Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
"Like he said, we're dead men. What does it matter what we think."
’It matters, ‘ Dujek interject ’because what you think may be what keep you alive. Once the battle starts lad, your faith is what keep you alive.’
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
The man burst in laugh as Shea exposes her point of view ’Hear that Dujek? Kellanved's dreams! You know the bastard before this whole mess started. Ain’t no dream lass. Kellanved is a greed and cunning bastard!’
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
Dujek glanced back to check on his squad. None were lagging, which was a good sign. He doubted any of them were in the shape required for the journey they were now on. The early days would prove the most difficult, before marching in full armour and weapons became second nature—not that it would ever prove a comfortable second nature—this land was murderously hot and dry, and the handful of minor healers in each of the companies would recall this march as a seemingly endless nightmare of fending off heat prostration and dehydration.
There was no way yet to measure the worth of his squad. Koryk certainly had the look, the nature, of the mailed fist that every squad needed. And the stubborn set to Tarr’s blockish features hinted at a will not easily turned aside. There was something about the lass, Smiles, that reminded Dujek all too much of someone else—the remorseless chill of her eyes belonged to those of a murderer, and he wondered at her past. Braven Truth had all the diffident bluster of a young adept, probably one versed in a handful of spells from some minor warren, but she wasn’t sure. Green Howl was…green. Only the lady’s pull would make the boy survive all this. Ti’ck was still a mystery. Not saying anything, barely able to understand what other said, but maybe, it would understand well enough the battlefield. The last soldier in his squad, of course, the sergeant had no worries and no concerns. He’d known men like Aloft all his life. Someone forced into the army. Those didn’t survive past the first battle.
The testing would come, and it would probably be brutal, but it would temper those who survived.
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
They were emerging from the Ubaryd Way, once beyond Ubaryd Way’s battered gate and the abandoned ruins of a small village, they could now see the Seti and Wickan outriders on their flanks—a comforting sight. The raiding and sniping could begin at any time, now that the army had left the walls of Ubaryd behind. Most of the tribes had, if the rumours were true, conveniently forgotten the truces they had won from the Malazan Empire. The old ways did naught but sleep restless beneath the surface of such peoples.
The landscape ahead and to either side was sun-blasted and broken, a place where even wild goats grew lean and listless. The mounded, flat-topped heaps of rubble that marked long-dead cities were visible on every horizon. Ancient raised roads, now mostly dismantled, stitched the rugged hillsides and ridges.
Dujek wiped sweat from his brow. ‘Green as we are, it’s about time he called—’
Horns sounded along the massive train’s length. Motion ceased, and the shouts of the water crews rose into the dusty air as they scrambled for the barrels. Dujek swung about and studied his squad—most of them were already on the ground, sitting or sprawled, their long-sleeved undershirts darkened with sweat.
Among Lull’s and Borduke’s squads, the reaction to the rest-halt had been identical, and Borduke’s mage, Balgrid—slightly overweight and clearly unused to the armour he was wearing—looked pale and shivering. That squad’s healer, a quiet, small man named Lutes, was already moving towards him.
‘A Seti summer,’ Koryk said, offering Dujek a carnivorous smile. ‘When the grasslands are driven to dust by the herds, when the earth underfoot clicks like breaking metal.’
‘Hood take you,’ Smiles snapped. ‘This land’s full of dead things for a reason.’
‘Aye,’ the Seti half-blood replied, ‘only the tough survive. There are tribes aplenty out there—they’ve left enough sign in passing.’
‘You have seen that, have you?’ Dujek said. ‘Good. You and Braven Truth are now the squad’s scouts.’
Koryk’s white grin broadened. ‘If you insist, Sergeant.’
‘Unless it’s night,’ Dujek added. ‘Then it’ll be Smiles. And Aloft, assuming his mood is suitable.’
Ti'ck |
Ti'ck legs buckled underneath her armor as the soldiers around her finally stopped. I miss the trees. What gods-forsaken curse creates unending heat like this?
