Plight of the Draven

As I sit in my cold cell awaiting whatever horrors lie ahead, the searing, white-hot pain in my chest reminds me of the others. I can only hope that they made it out alive. Looking down at my chest, I can’t help but wonder how the hair from a dwarf’s beard could be stronger than cannon fire. I have to remember to thank Zeravica for saving my life. Hopefully it worked as well for Grimm.

When we arrived at Hexhaven, we were greeted by De Jardin forces wielding a cannon and commanding the horde as a form of perimeter defense. We had suspicions that they had found some way to weaponize the horde but we never could’ve foreseen this level of control.

Nevertheless Grimm and I made our way toward the gate in an attempt to talk our way passed the guards with the horde creeping closer and closer. While we were “negotiating” with the gunner of said cannon, I heard one of the guards say “intruders behind us” though noone heard him due to all the negotiations.

I turned to Grimm as the horde approached and said “I’m about to do something REALLY stupid.” And as the guards began to look behind them, I cocked my flintlock and fired at the gunner. I will admit that this wasn’t my brightest moment but in my defense we were meant to be a distraction.

Even though I missed, it still grabbed the attention of the guards and as they turned back towards us the horde attacked from behind. But standing there fighting the horde made us easy prey for the gunner so I attempted to draw the cannon fire away from the group. As I moved to flank the gunner, their captain stopped me and in the battle he broke my swords.

It is rare, in my profession, to run out of weapons but I found myself staring into the eyes of the captain and 2 angry guards with nothing but my last throwing knife to defend myself with. I threw it at the captain and went after a discarded weapon.

As soon as I turned around, the gunner had the cannon aimed directly at me and in that moment…everything slowed down. I saw my comrades amidst the chaos, the horde, the enemy forces and the tools they used to command these creatures.

I saw Tannas and the others cutting their way through the Horde wall. I saw Grimm cut down waves of fiend and foe alike before falling. By Zeravica’s Beard, I hope he made it. And through the flames of battle I saw the other crew sneaking through the defenses.

Then I turned to face the gunner. They yelled fire and I charged forward. I felt the force of the impact but was unconscious by the time I hit the ground. I woke to a horde creature chewing on my leg as a guard stabbed me to ensure my fight was over. As if the cannonball wasn’t enough haha.

As they dragged me away I could see Tannas and Atlas healing Grimm and together they continued the assault. They interrogated me for info on who helped us and received nothing. Now, sitting in my cell with gauzes covering my left eye, I fear for my friends and family in Meadowmere. I need to get my hands on one of those shiny gizmos they used to control the horde. I just hope they don’t recognize me.