Dealing with Service

 "Your job is to serve not dictate opinions on people. By the way if we see your mother walking with you again girls will be forced to your door." His uncle reminded him from across the picnic table. 

"Alright. My profession as a town Veterinarian assistant is more important than some ex-girlfriend I keep running into. Uncle Egren for the past four years Jui Yin keeps showing up at places that I go! Every time I see her, she is with another male, or guy!" 

"It is a small district of Otris, Zanarad, Zedarkhaand. She is probably having a difficult time keeping a boyfriend. I am sure it is nothing to do with you, Orono boyo." Egren responded in his calm voice. 

"What are you saying it is nothing? She literally treats me like a child handing me some treat or kid's toy calling me lame kiddo!" Orono burst out rising up from his chair. 

Egren only smiled and pulled him back down. Deep inside he hated Jui these days. She slept with others just before breaking up. His dream of becoming a Zoologist was shafted by one of her friends who cackled in his face when he was forced to become a Veterinarian Assistant. Orono almost dealt the same humiliating blow when she went in for a front desk position. Jui's friend got put in the awkward position as a field nurse or something of that manner when the war broke out with Vullan. Why were they even fighting again? Orono was certain Zegrav and Evusia were the last ones the VUVR would fight for some time. However, that peace would have never lasted long since two alien invaders consumed much of their world in a span of decades. He looked at Egren thinking he would live alone. Orono did his best keeping that to himself. Several more months went by as the Veterinarian accepted a new Assistant. Ousting Orono did not sit well until Dr. Creffers offered some lines of work he should pick up. Through guardian consent Orono Motanorr considered five professions for Orono to look at. First, he considered a Lighthouse keeper, because they lived an hour from sea. Second profession was a Scribe due to his writing skills. The third involved a Brewing business in the countryside as one of ten Brewers. A fourth consideration was a Monk profession to get him away from unruly crowds. The fifth one dealt with food preparations. Thus, Food Worker came to mind, since Orono knew how to cook, and handle food. While he worked for a year at one job after another Orono sought out love. The only ones he found attracted to him were the Dark Elves, and Drow who moved in some time ago. From the kingdoms, or lands of Galaia and Ghudran about 128, 441 Dark Elf refugees fled to V.U.V.R territories. Most of the became maids, bodyguards, clerks, waiters, blacksmiths, crafters, bartenders, town guards, and beast trainers. Others would become soldiers, assassins, or rogues. Orono found one sweet female Dark Elf who worked as a part time maid to a wealthy Countess/Heiress to three Estates. For whatever fortunes hit him Orono found himself with three such Dark Elves who came in different heights, and body types. Anasca Dovnan, Phinimri Dragonslofter, and Uterth Thadostre were their names. Each were good with animals. After spending some time with him they encouraged Orono to become a Zoologist. Once the last recommendation job was over, he managed to get involved with a Zoologist who moved in, Dr. Alezandier Pelham. A whole new line of work came with this Zoologist profession. Orono memorized various animals such as the Yackdreth of the north, the usual animals found on farms, the streets, Blackmell Hounds also called Icklad Hounds there, and various dire animals. 

Sitting on the picnic table Orono poured over the various animals he had to memorize especially some of the mysterious beasts found in the Unknown Lands. Almost a year passed, and he was looking forward to achieving another step towards Zoologist. Just half a year later and he would find himself in the universities in New Vattoram then travel south to the Tante Isles after two years of studies. His uncle Egren found him there in his casual Vestrisian-Zedarkhaand green partial button-down shirt with the buttons trailing towards the left shoulder. Called a Moss Linen the shirt sort of draped over the belt loops of his black crafter's breeches. On his feet were the new relaxed buckled shoes. In his hands were the newspaper Orono already read through this morning due to boredom. Men and possibly women were dying over in Vullan's Islands in a war that started over a broken agreement in a century's old treaty. No Vullanese temples of servitude were to be build past a certain line drawn between them and Boathria. If a religion required mandatory servitude of women or men considered lesser then the Vullanese should stay on their side of the map. Otherwise just give up an outdated belief system and start over. Looking up at his uncle he noticed bad news was on his face. 

"Dr. Creffers is dead, taken by a stray bullet in Vullan." Egren told him in a somber expression that nearly broke into tears himself. 

"He was like a father to me. Well grandfather despite grandpa being alive. You are like my father and aunt Alivia became a mother to me after my parents died in that steam powered xebec tragedy." Orono said staring down at the pages of a Tiger Lizard, and Ocelot Cat. 

"Nearly two hundred people died. All because of a miscalculation on a reef." Egren recalled that tragedy from five years ago. 

