12th Hematite
Zoden's squad was weary as they trudged back towards the road. Their patrol had taken them along the Northern border until they reached the Flaming Wall where they continued along the Western border until they reached the slopes that would take them back to the road.
As they reached the top of the slopes a strange sound that seemed like a combination of a whinny and a growl rose up from the direction of the road. Thinking that the caravan from the capital must have arrived early the newer recruits broke ranks and fell over each other to get down and see what had been brought this time.
Cursing the young Dwarves and already devising a punishment they wouldn't soon forget Zoden signalled the remainder of his squad to follow him down.
The Warrior froze as he reached the bottom of the slope and saw his soldiers gazing in fear at the real source of the sounds.
Over a dozen Goblins had appeared on the road, mounted on strange and terrifying beasts. They had the shape of a horse but that was it for resemblance. Their skin was black and hairless and tendrils of smoke rose from their pointed snouts. Their mouths bristled with gleaming white fangs and their muscular legs ended in sharp claws rather then hooves.
Seeing Zoden's group emerge into view sent a wave of excitement through the Goblin ranks as they wheeled their mounts around and kicked them into a charge.
With their squad leader still frozen in fear the Warriors were in complete disarray. Finally the Hammerdwarf Birut Polishedbuckle drew her weapon and charged the thundering beasts. Swinging the polished steel weapon Birut knocked the lead rider from his mount, dead before he hit the ground and brought down the horse-like creature with a crushing blow to the skull.
Seeing that despite their fearsome appearance the Goblin's mounts could be killed goaded the others into action and soon bolts were flying as the squad's Marksmen filled the air with bolts of glittering iron.
One of the beasts leapt on one of the Sworddwarves, knocking his weapon away as it sank it's fangs into his arm. Screaming as the monster bit through steel and flesh he tore himself free, his good arm reaching for his belt. Finding what he sought he drew a short dagger and with a furious roar slammed the blade into his attacker's face.
Letting loose another of the strange whinny-growls the beast reared, and fell to the side, trapping it's rider and leaving the unfortunate Goblin at the injured Dwarf's mercy.
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Finally, the attackers had been beaten. Birut herself had brought down three of the beasts and bolts had proved effective as well. They had not escaped unscathed though. At least half the squad was injured in one way or another, either from the Goblin's weapons or their mounts.
Before they could rest though a cloud of smoke was noticed rising from the Temple. Knowing that this was unusual Birut took four of the least injured and headed out to investigate.
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Emerging through the felsite archway into the open air courtyard of the Temple of Armok the first thing the Dwarves noticed was the dead Goblin smoking beside the altar. Apparently the God of Blood was not pleased by the invasion of his Temple.
Moving carefully saved the group as Goblins leapt down from the walls and out of shadows. Several fell wounded to bolts from the pair of Marksmen while Birut and the other two members of the group traded blows with the enemy, the Hammerdwarf finishing each opponent with a sweep of her bloodied hammer, sending the defeated enemy soaring through the air to splash into the lava as an offering to the God.
Seeing his compatriots subdued or melted the final trio of invaders turned to run, quickly loosing their exhausted pursuers.
Slowing to a stop in the darkness below the wall the Goblins whispered quietly among themselves about how to escape. They were not careful enough though and the last thing the trio of invaders saw was a gleaming golden blur...
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Birut had left the Marksmen to protect the archway and prevent any escapes while she went Goblin Hunting. By the time she found them though they were dead, heads sliced cleanly from their shoulders.
Slightly disappointed she headed back toward the arch, leaving the Goblin bodies laying in the shadows of the wall...
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Quite an entertaining fight...Or at least the whole Goblins being launched into magma part was entertaining anyway
I believe Birut may have a serious future in Flamebanner. She killed 9 Goblins between the 2 groups and earned herself a nice sounding title: Birut Polishedbuckle the True Ice.
Plus, you've now seen a new member of the enemy forces. Since they aren't actually in-game though they don't count towards the kills. Just a new addition to keep things interesting, like the Stingtails...
