Preparations for an ambush... [Private-Eyvind please read]

[Teig O'Maolain]

TIMESTAMP 2 Brightenings before the training of the Sherian Provincial Army begins.


You sure about this Teig?

Teig nodded as he set up the torches along the pathways inside the cave system
they had spent 2 days building an entrance way into this natural catacomb system that Teig had stumbled upon during his journey.

This is where we shall mold them. now here's the plan.

As they set up the rooms and the choke points they discussed their striking plans. When they were done, They sent for Eyvind Redbeard, and left a sign at the entrance.


When Eyvind arrives he would see this message.

Daekin Avornmonger, see if you can survive our gauntlet.

Teig and Jard'en held safely in their hiding places and awaited the Daekin's arrival.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

The runner found Eyvind with some of his Black Shields trying some tactics for Heavy Infantry. The men of the first line forming an impenetrable wall with their shields while the ones of the second line covered their heads with the said shields. Their spears were held point out. With a shout the frontliners pushed forward and thrusted being followed by the secondliners who passed in the middle of their comrades thrusting even further. A moment later the second liners were forming a shield wall like the frontliners had done before them while the others were covering their heads. When the group was static their shields seemed hard scale of some giant monster.

Fluidity. The Vagaran smiled.

"Sir."

The runner called.

"Yes?"

Both saluted.

"Spear Daekin Teig O'Maolain sent me here to call you to see something."

"What is it?"

"He didn't tell. You'll find him near the large plain West of Taralon, Sir. Ten minutes on horseback the most."

With a nod Eyvind dismissed the runner and walked to where his horse, the mighty Carmelyn Warsteed he had named Arthalof was eating some chaff along some other military mounts. Taking the reigns he rode in the indicated direction.

As he rode the Daekin couldn't prevent thinking what was Teig preparing for him. Whatever it was it would be good. The man had proved his valor many times and although with a slightly humorous way of facing life he had never faltered in what had been asked of him.

Eyvind found the bunker after some ten minutes of ride, the runner had been true, but didn't find his companion. Tieing the reigns to a nearby trees the red haired man patted his horse and walked up to the entrance where he found Teig's message. A grin appeared in his face and he laughed. Taking an entangled leather string from his belt's pounch he tied it around his head holding his hair away from his face. He had brought no helmet but even if he had he would have left it outside the maze.

Unsheathing his sword he entered.

[Teig O'Maolain]

Teig's eyes had long accustomed to the darkness, and Eyvind had the disadvantage of unfamiliar territory and having the light to his back. Teig signaled Jard'en to spring the trap.

The voice would echo all around Eyvind as he reached the first cross passage.
"Welcome Daekin, see if you can handle it!

Jard'en unleashed the first attack, it was swift, aimed at the Daekin's knee. Dressed all in black, he would be nigh invisible. Only the whistling of his sword would be heard if Eyvind was listening. Jard'en would only tap him lightly with the flat of the blade, and then immediately retreat into the shadows, if Eyvind locked blades, Jard'en would sweep his feet out, and once again retreat.

Teig was waiting in the shadows, just around the legionnaire's next bend.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

In front of him he saw the light of the entrance and his long shadow stretching inside the cave. The air turned cooler and weater as he walked in. Suddenly Teig's voice echoed and the Vagaran prepared to whatever his Spear Daekin had for him.

The sound of steel whistling called his attention to his left and he barely managed to parry Jard'en's attack. Feeling his feet being sweept out the Vagaran could only hold himself against the stone wall of the cave system to avoid falling. It had been close, too close.

Regaining his balance Eyvind kept walking slowly in what he thought to be the right direction.

[Teig O'Maolain]

This time Teig leapt out of the shadows, a kick struck the sword from the Daekin's hand, and Teig unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks at the now startled officer.

Jard'en swept in, and grabbed Eyvind's sword.

his voice echoed in the cavern, and as suddenly as the attacks began, they were ended.

Forgive us Daekin, but in the dark we'd rather not have you swining steel, you can have your longsword back at the end of this exercise.

Teig's voiced joined Jard'en's

Come now Redbeard, this is only the second chamber, and you've got three more crossroads to traverse.

Teig and Jard'en doubled back to the next chamber, and waited.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

Without even noticing due to his armor Eyvind had been punched and kicked several times and his sword had gone missing. The NCOs were making him a hard life and a grin showed up in his face, he was liking it. Teig's tease was welcomed with the sound of his heavy armor falling on the rocky floor as Eyvind prepared for to face the ambushes Teig and Jard'en had prepare for him.

The sensation of being lighter than the usual greeted his shoulders and the Vagaran stretched his body. This was if he was hunting, using his body as a weapon only. His eyes were now getting used to the darkness that surrounded him, although not as used as the NCOs'. With a grin on his face he remembered the hunts he had done back in his beloved Hinterlands, a wave of pleasure for antecipating the adrenalin ran through his body.

"Let us see if all that training was worth something."

He whispered as he advanced, remembering the trainings in unarmed combat he had had with Shield Daekin Dogg back in Aelyria Prime.

[Teig O'Maolain]

The next crossroads was the most difficult. as the daekin walked forward he would cross a rope strung across at waist length. it was visible. very visible.

This would leave the Daekin with two choices. He could slice the rope out of his way, or he could cross underneath it. a leap over was nigh impossible even unencumbered by his armor.

the choice now lay in the Vagaran's hand.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

A rope in the middle of a crossroad. Was that all Teig and Jard'en had for him? Shaking his head the Vagaran approached the rope. It was visible, too visible to his liking. Maybe the NCOs had some strange idea on how to use it. Looking around to see if it was attached to something Eyvind held the rope.

Then looking around again to make sure no one was behind him he pulled the rope and gave two steps backwards.

[Teig O'Maolain]

The rope gave way, and all that could be heard was a rumbling sound. then, the rope pulled taught and the Vagaran would find himself being pulled hard towards the source. It would take all his strength not to be pulled along with it.

Or he could just drop the rope.

Teig waited for him to come flying into range.
Jard'en snuck through a murder hole and dropped in behind Eyvind after the Daekin had checked his rear.

[Eyvind Redbeard]

The sound of falling rocks alerted Eyvind that a heavy weight was attached to the rope and would pull him forward to the shadows where Teig and Jard'en probably waited for him. The Vagaran tried to hold the rope for a brief second but when the sound of feet falling behind him was heard he promptly let it go and turned to the Shield Daekin, his right directed to the man's neck, prepared to hold a grip on it. The Drill Instructor would see his feet raised from the ground under them seconds after his neck was caught.

One had been caught. Where was the second? The Daekin was thrilled with this game, it had been months since he had gone for a hunt and his primal instincts were returning. Just like when he had taken the wolf pack in the frosty Hinterlands. That Brightening he had been beaten by a superior hunter, this Brightening he dared the others to challange him to achieve the same.

"I suppose this counts as a scored point, Shield Daekin."

And he let the man fall on the ground, being careful enough to avoid a fall that could hurt the man.

"Stay here...it's Teig's turn now..."

And Eyvind walked into the shadows.

[Teig O'Maolain]

Jard'en skittered off into the darkness, and Teig fell back to the final choke point. Jard'en soon joined him. In this room lay the most painful surprise of them all. Both Teig and Jard'en had dark cloths to cover their eyes when this final trap was sprung. A series of torches were interconnected on the wall. All it would take to light them would be a single strike of a flint on the wall, and the entire room would burst into light, hopefully blinding the Vagaran. All Teig had to do was wait.