Chapitre 72: Ardivar, Raiding Party
(Interlude) Chapter 72
The ground shook and fortress walls tore apart in a flash of blue, Ardivar hid in the corner laying behind a small wooden bench. Ardivar watched intently, Darva poured through the opening in the wall and darted in every direction. He felt excited as a group of 5 Darva surrounded 4 soldiers, taunting the humans as they darted in and out.
Ardivar wondered what the human soldiers would do. More and more Darvan warriors entered the hole in the fortress and attacked the panicking humans. A group of Darva entered the gates, following the initial strike. He could feel the armoured one in the lead channelling mana. Ardivar felt his stomach gurgle. He wondered what Darvan mages tasted like?
A tent flashed a shimmering blue, Ardivar channelled his own mana and surrounded himself in darkness before following the tasty-looking Darva. Ardivar spotted a figure dashing through the darkness, hiding behind the building and the roving warriors. Ardivar wondered if the human with would escape.
The Darva with tasty smelling magic gestured its furry head towards the human, Ardivar felt excitement in his chest as the bloodthirsty Darva charged towards the lone figure. Creeping closer, he watched the human step from cover, Ardivar felt his stomach turn as the human channelled mana, a dome of blue, formed around the human and stopped the lunging warriors.
The pesky human then created runes at the feet of the Darvan mage, the Darva lept to the side but was too slow, a pillar of blue shot into the sky forming a point before falling back to the ground, the fur on the Darvan mages side began leaking blood matting the mages fur to its side.
Yipping in what could only be anger, the 4 Darvan warriors ran around the dome of blue, slashing their claws, sending sparks flying off the shield. Ardivar decided he rather liked these Darva. Maybe if he saved them from the mage, then he could join them?
Hissing in laughter, Ardivar crept from behind the delicious-looking human. He channelled mana through his body and formed a green rune on the edge of the dome of blue mana. Ardivar patiently created two more runes while the human frantically tried to create another barrier.
The runes settle into place cutting off the human, Ardivar let his illusions fade and unsheathed his long dark claws, He crept along purposefully letting his claws rattle loudly on the rock. The human channelled a 3 layered rune that sent the Darvan mage tumbling head over tail into a tent.
Ardivar smiled as he approached from the corner of the clearing, The Darvan warriors took a step back at his appearance. He ignored their questions and ran towards the human. The stupid human cheered and shook his fist at the remaining 4 warriors.
Just as he reached the green barrier, Ardivar activated his runes, sending the flames inward-turning the human mage into a green torch. His heartbeat rapidly in his chest as he felt his claws find flesh, clamping his jaws on the back of the human's tender neck he bit down. The human stumbled forwards landing on its chest, Ardivar held on while the surprised human flailed wildly from the flame and the horrific claws.
Ardivar felt the soothing energy as the human died. He spits to the side as the foul taste of blood made him want to gag. He couldn't complain too much however the purple energy released by the dead human made him feel full and rather excited.
He turned and grinned a smile to his benefactors. The 4 Darvan warriors stood frozen, mouths agape at him. Ardivar cocked his head to the side, he pushed his thoughts at them," what are you looking at?" The Darvan warrior with a pitch-black coat of fur and a muzzle said," did it just talk to us?" Ardivar hissed a laugh. They could understand him, if he asked the humans they would say the Darva were stupid.
Ardivar strode up to the squad of Darva and pushed his thoughts at the entire squad. He said," let me join your squad." The dark Furred Darvan warrior said," what can you do to help, a little pup like you," Hissing Ardivar said," a pup, you are calling me a pup? A Darva with white fur and black stripes said," what are you doing Dark? didn't you just see what the young one did do that human pack leader?"
All the 4 Darva lowered their ears and sunk their tails as Ardivar hissed his grating laugh, Ardivar said," it looks like you don't have a pack leader anymore, I am volunteering, if anyone objects to me being the new leader speak up now."
Around the group Darva howled in victory, Ardivar felt their excitement and hunger for more bloodshed as they happily went about their task. Ardivar leads his new pack through the remains of the fortress, searching for humans that hid in the shadows. He found one and signalled to his second in command. The black-furred Darva darted forward and was on the human in moments, his shimmering claws tearing flesh and taking the human's life in a gout of blood.
Ardivar scoffed at the rampaging Darva running through tents and killing everything in sight. He wouldn't let his pack be so reckless. Leading the way, he crept through the shadows.
Ardivar projected his thoughts, "Be quiet as possible, if I hear any of you howl like the others ill feed you to the humans."
He felt their feelings towards him gradually change from fear to something resembling respect. Almost every time they came upon a human they would catch them by surprise unaware and off guard.
Brimming with energy and covered in human blood, Ardivar lead his 4 pack mates from the fortress. His number two gestured past the burning fortress to the clearing where the remaining Darva were gathering.
Ardivar said," number 2, what are we gathering in the clearing for?"
