The Invasion Begins...

[Durriac]

*the ferret stirred in his sleep. He thought he heard distant yells, but assumed that they were part of his dream. He rolled over. Then:*

"Get yer bloody asses moving, ye bunch of lilly-livered idiots! We're under attack, grab yer weapons! Dolts!"

*Durriac sat bolt upright in his bed, dagger that normally was under his pillow drawn. He then realized that the threat was outside of his room. He stuffed the dagger hastily into his belt, then jumped up and grabbed his war gear. He slid into his chainmail tunic, buckled his carved cutlass, stretched on his leather gloves, hefted his pilum (OOC: See pic for details. Basically a throwing spear that's designed to impale shields and then bend, making it too heavy and unweidly. Long metal neck also makes it very difficult to chop off. Based off the Roman weapon of the same name), and grabbed his shield. He fumbled with the scabbard tail as he hastily charged out of his door, halting as he saw Shadow and Dirk across the hallway. Through his window, he could see the billowing black smoke silloueted against the half cresent in the sky and the dusky orange glow of flame. A well of sickliness bobbed up into his throat. Never before had the Horde been taken by such surprise. Actually, the Horde hadn't been taken either. And Durriac meant it to stay that way.*

"Dirk! The town's in blazes! We have to try to get everyone up to the fortress! The town's lost. We need to shore up our defenses here. Hurry! There's no time to lose!"[/i]

[Ffasma Doomsday]

*Ffasma's eyes pricked up at the sound of Legolas's cry. Whirling, around, she stared, horrified, at the sight. The town was in flames. Immdiately, her body tensed up and a cold sweat trickled down her face. Fire. No. It couldn't be. Anything but fire. Shaking, Ffasma groped for her sword and drew it, her paw quivering wildly. Taking a deep breath, she attempted to collect herself and then began walking as fast as her weak legs could carry her. Invaders. She glanced around, making sure she wasn't wide open. Something in the corner of her eyes moved, however, and Ffasma spun around, locking blades with a bulky stoat. With surprising quickness, the stoat made a slash at Ffasma's arm, but the ferret drew back just in time, receiving a small knick. Her breathing quick but heavy, Ffasma lashed out with her own blade toward the stoat. The duel stopped however, when both beasts heard the roar of some mighty creature. Taking this chance, Ffasma dashes off into the night, her black cloak blending in with the shadows, but her violent eye were shining with panic and terror.

*Rally to the leaders, that would be a smart thing to do. They had much more experience than her, that was for sure. Keeping to the shadows so as not to be as vulnerable, Ffasma kept her eyes and ears alert for Dirk or Durriac. Or anybody. Turning her head, she spots Legolas locked in combat with an enemy. A wave of relief washes over her. Finally, somebody she knew, a familiar face! Forgetting her desire to be silent and invisible, she calls out to Legolas:* Legolas! We should find Dirk or Durriac...they might have a plan!

OOC: If anything is wrong with this post, do tell and I can modify it.

[Jadak the Fang]

**The group of three by now had made quick progress to the palace, striking south hard. The tips(I'm not sure how this palace looks) and towers of the palace could now be seen above the puffy outreach of the overgrowth of trees. The black wolf smiled grimly to himself, now is the time he would have to be most decisive and careful. Stars had suddenly sparked into existence in the dark expanse of the sky, and the clouds flickered and glowed a faint red from the fires of the marketplace. So far, the raid was going well...**

** "Sabac," Jadak whispered, keeping his voice barely audible, "Intel stated there would be close to no guards in the palace vicinity but don't you think they would bring some sort of protection to the palace in the situation of an attack?" Jadak knew to always expect the worst outcome in an event like this, but that never stopped him from being extra cautious. Jadak's jade eyes glinted intently in the faint moonlight as his ears strained to hear every sound. From the loudest of sounds to the smallest of reverberations.**

**The trees now stopped to open up and bend off in different directions. The treeline appeared perfectly cut to form a precise circle surrounding the grand palace. And it was grand. Its tallest towers pierced the clouds and its many windows shone from candlelight inside. Its exterior spoke of something even more luxurious within. Jadak nodded, this would not be burned, it would be looted. Jadak was also quite relieved at the size of the place, there was no way a new, fresh army of The Horde's size could protect such a palace, it was far too big.**

** "I'll check for opening's on it's west side," Jadak said quietly, "if we don't find a good one we may just have to make for it's main entrance. I'll give the signal if I find any." With that Jadak veered right, and snuck off to observe the area. **

[Legolas Greenleaf]

*Legolas had been running along the street pounding on doors and yelling through them, hoping to arouse the town. Her efforts were not in vain, she could hear sounds of beasts moving around in the buildings she had tried to awaken. She had to stop for a moment to catch her breath, but her anger and determination drove her onward again after only a few moments.

