Herenui's adventures, or the wandering of a demoness

chapter 1 the attack

Fernando

From his boat, captain Fernando, was watching the burning city. CY'erith was not the largest city of the archipelago of the Demons, but it was also for this reason that he chose to attack here. He knew that the city was not as well guarded as the capital Te'avaro but it was still the main town of the island on which it stood. This was, therefore, the perfect target. His men were going to bring back a proper booty while minimizing losses. Spices, textiles and diamonds from these volcanic islands were selling at a high price in the different kingdoms of the great Continent. And what sold even more, which can reach astronomical sums, were the Demons themselves, the locals, nicknamed like this not for their cruelty but rather for their appearance. A tanned skin, red eyes and white hair had surprised and frightened the first explorers arrived at the time of an eruption. All of this combined had thus led foreigners to call them like this on their return from shipping. However, other adventurers tried to get in contact with the population and were surprised to find that the reception was warm and friendly. They proved to be developed and very well versed on trade. Maritime lines had not long before seeing the day, bringing number of exotic treasures on the continent. These wealth attracted a few desires but the Islanders were formidable warriors, with extraordinary strength, and easily pushed rare crazy enough monarchs to tackle such a piece.

The beauty, tropical charm and the superhuman strength of this tribe had made a piece of choice on the slave markets. The rarity of this "commodity" further increased its price. They were also difficult to acquire. It was indeed very dangerous to attempt raids. But Fernando had built his fortune on such bets. He was at the head of a fleet of 7 Galleons, each containing 400 men. And now, he could try his luck. Bringing back a few pieces of choice would allow him to grow his reputation, increasing investments of potential customers.

He had therefore planned a raid on a slightly isolated island of the archipelago; it would leave him the time needed to avoid potential reinforcements that the neighboring islets could send. His armada had arrived the day before, he had landed troops and the couillards (kind of trebuchet) in a nearby Creek, hidden from sight, and had finished preparing the encirclement of the city at night, to take advantage of the surprise effect. At Dawn, a deluge of fire was triggered, sowing panic in the city. He gave instructions to his troops: they should eliminate any individual showing a sign of hostility, avoid isolation, locals having physical advantage in a duel, and do a maximum of prisoners "intact". The attack had begun for two hours, and he was waiting on the deck of its Mothership, the report of his lieutenants. A foot step sound stopped his thoughts. His second, Johnston, who had commanded the assault from the lands, had sent one of his laddie to give him news of the attack. The young man greeted him:

-"Greetings master, I am sent by M.Jonhston to make you a report of the attack.
-how is it going? "Asked Fernando
-"A few pockets of resistance formed but they begin to falter. Only fly in the ointment, a district of the city is still in the hands of the enemies. It would seem that this part of the city is the market.
-we must take it, to make the most cost-effective raid possible. Certainly our goal is to bring slaves, but most of the inhabitants surely took their legs around to their neck early in the assault, and only a small number will be caught. But they will carry no resource. If the market falls, we'll got our hands over all the booty and we can hire a crew even more important, this time, to concentrate on the capture of the Demons. »
He therefore gave as set point to crack the defense whatever it takes. While watching the young man go, Fernando wondered what he could forget to take into account and was so upset his plan. However there are no doubts that the number of its troops would eventually make the difference.

