Residence of Lord Myrle.
The gang leader and his other veteran gangers limped back to their lord's residence. Though at this point they were having trouble deciding if running might be the better option. "Lord" Myrle wasn't known for taking failure well. Especially when it appeared to insult him.
Losing to a bunch of halflings meant that there were good odds that at least one of them would be killed and made an example of. Which made the idea of running both appealing and appalling. Back in Daele it was only a matter of time before his gang of assassins and thugs would eventually find them. While they might not be quite as numerous as before, most of the gangs under his control had stayed behind to defend their turf against the orc invaders, that still didn't mean some truly nasty characters didn't take the chance to cross over with the rest of them.
So as much as they wanted to run and spare themselves whatever savage torment their lord would inflict upon them was, the idea that it would be made worse WHEN they were inevitably found and caught and brought back to be subjected to brutal punishments that was widely know and obviously feared.
What was left of them hesitated before the door to his residence, a few guards waited out front while some more loitered about on the lawn. They hesitated because they could hear the sounds of screaming from inside, only the door and walls doing anything to muffle them.
After a unnervingly long moment the screams ceased and the gang leader swallowed before knocking and entering, the rest following hesitantly behind.
"Lord?"
The living room was void of any signs of life save for the two brats that hid nearby with pillows covering their ears as they squinted their eyes shut, only peeking occasionally in the direction the screams had come from. The gang leader made a hesitant step towards where they came from, but barely finished said step before Lord Myrle appeared from a room down the hall, hands dripping with blood and face splattered with gore.
The elf snapped his fingers.
"Boy! Bring me a clean cloth!"
The boy nodded fearfully and went to fetch a clean washrag. Lord Myrle didn't even spare a glance towards his men as he cleaned his fine elvish features of viscera.
"Did you retrieve my wealth?"
The men shuffled uncomfortably.
"Well, about that-"
The elf ceased his cleaning and turned a still bloody glare towards the men that caused them to take an involuntary step back.
"What? Happened?"
"It was those humans! They met us on the road before we could get to the halflings! They had dwarven weapons an-"
"Did you say, dwarven?!" The elf hissed.
Barnaby, that worthless creature was too cowardly to face him openly so he's resorted to arming halflings against him, he thought as indignant rage and fury filled his blood and vision. The gang leader gulped and continued.
"That's right, they had dwarven weapons! But we still managed to get into a proper brawl with 'em! But before we could finish 'em, them halflings showed up and drove us back!"
The elf was furious as he cracked his knuckles in barely suppressed rage.
"So not only is Barnaby somehow arming my marks, but now I have to face the embarrassment of being beaten by fucking halflings?!"
The men, and the human children, flinched as the elf seethed at them.
"Boy! Fetch my sword!"
"My lord?" The gang leader asked as the boy ran towards the room the elf had claimed that contained his things. Including the bloody aftermath of his time with the dancers.
"I will show that dwarf what happens to his proxies! I will lead our forces against those worthless little rodents and we will slaughter them down to the last child!" The elvish lord proclaimed as he snatched his sword and scabbard from the frightful boy.
He unsheathed the cruel blade, serrated on both edges, as long as a man's leg, and as light as a feather that curved just slightly at the tip which was topped with a sharp hook of metal. It's singular goal was to inflict pain and suffering on any that would dare offend it's master.
"Summon my forces! We march on the halflings and their protectors!" The lord called out to the cheers of his men nearby.
"Oh, and deliver what's left of Barnaby's "gifts" back to him. I've grown tired of them." The elf stated as he and his men left, leaving a couple men that were forced onto "clean up" duty with a shudder and a small skeleton force to watch over his residence and slaves.
-----
Halfling Colony.
The halflings were in a celebratory mood. Though it was a rare occasion when they weren't. But this time, Clive was inclined to join them and be merry! Maybe not too merry if the vague memories of last time were anything to go by. But he was still going to enjoy himself a bit. After all, they beat back the gang and they had survived!
Sure some of the boys were sleeping off really bad injuries, and a couple others were pretty touch and go. But for now, they could celebrate surviving their first street brawl! The halflings were taking turns between celebrating and checking on the injured when they could as midwives came by with poultices that helped with pain and clotting.
They would see how much they stabilized by tomorrow before they risked taking them into town for the hospital. But for now they were in the care of halfling midwives.
Speaking of care, Clive thought as Kilpa, Hamish, and Addie stood near him and took turns between laughing, drinking, and yelling at him over how foolish, if brave and thoughtful, but still foolish, it was that he wanted to deal with the gang without getting the halflings involved.
"Such a foolish lad! We coulda 'elped you so yer friends weren't so hurt!" Hamish stated, again.
Clive had to be a bit choosy over his words if he didn't want to be offensive.
"I know, I just thought with our guns we would be able to take care of the gang before they got here and cause you any harm."
