His fellow soldier, Sergeant Pumpeen barked at the five palm branch wielding staff. Under his cap his thick reddish hair, and handlebar mustache made him look like a lion trying to be a human. A lion with a big nose, shaven chin, and exposed cheeks. Wind blew around them lifting sand up that hit their clothes, and tried getting in their eyes. Most of the citizens, workers and patrons ran from the blast site. Checking their surroundings Malik spotted two Uxane Horses, a pair of armor wearing twins approaching their direction, a Camel Rider, some Gnome goat rider, and female Drow Mage covered in a tan cloak. To the locals the twins were called Dane workers. Both were fighters and laborers. One Vestrisian Desert Trooper who was Zegrav came up to them. Malik could tell they were of Zegrav background due to the tribal band around their head. It could be seen under the cap, tangerine orange over dark brown skin. Adding another soldier to help wouldn't hurt. Malik had never really been here in Zegrav before. Red Curve was a city he heard about or passed on is travels through Zegrav. Studying the figure in their tan brown uniform they sort of blend in the surroundings. Telling his squad leader what he found, Malik glanced at the Desert Soldier who stuck out because of several light blue tents, orange striped tents, green ones, red painted huts, and colorful vendor stands.
Handing over his discovery Malik heard the Desert Soldier's voice. Everyone in ear shot turned their heads on the covered Desert soldier. All they could see of her were the eyes above the tan veil. She introduced herself as Corporal Bia Jeerdall of the Desert Unit. Facing North West Malik spotted a Blacksmith at work in his open forge as through nothing happened. Clanking and hammering of metal could be heard from the blacksmith along with other noise as Jeerdall spoke. She once had thirty-five fellow soldiers she called co-workers in a platoon. Now it was just her after a week in Badraan.
"I heard what happened out there in Badraan, Corporal Jeerdall. A platoon sized unit of thirty-five or more Desert Soldiers and forty local militia set out to hunt down a band of unruly Ghouls led by a Lamia Lion. When they caught up with what they thought was seventeen turned out to be a set up ambush. Caught in the grassy dunes they were first attacked by seventy white spawn Ghouls followed by a wave of eighty Black Ghoul spawn. Both waves were repelled until the Lamia-" Lieutenant Ritherson's story was cut off by fresh screams and shouting. This interruption was followed by sounds of attacks and clashes.
All their attention was transferred to the southwest. Hundreds of people fled towards them in panic. Several shots rang out behind the fearful crowd. Heading towards the source, Malik's squad was not alone. A total of seventy-seven armed humanoids rushed to defend Red Curve. Malik could tell this was the work of the Lamias of Ottante and their Ghoulish henchmen. No one expected this to happen so soon. Yes there was an insurgency going on. However insurgents acted as guerillas attempting hit and run attacks. They would always melt away or disappear into the countryside or wilderness whenever troops arrived in force. Knowing or believing this was the force they set out to deal with, Ritherson ordered a counter attack.
Red Curve's populace barely mobilized to face this threat. Citizens, residents, workers, and inhabitants moved towards the defensive castles that formed Red Curve. Malik's squad mates passed a tea salon, practicing dentistry in a cottage, carriage tour guide, bake with a bread stand, and two safari stations against the walls of a castle. Some trio of ex pirates searching for mounts had to give up and join the defenders. Everyone was expected Red Curve or hide in a safe spot. The newly formed VUVR government permitted the Zegravs rights to arms for defending themselves. As long as they don't rise up against the new government. Fortunately this law was not going to last much longer. An enforced law the VUVR's 4th Law of Restraint ensured the Zegrav's would not rise up or form large militias.
Besides the enforcement and restraining law there were bands who sought to resist. An insurgency arose in Castaria, Zegrav, and parts of Ottante. Yet this day he was facing the Zegrav insurgents. More people rushed pas them in fear. Up ahead they spotted the insurgents near an old mine shaft, an old tower, one saloon, and a bank. Malik's squad mates started firing at the insurgents when the crowds were clear of their line of sight. they lined up near a working blacksmith who was too focused on his work to care. The seventy-seven warriors rushing to defend Red Curve charged at a force of three hundred. Shooting at these insurgents became hindered due to the heroic seventy-seven in their line of fire.
Forced to watch the Red Curve defenders fight, Malik and his squad mates helped civilians get out. Hiding in a Radio Station within a sand brick structure, a horse riding instructor, her student, chimney sweeps for the castles, a couple of merchants, a family of four, and station master race out. They rushed by a cottage and the stands owned by the merchants. On the vending stands Malik saw they sold saddles, lever rifles, sleeping bags, and other essentials. Among the merchandise they found arrows, bolts, and bullet holes from the insurgents. At other vendors, and structures they found some dead Red Curve citizens. Two ex-pirates selling saddles, and belts, two fire fighters, an operatic entertainer, male surveyor, and older female surveyor-photographer, two kids, a beast tracker, and a merchant. One of these merchants sold essential parts, cameras, small campfire extinguishers, carpets, belts, carpets, capes, banners, circlets, collars, gold coifs, an ale pitcher. Opposite those vendors and particular shop sat the Sheriff Office, a Saloon, owned by nine nobles, and a castle where a noble stood by the stairs. Giving the Tavern a good look he saw it had decorations such as banners, halberds, spears, swords, maces, mortar cannon, and shields. Noting the settlement had ten banks, Malik wondered if the insurgents were after money, supplies, and weapons. Not getting a chance to engage the insurgents was disappointing.
