OEPT11: Separate Ways

[greentongue]

Kumahl watched as Huruyan disappeared into the entrance of the stone mound while in the far distance he heard the startling of wild life.

Soon neither would know the fate of the other until they, hopefully, survived to meet again.

Above and Below will have their own threads until rejoined.

[greentongue]

Those above heard a disturbance briefly coming from the entrance tunnel and then quiet again.

Later Kumahl heard Lord Seer's voice echoing up the stairs.
"کودکان از Ksarul ما آمده ایم تا شما را از کسانی که شما برای غذا شکار را نجات دهد. برای این مزیت ما نیاز به ارائه برای نشان دادن قدردانی خود را."
[Private to Kumahl: Children from Ksarul we come to save you from those that hunt you for food. We need you to show your appreciation to provide this advantage."]

[greentongue]

Any near the entrance tunnel could hear indistinct yelling from above.

[greentongue]

Huruyan
From the ruins entrance Huruyan calls out, "Lord Captain, I bring reinforcements from below. Where do you need us?"
After looking around he adds, "And, where is Kumahl?"

Lord Captain Kureshu
"Hunter Huruyan, array yourselves there by the brush."
"Don't let them get behind us."

---
The half dozen Hlyss charged towards the obstacle and didn't look at all like they would slow down for it.

It was a hideous sight and sound to behold.
The glittering of their inhuman eyes and the scritch and skitter noise they made as they moved through the sparse brush and weeds.

All the servants were cowering and the sound of their prayers mixed with the sound of the soldiers already engaged.

The clack of chlen hide blades against chitin indicated that blows were falling.
Even bolstered by the presence of the Lord Captain though, they were giving back from the thick ones in front of them.

[greentongue]

Kumahl
From atop of the ruins, Kumahl shouts "North side of the ruin, brother."

Huruyan
Huruyan is confused, being given conflicting instructions. However he had asked the Lord Captain where he was needed and presumably the Captain was more familiar with group actions so Huruyan moved slightly to his left to guard against flanking. Still, Huruyan trusted Kumahl and therefore kept glancing to his right/north.

Kumahl
Kumahl shouted down, "Our friend the 'Hidden One' is up here on top of the ruins with me."

With that Kumahl unhooks one of his bolas and makes an attempt to tangle the legs of the 'Hidden One'. Throwing the bolas to the north end of the ruin top.

Huruyan
"You mean that invisible bastard? If so you be careful!"

Kumahl
"Just the two of us up here."

Hearing the screams of panic and the dying, Kumahl says "You be careful yourself."

Huruyan
Hearing screams etc. Huruyan concentrates on the battle.

---
In a rush the Hylss sped over the obstacle while barely slowing and three engaged the freshly arrived guards before they could get properly arrayed.

As Huruyan had held back a little trying to determine what Kumahl was shouting about, the ones behind flowed around to engage him and the other closest guards.

In a whirlwind of duel swinging blades the Hlyss chopped through the defenses of two of the guards.

A soldier with Lord Captain Kureshu was felled by the press of the heavy Hlyss.

[greentongue]

The large hideous bug in his face rained a fury of strikes on Huruyan until a blow slipped through his guard.
The pain shot through his side.

He was not the only one to feel the bite of a Hlyss blade.
Guardsman Lazhato took a savage blow and staggered back bleeding profusely.
The previously wounded Blazoned Cresent soldier was chopped down before them in a whirl of strikes.

The remaining Blazoned Cresent soldiers edged forward nervously, weapons ready to engage.

[greentongue]

The soldiers with Lord Captain Kureshu were struggling to hold back the thicker Hlyss.
The Hlyss's axe like hands were a blur of chops as they pounded into the shields of their opponents.
Dual wielded axe hands were taking their toll on the soldier's shields and armor.

While some of the sword blows of the soldiers are damaging, the revulsion of being so close to a huge bug was making it hard to press any advantage.

The defensive line was slowly falling back closer to where Huruyan was fighting his own battle.

[greentongue]

Kumahl
Shouting loud enough for many to hear, "Fear not. They crush like the bugs we found growing up. Stomp them. Kick Them. Swat them. Smash them."

Flames dance across the ruin where Kumahl has stood to inspire the fighting men.

---
Huruyan's stabbing with his spear caused the Hlyss in front of him to dance around, breaking rhythm with the other attacking sword Hlyss.
This altered rhythm seemed to effect all of them as only one was able to land solid blows against the defenders.

Beside Huruyan, Guardsman Chamang staggered beneath the rain of blows.
The first that penetrated his guard bound the blade enough to throw the Hlyss off balance.
The following wound was minor in comparison.