Her armor feels uncomfortable, an unusual feeling, as sweat and dust slicks the inside, shifting it's normally perfect fit slightly, causing it to chafe at the joints. Her raw skin throbs against the armor, no respite coming.
She thought pensively over the aspects of faith that the sergeants had discussed. Their thoughts held merit, and caused another s#*& in her perspective from what had be ingrained in her by the Moranth. There was no thoughts of survival in the Moranth. What was done was done for the good of the hive. Faith perhaps had something to play in it, but it certainly had never been taught for her to have faith.
She takes the offered water, splashing it though the gaps in her faceplate, the water refreshing her parched mouth and lips. A satisfied sigh escapes her lips as she slumps her shoulder, her body finally relaxing slightly after the forced march. "The rest of us, sir?" she asks.
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
‘So what’s the other’s role, then?’ Smiles demanded, almost at the same time as Ti’ck ‘Lying around like a beached porpoise?’
Beached porpoise? Grew up by the sea, did you? Dujek glanced over at the others recruits. Tarr was already asleep. I used to do that, back in the days when nothing was expected of me, when I wasn’t in charge of a damned thing. I miss those days.
‘The others’s task,’ Dujek replied, ‘is keeping the rest of you alive when I’m not close by.’
Shea |
Shea nods at both Dujek and Koryk, without saying anything. She takes the ladle from the water barrel, and has a few gulps of water, before filling her waterskins.
What are we scouting for, I wonder? Are they expecting the enemy to send troops out this far? Are they that well equipped? We've been told so little about this foe...
I hope that Koryk knows how to be quiet when the mission calls for it. This heat drains my strength... It's not that the armor is that bad, but at least it was fairly tolerable back on the island... I just hope that the cool of night will bring some comfort... both physically AND mentally.
Rafi Alasar |
Marching. Rafi thought it would be worse. It was rather enjoyable actually. At least once he drowned out the noise. They moved with precise steps to a beat. That meant he barely had to think to stay in time and in line. So most of the time his eyes and his mind wandered. Besides the mild exercise and constant drone of feet hitting the ground, it was a lot like sitting on the roofs back home. He spent much of his time looking at the sky and the clouds or the scenery around him.
So at the end of the day he didn't appear as haggard as the rest. He certainly sweat as much but he was no stranger to physical exertion. Every morning he was still up doing his own weapon forms besides the ones taught in the army. Second nature at this point.
As the black armored woman lets water seep into the creases she feels eyes upon her. Soon after there is a light tap on her back. She spins to see Aloft standing behind her with a curious look. He squints as if trying to see into the shadows of the faceplate and the person within. Not once while they were training had he seen who was in there. Anonymity was fine but staying like that in this heat and when thirsty seemed a tad silly. "Why don't you just take it off?"
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
‘Drink it down slow,’ Dujek instructed. Lull caught his eye from a few paces away, near the wagon, and Dujek headed over. Borduke joined them.
When the sergeant was out of hearshot, Koryk started ’There will be betting.’ he said glancing over to see if any of the sergeants were hearing ’Each squad presents a competitor, winner takes all profit. What you think?’ he asks.
’I’m in.’ smiles growled without even knowing that was at bet.
Sloade Pitrogar |
When the horn sounded, Sloade was one of the first to lie down on the dirt. His legs throbbed and he seriously began to think about cutting them off. He heard Braven Truth and Koryk being selected as the scouts. Poor bastards! Sloade thought, They will have to keep going while we can rest. Then he heard something about betting, and as long as he didn't have to move, he couldn't care less what the wager was or what it was being wagered on. He brought his canteen to his lips and drank the last few drops. Darn! It's empty! Now Sloade had to decide which brought the greatest discomfort - Moving to get more water or staying where he was and deal with the overwhelming thirst.
