Post by ThurnockScormus on Aug 14, 2005 18:52:19 GMT -5
THE FOLLY UNDER ATTACK // With Renn in command and Venor playing his second the galley would not be taken as easily as one had predicted. Had they used the weapon of fire during their first encounter with the net and canoes, the Beast would have had a chance to prepare his own defense against their secret weapon. Such was not the case. The first clay pot was shot and came up just short, but with multiple catapults aboard they didn't even have to wait for the first to be reloaded before a second was fired. Coordinates were called back and forth, ajusted by a marksman who worked to ajust as the ship slimmed, coming at them from a unparallel position. The second clay pot hit at the bow of the ship, just off center, and shattered, though not breaking through the wood. When the pot broke it spread the tharlarion oil and it's flame upwards, unchallenged by the water and determined to torch whatever was in it's path. Amanita, though she should have perhaps acted more fragile, failed to run to cover. She was no longer in the white robes that marked her as a merchant or catagorized her as a woman of the cities. The green sari that TaSheera had lent her helped conceal her from any who might be looking for a woman onboard, though Krakatoa himself might be able to indentify her at a closer distance as they had once looked each other in the eye. With the barge not slowing in it's approach the merchant would soon have her choice to stay on deck taken from her as one of the house guards grabbed her by the arm and ordered her below deck while they were under fire.
VILLAGE OF ULLALI // Arculeius found himself about to insist on the same thing, but the woman now in their custody was already running for cover. There was no reason to suspect that she was anything more than what she appeared, a misplaced white woman that had for whatever reason found herself among tribesmen and amazingly not found the collar that would typically go along with that. That fact in itself immediately raised his eyebrow, but the fact that an alarm had gone off and their plans to make this a quick trip to gather supplies had been now foiled by true outsiders, those not even of the human breed, caused Arculeius to lower his brow and reach for his steel instead. The halfblooded tribesmen could stand there and try to convince the chief that the screams and attack on his scouts was of another, but he wouldn't have to spend much breath on this debate before the Kurri were upon them, thrusting Hacara from his seat and into Arculeius. This might of bowled over a larger, less agile man, but a well trained Asakri could deflect the Mfalme, without chopping into him and instead sending one of his twin scimitars into the leg of an attacking beast with a loud grunt, before quickly rolling low and behind the giant to keep out of his long arm reach.
[[VILLAGE OF ULLALI]] The survivors of Silenti during this voyage had learned much about fighting aboard a vessel from Renn, Mateo and Thurnock..Brinlar offering an occasional suggestion or two. They had become more confident from the training, but no amount of training could prepare them for these unknown beasts that viciously attack unexpectedly on solid ground. Brin and his men also are taken aback, but for only a brief ihn, before they go on the offensive, strange beasts or no..they now at least have something tangible to FIGHT, be it beasts or men. No unexpected netting appearing from the murky waters of the Nyoka to ensnare them..no more incessant pounding of unseen enemy drums...things that actually BLEED. The leather of the snake whip, supple from the oiled care it's owner gave it, cracks loudly as the Sleen of Cos, a war cry bellowing from his mouth as he lithely leaps up over the strike of the largest Kur,expertly delivered the braided tip faster than the eye can follow, connecting viciously with the right eye of the next closest Kur, the impact against the heavy lidded eye exploding the blood vessels inward, effectively blinding the beast for good in that yellowish orb. Slashing down with his blade at side of the vile smelling beasts head that 1st attacked him while Thurnock and Mateo hack at the both beasts,Thurnock engaging the now one-eyed Kur, Mateo assisting his Captain, hacking with smooth precision at the left clawed paw of Mwbiri. Thurnock steps to ward Arculeous side, assailing the 2nd beast with powerful strokes of his longsword, bellowing at the dark -skinned men of Silenti to kil the beasts.
[[THE FOLLY]] Renn grins in his direction and simply allows Venor to take command of the catapult, too many giving orders never a good thing. Turning and heading back astern, he ascends the sterncastle to gain a clearer vantage point, better to call to the deck the distance and the hits delivered to the enemy barge. Ducking as flame arrows descend, he calls behind him " Just short! one more turn should do it!" Looking to the men on deck not assisting Venor " Wet boskhair blankets! Shield the catapults! Raise them over your heads!" A quick glance as the 2nd catapult is launched, he sees it strike the bow and calls back to Venor accompanied by a nod of confidence as the 1st catapult is readied again quickly. "Good hit! Fire your next 2 degrees to port!"
