Entrance to the Underworlds Chapter

The sun rose minutes before the soldiers loaded up the Zedelets. The orange dawn rose slowly above the hills. The sun showed the direction of the caves with its rays pointing to the west. This cave was some miles away. After the last man was seated on a Zedelet, the whole unit took off. The zedelet drivers did not waste any time. They slammed on the accelerator and sped all the way. It was a bumpy ride every soldier grabbed a bar on the ceiling of the vehicles. Chiecra had one hand on the bar the other tightening its grip on his rifle. The ride was extremely rocky to them it felt like the road was a steep stone mountain. As the twenty zedelets headed towards their destination, their force increased. More Zedelets transporting troops and supplies joined in the movement. Soon the assaulting force had tripled in size and their objective was very close. This cave to the underworld was encircled by hills forming a moon shape around it. On ground level, these hills formed a straight line to the eye.

Out of nowhere, the sound of mortar rounds filled the air with high pitch whistles. The Zedelet drivers took evasive action to avoid getting hit by the shells. These shells were like rain of death pounding the ground all around the moving force.

"It sounds like they're already here!" Chiecra yelled trying not to let the whistles drown his voice out.

"Yeah, and they've already established a base around the entrance!" replied viktorov.

The zedelets moved in all sorts of zigzags and turns avoiding the mortar rounds. Unfortunately, the zedelets had to stop in the line of fire. The Vestrisian troops jumped out of their transports in a hurry. Blocking their path to the entrance was an assortment of wreckage and carnage. Vehicles were piled up all over the place forming a wall. The vanguards rushed to the mountain of wreckage seeking a haven from the deadly shells. Some shells hit a few Zedelets killing those inside. Several zedelets stopped near the wreckage giving the Vestrisians cover from the raining rounds. Chiecra and others managed to hide inside a crater big enough for a hundred men. They were able to hide from enemy eyes in here. From within the crater those that made it listened to the whistling sound of the mortar rounds pounding the ground around them. In front of the crater was the mountain of wreckage. Right next to the crater laid a large bronze tunnel trailing up to a fuel tank. Chiecra slowly crawled up this bronze tube with the knowledge that it could lead him to the reaper of death. This fuel tank was once a part of a transport ship that was shot down. The fuel tank was the size of a master bedroom. It was hollow, empty of its fuel from leaks in the hull. It was large enough for sniper attacks with many holes suited to do so. Its hull was a good place to attack from while unseen.

Next to the largest hole sat a dead sharpshooter with a sniper rifle in his arms. This man had been shot in the head. Chiecra crawled over to the body and took the rifle from the corpse. Through the holes, he could hear machineguns blasting away their targets. He had to act fast to save his fellow Vestrisians. Chiecra looked behind him at the small tube. Someone also found it and made their way up to join him. The cadet pulled this person up and saw it was Liviscart followed by Ilkez.

          "We saw you crawl up here so we decided to follow you. The Major ordered us to follow you in here." Ilkez said pulling himself upright.

"Who's dead and missing?" demanded Chiecra.

"Casan is blown to bits by mortar round. Curtian and some others charged forward. I think they are either killed or captured." Ilkez informed the young soldier.

Chiecra understood the sacrifice and knew what needed to be done. "Is there any word from the Major?"

"Yes he wants us to take out those mortar teams, stationed around the entrance." Ilkez said to him.  

With a salute Chiecra crept over to the largest hole. Peeking through it he had a perfect view of the mortar teams and some machine gun nests. Ilkez sat next to him covering his left. His hole was at the far right of the fuel tank. He looked through the scope setting his sights on the first mortar team. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a group of Vestrisian soldiers taken prisoner. The Nazdar's hostages were tied up and forced through the underworld’s entrance. For one-second Chiecra believed his eyes were playing tricks on his mind. He got a short glimpse of long brown hair. He blinked his eyes once to be sure of what he really saw, but the long hair had disappeared along with the other prisoners.

He then set his gaze on the enemy mortar teams. He aimed straight for an officer giving out orders. His first shot brought the man down to the ground. The next target was about to load another shell when Chiecra shot him in the neck. Blood splattered out of the Nazdar's throat as he died. Ilkez got the third one for Chiecra. The cadet angled his rifle to seek out more mortar teams. He wasted little time with his other shots, four quick shots. Ilkez shot three more, decimating a third mortar team.

A voice came through the tube from outside. "Great job, There's only half of them left!"

The two snipers continued their hunt for the mortar teams. Chiecra found the fourth one in a dug out trench. He could only see the tops of their helmets. He counted seven heads with the grey helmets. He picked them off one at a time until he was forced to reload. He knew he shot two of them. He heard Ilkez fire a few shots while he reloaded. Reloaded and ready Chiecra jumped into position to kill more. Checking on the mortar team, he noticed there were five men left.

“That's strange, I thought Ilkez shot them?" He pondered before resuming his killing spree. Amongst the kills, he gunned down two machine gunners. Once the last of the mortar teams were killed the whistling rounds stopped dropping on the Vestrisians.

"Well done, Chiecra!" Ilkez complemented lightly punching him. Liviscart looked out then dropped to the floor covering his head.

 "Get down!" Liviscart hollered at the group.

They did not pause to ask why the two soldiers acted quickly. Just as they dropped to their bellies, the fuel tank’s hull tore open. The Nazdar apparently possessed rocket launchers. Viktorov climbed into the torn open fuel tank followed by seven other Vestrisians They all dropped to the floor to avoid enemy fire. All ten of them popped up to exchange fire with the enemy. They faced an entire company of eighty men. From the rapid shooting by the ten Vestrisians the Nazdar company were escattered by the smaller force aided by unseen help in the wreckage.

The shootout lasted for about twelve minutes as more Nazdar came running into the fight from the hills and the entrance. The Vanguards held them off gunning multiple enemies down. They got out and charged the Nazdar positions. They found several more Nazdar in foxholes and behind large rocks. Each of them killed the scum with a steel blade to the throat. Several scores of Vestrisian Vanguards came out of their hiding spots to join the ten Vestrisians. Major Hawke and Kouthra gathered the remaining survivors of the assault. There were nearly seventy men standing before the two commanders, with scores upon scores of dead Nazdar all about them. The company stood in front of the massive entrance before them. It was dark save for a few torch lights barely lighting the way down the spiral tunnel. Chiecra was the first to enter the underworld as they descended some stairs.

Letter For Help

'It was twenty years ago when I was only four years of age when a

horde of warriors seized my uncle's castle and estates. Our forces 

were outnumbered a hundred to one. The fight was  hopeless as noble 

brave knights fought and perished under the might of this powerful 

army. For years my people have suffered under their cruelty. Fields 

burned, farms torched to the ground, women such as myself have been 

raped viciously to no end. These men have also allowed hordes of orcs 

access into our lands. Every village has suffered many attacks from 

these fiends, yet the warrior hordes do nothing. My uncle recently died 

and a Hordes-man has claimed himself king over the land. These men 

are called the Vogards. They come from the north , pillaging their way 

to my kingdom. We were once a seafaring people, now not even a 

single ship is seen in the ports. Often when a woman gives birth to a 

child that infant is given to monsters and devoured. Please hurry I'm 

not sure how much longer we can keep living like this. I BEG YOU, 

whoever you are, ready your ships, rally your men and come rescue us 

from this nightmare.'

