Thread: Waging War Against the Heavens (Alvis and xanaphia)

Thorkell didn't hesitate as he kept moving, even hearing her shout to halt. He didn't acknowledge her directly, but he did register what she was saying. They'd come in the front doors, and if the city had any standing military power ready to go, then there would likely be an unwelcome surprise for them outside. Especially laden down with loot. He held up a hand, and waved over one of the smaller of their number. Scout. I need a view of our exit. He ordered. The other man was off at a dead run, jumping to one of the windows on the temple, and kicking it out, climbing back to the roof of the structure without slowing. The raiders assembled quickly, sensing that their leader was suspecting something amiss, and that usually meant that they were going to need to be ready to act on his orders quickly. The scout returned a few minutes later. They're out there. Three score at least, and mroe coming all the time. We could break them, but I don't know if we could do it in time. The scout said quickly in his native tongue. Thorkell nodded. About what he'd figured. It seemed this 'Seer' might actually be something. Then again, she was from the city, it was entirely possible that she would have a good idea about the response time of the local forces. Not enough to make a proper call. Thorkell! What are we doing? One of the men called. We're moving. What are those jars by the wall? Thorkell asked one of the men. Oil. Too heavy to carry back home. Fine. Stuff the caps, light them. We'll burn our way out of here. And if it spreads to some of the city? So be it. The distraction will be helpful. Ulrik, Ivar, look after our new guest. He waved an axe back to Althaea, and two warriors came up into flanking positions on her, ready to make sure she kept pace with the others. Thorkell noted that they had five jars ready, the heavy clay jars stuffed with cloth torn from the dead around them, and ready to be lit ablaze at a moment's notice. They charged through the doors, the men bearing the jars leading the charge, sworn oaths bellowed in their native tongue making the Greek soldiers flinch a moment. Not much, but it was noticable to Thorkell, who was looking for it. He'd heard about these men, soldiers for a part of the year, but their main livelyhood was from another trade. While it gave them a larger pool of warriors, none of them would be up to the same level as men that fought and killed for their entire lives, and made their living from such an act. The jars shattered against the upraised shields of the Greeks, the oil spattering far and wide, before the flaming cloth touched off the oil. Fire surged into the enemy lines, and screaming became the new dominant sound in the air. One of the structures near the temple was starting to burn from the oil, and shouts of alarm were rising quickly. Packed in as close as they were, the citizens would have to act quickly to prevent the city from suffering badly under the effects of the fire. The raiders didn't pause at the burning Greeks, those who had been fortunate enough to escape the flames were backing away quickly, having no desire to become a victim. The raiders ran to their newly planned exit. Ropes, cast to the wall, linking them to the top, and began to climb. Ten at a time, they mounted the walls, all of them fanning out to make sure that no last minute arrivals from the Greeks woudl cut them off. They were running short of time before the entire city was roused to fight them, and no matter how fierce they were, they would fall. Not one man present feared his death, but all of them wanted to return with their plunder, and fight on again ni a battle more glorious than this. Thorkell and those guarding Althaea were the last to go. Tie her off, and haul her up. Thorkell barked, and a rope was thrown around her wiast, before men started hauling her up the wall without hesitation. So far, so good.