::the huge carpenter towering above most other men there aptly ducked below and jumped back out of the way of the flailing razor sharp claws of the kur, as it twisted and turned trying to use it's sense of smell Thurnock saw an opening and lunged under his arm towards his chest with his long sword driving it into his gut, with his powerful arms and a loud growl he ripped upwards, the tip of the sword driving up under it's ribcage and finding the beating heart, he stepped back just as Arculieous moved off to the side using his own sword to aim for the beasts other yellow orb, not even giving the beast time enough to stagger and fall the assaults kept comming, neat clean percision cuts meant not to mame but to kill and quickly even though the beast were easily four times the size of Thurnock, as the one they were taking down finally faultered and fell he joined Arculeus in moving to the next one, not taking the time to care who was bleeding, or how much, the answering assaults seemed as tireless as the attacks. being able to see the enemy was in its own way an affordance of a blessing not knowing what was happening on the folly kept them focused on the one goal ahead of them survival and returning with the supplies to their ship as he spun about he caught glimpse of the Captain and Mateo, with one Kur down and out of the way, it left the other two to take care of, he knew his work on the one was a bit quick and yet time seemed not to matter pays to be his size ... the blows from his sword to the next one would not come so quickly.. this one seemed a bit larger than the last one and would take much more doing to bring down the noise around him drowned out as he moved in to the next one he found himself flying forward a growl from the searing pain that shot down his left shoulder almost causing him to loose grip of his weapon Mateo catching sight of Thrunock falling and then rolling to his feet switching hands came from the right as both arms swung back Mateo struck out for the Kurs paw::
Something...wasn't right, at that moment. And he felt it, deep within his mind as, curiously, ballads began to play in his head of long-dead warriors....which truly had him on edge. And curiously, thoughts came to mind...Strange, how inspiration came to a man. Turning to eye Renn up on the deck-castle, he worked his jaw a mere ihn before he yelled out, leaving the men a moment to adjust the catapault. "Sir! The oil floats! We're aiming for the ship." And, to make his point, he reached to point over the railing, ducking a damned-near lucky arrow with a grimace. "They can't sail over fire!" And he turned, barking to his own duo of catapaulteers. "Don't light the oil, and drop to...two and a half cranks. I want those breaking on the belly of that ship!" And he dipped the arrowhead he had in-hand into the oil, before he looked to the other archers. "Oil the arrows! Wait for the shot, and volley at the bow!" Turning then, he cut his arm down in a swipe at the catapaulteers. "Fire!" And...over the side, went the un-lit clay pots, now not aimed at-all for the deck, but for the prow just over the waterline, some hitting a bit low and skipping the water, but that was fine. "Renn, aim high for the sails, eh?" He suggested, while the archers dipped their arrows, looking a hair confused. But as he lit the tip of his bolt, he thumbed the torch-bearer back along the line, before he pulled the fletching to his ear with a squint along the shaft. "Volley, fire! Burn that girl down." And he sent off his shot, with the whistling of the others over his shoulder, his own hitting a might low...but it lit those floating oils almost under the ship herself. Let's hope I'm not crazy...
a shadow amid the undergrowth, a wraith moving seemingly in tandem with the very chaos she seemingly fled, she saw the men with Brinlar busy with the Kurii, she lifted dark eyes to the horizon, lit with a most unnatural glow, a turn of head and a series of hand gestures to Rusalka who, with a scowl of disapproval and obvious distrust in leaving Sakina, did as commanded, the scout knowing the sari clad huntress could take care of herself and was, despite appearances, quite equipped to do so, took off through the underbrush, heading for the land between the village and river and the three other Taluna who lay in wait, not unlike the predators they often hunted for meat and pelts, Rusalka charged with making sure they stayed their hand, she knew her band and knew that some were younger, and that the temptation to add fire from the rear against The Folly would only endanger Sakina's mission and frankly, that was the sole goal she kept in mind at this stage, survival, and success, there were no other options to her mind, moving low and agile against the cover of huts, she made her way to Hacara, injured but not mortally so, and dragged him into the shelter of his hut, he was her voucher, without him she was just another white female in a land of men well know for their predilection for their flesh, in a variety of fashions, despite the temptation to finish what the Kurii started, she instead seized a blanket and stemmed the flow of blood from his arm and shoulder, he was one of two in the village who would protect her identity, who knew the truth, and the other had been that poor bastard of a sentry whose head was somewhere in one of the Kur right about now, so like it or not, she made a choice, life woven of the choices we make, she could only hope that clinging to the part of misplaced free woman seeking passage would be enough and for that to happen, her target n The Folly an inaccessible for now, she lifted a hand and almost casually smeared her shoulder and cheek with the Mfalme's blood, unecessary perhaps, but should things turn against the white men and the villagers succeed, having tangible proofof her aiding the man would not hurt, a smirk as she shifted the strap of sealed messenger bag, the contents far too precious to be left even for a moment, some things were simply non negotiable, her part for now a sheltered free woman rendering aid to a village leader, cunning mind as always leaving as many possible doors of exit open to further exploration pending the fight with the Kurii, if beast it was out on the water she hoped like hell he succeeded, but like any good Huntress, she would not reveal herself from cover until it was time to make the strike or cover her ass, hey, whichever came first in her book~