Orono held back tears as best he could. His parents died a while back now Dr. Creffers who recommended him to people for work. Over two years of working with him plus the five jobs he recommended through contracts with the business owners. The three Dark Elf girls he sort of saw and went out with arrived from the park's path that bordered Egren's backyard. Some five and a half acres of land made up the backyard alone with plenty of foliage. His three female companions came to his side seeing he was distraught over something. Egren looked very perplexed at seeing the three Dark Elves come to his side. Alivia just laughed then left for her own tasks on a fine day off work. It made Orono forget about the rest of the women he grew up with in Otris. Two more weeks went by with the three Dark Elves in his company, but the depressing feeling of losing Creffers still clung to him. Each of them took turns maintaining his uncle and aunts house, and Dr. Palham's office while he taught. Orono studied the behavior of some cats inside the Academy outside Otris. Classes were lengthy yet worth the effort he knew various animals. His curiosity caused him to delve into some almost banned bestiaries written by the ancient Forsythans that had to be translated then transcribed multiple times. One such bestiary rested next to him in the grass while he watched the cats chase each other then found other prey. One went after a Musky Lat, another a red chipmunk, and the last dove for a mouse in the grass. Predatory behavior of cats was interrupted by one of his female friends who hadn't seen him since last month approaching him. Dressed in a blue apron dress with the skirt in three layers of ruffles over an orange blouse, Weznongrid Woodwater held her reddish hair in poofy curls that bounced. Her hair wasn't the only that bounced, which explained her wearing shirts meant for larger body types. Weznongrid's thick legs had gold stockings over them. Blue ankle boots covered her feet. With a big smile she, a half dwarf half human invited Orono to a wedding of her sister's. Mannitta Woodwater was getting married to a Dwarf Carpenter's Son. 

He expected her sister to get married soon, but what he did not expect was for Weznongrid to shove his face against her massive chest. For a few seconds he could not breath because of her hug. The more people who came to her sister's wedding the merrier it would be. Going to the Dark Elf Apartment Complex Orono found his three companion-lovers left for other cities. Each one left a letter for him detailing their new line of work and new life in a different city. Anasca set off for Zethra to work at an Elf estate along the coast. Phinimri travelled to a southern city to begin her work at an inn near Encira City.  At the wedding he joined Mannitta's side of the family. Sitting next to her father, Gregor Grimfoot, Orono had Weznogrid locking arms with him. She appreciated Orono's presence at the wedding. He enjoyed the celebration of Mannitta's union with Durok Caskhood for some hours. During the dancing Orono thought he caught a glimpse of Jui with another man. He asked Weznongrid about that who told him to worry about that situation. When the wedding reception was over Orono rode with Weznongrid to his home on Coach Lane. A week passed by and Orono walked along Spearhead Avenue when he spotted Jui in an alley. Though he only caught a glimpse of her Orono saw she was wrapped around a different man getting it on. Whoever this was, they were about to become a pilot in the V.U.V.R. air force. Orono felt a surge of rage rise up inside. That was sole reason he left her. She kept messing around even when she was with him. When he made his way to Pelham's office Orono was struck horrific blow. Dr. Pelham informed him a women named Jui told him Orono skipped work yesterday when he was clearly outside caring for some animals brought over from Evusia. Orono stormed off too outraged to say anything. What was she trying to do? They were no longer together. Does she want his life to be in ruins through a cruel jest? When he got home Orono told his aunt and uncle what happened except the glimpse of fornication in the alley. He wanted to reveal that to them but could not get himself to do that. 

"That Bitch! I can't believe she is still sleeping around!" Orono slammed a fist on the porch table. It was first moment he could express his anger. 

"Orono she is getting married now! That was the past let go already." his aunt advised him. Orono wanted to tell them what he saw in the alley but could not bring himself to say anything about it. If word got out about what he saw there would be no end to the drama in sight. 

"Fine. Well, what can I do?" Orono asked inside his aunt's office in the tavern. 

"I don't know, but be patient. The right woman will come along." Aunt Alivia told him rubbing his neck.

"What happened to your friends, the Dark Elf girls?" Egren asked Orono, giving him a few winks. 

"They, um left for other cities." He answered. Looking up at his aunt and uncle Orono wondered if he should enlist in the military just to get away from all this drama. 

After a few weeks of helping his uncle then his aunt news about the Vullanese allies coming to their aid revealed an opportunity. The alien invaders were fully at war with the Vestrisian Union it was now the year 1843. Orono rushed over to a recruiting station that was next to the docks. At this desk sat a half elf, and an Elemani with an Orc bodyguard behind them in uniform. The half-elf, Lieutenant Datherson with a moustache asked Orono about his line of work. When he answered he was a Zoologist and worked with animals the Lieutenant suggested he go for a combat medic position. Orono was of age to decide if he joined or not. He knew some youth joined in the training camps or certain bootcamps at an earlier age. As for Orono, he was occupied with a different type of service to the newly formed Republic Unions. His own successes would still be recognized since the Union was formed as a defense against the alien invaders. Neither his aunt nor uncle could stop him. When the news came to their ears, they looked at him with astonishment. Egren and Alivia did have children, but they were already grown adults. Orono was a nephew yet still a son to them. Now they were losing him to this war. War was hell, but it happened often over the many millennia civilizations rose and fell on Calorn. After four months of bootcamp, and training Orono Motanorr found himself sent straight to Zekmar as a combat medic. In a unit of ninety-eight, Orono moved through the Zema Ilam city of Zelhinan. Forced to walk on foot they passed a group of children being taught different languages by a Vestrisian Elf in an officer's uniform. It was presumed she was once a schoolteacher from the way she stood. Some memories returned to him as they passed through the preserved parts of the large city. A whole day went by before they even reached the edge of the ruined parts of Zelhinan. 

