Hearth Fire

“Gnolls nasty bastards.” Stronric said as the shadowy figures stepped out of the smoke.

“Gnolls? Like the beast man?” Rugiel asked confused, as she looked at the group in front of the town.

“Yes, ever fought them before?” Bauru asked as he slowly pulled one of his bolts free and slid it into the crossbow’s arm.

Before Stronric could reply a scream echoed above the sounds of chaos, dragging the parties attention away. Two gnolls were dragging a human out of the town. He was a tall skinny man with a portly belly. His brown linen robes were burnt and bloodied. Even faced with death the man clung desperately to

“That’s the admin. Stronric we have to help them” Rugiel said as she pointed at the magistrate.

Stronric nodded “You guys go left and I will go right. You charge the archers when you have their backs, I will draw their attention. Strike fast and strike hard!” Stronric stepped forward towards the town’s gates. Bauru fell back grabbing his shoulder strap for his large crossbow to keep it from bouncing and ran off to the left. Rugiel followed her brother off to the side. They would wait for their moment to join the fight.

The pack of gnolls turned towards the approaching Stronric. Stronric walked off to the side of the gate. The gnolls turned and watched him. Stronric could see The siblings moving behind the gnolls to get into position. Gnolls were a mix between man and hyena. They stood on two large paws wrapped in leather straps exposing long sharp claws on their feet. Mocking smiles of sharp teeth protruded from short muzzles and beady brown eyes dratted quickly around their wide broad faces. Large, pointed ears sat on the tops of their heads flicking as they turned to the various sounds, giving them a look of nervousness. A white moon was almost childishly drawn onto their crude leather armor, marking them as some kind of company or pack. Stronric could see each gnoll was wearing a varying state of leather pants and chest pieces. As Stronric approached a bark of canine-like laughter and growls rumbled toward him. The gnoll archers drew their weapons and aimed at the lone dwarf.

“Oh thank the heavens Stronric your back!” The admin yelled out. “You must help me, us!” A gnoll kicked the man in the face, its long claws leaving a trail of blood and throwing the admin back. Stronric continued walking towards them as if he was meant to be there and he was unafraid of these gnolls as if they were just a small pack of dogs. One gnoll stepped out and pointed his long bloody weapon at Stronric and barked another laughter.

What must be the leader of this pack took a step forward. With his weapon still raised he cocked its head taking in the unstopping dwarf. He out another fit of high pitched cackling and opened its mouth. “Stop slave! This town belongs to the Moon Clan now. Our feasts and hunt packs have already claimed it!” The leader’s voice sounded crazed. Each word was high, quick and sharp atop a low growl. When Stronric refused to stop walking, the leader dropped his sword and the archers released. Stronric jumped forward and rolled back to his feet. He continued his sprint forwards, his mighty axe gleaming as he raised it to the guard. Two more arrows shot toward him. He easily dodged the first and deflected the other. Seeing this dwarf deny the pack an easy kill, the lead gnoll let out more laughter and with crazed eyes bounded out to meet the attacker. The gnoll pack followed suit and joined their leader in his charge.

Bauru and Rugiel made it to the wall of the city. Rugiel ran along the wall to be ready to join Stronric in the fray of the fight. Bauru stopped and looked through a crack in the wall. His eyes widened at what he saw. Bauru clenched his mouth in anger and his empty eye socket began to throb in pain. Bauru rubbed his eye patch and pulled his new weapon from his shoulder. Using the lever that Stronric had made he loaded the heavy weapon and chased after his sister, cursing under his breath.

The lead gnoll swung his bloodied weapon at Stronric. Stronric slide on his knees under the weapon and swung his own axe. The gnoll trailing his leader meet the cool fury of dwarven steal. The axe bit deep and blood poured from the gnoll and down the axe’s haft. Stronric swung under the axe’s handle, still held up by the gnoll’s body, launching himself into the air. Stronric ripped his axe free and parried the next gnoll’s attack. The force of Stronric’s parry caused the attacking gnoll to lose his footing. Stronric directed his momentum down onto the stumbling gnoll. He rammed his shoulder into the beast’s gut and the gnoll fell back onto the ground, dazed.

Stronric raised his axe to kill the beast when he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye. The pack master had rounded and was swinging at him with crazed glee in it's eye. Stronric jumped back and slid to safety just as the enemies weapons crashed in the space he once occupied. Stronric smiled at the pack master and spun ran towards the gnoll left holding the admin. The gnoll let go of the admin but it was to late for him. Stronric jumped into the air and brought his axe down the unprepared gnoll. The creature brought his scimitar up to block Stronric’s axe, the blow was far to strong and knocked aside the weapon. The axe split the gnoll’s face in half and the creature collapse on top of the admin.