"Well, it's a good thin' those "guns" o' yers are so loud er we ne'er would 'ave known you'd gone off ta be a damn hero!" Hamish continued.
"Besides, you coulda just hid in tha fields er trees 'nd ambush 'em instead o' makin' a battle line." Kilpa suggested as she sipped her ale.
"Nonsense! Open battle on an open field were tha honorable thin' ta do! E'en ifin it were foolish ta do so by yerselves!" Addie argued.
"Well regardless of how foolish we were, we still managed to beat back that gang! With the timely, and welcome arrival of the halflings!" Clive called as he and a few other humans raised their mugs and the halflings cheered and laughed along with them.
"Say, who were those sorts anyhow?" Kilpa asked.
"Don't know, said they work for a Lord something or another. Mortal, Mertyl-"
"Lord Myrle?!" A fearful voice sounded from nearby. The group turned to look and saw the healthier looking face of one of the city dwelling halflings that had arrived to the colony not long ago.
"Yeah! Lord Myrle. At least that's what the gang leader called out to drive his men at us like wild dogs." Clive said.
"With good reason! He's a savage! A monster in elvish form!"
"Is there any other form?" Hamish said with a chuckle from some of the other local halflings.
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"I'm serious! He's a devil in disguise they say! Takes pleasure in inflictin' pain on folk tha' done bothered 'im!" He continued as he looked around the celebration like something was about to happen.
Kilpa snorted.
"Met plenty o' folks tha' do tha'. Dinnae mean they're a devil."
"Maybe he ain't no real devil! but he sure act's like one! 'Nd you said tha' were 'is gang you defeated?!"
Clive nodded and the urbanling started to shake fearfully.
"Oh dear, oh drear! We 'ave ta leave befer he get's 'ere!"
"Calm down lad! We beat 'em back once befer 'nd we can do it again! Especially against some dirty knife-ear! AIN'T THA' RIGHT LADS?!?!" Hamish called out to cheers around as they drowned out the cries of warning from the urbanling and his cohorts that were as fearful as he was.
While Clive didn't want to bring down the mood, he didn't want to dismiss the warning of the urbanling so quickly. If what he was saying was true, than the fight against this "Lord Myrle" wasn't done yet. Hopefully they didn't have to worry about him too soon. They gave his forces a bloody nose so they should be back licking their wounds for another day, and when that day comes they'll-
"ALARM!!! ATTACK!!!" A call sounded out as what sounded like cowbells rang in the air.
Clive and Kilpa perked up quickly compared to the slower, and pretty sloshed, halflings around them. Even the workers were slowed by hearty food and drink as they tried to get up and ready for a fight as well.
The colony turned towards where the sounds were coming from and saw several halflings running back towards the colony ringing cowbells as their livestock fled in all directions as a group of over fifty men chased after him. Cutting down any sheep or cow that got too near.
Woman and children cried out at the thought and sight of battle. Kilpa and Addie tried to round up as many as they could before driving them towards the lake, and hopefully the safety of Sloth and the tortles to protect them. Leaving Clive, Hamish, and the rest to muster up a force to meet the band of brigands, and the obviously elvish leader that marched towards them. Slashing his cruel blade across the back of one of the halflings that didn't quite make it to the safety of the colony.
Everything was being picked up as weapons. Pitchforks, shovel, eating utensils, ladles, pots and pans, and even dinner plates joined in with clubs and butcher knives. Some of the halflings retrieved their makeshift slings or were quickly making more before grabbing stones, eggs, or other small fruits and vegetables as they began to pelt the invading gang as they drew close.
Clive could see Fallmeadow as his sons turned him in the direction of the enemy before he waved them off. Some of the Big Families also stayed behind to fight as they drew dirks or knives as the rest of their family retreated with the woman and children.
The gang roared as they smashed into the collection of tents, kicking them down or breaking everything in sight and reach. The elf was little better as he cut down several sheep that had fled in the gang's direction out of fear. Clive could see the halflings scattered and spread out. Some were holding position around the hothouse while others took shelter in the feasting or bath tents. He even saw a few hide out in the outhouses!
"This won't do. They're all too scattered! Hamish! We need to concentrate people or they'll be picked off!" Clive said to Hamish as the gang got closer.
"Oh NOW you want ta join forces?!"
"HAMISH! LATER!"
"Fine! Gather 'round lads!" Hamish called out and attempted to rally as many of them that remained to them.
The human workers tried to fend off the gang so the halflings could cluster up more. Unfortunately they didn't have their guns on them, save for a few that had pistols on them at all times. But even that did little when joined with fear and booze.
Some of the halflings did join up with Hamish and Clive, some held the line with the humans as they held back some of the gang, but many still sought shelter in their own little hidey holes. Clive saw several gangers knocking and trying to batter down the hothouse door, others were shaking and tipping outhouses. Others were dragging out the halflings before they kicked and hit them as they laughed.
