Some time later a knock comes to her door. After a few moments they let themselves in. It's a man in heavy brown boots, gray pants tucked into them, held up by a simple wide brown belt itself holding a tucked white open shirt. He has somewhat long faded brown hair that just barely stops short of his shoulders, tied into a tiny pony tail. Dark eyes and sharp features. The smell of salt and his tan skin speak to a sailors life. He gives a nod before speaking.
"I'm Jack, your new superior or baby sitter. Whichever you prefer."
He gives a rakish smirk, you notice his ears are slightly pointed. Seemed he was not full blooded human.
Zatsa's eyes travel up and down his frame for a moment, taking in his features. A small smile slowly unfolds on her face as she takes in his appearance and words.
"Then, I suppose that makes me Zatsa. Your subordinate or baby, whichever you prefer of course."
Her smile turns into a smirk.
" If you're my new babysitter, I guess that means I did bad enough that Mr.Cobalt is done with me but good enough to stay in the program?"
Her eyes sparkle with mischief but there is a little worry behind the sparkle.
He looks around as he replies.
"Nope, the old man wants you gone."
He spared her another smirk.
"Don't take it the wrong way. He doesn't send people out unless he thinks they are ready. He has enough lost lives on his head, that's why he refused pushing you forward. But he doesn't have the final say, not that his word is taken lightly ether."
He scratches his jaw for a moment. You notice a thin string necklace around his neck, a single tooth on it.
"That leaves me, your last chance and theirs. I take on the worst of the bunch and give the final word. I do mean final, if I say your done then you are and no one is going to make any bones about it. But don't worry some of the best come from me too. I make sure everyone remembers that."
He gives a little laugh at that.
"Now any questions or whining?"
Zatsa shakes her head sadly.
"No, I don't suppose I do. I promise I'll do my best Jack."
Not that I half-assed it the first time. She can't help but adding in her head. She keeps the thought inside though, no need for her new babysitter to think she really is a baby.
He gives her a look for a moment.
"Well then meet me at the docks tomorrow in the shipyard district at sunrise. Be packed and ready for anything."
He tosses a small scroll he produces from his pocket, the exact location with in.
Zatsa takes a moment to scan the scroll for the information within. Once she is done she places it into a pocket in her coat for later use.
Returning to her room, she packs all of her gear minus a few things she is confident she will not need into her bag. She then writes a letter for Jax, updating him on how she is doing. She doesn't have the heart to tell him she seems to be bombing and her lips turn at her choice of words, tasting the lie on her lips.
She assuages her conscience by reminding herself that he doesn't need any extra stress.
Spying the longsword that she took from the dead thug, she picks it up and eyes it for a moment.
I can't believe this thing almost killed me.
Shuddering once more,as she does when she thinks of her near death experience, she looks out the window and judges that she has enough time to sell this thing and make a little coin. She returns to the market intent on finding someone to buy the rough but functional weapon.
Once she is done with that she returns to her room to have a meal and a glass of wine and retires to bed early.
She has an early morning ahead of her and her entire future hangs in the balance.
Zatsa manages to find a buyer for the weapon she claimed. They offer her ten gold coins for it, a better then normal price for the sword.
She manages to wake up before the sun, the murmur of early risers heard lightly on the wind. The shipyard district was across the great salt harbor from her current location. By land she would have to cross the twin fleet bridges and make her way following the shore to her destination. It was a walk of miles through the city which would take her more time then she had. She could go by horse or carriage if she wanted to make it in time. Then again she could always risk a predawn boat ride by going to the near by docks. What would she choose.
Zatsa decided not to risk the boat ride, she had taken enough risks recently and was on thin ice as it was. Not being much of a rider she opted to take the carriage.
A gold coin not only see's her to a carriage but a rather fast one at that. She manages to make it to the destination just in time to see the sun peak up over the rim of the world.
The area is busy with workman and sailors a plenty. A number of wagons are near by being loaded and checked by their owners and guards. Zatsa gets a tap on the shoulder, turning around to see Jack. He is wearing much the same as last time you saw him but with a dark navy coat on and a rapier at his hip.