Rafi Alasar |
Rafi got the feeling the shelled warrior was grinning but the action served no purpose with a faceplate blocking view. This one was odd. Oh well. To each their own. Rafi shrugs and wanders away, curiosity apparently sated for the day. He approaches no one else and actively avoids Smiles. When she had that look he wanted nothing to do with whatever she was thinking about.
I feel like I should point out that I don't see any hooks to play off of. From anyone. Not as bad that the players are glib but without anything from the DM to talk about or act on things are going to continue to be slow. Unless you are still trying to settle on what to do with us. That's far then.
Shea |
Shea turns to Koryk with a smile.
Friendly competition eh? This could be interesting. A welcome distraction from the current boredom, and some good rest for an exhausted mind.
Her smile turns to a grin as she replies "Ok, I'm in. And I volunteer Ti'ck for our side." her thumb hooked towards the plated one.
With that armor on I doubt any of the others could even do much to it. Not given their current state.
Ti'ck |
Ti'ck hears her name being said and look over at the group of soldier mingling. She wanders over, picking at the joints in her armor trying to dislodge the invading sand.
She quirks her head to the side. "What am I doing?"
Shea |
Shea, pulling out some coins, tosses them in the pile without looking back at Ti'ck and replies "Representing us in a little wager."
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
’Hold your horses lady…’ then looking at Ti’ck ’…armor…’
’Ain’t that kind of wager. There are three types of scorpion common in the odhan, and none of which displays any toleration for either of the others…’ the half-seti begins raising three fingers as if you weren’t able to understand only with words. ’ The Red-backed Bastard—the meanest of the three scorpion types. The amber In Out—so named for its transparent exoskeleton through which, if one is inclined to look carefully, will see various poisons racing beneath its carapace. The Birdshit scorpion—a puny and flat and black, looking like its namesake.’
The man looks around once more and before he continues Smiles rages ’Ain’t get near that, no way!’
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
@Rafi
'What's on your mind, Aloft?' a stranger voice, which you don't remember hearing before.
As you turn, a man, His face was scarred, and something that might have been a burn marred his jaw and left cheek. For all that, he looked young, bearded and solidly built. A visored helm with a chain camail disguised much of his features, but you sensed in him an immeasureable strength of will.
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
@Others
Rolling his eyes, the Koryk continues ’Meet the other squads tonight, to decide which one gets what scorpion.’ he looks at you with an evil grim.
Rafi Alasar |
"Never much. Just staying out of the way," he responds, raising an eyebrow. That was about as far as his expression of surprise would go. He was fairly certain he had never met this man and yet the man knew his name. Well, nickname. Rafi tilts his head a little to the side as he had with Ti'ck. "Do I know you?"
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
@Rafi
The man removes his helm and behind it, a face you are sure you never saw before. ’That’s a wise thing to do. A happy life is the ones you can pass unnoticed.’
’Seen on training, or better, I didn't see you on training. Skipping your drills?’ the man asks without offering a name.
Rafi Alasar |
"Only the army ones," he responds equally uninformative. He did indeed skip the army drills as much as possible but he never missed his morning forms. Ones, for the most part, were wholly unique to him. But two could play at this game and he had a lot of practice. Unnoticed was how he had passed much of his childhood. Though that was mostly intentional. When he was noticed it usually meant he was in trouble and he would be forced to train. So he passes the ball back to the unnamed stranger as he watches the others making wagers on something.
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
@Rafi
Now it’s his eyebrows that goes up ’I see.’ the man muses as he turns to the others.
’Squad, listen up!’ he calls everyone to attention, and to that, Dujek stops talking with the other sergeants and reunite with the squad.
Shea |
Shea turns to Koryk with a confused look.
The warriors want to catch bugs? I mean, dangerous ones, sure... but still...
She asks "How do we det-" but she is cut off by the cry from Whiskyjack. She stands from her crouch and turns to listen, her posture at full attention.
