Warfang: (Sky Realms Online Book 5): A LitRPG Series

by Troy Osgood

  Leigh thought she might be able to order some of the Shamblers to leave the Grove and surround the village itself. Not the larger ones, just the smaller. They seemed to have more range from the Branch of the World Tree. She was pretty sure she could get Grayleaf, the Craobh, to agree to defend the village as well. The massive living tree’s purpose was to assist the Custodian of the Grove, Leigh, as well as defend the Branch. The affairs of Skara Brae were not normally something he cared about, but if the Duntins raided the town, the Grove would soon follow.

  Hall didn’t want to ask, but knew he would. The Valedale Gnomes weren’t many, and not fighters, but he was sure they would help defend the village as well. For the same reasons as Grayleaf. If Skara Brae was attacked, their homes in the Greenheight Vale could be next.

  Everyone was afraid of what it would mean if the Duntins did take Skara Brae. Besides their deaths, the ruined village would give them access to a Branch as well as a defensible location to launch future raids from.

  But that still wouldn’t be enough.

  Leaving more would severely deplete the force they could muster to attack the Duntins. But they had to bring enough to handle whatever the Duntins would have.

  A balance had to be reached.

  The one who argued the most was Brient. He knew his responsibility was to Skara Brae, but in this case he didn’t want to get left behind. Grumbling the whole time, Brient finally backed down.

  The assault team would consist of the Breakridge Irregulars, Brandif, Garrick and Bradberry.

  The third debate was over which of the three Druids would join the assault team.

  All three argued for going, Leigh the loudest. She was the highest level, now at almost nine. Hall wanted her to come, it had been a long time since they had managed to adventure together, but Grayleaf was the one who forbade it in the end. The Craobh argued that her place was with the Branch in case the Duntins attacked again, which they would if Hall’s attack on them failed. As Custodian, the Grove was her responsibility.

  Angrily, hurt that Hall had agreed, she gave in.

  The two younger Druids, Seo and Bealee, almost came down to flipping a coin. It was Bealee’s offensive abilities that pushed her onto the team. Seo was the better healer, and while that would be needed, the attack was offensive in nature. They needed the firepower.

  Once all that was out of the way, everyone went to sleep except for the guard Brient kept at the pass. Before they left, Duncant assured Hall they would start work on a wall immediately.

  The Ridgerunner anchored a half day away from the small collection of homes. It sailed close to the ground, as close as Gerdi felt safe. Once the assault team was on the ground, the ship lifted off, moving back north a couple of miles to wait for Hall’s signal.

  From there they had to march to the target site. It was a hard march, keeping to the island’s edge and the relatively flat ground as much as possible. But sometimes there was no choice but to run across the sloping mountainsides. They moved quickly.

  Hall kept an eye on the map, and when they were close, he and Brandif crept forward to scout out the target. Crouching behind some bushes and boulders, they tried to get an accurate count.

  He looked over the small force. It was a strong group, small but strong. An odd mix of classes.

  Two Skirmishers, himself and Brandif. Three Wardens, Jackoby, Roxhard and Garrick. Two Duelists, Caryn and Bradberry. One Druid, Bealee, and one Shaman, Sharra. Strong on melee, weak on magic. Without a Skald or Witch, there were no buffs or debuffs. It was far from perfect, but it would have to do.

  Hall thought back to his gaming days before being trapped in Sky Realms Online. He had never been a min-max type of player. He hadn’t cared about the perfect makeup of classes for dungeons and raids, the perfect level mix. He just wanted to play the game. There were times he had gone with the perfect party because it just made sense, but for the most part, he enjoyed trying to make unbalanced parties work.

  And this group before him was one of the most unbalanced he had ever run with.

  Brandif and Garrick were the highest levels, at thirteen and twelve. Bradberry was next at level ten. Everyone else was levels six and seven. If the Duntins were all around level six and seven like the raiding party had been, the three higher levels should help offset the numbers.

  Hall hoped.

  There was only one way to find out.

