"What did you do this time?" she asked kicking him in the side.
Still holding the scoped rifle in his arms Wyllum Gravezz lay against a thick tree root. He did not stir from his spot, but his eyes were open showing signs she woke him up. Seeing he did not answer nor get up she kicked him again. Wyllum still did not get up acting as a stubborn ass and fool. A fool that acted brain dead and hard of hearing. She could not believe the insubordination he was displaying right now. This sort of behavior would never slide with the V.U.V.R. and the now old Black Coats. Being part Elf, and part human with a hint of Forsythan she came from a Celic Clan like family in Bymere. Brynn Rosefire had enough of Wyllum's stubbornness already. It had been two weeks since the last time she saw anyone with the expression of carelessness, but guilty.
"Get up first then tell me what you did this time!" She commanded him with anger in her voice. Under her command were 7 Orc Slicers from Geverine, 5 Half-Orc locals, 18 Goblin Archers (Marksmen), 16 alchemists, 5 female elf archers, 15 male elf bowmen, 21 swordsmen, one female Forysthan as a bodyguard, 18 short rogues, 18 clansmen warriors, and 9 highlanders from Naatrida. Among these 133 she also commanded some extra 144 volunteers from those who could not find a spot in the V.A.V.R. or other branches of the V.U.V.R. military. There were those who did not make the cut, others conscripted from prison sentences, black sheep, outcasts, and the ones whose families forbade them from joining. Most of these made up the irregular army country-guard of the V.U.V.R. They were loosely linked with the National Guards whose job it was to patrol, scour, and hunt for any monsters, outlaws, or renegades. Her 277 country-guard were one of 30 units operating all over the Vestrisan Republics. Wyllum was one of those young rebellious conscripts whose parents believed this would straighten him out. She wanted to prove them wrong by sending him back home.
"Yes Captain." Wyllum replied getting up. He straightened himself in the irregular black oil skin coat over an ugly plaid shirt, denim trousers, military style boots, and a tan shirt that still did not cover the chest tattoo. His long mop hair made him appear like a homeless tramp of a dog. Not facial hair could be seen as he was clean shaven.
"What did you do?" Brynn demanded from him seizing the rifle from him. Since the war required the best military hardware the country-guard had to make due with older weapons including some old traditional ones. Aside from bows, swords, axes, cudgels, maces, spears, war picks, short-swords, daggers, long knives, war hammers, and machetes, they were commissioned firearms. Among her country-guard the authorities commissioned 51 repeater rifles, 90 T.M.10 breech loaders, 39 shotguns(double barreled), 166 old Onway pistols, 48 revolvers, 33 machine pistols, 12 hunting rifles, 16 bolt action rifles, 55 scoped rifles, 10 7mm Submachinegun, 4 Legacy Machineguns, and 19 T.M. 13 bolt-action rifles for the Hallowed Rangers. They had more back at their own headquarters as well as the alchemists.
"I shot a suspicious figure by the old temple to Ipsul and ancient Griballi." Wyllum answered her.
Looking over her right shoulder Brynn spotted the temple ruin in the distance. A patchwork of trees grew around it and three had grown inside it. Four other structures stood nearby it, forming a nice tiny settlement. It was more of a dwelling, but still large enough for anyone to campout or hide in. A squad of 17 Dragoons of the V.U.V.R. who were also members of the Armored Branches whether it was a tank, armored vehicle, or motorbike. In this area most of the vehicles were reserved for the frontlines. That left them limited to horses. She had no doubt they were hear because of the shot Wyllum fired. Just earlier this morning they also shot up a bunch of hostiles. A band of 36 Bandits who attacked a village, and some warband of 67 Gnolls that burned a nearby homestead estate. Just yesterday her company had to kill a pack of 15 Wolves. Each one made for an edible meal. Today was a huge wild beast of a cow someone believed to be a Yackdreth.