Sincerely

          The Lady Solus of Espa

The wind blew rain into the young warrior's eyes as he read the scroll. Looking up he nodded to the War Lord and the commander shouted orders to the men at oars.  There was over a dozen ships headed east nearing a beach just miles away. 

Discarded Commando Part 18

For the next three days Viyamor’s group conversed with the five travelling warriors who escaped the Gantronese attack on the Red Symbol’s base. These five warriors called themselves the Travelling Talons or at least members of a larger mercenary army in the South Western parts of the Unknown Lands. It consisted more than a battalion of hired guns, mercenaries, bounty hunters, rogues, rangers, fighters, and privateers. However the five mercenaries before them were two women, a male half orc, a bald dark skinned elf, and a light skinned figure who appeared more alien to Calorn. The two women appeared slightly foreign to the Sarcagosee warriors. One was an auburn brown haired beauty with the appearance of a succubus or a female with bat like wings. She wore a white sleeveless blouse worn by explorers, adventurers, and archaeologists. Over her lower parts she wore short pants that appeared to fit on her nicely. Rough explorer’s boots covered her feet. She was armed with a few pistols, two combat knives, and a hatchet. The other female had a Vorcadam look about her with the yellowish skin tone, slanted eyes, and thin eyebrows. Her clothing included a hooded cloak over a leather armor that was a cross between a cuirass, tank top, and a vest covering most of her upper body held by straps. This cloaked female wore long pants covered in pieces of metal for armor. She only had two pairs of pistols, one of which appeared alien and the others from Grussia.

      As members of the Travelling Talons these five mercenaries were often tasked with missions and contracts. Most times they set out to scout the area in search of any sign of Gantronese activity. Several of their scouting shits resulted in the discovery of old bases and facilities abandoned by the Gantronese. A few of these did put them in a few encounters with the Gantronese patrols and stragglers. Each encounter became a skirmish that seldom transformed into a battle. It was not very often for them to keep an eye on the tribes, or beasts of the Unknown Lands since they mostly fought each other, preyed on weaker prey, or just lived their natural lively hoods not caring about the civilizations around them. These five introduced themselves as Odoz, Cagan the Orc, Nanim Despurden, Vylinsis, and Maphai Dovakson.

      During the remaining three days of their stay in Ujal Voge the two groups became acquainted with each other and joined forces. Ordoz was a member of a humanoid species called the Fornith who came down to Calorn with others of his race. His entire race was at war with the Gantronese for the past century and a half. Part of a battalion of chosen warriors Ordoz fought the Gantronese in guerilla style warfare within the mountains of the Grussian-Eothan Peaks that interlock with the Sarcagos. He and a hand full of others survived hoping more of their kind would be sent with the Fornith Fleet. Cagan the Orc came from a clan of Orcs, and humans who coexisted in the mountains. As a child he was kidnapped by slavers two of whom he killed with his hands. This brought him to the fighting pits after training until he was fourteen. As he climbed to the top Cagan won his freedom swearing an oath to kill slavers and bring down any empire allowing slavery. Nanim Despurden is a dark elf or Drow who sought a new life after being banished. He found this band of mercenaries to be a promising substitute for a clan and family. Vylinsis is the winged beauty who belongs to a humanoid race said to be cousins to the demon succubus and incubus. Her people live in a well hidden city deep with the mountains of Nazdar held Syrianos - Daedrathia. Maphai Dovakson was a member of a wealthy low status noble family who were eradicated by the Gantronese. She and the remnants of her family fled with all their wealth to Ruhonthra where they began this large mercenary army.

      Maurice, Brittany, Hilastes, Amonif, Jenn, Loaket, Flede, Jode, Macon, Eyanosa, and the Ranger Oraceth told these five mercenaries their own stories. As the leader Maurice told their leader, Maphai about their mission in the Unknown Lands. After exchanging words, information, sharing drinks, and meals seventeen warriors forged an alliance. In the tavern’s largest booth the two leaders and their companions discussed how they could meet while on the road. One group would take the Krukir’s Way roads, and the other group would ride through the marshy swamps.

      Coming up with a few places to meet along the road the two parties parted ways. It was an hour after the crack of dawn both groups began to leave. Maurice’s eleven sarcagosee warriors mounted their large cat steeds, and Maphai’s crew of four loaded up the large yacht. The locals said their farewells to the two groups and bid them great fortune on their journey. In ten minutes of mounting their cats the twelve warriors proceeded out of Ujal Voge after parading through a crowd of local villagers. Maurice took the lead down the wooden road with eleven warriors, gangsters, and soldiers trailing behind at his heels. He kept meddling with the hand held radio Maphai gave him for communication. For a good thirty miles the twelve venturing companions galloped down the wooden road while the yacht sailed on the marshy waters miles away from the wooden road. On both sides of the road the boggy marsh appeared the same for miles all around with a few trees, branches and logs visible here and there. The occasional crocodile or patch of land visible in the grass was all they really saw during the trek on the road. Another twenty miles and they would only be hundred miles away from the swamps.

      Feeling they could press on further before nightfall Maurice urged his companions forward. In full gallop on their steeds the twelve riders rode on the wooden road for a great number of miles until it grew dark. His own mount kept galloping on the wooden road several more hours into the day. The commando paid no heed to their surroundings as he raced towards the swamps hoping to get as far as he could before it turned dark. Hearing nothing but the galloping of his steed’s paws hitting the boards Maurice felt the wind on his face from the speed his mount galloped.

      Out of the corners of his eyes Maurice spotted movement in the waters and grass of the marshes. Glancing to the right and to the left he noticed they were passing crocodile dwellings on either side of this road. He counted about nine crocodile dwellings full of crocodiles and young crocodiles. There were no doubts there were more of these nests and dwellings hidden in the grass of the marshes. Maurice kept his gaze ahead of them on the wooden road that began to snake a little through the landscape. The sun began to drop in the sky as the day was starting to end. At full speed Maurice led his companions further down this road with the day closing and night approaching.

      When the day ended and night came with the dark sky each rider slowed their mount to a trot. Whoever had lanterns they immediately lit them to shed some light on the road. Loaket handed Maurice a lit lantern that held it up to see where the road was in front of him. Holding up the lantern Maurice pressed on well into the night with the lantern’s light illuminating the road before him. He raised the radio to his mouth to contact Maphai who did not pick up until the sixth attempt. Both leaders exchanged words about their locations so they could calculate when and where to meet. She told him to keep going a little further and keep an eye out for a red light.

      Within an hour and a half of talking to Maphai Maurice spotted a small red light in the distance. Informing his companions what he saw in the dark he warned them to keep close and stay on the wooden road. Each one called out to him letting him know they were behind him. Relieved to know all of his companions were behind him Maurice looked down at his steed’s head. These Jumbo Cats had the ability to see in the dark after all feline species are nocturnal creatures. It was to their greatest advantage and for the Uxane nations who tamed and rode them. Another good thing about these large cats was that they never acted like the little ones who would sleep all day and roam around at night. His steed turned its head from time to time checking out its surroundings. Even though he could not tell what the cat saw he didn’t think they were in any danger from the way it kept on going.