When their unit and five other units reached the ruins, they were greeted by a battalion of Zema Ilam fighters, and a horde of Muzad warriors. Both groups had been fighting for years and they had just gotten off the front letting a battalion of Vestrisians fill in for them. Orono's unit was to be part of the reinforcements. Orono felt a little impressed. Only four months in the fighting in Zekmar and the aliens were not even close to taking this city. As they moved closer to the front the defenders, volunteers, soldiers, and livestock brought over were not the only ones inhabiting Zelhinan. In the more jungle like ruins a group of primate beings called Dire Mandrills. Orono read about these creatures along with ordinary Mandrills and Baboons. All three types could be found in parts of Ottante jungles, the Unknown Lands, Gora-Via, Borvados and Vorcadam. Knowing the behavior of these creatures Orono warned the rest of the unit how these primates acted towards outsiders. He made them sound like a pack or tribe of animals that protected their territory or simply intruded upon others. One Dire Mandril screamed at them from atop of a ruined house before being scared away by a single shot. Orono was glad the shot did not kill the creature. They were here to kill alien invaders, not animals. Knowing very little about these Gantronese he was about to face except for what he was told in training Orono braced himself for the front. Although they arrived with a force of twelve hundred, they still needed to rendezvous with another force at the edge of the city. No more than five hundred forty-four Foguir Elves and Humans, former natives to Rhes Tarim, were meeting them at some statue. Wondering what kind of statue, some of his own squad mates was asked some pretty dark elf warriors in revealing armor. Some of them were slapped, while others had a dagger pointed at them. Orono spotted one that looked just like Anasca only with white short hair. this encounter ended briefly as they were pushed along towards a statue depicting a female warrior mounted on a horse next to another statue that appeared destroyed. Not too far from them another group of uniformed figures approached them. Armed with T.M. 13s, Repeater Rifles, Onway Revolvers, submachinegun 28s, and Gantronese weapons. Each one wore the Vestrisian blue uniforms, showing their allegiance with the Vestrisian Republics. One thing did stick out to Orono. On their foreheads were coins pierced to the skin. Sort of taken aback by the appearances Orono wondered how many of these Foguir were left. 

Combining their forces, the Foguir and Vestrisians moved towards the front lines that were moving again. Outside the city ruins of Zelhinan Orono spotted a vehicle with overgrowth in the field. One of the Foguir told him it was an old speeder the Gantronese used in the field. They surmised it was one of the last ones the Gantronese used before being destroyed. Orono kept turned around to catch a last series of glances at the overgrown speeder with the turret still attached to it. He stopped when the red-brown speeder disappeared behind a hill as they kept moving closer to the front. Aircraft and bombers flew overhead returning to airbases for refueling, resupplying and repairs. Their engines drowned out the noise around them until a company of tanks joined the procession to the front on their flanks. Taking a deep breath Orono made it to the front after another day of movement. Artillery, machineguns, yelling, orders, shouting, tanks and other weapons firing along with explosions filled his ears. What a mess the front was. Bodies, downed vehicles, flames, ammunitions shells, downed tanks, crashed aircraft, helmets, and mud made a thick line across the field. Orono expected this, because his uncle warned him what he was getting into as well as other figures like Mannitta's brother, Borfwill, a tank driver. None of this was a pretty sight, and it could only get worse until one side submitted. His unti fired their weapons at an oncoming group of Gantronese soldiers who tried spreading out their forces to avoid being mowed down by machine guns. Orono joined in fearing he might be hit by the captain. Captain Sexy Tits was the nickname behind Captain Sadine Koriban's back. She urged them on until the Gantronese came within a stone's throw of them. Barely making up a squad this Gantonese unit still lunged at them. Orono shot one in the chest only to have the soldier fall on him. Knocking him to the mud the corpse gave him a good look at the Gantronese soldier. Appearing humanoid except a nose and ears these Gantronese had scars covering their light gray skin tone. Upon closer inspection he noticed those were not battle scars, and their eyes were black and double the size of the average humanoid on Calorn. 

Orono was helped up only to be pushed into a counteroffensive alongside tens of thousands of Vestrisians who fought here months before his arrival. Pressing against the dwindling Gantronese forces the counteroffensive drew closer to a series of settlements the Gantronese held. Even as the Gantronese pulled back the Vestrisians still faced snipers, and artillery barrages from certain points in the area. Forced to halt for a few hours the Vestrisians pounded the settlements to rubble with their tanks. In skies aircraft arrived to bomb or mow down the retreating Gantronese forces. Captain Koriban took the unit on a flanking maneuver that brought them to a town on a hill. With aid from two tanks, they managed to take control of it. Only the defenders were Gantronese themselves. Orono partook in this battle despite his job as a combat medic. He helped three of their wounded during the counterattack. Oron also tended to some enemy wounded, monkey humanoids the Gantronese either hired or dragged over here for their war of conquest. In the heat the battle over the town Orono made attempts to avoid heavier fighting by hiding in a group of buildings that were connected. In one he discovered a monkey humanoid marksman in one of the second-floor rooms. Forced to gun the humanoid down after it shot at him, Orono found a clockwork steam powered sniper rifle at its side. Claiming the weapon as his own, Private Orono Motanorr prepared himself to deal with a whole new type of service. He would be forcing himself to deal with taking life as well as saving them. 