|| The Folly || The premature shot was a mistake on the expedition's part. It permitted Akuru, who was within one of the shore-bound canoes to prematurely witness what lovely invention the white men had schemed over. A pirate of the League of Black Slavers, he immediately knew what that ship-killing fire was and he screamed it out. "SAND! NOT WATER -- SAND!!!" His dark hands cupping to each side of his mouth used to hopefully amplify the call.That warning would be the one thing that would keep the Kilimanjaro from becoming salvage under the waves of Lake Ushindi. The Beast's eyes widened as he signaled the call to veer his ship sharply away from the trajectory and reach of the opposition's catapults. As the ship painfully swung about, green water foamed against it's bulwarks and the list on the deck made the men grapple for the holding ropes. Barrels strained against their ropes as the ship turned. It would be so easy for a man to slide and careen down that smooth deck and into the water, but Krakatoa did not wait for the deck to even out before he was scrabbling for the small hatch, ripping open the bilge door. Within the small crawlspace were barrels of sand that weighted the nose of the barge and with the help of the men that now were beside them they drug up the half full keg and moved to pour it over the hot spot. No ship in these tight quarters would be able to turn on a dime so there was time for both sides to send off at least one additional shot. The sound of the springals blasted in the air, like a thunderous crack of wood. A dozen spears sped towards the Folly, aiming for her hull along the water line. Thunk thunk thunk thunk. Like pins being thrust into a pin cushion. It gave the Folley a matching set since there were presumably pitchy fire arrows decorating the vessel's deck and hull. The canoes reached the shallows and the men leapt from them, grappling at the sides of the small skifts, wading quickly out of the water with them in tow. And in a heartbeat, they disappeared up the pathway heading for Ullali. They to cut off the head from the body.
|| Ullali Village || The whip was like a bee that flew into the kur's eye to sting sting sting. At first it was just a sting then blood red blotted out the world in that eye and the kur lashed it's head to one side, howling furiously. It reached out almost blindly and sunk the full six claws into Brinlar's shoulder, five knifing into his flesh along the top and the thumb digit punching into the meat of his armpit and lifted the human right off his feet. The fetid breath of the carnivore spewed over the Captain's face as that skull-sized mouth opened, fangs glistening. Mwbiri was going to pluck his head like a child thumbs off the head of a daisy. The hack job done to it's clawed paw would have dropped Brinlar back down to the soil with twitching talons still embedded in his flesh. It spun around, the 900 pound body whipping Mateo aside like a bothersome gant. Matteo's head thunked heavily against a tree's trunk and he slumped. The kur stormed towards him, grabbed him by the arm and ripped back with full strength, dislocating it with a sickening pop. The lethal twist that would have diconnected the man's arm from his body like a pulled chicken wing was thankfully interrupted by Thurnock's slashing sword. With a head full of blood and a useless arm, Matteo's survival rate had just been lowered substantially. He was saved as that kur now fought for it's life. Not Mwbiri, but the other kur that would be split asunder did not get many licks in but it did get one of those hands around the man's throat. While Thurnock drawn and quartered the thing, it bore down, closing off any air passing through Thurnock's windpipe and slicing alongside his throat, just barely missing the jugular. The sudden evisceration of it's heart was what spared Thurnock from having his throat ripped out. The men worked as a close knit team, watching eachother's back where the kurii were more apt to brush off one that failed to vanguish the foe at hand. Their idea of team work was not turning on eachother during the fight. As it's heart took a hit, the kur keeled over, thumping and spasming like a fish out of water in it's death throes. The thing that had went after Acrulieus chased him like it was hungry for his blood, focusing on him. It lurched forward, backfisting the man with a bone crushing strike against his face to daze him. Then it sliced at him, cutting into his midsection. Not good enough to spill his guts down all over his boots in thick pulsing ropes of entrails. The slices were perhaps a hort deep. The death blow was meant to guillotine Acru's head off and away but as it spun about other men had come to assist the black man. The beast's blow missed Acru, only to smack against the upraised arm of the ship mate, possibly knocking Thurnock's weapon from his hands. With another howl, the enraged kur hunkered back, crouching and snarling, looking for the right opening, the right opportunity to take out these men. <d>
THE FOLLY // Taken into darkness again, Amanita would remain below deck while the danger above left victory to fall on either end. Nails bit into her hands with aggravation, a feeling of helplessness that bit at the bone, but the common sense to stay put. She was out of harms way... for the most part and not arguing with guards that had strict orders to make sure she was alive. Little did they know that Krakatoa had also placed strict orders to make certain she was not killed... but how quickly that would change once the journal he sought was in his posession. All this for a bundle of papers written thirty some years ago by a dead geographer. Who knew that mapsmanship was so important. Who even really knew what the Eye of Nyoka was.... it had to be something of value, it had to be real, else these men would not risk their lives to find it. VILLAGE OF ULLALI // It wasn't just men risking their lives, The Others were also involved and while Arculeius, his men from Silenti and the pirates did not have much time to think of the significance of Kurii being in this village and attacking, they would later put their heads together -- what heads remained -- and have to consider the impact. But now... now was a time for action. Arculeius had already taken one lucky swipe at the kur and left merely a scratch on his calf. He would find aid in the sword of Thurnock, as well as the others in his company... even the spears of the tribesmen band together to defend their home against these three beasts who had easily taken out the majority of humans in their way the same way a man might remove idle tree limbs or shrubs. Plowing through them, bone and flesh, mindless that they were outnumbered. For these creatures it did not matter. Arculeius had gotten away lucky the first time, the bleeding Mfalme taken into his hut after that near fatal blow had him flying towards Arcu, but protecting his own hide and those of his crew were his greater concern now. Another slash reached the arm of the kur, but uncovered a weakness in his own defense as the surprisingly quick beast came at his open abdomen slicing into him with deadly claws. Just as his luck had turned south another's blow had turned the beast off balance and caused the killing blow to go over his bald head, leaving his skull intact.
