Alexander raised his hand bringing the column to a halt as two of his scouts escorted a strange looking delegation, it consisted of three orks and one human. Two, including the human wore robes, one wore heavy armor and the last was carrying a standard that included a putrid severed head. Beside him Alexander heard Nadia curse.
The steel bound ork stepped forward and proclaimed, “Begone foul ones, we the legion of our Lord Feroxibus order you to leave our fair lands.”
Alexander was startled when Nadia growled, a very unhuman deep rumbling savage sounding growl. He looked sideways at her and asked, “why so angry.”
“Feroxibus was that asshole of a god who invaded Mother Russia.”
Alexander could feel his face stiffen, “Feroxibus can kiss our asses, get out of our way or die.”
“Feroxibus died on Midgard and his soul whatever putrid scraps that exist belong to Hel and you’re not getting it back!” mocked Nadia.
“We will meet you in the clearing ahead, if you run we will chase you down.” Stated a highly offended orc, before turning and marching rapidly off accompanied by the other members of the delegation.
“So should we ignore them?” asked Alexander.
“Unfortunately we shouldn’t, if we do or loose to those clowns there is a remote chance that Feroxibus could be revived. And if he is guess what will happen next.”
“Those idiots will insult Mother Russia again,” guessed Alexander.
“Yes,” confirmed Nadia.
Garostein watched the confrontation with horror, those damned high elves had killed them all. The fanatics would allow no witnesses of the insults to their dead god.
Garostein watched bemused as the officer in command of these troops sent four elves off to each flank before dismounting and moving forward in a loose skirmish order while the priestess blessed them in the name of her god. He could see the blessing settle on the elves, it would seem her god didn’t like Feroxibus.
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At the edge of the clearing he saw the host that opposed them, mostly elite heavy infantry with a good number of heavily armored knights, the priests were in the front ranks. There were thousands of them!
Alexander and his troops saw it with different eyes as they set up their DShKs and mortars. “Only a handful of archers, no artillery and only a few mages. How dangerous are the priests?”
“With their god dead they have no magic so their only use is for moral; glorified banners. I can hold off the mages for a short time and possibly distract them, use the mortars please.” Stated Nadia as she summoned her plague of biting flies and set them on the opposing mages.
“This’ll be a slaughter!” exclaimed Alexander.
“Yes, An offering for you father Loki, may their souls enrich you and mother Sigyn,” prayed the High Priestess of these two gods of old.
“The flanking parties are in place, Fire!” ordered Major Alexander Manukov. “God I love these storage devices.”
The mortars opened fire first as per the plan and the HMGs joined in after the mortars second volley. In the clearing the tightly packed mass was being cut down in droves as the distracted mages were blown apart. Then the flanking parties joined in with their PShKs.
The legion of Feroxibus tried, they charged fanatically and many came into the range of the troops AK-74s. That however was as far as they got.
Garostein, Patsy and their comrades were shocked and appalled at the brutal slaughter of elite warriors. Not one had reached the high elves who afterwards simply mounted up and resumed their normal marching order and continued on their way not even pausing to loot their fallen enemies.
* * *
Antonio sensed someone familiar arrive via the US portal, he checked and noted she was just heading towards the portal to the lobby of his hotel. After checking to see if his office was empty he manifested his avatar there and headed to the lobby.
“Teresa! How are you dear, it’s been too long,” Antonio said as he approached his youngest that had moved to the States to be with her husband.
Teresa laughingly embraced her father, “You’re doing well dad, and you’re looking good too!”
“All the better now you’re here.” Then he noticed the crowd that had accompanied his daughter. “Well Teresa are you going to introduce me to your friends?”
“This is Manny my husband and these are Manfred and Carol your grandchildren the others are friends of Manny.”
“Well father,” teased Manny, “This is Ryan, his wife Ellen and some of their friends from the SCA Barony of Carolingia. They are planning to try that dungeon that has been in the news recently.”
Antonio grinned and embraced Manny, “My son! Welcome to my home.”
Carol sniggered at her father’s expression.