushed forward as Sevris addressed the man before another wave came at them. " Sir Sevris Lazarin. Appreciate the aid but you've come at a pressing time. Fend for your life by the circle. Or risk death." A larger group was moving towards the circle. They would have to fight to get past to the circle.

[Kyodaija]

Kyo had clipped away 2 of these strange spawn of the earth, during his initial suprise assault. He suspected that this was only the beginning as more of the beasts continued to roll in seemingly endlessly.

The beasts took note of him then, spinning to face him now barring their teeth and claws with a sinister look in there eyes. About three spun and began to attack their new adversary. But Kyo was no prey for these beasts! He took a large clumsy swing that most anybody could dodge, knowing that he would possibly clip at least one of the beasts in the attempt.

He was correct as the first and second in the line dodged the blow easily enough, but do to the poor positioning of the third Kyo drove home his cruel weapon into the things side, batting it away into another beast whom was unawares of the conflict.

He continued to make these wild swings, at this point mostly as a defensive measure for he was quickly gaining the ire of many more of these creatures. He bought himself a moment to glance at the party of soldiers (a very brief moment) whom had slain many of the beasts, at the cost of many of there own soldiers it would appear...

One man among the group seemed to be barking out the occasional command to the rest. With his keen hearing Kyo understood him shout "Apprentice!" but could not here much more of what he was shouting beyond that.

He noted the man was attempting to spearhead his group in a specific direction, to what end Kyo did not know. But he decided he should aid them in getting to whatever that direction was.

Distracted for to long Kyo mis swung his weapon, leaving himself grievously open for attack. Which the beasts whilst crying "YUK YUK YUK!" came rushing in to take advantage of. Two of the foul thing promptly clawed and gnawed at Kyo's sides. Leaving painful gashes in his gloriously scaled snake like hide. He lashed out with his spiked gauntlet fist crushing one of the beasts skulls in. However when he lashed out to bash the second beast, it managed to bite down and claw at his arm.

Again enraged at being shamefully wounded by such creatures, Kyo instead grabbed the beast by his arm, hoisting it into the air and throwing it toward the other group of beasts still getting in his way. The creature flew into one of the others and tumbled violently away.

He realized at this point that far more of the creatures than he had expected began taking note of him and had begun circling around him. He had little choice in this situation but to press on through them, again attempting to go to the circle of soldiers whom were nearing defeat.

With one arm in front of himself, and his weapon hacking a path in front. He began charging violently through the beasts, taking several minor wounds plus a large gash across his chest from the raking claws of a beast the lunged at him as he passed.

Not truly managing to kill any more than 1 or 2, he blasted his way spearheading into the circle. To the suprise of the soldiers whom he assumed had not even known he was there.

[Sevris]

Sevris double-blade flashed everywhere as he and other fighters fought their way back. Some how a good number of the Yukman had gotten their hands on the blades their comrades had dropped. But they were no match for Sevris's stern teaching's of the martial arts. Bodies began to pile their way towards them as they tried to rejoin the circle. However tactics had no place at the moment. There was only surviving. Where the hell were the reinforcements! They were supposed to be here by now. The main force was indeed supposed to be right behind them. They should have even been in earshot to hear them fighting. Yet they didn't show. He had to push the distractions from his mind. He began to put up a display of defense as they were cut down to just five men. The two commanders, the large warrior and himself. The two apprentices that were left had been jumped and beaten senseless as they fought to defend themselves. But finally there seemed to be a break in the fight as the Yukmen stopped pouring from the hill. Yet the large Yukman remained poised for some reason. Sevris eyes narrowed as he said, "I'm going for that petching creature at the hill. He dies by my blade!" In the break of surge of the Yukmen; the eye of the storm Sevris liked to think, he burst from the tight nit group towards it. He was starting to get tired from all the Yukmen he had felled. And two Yukmen rushed him, one with a short sword and was swinging it wildly at him, the other unarmed but just as frenzied. He mistimed the side-ways swing and as it neared it glanced off breastplate of his armor. He recovered in that thanking the sturdiness of his armor. He whipped his leg upwards and caught the hilt of the sword. It flew out of his hand, but the other Yukmen still pressed on him. He was dispatched with a well placed thrust towards the neck. It bled over the sword as he pulled the edge of the blade into the others cheek bone. Blood gore and finally no Yukmen lay in his way before the one he sought. The rest it seemed had converged on his circle. There were still many but he was sure the commanders could pull out the win. If not at least he could kill this bastard. Up close he got a better look, he observed many rocks embedded in his skin, his sword arm was a lot larger than he had thought. Yea he's the leader alright. He took a deep breath as he tried to regain some more strength. It still had the blade it had picked up before. The Lazarin Soldier stepped forward and twirled his blade. The Yukman leader charged forward screaming a high pitched yuk sound at him. Sevris prepared for the charge by getting in his stance.

[Kyodaija]

Many of the warriors were shocked to see that Kyo was in fact a Dahni. Though they did not seem surprised as he thought to see him arrive, perhaps the leader of the group whom was barking out commands had already alerted them of his presence. None the less he did his best to fall in line with the group to aid them against the slaughter.

It appeared several of the creatures which he had now heard a soldier call a "Yukmen" had armed themselves with the blades of the fallen. Kyo was already injured and was now far more likely to end up with more wounds with foes armed as they were now.

It was then that the leader of the group broke away hacking a few Yukmen down with one or two well placed blows, he seemed to be a soldier of high esteem and training by the look of his skillful swordplay. He was heading toward a particular Yukman that seemed a cut above the rest. which prepared itself to square off with the Rovokian warrior.

Close behind the man several Yukmen had begun to attempt pursuit, something they would soon regret.

Kyo using a burst of Djed accelerated his speed momentarily bursting forward into the trio of Yukmen, he overdid it a bit and instead came crashing into the three of them, taking a tumble to the ground along with them.

The Yukmen struggled to stand back up, but Kyo used his body weight to pin them down and perhaps aggravate them into no longer wishing to pursue the other warrior. A pain stung deep into Kyo's side causing him to leap up off of the Yukmen. One of the bastards had stabbed him with a blade, which he could feel had cut him deep.

He brought his club to bare swinging it 2 handed down onto the beasts skull, but his wound interfered with the motion causing him to hold back to much and miss his target entirely. His club came crashing into the ground with a dull thud and the creature came lurching in sword point leading in an attempt to run Kyo straight through.

Kyo abandoned his weapon and ducked down and to the side managing to only receive a scratch from the blade levied at him. As he lowered to the ground he cupped a handful of dirt off the ground and tossed it into the Yukmens eyes. Which caused the creature to wail a pitiful "YUK!" while swinging the blade around wildly. The other 2 creatures came in on Kyo then trying to double team him in a arm hold. But they were much to weak to hold down Kyo for longer than a moment, which he used to toss one into the flailing blinded Yukmen.

This had a rather lucky affect as the blind one slashed his fellow Yukmen right down to his abdomen with his flailing blade.

Kyo took the second one and again using Djed slammed him into the ground dislocating his left arm in the process having given a bit to much power in the process. The affect was worth it as the Yukmen lay squashed beneath his hand on the ground below him.

Now with one arm he pick back up his club and finally ended the life of the last Yukmen.

More Yukmen were plentiful... Hopefully this leaders plan worked, Kyo could only remain useful for so long...

He fell in line with the other soldiers, who nervously stood with him side by side. welcoming the aid all the same.