Guardsman Chamang almost landed a solid blow while the Hlyss blade was stuck in his side but, the angle was off.
Maybe inspired by Kumahl's shout, Guardswoman Ninue jabbed the side of the Hlyss in front of her.
The other soldiers stood firm behind their shields and tried to hold the Hlyss back with their spears.

The soldiers with Lord Captain Kureshu continued to slowly be pushed back even with him maintaining their morale.
They were using their shields more than their swords and the wounds they gave were fewer than they got.

[greentongue]

The Hlyss attacking Huruyan and Chamang each slipped a blow through to draw blood.
Guardsman Chamang was barely standing after this latest wound.

The soldiers around Huruyan were ineffective in their counter attacks and some glanced over their shoulders to see what the disturbance at the tent behind them was.

Kumahl was there urging the porters to fall back into the ruins entrance.

Kumahl
After securing the porters and non-combatants in the ruin entrance, Kumahl scans the field for any potentially felled Hlyss.

[greentongue]

Another solid blow cleaved into Huruyan while Chamang managed to deflect off the flurry of blows swishing the air around him.
Guardsman Lazhato staggered back from another blow. He was barely able to remain standing as the Hlyss pressed its attack.

Maybe it was due to the retreat of the porters but the Guardsmen's attack was not aggressive enough to hold back the Hylss and they lost more ground.
A few more steps and they would be pressed back beyond the edge of the pavilion.

As the soldiers with Lord Captain Kureshu were pressed back to where Huruyan and his companions were defending the flank, two of the heavy Hlyss fell to the defenders.
Unfortunately, one of the soldiers fell as well.
That left six heavy Hlyss against the nine soldiers and the Lord Captain.
Some of the soldiers were clearly wounded more than once.

Behind the fighting Hlyss, at the edge of the clearing, were other different Hlyss observing the battle.

[greentongue]

Kumahl
"Huruyan is the inside defendable?"

Kumahl makes a dash for the pavilion and begins yanking the tethers, poles and stake out.

Huruyan
"It is, however we would need to be aware of the Qol further inside."

Lord Seer Epengar
"Craftsman Kumahl, I will stay here at the entrance with the porters."
"I have my Shield of Defense spell at the tip of my tongue it we need it."

[greentongue]

Kumahl
After stripping the tents down Kumahl find the porters baskets and secures anything with lamp oil in it. He smashes containers into the pavilion fabric to saturate it. He then tries and locates his torch that he brought from the ruin's top.

---
The sword Hlyss by the pavilion didn't seem to pay attention to what Kumahl was doing.
Guardsman Lazhato was closest to the pavilion and using it to keep the Hlyss in front of him from flanking.
Though on the last of his strength, Guardsman Lazhato was able to help hold back a Hylss as it danced around between him and a Blazoned Cresent soldier.

Kumahl
Dragging the burning mass behind him, Kumahl tries to light everything he can near the Hlyss fighting his clansmen and the Blazoned Crescent soldiers. As he does this he will be trying to toss the staked ropes around legs and arms of any Hlyss he can get close to. A couple of tensts should snare the engaged Hlyss.

Huruyan
Huruyan realizing Kumahl's intentions yells,"Retreat into the ruins." He then starts retreating into the doorway behind him.

[greentongue]

The Hlyss attacking Hururayn and the soldiers with him are disrupted as the ones dodging the flames being spread by Kumahl danced around each other.

Those trying to maintain contact with the retreating guardsmen pressed their attack.

Beside Huruyan, Guardsman Chamang was chopped down as double blows make meaty thunks.
Everyone else was able to fall back into the ruins leaving Lord Captain Kureshu's men with Hlyss between them and the entrance.

So far, the fire had warded the Hylss away from Kumahl.

Lord Captain Kureshu and his men made good account of themselves.
They were able to gang up on a couple of the heavy Hlyss, drop done and gravely would another.

That left five heavy Hlyss in front but now the six sword Hlyss were behind them.

[greentongue]

Kumahl
Looping back towards the Blazing Crescent warriors, Kumahl begins charging their direction, between the soldiers and the Hlyss, dragging the burning morass behind him.

"Run now. Gather fuel for the flames. The pyre will burn high and bright"

---
With several exclamations of "Praise Vimuhla!" the soldiers with Lord Captain Kureshu take out the most wounded heavy Hlyss and fight harder with the flames guarding their flank and rear.
The flames also cut off their retreat.

Lord Captain's men now greatly out number the heavy Hlyss and the Hlyss start to fall back slowly.