The fire was spreading; she could see it when she looked back behind her. If it wasn't stopped soon the whole town would be in ashes. She could also hear the creatures that had destroyed the marketplace moving on through the town, and the roar of the hulking beast she had not been able to make out the identity of.
She paused again for breath, and as she recovered she heard her name being shouted*

Legolas! We should find Dirk or Durriac...they might
have a plan!

*She jumped and then recognized the voice. Rushing over to Ffasma she gasped in relief*

Oh you have no idea how glad I am to see you! You're right, we need to find the rest of the Horde. I don't think we have long. Where do you think they are?

[Dirk Thornclaw]

Dirk hadn't waited for Shadow to answer him before Durriac came rushing out of his room, adjacent to his own, yelling at him too. Dirk grimaced.

"Alright! The towns on fire, I've figured that out." A red glow was coming through the window at the end of the hall, silhouetting a figure standing there gazing out at the carnage below.

"Shadow, you're sneaky enough, right? Get down to the town now and order any and all of our soldiers down there to retreat back to the Fortress. Under no circumstances are they to fight back unless need be! Not until we know what we're dealing with." He shoved Shadow to get him running. "And no heroic stands!" He called out after him.

Turning to Durriac he continued with his orders. "See to the defense of the Fortress immediately. Enlist any help you need - the defence of this place is most important. Do what you need to to ensure its defence."

Not waiting for a reply from his second in command, Dirk called out to the figure out the window, "Dagg! I want to know exactly who these attackers are. Can you do that?" Dagglur was troop commander of the Armanian Troupe, the division devoted to spying, assassination, and other unsual occuptions in an army. If anyone could carry out Dirk's order, it was the squirrel.


OOC: I had a dream Kazz had showed up. Too bad it was only that.

[Kippinanas]

The were finaly at the foot of the docks. Kip and her gaurds had somehow managed to make it there without being spotted, but that wasn't too much of a shock. Between Mattack's roaring and her natural tallent for hiding, it woulda been a maraculous if somebeast HAD seen them. She cocked her head sideways and listened to the waves slapping the dock like some kind of natural lullaby to the sailors that Kip planned to be burning allive in a few minutes. The waves... They reminded her of home... Not of the fort, but of home... The island where she was trapped most of her life. It was funny, in an odd way, that she left that dreary place many seasons ago, and yet she still refered to it as home. No beast really knew Kip. Many thought they did, many saw her as their friend. But none except herself really knew her. She tried to stay the nieve child she once was through the seasons, and she belived that was how everybeast else saw her. But deep down inside, she was no longer that child. She was dark and sinister with a slight cruel streak, and she hated herself for it. It was probably that very streak that drove her to learn the arts of medicine, to fool herself into beliving that she liked helping others. But she knew that it was all a mask. A mask against the horrors she saw when she was younger, the horrors that no beast should have to witness.

She shook her head in self disgust, feeling tears brought by old painfull memories start to well up in her eyes. She made a vow long ago that no beast would ever see her cry again. Especialy when she was supposed to be in command. Sorrow for anybeast's death was a sign of weakness in a commander, and that was a weakness that her tormented soul could not afford. "Hellsgates," she said under her breath, "pull yourself together you lousy Rat." She paused a moment, choked back her tears, and turned slowly towards her troops. Giving them the most confident smile she could manage to pull off. "Ralgan, light the torches. Each beast take a torch. Light every vessel docked here. Start with millitary ships, then move to personal crafts. From there, burn the docks themselves. Leave nothing unscathed."

"Mam, isn't this a little harsh, burning down the millitary vessels I can see. But the personal craft as well? Some of these folks make their living off of these th..."

Kip rose a paw in the air and asked for silence. She looked at the young stoat who had spoken what half of them were thinking, and nodded her head. "Aye, some may see it as harsh or cruel... But on the other paw..." she paused for a moment, pulling the Stoat's name from the dregs of her memory, "Young Finnegan," she continued, making it seem as if she had never forgotten his name in the first place, "if your quarry goes to ground, leave no ground to go to. We hunt the hoard, and we hunt to destroy it. Now, these docks serve them as a launching point for a counter strike. And unless you find yourself with a burning need to have your throat slit in the middle of the night by a badger with a love for revenge, it is in your best interest to burn these docks. Now I don't like the idea of burning the personal vessels, but I for one don't like the idea of being murdered in my sleep. Now, anybeast who objects to not dying in their sleep will pick up a torch, and do as ordered. Is this clear? There was a bit of a silence before Finegean said something allong the lines of 'understood' and picked up a torch. The rest followed his example. "Good, now move out. Lets finish this bisuness before it finishes us." She took a torch herself and led them down the dock to a ship with the word "Osprey" on the side. It was a fine ship, she would take no pleasure in its burning.