  Hall sighed, standing up from the ground. The others gathered in a rough circle. The plan had been laid out. Everyone knew their role.

  There were so many unknowns.

  He turned around, barely able to see the buildings against the mountain, barely able to see the small forms. Hall felt himself smile a little. He knew he shouldn’t. This was risky, and there were no respawns for any of them.

  But he was an adventurer. This was what they did.

  And unlike the other times, when he felt he should have been back in Skara Brae, this adventure was truly for the town’s benefit. He felt no guilt. The Duntins were a threat to his people, and he needed to fight that threat.

  Raising his hand, he waved it to the right. The first group ran down the slope, heading for the two ships. A couple of seconds later he waved it to the left. The next group ran upslope.

  Counting down in his head, Hall waved his hand forward.

  He started out at a walk, crouching low, hearing the footsteps of the people behind him.

  They had been on a higher point of the mountain, walking across the slope. He leaned back, letting a hand run across the rocky ground for balance. Small pebbles slipped out from under his feet, sliding down the slope of the ridge and toward the island’s edge, following the main slope of the mountain. Hall cursed at each little tumble, afraid it would become a bigger one, drawing the attention of the Duntins.

  This was the hardest part of the plan. They were moving from the higher point to the small village, moving from boulder to boulder, bush to tree. Not the best cover, mostly exposed. They hadn’t seen any Red Cap sentries, but that didn’t mean a stray look wouldn’t find them.

  It was slow progress. Frustratingly slow. Especially since Hall knew they had to get into position quickly.

  Skill Gain!

  Stealth Rank One +.2

  He paused, lying flat against the mountain. The sun was to his left, rising over the peaks, casting long shadows. They had chosen to attack in the morning for just that reason. He held himself still, looking down his body at the village, seeing a Duntin walking to the edge of the trees, looking down the mountain toward the ships. If he turned, Hall knew they would be spotted.

  It was hard to hide a giant brown-colored Firbolg on the side of a mountain.

  The Duntin raised his arm, a banner held aloft. He moved it in a set pattern. Hall glanced down the slope to the two moored ships, hoping not to see his people. He did see an answering banner waved from the deck of the warship. Looking back at the Duntin in the forest, Hall watched him disappear back into the trees.

  Letting out a sigh of relief, Hall pushed himself up.

  His Stealth skill was so low, he was surprised it didn’t grant him negatives to using it. It was one of those skills that he just didn’t bother leveling up anymore. There were other ones that were more important. Caryn was part of the guild and had higher Stealth and associated skills that made her better at scouting. Hall didn’t need to tank, or even off-tank, not with Jackoby and Roxhard. But he was the leader and had to remain back to provide that leadership.

  He had fought that for a while but had finally come to terms with it, feeling himself growing into that role, finding it more natural.

  He stopped as the cross slope leveled off, just the main sloping of the mountain. Rock face was replaced by scrub grass and scraggly bushes, a couple of small trees with boulders still here and there. A long cut through the grass, parts of it torn up, showed where one of those larger boulders had fallen down the mountain, crashing and bouncing as it did, sliding through the grass before finally falling
over the edge of the island.

  The trees were thin, growing straight up the mountain or at an angle. Branches, barely covered in green leaves, started feet off the ground, reaching out toward the sun. The wind blew down the mountain, snapping at limbs.

  He could hear the voices of the Duntins now as he crouched behind one of the trees. Roxhard and Jackoby were both still up the cross slope, behind the only things they could find to hide behind. Now it was a waiting game.

  The voices spoke in the Duntins’ language. Hall couldn’t understand a word. He wished he did; maybe it would give him an idea of just what the Duntins were doing. They were camping in the small village, using the homes for cover, but with the amount of moving around they did, there had to be something else going on.

  Hall shifted behind his thin cover, glad the branches were somewhat thick. The trunk was straight up, pointing toward the sky, not following the angle of the mountain, giving Hall somewhat better cover. He still felt exposed.

  Minutes ticked by. He gripped the shaft of his spear tighter, moving his shoulder clear of a branch so he could grab a javelin quickly. He’d tense as voices came closer, breathing a sigh of relief as they walked away.