Sket Island

 Discovering this island was one island they passed while crossing the bridge infuriated the platoon and convoy. Captain Amberson, and Heilungson calmed them down. Jaxa noted to himself that they missed something while on the bridge. Some island they perceived as small actually extended past the bridge's western flank. Checking maps was useless since this island liked to disappear in the fog or after heavy rain. Not checking the maps or local ferrymen the leaders plotted a location for their landing. Their transport-ferry, called the Helpful Pig sailed along the island's southeastern coast. Most of Sket's land mass and coast were covered in forests, jungle, and swamps. It stretched further west and south with a few beaches visible. Jaxa kept his focus on the swamps and trees from the starboard side. Appearing like pillar sized roots standing in the water the trees formed a dense wall. Moss, vines, drooping moss, low hanging branches filled gaps between these already dense trees. Entirely focused on the trees he spotted skeletons attached or tied to the trees. Jaxa recognized some types of swamp trees. Gnarled granny legs, timber crowns, willows, various oaks, soggy elms, witches' fingers, Golden Cypress, and Yimdarks made up the trees on Sket's swamps. He could not get a better look at these trees or skeletons since they moved closer towards the beaches. 

All over the intended beach, another beach landing already commenced. Sket's southern shores appeared flanked by thirteen vessels of various classes. Most of these ships looked outdated, modified or stolen from somewhere. Through the eyes of the set up Calornese Alliance these thirteen ships and landing force were unauthorized to be here. Before the invasion of Iperantosi began they gathered enough personnel, volunteers, privateers, and mercenaries with a signed pact. No one else was to invade or create their own invasion in the midst of operations they already executed. It was a crafted pact to avoid unnecessary crossfire, or mistaking smaller groups as identified hostiles. Despite all of that some independent forces were already on the beach. Guessing the size of this force they estimated approximately seven-hundred or more figures landed on Sket's biggest beach. Other smaller beaches to the west hosted smaller landing parties One sortie landed further down the island. Barely making out the true size of the landing force, they watched another force counter from the trees. Lieutenant Tazzarru, Captain Amberson, and Tank Sergeant Gipp Gregors ordered their units to hold back. Even Sea Dodge held back on moving in further. Just holding back allowed them to relax a little. Watching the fight commence or continue they waited for a victor. Not caring about who won the ferry slowly sat back. All thirteen unaligned ships opened fire on Sket. 

From the west by south a pair of vessels sped their way from behind cover. One slightly damaged destroyer emerged from behind a bulge in the island. A patrol boat accompanied this destroyer. At first glance they believed these were Gantronese ships. Believing there was another Gantronese fleet heading their way the ferry started to reverse course. One crewmate checked the alignment through a looking glass. To their relief those were not part of any Gantronese fleet. Not anymore at least, as both flew a different flag. Depicting a black star on a field of black and red stripes the flag had the star resting in the center of a green circle. As the battle over the beaches dragged on the two ships opened fire on the thirteen vessels. Jaxa turned his attention towards the stern. Behind the ferry he spotted the same ironclad from the ferry port. He nodded his head in approval since the Iperantosi were taking up the fight once again. 

A fiery explosion ripped his attention away from the incoming ironclad. One of the thirteen ships blew up from several direct hits from the destroyer. Four of the vessels broke away from formation to engage the destroyer and patrol boat in retaliation. All four ships peppered the Hag's ships with little effect. It was hard to tell if any of the steam-sail hybrid craft did any damage. Some of them were elf ship shapes equipped with small rotating turrets steam powered engines. Others appeared custom crafted in a wide brig shape or resembling a sword fish. It seemed strange for the wood-steel ship hybrids to have turrets or to still be around. What was stranger was how this Hag possessed her own navy. Even if it was tiny compared to island nations or city-states. 

With five less ships in formation the other eight ships fired more rapidly. Jaxa watched the ships tear down trees with various rounds. He did not know which rounds were fired but could tell every few rounds resulted in a different form of destruction. On the beaches the unaligned landing force met stiffer resistance that seemed to throw itself at them. Their own vessel drifted with the sea currents at a slow beast's pace. While the parties fought over ground, hidden cannons exchanged fire with the eight remaining ships. Jaxa tried counting how many cannons this Hag-Witch managed to attain. Another ship went down as these unaffiliated forces went at it. Sadly, for the Hag's forces the patrol boat went down from concentrated fire. As it caught fire going down it exploded in a fiery blast. All he could think was What comes around goes around. He smiled for a bit until a vessel closer to them came under heavy fire from Sket's shores. In the Hag-Witch's arsenal he guessed about sixteen Gantronese Nezero-64 aka. "Ship builder's nightmare", or "Boat Killer", fired on the vessels closest to the coast. Except for their own ferry transport that made all attempts to stay clear of the battle. Jaxa recalled these Nezero-64 cannons were encountered in Dorntalla, and Zekmar. Appearing much like a steel cannon that can be mounted like a turret or deployed in the field as mobile artillery. The Gantronese Nezero-64 cannon emitted a blast of fire. One would think it was a flame thrower of some sort. All sixteen of this Hags Nezero-64s nailed a vessel holding the appearance of an elf dagger-saber. Although it had turrets of metal it still went down. 

