Porcelain Child/SessionTwentyTwo

Glie Council Hall

<onine> It is late afternoon in Glie, and the quiet of a funeral seems to have covered the town, everyone is expecting death around the next corner, the guards and people are edgily. No wind blows, the air is eerily still, and clouds are forming.
<onine> Around the temporary field hospital that Tara and a small team of villagers are preparing in the council hall, the pair of sorcerous prodigies begin to ward in attempt to throw off the evil threatening to invade.
<onine> Thus far, none of the council-members, nor any by the order of the merchant master have seen fit to bother you, indeed they have been curiously silent.
<onine> Given up trying to stop you perhaps?
<onine> Either way, you continue your work unmolested around the circular building.
<onine> It is rustic in a way, of heavy log construction, it was likely an eating hall an age ago.
<onine> It is warm for Resplendent Air, though it is more because the cold winds that usually buffet the southern Isle are absent today rather than any great change in temperature.
<onine> Tara gives orders to groups of young women bringing in cots from the guardhouses to use for hospital beds. She seems so different when Yengo is away, a little more commanding and strong
* Anona mumbles under her breath. "ward the frigginfrackin hall... nevermind it's much larger... grumble, grumble, grr..."
* Epheri ignores her as /she/ is the one laying out the wards

Somewhere in Glie...

<onine> Meanwhile on the other side of town, Yengo oversees the training of a group of willing men. They are progressing... that is the best you can say. They point the pikes in the right direction, but that’s generous.
<onine> It can hardly be helped, they are farmers, merchants and men fighting to protect wives and children, not battle hardened legion troops or mercs.
<onine> The oppressive sense of impending doom is starting to get to them, as it is with everyone. You spot one of the men making a mistake-
<onine> He holds his pile with one thumb running up the shaft rather than wrapping around. A good recipe for a broken thumb if the makeshift spear is exposed to sudden shock.
<onine> *pike
* Yengo watches with as much fake pleasantness as he can. "Remember, stab upwards! Plant the end against the ground to receive- no, no, don't hold it like THAT!"
<onine> The man, a simple middle aged man with tired eyes throws his spear on the ground. "What does it matter anyway! We're all going to die!"
<onine> He looks around at his comrades as they stop their drilling.
<onine> "Don’t you see? You're all dead! Dead!"
* Yengo picks it up, demonstrating the correct grip as he does so. "Enough. That's not helping anyone."
<onine> "No, *you're* not helping anyone! We're not soldiers damn you!" He turns to the others.
<onine> "I'm going to the shrine to pray to the Immaculate Dragons for salvation! And if you have any senses the rest of you will too!"
<onine> "To hell with your war-arts. Nothing short of them will save us!" The man storms off.
<onine> After a short silence, a few of the other men leave their spears behind and follow him.
* Yengo growls as they walk away, turning to the ones that remain.
<onine> Most of them are watching the men leaving with a touch of fear and hopelessness.
<Yengo> "He's right. You're not soldiers. You're not warriors. You're farmers. But your backs are against the walls. Going to the shrine and denying what's happening to you won't solve anything. You want the blessing of the Dragons? Then take up those spears and fight for your homes."
<onine> "He's right!" a young man... no a boy - yells from the ranks, not much older than fourteen. "We have the Dragonbloods to aid us, we can win!"
* Yengo fumbles around for words. Should he... "He's... he's... right. We all must stand up for ourselves. Even if we're mortals, we have to be willing to fight for what we believe in no matter what. But- but the Dragons HAVE blessed you today, with- with their children of fire and earth. Noble... princes... of the earth."
* Yengo grits his teeth. It's not the same, he tells himself. It isn't. They're not...
<onine> The kid and a few of the men hold the spears up and cheer, then a few more join in until the entire unit is roaring with confidence, renewed hope for success - and for life.
<onine> It may have hurt to do it... but Yengo bit down his pride and saved these men... from themselves.
<onine> Were those of fortuitous birth to thank for the confidence? Or was it mere mortal tenacity in holding onto a slim ray of hope?
<onine> "Excuuusse me... Archon..." A voice murmurs from behind Yengo.
* Yengo turns around to look. "Yes?"
<onine> He seems to have added the 'Archon' as a slight... added just late enough to make it seem disrespectful.
<onine> It is a wiry man with a hollow face and sharp eyes and a bald head. He looks at you with a taunting look in his eyes.
<onine> "HE will see you."
<onine> Though you don’t see it, you're sure this man has a fork in his tongue.
* Yengo raises an eyebrow. "HE?"
<onine> "The masster. Kallorn." The man says in his lilting voice. "He wishess to sspeak to you. In _private."
* Yengo studies the man, one of the rare people he remembers loathing on sight. "What does he want to speak to me about?"
<onine> "He wishess merely a word, hiss reassonss are hiss own."
* Yengo nods. "Very well. Maybe he's seen reason..." Doubtful, but he might get more done talking to Kallorn than... training... here.
<onine> The man hums and smiles widely with little warmth.
<onine> You might even say it was a cold smile.
* Yengo doesn't return it. "Let's just get this over with, the town still needs much more preparation."
<onine> "Of coursse... ffffollow me." He holds his hands behind his back and walks down the streets with not a single word more, taking you to the Merchant Master's villa on the southern side of town.

