Brynn dismounted to get a better look at the corpses. Hoping these Dragoons would allow her to peek she went past Lt. Kriscyne, and a few other Dragoons. Intent on ignoring their orders Brynn went up to the closest corpse. None of them bothered her about it. Glancing up to check, she saw they split up to search for more and their source. Taking a good look at the closest one she approached had a height of 6ft 7 inches. Just looking at it she estimated it weighed over 200 lbs. Its skin appeared light pinkish gray with boils and scars. Ten bullet holes had blood seeping out from where it was shot. Her eyes studied this humanoid's one eye. Did these lands host more inhabitants that hide from everyone else? She recalled her encounters with Gnolls, Troglodytes, wild Blackmell Orcs, Kuruks, and Molorcs. There were also the Goblins who were still wild that attacked people. Brynn never encountered anything like this before. Where the eyes would be just skin stretched over it. In the center and where the nose bridge rested lay a fist sized eye. No nose could be seen on this humanoid. Just a single slit lay between its eye and gaping mouth.
Noticing the eyes color was disappearing into a dead grey, she looked at its hands. Six fingers on one, and just four on the left hand, showing it lost two somewhere along its life. She was about to estimate how old it was, when a 6ft 9 cobbles tall brawny humanoid with spiral horns appeared. Brynn looked up to see it was a Kuruk wielding an axe. Her hand shot for the pistol as 26 more Kuruks appeared out of the brush and fat tree. Armed with long axes, Bardiches, Glaives, war-scythes, and partisans, these Kuruks wore laminar armor, bone armor, and studded leather armor. Looking over her shoulder she noticed none of the Dragoons saw them yet.
Brynn fired a single shot at the axe wielding Kuruk before bolting for her horse. Three of the Dragoons got caught off guard while checking the other corpses. One got his head smashed in, a second became speared in the chest while the third was cut down with a single blow. Only one of those three Dragoons killed their attacker with a single shot at point blank range through its lung. Kriscyne's other thirteen Dragoons opened fire on these Kuruks. Ten more went down in the burst of gunfire. That did not stop the other sixteen armed Kuruks from advancing further. One big ram horned Kuruk kicked a Dragoon to the ground before getting shot up. Another cleaved the leg off a kneeling female Dragoon who prepared her carbine rifle. She let out a panicked and shocked scream of agony. This female fired a shot when that hit its leg. Brynn remounted when the other Dragoons fired two volleys unto the rest of the Kuruks.
The remaining Dragoons gathered up their injured comrade. Kriscyne turned to Brynn who scanned the area for more hostiles. Just looking at his face she could tell he wanted to combine forces. At the same time he regretted the thought. The female Dragoon still screamed while her fellow Dragoons bandaged her up. One of his Dragoons happened to be a surgeon who patched it up. He also wrapped the leg for reattachment attempts. Kriscyne's wounded dragoon slowly stopped screaming as the surgeon had her take a shot of whiskey and bite down on a piece of leather. Brynn caught his attention and nodded to him. He only glared at her in confusion.
"We can combine forces Lieutenant! Your wounded can rest and recover at one of our locations. Four of my men could take her to the closest one." She projected to him. Lieutenant Kriscyne's eyes shifted for several seconds before replying to her.
"(Sigh) Very well, Firerose. Azgolli, Saudari, Dawudin, gather up Grikon's, Vygoon's, Kayris', and Galib's weapons. Collect their equipment also, use their horses to carry cargo. I will collect all personal belongings except for Vygoon's. Put her stuff with her steed." Kriscyne barked out showing he was irritated. Three Dragoons followed his orders. Brynn looked over her shoulder at her 277 Country-Guard. Their next stop was an old Motte and Bailey nearly 20 miles away.
"Lieutenant, we are headed for Dinotzi Thumb, a Motte and Bailey mixed with a village, and palisade fort 18 miles from here." She told the Lieutenant. Brynn recalled the swamp creatures and group of Ghouls she was informed about.