Amberson did not want to sit idle and watch these unaffiliated forces die in vain. He rallied the mixed unit of soldiers, tank crewmen, and two Zhenrai. An abrupt stirring came over them with the urge to aid the beach landing. That is when the destroyer took down a second ship. Seeing the unaffiliated fleet get reduced was only the tipping point in this battle. Two of the smaller vessels began their retreat. Another vessel pulled back due to the heavy damage they sustained. from the left flank the Iperantosi Ironclad ship fired on the destroyer putting an end to its terror. Now that an opening was seen the ferryman gunned it towards the shore. In the water they spotted figures drowning or staying afloat. Whoever was left of the unaffiliated fleet bombarded areas where the Nezero-64s sat. Some hits caused explosions; others caused trees to fall on the cannon's locations. Rescuing some one hundred forty-three sailors, crew, and passengers the ferry prepared to drop their cargo off on the beach. Getting into place the Vestrisians got engines running when something else emerged. With a head resembling a turtle dragon mix, a large monster attacked one of the remaining vessels. It scared the rest of them away, leaving the landing forces to the mercy of the Hag's army. 

For some reason their own vessel did not stop. Jaxa believed they would be this monster's next meal. As it destroyed the first target the monster revealed itself to be some kind of Dragon Turtle the battle disturbed from its slumber. Whatever ship it targeted, that vessel became torn in three pieces. He was certain they would find no survivors. Just as he thought it couldn't get any worse, the Dragon Turtle had company. A metallic fish shaped machine emerged from the water. It had a few hatches open that let out a moaning cry. The sound attracted the Dragon Turtle, drawing its attention away from the rest of the unaffiliated ships. Whoever it was they were keen on rescuing both parties as they led the monster away. Using this as a brief distraction the destroyer fled the scene. 

Making this an opportune moment their tanks turned themselves into artillery turrets. Several machine guns opened fire on the beach. It was assumed the unaffiliated were done for. Even from the ferry they saw the battle hardly moved past the beach landings. None of them could tell who was left alive among the unaffiliated forces, and the Hag's forces. Approaching this beach looked easier since less Nezero-64s fired from the trees. Their landing was like a walk in the park. Only a park covered in blood-soaked sand and corpses. Weapons lay among the carnage. The vehicle ferry extended a ramp outward then lowered it on the beach. As usual the tanks went first followed by infantry. They tread cautiously wary of the costly battle that just occurred. Corpses of thirty-five pirates, forty-two armored Elves, twelve clansmen, twenty Dwarf Paladins/Clerics, one hundred Uxane, thirty-four volunteers, seventy-two Drow, 574 knights/men-at-arms, ten orcs and a sheriff made up one force of unaffiliated troops. As for the Hag's forces Dark Knights, 282 various mutated monsters, a Black Viper Blade of Waterdeep Heisten, over one hundred thirty lesser hags. Waterdeep Heisten lay along the coast east of Vorcadam as one of those city-states that chose the Gantronese as allies. Other humanoid-creatures included eight Gnolls, six lightly armored Orcs in torn leather, Seven Drow in mixed mismatched armor, eight uniformed Goblins, nine clothed skeleton-men, thirteen Ghouls, and five heavily armed Gantrons. Their tanks rolled over these corpses, weapons, helmets, pieces of armor, and debris from the battle. 

Behind the forward tanks Jaxa could barely make out the furthest beachhead. Trees still stood around the debris from the battle. Flames lingered as smoke continued rising. Odor from Burnt wood, smoldering flesh wafted into their nostrils. Enough to make on sick, the bad odors forced them to cover their faces with cloth. As they progressed it seemed unsettlingly quiet. To some it would appear everyone else in the unaligned force lay dead. Whoever though that was certainly wrong. Jaxa knew a few among them, but he was not going to give names out. A bolt shot from the trees smashing against the front tank. Shattering upon impact this bolt sent splinters everywhere. it did little to no damage to the ground troops. Those who moved in the center got startled. More bolts shot at them from the cover of trees. In retaliation their own tanks opened fire with their machine-guns in short bursts to long bursts. All foot units huddled against the back of the tanks while they lit up the beach again. Jaxa took a quick peek of what was shooting at them. Using a mirror he got a slight glimpse of seven scorpion-ballistae that managed to fire more bolts at them. 

Whoever manned those outdated weapons, barely stood a chance against the armored tanks. Amberson sent five his men to get the half-track, and Ant-Personnel Car. A couple of arrows found their way into a leg or dug itself into the sand behind them. Just another futile attempt to fend them off while other toys in this Hag's arsenal came to play. Somewhere from the flanks to catapults launched explosive projectiles. Each catapult missed their intended targets. Such weapons were not always accurate. While that did scare them it only gave away the catapult's locations. Amberson's men used the Armed Car to take care of the catapults no doubt reducing it to splinters. After their tanks said it was clear they were met by small cannons that barely did much. One soldier died, four were wounded. Joining the machine-guns this time the infantry took out seventeen cannoneers, the two bowmen, seven thralls manning the ballistae, teams of Goblins that operated the catapults. 

