[Mkguild] Plain and Simple part 6

[Kit]

This is a really nice story and I'm looking forward to reading about the
raid itself. It's kind of neat learning the backstory of how things in the
keep got to be the way they are now. I especially like how Metamor was being
the typical stupid of a noble without a good general and the creation of the
long scouts in general. It's fun knowing how stuff got started. On a side
note though... George may have started as a simple peasant, but I think he
suffers from the superman syndrome just as much as almost everyone else
does. Fame (or infamy), impossibly good skill, and an unmatched brilliance
for combat? He may have no earth shattering secret, but most other
'supermans' don't either and I think he definitely qualifies as one. That
said, I think George is awesome and I'm really glad you wrote this story.

Kit

On Wed, Feb 4, 2009 at 6:56 PM, Chris <chrisokane at verizon.net> wrote:

>
>
> ***************
>
>
>   Who had built first in this spot in the past was unknown. When the
> Seuliman had arrived there was already a centuries old settlement
> standing there. But even then there had been odd mounds and strangely
> shaped ditches that were far older. Neither Misha nor George were
> interested in those hills today. What held their interest was far
> younger. The tumbled down ruins had until two years before been a good
> sized castle and town. It had been home to over two hundred knights and
> soldiers until Nasoj had attacked it. The fight had been long and bitter
> but never in doubt. The odds were too great. The Lutins had overwhelmed
> the castle and killed almost everyone in it. Only a handful of people
> had survived.
>
>   Before the siege it had been a squat, stone tower seventy feet tall
> surrounded by a stone wall barely a third that high. Still for all its
> simplicity the structure had served its purpose well over the years,
> playing home to the soldiers who patrolled against the ever-present
> threat of lutin attacks.
>
>   What was left was not a pleasant sight. The tower was barely half its
> height, the top a ragged line of burnt and shattered stones like the
> ragged neck of a decapitated man. The wall had been reduced to low
> mounds of rubble in many places. Both had been hammered down by the
> repeated battering of siege engines over the course of the long siege.
>
>   Creeping along slowly around the ruins the two carefully examined the
> place.
>
>   The ruins were littered with the detritus of war, shattered weapons,
> armor and unidentifiable bits of wood, metal and stone. A shattered
> siege tower, burnt and worn down stood, listing to one side in front of
> the tumbled down remains of a stone wall.
>
>   Behind that ruined wall hunkered the stone tower that must have once
> been very impressive but was now just a battered, blackened stump.
> Still, even ruined it was an impressive sight. Misha also noticed that
> even ruined the tower looked to be fairly sturdy. He noted that the
> floor had survived in many places and the interior was probably for the
> most part dry on the lower floors.
>
>   Misha noted the countless places where a person could easily hide,
> lots of piles of debris, tumbled down walls and collapsed roofs all
> overgrown with bushes and weeds. A large group of people could hide in
> these ruins and never be spotted. Certainly not by someone riding past
> on horseback.
>
>   The first sign of lutins Misha had wasn't sight or sound. It was
> smell. His sensitive vulpine nose picked up the sharp scent of an
> unwashed lutin body and he wrinkled his nose at the foul odor. He
> motioned with one hand towards George and then pointed to his nose.
>
>   The old scout nodded in understanding and smiled. Then George pointed
> to a large pile of tumbled stone blocks.
>
>   Misha had to stifle a laugh. George had spotted the lutin long before
> he had even with his heightened animal senses. The fox slowly hefted his
> axe and pointed to the place where the Lutins were hiding. George shook
> his head no.
>
>   Misha nodded and pointed to the left of the Lutins and made a walking
> sign with his hands.
>
>   With slow and silent steps Misha and George quietly made their way
> around the sentries always mindful of how close they were. It would take
> only one poorly placed foot or hand to make a noise and give themselves
> away. In the distance he heard a night bird chirping. A small object
> suddenly fluttered past him and Misha instinctively ducked. He hefted
> his axe but didn't attack when he recognized the object as a bat. The
> nocturnal flier was probably hunting the insects that thrived in the
> forest nearby.