Kriscyne looked perplexed and intrigued by this. Head Quarters for him possibly lay 41 miles away in one of the bigger cities. It could also be a barracks in a fort with a garrison of 1,700-2,000 or more. Knowing the full strength the VUVR military could muster, these Dragoons were part of the reserves. At the top of her head Brynn recounted how many locations they had as a base or outpost. Mainly along the border of Zegrav and Castaria. Aside from the humble hut, barracks, dwelling of six buildings, and palisade dwelling, they had seven other locations. Two of those spots they had to share with a unit of 112 Country-Guard under the command of a Zhenrai outcast. She knew of two other groups who patrolled the southern central Castaria.
"It is only 18 miles from here you say." He showed a bit of hope over what she said to him.
"Yes. I can split my force into three groups. One group can take Vygoon to that location, the other can take care of business. As for the third one, it can partake in patrolling the region." she responded to him.
Without much hesitation Brynn divided her unit into three groups. Under a Sergeant's command, 40 would take out the Swamp creatures and hunt the ghoul monsters. She placed a Lieutenant Rothburt in command of 100 who would patrol the region for a week. Taking the rest of the 135 Country-Guard, Brynn helped bury the fallen Dragoons. Riding at full gallop to the Dinotzi Thumb, she dropped the Dragoons off at a tavern in the village. Kriscyne needed a place to scribe his report then send it via courier. She offered for him to join forces with hers once again. He declined saying his superiors required his duties elsewhere up north. Leaving him and his Dragoons alone she sauntered over to the awaiting award. At the office in the bailey castle she found Warden-Sheriff Hilburt Karl, the official under Mayor Afina Tauler. Hilburt was a Zedirian since he had human, Orc, and a blend of Goblin in his background. Just looking at this thirty something year old hybrid appeared a little overweight. He sat in his chair with his gut rising above the desk. Brynn ignored the gut and his glare.
"What will it be Sheriff?" She asked forcing a smile on her face. She held up the bounty for the monster humanoids they slew. He did not look very pleased.
"Considering the Gnolls, and Bandits whom you left none alive. I'd say it totals 662 Republic Eagles." Karl said to her picking up a sack of currency. He placed it on the desk for her to grab.
"Is that it?" She asked feeling backstabbed.
"Not even close. Funds aren't exactly going to bounties these days, Brynn. However the VUVR as seen to it all units operating in Castarian, and Zegrav country get something out of it." Karl answered her as he adjusted himself in is seat. It creaked loudly and repeatedly making it sound like it was going to give way at any moment.
"What are they handing us?" Brynn demanded slamming a fist on the desk. Ever since Castaria entered this VUVR she operated in this area keeping the peace and clearing the countryside of monsters.
"Better tents, updated maps thanks to aviators, extra shirts, new riding trousers, new boots, essential camping equipment, actual food rations, shovels, ponchos, and extra horseshoe equipment." Sheriff Karl handed her a list of items they were being given as a reward. She read the items as 54 tents, 5 maps, 249 new boots, 500 socks, 286 canteens, 35 compasses, cooking gear, 243 blankets, 158 sleeping bags, 17 binoculars, 29 aid kits, 94 lanterns, flint, 199 hammocks, food rations, and ammunition). Brynn's gaze shot from the list to the Warden-Sheriff.
"Is this it?" she blurted out with wide eyes of disbelief.
