Re: Hunted By The End; [Attn: Durent Antian]
Posted: March 7th, 2016, 5:29 pm
Having Asha’man Durent’s confidence was a gratifying, yet frightening experience.
Creeping between the neat columns of hardened soldiers Valadin tried to fix in his mind that he belonged among them. Many eyes studied him in the severe judicious fashion that only military men could manage; at least those that were known to Val. For all his size the looks that were cut his way made him feel like a helpless slave boy again.
Act like ya know what yer ‘bout: a soldier ent followin’ nobody they dunt think knows their business. Fodhr speaking.
Recalling the grizzly officer’s voice steadied the turbulence of his spirit and Valadin found himself carefully assessing the formation of the sentry units ahead. There was no apparent strategy to the arrangement—these were outlaws after all. Light it’s as if they never ‘spected a soul to come after ‘em. Clenching the pommel of his sword with one hand, Val signaled an advance on the closest man who lounged laxly near the edge of an overlooking ridge.
With swift execution one of the guardsmen was on him, cuffing him in the temple with an open palm blow that staggered the man before he could fully rise then striking hard with the several blows to ensure silence and submission. As the limp captive was dragged towards the back of the group Val found he was impressed with the skills of the men he worked with, The Asha’man’s choices weren’t without merit it seems. Only after their first prisoner had been bound, gagged, and assigned a guard did it dawn upon Valadin that Durent had also personally selected him for this mission; there was meaning in that…there had to be.
The easy part had been accomplished. Now the unit had taken control over a position looking down into the basin where the outlaw camp sprawled. It wasn’t a grand affair. A few skins thrown over hard-packed earth served as beds. A dog yelped weakly at a ragged man flensing the latest fare until the fellow showed pity and offered raw meat for the mutt lap up happily. Others milled about the clearing without any sense of urgency, their expressions and carriage carefree as they went about their respective activities.
These didn’t look like men who’d committed crimes against the Crown. Light, they didn’t look any different from townsfolk in the Four Kings. Tis yer duty. Ent fer ya to judge these men. Catch ‘im. Tis what the Asha’man brought ya fer. Finding succor in the Void Val took in the layout of the camp below, not finding an obvious leader among those below; it would have been easier to simply seize the a man and subdue the rest. History had taught that most groups gave up willingly once the head of their gathering had fallen.
There were three more sentry units standing guard upon circular promontory surrounding the camp. With morning light coming on shortly it would soon be difficult to catch them all unawares without being seen and waiting was not an option. There was no telling how long it would be until the next watch came to relieve the man they had already taken. Though the Void did provide peace, panic loomed just beyond the serenity.
Tapping two men of the unit’s remainder Val motioned for them to advance on the two separate sentries on the adjacent flanks of Grey Tower contingent’s position. The men showed no signs of hesitation as the silently pressed a fist to their chest and went off to their assignments. Left behind were Asha’man Durent, Valadin, and the rest of the mountain guard. Every face looked to Val for the next move and it was all he could do to keep from throwing a pleading glance towards his superior to take over; he refused to shame the man who’d believed him like that. Now we wait…
If things went well then all that remained was to use the Power to bind the men positioned directly across the basin from them. Then their small force could fall upon the camp from every angle with the element of surprise at their backs. Should things go awry…then hopefully the ancient Asha’man plus Val’s own strength in the One Power would compensate enough to avoid a bloodbath. Hopefully… Val thought as he waited for the signal telling of two more successful captures.
Creeping between the neat columns of hardened soldiers Valadin tried to fix in his mind that he belonged among them. Many eyes studied him in the severe judicious fashion that only military men could manage; at least those that were known to Val. For all his size the looks that were cut his way made him feel like a helpless slave boy again.
Act like ya know what yer ‘bout: a soldier ent followin’ nobody they dunt think knows their business. Fodhr speaking.
Recalling the grizzly officer’s voice steadied the turbulence of his spirit and Valadin found himself carefully assessing the formation of the sentry units ahead. There was no apparent strategy to the arrangement—these were outlaws after all. Light it’s as if they never ‘spected a soul to come after ‘em. Clenching the pommel of his sword with one hand, Val signaled an advance on the closest man who lounged laxly near the edge of an overlooking ridge.
With swift execution one of the guardsmen was on him, cuffing him in the temple with an open palm blow that staggered the man before he could fully rise then striking hard with the several blows to ensure silence and submission. As the limp captive was dragged towards the back of the group Val found he was impressed with the skills of the men he worked with, The Asha’man’s choices weren’t without merit it seems. Only after their first prisoner had been bound, gagged, and assigned a guard did it dawn upon Valadin that Durent had also personally selected him for this mission; there was meaning in that…there had to be.
The easy part had been accomplished. Now the unit had taken control over a position looking down into the basin where the outlaw camp sprawled. It wasn’t a grand affair. A few skins thrown over hard-packed earth served as beds. A dog yelped weakly at a ragged man flensing the latest fare until the fellow showed pity and offered raw meat for the mutt lap up happily. Others milled about the clearing without any sense of urgency, their expressions and carriage carefree as they went about their respective activities.
These didn’t look like men who’d committed crimes against the Crown. Light, they didn’t look any different from townsfolk in the Four Kings. Tis yer duty. Ent fer ya to judge these men. Catch ‘im. Tis what the Asha’man brought ya fer. Finding succor in the Void Val took in the layout of the camp below, not finding an obvious leader among those below; it would have been easier to simply seize the a man and subdue the rest. History had taught that most groups gave up willingly once the head of their gathering had fallen.
There were three more sentry units standing guard upon circular promontory surrounding the camp. With morning light coming on shortly it would soon be difficult to catch them all unawares without being seen and waiting was not an option. There was no telling how long it would be until the next watch came to relieve the man they had already taken. Though the Void did provide peace, panic loomed just beyond the serenity.
Tapping two men of the unit’s remainder Val motioned for them to advance on the two separate sentries on the adjacent flanks of Grey Tower contingent’s position. The men showed no signs of hesitation as the silently pressed a fist to their chest and went off to their assignments. Left behind were Asha’man Durent, Valadin, and the rest of the mountain guard. Every face looked to Val for the next move and it was all he could do to keep from throwing a pleading glance towards his superior to take over; he refused to shame the man who’d believed him like that. Now we wait…
If things went well then all that remained was to use the Power to bind the men positioned directly across the basin from them. Then their small force could fall upon the camp from every angle with the element of surprise at their backs. Should things go awry…then hopefully the ancient Asha’man plus Val’s own strength in the One Power would compensate enough to avoid a bloodbath. Hopefully… Val thought as he waited for the signal telling of two more successful captures.
OOC: Figured I’d leave you some room to guide the story as well. Do what you feel is right for the story, sir.