Chapter 9: Preemptive Siege Breaking

Chapter 9: Preemptive Siege Breaking

Nathan thought that the best description of the Agmon camp was professional. Theyd set up on a hill a little ways off the road, in a clearing that had a faint path leading towards it - though the grass had been beaten down recently by many feet. A set of upraised stones decorated the top of the hill, looking like a spiky crown atop the low peak.

The Agmon legionaries had built a three-foot wall of fallen logs and low dirt around the base of the hill to delineate their camp. Inside were loose rows of tents, guarded by a dozen sentries stationed at the base of the hill.

The clearing was fairly large, with a few hundred feet between the trees and the outer edge of the camp. Farist swore as soon as he saw the gap, clenching his jaw and looking back at the two teams hiding in the darkness on the edge of the forest.

They hadnt approached from the road, circling around as soon as Byns spotted the lights of the camp through the trees. The Agmon legionaries had brightly glowing magical crystals encased in shiny metal cases that directed broad arcs of light outwards like floodlights. Some of them were even pointed upwards.

Selnoa whispered through the gloom. Those are magical. If a person moves through the light it flashes and sounds an alarm. Nathan couldnt see the Forest Rangers very well, but they were definitely exchanging worried looks with one another.

Farist took a slow step backwards, remaining crouched low. They came prepared. Maybe we should harass them on the journey to the bridge and call for reinforcements. Well be able to keep them from doing more than ransacking Bridgeguard.

Stella looked at Nathan and teeth flashed in the darkness. She used a phrase shed learned from him. Go big or go home. Lets do this.

Sarah had pulled out her rifle and aimed down it. I can shoot at this range. I see a guard on top of the hill, Im pretty sure hes guarding the siege-spike.

The Forest Rangers looked at the Heirs with an air of uncertainty. Zanwin spoke for them. This seems foolish.

Nathan turned to look over their allies, speaking slightly louder. It is not foolish. We have a good plan, and the abilities necessary to pull this off. We can take a risk once, now, and have a good chance to turn back this force for good. I do not know that repeated harassing will be less dangerous, only less successful. This will prevent them from hurting the people of Bridgeguard, and means that there wont be any more raids in the future. I will be taking the greatest risk, and I judge this worthwhile. Will you help me?

High-tier Earnestness 3 achieved!

Farist nodded and sighed. Were with you. How does this plan change if we cant get close to help you escape?

Nathan looked over the clearing again. Not much. Byns and Sarah split up and find hiding places where they can see and cover different angles of the camp. Ill need Sarah to take out the guard on the siege-spike. Can you do that?

Sarah looked, focused on the top of the hill. It was about a hundred yards away, and Nathan could only make out a faint silhouette in the uncertain lighting. After a moment, she nodded decisively.

So Nathan continued. Everybody else, group up. The moment the alarm is raised, come in to cover my escape. Ill try to get out without fighting, then join up with you and retreat.

Zanwin spoke up. Im going to set some traps along this escape route. Tripwires and some nasty caltrops. A few spike-traps in the trees. Wont take long.

Do it while Sarah and Byns get into position. Selnoa, can you handle the coordination? Farist spoke with resolve, and at Selnoas affirmation they got started on the final preparations.

Sarah and Byns went back into the trees to circle around the camp. Zanwin started pointing out the places he would trap. Hed set his nastiest traps in the treeline, and snuck a ways into the clearing to plant tripwires and caltrops to foul the footing of any pursuers. He made sure the Adventurers knew the safe path he was leaving, pointing out bushes that marked a clear path.

With a look to Selnoa, Nathan explained an important detail. Im immune to magic. If Im in the middle of a group of enemies, dont worry about hitting me with anything. It will help me out.

The Knuld mage looked shocked, but Stella whispered an affirmation. Its true. Nathan can eat one of my fireballs and be fine. She grinned at the double meaning as she grabbed his hand with hers, channeling faintly sparking lightning until he nodded that his Stamina was full.

Then she started compacting a platform from the earth to throw him with.

Khachi clapped Nathan on the shoulder softly. Hear me, but I hope Algoas luck rides with you tonight. Dont die.

Aarl merely nodded solemnly at Nathan, his hands twitching near his pouches.

And with that, Nathan stepped onto Stellas platform. Can you throw me that far?

Stella shrugged. Weve never practiced this far. Im just going to throw you as hard as I can.

Sending the signal that were about to start. Sarah should be shooting. Selnoa whispered, casting a spell to notify Sarah and Byns.

Nathan crouched down on the platform, closing his eyes and kindling his Rage as he waited for Stellas countdown.

I dont hate these imperialists with every fiber of my being. But they come to Gemore to ransack and pillage, to steal. To conquer if they find us weak. I will teach them that they have no right to what is ours. I will ensure they regret coming here, and think long and hard before returning.

