[Taocow PBEM] Chapter XVI - Into The Southlands

[Alex Bayne]

> [GM
> The tunnel is some fifty feet long.  It must certainly be very old,  
> for
> the concrete is cracked and chipped, with tree roots slowly tearing it
> to pieces.  It leads steadily downwards until it ends in the middle  
> of a
> rather brambly rose bush which hides the exit.
>
> Struggling through this bracken, the company finds itself at a muddy
> section of the river bank.  A few hundred feet downstream the docks  
> can
> be seen clearly, fire engulfing many of the boats.  Several boats have
> escaped however, and are either keeping to the middle of the river or
> haphazardly moored to the other side, where a small village has  
> grown up
> around the ruins of an ancient bridge.  Most of the residents of the
> village are standing on the banks watching the fire.
>
> The going is tough here, with thick mud hampering progress.  Slowly  
> the
> company makes their way towards the village Sia has told them about.
> Finally the mud gives a way to firmer, rocky ground.  Beyond the river
> is a hilly land of wooded knolls, grassy fields and small farms.
>
> Soon the village can be seen in the distance, a small affair of  
> maybe a
> dozen houses surrounded by an earthen wall that has fallen into
> disrepair.  A few sheep bleat as the company passes them by, but other
> than that is dead silence, with only the odd distance shout from the
> city, and the red glow of the fires, to disturb the night.
>
> The company fords a small creek at the foot of the earthen wall.  From
> the top of the wall there is a commanding view of the village and the
> river.  The speed boat they are to use is moored to a small dock,  
> with a
> small contingent of soldiers, one on horseback, keeping guard.  The
> mounted soldier catches sight of the company and spurs his horse  
> forward.
>
> The soldier, a Wolfen, approaches, and when he sees Sia he takes off  
> his
> helment and bows his head.  "Lady Sialillion, the boat awaits you.  It
> would be best if you hurry.  We've had reports of brigands, maybe
> connected to that lot that are causing all that trouble in the city.
> I've got my orders to get you on the boat and then track the bastards
> down.  So if you would..."
>
> There's a faint whine of an energy rifle somewhere in the village, and
> the wolfen's head explodes into burned fur and sizzling flesh.  The
> horse rears in fear and bolts, knocking Osiris to the ground.  From  
> the
> village shots fire, at least two shooters, and the company is  
> completely
> exposed.
> [/GM]

[Sia]
Sialillion's eyes go wide as some of the flecks of gore spray towards  
her.   She quickly dives into the grass and goes prone.  As soon as  
she is able, she crawls to somewhere behind the earthen wall and tries  
to use her night vision to get a look at where the snipers are hiding.
[/Sia]