Another gnoll rushing out of the town’s gate that Stronric did see exploded as Predator barked and the bolt tore through sending the gnoll ground in a mash of blood and meat. Stronric smiled at Bauru when a sickening screamed came from inside of the town. The gnolls still blocked the way into the town. Stronric flipped his axe over in his hand and an idea came to mind.

“Bauru, Trust me, Jump on my axe!” Stronric shouted as he dodged a swing from one of the gnolls. Bauru raised a brow in confusion, before understanding Stronric’s plan. He narrowed his eyes locking onto a spot above the wall that he hoped would be his landing zone. Bauru ran forward dodging limbs and blades as he snaked through the fight. Stronric smashed another gnoll to the ground with his shoulder and lowered himself into a stance. Bauru jumped, landing on the flat side of Stronric axe, as Stronric activated his runes. The crack of a gun ripped through the air as Bauru flew through the air. Bauru landed with a roll on top of a house on the other side of the large walls. Bauru smiled looking down at himself, surprised their plan worked before he remembered they were in a battle Bauru threw Stronric a salute and disappeared inside of the city.

Stronric turned back to the fight, he saw that Rugiel was closing on the archers like planned. I need to keep them busy for a little while longer. He could still hear the muffled yells of the pinned manling who was trapped under the dead gnoll. Safer there than out here, Stronric thought as he bounded towards the archers now aiming at him. An gnoll archer had his arrow pulled back let out a cackling laugh with Stronric fixed as his target. Stronric braced to dodge the arrow when suddenly the gnolls face went flat and collapsed into a bloody pulp. Rugiel stood in it’s place swinging her massive hammer at the next archer. Her hammer flew in an over headed arc, flattening the surprised beast as easily as crushing cans. She let out a war cry, turning to the next archer. The remaining gnoll archer tried to scramble away and draw his sword but Rugiel’s death path was leading right to him. She swung, the hammer but the gnoll had managed to separate the pair just enough that her blow didn’t kill. The mighty hammer met the gnoll’s arm as it crossed his trunk with a sickening crunch. She felt the vibrations of bones shattering travel up her hammers handle into her arms. The creature screamed only for a moment before her second swing silenced the beast forever.

They began to move in opposite directions trying to put Stronric between the two of them. Stronric took in a deep breath and began to spin his axe in the dance of death. The two attacked, Stronric parried and redirected their attacks. He could have easily killed the two of them, but he wanted to get a sense of their strength and their fighting styles. They attacked him with the fury and abandonment of wild animals. Their were no stronger than orcs but fought with a cunning unusual of the orc kind. When they didn’t have the advantage they would try to use dirty tricks to open up his guard. Stronric easily blocked the dirt they kicked up towards his eyes. Stronric decided he had learned everything he thought he could from them and quickly killed the two of the gnolls.

Rugiel was pulling the dead gnoll off of the admin when Stronric ended his dance.

“Stronric your here! Thank the gods in all the heavens!” The admin screamed as he crawled toward him. The admin reached for Stronric's tunic but before his bloody hands could grasp it, Stronric stopped him.

“Stop babbling yer ol’ man and tell us what happened?” Stronric asked harshly.

“They attacked us out of no where. We had no reports of packs of gnolls in the area, so we were wholey unprepared. I over heard the captain say something about a dungeon over flowing. Thats all I know. Please you have to help the citizens!” The admin begged with teary eyes.

Stronric and Rugiel looked at each other nodded. “Aye, we’ll help, do ye have any word on Mintra?” Stronric asked, turning his attention back towards the village.

“No, he and his cousin were inside their shop last I knew. They were offering weapons and armor to any who would fight."

"Aye. Follow us now. Ye to run at the first sign of trouble. I can’t fight if I’m protecting ye.” Stronric said as he hefted his axe and walked

towards the burning village.

Rugiel followed close behind Stronric, her weapon on her shoulder. “This is not exactly what we had planned for our return to Millstone.” Rugiel said as she took in the slaughter and damage.

“No lass it’s not, but becoming heroes won’t hurt our reputation here.” Stronric replied with a sly smile.