Kallorn's Villa...

<onine> He walks you up to the gate, now free of guards strangely. He nocks one and you hear the sound of a heavy metal dead-bolt sliding out and one of the gate doors opens.
<onine> The man gestures congenially for you to enter.
* Yengo taps on the doors experimentally as he goes through. Pretty tough.
<onine> Indeed, very tough. Its a pretty good assumption that the Merchant Master has decided to hole himself up in the hopes that the wall and thick door can protect him.
<onine> The door shuts quickly behind you with a boom, closed by a small man in a robe and hood. He bolts it closed (the messenger seems to have remained outside.)
* Yengo feels more comforted by the moment...
<onine> There are extravagant gardens that Kallorn keeps, at least they would be if the gardener has been working. It is the kind of garden that requires constant attention, where even a week of neglect can destroy it.
<onine> You see more than a week of neglect here. Grass is overgrown, carp are unfed, some dead. The sand gardens are unraked, and the *tok tok tok* of the waterfall is absent. The bolts are fused and it is overflowing.
<onine> A carrion bird sits on the roof of one of the tiny stone shrines. It watches you.
<onine> You see a rat dart from the bushes, run across the grass and disappear underneath the home.
* Yengo whispers, "Well, at least Kallorn keeps to his own kind..."
<onine> You here the quiet scraping of shoes on unswept stone as the robed servant walks past and gestures silently for you to follow.
* Yengo does so quietly.
<onine> He leads you into the house, it is tidy, everything is in its place, but caked in dust. You are lead down some halls and to a large dining room. The servant gestures silently again for you to enter.
<onine> At the end of the large dining table sits the Merchant Master Kallorn, the entire table is covered in foods, fine foods.
<onine> The man is old, not too old, but looks like age is wearing him down. His eyes are milky and almost closed, his hair hangs grey-brown and a little matted, beginning halfway back on his head.
<onine> He has no beard or moustache, but a few days of grey stubble is evident on his face. He wears heavy clothing. A large brown cloaked rimmed with fur is wrapped around his shoulders.
<onine> He is feasting on a large hog (with apple in mouth!). He gulps down the meat, ripping it off the bone and fairly covering his old mouth in grease. He takes a gulp of red wine, which trickles down the corner of his mouth. He wipes it away with his sleeve.
* Yengo doesn't quite manage a nod at Kallorn, instead fixing him with his gaze. "Yes?"
<onine> He does not greet you.
<Yengo> "Your... servant said you wanted to speak with me. Well? Do it."
<onine> "Are you hungry?" he asks almost as you finish the sentence.
* Yengo is, a little, but he doesn't like the thought of breaking bread with Kallorn. "Afraid not."
<onine> The food does look good...better than the hard breads, tough meat, rice and stews you've been eating.
<onine> "Suit yourself."
<onine> He gulps down the remainder of his goblet of wine and pours another, spilling a considerable amount on the table.
<onine> He continues his lonely feast.
* Yengo takes a step forward, drumming his fingers on the table. "Have you decided to reconsider your stance on the threat? That's the only reason that I can think you would ask me here." Well, unless you were plotting something, he adds silently.
<onine> He lets the silence linger as he continues to chew his mouthful a little slower, leaning back on his large chair, regarding you in the poor light.
<onine> "Just what are you trying to achieve, Archon?"
<Yengo> "My only agenda is to keep the people of the town safe. I don't care about your politics, whatever they are."
<onine> "Hmmm. You are mortal." It seems half-question, half-statement.
<Yengo> "Of course."
<onine> "Then why do you bother?" He pushes away the hog and selects a plate of rare pheasants, picking one up and pulling a leg free.
<Yengo> "Why do I... what do you mean?"