      This red light Maphai told him about grew larger and brighter as they progressed further down the road. Multiple lights joined this red light illuminated what appeared to be a structure with several shadows of figures moving around. No one could really tell what the structure was even if there were enough lights illuminating the thing. He pressed his steed and his convoy of companions forward until they reached the structure. A few more lights were turned on facing the surrounding area to illuminate anything that might encroach upon them. The lights shining on the structure illuminated a large structure that resembled a large submarine that was converted into a building. It had a couple of garages for vehicles and a dock for floating vessels. Feeling exhaustion overwhelm their bodies they herded the steeds inside the garages where they fed them hunks of meat.

      Once the jumbo cat steeds were fed and herded inside the garages the twelve warriors entered this submarine like structure. When they entered the five mercenaries greeted them inside a vast chamber that was part of a much larger structure. In the dark it was difficult to see the true size of this structure. To the greater surprise of the commando and his companions the structure was about as big as the tavern inn back in Ujal Voge. 

Discarded Commando Part 17

Everyone sat in their places at the feasting table with their full attention on Ranger Roderic. A bit of fear could be seen on some of their faces. Aside from the fear instilled by the tales and horrors about this Over Boss Mommy Gluton Caligari, every fighter was exhausted from the long journey. Silence consumed the whole room forcing the feast to end for the night.

      As a whole group Viyamor’s gathered fighters left the feasting hall for their quarters. Maurice chose to stay put as most of his companions left for the tavern. Just Maurice, and three of his best fighters stayed. Four Sarcagosee, several Rangers, and the leaders of Ujal Voge sat at the feasting table within the feast hall. Maurice turned to see who was left as a few Elders and Rangers left to retire for the night. Amonif, Eyanosa, and the Prowler Taregan of the Northern Uwaux nation stayed with their leader Viyamor.

      Drinking the rest of the wine that was left at the table the two leaders discussed the locations of those Vestrisian Soldiers. It pained Maurice to hear of their fate. Those two soldiers were part of the expedition sent to expel the Gantronese forces with aid from the local tribes and peoples. He explained to Roderic what his mission was, which involved tracking down any more soldiers missing along with the 215 held prisoner. Roderic listened intently as the commando explained everything. He translated these words to Fahurn who in turn translated to the Chief who was getting weighed down by the need for sleep. Once Maurice was finished telling his story to them Chief Oguun whispered into Fahurn’s who then told Roderic. The Grussian told Maurice that he and his party of companions were welcome to stay as long as they needed. Agreeing to this without hesitation Maurice felt like he had sealed their fate for the moment.

      As one the last attendees to the feast rose from their seats and cushions. Each one proceeded to file out of the feast hall to witness further celebration among the locals. Drums, wooden flutes, and other tribal instruments played while dancers performed a spectacle for a tribe that lived in the marshes. Bonfires were lit in the center of each village giving an orange, yellow, and red glow to everything around it. Torch lights, braziers, and lamps were lit to shed light in the paths, and streets. Outside the groups departed for the night. All the Elders, Chief and Translator retired to their own homes while the Shaman joined in chanting and waving his arms as if summoning something or performing a ritual. Every Ranger except for Roderic left for their own huts, and shacks in the far end of the village they were in. At the entrance to the great feast hall Maurice, Amonif, Eyanosa, Taregan, and Roderic exchanged further words about the two Vestrisian soldiers out in marsh somewhere east of here. Maurice wanted to get those corpses located and get their dog tags. If it were possible he would like to transport the bodies for proper burial. The only transportation that they had on hand were those Jumbo Cats, canoes, the Red Symbols’ swamp boats and the Dwarf airship. He recalled the Dwarves and their Gnome companion when Maurice spotted something large slowly rocking back and forth amongst the villages’ small port.

      It hit him they could use some of the motorized vehicles to scour the region and even scout ahead before setting out again. The commando turned Roderic asking if they could get the Swamp boats on the other side of the wood docks and roads. Ranger Roderic gave him a wry smile telling Maurice that had already been done during the feasting.

     

      Maurice and his companions were surprised and wanted to see these swamp boats working. Roderic agreed to this and proceeded to escort them from the village. Maurice ordered Eyanosa to run back to the tavern to inform the others they’d be staying here for a while. In the dark night the Ranger, Commando, Unseen Bear, and Tuxir walked on the wooden path to where the Swamp Boats sat. It took a few minutes to reach the Swamp Boats, which were being worked on in the dark with bright work lights used for light. The figures working on these Swamp Boats appeared to be Dwarfs and Gnomes from the airship docked not too far away. Roderic got one of the mechanics’ attentions. The one he got was a short gnome wearing engineer overalls, goggles, and mechanic head gear with a head light on it. He looked at the Commando, Unseen Bear, and the Tuxir scrunched his eyebrows focusing on the trio of Sarcagosee warriors. This Gnome nodded at Roderic’s question then said that the Zoologists, Doctor, Elf and Guide were aboard their vessel. It was scheduled to leave in the morning for Khilscar Orvain.

      On the next day Maurice awoke with Brittany in his bed pressed against his body. Hilastes, and Amonif slept in the bunk quite soundly. Brittany still slept on even as he sat up to get dressed. Getting up the Commando slipped on his clothes and went over to Amonif to wake him. Startled awake the Unseen Bear nearly grabbed him by the throat. Both Vestrisians grabbed breakfast in the tavern hall. Here a local named Diruk volunteered to help them find the two lost Vestrisian Soldiers. Allowing this local to help them the Vestrisians went out to the Swamp Boats with the local. The trio boarded the Swamp Craft and sped through the marshes in a westward direction. An hour and a half in the trip and they came upon the corpses they were searching for. On a tiny mound of land for an island the corpses seemed to have been dumped there to rot. Maurice grabbed the dog tags and anything valuable he could perhaps send back to their homes. He wrapped the corpses in old tarps they found on board, and brought it on board.

      On the way back they came across several crocodile dwellings and nests, which they didn’t see due to the speed they rode. These large carnivorous lizards poured out of the grass and foliage in the marsh revealing the locations of their dwellings and nests. This surprised them as they went the route they had come. Winding around patches of land, grass, fallen trees, logs, and tree stumps jutting out of the water made the trip back a little longer. Within two hours they came back to Ujal Voge where the locals were constructing a dock for their new swamp boats with no help from the Dwarfs or Gnomes.

      They docked next to the construction as lines were tossed their way. Upon docking Maurice, Amonif, and Taregan were greeted by their travelling companions. Roderic stood next to them with a few other Rangers whom looked a little wary about something. Several kept looking over their shoulders with tense expressions. Maurice studied their expressions wondering what is wrong with them. He expected another attack to happen as he climbed off the boat. Amonif tossed the corpses on to the dock next to him. Hilastes and another Sarcagosee lifted up the bodies. Completing their docking at the docks the Sarcagosee held a brief meeting. Each one agreed to stay for four days since they no longer had any babysitting to due. Brittany informed Maurice and the others that the Red Symbols were attacked by a group of Gantronese who call themselves the 29 Dragons. While they were gone to retrieve the corpses a small group of five travelling warriors came to Ujal Voge. These warriors hung out with the Red Symbols, but hardly caused any trouble for anyone. However they did fight the Gantronese, or so people say.