Upon entering the ruins and debris area, another group burst from the ground. Four Wereboars six Goblin-Hybrids, four lost frog-folk led by an Orange skinned Orc mounted on a large lizard beast, attacked them. Jaxa found himself on the line gunning down their fifteen attackers. Only the reptile mount remained alive. It snarled, snapped its jaw at them before disappearing into Sket's dense forest swamp. Captain Amberson took full charge of Jaxa's unit as Lieutenant Tazzarru was hit with debris shrapnel in the leg and arm. Taking approximately twenty-nine men by foot Captain Amberson left the rest of their units to defend the beach. Reaching the positions of the Nezero-64's their eyes rested on a few trails the destruction unveiled. Without hesitation Amberson led them into the second trail entrance with Fizban at his side. All the usual jungle noises rose up due to the guns falling silent. Breathing felt difficult while progressing deeper. Not because of the humidity or denseness, but the fact they were so close to hostiles hiding in the foliage. Taking turns being leader did not bode well with ten of the soldiers Amberson chose for this. Given little choice they pressed on. Jaxa made one attempt to urinate before rejoining the line. He barely touched his canteen of water. When he took a chug from his canteen, he found a crooked, misshapen, forcefully malformed creature nailed to a tree. Rotten, mutilated, and showing signs of burn marks the corpse almost blended in with the dark tree. Catching sight of other corpses Jaxa was not the only one to notice this. Private Sceo Alose also noticed the corpses nailed to the trees. 

Private Alose stood just around 5'9 with the fine demonized body most people crazily craved over. The type of body that mad men sweat around women. Her pretty square face held a scar from a claw weapon across the left cheek. He recalled her fighting on despite the cut in close quarters combat. Jaxa himself did receive a cut to the arm that barely took him out. It did tear his uniform sleeve. Everyone in Amberson's unit got one or more scars during this war. Referring to scars another scar was growing inside their heads. Just Private Alose's counting aloud became that interior scar. By the time the irritating counting of nailed corpses reach six hundred sixty-three she stopped. Passing the uncounted nailed corpses Jaxa and his unit heard war cries erupt in the jungle swamp around their location. They formed a circle in preparation for any attacks heading their way. On his side of their circle Jaxa spotted a Tiger Lizard prowling the tree branches. Although these scaled feline beasts had orange skin black stripes these Tiger Lizards had green-brown backs. The Borvadosi saw more than a pack in the branches. Keeping an eye on these Tigers, Jaxa counted at least eight, which he can see. Drawn to the smell of fresh blood the Tiger Lizard's stirred from the branches. In moments their numbers swelled to over twenty-seven. As the fighting continued the Tiger Lizards rushed towards the source. Several fellow Skain-Vestrisians pointed them out to the rest. 

More certain they needed to follow the trail of nailed corpses Captain Amberson took the platoon eastward. No one objected to this while they put the battle behind them. Acting as though there was little time to waste the unit pressed onward. Blindly following the path of nailed corpses, the unit found a hut being supported by over twenty-four stumps. Most of the path leading to the hut were planks similar to a dock with tree roots forming parts of the path. Surmising this was Hag's Hut the unit studied the hut. Appearing more akin to a lodge the hut consisted of three stories. Having more of a round shape with three layers, this hag's Hut had a crude thatched roof. Just outside on its porch stood a number of figures. Two female Goblin shamans with sagging bodies. It seemed that way at first glance until the shamans moved around to reveal they wore baggy dresses. Donning what looked like baggy bloated outfits the female Goblins edged close to the walls of the outside. They clearly saw the Vestrisians approaching first. Other creatures included a Minotaur pair, Gigas brute, Dragon Mutant, Lion Mutant, Chimera on a leash, Onocentaur half donkey, half human also called a Helf, some lethal looking Mage Knight Automaton, and a pair of Sea Demons in a mix of armor with clothes. 

Moldy Ethel Tearwallow's Gigas resembled a muscular Ogre mixed with a hornless Jinni. Her Sea Demons held the appearances of dogs, fishmen, and bug-eyed fish mixed in. Some wielded a War Malot, long axe, Katana-Scimitar, Xiphos blade, Crude Mace, Spiked club, Spears, Tridents. However, these weapons were rendered obsolete and useless against firearms at a distance. Taking aim, the platoon of Vestrisians made quick work of the armed humanoids and their Chimera pet. Using single shot mode, they all refocused fire on the automaton that shot a fireball at them in return fire. Returning fire on the metal being managed to break pieces off. It shot into the murky waters in front of the porch. From the left side a large head resembling a toad or frog emerged with those big eyes. Before anyone else could make it out a tongue shot out then wrapped itself around the automaton. It grappled the automaton then pulled it in. Scared out of their minds the female shaman rushed inside the lodge hut. A window on the second floor opened. A gnarled hand revealed itself to be wielding a pistol. No one recognized the weapon she held. Whatever weapon the gnarled hand wielded looked completely outlandish. With a gnarled finger she squeezed a trigger mechanism discharging three light blue energy shots their way. All three shots missed them only hitting the earth and destroyed some planks. One of Amberson's men, a Corporal Laven Toyol, took aim with their T.M. 13 rifle. Taking a few pop shots at the hand Toyol put an end to the brief shootout. Hitting the hand, they forced the Hag to drop the weapon, which shattered on impact with the wood porch. 