[Ffasma Doomsday]

*Shifting uneasily, Ffasma glances right and then left. Eagerly, she tucks herself into her cloak, so that only her eyes and the tip of her nose peek out into the shadows from her dark garb. She grabs Legolas's paw and tugs her earnestly underneath the alcove of a shop that is not on fire.* I'm not sure...but...but I just want to get OUT OF HERE!

*She sneaks a peak at the bright flames, their orange and red fingers stretching to touch the brilliant stars in the sky. It was an eerily beautiful sight, but Ffasma did not want to waste time marveling at something she feared the most. Without speaking, she motions for Legolas to follow her. Where were the leaders?! Trying to act as courageous as possible, Ffasma begins her quiet walk through the shadows of the town, searching for a leader or...or really anyone! Suddenly, there is a sound. Ffasma's head turns sharply as she searches for its source.*

Did you heard that? *She whispers, automatically positioning herself in a defensive stance. There is is...the sound again! Taking a few steps back, Ffasma tugs Legolas's hand and then slips inside a nearby building that has somehow missed the flames that are spreading like crazy over the town. Heart pounding in her ears, Ffasma turns to Legolas.*

What do you think that was....I mean...you did hear it didn't you?

*All of a sudden, Ffasma feels very warm. Before she even sees it, Ffasma knows what is going to happen. The building bursts into flames. The ferret lets out her high-pitched, unearthly scream, watching as the flames devour the wood. She stands, too terrified to move, her violet eyes glazed over and unblinking.*

[Tacks]

Takus felt the warm night breeze ruffle his fur. It was a generaly calm night, warm and quiet. He'd taken to sleeping in the crowsnest of the Osprey while it was in port. He felt more at home there than in the cabin he had been assigned by command. "Good, now move out. Lets finish this bisuness before it finishes us."

It took a minute for the quiet words to sink into Takus. He shook himself awake. The voice was familier, but he wasn't quite sure where from. He sighed. It was no matter who the voice came from, it only mattered that whoever it was, was trying to do some dark deed, and he took it upon himself that said dark deed didn't involve "his crew." He drew his sword and looked out at the dock. He couldn't see anybeast down there, but there was something moving... A few somethings... A score or so of them... Invasion? No, it couldn't be an invasion...

That was when he noticed an orange light in the distance. A light that could only have been made by one thing. A fire, a big fire. He shook his head, invasion or no, they were in trouble. "Curses." He muttered, holding his sword in his teeth and starting slowly and carefuly down the rigging so he wouldn't be seen by whoever, or whatever, was down there.

[Durriac]

"Yes sir!"

*Durriac scrambled out of the doorway, skittered down the hallway of the top floor, and dashed down the stairways, jumping the bottom half of each flight by propelling himself off the handrail to make time. As he passed each flight, he yelled and banged doors with the butt of his pilum. As he charged out into the courtyard with soldiers trailing behind him, some still buckling on armor and weapons, he shouted his commands.*

"Thryllans! Assemble on the walls! I want a bowbeast stationed every ten feet! I don't want sneak attacks here.

Terranyth! Assemble in front of the gate! Stand by to repel any invaders. Assume anyone coming up the path is hostile and be ready for action.

Ontarians! Split yourselves up into squadrons and be ready to reinforce where needed."

*he looked around, and saw a shifty group of individuals standing around with nothing to do. *

"Listen, Armanians. I need half of you to run to the nearest source of water-I think there's a river not too far down the road. Some protection..." *he looks around, sees an organized squadron of Ontarians* "You there. Ontarians. Protect these beasts. They're going to get water in case they try to burn their way into here. They'll find out the same trick won't work twice."

Now..., he thought to himself as soldier scurried all over the fortress, what else should I do? I should go with them, seeing as I am their commander.... At that moment Dirk ran out of the building. I think he'll have it under control. I should tell him what I'm up to first though. *he jogged up to Dirk, saluted, then gave his report.*

"I gave orders to everyone. Thryllans are on the walls, Terranyth in front of the gate, and a bunch of squadrons of Ontarians to reinforce where you see fit. I'll take a squad of Ontarians and Armanians with me to try to get some water in case they try to blaze their way in here." *he saluted and set about organizing his task force, then charged out the main gate at the head of his small army, dissappearing down the dusky path*

OOC: To be continued in the path thread.