      Maurice worked his way to the docks with his companions and the Rangers listening to more about these new arrivals. As they made their way through the widest part of the platforms the locals gathered in the marketplaces going about their daily lives. The large group of warriors snaked through the crowds to the docks where only certain sized ships could dock. Here at the docks of Ujal Voge the Swamp Boats sat alongside long canoes, dinghies, fishing craft, crocodile hunting boats, and a large Yacht looking craft with a red flag containing the emblem of a white Hawk armed with a spear. At the boarding and unloading ramps stood the five warriors ordering locals to carry their cargo and baggage from the yacht. Roderic whispered that these warriors could join the Sarcagosees’ party. Looking at one another the commando’s party considered this as a good idea. All twelve of these warriors and fighters approached the Yacht with a nice proposal for the new arrivals. 

Discarded Commando Part 16

In a mass panic the locals and patrons emptied the tavern. Just the way the patrons rushed out told the new comers they were rushing back home. Roderic told them that these locals have been harassed by a single gang. All of them desired to avoid any trouble with this gang. This one gang was known as the Red Symbols had set up base at some old Gantronese facility. According to Roderic this gang had a date with the people and villages of Ujal Voge. For the past five years the Red Symbols came here each season to collect a debt. This debt involved a person taken from a village, livestock, and the selection of their finest alcohol or a night in the Taverns with no charge. Roderic was about to continue when the Tavern door burst open.

      A large group of over fifty rough and violent looking goons entered. Each one wore a different apparel of clothing. On the right arm on all of them were red tattooed symbols. Those whose arms were not exposed had their sleeves painted with these symbols or had them sewn on in red. Maurice counted up to fifty one members in this gang. Among this gang called the Red Symbols stood five Lizard like humanoids, fifteen humans, seven orcs, six wolf-Gnoll humanoids, eight Gantronese deserters, ten mysterious figures covered in pieces of cloth and scarfs wrapped around their bodies.

None of the scarfs were colorful nor soft, but rough strips of fabric.

      Twelve fighters from the Sarcagos Mountains all stood up at this gangs presence. A commando, two Unseen Bears,  Red Heart, four Onyx Cougars, a Silver Harpy, a pair of Tuxir, a Prowler, one Mountain Ranger, and possibly ten or more rangers of this area, faced this gang inside a large tavern. The supposed leading member of the gang was a large lizard humanoid with a normal chin, mouth and head with no snout stepped forward. His nose was more serpent like and he seemed to stick his tongue out like a snake as well. The scales were a shade of coffee, and hazelnut color all over his body. He wore a jumpsuit underneath a worn cuirass combat armor. For a weapon he was armed with some war pick mixed with a sickle weapon.

      Within a hearts beat every one of these Red Symbol goons drew melee weapons. Apparently to these Red Symbol gangsters the new comers were a threat. Ujal Voge was their turf and the Sarcagosee were trespassing. Every Sarcagosee fighter stood up as one. Armed with pistols, knives, war clubs, revolvers, hatchets, axes, maces, maces, quarterstaff, and knucklers the commando’s party kept their gaze on the goons. Without his pole arm sword Maurice had to draw his dagger from his boot. All the Red Symbols wielded katanas, battle spades, sledge hammers, harpoons, crowbars, short pikes, bayonets, kukris, and bizarre bludgeon weapons made from metal tools. Even though this gang could be armed with modern weapons still armed themselves with melee weapons. Neither side moved a muscle as they studied each other. The humans and a few other Red Symbol goons eyed Brittany and her body. Some even adjusted their pants crudely to expose themselves or made gestures towards the women.

      One of them thrust his pelvic at Oladele and Eledheim whom had moved to the side of the tavern. Not taking this very lightly the bodyguard guide raised her rifle at him. Both groups stood in the tavern locked in a standoff. A long silence fell upon the tavern as either side waited for the other make a move.

      Four locals rushed in through a back entrance behind the bar section. They looked young, about eighteen, seventeen, and sixteen years of age. Each one of them held headed adrenaline filled expressions. Two of the youth wielded harpoons, one wielded a swamping axe and the other one wielded a billhook. Just about every single Sarcagosee held pistols, revolvers and rifles fixed on the Red Symbols whom did not even see the four youth at the bar. Taking advantage of being in the blind spot all four youths charged. Oladele fired a shot at the thrusting one as chaos broke loose inside the tavern. Every firearm was unloaded on the gang as those wielding melee weapons made quick work of the ones who charged them. A small group of six Red Symbols rushed out of the tavern.

      Maurice, Hilastes, Eyanosa and six Rangers rushed after the last of the goons that confronted them earlier. Another dozen members of the Red Symbols stood outside near the villages. Over by the villages the Red Symbols docked twenty two swamp vessels. Sixteen locals came rushing towards their location from the furthest village. Several of the remaining Red Symbols turned to face these villagers whom they probably regarded as inferior swamp rats and weak sheep. In hot pursuit of these goons the fighters tried to catch up with them. Those who held rifles fired on the Red Symbols that fled. Four of these goons fell on the wooden planks as the last two stopped and dropped to their knees. The pair raised their arms over their shoulders and had their hands behind their heads. Looking past the other goons Maurice spotted the locals again at a closer distance than from the tavern.

      Ten of the locals were armed with older style rifles and breech loading one shot rifles. The other six locals wielded harpoons, spears, and reptilian hooks. Caught between the advancing armed locals and the pursuing fighters the last of the goons split up. Four Red Symbols jumped onto a swamp boat and rushed to crank up the engines. The other remaining eleven stayed on the wooden road standing their ground. One of them pulled out a pistol then pointed it at the four goons attempting to leave. He unloaded the entire clip on the four cowardly traitors trying to run away. At the same time ten rifles opened fire on the ten goons in a single volley. Seven of the Red Symbols fell from the volley. Eyanosa shot one of the last three as the other two were impaled with thrown harpoons.

      The two parties met at the fallen Red Symbols discovering five of them survived with bullet wounds. Another group of the Ujal Voge people came storming over to them. Maurice Viyamor stepped past the Rangers, corpses, companions and armed locals. He stood on the dock-like road seeing four of these locals heading towards this location. When they drew closer he could make out a few lead figures of Ujal Voge’s governing authority. Among the leaders were the Chieftain, shaman, head elder, and the translator. This quartet didn’t have any one else following them behind.

      Oladele, and her companions had rushed out with the Dwarves and zoologists to join them. Maurice heard their footsteps as he watched the leaders of the Ujal Voge villages’ converse with each other. All but one of them appeared angry, anxious, and comprehensive about something. Maurice hoped it wasn’t over them killing these Red Symbol Gangsters. When the four leading officials of the three villages approached their previous expressions changed to more hospitable ones. Each one gave their thanks to these foreign outsiders for eradicating this group of gangsters. It was said in a tribal language which Maurice and his companions couldn’t understand. Translation came from the translator to the Rangers who also translated to the Sarcagosee in common language.

      Even though the local leaders along with plenty of locals appeared angered yet afraid, they still offered food and gratitude. That night the Sarcagosee were invited to dine with the leaders, elders, and esteemed members of the three village tribe. Bowls of rice soup with crab meats, and strange vegetables made up the majority of the feast. However the main course was a fully grown crocodile from one of their reptilian ranches. Truth is told there weren’t any fences for borders of the ranches just poles and stakes.