>
>   Still he didn't move for several minutes listening and watching for
> any sign of trouble. Finally he started moving again, inching his way
> forward one silent step at a time.
>
>   It was several minutes before they were safely past the Lutins and up
> to the rubble that had been the curtain wall. Moving slowly and
> carefully through the wreckage Misha stepped into the interior of the
> castle.
>
>   The interior of the old fortress was vast, over six acres in size.
> Once in the distant past it had been a Seuilman fortress and home to an
> entire legion. Then the courtyard had been crowded with all manner of
> buildings; barracks, workshops, warehouses even a bathhouse and a small
> temple. After the fall of the empire it had played host to a good-sized
> town whose citizens were loyal to the Duke instead of some far distant
> emperor.
>
>   Now all that was gone. In its place was a labyrinth of tumbled down
> stone walls. Some walls were scarcely ankle high, others were almost
> shoulder height and still others towered high overhead. None were
> intact, merely ruined and weathered remnants. One building towered over
> the entire area. In one corner of the vast area stood the large squat
> tower Misha had seen earlier. It wasn't a Seuilman construction. It had
> been built later by one of Duke Thomas's ancestors who had taken
> advantage of the still standing walls. In this vast area of ruins there
> were countless places a person could hide. Lots of nooks and crannies to
> tuck a body into and not be seen by a passing patrol. A person would
> have to sweep the ruins on foot, checking each and every ruined building
> and tumbled down stone one at a time. Only then could you be sure the
> place was clear of lutins.
>
>   George walked up to a wall and ran his hand along the top. Misha
> looked where the old scout had his hand. The fox noticed how the stone
> along the top was a darker color than the rest of the wall. He also saw
> the faint scratches and gouges. Someone had been removing the blocks
> from the wall for use elsewhere. That alone meant little as Seuliman
> stones were highly prized and old ruins like this were routinely
> scavenged of their stones for new construction. But no humans lived
> anywhere near this place. All the locals had been killed or driven off.
> That meant not only were the Lutins here but they were using the stones
> to build something. Neither boded well.
>
>   George motioned towards the tower and Misha nodded in agreement. The
> keep was the obvious place for them to find Lutins. Certainly there
> wouldn't be many there. The Keep was far too noticeable a place to hide.
> Any Keeper patrol moving though the old fortress was sure to give the
> keep at least a cursory inspection. But it was the tallest structure and
> a perfect place for a single person to hide and observe everything for
> miles in all directions.
>
>   This time Misha spotted the Lutins first. The distinct, musky, stale
> scent that all Lutins seem to have came to his nose. Misha stopped and
> dropped to his knees.
>
>   Without a word or a gesture George followed suit and knelt next to
> his friend.
>
>   Sniffing the air the fox traced the scent to a clump of trees. Sharp
> ears picked up the faint sound of feet being shuffled back and forth.
> The fox touched his nose and pointed to the trees.
>
>   George nodded his head slowly and pointed to the left of the trees.
> The two slowly and quietly made their way past the sentries and deeper
> into the ruins.
>
>   Within five minutes they spotted more Lutins, this time hunkered down
> in the ruins of an old building. They spent more time slowly working
> their way around this group.
>
>   They had gone barely twenty feet when they came upon another group of
> Lutins and more time was lost in maneuvering around them.
>
>   The two knelt next to a large stone that was leaning against the base
> of a stone wall. It looked like any of a dozen other rocks nearby but
> this one had a large patch of brown and green moss on it. The dirt and
> earth in front of the stone were faintly disturbed. To any but an
> experienced scout familiar with the flora and fauna it would be just
> another rock, but to George and Misha that spot stood out as a glaring
> signal. This rock had been moved and replaced many times.