[[THE FOLLY]] Seeing the canoes heading towards shore..Renn barks an order for bowmen, as well as one for himself, and once the four men ascend the sterncastle Renn snatches the bow and quiver of arrows offered him, crying out " Fire! Send'em to the river tharlarion fer dinner, boys!" In unison, all 5 deliver their deadly missiles into the crowded canoes...picking off those that have not reached the protection of the overhanging branches, the screams of those hit putting a wicked gleam in the wiry 1st mates eyes. Hearing Venor's cry, he nods in agreement, the western flow of the river would carry the pitch and oil mixture away from the Folly. He grins seeing the barge aflame now in places from stern to prow, in fact the rising flames catching fire to the limbs of the trees hanging over the starboard side of the barge as it struggles to veer away, flames licking up it's bulwarks..the narrow river aiding the expeditions attack just like it aided thier enemies when that blasted net sprung up out of nowhere. The range of the catapult easily twice the distance of the barge, Renn urges Venor on "Have at'er, lad! Show them sleen what'cha got!" The thudding of the sprigals striking the Follys hull not something Renn appreciates though..but right now..he takes solace that they give twice as good as they recieve, because the living fire strikes and spreads faster than it can be dampened by the barges crew.
[[VILLAGE OF ULLALI]] Brinlar grimaces as the claw of the Kur opening his shoulder and sends him sprawling, 2 of the Silenti guard falling atop him as he collides with thier legs. Heaving them off of him, he rolls sideways, again that whip is sent outwith a snap of his wrist, opening a deep slit across the right side of it's snout and nostril slits of the massive Kurri. Utilizing his mens attack on the beast to regain his feet, blood streaming out of six different wounds in his rent shoulder,dismembered claws still embedded in his flesh, he drops the whip and flips his gladius from right to left hand, then charges the Kur, his blade like a striking ost, slashing in a blur of motion. Assuming Mateo's twisted form in the background is lifeless, his silver-flecked gray eyes smoulder with inner fury, and he presses his attack,aided by the blades of 3 of the Silenti guard, aiming his blows at the beasts hamstrings..slicing deeply into corded muscle beneath it's shaggy pelt, the cry "Cos!!! COS!!" ringing out amid the snarls and cries of men fighting.
::he spun hearing the cry his throat bleeding his arm though still having strength in it was weak, he stumbled as he stood up and drove forward the sword brought over his head come down with a sickening thud several times in an effort to sever the Kurs head from his shoulders as he lept up, blood spattered everywhere including in his eyes, he blinked trying to clear his vision and caught sight of Mateo, the stench rising bile in his throat as the numbing pain became pulsing seeing the Captain and the shape Arcu was in was no help, yet knowing the villagers were at least there and on the attack as well gave way to thoughts that they could perhaps win against these creatures lurching forward yet again he swung his sword in a wide direct arch at the side of the beasts knee, every ounce of strenth behind the bulging muscles of the massive carpenter stretching painfully as he arched sideways his full weight following the sword as it slided cleanly into the joint attaching the knee joints seperating the two the kur falling as his hamstring to one side was severed and the knee to his other leg hacked through, the snapping of tendons, the spurting of blood as arteries were severed he moved quickly behind the beast lowering his head and slamming his good shoulder into the small of the kurs back it's funny how one goes into survival mode, not only for themselves but for every one around them to some degree or another, he made little if any pause as he watched the second beast faulter and stumble before turning and heading towards the other one::