"Well Wyllum you and I shall ride over there and discuss this matter with those Dragoons. Am I understood?" Brynn told Wyllum getting close and personal. Her nose inches from his face. Hope to the gods that was an outlaw he shot. She thought to herself. Brynn did not get a very good look at the figure he shot yet as she was preoccupied with a group of 9 Elf Male Sorcerers travelling with 24 Castarian Skells(retainers). This group reported 10 swamp creatures to the south, and 22 Ghouls crossing over from Zegrav desecrating graves. One of them known as Ibe shuddered saying the fiends were feasting on the dead. Fortunate for them their retainers killed a few Ghouls, and Swamp creatures, allowing for them to avoid others.
Grumbling under his breath Wyllum saddled up on his steed "Obe", an ashen grey horse of six years old. She mounted her own brown mare with white spots she named "Hahzel". Since they did not receive much they did manage to get 282 horses to travel on. Thanks to the generosity of locals, dying lords, and barren house holds her Hallowed Rangers received a humble hut, rocky bunker base that could be covered with a tent or wooden roof on stakes, dwelling of 4 cottages, 2 stone houses, a fenced two building dwelling with a well. A cart with supplies were given to them as well as crates and barrels to keep them well fed. At some sites they had to construct their own stables. Riding over to these Dragoons Brynn thought about the words she would say to these Dragoons called over here by someone. In the distance of Southern Castaria-Zegrav she could see some other settlements. Cities of Green-Blade, Manscar, Eagle's Wound, Glass-Rose, Bovengrad, Kingsbow, Stagville, and Agbuul rested on the landscape before them. Dotting the area around them were other smaller settlements connected by roads. Getting closer to the Dragoons the pair of Country-Guard see one of them approach them with one arm stretched out. Brynn stopped her steed then motioned for Wyllum to do the same.
"Name, rank, profession, and branch!" the Dragoon commanded, speaking first.
"Rosefire, Captain, former Assistant Guide, an irregular of the NG country-guard!" she said aloud raising her voice so he could hear her. Glancing at each Dragoon she noticed the caps and helmets had those black feathery plumes. Their uniforms under the duster coats held a tint of mineral alloy color. Very similar to the old Vestrisian Uniforms during the days it was a mercenary army for hire. Yet the equestrian riding boots appeared custom made with the soles of a hiking boot attached. Taking a better look at the Dragoon who halted them Brynn noticed he was tall and lean muscled. Close to 6'2 she would have to say. A half-elf like herself this Dragoon showed more of the serious elf attitude. He was most likely from Zedarkhaand.
"Who might you be, Dragoon?" She asked him feeling a little bolder than she wanted to be for this situation.
"2nd Lieutenant Dorhomin Kriscyne, Forward Lancer, Expert Marskman, Equestrian High Class. My Commanding Officer, Captain Hycis Gilfir sent me with a portion of our cavalry unit on a hunt for an escaped mad alchemist-necromancer from Stagville asylum-jail." Lieutenant Kriscyne answered.
"Correctional Facility you mean." she corrected him. Most jails and prisons were converted into such facilities and asylums since the V.U.V.R. formed. As cruel as it was their governments chose to send the worst or criminals to the front against the alien invaders. This was not implemented until 1843 when the Nazdar and Gantronese sent in reinforcements. From her acquaintances in the military she heard of a invasions into Dorntalla, and Zekmar. Any thieves, burglars, and those who committed lesser crimes were used for labor. It was paid of course in coinage, clothes, food, and bedding.
"So they are called that now." He replied coldly for a moment then returned to a more calm voice. "Who among your Country-Guard, Captain Rosefire, fired that shot?"
Kriscyne's expression became more wide eyed and demanded an explanation. Brynn could of have sworn her heart, lungs, and uvula sank into her stomach. Wyllum probably shot someone important or a civilian out for a stroll. Looking at the youth she wanted to knock him off his horse. Her gaze returned to the Lieutenant who still glared her. Was it really that bad for Wyllum to shoot this one? Brynn was about to fess up to the accusation even if wasn't her fault when the Lieutenant pulled out a letter from his jacket.
"Congratulations! That was him!" Lieutenant Kriscyne said smiling with his eyes for a brief moment.