Sloade Pitrogar |
Sloade is enjoying sitting there enjoying the respite from marching when he hears Whiskeyjack. Forgetting his discomfort, he stands and quickly runs to where the squad is gathering and stands at attention, lest Whiskeyjack wants him to fight him again. He stands in the back of the squad Behind Ti'ck if she is already there. trying hard to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
The woman makes a face and glare daggers at Green Howl, but she does as ordered. ’What’s this about lieutenant, sir?’
Sloade Pitrogar |
Uh oh! Sloade thinks when he hears his name called. Maybe he wants to show the squad how he can beat Smiles and me at the same time - maybe with one-hand tied behind his back. He moves to the front next to Smiles, gives her a look of pity, and says, Green Howl reporting as ordered, Sir!
Whiskeyjack. |
Whiskeyjack pulls free his weapon and when Green Howls pale significantly the man says ’Easy there lad.’
He turns to Rafi and says ’Now, pay attention.’
’I’ve seen you and Smiles training,’ he says to Sloade ’you’ve done but two of our most basic drills. They are not designed to be burden or anything to occupy our soldier’s time. Now, you are fighting with the squad at your side, you are not ever alone when it comes to battle.’ he takes a wide stance putting his sword in front of him ’You’ve not been trained in advanced tactics, but I want you two to try and disarm me.’ he lieutenant says calmly.
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
Smiles seems ready to kill someone as she draw her blade and looks at Green Howl ’What are you waiting for? Get ready!’ she snarls.
Sloade Pitrogar |
He can't keep an eye on both of us! Green Howl says as he starts to flank with Smiles. When he gets into position he will shout, Now!
Disarm Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 = 12
Oh! I am going to get my a$$ whooped!
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
Cmb: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7
Smiles move to match Sloade position but her attack has no real intention behind it.
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
Whiskeyjack easily block both attempts as he instructs again 'You fight side by side. That's what this all about, you have to trust the one at your side.' he moves down to position Smiles and Sloade side by side as he takes his stance once more. 'Again.' he commands.
Shea |
Shea draws over to the mock-combat, watching with an intense interest. Whiskyjack has already shown his skill once, and it will be interesting to see if Howl is any less Green.
At the comment about fighting side-by-side she ruffles her eyebrows slightly.
I thought that was more of an expression of kinship... not to be taken literally... this is an odd army indeed, being so willing to give up an advantage like that...
Rafi Alasar |
Ah. So this man was the one he heard about. The one that put Green Howl on the ground so fast no one saw the attack. Though he watched with a bored expression his eyes never left Whiskeyjack, wanting to see what the old Bridgeburner could do. But if Smiles' and Greenies' attacks were anything to judge by Rafi wouldn't see much.
Sloade Pitrogar |
Green Howl will stand next to Smiles and whisper to her, I'll distract him while you try to disarm him Aid Another.
Attack Vs AC10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Whew! Just made it! Smiles gets a +2 bonus on her attack.
Ti'ck |
Ti'ck watches curiously from the crowd. Watching as the lieutenant plays with smiles and green howl. He is vastly superior to them. Why even put on this charade?
She listens intently, the words coming only slightly easier to her after the time spent with her squad. Ti'ck lightly rubs where the sword has pierced her armor, the memory vividly coming back to her mind. To leave my openings for someone else to defend. That's to much trust.
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
Smiles looking like a rabid dog takes moves herself with together with Green Howl, and surprisingly, added to his distraction, there was something more, Green felt the same thing.
For a brief moment, the movements matched, and it made easier to do as asked.
Disarm: 1d20 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 26
In one swift and fast movement, Whiskeyjack swords is sent flying, causing some of the nearby watchers to scatter to avoid being hit by it.
Smiles, instead of commemorating, looked puzzled at her sword and then at Green Howl ’What the f#!@, just happened?’
Sloade, for a moment there, you had the benefits of Coordinated Maneuvers team work feat.