"Good timing. We are nearly ready to set out. Pick a wagon and take a seat. Anyone tries to take anything in the wagon or points something sharp at you, put the pointy end of what you carry into them. Get it."
He gives a sharp loud whistle before turning back to you.
"We are headed to Oregent on a delivery. It's rough country so stay sharp. If you need me I'll be checking the wagons."
Unless stopped he moves off to do just that.
Zatsa smiles at her superior officer.
''Morning Jack. I have one quick question before we go. Which route are we taking? North along Arthfell forest then east, or go east till we hit the rivers and follow them until we reach the city?''
After she receives her answer and he leaves, Zatsa walks around looking at several wagons. Picking one she likes, she jumps up into the seat, smiling at whomever is driving the wagon.
''Greetings, I'm Zatsa and I guess I'll be one of your guards on this trip.''
"Brush up on your geography sweety. If we hit the Andoshen river we are almost at Almas. The only direct route that you would survive is going northeast towards the Arthfell mountains, hug the mountains til you see the Nogortha Peaks. Then it's a pretty straight shot northwards to Oregent."
He leaves her with that. As for Zatsa's chosen wagon and driver, it is a covered affair with a slight overhang to shield the driver's seat from the sun and weather. The driver is a male halfling with a brown bandana, a shortsword and shortbow with in easy reach.
"I'm Godun, driver and royal pain to thieves and bandits."
Zatsa smiles at the halfling's introduction and holds her hand out to shake his.
''Im Zatsa, apprentice and royal pain to my instructors apparently. Hopefully I can be a pain to bandits and thieves as well. Pleased tom meet you in either case.''
She smiles at her little joke but then grows serious.
''In either case if its all the same to you, I'll sit up here with you for the duration? Unless you have somewhere you'd prefer I sit?''
"If you don't mind the dust in your face then by all means. But I'm not sharing my happy juice, wouldn't give it to a naked calistran sacred whore dying of thirst in the middle of the desert."
He rapidly says in a single breath before he laughs patting a flask peeking from his vest.
It isn't long before the caravan is ready and moving. Leaving the city with in the hour. Each wagon has a number of guards with the rest on horse back. A pair of forward scouts return at regular intervals from the front. It was clear that these people knew what they were doing well. It was not even midday before Augustana was just a smudge on the horizon, they were moving faster then a caravan of such size normally would.
It was around noon that both forward scouts came rushing back. Like the ripples of a stone upon a pool the caravan seemed to come alive from the front. The wave being lead by Jack atop his horse as he raced towards the end of the wagon train. When he get's to Zatsa and her new halfling friend.
"Hobgoblins, a lot of them. Likely a training legion from the scouts take on their numbers and gear. They haven't noticed us yet, we were lucky to come up a blind spot before they had a chance to set up proper look outs. We can't risk trying to slip by or out run them. We are plowing into them, riders will cut them to shreds at the edges. The wagon's will act as both the brunt of the attack and diversion. Run them down then keep going without slowing down or looking back."
He didn't stick around to catch any questions or reactions as he left to repeat the plan to the next wagon. Godun groaned next to Zatsa.
"Cayden's sweet brew, rotten luck."
He takes a quick sip of his flask before increasing the pace of the horses slightly. Adjusting for the gradual increase in speed that the wagon ahead had taken, the train was picking up speed already preparing for the gauntlet to come.
Zatsa laughs when Godun insists he will never share his liquor. She decided then and there that she liked the halfling.
’’Oh don’t give me that load of crap. If a naked Calistrian was here now, you and I both know you’d share. You can always find more happy juice, grateful Calistrians who owe you one are rarer by far.’’
She laughs again and offers him a bawdy wink before pressing on.
’’Besides you have nothing to fear from me…’’ She lifts the side of her coat up and to the side. A wineskin is clearly jutting out of one of the pockets inside. ’’…You see? I have my own happy juice.’’
********************************************************************
When Jack brings the news of an impending attack Zatsa takes a small sip of wine from her wineskin and then returns it to her pocket.
She loosens her rapier in its sheath, making sure it will be easy to draw if needed. She pulls her crossbow from her back and loads it.
Reaching down into the spell pouch at her hip, Zatsa grabs a small handful of cricket and petals in her free hand. As soon as the enemy enters the range of her spell she intends to start casting.
