A stranger enters

[ayrisa]

Ryse pushed a table out of her way and glanced at Aramil. He'd looked at her as if to say Call me if you need me. She could take care of herself.

Suddenly all went silent. The people barely breathed, and the elder's skin was a deathly pale. Ryse hoped he stayed out of the fighting. He should have a pitchfork, she thought.

The door shuddered violently under the weight of an unseen force. The heavy, dark barricaded oak door didn't give in, but then it shuddered again. And again. And again. And suddenly, a splintering crack emanated from the door as the left side caved in. One more hit from the enemy and door opened wide- luckily not wide enough for the horses.

Men flooded into the spacious tavern, brandishing weapons. Most were protected by at least leather armour, some with chain mail. The weakest point of chain mail is under the arms and the chin, Ryse remembered from an early lesson in archery.

Her bow leveled up, and she drew it back to full draw, sighting instinctively on the leader of the barbarians. Loosing four arrows in quick succession, she took out all the men she aimed at.

A panicked cry

[Aramil Draksson]

Aramil dashed forward to the closest of the intruders, slamming the blade of one of the daggers up into his armpit at an angle that would pierce his lung. Aramil then backed off so as not to be taken by surprise. He glanced at Ryse and was amazed at the speed of her shots.

[ayrisa]

Ryse loosed five arrows in quick succession, hitting nearly everything she aimed at. She glanced at Aramil to see if he needed any help, but he was accurately and rapidly stabbing the intruders.

Despite their skill, the intruders were still pouring in through the now-hacked-to-pieces oak door. The other men were now getting into close quarters and for that reason, she slipped her longbow in another corner and drew her two double-edged knives. Ryse looked longingly at the cask of ale still untouched on the bar and wished she had a bit to refuel her strength.

The bartender was taking a huge hammer and banging in the intruder's skulls. "I quite like that method, sir!" She yelled over the din of screaming, cursing, and the banging of steel on steel. He grinned, reached over her head, and conked another one hard enough to send him toppling into his comrades.

I wonder why they've come, Ryse thinks to herself as the battle turns in the original occupants' favor.

[Aramil Draksson]

Aramil returned to the skirmish, jabbing the knives into the intruder's spines and necks, making sure to take them out and back away before another could get the drop on him.

[scragglebeard]

Noticing the commotion and screams, Dimrond the Dwarf raised his massive warhammer and rushed across the street. Barbarians were still attempting to make their way into the tavern.

As Dimrond approached, he swung his mighty hammer and caught one in the legs, taking him out. A quick downward blow to the head once on the ground finished the job.

[Aramil Draksson]

Aramil steps back away from the attackers as he sees one near the back suddenly lift up a bit, and then fall over. Hoping a bit more help has come to finish this fight quickly, he continues. Aramil stabs a dagger through one of the attacker's chest, then steps areound him to plant the other in his kidney.