      As they feasted Maurice and his companions were told numerous bits of information about this region of the Unknown Lands. Ujal Voge was one of multiple if not numerous settlements along a multi-road highway called “Krukir’s Way”. This set of toads led to larger cities such as Tusbib Pajibe, Magesar, and Waikun. It ran through the marshes, bogs, swamps and even up to the north where they came from. Every major and settlement rested on the other side of the swamps, which lay 150 miles to the south. The Chief named Oguun warned the foreigners there was still over one hundred fifty miles of boggy marsh ahead of their journey. All marshes, bogs, and swamps together stretched thousands of miles east and west. Between here and the swamps were a few more dwellings but each one was connected to this particular road.

      Brittany asked one of the Rangers where those Red Symbol goons came from how many they really had. Translator Fahurn overheard this conversation and spoke to the Chief in a low voice. In their own language the Chief Oguun, Translator Fahurn, and the Elders conversed with just each other. Roderic leaned over to inform Maurice that there are more Red Symbol goons located at some abandoned Gantronese base/facility located about two hundred miles west of Ujal Voge.

      When the Chief, Elders, and Translator finished their conversation all the tribal leaders turned their attention to the Commando and Ranger Roderic. Translator Fahurn spoke to Roderic who then translated Fahurn’s words to the commando. These Red Symbols were a single unit of ninety seven bandit-raiders whom acted as enforcers for an Over Boss named “Mommy Gluton” Gaodiir Caligari.

      Roderic proceeded to tell Maurice and his companions that this female Over Boss commanded over 950 thugs, 1000 or more gangsters, two fleets of pirates, a few cities and had one man-eating monster for a pet. She was often at war with her neighboring states, and seldom the Gantronese forces still in the Unknown Lands. Many rumors spread about her saying she fed captives, prisoners or even guests to her pet.

Discarded Commando Part 15

Having collected seventeen dog tags Maurice stashed them away. He proceeded to snoop around more to see if any of the cabins could be used as shelter. Despite the protests from the zoologists and the elf nobles the party decided to make camp here. For the rest of the day the enlarged party set up their camp in the abandoned Vestrisian base. They had to clean up the base a little making a few of the cabins habitable.

      That very night the enlarged party of twenty six slept in different parts of the base. Most of the fighters slept in the tents and cabins. A few of the non-combatants slept inside the command center whereas the rest stayed in the cabins. All jumbo cat steeds slept against the cabins that felt a little stuffy. For a good seven hours this party of fighters, commandos, prowlers, trackers, scientists, guides, and guardians slept restlessly. Before dawn the commando’s party woke up the others so they could get a move on. Grumbling and unhappy about being roused from sleep earlier the zoologists, guides and elf nobles got up. Oladele Zeim, Eledheim and Pokeha wanted to press on southward to the nearest city alone. Their desires were overruled at breakfast.

      Every zoologist, guide and Dr. Westley urged them not to go out in these jungles without any protection or help. Eledheim did not seem pleased by the overwhelming resistance against her group leaving the party and going alone. According to the guides and Dr. Westley they were eleven or more miles from the bogs and the marshes. To the south, west, and south east of their position lay the bogs, marshes, and the start of the swamps. In order to avoid these bogs, and marshes or at least the most dangerous parts the guides suggested taking the road. Fortunately this camp-base was connected to a few roads one of which trailed to the south.

      Every fighter in Maurice’s party grew impatient with these zoologists, guides, and elf. After a brief argument they were all talked into accepting the tagalongs. Twelve jumbo cat steeds were mounted by two riders each. In moments the large party set off on the road that trailed southward from the Vestrisian Base. This road appeared unkempt and covered in multiple parts by brush. Because of the nature covering the road it appeared more like a badly built path.

      For half the day the large party travelled along this road coming across other paths and trails. If they hadn’t been in a hurry the party would investigate these other routes. The jungle around them covered the skies from view and stood dense enough to act as a wall. Such a thick jungle made the road feel like a maze. Trotting on the path they did stop whenever Maurice spotted whatever he thought was a corpse. A total of nine piles were found along the road spaced out by several miles each. Only about three of the nine piles they found were corpses.

      One of the corpses was a Vestrisian Soldier from the expeditionary force. The other two corpses were an adventurer, and the other one was some long lost traveler. Each of these piles had something interesting or valuable to pick up and even use. Among the other piles they found a few satchels, travelling kits, travelling capes, cloaks, old lanterns, explorer’s pack, a few bags of coins and other jewels, boots, staffs, and flasks. Most of the things they found in these piles were torn, eroded, very filthy, tore upon touching, and broken or cracked. These items were left there deemed useless and unusable. On the corpse of the Vestrisian soldier aside from the dog tag was his helmet, cap, tattered uniform, boots, a pistol with little ammunition, combat knife, and two flasks was some object wedged in his head. Inside the skull of the explorer they discovered a strange figurine of a god of some sort. Its head was larger than the carved body and looked more like a mini tribal mask. Whatever this was they assumed it must have been a depiction of a tribal deity turned into a dagger.

      Several more days on this road witnessed a few more of these discoveries which they either ignored or scorched after looting. As they progressed further on signs that they were nearing the bogs and marshes showed with every step taken. Less and less of the jungle showed with the boggy marshes increased each mile. The road began to twist and turn wrapping around muddy marsh land. Some parts of the road turned into a path made from planks of wood or large flat stone slabs. Every bit of the wooded planks appeared old but still sturdy enough to hold anything heavy. Many travelers, explorers, adventurers, or regular expeditionary forces would assume the roads were well kept. Many of these people would have it believed that the natives or someone was taking care of these roads. This seemed too hard to imagine anyone else trying to create civilization in this part of the world.

      Within another day’s worth of travelling the jungle abruptly ended. To the party’s fortune they came across an outpost or a large tavern like lodging. A few other structures and homes nearby branched off the road over the marshes. Not too far away rested three settlements built upon connected platforms raised by dock posts and stilts not too different from pile dwellings. A couple of average sized stables located parallel with the large tavern sat on their left. Flanking these stables stood sheds, shacks, and other structures one would find in a small village or town.

      None of the fighters believed any settlements could exist this deep in the wilderness of the Unknown Lands. They did acknowledge the settlements and cities along the edges of these lands and in the Sarcagos Mountains. However any shred of what they considered civilized couldn’t exist in this bog or marshes while hundreds of savage tribes lay to the north, south, west and east. Nonetheless the large party entered the large tavern. The Tuxir and Ranger took the steeds over to the stables.

      Maurice, Brittany, Hilastes, Amonif and the rest of their party sat at their own table. The zoologists Vik, Dr. Evarn, McKeris, Figdius, and their guides sat at another table near them. Dr. Westley talked to the local barkeep. Oladele, Eledheim, and Pekoha asked for a bath. This trio of women had to wait for the baths to be ready for use.

      Sitting down with Brittany, Amonif, Hilastes, Silver Harpy Jode, Onyx Cougars Jenn, Loaket, Flede, plus Macon, Maurice had a few drinks and a hearty meal of roast meat. Whatever this roasted meat was it tasted like fish and something gamy. He looked around this large tavern to get a good look at the inhabitants. These people were brown skinned in hide clothing, grass woven tunics, traditional garb made from cloth and linen. Much of the clothing styles involved vests, loincloths, tunics, skirts, wraps, trousers, strange shirts, and some familiar garb hailing from the east and the allies of Vestrisia. Nearly all the clothing types were made from the hides of reptilian creatures, grass, large leaves, sewn shells, bark and woven fabric. Other clothing were crafted from linen, leather, and cotton cloth.