<onine> He finishes the drumstick and picks up the bird again. "Surely you know that you.. and everyone in this refuse heap of a town are just..." he breaks the bird in half with a loud, moist crunch. "Things to be consumed."
<Yengo> "Last time I checked, you lived here too. Somehow I don't think those things are going to be choosy."
<onine> "Of course not!" He says. "And why would they be? Are you as choosy when selecting a lamb to be slaughtered, when picking the bird that is the most succulent? You aren't."
<onine> "Why do you fight your lot in life then, Archon, this puzzles me." He tosses the broken bird at your feet.
<onine> "You. Me. The fishmonger's wife. That fat fool who runs the local whorehouse. Barely a step above what lies at your feet Archon."
<Yengo> "You're awfully calm about all this. And I fight because it's better than giving up. Better than the alternative." He glances down. "And that's more of an answer than you deserve from me."
<onine> He coughs loudly, a phlegmy disgusting cough which he washes down with more wine.
<onine> "You'll die for your morality."
<onine> "That is what puzzles me about men like you. Your hope and senseless desire to fight merely makes you that much more delicious to those which would... no, WILL inevitably consume you."
<Yengo> "Better than living like you. A sad old man gorging himself and taking a bad stab at his own version of the Immaculate Philosophy. We're only helpless if we let ourselves be, and I'd rather fight than complain."
<onine> He throws his goblet across the table and rests back, crossing his legs. "Servant!"
<onine> Moments later the robed servant opens the door with a loud creak.
<onine> "Suit yourself. Archon." he looks at the servant. "Take the Archon out at once." he gestures at the mountain of food. "And clear all this away when you return."
<onine> "I see a great deal of death in your future Archon. Maybe you'll start to see things as I see them when you are less.... young and naive."
* Yengo nods.
<Yengo> "I used to be naive, Kallorn. I learned that in the worst way." He turns to leave.
<onine> You can feel the bitter old man's eyes on you as you leave. The servant leads you through the house towards the door.
<onine> You pass what appears to be an entrance to a cellar on your way out. There is clumped dirt here and there that has been poorly swept into corners and against walls and you think you hear a muffled wail from below.
<onine> The servant does not react if he too has heard it, but it was very quiet, you only barely picked it up, and you are quite perceptive... for a mortal.
* Yengo stops in his tracks. "What was that?"
<onine> The servant turns a few meters down the hall and waits, saying nothing.
* Yengo doesn't wait for him, but steps through the entrance and takes a few steps down, still listening.
<onine> The servant appears at the top of the stairs behind you.
<onine> You hear nothing more from down below. Down at the bottom of the stairs is a heavy iron or steel door, bolted quite heavily.
* Yengo casts a look back at him. "What's behind this door?"
<onine> The servant speaks for the first time. "The Master's cellar."
* Yengo walks up to the door and searches for the bolt. "Yeah, uh huh. And what's in there? WHO is in there?"
<onine> "There is nothing that concerns you."
<Yengo> "Let's just see."
<onine> The door is locked on this side, both with iron bolts and with a heavy lock. Someone with high strength would probably be able to break it, but without charms or a key, its not swinging ajar with ease."
* Yengo looks at the door for a moment more, then sighs. He starts back up the stairs after the servant.
<onine> The servant leads you out and opens the main gate.
<onine> The smiling messenger passes you as you exit the villa, still smiling.
* Yengo is perturbed. He'd considered menacing the servant into giving up the key, but... perhaps not the best idea alone in the middle of that compound...
* Yengo heads off to find the others, burdened with a nagging sense of disquiet.

The Council Hall...

