530 Cyclops Spawn
Dinner ended with a huge pot of leftovers that were transferred to a container provided by the farmer's wife for them to enjoy later, and Karl settled in for the night.
The beasts could watch from inside their spaces, other than Thor, who had positioned himself in the driveway to the farmyard, between the entrance and the people.
There was a sturdy fence all around the yard, so that was the only likely area for entrance by an unknown threat, and therefore the best spot for him.
Ophelia was with the first watch group, which was more than a little upsetting to Lotus, who wanted to cuddle, while Karl and Dana would take the dawn watch, just before the sun came up. The guards had wanted five watches, each with two guards, which was a bit excessive in Karl's mind, but they also didn't have the beasts watching out for danger. If it was a single guard, an assassin could sneak in and eliminate them, then go for the General. It was odd that they hadn't insisted on someone from their team taking the morning watch, but they were likely planning to be up by then and starting on breakfast, so they didn't see the need to have one of theirs as the guard.
Tessa would likely be awake for that watch as well, or at least halfway through it. She rarely slept past the dawn wake-up call after so many years on the church's schedule.
So, Karl settled in to sleep peacefully with Dana after their watch, only to be awakened by the sound of screaming far too soon after he closed his eyes.
[Report. What is going on?] Karl asked.
[Another spawn. Hawk is already in the air.] Remi replied.
[It seems to be centred on us, and it extends all the way back to the fortress, a whole day's travel. I can see the torches as the fortress army units gather to fight in the dark.] Hawk added.
That was massive. If it was centred on them, and they had covered close to eighty kilometres during the day, this newest spawn was absolutely massive.
[What is attacking?] Karl asked as he equipped his armour and took out his maul.
Karl jumped onto the roof of the house to take in more of the situation and realized that these ones weren't the only one who would need some assistance.
He could see four other farms in the distance, and they were all fighting with makeshift weapons, like the ones he was selling, but not adapted to be used as weapons.
They were so close to two major cities, and along a heavily populated route that was travelled by hundreds every day, that they didn't really need weapons other than for defence against unscrupulous travellers.
The farm family was coming out in hastily donned coats over their pyjamas, carrying whatever farm tools came to hand.
"Hey, over here. We have weapons." Karl called. The Minotaurs rushed over to where Karl was, while the guards from the General's caravan harassed the Giant Boar who had made it closest to the farm.
The ladies had taken the net from over the cargo, and the Minotaurs smiled as they realized that the weapons were all modelled after things that they already know how to use.
They each grabbed a tool and pulled the working heads off the convertible ones. "We will stay near your charges, would you guard the back side of the house? We should be alright, even if you take both the Naga with you." "I will have them watch the side of the house. The guards for the General have the other side, but we can send someone to help them if you need."
The oldest of the Minotaur Farmers smiled and patted Karl on the shoulder. "As long as they don't make it to the house, it's fine. We have no animals, and they've already trampled the fields. We will see in the morning what can be salvaged."
Karl nodded. "I will do what I can to keep them out of the vegetable garden out back."
"I would appreciate that."
[Remi, have the bodyguards watch the two sides of the house and keep everyone mostly on this side, so I can let everyone out to play.]