The Chronicles of Bael

The Chronicles of Bael Part 34

Fireday, Illusion Week, Storm Season, 1600

Last night, not one day out of Slavewall, our caravan was assailed by a large band of Tusk Riders raiding out of the Stinking Forrest. Tusk Riders are vile creatures indeed. Some say they are the result of the union between man and Troll. From their appearance I do not doubt it. A war band of some twenty Tusk Riders charged into our camp shortly after dark, riding their foul and dangerous giant boar mounts. I reacted as best I could as the camp descended into disorder, glad that I had not removed my chain hauberk.

A Demoralise spell struck me, but the caster had not a fraction of my newly gained Power and it washed over me with no effect. Suddenly a Tusk Rider and his mount loomed above me. I managed to parry and break the Tusk Riders thrusting spear and dodge out of the way of his mount's giant tusks. As the rider and his mount galloped past me, I spun, sweeping the blade of my sword through the haunch of the giant pig. Both mount and rider ploughed into the ground, the pig screeching. The two hind legs of the beast were nearly severed, and it flayed uncontrollably in its death throes. Its rider did not rise, crushed beneath the bulk of his mount.

Looking up I saw another Tusk Rider impale one of my fellow guards with its spear. While the Tusk Rider laboured to withdraw his spear from the dying guard, I took the opportunity of his distraction to sweep my great sword into the haunches of his mount. The giant pig went down with a screech but the rider jumped clear and charged at me with his spear. I slipped to the side, allowing his spear to pass me by inches and skewered him with the full length of my sword. The universe seemed to slow and allow me time to judge each of my actions with greater care. I knew, at that moment, that this feeling was the boon of my Chaos gift. Gone was the rush of combat, replaced by a confidence and a new-found awareness. I looked into the hateful eyes of the Tusk Rider with satisfaction as he slowly slipped off my blade to the ground.

And then, as suddenly as they had come, our attackers broke, galloping off in all directions away from the slaughter they had created. I was later told that the Tusk Riders fled when one of the two Etyries priests who led the caravan summoned a Greater Lune that slew the leader of their war band. Nevertheless, the caravan had suffered greatly, three guards and four of the merchant's animal handlers were slain. The Tusk Riders managed to escape with several mules and at least a dozen horses, no fair exchange for their own losses of half a dozen warriors and their mounts.

I was forced to expend much power healing several of the wounded, though I gained the thanks and good will of the merchants that had hired me. The two riders that I slew carried only a handful of silver pieces and no other possessions of value. I found Tallbar skulking underneath one of the merchant's carts. One of the stolen mules was Tallbar's, and with it went all of Tallbar's alchemistical tools and paraphernalia, no doubt to the great relief of merchants and their daughters across the Lunar Empire. That night we fed upon one of the great pigs which we roasted over a great fire. The meat was most delicious.