The Lot

Nine in number, they had struck as two units. First came the eight priestesses who had pressed the enemy. In reckless pursuit the phalanx formation was given up rather quickly after succeeding disorderly pikes, caltrops, and bear traps that would’ve hindered only a cavalry or a larger infantry. Half a dozen shields of fresh, aureate steel repelled and thrusted aback a hail of arrows as they stormed the bandit lair. whereas Varion in the old and shaggy hoplite armor of bygone generations was left behind to measure himself with branches of the lounging around pine trees, the priestesses slew the Lot with piercing javelins and gashing strikes of silver steel.

His sole victim had been a bandit that had broken away, jumped off a rope, which led to a wooden platform on a tree, and run from whatever formation they had tried to obtain. Varion had chivvied him until the noise of the clash succumbed to the hassle between branches and bushes.

Hoping Varion was of superstitious fear, the bandit fled towards the center of the forest but foundered over curled root that lay hidden beneath a mountain of needles. The chaser killed him quickly and left him behind for the animals to do the rest. 

When he returned, the battle was already over. 

The plunderers had fought with little to no discipline except for Crod. He had wounded two wild priestess, piercing the calf of one and throwing his shield on the other’s head. 

Still unconscious, she was protected by the High Priestess and in the meantime Varion pounced on the outlaw. Agilely, he sidestepped a lunge of the gang leader and remained waiting as Crod stroke out, giving up his safe stance, and kneed him in the crotch. The metal of his protection bit his thigh bone but other than that he was fine.

Thus, Varion disarmed Crod, sheathed his sword, and overstrained him in hand-to-hand combat, repeatedly thrusting his fist in his midriff and face. A wall of shields and spears targeted Persilaus as the other priestesses closed in on them and when Daria entered the ring, the gang leader was hardly standing. She added a couple of blows when he and smashed him on the ground; his face began to look like Varion’s bulged breastplate.

Strapping him on the ground of needles, the High Priestess went to cut his arms and legs, clogged his mouth and called for her officers. They beat two clubs on each knee and shattered it beyond all doubt, while Daria worked herself into a violent frenzy.

“How could you sell her!” bellowed she and kicked his stomach. Crod produced a whiff mixed with bright red drool as she booted him once more and repeated her demand time and again. He squirmed on the dirt and pleaded for mercy––nothing the Priestesses of Sevara were known for. She was relentless and only ceased from worrying him when he stammered for an answer.