Turning to her halfling companion she winks at him.
’’You do your best to keep them away from us and I’ll do my best to cut down any that get close. Deal?’’
Her eyes then shift back to the road ahead of them, mentally prepping herself for the battle to come.
"No deal! Into the scum we go! Cut them up boys!"
The halfling shouts as he whips the reins gaining more speed. Looking more then a little crazed. All around you comes the shouts of the other guards and drivers. Those guards on the wagons draw steel, one hand anchoring them to the wagon the other ready to cut anything with in reach. Sliding side panels from the wagon open, the guards with in locking polearms through the gap while taking aim with other surprises.
Turning around a bend of tree's the hobgoblins come into view. They are still in the midst of forming up. They had heard you before they saw you, still they were not ready for the charge. The riders split off far ahead of reaching the enemy, falling back to hide in the dust trail of the wagons or appear to abandon their comrades.
To the hobgoblins credit they managed to form into a wall of infantry to meet the charge. Unfortunately they simple could not stand against the mass of four mighty steeds and the heavy wagons they bore. The hobgoblins were blown apart by the impact, the horses mowing down anything in front of them. The wagon bucked with the impact and bodies being churned below it's wheels. But it held firm as did it's protectors as they cut anything that did not fall to the hooves or wheels of their charge. Zatsa catches a glimpse of some hobgoblins falling over, but that's all it is as their gone in a flash. Their fate a drop in the bucket of blood that the battle has become and it was only starting.
As quickly as it happened it was over. They cleared the hobgoblins line, now they were racing to get clear of danger. Or so it had seemed for a moment. Just as suddenly as their charge had happened a shower of arrows rained on you. Below the cover of the drivers seat you were in no danger. The same could not be said of the other guards. More then a few found themselves with more holes then nature intended. Then came the roar of the enemy, some came from behind as enemy riders pursued. But some came from far to close.
A sword came out of seemingly nowhere, luckily it missed you. Your halfling friend and driver was not so fortunate. The blade found him and bit deep. Still he held the reins keeping control despite the attack and wound.
"Their coming up the sides from below!"
Sure enough the gray arm attached to both swords belonged to owners hanging off each side of the driver's seat.
''S%#@!''
With a curse Zatsa drops her crossbow behind her, it hits the floor of the wagon with a bang as she rips her scimitar from its sheath with her right hand.
Concentrating for a second, Zatsa sent a small burst of magic into her sword.
Pulling back she slashes at the nearest hobgoblin.
Zatsa's strike hits home but the stubborn hobgoblin manages to hold on and stay alive at the same time. Once more the pair lash out at their respective targets. Despite his wound, Godun not only dodges but sinks his little short sword into the brute. More then repaying him for before.
"That's what you get you sucker punching ogre's ass !"
The halfling yells while still keeping the wagon going on course. As for Zatsa's opponent, he fairs no better as the bumping ride and earlier strike effect his aim considerably. A roar from behind signals more enemies aboard and the guards efforts to repel them.
With a shout of exhilaration, Zatsa swings her scimitar once more at her stubborn opponent, determined to fell him with this blow. Her sword glows with magic once more as it cuts through the air towards the hobgoblin's neck.
Zatsa strikes down her enemy, his grip loosening causing him to disappear below the wagon's wheels. On the halfling's side things are not going as well. Once more the hobgoblin's sword comes seeking flesh and it finds it. The small driver is bloodied again, striking out in kind while holding the life line of the wagon. Sadly between the injuries and keeping them stable his aim is basic at best. Not nearly enough to harm the battle hardened hobgoblin.
"Little help here girly. If I go down everyone on this flying bucket does, unless your a good wagon driver. But even if you are still help me."
While the halflings plea is half humor, he is clearly on his last legs. Blood flowing and face paler then you remember mere moments ago.
''Godun!!''
Zatsa cries out in alarm when she turns from her battle and sees her wounded companion. Thinking quickly, she decides keeping her new friend alive takes priority over killing the hobgoblin.
Chanting the words she needs, her arm snaps out and her fingers draw symbols in the air that only Zatsa can see. Her hand begins to flow with bluish light. She lays it upon Godun's back.