      Studying these people he saw they appeared more like huntsmen, fishers, skinners, trappers, weavers, tanners, canoe craftsmen, lesser craftsmen, and prowling warriors. In this tavern were also Rangers from other nations and lands. Each one had the standard arms a ranger these days would hold other than the bow. All these native locals were armed with rat knives, wooden war clubs, long knives, hunting knives, spearheads, and a strange machete like blade. Some of them even had old fashioned rifles, revolvers, and Gantronese style weapons. Along the Tavern’s walls tridents, spears, harpoons, javelins, trophies of heads from reptilian beasts, mounted jaws, and netting decorated the establishment.

      Most of the tavern’s patrons had their eyes on the nine armed fighters who came in. Their gaze did not show any signs of suspicions, or hostility. Ever pair of eyes on them seemed more curious. One of the locals nodded repeatedly in approval with a serious face. Another local picked his teeth with a pick while keeping his eyes focused on the new comers.

      After a few long moments of the curious staring the barkeep told the whole tavern who these warriors were. As the barkeep addressed them the Tuxir prowler, tracker, and Ranger entered the tavern. The trio looked at each other confused as the barkeep informed the native patrons in their own language. Ignoring this barkeep the Tuxirs and Ranger approached the table joining their fellow companions. Maurice nodded to the Silver Harpy who slid the rest of the meal over the three new arrivals. Oladele looked over her shoulder at Maurice and his band of warriors.

      Only a few locals who spoke common, said hello to the warriors. Maurice looked around where their other companions sat. Five other locals conversed with the Zoologists and Dr. Westley. Each one of them seemed eager to get a quick ride to the nearest city. One local pointed towards a table in the far corner of the tavern. In this corner sat three short stout looking figures. At first glance these figures looked like short people.

      Maurice squinted his eyes to focus on them more. He realized this trio was not short people but two Dwarfs and a Gnome. The Dwarves wore their beards in the Forkstyle and the single braid beard. Their Gnome friend seemed taller than most Gnomes standing at four and a half feet tall. Gnomes did live in the Vestrisian Republics and served as citizens like everyone else did in the VUVR. Personally Maurice did not know much about Gnomes except about their skills in tinkering, craftsmanship, engineering, and inventing amongst the Dwarves populations.

      A Ranger who appeared Grussian came up to the commando. Forced to turn away from the trio Maurice turned his attention to this Grussian Ranger. Hilastes offered his chair to this Ranger. He stood behind Maurice as did the Tuxir named Eyanosa and Loaket. Smiling with his eyes at this band of warriors from the Sarcagos the Grussian studied them for a few seconds. He introduced himself as Roderic Alin Mandelertz a member of the twenty or so Rangers whom ranged these parts of the marshes. As Roderic began to converse with Maurice, the four zoologists rushed over the Dwarves and Gnome.

      Nine patrons left the tavern beginning the process of emptying the place. Roderic informed the Sarcagosee warriors that a large gang of bandit-raiders were in the region. He also added some information on a few locations of where some Vestrisian corpses could be found. Maurice asked Roderic where these locations were and how far from the villages. Roderic was about to tell his new acquaintance when he was interrupted by loud rumbling engines. Outside the noise from the engines grew louder as the source seemed to draw closer to the villages. Every single local patron and Ranger held a frightened, nervous expression upon their faces. 

Discarded Commando Part 14

      Out of the thick jungle emerged a large reptilian creature standing on its hind legs upright. Standing about three stories tall this reptilian carnivore had scales of a dragon and snake, thick hind legs for running, arms with claws for grabbing and a large head full of razor sharp teeth as long as swords. Its body coincided with the size of its head making it almost colossal. The tail reached thirty feet in length and swung back and forth as it gazed at the mass of fighters. Every single Beast Man turned to this carnivore in fear. The air was silent and still within the jungle. Not a single muscle stirred or any movement made. Everyone seemed frozen in place like statues with their feet stuck to the ground. It sniffed the air around them then proceeded to sniff them as it approached. Whatever type of carnivore this was it had a hungry look in its eyes. Without warning it roared again. This roar was elongated and louder than the last one.

      Not even hesitant the Beast Men made a run for it. All the tribal warriors fled from the area scattering in fear. Seeing it had hundreds of fleeing food to choose from this large reptilian carnivore chased after the hundreds of Beast Men. As it pursued the tribal warriors this carnivore roared. As soon as it disappeared into the jungle the whole party went into action. Scared and preferring not to become this reptile’s next meal they got in their feline steeds. The non-combatants were loaded on the back of the saddles with enough room for a sack. Each passenger held on tightly as the Prowler, Tuxir Trackers led the party at a southward course through the jungles. Speeding through the jungle on the backs of Jumbo Cats Maurice felt leaves, and brush skim across his cheeks, and his body. His own steed followed the other cats with several other cats behind him. Covering the rear of their pack Amonif rode armed with a long lance from the Tuxir fighter. Their Forsythan friend did have the strength to fend off the beast but not even he seemed certain if he could kill one so large.

      In full gallop the enlarged party rushed through the jungle passing trees, brush, stones, tribal pillars, nests, totem poles, abandoned villages, shacks and other things found in the jungles. His own steed leapt over fallen trees, logs, low branches while following Brittany’s steed. For some time they sped their way through the jungles in a serpentine like pattern. Allowing their steeds and the leaders to drive the party forth they came to a slowed halt in the middle of a clearing. This clearing stretched barely less than ten thousand square feet on all sides. Most of it had been made, but was starting to show signs of regrowth. Twelve steeds with two riders each circled this clearing that was full of abandoned tents, equipment, sheds, and the makings of a military campsite/outpost.

      All of them stopped where they were able to dismount. Dropping to the ground the party members let their steeds rest who went to a group of trees for more shade. While their large feline steeds rested by a patch of trees in the clearing the riders and rescued captives studied their surroundings. Looking around it was apparent to those familiar with military camps that this was indeed a Vestrisian forward camp. It appeared to be in the process of becoming an outpost. Maurice’s memories of such camps and forward outposts being founded beyond their fronts came back. Investigating his own memories the commando recalled about seven known outposts created back in the year 1845. That was the very year he lost contact with the rest of the Vestrisian Army as it retreated out of the Unknown Lands.

      He shook the horrible memories of those weeks and months out of his head. Within moments of shaking the bad memories away Maurice observed his surroundings. Some parts of the camp appeared to be intact and in working condition. This Vestrisian camp-outpost had about seven or so pitched tents in quite horrid, tattered condition. Only a few of these tents seemed inhabitable for a short amount of time. These tents were arranged in the standard military style with gaps in the set up where tents used to be. On one side of this camp outpost was a larger tent with multiple sections and rooms. It must have served as the officer’s lodging and the main headquarters until the camp became more of an outpost then transform into a base. Opposite the headquarters was the first structure of the outpost made from wood, metal, and logs cut from trees. The logs were set in the back of this structure as part of the wall like fence that was to go around the outpost/base.