::dark eyes watched from the safety of Haraca's hut, having whispered a promise/threat that only he heard, one that would ensure he would cooperate fully yet as he would live, seeing Mateo hit that tree and go down, she cursed non to ladylike but at least under her belt, a swift mental recalculation and she snatched up the staff, the slim woman in emerald green obvious, intentionally letting out a small scream at one of Thurnock's blows against the Kur, it was to her advantage to be noticed, skidding to the ground beside Mateo, she knew healing, given her true identity it was second nature to utilize folks medicines and kings knew she had patched up enough women in her pack to know her stuff, mental mode in two arenas, one focused on the man, his survival in doubt, yes, her ability to help up his odds significantly also high and to her advantage, healing skills worked into her persona with an eerie smoothness, no multiple personalities here, just a skilled chameleon, calling out to two cowering slaves beside a hut, commanding them to run back into the undergrowth, seeking the abundant carpet plant vines, they returned quickly and she bound the arm to his chest, a simple field press, not even a splint, but hell if this was not front like medic work she did not know what was, taking his head in her head she opened his eyes, pupils uneven but dilating slightly, responsive, good, she called out to the fighting men "I can help him if you finish off those horrible things" managing a nice note of hysteria that fit the persona, she hunkered down beside the tree, Mateo's head cradled in her lap, staff beside her, the messenger back still strapped to her, she could only fervently hope now that the fighting died down, and she could get aboard that ship~
VILLAGE OF ULLALI // Arculeius found himself about to insist on the same thing, but the woman now in their custody was already running for cover. There was no reason to suspect that she was anything more than what she appeared, a misplaced white woman that had for whatever reason found herself among tribesmen and amazingly not found the collar that would typically go along with that. That fact in itself immediately raised his eyebrow, but the fact that an alarm had gone off and their plans to make this a quick trip to gather supplies had been now foiled by true outsiders, those not even of the human breed, caused Arculeius to lower his brow and reach for his steel instead. The halfblooded tribesmen could stand there and try to convince the chief that the screams and attack on his scouts was of another, but he wouldn't have to spend much breath on this debate before the Kurri were upon them, thrusting Hacara from his seat and into Arculeius. This might of bowled over a larger, less agile man, but a well trained Asakri could deflect the Mfalme, without chopping into him and instead sending one of his twin scimitars into the leg of an attacking beast with a loud grunt, before quickly rolling low and behind the giant to keep out of his long arm reach.
[[VILLAGE OF ULLALI]] The survivors of Silenti during this voyage had learned much about fighting aboard a vessel from Renn, Mateo and Thurnock..Brinlar offering an occasional suggestion or two. They had become more confident from the training, but no amount of training could prepare them for these unknown beasts that viciously attack unexpectedly on solid ground. Brin and his men also are taken aback, but for only a brief ihn, before they go on the offensive, strange beasts or no..they now at least have something tangible to FIGHT, be it beasts or men. No unexpected netting appearing from the murky waters of the Nyoka to ensnare them..no more incessant pounding of unseen enemy drums...things that actually BLEED. The leather of the snake whip, supple from the oiled care it's owner gave it, cracks loudly as the Sleen of Cos, a war cry bellowing from his mouth as he lithely leaps up over the strike of the largest Kur,expertly delivered the braided tip faster than the eye can follow, connecting viciously with the right eye of the next closest Kur, the impact against the heavy lidded eye exploding the blood vessels inward, effectively blinding the beast for good in that yellowish orb. Slashing down with his blade at side of the vile smelling beasts head that 1st attacked him while Thurnock and Mateo hack at the both beasts,Thurnock engaging the now one-eyed Kur, Mateo assisting his Captain, hacking with smooth precision at the left clawed paw of Mwbiri. Thurnock steps to ward Arculeous side, assailing the 2nd beast with powerful strokes of his longsword, bellowing at the dark -skinned men of Silenti to kil the beasts.
[[THE FOLLY]] Renn grins in his direction and simply allows Venor to take command of the catapult, too many giving orders never a good thing. Turning and heading back astern, he ascends the sterncastle to gain a clearer vantage point, better to call to the deck the distance and the hits delivered to the enemy barge. Ducking as flame arrows descend, he calls behind him " Just short! one more turn should do it!" Looking to the men on deck not assisting Venor " Wet boskhair blankets! Shield the catapults! Raise them over your heads!" A quick glance as the 2nd catapult is launched, he sees it strike the bow and calls back to Venor accompanied by a nod of confidence as the 1st catapult is readied again quickly. "Good hit! Fire your next 2 degrees to port!"
