Lost Scout

[StarrNico]

Kane watched Aelfric go after the third orc and climbed down from the tree, going to collect his arrows before following them. He set an arrow and took off, nearly running to catch up to the orc and Aelfric.

 

[Frundette]

As Strider collected the arrows, it would become apparent quickly that each of the orcs wore metal armor covering his torso, along with greaves and bracers to protect limbs. Their weapons were well made; the first carried a mace with sharp metal spikes and the second carried a long sword typical of humans.

The one that Aelfric was chasing carried both a mace and a short bow strung across his back and as soon as he fled out of range of Kane's arrows, the orc spun to face Aelfric. "Afar Vadokanuk!" the creature growled loudly, holding his arms open wide, as if challenging the human to attack. Aelfric didn't hesitate, knowing if the orc continued his yelling, their chances of sneaking up to the camp would be greatly diminished. He brought his sword down in an arc toward the orc's shoulder, and the orc caught the blade with his mace, pushing Aelfric backwards. The orc followed up with a wild swing toward his mid-section, but Aelfric parried it in turn.

The swordsman countered again, this time landing a solid blow long the orc's unarmored bicep that cut down to the bone.

 

[StarrNico]

Strider caught up to the pair and watched for an opportunity to end the battle quickly. He stood arrow aimed for the orcs head. When Aefric cut the orcs arm he allowed a small smile and released the arrow to stop the creature from being able to cry out and alert the camp.

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

(Welcome Gerbil!

In case you'd like it for any story inspiration, here's the map we're using: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v710/penpen09/BlackmarshHyakuji.jpg The new little settlement is in hex 0603. Orc camp somewhere around 0805. Not using the red dots for anything, just liked the map!

)


Another small search party of orcs were on the trail of a human and gaining quickly, assuming the trail was that of the escapee, though they would not pass up the opportunity to capture Charlemagne. Vorgak stopped to sniff the air. The human was close and he motioned to the others to spread out so that they would be prepared to surround the human as soon as they overtook him.

Orkhan spread out laterally to the right, sacrificing some speed in favor of quietness at this point. He could tell the human hadn't sensed them yet, for his scent was not tainted with fear as it would be if he knew he was being tracked. In one hand he carried the same mace that he had used on Ruby, and had a shield in the other. Like the other orcs in the hunting party, he was also covered in heavy metal armor which covered his torso.

 

[Frundette]

Strider caught up to the pair and watched for an opportunity to end the battle quickly. He stood arrow aimed for the orcs head. When Aefric cut the orcs arm he allowed a small smile and released the arrow to stop the creature from being able to cry out and alert the camp.

The arrow caught the orc in the cheek, slicing through his mouth and he staggered backwards in surprise. Aelfric didn't give him any time to recover and lunged forward, slashing into the orc's thigh and sending the monster falling to the ground. With the creature down, the swordsman hurried forward, using his sword to slit the orc's throat to ensure he was not going to be getting up again.

 

[StarrNico]

Strider joined Aefric and looked around before retrieving his arrow. "They've been stealing from travelers" Strider said quietly, motioning to the human weapons "The other to had human weapons also."

 

[Gerbil]

Charlemagne's steed snorted and swiveled her ears, whether catching the scent herself or just mirroring his current discomfort.
Well, he figured, he had three options. Bolt the dappled mare and himself away from the oncoming pungency, hopefully avoiding any possible ambush.
Draw his sword and wait, again, hopefully giving the beasts enough girth as not to draw their attention.. Or, his least favorite, rush toward them and attempt to get through by pure surprise.

The crackle of foliage nearby pretty much mocked him, it was too late for both the first and last options. He had been seen or smelled, been found by whatever it was the orcs in these parts used to track. He blamed himself, he really hadn't been terribly concerned with stealth upon entering the wood, his mind off and visiting memories he should have just let lie.
He was not necessarily a coward, no, he had indeed several battles under his belt and many scalped orcs. But he was a soldier, an injured one at that. Fighting solo was about as much his style as it was an orc's to be a gardener and so he was uneasy.

He drew his sword, nicked and neglected the weapon still glinted. His heels were tense, the mare waiting for the slightest touch to send her flying into whatever came out of the darken wood.

(Thanks fer the map!)

 

[ChickieBooBoo]

Orkhan stopped and stood still, waiting for Vorgak to give the order. He watched Charlemagne from a position slightly ahead of the man, and to his right. Vorgak, he knew, was still directly behind, and their other partner was situated similar to himself, but on the left side. It was a perfect setup for an ambush. From his vantage point he could see the head of the horse, and her eyes as they flickered uneasily into the brush. The horse had sensed them, and now her rider was clueing in as well.

One thing which didn't seem right, however, was that the man was... well, a man. Not a girl. It wasn't the same girl which he had initially thought they'd found. Part of him was frustrated that they hadn't found who they were looking for, but part of him was eager to leap out of the shadows and send this sorry swordsman straight to the gallows.

 

[Frundette]

Usually Vorgak preferred a party bigger than 3 to capture an armed human on horseback, but he didn't want to risk the man possibly meeting up with the escapee he thought had come this way. As Charlemagne's sword started to leave its sheath, Vorgak barked a short command at the others which was the signal to spring their ambush, hoping to catch the human before he was fully prepared.

Vorgak carried a bow and had been travelling with an arrow knocked loosely. Now he stepped free from the trees from his position behind Charlemagne and brought the bow up quickly as he drew the string back, then released in one smooth motion. He aimed not for the rider, but for the horse...



--


"Even as much armor as these are wearing is worth a small fortune," Aelfric commented, wondering if the orcs had ransacked some wealthier group of soldiers that had been on their way to Lord Ragnar's settlement.

Aelfric wiped his sword quickly on the dead orc's pants to clean it. Then he picked up the creature's mace and tested its weight. "If they're all armored like that, my blade may not suffice," he said, keeping the spiked weapon for the next encounter with the creatures.

 

[StarrNico]

Usually Vorgak preferred a party bigger than 3 to capture an armed human on horseback, but he didn't want to risk the man possibly meeting up with the escapee he thought had come this way. As Charlemagne's sword started to leave its sheath, Vorgak barked a short command at the others which was the signal to spring their ambush, hoping to catch the human before he was fully prepared.

Vorgak carried a bow and had been travelling with an arrow knocked loosely. Now he stepped free from the trees from his position behind Charlemagne and brought the bow up quickly as he drew the string back, then released in one smooth motion. He aimed not for the rider, but for the horse...



--


"Even as much armor as these are wearing is worth a small fortune," Aelfric commented, wondering if the orcs had ransacked some wealthier group of soldiers that had been on their way to Lord Ragnar's settlement.

Aelfric wiped his sword quickly on the dead orc's pants to clean it. Then he picked up the creature's mace and tested its weight. "If they're all armored like that, my blade may not suffice," he said, keeping the spiked weapon for the next encounter with the creatures.

Strider nodded "Should we start the fire here, or keep to the original locations?" He focused on Aelfric again before scanning the area once again.