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Dark Sun: Praetor
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<blockquote data-quote="Iron Sky" data-source="post: 5645978" data-attributes="member: 60965"><p><strong>Ermak Estate, Verdant Belt, Balic Territory</strong></p><p></p><p>Aray climbed to the top of the gate and felt a stab a fear pierce her gut. Armored figures approached through dust and broken earth, rippling like a mirage or psychic's illusion in the baking heat of the sun.</p><p></p><p>It was no mirage.</p><p></p><p>She turned to the people Ermak had left in her care, trying to stay calm.</p><p></p><p>"Legionnaires from Balic approach," she said, raising her hands to calm the sudden cry and tumult from below. "Yes, we have been afraid of this, but know that our work will go on, even if we die here today. Some of you are to be runners and spread the word of what happened hear and be sure our work lives on - you know who you are - the rest get your weapons and return here. They will be here soon."</p><p></p><p>She turned and watched the figures become more substantial, like a nightmare slowly materializing from the realm of dreams. A few deep breaths steadied her shaking slightly, but did little to blunt the jagged dagger of fear lodged in her gut.</p><p></p><p>It seemed like only a few seconds that they were at the gate, the Legionnaires halting in formation, desert cloaks masking their faces and features, hiding all traces of humanity but hard, dark eyes. They could be armored demons for all Aray knew and, for all intents and purposes, they may have been.</p><p></p><p>At the lead of the unit a mul with a wicked long-axe and a giant stone axe strapped to his back stood beside a young man with black hair who wore heavy carapace armor, a sword strapped at his side and a giant gleaming tortoise-shell shield on his back. Praetors. Behind them stood a nondescript man in cowled desert clothing carrying what looked like a flute of all things. Aray had no time to consider the oddity.</p><p></p><p>"What are you seeking so far from Balic?" she called out.</p><p></p><p>In another situation, Aray might have found the young Praetor that stepped forward handsome. He spread his hands in supplication, the traces of a faint smile on his lips. "We just need to have a word with the master of the estate."</p><p></p><p>"He's not here."</p><p></p><p>He frowned and furrowed his brows as though deep in thought for several seconds. "I'd like to be able to take your word for it, but my superiors in Balic wouldn't be happy if I didn't at least take a look around. If he's not here, we'll be through and on our way quickly."</p><p></p><p>She thought quickly, fear and adrenaline fogging her mind. She couldn't think of a justifiable way to deny him entry.<em></em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Maybe he will do as he says, just search and leave?</em> she thought, realizing as she did that it was just her mind scrambling for some faint hope. <em>No, we can't take that chance. If they get inside, we'll have no chance against a full platoon. We have to hit them now, to give our runners more time if nothing else.</em></p><p></p><p>"Open the gates," she said, turning to glance in the courtyard. Even if they pulled off a perfect ambush, the poorly armed collection of servants and freed slaves inside the estate's crumbling stone walls had little chance, but they'd have to take it - their cause was too important.</p><p></p><p>Kneeling so the wall would hide her from the view of the Legionnaires, she spoke in a loud whisper to those below. "Get ready, attack them once the first few are inside, maybe we can kill the Templars at least."</p><p></p><p>The Praetors walked through the gate almost casually, weapons still sheathed, and for a moment she thought they might have a chance. Then there was a cry from the rear of the estate and four lanky warriors wearing bright-feathered cloaks and carrying heavy battle axes ran into the courtyard, throwing the heads of Aray's runners into the dust.</p><p></p><p>With series of war chants, the Legionnaires charged through the gates, the Praetors' weapons flaring with the corrupted magics of their Sorcerer-King.</p><p></p><p>***</p><p></p><p>Praetor Darus Sandstone stood in the courtyard of the estate and watched the flames dance, a skein of thick smoke swirling up in front of the simmering red sun.</p><p></p><p>A dusty, blood-spattered Legionnaire stopped beside him and saluted. "Praetor, there was no sign of Lord Ermak. We searched the whole place before it burned."</p><p></p><p>"Any survivors?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes, there were a few."</p><p></p><p>"Any useful information?"</p><p></p><p>"Nothing substantial."</p><p></p><p>"There were no survivors."</p><p></p><p>The Legionnaire saluted and departed.</p><p></p><p>Jerrek joined Darus, wiping the blood from his sword torn bit of cloth. "No sign of Ermak?"</p><p></p><p>"No," Darus said.</p><p></p><p>"Unfortunate. Let's leave the flankers behind in case he returns. Nothing more we can do here."