::the huge carpenter towering above most other men there aptly ducked below and jumped back out of the way of the flailing razor sharp claws of the kur, as it twisted and turned trying to use it's sense of smell Thurnock saw an opening and lunged under his arm towards his chest with his long sword driving it into his gut, with his powerful arms and a loud growl he ripped upwards, the tip of the sword driving up under it's ribcage and finding the beating heart, he stepped back just as Arculieous moved off to the side using his own sword to aim for the beasts other yellow orb, not even giving the beast time enough to stagger and fall the assaults kept comming, neat clean percision cuts meant not to mame but to kill and quickly even though the beast were easily four times the size of Thurnock, as the one they were taking down finally faultered and fell he joined Arculeus in moving to the next one, not taking the time to care who was bleeding, or how much, the answering assaults seemed as tireless as the attacks. being able to see the enemy was in its own way an affordance of a blessing not knowing what was happening on the folly kept them focused on the one goal ahead of them survival and returning with the supplies to their ship as he spun about he caught glimpse of the Captain and Mateo, with one Kur down and out of the way, it left the other two to take care of, he knew his work on the one was a bit quick and yet time seemed not to matter pays to be his size ... the blows from his sword to the next one would not come so quickly.. this one seemed a bit larger than the last one and would take much more doing to bring down the noise around him drowned out as he moved in to the next one he found himself flying forward a growl from the searing pain that shot down his left shoulder almost causing him to loose grip of his weapon Mateo catching sight of Thrunock falling and then rolling to his feet switching hands came from the right as both arms swung back Mateo struck out for the Kurs paw::
Something...wasn't right, at that moment. And he felt it, deep within his mind as, curiously, ballads began to play in his head of long-dead warriors....which truly had him on edge. And curiously, thoughts came to mind...Strange, how inspiration came to a man. Turning to eye Renn up on the deck-castle, he worked his jaw a mere ihn before he yelled out, leaving the men a moment to adjust the catapault. "Sir! The oil floats! We're aiming for the ship." And, to make his point, he reached to point over the railing, ducking a damned-near lucky arrow with a grimace. "They can't sail over fire!" And he turned, barking to his own duo of catapaulteers. "Don't light the oil, and drop to...two and a half cranks. I want those breaking on the belly of that ship!" And he dipped the arrowhead he had in-hand into the oil, before he looked to the other archers. "Oil the arrows! Wait for the shot, and volley at the bow!" Turning then, he cut his arm down in a swipe at the catapaulteers. "Fire!" And...over the side, went the un-lit clay pots, now not aimed at-all for the deck, but for the prow just over the waterline, some hitting a bit low and skipping the water, but that was fine. "Renn, aim high for the sails, eh?" He suggested, while the archers dipped their arrows, looking a hair confused. But as he lit the tip of his bolt, he thumbed the torch-bearer back along the line, before he pulled the fletching to his ear with a squint along the shaft. "Volley, fire! Burn that girl down." And he sent off his shot, with the whistling of the others over his shoulder, his own hitting a might low...but it lit those floating oils almost under the ship herself. Let's hope I'm not crazy...
a shadow amid the undergrowth, a wraith moving seemingly in tandem with the very chaos she seemingly fled, she saw the men with Brinlar busy with the Kurii, she lifted dark eyes to the horizon, lit with a most unnatural glow, a turn of head and a series of hand gestures to Rusalka who, with a scowl of disapproval and obvious distrust in leaving Sakina, did as commanded, the scout knowing the sari clad huntress could take care of herself and was, despite appearances, quite equipped to do so, took off through the underbrush, heading for the land between the village and river and the three other Taluna who lay in wait, not unlike the predators they often hunted for meat and pelts, Rusalka charged with making sure they stayed their hand, she knew her band and knew that some were younger, and that the temptation to add fire from the rear against The Folly would only endanger Sakina's mission and frankly, that was the sole goal she kept in mind at this stage, survival, and success, there were no other options to her mind, moving low and agile against the cover of huts, she made her way to Hacara, injured but not mortally so, and dragged him into the shelter of his hut, he was her voucher, without him she was just another white female in a land of men well know for their predilection for their flesh, in a variety of fashions, despite the temptation to finish what the Kurii started, she instead seized a blanket and stemmed the flow of blood from his arm and shoulder, he was one of two in the village who would protect her identity, who knew the truth, and the other had been that poor bastard of a sentry whose head was somewhere in one of the Kur right about now, so like it or not, she made a choice, life woven of the choices we make, she could only hope that clinging to the part of misplaced free woman seeking passage would be enough and for that to happen, her target n The Folly an inaccessible for now, she lifted a hand and almost casually smeared her shoulder and cheek with the Mfalme's blood, unecessary perhaps, but should things turn against the white men and the villagers succeed, having tangible proofof her aiding the man would not hurt, a smirk as she shifted the strap of sealed messenger bag, the contents far too precious to be left even for a moment, some things were simply non negotiable, her part for now a sheltered free woman rendering aid to a village leader, cunning mind as always leaving as many possible doors of exit open to further exploration pending the fight with the Kurii, if beast it was out on the water she hoped like hell he succeeded, but like any good Huntress, she would not reveal herself from cover until it was time to make the strike or cover her ass, hey, whichever came first in her book~
|| The Folly || The premature shot was a mistake on the expedition's part. It permitted Akuru, who was within one of the shore-bound canoes to prematurely witness what lovely invention the white men had schemed over. A pirate of the League of Black Slavers, he immediately knew what that ship-killing fire was and he screamed it out. "SAND! NOT WATER -- SAND!!!" His dark hands cupping to each side of his mouth used to hopefully amplify the call.That warning would be the one thing that would keep the Kilimanjaro from becoming salvage under the waves of Lake Ushindi. The Beast's eyes widened as he signaled the call to veer his ship sharply away from the trajectory and reach of the opposition's catapults. As the ship painfully swung about, green water foamed against it's bulwarks and the list on the deck made the men grapple for the holding ropes. Barrels strained against their ropes as the ship turned. It would be so easy for a man to slide and careen down that smooth deck and into the water, but Krakatoa did not wait for the deck to even out before he was scrabbling for the small hatch, ripping open the bilge door. Within the small crawlspace were barrels of sand that weighted the nose of the barge and with the help of the men that now were beside them they drug up the half full keg and moved to pour it over the hot spot. No ship in these tight quarters would be able to turn on a dime so there was time for both sides to send off at least one additional shot. The sound of the springals blasted in the air, like a thunderous crack of wood. A dozen spears sped towards the Folly, aiming for her hull along the water line. Thunk thunk thunk thunk. Like pins being thrust into a pin cushion. It gave the Folley a matching set since there were presumably pitchy fire arrows decorating the vessel's deck and hull. The canoes reached the shallows and the men leapt from them, grappling at the sides of the small skifts, wading quickly out of the water with them in tow. And in a heartbeat, they disappeared up the pathway heading for Ullali. They to cut off the head from the body.