The sword Hlyss are disrupted by this turn of events and act disorganized at first.

A couple of sword Hlyss took swings at Kumahl as opportunity allowed but, the flames gave just enough distraction for the blows that would have landed to be ineffective.

The sword Hlyss began to flow around the flames in a move to join their heavy comrades.

[greentongue]

Huruyan
"Those of you who are not to badly injured follow me," Huruyan then advanced to attack the sword Hylss from the rear.

---
Lord Captain Kureshu rallied his men to join him in gang attacking the Hlyss in front of him.
With the concentrated attacks they were able to take down another axe Hlyss!

Unfortunately the Hlyss didn't go down without a fight.
It took Lord Captain Kureshu with it and and its fellows took down another Blazoned Cresent soldier.

At the other end of the battle line the Blazoned Cresent soldiers chipped away at the Hylss before them.
They were then attacked from the rear by sword Hlyss.

Two more Blazoned Cresent soldiers took their last blows and fell skewered by Hlyss swords from behind.

Using the protection of the flames Kumahl was trailing, Huruyan and his guardsmen rushed to get behind the sword Hlyss who had surrounded the Blazoned Cresent soldiers.

[greentongue]

Huruyan
Cast control self, to control bleeding and attempt to increase strength and stamina to continue fighting.
Intending to attack sword Hylss from rear with spear.

---
Maybe responding to Kumahl's "Run Now" or being without the Lord Captain's leadership, the four Blazoned Crescent soldiers that could, fell back behind Kumahl.

They grabbed whatever they could get nearby and threw it into the flaming morass.
These new items of fuel caused a cloud of smoke to roll towards the remaining Hlyss making visibility difficult.

Kumahl
Hearing the crackle of fuel on the flames and smelling the smoke in the air, Kumahl shouts to the men behind him, "Courage Men and Stay Close!"

Kumahl, as he circles the Hlyss again, is looking for ways to fuel the fires and cause more distractions.

[greentongue]

Huruyan
Huruyan backs away from the Hylss and attempts to find burning items that can be picked up and thrown at the Hylss.
If he finds anything he starts throwing them.

---
Huruyan noticed a line of brush beside him that looks like it had been thrown together not too long ago.
Some of the broken off branches even had oil on them.
They light easily and make good flaming missiles as he threw them.

The Hlyss do not act like they want to stand or rush into the burning spots created.

[greentongue]

Huruyan
"Men, come help me throw more of this brush at them." Suiting action to words, Huruyan continues throwing brush, trying to have it land just in front of or between the Hylss.

Kumahl
Kumahl makes his way north to the a tree, some scrub, and some brush. Taking the burning tent he entangles it into the potential fire source and does what he can to fan the flames, while keeping an eye on the Hlyss. Once the fire has taken hold, Kumahl will use the cover of the flames and smoke to move back towards Huruyan and the remaining warriors.

---
Kumahl drug the edge of the disintegrating tent into the nearest clump of tree and brush.
With the help of the remaining Lord Captain's men, the fire spread and smoke billowed across the clearing.

The smoke was thick enough to mask both the men and the Hylss from each other.

On the other side of the fire Huruyan and his followers continued to spread flames and smoke towards the Hlyss.

[greentongue]

Huruyan
"Kumahl, men, we need to retreat to the ruins while the Hylss can't see." Huruyan starts to retreat under cover of the smoke.

Kumahl
"In them or behind them?"

Kumahl signals to those near him to drag debris and such to barricade the entrance.

Huruyan
"Inside"

Kumahl
Directing and dragging as much as he can Kumahl joins Huruyan as the last two to enter the ruins.

Huruyan
"Whew, that was close. How are you doing, Kumahl?" Huruyan then gives his clan brother a big hug. "That was good thinking Kumahl!"

[greentongue]

Kumahl
"I survived my encounter with the Invisible One, but only because I threw my bolos." Pointing to the empty spot on his belt. "One tangled on his leg and allowed me to follow him. It ran after I lit the dried grasses and stuff on top of the ruin."

Pausing to gather his breath, Kumahl says, "We have alot more Hlyss out there than what we were engaged with. Were you able to find anything down here?"

Lord Seer Epengar
"Where is the Lord Captain and the rest of the men?"
"Shouldn't we be helping them?"
"Will they be able to get through the wall of fire?"

---
The servants and porters crowded in the entrance are nervously eyeing the wounded warriors and the darkness below.

The ones that had followed Huruyan down before still have their lanterns but had put them out.
The others ask about the supplies that had been left in the tent and pavilion.