Brynn was stunned for a few moments. Did they shoot someone on the run or something? She needed a moment to process this and glanced around their surroundings. An ancient ruin wall flanked them on the left. Perched on it were a total of 13 cats blankly staring at them. Around them she heard 13 toads. On the branches of surrounding trees she saw a dozen Owls. She wasn't too fond of cats as they leave fur all over places they like to sit, even your lap. Toads were a creature she tolerated. As for Owls to her they made fine companions. Returning her attention to Lieutenant Kriscyne she took the letter from him. Opening it up it was a bounty on a Mad Man's head known as Chemist Dorsal Sadauri Ibim for 2100 Republic Eagles. That would add to their reward in the bounty for those Gnolls and Bandits. Together the bounties for the Gnolls and Bandits estimated to 2,388 Republic Eagles in terms of paper money.
"I just shot a wanted man! That is my kill my money, hand it over! I'll-" Wyllum barked out before Brynn swatted him off his horse. Obe stood their waiting for his rider to get back up. Unfortunately for Wyllum the ground was still wet from the previous rain two days ago.
All the Dragoons behind Lieutenant Kriscyne bellowed out with laughter. Taking another look at these Dragoons Brynn noted their weapons. Carbine Rifles, short barreled T.M. 13's, E-7 rifles, revolvers, and A-76 pistols. For melee weapons they carried or wielded sabers, lances, dirks, and batons. Brynn checked herself and her saddle. At her own side she had the clansman axe, bayonet, saber, and revolver on the right side. Her clan Dirk, rifle, and sledge mallet rested on her left side. In a bandolier holster she had the machine pistol.
"I am sure you will get your just reward, boy. Our superiors received information of people sighting alien aircraft in this region. It occurs mostly under the darkness of midnight. That makes it harder for our aircraft to intercept. Have any of your men seen anything unusual out here?" Lt. Kriscyne asked. His eyes were on Brynn, ignoring the fallen Wyllum who was now getting up.
Brynn's ears picked something up from their right flank. Her head shot to the right where one of the cats rushed away. The other cats already disappeared, leaving them to the company of whatever was nearby and the owls. Out of the corner of her eye Brynn saw Wyllum remount covered in mud. She would have laughed, but the noise came again louder and revealed more than one creature. Kriscyne and the other Dragoons looked up to see what the noise was. Worried these Dragoons would only overlook this she caught the Lieutenant's attention.
"Lieutenant! Lieutenant! Did you hear that?" she asked him. Kriscyne turned his whole gaze on her.
"Yes." He replied in a prickly voice. "It could be a herd or pack wandering around."
"Lieutenant forgive me, but that is a lie." she told him.
"Well let me lie to my superiors about a group of thirteen Dwarf Miners nearby. They heard the shot, but I can say your men just scared them." He warned her. "Or I can lie by saying the madman is still on the loose and a Country-Guard shot a civilian out for a stroll!"
Silence was all they could muster from their lips. Brynn knew the V.U.V.R. Dragoons did not care for the civilian soldiers. Any noncombatant that got in harms way, particularly a civilian, were on the list of priorities for them to protect. Keeping everyone safe wasn't an easy task. Whenever civilians are near scene of a crime, an attack, lair, or area of hostiles securing their safety proved difficult. Brynn was about to speak when a group of seven half nude, feral looking, 6ft tall cycloptic humanoids drooling at the mouth sprung from their hiding places. Each creature were covered in blood all over their stomach, chest, and mouths. Even their hands had blood on them. Seventeen Dragoons filled these feral creatures with holes from their pistols and carbines. These creatures' wailing, screeching like cries shook Brynn a little. Loud and bone shattering their cries were. She had to cover her ears as did Wyllum. Just because those cries were cut short did not mean the screeches left her mind. Each group waited for more to show up as ten of her own Country-Guards rode over to their location.
Brynn turned to wave them away. None of them were needed at the moment. Sending Wyllum back with them she heard them heckling and laughing at him. She wasn't fond of being alone like this near military personnel. Brynn wasn't a soldier, not anymore. Not since they disbanded the Black Coats back in 1833. Back then she was still considered young at the age of 38. She joined at a much younger age becoming more of an adult through her experiences as a Soldier and Mercenary. Now she was just a volunteer scouring the countryside along the Zegrav-Castarian border hunting down uncivilized humanoids, outlaws, bandits, and monsters.
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