[Dagglur]

Dagg felt a subtle breeze move past his face and make his fur sweep to the side slightly. He looked out the window and saw red light… He heard a number of shouts which reached his ears as though through a two-mile-long tube. As the eery glow from the town is reflected in his blue-gray eyes, he finds words coming to mind and then leaving before he can get a grip on them. End… End? It’s not supposed… Not like… This… Somewhere he thought he heard a bell ringing but couldn’t be sure if he had just thought of it himself or not. More yells and a door slamming the wrong way, coming through all muffled. Dagg heard his leader giving him an order and it took him a few seconds to process it. He could feel himself shaking slightly, full of self-doubt and dread, but before he knew it he was standing alert and giving a salute, words coming out of his mouth that didn’t feel like his own. “Yes sir! I will scout the area and defend our home at all costs, sir!”

The squirrel could dimly sense an amount of urgency, so he immediately set to work, trying to ignore a rush of bad memories. The past gave another strike to his heart. He was using his dagger to pry the window open, the sill having been painted over from lack of use. Then he was starting to climb out the window, making a valid assumption that any attackers would probably be at the entrances to the dormitories to keep the residents in. Dagglur wasn’t sure whether or not this was a good decision, but didn’t care. In a few moments he was halfway down to the second story. A few more seconds and he landed softly in the grass, shadowed by the edge of the building, now outlined in the town’s fiery glow. He began to hear again, fighting down one flashback after another, and he started to realize just how loud the place was becoming, with orders and threats and curses being shouted from one to another. It wasn’t what he wanted; he preferred silence and shadow, and as he stretched himself against the dormitory wall and threw his hood over his head, he knew he was once again in his element...

[Typhoon]

The ferret sentry had done his job well. In less than ten minutes after he had issued the command, the badger had half a score of spear-armed sentries with him at the edge of the town, on the main path to the fort. He cast a final look over the now-burning town and sighed. Typhoon did not enjoy war, but he would continue fighting to defend his home. Turning his back on the town, the badger led his soldiers down the path, to regroup with the bulk of the Horde's forces at the fort.

[Legolas Greenleaf]

*Legolas had no idea what was wrong with Ffasma, but she knew that she had to snap her out of it before the fire reached them. She shook her, yelling in her face*

Hey! What's wrong with you?? Wake up! We have to get away! It's just a little fire, we can get away! Don't panic and freeze up on me!

[Unwythe]

OOC: if i made any mistakes in my post lemme know!


IC:
*Unwythe didn't really know much, but from what he heard all the commotion suggested an attack. Unwythe jumped up from his lying position as he was watching the stars, and cast a glance about. Unwythe rarely slept anymore with all that was weighing his mind. But one thing that was exciting him, was that he had been needed a battle. Craving it, like a beast that had been starved and had been finally shown food again. he hungered for battle. Craved the fights, delved in the sea of swords, spears, bows, arrows, axes, slings, stones, and all manner of war. Unwythe's eyes were glowing in the firelight as he moved farther along in the Market place, at first Unwythe did the stealthy approach, he slunk with his back against the buildings, dodged in the shadows, but then he dropped it. He needn't care if he was spotted, though he knew he could not take on a horde of vermin, he did want a battle. But awhile back he had heard a deep and gruff voice, and he didn't sound to happy with a nearby badger either. He was sure he wasn't talking about him but he didn't care, if he couldn't join in on the fight, if there was going to be one, he was going to watch at least. Now Unwythe had not ever fought a Wolverine in the past, nor had he seen one, but he'd heard of them. Unwythe was still not sure of what the thing was that called out, be it wouldn't shock him very much to find out it was a Wolverine in the flesh. As he rounded a corner a ferret leaped at him, grinning wickedly with broken teeth, and a small amount of blood hit the wall as the ferrets curved weapon sliced a cut into Unwythe's back. Roaring out in more of Surprise than anguish, he whirled around, and flung his huge fist at the ferrets head, with a sickening crunch, the ferret flew back into a shop wall, and crumpled to the ground, panting in surprise, Unwythe moved out into the main street knowing that the commotion would attract attention to him. As he moved forward he wondered to himself why more beasts like himself weren't fighting back? There were a good number of vermin in the street burning, pillaging, smashing, and crashing there home, and alls the'd seen was beasts running and shouting. He understood they were surprised, but there was only so long he could run around and yell for help? Moving forward and tossing a rat who managed to cut his arm aside and cleaving his head with his battle sword, Unwythe moved forward, unawares the horde's commander had called them all the his aid.