Stronric paused at the gate and whistled out a call. The sound of Indomitable’s hooves behind them came just seconds later. Stronric looked behind to ensure the Ram was unhurt, then quickly slipped inside the gates. The small group was immediately hit with the sounds of screams and fighting. Stronric aimed the party towards were the sounds were loudest. The dirt roads were clear of humans and gnolls alike. At least the streets aren’t lined with the dead Stronric thought as he took in the destruction and piles of debris. Stronric took in a small comfort, seeing the gnolls in this land were very similar to the ones from his old world. Gnolls in both worlds seemed to be raiders and slavers. They weren’t opposed to killing or even eating humans, but they wanted the races of order for crafting slaves. The Gnolls were vicious and greedy and not known for their ability to create. They were chaotic and nomadic which prevented them from attaining the patients to learn the skills of crafting. They over came this flaw by raiding and stealing valuable slaves for labor and crafting.

The party quickly made their way to the market square. The market square sat in the center of town and encircled the village’s well. It was a wide open square with enough room for wagons and carts to traverse around stalls and a large flow of bodies. Stronric raised a hand as they approach the area and scanned where Mintra’s shop was. A war band of gnoll’s occupied the square. The majority of gnolls had the tavern at siege. It seemed the guards and citizens had holed up in the large building. A smaller group of gnolls were attempting to break into the gnome’s shop. Calmin, Mintra’s cousin, was throwing random objects down onto the gnolls’ heads below. Mintra was rambling as he reloaded a small hand cross bow and aimed down on the intruders. Stronric smiled at the sight and let out a breath of relief, knowing his friends were still alive.

Stronric eyed the tavern. It seemed the humans had reinforced the doors and windows by piling up table and chairs. The gnolls were using hooked polls to pull slowly away the barricades. Gnolls were slavers and had become proficient in ensnaring their prey. They would in unison lassos and drag any person unlucky enough to exposed from inside. Stronric watched as the gnolls toppled a portion of the barricade and as the humans tried to right it a rope lashed out. Shortly after a man was dragged out of the window and into the street where the other gnolls quickly tied him to the others they had captured. The gnolls knew they had won and it was only a matter of time before they got in. They moved with a cruelty of efficiency, they were in no rush to pry the humans out. They seemed to enjoy prolonging the process. What the gnolls didn’t expect was the dwarves.

“Stronric there are way too many to fight. How are we going to do this?” Rugiel said, the color draining from her face as see watch the scene before her.

Stronric pulled on his beard thinking while searching the surrounding area. His eyes stopped on a nearby wagon and his face lit up.

“Striped the gear off of Indomitable… We are going to need him.” Stronric said with a mad smile on his face.

“Stronric your not going to ride him into that mess are you? Have you gone insane?” Rugiel asked with fear seeping into her voice.

“No I am not gonna ride him into that mess. That would be irresponsible. But we will be going for ride.” Stronric replied menacingly.

Rugiel worked to unload the mighty ram while Stronric quietly tipped around collecting supplies for his newest radical stunt. Rugiel could see the dwarf cutting down long poles into sharpened spears. Once her task was finished, she tried to help Stronric and question their plan, but he simply mumbled short commands to fetch various things. After collecting copious amounts of rope and carrying the already sharpened spears back to the wagon Stronric pointed out her patients was up.

Rugiel grabbed Stronric by the and turned him to face her. “Enough secret plans Stronric. How many times must I remind you that we are a team, and I have a voice. Spears and a wagon?! How will a handful of spears win this fight.” Rugiel growled out, keeping her voice low enough not to alert the bands of gnolls. “Also where is Bauru? Shouldn’t we be looking for him? What if something has happened to him?”

“Yer brother is fine. Trust him to do his part, just as he trusts us to do ours. Whatever he’s doing likely needs his full attention anyhow. I hear ye lass. The plan, death wagon. Now stop worrying and get into the wagon. We need to lines these spears along the front. Then we ride.” Stronric concluded, before turning to hold up the spears. Rugiel just looked at Stronric like he was mad but climbed into the wagon, mumbling about death wagons and stupid ideas.

Stronric passed Rugiel the spears and continued onto his next task. He cut the yoke of the wagon down to only a few feet long. Rugiel raised a brow in question as she took in the shorted yoke. Stronric lifted the yoke back and handed the cut end to Rugiel in reply. She couldn’t help but laugh and shake her head at the absurdity of the idea.

“Well we are going to make quite the entrance.” Rugiel said as she moved the yoke left and right turning the wheels of the wagon.