The Black-haired Darva's long wide ears wilted as he said," for the last time I am called Darkethern, not 2, and we are going to attack the other human fortress tonight, the one of the thundering water."
Ardivar said, "After the raid, I will reward your excellent work, follow me we are going ahead of the main pack."
He looked them over. They all had performed rather nicely, Ardivar couldn't complain. It disgusted him as they ate the humans' horses raw. Waving his tail, he decided he could overlook that. Hissing in excited laughter Ardivar trotted towards the road, glancing over his shoulder grinning as all four of his new pack were following him, their tails raised.
Running through the forest, Ardivar followed the river, The airbrushed his skin and his breath came in long deep breaths. Hours later he could hear the faint rumble of crashing water as he weaved through trees leading his pack towards the next battle. He hissed and drew closer to the water, torches outlined the faint outline of humans on the walls. Surround by a clearing of grass and mud, the fortress rested next to the river, its back to the rushing falls and its front to the clear meadow, making a stealthy approach near impossible.
Ardivar turned to his squad. This would be the test to see if they were loyal or feared him enough to follow.
He pushed his thoughts towards his pack and said, "follow, we are entering the water and swimming down next to the walls."
Number 2 said," the water, but that's dangerous we will drown and die."
Ardivar unsheathed his claws and said," are you questioning my orders?"
Ardivar grinned, all of his pack lowered their tails in submission as he snarled at them.
He said," I will lead the way, don't swim too far away from the shore, keep close and be quiet no howling."
The brown-haired Number 4 said," what about our armour when it gets wet we might not swim." Ardivar stuck his snout into the air, then take it off. We don't have all night."
The Darvan warriors all shuffled, Ardivar looked at them as they lowered their ears and bared their teeth.
Ardivar sighed he said," don't worry about it, follow me you will just need to deal with the armour for now."
He sauntered over to the rushing water, his claws gouging the soft dirt, and dipped his claws into the river. The rushing water sent shivers down his spine. Crawling down into the frothing river he felt his heart race, he plunged into the water and paddled all four feet, swiping wildly. The bank of the river rushed by, holding his head above the water and paddling his paws as he waited. He watched his pack leaping into the water and immediately paddling down towards him.
Ardivar kept his mind calm, his pack's fear drifted to him as they panicked in the rushing water, the rocks brushed his claws and legs as he kicked off them propelling himself down the river towards the fortress. Over the rushing water, the human fortress rapidly approached. His breathing was quick as he paddled towards the shore, trying to ignore the cold water on his skin.
He projected his thoughts, "move towards the shore, and be quiet!"
Number 4 said," I can't touch the rocks help!"
Ardivar turned around, digging his claws between the rocks and holding him to the bank, Up the river number 4 frantically paddled splashing water as the smallest Darva tried to reach the shore.
Hissing he watched his number 2, 3 and 5 stop just above him on the riverbank, grasping the rocks and turning to watch their packmate float by. Ardivar caught the thought of anger and concern and hissed to himself.
He waited for his packmate to approach as the Darva splashed wildly as though it couldn't swim. Ardivar lept from the shore and splashed next to number 4. He paddled over and grasped the back of the warriors' armour between his teeth.
Breathing through his snout he dragged the heavy Darva towards the shore, the Darva flailed wildly as it reached for him but it couldn't reach as he continued to paddle with all of his strength towards the shore. His claws reached rocks grasping solid ground, and the rest of his pack clambered through the water to catch up. His number two, the black-furred Darva, grabbed the panicking Darva by the armour with his teeth and helped pull him to shore.
Ardivar panted and coughed up water, He turned to the pack. All the pack had their tails lowered, and their ears drooped.
Ardivar said," what? why are you all scared?"
number 2 said," Taliante is our youngest, she just passed his rights, you are mistaken we are ashamed, letting one of our young dies is a disgrace, it is our job as her elders to guide her to become a true warrior ."
Ardivar said," well number 4 is still alive so don't worry about it."
The Darva gasping next to him at number 4, The warrior was indeed smaller, this warrior had some fight, he had seen her tear open two soldiers just because she was young didn't mean she wasn't deadly. He decided he could forgive her for not being able to swim, as the other Darva had stayed close on the rocks. Her ears were shorter and not as wide as the rest of the packs, her fur stuck to her frame showing her thin body underneath all that fur.
Ardivar said," number 4 later you will need to learn to swim."
his pack mates hissed in laughter as their youngest waving her tail happily.
His number two said," thank you pack leader, I had my doubts, but you have shown your spirit."
Ardivar grinned, he shivered, shaking himself side to side as he walked towards the bank of the river, gesturing towards the fortress he couldn't help but hiss in laughter. The rear of the fortress had walls short walls half the height of the front, even the torches lining the walls were far fewer making a much easier assault. Ardivar led his pack keeping low to the ground and keeping to the shadows as they approached the backside of the fortress.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone