I got a small package to eliminate something as per Lady Anda's demands. Ten (10) professional foot soldiers, fifty (50) levied conscripts, five (5) centaurs who excel in marksmanship - the sagittarii, and two (2) exiled magic users - predominantly, they are in the discipline of healing arts. This issue might be something to take care about. The Queen Kehina is worried and so am I, pertaining to this dilemma.
"Lord Aisla, there is a monster around the forest from the north. According to the reconnaissance party, it is believed that the creature is twice a mortal in both size and height. I pray for your success." Lady Anda instructs me, while holding a private discussion.
"Yes, milady. I'm on it. While I am at it. Please, supply us with some adequate support for this expedition." I ask for help concerning the excursion am I about to execute, reckoning it will be done, where she agrees unto my demands.
Meeting concludes. And now; me and the boys, and gals, are tasked with the mission of subduing a mysterious monster that has been antagonizing the forest. We do not have any magical powers - offensive capabilities, thus we are required in the simplest explanation… we must rely on our weapons and our wits to defeat it… pure brains and pure brutes, my kind of specialty. We reach the rendezvous to perform the rendition. The mission is to ambush the monster in its own turf. Majority vote. Formulated by the sagittarii themselves. After the setup has been set; by placing artificial moats, do-it-yourself spikes are made of twigs and branches, and sensory traps that we bought back in the capital. They are situated at the possible escape routes which are wide to flee to. We sneak through the forest, keeping an eye out for any signs of peril. As we approach the monster’s lair, I can feel my heart racing in anticipation.
We set up an ambush and as we are waiting for them to appear. Suddenly, it bursts out from the shadows and charges towards us! We fend off the onslaught, too much for godawful surprise. I sigh: "You are playing our game". badmouthing the tactics that they are trying to impose. There is a much bigger opaque that abruptly spawns in front of us - before our eyes. I quickly order my archermen to open fire out of my panic, but it is too quick and too nimble for us to hit. And out of the exposed expanse, I remember! I am familiar with this big guy! So, that means they are the remnants of the defenders of the dungeon we have prevailed in the couple of weeks or so prior. I laugh at the creature, uttering: "You're alive! It's a miracle seeing you still breathing." where my subordinates also pop us on my cracks, as to raise the morale of my troops.
"You, wretched fools! I am going to sever your damn heads out of your bodies. Tearing you all ! And I am going to eat them and put them into my belly afterwards!" the big guy shouts, as he seems irate, swinging his ax frantically.
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
We are forced into close-quarters combat as we battle against this ferocious creature with only our swords and shields in a straightforward fashion with the aid of our marksmen. The archermen have their own squires with them by reloading almost upon their quiver or switching between a composite bow to crossbow, vice-versa. The centaurs employ hit-and-run tactics. Of course, they are fast because of their hooves but not as agile as bipedal locomotion. But the strategy of the centaurs that they are exercising looks like not working at all. I command the sagittarii to seize their attacks. They are well-trained hence, they are expensive, nevertheless, they are not expendable figures. I beseech the magic users to cast a healing spell towards the centaur archers during and after the tactics. Gladly, no casualties associated and only they have suffered small wounds and minor traumas away from their vital points. The fight is intense as we dodge its claws from its recessive arm, its fangs from its bite, and its while trying our hardest just to land strikes of our own during the heat of the engagement. After what it feels, this orc champion creature looks like it is about to explode. Oh crap! Despite what it went through, it disregards its weary parts that we have inflicted. The orc champion who has survived long enough in the conquered dungeon the past month. It is a force to be reckoned with, it is nothing to laugh at, and this monster should not be underestimated.
With the arrows flying, the pikes and the blades swinging (and thrusting), and the supernatural arts invoking; this subjugation will be fought in a tedious way. I admit that this meager unit I have won't suffice the creature any longer. My men are exhausted. I am not. I am just doing the spectator's part on the monster and the speculation for our next assault. Accepting: "This is getting no better." the reality of the situation, I command a couple of dozens of the drafted soldiers (the collateral newbies) to go home and ask for back ups. I deploy the sagittarii to do what they are great at, by pair. The reason is I have only two healers at my disposal, hence, to minimize the damage. If any occurrence of accident befalls, at least, we only at the melee combat will have to respond to the call. Tripping up the hooves, injuring the leg, sticking up to something are what the complications of being a half horse, a half mortal. They may have the fortitude to run faster than what a bipedal mortal can do.
The orc champion roars once again where its ax is being hurled towards the direction of the escapees. Thanks to the reflexes of the centaur provided, it manages to shield the attack and deflect it back to the original possessor. At first, I thought I could not make it but the spurt of my squoze mind threw my shield towards the on-the-run centaur - the trajectory of the throw is specifically computed. The centaur smiles: "Nice assist there, commander." at me, whereas I give the sagittarius a denoting remark of a thumbs up.
"Please, Lady Wellicia. I seek for your counsel and let this mission be of a success." I pray in a muttering call.