  He knew that his group would be the first in position; they were the closest. They had the biggest chance of detection and the longest wait.

  It was with relief that Hall heard the shouts of alarm from the ships downslope.

  Chapter 7

  He looked to the island’s edge, seeing flames curling up from the undersides of the hulls. Small fires, mostly thick smoke curling up into the late afternoon sky. Flames spread along the wood. Duntins could be seen running around the decks—organized chaos. Rope ladders were cast over the side, small forms climbing down.

  And then falling as arrows shot out from the trees. Two Duntins fell, slamming hard onto the ground. Another bounced off the edge, disappearing over, his scream fading as he continued to fall. Hall winced, knowing the Duntin would keep falling, never stopping, until he was lucky enough to impact against another island.

  An ear-piercing screech heralded the arrival of two streaking forms diving out of the sky. The dragonhawks each flew over a ship, letting loose with their lightning-breath attacks. More flames spread across the decks of the ships. Pike swooped up into the sails of the warship, what Hall assumed was the Roc Reaver. Sharp talons cut through the sail, more lightning striking the mast. Spiraling around, Pike swooped across the deck, blasting more lightning, talons raking across the back of a Duntin raider.

  Hall pulled himself tighter to the tree, hearing the surprised and angry shouts of the Duntins. Boots crashed through branches and underbrush. Running downslope through a forest was vastly different from a normal forest. There was a lot of cursing and growling, stumbling and crashing into trees. Branches broke.

  And then the first Duntin stepped out of the trees.

  What Hall had been waiting for.

  The Red Cap was surprised to see a Half-Elf dressed in leather and holding a spear. He didn’t react in time, not getting the small buckler or hammer up in time. Hall’s spear slammed into his throat, breaking out the other side. Hall stepped forward, pushing against the Duntin, popping the Red Cap off the spear with a popping sound, blood fountaining up.

  Dumbly reaching for the wound, the Duntin fell to the ground, bleeding out.

  More ran out of the woods. A couple passed Hall without even realizing he was there.

  They didn’t miss Roxhard.

  Booted feet slammed against rock as the Dwarf’s Battle Rush covered the distance quickly. He slammed into one Duntin, sending the Red Cap flying into a tree. The force of the impact cracked the thin trunk, the weight of the branches causing it to fall.

  More snapping and cracking of branches, another tree snapping, covered up the sound of Roxhard’s battle-axe slamming into another Duntin.

  Hall stepped away from the cover of the tree, more into the open, swinging the spear around his body. He slammed the tip into the chest of a Duntin. The sharp point bit deep, the Duntin stumbling back. More stepped out of the trees, the large form of Jackoby crashing into two of them.

  Hall could hear the cries of alarm echoing through the trees and to the collection of small homes. Hall’s attack was no longer a surprise. The Duntins knew someone was attacking their ships and now knew about Hall.

  But the third attack was a complete surprise.

  He could hear the sounds of magic coming from deep in the small forest, above the half dozen homes. The whoosh of flames, cracks of dozens of small splinters slamming into wood and stone and bodies.

  Hall could hear the sounds but couldn’t think about what was happening. He had his hands full with the Duntins in front of him.

  Spinning the spear around, he slammed the butt end into a Duntin on the right, twisting the spear to stab into the first Duntin, catching him in the shoulder and then in the chest using his newly acquired Double Thrust. Pulling the spear back, Hall activated Sweeping Strike, slamming the ironwood shaft into the knees of three Duntins. Two fell to the ground, the one on the end managing to stay standing.

  But not for long as Hall slid the spear through his hands, grabbing it tight and slamming it into the Duntin. Once and then twice, activating Double Thrust. Two of the three facing him fell to the ground, unmoving.

  Hall was glad that he’d gotten Brandif to train him in Double Thrust before calling it a night. He was especially glad that it had been easy to train.