Herenui

The blood was beginning to blind her. Everywhere around her, the dead bodies piled up. The attack began at dawn, when no one expected it. Immediately, the leaders of the Tuamotu Guild had joined them. Vessels sighted last night came to launch an assault on the city. Enemy troops had already climbed on the ramparts and sought to push the door. The masters and their apprentices were divided into three groups: the first was sent to the port to contain the marine assault, the second to the main gate, the last had to organize the evacuation of civilians and then protect the withdrawal of the other combatants.
Herenui was part of the last group. Her preceptor, Hinavara, had been appointed head of the mission, as she was one of the best elements of the Organization and it was the pride of the girl to have been chosen by a so skilled instructor. She, who had been abandoned by her parents at birth and collected by caste, gave her body and soul to be chosen by the best possible teacher at the ceremony for the selection of apprentices, when the children arrived in their eleventh year. Two years had passed; she had demonstrated exceptional skills, wielding weapons as well as poisons, revealing the promising signs of a great warrior and a killer in cold blood as well. But to continue on this road, she had to survive this morning. Cy'erith was not the main base of the Guild but a part of the Group had been dispatched by royal order. It was not uncommon that the sovereign appealed to them because it was financial support of the organization. The latter had in its ranks the most skilled blades of the country. It also enjoyed a very good reputation among the population, because one of their tasks was to maintain order in many cities. But this facade hid a darker side. The Guild also offered its services for espionage and assassinations. And there again, it has talented members. Their mission, this time, was to observe suspicious movements of foreign vessels. The attack of this morning confirmed that these fears were well-founded, but no one could imagine an attack of such magnitude. The evacuation of civilians that might still be saved was at an end. They were preparing to go join their comrades defending the city when a horde of attackers arrived on them in the market square. The fifty members of the guild found themselves beset by two hundred soldiers. They dug in the building and managed to contain the foreigners. The group of enemies began losing confidende against the power and grace of the killers used to fight in confined spaces, but reinforcements strengthened the morale of shaken soldiers. Demons resisted several hours. Ammunition for the weapons and the bows were to miss, the blades started to crack, and the injured bodies were tired. Suddenly, a large clamor rose and a tide of attackers managed to force one of the doors, overflowing defenders. Herenui fought alongside Hinevara. The duo was terrifying of coordination and efficiency. The power of the master captured the attention of enemies while the agile undetected disciple ran among the opponents and put them out of action with her two swords. It was the first time that the girl was in a battle. She had already murdered but had never experienced the battlefield. Her arms began to tire, her blades were dulled, her movements were less sure and she was covered with cuts. The number of its allies eroded and only the energy of despair and the survival instinct pushed her to continue. Little by little, she lost consciousness, leaving her body to act alone. She saw, in a moment of lucidity, Hinevara collapsing but had no time to understand what was happening. She felt a shooting pain through her thigh. She looked down on it and noticed a launch knife in her leg. This hindrance in her martial dance enabled one of his opponents to find a flaw in the defence of the apprentice and it gave him a chance to knock her out with his knob. She fainted in a mixture of exhaustion and pain.

Fernando

The assault had finally ended. The fighting had lasted until early afternoon, to the great displeasure of the captain who had counted on a quick attack, completed in the morning. However a grain of sand was slipped into his plan. A group of warriors was apparently stationed in the city, information that its local contacts had not provided him. Someone discovered his shenanigans? It mattered little. He would be gone well before the other islands do react. He had captured a hundred inhabitants, which were embarking. His men would come back soon from the market, their arms full of victuals. Johnston arrived at the head of a convoy of several carts overflowing with wealth. The booty was distributed in the five ships containing no prisoners. A detail caught the attention of Fernando. His second was carrying the body of a young girl across his horse. The hair of the indigenous was tainted by blood which contrasted with the usually white hair of the Demons. He came down to meet his subordinate and asked him why he would take a corpse.
-' She is not dead' he answered him 'aside from a big wound in the thigh and a good bump to the head, the rest are just light cuts".
Looking more closely, the captain noticed fact that she was breathing.
"But do you really think we can earn a decent price seeing her state?

-If she properly recovers from her injuries, she's the one that could bring in the most." Seeing his superior raise a quizzical eyebrow, Johnston continued "Alone, she killed or put out of fight about 40 men. I thought you would want to decide her fate."

Fernando congratulated himself for choosing a second who had a minimum of savvy and began to think about the possibilities. He then saw on the tunic of the girl the coat of arms of the Tuamotu Guild whose members were prodigious warriors. A malicious smile stretched his lips at the moment he found the best way to exploit the skills of their captive. He ordered his men to put her with the other prisoners so she could be treated. Once all the ships were ready , the robbers left the ravaged city to join the Grand Continent.