<onine> The rest are at the council hall at present. It is very late afternoon at present, the sun is dipping towards the horizon... soon the screeching in the woods will begin.
<onine> Anona and Epheri are outside with a half empty bag of salt discussing SOMETHING or another, you can guarantee you probably wont understand it
* Yengo eyes the salt wards dubiously. Of course, if two sorceresses think they'll work, who is he to question?
<onine> A mortal. That's what.
<Yengo> "Kallorn's apparently keeping something or someone in his basement, if you two are curious."
<Epheri> "I'm sure those sigi-... what, Yengo?" she asks.
<Anona> "Is it a dark, dank basement?"
<Yengo> "He wanted to see me about something, which I guess I... sort of refused before he could ask. On the way out, I heard a cry from below... but there was a locked iron door in the cellar. I don't know what's going on down there, but I don't get the feeling it's good."
<Yengo> "We should check it out, after..." he trails off. If there is an after.
<Anona> "Hmm. You don't keep people you like in such places. Which means trying to break in and possibly free he, she, or it would do nothing but discomfit Kallorn. I like it already!"
<Yengo> "I thought you might.
<Yengo> "
<Epheri> "Anona...we should finish this ward first, though we shouldn't leave someone like that.."
<Anona> "Am I so predictable...? Aw, we're almost done! You have to see the bag as half-empty, not half-full!"
* Epheri mutters "I'm sure that's easier to see from where you are." before she nods "Of course it is."
<onine> While you are talking, you notice one of the guards walking your way in his grey-brown uniform. As he gets closer you can see that he doesn't so much walk as he does stagger, dragging a bloodstained sword behind him.
<onine> He is bleeding heavily from a wound in the side of his head, and his tunic is ripped and bloodied in numerous places as well.
<Yengo> "Wha-?"
<onine> He reaches out a shaky hand and stumbles to his knees. "...help..."
* Yengo rushes to catch him under the arms, trying not to aggravate his wounds any further. "What happened?"
* Anona tries sarcasm. "Obviously, he fell down the stairs with his sword."
<onine> He winces. "I - arghh! - followed the men to the shrine.. to convince them to return." He wheezes. "The shrine is outside the town on the hill... dangerous."
<onine> "I.. s-saw them, creatures, dead.. men alive!
<onine> "
* Yengo swears softly. "Those fools..."
<onine> "The beasts..." he groans. "Set upon the men, then one leaped on me from the side... I couldn't stop it." He winces and some sorrowful tears streak down his cheeks.
<Epheri> "..How many of the dead attacked?"
<onine> "Many. They... they tore the men apart." He looks up at the exalts. "Are we truly doomed?"
<Epheri> "No. We will not let this town fall to them."
<onine> He laughs weakly, then collapses in Yengo's arms.
* Yengo shakes his head.
<Anona> "He LAUGHED?! I'm hurt. They don't believe us. (to Yengo) Can you believe they don't believe us?"
* Yengo looks down at the man. "Yes. They're not used to having Exalts stand up for them. But I think most of them want to believe. And if any of them have any hope, it's because of you."
* Yengo hefts him. "I'll get him inside to the infirmary. At least those things haven't gotten brave enough to actually get into the town yet."

Inside the Infirmary...

<onine> There is a hustle and bustle of activity inside the hall as Tara coordinates the setup of a field hospital. Everything is going smoother than you think even you could set up under such an extreme circumstance.
<onine> Anyone with any medical training has been drafted into service as personnel
* Yengo hands the soldier off to the first available attendant, then takes the time to go over to his things and pick through them for the maligned helmet.
<onine> The staff begin to get to work on the poor guard. He'll pull through, but its one less fighting man to defend Glie.
<onine> Tara finishes talking to a pair of recruited nurses and comes over. "What's happened?"
* Yengo finally finds the helmet, tucking it under his arm. "The creatures attacked him and a number of others just outside town. They might be... preparing to..." he trails off "I don't know. Listen. If this... if this all goes wrong... just..."
* Yengo looks at her for a moment. "Just... be... careful." he finishes lamely.
<onine> "You be careful too.. for me? I don’t want to have to stitch you together Yengo."
* Yengo nods. "Yeah... sure. Just... please, if something happened to you I..." He doesn't finish the sentence, all but fleeing from the room. One of the few times he's ever fled TO the Dragon-Blooded...
<onine> She watches you retreat sadly, then heads over to a desk to pen down some notes of sorts...

Outside the Council Hall...