Zatsa takes only a moment to watch Godun's wounds begin to heal before locking her eyes on the new threat. She raises her sword aloft, the point of her blade towards the goblinoid's face in silent challenge.
Godun looks better but still worst for wear. The jumping wagon makes any fine movement difficult at best, the determined hobgoblin keeps stabbing and slashing. But misses badly and for the renewed halfling, his aim is little better.
You notice the sounds of battle are starting to fade. What that means you will have to find out later.
Zatsa steps to the side quickly, standing so the hobgoblin now has two targets but making sure that Godun still has room to swing his weapon.
Stepping forward she swings with her sword, once more filling it with magic.
Zatsa's odd angle of attack causes her to miss the clinging goblin kin. As for the brute, he had gotten used to the position far better, his blade came in hard and accurate for Godun. The wounded halfling bleeds anew growing feeble once more. Despite holding on to what little life is left in his small form he lashes out with his blade, taking his own toll in blood from his enemy.
"If I'm going to the boneyard, I'm dragging you with me you pug nosed bastard!"
He spits venomously at him.
Zatsa narrows her eyes and pins Godun with a glare at his proclamation.
''Bugger that Godun! If you end up in the Boneyward they'll can me for sure. You're gonna live, whether you like it or not!''
Hopping backwards a step, out of range of the hobgoblin, she chants and waves her arms once more. Her hand glows with bright light and again she places it on Godun's back, healing his wounds.
Godun seems to be getting pulled back and forth between life and death. Once more healing and showing strength. Yet lacking the ability to land a second telling blow. The hobgoblin on the other hand grows weaker yet remains determined to finish the halfling as he strikes again.
Sensing victory in their grasp and with her companion a little further away from death, Zatsa hops forward back into range to strike the hobgoblin, her sword glowing brightly once more.
''Die you retched beast!'' She cries with determination.
Zatsa's strike not only lands but removes the enemies arm from the rest of his body. Sadly for the former owner, this arm was the one holding him on to the wagon. With a roar of pain and rage he disappears below the dust and wheels of the wagon.
"About damn time, worst then a bad case of the runs that one was. I don't hear much going on anymore girly. Head up top and take a look."
He puts away his shortsword and takes a swig of his happy juice. You notice it did much to get the full color back into him and his wounds were completely healed.
Grumbling under her breath about unappreciative halfings and healing potion, Zatsa picks up her loaded cross bow and returns it to its holster on her back before returning to the driver seat.
Hopping up, she grabbed the lip of the roof and pulled herself up.
Once she was on the roof, she dropped down to her knees and drew her crossbow, just in case. She looked all around trying to get a sense on how the battle is going for the other caravans and whether the enemy is still nearby.
As soon as Zatsa clears the lip of the driver's cover she see's a hobgoblin slowly making his way towards the front. Unlike the other two you encountered, this one was far better equipped. A massive two handed sword strapped to his back.
Seeing her opponent's obviously different gear, Zatsa sets her mind to roaming through everything she knows about hobgoblins. She tries to recall any useful information about them.
Raising her crossbow, Zatsa trains it on her opponent and fires.
Dropping her crossbow beside her, Zatsa pulls her scimitar from its sheath and stands ready to face her opponent.
She calls down to Godun and any other guards who might have a moment.
''Hobgoblin on the roof! Better equipped than the rest!''
Zatsa's limited knowledge of hobgoblins is of no help in this case. She can only rely on what she has seen so far, this hobgoblin is different. Luckily for her despite the rocking wagon that is keeping her enemy occupied, her aim is true. The bolt sinks in gray flesh granting a grunt of pain in turn, this one was tougher then the others. Keeping better control of himself then two before him.
Holding her sword out defensively, Zatsa begins to dance in place. She taps into the magic within herself and feels a warmth that spreads outward from her heart, until her entire body is flooded with it.
She keeps on the balls of her feet with her sword ready to clash against the brute's huge sword. She readies herself to dodge out of the way once his sword is incoming.
7 dmg
Having finally gotten his footing the hob closes bring his large blade across in a slash. Yet it seemed his footing was still shaky and the blade goes wide. Still it was close enough for you to feel the pressure of it's own wind over the rest rushing over you. Getting hit by that would be deadly by virtue of the weight alone if not the force behind it.