The engagement of combat between Red Curve defenders and the insurgents lasted for a few minutes. Every Red Curve defender got at least one or two kills. Malik hoped the volley they sent in helped out. Calling this one a second attack Ritherson led the squad over to the site of the skirmish. Just one defender died in the fighting, local sheriff, Lomon Gunari. Whereas the insurgents lost two hundred twenty-five dead, and seventy-six taken prisoner. at their hands a total of fifty-nine Red Curve people died and over sixty wounded in the attack. Knowing the wrath of Red Curve's citizens these prisoners were at their mercy. As though the VUVR soldiers were not present, fourteen Ghouls, spawn, and Zegravs were hanged.
As usual in Zegrav every remaining prisoner received the dungeon sentence. Between the eight castles, sheriff stations, and abandoned wells the prisoners found themselves distributed into one of the structures. Corporal Malik knew half these or more would die of starvation, torture, or suicide. He only heard the stories after arriving in Zegrav again when he was a little older. Ritherson took command of the defenders since he was a Lieutenant in the VUVR military. The seventy-six defenders who joined the fight were made up of various professions. A team of seven Swan Knights camped out nearby, another group of five Swan Knights with the swan sigil, stayed at some Tavern. One platoon of twenty regular knights, nine Dwarves, three Crusaders in VUVR uniform, a Tournament Knight on vacation, and a pirate knight came here for new steeds to buy. One female archer, female rogue, Elf Archer, and Dwarf Body Guard lived here in Red Curve. An Elf Blue Blade, female archer, four Tower Shield Knights and Zegrav Tribesman acted as security in Red Curve. Three Blue Archers, a single winged Demon, three Vestrisian locals resided here. Helping the two other Sheriffs of Red Curve, three Vestrisian Troopers ensured the banks would be protected.
Leaving the prisoners in the hands of Red Curve locals Malik's Squad Mates moved towards the southern end. They were now leaving Red Curve's citizens to clean up the carnage and aftermath. It was not against them. His fellow soldiers did care about the citizens of this member state. Their own duty lied elsewhere in Zegrav. Much of Zegrav remained untamed like Ottante and Castaria. He even heard rumors about parts of the northern regions still had wild bands roaming the country. Bands consisting of Beastmen, wild Troglodytes, Kuruks (humanoids with horns), Fierce Gnolls, and other creatures that should have stayed in tall tales. Looking at the sky he noticed they patrolled Red Curve for over five hours.
This was normal for patrols and a little short compared to some patrols. Patrols could take days at a time. Depending on where they were patrols would not return for days. Letting out a loud sigh Malik looked around their surroundings at the end of Red Curve. Just the way this settlement was set up in the grassland fields full of hills, it formed a scimitar shape. Old forts, castles, along with the close nit structures allowed for an easy defense. Attacking forces would have to spread out or be caught in a choke point. Either way it would require artillery or bombers to reduce Red Curve to rubble.
"Alright lads fall on me." Ritherson commanded them.
The squad of soldiers, now camel riders, or Camel Kols, rallied to Lieutenant Ritherson's position. Corporal Jeerdal joined them, making her part of the squad. Sergeant Pumpeen looked at her up and down unsure about this. Corporal Asim-Sugmuk Malik checked his fellow squad mates with his eyes. Corporal Amun Munn, the second Corporal hailed from Zegrav, Privates Naviddi Calumet, Eric Sextur, Seymour Bleu, Grommni Swannson, Stephen McPaulis, Ed Drommond, Redd Pawblade, Nimor Sedwash, Michael Stonehaven, Walter Olaff, Jasmial Amakiir came from Castaria, and Geverine cities. Then there was Corporal Bia Jeerdall being assigned to his command. Six others used to be under his command under Ritherson. Three of them were dead, one was wounded, and the other two filled in the ranks of another squad in the 1224th.
"Listen up squad, our presence drew attention of insurgents. We need to move. Our own 1224th just cleared out insurgents while we were fighting the other force at Red Curve. With held from local militia, Zegrav 428th Cavalry Battalion our comrades cleansed a village of 541 insurgents. No prisoners were taken so expect extreme fanaticism. Sort of disappointing, we got nothing, but news about a freed village. Colonel Zepher will move south. A motte and bailey is under the insurgent's grip. In the countryside we have a merchant involved in some rivalry. According to locals and sources they work with a spy who serves a priest. Between the three are four hundred forty-five rebels roaming the country in Zegrav." Ritherson briefed the squad and Jeerdal who was tagging along.
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