[grenn]

Grenn had been asleep when he heard Typhoon. He jumped up and buckled on his weapons. He threw on a cloak over his nightshirt. He began running down to the town where the red glow of fire was spreading. He was so frightened he had never been much around fire. He looked around at the trees whizzing by. He finally reached the town. "What's going on?"

[Aranel Aearon]

Aranel Aearon, cloaked up to her neck in a black garment, ran into the town with a look of fear in her eyes. She carried two torches as she went up one street, looking for anybeast she could find. Then she saw a massive, black and white figure. A badger. He was moving intently through the flame-lighted streets, pawing away anybeast who stepped before him. Rane would need to be careful.

"Lo! Bagder!" she cried out, moving quickly towards him.

"What's happening?" Rane asked in fright. "Who's attacking us?"

[Dagglur]

The squirrel moved closer towards the start of the burning, despite how it bothered him. He didn't like fire... The flames were too unpredictable, casting a strange wavering light that made it more difficult to keep from being seen. A place which might be totally in shadow one moment may be momentarily revealed by the dancing flames, betraying him to the enemy. But that wasn't the only thing that was bothering him.

He couldn't help but wonder what this was all about. Problem? An unpredicted siege against innocent creatures. Justification? None to be seen. What caused creatures to do such a thing? Death and glory? Oh yeah, he always found such things to be a great deal of fun. Pain and bleeding. Oh, heck, it was even more fun dealing it on others... Gah... He shook his head slightly at his own sarcasm. There had to be a better reason. But he hadn't any time to think over motivation. He had to figure out what he was going to do...

Dagglur had to discover all the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing force. He needed numbers and leaders. He needed to know where they were from, and how far they planned to take this. It was impractical for him to scout the entire area and observe each of the enemy's divisions... From what he could see it would take too long and time wasn't something they had. It wouldn't be a very reliable method either, from all the chaos ensuing. He could hardly tell friend from foe. He'd have to grab a hold of one and interrogate the poor beast. Though how to go about it... He continued to dodge and weave in the general direction of the blaze, just now beginning to enter the thicker area of the town.

[Shadow]

Shadow reached the town in no time. The first he spotted was Legolas. He ran up to him and said "Back to the castel now, Dirks order." and before Legolas could answer Shadow was gone. The next person Shadow found was Typhoon and he told him the same thing: "Back to the castle now, Dirks orders, don't stop till you get there." Then he was gone. Shadow saw Grenn, grasped him and said "Back to the castle now, Dirks orders, don't stop till you get there."

[Durriac]

OOC: Grenn's with me, away from the town.

[Typhoon]

Typh was gave a slight start as Shadow seemingly materialised out of nowhere.

"Back to the castle now, Dirk's orders, don't stop till you get there."

Before the badger could answer, Shadow was gone. Wasting no time, Typhoon led his troops into a headlong run along the unpaved dirt path, his aches and pains all forgotten.

Although the badger was no proper runner, the adrenaline coursing through his body compensated for any physical unfitness. As he neared the walls of the fort, he could dimly see the silhouette of a bowbeast on the walls taking aim at them.

"Don't shoot! We're friendlies!"

But the bowbeast had already let his arrow fly. It hit a weasel's arm, the arrowhead going right through it. The injured beast gave a cry and crumpled to the ground. Typhoon picked up the weasel and hammered at the door.

"You idiots! You've just shot one of your own troops! Open up! We're friendlies, I tell you!"

The badger grabbed the torch from one of the soldiers standing nearby and shone it near his face. Recognising him, the bowbeast immediately shouted down to the Terranyth to open the gate.

[adrean]

*The wolf moves silently in his black armour, his short sword drawn. Five shadows can be seen around him, also in pitch black armour, a dull finish on each of their weapons to prvent reflection. He taps one on the shoulder, whispering in his ear, that shadow moving off twards the town. He does the same to two more, who both unsling something from their backs and melt into the forest on both sides, and simply nods to the other two, who move to flank Adrean.. He moves to Jadak's side as they continue, pausing briefly pausing as they come into site of the Palace, taking it in and judging that it should definatly have some good loot within it's confines. He hears Jadak's comment about defenses, directly followed by a almost inaudible "twang" and a quiet gurgle. Adrean smiles and taps Jadak on the shoulder, pointing to their left at a ferret with an arrow in his throat. He smiles again and nods, drawing his Katana, the two beasts on his sides doing the same. Adrean turns to Sabac and silently nods twords the south of the palace and mouths "lets go", still smileing in excitment.