      Next to this structure were the tool shed and the ammunition depot. To one corner was the construction of a watchtower. One of the three standing guard towers was broke down and collapsed. Maurice looked towards the entrance which faced south where a machinegun nest rested next to it opposite a check in shack. He turned his head with the others circling around out of curiosity. Most appeared disturbed by the discovery whereas others looked around nervously with paranoid expressions. On the west side of the camp four cabins lined the wall where the fence was missing. Each of these cabins was the size of a one or two room shack. All of them appeared empty and abandoned with no signs of life exempt the vines and vegetation taking over.

      As he turned around to check the other parts one of the zoologists checked one of the cabins out of curiosity. She looked into one of the more broken down cabin. His gaze turned back to face the tents and their cat steeds. Their steeds made themselves comfortable under the shelter they found. He studied their surroundings a bit more as his fellow companions wandered the old camp-outpost. One of the spaces where a tent used be pitched seemed odd. Maurice approached this particular space and found it was a sheet of dust, dirt, and jungle waste covering the collapsed tent. Finding this suspicious, and feeling curious he checked it out. He picked up a stick and began picking through the debris. As he brushed off the dirt off the tent something under the tent caught his eye. Pulling part of the tent back revealed the skeleton of a deceased soldier of the Vestrisian Expedition. It appeared mostly decayed with hardly any tissue or remaining flesh after decomposing. The under shirt of the Vestrisian uniform was mostly tattered and the cap rested on the skull. Looking at the smile of the deceased comrade Maurice noticed the dog tag around its neck. Just as he reached for the dog tag someone screamed a horrified scream.

      The scream nearly made him jump out of his skin since it was so sudden and out of nowhere with little to no warning. Moments after the scream he regained himself and yanked the dog tag from the skeleton. Turning around to the source of the scream Maurice discovered the scream came from the nosy Zoologist. She ran away from the cabins whimpering and trying not to cry while regaining composure. Others went over to the cabins to see what made her scream of fear. His party of fighters went on their guard expecting something to come out and attack them. The Onyx Cougars, and Silver Harpy yelled at the zoologist for their foolishness. Maurice ignored them while Brittany brought them to heel. Amonif, and the prowler approached the cabins. Holding the dog tag the commando took a look inside the cabins. Inside two of these cabins were skeletons of Vestrisian soldiers stuffed inside.
    Taking this chance to complete part of his mission Maurice Viyamor began snatching up any dog tags he could see and reach from the door or window. He had Amonif and Hilastes help him get the skeletons out of the cabins. Regardless of the zoologists, guides, and anthropologist’s fear and disgust of this the commando collected the rest of the dog tags. All together Maurice gathered seventeen dog tags from the skeletal corpses of fallen comrades. 

        

Discarded Commando Part 13

Eight former captives sat on their knees wondering what would their future hold now. Twelve heavily armed fighters and their Jumbo Cat steeds stood between the captives and the mouth of the cave. All the captives looked at each other with concerned and scared looks. They must have though these new warriors would either kill them and feed them to their cats or simply leave them at the cave. All twelve looked at these rescued captives then to each other wondering what the Hithna to do with these captives. Maurice desired to press on and reach their objective as did half his group. The other half wanted to help them escape the Unknown Lands. However, that would mean going west or turning back. Scared and confused the captives stared at them in horror until three other figures appeared out of the cave.

     Behind them Oladele Zeim, Eledhien, and Pokeha exited the cave. Seeing the other three captives eased the concerns and swept away the fear that gripped the other captives. Oladele approached them with a knife unsheathed then proceeded to untie them. As they stood up their rescuers were about to leave. Before he even mounted, he studied the captives trying to figure out how long they had been out here and what they were doing in this part of the world.

     Four of these captives were zoologists exploring the jungles in search of the species and any new ones. From the way they dressed in the typical safari explorer outfits he assumed they were part of a team. Two of the other captives are the native guides to the zoologists. Each one wore a decorative tribal shawl over the typical tribal garb. Next to them was a hunter who dressed in the more traditional style of a southern explorer. He was an older man with graying hair and a few scars here and there who resided alone in these jungles. The last captive was a female anthropologist known as Dr. Evia Judith Westley. She was part of a study team from the Redrin Republic University of Langshier in Redrin city of Iberai. Her team was attacked and butchered before the rest were taken by different tribes. It appeared to be the same story with the other captives except the hunter who was dragged from his own hunting lodging.

     None of these freed captives had any sense of where they were or how far in the jungles they were. In a brief discussion among themselves the other eight captives decided to join the fifteen adventurers. Since it would most likely take a few or more months to traverse these jungles in search of lost Vestrisians Maurice allowed this. Using the skills, and knowledge of the guides and hunter the increased party of twenty three snaked through the brush of the jungles. As they pressed on for hours into the day they came upon a campsite. It appeared to be a Gantronese camp that was abandoned some time ago. In a clearing six tents with the Gantronese emblem on both sides sat in a circle with an old fire place in the middle. They checked each tent finding some useful items and canned goods. One of the tents had a skeleton of a long dead Gantronese soldier with a knife in his back.

     Quickly grabbing up the supplies the party then pressed on towards the east in search of their own campsites, but only found more abandoned posts and other campsites. Seven total campsites were discovered during their trek through the jungles. The second camp was another Gantronese camp that was completely torn apart by the savage natives. A week passed before they found another camp belonging to the Gantronese, which was not as bad as the previous plus with more useful items. Not too far from this one was an outpost belonging to the Gantronese. For a whole day they camped here before going on to the next. As another week passed after the discovery of the outpost they found a fourth abandoned campsite full of old supplies and canned food strewn about. Maurice picked on up to find bite marks on it. The savage beasts or some animal had tried getting to the food inside. He shook it causing the contents to shift a little inside. One of their prowlers and Hilastes checked each can before claiming it as theirs.

     Pakeha followed tracks that she found that led straight to one of the zoologists’ camps. This one was one of five camps the zoologists set up in the jungle. It appeared to be bigger than the other camps they came across. High tech equipment still sat there in the camp some damaged others left alone. Here the Zoologists insisted they be left here. The bodyguard and guides warned them not to do that. After a brief argument they were given no chose but to press onward in a southern route. As they pushed further to the southwest they cut a path in case the zoologists foolishly wanted to go back. To their surprise these zoologists came over via airship. However it was nowhere to be seen since it probably dropped them off like a taxi cab would. A few more days in the jungle took them to another campsite towards the eastern side of the other camps.

     Tired and sick of the jungle the large party found a camp that belonged to the anthropologist. Unfortunately it was located close to a tribe of Beast men. Dr. Westley ignored the fact that this camp was close to another tribe. She began rummaging through boxes, crates, and her own belongings for records of her studies. As she gathered up what files and research she could a small group of hostiles appeared in the trees and brush. Everyone froze where they stood realizing they were surrounded by an entire tribe or war band of Beast Men. As he looked around them he counted close to two hundred or more Beast Men surrounding them. A few dozen of the tribal warriors charged at the fighters ignoring the unarmed scientists. The hunter tried to defend himself only to get swarmed by the savages and have his throat slit. Seeing the hunter die in such a gruesome way horrified the zoologists, and anthropologist whom ran for shelter. Maurice sent Amonif after them to ensure none ran off into the jungle blinded by fear.

