Ch 3: Marmota AntroposLimestone, 252The designated chief medical doctor, Nish is enthused of his new summer job. The medical building construction is progressing well, but Nish began demanding that a proper clinic requires a functioning well.
Zas points out that the nearby stream nearby will be sufficient, but mayor Sakzul convinces the workers and dismantle a portion of the hospital in preparation for a dig site. Zas decides to supervise this project to ensure no “dark” or “mishap” happen.
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The outpost liaison Dumat Sigunes from Athserkol arrives with the caravan. Sakzul conducts the meeting at the wagon because she has no office yet. Liaison Dumat reports, “The world is the same as ever.”
Zas joins the meeting and requests for metal bars and anvils. After the meeting, Zas went to get a meal and let the merchants wait. Eventually, Zas traded the bins of wooden pikes and balls for tons of rocks, weapons, booze, food, leather and clothing.
Sandstone, 252Nine more migrants arrives to join the village which is great for the constructions.
The well is complete, and awaits to be filled with water using a brigade of water buckets.
The dry moat system project is in progress as well.
Moonstone, 252The engineers insists on stone pillar support for the construction of "3rd St." that lays north of District 2, and traversing in the east and west direction.
The squads in the military complex activated to full-time training, and removed from construction duties: The Watch Commander (swords), Jackwood Union (axe), Blunt Militia (war hammer), City Patrol (spears), City Watch (crossbows), and Special Forces (whips).
Opal, 252On the 4th day of Opal, Innu the were-marmot child comes.
Innu is running towards District 2 from the east and the squads are called to stations. The citizens alert is activated for all to report into Disctrict 2. The city walls are not complete, but the dry moat should hinder the intrusion of the were-marmot Innu.
Mayor Sakzul demanded to raise the South Bridge despite of only having the rank of a recruit! Zas pleads to wait for the stragglers, but it is too late to wait. Someone pulled the lever.
Soldier Olon is on the bridge when it abruptly raised shut. Olon is thrown in an arc towards 1st and Broadway, and skidded along the dirt.
Farmer Thob is still far away from the bridge and felt vengeful at the sight of Innu.
Olon while being flung up in the air, shoots a crossbow bolt and hit Innu in the guts. Innu jumps down the moat, and fails to grab onto the diorite block wall.
Oh, no. Farmer Thob says, “I cannot just stand by. I will take revenge!” and jumps down after Innu.
Innu mauls Thob with bites in the upper body, right upper leg, and left upper leg tearing through muscles and skin.
Witnesses heard Innu says, “I have improved my fighting. That was very satisfying!”
Innu continues to bite and begins to latch onto Thob’s head.
The South Bridge is pulled back down so the City Watch can station from the bridge and shoot below.
Soldier Olon, jumps down the moat and engages Innu while it is latched onto Thob.
The hatch and door access to the moat is opened and Cmdr. Melbil orders all squads to kill.
Innu begins tearing tendons in the skull of Thob.
Olon shoots a crossbow bolt point blank in Innu’s neck, tearing a tendon in the upper spine. Olon smiles and says, “I have improved my crossbow. That was very satisfying!”
Innu shakes Thob around the head to the point of tearing a tendon in the upper spine.
As Olon reloads the crossbow, Innu release its grip off the farmer and turns to Olon. Olon’s smile fades quick as Innu bites her starting from the left foot, then lower body, and up the head.
Olon is stunned, and stunned again! The force bends Olon’s neck, tearing apart skin.
Innu latches on Olon’s lower body and shakes her about tearing apart the lower spine’s nervous tissues!
In the mean time, rest of the squads have not even reached the hatch access to the moat.
Olon is dead. When the squads finally arrives, Farmer Thob is dead. There is nothing else to do that charge!
Mebzuth stabs Innu in the neck, fracturing the spine with a bronze short sword. Innu then bites Mebzuth in the lower body, tearing a tendon in the lower spine.
Innu then charges into Sakzul despite being bashed in the left hand with an iron war hammer.
Innu stands up and uses a sheep wool left glove and strikes Sakzul in the left hand with such force it bends the left wrist.
Soldier Ablel slashes with his iron short sword in the right upper arm, and the injured part is cloven asunder.
Innu looses hold of the gloves, and with no more weapon wielded, it bites Sakzul’s left and right hands, causing some bruises and skin tears.
Ablel slashes the left lower leg, severing sensory nerves, and the were-marmot child falls over.
Mebzuth also slashes at the left lower leg, but Innu bites and latches on Mebzuth’s lower body. He is shaken and another tendon tears in the lower spine.
Mebzuth is getting mauled with bites in the right lower arm and left hand.
Sakzul’s hammer bashes the left lower arm, Mebzurh slashes the lower body, and Captain Etur joins the fray with a bronze spear stab in the left lower leg.
Innu bites Mebzuth in the left hand and the wrist collapses, bronze sword dropping on the ground. Mebzuth visciously retaliates and bites Innu's right lower arm, then upper body, denting muscles. Mebzuth bites the were-marmoth child in the head, tearing muscles.
Innu’s blood lost is so vast that it stopped moving. The fight is over.
Sakzul and Etur went to get rest. Mebzuth remain laying on the ground, badly injured.
All the while, the civilians inside are listening to Vutok reciting poetry, “Vine and the Trails.”
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And with such tragedy, it can only be overcome with joy and happiness from the blessings of more babies born.
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Now there is great concern about those who were bitten and scratched by Innu. A quick solution is to remove existing walls and floors of an area in the hospital, and dig down to make "lighted" basement rooms, a Quarantine Room.
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Vutok, a woodcrafter has been possessed and claims a craft's shop, then gathers logs, cloth and an iron bar. She creates Uthirok, “Searedfinger”, a willow figurine of Geshud Plunmgedwork the Punches of Leaping.
Obsidian, 252Mebzuth, Sakzul and Etur are assigned to Quarantine Squad and stationed to train in the Quarantine room below the hospital.
On the 2nd day of Obsidian, the full moon rises with Mebzuth, Sakzul and Etur transforming into were-marmots! Unfortunately, the stray cat was locked inside there and was beheaded.
This unfortunate scenario compels The City of Air to appoint Vutok as interim mayor, since Sakzul is infected.
Mayor Vutok prohibits bucklers from export, and demands the Quarantine Rooms be expanded.
When the moon sets on the 4th day, Mebzuth is attacked by Etur. Mebzuth defends himself, and Sakzul starts fighting Etur. Mebzuth kills Etur. Sakzul starts to lead a demonstration in Combat Training.
But Mebzuth had something else in mind like attacking Sakzul. The two continue to fight in the Quarantine Barracks until Sakzul kills Mebzuth.
Well, that defeats the purpose of expanding the hospital, to give the Quarantine Squad more room. Unfortunately, a mishap collapse in the construction leaving six workers unconscious.
The rest of the year stays relatively calm. The end.
☼
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