121 Frost AoS Day 71
The soft fall of mid day snow, gracefully like tiny ballet dancers, as far as the eye could see in all directions. Baudric had taken some time to himself away from the heart of the city and it’s high houses. Seeking the silence of the largely empty spaces surrounding the Warrens, but without going there himself. The field he stood in by the road crunched beneath his stride. Whisps of breath drifted away like forgotten memories.
Satisfied with his destination he doffed all his shirt to bare his skin to the cold. More scales lined his spine in similar fashion to the scales on his forehead. He needed more practice with the endurance of his sword arm. When he fought the demonic onslaught with Talon and Aoren, he had noticed it was still a bit stiff and tired quickly. Pulling Xuè yá from its scabbard he moved into place. Setting his heavy metal boots into a sturdy stance. His prominent leg taking the lead setting forward. The other slid into a warrior pose. Swishing it around in an arching motion he brought it forward to shift his weight to it. One after another his legs moved in the snow. The metal boots carved through the snow. Baudric’s movements seemed to reflect that of the tiny icy dancers around him as they fell to the ground.
While his feet moved in eased muscle memory, his mind focused on the positions of Xuè yá in his hand. Turning the guards into their different Hooten forms, swooshing sounds as the blade swung through various Oberhau and Unterhau stances. Finishing off with a sharp Langort thrust forward. Not satisfied, as was expected, he fell back into form and went through his drills once more. Repeatedly as time went on.
Like a banshee cry, a shrill voice called out in horror. Baudric immediately stopped his current movement and leapt into the air. His powerful wings carried him quietly into the atmosphere. His eyes scanned carefully along the road’s path as he spotted a merchant caravan. At first it looked fine, merely stopped along the stretch. Fine though it seemed, something was wrong. With a tight tuck of his wings he shot in its direction like an artillery shell of the Imperium’s war constructs. Just before reaching he opened his wings to suspend the movement as they snagged on the rushing air.
Like a whisper he landed, spotting the large splatters of black ichor on the carts. He could recognize instantly the signs of an Igos class demon. As usual the people here were not to be seen. Dragged off to some den of feeding the demon must have dragged them to. Attracted by the smell of the horses the demon spat the sticky substance like a binding cocoon. Then dragged all living things to safety consume. He needed to act fast. He would have to worry about how a demon got this far from the Warrens. But this wasn’t the first time. Something about that wasn’t right either and he did not like it.
Chasing after the fiend, it’s tracks pacing showed it to be a larger variety than he was used to. The thought crossed his mind that the size of this one could prove to be more than he could handle. Even at full strength. With armor.
“Der mist!”
The tracks lead over many rocky rises and falls of the ground. Determination flowed through his veins like wildfire in a drought choked grass plain. Vaulting himself over the rocks seemed the wise course of action. Trading accuracy of footing for speed. Thankfully he managed both with a few close calls. Skittering to a stop before a large twisted tree. Its boughs twisted with demonic energy. The Ipos had to have been squatting here for at least one moon cycle to have this much influence on the surrounding area. Hanging from the tree in thick black ichor now turned tar were four gloopy bundles. The Ipos turned to look at him as he arrived, drawing its three large arms away from it’s hanging meals.
A shrill scream called as black spittle flung at him from the force of its scream. In a flash the world dropped away leaving Baudric in the greyscape. Before him a swirling mass of black water replacing the horrific visage of the demon. At its center, a sickly green thread with spreading poison contained within. The point he needed to sever to end the fiend’s life. But he needed to be smart about it, Ipos were known for cunning feint attacks. It came, lunging forward to slam its mighty arm on the ground, the warrior having spun to the side just in time to dodge and went to counter with a strike to its arm before it could retrieve it.
Impact on his side sent him hurling to the ground. Quickly he tucked his wings in close, rotating his center of gravity to find his steeled toes grabbing onto the ground for purchase. His body slid another couple of feet before it stopped. That was going to be a couple fractures and bruises for sure.
“Rrraaagh!!! blödes Arschloch!”
Charging in himself at his foe, the enchanted blade readied to taste new demonic blood. The Ipos shot out its grotesque third arm at him aiming to snag him. Baudric evaded with a quick tuck of his limbs into a leap and body twist. Once airborne opened his legs wide to slow the rotation and adjusted to the angle. With a satisfying crunch that followed an echoing snap! Baudric sliced then severed the arm.
