Operation Witless part 3

I tightened my grip on my halberd as I peered through the trees. Figures moved but were not entirely seen. Shapes flitting between trees or shrubs. Little more than phantom images.

"Steady." one of the men muttered.

This had been happening for perhaps an hour. They were no doubt scouts of the bandit lord mentioned in the quest. I squinted as the light from the sun filtered through the trees to dazzle me. The birds tweeted their music as they danced in the skies, not a care in the world.

Sweat stained many faces, hafts of spears were being ground into the dirt. No doubt Tyran and I stood out amongst everyone else. Perhaps the shallow trenches and pits dug across the hillside was giving the bandits pause? I doubted that it was the case but it was something not entirely out of reason.

What was more likely was that they were scouting our positions to discover some weakness. But as it would soon turn out, more figures would slowly make their way from the forest and wait a fair distance from the foot of the hill. They waited for more and more of them. Of course Tyran and I had runner running messages between us. We only concluded that the bandits had been very spread out.

Rapidly their numbers surpassed our own, and kept growing. Occasionally a band would grow impatient and rush forward to engage the line. Those were repulsed, not without loss. Injuries mounted, not mere cut or scrapes, but near fatal gashes. Limbs that would near certainly have to be cut off to avoid infection. This was not something we could keep doing, not as the enemies continued to gather.

Water and some food was passed around as the day continued to wear on and still they did not come in sufficient numbers to move us from the hill. Shadows grew long, nerves were beginning to fray

I tightened my grip on the halberd and looked up. The sun was once more beginning to set. I took a step forward. Hours ago the bandits had just begun sitting down, talking and laughing amongst themselves, as if we were not here. Standing here, ready to meet them should they decide to rush for us at a moment's notice.

What gave them the right? Blood thundered in my ears. A faint prayer on my lips as I strode forth with renewed purpose. Defend? It was quite clear that it was not the goddess's wish. I was but a humble champion. How was I to refuse her plans for me?

I increased the pace of my advance until I was jogging, halberd held before me like a lance, a rather imposing one at that with the axehead gleaming. At first my approach went unnoticed, why would one of us leave our positions after all? It was up on a hill, with trenches, creating a rather defensible location.

I rushed the nearest group, they had set aside their weapons to set up a fire, two were amidst setting the kindling together while another was just returning from gathering a few logs to keep them nice and warm though the night.

I came to an abrupt halt and swung on my heel, the axe blade bit deep into the first man, getting caught perhaps on his lower rib. With a savage pull I jerked the halberd back. Blood flowed freely from the wound in the bandit's abdomen, he screams of pain alerted his friend to my sudden appearance. My next blow was swift. Jamming the spear point deep into his gut, He attempted to grasp the haft but I wrenched it away just fast enough, kicking his feet from under him as I spun around.

There was a music, a beat almost as I crouched and watched the other two jump like scared rabbits for their swords. I lunged forward, Driving the spear point into the first's chest. He grunted and swung his sword as the light in his eyes began to fade. I let go of the halberd and jumped back, easily evading the blow.

The last bandit came at me swinging his sword at the height to decapitate me in one fell swoop. I swayed back, crouched down and leapt forward. He hadn't expect for me to try and tackle him, and that was perhaps the only reason I was not immediately cut down. He dropped his sword and put his hands around my neck. I sputtered, the pressure upon my neck was unbearable. I clawed at his hands and kicked at his shins, all while gasping pitifully for breath.

Suddenly blood spattered across my face, the bandit's head lolled back as the steel blade that had so periced his chest was removed. I fell to the ground and gagged. My chest heaved, air, sweet delicious air.