EarthBorn: First Days

Seconth Day 4th Quarter

The cloudless Rain now rested the sun breaking through only in thin rays like daylight stars the tracks begin to widen in Stride the prints and debris become more scattered more a hurricane then a simple giant trekking...

“It picked up pace from something’’...Rune mutters to himself, he can see the Star Father was nervous the tell tale signs of panic punching and dragged footprints written all over the trail ,larger branches and chunks of tree litter all around, they too pick up their pace , prowess agility and stamina of the men tested at speed for a constant...A huge whistle rings from above followed by Legion falling from the canopy crashing hard a distance ahead, One legion waves again to the others, signalling them up towards his position, they see a lifeless mass in the clearing laying behind him dead for certain, the drained men their saviours walk towards Legion and the fleshy heap the closer they get the more they realise that its no creature that lay coated in decay flies slain upon the ground...

They arrive at the carcass the blood clotted around it is a ripple less red pond long dried out, the men in awe stare at the formidable being, they have learned quickly and don’t need to be ordered to create the perimeter just snapped from the shock of first glance at the terror they’ve never seen , they circle the corpse in the clearing facing the forest their eyes cannot help but wander back onto the corpse it plays on their minds, the knights approach startled by the ferret dog like scavengers that burrow into the giants thighs, they continue on...Rune looks to the head circling around inspecting the mortal wounds and punctures that plague the torso and open the face up, Legion stares at the beast, up and down every inch almost jealous of its immense presence noticing the six toes this is definitely their prey, Maidon looks at the crafted possessions attached to what’s left of the extraordinary man, she is taken by the delicate nature of construction and beautiful decoration on his kilt and broaches, intricately detailed pattern of unknown Meaning they are skilled in the arts ,Wayke looks about the clearing searching for signs of the skirmish but once again there are no tracks bodies or evidence, trademarks of the ever illusive enemy, the giant lay savaged, a mutilated death with no apparent cause or perpetrator...

Rune looks at the fallen in bold stare , hard bone structure gowned in fire red beard and long hair, the skin thick and dry like that of rhinos it is now drowned in claret and lacerations that hide anyway to see identifiable features, he works his eyes to the chest where he finds a skin graft, cut into the chest plate and removed it takes shape as a symbol, he hops onto the stomach to get a proper view of the exposed muscle, he takes a minute to form the full image in his head, it is a fist clad in unknown evil with one digit raised...

“What is it Rune?’’...Maidon asks concerned once noticing his expression...

‘’ I’m not sure”...he shows them with his own fist what he sees, a curious scout turns to see the gesture and speaks freely gaining all’s attention...

’’That is a banner of old, a banner of evil, man hunters...Set Mortem”...Rune turns to the fearful scout approaching to listen intently...

’’What do you know of this? Speak freely!”... But Before the scout can speak...

‘’AHHHHHH’’...the Star Father screams and begins scuffling about the floor in the delayed final stages of death, he notices Rune atop his belly blade drawn and stares in terror at him, he tries to speak but just gurgles up body fluids, he raises his right arm pointing to the north west through the trees gasping for air, Rune tries to help him , his body violently shakes and twitches, his corneas open like bottomless pits they cast all colour from the giants eyes and he fades from light leaving only a heading shown by his arm laying where he last point, his hand opens where in his palm he clasp a piece of cloth, stained with blood Rune picks it up and opens it like a bedding sheet, it has a single ornate flower wrapped inside that falls to the ground crumpled and a sewn image, a token of loved ones left behind, any meaning lost to Earth thane he’s compelled to take it none the less folding it and tucking it into his belt, after a few moments quiet Rune thinks aloud...

’’We head North-West on the giants word!”... the same guard speaks out once more...

’North-west? Is that not where grey camp rest, in the forward glens, at the rivers edge?.... another sounds off from inside the shallow shrub returning from his urinating...

’’Ai, Grey Camp...we could stop there?, they are allies, that’s if they are still there!? we have not heard from those men in a long time!”...Rune takes the words and ponders for a moment before concluding...”It is North west this giant pointed and it is North we know the enemy come from, we will follow it through and stop at Grey Camp, see if they have seen anything”...Wayke concurs , he asks the knowledgeable scout...‘’How far to the gates of Grey Camp?’’...