Xuè yá immediately soaked in the demon’s blood. Its jet and crimson body absorbing it into its metal like gauze took to blood. The rune along it’s blade began to glow as the pommel gem glowed a stunning sanguine. Baudric fealt the fractured ribs begin to mend. And with a smile he grinned like a demon himself at the Ipos. His tucks grew sharper, extending further. His scales spread like razored quills. His Orkhan blood thrilled in battle making itself undeniable.
Recovering from the reeling pain the Ipos began flailing its remaining limbs in a flurry of tar and jagged claws. Baudric tried to keep up with the movement in his dodging. One strike turned into three. Then nine.
“verdammter Scheiß! Struktur! Trotzige Sackgasse!”
Baudric’s wings extended around him and he reached out to touch their feathers. Two beads of light flared in brilliance as his negation rune extended energy to create the two Triangular shields in quick succession. Time was bought as the demon continued to flail against the shields. But they would not hold for much longer. He could keep rebuilding them? No he needed to end this; their lives were already beginning to show signs of their soul’s light fading. Gamble..
He knelt down bringing the shields together just as the fiend shattered them and sent him with concussive force back. His stance afforded him to remain in control of his body but the force earned him distance. Distance that he used to dash into a launch of flight with his wings.
“Jetzt vergehe!!”
Xuè yá bit through the blocking arms but with it’s blade could not stand up to it. The speed and force of momentum saw Baudric piercing through its arms, through its chest and out its back. The killing blow. The thread severed, the greyspace faded. The evil fell. Looking to the tree now he stumbled its tar stained body to the smaller pustules and cut them free. The first a young man, the second an older woman, probably mother and son.
Blinking their eyes open as they gasped for air. Thick black ooze dripping off of them.
“Ikki! You’re alright! Thank you sir! If it wasn-”
Just then she spot the collar on his neck. At first she thought he was another of the skyguard but now she saw him for what he was.
“Please, I don’t know what you want or why you saved us but we are simple country folk. On our way to market in Kalzai. We have nothing for you.”
What was she going on about? He wasn’t some kind of bandit. It seemed for every kindness of the Kalzasi people he met, two more feared him or spat at him. All because of the Collar. Baudric stood up. Offering his hand with his sword held low at his side.
“Can you stand? Let me help you back to your cart and then get you closer to the city gates. You fear me, but I mean you no harm or ill will.”
She looked at him afraid, pulling her son closer.
“Please leave.”
“Mother. He saved us. Clearly he just wants to make sure we are safe.” The young boy stood with Baudrics help. Following her son’s lead she accepted the help as well. “Our horses sir?”
Baudric glanced at them.
“I only had time to cut you both out. I am sorry.”
The three of them moved back to the road, Baudric keeping his distance to not panic the woman further. Though they talked quietly, he could still make out everything they said. She was still afraid but she did agree that if it weren’t for Baudric they surely would have died. When they arrived back to the cart they two climbed into the cart, still shook from the experience. Baudric grabbed the torn harnesses on the ground, situating them over his shoulder. Digging his heels into the ground he pulled. Blood rushed to his arms, chest, and face as he struggled with the weight of the cart. He wouldn’t give up now though. With his size and strength it was just a matter of getting the cart moving. Then it budged, slightly. Then a bit more.
“Sir.” The young man hopped off, coming to aid Baudric. A queer sight a young man barely over five feet and the giant the was the warrior. Together they grabbed the leads and pulled. It began to move slowly but did begin to move enough that Baudric could pull without stopping.
He wasn’t sure how long they had been pulling when they were spotted by the skyguard. Thrilled, the woman began calling out to them. Swiftly they landed before they group. They eyed Baudric closely, spotting the collar and all the black ichor staining them all.
“What happened?”
“They were attacked by a demon from the Warrens. Ipos class. I did what I to.”
“It’s true. We owe this Kathar our lives. The demon was terrifying. It! It..!” She dissolved into a mess of tears. Sobs and wails in disturbing decibels.
“Alright! Madam we will see you to the city just stop your incessant wailing.You, Kathar. Thank you for your service today. We will also see to a new rotation of patrol in the area. Your deed will unfortunately go unrewarded but not without appreciation.” The Avialae collectively began to aid the woman, even going so far as to fetch a horse. But as Baudric began to leave to reclaim his scabbard and shirt in the field, the young man stopped him.
“I will pray for your freedom, for all Kathar.”