Zatsa switches her stance, now favoring one that will still increase her ability to evade but will let her trade blows.
As she dances about she brings her blade across in a wicked slash, trying to bring a smile to her opponent's throat.
Zatsa's fear of the hobgoblin gets the better of her. Going wide of the enemy before her. While yet again the brute himself fails to land a hit of his own, yet he was getting used to the rough terrain. Hobgoblins learned fast in battle.
As Zatsa's opponent gets closer to hitting her with his blade she begins to grow a little more nervous. She wishes to fight a little less defensively but worries that weakening her defenses will lead to her death.
She decides to continue fighting defensively for the moment.
She is again disappointed by failure however.
7 dmg
The hobgoblin swings yet again. This time he lands a solid hit and a massive gash is left across Zatsa's body as the blade tears through everything in it's path by force and sharpened edge.
Zatsa gasps as his massive sword slices into her side. She feels her side explode with pain and warmth as blood starts to flow freely.
Zatsa darts forward and to the left, landing to the side of the hobgoblin instead of in front of him.
Still fighting defensively, she swings once more.
Though she has become more comfortable fighting on the roof, her wounds are affecting her focus and aim.
Knowing that one more blow from her opponent will be enough to finish her, Zatsa calls out for help.
''Godun, if you can spare someone, I need a hand here!''
The hobgoblin smelling blood swings once more, yet again Zatsa is saved by the bucking wagon. The hobgoblin misses only to find a hole blown out of his chest as a mid air Jack having somehow jumped from the dust cloud below stabs him with his naked rapier. Jack's pitiless gaze flashes over Zatsa for but a moment before gravity takes hold once more. Jack falls down into the dust cloud once more disappearing. The damage was done all the same, the goblinoid's heart was now a gaping hole. Showing a warriors will he manages to keep standing longer then he should, his arms jerking to rise a final strike. They fail as even his monstrous will can't fight the way of the world, he falls forward dead.
Zatsa sucks in a sharp breath as her opponent has his chest blown out. Before gravity takes Jack from her sight she nods and mouths her thanks.
Zatsa picks up her crossbow, which luckily had not flown off the top of the caravan and loads it before stowing it away once more.
Reaching for a potion on her belt, Zatsa uncorks it before slugging back the contents, making a face at the foul taste.
Ughh. Potion, it tastes awful but it works.
Returning the empty flask to her belt, Zatsa quickly takes a look around the battle field, listening for the sounds of other hobgoblins on the wagon and looking for opponents getting to close too their position.
Beyond the dust cloud and surrounding wagons their is little else to see. The sounds of combat have died away and only the sound of horses hooves and spinning wheels can be heard.
"All clear up there?!"
You faintly make out over the din of noise.
Zatsa takes one more quick look around just to make absolute sure. satisfied that the coast is clear. Satisfied that combat is well and truly over, Zatsa hauls herself over the edge of the roof and back into her seat.
She flashes Godun a quick grin.
''Everything looks clear to me. The fighting seems to be done. Can't hear any more fighting either.''
Something occurs to her and she looks a little worried.
''Did we sustain any loss of life?''
The halfling looks a little roughed up but surprisingly well.
"Always do girly. It's only ever a matter of how much."
The wagons keep up their break neck pace for a while more before returning to their former formation. All wagons are accounted for but some horses now hold semi wounded. Their are even a few being pulled along with the wagon having lost their original riders.
The sun was creeping downward. Still they kept moving as long as their was enough light to do so safely.
Zatsa offered a small prayer to those who died, but said nothing else.
As the wagons fly down the roads, Zatsa keeps her eyes open for any threats, her crossbow close at hand.
The rest of the day goes by without incident and night quickly falls. Still Jack and his people seem far from relaxed as the wagons and guards are set up in a defensive formation. The wounded have been placed in the wagons and freed of any duties to heal up properly.
Zatsa is given first shift and completes it without incident. Finding herself by one of the camp fires, Godun is near by sipping from his flask. Jack strolls into the ring of light, his silent steps coming from practiced ease. He speaks softly.
