New Defenders

This horde of Veerlander clansmen kept coming despite the number of caltrops on the ground. Most of these clansmen were either heavily armored, lightly protected, or had only heavy furs for protection. To him that did not matter as his fellow mercenaries sent volley after volley into the horde. His eyes studied the horde of Veerlanders who pressed the attack despite the obstacles in their path and the early losses. A few hundred returned a few volleys after their defenses. Each projectile sent after them appeared scattered and more at will than a volley. Mondos did fight these Verlanders, but not this clan before. No one would believe him if he said the Veerlanders or Verlanders had any strategy whatsoever. Arrogant thinking like that ended the lives of heroes, knights, and bands of them who set out to fight them from Orian. It was on thing he hated most were arrogant individuals or groups with high status in society making the rules in their favor. Seeing the defenses the Veerlanders stopped not caring about their dead, or the obstacles they set up. More arrows, and bolts launched at them killing more Veerlanders who hid behind their shields, and mobile mantlets. Over ten thousand Veerlanders linked various shields together as best they could to form what looked like a centipede made from shields. Mondos paused from loosing another arrow and blinked multiple times. Was this some type of battle formation made from various shields? Was this a centipede, snake, or worm made from a bunch of shields? If he had fought these people before he had learned something from them. They were a crafty bunch for savages. Yet not crafty enough for him. His previous master introduced him to a Forsythan called Antalace who taught him how to defeat any shield formation. Told him to "forget the siege your ass is in a hurry" and "just because you are surrounded never means you lose". If this man were here today not a single Veerlander would be alive or even past this crossing.

Steffan's eyes spotted holes in their formation and went for those. He barked out for the rest to go for the holes. He let loose one arrow into the mass of shields hitting a Veerlander in the shoulder. Just because your arrow never kills the enemy does not mean the arrow does not do anything. If they are wounded that wound will bite them later, or hinder them from fighting on. To his delight he watched a wankel shield fall. It was not long before more shields dropped exposing the ranks of this centipede-snake like formation. Other commanders ordered to loose arrows and fire into the exposed ranks. He did not hesitate to loose more arrows as the Veerlander clansmen scrambled to bring up more shields. Round ones, Kite Shields, Heater Shields, Oval shaped, War-door, and tower shields were shoved at the front as the Veerlanders returned fire. This elongated mass of shields and spears stopped before their defenses and packed together. It was a formation to protect the mass of clansmen.

Projectiles kept coming after the mass of shields that protected the thick line of clansmen. Mondos' heart started pounding like crazy watching all those projectiles get thrown into the shields. He wanted to shout the order to cease, but words could not come out of his mouth. All commanders barked for their bowmen to cease fire. Mondos took a deep breath as the bowmen stopped sending arrows into the shields. It would have wasted their ammo and left them with nothing to use when they were pushed back to the gate. Taking a better glance at the horde he guessed there were 10, 415 Veerlander clansmen. He heard his master order for their ballistas to be brought over. Looking over his shoulder to see the ballista Steffan's eyes caught sight of an elf warrior. She wore a white tunic under leather sleeveless jerkin, red legging-like trousers under leg armor, military leather boots, a steel breastplate, and arm braces. She was armed with a matching elf saber, and dagger with no sword guard. Her hair was red like leaves in autumn. His eyes widened at the sight of her. Something about her seemed familiar. For the first time in his life he became distracted from everything else around him. He became oblivious.

Everything went silent for him as his eyes focused on her. Seeing this elf caused him to forget where he was or what he was even doing. This elf turned to see he was looking at her. Her gaze appeared unaware of his presence. (To be Continued) 

That Gorilla

When I was a child I had this dream that stuck with me. Like all children I dreamed of all sorts of things. However the dreams I had appeared too real and that I was somewhere else. After all these years this image of a gorilla inside a massive playpen with hundreds of tunnels and chambers. I suppose this is where I went at night in my dreams for safety. To be honest those were the years I spent a lot of time in the playpens of McDonalds fast foods. It was not until I met that Gorilla did I feel safe. While roaming one tunnel the Gorilla came charging at me. Scared I began to ran but found nowhere to go as it cornered me. Just a little kid being cornered by a talking Gorilla.

When it cornered me something else happened. A trap door opened up from beneath the Gorilla and it fell in that hole. Curious I looked down to see another tunnel beneath the one I was in. Feeling secure I resumed my exploration of this castle sized playpen. Believing I was safe my little boyish self went down to the lower levels. In a clear tunnel I suddenly heard a voice. "I am coming to get you little boy!" Goose bumps appeared on my skin as my body shook with fear. Looking over my shoulder I saw the Gorilla rushing down another tunnel I could see. Its gaze was on me now.