"At least they are handing you better equipment! That is not it! Your unit will be given 204 lever repeaters, 115 revolvers, 72 T.M. 13 bolt action rifles. Each firearm comes with 50 rounds, yet they were generous to give you 39 grenades, 94 helmets, and one E-7 rifle. I am not even finished unless you like to check yourself. Due to the generosity of Baroness Magfaren your outpost-bases are receiving extra structures. A ruined tower nearby one is getting renovated while a farm-stable is getting constructed. It will come with 8 cows, 5 sheep, 3 goats, 14 chickens, 5 horses, and a donkey. It will be operated by an orphan boy and 2 male laborers. One family of four will be maintaining the base as well. At three of them 3 country lodges will be constructed while all seven are getting a complex. At two of the locations 2 farmhouses will be built each will be getting a small livestock of Donkeys, cows, chickens, goats, and sheep. At one of them 3 female feeders will operate the farm, the locals will help run the other one. A horse trainer and caretaker will be at one station with a veterinarian, 5 equestrians who will bring 12 horses. One will receive a horse farm with 27 extra horses and a larger stable. A team of ten from the nearby town will help out. A bunny farmer will be setting up base, since some of your own mean enjoy rabbit stew. A total of 30 rabbits will be starting out. Another farm will be built bringing 8 pigs, 13 cows, and 3 hands operating it. Another farm will be constructed at one near the border with pigs, cows, goats, chickens, and mules. Some old station will be converted into a suitable office along the edge of one of the cities. Three windmills and 3 water towers will be returned to service. Here you are getting a forge and your own bleeding tavern. Plus five beekeepers will be stationed at different locations. So that is what you will be receiving." Karl reciting what else was being handed to them. He folded his chubby hands on the desk.
"We already have a farmstead at one of those locations. It supplies us well enough with capable hands operating them." Brynn protested still feeling a little betrayed. She pondered over this realizing it might actually benefit them. "Second thought, I accept all of this part of my own Country-guards are dealing with some swamp creatures, and Ghouls from Zegrav."
"The less monsters we have to deal with the better. Ever since this war started, they've been increasing in numbers to the near point of infestation. Also, those new hands operating your bases are from Vullan." Karl pointed out to her.
"What!? Scum from Vullan?" She snapped feeling the wounds reopen from the earlier setback. Now she has to sit in the same building as those overzealous, female violating vermin, pests from the islands.
"No, refugees, and former slaves to the Vullanese Temples." Karl rebuked back at her.
"Oh." She did not realize their VUVR was bringing in civilians from Vullanese Islands.
"One of them has Spastic flu, or at least recovering from the horrifying disease. Another keeps babbling on about rectangular shields used in combat." Warden Karl put in. He leaned back in his chair causing it to creak even more. She could have sworn it would give way any minute. The door to his office burst open. A town guard in average clothing with a blue armband on his left arm. Their clean-shaven face and long nose made them appear like a pale crow wearing a cap.
"Sheriff Karl we are under attack!" the town guard informed him in a comprehensive and excited voice.
"By who, the Nazdar? They are getting their teeth kicked in all over the front." Karl remarked sarcastically.
"Sheriff just raise the alarm and get the town guard to their posts! The people will hide in the bunkers bellow." The Town Guard urged him.
Rolling his eyes, the large Warden Sheriff got up and pulled back a wooden sliding panel. It revealed an alarm switch. He pulled it down turning on the alarm system. Screaming sirens filled the air as a warning of an attack. Brynn rushed out of the Motte and Bailey to see a sizeable force heading this way. Did the Vestrisians and Castarians disagree on how to run things as usual? She remembered back in 1837 tensions between the member states and Castaria rose high enough to ignite a civil war. Villages still came under attack out of control, and people went missing only to be found by some adventurer after killing a monster. Castaria claimed it would control the situation. It did, but not enough to keep the vermin from amassing in force. Donitzi Thumb had 137 Town Guards, 58 soldiers, 20 cavalry men manning the fort, and 17 warriors to protect 1,359 residents. Dinotzi Thumb's residents were rushing towards the bailey and fort for protection. Their defenders were just rallying to their stations armed with T.M. 13 rifles, Repeaters, shotguns, and Etterson rifles or E-5s. She raced past the marshaling defenders, and scared civilians to warn her own Country-Guard, and Kriscyne's Dragoons. Looking up at the force she saw it was still growing in force. More people raced towards the Dinotzi Thumb. From the corner of her eye she spotted a lone rider racing towards the northeast. She was facing southward.
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