The soft fall of mid day snow, gracefully like tiny ballet dancers, as far as the eye could see in all directions. Baudric had taken some time to himself away from the heart of the city and it’s high houses. Seeking the silence of the largely empty spaces surrounding the Warrens, but without going there himself. The field he stood in by the road crunched beneath his stride. Whisps of breath drifted away like forgotten memories.
Satisfied with his destination he doffed all his shirt to bare his skin to the cold. More scales lined his spine in similar fashion to the scales on his forehead. He needed more practice with the endurance of his sword arm. When he fought the demonic onslaught with Talon and Aoren, he had noticed it was still a bit stiff and tired quickly. Pulling Xuè yá from its scabbard he moved into place. Setting his heavy metal boots into a sturdy stance. His prominent leg taking the lead setting forward. The other slid into a warrior pose. Swishing it around in an arching motion he brought it forward to shift his weight to it. One after another his legs moved in the snow. The metal boots carved through the snow. Baudric’s movements seemed to reflect that of the tiny icy dancers around him as they fell to the ground.
While his feet moved in eased muscle memory, his mind focused on the positions of Xuè yá in his hand. Turning the guards into their different Hooten forms, swooshing sounds as the blade swung through various Oberhau and Unterhau stances. Finishing off with a sharp Langort thrust forward. Not satisfied, as was expected, he fell back into form and went through his drills once more. Repeatedly as time went on.
Like a banshee cry, a shrill voice called out in horror. Baudric immediately stopped his current movement and leapt into the air. His powerful wings carried him quietly into the atmosphere. His eyes scanned carefully along the road’s path as he spotted a merchant caravan. At first it looked fine, merely stopped along the stretch. Fine though it seemed, something was wrong. With a tight tuck of his wings he shot in its direction like an artillery shell of the Imperium’s war constructs. Just before reaching he opened his wings to suspend the movement as they snagged on the rushing air.
Like a whisper he landed, spotting the large splatters of black ichor on the carts. He could recognize instantly the signs of an Igos class demon. As usual the people here were not to be seen. Dragged off to some den of feeding the demon must have dragged them to. Attracted by the smell of the horses the demon spat the sticky substance like a binding cocoon. Then dragged all living things to safety consume. He needed to act fast. He would have to worry about how a demon got this far from the Warrens. But this wasn’t the first time. Something about that wasn’t right either and he did not like it.
Chasing after the fiend, it’s tracks pacing showed it to be a larger variety than he was used to. The thought crossed his mind that the size of this one could prove to be more than he could handle. Even at full strength. With armor.
“Der mist!”
The tracks lead over many rocky rises and falls of the ground. Determination flowed through his veins like wildfire in a drought choked grass plain. Vaulting himself over the rocks seemed the wise course of action. Trading accuracy of footing for speed. Thankfully he managed both with a few close calls. Skittering to a stop before a large twisted tree. Its boughs twisted with demonic energy. The Ipos had to have been squatting here for at least one moon cycle to have this much influence on the surrounding area. Hanging from the tree in thick black ichor now turned tar were four gloopy bundles. The Ipos turned to look at him as he arrived, drawing its three large arms away from it’s hanging meals.
A shrill scream called as black spittle flung at him from the force of its scream. In a flash the world dropped away leaving Baudric in the greyscape. Before him a swirling mass of black water replacing the horrific visage of the demon. At its center, a sickly green thread with spreading poison contained within. The point he needed to sever to end the fiend’s life. But he needed to be smart about it, Ipos were known for cunning feint attacks. It came, lunging forward to slam its mighty arm on the ground, the warrior having spun to the side just in time to dodge and went to counter with a strike to its arm before it could retrieve it.
Impact on his side sent him hurling to the ground. Quickly he tucked his wings in close, rotating his center of gravity to find his steeled toes grabbing onto the ground for purchase. His body slid another couple of feet before it stopped. That was going to be a couple fractures and bruises for sure.
“Rrraaagh!!! blödes Arschloch!”
Charging in himself at his foe, the enchanted blade readied to taste new demonic blood. The Ipos shot out its grotesque third arm at him aiming to snag him. Baudric evaded with a quick tuck of his limbs into a leap and body twist. Once airborne opened his legs wide to slow the rotation and adjusted to the angle. With a satisfying crunch that followed an echoing snap! Baudric sliced then severed the arm.
