Closed Antique's Society Dig - Defense

[Vanator]

Vanator sat atop Sirocco, alert, gaze constantly in motion. The dynamics of the party concerned him, irritated him. The Akalak rivals seemed as concerned with each other in hatred as they were with protecting the dig. Damn, they were more prideful than Drykas. The Denusk's eyes only lingered a tick at a time on Nodorus and Venkork, and Riaris, as the they barely contained their mistrust of one another. But Akalak were warriors above all, and Vanator was certain that, when it came to battle, they would fight side by side.

Another glance was afforded to Sybel upon each scan of the surroundings. They shared no words or amorous glances. The lovers both understood their roles that day, and any distractions could cost them dearly. Still, Van would abandon one and all if Sybel were to need him, and he would offer no apology for it.

The suspected threat was glassbeak. For almost forty years had Vanator ridden through Cyphrus, a veteran of the grasslands, nearly an elder among a people who's lifespans were usually shortened by living in the Sea. Yet, glassbeaks still set him on edge. Maybe that is how he lived so long. The fool who underestimated the avian predators was the fool who fed them his flesh. Van had been that fool once. He and Hex had stolen an egg from a nest. Had not an old tunnel collapse beneath them as they fled, Vanator would have died that day.

So when Venkork pointed out the stalking beast, Van's eyes flew to the spot, confirming the sighting. A darting glance at Sybel affirmed her awareness as well. His brow knitted a bit as she dropped her crossbow. Van nodded, encouraged that she understood what was going to happen. This close, you may get a round off at an attacking glassbeak, but if it didn't drop, or its flockmates were behind it, you were defenseless. The ugliness of fighting a glassbeak up close was horrifying, more deadly than any other encounter in the Sea.

Vanator shrugged, adjusting the lay of his chainmail tunic across his shoulders, and quietly tucking his bow back in the case hanging from the yvas, the arrow back to the quiver. A strong hand gripped the haft of the battle ax suspended by a loop on the other side, lifting it free. His left hand tugged loose the small wooden shield behind him, slipping it onto his arm. For the moment, Vanator remained mounted. The Strider was the only horse among them that could match the glassbeak's speed, and if any made a break for the dig site, the Drykas was the only one who could catch them. Softly muttered Pavi soothed Sirocco, and prepared the stallion for what was to come, though the creature seemed to have already sensed the predator's as well, and stomped immpatiently at the grass.

[Magpie]

The breeze was the only sound on the grass, all creatures silent in the presence of a predator. There were no more peeks from any distant feathered heads, though whether they had vanished or simply did not need to track them visually anymore, remained to be seen.

Several tense chimes went by and Nodorus opened his mouth to speak, not taking his eyes from the grass. "Maybe they've-"

"They're there." Venkork growled, and before Nodorus could retort, there was a thin whistle and a 'thunk' in the grass behind them.

Whipping around, the group saw just in time as four Glassbeaks break from the grass, stepping over the arrow that had downed far from its target in the grass. They were spread out in an arch, attempting to flank the group, with a heavy, bright green Glassbeak at the head.

He was easily eight feet tall, and his heavy steps pushed down the grass where he walked, no longer concerned with stealth. Two young males, both bright pink and well over seven feet in their own right, approached next, slightly behind and to the side. At the end crept a grey and pink youngling, easily seven feet tall but still coming into its adult feathers. From the south, a Kuvay'nas rider pounded toward them, already nocking another arrow.

With a roar of bloodlust, Venkork jumped forward, drawing the attention of the leader while the others spread out to herd the group in. Nodorus jumped forward, lakan already swinging towards one of the pink Glassbeaks, though the agile head dodged it immediately.

What followed was near chaos, between the cry of warriors, the stamp of clawed feet and hooves, and the clash of beaks and metal.

[Riaris Dovukalis]

It turned out to be more glassbeak than he had first expected. One large one led the group and the others scattered around them. The group of warriors weren't overwhelmed at these numbers, They were all trained in their own crafts and none of them would be taken down easily. Riaris held his lakan at the ready and watched them move around. He kept his back to them noting by their movements that they were trying to flank the group.

When they attacked Riaris darted in with the rest of him. Dovukalis followed Nodorus into battle and slipped to the opposite side of the pink glassbeak. He slashed at the beast body first and made another slash towards one of it's legs. " Nodorus I got you covered!"