>
>   Misha carefully ran his hand around the inside edge of the stone
> feeling for a wire, a piece of wood or anything else unusual. Those
> usually signaled a booby trap of some sort. When he found nothing Misha
> began to slowly and carefully lift the rock off the ground. The fox
> moved slowly as George leaned forward and looked behind the rock for any
> sign of a trap or some sort of trip wire.
>
>   The old bandit shook his head and Misha pulled the rock the rest of
> the way from the wall. Where the rock had rested was a good sized hole
> that ran deep into the ground. Misha looked down into the hole and
> sniffed. His nose was assaulted by a sour, dank smell that spoke of
> sweat and sewage left piled up somewhere down below. He recoiled and
> shook his head to try and removed the terrible smell from his nose.
>
>   George smiled at his friend's antics and then motioned for the fox to
> put the stone back in place. Gratefully Misha slowly put the large rock
> back where he had found it making sure to place it exactly as it had
> been before. Then they slowly backed away from the spot being sure to
> rub out any tracks they had left leaving no sign that they had ever been
> there.
>
>   Slowly the two made their way along the wall looking carefully at
> everything that lay around them. They would pause frequently to examine
> something. Often they found what they were looking for under a rock or
> behind a small shrub or bush. Within an hour they had found the
> entrances to over a dozen tunnels and a lot more Lutins on guard. They
> seemed to be everywhere. Thankfully most seemed to be asleep.
>
>   The ultimate find was located near the tower itself. In the midst of
> the ruins Misha came upon something unexpected; wagon tracks. Curious
> they followed them as they wound through the ruins till they disappeared
> into a pile of wreckage.
>
>   There they found a large pile of burnt timbers that looked too neat
> to have just simply fallen from the burning tower. After a moments
> examination Misha found no less then four traps scattered around the
> pile. Each one had to be carefully disarmed before he could turn his
> attention to the pile itself.
>
>  The pile looked heavy but it lifted easily when Misha pulled on one
> edge of it. The entire pile had been built on hinges and was carefully
> counterweighted.  Beneath it a ramp large enough for a wagon led down
> into the bowels of the earth. It was an impressive piece of workmanship.
> The ramp had even been carefully paved with stone blocks and showed
> signs of heavy use.
>
>   After closing the large hatch, resetting the traps and removing all
> traces of their presence the two retreated quietly from the fortress.
> They didn't stop till they were well out of sight of the ruins.
>
>   "I knew they were in the ruins, I just never knew there were so many
> and so well organized."
>
>   "Forget looking over the rest of the valley," George ordered. "We're
> going right back to the Keep. This is too important to wait."
>
>   Misha didn't argue and the two trotted off into the safety of the
> forest together.
>
>
> ***************************
>
>
>   They were in the armory turning in their weapons, armor and whatever
> other equipment they no longer needed. The first thing they had done
> upon arriving was sending word to Thomas that they wanted to meet with
> him immediately. Then they had gone to the armory to get rid of all
> their equipment.
>
>   Misha noted that George kept back a pair of gauntlets and a pair of
> boots. He couldn't help but laugh as when the curse took hold both would
> probably no longer fit.
>
>   As the two of them left the armory they were greeted by a messenger.
> The boy handed Misha a sealed envelope and then turned and left without
> uttering a word.
>
>   "It's from Phil," Misha said examining the envelope which had been
> sealed with wax in the shape of a carrot.
>
>   "And who is he?" the old scout asked.
>
>   "The Duke's Chief spy. One of the most brilliant and strangest people
> I've ever met." The fox explained as he opened the envelope. "He's also
> a rabbit."
>
>   "A bunny?" George asked and smiled. "Complete with the ears?" he
> waved his hands next to either side of his head imitating a set of long
> ears.
>
>   Misha nodded in reply.
>
>   "How does he handle being near you? Foxes eat rabbits."
>
>   Misha was silent for a moment and shook his head slowly. "Poorly.