     Hilastes killed several tribal warriors before more of the tribal warriors charged in the quarrel in the abandoned campsite outpost. Nine fighters fought for their lives against overwhelming odds. Each one had killed dozens upon dozens of Beast Men warriors littering the cleared campsite of corpses. The Jumbo Cats were mainly left alone to attack freely since Beast Men somewhat feared these large cats. To the greater misfortune these cats simply laid there and watched the fight after killing a few more Beast Men. Infuriated that these older Jumbo Cats had little interest in dealing with the Beast Men, Maurice sliced open a large warrior who had three skulls tied to his belt.

     As the party of escorts fought on the cats maneuvered around the camp-battlefield killing or knocking down a few more Beast Men. Twelve large cats with different colored coats of furs laid around the shed the zoologists, anthropologists, and their guides hid. Every cat had its own fur coat from black, brown, fawn, chocolate with stripes, reddish, grey, blue, and flaxen. All of them were bred for the soul purpose of warfare, riding, and basic needs of a culture in the jungles. However the Jumbo Cat had the habit of acting like a house cat. They’d choose to obey you or not depending on their thoughts, attitude or situation. In this particular situation these young and old cats seemed intrigued just watching them fight. Acknowledging the large cats being lazy and not helping Maurice gave them glares every now and then. In response to his glares and others shouting at them some turned away, a few yawned and one simple rolled over showing its belly. Cats usually showed their belly as a way of saying it loved you. This knowledge of felines crossed his mind as he fought off a few war club wielding warriors and a war chief. In the thick jungle a loud roar shattered the air causing everyone to stop. Each cat propped up its head with wide eyes and ears back. 

Discarded Commando Part 12

Twelve Sarcagosee fighters ventured in to the thick jungle leaving the civilized part of the Unknown Lands. Trees, brush, bushes, vines, tall grass, fungus, uprooted trees, stumps, fallen trees, and some rocks cluttered the jungle. Noises from various animals filled their ears as they cut through the brush trying to find a path the Uwaux told them about. Tuxir Trackers and the Prowler scouted ahead returning with both good and bad news. For some number of days the party trekked through the jungle following the guidance of a compass heading south west and their Uxane companions. Maurice was surprised to come as far as they had without coming across any dangers, ambushes or traps. Yet he could not get rid of the feeling that eyes hidden by the thickness of the jungle were watching them.

      For another thirteen miles they discovered a river flowing into a cave. It was here they chose to camp despite the possible dangers lurking inside and out. Like most caves in the jungle this one was dry, cool, and dark. It was even deep, stretching out into the earth with multiple tunnels and chambers. They found a chamber closer to the entrance big enough for all twelve of them. Their own steeds were placed in a few separate chambers with no other extensions or tunnels. Every entrance was covered with a black or dark tapestry of some sort to hide from anything that would wander inside.

      On this night they were sound asleep until very late past sundown. All twelve were woken up by the sounds of a horrifying scream and shouting outside the cave. Each one grabbed his or her weapon ready to come to the aid of the screaming person or at least avenge them. Maurice held out a hand to stop them and listened to the struggle. He listened to the screams and the shouting. It sounded like several women struggling to get away from the monsters of the Unknown Lands’ jungles. Each scream and shouts grew louder and louder as the source drew closer to their cave. Listening to this ruckus come closer it became clearer that some unfortunate souls were in the hands of some Savage Beast men. The Beast men were mostly organized into tribes, but only several confederacies existed since most tribes often fought each other.

      Maurice peeked through the flap to see six Beast men holding three women captive maybe more. In the dark it was not too hard to tell the difference since Beast men had long hair. From the shouts he discerned it was a wealthy aristocratic elf trying to squirm out of their hold. The second was a tribal girl from one of the Uxane-Curnai tribes. The third captive was a Zegrav-Badraani in white sand colored desert robe-tunic held to her waste with a belt. Her legs were covered by a tannish green pants and black boots. For several minutes the Beast men arranged the three women while the elf still shouted at them. The third woman tried calming her down despite the situation they were in. She called the elf by her name which was Eledhien Silver. This Eledhien screamed at the Zegrav-Badraani calling her a worthless bodyguard. In moments the six Beast men were about to have their way when one of the Tuxir gave out a war shout running at the Beast men armed with a tomahawk. Maurice then gave the signal forced to attack. All twelve immediately rushed at the Beast men who were caught unawares. It did not take long for them to slay the monsters since they merely outnumbered them two to one and had surprise on their side.

      When Maurice looked outside the cave he saw there were more Beast men outside of the cave. He counted up to seventy four or more Beast men surrounding sixteen other captives. All eyes are on the cave waiting for the six deceased Beast men to be done with their little mating with the women. Beast men of the Unknown lands were also known to capture females and forcefully mate with them. Every captive that is captive and impregnated is forced to stay with the tribe and give birth. Not many people wanted to know what happened after that despite rumors and horror tales plus the occasional survival stories of those who escaped or sold into slavery then liberated.

      Seeing they were cornered in the cave, outnumbered and at a slight disadvantage the Sarcagosee resulted in egging the Beast men into a fight man to man. Many Beast men would often fall for this acting aggressive by nature, dull minded, and not very bright. Maurice looked into the face of one particular Beast man who seemed taller than most of them there. It had the typical appearance of the Beast men despite the breeding with other races. Beast men have a primate like face of various colors which depended on the mother who spawned it. This one was darker skinned than the others with protruding fangs. Some were born with tusks, large fangs or filed sharpened teeth. Its nostrils are larger than the average primate and often had a bone piercing or a metal one. These creatures had large bodies, which were not muscular at all, but were furry. Every one of them had large hands and feet to match thick arms and tree trunk sized legs. This one seemed to be decorated with tribal tattoos and prized pieces of armor taken from those it killed. Beast men wear a loincloth, fur clothing or leather tunics. They’d always be armed with a war club, tribal cudgel, or any weapon they can get their hands on.

      About seven or so started to approach the cave when another group of savages attacked them. This other group of savages was Green Demon tribesmen. Many tales about these tribesmen entail of their cruelty towards outsiders and their enemies. Some local tribes believe them to be Demons due to their appearance which they made themselves. Green was the color they used to dye their skin or paint it to blend in with the jungle surroundings. In front of the cave the two tribes fought over the captives some of whom must have belonged to the Green tribesmen. Several of the tribesmen from both sides attacked them as well as they witnessed the battle from the cave. Each warrior was cut down immediately with no chance against the Sarcagosee.

      For fifteen to thirty minutes the two tribes fought each other. Dozens still broke off from the group and attacked those in the cave. Each warrior and beast fell to their hands laying lifeless at the cave entrance. Savage blows and thrusts from spear points were thrown all around as the two tribes fought each other before the mouth of the cave. Within moments it almost seemed to go on without any end as more joined the fight. As soon as it was about to go on both sides fled from the fight taking whatever they could pick up. Whatever fights this was it turned out to be no more than a skirmish leaving scores upon scores dead, dying or wounded. It appeared more a quick skirmish compared to the long drawn out battles that would last for days in the jungles. Corpses of the slain and dying lay limp while those only wounded dragged their bodies over dirt, rocks, foliage and other corpses. Some tried to finish the fight but were too wounded. Few who were able to stand fought it out with those standing as well. Half of those fell to the hands of other wounded while half of those who won died of their wounds. Among the corpses and wounded only eight of the captives remained. The other eight captives were likely rescued or taken by the Green Demons.