[greentongue]

Huruyan
"Supplies!,Kumahl, you ran around the whole place out there, did you see any of our supplies that we might be able to grab quickly?"

---
In the clearing, the tent to the right of the entrance seems untouched.
On the left the partially burnt remains of supplies are spread in a swath.

Beyond the flames and in the smoke nothing is clear.

[greentongue]

Huruyan
"Quickly, you three come with me to retrieve whatever we can from the tent to the right."
Huruyan has picked the three least wounded fighters he can see, then leads them out and toward the tent to the right.

---
The volunteered soldiers turn the the nearby servants, "You servants, follow us and pick up whatever food and equipment you can."

With that everyone rushed out behind Huruyan.

The soldiers had to keep reminding the servants to grab supplies and not just watch the smoke for attackers.

It looked like just enough food supplies for a few days were able to be recovered.
Huruyan noticed a couple of servants picking up valuables instead of survival staples.

Huruyan noticed the back of the tent had been sliced open and some of the supply baskets knocked over.

[greentongue]

Huruyan
"Just collect food, that is what we need."
Huruyan then takes a look out through the back of the tent that had been sliced open.

---
The fires were beginning to die down a little when all the servants returned to the entrance with their hands full of supplies.

The entrance was very crowded and hard to move without bumping into something or someone.

There was nothing unusual that Huruyan could see behind the tent.

[greentongue]

Lord Seer Epengar
"What about the Lord Captain?"

"Where is he?"

"Why are you not helping him fight the Hylss?"

"What are we all doing here?"

Kumahl
"The Lord Captain has fallen." Pointing to a space before the burning ground and brush, Kumahl gestured, "He died defending and fought valiantly. It took several Hlyss to bring him down."

Stepping aside for the servants, "Huruyan, are there rooms down here we can defend or secure?"

Heading back up, Kumahl surveyed the lull. Grabbing large windfall to drag in front of the entry way, "Huruyan, any oil we can spare?"

Huruyan
"I'm not sure what we have, we need to look. There is plenty of room below, however the Qol are still down there unless there is another way out. If we go down again everyone has to be careful not to step on the marked stair or they collapse into a ramp and you wind up sliding to the bottom."

[greentongue]

Lord Seer Epengar
"The Qol will listen to me," Lord Seer says with assertion.
"We don't need to worry about them unless we have to force them to defend themselves."

"Wasn't there an opening to the left without Qol?"
"Not sure how far it goes but it may lead to another exit."

Huruyan
"Yes, there may be other exits, we just don't know because we didn't get that far in our investigations. Lord Seer, can you block this entrance for long enough for us to find out about other exits and where the Qol may or may not be?"

[greentongue]

Lord Seer Epengar
"I can block the entrance for a short time."
Long enough to verify if the Qol are still on the other side but, certainly not long enough for exploring."

Huruyan
"Well, Kumahl it looks like we will have to finish with the Hylss. Do you have any ideas that you think will make it easier and or more likely for our survival?"

Kumahl
"Trap them at the bottom of the ramp. One or two at a time works better than five or more. Secure the porters in a room further down."

"Ball and chain works best. Spears and swords. Get them on their backs and we can gain the advantage."

[greentongue]

Huruyan
"Yes, that sounds good, we go down and when they try to follow the ramp trap sends them down on their backs and we have an advantage!" Then quietly to Kumahl,"the only problem I foresee is with them having 4 legs they might not fall, but it is certainly worth a try."

Kumalh
"Maybe string a rope and anchor it about three feet up the stair/ramp. Close lining the Hlyss should almost guarantee they end up on their backs. Post men on either side of the hallway. North side closer to the ramp by two feet and staggered by three feet apart. Use those balls and chains and smash hard and fast."

Huruyan
"I like that idea however I don't think it will be possible, here's why." At this point Huruyan draws a sketch of what was discovered before the battle with the Hylss. "As you can see there isn't any place to attach the rope. Lord Seer, could you please make sure that the entrance is defended while Kumahl and I discuss strategy."

Kumahl
"Then space the men from the end of the ramp further apart, so they can swing down at the Hlyss as they slide down, thereby guaranteeing that they are indeed on their backs. Should be able to get four men on the Hlyss. Have them strike for arms and legs. Remind them that Lord Captain fell giving us a chance to defend, fight, and overcome."

[greentongue]

Lord Seer Epengar
"I have my spell at the ready in case any enemies approach."

Said while nervously glancing around and standing behind a servant.

---
Outside the fire has diminished into separate clumps and the smoke has become streamers.

[greentongue]

The contents of the Above and Below threads were updated.