Chapter Six
By Untwisted

Reprinted with permission.
Added 07/22/2002.

Sleeping heavily by the oasis, Dajyrad was shaken awake by a frantic Mach Xin. The massive archer was sweating profusely, and looked extremely tired. As Dajyrad sat up and opened his mouth to speak, a steel clad hand clamped it shut. Mach Xin spoke softly into Dajyrad's ear. "We are being attacked. A large band of drudges stormed town last night, and another mob of the horrid creatures is on its way. I'd say they're no more then a day's march. Come, I've brought your armor and spear for you. Padre and the others are being held captive near the forge. You must keep quiet though, the drudges do not know that I have gotten away."

Dajyrad nodded silently and began worming his way in to his heavy Amuli coat. In no less then ten minutes Dajyrad was suited for battle, wielding a vicious looking spear. Palyn, not knowing what to do, lay by the oasis in silence.

"We must quietly reclaim the armory from the drudges." Mach stated. "Once we've taken back OUR resources, and blocked them from OUR weapons, we shall be alright. You know, you were lucky you slept here last night, or you'd have ended up with the others."

Carefully nocking an arrow to the string of his bow, Mach signaled for Dajyrad to follow him. The two fighters crept silently to the edge of town. Scouting the area, they plotted the best method of attack. Six drudges guarded the armory from the outside and no doubt many were ready to defend the inside.

Nocking five more arrows Mach drew his bow expertly. In the bat of an eye, six drudges were laying on the ground, arrow shafts jutting from their pale, motionless skulls.

"How!? What?! That was amazing! You just!" jabbered Dajyrad.

"Yes, just shot six drudges drawing my bow only once. It's a skill I've learnt over time. When you've finished your training, you'll amaze even yourself. Now lets see if we can take back our armory, eh?!" said Mach proudly.

Dajyrad reached the door to the armory first, and without thinking knocked on it. A rather pudgy drudge dawning a large feather hat opened the door. A puzzled look crossed its face just before Dajyrad awkwardly punctured its neck. Stunned, the creature blinked before falling into a puddle of its own crimson blood, which flowed freely from the neck wound. Behind him, Mach laughed while drawing his bow. Three more drudges slumped to the floor. Rushing in to the open door Dajyrad flailed his spear in an attempt to scare the drudges, which by now had conquered their confusion and were preparing to attack.

Locking his gaze on a nearby drudge Dajyrad charged, spear gripped tightly. In an attempt to save itself, the drudge, stupidly, charged. Dajyrad's spear impaled the animal in the chest, instantly killing it. With a swift tug the drudge's corpse fell from the spear to the floor. Dajyrad wheeled around to find Mach had killed the remaining drudges.

"So much for my help!" laughed Dajyrad.

"There's still plenty of killing to do, don't worry just yet." replied Mach with a wink.

Carefully stepping over corpses Mach and Dajyrad made their way back to the street. Heading toward the forge the two stopped.

"Alarj Malthak!" roared a voice, as a feeling of utter rage swept the area. Sprinting with all their speed Mach Xin and Dajyrad hurried to the forge. When the two reached the forge another shout filled the area, followed by a brilliant show of colors. Deathgrip and Gimpt were conjuring spells of raw energy, slaying multitudes of drudges in utter seconds.

Behind the two mages stood Padre and Charon, wielding some low quality weapons from the forge -- most likely damaged weapons found on a corpse.

Presently a great boom issued from behind the forge, shaking every bone in Dajyrad's body. Following came a great shriek of laughter as Dulcion ambled around the corner, holding a small flask filled with amber liquid, at the ready.

When the last of the drudges were slain, Padre let loose a loud cry. Shortly after Lorik and Rat Foo appeared at the forge, blood stained and tired. Padre then spoke to his fellows. "My friends. We were caught in the night, but we have triumphed. Even our new warrior here has done his part, along with his friend Palyn!"

Stepping from her hiding spot Palyn shot a glance at Dajyrad, who promptly picked her up.

"How did she help?" questioned Dajyrad looking fondly at the animal in his arms.

"She," said Charon, "crept in here and managed to chew through the ropes binding us. Once we were free we slaughtered those damn things, as you can see." as he kicked a drudge to the side.

Mach interrupted Padre, who was about to speak, "We must not worry about what happened right now. There is another band of drudges on the march. We have maybe before nightfall to prepare. This group looks bigger and well armed."

As the sun reached it's highest point in the sky, the 8 friends began to ready themselves. Dulcion prepared explosive arrows for the archers, while the mages suited themselves for battle. In a mere two hours everyone was ready to fight, and a pile of corpses burned at the side of the road.

As night fell the friends positioned themselves for battle. Dajyrad, Padre, and Charon blocked the road while Lorik and Mach perched atop the kitchen. The mages stood proudly behind Padre, ready to cast, and Dulcion flanked them all flask in hand, ready to throw.

Soon, the sound of marching soldiers filled the air. No one dared to even breathe loud. The suspense was coursing through everyone, and the air was tense. A gentle breeze blew through the air, as if to cleanse it before the death that was to come; like a "calm before the storm". As the first stars broke their way through the night sky the first line of drudges marched the final, short distance towards their target: Uziz.