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| Book 3: The Dark wins Camelot Paragraph 19: The trap The sorcerer wept his dirty, sweaty forehead with his sleeve while looking into the darkness. Being in this cave for more days then he could care to remember the memory of daylight slowly was slipping away. He looked at his sleeve, it was torn and dirty, it only vaguely showed it was made of noble cloth originally. He looked around seeing his fellow clans people, the noble Paladin and fellow councillor Dennizon. His armour, once shiny and splendid now dented and dirty as well. A small beard was growing on the paladin’s face. In the corner sitting on the floor two other paladins, a man and a female. Albertus looked at them while they whispered to each other. Just married, this couple joined the ranks of the clan not too long ago but became strong members almost immediately. Gil and Arama, seeing their councillor looking at them stopped whispering. Around the corner stood the friar Umores on the lookout. An excellent soldier who had survived many engagements, always ready to take point to bring his battle prowess to protect those he cared for. His clothes torn and dirty as well, but his eyes still watchful non the less. In the dark, sat the heretic Lareaa, almost in a meditating state. Of all people here he looked the less touched. Perhaps because as inconnu he was accustomed to living underground, Albertus thought. “There they come back!!” shouted Umores. All stood up and drew their weapons. Around the corner, scouts Eugor and Dragoondor rushed their way. Behind them a stream of hellish monsters too horrifying to describe fully. However these monsters did not face a ordinary band of soldiers, but veterans of many battles. Without a single word the three paladins formed a little line protecting people behind them with their shields. The scouts rushing towards the position the paladins took, looked at each other, nodded and veered away to the left and right. While the Paladins moved forward in the closed line. Umores, Albertus and Lareaa took positions behind the phalanx. The moment the first of Mahr saw the paladins they stopped briefly and then rushed head on towards them. The three paladins, not saying a word still, reverted back to their experience, kneeled a little to brace themselves for the impact. In the small corner of this cave, the noise of the group of Mahr hitting the shields of the paladins was almost deafening. Three of the monsters almost died immediately as they ran into the drawn swords of the three paladins. In the mean time Dragoondor and Eugor, having taken positions at the side started to shoot the band of creatures at both sides, and more then one fell to the ground, killed by arrows. Albertus eyes turned purple for a second and a large number of enemies stopped their assault and remained standing on the spot. This was not wasted on Umores who came behind the phalanx and with devastating strength and speed brought his staff to bare on the mesmerised enemies. The three paladins moved apart to give them more room to fight. Dennizon slammed his shield into the nearest Succubus and the creature fell on the ground bedazzled. With one swift stroke Dennizon killed it. Arama and Gil where attacking the same Naburite drinker, using both their shields to cover each other. While the drinkers were feared because they consumed the very source of life, with both paladins working together in perfect unison, the creature fell without even able to place one hit. The heretic Lareaa in the mean while, almost unseen in the dark, landed his focus spell on each monster that came too close, dropping them within seconds. The veteran group started to push forward and victory was at hand. However suddenly around the corner a fresh group of Umbrood warriors appeared. With the Immortals still fighting the remnants of the first group, they were unable to prepare for this new onslaught. Three Umbrood warriors rushed towards Dragoondor, who was able to shoot one down in the approach, soon was attacked by the remaining two. He fended one of with his bow grabbing for his sword but a heavy blow at the head threw him on the floor. Eugor, tried to shoot the two Umbrood's but was hindered by the fight in between. Umores seeing his fellow clansman in trouble rushed trough the fight and attacked one of the Umbrood's in the back. While Umores was hit over and over by the monsters he passed he managed to reach Dragoondor lying on the ground. He quickly helped him on his feet and both tried to fend of a new group of Umbrood's together. Eugor in the mean time had problems of his own, his position was vulnerable being somewhat in the front of the main battle and cut off from the rest. Four Umbrood warriors charged forward towards him. He realized quick he would never be able to reach the others in time to with a quick shout alarmed the others of his situation. Almost immediately Lareaa started to cast a focus spell rooting the monsters to the ground. This gave Eugor just enough time to reach the line. Albertus seeing his fellow clans people getting in trouble, sensed more trouble was on the way. As veteran sorcerer, fighting many battles in the frontier, he was used to look further then the battle at hand. As such he in the distance saw another band of Nightmares rushing their way. “Heads up, more are coming!” he shouted. Dennizon and Albertus quickly looked at each other. Both men, battle veterans, remained calm throughout battles, but knew this battle would be very difficult to win. Suddenly, one of the Nightmares running towards him shrieked and fell on the floor, then another. “I see a group carrying our banner ahead” yelled Arama. And indeed heavy fighting was seen fifty meters ahead, and the banner of the Republic was clearly seen. With renewed energy the group fought on and dispatched the remaining Umbrood’s, Succubus and Naburite drinkers swiftly. The group ahead also was victorious and both groups started to walk towards each other. Both
Albertus and Dennizon were speechless to see their fellow councillor
Farseer present in the other group. With him the paladins Sinunar and
Hardnock and the mercenary Firama as well as the cleric Caerial and
the cabalist Harotol. “Well your arrival was most welcome”
Albertus stated to Farseer. “Thank you my friend, we worried about
you all when not coming back after these many days, so assembled a party
of our own to see if you may be in trouble”. Farseer explained.
Since the disappearance of their fellow councillor Vadrigald, the remaining
three councillors had agreed to keep a closer watch on each other. “What
is this cave made of brimstones? It resembles vaguely Darkness Falls
for sure.” Farseer continued. “In this cave we are certain
the reason for the rebellious uprising and demonic influence is located.”
Dennizon answered. “We have dispatched all of the demon lords
minions over the last days, many groups of fellow Albions helped us
in this task, many also died in the process” Dennizon continued
pointing at three corpses of fallen Albion warriors in the corner. “It
was told to us the danger was not too big and could be combated with
a small warband, however that information was clearly not correct”.
“Indeed, Eugor and Dragoondor scouted ahead and may have more
information.” Albertus interrupted.
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