We were gathering our thoughts around the fire that evening, everyone hoping for a little morale boost. The fire may have been a mistake. Three armed riders swooped in on pegasuses(pegasi, I dunno, plural forms of mythical beasts are not my strong suit). They threw a glass vial which burst into a cloud of noxious gas. Most of my allies fell immediately, Suri and the gnome forced them to land, but also fell unconscious. Hawk managed to call in a Sasquatch before he passed out, that thing had a wicked right hook, but he got spooked when more riders circled above. The cleric and I were the only two standing. I drew my swords, and my eyes glazed. If I was going to fulfill my duty as a ranger and protect my travelers, things would have to get messy.
The Cleric did what she could with a sword she picked off the ground, and even got a good strike through some damaged armor. It was evident that she had had some specialized training; however, it had clearly been years since she had practiced with a blade. Rip and Snort kept the third assassin busy while I battled the scythe wielder.
His scythe had been reduced to a staff as I guarded a particularly heavy blow, foreshadowing the owners soon-to come decapitation. He cast down the now ‘useless’ weapon, drew a dagger, and stabbed my leg. I could feel the burning of the poison on the blade, and readied my mind to delay its effects. I noticed the third assassin kick Snort as he attempted to regain his footing. I snapped, and began the “Hāto no joō no odori” (Dance of the Queen of Hearts). A twist of my stance, and a flick of both wrists separated two ugly heads from two ugly bodies. A quick leaping strike left our cleric dancing with a headless horseman.
Four more riders landed, too eager to avenge their fallen comrades. Eredil eventually fell to the sleeping poison that doused their blades. I continued my dance, battling to block out the blows the I could not dodge, and resisting the sweet slumber their poison offered. Four skulls fell into the pile as I relieved the world of their cowardice.
Thirteen more assailants circled overhead, and rained various poisons and nets upon me till I fell. I half-heard the captain, through a fevered dream, mumbling as he wrote his report, "seven highly trained, heavily armed assassins 'lost theirs heads' when combating a single woman."
I've never held hatred for creature before, but whoever sent these assassins has earned my favoritism.
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