* Epheri resumes laying down the ward with Anona. So they can go and find out what was up with Kallorn's house maybe.
<onine> With the wards finished, the hospital is secured. You can hear the sounds of barricades being built around the town, here and there. No one has moved in to stop the construction effort, Kallorns personal guard force or otherwise.
<onine> The Magistrate is absent, but he let the two sorceresses that he was heading to the hill, but he didn't say why, presumably to consider options.
<onine> Butterfly Hill that is, the one that Yengo met the guard Captain on (which was a blatant false advertisement as there were no butterflies on the hill)
<onine> Maybe a moth or two, but most of the more 'pleasant' creatures of nature are gone. There are no shortages of spiders and hornets in town however.
<onine> Sunset is almost upon the town, with the streaks of clouds colored a sickly blood red against a purple and orange sky.
* Yengo looks at the receding sun. "I hope they're not waiting for the darkness..."
<Anona> "I'm sure they are. It'd be our luck."
<Yengo> "The question is, do we have time for Kallorn first? I don't know if we should risk it..."
<onine> As you speak a screech echoes over the land, one that is answered by more screeches seemingly from all around.
<Epheri> "No. We don't have time for Kallorn now."
<Anona> "Right. Time to locate some vaguely defensible positions and dismember things, I think..."
<onine> They are a lot louder tonight than they have been before, and a lot more active than before. Townsfolk look to the sky as they listen, fearful. They walk quicker.
* Epheri thinks. "I have an idea first." she starts to chant.
* Yengo lets the helmet fall into place, gives it a twist to adjust it. His voice emerges, muffled. "Guess so. Time for you two to show these things what you can do."
<onine> You can spot here and there, soldiers moving fearfully into positions of defense.
<onine> Guardsmen begin to escort women and children to the council hall and the buildings around that have been barricaded for their safety.
<onine> Children cry with fear and the women try to hush them and comfort them as best they can. The renewed and stronger calls of the beasts have caused a panic in the town, as people move to their positions with greater fervor.
* Anona loosens her sword, and keeps a sharp eye out.
<Epheri> When she finishes chanting, one of the large hounds she called on earlier. She leans in to command it. "Defend this hall. Let none of the Zombies enter it."
* Yengo picks up a loose pike leaning against a house and twirls it, testing the rather shoddily weighted shaft. "It'll have to do."
<onine> The hound moves just outside the door and waits silently, the two men on guard jump back, fearful of both the Exalt's power and by the gargantuan hound now aiding the defense.
<onine> More men begin to move in to make a loose defensive circle around the hall, Ujiro amongst them - the last line.
<onine> You can cut the fear with a knife, every man wears an expression of worry, and breathes heavily trying to maintain calm.
<onine> Except Ujiro, who looks positively thrilled, swallowing a few gulps of sake.
* Yengo takes a deep breath himself. "Well... the two of you know more about what you can do than me. These people are counting on you."
* Epheri calls up another hound, her skin taking on the look of glowing white marble. This one she commands to guard herself and those she is with.
<onine> The Magistrate jogs up in the fading light, the Goremaul over his shoulder. "I have seen them in the woods. Swarms of them constantly moving."
* Anona runs through the options available to her... falling back on the old favorite of burning the heck out of them. Maybe stabbing a few with the fire-graced sword deal.
<Yengo> "They'll strike soon. Should we spread out, or meet them all together?"
<onine> "I have spoken to Eudorus, he has allowed us the area near the north bridge. The entire section there belongs to us, the mortal guards will take the flanks and fallback positions."
<Anona> "That sounds as good as we're likely to get."
* Yengo nods, mouth dry. Hopefully he can avoid all those flaring animas...
<onine> "Let us waste no time then."
* Epheri nods. She starts to walk toward the north bridge, the horse sized hound padding behind her.
<onine> The Magistrate checks the jade mace over and pats Yengo on the shoulder. "Please do not take offense at this, but if the situation around us becomes to heated, fall back and aid the guardsmen."
* Yengo only nods. "I'll go where I can do the most good."

The North Bridge...