“Yer getting it now. All we need to do is kill a few and give the those in the tavern a chance to break out and help in the disorder.” Stronric said as he loaded the last of the supplies into the wagon. Stronric called Indomitable over and together the dwarf and ram pushed the wagon. They positioned the wagon so it was up street of the square and in a straight line with their enemies. Once everything was ready, Stronric and Indomitable began to push the wagon toward the enemy gnolls. The wagon gained speed and when Stronric could no keep up, he pulled himself up into the wagon and drew his axe.

The wagon began to thump thump thump as it gained speed. Indomitable’s massive body pumped as he pushed the wagon with his head, increasing the wagon to a deadly speed. Rugiel sat on the front of the wagon with her hammer across her lap. She used all of her might to the keep the wagon on course, barreling towards the sieging group of gnolls.

The gnolls heard the bounding of the wagon and turned, but they noticed the assault too late. The Wagon tore through the crowd. Breaking bodies and sending the dead flying through the air and onto the ground. The lucky gnolls were killed on impact but many were caught under the The gnolls heard the bounding of the wagon and turned, but they noticed the assault too late. Their pained screams shattering of bones filled the air. Stronric swung his axe at anyone that was lucky enough to get out of the way of the wagon but not far enough to escape his reach.

Stronric jumped from the wagon, swinging his axe two handed down on a gnoll slaver. The rope dropped from the dead gnoll’s hands as it’s body fell apart into two pieces. The human being dragged out of the tavern scrambled to his feet taking in the sight outside. Stronric charged into the nearest of gnolls, his axe dancing among the chaos. Blood flew and bodies fell as Stronric worked through each attacker. When he stood above the five dead gnolls, Stronric could hear the shouts from within the Tavern. He paid them no mind as he ensured Rugiel was winning her fight. Stronric watched proudly as her hammer smashed through the skull of a gnoll trapped under the wagon’s wheel.

“Hey! It’s that mad dwarf!” Stronric turned to voice coming from the tavern. “Mintra was right! The dwarves has come to help us!”

Stronric straitened his tabard, turning back to the fight before him and called out, “Quit being cowards and fight you manlings!”

Stronric parried a blow from an attacking gnoll and with a quick swipe of his axe, he spilled the creature guts. The gnolls paused in their attack. Stuck between the instinct to fight or retreat.

A loud thundering cackle sounded out from a pack of gnolls entering the square across the way. A massive gnoll stepped out. It towered over the others. It had a moon crest branded above one eye. Stronric could tell by the way the others moved around and cowered from this massive beast, this was likely their pack master. The hairy creature was covered in blood and chains wrapped around its torso and arms. The chains dangled from the creatures hands ending in a massive bloodied hook on the right and a spiked mace ball on the left. A deep growl ripped through the market, silencing every gnoll in the area.

“Who dares attack my pack!?” the Pack Master yelled, it’s voice surprisingly deep and raspy.

“I do, Stronric Wraith-Thane.” Stronric called back, as he lowered himself into a fighting stance. “Ye have attacked my friends, and for that ye owe penance for yer grudge.”

“Oh, a dwarf, so rare are your kind in these parts. The best slaves. This one seems to want to fight boys.” He said with another cackle, “I will take you as my personal slave.” The pack master concluded seriously.

“I would like to see ye try dog boy.” Stronric retorted, laughing at the sneer rewarded by the gnoll. Stronric didn’t hesitate before he launched forward swinging at the massive creature. The Pack Master Stepped forward but did not advance further, instead he began to spin the ends of his massive chains.

“I’ve caught listless humans and elves with this hook, but only a few dwarves. Your flesh is much harder to penetrate than the softer bodied. Enough softening with my tenderizer and my hook will sink deep.” The pack master taunted, slowly circling.

Stronric growled as he attacked. The Gnoll was fast and parried Stronric’s attack with a throw of his maceball. Stronric felt his arms shake under the pressure and his axe was thrown back. Stronric knew the gnoll was bigger than the others, but the sheer strength of the creature surprised him. Stronric regained his form, sidestepping reflexively when the sheen of metal caught his eye. He watched as the massive hook crashed into the ground exploding the ground beneath it, sending rocks flying. Stronric did see how this creature could possess such strength to crumble the hard packed earth. As the Pack Master pulled back his hook Stronric swung ricocheting the hook off trajectory and throwing the creature off balance.