Then Stellas countdown reached zero, and Nathan leapt as the platform beneath him rocketed skywards. He heard a faint crack from Sarahs rifle as he opened his eyes and watched the Agmon camp approaching. The throw had been a bit short, but as he reached the top of the arc Nathan started spending stamina to direct his flight towards the peak of the hill. The guard atop the hill was looking around, confused.

I think Sarah missed. Shit.

Nathans flight was slow, since he was falling at an angle much shallower than gravity would normally let him. It was draining his Stamina. He passed into the cone of light from the upwards-facing illumination constructs, and felt the tingle of magic on his skin. Ñøv€l-B1n was the first platform to present this chapter.

Unsurprisingly, it was light mana, and was trying to bounce back from his skin to activate the alarm. Nathan didnt let it, absorbing all of the mana that touched him from the spell.

However, that didnt stop Nathan from being illuminated by the light itself. Hed passed over the heads of the exterior sentries, but the guard atop the hill was looking around - and up. He saw Nathan and paused for a moment, before pointing at him and opening his mouth to yell.

Another faint crack sounded from the edge of the woods, and the orcs neck exploded. He fell over, nearly decapitated. It wasnt particularly quiet, but it wasnt louder than somebody dropping something or falling out of bed.

High-tier Slow Fall 4 achieved!

Stamina: 492/690

Nathan landed quietly on the top of the hill, suppressing his relieved laughter and trying to control his movements through the familiar flood of adrenaline. At this point it felt like an old friend. He crouched down behind one of the stone spikes crowning the hill, noticing interlocking runes carved into its surface. Theyd been deliberately ruined at some point in the past and didnt have so much as a trace of magic left in them.

He took a moment to look around, suppressing his desire to start bashing heads. The guards had heard the shots, and were calling out to each other to check in.

I dont have long.

Well shit. Time to get tricky!

Nathan sprinted at a pair of legionaries that were approaching from the side. He picked up speed rapidly and they quickly brought their spears into position. Right before he got to their position Nathan took three steps up the rock hed really been aiming for, jumping as high as he could into the air to sail at their heads.

The soldiers merely angled their spears upwards and raised their shields, ready to spit Nathan as he came down from his jump. He used [Slow fall] to jerk himself down diagonally, and kicked out with his legs as he fell to knock the spearheads out of his path. The motion flipped Nathan over and he flung out his left hand, shoving off an upraised shield to vault over the legionaries. He slowed his fall slightly to complete the rotation and land on his feet behind them.

Mid Tier Tumbling 2 achieved!

Parkour!

Nathan staggered for a few steps after the landing, but then he took off in the direction that the other Adventurers were approaching from. They were only a third of the way across the field, but coming closer.

I think Im in the clear. Just need to outrun them. And I've got [Sprinting] for that!

Bolts of magic impacted Nathan from various directions - some of his pursuers had drawn wands and were tagging him with a myriad of elemental spells. Almost a third of them had lightning wands, meant to be used against long-range targets.

Nice of them to provide some extra stamina. Ive got a lot of wounds to heal.

Then a familiarly florid voice carried over the hillside. Cease fire! Company form up! The command was a bit ragged and out of breath, but when Nathan darted a look over his shoulder he recognized the fancily armored orc whom hed blown away with the siege-spike, just tossing aside a potion bottle. His armor was a bit crushed and his enchanted helmet was gone, with blood seeping down from his scalp, but he looked pretty much in one piece.

More significantly, the rest of the armed orcs quickly assembled into a tight block, approximately six across and three deep. The officer stood just behind them, and raised his glowing sword.

Company, CHARGE!

Skill text comparison:

Utility skill: Low-tier Tumbling

This skill will help you use unorthodox movements involving rolls and handsprings to avoid blows in the future.

Utility skill: Mid-Tier Tumbling

This skill will help you use unorthodox movements involving rolls and handsprings to take advantage of your momentum to avoid danger.

Status of Nathan Lark:

Permanent Talent 1: Magic Absorption 7

Permanent Talent 2: High-tier Regeneration 9

Talent 3: High-tier Slow Fall 4

Class: Spellbreaker Juggernaut level 59

Stamina: 3676/690

Juggernaut's Wrath

Antimagic Momentum

Raging Thrill

Juggernaut's Inertia

Unarmored Resilience

Utility skills:

High-tier Focused Mind 9

High-tier Earnestness 3

Mid-tier Sprinting 5

High-tier Spellsense 4

Mid-tier Notice 9

Mid-tier Identify 7

Mid-tier Dodging Footwork 5

High-tier Enhanced Memory 3

Mid-tier Lecturing 2

Mid-tier Tumbling 2