> Very poorly. His rabbit instincts are VERY strong. I've never been able
> to get closer then ten feet to him. Mostly we communicate through
> letters."
>
>   The fox pulled out the letter and started to read it. "He has a long
> list of questions for both of us about our little trip. He also has some
> good information. The rabbit confirms that Nasoj had some sort of plan
> in motion but they couldn't locate where. Also he agrees with your plan
> to rebuild the fortress."
>
>   George laughed. "I like this rabbit already."
>
>   "He's also been investigating you and all the friends you brought
> with you, especially Arthlow. Phil tells me that Prince Harry's eldest
> son, Gergard has started causing trouble for his uncle."
>
>   "Little Gerry?" the old scout asked smiling and with a warm tone to
> his voice. "He was just a child the last time I saw him."
>
>   "He's grown into a noble, young man and he remembers both you and
> me," the fox commented. "He sent the Duke a letter that spoke very
> highly of both of us and he offered a large amount of coins to get your
> help."
>
>   George laughed and threw up his hands in mock despair. "I'm suddenly
> popular. Too bad it's too late to take him up on the offer."
>
>   "Can you think of someone who can help him?" the fox asked. "It's a
> good cause."
>
>   He nodded in response. "Pliny would be good," the old bandit
> answered.
>
>   "I thought Pliny was dead."
>
>   George shook his head. "No. He was in Isenport back in December and
> probably still is."
>
>   "I'll send a message off to him and Gerry tomorrow."
>
>   "You could also mention Adon," George commented.
>
>   "Who?" Misha asked, puzzled.
>
>   "I don't believe you've ever met him. I can't pronounce his real name
> but he's called Adon the Assassin."
>
>   "Now that is a name I've heard of. How would Gerry contact him?"
>
>   George shrugged. "No idea. But Gerry is a prince. Nobles have a nasty
> habit of knowing how to find assassins when they need to."
>
>   The fox scout nodded in agreement. "All right. I'll add that into the
> letter. Let HIM worry about it."
>
> "I've an idea in mind," George said suddenly changing the subject. "Back
> when I was fighting for Prince Harry we had that group of elite scouts =
=96
> The Ghosts. All were great scouts good at ambushing and raiding. They
> really caused havoc."
>
>   "I remember them. You want to raise a unit like that here?" Misha
> asked.
>
>   "No I want you to do it," the bandit answered. "I am going to be busy
> getting the scouts into shape but I could use a good group of elite
> scouts to do the really dangerous tasks."
>
>   "No George. I'm not a leader," the fox countered flatly.
>
>   "Everyone says you are constantly going north and killing Lutins and
> causing havoc. All I want you to do is bring along some friends to help
> with the killing."
>
>   Misha gave a bark of laughter. "You make it sound like I'm going on
> picnic outings."
>
>   "I'm fully aware of just how dangerous and suicidal some of the
> things you do really are," George answered, "but I don't intend to just
> sit around waiting for Nasoj to attack us. I mean to hit him first. And
> the things I want you to do you cannot do alone, not even with that axe
> of yours. I even know who to recruit first."
>
>   "Craig?" Misha asked.
>
>   George smiled and nodded.
>
>   "Good choice. He'll be a very good choice."
>
>   "And why are you complaining? You helped me raise the Ghosts," George
> commented. "I'm surprised Arthlow didn't demand your head as well as
> mine."
>
>   Misha nodded. "Me too. But it has been over a decade since then. He
> must really be mad to still want your head after all these years."
>
>   "He was always a petty fool," George said shaking his head. "I was
> hoping he would have gained some wisdom over the years."
>
>   The fox shook his head. "Nope. Some people get older and wiser and
> others just get older."
>
>
> **************************
>
>
>   "What did you find?" Thomas asked the two scouts.
>
>   "The ruins are full of Lutins," George answered.
>
>   "We saw signs of at least fifty or more Lutins scattered around the
> ruins on guard. Probably at least four times that many in hiding," Misha
> added.