“Not far , we can get there before the sun passes the quarter sky!”...Rune gives his orders...”Legion take Point grounded this strive, thirty paces ahead, the rest remain in the same positions as before, we move for Grey camp’’...they head from the Star Fathers final resting place through the forest on the North west heading he left behind...

Sun rays break the leaves sparsely but bring with them intense afternoon heat to the company’s skin, sweat builds and humidity rises from the ground like a tropical fog, birds orchestrate with insects taking to flight in numbers, fruit grazers under the shield of day fill their bellies under the canopies, they stay a safe distance ears atop their backs they hear everything, Wayke halts as the rest continue on unknowing he has stopped, he senses movement high above and far behind somewhere in elevated thickets they are hard to focus on, he turns taking in every small wind and movement looking hard for signs of what awakened his sense, among the branches he makes out creatures sitting still in hiding only their outlines visible, the fallen apes of the first day follow from a distance like lost dogs he turns to catch up to the company joining Rune at the head......

“The creatures we fought yesterday, it appears we’ve left them leaderless and wanting”...Rune answers in jest...”We’ve only been here a day and this paradise has already presented us with endless problems, so much for a new beginning!”...Wayke adds...“My worry exactly, if this is what has happened in less then a full day what’s yet to come? We must tread carefully”...Rune thinks for a moment but doesn’t stop moving...

After an hour of constant fast trekking the men need rest, a felled tree ahead dead and decaying laying flat gives them a chance to recuperate, Legion does not stop, he stays the course to scout ahead and see how far remains, leaving the band the forest begins to thin he comes to the tree line and looks out across a heedless lifeless glen, he spots formation, a rock fort sitting alone and quiet in the grassland as small as almost an inch in size from where he stands, he scans focusing on the wall tops and sees silhouettes, posted along the wall gates shut tight they do not move, now with Grey camp in sight he returns to the party they all turn to acknowledge him, he put his arm out and plays a recorded voice...

‘’Grey Camp three quarters of a mile, four guards’’...one of the scouts expresses doubt...

‘’Only four guards? ,that’s not right there should be at least twenty a watch always!’’.... He says worryingly...

’’It does not matter, either way we need to get in there, we will approach as friends and ask them to open the gates...if not we will enter by force”...

‘’With respect that is the most forward position we have, the most battle hardened of us reside inside it is an honour to be in there ,it is not going to be easy to take by force, we cannot scale those walls”...Rune smirks and replies to the scout directly...”Legion will deal with that’’ ...the guard turns to one legion, a sinister grin climbs from cheek to cheek making the man gulp air...

“Let us go to Grey camp! ‘’ ...the four walk off and the native scouts stand in blank stare at each other before, an awkward feeling of fear forcing them catch up quickly, all together they approach the fort across the glens that roll and sweep aside in the humid gusts, Rune takes the front followed with the natives flanked either side by Maidon and Wayke, Legion he stands back from the rest, the walls of rock tall and thick the gate studded with shields broken and bearing the brunt’s of battle rams, appearance as true as told in name it is not homely nor welcoming, still the guards high up do not move even as they draw within range, with nothing between their feet and entering Grey Camp but the long pounded ground that lay un rooted by any plant Rune halts the company, he shouts aloud to the motionless silhouette atop the wall...

’’IN THE NAME OF THE SHEPHERDS OPEN YOUR GATES”... Wayke jests at Runes expense...

‘’Keeping up appearances’’ ...He looks to Wayke who mocks him, he looks up and sees no movement from the figure high above, he takes a deep breathe and screams with frustration....

‘’ OPEN YOUR FUCKING GATES!!’’...Wayke and Maidon try to hold their laughs while the indigenous stand in surprise at the Knights sudden enragement...

‘’LEGION BREAK IT DOWN!!’’...the group separate and One Legion takes his hammer and holds it high above his head and prepares to charge, he powers up his mighty weapon he is ready to break down the gates single handily, he takes a huge breathe and...