<onine> The area you are set to guard is a simple stone bridge over a 'river' little more than six or seven meters in width. There is a smell in the air, an odor not unlike a burning torch in a tomb.
<onine> You can see leaping shadows in the forests some distance beyond the river, but none manifest.
<onine> The magistrate walks to the center of the bridge and pulls the burgundy cloak free, dropping it to the stonework with a woosh of fabric. He hefts the mace and stares at the forest defiantly, his single eye glittering in the fading daylight.
* Epheri directs the hound to the bridge, then looks about to find somewhere she can shoot arrows at the zombies from.
<onine> "Yengo, behind me, slight distance, Epheri and Anona left and right flank. Take care with your blows and let nothing pass us!"
* Yengo moves into position, spear held in suddenly shaky hands. If only those damn things would just get it over with...
<onine> The screeching and howling grows more and more frequent... then the forest is churned up as beasts leap from the trees and scrub, charging towards you, leaping and hopping like puppets on strings.
<onine> There are many of them... so many, screeching and hooting. Most make their way for the bridge, but a considerable amount brave the long leap over the river, jumping from exposed rocks to the opposite shore.
<onine> The magistrate and hound charge forward and crash into the first of the beasts that arrive at the river. The massive white goremaul swings with deadly speed, its blows sending the creatures flying. One is smashed into the river, another, caught by a backswing is hurled backwards and slammed into the wall of a building, pulverized in a reeking mess.
<onine> A third is crushed quickly like a worthless insect against the bridge flagstones.
<onine> The hound leaps upon one of the monsters pulling it down to the ground and tearing limbs free.
<onine> A pair of the zombies leap over the river towards Yengo, screeching hungrily, their empty eyes promising a swift and undignified death.
* Yengo races forward at one of the creatures that has slipped out of the way of the magistrate's goremaul, lowering the tip of the spear and letting his momentum carry the tip into one of the creatures. He lets the spear fall, spinning slightly, sword flashing from its sheath to scythe again at the zombie's neck.
<onine> The spear tears through some of the once-human's torn clothing, and the sword slashes over the creatures head, scant centimeters from cleaving it.
<onine> The second creature lunges forwards, its arms thrashing out, trying to connect with Yengo.
* Epheri draws back her bow and carefully knocks an arrow, letting it fly at the zombie that just tried to bat at Yengo. Another swiftly follows.
<onine> The first arrow takes the creature in the shoulder, biting so deep that only the feathers remain free of the undead creatures flesh. It turns to Epheri, screeching in rage, but is silenced as the second arrow buries itself through one of it's milky eyes. Smoke gushes from its mouth as it drops silently to the ground.
* Anona sights along her arm to the remaining creature engaging Yengo... and lets it have it with both barrels. Double gouts of flame erupt, one from each hand - WHOOSH! WHOOSH!
<onine> One gout of flame impacts the ground near Yengo, but the other takes the zombie fair in the chest, burning fabric and dry flesh.
<onine> The creature lunges frantically at Yengo, but the elemental fire burns it to a crumbling blackened mass in seconds, acrid smoke rises up stinging your eyes.
* Yengo falls back, moving off the end of the bridge and towards the three creatures menacing Epheri. Bracing himself firmly against the earth, he whips his sword into an upward strike that gleams in the last light of the setting sun.
<onine> The curved sword slashes upwards, carving off the creature's left shoulder and half of its head. It utters a sharp scream and drops to the ground, the now familiar smoke trailing from its open wounds.
<onine> You are nearly knocked off your feet as a huge snarling shape lands nearly on top of you. Epheri's hound flattens the remaining pair on its landing, gripping one in its jaws and tossing it aside, then latching onto the leg of the second as it tries to free itself.
<onine> Limbs and viscera are thrown about as the hound tears into the zombies, mercilessly ripping their fragile bodies to shreds as if they were dolls.
<onine> Sprays of long dead blood and bile rain on the one closest to the carnage. Yengo.
* Anona just stares at the two creatures approaching her... and they come closer... and closer... and.... FIREBOLT TO THE FACE!
<onine> The first dodges easily to the side, but the second is not fast enough, the flame engulfing it, burning away clothing and hair.
<onine> More of the creatures begin to follow the first wave, three passing the Magistrate on the bridge now that the hound no longer backs him up. Another large group of four cross the river in their strange jumps on Anona's side, and a swarm of six splash onto the shore near Yengo and Epheri's hound.