While Clive was concerned about them, he was more concerned about the elf that had a sadistic smile on his face, and the gang leader from before as they and a dozen others marched towards them. The gang leader pointed towards Clive.
"That's him!"
The elf sneered at Clive.
"So you're the one being a nuisance. Rest assured, you will not die like your worthless farm rats here. No, your death will come AFTER I make an example out of you!"
Clive, Hamish and the halflings that were clustered around yelled out as they charged the group. All the while various fights were breaking out around the colony. Despite calls to slaughter the halflings, it seemed the gang was more content to torture and maim than actually kill at the moment. Slingers rained down stones, fruits, and vegetables on gangers as best they could. Sometimes it did little more than annoy them. Other times it meant sparing a slash or bludgeoning from some poor halfling long enough for them to get away or even get the upper hand on their opponents.
Clive could see several gangers getting drove back or even killed by stones from slingers or just being thrown barehanded. Others were being run-through by pitchforks or battered with pots and pans. Shots went off from the humans as some fired their pistols or went to their trucks to retrieve their rifles.
It was pure chaos, Clive thought. But he didn't have time to think on it further as he now found himself the target of not one but two very angry criminals. Clive swung at the lithe elf with a metal serving fork. Who effortlessly danced out of the way as the halflings fought the gangers. Hamish was doing battle with the gang leader off and on, but it was clear that his target was Clive and not the halfling.
After Hamish had stabbed him in the leg with a butter knife though, that changed. He yelled and kicked Hamish away.
"Fucking peck!"
Hamish scrambled up and retrieved a pan and a carving knife and held them at the ready while his friends did the same all around him. Some would distract a ganger while another would hop on their back and stab them with forks or knives, some were just victims of accidents as they tripped on halflings they didn't notice were there or slipped on food before falling and cracking their heads or necks.
If only he were so lucky, Clive thought as he was getting winded as the elf smiled mockingly at him as he attempted to hit the sylvan man even as he mocked Clive.
"This is what gave my men so much trouble? How utterly pathetic are they that such a weak human could best them? I'll have to deal with their worthless failure after I get done carving up you and your friends."
With that the elf dashed towards Clive and raked his blade across his side before slashing it across his back. Clive cried in pain as he fell. The elf lazily sauntered around him.
"How pathetic. Here I thought for a bit more fight."
His head perked up and he barely moved his head to the side as two kitchen knives flew within inches of his head. He turned and looked at the offender and found Kilpa who was panting heavily from running from the shelter and back again.
"You leave 'im alone you fuckin' creature!"
The elf smiled cruelly.
"Oh? Are you his lover? Then that means I'll take you as my slave. And he can watch in torment for what I have in store for you!"
Kilpa snarled as she grabbed a couple of butcher knives and held them out and ready for combat.
-----
Tortle Enclave.
A group of thugs had seen where all the precious women and children had headed and had broken off from the main group and shadowed them to where they had taken shelter with the tortles. The leader, a recently promoted youngen, sneered at the tortles as the halfling women and children hid behind their shelled forms.
"'And 'em over turtle!"
"No." Kesle stated simple and without fear or concern. Which seemed to annoy the gangers as they brandished knives and clubs.
"Last chance turtle! 'And 'em over and MAYBE we won't turn you into stew!" The leader yelled out as his voice echoes across the lake.
"Oh, you shouldn't have done that! Now you face the wrath of the stone!" Kesle said with a teasing tone as she wiggled her fingers and began a low chant.
The ground began to shake and several gangers looked down with fear and concern.
"My old man said these turtles can control the elements! Maybe we shoul-"
"Tide take your old man! Nothin' but old sailor myths is all it is! Now hand 'em over reptile! We ain't afraid of you!"
The ancient tortle smiled as she continued to chant.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Aye! You don't scare us, aye lads?!" The leader called out to cheers of mixed enthusiasm as the ground shook more and more.
"Maybe not. But you should be scared." She said between chanting, making the gangers more and more nervous, and focused on her or the ground beneath them.
"Oh? Of what? You gonna shake the ground some more? Maybe make the wind rustle my hair?"
"No. But HE might have something planned!" Kesle said as she stopped chanting and gestured with her staff over their right shoulder.
"Ha! Like I'm gonna fall for-" The leader didn't get to finish as he fell forwards as a great rush of air and earth ruptured the space behind him.
He turned up fearfully and saw his men and large sections of earth being thrown towards the horizon or being smashed into the nearby trees as a fucking GIANT swatted them away with a massive hand! The tortle woman cackled all the while.
"So who are you afraid of more, boy? Me or him?"