‘’HOLD!’’...a second passes with only silence, as if he saw the Gate keeper approaching through the gates themselves they begin to open, the scraping of rock and dull hinges squeak loud and rub hard dust falls from the tops, they part revealing a seemingly well presented area all enter taking in every inch of detail but, see the signs of neglect after a few short steps inside, they look about all eyes turn to see the dirt has been recently shifted leaving dampness in patches like someone swept recently, the guards high on the walls do not move but are ever watchful of the outside yet they see nothing anymore, Weed and moss takes the stone lifting them from their setting with tufts of grass long left to flourish ,a voice rings out strong all around the fort but untraceable...”’Gre gr greetings, ah...what do we owe the pleasure o..of.of yur, visit subjects of the shepherds?’’... a man steps half out from a dark doorway onto a terrace balcony high up out of reach, he is dirty in the face and shows unnatural movements, Rune answers to bide time but his hand is down on the hilt of his sword ready to draw...

‘’WE HAVE COME TO SEE WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO WORD, TO SEE IF ALL IS IN...ORDER!’’...The man keeps putting his arm behind his back and touching something, swaying back and forth as if a drunkard he cannot walk too far from the doorway he stays half shadowed , Wayke stands still eyes watching, absorbing any vibrations he can within the forts walls to try feel movements and see what is wrong with the disturbed veteran, he can hear rattling from the mans flank, clinks of metal and the tiniest of drops pitter patting against cold stone like a butchers hanging beef draining, they slap the ground beneath the man sending the smallest of waves picked up by Waykes acute ears, the image forms the situation clear, the man is chain linked by the spine , a Sapien pet who’s owner sits in the dark gently tugging on him like a helpless dog he cannot speak out of turn nor hail warning, familiar sounds replace the negotiation...”Yes all is in...Order ah”!...the man can no longer play along the pain too much, weapons being unsheathed, grunts and breaths with raised heartbeats fill the fort all-around them Wayke knows they are surrounded , the sightless enemy they make their Move, out of nowhere he can hear running steps, he screams aloud...

“THHANE!”....

‘’YYAAHHHHHHHHH’’... an attacker descends down towards Rune hidden from the eye hessian cloth, with harrowing screams he falls from the wooden scaffold towards Earth Thane for a swift cowardly kill, the captives spine now yanked apart no scream is heard ,Rune, his intuition spoke truth, he takes the hilt already prepared from his side, it bursts into life precisely to block the oncoming attack in a huge shower of sparks, the strike strong the opponent holding his own both blades scrape hard against each other, Rune keeps the combatant deadlocked looking over his enemies shoulder the chain with the captives vertebra dangles from the balcony , he activates the arm blade and spins downward removing both the attackers legs severing the deadlock , the painful screams immediately brings the rest into the fray , like maggots a fresh corpse they fall from all possible hides and concealments, Wayke Legion Maidon and the scouts draw weapons and engage the enemy ferocious in image, they are armoured thick with alloy and beast hide their weapons of the same killing perfection as any though primitive, the sounds of weapons being swung with deep exhales and cries of effort, blades ring the air shields bash upon bone, they swing with a level of skill and unmerciful brutality the Knights are tested.

Waykes agility gives him the edge over superior physicality’s he parry’s and rolls exploiting weak points and sluggish style , his axe blade sliding from top to bottom along it’s rail in swift pinpoint strikes slicing tendon and amputating undefended limbs, a foe clips his right shoulder before losing his thrusting arm and being knocked into a backwards stumble, Wayke finishing the doomed by raising his gauntlet and closing his fist hard and sharp folding the armless opponent into his armour, his entire mass inside his once flat chest plate footwear as well...

Maidon takes a hit from a high point sending her rolling across the floor the assassin closing in fast to finish her before she regains her footing, she whips her flail under hand from the ground deactivating the chain, the cosh now free fires rapidly and embeds into the attackers skull becoming lost in the now slushed cranial cavity, she flips up over the momentous sliding corpse reactivating the chain causing the cosh to explode from the rear of the stackers head and reattach in time to deliver a second devastating blow, she starts by ending two in quick succession, the enemy fall to nothing less then a deathly blow, they must be methodically fought and finished not left apply to fray, for Legion, he cracks through their shields and armour like pilot punch, the spiked hand guards easily dishing out mortal fractures in single blows sending any who approach through the air , a blow that makes it to his body does little damage simply reminding him do deal the chancer death, one jump upon his back attempting to try and pry his blade between a joint they do not relent, Legion reaches over his shoulder and grabs the chancer by the head pulling him over his broad shoulder and slamming him to the floor, he swiftly readies then unleashes a hammer blow atomising him into a thick red mist of matter, he sounds his mighty war cry they are no match in a duel, Rune sends his enemies to the ground utilising every part he can to kill each as quickly as he can, the power of his sword shears through their armour like a healers knife through flesh, knocking attackers off balance he catches two blades at once with his defence thrusting clean through the left with his longsword while head butting the one to the right sending him back a step vision hazed shaking his head violently, Rune slides the impaled corpse from his blade immediately issuing an overhead stroke halving the concussed from the right shoulder to left hip bringing him down in two halves.