|| Ullali Village || The whip was like a bee that flew into the kur's eye to sting sting sting. At first it was just a sting then blood red blotted out the world in that eye and the kur lashed it's head to one side, howling furiously. It reached out almost blindly and sunk the full six claws into Brinlar's shoulder, five knifing into his flesh along the top and the thumb digit punching into the meat of his armpit and lifted the human right off his feet. The fetid breath of the carnivore spewed over the Captain's face as that skull-sized mouth opened, fangs glistening. Mwbiri was going to pluck his head like a child thumbs off the head of a daisy. The hack job done to it's clawed paw would have dropped Brinlar back down to the soil with twitching talons still embedded in his flesh. It spun around, the 900 pound body whipping Mateo aside like a bothersome gant. Matteo's head thunked heavily against a tree's trunk and he slumped. The kur stormed towards him, grabbed him by the arm and ripped back with full strength, dislocating it with a sickening pop. The lethal twist that would have diconnected the man's arm from his body like a pulled chicken wing was thankfully interrupted by Thurnock's slashing sword. With a head full of blood and a useless arm, Matteo's survival rate had just been lowered substantially. He was saved as that kur now fought for it's life. Not Mwbiri, but the other kur that would be split asunder did not get many licks in but it did get one of those hands around the man's throat. While Thurnock drawn and quartered the thing, it bore down, closing off any air passing through Thurnock's windpipe and slicing alongside his throat, just barely missing the jugular. The sudden evisceration of it's heart was what spared Thurnock from having his throat ripped out. The men worked as a close knit team, watching eachother's back where the kurii were more apt to brush off one that failed to vanguish the foe at hand. Their idea of team work was not turning on eachother during the fight. As it's heart took a hit, the kur keeled over, thumping and spasming like a fish out of water in it's death throes. The thing that had went after Acrulieus chased him like it was hungry for his blood, focusing on him. It lurched forward, backfisting the man with a bone crushing strike against his face to daze him. Then it sliced at him, cutting into his midsection. Not good enough to spill his guts down all over his boots in thick pulsing ropes of entrails. The slices were perhaps a hort deep. The death blow was meant to guillotine Acru's head off and away but as it spun about other men had come to assist the black man. The beast's blow missed Acru, only to smack against the upraised arm of the ship mate, possibly knocking Thurnock's weapon from his hands. With another howl, the enraged kur hunkered back, crouching and snarling, looking for the right opening, the right opportunity to take out these men. <d>
THE FOLLY // Taken into darkness again, Amanita would remain below deck while the danger above left victory to fall on either end. Nails bit into her hands with aggravation, a feeling of helplessness that bit at the bone, but the common sense to stay put. She was out of harms way... for the most part and not arguing with guards that had strict orders to make sure she was alive. Little did they know that Krakatoa had also placed strict orders to make certain she was not killed... but how quickly that would change once the journal he sought was in his posession. All this for a bundle of papers written thirty some years ago by a dead geographer. Who knew that mapsmanship was so important. Who even really knew what the Eye of Nyoka was.... it had to be something of value, it had to be real, else these men would not risk their lives to find it. VILLAGE OF ULLALI // It wasn't just men risking their lives, The Others were also involved and while Arculeius, his men from Silenti and the pirates did not have much time to think of the significance of Kurii being in this village and attacking, they would later put their heads together -- what heads remained -- and have to consider the impact. But now... now was a time for action. Arculeius had already taken one lucky swipe at the kur and left merely a scratch on his calf. He would find aid in the sword of Thurnock, as well as the others in his company... even the spears of the tribesmen band together to defend their home against these three beasts who had easily taken out the majority of humans in their way the same way a man might remove idle tree limbs or shrubs. Plowing through them, bone and flesh, mindless that they were outnumbered. For these creatures it did not matter. Arculeius had gotten away lucky the first time, the bleeding Mfalme taken into his hut after that near fatal blow had him flying towards Arcu, but protecting his own hide and those of his crew were his greater concern now. Another slash reached the arm of the kur, but uncovered a weakness in his own defense as the surprisingly quick beast came at his open abdomen slicing into him with deadly claws. Just as his luck had turned south another's blow had turned the beast off balance and caused the killing blow to go over his bald head, leaving his skull intact.
