34 Speechless
"This one still lives!" Eduardo yelled from below. Kicking at one of the enemies that had passed through the fort door and had been taken down.
He was dressed in tattered, muddied clothes, with dried blood covering him. His face was scarred and disfigured, with his red rimmed eyes looking around erratically. His hands were now weaponless, but the dirt ridden, broken nails showed he was unkempt and not a fan of clean hygiene.
Character Information
Name - Arthur O'Neill
Position - Pirate
Age - 32
Relationship Status - Negative *Wants you dead*
Level - 2
Additional Information - In a past life, Arthur was a known Thief and Brawler in his local town, arrested on multiple occasions. He eventually died in prison after insulting some other prisoners and starting a jail riot. In the riot the prisoners he insulted cornered him and tortured him to death.
Skills - Insane, Blood Lust, Speechless.
Potential - 3 stars
More information upon level up
"Not for much longer!" Gan Ning yelled angrily as he charged over, his duel swords raised, preparing to strike him. Gan Ning's anger was billowing at the thought of someone attacking them, and the sight of his hurt friend.
Little Tai was sat propped against the fort wall, holding his side tightly. Vlad was next to him helping him push hard against the wound to stem any blood flow. He was pale in the face and it was obvious that he had lost a reasonable amount of blood.
"Wait!" Mark ordered Gan Ning quickly. "Find Sakura and have her question him."
Gan Ning stopped his progress and shook his head angrily, but understood Mark's reasoning, information was the key.
Arthur looked up, his erratic eyes catching Mark's. He smiled, revealing a bloodied mouth with jagged teeth.
Eduardo threw a punch in to Arthur's face, attempting to clear the smile away from it. Arthur however reacted by cackling loudly, revealing a gaping hole in his mouth.
Eduardo punched him again, but Arthur just continued cackling at them, spitting a mouthful of blood on the floor.
"He won't give you any information." Sakura announced as she walked towards the front gate where most of the red ribbons were gathered.
"Why is that?" Mark questioned from the top wall, watching Eduardo beating Arthur below.
"He is insane, and has no tongue!" Sakura replied matter of factly.
Mark was shocked, he has no tongue? Maybe that was why he had the skill speechless. This was a wasted opportunity and a waste of time. Thankfully the sight Boudica and the other archers had kept their foe from approaching any further.
The enemy had slowly gathered infront of the fort, with a small contingent prying their way around the fort exterior. The Archers matched their pace, and thankfully the moonlight was in their favour.
"Shit!" Eduardo exclaimed, unsheathing a dagger and slicing Arthur's neck open. Arthur had a look of shock on his face as blood spurted from his neck on to the floor, created a large red puddle that surrounded both his and his comrades body.
"What are we against!" Gan Ning exclaimed, his men nodding in agreement.
"Gan Ning, send some men to help keep an eye the enemy, they are stretching my archers too thinly." Boudica ordered.
Gan Ning looked at her in frustration, he didn't want to be ordered around, especially right now when his anger levels were high. His men noticed his reaction but didn't say anything.
"Anne, take two people and watch the rear, Hilda take 2 and watch the east. Vito, the same but to the west." Gan Ning ordered quickly. "The rest of you stay central and support where needed."
"Tend to the wounded and split resource to where it is needed." Mark ordered. "Boudica keep a watch and inform me if they make a move, something doesn't feel right."
"They are planning something, it's just what." Boudica replied before looking back towards the main group of enemies that just stood outside of range. "But if they don't attack soon, we will have some very tired troops, it may be worth resting some people for the time being."
Mark headed down the steps towards the injured Little Tai. He looked around at the injuries to his Red Ribbons who had supported the newcomers, and the tired and battle worn Cave Bandits and Hunters that had now joined them. Those that had not joined their new colleagues on the walls were helping each other bandage up wounds and prepare for the long night ahead.
System Notification
Mission Complete
62/50 Mercenaries hired
"Congratulations" Wilson offered. "Reward and mission time later. I won't interrupt for now."
"Thanks Wilson!" Mark exclaimed internally. He was way ahead of schedule, but this random attack was unexpected and that was his concentration for now.
As Mark reached the bottom of the steps, he noticed a Hunter was heading over to him. He was muscular and an average height, with long golden brown hair and a short beard.
Character Information
Name - Orion
Position - Hunter Archer
Age - 24
Relationship Status - Positive
Level - 4
Additional Information - In a past life, Orion was a peasant archer, adopted by an old farmer. He rose to fame by clearing a small Greek island of all dangerous beasts through hunting. He eventually married a princess and lived a long happy life.
Potential - 4 stars
More information upon level up
"I am Orion, chief of the Hunter's. Dwayne mentioned that you planned to rid this area of chaos and unlawfulness. We had decided to join and appreciate your men's quick response to rescue us. I look forward to seeing what we can do together." Orion said, clasping his bandaged arm across his chest and bowing slightly. He then turned and headed back to his men, making sure they were all clear from critical wounds.
Mark reached Little Tai finally, placing his arm on his shoulder. Belle had finished her work by now and was helping the other injured Red Ribbons, whilst Vlad stood nearby incase his new friend and commander needed help.
"How you holding up?" Mark asked.
"He was one of Captain Lowe's guys." Little Tai explained meekly. A bandage was pulled tightly around his waist, which caused pain when he spoke. Belle was thorough and wanted to Make sure the bleeding was covered.
Mark ignored the comment at first and looked down at the wound. The bandage was tight, but it was obvious it would need further cleaning and stitching. He wondered how good the medical experience was in this world.
"I'll get Sengo to cautorize it." Vlad offered seriously, noticing Mark's expression.
"Fuck off." Little Tai responded angrily, the pain still excruciating in his side. "Mark listen, I recognise that look, he is one of Captain Lowe's!"
"Who is Captain Lowe?" Mark replied.
"One of mum's old captains. He took some of the more deplorable crews and ships and fled many years ago after a failed coup." Little Tai responded.
"How do you know he was one of his?" Mark replied questioningly. Mark was surprised that anyone would have tried a coup against Captain Zheng, she was an intimidating character.
"Captain Lowe is brutal, his men are insane, unafraid of death or pain. Cutting out a man's tongue is something that he would do over a simple insult." Little Tai responded. "He cared not for their welfare of cleanliness. The random night attack sums up his insanity."
"But why here? why now?" Mark asked.
"Because he must have heard that Captain Zheng no longer runs this fort. Plus if the Wolfheads are coming, then maybe they have a similar agreement." Eduardo offered has he walked over and joined the conversation. "I know Captain Ned Lowe, he is a terrifying man and I feared his unpredictable ruthlessness. What ever happens, we must not loose this fight."
Mark thought seriously for a moment on what their next actions should be. His men needed rest after the day of fighting, but if the enemy were so unpredictable he couldn't take the risk. They were outnumbered, out prepared and exhausted, it was not a great position to be in.
"Mark, they are moving!" Boudica shouted from the wall loudly, causing the men below to grasp their weapons tightly.