"We didn't suffer to many loses today but we did end up with alot of injured. Those weren't rookies we ran into. Everyone should be on guard tonight when your not sleeping."
His tone is grim. Godun snorts then burps.
"Bring what's left of them. Out in the open on even ground after shredding them today, we would wipe them out at this point. Anyways they would need to cover a few leagues nonstop by foot, no one does that and fights at their prime. I counted their outriders when we were running, a dozen tops. We would slaughter them at a quarter of our number. If they did attack it would only cost them not us."
Jack gives Godun a hard look.
"Hobs are not orcs. They have discipline on top of being brutes. Consider a single one of them nearly gutted you, I would think you could learn a little caution."
The halfling looked as if someone slapped him by surprise before giving Jack a raspberry.
"Hey I was handling the wagon at the same time. I could take three green hobs at once without a problem and you know it."
Jack raises an eyebrow.
"Yes I am sure when someone is trying to kill you, fair play is exactly what they have in mind."
When her shift is over Zatsa decides to sit herself near one of the fires to warm up. She decides to indulge in a glass of her favorite wine to relax, but decides to restrict herself to one in case there are any surprises.
Godun being the only person in the entire caravan that she knows, Jack non withstanding, she decides to sit nearby and offers him a drink.
''Godun, my new little little friend! Put down your flask and join me for a real drink?'' She holds up her bottle of wine and an empty glass to indicate what exactly she means. She continues.
''We've discussed religion and killed vicious monsters together. Why not seal our friendship with a drink?''
Later when Jack and Godun are finished discussing/arguing over the hobgoblins she holds up an empty glass to Jack.
''And you Jack, might I offer you a drink as well? You gave me a hand when I needed it and its the least I can do to thank you.''
"I'll drink when we are safe and none of my men are wounded. I'm checking the parameter again."
Godun waves him off.
"Don't let it bother you girly. He doesn't like being held down by people he didn't pick. More then half these boys aren't his, puts him in a foul mood having to hold their hands."
He tips over the glass he was given, empty of it's contents down his throat as if it were water.
"Your fruit juice couldn't tickle a dwarf. Almost as bad as water. Take a drop of this."
He produces a small gourd and puts a finger's worth of it's contents in the glass.
"That will give you some sweet dreams after it burns a hole in you."
Zatsa crosses her arms and and huffs after Jack departs. She smiles appreciatively at Godun's attempt to cheer her up but she can't help the slightly sulkiness to her tone, as she leans closer to speak quietly to Godun.
'' I object to the notion that anyone needed to hold my hand. I did manage to kill one and half of the grey menaces in single combat without a scratch.''
She pauses and then winks at Godun.
''Of course I trust you'll forgive me if I claim half the credit for your opponent?''
She smiles as she throws in her last comment and she is clearly just jesting.
Zatsa laughs at Godun's description of her wine and takes the glass he offers her.
''I'll thank you not to mock my ''fruit juice''. Besides, its high quality fruit juice.'' She adds with another smile before tipping the alcohol Godun gave her.
The drink hits like a run away wagon full of stone. The halfling had spoken the truth when he said it would burn a hole through you, at least that's what it felt like. You blink a few times to make sure you haven't gone blind.
"Ole Jack could take on a half a dozen grunts alone. But that don't mean anything when others are fighting in your stead. Anyways he proved that when he boarded our wagon while you were up top. Said to watch you when you came down. Guessing you didn't forget to count the one up there did you."
He says slyly before taking a swig of the gourd without even blinking, starting to go deep in thought. He shakes his head and yawns a moment later.
"Wagon's are full and I'll be taking the drivers seat as my bed. Don't stay up to late girly."
He corks the gourd and starts dusting himself off as he get's up to seek his bed.
Zatsa smiles a little ruefully before she answers.
" You're not wrong. I didn't forget the hobgoblin on the roof. Jack saved me, which is why I wasn't bragging about it."
She waves her hand in silent show of good night when Godun announces his plans to sleep. She decides she's had enough to drink and decides to retire to sleep as well.
Zatsa undoes the straps holding her bedroll to her backpack. She unrolls it and lays it nearby the camp fire for warmth. Using her backpack as a pillow she lays down letting the warmth of the fire and the wine lull her to sleep.