The Gnoll growled and this time was the one to advance. He spun his chains in circles before him forming a wall of metal and pain. Stronric stepped back parrying each blow but feeling his strength draining. Stronric new he needed to change this course before he faltered. The two fighters had formed a rhythm with each step forward and each wing and block. When the Gnoll stepped forward to drive home another swing Stronric quickly sidestepped and spun, retreating at a 90-degree angle from the Gnoll. As Stronric turned he saw a dark purple aura glowing from the creature weapons. He is using a magic weapon, or this creature has his own abilities like Rugiel! Stronric thought as he danced away preparing for his next move.

Stronric tried to capitalize on his speed, which was his one advantage, by attempting to hamstring the gnoll. Stronric was unprepared for the Pack Masters back swing. The maceball caught Stronric in the chest and sent him stumbling back. Stronric coughed up blood and dropped to a knee. Stronric battled to drawn in a breath of air. The Pack Mater circled him and began to laugh. Stronric looked up and saw the massive gnoll was now covered in the strange purple aura. I had been wrong and foolish to not respect the powers of this world. I cannot die here, but how can I win against this? Stronric mind raced as he fought for breath and a way to win. Stronric reads the cockiness of the leader’s body language. Instead of attacking forward again, Stronric rolled back and ran behind one of the market stalls.

“Oh a hunt, little dwarf is what you want.” The Pack Master cooed and cackled. “It’s my life collecting slaves, you’ll easily be caught.” The creature growled.

Stronric waited for the impact but paused when it did not immediately come. He listened as the rhythm of the chains and the clinking of the ball and hook subtly hit the ground. Stronric dashed to another stall, as he heard the delay in the beat, just as the maceball exploded the stall behind him. Stronric could barely roll away before he caught the second missed beat, as the mighty hook flew over head and dragged the next stall forward. Stronric focus, time the rhythm He thought as his tapped on his haft. Stronric timed his dash, but he was not so lucky. The maceball was sent lower and with destroying the stall it caught Stronric’s ankle. Stronric stifled his groan in pain and focused on the sound of the chain and tapping of the Gnoll’s rhythm. He knew the hook was next to come and this time his count was right and he easily dodged the swing. He may have abilities or magic, but he is unskilled and predictable just as all those complacent are. Time to show this dog a real dance Stronric thought, making his way to a pottery stall.

Stronric limped stall to stall until he was hidden behind a pottery stall. One, two, three, one, two…. Pause. When the heavy hook cut through the vases it sent up a cloud of dust, ceramics and debris. Stronric exploded out from behind the destruction rolling forward as he timed the oncoming maceball. Stronric landed on a knee and closed his eye, steeling his breathing and mind, listening not to the world around him but focusing solely on the beat of the mighty chains. One, two, three, one, two…. Pause. When Stronric opened his eyes, he watched the maceball fly out, he saw the fire and orange sun dance off the metallic edges. He leaned to the side just as the ball whizzed by, instead of attacking though, Stronric used the haft of his axe to kink the chain leaving momentum to do the rest.

“You missed little Dwarf. Now feel the cut of my hook and accept your fate.” The Pack Master called

One, two, three, one, two, pause.

The hook flew through the air in an arch. Stronric focused on keeping the axe haft taught and sinking the haft into the ground when the hook buried itself into Stronric’s shoulder. Stronric cried out as the pack master pulled back, setting the hook in his flesh. The sounds of wild laughter filled Stronric’s ears as he was pulled forward. He let go of the axe leaving it impaled in the ground. The Pack Master laughed as he reeled the dwarf in. Stronric rolled forward with the next tug of the chain and came up onto his feet in front of the Pack Master.

Stronric looked up at the Gnoll smiling. The Gnoll took one look at the dwarf’s face and tried to step away, shock and fear plastered on its face. “Look who’s caught now dogboy.” Stronric growled his hand locked onto the chains wrapped on the Gnoll’s chest. “One, two, three.” Stronric whispered as the Runes lining his face began to glow. “Death needs not an axe or sword to dance, just a soul willing or not.” Stronric said as the crack of chain broke the silence and the massive mace ball smashed into the Pack Masters head, completing the circle Stronric’s haft was holding.

The Pack Master crumpled to the ground, gargling as blood dripped from his broken face. Stronric stood over the wounded gnoll with a foot pressing down on his chest. Stronric turned his gaze to the on lookers, “The time has come for penance to be paid, and The Grudge Bearers leave no grudge unfilled.” He shouted, drawing up his foot and bring it down onto the Pack Masters head. The runes on his face fading with the life of the gnoll before him.