</p><p></p><p>Darus nodded and whistled, then called out a short war chant. A few minutes later, they were on the march back towards Balic, leaving the bodies of the fallen to bloat in the sun beside the broken and burning shell of the estate.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Iron Sky, post: 5645978, member: 60965"] [B]Ermak Estate, Verdant Belt, Balic Territory[/B] Aray climbed to the top of the gate and felt a stab a fear pierce her gut. Armored figures approached through dust and broken earth, rippling like a mirage or psychic's illusion in the baking heat of the sun. It was no mirage. She turned to the people Ermak had left in her care, trying to stay calm. "Legionnaires from Balic approach," she said, raising her hands to calm the sudden cry and tumult from below. "Yes, we have been afraid of this, but know that our work will go on, even if we die here today. Some of you are to be runners and spread the word of what happened hear and be sure our work lives on - you know who you are - the rest get your weapons and return here. They will be here soon." She turned and watched the figures become more substantial, like a nightmare slowly materializing from the realm of dreams. A few deep breaths steadied her shaking slightly, but did little to blunt the jagged dagger of fear lodged in her gut. It seemed like only a few seconds that they were at the gate, the Legionnaires halting in formation, desert cloaks masking their faces and features, hiding all traces of humanity but hard, dark eyes. They could be armored demons for all Aray knew and, for all intents and purposes, they may have been. At the lead of the unit a mul with a wicked long-axe and a giant stone axe strapped to his back stood beside a young man with black hair who wore heavy carapace armor, a sword strapped at his side and a giant gleaming tortoise-shell shield on his back. Praetors. Behind them stood a nondescript man in cowled desert clothing carrying what looked like a flute of all things. Aray had no time to consider the oddity. "What are you seeking so far from Balic?" she called out. In another situation, Aray might have found the young Praetor that stepped forward handsome. He spread his hands in supplication, the traces of a faint smile on his lips. "We just need to have a word with the master of the estate." "He's not here." He frowned and furrowed his brows as though deep in thought for several seconds. "I'd like to be able to take your word for it, but my superiors in Balic wouldn't be happy if I didn't at least take a look around. If he's not here, we'll be through and on our way quickly." She thought quickly, fear and adrenaline fogging her mind. She couldn't think of a justifiable way to deny him entry.[I] Maybe he will do as he says, just search and leave?[/I] she thought, realizing as she did that it was just her mind scrambling for some faint hope. [I]No, we can't take that chance. If they get inside, we'll have no chance against a full platoon. We have to hit them now, to give our runners more time if nothing else.[/I] "Open the gates," she said, turning to glance in the courtyard. Even if they pulled off a perfect ambush, the poorly armed collection of servants and freed slaves inside the estate's crumbling stone walls had little chance, but they'd have to take it - their cause was too important. Kneeling so the wall would hide her from the view of the Legionnaires, she spoke in a loud whisper to those below. "Get ready, attack them once the first few are inside, maybe we can kill the Templars at least." The Praetors walked through the gate almost casually, weapons still sheathed, and for a moment she thought they might have a chance. Then there was a cry from the rear of the estate and four lanky warriors wearing bright-feathered cloaks and carrying heavy battle axes ran into the courtyard, throwing the heads of Aray's runners into the dust. With series of war chants, the Legionnaires charged through the gates, the Praetors' weapons flaring with the corrupted magics of their Sorcerer-King. *** Praetor Darus Sandstone stood in the courtyard of the estate and watched the flames dance, a skein of thick smoke swirling up in front of the simmering red sun. A dusty, blood-spattered Legionnaire stopped beside him and saluted. "Praetor, there was no sign of Lord Ermak. We searched the whole place before it burned." "Any survivors?" "Yes, there were a few." "Any useful information?" "Nothing substantial." "There were no survivors." The Legionnaire saluted and departed. Jerrek joined Darus, wiping the blood from his sword torn bit of cloth. "No sign of Ermak?" "No," Darus said. "Unfortunate. Let's leave the flankers behind in case he returns. Nothing more we can do here." Darus nodded and whistled, then called out a short war chant. A few minutes later, they were on the march back towards Balic, leaving the bodies of the fallen to bloat in the sun beside the broken and burning shell of the estate. [/QUOTE]
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