Xuè yá immediately soaked in the demon’s blood. Its jet and crimson body absorbing it into its metal like gauze took to blood. The rune along it’s blade began to glow as the pommel gem glowed a stunning sanguine. Baudric fealt the fractured ribs begin to mend. And with a smile he grinned like a demon himself at the Ipos. His tucks grew sharper, extending further. His scales spread like razored quills. His Orkhan blood thrilled in battle making itself undeniable.
Recovering from the reeling pain the Ipos began flailing its remaining limbs in a flurry of tar and jagged claws. Baudric tried to keep up with the movement in his dodging. One strike turned into three. Then nine.
“verdammter Scheiß! Struktur! Trotzige Sackgasse!”
Baudric’s wings extended around him and he reached out to touch their feathers. Two beads of light flared in brilliance as his negation rune extended energy to create the two Triangular shields in quick succession. Time was bought as the demon continued to flail against the shields. But they would not hold for much longer. He could keep rebuilding them? No he needed to end this; their lives were already beginning to show signs of their soul’s light fading. Gamble..
He knelt down bringing the shields together just as the fiend shattered them and sent him with concussive force back. His stance afforded him to remain in control of his body but the force earned him distance. Distance that he used to dash into a launch of flight with his wings.
“Jetzt vergehe!!”
Xuè yá bit through the blocking arms but with it’s blade could not stand up to it. The speed and force of momentum saw Baudric piercing through its arms, through its chest and out its back. The killing blow. The thread severed, the greyspace faded. The evil fell. Looking to the tree now he stumbled its tar stained body to the smaller pustules and cut them free. The first a young man, the second an older woman, probably mother and son.
Blinking their eyes open as they gasped for air. Thick black ooze dripping off of them.
“Ikki! You’re alright! Thank you sir! If it wasn-”
Just then she spot the collar on his neck. At first she thought he was another of the skyguard but now she saw him for what he was.
“Please, I don’t know what you want or why you saved us but we are simple country folk. On our way to market in Kalzai. We have nothing for you.”
What was she going on about? He wasn’t some kind of bandit. It seemed for every kindness of the Kalzasi people he met, two more feared him or spat at him. All because of the Collar. Baudric stood up. Offering his hand with his sword held low at his side.
“Can you stand? Let me help you back to your cart and then get you closer to the city gates. You fear me, but I mean you no harm or ill will.”
She looked at him afraid, pulling her son closer.
“Please leave.”
“Mother. He saved us. Clearly he just wants to make sure we are safe.” The young boy stood with Baudrics help. Following her son’s lead she accepted the help as well. “Our horses sir?”
Baudric glanced at them.
“I only had time to cut you both out. I am sorry.”
The three of them moved back to the road, Baudric keeping his distance to not panic the woman further. Though they talked quietly, he could still make out everything they said. She was still afraid but she did agree that if it weren’t for Baudric they surely would have died. When they arrived back to the cart they two climbed into the cart, still shook from the experience. Baudric grabbed the torn harnesses on the ground, situating them over his shoulder. Digging his heels into the ground he pulled. Blood rushed to his arms, chest, and face as he struggled with the weight of the cart. He wouldn’t give up now though. With his size and strength it was just a matter of getting the cart moving. Then it budged, slightly. Then a bit more.
“Sir.” The young man hopped off, coming to aid Baudric. A queer sight a young man barely over five feet and the giant the was the warrior. Together they grabbed the leads and pulled. It began to move slowly but did begin to move enough that Baudric could pull without stopping.
He wasn’t sure how long they had been pulling when they were spotted by the skyguard. Thrilled, the woman began calling out to them. Swiftly they landed before they group. They eyed Baudric closely, spotting the collar and all the black ichor staining them all.
“What happened?”
“They were attacked by a demon from the Warrens. Ipos class. I did what I to.”
“It’s true. We owe this Kathar our lives. The demon was terrifying. It! It..!” She dissolved into a mess of tears. Sobs and wails in disturbing decibels.
“Alright! Madam we will see you to the city just stop your incessant wailing.You, Kathar. Thank you for your service today. We will also see to a new rotation of patrol in the area. Your deed will unfortunately go unrewarded but not without appreciation.” The Avialae collectively began to aid the woman, even going so far as to fetch a horse. But as Baudric began to leave to reclaim his scabbard and shirt in the field, the young man stopped him.
“I will pray for your freedom, for all Kathar.”
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"Mein Licht, vertreibe die Dunkelheit, befreie meine Seele. Fliegen Sie in der Luft des Zufalls."