  He twisted, avoiding a hammer swing from a Duntin to the side, trying to flank him. Hall activated Leap, jumping over the two Duntins’ heads. Using Leaping Stab, he slammed the spear straight down into the one he had wounded. The butt end hit the Duntin’s head with a sharp crack, the force twisting the neck. Dying, the Duntin landed hard. Hall jumped over the newcomer, landing behind him, taking the Attack of Opportunity and slamming the tip of his spear into the Red Cap’s back. Kicking out, he pushed the Duntin forward, freeing the spear. Stumbling, the Duntin managed to keep from falling. Stepping forward, Hall pushed the spear forward again, slamming into the Duntin’s back. Pulling it out, he used Double Thrust again. This time the Duntin did fall. Hall stepped onto his back, rotating the spear and driving it down.

  He pulled the spear up, looking around for more Duntins.

  There were none.

  Not right now.

  Hall glanced at his Health and Energy. He’d gotten a couple of minor wounds, mostly physical blows from Duntin punches and hammers. Nothing major, only down a couple of points. But his Energy was critical. He’d used a lot of special abilities in a short amount of time. Double Thrust was good, and while it wasn’t Energy intensive, he would have to be careful not to overuse it.

  Keeping an eye on the forest, he reached down to the small pouch on his belt. Snapping it open, he felt around for the small vials protected by the thick leather. Finding the one he wanted, he pulled it out. Popping the cork, letting it fall to the ground, Hall swallowed the potion.

  It tasted thick and syrupy. He could feel it sliding down his throat. But he could also feel the warmth and tingling spread through his body. Looking at his Energy bar, he saw it fill but only three-quarters of the way.

  SLAIN: Roc Reaver Raider

  +25 Experience (Faction Enemy Bonus +25)

  SLAIN: Roc Reaver Raider

  +25 Experience (Faction Enemy Bonus +25)

  SLAIN: Roc Reaver Raider

  +25 Experience (Faction Enemy Bonus +25)

  SLAIN: Roc Reaver Raider

  +25 Experience (Faction Enemy Bonus +25)

  Skill Gain!

  Light Armor Rank Two +.2

  Skill Gain!

  Polearms Rank Two +.4

  He saw the Energy bar tick up quicker now. The notifications meant the game considered him out of combat. That was good. He could rest and regen his Energy fully before entering the small forest and heading for the homes and the rest of the Duntins.

  As well as the more dangerous part of the atta
ck.

  The forest was surprisingly thick. The Duntins had broken paths through the branches, snapping them off, moving around the oddly angled trunks.

  More branches were broken as a Duntin was flung through them. He crashed against a tree downslope, hitting the thin trunk hard. Sliding off the trunk, he hit the ground, rolling until hitting another tree and coming to a stop. Not moving.

  Hall kicked the dropped hammer out of the way, advancing on the next Duntin.

  The thick forest, sharp branches, kept the Duntins from flanking him. But it also prevented him from getting much room to swing his spear.

  He stepped back, twisting to the side, avoiding the axe swing of the Roc Reaver Berserker. Because of his shorter reach, the attack brought the Berserker into Hall’s range. His short sword lashed out, slicing deep into the Berserker’s extended arms. Frost appeared on the cut leather, blood dripping from the wound.

  The blade swung up, trailing drops of blood. Hall managed to angle the downward swing, slashing across the Duntin’s head. The red caps were bright and flashy but offered no protection. The Duntin screamed, dropping the heavy battle-axe. Hall skipped out of the way, the weapon slamming to the ground.

  Screaming in pain, blood pouring down his face and from his arms, the Berserker stood there. Not moving, in shock. He didn’t when Hall stepped forward, point of his sword leading. With a push, Hall slid the sword into the Duntin’s throat, ending the screams.

  Pulling it out, he let the body fall.

  Stepping back, Hall looked down as the body crashed, making sure he was out of the way. A growl made him look up. Too late. The hammer slammed into his chest, pushing Hall back. Cursing in his own language, the Duntin stood on top of his fallen shipmate, jabbing out with the hammer again. Hall fought to catch his breath, stepping back again. The blow hadn’t been hard, mostly catching him by surprise.