When Kira indicates the lift mechanism, he considers it for a long moment.
In the hallway he finds not Flayed Men berserkers but a small group of men and women in tattered and bloodstained uniforms of the Crusade, swords and shields in hand but looking weary and bruised. Amid them is Sol, sword in hand.
"Sol! Well met. We have found no enemies on the way in, so hopefully we can get out without meeting any. Are you pursued?" Even as she speaks Kira takes int he ragged group and begins making mental preparations for how they will get them to safety.
After a moment of confusion, Jod’s face lights up with a huge smile and he rushes forward to give the missing Sol a big hug, lifting him in the process. ”I was so worried! I thought you were right behind me and that madman was beside me, but when I risked a look the other way, you were gone. I was hoping you had disappeared with magic, but I didn’t know and we couldn’t look for you. How did you get here? The army is engaging the demon worshippers outside while we sneak in. Are there more of them or did you kill them all? Who are your friends?”
|
Stunned and blank-faced, then smiling while Jod rushes forward, Sol grimaces with pain in Jod's embrace.
"Easy, Jod! Everything hurts."
After the kellid puts him down, Sol makes introductions.
"This is all that's left of the garrison. Kamilo here is senior officer. " He turns quickly to the garrison. "These are my friends. Jod and Kira. The others are Mulluq, Hannik and Ghroth. Don't worry about their looks. Ghroth is summoned by Hannik; Mulluq looks like a demon but he's a true paladin of Iomedae no matter how many times he says he's not worthy. They are all Knights of Mendev."
Returning his attention to the party, Sol continues, "We're marching to take the bunker on the end from the inside. I'm glad you're with us."
During the brief period before the march renews, Sol quietly asks Jod and Kira, "Either of you have a healing potion? I'm barely on my feet, and everything stills hurts"
”Of course, I have my wand. Quickly.”
Still grinning like a fool, Jod apologizes, chuckling, and sets him back down. He barely restrains himself from slapping the man on the back before turning to the other survivors.
Much more business-like, but still grinning from finding his friend, he says, "Some of you may know Sulliver, there. He helped us find the sally port so we could get in. Now, what can you tell us about the other bunker and who we are fighting? Are there any archers among you? Any healers?" Nodding to Kira and Mulluq, "I have no skill in healing, but they are healers if you need help."
As an afterthought, he adds, "Are there demons down here, or are we facing mostly humans? Specifically, so they require light to see by?"
"Lady Valerious, do not deplete the charges on your wand unless I am unable to provide enough to most of the injured. Everyone, gather round, that I may beseech Iomedae for her blessing in seeing all of you returned to fighting form in her name."[/b] Mulluq strides toward the center of the group of injured and waits for the injured to draw in, then he calls out a prayer to Iomedae.
Kira nods to Mulluq, but seeing how little his help affects Sol, intervenes anyway.
”Aye, everyone ready? C’mon, Mulluq, let’s take the battle to them. Let me lead so I can scout again.”
Jod will be moving with his falchion in hand. If any of the knights expressed an affinity for the bow, they can carry Jod’s. He has another melee weapon if any of them are empty-handed.
Mulluq readily returns to as far in the front as the group allows, understanding that Jod may still intend on acting as scout.
One of the soliders nods. "Sergeant Kamilo Dann," she says, "We were heading to Bunker 3, to the south. We were hoping to take it and hold it. But if we have new fresh forces... Can we take all three?"
"Hello, Sarge," says Sulliver with a grin, "Glad to see you are alright."
Sergeant Dann grins back, "Sulliver! Always turning up where least needed!"
"My speciality." Sulliver's face grows serious. "Our army is under the command of Lady Irabeth Tirablade. We mean to take this fort."
The sergeant nods. "Then let's go. This way."
Jod nods, ”Glad to meet you, Sergeant. Mulluq and I can get by without light. Not much help with a demon, but we might get the drop on a human guard. You know the lay of the land - if that’s useful, let us know. I’ll scout if that suits you...”
Kira leaves the group of newcomers to hold up the rear, and moves forward with Mulluq.
Hannik will ready her crossbow and walk alongside Sol. Ghroth will stalk along the corridor just in front of the pair, positioned to protect his summoner.
The combined group make their way, led by Kamilo, along the passage. Some stone spiral steps lead upwards. As they reach the top they find another, much shorter corridor, one end with a metal door just ajar and the other end leading to a T-junction. From behind the door can be heard the thrum of bowstrings and a hubbub of movement and shouted commands in a gutteral, ear-scraping language . These partly drown out the howls and yells of the battle going on outside the fortress.
Kamilo points to the door silently. But as she does so, one of the enemy soldiers comes rushing round the corner at the opposite end, arms filled with sheaves of arrows, presumably to resupply the defenders. She is wearing studded leathers and her face is heavily tattoed and scarred with ritual markings and piercings. She gives a great yell in warning, drops her arrows and pulls at the axe at her belt.
Not used to sneaking around, Mulluq is caught off guard a little at the sudden entrance of an enemy.