Whiskeyjack. |
Whiskeyjack walks to where his sword fell, and retrieve it. ’You should understand now, that your drills have meaning.’ he says to Aloft and then turns to everyone else ’All the three squads, beginning today, you will rouse from sleep an hour earlier and go to sleep one hour later. In that time, you will train. Except Aloft, that will rouse from sleep two hours earlier and go to sleep two hours later. Now, finish your water. The march is about to resume.’
Sloade Pitrogar |
Wha... Green Howl says slack-jawed as Whiskeyjack's sword goes flying. He had to double-check his own hand to make sure it wasn't his. He was in shock and raised his hand to give Smiles a high-five, then wasn't sure if the dour woman would return the gesture.
Shea |
Shea continued to watch the fight, raising an eyebrow at the ending.
I'm sure he let them win. I just can not believe that the two of them actually bested him. Not in the least to their discredit... It's just unbelievable.
But the statement about shared punishment turned her amused smile into a frown. It wasn't the extra drills that would bother her, but the loss of sleep was nearly sacrilegious, literally and metaphorically.
She gave a sideways glance towards Aloft before letting out a heavy sigh.
Ti'ck |
Ti'ck lets out a suprised gasp as whiskeyjacks sword goes flying. Was that on purpose? Or did fighting like that actually help?
Hearing that the march was about to resume, Ti'ck slightly re-positions her armor on her body, hoping to at least not aggravate the places that had been rubbed raw from the last march. She shrugs indifferently at the new schedule, her body and mind used to altered hours from her time training among the Moranth. Surely that shouldn't be a problem for trained soldiers.
Rafi Alasar |
Rafi wasn't nearly as surprised as everyone else. They had never been in the army. Well, neither had he but he had been raised by an army family. Been trained since a very young age. He recognized the ploy for what its worth. Whiskeyjack purposefully moved slower in reaction to Smiles. It was certainly a good strike but that was the point. When they do something right, reward them. They will remember the feeling and try to do it again next time, thus making them better. It was how they trained students at the academy. None of them could actually touch his grandfather but he gave them a win or two when they did it right to improve moral and teach a lesson. Annoying as it was to be reminded of his family, he couldn't help but be appreciate how effective the tactic was. Whiskeyjack. He would remember this man.
What actually surprised him was the so called punishment. He was already up before the others but now it was required. Was this an indirect approval of continuing with his own style? He wasn't sure. Either way he wasn't going to skip anymore. He would be more troublesome to angry the others than do a few drills. He gave the SergeantLieutenant? Commander? a look that said he knew what was going on here...and that he wouldn't cause problems anymore.
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
Smiles looks puzzled to Green raised hand, her surprise face turns to a scowl and she is about to say something, probably nasty, when she hears the punishment and the promise of more punishment in case Aloft skip his drills. She gives him a murderous stare and say in loud sound ”I’m sure lieutenant he won’t, and if he does, he may finding himself lacking something comes the morning…”
Storyteller: Fisher Kel Tath |
The lieutenant walks away with his sergeants and Koryk continues as if nothing had happened.
”So, are you in? Everyone in Borduke and Lull squad is joining.”
Rafi Alasar |
Should he tell her? That he went easy on her? That might be interesting to watch. But it also might lead to a fight and that was more trouble than it was worth. How to counter then? Something lewd should work. "Your welcome in my tent anytime."
He then shifts his attention to whatever Koryk and the others were talking about. Sounded interesting. But that was still to be determined.
Sloade Pitrogar |
The fight with WhiskeyJack rejuvinates Green Howl. He forgets all about his sore feet and when Koryk asks ”So, are you in? Everyone in Borduke and Lull squad is joining.” Green Howl shouts, I'm in! He'll then whisper to Shea, What are we 'in' for?
Ti'ck |
Ti'ck stands beside her squadmates in confusion. I'm not sure what they want us to do, but Whiskeyjack is making it apparent that I should make sure nothing happens to anyone in the squad.
"I help." She states succinctly.