One of the brutes steps up setting himself apart, a berserker he swings the chain wildly the skull attached a blunt club for now, he has less armour only a helmet, a huge primal axe in one hand chain gone he draws a small dagger in the other, he uses both in sync, grips decorated and bound in skin he swings them momentously through the natives guard backed by animalistic ex halation’s breaking the feeble Sapiens defences, two bravely engage only to have themselves disarmed quickly garments sheared and backs opened as they try to run, the native warriors are brave but no match they charge with courage their blades not strong enough to with stand this berserkers crushing arm, two more step up , one is kicked to the ground his head stamped flat the second falls in range, the brute swings about fist clenched connecting with the scouts left side of the face, back fisted hard in to the wall an instantaneous seizure the last two surviving scouts hold back, the knights encircle the honourless warrior who turns his attention to them now, no more scouts will fight him...

“Well you are different ain’t ya? smell good too, hmmm, so you think you can handle Fortem do you hahahha’’...a guard warns Rune aloud that this berserker if of the elite ilk, Rune challenges with confidence none the less...

“Any last words before you kneel to us savage’’...he stands ready blade in hand at ease...

‘’hahahaha I do not kneel to dirty Sapiens, you are nothing but a nearly exhausted food source!”...the stocky Cave man stands ready to fight, he shows no fear even heavily outnumbered with no escape...” Well what are you waiting for? Does your belly not hunger?”...Fortem grins, his stance changes ,he steps forward slowly...” AHHHHHHHHH’’ ...He speeds up now charging at Rune who repays in kind, the axe comes down and meets earth thanes sword harshly deflected, they rally back and forth aiming high and low but none falter the berserker well adept at his style performing spins reversals and solid blocks, he manages no killer moves any that show promise not enough against Rune, surely deadly in numbers but, Fortem makes one fatal mistake, he loses his fluency and balance just for a moment, that moment is where Thane will excel, Fortems foot slips too far back bringing his centre of gravity low into a squat, Rune closes the gap entering a deadlock with the off balanced berserker, his dagger hand free Fortem desperately swings and tries to puncture Runes throat, a costly error he swings too hard Rune evades, Fortem follows through until his dagger breaks upon the hard ground , Rune pulls back his sword and down it comes, with one swift delivery of the ever sharp edge both limbs mid fore arm are amputated followed by a punishing kick to the ribs, Fortems blood fountains and seeps from his handless arms into the gaps between the stone blocks forming pools in the uneven facet, wounded and defenceless he screams abuse...

‘’MY HANDS....MY HANDS...YOU BASTARD AHHHHHHH’’... Legion uses the shaft butt to excessively knock him unconscious and silence his whelping...

“ Legion bind those wounds we need him alive, make sure he won’t escape whilst we travel”... Rune orders withdrawing his blade the blood simply falls directly to the ground he places in its sheath...

‘’How will we do that?’’...Maidon asks, Wayke intervenes with an suggestion...

“Let us do what they do unto others”...Legion smiles, he walks over to the inner wall grasping an old rusty iron chain that lay unused and snaps it from the wall, he moves to the wounded berserker chain in hand and begins the operation.. the sound of flesh tearing and chain rattling continues on as the rest recuperate...

“Once he wakes up he will show us the way to their Keep, gather what you can from what’s left anything useful and hurry back” ...Wayke is already pacing around the forts insides flicking over pots and papers that litter the conquered fortress, they were snatched while they slept, these prehistoric fiends they breach the wall and took it all with ease... Maidon steps slowly over to one of the remaining scouts who is on his knees aside a fallen comrade, head bent down rested upon befriended chest in sorrow...

“I’m sorry for your loss...was he your friend?’’...he lifts his head revealing rage visible as tears face as red as the blood that fills his cheeks veins pultruding his forehead....

‘’My brother...my ...younger brother’’...his vengeful eyes turn to view the now conscious but ruffled Fortem who lay staring around dazed, he focuses seeing the upset scout...

