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piosenniel · 08-24-2003, 11:37 AM

Essenia

The fighting at the rear of the Umbrian column grew ragged. The Eye’s archers had, for the most part, joined the fray at the front of the line, leaving the troops at the back to face the harrying tactics of the farmers and the dogs. Essenia had long ago abandoned her own bow, its arrows spent. Now her knives flashed in a vicious pattern as the attackers darted in and out, harassing the warriors, scattering their attention by their feints from all sides.

There were thirteen warriors of the Eye holding the rear position, including Essenia. One by one they were being picked off by a diversionary tactic from one or two of the dogs, separated like sheep from the group and made easier targets for the farmers with their spears and cudgels. The warriors’ numbers dwindled until it was just Essenia and another Corsair who stood back to back defending their little patch of ground.

Of the six dogs who had at first begun the attack, there were now five still left, one of them having been disabled with a blow to its shoulder. And all nine of the farmers were still on their feet, though five of them now were slipping in among the downed to finish them off.

The five dogs and four farmers ringed the two Corsairs, ignoring the taunts of ‘What sort of men are you, that you would set so many on just two.’ The ring moved in closer, silent, their gaze steady on the two Umbrians.

‘We are this sort of men, wharf rat. We are hunting vermin, not honorable foe. We will do this as we have always done for such useless pests as you. Send in the dogs to rout you out, then follow up with the kill.’

With that he gave a series of three short, sharp whistles. The dogs, in a frenzy of slavering jaws and slashing teeth rushed in, some leaping at the arms and hands that held the weapons, others darting in low at the soft flesh of calves and thighs.

For their part, Essenia and the man met them bravely, slashing out as they could at the marauding canines. But it was not enough, and they were brought down at last . . . their last sight that of the men behind the dogs . . . their spears and cudgels raised . . .

[ August 25, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

08-24-2003, 11:37 AM	#168
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Essenia The fighting at the rear of the Umbrian column grew ragged. The Eye’s archers had, for the most part, joined the fray at the front of the line, leaving the troops at the back to face the harrying tactics of the farmers and the dogs. Essenia had long ago abandoned her own bow, its arrows spent. Now her knives flashed in a vicious pattern as the attackers darted in and out, harassing the warriors, scattering their attention by their feints from all sides. There were thirteen warriors of the Eye holding the rear position, including Essenia. One by one they were being picked off by a diversionary tactic from one or two of the dogs, separated like sheep from the group and made easier targets for the farmers with their spears and cudgels. The warriors’ numbers dwindled until it was just Essenia and another Corsair who stood back to back defending their little patch of ground. Of the six dogs who had at first begun the attack, there were now five still left, one of them having been disabled with a blow to its shoulder. And all nine of the farmers were still on their feet, though five of them now were slipping in among the downed to finish them off. The five dogs and four farmers ringed the two Corsairs, ignoring the taunts of ‘What sort of men are you, that you would set so many on just two.’ The ring moved in closer, silent, their gaze steady on the two Umbrians. ‘We are this sort of men, wharf rat. We are hunting vermin, not honorable foe. We will do this as we have always done for such useless pests as you. Send in the dogs to rout you out, then follow up with the kill.’ With that he gave a series of three short, sharp whistles. The dogs, in a frenzy of slavering jaws and slashing teeth rushed in, some leaping at the arms and hands that held the weapons, others darting in low at the soft flesh of calves and thighs. For their part, Essenia and the man met them bravely, slashing out as they could at the marauding canines. But it was not enough, and they were brought down at last . . . their last sight that of the men behind the dogs . . . their spears and cudgels raised . . . [ August 25, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.