For a few moments they waited for another round of shooting to occur. When that did not happen, they rushed over to Tearwallow's Hut-Lodge. Breaking down the door they were greeted by some interesting trophies on the walls. Four mind flayer head mounted next to a crocodile head, Tiger Lizard head, and a stuffed Dire Toad.  Moving past the entry hall of trophies Amberson took six of the chosen unit. The rest would have to be outside on look out. Tearwallow's first floor consisted of seven rooms total. Her lounging/dining room, the kitchen, storage, forge, guest room, alchemy room, and experiment room. Inside the experiment room they discovered a captured succubus with her wings cut off. Tied to a chair, this succubus looked to be drugged, and somewhat well fed. Amberson ordered for her to be brought to camp quickly. Privates Folwork, and Wesward rushed out with the succubus in their care. Left with four men inside Amberson summoned two extras, a Corporal Albuin, and Private Alose to join them inside. Tearwallow's second story consisted of five and a half rooms. Two guest rooms used as cells, a messy study room, storage, and her own quarters. On this second floor they discovered seven maids, Welder from Tante Isle, three Dorntallan Alchemists, Plague Doctor, three miners, four missing deep-sea divers, a Goblin-Orc blacksmith, female engineer, Scholar, and a captured Iperantosi Fighter held prisoner. On the floor of her own quarters lay Tearwallow herself, stabbed several times. The Hag-Witch they hunted down lay dead in a pool of her own blood. Out of nowhere the scholar grabbed the engineer's breasts before the prisoners were sent down. She smiled when he kept making a grab for her. 

Jaxa was sent to check the upstairs, the third and final floor to the Hut-Lodge. A total of six pirates hid inside the third room, the Hag's treasure room. What better place for a pirate unless they were cornered. Two females, and four males appeared sick of Tearwallow's hold over them. However, they were locked in intercourse. Any ordinary citizen not depraved would call it gangrape. If he were writing this scene, it would be described as four holes filled by the males or simply forced sex. Neither female could speak as they were stuffed with meat, and their hind ends penetrated. Jaxa chose to end the intercourse. Pouring four shots into the group and ended the sexual intercourse one calls a gangrape in civilized areas. He fired all four shots as quickly as the mechanism allowed. The trigger could be fired when a fresh round was in the chamber after releasing the previous bullet. One bullet dug itself into a kidney, a second hit a rib cage, a third tore into a stomach, and the fourth went into the bladder area from the side. Four male pirates collapsed to the floor dead, dying, or wounded. Their victims dropped on their hands and knees. Both female pirates grabbed the bloodied daggers and finished the males off. Left with two female pirates in revealing outfits of a torn linen shirt of red, a green shirt, studded breeches, and leather greaves, he helped them up. One had olive skin with raven hair topped with a purple bandana, which did seem odd with the red shirt, and studded breeches. The other was a blonde half elf with a fine tan, donning a knitted hat to go with the green shirt, and leather greaves. 

Pirates always had a similar trademark or two to show their pirate status or profession as one. Either a skull was on their bodies, crossed bones, or crossed weapons. Pirates of Calorn will also have a tattoo or symbol on their clothing depicting the crew emblem that showed their membership to that crew or gang. In the case of these six pirates the skull was evident along with a Hammerhead shark. At a closer glance he saw the shark donned a tricorn hat. Jaxa caught sight of the clothing on the males. A sea vest with the new cargo pants, plaid shirt with breeches, sleeveless open doublet over torn sea pants, striped shirt with Lesdonian pants. Lesdonian pants would have nine yellow and black stripes. Jaxa returned his focus on the two female pirates. Learning their names as Beda the Riot, Nedra Peregrine Jaxa rushed them down the stairs so he could continue his search. He entered another room of the third floor, the upper laboratory. In his mins he knew more were hiding in this Hut Lodge. A hand went for his crotch as he stepped further inside. He heard the door close behind him in a light manner. A small feminine voice spoke up from below him. 

"Please shoot us Borvadosi, I mean Vestrisian. We seek a way out of Vestrisian imprisonment. Let our pleasuring change your mind." the little voice requested of him as the hand fondled him. Jaxa felt two hands undo his pants then proceeded pulling his manhood out. He looked down to see a pretty Goblin. In his mind she thought her ravenous but knew he could not guarantee anything. He was not the leader of the unit downstairs. 

Barely five feet tall this shaman Goblin held her crimson red hair in a flower bun. The other Goblin had greenish hair in the messy style. Both took turns eating his shaft without the biting or chewing. Lips and tongue slid up and down Jaxa's shaft for a good eight minutes as he blocked world out. One at a time the curvy short Goblin gals pleasured him as he grew harder as a result. Another four or five minutes passed and Jaxa found himself ejaculating. He did not mean to do that all over the female Goblins. Each of them smiled at him then each other over that. After lapping him up they cleaned up thoroughly. Both cleaned up quickly redoing his pants right as someone came banging on the door. 

"Hey um Borvadosi!" It was Captain Amberson who clearly forgot his name and rank. Jaxa did not really care about that. He was not in Amberson's actual unit. 

Letting that go he opened the door allowing the two Goblins fall into the captain's custody. Neither female Goblin wanted this, but they had no choice. Simultaneously the female Goblins let out curses, protests, insults, and grumbled over the situation. Jaxa to this chance to check the other rooms again. Tearwallow possessed a total of seventeen lava crystal eggs, the usual treasures, various weapons, armor pieces, many chests, staffs, exotic fruits in the treasure room. It looked to the point of cracking under the weight. Her other two rooms had vials on shelfs, Alembic, jars, Apparatus. retort, a bed, broken wardrobes, ruined tapestries, dressers, cruddy lamps, bookshelf, display of utensils, hats from other witches. One tapestry was that of a Tiger Lizard's skin. He would have caught a closer look at everything, but his presence was needed with the others. 