Panicking I ran as fast as I could down the tunnel I was in hoping it did not lead to the Gorilla. For some time the Gorilla gave chase. All over the interior part of the playpen the Gorilla ran after me. Fearing for my life I raced down various tunnels some had holes in them, while others were designed to mirror the night sky full of stars. Turning one corner to the next I finally came upon a tunnel that acted as a slide. Praying this tunnel would lead to safety I jumped in. Going down this slide like tunnel brought me peace. My fears went away, and so did the Gorilla. The state of mind I was in could only be described as awestruck and bewildered. All my thoughts went blank as I slid down this tunnel of stars, elegant colors, and mixed scenery. I did not know how long this tunnel was or where it would take me. To me it felt like forever. As I came upon a darker portion I slid into a larger room with a smaller playpen with plastic balls. Crawling through the plastic balls I came to the end of this pin and found that I was in a bath chamber of some sorts full of women. I didn't get a good look at them as I was scooped up by a dark haired elf with curvy features and breasts the size of water melons. She pressed me against her like any mother would do to her child after they had been threatened or in danger. Somehow I could not shake the feeling that she knew what was happening in that castle playpen.

Dealing with Mimics

"Listen up, this is how you can deal with a possible mimic inside the area you are exploring. Take an ax chop every piece of furniture insight. Another way, especially if you can do fire damage, set fire to the whole bloody room! Aaand my favorite way of dealing with mimics other than checking each item in the room, is shooting everything that is not breathing!" a winded Mockshah explained to the class of adventurers, knights, rangers, rogues, princesses, and warriors. He held the biggest fake, guilty grin that said he was fucked. No one clapped except a few in the back.

Lord Lancaster applauded this and pushed everyone to applaud. The whole room full of experienced men and women of the IGA's Crusaders replaced the students who were supposed to attend this lecture. Only one problem it was not the real Mockshah giving the lecture to the class. A devilishly handsome man of 5'6 in a fine suit. His hair was brushed and styled in a wavy hairstyle. It did not go well with the stubble on his face. Looking at the man's face the individual who claimed himself to be Mockshah could see he was not pleased.

"Did we FORGET something?" the handsome yelled at the impostor.

"I um, uh, ha ha.....well you are um... not the great Mockshah! I am the-" the impostor tried to prove his identification as Mockshah.

"Who is this go to court over something more serious." a female's voice rose up from the real Mockshah's flank. This female stood six feet tall, voluptuous, very strikingly beautiful, and strong. Her occupation was a Battle Mage, Teacher, Custodian, and Nurse, plus a mother to him. She wore the chest plate of a warrior, and donned a long purple skirt under a mage's loose robe.

The real Mockshah was about to speak when she cut him off with a single hand. It looked like she was going to strike him, but she did not. Lady Rebecca-Jessica Denson aka. "Darkmare" levitated above the floor.

"CLEAR OUT, EVERYBODY OUT OF THIS ROOM, NOW!" Lady Denson shouted with fury. Her gaze was transfixed upon the impostor who soiled himself the moment he saw her eyes glow a yellow orange glow. Such a glow reminded him of fire. Her hands started to shake a little as balls of energy began to appear and take shape into little flames in her palms.

Everyone except for Mockshah, Lord Lancaster, Lady Darkmare, and another figure left the classroom. Without warning she threw a fire ball at one of the chairs that seemed out of place. The chair let out a scream and arms appeared along with a tongue as the object was roasted. Lady Darkmare had spotted a mimic that was actually inside the class room. She did not stop there while floating about the room. On the hunt she tossed another flame at another chair that appeared crooked. One flame was all took to set that chair on fire. However it was not a mimic.

"Hmf! Could of sword that was a mimic. Just the way it sat." Darkmare said in a livid tone.

"Lady Darkmare look out!" Mockshah shouted as he jumped forward with a pair of pistols in hand. He shot a chair that moved that began to leap for her. The mimic dropped to the floor with blood coming out, arms and legs protruding from the chair like body. A big mouth with sharp teeth and a long tongue were shown. It limped from being shot twice. Mockshah did not stop there. He pulled out two extra pairs of flintlock pistols and fired away. Out of his jacket he pulled out a hatchet then hacked away at the mimic.

Lord Lancaster was nearly pounced by three others. Thanks to IGA technology Lancaster and his Knights, Men At Arms, along with other swordsmen wielding retractable blades. His was a bastard sword, which he often prized at times. Using this sword he sliced the mimics in two. Another mimic revealed itself with a gaping mouth full of razor sharp teeth and claws ready to rip anything in its path. In the air Lady Darkmare sent two fire balls after this one mimic that was hopefully the last one to deal with. A fourth figure was more of a neutral monster hunter, agent, and former prowler known as Clyde Kyle Katernson. He held up his weapon keeping an eye on the chairs. All four of them circled the room while keeping their eyes peeled.

Mockshah kept an eye out for Clyde, since he used to work for one M.O.R. Overlord who sent raiders to destroy entire communities. He almost did not trust him enough to be in the same building. While they scoured the room even more the lights went out and growling filled the room. Movement, roaring, and screaming was all they heard. Lady Denson illuminated the room to find Clyde being attacked by at least one mimic, and Lancaster getting bitten by two others. With their free arms the two men beat the mimics off of them. Lancaster jabbed one of the mimics gripping his arm with this blade. He killed that one while Clyde was tossed into some other chairs. Denson and Mockshah were on the other two Mimics making short work of them. Both Lancaster and Clyde suffered injuries on their arms, and torso. Each one had to be rushed out of the class room.