I hope folks are enjoying the story so far. Please leave comments, as criticism both positive and constructive is inherently useful. Plus, I like reading comments, so that's cool.
The Tattooed Woman Volume 2 - Chapter 16: Something Wicked This Way Comes.
Ashunara sat on the log and pursed her lips in thought. Ostensibly she was watching members of her Company at training, but half her mind lay elsewhere as she mused.
A bit away from the camp Dana and Lily were practicing archery with Azure, firing rapidly from crouched stances, with bows canted. After each salvo the scout would gesture for them to move, compelling them to shift position, closer or further from the targets, or loping from left to right, only pausing to loose further arrows at her signaled command, for even in training the canny wench refused to shout or make unnecessary noise.
The weapons were shortbows of Orcish make. They were recurved and lovingly crafted from wood, horn and sinew, and though less powerful than the deadly warbows they were lethal enough, faster to use and quieter, and the bodkin and broadhead arrows slammed into the targets with significant force.
It was strenuous work, made all the harder as Azure had fashioned blunted arrows of her own, padding them with cloth and leather, and every so often she would loose a shot at one of her students if she thought they had slowed or required some additional motivation.
The Captain was familiar with the woman's accuracy with a bow,
"Or knife, sword, or pointy stick for that matter,"
and she chuckled at the casual manner in which she fired off arrows left and right of her pupils, missing them by mere inches at a time. But even in missing, the whistling of an arrow as it nipped at their heels or almost clipped their ears had the desired effect.
Closer to their hidden encampment Muriah was continuing her training with the spear while Gorsini had taken to sparring with a couple of Orcs and she had watched a while. The man was certainly skilled with the longsword he favored and holding his own against his larger and stronger opponents.
When he took a break to drink and wipe the sweat from his face, she had asked why he had chosen to spar with the Orcs and now she grinned as she considered his reply.
He had chuckled, "Gives them a chance to take a swing at the Human."
"That it?"
He sniffed and his eyes were serious for a moment, "No, t'is good for their morale, and lets them see me as a warrior, but even more so you said we were fighting Firbolg?"
She nodded, "So they say."
The man grunted, "Well, I've never fought Firbolg, but I've heard they are somewhat Orcish in size and fighting style, so this is the next best thing."
The Captain idly scratched the tip of a delicately pointed ear as she mused, "It's been a long time since I've crossed blades with them, they retreated into the mountains and deep woods ages ago and are seldom seen these days, though there was the odd raiding party."
He nodded, "Are they Orcish then?"
The Dark Elf considered, "Somewhat taller, leaner, perhaps not so powerfully built, but just as wild. They are skilled hunters, and favour bow and spear, though I doubt they are averse to using axe and sword should the need arise."
Looking at him she gave a thoughtful half-shrug, "In truth it's not really their fighting ability that concerns be overmuch, but their speed."
"Speed?"
"Aye, my Company are hardy and experienced enough for the most part that I'd pit them against foes even at odds with reasonable confidence that we'd prevail. But Firbolg, like Orcs, are prodigiously quick when it comes to travelling across country, even over very rough ground. This troubles me, for we're not used to being outpaced," she jerked her thumb back over her shoulder," and that column back there that we scout for is waddling along with all the speed and urgency of a pregnant cow in a pasture."
Gorsini nodded, "Surely though, to move at such a pace these Firbolg need must travel light, with little in the way of armour, or supplies?"
She nodded but made a sound of resigned exasperation, "What you say is true enough, they wear hides and leathers for the most part, or no armour at all trusting to woad to protect them, and with our mail we'd like as not cut them to pieces in a stand-up fight. But they know that as well as we do, and they'll not serve themselves up to be slaughtered just for our convenience," she sniffed and continued thoughtfully, "no, they'll harass us, ambush and kill our scouts, get in behind us and attack the baggage train, that's what I'd do at least if I were them."
Gorsini frowned and then gave her a grin, "Hang on! Ambush and kill our scouts? That's us is it not?"
"Aye, that's us."
The man laughed and slapped her on the back, "Well, lucky for us we have a devious bitch for a Captain who'll turn their tricks back on them I would think. Is this not so?"
She nodded, "That's the plan. But you know what they say about plans."
"They never survive contact with the enemy? Or every plan is a good one until the first arrow is loosed?"
Favouring him with a wry chuckle she nodded, "Both."
The man drew a breath and eyed the woman steadily, "You and I, we've dodged and skipped past each other on the border for years have we not?"
"True enough."
He turned to face her fully, "Well, in that time I think I've had opportunity to measure the gauge of my foe Captain, and I'm not concerned. If they cross blades with us, you'll hand them their fucking heads!"
She smiled at the compliment, "That's kindly spoken, but I'm still not sleeping with you."
The man theatrically clutched at his heart and staggered before laughing, "Damn! See I was right! No plan survives contact with the enemy."
She had walked off laughing, "Oh get back to work ye eejit."
Still chuckling at the memory, she looked up as an Orc approached. He was an imposing figure, towering over her, feral yellow eyes gleaming and tribal tattoos and scars displayed on his face and forearms. His long hair was tied in a fighting braid that fell down his back, his movements were almost like those of a wolf or mayhap a mountain lion stalking its prey, and he looked strong enough to snap her like a twig.
Rising gracefully, she gave him a respectful nod of acknowledgement, "Is it done?"
The creature grunted, "Aye, supply caches hidden or buried along our march."
"Well hidden?"
He sniffed and nodded, "Some might be found, but most not."
"Good. Any trouble?"
"Saw some patrols, some scouts, avoided them as you asked."
Ashunara grinned and thumped him on the chest, "Good work! I knew I could rely on you."
The Orc knew he was being played by the devious sprite, but he grinned nonetheless and his eyes gleamed, "I serve!"
Chuckling she gave an almost witsful sigh as she looked up at the creature's hard-bitten face, "You know Warrior, there are times you make me wish I was just a bit larger. I still say your mates are the most fortunate of women."
With a feral grin he nodded, "You have warriors spirit She-Elf, maybe next time if lucky you come back as Orc."
"I should be so lucky. Go get yourself some food for you and your warriors, Maggie's not here but there is some good salted pork, and Lashelle cooked up a decent rabbit stew for all that."
He grunted and ambled off.
Nyx sauntered over and handed over a flask, "How goes it?"