[[THE FOLLY]] Seeing the canoes heading towards shore..Renn barks an order for bowmen, as well as one for himself, and once the four men ascend the sterncastle Renn snatches the bow and quiver of arrows offered him, crying out " Fire! Send'em to the river tharlarion fer dinner, boys!" In unison, all 5 deliver their deadly missiles into the crowded canoes...picking off those that have not reached the protection of the overhanging branches, the screams of those hit putting a wicked gleam in the wiry 1st mates eyes. Hearing Venor's cry, he nods in agreement, the western flow of the river would carry the pitch and oil mixture away from the Folly. He grins seeing the barge aflame now in places from stern to prow, in fact the rising flames catching fire to the limbs of the trees hanging over the starboard side of the barge as it struggles to veer away, flames licking up it's bulwarks..the narrow river aiding the expeditions attack just like it aided thier enemies when that blasted net sprung up out of nowhere. The range of the catapult easily twice the distance of the barge, Renn urges Venor on "Have at'er, lad! Show them sleen what'cha got!" The thudding of the sprigals striking the Follys hull not something Renn appreciates though..but right now..he takes solace that they give twice as good as they recieve, because the living fire strikes and spreads faster than it can be dampened by the barges crew.
[[VILLAGE OF ULLALI]] Brinlar grimaces as the claw of the Kur opening his shoulder and sends him sprawling, 2 of the Silenti guard falling atop him as he collides with thier legs. Heaving them off of him, he rolls sideways, again that whip is sent outwith a snap of his wrist, opening a deep slit across the right side of it's snout and nostril slits of the massive Kurri. Utilizing his mens attack on the beast to regain his feet, blood streaming out of six different wounds in his rent shoulder,dismembered claws still embedded in his flesh, he drops the whip and flips his gladius from right to left hand, then charges the Kur, his blade like a striking ost, slashing in a blur of motion. Assuming Mateo's twisted form in the background is lifeless, his silver-flecked gray eyes smoulder with inner fury, and he presses his attack,aided by the blades of 3 of the Silenti guard, aiming his blows at the beasts hamstrings..slicing deeply into corded muscle beneath it's shaggy pelt, the cry "Cos!!! COS!!" ringing out amid the snarls and cries of men fighting.
::he spun hearing the cry his throat bleeding his arm though still having strength in it was weak, he stumbled as he stood up and drove forward the sword brought over his head come down with a sickening thud several times in an effort to sever the Kurs head from his shoulders as he lept up, blood spattered everywhere including in his eyes, he blinked trying to clear his vision and caught sight of Mateo, the stench rising bile in his throat as the numbing pain became pulsing seeing the Captain and the shape Arcu was in was no help, yet knowing the villagers were at least there and on the attack as well gave way to thoughts that they could perhaps win against these creatures lurching forward yet again he swung his sword in a wide direct arch at the side of the beasts knee, every ounce of strenth behind the bulging muscles of the massive carpenter stretching painfully as he arched sideways his full weight following the sword as it slided cleanly into the joint attaching the knee joints seperating the two the kur falling as his hamstring to one side was severed and the knee to his other leg hacked through, the snapping of tendons, the spurting of blood as arteries were severed he moved quickly behind the beast lowering his head and slamming his good shoulder into the small of the kurs back it's funny how one goes into survival mode, not only for themselves but for every one around them to some degree or another, he made little if any pause as he watched the second beast faulter and stumble before turning and heading towards the other one::
::dark eyes watched from the safety of Haraca's hut, having whispered a promise/threat that only he heard, one that would ensure he would cooperate fully yet as he would live, seeing Mateo hit that tree and go down, she cursed non to ladylike but at least under her belt, a swift mental recalculation and she snatched up the staff, the slim woman in emerald green obvious, intentionally letting out a small scream at one of Thurnock's blows against the Kur, it was to her advantage to be noticed, skidding to the ground beside Mateo, she knew healing, given her true identity it was second nature to utilize folks medicines and kings knew she had patched up enough women in her pack to know her stuff, mental mode in two arenas, one focused on the man, his survival in doubt, yes, her ability to help up his odds significantly also high and to her advantage, healing skills worked into her persona with an eerie smoothness, no multiple personalities here, just a skilled chameleon, calling out to two cowering slaves beside a hut, commanding them to run back into the undergrowth, seeking the abundant carpet plant vines, they returned quickly and she bound the arm to his chest, a simple field press, not even a splint, but hell if this was not front like medic work she did not know what was, taking his head in her head she opened his eyes, pupils uneven but dilating slightly, responsive, good, she called out to the fighting men "I can help him if you finish off those horrible things" managing a nice note of hysteria that fit the persona, she hunkered down beside the tree, Mateo's head cradled in her lap, staff beside her, the messenger back still strapped to her, she could only fervently hope now that the fighting died down, and she could get aboard that ship~