Racing down the stairs Jaxa found the unit outside herding the captives and prisoners away from the Hut-Lodge. No thanks to some heavy humanoid sized Frogs some parts of the path were destroyed. Planning to return Captain Amberson wrapped a V.U.V.R. flag to a porch peg. Forced to take an alternative route the combined unit made their way southwest. This route brought them to a stretched-out battle site. Coming upon the aftermath they found hundreds of combatants, creatures, and fifty-six giant frogs lying dead across portions of the marshy swamp. Presuming these were participants of the battle they heard earlier they felt forced to follow this trail of dead. 

Just the trail of dead led them to the beach on the western half of Sket. Many combatants included five hundred forty-five Serpent Dragon Knights, Warriors, Guards of Vishnael. Every Vishnaeli wore the scaled armor with the great helms on their heads. Most of the scales were either green or gold. Weapons of choice included swords, scimitars, broad axes, maces, weaponized kite shields, spears as well as halberds. Other combatants included one hundred and two Monk warriors clad in white or yellow-gold tunic-robes with a purple cape wrap draped over them. These combatants were armed with the many martial arts weapons found in Koriv, Gora-Via, Vorcadam such as Naginata, Dao, Daito, Nagamaki, Tetsubo, Tonfa, tekko, Ninjato, Jians, Monk Spades. Whichever group they originated from they fought ferociously, but with little protection. Their eyes spied a total of one hundred fifty-four Sea Demons laying among the dead. Similar to the ones they gunned down at Tearwallow's Hut. Even Drow could be found int he mixture of the dead numbering two hundred. Their white hair, black hair, dark studded leather armor with small plating were nearly identical. Yet their weapons consisted of Scimitars, sabres, Bows, Arrows, Daggers, Rapiers, Death Machetes, their own version of the flintlock pistols, War picks, spiked maces, crossbows, and scorpion chains. Close to eighty-four Goblins lay among the slain. Weapons of these included War Axes, Long Knives, Bayonets, Short swords, Spears, Bows, cleavers, curved blades, studded or spiked clubs. Whatever the battle was over it was unclear to them, but none appeared to have survived the stretched-out battle. 

On the ocean they spotted ten ships belonging to their V.U.V.R. and allies. Three Vestrisian Destroyers, one Battleship, an Evusian Destroyer, Alagen Sloop, Lybrisian Light Cruiser, two Nahemine Destroyers, and a Redrin small Battleship. All ten ships engaged five mixed vessels that stood no chance against their fire power. Painted green, and red the five ships became nothing more than target practice and sitting waterfowls that looked more like absurd match boxes mixed with an oval bowl. From the allied ships one hundred sixty-seven armed sailors, soldiers, and marines took the captives and prisoners off their hands. Amberson briefed the highest-ranking officer among the landing party, Second Mate Lieutenant Hoffee of Redrin. Hoffee stood at close to six feet in height, or bones height with auburn hair, handsome brow, jutting chin, tough guy nose, shaven face, hints of a healed scar, and a robust body underneath the greenish uniform. From Hoffee learned about some Iperantosi women were discovered in the hands some allied troops. These women were set to be returned somewhere in Iperantosi. Jaxa interjected about the taken women they were told about at the end of the main bridge. Despite his rank and interruption Jaxa managed to fill in a puzzle piece for the coalition fleet. With that bit of information revealed along with the village's location the combined unit returned to their own beach landing on Sket. Upon their return they discovered the unauthorized forces lost between seven-hundred twenty-three and eighteen hundred two, including a force of twelve winged elves from Syrianos, and eighteen free renegade Dark Elves with brown hair, and raven locks. As for the crews that survived the battle about four hundred sixty-nine of them got picked up. One small fleet of six ships arrived. Three Sloops, two destroyers, and a small aircraft carrier. Another force also landed on the beach. Greeted by two hundred twenty-four fellows Vestrisians, they also learned of a particular invasion force that landed on Calorn south of here. It was not a single faction, but multiple factions coming down to their planet. Apparently the Gantronese sent fifty thousand or more against several of these other invaders. 

Whoever was wounded among their combined unit were already brought on board one of the cargo ships that followed the small fleet. Five in total waited for them to reembark on the sea. At the request of Captain Amberson two hundred Vestrisians assisted in carrying plunder, loot, corpses, and weapons away from the Hut, and the sites. Sket possessed other buildings, but they were deeper in the forest. Jaxa caught glimpses of them while moving through the swamp. For each corpse they picked up they left an intentionally bent or dented bullet casing. Using pliers or clampers they made the dents or bents obvious to see. This was modern military fashion of marking the dead left on battle sites after burying the bodies. Leaving Sket at the hands of eight hundred thirty-four allied troops, forty-seven trusted Iperantosi Rebels, Jaxa's unit headed home. Their mission on the Iperantosi Islands was completed. 

Hag-Witch Tearwallow

 

Yes, the Hag mentioned in one of the stories of Jaxa has their own faction and flag. However, this Hag who made a deal with the Gantronese forged her miniature domain within the Iperantosi Islands. Its days as a faction became numbered upon the invasion of the Iperantosi State. Hag Tearwallow is a Hag Witch who lives on an island who has managed to gather a small army and following while taking Iperantosi as slaves or servants.