>
>   "They are slowly rebuilding the old Keep, strengthening the walls and
> floors as well as clearing out the cellars and digging new ones," George
> commented. He sat down in a chair and poured himself a large cup of
> wine.
>
>   The staff had already learned George's habits and when he and Misha
> had arrived in Thomas' private audience chamber there were already three
> bottles of wine resting on the table next to a large platter full of
> pastries and other baked delicacies.
>
>   "Why?" Thalberg asked.
>
>   "A hiding place. When finished they would slowly fill it with
> supplies and troops. A few each night," George explained as he selected
> a piece of pastry covered with some sticky goo. "Then when they were
> ready they would strike. You'd wake up one morning and there would be
> several hundred Lutins wrecking havoc."
>
>   "Our first warning would probably be screaming and flames," Thomas
> commented.
>
>   "We need to strike now," Misha growled. "Before they get too well
> emplaced."
>
>   George nodded in agreement. "I'll need a few weeks to see my scouts
> and get them into decent shape before we move."
>
>   "Scouts will go in first," Misha commented. "They'll take out the
> sentries and clear the way for the infantry."
>
>   "One unit will surround the place while the other will sweep the
> ruins from one side to the other checking every hole and pile of rocks.
> Whatever they find they kill or destroy," George said complementing the
> fox perfectly. "Then when they're done with the sweep they'll do it
> again and again till they stop finding things."
>
>   "How many troops will you need?" the stallion asked.
>
>   George turned to Misha instead of answering the Duke. "Both groups
> will have to be the same size as the regiment that we took Warlington
> with ten years ago."
>
>   Misha nodded. "Two groups of two hundred infantry each," the fox said
> to the stallion.
>
>   "A mix of heavy and light foot backed by mages," George added. "And a
> good sized group of cavalry in case we run into more then we expected."
>
>   "That's a very large force by Metamoran standards," Thomas said.
>
>   "Would you rather wait till it filled with several hundred Lutins?"
> Misha asked caustically.
>
>   "Don't worry about the regular soldiers," the older scout added. "My
> scouts will probably do most of the fighting. The real trouble will come
> afterward when they realize what we've done."
>
>   "True," Thalberg agreed. "They are sure to attack in strength."
>
>   "It will take more then four hundred troops to defend that place.
> Troops we cannot spare for such an errand," Thomas commented flatly.
>
>   "Didn't we already have this argument?" Misha asked sarcastically.
>
>   "Either we go as I've planned or Misha and me will go with our own
> people, alone and do the job our way," George said flatly. "We'll lose a
> lot of them of course."
>
>   "Are you threatening me?" Thomas asked coldly as his nostrils flared
> in anger.
>
>   "I do not threaten," George answered calmly. "What I say I'll do, I
> do. No idle threats. Fitz Williams will support that. I told them what I
> would do if they betrayed us."
>
>   Misha chuckled suddenly cutting the tension. "We did cut quite a
> swath through the city."
>
>   "It's their own fault for using such cheap building material. We only
> burned the Guild hall."
>
>   "Yes," Misha added, "but the fire spread to half the town."
>
>   "No. That fool mage they hired tossing fire spells around set the
> town on fire. Besides. I warned them Betray us and I'll pull this pretty
> hall down on your heads."
>
>   "You didn't pull it down, you burned it," Misha corrected.
>
>   George shrugged. "Close enough. They should have paid us what they
> owed."
>
>   "Certainly would have been cheaper!" Misha added.
>
>   Thomas gave a short neigh interrupting the two scouts reminiscing. "I
> do not like risking so much of my army but I see little choice. We need
> to attack them before they attack us again."
>
>   "How long will you need to prepare?" Thalberg responded.
>
>   "A month," George answered. "That is as long as we can delay
> attacking. After that we run the risk of them attacking us first."
>
>   Thomas nodded his equine head. "We will discuss this more at a later
> date but for now we will move ahead with the training and planning."
>
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