* Epheri turns away from the zombies the hounds and Yengo ravaged, and focuses on the two zombies about to eat Anona. She slings her bow and draws her sword, slicing at the two there.
* Epheri slides to a halt as her sword stops moving, Epheri now at Anona's side
<onine> The two zombies jerk as Epheri's sword slices through them, cutting bloody rends in their flesh that ooze coagulated blood and other vile fluids.
* Yengo considers the six zombies swarming up this side of the river, the three making their way across the bridge. Taking a deep breath, he sprints toward the wolfhound, hoping it won't decide to bite him in half. He places a hand in the middle of its shaggy back and vaults over, sword flashing out as he hurtles it to slice into the midsection of the leading zombie.
<onine> The midsection grows a line of reddish brown before spilling open, bloated organs dangling from the wound.
* Epheri moves again, her sword glimmering in the faint light of her skin as she cuts at two of the zombies close in to her, ignoring the weakened ones for now, cutting fresh wounds instead.
<onine> The wounds, are fresh and light, they shrug them off well, the four focussing all of their attention on Tepet Epheri...
<onine> You can all hear the snarls of Epheri's hound, and the screeches of zombies as they are torn to pieces.
* Anona draws her sword, seeking to conserve Essence, and delivers a quick slash to the two additional zombies that approach.
<onine> The two creatures drop, one missing a head, another flaming an hissing.
<onine> Four zombies begin to advance on Epheri, their gangly arms outstretched to entangle the Earth aspect in a lethal embrace. They fan out into a small semi circle, then leap upon her...
<onine> Crouching low, the first one on the left leaps...
* Epheri decides that in the middle of a circle of zombie love is just not the place for an upstanding Dynast like her, her skin glowing white, small flakes of dust swirling around her as smoke engulfs her form.
<onine> ...right past Epheri, its fangs and claws out - latching onto the zombie on Epheri's right!
<onine> Another leaps, essence burns around Epheri, spinning it's leap into the next zombie!
* Epheri is left glowing bright white and smiling smugly.
<onine> The zombies land in piles of reeking gangly limbs, their mindless claws lashing and tearing into each other, pulling limbs free of their own kind rather than their intended target, Tepet Epheri!
<onine> Smoke and stench billows from the shattered zombies as the other pair rise and turn, hatefully glaring at the Dragonblood.
<onine> Over near the bridge, Yengo is the subject of unwanted attention as well, as the two unwounded creatures advance on Yengo, lashing out with gnarled hands.
<onine> With loud clangs, the fists beat against the shoulder guards and breastplate of Yengo's armor
* Epheri regards the two zombies, taking their hateful glares without flinching, then darting in, the white light of her sword cutting each of them once.
<onine> The sword cuts deeply, the beasts are now strangely wary of the Earth aspect, trying to evade this time rather than strike at her.
* Yengo lunges forward despite his ringing head, taking a swing at the neck of the heavily wounded zombie. He lets his momentum carry him between the other two, reversing the sword suddenly to stab behind him.
<onine> The first zombie howls for a moment - then the top half of its body drops off its legs.
<onine> The second reverse stab thrusts deeply into the second creatures back, it jerks once then slides limp off the blade.
* Anona makes another flame-imbued slice at a zombie, exhibiting unusual - for her - caution by not fully extending.
<onine> The zombie drops in a flaming, stinking mass with Anona's strike, leaving only a single creature remaining near her and Epheri
<onine> Near the bridge the remaining creature, a little larger than most, looms over the crouched Yengo, linking its hands together and beating downward in a savage double-handed strike.
<onine> The blow slides of the side of the helmet and smashes into the right shoulder-plate of the lameller armor. It raises its hands for a second blow, but a high pitched shriek echoes around the land, and the two remaining on the river leap back across and bound westwards, the swarms still charging do likewise.
<onine> The sound of feet pounding on grass is replaced by echoing cheers around Glie, as it seems that the invaders have been beaten back.
<onine> With the exception of a few random creatures that continue to test the Magistrate in a steady stream, the assault seems to have finished... for now.
* Yengo yanks off the dented helmet and lets it drop to the ground. "They're... running?"
<Epheri> "..Where too?"
<onine> "EEAAAH!" The magistrate crushes another of the disorganized single chargers. "I would not count on it, somehow."
<onine> The creatures continue to leap westward, where they are going and what is in store is unknown, but one thing is certain... time will tell.
<onine> Through the cheers, you hear the sound of a frantic woman wailing for help...
<onine> -End-