The giant looked down at the ganger, who pissed himself in fear and terror, before scrambling up and trying to run away towards the forest. But stopped when a great gust of wind halted his escape and he found himself beaten back by the gale as he tried to keep his feet under him. But ended up losing his footing in a random spot of mud and he flew out towards the lake with a cry. He smacked into the water and barely got his head above it before the water itself seemed to drag him down into the depths of the lake with hardly a yelp.
Kesle snorted.
"Hooligans."
Sloth looked from where the gangers were to where the sounds of battle were towards the colony. Kesle hobbled up to him and patted his toe.
"You'd only do more harm than good over there, Child of Stone."
Sloth rumbled sadly before returning to his tree with one last look at the colony, and worry for his friend. Kesle watched him leave before returning to the halflings who stood scared and shocked within the enclave.
"Who want's to hear the tale of how I got stuck in a crevice for a decade?"
-----
Back at the halfling colony, the fighting was still ongoing, and it wasn't entirely going the halfling's way either. They were giving as good as they were getting. But they were small, disorganized, and some were sloshed to top it all off. But at least the gangers weren't faring much better as they were being pelted with food and stones or tripping over halflings or furniture and suffering pretty sad deaths to the halflings.
Hamish and a couple others were keeping the gang leader busy. But he had several bruises and a swollen eye as well as a few cuts and slashes across his arms and chest as did the couple others. The gang leader also had a few nicks and bruises here and there, but it was obvious that they were outmatched. Fallmeadow was swiping at gangers with a turkey leg as they laughed and kept out of reach as they would take turns scratching him with knives.
Clive on the other hand was barely able to stand with the mean slashes to his side and back. Leaving Kilpa to fend off the elf on her own. Which Clive was worried about, but apparently you don't lose years of practice and training just because you go through a breakdown. As seen from the several cuts and wounds the elf had suffered.
The elf snarled at Kilpa.
"I'll enjoy breaking you! Mind and body! I'll have my men defile you every way imaginable before I flay the flesh from your bones!"
Kilpa spat at him.
"You think tha's tha worst I've 'eard?! I've 'eard worse at brothels! Is tha' all you are? Some prettied up whore prancin' about like a lord?!"
The elf snarled and charged her with a roar. She made to duck under his overhead swing, but found a boot to her stomach for her trouble instead. He sneered down at her.
"You think a little goading is enough to best me?!"
He kicked her and she flew a few feet away and smashed into a table.
"Worthless fucking halflings! Barely make good slaves and hardly worth the effort it is to kill you!"
The elf made to walk towards her when he was stopped by Clive grabbing his foot.
"Leave her alone you prick!"
The elf sneered and kicked Clive in the wounded side before slamming a boot down on his bleeding back.
"Wretch! How dare you touch me!"
He continued to scream and yell at Clive as he smashed his boot down and down again onto his back.
"Worthless peasant! Do you know who I am?! I! AM! LORD! MYR-"
BAAA!!!
The "lord" was cut off as a very ornery ram slammed into his side with a crunch. The elf flew and tumbled several feet before rolling to a stop. He coughed up blood as he felt his side and looked down at his own blood.
"How?! You filthy anima-"
BAAA!!!!
The ram interrupted him with a slam into his face before proceeding to gore him with his horns. The elf lord cried and screamed and tried to slash at the ram as King George maimed and mangled the sylvan man as his horns ripped fine clothes and raked his pristine flesh and with a quick jerk, disemboweled him. The elf lord twitched and gurgled as he stared up at ram as the life faded from his eyes.
The gang leader looked in shock at the dead and mangled form of his boss. He was so distracted that he didn't see Hamish and the knife he had until it was plunged into his knee. He cried out in pain before battering aside the halflings and calling out, pulling the knife out as he ran.
"Retreat! Retreat!"
The rest of the gang that was left retreated with their leader. The men that were harassing Fallmeadow left so fast that they tipped him over, and onto one of their men that had been knocked out from a potato by the slingers. None of the gangers from the hothouse emerged to follow after, and the ones that followed after the halflings to the feasting tent and bathing tent weren't in much better condition as what were left were either soaked with water or ale, covered in bits of food, or bruised from being battered with pots and pans.
Kilpa picked herself up and limped over to Clive.
"Clive?! Clive are you alive?! Speak ta me?!"
Clive opened his eyes.
"No, I ain't alive. I'm deader than a doornail. If you'd like to leave a message please pre-"
Kilpa silenced him with a kiss on the mouth before hugging him.
"You jackass!"
Clive chuckled before wincing.
"In all seriousness, please don't hug me too tightly. Or touch me. Or really breath on me."
Hamish limped over as he held his arm and gestured to the mangled body of the elf.
"Wha' tha hells 'appened ta 'im?!"
"Lord Myrle met King George, that's what happened." Clive said as he gestured to the ornery ram that kicked and stamped on the body a little more before snorting and trotting away, content that the one that harmed his flock was dealt with.