‘Don’t look at me scum! I squashed him like a fly! Even without my hands i could easily do the same to you!’’ ...the grieving man practically takes flight and slams his fist into the beaten foes jaw line...

‘’AHAHAHA, my Grubs hits harder then you ! toooot!’’...Fortem he spits his blood into the enraged brothers face who struck him, followed immediately by a crushing punch from Maidon to his left jaw line...

’’CRACK...shut your mouth cave man”...She shakes her hand loose to ease the

“oooo she definitely hits harder then you ah...ha, gona take charge of you one day Sapien whore!...Fortem still does not hold his tongue...“yeah when that day comes you better have an army with you!”...Maidon remarks ...

“hahaha hahaha don’t worry about that”...he licks his lips with lizard like motion tasting her scent that fills the air...”we’ve got more then armies!”...

“MAIDON!, enough!”...Rune takes a knee in front of the prisoner and looks him deep in the eyes, their faces almost embraced Fortem fidgety and uncomfortable but legion prevents his focus escaping by holding his head steady...

“You do not fear us do you?”...Rune says emotionless ,almost insulted Fortem confidently retaliates...

“Fear you? You may have skills Sapien but you are only four, four cannot stand against our hordes, you will fall”....Rune stands again speaking down to the savage...

“You haven’t danced with us yet”... He walks to a corpse where the second scout takes knee looking down at the mark upon the armour...

“ The same mark as before?”....Rune asks...

“Ai it is, but that’s not all, they have skin marks I’ve never seen before, ancient writing of some sort I can’t read it..!”...Rune kneels and looks at the marks

“WAYKE”...Thane calls out, Waykes emerges from the bedding shacks to where the corpse lay, he approaches stepping over limbs and torso stopping at the waist, he bends over thanes shoulder to look down at the skin marks...” They look deliberate , can you not translate this ?”...

“No No No, this is ancient”...the scout goes on...”well beyond what any lowly soldier would know , only the shepherds know of such things”...Rune squints , he appears to mull over the words he just heard to himself as if adding numbers in long equations...

“ hmmm thought as much....let me ask you, what do the shepherds actually do? speak freely this stays between us! we have allegiance only to our race”...the guard speaks apprehensively stuttering ...

“They know how things work, old and wise...they keep the libraries in order teach us how to survive, they guide us into the light keep us safe...without them we are lost”... Rune clearly not convinced taps him upon the shoulder in thanks...

“Thank you for your openness and honesty, gather some fresh water if you can use anything you can find thee guard jogs to the far end leaving Wayke and rune...

‘’ what are you thinking Rune?”...Wayke asks as they look at the scout doing his duty...

‘’When we left the keep Gaia was on top the wall watching us away from everyone else, just when the storm started’’...

’’Is that a concern? I did not sense anything but the ordinary at the keep, nothing from the shepherds themselves, in fact fairly content”...Wayke replies Rune continuing...

’’Yes they do have a certain, aura don’t they? alone this is not a problem but, Mungam, Orin, none of it makes sense....one people vanish then another shows up , nobody has seen them before!? I don’t like it”...Wayke rubs his chin and replies...

“That includes us, do not forget we are new inhabitants in this world ourselves!... we should see If our prisoner has anything to give yet?”... he points to Fortem who sits in Legion head banging and swaying...

“We will get nothing from him”...Maidon suggests still fired up...

“He will show us to his keep!”...Thane says approaching Fortem ...”Ready them to leave”...Wayke turns to summon the others back and ready them to make way...

‘’Legion!...stand him up’’...One Legion lifts the chain forcing Fortem to his feet in agony, Rune stands right before Fortem blood showing through the shitty binds Legion applied not caring just doing enough...

“ We know your keep lay in the North, you ARE going to show us where it is!...we will find it either way so! You can either show us and live awhile or don’t and Il mount you to the wall right now the choice is yours!?”... Fortem looks up under his thick battered and swollen brow ....

“Il show you’’...Rune looks at Legion negotiation finished, he nods to get him moving, Legion walks for the gate keeping the deadly Neanderthal berserker Fortem on a tight leash, Wayke with Maidon and the remaining scouts await ready by the gates, she stares hard at Fortem in he returns by grinning, a sinister show of confidence as he’s lead from the gate a paw less dog but a captive guide...